Document Document Title
US09187504B2 Method of making hydroxymethylphosphonate
A method of making hydroxymethylphosphonate comprising heating paraformaldehyde in a solvent to a desired reaction temperature, wherein the solvent is present in at least an amount necessary to solvate or suspend the paraformaldehyde; adding at least one alkyl phosphite to the heated paraformaldehyde, to provide hydroxymethylphosphonate, the alkyl phosphite being added to the heated paraformaldehyde at a rate which will avoid or inhibit the production of a significant exotherm and resulting high/significant level of acid by-product(s), there being present in the reaction medium at least one hindered amine catalyst in which the nitrogen in the amine is directly bound to a secondary and/or tertiary carbon of an organic group; and, optionally, following the completion of the addition, heating the reaction mixture to an elevated temperature.
US09187503B2 Olefinically unsaturated phosphonate compounds, polymers made therefrom and their use
This invention relates to compounds of formulae (1a) and (1b) wherein R means H or C1- to C6-alkyl, X is a structural unit selected from the formulae  wherein m and k mean independently from each other a number from 1 to 12 for (4) and (5) and from 1 to 11 for (6), Y is a structural unit selected from the formulae wherein a, b independently from each other are integers from 1 to 10 R means hydrogen or C1- to C6-alkyl R2 means an alkylene or alkylidene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an arylene or alkylarylene group having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms R3, R4, R5, R6 independently from each other mean an alkylene or alkylidene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an arylene or alkylarylene group having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, Z means a cation, and n means an integer being two or higher.
US09187499B2 Fluorescent probe
A compound represented by the formula (I) (R1 represents hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent; R2 and R3 represent hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or a halogen atom; R4 and R5 represent an alkyl group or an aryl group; R6 and R7 represent hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or a halogen atom; R8 represent hydroxy group or a dialkoxyboranetriyl group; and X represents silicon atom, germanium atom, or tin atom), which is a novel fluorophore usable as a mother nucleus of an off/on type fluorescent probe not utilizing the intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer.
US09187497B2 Substituted pyrido[3,2-e]pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazines as inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase (PARP)
Disclosed are compounds of the following formula: in which R1, R2, R5, R6, R7, R31, u, and X are defined in the specification. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and articles of manufacture, which contain the compounds, methods and intermediates useful for making the compounds, and methods of using the compounds to treat diseases, disorders, and conditions related to PARP activity.
US09187490B2 Dimeric IAP inhibitors
Molecular mimics of Smac are capable of modulating apoptosis through their interaction with cellular IAPs (inhibitor of apoptosis proteins). The mimetics are based on a monomer or dimer of the N-terminal tetrapeptide of IAP-binding proteins, such as Smac/DIABLO, Hid, Grim and Reaper, which interact with a specific surface groove of IAP. Also disclosed are methods of using these peptidomimetics for therapeutic purposes. In various embodiments of the invention the Smac mimetics of the invention are combined with chemotherapeutic agents, including, but not limited to topoisomerase inhibitors, kinase inhibitors, NSAIDs, taxanes and platinum containing compounds use broader language.
US09187489B2 Imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine derivatives as kinase inhibitors
The present invention is intended to provide a compound or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof which is useful in the treatment of a tumor through its ROS1 kinase enzyme activity inhibitory effect and NTRK kinase enzyme inhibitory effect. The present invention provides a compound having an imidazo[1,2-b]pyridazine structure represented by the general formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound. In the formula, R1, G, T, Y1, Y2, Y3, and Y4 are as defined herein.
US09187484B2 Triazolopyridazine compounds, use as inhibitors of the kinase LRRK2, and methods for preparation thereof
Provided are novel LRRK2 kinase inhibitors and methods of treating disease states using these inhibitors. Examples of LRRK2 kinase inhibitors are compounds of the formula: or derivatives thereof. An example is 1-(piperidin-1-yl)-2-((3-(thiophen-2-yl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b]pyridazin-6-yl)thio)butan-1-one. Particular uses include treating neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, autoimmune diseases and leprosy.
US09187478B2 Substituted naphthyridines and their use as medicaments
The invention relates to new substituted naphthyridines of formula 1, as well as pharmacologically acceptable salts, diastereomers, enantiomers, racemates, hydrates or solvates thereof, wherein R1 is selected from among —O—R3 or —NR3R4, R3 is C1-6-alkyl which is substituted by R5 and R6, R5 is selected from hydrogen, branched or linear C1-6-alkyl, C2-6-alkenyl, —C1-6-alkylen-O—C1-3-alkyl, C1-3-haloalkyl, R6 is ring X wherein n is either 0 or 1, and is a either a single or a double bond and wherein A, B, D and E are each independently from one another selected from CH2, CH, C, N, NH, O or S and wherein ring X is attached to the molecule either via position A, B, D or E, wherein said ring X may optionally be further substituted by one, two or three residues each selected individually from the group consisting of -oxo, hydroxy, —C1-3-alkyl, —C1-3-haloalkyl, —O—C1-3-alkyl, —C1-3-alkanol and halogen, and wherein R4, R2, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11 and Q may have the meanings as given in claim 1, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds.
US09187477B2 Azabenzimidazole derivatives
The present invention relates to compounds of general formula I, wherein the group R1, R2, X, Y and z are defined as in claim 1, which have valuable pharmacological properties, in particular bind to the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and modulate its activity. The compounds are suitable for treatment and prevention of diseases which can be influenced by this receptor, such as metabolic diseases, in particular diabetes type 2.
US09187469B2 Morpholinylbenzotriazines for use in cancer therapy
The invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) in which R1, L and m have the meaning indicated in the claims, and/or physiologically acceptable salts, tautomers and stereoisomers thereof, including mixtures thereof in all ratios.The compounds of the formula (I) can be used for the inhibition of serine/threonine protein kinases and for the sensitization of cancer cells to anticancer agents and/or ionizing radiation. The invention also relates to the use of the compounds of the formula (I) in the prophylaxis, therapy or progress control of cancer, tumors, metastases or angiogenesis disorders, in combination with radiotherapy and/or an anticancer agent. The invention furthermore relates to a process for the preparation of the compounds of the formula (I) by reaction of compounds of the formulae (II) and (III) and optionally conversion of a base or acid of the compounds of the formula (I) into a salt thereof.
US09187468B2 Topical ocular analgesic agents
The topical ophthalmic use of certain 2,4-diamino-substituted 1,3-triazines for preventing or alleviating ocular pain in patients is disclosed. Topical ocular pharmaceutical composition are also disclosed.
US09187467B2 2-phenyl benzothiazole linked imidazole compounds as potential anticancer agents and process for the preparation thereof
The present invention provides 2-phenyl benzothiazole linked imidazole compounds of formula A as anti cancer agent against fifty three human cancer cell lines. wherein
US09187464B2 TRPV4 antagonists
The present invention relates to spirocarbamate compounds of Formula (I) in which R1, (R2)Y, R3, R4, X and A have the meanings given in the specification. The invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and relates to their use of these compounds as TRPV4 antagonists in treating or preventing conditions associated with TRPV4 imbalance.
US09187460B2 Estrogen receptor modulators and uses thereof
Described herein are compounds that are estrogen receptor modulators. Also described are pharmaceutical compositions and medicaments that include the compounds described herein, as well as methods of using such estrogen receptor modulators, alone and in combination with other compounds, for treating diseases or conditions that are mediated or dependent upon estrogen receptors.
US09187458B2 Cyanoquinoline derivatives
Disclosed is a compound of formula I, a stereoisomer thereof, a cis-trans-isomer thereof, a tautomer thereof, or a mixture thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a solvate thereof or a prodrug thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each as defined in the present application.
US09187457B2 Low molecular weight thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) agonists
Disclosed are oxo-hydroquinazolines that are useful as selective TSHR agonists. The compounds may be used for detecting or treating thyroid cancer, or treating a bone degenerative disorder.
US09187456B2 Materials for organic electroluminescent devices
The present invention relates to fluorene derivatives and to electronic devices in which these compounds are used as matrix material in the emitting layer and/or as hole-transport material and/or as electron-blocking or exciton-blocking material and/or as electron-transport material.
US09187454B2 Inhibitors of kinases and cancer stem cells, and methods of preparation and use thereof
The invention provides novel inhibitors of cancer stem cells as well as cancer stem cell pathway kinase and other related kinases, pharmaceutical compositions and uses thereof in the treatment of cancer or a related disorder in a mammal, and methods of making such compounds and compositions.
US09187452B1 Method for preparing nilotinib
The present invention provides a method for preparing Nilotinib of the following structure: by direct condensation of an ester and an aniline promoted by trialkyl aluminum in an organic solvent.
US09187449B2 Compounds with increased specificity for the treatment of glioma
Disclosed are compounds for the treatment of cancer. Compounds disclosed herein are particularly effective for the selective inhibition of glioma cells.
US09187445B2 Antitumoral compounds
A compound of general formula (I) wherein A, Y, W, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 take various meanings for use in the treatment of cancer.
US09187443B2 Method for producing epoxy compound
A method is provided for carrying out epoxidation of an olefin compound with good productivity. The method produces an epoxy compound by reacting a compound having a carbon-carbon double bond with hydrogen peroxide by carrying out repeatedly or continuously the following steps: (1) reacting a compound having a carbon-carbon double bond with hydrogen peroxide in the coexistence of (a) the compound having a carbon-carbon double bond, (b) a hydrogen peroxide solution, (c) a powdered solid catalyst support, and (d) a powdered solid catalyst, and optionally further (e) an organic solvent to produce an epoxy compound; (2) separating the epoxy compound reaction product from the reaction mixture produced in (1); and (3) adding (d) and also adding (a), (b), (c), and optionally further (e) to the mixture of the powdered solid catalyst support and powdered solid catalyst after separating the reaction product in (2).
US09187438B2 Derivatives of benzothiazines, preparation thereof and application thereof as drugs
The object of the present invention is benzothiazine derivatives having the capability of inhibiting 11β-HSD1 not only at an enzymatic level but also at a cell level. The compounds of the present invention are of general formula (I). Wherein notably R1 represents a hydrogen or OR1 represents an ester or an ether. R2 represents a naphthyl or a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-naphthalene or a biphenyl or phenyl pyridine or a substituted phenyl. R3 represents a methyl or ethyl; R4 and R′4 represent a hydrogen.
US09187437B2 Substituted oxadiazole compounds
Disclosed are compounds of Formula (I): or stereoisomers, N-oxides, salts, or prodrugs thereof; wherein: Ring A is phenyl or 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl; (i) R1 and R2 are independently C1-C4 alkyl; or (ii) R1 and R2 together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form a cyclic group; Q is phenyl or 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl substituted with zero to 3 substituents; and R3, L1, L2, and n are defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of using such compounds as selective agonists for G protein-coupled receptor S1P1, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds. These compounds are useful in treating, preventing, or slowing the progression of diseases or disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas, such as autoimmune diseases and vascular disease.
US09187434B2 Substituted 1,5-benzodiazepinones compounds
Disclosed are compounds of Formula (I): wherein: R1 is CH2CH2CF3; R2 is CH2CH2CF3, CH2(cyclopropyl), or phenyl; R3 is H or CH3; Ring A is phenyl or pyridinyl; and Rx, Ry, Ra, Rb, y, and z are defined herein. Also disclosed are methods of using such compounds to inhibit the Notch receptor, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds. These compounds are useful in treating, preventing, or slowing the progression of diseases or disorders in a variety of therapeutic areas, such as cancer.
US09187432B2 Intermediates to prepare herbicidal pyrimidone derivatives
Disclosed are compounds of Formula 1, including all stereoisomers, N-oxides, and salts thereof, X is CH or N; Y is C(O) or S(O)2; provided that when Y is S(O)2, then X is CH; A is a radical selected from the group consisting of and B1, B2, B3, T, R1, R2 R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9, R10, R11, R12 and R13 are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed are compositions containing the compounds of Formula 1 and methods for controlling undesired vegetation comprising contacting the undesired vegetation or its environment with an effective amount of a compound or a composition of the invention.
US09187428B2 Substituted dicyanopyridines and use thereof
The present application relates to novel substituted dicyanopyridines, to processes for their preparation, to their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases and to their use for preparing medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, preferably for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of cardiovascular disorders.
US09187425B2 2,5-disubstituted arylsulfonamide CCR3 antagonists
Provided herein are 2,5-disubstituted arylsulfonamide CCR3 antagonists, e.g., compounds of Formula I, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof: Also provided herein are methods of their use for treating, preventing, or ameliorating one or more symptoms of a CCR3-mediated disorder, disease, or condition.
US09187420B2 Pyrrole derivatives as nicotinic acetylcholine receptor modulators for use in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as alzheimer's and parkinson's disease
Disclosed is a compound of formula (I) wherein ‘a’ and R1-R5 are as described herein, as a modulator of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors particularly the α7 subtype, in a subject in need thereof, as well as analogs, prodrugs, isotopically substituted analogs, metabolites, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, polymorphs, solvates, isomers, clathrates, and co-crystal thereofs, for use either alone or in combinations with suitable other medicaments, and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and analogs. Also disclosed are a process of preparation of the compounds and the intended uses thereof in therapy, particularly in the prophylaxis and therapy of disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, senile dementia, and the like.
US09187417B2 Processes for the preparation of (S)-1-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methanesulfonylethylamine
Provided herein are new processes for the preparation of aminosulfone intermediates for the synthesis of 2-[1-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylsulfonylethyl]-4-acetylaminoisoindoline-1,3-dione, which is useful for preventing or treating diseases or conditions related to an abnormally high level or activity of TNF-α. Further provided herein are processes for the commercial production of (S)-1-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methanesulfonylethylamine.
US09187416B2 Partially fluorinated sulfinic acid monomers and their salts
Described herein is a composition according to formula I or its precursor, formula II: CX1X3═CX2—(R1)p—CZ1 Z2-SO2M (I) wherein X1, X2, and X3 are independently selected from H, F, Cl, Br, I, CF3 and CH3, and wherein at least one of X1, X2, or X3 is a H; R1 is a linking group; Z1 and Z2 are independently selected from F, Cl, Br, I, CF3, and a perfluoroalkyl group; p is 0 or 1; and M is a cation; and CX4X1X3—CX5X2—(R1)p—CZ1Z2-SO2M (II) wherein X1, X2, and X3 are independently selected from H, F, Cl, Br, I, CF3 and CH3, wherein at least one of X1, X2, or X3 is a H, and X4 and X5 are independently selected from H, F, Cl, Br and I; R1 is a linking group; Z1 and Z2 are independently selected from F, Cl, Br, I, CF3, and a perfluoroalkyl group, p is 0 or 1; and M is selected from F, and a cation.
US09187415B2 Sulfonamides as HIV protease inhibitors
Compounds of Formula I are disclosed: wherein L, A, R1, R2, R3A, R3B, R4A, R4B, R5, R6 and R7 are defined herein. The compounds encompassed by Formula I include compounds which are HIV protease inhibitors and other compounds which can be metabolized in vivo to HIV protease inhibitors. The compounds and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of infection by HIV and the prophylaxis, treatment, or delay in the onset of AIDS. The compounds and their salts can be employed as ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions, optionally in combination with other antivirals, immunomodulators, antibiotics or vaccines.
US09187411B2 Leukotriene B4 antagonist compound
The present invention provides a compound of Formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Also, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The present invention further provides methods for treating abdominal aortic aneurysm or atherosclerosis comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US09187406B2 Curcumin analogues as zinc chelators and their uses
This invention provides a compound having the structure wherein α, β, X, Y, and R1-R11 are defined herein. This invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the above compounds, a method of inhibiting the activity and/or levels of a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), a method of inhibiting the production of a cytokine in a population of cells, a method of inhibiting the production of a growth factor in a population of cells, and a method of inhibiting NFκ-B activation in a population of cells.
US09187402B2 Aspirin derivatives and uses thereof
The present invention provides novel aspirin derivatives useful for preventing and/or treating cancer. The novel compounds of this invention may be particularly useful for the prevention and/or treatment of cancers affecting the gastrointestinal system, such as colorectal cancer.
US09187399B2 Production of maleic or fumaric acid from levulinic acid
The production of maleic acid and fumaric acid (or the anhydride form of either, maleic anhydride) via gas-phase, oxidative cleavage of levulinic acid in a single packed bed reactor over a reducible oxide catalyst. The production may be carried out in an initial mixing vessel into which levulinic acid is continuously charged and mixed with both inert (He, N2, Ar, etc.) and oxidizing (O2, air, etc.) gases. The feed stream can then be safely heated to reaction temperature, which generally ranges from 200-500° C., without initiating polymerization, in a second stage preheater that thermally equilibrates the gaseous mixture of LA, O2, and inert diluent and fed to a third stage catalytic reactor for final processing.
US09187397B2 Therapeutic curcumin derivatives
Curcumin analogues and methods are provided for treatment of disease.
US09187388B2 Olefin hydration process using oscillatory baffled reactor
A butanol production system and method of producing refined mixed butanols from water and mixed butenes. The system includes an internal baffle single pass reactor, a separation system and an exterior motion driver. The reactor has baffled cells. The separations system is operable to separately selectively separate water and mixed butenes from the crude product such that a refined mixed butanols is produced. The exterior motion driver is operable to induce unsteadiness in the fluid flow of the process fluid through the reactor. A method for producing refined mixed butanols includes introducing mixed butenes, water and a butene hydration catalyst into the reactor, operating the butanol production system such that the external motion driver induces unsteadiness in the process fluid flow and the reaction of mixed butenes and water occurs in the presence of the butene hydration catalyst such that mixed butanols form.
US09187386B2 Catalytic process of making 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene
This disclosure relates to processes of making 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene. The processes involve dehydrofluorinating 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane in vapor phase in the presence of a catalyst comprising a metal compound supported on alumina to produce a product mixture comprising 1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, wherein said metal compound is selected from the group consisting of salts of sodium, potassium, zinc, magnesium, calcium, cobalt, copper, and chromium, and mixtures thereof.
US09187382B2 Hydrocarbon conversion process
The invention relates to a process for converting hydrocarbons into unsaturated products such as acetylene and/or ethylene. The invention also relates to converting acetylene to olefins such as ethylene and/or propylene, to polymerizing the olefins, and to equipment useful for these processes.
US09187378B2 Method of aerobic treatment of poultry manure and apparatus for producing organic fertilizer
A bio-chamber and a method of making organic fertilizer from poultry manure. The bio-chamber has a chamber body that defines a receiving chamber and an aeration chamber. The aeration chamber underlies the receiving chamber and is divided therefrom by a partition. The partition has a plurality of holes formed therein. An oxygen probe and a temperature probe are positioned inside the receiving chamber. An air blower is connected to the aeration chamber and is operable to blow air therein. The method comprises: mixing the poultry manure with a carbon carrier; loading the mixture into the receiving chamber; monitoring the temperature and the oxygen concentration of the mixture; aerating the mixture; and regulating the temperature and the oxygen concentration by adjusting the operation of the air blower. The temperature and oxygen concentration are regulated to provide conditions that permit aerobic bacteria to propagate and biodegrade the mixture.
US09187376B2 Sintered compact, cutting tool formed using sintered compact, and method for manufacturing sintered compact
A sintered compact contains cubic sialon, β-sialon, and at least one of a first component and a second component. The first component is at least one element selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel, and group 4 elements, group 5 elements, and group 6 elements of the periodic table. The second component is at least one compound containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of group 4 elements, group 5 elements, and group 6 elements and at least one element selected from the group consisting of carbon, nitrogen, and boron.
US09187372B2 Dispersing agent for solid suspensions
A polymer having the formula (XIV) as a dispersing agent for powder-form substances, typically selected from the group consisting of clays, porcelain slip, silicate flour, chalk, carbon black, rock flour, pigments, talc, plastic powders and mineral binders, and methods for improving the flow properties of powder-form substances and mixtures including powder-form substances and polymers having the formula (XIV).
US09187367B2 Curing apparatus employing angled UVLEDs
A UVLED apparatus (and related system and method) provide efficient curing of an optical-fiber coating on a drawn glass fiber. The apparatus employs one or more UVLEDs that emit electromagnetic radiation into a curing space. An incompletely cured optical-fiber coating, which is formed upon a glass fiber, absorbs emitted and reflected electromagnetic radiation to promote efficient curing.
US09187366B2 High-reflection glass panel
The invention relates to a glass panel, including at least one reflective layer deposited by cathode sputtering, said layer consisting of one or more oxides of one of the metals including Ta, Nb, Zr or the mixed oxides of said metals, the thickness of the layer in question and optionally other layers present in the assembly having a refractive index greater than 2.2 being selected such that, on a 4-mm thick sheet of clear “float” glass, said layer(s) result(s) in a reflection of at least 15% and a light transmission of at least 60%, the layer or system of layers in question further having a mechanical and/or chemical resistance comparable to those of layers produced by pyrolysis for obtaining products having the same type of optical properties.
US09187365B2 Methods for measuring the asymmetry of a glass-sheet manufacturing process
Methods are provided for measuring the asymmetry of glass-sheet manufacturing processes. The methods include subjecting glass sheets or test samples taken from glass sheets to an ion-exchange process and measuring warp values. Metrics for the asymmetry of the glass-sheet manufacturing process are then obtained from the warp values. In one embodiment, the metric is independent of the geometry of the glass sheets or the test samples (the BM1 metric); in another embodiment, the metric is independent of the geometry of the glass sheets or the test samples and substantially independent of the ion-exchange process used in the testing (the ASYM metric).
US09187362B2 Transparent composite material and a production method therefor
This specification relates to a colorless composite material capable of retaining transparency within a wide temperature range by impregnating glass composition (glass fibers) with inorganic-organic hybrid resin. A colorless composite material according to exemplary embodiments includes glass fibers, and inorganic-organic hybrid resin consisting of inorganic bonds and organic bonds, wherein the inorganic bonds are Si—O—Si bonds or Si—O-M bonds and M denotes a metallic element.
US09187360B2 Glasses for the correction of chromatic and thermal optical aberations for lenses transmitting in the near, mid, and far-infrared sprectrums
The invention relates to chalcogenide glass compositions for use in a lens system to balance thermal effects and chromatic effects and thereby provide an achromatic and athermal optical element that efficiently maintains achromatic performance across a broad temperature range. The glass composition is based on sulfur compounded with germanium, arsenic and/or gallium, and may further comprise halides of, for example, silver, zinc, or alkali metals. Alternatively, is based on selenium compounded with gallium, and preferably germanium, and contains chlorides and/or bromides of, for example, zinc, lead or alkali metals.
US09187357B2 Vitreous silica crucible having outer, intermediate, and inner layers
A vitreous silica crucible has high strength at high temperature, and allows easy taking-out from a susceptor after completion of pulling. The vitreous silica crucible includes a vitreous silica outer layer provided on the outer surface side of the crucible, a vitreous silica inner layer provided on the inner surface side of the crucible, and an vitreous silica intermediate layer provided between the vitreous silica outer layer and the vitreous silica inner layer. The vitreous silica outer layer has a mineralizer concentration of 100 ppm or more, and the vitreous silica intermediate layer and the vitreous silica inner layer has a mineralizer concentration of 50 ppm or less. The thickness of the vitreous silica outer layer is 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm on the bottom portion, and the thickness on the sidewall portion of the vitreous silica outer layer is larger than that on the bottom portion.
US09187353B2 Method of treating treatment object containing harmful compound
Disclosed is a method of treating a treatment object containing a harmful compound. The method includes: a step A of bringing a treatment object containing a harmful compound containing an element X that is As, Sb or Se into contact with titanium oxide so as to adsorb the harmful compound on the surface of the titanium oxide; a step B of separating, from the treatment object, the titanium oxide on which the harmful compound is adsorbed; and a step C of irradiating the titanium oxide separated from the treatment object with light in a treatment phase containing a radical source so as to cause a reaction between the harmful compound adsorbed on the titanium oxide and a radical generated from the radical source and detoxify the harmful compound.
US09187347B2 Treatment of a waste stream through production and utilization of oxyhydrogen gas
Methods and systems for reducing a redox active contaminant in a waste stream in a waste treatment system involve performing a unit process of the waste treatment system by contacting redox active contaminant in the waste stream with oxyhydrogen-rich gas generated on-site by an oxyhydrogen gas generator that implements water dissociation technology. The oxyhydrogen gas generator involves applying a pulsed electrical signal to a series of closely spaced electrodes that are submerged in the waste stream to produce oxyhydrogen-rich gas from a water component of the waste stream. Operation of the oxyhydrogen gas generator in the waste stream may accomplish one or more unit processes for waste treatment, such as oxidation, stripping, floatation, disinfection, conditioning, stabilization, thickening, and dewatering, among others.
US09187346B1 Removal of uranium from water
A method for removing uranium from an uranium-containing aqueous solution having a salinity of at least 0.5 ppt, comprise the step of passing the solution through a bed of anion exchange resin impregnated with polyphenol.
US09187343B2 Nanostructure material supporting arsenic ion adsorption compound and method to remove arsenic ion using the same
Means for reducing an arsenic ion concentration in the solution to the degree of ultra trace amount are provided. Ammonium molybdate is supported by a nanostructure material by mixing the nanostructure material, which is obtained after the nanostructure material such as an alumina reacts with a surfactant, in the solution containing the ammonium molybdate. The nanostructure material supporting an arsenic ion adsorption compound such as ammonium molybdate can selectively adsorb and remove trace of arsenic ion in the solution by a room temperature treatment without a water conditioning such as pH control. In our removal system of arsenic, extra posttreatments are not needed because special pretreatments are not carried out, and special heating equipments are not used. Accordingly, our removal system of arsenic can be constructed at low cost. Furthermore, it can supply an arsenic-free solution by be constructed at multi stages.
US09187341B2 Solar thermal device for producing fresh water
A portable solar-thermal device produces fresh water from sewage water or salt water. The device has a closed fluid circuit made of connected pipe or hose elements with a sewage water supply and a fresh water runoff. The fluid circuit has a tilted heating section essentially aligned normally to the sun irradiation for heating and vaporization of the sewage water. Connected to this is an essentially vertically aligned condensation section for condensation of the fresh water and heating of the sewage water. A storage section is designed as base area for the condensed fresh water. The heating section of the fluid circuit has a solar collector for concentration of the thermal energy of sun irradiation on a vaporization area inside the heating section.
US09187338B2 Process for manufacturing needle-shaped strontium carbonate particles
Acicular strontium carbonate particles are manufactured by introducing gaseous carbon dioxide into an aqueous solution or suspension of strontium hydroxide having a concentration of 1 to 20 wt. %, at a flow rate of 0.5 to 200 mL/min., relative to one gram of the strontium hydroxide, while stirring the solution or suspension in the presence of a dicarboxylic acid, in which the dicarboxylic acid comprises a divalent linear hydrocarbon group having one to four carbon atoms and carboxyl group bonded to each terminals, with the proviso that the linear hydrocarbon group may be substituted with one or more C1-6 alkyl groups, and thus carbonating the strontium hydroxide.
US09187336B2 Process for the preparation of lithium titanium spinel and its use
Non-doped and doped lithium titanate Li4Ti5O12 obtainable by the thermal reaction of a stoichiometric composite oxide containing Li2TiO3 and TiO2, the preparation of the stoichiometric composite oxide, as well as a process for the preparation of lithium titanate Li4Ti5O12 and its use as anode material in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
US09187335B2 Pulse jet water desalination and purification
A pulse jet system and method is disclosed. In an example, the pulse jet system includes a combustion chamber, intake ports to deliver combustion agents to the combustion chamber, an expansion chamber to cool a combustion product following combustion of the combustion agents in the combustion chamber, and an exhaust to exit the cooled gas from the expansion chamber. In another example, the pulse jet system includes a combustion chamber with intake ports to deliver combustion agents to the combustion chamber, wherein the combustion chamber is part of a four cycle engine. The pulse jet system also includes an expansion chamber to cool a combustion product following combustion of the combustion agents in the combustion chamber.
US09187333B2 Carbon activation in a microwave fluidized bed process
A method for forming activated carbon from carbon feedstock involves forming particles of the carbon feedstock, introducing the carbon feedstock particles into a microwave reaction chamber and forming a fluidized bed of the particles within the chamber, introducing steam into the reaction chamber, and introducing microwaves into the reaction chamber to heat the particles using microwave energy and react the heated particles with the steam to form activated carbon.
US09187331B2 Method for producing carbonaceous film, method for producing graphite film, roll of polymer film, and roll of carbonaceous film
Disclosed herein is a method for producing an elongated (rolled) carbonaceous film by polymer pyrolysis while suppressing the fusion bonding of the carbonaceous film. The method for producing a carbonaceous film includes the step of heat-treating a polymer film wound into a roll, wherein the heat treatment is performed after the polymer film is wound into a roll to have a gap between adjacent layers of the polymer film at a temperature lower than a pyrolysis onset temperature of the polymer film so that the roll of polymer film as a whole satisfies a relationship that a value obtained by dividing a thickness of a gap between adjacent layers of the polymer film (Ts) by a thickness of the polymer film (Tf) (Ts/Tf) is 0.16 or higher but 1.50 or lower. As a method for forming gaps between the layers of the polymer film, a method in which the polymer film is wound into a roll together with a slip sheet and then the slip sheet is removed can be used, which is effective at suppressing the fusion bonding of a carbonaceous film.
US09187330B2 Tubular nanostructure targeted to cell membrane
Devices, compositions, and methods are described which provide a tubular nanostructure targeted to a lipid bilayer membrane. The targeted tubular nanostructure can have a surface region configured to pass through a lipid bilayer membrane of a cell, a hydrophobic surface region flanked by two hydrophilic surface regions configured to form a pore in a lipid bilayer membrane of a cellular organelle, and at least one ligand configured to bind one or more cognates on the lipid bilayer membrane of the cellular organelle. The target cell can be, for example, a tumor cell, an infected cell, or a diseased cell in a subject. The tubular nanostructure can form a pore in the lipid bilayer membrane of the cellular organelle, e.g., mitochondria, which can permit transit or translocation of at least one compound across the membrane and cause cell death of the target cell.
US09187329B2 Microparticle organization
Methods and compositions are described for organizing nanoparticles or microparticles into nanostructures or microstructures using collagen as a template.
US09187328B2 Methods and apparatus for the production of carbon-containing materials
The present invention provides various methods and apparatus for the production of fullerenes and other carbon-containing materials. In some aspects, the invention provides an arc chamber comprising a graphite element support, wherein the support comprises a rotatable frame adapted for moving each graphite element towards and away from an arc discharge position. In other aspects, the invention provides a collection chamber for collecting carbon-containing materials produced in an arc chamber, wherein the collection chamber comprises an inlet and a rotatable element arranged to direct the carbon-containing material to a wall of the collection chamber, wherein the sectional area occupied by the rotatable element increases with distance from the inlet. In other aspects, the invention provides a collection chamber comprising means for isolating the collection chamber from an arc discharge apparatus and an inlet for the introduction of solvent into the collection chamber.
US09187327B2 Phosphoric acid production gypsum filtration flocculant pre-dilution (make down) with post-filtration phosphoric acid
A method for minimizing the addition of water to a phosphoric acid production process is described. The method uses phosphoric acid to make down a flocculant that is added to the process in order to promote filtration or clarification of crude phosphoric acid. Preferably, the phosphoric acid is a crude, clarified phosphoric acid that is recycled from the phosphoric acid production process itself.
US09187324B2 Hydrogen generation assemblies and hydrogen purification devices
Hydrogen generation assemblies, hydrogen purification devices, and their components are disclosed. In some embodiments, the devices may include a permeate frame with a membrane support structure having first and second membrane support plates that are free from perforations and that include a plurality of microgrooves configured to provide flow channels for at least part of the permeate stream. In some embodiments, the assemblies may include a return conduit fluidly connecting a buffer tank and a reformate conduit, a return valve assembly configured to manage flow in the return conduit, and a control assembly configured to operate a fuel processing assembly between run and standby modes based, at least in part, on detected pressure in the buffer tank and configured to direct the return valve assembly to allow product hydrogen stream to flow from the buffer tank to the reformate conduit when the fuel processing assembly is in the standby mode.
US09187323B2 Process for increasing hydrogen content of synthesis gas
Process for increasing the hydrogen content of a synthesis gas containing one or more sulphur compounds, the synthesis gas including hydrogen, carbon oxides and steam, and having a ratio defined as R=(H2−CO2)/(CO+CO2)≦0.6 and a steam to carbon monoxide ratio ≦1.8, including the steps of (i) heating the synthesis gas; (iii) subjecting at least a portion of the heated synthesis gas to a first stage of water-gas shift in a first shift vessel containing a first sulphur-tolerant water-gas shift catalyst that is cooled in heat exchange with boiling water, to form a pre-shifted gas stream; and (iii) forming a shifted gas stream by subjecting at least a portion of the pre-shifted gas stream to a second stage of water-gas shift in a second shift vessel containing a second sulphur-tolerant water-gas shift catalyst that is cooled in heat exchange with a gas stream including the synthesis gas.
US09187322B2 Hydrogen generator
A hydrogen generator (1), particularly for supplying a fuel cell, is described comprising a supply (3, 29) of a fuel, i.e. a chemical hydride, which can be hydrolyzed to be reacted in a reaction chamber (14, 33) communicating with the first supply (3, 29) to produce hydrogen gas and an at least partially liquid exhaust reaction product, the reaction chamber communicating with outlet pathways (16, 17) for the hydrogen gas and for the exhaust reaction product, the latter (17) leading to a supply of an absorbent material (21) suitable for immobilizing the exhaust reaction product.
US09187320B2 Method for etching a complex pattern
A method for etching a desired complex pattern in a first face of a substrate, including: simultaneous etching of at least a first and a second sub-pattern through the first face of the substrate, the etched sub-patterns being separated by at least one separating wall, a width of the first sub-pattern being greater than a width of the second sub-pattern at the first face, and a depth of the first sub-pattern being greater than a depth of the second sub-pattern in a direction perpendicular to the said first face; and removing or eliminating the separating wall to expose the desired complex pattern.
US09187314B2 Anisotropic conductor and method of fabrication thereof
An anisotropic conductor and a method of fabrication thereof. The anisotropic conductor includes an insulating matrix and a plurality of nanoparticles disposed therein. A first portion of the plurality of nanoparticles provides a conductor when subjected to a voltage and/or current pulse. A second portion of the plurality of the nanoparticles does not form a conductor when the voltage and or current pulse is applied to the first portion. The anisotropic conductor forms a conductive path between conductors of electronic devices, components, and systems, including microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices, components, and systems.
US09187309B1 Fuel bib
A fuel collection device for a fuel tank inlet conduit comprises a conduit that has a distal end adapted for insertion into a conduit end of the fuel tank inlet conduit, and a proximal end adapted for receiving a fuel nozzle therein and having an overflow aperture therethrough. A hollow annular chamber is fixed about the proximal end of the conduit for receiving any fuel flowing out of the overflow aperture. The chamber has a pour spout at an opposite side of the conduit from the overflow aperture. A fuel air vent collection device may be further included for use with boats having fuel air vents, which includes an attachment mechanism for fixing to the side of the vehicle at the air vent and a container having a fuel capture aperture therethrough, fixed with the attachment mechanism, and an opposing pour spout.
US09187308B2 One-way valve and apparatus and method of using the valve
A flexible pouch and valve assembly is provided for aseptically storing a substance, dispensing multiple portions of the stored substance therefrom, and maintaining substance remaining in the pouch in an aseptic condition sealed with respect to ambient atmosphere. The flexible pouch and valve assembly are receivable within a relatively rigid housing, and are adapted to cooperate with a pump for pumping discrete portions of substance from the pouch and through the one-way valve to dispense the substance therefrom. The assembly comprises a flexible pouch defining therein a variable-volume storage chamber sealed with respect to the ambient atmosphere for aseptically storing therein multiple portions of the substance. A one-way valve of the assembly includes a valve body defining an axially-extending valve seat and at least one flow aperture extending through the valve body and/or the valve seat.
US09187306B2 Casing brake assembly
The present invention relates to a casing brake assembly for applying a frictional force to a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing being arranged on a filling tube of an apparatus for filling and closing said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing, like a clipping machine, for limiting the movement of said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing at least while being filled, the filling tube has a longitudinal axis. The casing brake assembly comprises at least one braking body which is reversibly movable between a release position, in which the braking body is at least partially moved away from the filling tube and a brake position in which the braking body at least approximately completely surrounds the filling tube, and which comprises at least two free ends. The casing brake assembly further comprises at least two support elements for supporting and reversibly moving the at least one braking body.
US09187302B2 Releasable pry bar
An apparatus for releasably attaching a pushing tool to one work piece such that a pushing force can be applied to a second work piece and allow alignment of the two work pieces for joining the work pieces together.
US09187298B2 Equalizing rigging block for use with a synthetic roundsling
An equalizing rigging block for use with a synthetic roundsling is disclosed. The rigging block includes in preferred embodiments (a) a flatter and wider sheave to better accommodate a wider or flatter cross-section synthetic roundsling; (b) higher side sections for the sheave; and (c) a plurality of stacked bearings along the rigging block axis to provide enhanced lateral stability of the rigging block. In preferred embodiments, the rigging block sheave is manufactured from a synthetic material, such as plastic. The equalizing rigging block exhibits improved characteristics of holding a synthetic roundsling within the rigging block, and of reducing wear and tear on the roundsling.
US09187296B2 Connection system for crane column segments
A crane column segment connection system includes first and second column segments with a connector on the second end of the first segment mating with a connector on the first end of the second segment. The connectors each include at least one extension having a through-hole. The through-holes have an axis and are positioned in the extensions such that all through-holes of mating connectors are aligned when the column segments are aligned. In one aspect, the connectors include alignment surfaces cooperating such that when the first and second connectors are being brought together during column assembly, the alignment surfaces guide the column segments in two dimensions within a plane transverse to the axis of the through-holes into a relative position such that the through-holes through the extensions in the connectors are aligned.
US09187295B2 Safety and control method for cranes
The disclosure includes a safety method for the lifting and/or transporting of a common load using a plurality of cranes, comprising the steps: determining of possible damage incidents for movement vectors of the cranes; activation of an alarm function if predetermined movement vectors result in damage incidents and/or limitation of the movement vectors used for the control of the cranes to those movement vectors which do not result in damage incidents in any of the cranes. Furthermore, a corresponding control method as well as a safety system and a control system are provided.
US09187287B2 Sheet processing apparatus and image processing system
The present invention is concerning to a sheet processing apparatus comprising: a pressing member configured to press a folding line portion of a sheet bundle being folded; and a moving unit configured to move the pressing member to a folding line direction of the sheet bundle, wherein the pressing member pressurizes a part of the sheet bundle corresponding to a downstream side of a conveyance direction of the sheet bundle.
US09187281B2 Paper roll device capable of detecting an open/closed state of a cover
The present invention discloses a paper roll device including a casing, a cover connected to the casing, a moving component, a first resilient component connected to the moving component, a lever pivoted to the moving component, a second resilient component, a detecting module and a control module. The first resilient component is for driving the moving component to move in a first direction. The lever pivots relative to the moving component as the moving component moves. The second resilient component is connected to a sensing portion of the lever and for supporting the lever in the first direction. The detecting module is for detecting a position state of the sensing portion of the lever, so as to generate a corresponding detecting signal. The control module is for determining an open/closed state of the cover relative to the casing according to the detecting signal.
US09187279B2 Printing device
A printing device includes a printing mechanism configured to print a printing medium fed to a printing area in a device main body, a stacker configured to receive the printing medium discharged from the printing area, a drive device configured to cause a state of the stacker to be a housed state in which the stacker is housed in the device main body and a projecting state in which the stacker is positioned outside the device main body, and a control device configured to change the state of the stacker from the housed state to the projecting state by controlling the drive device. When a housing condition is established while the state of the stacker is the projecting state, the control device is configured to perform an automatic housing process to change the state of the stacker to the housed state by controlling the drive device.
US09187272B2 Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus including the same
A sheet feeding device includes a feeding tray, a conveying device, an ejecting tray, a feeding guide and a conveying rib. On the feeding tray, a sheet is placed. The conveying device feeds the sheet on the feeding tray to an image reading device. The ejecting tray receives the sheet after image reading. The feeding guide is configured to be movable in a direction intersecting a feeding direction of the sheet and to regulate a position in a width direction of the sheet on the feeding tray. The conveying rib is configured to be movable in interlocking with movement of the feeding guide and to lead the sheet to be ejected onto the ejecting tray.
US09187269B2 Polymeric pipe loading
Polymeric pipe loaders and polymeric pipe loading methods are disclosed. A polymeric pipe loader may include a support frame, a positioning platform coupled to the support frame, and a vacuum lift mechanism coupled to the support frame, the positioning platform, or both. A polymeric pipe loading method may include extruding a length of polymeric pipe, cutting the length of polymeric pipe, receiving the length of polymeric pipe on a conveyor chain of a positioning platform, engaging the length of polymeric pipe with a vacuum lift mechanism, and transferring the length of polymeric pipe to a bundling cart.
US09187265B2 Arrangement and method for print product distribution
The invention is relates to an arrangement for carrying out steps in connection with a distribution of print products, so-called print product distribution. In this arrangement, devices for commissioning and devices for returning print products are combined, with at least one of the devices being involved both in the commissioning and the returning so that error-free commissioning and correct returning are performed.
US09187261B2 Device and method for rotating flat products
A device for rotating flat products, in particular sheets or stacks of sheets, moved in a first direction from a first orientation into a second orientation, by a predetermined total rotation angle, by means of a first rotating device, in which the product is rotated first by a first rotation angle, and by means of at least one second rotating device, in which the product is later rotated by a second rotation angle. The first and second rotating devices are arranged one after the other in transport direction, and each rotating device includes rotating elements, which engage with the product for the rotating process. In order to be able to process products having different formats at the highest possible throughput and as failure-free as possible, and in order to ensure as mild a treatment of the products as possible, at least the first rotating device includes switchable engagement elements by means of which the rotating elements can be engaged with or disengaged from the product at selected times.
US09187259B2 Method for controlling an unload operation on a mobile farm implement
A method of automating unloading for a mobile farm implement is presented. The method includes determining whether the speed of the mobile farm implement is below a first threshold. In response to a determination that the speed of the mobile farm implement is below the first threshold, a conveyor is moved to an operating position, where it is used to unload agricultural material from the mobile farm implement. Upon termination of the unloading of the agricultural material, the controller folds the conveyor to a storage or transport position.
US09187255B2 Vacuum conveyor apparatus for stabilizing multiple lanes of objects conveyed on a conveying surface of the apparatus
A vacuum conveyor apparatus stabilizes multiple single file lanes of objects conveyed on a conveying surface of the apparatus by directing vacuum pressure through multiple slots beneath the conveying surface where the multiple slots are aligned with the multiple lanes of objects on the conveying surface.
US09187254B2 Method and transport device for returning empty packaging, particularly bottles and cans
The present invention relates to a method for returning empty packaging, particularly bottles and cans, having a bulk import, in which the empty packaging is routed out of an input chamber through a transport device, rotating the empty packaging along its longitudinal axis past a recognition unit. The transport device for carrying out the method has a plurality of rollers which are arranged transversely with respect to the direction of transport and act as carriers for the empty packaging. The empty packaging is supplied to the detection array of the recognition unit in a field array. To avoid empty packaging being conveyed on top of other empty packaging, thereby blocking the detection of the bottom empty packaging by the recognition unit, the empty packaging undergoes a brief reversal of direction of rotation before its presentation to the detection array.
US09187253B2 Method of, and apparatus for, transporting and/or measuring items of laundry
Items of laundry (10) are fed, in laundries, to a laundry-treatment device with adjacent corners (25) of an upper edge (39) hanging beneath two clip carriages (22). It is customary for the items of laundry (10) to be stored in a sorted state on an interim basis upstream of the laundry-treatment device. The invention provides for adjacent clip carriages (22) of successive items of laundry (10) to be assigned in pairs to drivers (28) of a catch conveyor (26). The invention also provides for the sagging of the upper edge (39), and the lowermost location (40) of the lower edge (42), of the item of laundry (10) to be determined by a line-measuring device (26), in order for the item of laundry (10) to be identified in this way.
US09187250B2 Modular belt link
A modular belt link has leading and a trailing edges with a top surface located between the leading and trailing edges. A plurality of eye parts project from both the leading and trailing edges, and are spaced laterally and off set from one another such that eye parts on a trailing edge of one belt link may be inserted between eye parts on the leading edge of an adjacent belt link. Means are provided for mutually and hingedly connecting adjacent belt links such that the eye parts along the trailing and leading edge are united with substantially unbroken leading and trailing walls arranged perpendicular to the top surface. The walls are spaced from one another. Reinforcing ribs are arranged between the walls and an underside of the belt links. The reinforcement ribs extend at an oblique angle not parallel to the intended transport direction of the belt links.
US09187246B2 Methods for storing carbon dioxide compositions in subterranean geological formations and arrangements for use in such methods
A method of introducing a CO2 composition into an aquifer for storage of CO2 therein, said method comprising injecting CO2 in a supercritical state into said aquifer at one or multiple first vertical positions; and withdrawing brine solution from said aquifer at one or multiple second vertical positions; wherein any one of said first vertical positions is distinct from any one of said second vertical positions is disclosed. An arrangement for introducing a CO2 composition into an aquifer is also disclosed.
US09187244B2 BOT payload alignment and sensing
An autonomous transport robot for transporting a payload, the autonomous transport robot includes a payload bed having at least one reference datum surface and at least one payload justification device, the at least one payload justification device being configured to position a payload on the payload bed in substantial contact with the at least one reference datum surface to place the payload in a predetermined position on the payload bed.
US09187241B2 Waste receptacle system for securing a plurality of plastic liners
A waste receptacle system (10) for securing a plurality of plastic liners, which comprises a waste receptacle (5), two or more plastic liners (9) in a compressed state which are extended along all of soiling susceptible surfaces of the waste receptacle (5), and a base element (15) underlying, and coupled to, at least a portion of the waste receptacle (5), for supporting the waste receptacle (5) and for applying an adjustable pressing force to the two or more liners (9). An outwardly facing liner of the two or more liners (9) is removable from the system (10) when the pressing force is reduced and is secured and irremovable from the system (10) when the pressing force is increased.
US09187239B2 Portable containment berm
An easily assembled and transportable containment system. One or more deformable foam support beams are placed end-to-end to form a containment perimeter. A first protective strip is formed on the underside of at least a portion of the length of each support beam, said protective strips extending inwardly towards the center of the containment system and providing added protection from damage that may be caused due to foot or vehicle traffic. A second protective strip rests on top of the first protective strip and adds even additional protection against damage. A containment basin comprising a floor surrounded by side walls serves to contain discharged chemicals and other potential contaminants until such time as clean-up operations may be completed. The containment basin is removably secured to the support beams via hook and loop fasteners attached to the top sides of the support beams and the top portions of the side walls.
US09187238B2 Bulk material storage apparatus
Bulk material storage apparatus including adjustable leg members and lift apparatuses and methods of using such apparatus. The bulk material storage apparatus may include one or more containers, each of the one or more containers defining a volume for holding a bulk material, and a frame to support the one or more containers.
US09187237B1 Butane lighter and wick
A prior art butane lighter fits into a hole in a hand sized case. The user can flip open a cap on the case and advance a thumbwheel which drives a wax coated hemp wick over the flame of the lighter. The user lights the lighter to ignite the hemp wick, and he then lights any object such as a pipe. The user can reverse the thumbwheel to snuff the hemp wick flame in a chute. A reel of hemp wick is encased in a lower recess of the case. A large lighter case may have a storage container for a pipe, a small lighter case for two and a quarter inch lighters would be minimized in size to eliminate a storage compartment. One embodiment provides a simple thumb advance slot to move the rope forward and backward.
US09187233B2 Brightening ink composition for printing, paper container material using the brightening ink composition, and heat insulating foamed paper container
There is provided a brightening ink composition for printing intended for realizing a heat insulating foamed paper container produced by foaming a low-melting point film by a heat treatment, such as a heat insulating foamed paper cup, the brightening ink composition conforming to the foaming without the occurrence of ink splits (cracks) upon foaming, having very small differences in level between the brightening printed areas and other printed areas at the container surface after foaming, making the container surface almost smooth, and having excellent design applicability and aesthetic properties as well as excellent heat resistance and print quality. A brightening ink composition containing a brightening material that imparts a sense of brightness, silicon dioxide, a binder resin and a solvent is prepared, and the brightening ink composition is used to form a printed layer of a paper container material for producing a heat insulating foamed paper container.
US09187231B1 Portable beverage assembly and mixing kit
The present invention relates to a portable beverage assembly kit having a serving container and beverage ingredients, for fast distribution to an end user, the components necessary to construct a beverage and container for serving therein, comprising: a disassembled beverage container configured for drinking directly therefrom; and a shaker configured to store within the shaker the disassembled beverage container within a first compartment and the beverage ingredients within a second compartment, separate from the first compartment.
US09187230B2 Packing bag with cushioning function
A packing bag with a cushioning function includes: a first cushioning air cylinder portion, constituted by air cylinders; a second cushioning air cylinder portion, constituted by air cylinders, and coupled to the first cushioning air cylinder portion to form an accepting space; and a binding belt, coupled to the first cushioning air cylinder portion and/or the second cushioning air cylinder portion, and used for sealing an opening of the accepting space. The first cushioning air cylinder portion and second air cylinder portion constituted by the air cylinders can perform the cushioning protection of an object effectively, solving the problem of the shock-absorption capability insufficiency of the conventional small air sacs, solving the problem of the conventional small air sacs being insufficient in shock-absorption capability. In addition, the binding belt not only allows a label to be attached thereon, but also avoids the air cylinder being pierced through.
US09187229B2 Oil-less pressure relief valves
A self contained one-way pressure relief valve for application to product packaging that does not require the addition of a sealing lubricant. Atop a base with an opening extending through the base is an adhesive-like material layer, and a dry strap of a silicone or other release film coated membrane, all of which are of gas impervious materials. The release film coated material layer covers the opening with the release film in contact with the adhesive-like material creating a surface attraction between the release film and the adhesive-like material. An intermediate layer of gas impervious material with an opening extending through such layer may be provided. A gas pervious filter material layer may be provided to block passage of fine particulates or liquid.
US09187225B2 Flexible container with integral extended internal dispensing tube in a stand-up configuration
A flexible thermoformed dispensing package for a flowable material includes an integrally formed dispensing tube extending from the container portion having an internal extension defined by one or more integral thermoformed walls extending from the bottom surface of the container and terminating proximate the base when the package is in a vertical position to facilitate sipping of a beverage from the container portion; alternatively, a straw is placed in the dispensing tube to reach the base of the package. In another embodiment, at least one integrally formed internal dividing wall extends from the sealed end of the dispensing tube and intersects an interior wall to define separate dispensing chambers, where the sealed ends of each of the dispensing chambers can be independently opened along a weakened transverse parting line and separated into separate dispensing channels along a longitudinal parting line.
US09187224B1 Magnetically held spoon or scooper on a lid of a container and method
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus employing at least two magnets one on a top surface of a lid and one on the bottom surface of the lid to secure the magnet on the bottom surface of the lid to the bottom surface of the lid and to provide magnetic fastening means for the measuring spoon or scooper inside the container. This facilitates the ability to store and acquire the scooper from inside the container without the need for reaching into and touching the contents of the container thus avoiding making physical contact with the contents. An additional feature is securing a handle to forming a handle with the magnet located on the top, outside surface of the lid so that the handle can be centrally located on the lid.
US09187223B2 Nesting container lids with snap on wings
Stackable lids for a container each include a top surface facing generally in a first direction and a bottom surface opposite the top surface and facing generally in a second direction. Pivotable wing portions extend from each side edge of the lid and each pivotable wing portion is joined to its respective side edge by a hinge. The wing portions are moveable between engaged and disengaged positions, and an inner surface of each wing includes a tab member configured for detent engagement with a rim of the container. The lid also includes corner portions extending between the side edges. Each corner portion includes a skirt portion extending generally in the second direction. Each corner portion also defines a recessed shoulder configured to receive the skirt portion of another when the lids are stacked.
US09187222B2 Soft drink container supporting additive containment and selective release
A soft drink container includes a plurality of the additive storage containers, a plurality of additive contents contained in the additive storage containers, an additive storage selector, a base storage container containing at least one base liquid, and a mechanism operable to release the additive contents into the base liquid storage. The plurality of additive contents may include at least one of salts, spices, flavoring, color agents, odors, fragrances, vitamins, thickeners, enhancers, fruit distillers, preservatives and vitamins. The additive storage selector is operable to separately align each of the plurality of additive storage containers with an opening of the base storage container and is operable to release a selected additive content into the base liquid container. The additive storage selector may further include a piercer operable to pierce the base storage container.
US09187221B2 Can ends having machine readable information
A system and method for laser marking can end, including a can end center panel and/or pull tab. The decorated can end and/or tabs may have a machine readable image.
US09187219B2 Pour lip closure with drain back
A closure with a drain back for a container of liquids is disclosed. The closure includes a closure body having an upper deck. A skirt depends from the upper deck and is configured to secure to a neck of a container. An inner annular wall depends from the upper deck within the skirt. The inner wall has a downwardly sloped bottom wall with an edge forming an opening therethrough, forming a drain back for liquid into the container. A tubular spout extends from the bottom wall. The spout has a dispensing orifice. The spout and dispensing orifice configured for fluid communication with the container to dispense liquids therefrom. The closure may further include a sealing cap connected to the closure body via a living hinge.
US09187218B2 Closure device
A closure device (1) for closing an opening in a container lid and the use of the closure device (1) in a container lid is provided for covering reagent vessel containers in automatic analysis apparatus. The closure device comprises a fastening element (2), a closure element (20), two levers (14), and a plurality of bearings (18, 16, 24).
US09187213B2 Polyester-based coating composition for metal substrates
The present invention provides novel packaging articles, e.g., food and beverage cans, having a novel coating composition applied to at least a portion of a surface thereon. In preferred embodiments, the coating composition includes at least a film-forming amount of a copolyester resin having a backbone that includes one or more soft segments and a plurality of hard segments. The copolyester resin preferably has a glass transition temperature from about from about 10° C. to about 50° C. The present invention also provides a method for making coated articles.
US09187210B2 Two stage draw latch for stackable storage box with removable cover
A dual function two stage draw latch has a first stage loop member pivotally attached at one end to a latch lever pivotally mounted to a base member secured to a wall of a first container. A second stage loop member is pivotally attached to the other end of the first stage loop member. The free end of the second stage loop member is able to engage a catch mounted on a wall of a second container stacked on top of the first container to provide a holding force for the two containers. This free end is also able to engage a catch element mounted on a container lid to hold the lid in place. Electrically conductive strips interconnect the latch and catch to provide electrical interconnection between the containers.
US09187207B2 Convertible package assembly and display system
A package assembly suitable for use in storing and shipping a plurality of product containers includes a shipping configuration and a display configuration. In the shipping configuration the package assembly is constructed from a single blank of packaging material and formed into a case into which a plurality of product containers are inserted. In the display configuration a top portion of the case is removed from a bottom portion of the case along one or more tear lines on the blank.
US09187206B2 Carton with reinforced handle
A carton for containing a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton. The plurality of panels comprises a top panel, a bottom panel, a first side panel, and a second side panel. At least two end flaps are respectively foldably attached to respective panels of the plurality of panels, wherein the end flaps are overlapped with respect to one another and thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The carton includes a handle in the closed end of the carton for grasping and carrying the carton. At least one end flap of the at least two end flaps comprises a main panel and a reinforcement flap foldably attached to the main panel. At least a portion of the reinforcement panel is positioned above the handle to reinforce the carton.
US09187204B2 Corrugated cardboard box with open-work flaps and set of blanks for obtaining same
The invention concerns a generally parallelepiped corrugated box for packaging and transporting objects, the box comprising a lid formed by a lateral can-band carton including a front wall, a rear wall, and side walls and a top, and a tray forming a base including a central panel comprising four main sides each respectively provided with a first flap. The front and rear flaps are U-shaped and define each with the top a central recess enabling an object in the box to be gripped manually by a user from the side and/or from above. One or several partly precut portions and/or one or several bonding points enable the walls of the lid to be detached from the first flaps of the tray by manual separation resulting from a force applied perpendicularly to the walls.
US09187202B2 Synthetic resin bottle
This invention intends to provide a large-size bottle that can be held firmly with a hand in simple handling. This can be achieved by fitting the thumb and a co-working finger into place and stopping them from sliding upward and laterally along the body wall, and also by stopping other fingertips from sliding laterally. A pair of grips 8 is formed in opposed walls of the body 4, and each grip 8 comprises a main recession 9 having a relatively large depth and an auxiliary recession 13 extending downward from this main recession 9. Fingertips are stopped by the main recession 9 from sliding upward and laterally, and are also stopped by the auxiliary recession 13 from sliding predominantly in the lateral direction. Since the thumb and all fingers are utilized for bottle handling, the bottle 1 is held firmly and stably with a hand.
US09187200B2 Apparatus for the handling of multiwall bags containing powdered or particulate material
An apparatus to facilitate the handling of multi-wall bags containing powdered or particular material or product, more specifically but not limited to the emptying of ex factory bags containing milk powder for further processing in a sterile manner. The apparatus includes an outer bag slitting station, an outer and inner bag separating device and an inner bag slitting station incorporating a tilting table to convey the slit inner bag to a powder receiving hopper.
US09187198B2 Method of filling dry soup packets in a packet filling plant using a filling machine and an apparatus therefor, and a method of filling bags with either liquids or solids in a filling plant and an apparatus therefor
A method of filling dry vegetable soup packets in a packet filling plant using a filling machine and an apparatus therefor, and a method of filling bags with either liquids or solids in a filling plant and an apparatus therefor. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
US09187197B2 Thermoplastic elastomeric attachment system for transfer of particulate materials
A system for attaching a thin film sleeve to a drum using a flange made of thermoplastic material. The inner surface of the flange having an integrally molded portion, where the integrally molded portion is used to create a seal with a different thermoplastic material. The second thermoplastic material can be attached to the drum, thereby forming a seal between the drum, the second thermoplastic material, and the flange. The outer surface of the flange being integrally sealed with the thin film sleeve, thereby creating a barrier between any product being transported through the sleeve to the drum.
US09187196B2 Tap for beverage dispensing from receptacles such as bottles and the like
The present invention relates to a device for dispensing beverages from receptacles such as bottles and the like, characterized by a dispensing unit comprising a tap (10) adapted to clean all the zones involved in the circulation of the beverage, thus limiting the consumption of inert gas required for this operation, by employing two separate modules for managing the beverage dispensing and for managing the inert gas emission.
US09187192B2 Machine and method for pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical-like product assembly
A method and apparatus for assembling a plurality of independently formed solid components is provided thereby forming a single delivery vehicle for a pharmaceutical or pharmaceutical-like product. The solid components can be held and fed to the apparatus via a plurality of magazines. Pusher rods and the like can be used for positioning each of the solid components. Where the components are connected via a bonding liquid, a sprayer is provided and compression pins or the like press the components with the bonding liquid together to form the final project. A rivet or other connection structure can also be used and driven through holes in each of the solid components to form the final product.
US09187173B2 Towable autogyro having a re-positionable mast
An unmanned, towable air vehicle is described and includes electronic sensors to increase the detection range relative to the horizon detection limitations of a surface craft, an autogyro assembly to provide lift, and a controller to control operation the autogyro assembly for unmanned flight. A forward motive force powers the autogyro assembly to provide lift. In an example, the autogyro assembly includes a mast extending from the container, a rotatable hub on an end of the mast, and a plurality of blades connected to the hub for rotation to provide lift to the vehicle. In an example, an electrical motor rotates the blades prior to lift off to assist in take off. The electrical motor does not have enough power to sustain flight of the vehicle in an example.
US09187172B2 Brake for an aircraft wheel
A brake for an aircraft wheel comprising an actuator-carrier 14 that carries at least one electromechanical actuator 15 having a pusher 19 that is movable along a direction parallel to an axis of rotation X of the wheel 2 and facing friction elements 7, 10 in order to apply a braking force selectively against the friction elements 7, 10. The actuator-carrier 14 and the actuator 15 include guide means 25, 32 for guiding the actuator 15 while being installed on the actuator-carrier 14 in a radial direction Y until it reaches a service position. The guide means forms a bearing surface for transmitting braking forces from the actuator to the actuator-carrier. Position-holder means 37 holds the position of the actuator in its service position and comprises a strap 37 fastened to the actuator-carrier 14 to prevent the actuator 15 from moving on the actuator-carrier 14 in the service position.
US09187171B2 Linkage for guiding a flexible cable
A linkage guides a flexible cable between two structures. The linkage includes a proximal arm with a proximal pivot joint for coupling the proximal arm to a first one of the two structures; and a distal arm which is coupled to the proximal arm by one or more intermediate pivot joints. The distal arm is shaped to follow a three-dimensional curve along a majority of its length. Shaping the distal arm to form a three-dimensional curve along a majority of its length enables the distal arm to pass through a relatively small aperture as the linkage is adjusted between its retracted and extended positions. It also enables the proximal arm to move in a locus of movement which does not interfere with other system components. The linkage can be used to guide a flexible cable between any two structures, for instance a fixed aircraft wing and a slat.
US09187169B2 High-wing-aircraft fuselage support structure
A structural support assembly for a high-wing aircraft may include a plurality of columns extending through a passenger compartment of the aircraft having a pair of wings mounted proximate a top of a fuselage. A column upper end of at least one of the columns may be coupled to a center wing box structure adjacent to a rear spar thereof. A column lower end of at least one of the columns may be coupled to a floor substructure.
US09187168B2 Natural-path tearstraps and stiffeners for spherical composite pressure bulkheads
A bulkhead employs a substantially spherical dome having a periphery and an apex with an axis perpendicular to the dome at the apex. A first plurality of straps emanate from a periphery of the dome on geodesics defined by a first pair of virtual poles beyond the periphery of the dome. A second plurality of straps emanate from the periphery of the dome on second geodesics defined by a second pair of virtual poles beyond the periphery of the dome, wherein any overlap on an individual strap in the first plurality of straps is singular to only one individual strap in the second plurality of straps.
US09187162B2 Air intake device
An air intake device for a submarine comprises a first fixed member connected to the submarine hull and a second member which is telescopically movable relative to the first member to rise up with an upper end of it above the water's surface to allow air to be taken in from the atmosphere during navigation of the submarine at periscope depth, the movable member mounting at its upper end a radar device designed to emerge from the water together with the selfsame movable member.
US09187161B2 Weapon clearance appliance for clearing weapons, such as underwater mines, under water, unmanned underwater vehicle having a weapon clearance appliance of this kind, and method for this purpose
The present disclosure provides a method for clearing weapons that have been sunk in waterways using a weapon clearance appliance. The weapon clearance appliance comprises means for detachable connection to an unmanned underwater vehicle, so that the underwater vehicle is a safe distance away when the weapon is detonated. The volume of the weapon clearance appliance is chosen such that the buoyancy force which acts on the weapon clearance appliance under water compensates for the force of gravity acting on the weapon clearance appliance. Therefore, the weapon clearance appliance has neutral buoyancy, as a result of which, after the weapon clearance appliance has been released from the underwater vehicle, there is no need to retrim the underwater vehicle. Therefore, there is no need for trimming devices on the underwater vehicle.
US09187160B2 Surface floating apparatus for diving
A flotation device for diving, includes a u-shaped holster; a flotation piece, positioned inside the holster; and a connection harness, such that the connection harness can hold a tank with compressed breathing gas for diving, and a diver breathes underwater via a hose attached to the tank. The flotation device can further include adjustable straps, a carrying strap with a handle. The holster can further include an insertion aperture and at least one reinforcement strap. The flotation device can be a cylindrical elongated piece, including a pool noodle, and can be made from polyethylene foam. Also included is a flotation device for diving, including a u-shaped holster and a connection harness, such that a flotation piece can be positioned inside the holster.
US09187158B2 Universal adjustable marine deck fill lid key
A universal adjustable deck fill lid key may comprise a handle and a slide, the handle and the slide each mounting one small pin and one large pin, and the slide being slidably mounted on the handle in a manner that enables a user to position the slide along the handle such that either the small pins or the large pins may engage the holes of a two-hole deck fill lid to enable the key to remove or re-install the deck fill lid in a wrench-like manner. In one embodiment, the universal deck fill lid key may additionally incorporate a slot head to enable the key to interface with and operate a slotted deck fill lid. In another embodiment, the universal deck fill lid key may additionally incorporate a drive nut to enable the key to interface with and operate a socket deck fill lid.
US09187156B2 Mobile system and method for fluid transfer involving ships
A mobile system for fluid transfer between a ship and a second location separated by a body of water, comprises a reel with at least two collecting areas, a coupler anchored to the reel with one opening at each collecting area and open towards a winding direction, a first hose extending from one opening to the ship, a second hose extending from the other opening to the second location, and a driving means to apply torques on the reel along the reel axis. When fluid transfer is over, the driving means turns the reel opposite to the winding direction, and both first hose and second hose are wound up in the collecting areas. The mobile transfer system is then ready for storage or for a subsequent fluid transfer elsewhere.
US09187152B2 Shallow water anchor
A shallow water anchor to anchor a water craft in a shallow body of water comprising an anchor positioning assembly mounted on or to the water craft and an anchor member, the anchor position assembly comprises at least one anchor engaging member coupled to an anchor positioning device to raise and lower the anchor member between an elevated position and an anchored position and a system control to control the operation of the anchor position assembly in raising and lowering the anchor member such that the anchor member is lowered to engage the bottom of the shallow body of water to anchor the water craft and the anchor member disengages the bottom of the shallow body of water when the anchor member is raised to permit the water craft to move about the shallow body of water.
US09187143B2 Evaporated fuel control device for vehicles that are straddled
There is provided a vaporized fuel control device for a straddle type vehicle that can prevent a situation that liquid fuel in a fuel tank flows into an engine and a situation that oil in the engine flows into the fuel tank while adapting the vaporized fuel control device to the layout of the straddle vehicle. A vaporized fuel passage 110 is disposed so as to have an uppermost portion X at some position thereof between the fuel tank 35 and the engine E, and the uppermost portion X is disposed at a higher position than the fuel upper limit level of the fuel tank 35, the oil upper limit level in the engine E and a footrest portion 44.
US09187140B2 Idler wheel assembly
A crawler assembly including a crawler frame member having a first crawler extension and a second crawler extension and an idler wheel disposed therebetween. The idler wheel defines a bore therethrough. The crawler assembly includes a shaft that extends through the bore. The shaft is fixed relative to the wheel by a tapered interference fit and rotatable relative to the first and second crawler extensions. A first side of the shaft is received by the first extension and has at least one journal bushing disposed therebetween. A second side of the shaft is received by the second extension and has a least one journal bushing disposed. A removable endcap is secured to each of the first and second sides of the shaft. A thrust surface is created at an interface between the endcaps and the journal bushings.
US09187138B2 Roof spoiler mounting system
A roof spoiler mounting bracket assembly for mounting a roof spoiler to a roof panel of an automotive vehicle. The mounting bracket assembly comprises a vehicle-side bracket having upper and lower sides extending longitudinally between first and second ends and laterally between first and second edges. A spoiler-side bracket having upper and lower sides extends longitudinally between first and second ends and laterally between first and second edges. The spoiler-side bracket has a unitary recessed section for receiving the vehicle-side bracket at least partially therein and the spoiler-side bracket is fixedly secured to the roof spoiler, A first mounting bolt extends from the lower side of the vehicle-side bracket for fixedly securing the vehicle-side bracket to the roof panel.
US09187136B1 Structural pan for automotive body/frame
A vehicle body includes a pair of laterally spaced longitudinal side rails, a first cross member and a second cross member. Each cross members spans between and interconnects the side rails. A multi-piece well includes a well floor having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. A first frame side support is secured to the first side of the well floor and a second frame side support is secured to the second side of the well floor. The first and second frame side supports define opposite side walls of the well. A first frame end support is secured to the first end of the well floor and a second frame end support is secured to the second end of the well floor. The first and second frame end supports define opposite end walls of the well.
US09187125B2 Parking assistance system and method for vehicle
Disclosed is a parking assistance system and method for a vehicle. The system for assisting parking for a vehicle includes: an image composition unit configured to generate a composed image in a form of a top view or an around view; a parking line detection unit configured to detect a parking line through image-processing of the composed image; a distance and inclination calculation unit configured to calculate a distance and an inclination (slope) between the detected parking line and the vehicle; and a movement path generation unit configured to generate a movement path for deposing the vehicle at an initial position, the initial position being set to a position at which the detected parking line is parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the vehicle, and the detected parking line and the vehicle are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval.
US09187120B2 Hydraulic steering of vehicles and self-propelled machines
Hydraulic steering for automobiles and self-propelled machines features at least two steering wheels and has a steering wheel linked to a hydraulic distributor, characterized in that it has at least two hydraulic modules. Each module includes a module body including an assembly having a double piston integral in translation with a rack. The piston is housed with a sliding aptitude in a cylinder body in which it delimits two opposite chambers. Each module also includes a gear meshing with the rack. Each of these modules is linked, on the one hand, through the intermediary of its pivoting element to one of the steering wheels and, on the other hand, through the intermediary of its fixed organ, to the vehicle chassis, and in that said distributor is connected to one of the chambers delimited by the rack piston of each module, the second of the chambers communicating with each other.
US09187117B2 Autonomous lane control system
An autonomous control system for a vehicle that controls the speed and steering system of the vehicle to operate in a lane-keeping mode or a lane-changing mode. Position sensors sense the location of surrounding vehicles. A lane determining system identifies a current lane where the vehicle is located. A source of oncoming lane course data provides information as to the course of the current lane. A controller provides instructions to the steering system and speed control system to maneuver the vehicle in either the lane-keeping mode or the lane-changing mode. The driver may override the control system by providing a manual input to the steering system or the speed control system.
US09187115B2 Steering apparatus
A steering apparatus has a tilt mechanism, and a locking direction of a tilt lock operation lever is a direction in which the operation lever is pushed down about a central axis. A width of a second end of a tilt elongate hole, which is located on a tilt direction lower side, is narrower than a width of a first end of the tilt elongate hole, which is located on a tilt direction upper side.
US09187113B2 Folding baby stroller
A baby stroller for transporting a child is disclosed. This baby stroller has a folding mechanism to facilitate folding for easier stowing and transporting. The folding mechanism, a unique feature of the design is directed toward compactness, ease of use, reliability, and reduction in manufacturing costs.
US09187111B2 Tool-free shelving system
A tool-free shelving system may include a body and at least one bearing plate, said bearing plate is disposed onto the body and assembled to the body with the protruding portion of the positioning knob located at the inner side of the vertical section of the “∩” shaped frames. The body has two “∩” shaped frames, which are connected with two “U” shaped frames. The “U” shaped frames have four rods protruding downwards and each rod is interposed into the tubes of a pulley. The bearing plate may consist of two parallel side borders, with each end of the side border connected with a fixing apparatus, and a mesh-like support structure between the two borders. This shelf allows convenient tool-free shelving system installation and provides opportunity for customers to enjoy the process of assembling the shelf.
US09187110B2 Wheeled carrying device
A man-powered (e.g. manually pulled or pushed) multipurpose wheeled carrying device with ground clearance for transporting people, animals, equipment and goods over unsurfaced roads or tracks. The carrying device may include a chassis, a front dependent suspension and a rear dependent suspension, wherein each of the dependent suspensions comprises a legged solid axle, a connector, springs, and wheels. The legged solid axles of the dependent suspensions are adapted to keep the chassis at least 6 inches above the ground surface. The dependent suspensions are tiltable around a longitudinal axis of the chassis to keep the chassis leveled while all of the wheels are in contact with the ground, and to provide ground clearance during use.
US09187109B2 Folding travel wagon
A folding wagon is described. Front and rear sections of the folding wagon fold toward each other for storage. The folding wagon has a lightweight, robust and compact construction.
US09187102B2 Railcar coupler core with vertical parting line and method of manufacture
A method of casting a core includes the steps of preparing a first half of a corebox, preparing a second half of a corebox such that the parting line of a core formed from the first and second coreboxes runs along the vertical axis of the core.
US09187095B2 Method and arrangement for entering a preceding vehicle autonomous following mode
A method for entering a preceding vehicle autonomous following mode includes the steps of registering and identifying at least one preceding vehicle in front of a host vehicle by at least a first and a second sensor device, comparing the preceding vehicle with vehicle data in a remote database system, and upon a match establishing a communication channel between the preceding vehicle and the host vehicle, identifying to an operator of the host vehicle preceding vehicles with which the communication channel has been established, and obtaining from the operator a selection of a target vehicles to engage following of. Finally, autonomous following mode of the target vehicle is engaged, wherein a vehicle control system automatically controls at least the following three main functions of the host vehicle: forward propulsion, steering, and braking.
US09187094B2 Device and method for controlling speed of vehicle
The present invention relates to a device and a method for controlling a speed of a vehicle. A safe speed of the vehicle is determined based on a curvature of a forward path and weather conditions. When a travelling speed of the vehicle is higher than the safe speed, the speed of the vehicle is controlled such that the vehicle is decelerated.
US09187092B2 Control apparatus for vehicle
An apparatus for controlling a vehicle provided with a steering apparatus is provided with: a first target controlled variable setting device for setting a first target controlled variable regarding the steering apparatus for track control which makes a track of the vehicle follow a target track; a controlling device for performing the track control by controlling the steering apparatus on the basis of the set first target controlled variable; a specifying device for specifying magnitude of a steering input and frequency in a period of performing the track control; and a determining device for determining whether or not the steering input is overriding on the basis of the specified magnitude and frequency.
US09187091B2 Collision detection system with a plausibiity module
A collision detection system for a vehicle includes a sensor and a camera. The sensor measures a first data set of an object relative to the vehicle. The camera measures a second data set of the object relative to the vehicle and separately measures an image-based time-to-collision with the object based on scalable differences of captured images. A fusion module matches data from the sensor and the camera and estimates a collision threat based on the matched data. A plausibility module generates a signal if the measured image-based time-to-collision is less than a calculated steering-based time-to-collision and a braking-based time-to-collision with the object. A countermeasure module actuates a countermeasure device, such as an autonomous braking system, if the collision threat exceeds an actuation threshold and the signal from the plausibility module is received, thereby statistically reducing the rate of false actuations of the countermeasure device.
US09187090B2 Vehicle body vibration-damping control device
An object of the vehicle body vibration-damping control device according to the present invention is to achieve a targeted effect for damping the vehicle body vibration regardless of the responsiveness of an actuator for controlling the drive torque.The vehicle body vibration-damping control device has a body vibration estimating unit (205) for estimating a sprung mass behavior of a vehicle body based on input information during travel, and a torque command-value computing unit (206) for computing a correction torque value for correcting a drive torque command value applied to an engine (106) when the sprung mass behavior is controlled. The torque command-value computing unit (206) has regulator and tuning units (308, 309, 310) for calculating the correction torque value based on the result of estimating the sprung mass behavior, and a nonlinear gain amplifying unit (313) for amplifying the absolute value of the correction torque when in a region where the positive or negative attribute of the calculated correction torque value is reversed, and using the amplified value to correct the drive torque command value.
US09187089B2 Method for operating a driver assistance system and driver assistance system
A method for operating a driver assistance system of a vehicle combination is provided. The vehicle combination includes a tractor vehicle and at least one trailer, and the driver assistance system is designed to automatically actuate at least one element of the vehicle combination. The method comprises the following: At least a first parameter characterizing a potentially unstable driving condition of the trailer is detected. A determination is made as to whether an unstable driving condition of the trailer is imminent. If it is determined that an unstable driving condition of the trailer is imminent, a calculation is made of a position of the trailer and the at least one element is automatically actuated at a point in time when the trailer is positioned in the longitudinal direction of the tractor vehicle and directly in line behind the tractor vehicle.
US09187086B1 Clutch control to enter powersplit hybrid powertrain parallel mode
A selectively actuatable one-way clutch is controlled to brake or release a generator such that a powersplit hybrid powertrain enters or exits a parallel mode of operation. To brake the generator and enter the parallel mode, the clutch is activated while overrunning the generator before the generator is slowed to engage the clutch. To release the generator and exit the parallel mode, the generator is controlled to overrun the clutch before deactivating the clutch and returning the generator to a base speed control.
US09187085B1 Electric vehicle control based on operating costs associated with power sources
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle operates the engine and/or traction motor in response to energy costs or prices received from an external source, such as a user or network. The vehicle can include a battery; an engine; an electric motor; a memory to store a battery charge point, and a controller to modify the battery charge point in response to arbitration criteria to control battery charging from the engine. The arbitration criteria can be based at least partially on fuel cost for the engine. The arbitration criteria can be based at least partially on electricity cost. The arbitration criteria can also include location of the vehicle. The controller may alter a deadband between charging the battery with the engine and discharging the battery to power the traction motor based on the arbitration criteria.
US09187084B2 Hybrid vehicle
After satisfaction of an overrun condition that a tentative torque Tm1tmp of a motor overruns a torque limit Tlim1, a torque command Tm1* of the motor is set by limiting the tentative torque Tm1tmp with the torque limit Tlim1. With respect to an engine, the greater between a converted power Pesh and a value 0is set to a second correction power Pemo2. A requested power Pe* of the engine is recalculated by subtracting a first correction power Pemo1 and the second correction power Pemo2from the requested power Pe*. The engine is controlled using the recalculated requested power Pe*, while the motor is controlled using the torque command Tm1*.
US09187082B2 Control device for vehicle
At a hybrid vehicle including a driving power generation device with an engine, a first MG (motor generator) and a second MG, and a transmission device including a power split mechanism coupling an output shaft to the engine and the first MG, and a transmission coupling an output shaft to the second MG, an ECU stops the driving power generation device when the transmission device is in error. Then, the ECU determines whether the vehicle is actually stopped or not based on a detection value from a wheel speed sensor, and maintains the supply of electric power from the battery until a determination is made that the vehicle has actually stopped.
US09187077B2 Control system for vehicle
An engine and a motor/generator are installed in a vehicle as drive sources. The vehicle is capable of traveling in a condition where the engine is stopped. A monitor varies an indicator in accordance with an operation performed by a driver and a condition of a device installed in the vehicle, and displays the indicator to the driver. When a startup condition based on the operation performed by the driver is satisfied, the device is stopped, and the engine is kept stopped until a predetermined delay time elapses. While the engine remains stopped, variation of the indicator is restricted.
US09187075B2 Protection of an all-wheel clutch of a motor vehicle having a clutch-controlled all-wheel drive during a critical power braking situation including a clutch slip
A method is provided for protecting an all-wheel drive clutch of a two-axle vehicle with clutch-controlled all-wheel drive. A power braking situation, where both the accelerator pedal and the brake are actuated and the vehicle is stationary or moves only slightly in the vehicle longitudinal direction, may be critical for the all-wheel drive clutch. For example, when the friction coefficient of the primary axle is very small and the wheel braking torque is less than the driving torque, a clutch slip may occur at the all-wheel drive clutch. Upon detecting a power braking situation, a protective measure is implemented against thermal overload of the all-wheel drive clutch, such as reducing or limiting the engine torque output, so that the clutch slip and the energy input into the all-wheel drive clutch are reduced.
US09187068B2 Method of applying an electric parking brake system in hybrid and electric vehicle propulsion systems
A method applying an electric park brake system of a vehicle includes detecting a park request with a first vehicle control module, and sending a park command, from the first vehicle control module, to both an electric brake control module and a second vehicle control module. Upon the electric brake control module receiving the park command, an actuation signal is sent from the electric brake control module to a motor winding of the electric park brake system. A status actuated signal is sent from the electric brake control module to the second vehicle control module. The status actuated signal indicates that the actuation signal has been sent from the electric brake control module. A position of the motor winding is sensed to determine if the motor winding is actuated. When the motor winding is actuated, a message is displayed to indicate that the electric park brake system is applied.
US09187067B2 Motor vehicle with driver assistance system
A motor vehicle includes a driver assistance system which is rendered operative when the motor vehicle travels below a limit speed to automatically brake the motor vehicle to a halt while moving forward or backing up. The deceleration characteristic can be predefined or can be selected from an array of deceleration characteristics in dependency on an operating behavior of an accelerator pedal.
US09187064B2 Wiper lever assembly and wiper blade
Disclosed is a wiper lever assembly that includes upper and lower levers, a plurality of pivotal connecting parts that are pivotally coupled to a longitudinal end of the upper lever, and a plurality of mating pivotal connecting parts that are disposed on the lower lever. The assembly further includes an upper pressing arc portion disposed on the upper lever over the plurality of pivotal pressing parts. The upper pressing arc is in slidable contact with a lower engaging arc portion disposed on the lower lever. In addition, a radius of curvature of a concave arc of the upper pressing arc portion and the lower engaging arc portion is larger than that of a convex arc of the upper pressing arc portion and the lower engaging arc portion.
US09187063B2 Detection apparatus and method
A substance detection apparatus and method including a light source to emit light to a planar transparent member having a proximal first face and a distal second face opposite the first face, the light from the light source first striking the first face of the planar transparent member. The substance detection apparatus and method including an image capture lens, a polarization filter, an image sensor, and a substance detection processor. The light emitted from the light source is reflected at the substance present on the second face of the planar transparent member, and the image sensor receives light reflected from the substance, via the image capture lens and the polarization filter, to capture an image of the substance present on the second face of the planar transparent member.
US09187062B2 Vehicle windshield wiper system with energy-absorbing feature
A windshield wiper system for a vehicle includes a wiper arm pivot shaft having a pivot axis extending through the pivot shaft. An energy-absorbing feature is arranged to absorb energy of an external force applied to the wiper arm pivot shaft. The energy-absorbing feature enables the wiper arm pivot shaft to move away from the external force.
US09187061B2 Electronic device finder system
An electronic device finder system includes a vehicle having a door handle, a piezo switch operatively positioned within the door handle, and a signal transmitter operatively connected to the piezo switch. The piezo switch has an on state that is triggered by door handle movement, and the signal transmitter is to generate a signal in response to detection of the on state of the piezo switch. An electronic device, selected from the group consisting of a key-fob and a mobile device, includes a signal receiver to receive the signal from the signal transmitter and an alarm system operatively connected to the signal receiver. The alarm system is to generate an alarm in response to the signal receiver receiving the signal.
US09187059B2 Adjustable lap strap system
The object to provide a child safety seat with which the user is able to restrain and fasten a child in a child safety seat in a optimal way is solved by the child safety seat with the five point harness according to the invention comprises a two tongue buckle, whereby the two tongue buckle comprises guiding means through which webbing is guided and the webbing comprises stopping means to allow a predetermined length of webbing to run through the guiding means and retracting means operatively connected to at least one part of the webbing.
US09187051B2 Method for detecting an imminent rollover of a vehicle
A method and a device for detecting an imminent rollover of a vehicle. The method comprises taking a series of images of the surroundings of the vehicle, in particular of the road ahead, with a camera; determining and tracking point features in the series of images; eliminating point features which are located on objects that move relative to the stationary surroundings of the vehicle; and computing at least one parameter of the rotational movement of the camera (roll, pitch and/or yaw rate) taking into account the remaining point features.
US09187048B2 Method of mounting cable on headliner and headliner used therefor
A method of mounting a cable on a headliner and a headliner used therefor, that are capable of simplifying an attachment process by attaching the cable to the headliner using an attaching cloth, and preventing the attached cable from being easily separated from the headliner and securely fixing the cable to reduce generation of noises. The method is capable of easily recognizing a cable mounting position and arbitrarily adjusting the cable mounting position to a width of an attaching cloth. A worker may easily perform an assembly process by attaching the cable using the attaching cloth, separating an incorrectly attached cable and then attaching the cable thereto again.The attaching cloth may be at a mounting position of a headliner opposite to a roof panel and at which a cable is mounted, and at an outer circumferential surface of the cable, respectively.
US09187046B2 Bicycle rack
A method for mounting a bicycle to a bicycle rack on an exposed roll can include: providing the bicycle rack comprising: a crossbar having an elongate longitudinal length section with laterally curved end sections extending from each side of the longitudinal length, the crossbar having a top side that includes one or more bicycle receivers and having a length sufficient to extend across the roll cage; and a mounting bracket on an end of each laterally curved end section, the mounting brackets each being planar and having an aperture extending through the bracket from a top surface to an opposite bottom surface, the mounting brackets each having bottom surface received on the roll cage with fastener extending through each aperture and a vertical hole in the longitudinal bars such that the crossbar is elevated off the longitudinal bars.
US09187040B2 Adjustable extremely large mirror for a vehicle
The invention is a vehicular mirror assembly for a rectangular shaped mirror typically found on industrial trucks, earthmovers, and dump trucks. The mirror is placed in a holder with two or more pillow block bearings secured on the back of the holder. A circular rod, creating a first axis, extends longitudinally through the pillow block bearings and is swivelly secured to a mounting bracket thereby forming a second axis. A remotely controlled ram is secured to the mounting bracket and proximate to the edge of the holder allowing operator control of the left/right motion around the second axis; a second remotely controlled ram is swivelly secured to the circular rod for up/down adjustment by the operator for movement of the second axis.
US09187037B2 Stop lamp switch abnormality detecting device
A stop lamp switch abnormality detecting device includes a stop lamp switch which is turned on and off in conjunction with ON operation and OFF operation of a brake pedal so as to switch a lighting state of a stop lamp; a control determining unit which determines whether a vehicle is suddenly steered; and a control selecting unit which determines whether the stop lamp switch is abnormal based on a state of the stop lamp switch and a determination result of the control determining unit, wherein the control selecting unit determines that the stop lamp switch is abnormal when it is determined that the stop lamp switch is maintained in an ON state at the time the control determining unit determines that the sudden steering operation is performed.
US09187036B2 Lane guide device for a driver of an automobile
An automotive safety device, specifically, an automobile safety device that assists drivers to remain in their proper driving lane when driving a moving vehicle. One embodiment of the present invention can include a flat planar body member, a plurality of light emitting members connected to the planar body member, wherein the light emitting members are configured in a predetermined arrangement, a power source electronically connected to the light emitting members, and a selectively engageable dimmer switch electronically connected to the power source and the light emitting members. The plurality of light emitting members can be configured in an angled position such that when the planar body member is positioned on the dashboard of a motor vehicle, between a steering wheel and a windshield of the motor vehicle, the reflection of the light emitting members appears to project outwardly in a straight line in front of the windshield.
US09187034B2 Luminescent, ultraviolet protected automotive interior members
A component of a motor vehicle comprising a photoluminescent interior member formed of a plastic composition, wherein the plastic composition comprises at least one polymer and a plurality of additives comprising at least one photoluminescent material and at least a first ultraviolet protector, wherein the at least one photoluminescent material absorbs electromagnetic radiation in a first ultraviolet range of an electromagnetic spectrum, and thereafter emits electromagnetic radiation in a visible radiation range of the electromagnetic spectrum, and wherein the first ultraviolet protector is an ultraviolet absorber, wherein the ultraviolet absorber absorbs electromagnetic radiation in a second ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum and does not absorb electromagnetic radiation in the first ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum.
US09187024B2 Header trailer with improved steering
A trailer for transporting a harvester header comprises a chassis, a rear axle assembly and a front axle assembly. A steering force transfer mechanism is arranged to transfer a steering force hydraulically from a first one steerable wheel supported on the front axle assembly to a second one steerable wheel supported on the rear axle assembly. A steering movement of the first one steerable wheel to one side effects a steering movement of the second one steerable wheel to the opposite side.
US09187023B2 Utility vehicle
A utility vehicle is equipped with a chassis, one or more rows of seats disposed on the chassis, and a cargo bed disposed behind the one or more rows of seats. The cargo bed is rotatably supported by a pivot shaft of the chassis so as to be movable up and down between a normal position in which the cargo bed is in a non-raised state and a dump position in which the cargo bed is in a raised state. Concave portions for cargo bed raising use that are used to raise the cargo bed by hand are integrally formed respectively in the left and right side walls of the cargo bed.
US09187022B2 Camera installation for trailer
A sting trailer has a camera scaffold concealing hidden cameras in a cargo compartment of the trailer. The camera scaffold conceals cameras and wiring so that the cameras are not visible from the interior of the trailer.
US09187017B2 Headrest adjustment mechanism for vehicle seats
A bushing allows for adjustability of a position of a headrest. The bushing includes a head portion having an opening and a passageway opening. The bushing also includes a body portion defining an internal passageway. The passageway opening of the head portion is aligned with the internal passageway of the body portion. The body portion includes a wall surrounding an area of reduced thickness, and a protrusion is located on an internal surface of the area of reduced thickness. The bushing also includes a moveable portion received in the opening of the head portion. The moveable portion is moveable between a first position where a feature engages a notch of a post receivable in the internal passageway of the body portion and the passageway opening of the head portion to retain the headrest in a position and a second position where the feature is disengaged from the notch of the post, allowing the post and the headrest to move relative to the bushing.
US09187016B2 Child seat with belt tensioning mechanism for improved installation
A child seat including a tensioning mechanism for applying tension to a seat belt to more fully secure the child seat to a car seat is provided herein. The child seat includes a seat base defining a seat portion and a backrest portion and designed to receive an untensioned belt to secure the child seat to a car seat in an untensioned configuration. The child seat further includes a tensioning mechanism attached to the backrest portion and rotatable between a first position substantially adjacent to the backrest portion and a second position disposed therefrom. In the second position, the tensioning mechanism can receive a portion of the belt. In the first position, the tensioning mechanism is configured to apply tension to the portion of the received belt to secure the child seat to the car seat in a tensioned configuration. Methods of manufacturing child seats are also provided herein.
US09187015B2 Armrest unit for a passenger seat
An armrest unit for a passenger seat includes an armrest base body forming an armrest surface, and a suspension unit which is disposed underneath the armrest surface and which has at least one spacing means.
US09187011B2 Vehicle seat provided with means for attaching a removable tray
A motor vehicle seat including a seat part and a foldable seatback including a rear face configured to be situated in a substantially horizontal position when the seatback has been folded. The rear face of the seatback includes an attachment mechanism configured to engage with an independent tray, to hold the tray in an erect position on the rear face once the seatback has been folded.
US09187009B2 Apparatus and method for controlling cooling of electronic components of fuel cell vehicle
An apparatus and method for controlling cooling of electronic components of a fuel cell vehicle are provided. The apparatus for controlling cooling of electronic components connected in series and parallel with a coolant loop in a fuel cell vehicle using a pump includes a monitor configured to collect measured temperature of the electronic components and a measured temperature of a coolant through a plurality of temperature sensors, and a controller configured to control the RPM of the pump based on the measured temperatures and at least one of electronic component temperature maps, a coolant temperature map and a temperature difference map representing temperature differences between the electronic components and coolant, the controller controlling the RPM of the pump using over-temperature set information and over-temperature reset information of each temperature map.
US09187006B2 Vehicle positioning for wireless charging systems
A wireless vehicle charging system includes a charging station and an electric or hybrid passenger vehicle. The charging station is configured to wirelessly provide power to the passenger vehicle when the passenger vehicle is properly positioned in the charging station. The wireless vehicle charging system also includes a positioning system configured to guide the passenger vehicle into the charging station so that the passenger vehicle is properly positioned in the charging station to receive power from the charging station.
US09187004B1 Electric vehicle carousel battery exchange/charging system
A system providing a driver of an electric vehicle with the ability to exchange a depleted battery with a charged battery. Information regarding the status of an electric battery is transmitted to service stations, and information is returned to a driver indicating the location of a service station with a charged battery. The driver enters the station and is automatically positioned next to a rotating carousel. A robotic arm removes the depleted battery from the vehicle and pulls it onto the carousel, which rotates and deposits the battery onto a return conveyor belt, which carries the battery to a transportation platform for movement to a battery rack for charging. The transportation platform removes a charged battery from the battery rack and carries it to an outgoing conveyor belt, which carries it to the carousel, which rotates until the battery is next to the vehicle for insertion by the robotic arm.
US09187000B2 Battery pack and electrically driven automobile
A battery pack for an electrically driven automobile includes plural battery banks, a battery management unit that detects current flows, voltages and temperatures, first and second terminals connected respectively to the positive and negative electrode terminals of the battery banks, plural third and fourth terminals connected respectively to the positive and negative electrode terminals of the battery banks, a main contactor that switches the connection between the positive electrode terminals of the battery banks and the first terminal and the connection between the negative electrode terminals of battery banks and the second terminal, sub-contactors that switch the connection between the positive electrode terminals of the battery banks and the first terminal, and charging sub-contactors that switch the connection between the positive electrode terminals of the battery banks and the third terminals and the connection between the negative electrode terminals of the battery banks and the fourth terminals, respectively.
US09186997B2 Hybrid electric locomotive
According to one embodiment, a hybrid electric locomotive includes electric motors, a first engine and a second engine mounted in a vehicle main body for driving generators, a third engine mounted in the vehicle main body, having a smaller capacity than those of the first engine and the second engine, for driving a generator, at least one electric device mounted in the vehicle main body, and a storage battery which is connected to the first engine, the second engine, the third engine, and the electric device.
US09186995B2 Non-contact power receiving apparatus and vehicle having the same
A non-contact power receiving apparatus includes a power reception coil receiving, by electromagnetic resonance, the electric power transmitted from a power transmission coil; a rectifier rectifying the electric power received by the power reception coil, a load receiving the electric power rectified by the rectifier; a resistance and a connection switch provided in a pair of power lines for transmitting the electric power from the power reception coil through the rectifier to the load, the resistance and the connection switch being connected in series between the pair of power lines; and a control device. The control device renders the connection switch conductive when determining where the power reception coil is positioned, and renders the connection switch nonconductive when the electric power is transmitted to the load from the power reception coil through the rectifier.
US09186991B2 Thermal grill for body cooling and driver alertness
A system for keeping a driver alert by employing a thermal grill that includes warm and cool regions. The system includes an alert module that configures the thermal grill to a heat sink configuration and a heat source configuration. The thermal grill in the heat sink configuration extracts heat from the driver's body, lowers the driver's temperature, and keeps the driver alert. The thermal grill in the heat source configuration raises the driver's temperature and avoids vasoconstriction. The alert module also monitors at least one of the driver's biomarkers like blood flow in the driver's fingers. The alert module monitors the driver's biomarkers to determine when to reconfigure the thermal grill to a configuration other than the heat sink configuration. If the monitored biomarkers indicate that the driver is in a vasoconstricted state, the alert module can reconfigure the thermal grill.
US09186990B2 Accel and brake
Devices, systems, and methods for a manually controlled operating system for permitting a handicapped person to brake and accelerate an automobile with hand operated controls. The system comprises a brake handle operably coupled to a foot brake pedal with a first cable and an accelerator handle operably coupled to a foot accelerator pedal with a second cable, wherein the brake handle and accelerator handle are positioned within hand reach of the handicapped person while positioned within the automobile.
US09186989B2 Control apparatus and vehicle having the same
In a control apparatus for controlling front-wheel and rear-wheel rotating electrical machines capable of driving front and rear wheels of a vehicle on electrical power of a battery, a command torque determinator determines command torques for the rotating electrical machines based on a predetermined torque distribution ratio, a power distribution ratio calculator calculates a power distribution ratio based on the torque distribution ratio, an outputtable torque calculator calculates outputtable torques of the rotating electrical machines, a power distribution ratio corrector corrects the power distribution ratio based on the outputtable torques, and a power distributor distributes the electrical power of the battery between the rotating electrical machines in the corrected power distribution ratio.
US09186986B2 Propulsive apparatus for electric vehicles
A propulsive apparatus for use in an electric vehicle includes a gear rotatable by a propulsive motor and having first teeth, and a constant velocity joint having an outer member which includes a larger-diameter portion having second teeth on an outer wall surface thereof. The second teeth serve as part of a speed reducer mechanism which is thus interposed between the propulsive motor and the constant velocity joint. When the gear is rotated by the propulsive motor, the propulsive power is transmitted through the speed reducer mechanism to the constant velocity joint for rotation.
US09186984B2 Cover with filler neck
A cover for a service fluid tank arrangement having a first service fluid tank and a second service fluid tank includes a housing having a housing wall through which a first opening and a second opening extend. The first opening is configured to be connected to a service fluid inlet of the first service fluid tank and the second opening is configured to be connected to a service fluid inlet of the second service fluid tank. At least one of the first opening and the second opening has a filler neck that extends from the housing wall in at least one direction and is configured as a connector for a service fluid line.
US09186983B2 Lid box joining structure and joining method
In a joining structure of a lid box according to an embodiment of the invention, a joining area where a joining surface of a joining portion of a side outer panel faces a joining surface of a joining portion of the lid box includes a first area where the joining surfaces come into contact with each other and are supposed to be subjected to spot-welding and a second area where the joining surfaces are separated from each other by a predetermined gap and are supposed to be subjected to laser-welding, and the spot-welding is performed on the first area or the laser-welding is performed on the second area. For that reason, since the joining states respectively suitable for the spot-welding and the laser-welding are realized, sufficient welding quality is ensured in both the spot-welding and the laser-welding.
US09186979B2 Reservoir for reducing aeration of a fluid
A fluid reservoir includes a housing, a nozzle and a cup. The housing defines a chamber for retaining a fluid. The nozzle receives the fluid and directs the fluid toward the chamber. The cup is disposed in the chamber and defines an interior volume in fluid communication with the nozzle for directly receiving the fluid from the nozzle. A portion of the cup may be captured between the housing and the nozzle. The cup defines at least one fluid path between the interior volume and the chamber.
US09186975B2 Control apparatus for hybrid vehicle
A hybrid vehicle has, on a driveline, an engine, a motor/generator, a clutch and driving wheels, and transmits a driving force from the engine to the driving wheels through the motor/generator and the engaged clutch and brings a drive load that is applied to the engine from the driving wheels to a no-load state by disengagement of the clutch. A control apparatus of the hybrid vehicle has a racing control section which, when an accelerator depression operation is done in a state in which the engine is in the no-load state, in a case where a torque absorption restriction condition that restricts torque absorption by the motor/generator with an engine torque being a power-generation torque is satisfied, restricts an rotation speed of the engine.
US09186972B1 Protective cover for vehicle front ends
A protective cover for a vehicle front end is formed of a stretch-recovery fabric of mesh construction with mesh openings across the entire or substantially the entire fabric. The mesh openings are large enough such that vehicle front end components covered by the protective cover remain visible to view through the protective cover. For example, the mesh openings may have opening width or diameter of about 0.25 to about 1 mm when the protective cover is in an unstretched condition. The protective cover includes one or more fasteners to engage mating fastener stud(s) on the vehicle. A stretch-recovery reinforcing material is joined to at least portion of the outer periphery of the protective cover.
US09186964B2 Door frame for vehicle
A door frame for a vehicle for ensuring aesthetic features of the vehicle, reducing the production cost, and minimizing the entire weight may be coupled with a bright molding providing for improving aesthetic features of a vehicle and a door glass run guiding open/close of a door glass. The door frame may include: one outer frame at which the bright molding is mounted; and one inner frame disposed at an internal side compared with the outer frame, coupled with the outer frame. The door glass run may be interposed and coupled between a glass run supporting portion formed at the bright molding and a glass run contact portion formed at the outer frame, and the bright molding may be directly mounted to the outer frame without an additional member.
US09186958B2 Method for the refrigerated transportation of a stock in a vehicle implementing a liquid combustible gas tank and a liquid nitrogen tank
The present invention relates to a supply station jointly storing a low-temperature-liquefied combustible gas, in particular natural gas, and liquid nitrogen and designed for supplying each component separately or jointly as needed to a vehicle, the supply station being present on the vehicle, the station comprising at least a first storage tank for storing said liquefied combustible gas; and at least a second storage tank for storing said liquid nitrogen and at least one heat-transmitting connection element between the at least one first storage tank and the at least one second storage tank, which connection element is designed so that the combustible gas can be cooled, or can be maintained at a temperature below its boiling point, directly or indirectly by the liquid nitrogen.
US09186956B2 Heat medium heating unit and vehicle air conditioning apparatus provided with the same
Provided is a heat medium heating unit comprising a plurality of flat heat exchange tubes, PTC heaters incorporated between flat tube portions, a heat exchanger pressing member that presses from one side the flat tubes and the PTC heaters against the inner surface of a casing, and a control board that is disposed above the heat exchanger pressing member and that controls the PTC heaters. A terminal extending upwards from an electrode plate directly connects to a terminal supports of the control board. On an inner surface of the casing, since a positioning means that engages with the terminal to position the terminal and the plate, the thermal contact resistance between the flat heat exchanger tubes and the PTC heaters is reduced.
US09186955B2 Blow-molded foam and process for producing the same
An object of the invention is to provide a blow-molded foam which has homogeneous foamed cells in size, is light in weight, and is excellent in surface smoothness, and a process for producing the same. The invention is directed to a blow-molded foam 1 having a wall portion formed in such a manner that a thermoplastic resin containing a foaming agent mixed therewith is subjected to blow molding. Herein, the wall portion has a closed cell structure in which a plurality of foamed cells are contained. The wall portion has an expansion ratio of not less than 2.0 times. The wall portion has an outer face having a center-line average surface roughness Ra of less than 9.0 μm. The foamed cell has a cell diameter having a standard deviation of less than 40 μm in a thickness direction of the wall portion.
US09186954B2 Blower unit
A blower unit has a scroll casing having a first intake port and a second intake port; a first fan drawing air flowing from the first intake port; a second fan coaxially arranged with the first fan and drawing air flowing from the second intake port; a fan motor having a main body and a rotation shaft driven by the main body; and a blower cover arranged to face and cover one of the first intake port and the second intake port. The fan motor is fixed to the blower cover at a position facing the one of the first intake port and the second intake port.
US09186953B2 Intake enhancement system for vehicle
An intake enhancement system for a vehicle includes a chiller bath, a delivery line operatively extended from the chiller bath for tapping at a heat exchanging line of a HVAC system to guide a heat exchanging agent flowing between the chiller bath and the HVAC system, and a cooling line operatively extended from the chiller bath for guiding a cooling agent to flow from the chiller bath toward the internal combustion engine. The chiller bath provides a heat-exchanging place for cooling the cooling agent by the heat exchanging agent. Therefore, the cooling agent is guide to cool the combustion element before the combustion element enters into the internal combustion engine for enhancing an efficiency of the internal combustion engine.
US09186952B2 Suspension assembly having a sway bar
A suspension assembly for a vehicle has left and right suspension arms, left and right shock absorbers operatively connected to their corresponding suspension arms, a sway bar operatively connected to the left and right suspension arms, left and right hinges pivotally connecting corresponding ends of the sway bar to their corresponding suspension arms. Each hinge includes a first hinge member pivotally connected to its corresponding end of the sway bar, a second hinge member pivotally connected to its corresponding suspension arm, the second hinge member being pivotally connected to the first hinge member, and a hinge lock selectively rigidly connecting the first hinge member to the second left member to prevent the first hinge member from pivoting relative to the second hinge member. A vehicle having the suspension assembly is also disclosed.
US09186951B2 Height adjustable damping device
A damping device includes a housing defining a pressure chamber, containing a magnetorheological fluid. A rod is slideably coupled to the housing to adjust a length of the housing. A piston is attached to the rod and disposed within the pressure chamber. The piston is immersed within the magnetorheological fluid, and separates the pressure chamber into a first half and a second half. An electromagnet is disposed in magnetic contact with the magnetorheological fluid, and is operable to apply a magnetic field to the magnetorheological fluid to increase viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid to prevent movement of the rod relative to the housing. The magnetorheological fluid is free to flow through a fluid port in the piston, between a first half and a second half of the pressure chamber, in the absence of the magnetic field from the magnetic source to allow adjustment of the length.
US09186945B2 Cam adjustable shim assembly
A cam adjustable shim assembly includes a bushing defining a bushing opening. The bushing opening extends longitudinally along a bushing axis to define a bushing bore. The cam adjustable shim assembly further includes a cam disposed in the bushing bore. The cam defines a cam bore extending longitudinally along a first cam axis offset relative to the bushing axis such that the cam bore is eccentric relative to the bushing bore. The cam adjustable shim assembly further includes a bolt at least partially disposed within the cam bore along a first cam axis. The bolt is engaged with the cam bore such that rotation of the bolt about the first cam axis causes the cam to rotate within the bushing about the bushing axis.
US09186944B2 Cam adjustable shim assembly
A cam adjustable shim assembly includes a bushing defining a bushing opening. The bushing opening extends along a first axis. The cam adjustable shim assembly further includes a cam disposed in the bushing opening and a bolt at least partially disposed within the cam. The bolt extends along a second axis. The second axis is offset relative to the first axis such that the bushing opening is eccentric relative to the bolt. The bolt is fixed to the cam such that rotation of the bolt about the second axis causes the cam to rotate within the bushing about the first axis.
US09186942B1 Fifth wheel slideable hitch assembly
A fifth wheel slideable hitch assembly with a pair of base rails defining apertures to receive rollers. The rollers protrude out of the base rails and contact the underside of corresponding uprights, allowing for longitudinal displacement of the uprights and a fifth wheel fore and aft. The assembly also includes a T-shaped selector plate and an indicator pin that clearly alerts a user to the status of the hitch position.
US09186939B2 Tire rotation device
A tire rotation device includes a mounting member having at least one aperture configured to receive at least one lifting member. The tire rotation device further includes a rotating member configured to receive a tire.
US09186938B2 Wheel position detector and tire inflation pressure detector having the same
In a wheel position detector for a vehicle, a transmitter on each wheel repeatedly transmits a data frame containing identification information when an angle of the transmitter reaches a transmission angle. A receiver for receiving the frame is mounted on a body of a vehicle and performs wheel position detection based on the frame to specify a target wheel from which the frame is transmitted. The receiver acquires a tooth position of a gear rotating with a corresponding wheel when receiving the frame and sets a variation allowable range based on the tooth position. The receiver specifies the target wheel by determining whether the tooth position falls within the variation allowable range a predetermined number of times in a row.
US09186936B2 Tire
An object of the present invention is to provide a tire possessing improved wear resistance by optimizing configurations of block land portions. The tire is configured such that, in at least two adjacent block land portion arrays 5 sandwiching a circumferential groove 2, adjacent block land portions 4 constituting the block land portion arrays 5 are arranged so as to be positionally displaced from each other in the tire circumferential direction; and a distance d2 between the block land portions adjacent in the tire width direction is shorter than a distance d1 between the block land portions adjacent in the tire circumferential direction. A groove portion 8 between the block land portions adjacent in the tire width direction extends obliquely with respect to the tire width direction and the tire circumferential direction. Further, plural sets each formed by at least two adjacent block land portion arrays 5 sandwiching the circumferential groove 2 are arranged; and, among the block land portions arrays 5, an inclination angle θ1 of an extending direction of the groove portion 8B between the block land portions adjacent in the tire width direction of block land portion arrays 5 located closest to a tire equatorial plane CL side with respect to the tire circumferential direction is larger than an inclination angle θ2 of an extending direction of the groove portion 8A between the block land portions adjacent in the tire width direction of block land portion arrays 5 located at the outermost side in the tire width direction with respect to the tire circumferential direction.
US09186933B2 Functionalized polymer, rubber composition and pneumatic tire
There is disclosed a functionalized elastomer of formula I where R1, R2 and R3 are independently C1 to C8 alkyl or C1 to C8 alkoxy, with the proviso that at least two of R1, R2 and R3 are C1 to C8 alkoxy; R4 is C1 to C8 alkanediyl, C1 to C8 arylene, C1 to C8 alkylarylene, C1 to C8 arylalkanediyl, or a covalent bond; R5 is C2 alkanediyl; Si is silicon; X is sulfur or oxygen; and P is a diene based elastomer, and n is 1 or 2.
US09186928B2 Pull activated greeting cards and gift bags with motion and audio
The greeting card of the present invention is a traditional greeting card enhanced by audio and movement. The greeting card contains a pull trigger mechanism so that the user must interact with the greeting card to trigger the audio and motor movement. The pull trigger mechanism may be made of a variety of different materials and are intended to resemble the tail of various animals. Once the pull mechanism or tail has been pulled, the motor is activated causing movement of a portion of the greeting card proximate to the pull mechanism or tail which resembles the behind of an animal. The moveable portion of the greeting card moves, by for example back and forth, while audio plays in the background.
US09186926B2 Sheet processing apparatus, method for controlling the same, storing medium, and program
A control includes causing a processing unit to perform a saddle-stitching binding process in which a plurality of sheets are subjected to a binding process and a folding process or a center-folding binding process in which a plurality of sheets are subjected to the folding process, permitting the processing unit to perform the saddle-stitching binding process or the center-folding binding process on a predetermined number of sheets, and controlling such that the number of sheets which are permitted to be subjected to the center-folding binding process is smaller than the number of sheets which are permitted to be subjected to the saddle-stitching binding process.
US09186925B2 Post-processing device with rotatable stapler
An apparatus for post-processing sheets which have been discharged by a preset number of sheets and arranged in a compiler which is a temporary storage space. The apparatus is installed at a discharge end of a longitudinal discharge type image forming apparatus. The apparatus includes a sheet post-processing unit rotatably installed at one side of the compiler, which performs post-processing on a sheet stack, while being parallel to a longitudinal direction of the sheet stack which has been arranged according to a set value or being rotated by an arbitrary angle with respect to a corner end portion of the sheet stack. The sheet stack transfer unit transfers the sheet stack, which has been arranged in the compiler, in the same or an opposite direction to that in which the sheets have been discharged.
US09186913B2 Thermal transfer printing apparatus and method of controlling thermal transfer printing apparatus
There is provided a printing apparatus which prints a protective coat, on the basis of input image data, onto a recording sheet on which an image is printed with a dye ink, the printing apparatus comprising: an area dividing unit configured to divide the input image data into a plurality of areas; a conversion unit configured to convert the input image data into print control data by using conversion information provided to convert the input image data into the print control data; and a printing unit configured to print the protective coat on the basis of the print control data acquired by the conversion unit, wherein the conversion unit is configured to include a plurality of pieces of the conversion information and convert the input image data into the print control data by using a piece of the conversion information different for each area divided by the area dividing unit.
US09186909B1 Method and system of lens shading color correction using block matching
A system, article, and method to provide lens shading color correction using block matching.
US09186908B2 Actuator, optical scanner, and image forming apparatus
An actuator includes a movable member which rotates around a rotation axis, a plurality of connecting members which extend from the movable member through a shaft and are disposed in the vicinity of the outer circumference of the movable member at equal intervals in the plan view as viewed in a thickness direction of the movable member, and a support unit which supports each of the plurality of connecting members. Each of the plurality of connecting members has a driving portion rotatably connected with the support unit, and the shaft connecting the movable member and the driving portion. A first connecting portion that connects the movable member with the shaft and that is disposed opposite to a corresponding second connecting portion that connects the driving portion with the shaft through the movable member so that the movable member is interposed between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion.
US09186905B2 Thick film print head structure and control circuit
A new structure (FIG. 11) for a thick-film thermal printhead and a variety of implementation approaches for controlling such a printhead. In the structure of the invention, the conductive lead at each end of the heater element is switched to either the power supply (Vhd) or ground, depending on the corresponding nib data bit. The improvement over a traditional center-tap structure (FIG. 1) is the reduction of density of conductive leads to achieve the resolution of printed dots. Compared to the printhead structure of alternated conductive system, either with diodes (FIG. 2) or without diodes (FIG. 4), which both suffer from the introduction of undesirable leaking currents, the printhead structure of the invention provides the advantage of eliminating leakage current completely. Control of the thermal printhead according to the invention is based on the sequential exclusive-OR (XOR) logic operation applied to the shifted-in nib data bit stream. The XOR functionality may be incorporated in the driver IC, embedded in the raster data processing FPGA (Field Programming Gate Array), or implemented in the form of a lookup table in the memory block of a main processor system. All prior art advanced controls based on a multi-pulse strategy can be applied directly from those used in prior art printhead structures to the controls for the thermal printhead for this invention without modification. A new driver IC (FIG. 26) is also disclosed according to the invention in which the outputs are SPDT (Single-Pole-Double-Throw) switches and the built-in XOR gates can be configured to act in the pass-through mode, if required, so that the new driver IC may be used as a traditional driver IC.
US09186901B2 Method for injecting printing material, injection kit, and injection device
An injection method includes closing an inner path, and injecting a printing material into a printing material containing chamber through a printing material supply port after closing the inner path.
US09186900B2 Printer and printing head moving mechanism
A printing head moving mechanism is configured to reciprocate a carriage equipped with a printing head between a printing position facing a recording medium and a retracted position retracted outside a printing region of the recording medium. In the printing position, the carriage is disposed at a downstream side of a transporting roller which is configured to transport the recording medium in a transporting direction of the recording medium. In the retracted position, at least a portion of the carriage is disposed at an upstream side of the transporting roller in the transporting direction of the recording medium. The carriage is configured to move between the printing position and the retracted position without interfering with the transporting roller.
US09186898B2 Method for producing piezoelectric actuator
A method for producing a piezoelectric actuator includes forming a diffusion preventing layer on one surface of a substrate formed of a metallic material for preventing a diffusion of a metal from the substrate, heating a diffusion preventing layer at a first temperature in order to relieve a residual stress in the diffusion preventing layer, forming an electrode on a surface of the diffusion preventing layer, the surface not facing the substrate, forming a piezoelectric layer of a piezoelectric material on a surface of the electrode, the surface not facing the diffusion preventing layer, and annealing the piezoelectric layer at a second temperature. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the electrode from being exfoliated from the diffusion preventing layer. Moreover, it is possible to prevent a crack being developed in the piezoelectric layer.
US09186892B2 Liquid jet head and liquid jet apparatus
A liquid jet head includes base plates, a first actuator plate and a second actuator plate separately arranged on one principal planes of the base plates, and configured to jet a liquid, first extracting electrodes electrically connected to first drive electrodes, on the one principal plane of the first base plate, and second extracting electrodes electrically connected to second drive electrodes, on the one principal plane of the second base plate. The second extracting electrodes are pulled out on the one principal plane through through holes formed in the base plates.
US09186890B2 Determination of a delay value in response to a determination that a detected temperature is outside of a target temperature range
A method of determining a delay value by an image forming system may include transporting a media along a media transport path by a media transport unit, heating the media by a heating unit, providing a plurality of print passes across the media transport path by a print head assembly, and applying ink to the media to form an image including a plurality of swaths by the print head assembly such that a respective swath is formed on the media corresponding to a respective print pass. The method may also include detecting a temperature of the media by a temperature module to determine whether the detected temperature is outside of a target temperature range, and determining a delay value by a delay determination module in response to a determination that the detected temperature is outside of the target temperature range.
US09186887B1 System and method for compensating for malfunctioning ejectors operated with reference to multi-level tone image data by adding drops in adjacent locations
A method compensates for malfunctioning ejectors in inkjet printers and three-dimensional object printers. Multi-level tone data corresponding to a malfunctioning inkjet or ejector is detected and used to modify multi-level tone data surrounding the multi-level tone data corresponding to the malfunctioning ejector and decrement the datum corresponding to a malfunctioning ejector as each surrounding datum is modified. The modification of the surrounding multi-level tone data continues with reference to a datum corresponding to a malfunctioning ejector until the datum corresponding to the malfunctioning ejector falls below a predetermined threshold. The modified multi-level tone data is then used to operate the printer to form an ink image or three-dimensional object.
US09186882B2 Printing finishing system and method for operating a print finishing system
A device and method for producing complex multipart collections (K1) of printed products includes at least two partial collections (T1, T2, T3) of precursors. The device comprises a collating device (6) having a conveyor track (41) on which a plurality of receptacle units (50) circulate in a closed circuit for receiving collated precursors, and on which a plurality of feeder apparatuses (101-112) are disposed in at least one collating region (11, 12), from which precursors are dispensed into the receptacle units (50) moving past on the conveyor track. A transfer apparatus (30) is disposed in at least one location of the conveyor track (42), transferring collated first partial collections (T1) from the receptacle units (50) for further processing, and a collator (31, 32) is disposed in at least one further location of the conveyor track (41, 43), collating further collated partial collections (T3, T4) from the receptacle units (50) into collections (K1).
US09186880B1 Detachable print screen fabric assembly for use in a frame tensioning system
A print screen frame tensioning system, generally rectangular in shape and fabricated from extruded tubular rails, each rail of the frame having a longitudinal channel, generally circular in cross sectional area, formed in each of the tubular rails for substantially the length of the tubular rails for receipt of a tension roller, the tension roller having its entire length axially serrated in order to accept a tensioning tool at one end, the tension roller having a longitudinal groove or slot formed therein for receipt of a fabric panel and locking strip, there being a locking strip associated with each edge of a fabric panel being slidably secured to each tension roller.
US09186878B2 Process for making lithographic printing plate
It is an object of the present invention to provide a process for making a lithographic printing plate that enables a one-bath processable lithographic printing plate having excellent printing durability, ink laydown and resistance to staining during printing.A process for making a lithographic printing plate is provided that includes a step of producing a negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor comprising, above a support, a photopolymerizable photosensitive layer comprising a vinylcarbazole compound-derived monomer unit-containing acrylic polymer and/or a urethane-acrylic hybrid polymer, a step of imagewise exposing the negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor, and a step of developing the exposed negative-working lithographic printing plate precursor by means of a developer having a pH of 4 to 10, comprising (Component A) a compound represented by Formula (I) below and (Component B) water, and having an organic solvent content of less than 5 mass %, wherein the process does not comprise a washing step or a gumming step before or after the development step. In Formula (I), R1 denotes a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group, 1-naphthyl group, or 2-naphthyl group, and n denotes an integer of 4 to 20.
US09186877B2 Method for stripping a product substrate from a carrier substrate
Device for stripping a product substrate from a carrier substrate connected to the product substrate by an interconnect layer by means of a flexible film that is mounted on a film frame and that comprises an adhesive layer for holding the product substrate in a bonding surface section of the film, the film being mounted on the film frame in an attachment section of the film that surrounds the bonding surface section, and the film comprising a stripping section that is located between the bonding surface section and the attachment section, the device having stripping means for effecting a stripping of the product substrate from the carrier substrate from a periphery of the product substrate.
US09186875B1 Processing improvements in applying polyester onto a metal substrate
The invention is a laminating process which is directed toward economical production methods for scalable amounts of production which develop properties suitable for a broad based product line. In particular, the product is capable of important key components of commercial properties such as adhesion, scratch resistance, chemical inertness, and bending without failure.
US09186874B1 Heat sealing techniques for bonding sheet materials
Various embodiments of a bonding machine structured and programmed for bonding or laminating one or more materials is disclosed. In one embodiment, the bonding machine comprises a support bar and one or more bonding arms movably coupled to the support bar. Each of the bonding arms may include a heating bar including one or more heating elements, and an actuator configured to provide movement of the bonding arm between the support bar and a material to be processed. At least one of the bonding arms may be programmed to operate with a temperature setting, pressure setting, application timing setting, timing sequence setting, or center position setting which is independent of at least one of the other bonding arms.
US09186872B2 Multi-layer flexible sheet and method thereof
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a multilayer flexible sheet and a multilayer flexible sheet. The method for manufacturing a multilayer sheet comprises steps of metalizing atleast one of the surfaces of a core polymer layer; priming the metalized surface of the core polymer layer with a primer; extrusion laminating the primed surface of the core polymer layer with polyolefin and/or co-polymer of polyolefin; and co-extruding first heat sealable layer over the extrusion laminated layer. The multilayer polymer sheet of the present invention atleast comprises a core layer having one of the polymer sides plasma treated, a metal layer deposited on the plasma treated side of the core layer, a primer layer applied on the metalized surface of the core layer, an extrusion polymer lamination layer of poiyolefin and/or copolymer of polyolefin and a heat sealable layer on the extrusion polymer lamination layer.
US09186871B2 Pneumatic tire, the belt of which is reinforced by a thermoplastic polymer film
Pneumatic tire, the belt of which is reinforced by a multilayer laminate comprising at least one multiaxially drawn thermoplastic polymer film, such as for example a biaxially drawn PET film, placed between and in contact with two layers of rubber composition, such as natural rubber. Preferably, the thermoplastic polymer film has, irrespective of the tensile direction considered, a tensile modulus E which is greater than 500 MPa, a maximum tensile stress σmax which is greater than 80 MPa, and an elongation at break Ar greater than 40%. The above thermoplastic polymer film, placed between two layers of diene rubber compositions, can especially be used in the belt of pneumatic tires as a perforation-resistant protective film.
US09186866B2 Powder-based material system with stable porosity
A powder-based material system having an intrinsic and stable degree of porosity provided by hollow ceramic spheres (26) in a fully dense matrix (27). A substrate (22) is formed from a metal powder (70), and may be partially sintered (60). A layer (24) of ceramic powder is arranged on the substrate including the pre-sintered hollow ceramic spheres plus a proportion of nano-sized ceramic particles effective to reduce the layer sintering temperature and to increase the sintering shrinkage of the layer to approximate that of the metal substrate during subsequent co-sintering. The substrate and layer are then co-sintered (61), such as with spark plasma sintering (32, 34, 36), at a temperature and for a duration to fully densify the ceramic powder matrix around the hollow spheres, thereby producing a metal/ceramic material system with low interface stress and with stable porosity during operational temperatures in a gas turbine engine.
US09186858B2 Method for molding tensile strand elements
Articles of footwear and a variety of other products may incorporate tensile strand elements. In manufacturing an element, such as the tensile strand elements, a strand, a first layer, and a second layer may be located between a first surface and a second surface of a press. The first surface includes a first material and the second surface includes a second material, with the first material having greater hardness than the second material. The strand, the first layer, and the second layer are then compressed between the first surface and the second surface.
US09186857B2 Tire mold, manufacturing method of pneumatic tire, and pneumatic tire
A tire mold has a tire molding surface. The tire molding surface is pressed against an outer surface of an uncured tire. A vent hole is provided in the tire molding surface. A surface of an outer edge region surrounding an opening of the vent hole is formed by a smooth surface. The smooth surface is smoother than a surface in a peripheral region of the outer edge region.
US09186855B2 High-pressure gas tank production method
The FW technique is employed to suppress a non-fiber-wound space from being left during formation of a fiber layer for reinforcement on a liner. A process of forming a fiber-reinforce resin layer on a liner winds and fixes a winding start end fiber of a resin-impregnated carbon fiber on a fiber fixation flange, which is away from the top of a dome section. The process subsequently forms an innermost helical layer from the winding start end fiber extended from the fixation position and the subsequently fed resin-impregnated carbon fiber. The process subsequently forms an inner hoop layer over the innermost helical layer and cuts the winding start end fiber extended from the fixation position of the fiber fixation flange at a position on the periphery of the top of the dome section, prior to formation of a subsequent second helical layer.
US09186853B2 Methods and systems for processing materials, including shape memory materials
A method for treating a material comprising: applying energy to a predetermined portion of the material in a controlled manner such that the local chemistry of the predetermined portion is altered to provide a predetermined result. When the material is a shape memory material, the predetermined result may be to provide an additional memory to the predetermined portion or to alter the pseudo-elastic properties of the shape memory material. In other examples, which are not necessarily restricted to shape memory materials, the process may be used to adjust the concentration of components at the surface to allow the formation of an oxide layer at the surface of the material to provide corrosion resistance; to remove contaminants from the material; to adjust surface texture; or to generate at least one additional phase particle in the material to provide a nucleation site for grain growth, which in turn, can strengthen the material.
US09186839B2 Method for cooling a mould by circulating a heat-transfer fluid in contact with the external face thereof
Method and apparatus for cooling a heated mold (12, 14, 16) of a device (10) for blow-molding thermoplastic containers, the device including: a mold (12, 14, 16) having an internal face which delimits a molding cavity (18) and which includes an external face (20, 28) which surrounds the molding cavity (18); heating elements for heating the mold to a determined temperature and which are deactivated when the cooling method is implemented; characterized in that the mold (12, 14, 16) is cooled by circulating heat-transfer fluid directly in contact with the external face (20, 28) thereof.
US09186837B2 Method for producing long stretched film
A method for producing a long stretched film according to one aspect of the present invention includes at least a step of forming a long film, a step of obliquely stretching the long film and a step of winding the long stretched film. A winding direction of the long stretched film can be arbitrarily changed to a direction oblique to a delivering direction of the long film. In the oblique stretching step, grip release points of gripping tools gripping opposite end parts of the long stretched film are independently movable in the winding direction of the long stretched film and so adjusted that a grip release line connecting the grip release points on respective opposite sides becomes parallel to the width direction of the long stretched film.
US09186836B1 Production of synthetic, non-flammable wicker
The method of producing a non-flammable synthetic wicker, that includes providing pellets incorporating polyethylene and flame retardant material; providing a screw conveyor means, introducing the pellets into the conveyor means and operating the conveyor means while heating the pellets, thereby forming a fluidized mixture and dispersing the flame retardant material throughout the mixture; extruding the fluidized and heated mixture in coherent strand form; cooling the extruded strand to partly solidify the strand; and winding the cooled strand, for use.
US09186833B2 Closed loop control of auxiliary injection unit
A method and apparatus of controlling commencement of an injection of a melt stream of moldable material from an auxiliary injection unit. A sensor is placed in an injection molding system to sense a condition related to an injection of a first melt stream of a first moldable material provided by a primary injection unit. Commencement of a second melt stream of a second moldable material from the auxiliary injection unit is initiated upon the sensed condition related to the injection of the first melt stream being detected at a preselected value. The sensed condition may be a pressure, velocity or temperature of the first melt stream as provided by a direct sensor, a force or strain on a hot runner component as provided by an indirect sensor or the occurrence of a function of the injection molding system as provided by a functional sensor.
US09186830B2 Drop-in hot runner system
A drop-in hot runner system includes a first runner component having a first channel aperture extending into a first runner component sliding surface, and a second runner component having a second channel aperture extending into a second runner component sliding surface. A depressible protrusion is associated with the first runner component, and a receiver is associated with the second runner component. The depressible protrusion and the receiver are positioned such that when the first runner component and the second runner component are coupled together along the first and second runner component sliding surfaces the depressible protrusion is received in the receiver, and the first and second channel apertures are misaligned.
US09186827B2 Resin piston and method for molding resin piston
In a method for molding a resin piston by charging a preheated resin tablet into a cavity of a molding die, and by carrying out compression molding while heating, at a time point when an internal pressure of the cavity arrives at a determined pressure, by pressurizing a pressurizing margin in the molding die, resin which overflows from the molding die is discharged from a passage which is defined in an area except an outer circumferential surface of the piston, while the internal pressure of the cavity is maintained. After a thermosetting cycle has finished, the molding die 21 is opened.
US09186825B2 Method for producing a pellet from powdered material
The invention relates to a method for producing a pellet from powdered material with the method steps: during a pressing process, a tipping of the upper and/or lower force transmission bridge and/or the upper and/or lower die plate and/or a force causing this tipping is measured; depending on the determined measurement results, the upper drive units and/or the lower drive units are moved asynchronously in relation to each other during the pressing process such that the caused tipping is compensated.
US09186821B2 Positioning device for a mold
A positioning device aligns first and second mold segments moving from an opened position to a closed position. The device includes a female member for connecting to one of the mold segments and for receiving a male member connected to the other of the mold segments. A bearing mechanism is coupled to the female member for receiving the male member and reducing friction between the male member and the female member. One of the female member and the bearing mechanism includes a post extending transversely to the alignment axis and the other of the female member and the bearing mechanism defines a groove receiving the post as the bearing mechanism moves relative to the female member. The engagement between the groove and the post retains the bearing mechanism in the female member when the first and second mold segments move between the opened and closed positions.
US09186816B2 Abrasive article and method of forming
An abrasive article may include a substrate, a tacking film overlying the substrate, abrasive particles that may include a coating layer bonded to the tacking film such that a bond between the coating layer and the tacking film defines a metallic bonding region, and a bonding layer overlying the abrasive particles and the tacking film.
US09186814B2 Atmospheric storage mechanical weight batch blending plant
An atmospheric storage mechanical weigh batch blend plant is shown with atmospheric storage for providing a dry, pre-blend, oilfield cement ready for mixing at the wellhead for slurry injection into a well head upon adding the proper amount of water and other fluids. The batch blend plant has three separate weighing mechanisms for (a) larger or bulk quantity materials, (b) intermediate quantities of materials, and (c) small amounts of additives to be included to the mixture. The entire weigh batch blend plant can be disassembled and moved. A special pressurized air bearing is used in the blender.
US09186813B2 Automated concrete structural member fabrication system, apparatus and method
A casting machine for fabrication of precast concrete structural members, which includes side walls and end dams which are all movable from an open position to a closed position, and a bottom casting surface, where the bottom casting surface, side walls, and end dams serving to form a mold surrounding a cavity configured to contain wet concrete. Concrete is poured into the cavity when the self-releasing mold is in closed position. The side walls, and end dams are automatically movable to the open position when the concrete has solidified so that a precast concrete structural member is automatically released from the self-releasing mold. Also a precast modular system for automated concrete structural member fabrication, which includes a concrete mixing system, a concrete delivery subsystem, a block transport subsystem, and a plurality of casting machines, where each casting machine includes a self-releasing mold.
US09186806B2 Handheld food slicer
A handheld food slicer including a first handle having a plurality of elongated fingers, each finger separated from an adjacent finger by a blade receiving slot, a second handle movably coupled to the first handle and a plurality of blade members spaced to align with the blade receiving slots to mate with the fingers to collectively define a food receiving passageway when the first and the second handles are in an expanded configuration in which a distal end of the first handle is at least partially spaced apart from a distal end of the second handle, the fingers of the first handle configured to pass through the food receiving passageway adjacent the blade members as the first and the second handles move from the expanded configuration towards a compressed configuration in which the distal end of each of the first and the second handles is relatively closer to the other.
US09186801B1 Folding tool
A folding tool includes a handle, a tool member and a tool member cover. The handle includes a first handle half and a second handle half. One end of the tool member is pivotally retained by the handle. A cover pivot pin is retained in the other end of the first and second handle halves. The cover pivot pin is inserted through a longitudinal slot formed through one end of the tool member cover. A substantially D-shaped slot is formed in the other end of the first or second handle halves. A guide pin extends from the tool member cover. The guide pin is sized to slide freely in the substantially D-shaped slot. The tool member cover is pivoted against the tool member in an open position and pivoted away from the handle to protect the tool member in a closed position.
US09186793B1 Apparatus and methods for controlling attention of a robot
Apparatus and methods for controlling attention and training of autonomous robotic devices. In one approach, attention of the robot may be manipulated by use of a spot-light device illuminating a portion of the aircraft undergoing inspection in order to indicate to inspection robot target areas requiring more detailed inspection. The robot guidance may be aided by way of an additional signal transmitted by the agent to the robot indicating that the object has been illuminated and attention switch may be required. Responsive to receiving the additional signal, the robot may initiate a search for the signal reflected by the illuminated area requiring its attention. Responsive to detecting the illuminated object and receipt of the additional signal, the robot may develop an association between the two events and the inspection task. The light guided attention system may influence the robot learning for subsequent actions.
US09186792B2 Teaching system, teaching method and robot system
In a teaching system including a display unit, an image generating unit generates a virtual image of a robot, a workpiece and a positioner for holding the workpiece. A display control unit controls the display unit to display the generated virtual image. Upon receiving an operator's operation of selecting a ridgeline of the workpiece of the virtual image, a work line generating unit extracts individual teaching target points of the ridgeline and generates a work line as a set of line segments each interconnecting the target points adjoining each other. A calculation unit calculates teaching values for positions and postures of the positioner on a point-by-point basis so that a vector direction of the work line at each target point becomes substantially parallel to a horizontal direction. A teaching program generating unit generates a teaching program for operating the positioner based on the calculated teaching values.
US09186790B1 Sleeve bracket assembly
A sleeve bracket assembly has a track-base, a positioning-board and multiple positioning-mounts. The track-base has a bottom panel, a slide-rail and a connecting track. The slide-rail and the connecting track are respectively formed on a top surface of the bottom panel and a bottom surface of the bottom panel. The positioning-board is elastic, is mounted in the connecting track and has two rail-bars and a positioning-rack. The positioning-mounts are movably and rotatably mounted on the track-base, engage the positioning-board and each one of the positioning-mounts has a sliding-engaging seat and an inserting-button. The sliding-engaging seat is movably mounted in the slide-rail, engages the positioning-board and has at least three engaging-teeth selectively engaging the positioning-rack. The inserting-button is formed on the sliding-engaging seat.
US09186787B2 Internal temperature estimation unit for battery for electric power tool, and apparatus for electric power tool
An internal temperature estimation unit, which reads a detected temperature of a cell of a battery for an electric power tool to estimate an internal temperature of the battery based on the detected temperature, includes: an initial-value setting device which reads, when a discharge/charge of the battery is started, the detected temperature and sets the detected temperature as an initial value; and a temperature increase amount calculation device which calculates a temperature increase amount of the cell of the battery based on a latest value of the detected temperature and the initial value set by the initial-value setting device; the internal temperature estimation unit outputs the temperature increase amount as an estimated value representing the internal temperature of the battery.
US09186786B2 Fastener removal device
A fastener removal device comprising a handle and a head, wherein there is a first end of the handle and a second end, the second end forming a toothed pad, wherein one end of the head is shaped as a toothed pad, wherein the other end of the head is shaped as a bifurcated claw, wherein said head contains an opening in the middle, such that the second end of the handle extends through the opening in the head.
US09186783B2 Automatic bit-changing screwdriver
The present invention relates to an automatic bit-changing screwdriver including a bit tip and a bit shaft assembly. The bit tip and the bit shaft assembly are pivotably connected. Guided by the bit shaft assembly, the bit tip may rotate relative to the bit shaft assembly and change the tip without requiring direct manual contact with the bit tip. Particularly, the screwdriver includes a handle, a bit tip, a shaft and a shaft sleeve. The bit tip includes two sizes/styles of tips at two ends respectively. The bit tip is pivotably coupled to the shaft. The shaft is fixedly coupled to the handle. The shaft sleeve surrounds the shaft. The shaft and shaft sleeve are slidingly coupled together. Outwards sliding of the shaft sleeve drives the bit tip to rotate within the shaft to achieve bit-changing. A deep groove is formed on a front end of the shaft. The bit tip is disposed in the deep groove. A middle section of the shaft has a guide groove. The shaft sleeve is connected to the guide groove by a connecting element disposed along the guide groove. A slide guide block is fixedly positioned on the shaft sleeve facing a side of the shaft having the deep groove. The shaft sleeve has a notch. The notch is formed in a middle section of the shaft sleeve. A spring element is connected to the shaft sleeve. The spring element moves within the notch. The automatic bit-changing screwdriver provides a solution to a technical problem that the state of the art combination screwdrivers are generally inconvenient to change bits.
US09186781B2 Ratchet screwdriver
A ratchet screwdriver includes a handle receiving a rod coupled with a coupling sleeve. A spring is received in each of two recesses of the coupling sleeve and presses against one of two pawls abutting against abutment faces of the recesses. An output member has a ratchet portion mounted around the coupling sleeve and having ratchet teeth. The output device includes an output portion. Each spring biases one of the pawls. A switch ring mounted around the ratchet portion includes a pressing portion selectively pressing against and selectively disengaging one of the pawls from the ratchet teeth when the switch ring is rotated relative to the coupling sleeve to selectively engage a positioning device with one of positioning grooves in the switch ring.
US09186778B2 Simple open-end wrench
A simple open-end wrench includes a driving head including first and second jaws, a space delimited between the first and second jaws, first and second recesses extended from the space, a pawl pivotally embedded in the first recess, and a biasing mechanism received in the second recess and abutted against the pawl. The pawl includes an abutting end disposed outside the second recess and extended into the space. The pawl is pivotal to a position with the abutting end thereof disposed within the second recess.
US09186775B2 Method for producing elastic grinding material, elastic grinding material, and blasting method using said elastic grinding material
A long-lasting elastic grinding material capable of subjecting surfaces of objects to mirror-finishing, glossifying and the like via blasting thereof. A nucleus (2) is obtained by granulating a crosslinked polyrotaxane compound having self-tackiness and a rubber hardness of 30 or less into particles of a prescribed diameter. The nucleus (2), which is soft and exhibits significant deformability, is sealed on the inside of an abrasive-particle layer (3) by: adhering abrasive particles (31) to the surface of the nucleus (2): then affixing the abrasive particles (31) to the surface of the nucleus (2) by applying pressure to the surface of the nucleus (2) to which the abrasive particles (31) are adhered; and forming the abrasive-particle layer (3), which has a masonry-like structure formed by attaching a plurality of the abrasive particles (31) in the thickness direction to the surface of the nucleus (2), by further subjecting the surface of the nucleus (2) to which the abrasive particles (31) are affixed to repeated adhesion of identical abrasive particles (31) and affixing by application of pressure.
US09186773B2 Retaining ring with shaped surface
A retaining ring can be shaped by machining or lapping the bottom surface of the ring to form a shaped profile in the bottom surface. The bottom surface of the retaining ring can include flat, sloped and curved portions. The lapping can be performed using a machine that dedicated for use in lapping the bottom surface of retaining rings. During the lapping the ring can be permitted to rotate freely about an axis of the ring. The bottom surface of the retaining ring can have curved or flat portions.
US09186772B2 Chemical mechanical polishing pad with broad spectrum, endpoint detection window and method of polishing therewith
A chemical mechanical polishing pad is provided, comprising: a polishing layer having a polishing surface; and, a broad spectrum, endpoint detection window block having a thickness along an axis perpendicular to a plane of the polishing surface; wherein the broad spectrum, endpoint detection window block, comprises a cyclic olefin addition polymer; wherein the broad spectrum, endpoint detection window block exhibits a uniform chemical composition across its thickness; wherein the broad spectrum, endpoint detection window block exhibits a spectrum loss ≦40%; and, wherein the polishing surface is adapted for polishing a substrate selected from a magnetic substrate, an optical substrate and a semiconductor substrate.
US09186770B2 Oscillating tool attachment feature
A clamp arrangement for securing an accessory to an oscillating power tool can include a clamp assembly including a first clamp member that moves relative to the accessory between a closed position wherein the clamp assembly retains the accessory and an open position wherein the first clamp is offset from the accessory permitting removal of the first accessory from the clamp assembly. The clamp assembly can further comprise a second clamp member having a first portion that opposes the first clamp member and cooperates with the first clamp member to clamp the accessory between the first and second clamp members. An attachment plate can carry the clamp assembly. The attachment plate can have a first mating detail formed thereon that is configured to selectively and removably mate with a complementary second mating detail on the power tool in an assembled position.
US09186767B2 Knife jig assembly
A knife jig assembly (1, 3) for use in sharpening a knife (8) in a grinding machine (16) comprises a conventional knife jig (1) with a clamp (2) for clamping and holding an object. It also comprises a knife holder (3) with means (5, 10) for holding the knife (8) and with a flat rod (4) to be clamped by the clamp (2) of the knife jig (1).
US09186765B2 Monitoring method and monitoring apparatus for machine tool, and machine tool
The monitoring apparatus includes vibration sensors that detect vibration accompanying machining, a rotation detector and a rotation detection section that detect rotation of a main spindle, and a stability limit and vibration distribution calculation section that creates, on the basis of vibration information obtained from the vibration sensors and a rotation speed of the main spindle detected by the rotation detector and rotation detection section, both a stability limit diagram illustrating a relationship between the rotation speed and a stability limit of the machining and a vibration distribution diagram illustrating a relationship between the rotation speed and the vibration, and displays the created diagrams on a monitor in a vertical arrangement.
US09186764B2 Device for correcting the position of elements of a machine tool and compensation element therefor
A device is provided for correcting the position of at least one element of a machine tool, in particular a milling machine, in which at least one compensating element is disposed between a machine element and an element whose position is to be corrected. The compensating element is adjustable by an actuating distance such that, as a result of the actuation of the compensating element, the element is pivotable about a pivot axis at a joint between the machine element and the element of which the position is to be corrected which ensures the pivoting movement about the pivot axis.
US09186763B2 Modular machine tools
Modular machine tools, modular machine-tool beds, and systems for assembling the same are disclosed. Some machine tools and beds may be configured selectively between a cantilever configuration and a gantry configuration. Some modular beds may be assembled selectively to have a desired longitudinal length. The modular nature of the machine tools and modular beds allows users to configure a machine tool in multiple configurations depending on a particular work piece needing to be worked.
US09186760B2 Assembly and disassembly method, system, and component
The invention deals with methods for assembly and disassembly, especially suitable for assembly and disassembly by a computer. In relation to assembly, a component (10) is positioned in assembly (70) in accordance with a proposed position. The composent (10) is confirmed as being in its correct spatial position in the assembly (70) by sensing means (38) or (46) capable of sensing spatial relationship and/or connection of the component (10) in relation to the assembly (70). Information regarding the sensed spatial relationship and/or connection is communicated to information processing means. A method for disassembly is also disclosed. The assembly and disassembly methods may require steps to be taken in a chosen sequence. The component (10) itself is also described, as is an improved assembly system which includes the component (10) together with information processing means.
US09186759B2 Method of fabricating a part by forging and controlled polishing
A method of fabricating a part by forging, the method including: measuring geometrical characteristics of the forged part; comparing a measured shape with a theoretical shape that is to be obtained for the part; deducing therefrom zones that are not in compliance with the theoretical shape and also thicknesses of material that need to be removed from the zones that are not in compliance; and polishing the zones of the forged part that are not in compliance to remove the deduced thicknesses of material by using a controlled abrasive band. The control of the abrasive band takes account of at least one parameter representative of wear of the abrasive band during polishing of zones that are not in compliance.
US09186758B2 Method for producing a turbine rotor of an exhaust gas turbocharger, and use of a turbine rotor
A method for producing a turbine rotor of an exhaust gas turbocharger, wherein the turbine rotor includes a turbine wheel with a hub and turbine blades that extend from the hub, and a shaft, includes the steps of: providing the turbine wheel and the shaft; forming a protective layer by applying or introducing a halogen on or in the surface of the turbine wheel and subsequently heat-treating the turbine wheel; and connecting the shaft to the hub of the turbine wheel after the protective coating is formed.
US09186755B2 Mechanical processing of reactive laminates
A method of producing a reactive powder includes providing a bulk structure of reactive material comprising a first reactant and a second reactant, the bulk structure having a preselected average spacing between the first and the second reactants; and mechanically processing the bulk structure of reactive material to produce a plurality of particles from the bulk structure such that each of the plurality of particles comprises the first and second reactants having an average spacing that is substantially equal to the preselected average spacing of the bulk structure of reactive material. The first and second materials of the plurality of particles react with each other in an exothermic reaction upon being exposed to a threshold energy to initiate the exothermic reaction and remain substantially stable without reacting with each other prior to being exposed to the threshold energy.
US09186754B2 Flux-cored wire for welding different materials, method for laser welding of different materials, and method for MIG welding of different materials
A flux-cored wire for laser welding or MIG welding different materials, wherein the different materials are aluminum or an aluminum alloy material and a galvanized steel material. The flux-cored wire contains a cylindrical aluminum alloy sheath containing: aluminum, 0.8-1.9 mass % Si, at most 0.1 mass % Mn, 0.1 mass % Mg, and 0.1 mass % Fe; and a flux filled in a space within the sheath and containing 20-60 mass % cesium fluoride, wherein the percentage filling of the flux is 5-20 mass % with respect to the total mass of the flux-core wire.
US09186747B2 Spot welding apparatus
There is provided a spot welding apparatus. The spot welding apparatus includes a fixed electrode and a movable electrode that clamp and press a workpiece formed of stacked plates of different rigidities, and a control pressing force applicator that causes a control pressing force applying actuator to bring a receiving unit provided at a distal end of a control pressing force applying arm into contact with the workpiece so as to apply a control pressing force to the workpiece. The control pressing force applying arm is made of a non-magnetic material.
US09186745B2 Double wire GMAW welding torch assembly and process
A double wire GMAW welding apparatus having a wire spacing adjustable torch assembly is disclosed. The double wire torch assembly has a wire spacing adjusting mechanism, by means of wire spacing adjustment the torch assembly can be used for a non-synchronized metal transfer weld process. The wires remain parallel before, during, after wire spacing adjustment.
US09186737B2 Chainsaw with a sharpening element
A self-powered chainsaw, typically a battery powered chainsaw, including a housing, a power source, an endless cutting chain having a plurality of cutting elements and a motor arranged to drive the chain relative to the housing using power from the power source. The chainsaw also includes a sharpening element which is arranged so as to be driven relative to the cutting elements and the housing using the power source.
US09186736B1 Collapsible stand for table saw
A stand for a table saw including a table assembly and a base assembly secured under the table assembly is provided. The stand includes a leg and handle unit including two parallel leg elements, two handles at one ends of the leg elements respectively, two side rails each having one end connected to both the handle and the leg element, and a U-shaped support element at the other ends of the leg elements, vertical metal tubes each provided at an end of the side rail joining both the handle and the leg element, top of each metal tube is secured to a bottom of the table assembly; a U-shaped, tubular upper support pivotably secured to the side rail, the upper support including two opposite lateral projections; and a leg unit including two parallel leg members, and two wheels rotatably mounted at one ends of the leg members respectively.
US09186730B2 Automated core drilling device capable of mating with a center-mounted core-catching device
An automated core drilling device comprising a rigid drilling tower, a floating chuck assembly, and a drill bit. Rigid drilling tower comprising at least three vertical column members, a lower perimeter frame, and an upper perimeter frame. Floating chuck assembly comprising a drill bit axis-of-rotation vertical clearance channel, at least three horizontal support arms, at least three feed motor platforms, at least three feed motors, a hub casing, a hollow-centered bit driveshaft, a bit driveshaft sprocket, an offset spindle driveshaft sprocket, an offset spindle driveshaft, and an offset spindle motor. An automated core drilling device further comprising a computer with custom software, a monitor point for the electric current draw of said offset spindle motor or a monitor point for the revolution rate of said offset spindle driveshaft, and a control point for the electric current draw of each of said at least three feed motors.
US09186729B2 Chuck
A chuck has a chuck body rotatable about an axis, a plurality of jaws radially displaceable on the body for gripping a workpiece, a chuck drive for rotating the chuck about the axis, and a center point axially shiftable in the body and axially engageable with the workpiece gripped by the jaws. An electric drive is coupled to the center point for axially shifting same.
US09186728B2 Cutting tool
A cutting tool having excellent chip treatability and adhesion resistance is provided. The cutting tool includes a hard sintered body in at least a cutting edge and has a rake face and a flank face. The rake face has a chip breaker in a protruded or uneven shape. The hard sintered body contains at least 20% by volume of cubic boron nitride. A region of not more than 20 μm from a surface of the hard sintered body on the rake face side includes A-structures made of cubic boron nitride and B-structures made of at least one selected from the group consisting of hexagonal boron nitride, amorphous boron nitride, and boron oxide. The volume ratio of the B-structures to the sum of the A-structures and B-structures, B/(A+B), is not less than 5% by volume and not more than 90% by volume.
US09186721B2 Device for supporting and oscillating continuous casting moulds in continuous casting plants
A device for supporting and oscillating continuous casting molds in continuous casting plants includes at least one support suitable to support a continuous casting mold, the support including a fixed assembly restrained to a frame of the device and a movable assembly that is slidably restrained to the fixed assembly in a vertical direction and connected to a servomechanism suitable to move it in a reciprocating manner relative to the fixed assembly along the axial direction, the movable assembly including a plurality of channels suitable to allow a flow of a cooling fluid to and from a cooling circuit of the mold, the channels being supplied by supply pipes arranged along the vertical direction. The device further includes at least one connecting pipe suitable to allow to connect a supply pipe, the connecting pipe having a T shape and including a first duct rigidly connected to the movable assembly in a horizontal direction, as well as a second and a third duct extending from the first duct in opposite ways along the vertical direction, the second and third ducts being respectively connected to first and second end portions of the fixed assembly through further axially deformable ducts and being respectively a blind duct and a flow-through duct suitable to allow the cooling fluid to flow towards the first and the second ducts. The second and third ducts, and preferably also the first duct, of the at least one connecting pipe have the same diameter of the supply pipes.
US09186720B2 Method of simultaneously manufacturing a plurality of crankshafts
A method of simultaneously manufacturing a plurality of crankshafts includes positioning a core system having a plurality of individual cores within a cavity of a mold having first and second halves forming an exterior shape of the crankshafts. The crankshafts' exterior shape includes a plurality of pin bearing journals and a plurality of main bearing journals. Each of the cores passes through each of the crankshafts. At least one core passes through at least one of the pin bearing journals and at least one other core passes through at least one of the main bearing journals. The method also includes introducing into the cavity molten metal to form the crankshafts. As the metal flows into the cavity and around the plurality of cores, a hollow section extending through at least one of the pin bearing journals and at least one of the main bearing journals of each crankshaft is formed.
US09186719B2 Casting mold composition with improved detectability for inclusions and method of casting
A titanium-containing article casting mold composition includes calcium aluminate and an X-ray or Neutron-ray detectable element. A method for detecting sub-surface ceramic inclusions in a titanium or titanium alloy casting includes combining calcium aluminate, an element more radiographically dense than the calcium aluminate, and a liquid to form a slurry; forming a mold having the calcium aluminate and the radiographically dense element from the slurry; introducing a titanium aluminide-containing metal to the radiographically dense element-bearing mold; solidifying the titanium aluminide-containing metal to form an article in the mold; removing the solidified titanium aluminide-containing metal article from said mold; subjecting the solidified titanium aluminide-containing article to radiographic inspection to provide a radiograph; and examining the radiograph for the presence of the radiographically dense element on or in the article.
US09186718B2 Cycle wheel rim and method of manufacture
A method for manufacturing a cycle wheel rim having, in radial cross section, two lateral sidewalls and a bridge, the rim having an outer surface facing outward of the rim and defined by the bridge and by at least a portion of the sidewalls. The manufacturing method includes extruding a section; bending the section; assembling the ends of the hoop formed from the section by joining one to the another; drilling holes in the bridge for fastening the spokes; machining the entire outer surface in a radial plane and on at least a portion of the circumference of the rim.
US09186717B2 Punch assembly with separate adjustable punch guiding shim block
A punch assembly for a hydraulic punch press machine that affords the ability to compensate for punch point metal loss due to resharpening by facilitating accurate repositioning of the punch point relative to an aperture in a stripper plate through which the punch point member projects during a stamping stroke of the punch assembly.
US09186716B2 Method of production of pressed sheet parts with integrated preparation of blanks of non-uniform thickness
A method of producing pressed metal sheet parts in an integrated process to prepare blanks of non-uniform thickness includes the steps of heating a steel sheet blank in heating equipment to the austenite region of the steel of the sheet steel blank in question, then forming the blank into a flat semi-finished product of non-uniform thickness in forming equipment, then immediately thereafter, without any further hearting of the semi-finished product, deep drawing the semi-finished product in deep drawing equipment into a final spatially shaped part. The method may further include cooling down the final spatially shaped part either during the drawing step or immediately after the deep drawing step in a manner which causes the final spatially shaped part to develop hardening microstructure, which imparts high strength to the final shaped part with non-uniform wall thickness.
US09186710B2 Method for cooling hot-rolled steel sheet
The method for cooling a hot-rolled steel sheet of the invention includes a target ratio-setting process in which a top and bottom heat transfer coefficient ratio X1, at which a temperature standard deviation Y becomes a minimum value Ymin, is set as a target ratio Xt based on correlation data between a top and bottom heat transfer coefficient ratio X of the hot-rolled steel sheet and the temperature standard deviation Y of the hot-rolled steel sheet; and a cooling control process in which at least one of an amount of heat dissipated from a top surface by cooling and an amount of heat dissipated from a bottom surface by cooling of the hot-rolled steel sheet in the cooling section is controlled so that the top and bottom heat transfer coefficient ratio X of the hot-rolled steel sheet in the cooling section matches the target ratio Xt.
US09186707B2 Insert for a microbial scrubbing device
The microbial scrub brush in one embodiment employs an insert that is impregnated with an anti-bacterial disinfectant and that is housed within a housing of alcohol-compatible material and sealed over by a removable lid. The insert is maintained in sterile condition until ready for use. After removal of the lid, the insert is moved over the end of a female luer or other portion of a medical device and rotated in order to clean the exterior surface as well as the interior luminal surface of the device. In one embodiment, the insert includes a base from which extends an outer wall that defines a chamber. A plurality of complaint fingers extend from the base into the chamber. A plurality of wipers extend radially inward from the outer wall into the chamber to enable the cleansing of both the exterior surface and an interior surface of the medical device.
US09186701B2 Process for multilayer coating
This invention relates to a process for multilayer coating of substrates, comprising the steps: I) applying a layer of a water-based color-imparting and/or special effect-imparting base coat coating composition to a substrate, II) applying a layer of a clear coat coating composition curable by means of high energy radiation and optionally curable by at least one additional chemical curing reaction, and III) curing said clear coat layer by exposing it to high energy radiation, wherein the clear coat coating composition comprises: A) at least one compound capable of free-radical polymerization having at least one olefinically unsaturated group, B) at least one photoinitiator and C) at least one organic phosphine derivative.
US09186699B2 Curing apparatus
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a curing apparatus comprising: a cassette; lamps configured in the cassette; a lamp housing having lamp accommodating portions disposed within the cassette to accommodate the lamps; and window plates separately configured so as to correspond to the positions of the lamp accommodating portions.
US09186697B2 Methods for applying polymer-modified wet concrete mixtures
The invention relates to methods for applying wet concrete mixtures containing cement, fillers, water, one or more polymers, and possibly further admixtures or additives according to the wet-mix shotcrete method, characterized in that the wet concrete mixtures, which contain at least one polymer based on one or more vinyl esters of unbranched or branched alkyl carboxylic acids having 1 to 15 C atoms and possibly one or more further ethylenically unsaturated monomers, are put into a concrete spraying machine and are applied to a subsurface by means of the wet-mix shotcrete method with a layer thickness of ≧3 cm.
US09186694B2 Modular-construction vacuum-coating system
A modular-construction vacuum-coating system includes a plurality of functional chambers arranged one behind the other along a longitudinal extent in which substrates are moved through the chambers in a substrate-transporting region. To lower the production-related and installation-related outlay involved in supplying media, a functional chamber, as a first submodule, is arranged in a first module and provided with an outer interface which is the same for at least a second module.
US09186693B2 Nozzle assembly and composite stretch material produced by using the same
A nozzle assembly includes an upstream block, an upstream shim, an intermediate shim, a downstream shim and a downstream block arranged in this order in a machine direction MD from the upstream side to the downstream side. A lower end of the nozzle is formed with grooves as guide grooves to support elastics. A first pipe, a dispersion slit for a web and convergence slits for a web define first flow channels wherein the slits are respectively formed with outlets for a web. A second pipe, a dispersion slit for elastics and convergence slits for elastics define a second flow channels wherein the slits are respectively formed with outlets for elastics. The outlets for elastics are formed in the respective guide grooves and each of the outlets for a web lies between each pair of the adjacent outlets for elastics as viewed in the cross direction CD.
US09186686B2 Centrifuge having a lubricant system that delivers lubricant in temporally discrete pulses
Disclosed is a centrifuge including a rotatable centrifugal drum and a drive spindle to drive the centrifugal drum. The drive spindle is rotatably mounted via a bearing in a housing supported elastically on a machine framework. Further included is a drive device including a drive motor to rotate the drive spindle and a lubricant system to lubricate the bearing. The lubricant system is configured to deliver lubricant from a lubricant supply tank through a lubricant channel into a region of the bearing. An injection device is arranged downstream of the lubricant-supply tank and is configured to deliver the lubricant into the region of the bearing by dispensing quantities of lubricant in temporally discrete pulses with a limited-time air stream. A method is disclosed of directing lubricant into a region of a bearing of the centrifuge as noted above.
US09186681B2 Apparatus for sizing and separating particulate material
An apparatus for separating and sizing particulate matter, comprising a main frame, infeed conveyor, collection conveyor and a screening assembly including a frame, screen, and an underscreen conveyor mounted underneath the screen. In exemplary embodiments at least one crusher is included. The apparatus converts configuration from a transport mode to an operating mode. Material deposited onto the infeed conveyor is moved forward into the screening assembly. Material falling through the screen is deflected by a deflector onto a collection conveyor. Material passing over the screen drops into the crusher and crushed material drops onto the collection conveyor. Material on the collection conveyor is conveyed to a discharge location. The apparatus components are arranged such that material moves in a uni-directional flow through the apparatus without reversing direction. The apparatus may be mounted on a mobilizing assembly, such as one including endless tracks or wheels, for portability.
US09186679B2 Automatic feed paper shredder with improved paper pressing mechanism
An automatic feed paper shredder with an improved paper pressing mechanism, including a paper shredding device, openable flip covers and elastic supports, wherein one side of the flip cover is hinged to the paper shredding device; the flip cover are disposed above the paper shredding device; a paper placing platform and a paper inlet opening are disposed on the top of the paper shredding device; automatic paper winders are disposed at both sides of the paper inlet opening; a pressboard is disposed at the bottom of each flip cover; and one side of each elastic support is connected with the flip cover and the other side of each elastic support is connected with the flip cover and the other side of each elastic support is connected with the pressboard.
US09186673B2 High throughput screening of ion channels
Multi-well plates having contoured well designs allow multi-stage high throughput parallel assaying of ion channels or ion transporters. A well of a multi-well plate has a bottom region that is sized and shaped to simultaneously accommodate a sensing electrode and a pipette for delivering test compounds, wash fluid, and optionally ligands. The multi-well plates when coupled with an instrument having a pipette head and an electrode plate facilitates fluidic contact between cells and fluids delivered via a pipette for washing of wells with buffers or other wash solutions for serial exposure of test cells to various reagents or other stimuli. The control and test experiments are performed on the same cell (or cells) in a single well.
US09186671B2 Microfluidic test carrier for apportioning a liquid quantity into subquantities
A microfluidic test carrier having a substrate, covering layer, and capillary structure formed in the substrate is provided. The capillary structure is enclosed by the substrate and covering layer and comprises a receiving chamber, sample chamber and connection channel between the receiving and sample chambers. The receiving chamber has two boundary surfaces and a side wall, wherein one boundary surface forms the bottom and the other forms the cover. The receiving chamber has a surrounding venting channel and dam between the receiving chamber and venting channel. The dam and venting channel form a capillary stop configured as a geometric valve, through which air from the receiving chamber can escape into the venting channel. The connecting channel between the venting channel outflow and sample chamber inflow controls fluid transport from the receiving chamber into the sample chamber. The capillary stop is configured to prevent autonomous fluid transport from the receiving chamber.
US09186662B2 Positioning device and method with rotary indexing table for monolith-based automobile and chemical catalysts
The invention relates to a processing and positioning device for processing catalyst support bodies. The device comprises a rotary indexing table, which comprises a turntable, which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis running in the axial direction of the turntable, and at least one loading platform, which comprises a holding device and is set up for releasably holding the catalyst support body on an outer surface of the catalyst support body. The at least one loading platform is connected to the turntable, whereby the loading platform is taken along by the turntable when a rotation of the turntable takes place about its longitudinal axis. The holding device is arranged in relation to the longitudinal axis of the turntable with a radial distance away from the longitudinal axis. Also provided is at least one processing position, which is fixed with respect to the turntable and is away from the longitudinal axis in a radial direction by a distance. The distance is provided in relation to the radial distance such that the loading platform can be arranged at the processing position. The invention also relates to a method for positioning catalyst support bodies which, by means of a circular movement, arranges the support bodies at positions that are in series according to the positioning along a circular line.
US09186657B2 Exhaust gas purification catalyst suppressing influence of iron compound
An exhaust gas purification catalyst contains titanium oxide as a main component and an oxide of one element or two or more elements selected from the group consisting of tungsten (W), molybdenum (Mo), and vanadium (V) as an active component, wherein the exhaust gas purification catalyst contains phosphoric acid or a water soluble phosphoric acid compound so that the atomic ratio of phosphorus (P) to a catalytically active component represented by the following formula is more than 0 and 1.0 or less; P/catalytically active component (atomic ratio)=number of moles of P/(number of moles of W+number of moles of Mo+number of moles of V).
US09186656B2 Catalyst composition for the synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotubes
The present invention relates to a catalyst composition for the synthesis of multi-walled carbon nanotube having high apparent density in a manner of high yield. More particularly, this invention relates to a multi-component metal catalyst composition comprising i) main catalyst of Fe and Mo, ii) inactive support of Al and iii) optional co-catalyst at least one selected from Co, Ni, Ti, Mn, W, Sn or Cu. Further, the present invention affords multi-walled carbon nanotube having 5˜15 nm of fibrous diameter and 0.5˜4 μm bundle diameter.
US09186652B2 Process for producing supported ruthenium on silica modified titania and process for producing chlorine
An object of the invention is to provide a process for producing a supported ruthenium oxide in which silica can be efficiently supported on a titania carrier and a supported ruthenium oxide superior in thermal stability and catalyst lifetime is obtained. Another object of the present invention is to provide a process for stably producing chlorine for a longer time, by using the supported ruthenium oxide obtained by the above-described process. The invention relates to a process for producing a supported ruthenium oxide in which ruthenium oxide and silica are supported on a titania carrier, wherein a titania carrier is brought into contact with an alkoxysilane compound, followed by being dried under a stream of a water vapor-containing gas, then is subjected to a first calcination under an atmosphere of an oxidizing gas, followed by being brought into contact with a ruthenium compound, and then is subjected to a second calcination under an atmosphere of an oxidizing gas. Chlorine is produced by oxidizing hydrogen chloride with oxygen in the presence of the supported ruthenium oxide thus produced, as a catalyst.
US09186647B2 Ozone gas generation unit and ozone gas supply system
In the present invention, a gas pipe integrated block has a plurality of internal pipe paths. The plurality of internal pipe paths are connected to an ozone generator, control means, a raw gas supply port, an ozone gas output port, and cooling water inlet/outlet ports, to thereby form a unit in which a raw gas input pipe path and an ozone gas output pipe path are integrated. The raw gas input pipe path extends from the raw gas supply port through an automatic pressure controller to the ozone generator. The ozone gas output pipe path extends from the ozone generator through a gas filter, an ozone concentration meter, and a flow rate controller, to the ozone gas output port.
US09186646B2 Processing biomass and petroleum containing materials
Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials and/or starchy materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.
US09186644B2 Miniaturized 62zn/62cu generator for high concentration clinical delivery of 62cu kit formulation for the facile preparation of radiolabeled cu-bis(thiosemicarbazone)compounds
A new system accomplishes easy, interchangeable production of multiple PET radiopharmaceuticals through the use of a simplified eluant-only generator and a kit based synthesis technique employing lyophilized or freeze dried ligand. Thus, by simply switching the lyophilized ligand vial kit, any number of 62Cu-labeled radiopharmaceuticals (62Cu-ligand) can be interchangeably synthesized with only one 62Zn/62Cu generator.
US09186643B2 In vitro evolution in microfluidic systems
The invention describes a method for isolating one or more genetic elements encoding a gene product having a desired activity, comprising the steps of: (a) compartmentalizing genetic elements into microcapsules; and (b) sorting the genetic elements which express the gene product having the desired activity; wherein at least one step is under microfluidic control. The invention enables the in vitro evolution of nucleic acids and proteins by repeated mutagenesis and iterative applications of the method of the invention.
US09186642B2 Delivery particle
The present application relates to encapsulated benefit agents, compositions comprising such encapsulated benefit agents and processes for making and using compositions comprising such encapsulated benefit agents. Such encapsulated benefit agents eliminate or minimize one or more of the drawbacks of current encapsulated benefit agents and thus provide formulators with additional perfume delivery opportunities.
US09186641B2 Microcapsules adapted to rupture in a magnetic field to enable easy removal of one substrate from another for enhanced reworkability
An enhanced thermal interface material (TIM) gap filler for filling a gap between two substrates (e.g., between a coldplate and an electronics module) includes microcapsules adapted to rupture in a magnetic field. The microcapsules, which are distributed in a TIM gap filler, each have a shell that encapsulates a solvent. One or more organosilane-coated magnetic nanoparticles is/are covalently bound into the shell of each microcapsule. In one embodiment, (3-aminopropyl) trimethylsilane-coated magnetite nanoparticles are incorporated into the shell of a urea-formaldehyde (UF) microcapsule during in situ polymerization. To enable easy removal of one substrate affixed to another substrate by the enhanced TIM gap filler, the substrates are positioned within a magnetic field sufficient to rupture the microcapsule shells through magnetic stimulation of the organosilane-coated magnetic nanoparticles. The ruptured microcapsule shells release the solvent, which dissolves and/or swells the TIM gap filler, thereby reducing the bond strength between the substrates.
US09186634B2 Kneading apparatus, method for producing thermoplastic resin molded product, and foam injection molding method
A kneading apparatus for a thermoplastic resin, includes: a plasticizing cylinder which has a high pressure kneading zone and a pressure reduction zone; a screw in the plasticizing cylinder; a downstream side seal mechanism which shuts off communication between the high pressure kneading zone and the pressure reduction zone; and a pressure reduction zone pressure adjusting mechanism which is connected to the pressure reduction zone and which controls a pressure of the pressure reduction zone so that the pressure is not less than an atmospheric pressure and the pressure is not more than a maximum pressure of the high pressure kneading zone that is achieved when kneading a molten resin with a pressurized fluid, when the downstream side seal mechanism shuts off the communication between the high pressure kneading zone and the pressure reduction zone.
US09186632B2 Diesel exhaust fluid tank breather assembly
A diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) delivery system includes a tank for DEF, usually a urea aqueous solution, and a pump receiving the DEF from the tank for pressurization and delivery through a nozzle to the exhaust system of a work machine. A breather assembly is provided for the DEF tank and includes a housing having an inlet for ambient air and a particle filter adjacent the inlet for filtering particles. A hydrophobic membrane is interposed between the particle filter and an outlet leading to the tank for preventing outflow of DEF vapor and condensate.
US09186629B2 Single end, shell-side feed, hollow fiber membrane separation module
A shell-side feed, hollow fiber, fluid separation module arranged for counter-flow includes a hollow fiber membrane bundle with each individual hollow fiber membrane in the bundle having an open fiber end and a sealed fiber end. The open fiber ends are encapsulated in a tubesheet located toward the permeate fluid outlet end of the module. The sealed fiber ends are tubesheet-free, uniformly spaced, and located toward the non-permeate fluid outlet end of the module.
US09186627B2 Thin film composite heat exchangers
The invention generally relates to thin film composite heat exchangers and methods of making thin film composite heat exchangers. The heat exchangers can be made with polymers or other materials including, but not limited to, inorganic materials such as silicon, clay, ceramic, brick, or metal. Heat exchangers in accordance with the invention may be made of a material that is non-corrosive, durable, and that may be applied in a thin coating so as to minimize resistance to heat transfer and material costs.
US09186621B2 Hydrogen ion transport membrane, membrane for generating hydrogen, and method for manufacturing same
The present application relates to a hydrogen ion transport membrane, which is formed by using a porous thin film having a plurality of holes which are regularly aligned, a membrane for generating hydrogen, and a method for manufacturing the hydrogen ion transport membrane and the membrane for generating hydrogen.
US09186615B2 Systems and methods of inhibiting foam formation using multiphase turbines
Systems and methods for inhibiting foam formation in an acid gas removal system are provided. Preconditioning a rich amine or triethylene glycol stream exiting an absorber of an acid gas removal system through a rotary separation turbine can provide pre-separation of gas from rich amine or triethylene glycol, as well as effectively reduces or inhibits foam formation. Systems provided enhance plant reliability and also recovers hydraulic power into electricity.
US09186611B2 Filter bag cleaning system
A baghouse cleaning system comprises an elongated air accumulator configured to retain pressurized air and extend over a row of filter bags. An elongated air tube extends along the air accumulator and venturis extend from the air tube. The venturis blow pressurized air streams down into the filter bags to remove particles attached to an outside filter bag surface. A valve fluidly couples the air accumulator to the air tube and an actuator is configured to move the cleaning arm linearly over different rows of the filter bags. A sensor may determine when the filter bags need to be cleaned based on a measured air pressure. A controller can actuate the cleaning arm to clean the filter bags based on preprogrammed cleaning patterns, the amount of measured air pressure, and/or other detected environmental conditions.
US09186610B2 Roomside replaceable fan filter unit
Embodiments described herein relate to roomside replaceable fan filter units. In one embodiment, a roomside replaceable fan filter unit includes a housing having a filter receiving aperture and an air inlet, an aerosol injector, and a fan filter unit. The fan filter unit is coupled to the housing between the aerosol injector and the filter receiving aperture. In another embodiment, a roomside replaceable fan filter unit includes a housing having a sidewalls and a top wall that define an interior volume, an air inlet formed in the top wall, and a filter receiving aperture disposed opposite the top wall. The roomside replaceable fan filter unit also includes a fan filter unit disposed in the interior volume between the air inlet and the filter receiving aperture. The roomside replaceable fan filter unit includes an aerosol injector disposed upstream of the fan filter unit in the interior volume.
US09186605B2 Filter press with side feed ports
A method of separating a mixture of liquid and insoluble solids in a filter press may comprise: pumping the mixture into a multiplicity of chambers to form a filter cake, each of the chambers being between adjacent filter plates, each of the chambers being lined by filter cloths, wherein, during the pumping, filtrate is forced through the filter cloths and out of the chambers; and releasing dried filter cake from the chambers; wherein the pumping comprises pumping the mixture through a multiplicity of side feed ports and into each of the chambers through a multiplicity of delivery slots, and wherein the openings of the delivery slots into each of the chambers is above the height of the side feed ports. A filter press system is described which includes filter plates and chambers with the aforementioned configuration of side feed ports and delivery slots.
US09186603B2 Sludge protector canopy baffle system
A sludge protector canopy baffle system for use in a clarifier tank with a tank bottom, and peripheral vertical wall bounding the interior of the tank is formed by a plurality of individual perforated baffles interconnected and supported by other components of the tank forming a rigid ceiling of sloped and curved perforated baffles allowing the incoming water to pass on its surface minimizing sludge re-suspension and directing the flow on top of the blanket in the settling zone of the tank. Each baffle has a curved surface in the lateral direction to allow drainage of solids and openings to allow gas release and water flow. The baffles are interconnected along the length by cross connectors to ensure rigidity. The resulting system provides a sludge protector canopy baffle system by which the water flows uniformly through the tank without disturbing or re-suspending settled or thickened sludge and overall tank performance is enhanced.
US09186602B2 Filter element with automatic air bleeding
A filter element that is provided with automatic air bleeding features to efficiently bleed air from a fuel filter module containing the filter element. The filter element has an upper end cap with one or two air vents. One of the vents provides a bypass for air through wet filter media through which air from the fuel supply may not be able to pass through easily. The inner air vent is located on the inside of a circle formed by attachment clips that attach the respective filter element to a removable cover. The inner air vent allows for air inside the filter module to be easily purged out via a drain hole on the fuel filter module, while providing resistance to fuel. The drain hole is provided on the filter module which is internally connected to the fuel outlet and therefore to the fuel tank.
US09186601B2 Cryopump drain and vent
A means of rapidly melting a large quantity of type II cryogen in a cryopump that is configured to contain the liquid in the warm cryopanel with the inlet to the cryopump facing up or sideways, and venting the liquid and gas in a controlled way. Rapid melting is preferably accomplished by flowing a purge gas that will condense on the cryodeposit. By not allowing the liquid to drain onto the vacuum housing the evaporation rate is limited and the maximum pressure in the cryopump can be controlled by the purge gas flow rate.
US09186597B2 Evaporation assembly module, elements and method of construction thereof
A method of assembly of an evaporation assembly module. The evaporation assembly module comprises an evaporation element, a pipe having at least one fluid outlet and configured for wetting at least a portion of the evaporation element by passing fluid through the fluid outlet, and a support structure configured for holding the evaporation element in a suspended position. The method includes connecting the pipe to the evaporation element and subsequently suspending the pipe and the connected evaporation element to the support structure, in a suspended position.
US09186595B1 Toy with persistance of view components
An amusement device includes a rotating assembly display rotatably mounted about a center point configured to create a plurality of images via a persistence of vision effect. The rotating assembly includes a sensor disposed on the rotating assembly at a location closer to an end of the rotating assembly than to the center point. The amusement device also includes a device for rotating the rotating assembly and a control circuit including a first microcontroller in operable communication with the sensor. The microcontroller controls a speed at which the device for rotating the rotating assembly rotates the rotating assembly based on communications with the sensor.
US09186592B2 Toy with interchangeable hair components
A toy in the form of a horse with removable and interchangeable hair components. The mane hair component can be easily slid into and out of a channel defined along the length of the neck of the horse toy. A tail component is secured within a complementary receptacle in the body of the horse.
US09186591B2 Toy spinning top
A toy spinning top with a displaceable platform 11 on which an object can be placed, such as a figure, and wherein the spinning top comprises means for displacing the platform 11 relative to the spinning top and at such rate that the object is ejected off the platform 11. The platform 11 is arranged to be movable in the body part by means of a forcible guide 14, 15 which, at least on a stretch of the forcible guide 14, 15, is configured such that the platform 11 can be caused to rotate only about the axis of rotation 4 relative to the spinning top simultaneously with it moving upwards or downwards along the axis of rotation 4 seen relative to the use situation in which the spinning top rotates about its essentially vertical axis of rotation 4.
US09186590B2 Motion simulator
The present disclosure relates to a motion simulator including a rotating plate, a fixing plate, an operating frame disposed at and spaced apart from an upper portion of the rotating plate, and a plurality of link units coupled between the rotating plate and the operating frame to support and vertically move the operating frame. The rotating plate has a motor mounted through one side thereof and a plurality of casters mounted through a lower surface thereof. The caster is configured such that, when the motion simulator is used, rotation of the caster is inhibited to allow the wheel to roll in the rotational direction of the rotating plate. When the motion simulator is moved, the caster can be unlocked to enable the caster to rotate and the motion simulator to be freely pushed and moved. The fixing plate enables the rotating plate to be rotated and has a driven part.
US09186589B2 Method and system for the rapid inflation of sealed air devices
A method and system for the inflation of a sealed air product with accommodations for both a high capacity, low pressure blower and a low capacity, high pressure pump. The blower is attached to a fill tube and inflates the product until it approaches a point at which the pump does not have sufficient pressure to continue. The fill tube is coiled to prevent the air inside the sealed-air product from escaping and placed into a compartment behind a closable opening which is then closed. The air pump is then attached to an inflation port located on the sealed-air product which, when activated, inflates the sealed-air product to the desired air pressure. A pressure relief valves ensures the product is not over-inflated. After use, air may be allowed to escape through the fill tube, thereby allowing rapid deflation of the product.
US09186588B1 Game with an area of effect for structures impacting a surrounding area
Users may build structures having an area of effect surrounding the structure in a game as a result of in-game actions. In-game actions may include building an instance of a structure controlled by a user. The structure may have an associated area of effect configured to impact at least one of resource accumulation, structure properties, and event frequency within the area of effect. The area of effect may be presented on a map with information relating to its impact. The area of effect may impact the cost of building other buildings therein, the rate at which resources are accumulated therein, the defensive ratings of other buildings therein, the effectiveness of other buildings therein in carrying out an intended functionality, and the frequency at which various positive or negative events occur therein. Some buildings can only be built within the area of effect of a specific other building.
US09186584B2 Adaptive task assignment for online games that uses player profiles
Software at an online game website assigns to a player game tasks in a conditional series of game tasks based at least in part on a measure of difficulty associated with the each game task. The measure of difficulty of each game task depends on a profile associated with the player. At least one of the game tasks in the conditional series of game tasks is a social game task. Then the software provides a reward to the player upon termination of the conditional series of game tasks. The reward depends at least in part on the game tasks in the conditional series of game tasks that are completed by the player.
US09186582B2 Online game with animal-breeding mechanic for combining visual display parameters
An animal-breeding mechanic enables the generation of an offspring virtual animal in an online game system by combining features of a male virtual animal and a female virtual animal. Multiple candidates for the offspring virtual animal may be generated, and a selection or identification can then be made from the multiple candidates. Relevant features may include a base color and optional pattern markings with a corresponding pattern color. Additional game aspects may include options for enhancing the likelihood of generating a successful offspring, decreasing the time for generating the offspring, and nurturing the offspring to maturity. Parameterized color values for a specific virtual animal may be substituted into source artwork to generate a variety of distinctive displays.
US09186581B2 Communication system, information processing apparatus, computer-readable storage medium, and communication method
Prior to performing download play, it is determined whether or not a slave apparatus program has been already stored in an internal memory of a slave apparatus. When not stored yet, the slave apparatus program is transmitted from a master apparatus to the slave apparatus, and stored in the internal memory of the slave apparatus. When already stored, the slave apparatus program is not transmitted from the master apparatus to the slave apparatus. Then, multiplay is performed by performing mutual communication between the master apparatus operating in accordance with a master apparatus game program and the slave apparatus operating in accordance with a slave apparatus game program. Thus, time and effort for receiving the same application program more than once are omitted, and it is possible to efficiently start a communication process.
US09186580B2 Information processing apparatus
A storage stores content information for a trial version of an application program assigned identification information and content information for a product version; a license information acquisition unit acquires license information for the application program by referring to request information acknowledged by an input acknowledging unit; a determination unit determines whether the license information for the application program is stored in the memory by referring to the identification information; and a display processing unit generates a display screen using first content information until the determination unit determines that the license information is stored, and generates a display screen using second content information when the determination unit determines that the license information is stored.
US09186578B2 Game system, game apparatus, storage medium having game program stored therein, and game process method
An example game system includes a plurality of operating devices for outputting first operation data, a transportable display device for outputting second operation data, and a game apparatus. The game apparatus controls a plurality of first operation targets based on the first operation data, and a second operation target based on the second operation data. In addition, the game apparatus generates a first game image including a plurality of images representing a virtual space as viewed from first virtual cameras each corresponding to one of the first operation targets. The game apparatus generates a second game image including an image representing the virtual space as viewed from a second virtual camera corresponding to the second operation target. The first game image is outputted to a predetermined display device. The second game image is displayed on the transportable display device.
US09186576B1 System and method for altering perception of virtual content in a virtual space
The disclosure relates to systems and methods for altering perception of virtual or game content in a virtual space based on one or more attribute levels. The perception of some virtual or game content may not be altered. Thus, the depiction of some content is altered while other content is not. A system may alter the depiction of game content based on attributes of an entity and/or based on which entity is to perceive the game content. The different depictions of game content may be provided to the same entity at different times and/or different perceptions of game content may be provided to different entities. Thus, a rich interface may be provided that differentially depicts game content based on attribute levels and/or the entity that is to perceive the game content.
US09186575B1 Online game with animal-breeding mechanic
An animal-breeding mechanic enables the generation of an offspring virtual animal in an online game system by combining features of a male virtual animal and a female virtual animal. Relevant features may include a base color and optional pattern markings with a corresponding pattern color. Additional game aspects may include options for enhancing the likelihood of generating a successful offspring, decreasing the time for generating the offspring, and nurturing the offspring to maturity. Parameter representations for color features enable substituting color values for a specific virtual animal into source artwork to generate a variety of distinctive displays.
US09186566B2 System and method to pitch footballs
A system and method for pitching balls, particularly footballs and other football-shaped balls. The system and method are flexibly designed to simulate different types of pitches including but not limited to passes, punts, kick-offs and snaps. A cradle for use in the system and method holds the ball in any one of a number of positions such that when it is fed into the system, the ball is propelled to simulate a different type of pitch. The apparatus and system for pitching balls includes a support for a ball throwing head, two opposing variable speed motor powered wheels that can be tilted in relation to each other to control the spin and distance, a slide configured to present the ball on the cradle into the wheels at different angles to provide right or left handed spirals and end over end pitches, and adjustments for height and horizontal pivot. A removable throwing head allows balls to be pitched from different heights from ground level to an upright arm motion to simulate different types of pitches.
US09186562B1 Sports gear achieving specified performance criteria and the corresponding methods of making
The present invention relates to sports gear and in particular to sports gear that is capable of being manufactured to achieve specific performance criteria. As an example, a baseball bat is described herein. However, other sports gear where “bat-ball” type of collision is expected is also within the scope of the present invention. The sports gear can be made of a long thin-walled structure. The wall itself has long discontinuous fibers. A three dimensional (3D) structure is therefore provided. The sports gear is designed to achieve specified performance criteria.
US09186560B2 Golf club
A golf club head comprises a club head body, a channel, and a recessed port. The club head body defines an interior cavity, a sole defining a bottom portion of the body, a crown defining a top portion of the body, a skirt portion defining a periphery of the body between the sole and crown, a face defining a forward portion of the club head, and a hosel defining a hosel bore. The channel is positioned in the sole of the club head and extends into the interior cavity, substantially in a heel-to-toe direction. The recessed port is positioned in the sole and extends into the interior cavity. The recessed port has a port width, and is located proximate a bottom end of the hosel such that a passage in the bottom end provides communication between the hosel bore and the recessed port. A golf club is also described.
US09186554B2 Swim fin for leg amputees
A modified swim fin comprising a swim fin component and a leg amputation coupling. The swim fin component and the amputation coupling may be two separate structures joined together such as by welding, glue, mechanical attachment or integral fabrication. The coupling may be formed of two elements, a prosthetic soft, shell and an encasing non-metallic material such as a plastic or rubber. The prosthetic soft shell forms the interior of the coupling for direct contact with the amputated leg. The fin component and the coupling are fixedly joined together so that they do not pivot at their interface. Their centerlines are substantially aligned to minimize pain and/or injury for the wearer and to maximize performance.
US09186553B2 Multi-purpose tool
A utility tool configured to be transportable and operable to perform a variety of tasks. The utility tool includes a body that is generally cylindrical in shape and rigid in manner. The body includes a first end and a second end with an aperture formed into the body proximate said first end. Four slots are integrally formed into the body having an interior volume an extending from said second end towards the first end but not completely thereto. The utility tool further includes pivotally mounted arm members having a first position and a second position. The second end is configured to be removable and further functions to bias against a portion of the arm members to hold in their first and/or second positions. A plurality of recesses are integrally formed with the body proximate the second end.
US09186551B1 Crawling exercise device
A crawling exercise device having a base with a quartet of spaced apart notches disposed within the top side, a block slidably disposed above each notch, respectively, a pad disposed atop each block, a wheel connected to each block through each notch, each wheel supported on the bottom side interior, a first connecting rod in operational communication with the wheels of the first small block and the first large block, a second connecting rod in operational communication with the wheels of the second small block and the second large block, a dual inertia wheel disposed at the first end, each of the first connecting rod and the second connecting rod pivotally affixed to the dual inertia wheel, the first connecting rod affixed to the dual inertia wheel 180 degrees out of phase with the second connecting rod, wherein sliding movement of the blocks turns the dual inertia wheel.
US09186547B2 Golf clubs and golf club heads
Golf clubs according to at least some example aspects of this disclosure may include a golf club head and a shaft configured to engage with the golf club head which includes a grip engaged with the shaft. Further, the golf club may include a monitoring device, which includes a sensor and a transmitter. Additionally, the monitoring device may be configured to determine data related to the characteristics of a golf swing. Further, the monitoring device may be configured to transmit the data related to the characteristics of a golf swing to a remote computer.
US09186542B2 Twisting exerciser device
A twisting exerciser device includes a platform rotatably disposed on a base, a bearing device disposed between the base and the platform, and a curved member having two end studs engageable with the base and the platform for securing the curved member to the platform and the base, and the curved member is contactable with a supporting surface for allowing the user to step on the platform and to conduct a balancing exercise. The platform includes a pivot axle rotatably engaged with the base, and the base includes a number of seats for supporting bearing members which are engaged between the platform and the base for rotatably supporting the platform on the base.
US09186539B2 Walking slide mill
A reversible walking slide mill for a person seeking walking or jogging exercise has first and second plastic molded slide mill platforms horizontally interlockable to each other in side by side arrangement as for one platform for each person's foot. The platforms are disconnectable as to reduce width when in storage or transportation. A smooth slippery foot sliding surface is on top of each platform having an uphill inclined front surface and a rear surface shorter than the front surface with a flat surface therebetween. A pair of extensible rotatable gripping handles are mounted to each of the platforms for gripping and rotating by the person during exercise. Resilient feet on the bottom of the platforms provide vertical shock absorption, flexibility and recoil independently to each platform when a person is exercising on the slide mill platforms.
US09186534B2 Athletic agility equipment and methods of using the same
The present invention relates to a grid apparatus that is useful for the training of athletes in speed, agility, strength, plyometrics, balance, cardiovascular and other training exercise activities. The grid apparatus allows athletes to move forward, backward, side to side, and diagonal at multiple height settings. Specifically, the present invention relates to a grid apparatus that has the ability to be held tight and maintain its shape while on any athletic surface. More specifically, the present invention relates to a grid apparatus that may be suspended above the ground at specific heights. The grid apparatus includes, generally, one or more straps intersecting in a grid configuration and one or more stabilizers to functionally suspend the grid apparatus above the ground.
US09186532B2 Extinguishing device, extinguishing system, and method for local firefighting
The invention relates to an extinguishing device designed for local firefighting in buildings on site at the source of a fire, said extinguishing device having a nozzle device having an extinguishing unit comprising a plurality of extinguishing nozzles designed for applying an extinguishing agent at the location of the source of the fire and for decentralized arrangement in the building, further comprising at least one extinguishing agent container connected to the extinguishing nozzles in a fluid-communicating fashion, at least one pressure-generating device for applying the extinguishing agent via the extinguishing nozzles, and at least one fire alarm sensor. According to the invention, the pressure-generating device is designed to generate an application pressure of at least 10 bar on the extinguishing agent.
US09186531B2 Fire fighting monitor
A fire-fighting monitor includes a body that has a fluid passageway and an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is adapted to mount to a base on a fire truck, and the body is configured so that the outlet is rotatable about a vertical axis over a 360 degree range of motion. In addition, the body is configured such that the outlet is rotatable about a horizontal axis over one range of motion of about 195 degrees in one form and about 270 degrees in another form.
US09186530B2 Safety line traveller
A traveler for safety line for a fall arrest system has a slot extending to the exterior of the traveler and a safety line locating shuttle provided on-board the traveler wherein the safety line locating shuttle is movable relative to the slot along a predetermined path in a direction across the slot. This aids in accurate positioning of the safety line with respect to the traveler. The slot can be defined between opposed slot edges which are movable relative to one another to reconfigure the slot.
US09186529B2 Mobile roof safety device
A mobile roof safety device and method of use for arresting the fall of a roof worker off an elevated flat roof is described. The mobile device comprises a displaceable frame having a weighted base adapted to be positioned on a flat roof surface for restraining a load. At least one actuable surface gripping assembly having a pivoting arm to which a safety line is attached for the engagement of a gripping formation is secured to the weighted base. When a pulling force is applied on the pivot arm by a worker attached to the safety line secured to the pivot arm, the gripping formation is biased in the flat roof surface to arrest the fall of the worker.
US09186527B2 Rappelling device
Rappelling device having a casing (12) that is movable along a rope (18) and in which a pulley (16) and a guide roller (14) are supported rotatably, such that the rope, during rappelling, is held in frictional contact with the periphery of the pulley (16), the device having a braking device (36) for the pulley (16) and a coupling device (28) for suspending a load (74) to be rappelled, the casing (12) forms a rope channel (26) that extends between the guide roller (14) and the pulley (16) and into which the rope (18) can be placed in extended state, and in that the coupling device (28) is arranged at the casing (12) in a position that is offset from the rope passage (26) towards the side of the pulley (16).
US09186526B2 Ultrasonic treatment probe
An ultrasonic probe includes a first coupled vibration member and a second coupled vibration member each of which extends along a longitudinal axis between a first anti-node position of an ultrasonic vibration and a second anti-node position of the ultrasonic vibration located to a distal direction side of the first anti-node position. The second coupled vibration member vibrates in the same mode as the first coupled vibration member. A first groove of the first coupled vibration member and a second groove of the second coupled vibration member cooperate with each other and thereby form at least a part of a passage inside a multiple-members vibrating portion formed by the first coupled vibration member and the second coupled vibration member.
US09186522B2 Neural stimulation systems, devices and methods
Various system embodiments comprise circuitry to determine when an arrhythmia has terminated, and a neural stimulator adapted to temporarily deliver neural stimulation therapy to assist with recovering from the arrhythmia in response to termination of the arrhythmia.
US09186518B2 Medical device application for configuring a mobile device into an external controller for an implantable medical device
A Medical Device Application (MDA) operates on the mobile device to temporarily configure it into a known secure configuration for use as an external controller, and to prevent operation of the mobile device inconsistent with this function. In particular, the MDA operates to (1) disable or reconfigure hardware modules, and/or (2) terminate or suspend software tasks, that might corrupt operation of the mobile device as an external controller. The MDA can comprise an application (“app”) that the patient can download onto his mobile device and run to initialize the mobile device into the known secure configuration. The MDA also preferably provides a graphical user interface to allow a user to communicate with the implantable medical device using the now-secure mobile device. After using the mobile device to communicate with the implantable medical device, the MDA can be exited and the mobile device returned to its original configuration.
US09186517B2 Identifying combinations of electrodes for neurostimulation therapy
A programmer allows a clinician to identify combinations of electrodes from within an electrode set implanted in a patient that enable delivery of desirable neurostimulation therapy by an implantable medical device. The programmer executes an electrode combination search algorithm to select combinations of electrodes to test in a non-random order. According to algorithms consistent with the invention, the programmer may first identify a position of a first cathode for subsequent combinations, and then select electrodes from the set to test with the first cathode as anodes or additional cathodes based on the proximity of the electrodes to the first cathode. The programmer may store information for each combination tested, and the information may facilitate the identification of desirable electrode combinations by the clinician. The clinician may create neurostimulation therapy programs that include identified desirable program combinations.
US09186513B2 Subcutaneous cardiac monitoring devices, systems and methods
An implantable cardiac monitoring device includes first and second arms, pivotably attached to one another; electronic circuitry and an associated power source of the device are hermetically sealed in a housing formed by one of the arms. A first electrode is carried by the first arm, a second electrode by the second arm, and a third electrode by one of the two arms. The device further includes a tether element, preferably a strut, pivotably attached between the arms and movable between a folded state and an expanded state. When the strut is in the folded state, the device, in a relatively compact form, can be inserted through a relatively small incision and into subcutaneous tissue, after which, the strut is moved to the expanded state where ends of the arms are spaced apart from one another and supported by the strut, and the three electrodes form dual sensing vectors.
US09186507B2 Neural stimulation for increased persistence
The present invention is a method of improving the persistence of electrical neural stimulation, and specifically a method of improving the persistence of an image supplied to a retina, or visual cortex, through a visual prosthesis. A continuously stimulated retina, or other neural tissue, will desensitize after a time period in the range of 20 to 150 seconds. However, an interruption of the stimulation on the order of a few milliseconds will restore the retinal sensitivity without the user perceiving the interruption, or with the user barely perceiving the interruption.
US09186505B2 Transcranial electrostimulation device and method
Transcranial electrostimulation is used to treat a number of ailments including depression and pain management amongst others. However, long term transcranial electrostimulation can lead to the hyperpolarization in the membrane of the post synaptic neurons reducing or eliminating the positive effects. Thus, by using a “white noise” (clock) generator and taking advantage of polarity inversions empirical evidence has shown this to reduce or prevent the negative effects associated with long term use of current transcranial devices and methods.
US09186501B2 Systems and methods for implanting electrode leads for use with implantable neuromuscular electrical stimulator
A system of implanting electrode leads for restoring muscle function to the lumbar spine to treat low back pain is provided. The system provides efficient implantation of the leads, including the ability to verify deployment of anchoring mechanisms on the lead using an impedance assessment, such that the implanted lead may be secured within the patient and used to restore muscle function of local segmental muscles associated with the lumbar spine stabilization system.
US09186497B2 System and method for stabilizing implanted spinal cord stimulators
A system and method for implanting and stabilizing spinal cord stimulators in an epidural space of the spinal column of a patient to prevent or limit axial movement of the stimulators once implanted in the epidural space. The system includes a drill assembly, a guide wire assembly, and a guide wire receiver. The drill assembly includes a cannula, a drill for creating access points in the patient's spinal column for implanting the stimulators, and an incremental drill adjuster for drilling into the patient's lamina a pre-set, discrete distance. The guide wire assembly includes a hollowed guide wire sleeve, a guide wire housed within the sleeve, and a magnet disposed on a proximal end of the guide wire assembly. The guide wire receiver includes a scoop for receiving and catching the magnet to assist in feeding the stimulators through the epidural space.
US09186496B2 Retinal prosthesis
The invention is a retinal prosthesis with an improved configuration mounting necessary components within and surrounding the eye. The present invention better allows for the implantation of electronics within the delicate eye structure. The invention provides for less height of the part external to the eye by mounting a receiver coil around an electronics package.
US09186493B2 Aseptic connector
An aseptic connector assembly and a method of aseptically transferring fluid are provided. The aseptic connector assembly includes a body portion, the body portion having a receptacle configured to receive a corresponding fill connector; a pivot portion adjustably disposed within and extending partially from the body portion, the pivot portion having a channel formed therein; and a conduit portion axially slidably disposed within the channel formed in the pivot portion. The pivot portion comprises a ready position and an operative position, the pivot portion being adjustable from the ready position to the operative position via relative movement with respect to the body portion. The method includes providing an aseptic connector in a ready position, coupling a flexible tubing and a fill connector to the aseptic connector, moving a pivot portion to an operative position, axially sliding the conduit portion into the fill connector, and transferring a fluid through the connector.
US09186492B2 Medical apparatus with a socket unit for the connection of a device for supplying medical fluids
A medical apparatus includes a socket unit for connecting a plug unit of a device for supplying medical fluids, in which the medical apparatus is in particular an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus, for example an extracorporeal dialysis apparatus or an apparatus for peritoneal dialysis, or an apparatus for filling the device for supplying medical fluids. The socket unit comprises connection pieces for the connection of connectors of a plug unit, so that a flow connection can be produced for supplying or discharging a fluid. The connection pieces are surrounded by connection parts thereby forming rinsing chambers, in which the rinsing chambers are closed by closure pieces, said closure pieces being part of a closure body which is disposed rotatably on the socket unit.
US09186491B2 Port catheter locking system and method
Systems and methods for securing a catheter to an implantable port are disclosed. The system includes a collar having a catheter gripping protrusion and a port lock cavity. A port having an outlet stem with a constant cross-sectional profile is utilized. The collar is configured to mate with a port lock protrusion connected to the port.
US09186481B2 Preshaped ablation catheter for ablating pulmonary vein ostia within the heart
Catheters and methods are provided for performing medical procedures, such as tissue ablation, adjacent the ostia of anatomical vessels, such as pulmonary veins. The catheter comprises an elongated flexible integrated catheter body having proximal and distal shaft portions and at least one operative element carried by the distal shaft portion. The distal shaft portion has a proximal section configured to be internally actuated (e.g., using a steering mechanism or pre-shaping the proximal section) to form a simple curve with an apex that can be inserted into the vessel ostium, an intermediate section pre-shaped to form a curve that bends opposite the simple curve, and a distal section configured to be placed into a non-radial relationship (tangential or oblique) with the vessel ostium when the apex of the simple curve is inserted into the vessel ostium. By this arrangement, the operative element is configured to be placed firmly in contact with tissue at a predefined radial location relative to the vessel ostium when the apex of the simple curve is inserted into the vessel ostium.
US09186478B2 Filling device for an anesthetic dispenser
A filling device for an anesthetic dispenser has a closing element (3) that can be inserted into the filler neck (2) and can again be removed from same in a simple manner. A bayonet catch is provided between the closing element (3) and the filler neck (2) combined with a ring seal (18). The a ring seal (18) can be pressed in an axial direction by axial rotation and has an elastically deformable spring element.
US09186476B2 System and method for oxygen therapy
The present invention describes methods and systems to provide a liquid oxygen delivery system that efficiently delivers therapeutic oxygen in accordance with a patient's respiratory cycle. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a portable liquid oxygen delivery system having a liquid oxygen device, an oxygen conserving device, and an accumulator device. The portable liquid oxygen delivery system has a collective gaseous oxygen volume and the accumulator device is enabled to actuate and reduce the collective gaseous oxygen volume.
US09186475B2 Storage device for a ventilation mask
A ventilation mask storage device (300, 400, 500) includes a first (310, 410, 510) and second body members (320, 420, 520); a hinge (330, 430, 530) connecting the first and second body members so the first and second body members can be brought together to define an enclosed space (305, 405, 505) for receiving a ventilation mask (10); a clasp (340, 440, 540) connected to the first and second body members to hold the first and second body members together when the clasp is engaged; an aperture (300, 400, 500) in at least one of the first and second body members to permit a circuit (15) to be connected to the ventilation mask when it is disposed within the enclosed space; and a connector (360, 460, 560) provided with at least one of the first and second body members to attach the device to a ventilator or ventilator cart.
US09186474B1 Multi-function oxygen mask
A multi-function oxygen mask is disclosed which generally comprises a mask body and a gas delivery adapter. The mask body forms an internal cavity configured to cover a nose and mouth of a patient. A nasal chamber is formed in the upper portion of the mask body, the nasal chamber includes an upper portion, a lower portion and a gas delivery adapter aperture adjacent the lower portion of the nasal chamber. An access aperture is formed through and adjacent to the lower portion of the mask body. The access aperture is configured to permit access to the mouth of a patient. The gas delivery adapter has a general tubular structure and includes a first end an opposing second end, the first end of the gas delivery adapter is coupled to the gas delivery adapter aperture. An oxygen supply port radially extends outward from the gas delivery adapter and adjacent to the first end of the gas delivery adapter. The oxygen supply port further includes an external inlet portion, an outlet portion positioned within a volumetric space of the gas delivery adapter and a diverter member adjacent to the outlet portion. The diverter member is configured to direct a flow towards the first end of the gas delivery adapter. A meter-dose inhaler port radially extends outward from the gas delivery adapter. Finally, the gas delivery adapter includes a meter-dose inhaler port and a nebulizer port.
US09186470B2 Shape reflector and surface contour mapping
The three dimensional surface shape of one or more layers of a reflective object is determined by examining one or more captured images reflected from the reflective object. Curved surfaces reflect a distorted image altered by the surface shape. By analyzing one or more captured images of the distorted reflected images, the shape of the surface that caused the distortion is estimated. A captured distorted image is compared to a reference undistorted image having known geometric properties. A system to capture and process such images is assembled from components including an image capture assembly such as a digital camera to capture reflected images and a positioning assembly on which to orient the components with respect to each other. Multiple surface layers of the reflective object are separately estimated using polarizations, luminance levels, chroma values or combinations thereof contained in one or more captured images.
US09186469B2 Locating device for needle insertion
A template for locating a proper place for inserting a needle. The template has two reference indicators that are placed on a person's body and an elongated body, with incremental markings on each side of the elongated body, that moves relative to the two reference indicators. The incremental markings on each side of the elongated body can be scaled differently. One reference indicator is placed over the clavicle and the other is placed over the nipple on the same lateral side. The elongated body is moved until the reference indicators are each lined up with equivalent incremental markings on each half of the elongated body. When the reference indicators are lined up with matching incremental markings, a fixed target, positioned between the two sets of incremental markings, will indicate a proper location for inserting a pneumothorax relief needle.
US09186467B2 Needle assembly cover
Described is a needle assembly system comprising a needle assembly including a needle and a needle support, and a cover including a distal portion adapted to house at least a distal end of the needle and a proximal portion adapted to house the needle support. The proximal portion includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has a first inner diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the needle support and the second portion has a second inner diameter greater than the diameter of the needle support.
US09186462B2 Syringe and safety device assembly
A syringe assembly including a syringe and a safety device, the syringe including a barrel of tubular shape, the safety device including a member of tubular shape referred to as a syringe support in which the barrel is arranged such that the syringe support and the barrel are secured on the same axis. The syringe barrel has a flange at a proximal end that is prevented from moving in translation between a peripheral bearing seat and an abutment of the support. Interposed between the seat and the flange, the assembly includes at least one compression pad between the seat and the flange and made of a material presenting a coefficient of friction relative to at least one of the materials of the flange and of the seat that is greater than the coefficient of friction of the materials of the flange and of the seat relative to each other.
US09186461B2 Viscous formulations and their use in needle-free injection
Formulations are described that are viscous and will benefit from needle-free delivery at high driving pressures. Conventional delivery of these viscous formulations by hypodermic syringes is inconvenient as well as painful. Formulations include those which have a viscosity of about 5 cS or more at about 20° C. and which can have 0.5 ml or more administered by a needle-free injector in about 0.1 second ±0.02 seconds.
US09186458B2 Medicament delivery device
The present invention relates to a medicament delivery device comprising a housing (10) having opposite distal and proximal ends; a medicament container holder (15) with a medicament container (14), disposed within the housing, wherein the container has a front opening with or for a delivery member for delivering the medicament therethrough and at least a movable stopper (16); a drive unit comprising a power source (20) and a plunger rod (24), wherein said drive unit is arranged to be movable between a non-delivery state in which said power source is in a cocked state and a delivery state in which said power source acts on said plunger rod which in its turn acts on said stopper (16) for delivering a dose of medicament from said medicament container (14); retaining means operably connected to said drive unit, and capable of holding said drive unit in its non-delivery state; and activation means (36) operably connected to said retaining means, and capable of releasing said drive unit from its non-delivery state; wherein the device further comprises a delivery indication mechanism (56) comprising a flexible band (58) arranged with different indications (60), guide means (62, 67) arranged on the inner surface of the housing for storing and guiding said band, and an opening (64) in said housing through which said indications are visible; wherein said band comprises a first end connected to said drive unit such that when said drive unit is released from its non-delivery state, said band moves through said guide means.
US09186457B2 Intravenous infusion monitoring apparatus, system and method
An intravenous infusion system that shows infusion flow rate, volume of medication infused, and alarming during malfunction. User intervention to adjust flow rates deviation is possible, using the data already stored in the system prior to the onset of making the adjustment. The system detects flow rate by measuring temperature dynamics in a section of the fluid path, unlike other systems that measures the electromechanical output of the pumping source if the counting of drops is not possible. This fundamental difference allows the invention to be used in any system that has a pumping source that provides a continuous fluid path as it measures actual flow of fluid in a segment of the fluid path, independent of pumping mechanism design.
US09186456B2 Flow selector device alignment system
An alignment system for accurately setting the flow rate of a flow selector device, the system includes a flow selector device having a flow rate selection mechanism rotatable between a plurality of pre-selected positions; a knob providing a grip to rotate the flow rate selection mechanism, the knob having a distal portion, a proximal portion, and at least one registering element; and a cover movable between an open position providing access to the knob and a closed position restricting access to the knob, the cover further including at least one cover element that prevents closure when the registering element is misaligned with a pre-selected position.
US09186449B2 Dialysis machine support assemblies and related systems and methods
This application relates to a dialysis machine support assembly that includes a platform configured to support a dialysis machine and a drive assembly configured to move the platform vertically. A control unit can monitor input data from a sensor of the dialysis machine when the dialysis machine is supported by the platform and can operate the drive assembly to adjust a vertical position of the platform based on the input data.
US09186444B2 Portable regulated pressure devices for medical procedures
In various embodiments of the invention, a vacuum pump can be used as a stand alone unit to create, monitor and control a vacuum in a variety of surgical procedures. The vacuum pump can be controlled by a processor and automatically increases or decreases the vacuum based on monitoring of parameters selected from the group consisting of heart-rate of the fetus, heart rate of the mother, heart rate of patient, blood pressure of the fetus, blood pressure of the mother and blood pressure of the patient, position of the wound, position of the fetus, condition of the fetus, condition of the mother, condition of the patient. Visual or audio feedback is used to allow the care giver increased control of the pumping device while carrying out the procedure.
US09186443B2 Wound treatment apparatus
A bandage has a first sheet overlying a wound and located adjacent to it and a top sheet overlying the first sheet. The first sheet has a plurality of discrete passageways overlying the wound and adapted to communicate negative pressure established by a negative pressure source to the wound.
US09186442B2 Dynamic, reduced-pressure treatment systems and methods
A dynamic, reduced-pressure treatment system generates reduced pressure and a wave experienced at a tissue site where the wave may have a frequency in the range of from 0.5 Hertz to 20 Hertz. The system includes a manifold for delivering reduced pressure to the tissue site, a sealing member forming a fluid seal over the tissue site, a reduced-pressure source for providing reduced pressure, a reduced-pressure delivery member for delivering reduced pressure from the reduced-pressure source to the manifold, and a wave generator associated with the reduced-pressure delivery member for imparting a wave to the reduced pressure developed by the reduced-pressure source. A reduced-pressure delivery member with liquid-impermeable-and-gas-permeable element may be applied to help reduce blockages and to facilitate ease of treatment. Other systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed.
US09186439B2 Drug-eluting catheter and method of manufacturing the same
Biocompatible nanoparticles 1 which entrap a bioactive substance and whose surface is positive-charge-modified are electrically adhered to a balloon portion 9 of a catheter main body 5 through a negatively charged resin layer 11, and thus a nanoparticle layer 12 is formed. After the catheter main body 5 is indwell in vivo, the nanoparticles 1 are gradually eluted from the nanoparticle layer 12 and are effectively delivered to cells.
US09186433B2 Kit for adhering biological hard tissues
A kit for bonding to biological hard tissues, containing a phosphorylated polysaccharide, a polyvalent metal salt other than phosphates, and a solvent. The adhesive composition for biological hard tissues provided by the kit for bonding to biological hard tissues is suitably used in for medical uses, such as cement for bones or dental cement. In addition, since the adhesive composition has excellent bio-absorbability, it is useful as fusion materials for artificial joint prosthesis, fusion materials for spine fracture, fusion materials for extremity fracture, filling materials for bone tumors in the region of orthopedics, filling materials and restorative materials at dental caries-defective sites, luting materials for prosthetic restorative materials such as inlay and crown, pulp-capping and lining materials, implant surface treatment materials, periodontal disease therapeutic materials, hyperesthesia preventive materials, dental pulp capping materials, substrates for DDS, substrates for systems engineering, and tissue bonding materials in the dental region.
US09186430B2 Apparatus and method for accessing a biological indicator within a container
A biological indicator access apparatus and method thereof is provided. The apparatus includes a cage positioned at least partially within an interior compartment of a medical sterilization container, wherein the cage has an interior portion sized to house at least one biological indicator. At least one access element is removably coupled to the cage and permitting access to the interior portion, wherein the at least one access element is located exterior to the medical sterilization container. A filter material at least partially forms the interior portion of the cage, wherein the filter material allows a sterilization substance to traverse from within the interior compartment of the medical sterilization container to the interior portion and prevents non-sterile substances from traversing from the interior portion to the interior compartment of the medical sterilization container.
US09186427B2 Method and device for preventing contamination from a door which opens vertically
A door assembly including a vertically moving door to permit and prohibit access through an opening which has a top, a bottom defined by a floor, and at least two sides, the door assembly. The assembly having a door body having upper and lower portions, and being mounted proximate the opening such that the lower end portion being proximate the floor when the door is in the closed position. A protective body is configured in connection with the door so as to be moveable between a first position under at least a portion of the door body lower portion when the door is in at least a partially open position and a second storage position. The protective body having at least one debris collecting surface, and opposing ends, the protective body being configured such that debris collected on the debris collecting surface will be urged toward one of the opposed ends.
US09186426B2 Methods for determining microbial contamination of allograft products
A method for determining microbial contamination of allograft products comprises providing an extraction vessel having an outer container and a removable inner basket, place the allograft product into the inner basket, providing an abstraction fluid in the outer container of the extraction vessel, positioning the inner basket in the outer container, so that the allograft product and the inner basket is submerged in the extraction fluid and agitating the extraction fluid for a predetermined amount of time and analyzing the extraction fluid from microbial contamination.
US09186422B2 Radio-opaque compounds, compositions containing same and methods of their synthesis and use
Radio-opaque biodegradable compositions are formed by modifying terminal groups of synthetic and natural biodegradable polymers such as polylactones with iodinated moieties. The biodegradable property of the compositions renders them suitable for use in medical field such as drug delivery, imaging. Compounds disclosed in this invention exist as neat liquid. Certain compositions disclosed in this invention form hydrophobic iodine rich domains when dissolved in water, such domains provide better contrasting properties as well as ability to dissolve hydrophobic bioactive drugs. Certain iodinated moieties disclosed in the invention are capable of cross linking natural proteins in situ in presence of suitable catalysts and co-catalysts.
US09186419B2 Directed evolution and in vitro panning of virus vectors
The present invention provides methods of achieving directed evolution of viruses by in vivo screening or “panning” to identify viruses comprising scrambled AAV capsids having characteristics of interest, e.g., tropism profile and/or neutralization profile (e.g., ability to evade neutralizing antibodies). The invention also provides scrambled AAV capsids and virus particles comprising the same.
US09186418B2 Method of identifying tumor associated antigens
Compositions and methods of producing improved cancer vaccines are described. In addition, methods of identifying tumor associated antigens are also described.
US09186415B2 Long-acting human follicle-stimulating hormone formulation using immunoglobulin fragment
The present invention relates to a long-acting human follicle-stimulating hormone formulation having improved in vivo duration and stability, comprising a human follicle-stimulating hormone conjugate that is prepared by covalently linking human follicle-stimulating hormone with an immunoglobulin Fc region via a non-peptidyl polymer, and a preparation method thereof. The long-acting human follicle-stimulating hormone formulation of the present invention maintains in vivo activity of human follicle-stimulating hormone at a relatively high level and remarkably increases the serum half-life thereof.
US09186414B2 Composition for intraocular implantation of bevacizumab
A solid, compressed pharmaceutical composition comprises i) a peptide active pharmaceutical ingredient, ii) a polysaccharide excipient and/or an albumin, and iii) an oligosaccharide excipient. The polysaccharide excipient may be hyaluronic acid, or the potassium salt thereof, and the oligosaccharide excipient may be trehalose.
US09186412B2 Methods and compositions for oral administration of insulin
This invention provides compositions comprising a protein, an absorption enhancer, a protease inhibitor, methods for treating diabetes mellitus, comprising administering same, and methods for oral administration of a protein with an enzymatic activity, comprising orally administering same.
US09186411B2 Pharmaceutical composition
The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition or a solid preparation containing a stabilized pharmaceutically active ingredient and a stabilizing method thereof.According to the present invention, a pharmaceutical composition can be stabilized by containing a nonpeptidic pharmaceutically active ingredient having a primary or secondary amino group, an excipient and an acidic compound. In addition, a solid preparation containing a pharmaceutically active ingredient, titanium oxide, a plasticizer and a chain organic acid can enhance the stability of the pharmaceutically active ingredient during light irradiation.
US09186409B2 Solid pharmaceutical composition for neutralizing stomach acid
A pharmaceutical composition including an alkaline metal alginate, an alkaline salt, and less than 10% by weight based on the weight of the alkaline metal alginate of a calcium salt. The pharmaceutical composition is intended for the treatment or prophylaxis of dyspepsia in a mammal.
US09186408B2 Nitrated-fatty acids modulation of type II diabetes
Nitro oleic acid and related metabolites are agonists of PPAR-γ. Surprisingly, nitro oleic acid is a more potent agonist of PPAR-γ, relative to nitro linoleic acid. Thus, nitro oleic acid and its metabolites, as well as their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrug forms, are candidate therapeutics for the treatment of type-2 diabetes, which results from insulin resistance accompanying the improper functioning of PPAR-γ.
US09186405B2 Tumor cell-derived microvesicles
The present invention relates to a method for diagnosis of cancer and for monitoring the progression of cancer and/or the therapeutic efficacy of an anti-cancer treatment in a sample of a subject by detecting oncogenic proteins in microvesicles, and to the use of an agent blocking exchange of microvesicles for treating cancer.
US09186394B2 Pharmacological vitreolysis
A method of treating or preventing a disorder, or a complication of a disorder, of an eye of a subject comprising contacting a vitreous and/or aqueous humor with a composition comprising a truncated form of plasmin comprising a catalytic domain of plasmin (TPCD). TPCDs include, but are not limited to, miniplasmin, microplasmin and derivatives and variants thereof. The methods of the invention can be used to reduce the viscosity of the vitreous, liquefy the vitreous, induce posterior vitreous detachment, reduce hemorrhagic blood from the eye, clear or reduce materials toxic to the eye, clear or reduce intraocular foreign substances from the eye, increase diffusion of a composition administered to an eye, reduce extraretinal neovascularization and any combinations thereof. The method can be used in the absence of, or as an adjunct to, vitrectomy.
US09186390B2 Methods and uses of TIE2 binding and/or activating agents
The present disclosure provides methods and uses of Tie2 binding and/or activating agents. In particular, the present disclosure provides methods and uses for inhibiting the expansion of colony forming unit-granulocytes, reducing eosinophils and/or basophils, for treating allergic disease or response or eosinophil/basophil associated condition and for reducing inflammatory cytokine and/or chemokine levels.
US09186388B2 Wnt1 for treatment of cardiovascular disorders and injuries
The present invention relates to the discovery of the role of Wnt1 in multiple cardiovascular processes, including cardiac repair, angiogenesis, and stimulation of endothelial progenitor cells. This discovery provides methods of using Wnt1 to treat cardiovascular disorders and injuries.
US09186380B2 Minced cartilage systems and methods
Compositions comprising a plurality of cartilage particles from a human adult cadaveric donor, wherein the cartilage particles comprise viable chondrocytes, and a biocompatible carrier are provided. Methods of manufacturing cartilage compositions comprising a plurality of cartilage particles from a human adult cadaveric donor are also provided.
US09186379B2 Methods for preventing or treating necrotizing enterocolitis
The invention is directed to methods for preventing and/or treating necrotizing enterocolitis. The invention is further directed to reducing inflammation of the intestinal mucosa associated with necrotizing enterocolitis. The invention is further directed to methods for preventing and/or treating necrotizing enterocolitis and/or inflammation of the intestinal mucosa associated with necrotizing enterocolitis by administering to a subject suffering from such conditions, or at risk of developing such conditions, cellular factor-containing solution compositions (referred to herein as “CFS” compositions), including sustained-release cellular factor-containing solution compositions (referred to herein as “SR-CFS” compositions).
US09186377B2 Method, composition, and articles for improving joint lubrication
Articles for increasing lubrication of a joint are described herein. The articles include resorbable, biocompatible particles having a glass transition temperature within a joint of less than about 37° C. and capable of increasing fluid movement within the joint compared to synovial fluid, viscosupplemental fluid, or combinations thereof. A composition for increasing lubrication of a joint is also disclosed. The composition includes the resorbable, biocompatible particles and a carrier fluid. Methods of lubricating a joint and treating disease affecting the joint such as osteoarthritis are also described herein. The methods include introducing the resorbable, biocompatible particles into a joint.
US09186374B2 Vitamin B12 nasal spray and method of use
The present invention relates generally to vitamin B12 nasal spray compositions and methods of using the same in the treatment of vitamin B12 deficiency and various disorders that are related to such deficiency. In particular embodiments, the present invention is directed to treatment methods comprising intranasal administration of a cobalamin composition according to a particular dosing and frequency schedule and to a preservative-free nasal spray composition comprising a cobalamin compound useful in the practice of such treatment methods.
US09186371B2 Inhibitor of HMGB protein-mediated immune response activation, and screening method
Provided are an inhibitor of activation of an immune response mediated by an HMGB protein, the inhibitor containing at least one compound selected from the group consisting of a phosphorothioate oligonucleotide and a derivative thereof, and a method of screening for an inhibitor or enhancer of activation of an immune response mediated by an HMGB protein.
US09186367B2 Bicyclic aryl sphingosine 1-phosphate analogs
Compounds that have agonist activity at one or more of the S1P receptors are provided. The compounds are sphin-gosine analogs that, after phosphorylation, can behave as agonists at S1P receptors.
US09186366B2 Medicine, food and drink or feed containing sphingomyelin
It is intended to find novel pharmaceutical use of sphingomyelin and to provide preventive or therapeutic agents for various diseases as well as a food and drink product and feed comprising any of these agents. The present invention provides a pharmaceutical agent which contains sphingomyelin as an active ingredient and is any of the following agents: 1) a sialomucin secretion promoter, 2) an agent for preventing drunken sickness (hangover), 3) an antiallergic agent, 4) an antioxidant, 5) an agent for defending against infection, 6) a hair growth agent, 7) a therapeutic agent for demyelinating disease, 8) an anti-pigmentation agent, 9) an anti-inflammatory agent, and 10) an agent for improving learning ability. The present invention also provides a food and drink product or feed, characterized by comprising the agent. It is preferred that the sphingomyelin should be derived from milk.
US09186359B2 Combinations of serotonin receptor agonists for treatment of movement disorders
The present invention relates to the use of 5-HT1 agonists in pharmaceutical compositions, compounds and methods for treatment of movement disorders related to neurological dysfunctions. The invention is particularly relevant for treatment of patients suffering from tardive dyskinesia, Parkinson's disease and associated disorders thereof. Kits of parts comprising the 5-HT1 agonist compounds or pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention, as well as methods of preparation are also provided by the present invention.
US09186357B2 Compositions and methods for treating centrally mediated nausea and vomiting
Provided are compositions and methods for treating or preventing nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery.
US09186354B2 Pyrrolidine derived β3 adrenergic receptor agonists
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I), pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of using the same in the treatment or prevention of diseases mediated by the activation of β3-adrenoceptor. (I).
US09186351B2 Controlled-release melatonin compositions and related methods
A melatonin-containing product includes a composition comprising melatonin, a pH lowering agent, and a gel-forming forming polymer. When ingested, the composition forms an acidic aqueous gel matrix having melatonin dissolved therein for releasing melatonin into the intestines for a sustained time period.
US09186350B2 Composition, and method of using the composition, effective for minimizing the harmful effects associated with individuals suffering from alcohol intoxication
The present invention relates to a composition, and methods of using the composition, for minimizing the harmful effects associated with alcohol consumption. The composition includes a plurality of ingredients, which when combined, have the unexpected effect of increasing one or more metabolic pathways in the individual. As the metabolic rate is increased, alcohol is burned off, or utilized as energy source, and occurs at a considerably much faster rate than under normal physiological means. It is believed that the composition may have an effect on the brain causing it to increase metabolic rates. By administering the composition to an inebriated individual, the rate at which a person sobers up, occurs at a faster rate than would occur under normal physiological time frames.
US09186343B2 Nanoveso™: treatment, biomarkers and diagnostic tests for liver diseases and comorbid diseases
A method of treatment of liver diseases and comorbid diseases is disclosed wherein an oral dose of lipids in an amount effective to trigger the release of cholecystokinin (CCK) into the duodenum to generate a major release of bile phospholipids from remodeled stores of triglycerides (TAG) in the liver, is administered to a patient in need thereof, thereby causing the formation of sequestered and aggregated mixed micelles and vesicles (SAMMVs) in the intestines of the patient which are then eliminated via the bowels of the patient.
US09186342B2 Combination of an NSAID and an amino acid
The invention relates to an oral pharmaceutical composition comprising the combination of an ibuprofen salt or S(+)-ibuprofen with L-arginine and/or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and additionally pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles and/or excipients. The invention also relates to the method of producing the composition and to the use of said composition having synergic therapeutic activity, for treating moderate to severe inflammatory pain, fever and inflammation.
US09186338B2 Solubility enhancer and use thereof
Disclosed herein is a novel solubility enhancer capable of being employed in formulating safe and effective pharmaceutical formulations of partially soluble drugs, wherein the solubility enhancer is selected from dialkyl substituted amides of fatty acids having C6 to C16 carbon chain, preferably from N,N-dimethyl hexanamide, N,N-dimethyl octanamide, N,N-dialkyl decanamide, N,N-dialkyl dodecanamide or N,N-dialkyl hexadecanamide.
US09186337B2 Lysine demethylase inhibitors for diseases and disorders associated with Hepadnaviridae
The present invention provides for the treatment or prevention of Hepadnaviridae infection and disease caused by Hepadnaviridae infection. In particular, the invention provides compositions and methods that affect the ability of Hepadnaviridae to utilize the host's cellular machinery as part of the virus' lifecycle. The invention relates to the discovery that interfering with the normal ability of viruses to utilize the host cell machinery with LSD1 inhibitors reduces HBV replication. Thus, the treatment and prevention of Hepadnaviridae infection and disease caused by Hepadnaviridae according to the invention comprises administering to an individual in need of treatment, a therapeutically effective amount of a LSD1 inhibitor. The individual in need of treatment can be a human or, e.g., another mammal.
US09186334B2 Heat assisted lidocaine and tetracaine for transdermal analgesia
The present disclosure is drawn to methods for treating various types of pain, including pain associated nerve entrapment, neuroma, headaches, connective tissue, arthritis, injury, and/or overuse. Specifically, the method includes the application of an analgesic system to a skin surface of a subject experiencing the pain and maintaining the analgesic system on the skin surface for an application period of at least 30 minutes. Following the application period the analgesic system can be removed and the subject being treated continues to experience reduction of pain for a period of 2 to 10, or even 4 to 12 hours after removal of the analgesic system. The analgesic system applied to the skin surface can include a heating component and a local anesthetic formulation.
US09186333B2 Process for preparing pharmaceutical compositions of fingolimod
The present invention provides a process for preparing a pharmaceutical composition of fingolimod comprising: (i) obtaining a intimate admixture comprising fingolimod or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and at least one surfactant (wetting agent), e.g., an intimate admixture of the fingolimod and the at least one surfactant, and (ii) optionally combining the intimate admixture from step (i) with one or more excipients. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms obtainable by the process, uses of the pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms, and methods of treating appropriate diseases with the pharmaceutical compositions or dosage forms.
US09186332B2 Delayed release tablet with defined core geometry
A tablet comprising a core containing an active agent, and a coating, the core being disposed within the coating such that the coating has a thickness about a longitudinal axis (X-Y) of about 4.85 to 4.95 mm. The position of the core within the coating dictating that the active agent is released rapidly after a lag time during which time no active agent is released.
US09186328B2 Formulation of diclofenac
The present invention relates to methods for producing particles of diclofenac using dry milling processes as well as compositions comprising diclofenac, medicaments produced using diclofenac in particulate form and/or compositions, and to methods of treatment of an animal, including man, using a therapeutically effective amount of diclofenac administered by way of said medicaments.
US09186325B2 Lipids and compositions for the delivery of therapeutics
The present invention provides lipids that are advantageously used in lipid particles for the in vivo delivery of therapeutic agents to cells. In particular, the invention formula (I) provides lipids having the following structure XXXIII wherein: R1 and R2 are each independently for each occurrence optionally substituted C10-C30 alkyl, optionally substituted C10-C30 alkenyl, optionally substituted C10-C30 alkynyl, optionally substituted C10-C30 acyl, or -linker-ligand; R3 is H, optionally substituted C1-C10 alkyl, optionally substituted C2-C10 alkenyl, optionally substituted C2-C10 alkynyl, alky lhetro cycle, alkylphosphate, alkylphosphorothioate, alkylphosphorodithioate, alkylphosphonates, alkylamines, hydroxyalkyls, ω-aminoalkyls, ω-(substituted)aminoalkyls, ω-phosphoalkyls, ω-thiophosphoalkyls, optionally substituted polyethylene glycol (PEG, mw 100-40K), optionally substituted mPEG (mw 120-40K), heteroaryl, heterocycle, or linker-ligand; and E is C(O)O or OC(O).
US09186324B2 Hair follicle targeting compositions
This invention provides topical pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions, and uses thereof in treating a disease or condition of the hair follicle. The compositions of this invention are emulsions of an oil-in-polyol with a mean particle size of below one micron, and further comprising at least one oil, one polyol, and one stabilizer.
US09186312B2 Compositions and methods for skin treatment
Compositions for the treatment of the skin. The compositions reduce and/or reverse the visible appearance of skin damage. In the preferred embodiment, the composition includes Retinyl Palmitate Polypeptide; Ascorbylmethylsilanol Pectinate; Tocopheryl Polypeptide; Cholecalciferol Polypeptide; and Niacinamide Polypeptide.
US09186311B1 Glycerin polysilicones
The present invention is directed to a series of glycerin polysilicones. By glycerin polysilicones in meant polymers that have silicone portions that are functionalized with glycerin groups. The polymers of the present invention can range from relatively low molecular weight (around 600 daltons) to higher molecular weight (of about 2,500 daltons). The presence of the glyceryl groups together with the silicone groups allows for the preparation of molecules uniquely suited to personal care applications, more specifically, skin care products.
US09186309B2 Substance for dyeing keratin fibers, including cationic anthraquinone dyes and fatty acid diesters of alkane diols
The present disclosure provides an agent for coloring keratinic fibers comprising, in a cosmetic carrier, (a) at least one compound of formula (I), and (b) at least one fatty acid diester of an alkanediol. The present disclosure also provides a method of using such an agent to produce increased shine, an intense color result with improved fastness properties, or reduced selectivity.
US09186307B2 Treated silicas and metal silicates for improved cleaning in dentifrice
Treated silica materials are disclosed, together with methods of making such materials and dentifrice compositions comprising the treated silica materials.
US09186304B2 Peg-free antiperspirant oil-in-water emulsions having improved feel
An antiperspirant composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion includes a PEG-free emulsifier system including selected polyglycerol citrate esters and an N-acylglutamate.
US09186300B2 Systems and methods for preparation of medications
A pill is divided using a pill splitter and crusher device having a first member coupled to a second member. The first member includes a pill-receiving cavity and the second member comprises a blade and an anvil. In some contemplated embodiments, the anvil is configured to crush a pill placed within the cavity and the blade is configured to split the pill within the cavity. Furthermore, the anvil is coupled to the second member, such that the anvil could move from a crushing position to a non-crushing position, which allows for crushing and splitting of the pill, respectively.
US09186299B1 Topical pharmaceutical compounds and methods
Kits for allowing pharmacist to easily compound medications are provided. The kits include a mixing container, a first active ingredient and an inactive ingredient. It is further provided that methods of mixing compounds. Some kits include coloring agents that aid in the establishment proper mixing. Other kits include colored labels located on the ingredients.
US09186297B2 Materials for facilitating administration of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and related compounds
The invention relates generally to materials for facilitating the administration of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and related compounds. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a kit comprising items used for the safe and effective administration of DMSO. In another embodiment, the invention relates to indicating containers for holding or delivering DMSO.
US09186296B2 Containers for compositions comprising meloxicam
A plastic container containing a pharmaceutical composition comprising benzoic acid or a derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a COX-inhibitor of the oxicam-type or a pharmaceutical acceptable salt thereof, wherein the container material selected from one or more members of the group consisting of a homopolymer of polypropylene (PP), a copolymer of polypropylene (PP), a homopolymer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and a copolymer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and optionally one or more non-polymeric components.
US09186289B2 Anti-tipping safety device
An electromagnetic anti-tipping device uses electromagnets to steady users and prevent falls by persons with impaired mobility and balance. The device's steadying effect is accomplished by magnetically attracting the legs and/or wheels of balance and mobility assisting apparatus (“balance and mobility aid(s)”) to a stationary surface such as a floor which is made of or covered with a magnetically responsive material. In one embodiment, the device's electromagnet attraction to the floor or other stationary surface is actuated when the operator of the device triggers the device's mechanism or sensor by grip or touch. Once actuated, and until deactivation by the user, the device's electromagnet(s) secure the legs or wheels of the balance and mobility aid to the magnetically responsive floor or other stationary surface. The electromagnets are battery-powered.
US09186286B2 Systems, devices, and methods for increasing consumer access to first aid supplies
Systems and dispensers, including methods of using the same, for dispensing bandages comprising: a dispenser body comprising a receiving surface with a first retention element and a hinged flap with a second retention element, wherein the hinged flap is foldable to overlay at least a portion of the receiving surface; and at least one bandage pack disposed on the receiving surface, wherein bandage pack comprises at least one individually wrapped bandage; provided that when the hinged flap is folded to overlay receiving surface, a first retention element reversibly interlocks with a second retention element thus securely retaining at least one bandage pack.
US09186278B2 Systems and devices for sampling and profiling microbiota of skin
Systems and devices for sampling and profiling microbiota of skin are described which include a replaceable microbe sampling unit including at least one rotatable component, an elongated flexible strip, and a location information storage component, the elongated flexible strip including a microbe-capture region configured to capture at least one type of microbe from one or more regions of a skin surface of an individual, and the location information storage component configured to store information associated with the location of said one or more regions of the skin surface of the individual.
US09186277B2 External ear canal pressure regulation system
An external ear canal pressure regulation device including a fluid flow generator and an earpiece having a first axial earpiece conduit fluidicly coupled to the fluid flow generator, whereby the earpiece has a compliant earpiece external surface configured to sealably engage an external ear canal as a barrier between an external ear canal pressure and an ambient pressure.
US09186274B2 Method and apparatus for reducing intraocular pressure
A drainage apparatus is disclosed to reduce intraocular pressure in an eyeball that includes an anterior chamber having aqueous humor disposed therein, a cornea and a surrounding marginal limbus by which the cornea is continuous with a scleral layer and a conjunctival layer disposed on an exposed surface of the eyeball and under eyelids, the apparatus comprising an inlet assembly configured to be disposed at the anterior chamber of the eyeball, an outlet assembly configured to be disposed at the external surface of the eyeball, the assembly having a central chamber, a tube extending between the inlet and outlet assemblies and configured to promote fluid communication between the inlet and outlet assemblies, and control means disposed within the outlet assembly for controlling a flow of aqueous humor through the tube from the anterior chamber of the eyeball to the external surface of the eyeball, the control means further comprising a replaceable filter disposed within the central chamber of the outer member to prevent intraocular infection, the filter having a medicinal agent applied thereto for preventing occlusion of the filter or bacterial contamination by inhibiting at least one of the formation of fibrotic membranes, inflammatory membrane, or bacterial adhesions or biofilms, thereby preventing increased of intraocular pressure or infection.
US09186273B2 Methods of treating pains associated with neuroma, nerve entrapment, and other conditions
The present disclosure is drawn to methods for treating various types of pain. Specifically, a method for treating various types of pain includes the application of an analgesic system to a skin surface of a subject experiencing the pain and maintaining the analgesic system on the skin surface for a period of time of at least 30 minutes. The analgesic system applied to the skin surface can include a heating component and a local anesthetic formulation which includes at least one local anesthetic. The heating component can be capable of heating the skin surface to a temperature of 36° C. to 42° C.
US09186271B1 Orthotic brace and method of using
An orthotic brace comprises a flexible panel having a first panel portion, a second panel portion and a central portion connecting the first and second panel portions, the first panel portion and the second panel portion being of sufficient length to wrap around a torso of a user, a closure structure disposed near ends of the first and second panel portions to secure the panel about the torso, an upper cord system and a lower cord system connected to the panel, the upper and lower cord systems being independently adjustable for a more anatomically correct fit and providing a mechanical advantage, the upper cord system and the lower cord system each having a first pull and a second pull, movable along upper and lower edges of the first and second panel portions, respectively, the first pull disposed at one of the first panel portion and the second panel portion, the second pull disposed at the other of the first panel portion and the second panel portion, wherein right side and left sides of the upper and lower cord systems may be tightened independently to tighten or loosen upper and lower portions of the orthotic brace at the central portion.
US09186268B2 Single fold device for tissue fixation
A system for tissue approximation and fixation is described herein. A device is advanced in a minimally invasive manner within a patient's body to create one or several divisions or plications within a hollow body organ. The system comprises a stapler assembly having a tissue acquisition member and a tissue fixation member. The stapler assembly approximates tissue from within the hollow body organ with the acquisition member and then affixes the approximated tissue with the fixation member. In one method, the system can be used as a secondary procedure to reduce the size of a stoma within the hollow body organ.
US09186266B2 External support for elongated bodily vessels
An external bodily vessel support comprising an elongate body with a longitudinal axis and an interior to be brought into apposition with an exterior of the bodily vessel. The elongate body including a tubular fabric of a plurality of threads, the body when in a relaxed configuration having a relaxed length and being sized and shaped to fit over of the exterior of the bodily vessel, the tubular fabric being longitudinally elastic to maintain the length with an axial stiffness of at least 0.1 N/m.
US09186264B2 Prosthetic foot with modular construction
A prosthetic foot includes a heel member having a heel member shaft extending upwardly from a heel end thereof and a forefoot member having a forefoot member shaft extending upwardly from a toe end thereof. An ankle member receives the heel member shaft and forefoot member shaft so as to allow the heel member shaft and forefoot member shaft to translate in a direction of a wearer's leg in response to an upward force thereon. At least one compressible member is coupled to the ankle member and is in compressible contact with the heel member shaft and/or forefoot member shaft so as to compress in response to the translation thereof.
US09186262B2 Bone fusion device
A bone fusion device provides stability to bones during a bone fusion period. The bones include, for example, the vertebrae of a spinal column. The bone fusion device comprises one or more extendable tabs attached to the bone fusion device by associated rotating means. The bone fusion device is preferably inserted by using an arthroscopic surgical procedure. During arthroscopic insertion of the device, the tabs are pre-configured for compactness. In this compact configuration, the tabs are preferably deposed along and/or within an exterior surface of the bone fusion device. After the bone fusion device has been positioned between the bones, one or more tab(s) are extended. In the preferred embodiment, the position of each tab is related to a positioning element and extending blocks. Typically, the tabs advantageously position and brace the bone fusion device in the confined space between the bones until the bones have fused.
US09186261B2 System and methods for spinal fusion
A spinal fusion system and related methods involve the use of a spinal fusion implant of non-bone construction. The spinal fusion implant is particularly suited for introduction into the disc space via a lateral approach to the spine.
US09186260B2 Implant and implant assembly
An implant configured to be placed in a living body to be expansively deformed and contractively deformed comprises a first layer that forms a filling unit that is configured to be filled with a filling material to maintain an expanded state of the implant, the first layer comprising a porous membrane; a second layer that covers the first layer, the second layer comprising at least one of (i) a fluid-impermeable membrane, and (ii) a gas-permeable porous membrane that is impermeable by liquids or gels; and an introduction port that communicates with the filling unit and is configured to introduce the filling material into the filling unit. An introduction region is formed between the first layer and the second layer, the introduction region being configured to receive a fluid permeating the first layer when the filling material is introduced into the filling unit.
US09186258B2 Expandable intervertebral implant
An implant for therapeutically separating bones of a joint has two endplates each having an opening through the endplate, and at least one ramped surface on a side opposite a bone engaging side. A frame is slideably connected to the endplates to enable the endplates to move relative to each other at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the implant, in sliding connection with the frame. An actuator screw is rotatably connected to the frame. A carriage forms an open area aligned with the openings in the endplates. The openings in the endplates pass through the carriage to form an unimpeded passage from bone to bone of the joint. The carriage has ramps which mate with the ramped surfaces of the endplates, wherein when the carriage is moved by rotation of the actuator screw, the endplates move closer or farther apart.
US09186252B2 Tibia implant for tightening the patella tendons
A tibia implant for tightening the patella tendons, has a vertical cross section which in mounted position tapers downward, an essentially vertically arranged base plate which carries a sponge structure, wherein the sponge structure on both sides rests against a respective vertical cut surface of a vertical knee proximal incision of the tibia.
US09186250B2 Infusion of drugs
An at least partly implantable system for injecting a substance into a patient's body, in particular a penis erection stimulation system comprises one or more infusion needles disposed within and implanted along with one or more housings adjacent the patient's left and right corpora cavernosa. A reservoir and a pump are also implanted inside the patient's body to supply the infusion needle with infusion liquid. A drive unit also adapted for implantation inside the patient's body is arranged for advancing and retracting the tip end of the infusion needle such that it penetrates the housing in at least one penetration area, preferably in two different penetration areas either simultaneously or in immediate time succession, thereby injecting drugs along with the infusion liquid into the patient's body for stimulating penis erection. The drive unit is provided for implantation remote from the injection area and comprises a mechanical drive element for transmitting kinetic energy from a remote location within the patient's body to the at least one infusion needle.
US09186248B2 Percutaneously implantable replacement heart valve device and method of making same
A method of making a replacement heart valve device whereby a fragment of biocompatible tissue material is treated and soaked in one or more alcohol solutions and a solution of glutaraldehyde. The dried biocompatible tissue material is folded and rehydrated in such a way that forms a two- or three-leaflet/cusp valve without affixing of separate cusps or leaflets or cutting slits into the biocompatible tissue material to form the cusps or leaflets. After the biocompatible tissue material is folded, it is affixed at one or more points on the outer surface to the inner cavity or a stent.
US09186244B2 Accommodating intraocular lens
An accommodating intraocular lens (IOL) comprises a lens, a flexible surface, and an articulating member joining the lens and the flexible surface. The articulating member comprises first and second arms extending from and joined to form a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion has a length extending radially away from a point at which the first and second arms join together and a thickness that is greater than each of a thickness of the first arm and a thickness of the second arm, first and second arms coupling the lens and the flexible surface, respectively. A flex region is disposed about the second arm and at a distance from the peripheral portion. The flex region permits the flexible surface to articulate relative to the second arm. The flex region has a reduced thickness as compared to each of the second arm and the flexible surface.
US09186241B2 Graft fixation device
A fixation device and method for retaining a graft. The device including: an elongate body having a first end and a second end; a transverse passage for retaining a graft retainer element; a first aperture located in the first end, and a second aperture in the second end; the first aperture and second aperture defining respective ends of a longitudinal through path. The method using the fixation device for drawing a graft through a first tunnel defined in a first bone and reining the graft when through.
US09186237B2 Embolic protection during percutaneous heart valve replacement and similar procedures
Various devices are described to provide filtering of flow from the aorta to the left carotid artery and the right carotid artery. The filters can be brought into a desired position through one or more peripheral arteries. A single filter device can provide the desired filtering or a plurality of devices can be used. In particular a single filter device can span between the brachiocephalic artery and the left carotid artery. These filter devices can be used effectively to capture emboli generated during procedures on the heart so that emboli do not travel to the patient's brain where the emboli can cause a stroke or other adverse event. In particular, these filters can be used during percutaneous procedures on the heart, such as endovascular heart valve replacement.
US09186228B2 Method for manipulating a dental virtual model, method for creating physical entities based on a dental virtual model thus manipulated, and dental models thus created
A 3D virtual model of an intra oral cavity in which at least a part of a finish line of a preparation is obscured is manipulated in virtual space by means of a computer or the like to create, recreate or reconstruct finish line data and other geometrical corresponding to the obscured part. Trimmed virtual models, and trimmed physical models, can then be created utilizing data thus created. The virtual models and/or the physical models may be used in the design and manufacture of copings or of prostheses.
US09186227B2 Method for doping or coloring ceramics, glass ceramics, or glass
In a method of doping or of coloring ceramic, glass ceramic or glass, the ceramic, the glass ceramic or the glass is provided as granular material and this granular material is brought into contact with a solution which contains metal ions and/or metal complexes. This method is used in particular in the production of shaped bodies that consist at least partly of the mentioned materials. In this way, preferably a shaped body of dental ceramic is produced.
US09186225B1 Skin marking device for radiographic imaging
A skin marking device that can be used in radiographic imaging comprising a platform having a handle, a marking member that extends from the handle over the platform, and radiographic markings. The platform has an opening that one end of the marking member is positioned over. The marking member also has a marking pad deployed on that end. When the marking member is depressed, at least a portion of the marking member extends into the opening in the platform allowing the marking pad to protrude from the opposite side of the platform. In use, the device is placed on or near a patient's skin during radiographic imaging and the radiopaque markings are used to assist in proper placement of the device. Once proper placement is achieved, the marking member is depressed, which presses the marking pad through the opening to mark the patient's skin at the desired location.
US09186224B2 Fatigue testing system for prosthetic devices
A fatigue testing system provides simultaneous cycle testing for a plurality of prosthetic devices under simulated physiological loading conditions. A plurality of sample holders containing test samples of prosthetic devices is positioned between a distribution chamber and a return fluid chamber to form an integrated test chamber. A reciprocating linear drive motor operates a rolling bellows diaphragm to cyclically pressurize fluid within the test chamber and drive the pressurized fluid through the prosthetic devices being tested. The test chamber defines a return flow conduit in fluid communication with each of the sample holders, the return fluid chamber, and the distribution chamber. Compliance chambers and throttle valves associated with each of the sample holders regulate the pressure gradient and back pressure across the prosthetic devices being tested.
US09186219B2 Surgical system and methods for mimicked motion
The present invention generally provides methods and devices for controlling movement of an end effector, and in particular for causing mimicked motion between an input tool and an end effector during a surgical procedure. In an exemplary embodiment, a surgical system is provided having a master assembly with an input tool and a slave assembly with an end effector. The master assembly and the slave assembly can be coupled together by a mechanical assembly that is configured to mechanically transfer mimicked, rather than mirrored, motion from the input tool to the end effector. A floating frame is also provided and can be utilized with the surgical system. The floating frame can have a counterbalance that allows the surgical system to “float” above a patient and provide a weightless feel to movement of the surgical system. The floating frame can provides additional degrees of freedom for movement of the surgical system.
US09186218B2 Laboring patient dignity poo pouch
A disposable device for containing stool from a laboring patient on an operating table comprising a flexible bag portion comprising an open end, the open end comprising an integral curvilinear attachment portion comprising means for manually securely attaching the device to the area above the perineum and around the rectum of the patient.
US09186217B2 Systems and methods for enhancing preparation and completion of surgical and medical procedures
The present invention relates to systems and methods for preparing and completing surgical and medical procedures. In particular, the invention relates to kits for improving preparation and completion time for a medical or surgical procedure in which the kit includes modularized compartments containing sterilized medical or surgical equipment and wherein the medical or surgical equipment is organized and/or ordered within the kit to generally correspond to the sequence of steps of the medical or surgical procedure. The kit is particularly applicable to recanalization procedures for stroke patients as well as revascularization procedures for acute myocardial infarction patients where a kit enables faster preparation and completion of these procedures.
US09186216B2 Reinforced high strength microwave antenna
A microwave antenna has a radiating portion connected by a feedline to a power generating source, e.g., a generator. Proximal and distal radiating portions of the antenna assembly are separated by a junction member. A reinforcing member is disposed within the junction member to increase structural rigidity.
US09186210B2 Medical devices including ablation electrodes
Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example medical device may be a renal nerve modulation catheter. The catheter may include an elongate catheter shaft. The catheter shaft may have a plurality of cuts formed therein define a plurality of electrode assemblies. The electrode assemblies may each include a main strut, one or more branched spacer struts extending from the main strut, and an electrode extending from the main strut and positioned radially inward from the spacer struts.
US09186209B2 Nerve modulation system having helical guide
Systems for nerve modulation and methods for making and using the same are disclosed. An example system for nerve modulation may include a first elongate element having a distal end and a proximal end and having a helical guide having a proximal end and a distal end. The system may also include a second elongate element having a distal end and a proximal end and having a nerve modulation element proximate the distal end. A sheath may be disposed about both the first and second elongate elements. Pulling proximally on the proximal end of the first elongate element may cause simultaneous radial and longitudinal displacement of the nerve modulation element.
US09186208B2 Systems for endometrial ablation
A device for endometrial ablation having an elongated shaft with a working end comprising an expandable-contractable frame, a compliant energy-delivery surface carried by the frame, the surface and the frame being configured to engage against the interior of a patient's uterine cavity when the working end is inserted into the cavity and the frame is expanded.
US09186205B2 Surgical treatment system
A surgical treatment system include a pair of holding members holding a living tissue and a plurality of heater members disposed on at least one of the holding members. The surgical treatment system further includes a resistance pattern which transfer heat to the living tissue, a pair of electrodes disposed at opposite ends of the resistance pattern to generate the heat based on a energy to supply the heat to the resistance pattern, wires each connecting one of the heater members to another heater member and heater member energization line connected to the wire and to a energy source to supply the energy from the energy source to the electrodes via the wire.
US09186200B2 System and method for tissue sealing
An electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The generator includes an RF output stage configured to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue via at least one active electrode configured to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue; sensing circuitry configured to measure impedance of tissue; and a controller. The controller is configured to determine occurrence of a tissue reaction as a function of a minimum impedance value and a predetermined rise in impedance, wherein tissue reaction corresponds to a boiling point of tissue fluid; generate a target impedance trajectory as a function of measured impedance and desired rate of change based on the tissue reaction determination, wherein the target impedance trajectory includes a plurality of target impedance values; and drive tissue impedance along the target impedance trajectory by adjusting the output of the electrosurgical generator to substantially match tissue impedance to a corresponding target impedance for at least a predetermined minimum time period.
US09186195B2 Bending machine with a cam for an orthopaedic rod
A bending machine with a cam made up of two articulated arms, comprising a main roller that is coaxial with the axis of articulation of the arms, the end of the short portion of each one of the arms having means for exerting a bending force on a rod, wherein the means are made up of eyelets, each one of the eyelets being mounted on the end of the short portion of one of the arms in a rotatably mobile manner about an axis parallel to the axis of the main roller.
US09186193B2 Fusion cage with combined biological delivery system
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for near-simultaneous and integrated delivery of bone graft material during the placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patient's spine. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device according to various embodiments delivers and disperses biologic material through a fusion cage to a disc space and, without withdrawal from the surgical site, may selectably detach the fusion cage for deposit to the same disc space. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device is formed such that a hollow tube and plunger selectively and controllably place bone graft material and a fusion cage in or adjacent to the bone graft receiving area.
US09186192B2 Instrument for inserting a bone anchoring element and system of such an instrument and a polyaxial bone anchoring element
An instrument for inserting a bone anchoring element into a bone is provided, the instrument including a shaft (2) having an end portion (23, 23′) for engaging the bone anchoring element and for transferring torque to the bone anchoring element (1, 1′) and a longitudinal axis defining an axis of rotation (R); a cutting member (4, 4′) connected to the shaft (2) with cutting portions (45) that are configured to cut bone material; wherein the cutting member (4, 4′) has an outer diameter (D) defined by the cutting portions (45) that is substantially the same or larger than an outer diameter (dd) of a receiving part (500) of the polyaxial bone anchor in a region at a bottom end (500b) of the receiving part.
US09186189B2 Bone screw retaining system
An implant has a bone plate with a bone contacting surface and an opposite outwardly facing surface. The plate includes a split-ring receiving recess open to the outwardly facing surface located intermediate first and second bone screw receiving openings in the plate. The first and second bone screw receiving openings each having a slot spaced from the outwardly facing surface towards the bone contacting surface. The slot is formed in a wall of the first and second bone screw receiving openings. The slot is open to the split ring receiving recess. A resilient split-ring has a thickness less than a height of the slots in the first and second bone screw openings when measured along the bone screw receiving opening axis. The split-ring having a contracted position wherein its maximum dimension is less than a maximum dimension of the split-ring receiving recess and an expanded position wherein an outer circumference of the split-ring extends through the slots and into the first and second bone screw receiving openings.
US09186188B2 Pedicle screw extension system
The pedicle screw extension system may include a removable cannulated extension provided to a pedicle screw tulip head. The cannulated extension may permit percutaneous implantation of pedicle screws followed by rod placement that may be guided by slots running along the length of the extension. The cannulation may allow for passage and attachment of secondary instruments, such as for example: a screw driving device, a rod measuring device, and a set screw driving device. The screw extension may also include secondary device attachment features allowing the rod to be pushed down in a screw tulip head and for extension removal as needed.
US09186186B2 Spinal spacer for cervical and other vertebra, and associated systems and methods
Spinal spacers for cervical and other vertebra, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A device in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a hook member having a hook positioned to extend in a first direction, a post carried by the hook member and extending axially in a second direction transverse to the first direction, and a cam surface carried by the hook member. An actuator device is movably engaged with the post, and a spinal spacer is pivotably coupled to one of the actuator device and the post. The spinal spacer is axially movable relative to the hook member and has a spacing element in contact with the cam surface to pivot outwardly away from the post as the actuator device moves.
US09186183B2 Maintenance feature in magnetic implant
A distraction system includes a distraction rod having one end configured for affixation to at a first location on patient. The system further includes an adjustable portion configured for placement in the patient at a second location, the adjustable portion comprising a housing containing a magnetic assembly comprising a magnet, the magnetic assembly secured to a threaded element that interfaces with an opposing end of the distraction rod. The system includes a magnetically permeable member in proximity to the magnetic assembly and covering an arc of less than 360° of the adjustable portion.
US09186178B2 Vaginal manipulator head with tissue index and head extender
A vaginal manipulator includes a head, a tissue index, a door, and a head extender. The head has a first end connected to a distal end of a shaft and a distal end opposite of the first end, and an anterior side opposite a posterior side. The anterior side of the head has a first lateral edge opposite of a second lateral edge, where the first and second lateral edges of the anterior side of the head extend between the first end and the distal end of the head. The tissue index is attached to the head. The door has a pivot portion attached to a distal portion of the head and a free portion that is movable away from the first end of the head. The head extender attached to the distal end of the head and configured to provide manipulation and control of an apex the vagina.
US09186176B2 System and method for transapical access and closure
Embodiments are described for creating and closing tissue access ports, such as transapical access ports, which involve placement of an introducer across the subject tissue structure, and deployment of a controllable port closure device assembly configured to remain in place with a ratcheting mechanism, and to hold the tissue surrounding the previous access port location closed against a sealing disc with proximal and distal strut assemblies, after the introducer has been removed.
US09186174B2 Methods and systems for accessing a pericardial space and preventing strokes arising from the left atrial appendage
The invention presents methods and systems for accessing a pericardial space and preventing strokes arising from a left atrial appendage (“LAA”) by achieving a complete occlusion of the LAA using an epicardial approach without creating a puckering of the LAA ostium. A complete occlusion of the LAA is desired because bleeding arising from the LAA often leads to embolic strokes. Due to the peculiar anatomy of the LAA ostium, traditional LAA ligation techniques using sutures can lead to puckering, thus compromising the occlusion of the LAA. The invention achieves a complete occlusion and a more effective hemostatic seal with the use of inflatable balloons having electromagnetic coils internally, as well as hydrogels, sponges, and caliber tubes attached to the respective balloon's exterior, anchoring balloons, a closure device having a suture looped through two semi-rigid hollow tube that can be coated with hydrogel or silicone, and locking mechanisms.
US09186172B2 Epidural space locating device
An epidural space locating device is described, comprising a handle with a proximal end and a distal end; a hollow distal chamber attached to the handle distal end and being provided with a distal connector where a spinal needle is received to be introduced in the patient's body, such that there is a fluid connection between the spinal needle and the distal chamber; the device also comprises a plunger running within the distal chamber from a starting position to a final position when there is a pressure loss within the distal chamber due to the spinal needle has reached the epidural space; the plunger is secured before using the device, which emits a warning signal at the time the epidural space has been reached.
US09186171B2 Power operated debridement tool with disk knife blade
A hand-held, power operated debridement tool (2000) includes a rotary disk knife blade (2300) with a cutting edge (2360) on an outer peripheral edge (2362) of the knife blade, the cutting edge defining a cutting plane (CP) of the disk knife blade. The debridement tool further includes an annular skin guide (2700) including an outer wall (2716) defining a skin contact surface (2720) disposed above the cutting plane (CP) of the disk knife blade and positioned radially inwardly of the disk knife blade cutting edge to receive and direct an excised layer of skin tissue (EST) cut by the disk knife blade upwardly away from the blade cutting edge. The debridement tool additionally includes an axially adjustable depth gauge (2620) including a depth gauge plate (2622) disposed above the cutting plane of the disk knife blade and positioned radially outwardly of the cutting edge of the disk knife blade.
US09186169B2 Snare with loop made of heat shrinkable shape memory material and method of use thereof
A tissue snare comprises an elongated member having a distal end and a loop formed of a shape memory material, the loop including a tissue receiving interior opening and being connected to the distal end of the elongated member, properties of the shape memory material being selected so that, when a temperature of the loop exceeds a critical temperature thereof, the loop constricts from an expanded state to a constricted state. A method of treating tissue comprises placing a loop of a snare around a portion of tissue to be treated while the loop is in an expanded configuration, the loop being formed of a shape memory material having a critical temperature so that, when a temperature of the loop is above the critical temperature, the loop transitions from the expanded configuration to a constricted configuration in combination with transitioning, after the loop has been placed around the portion of tissue to be treated, the loop from the expanded configuration to the constricted configuration to tighten the loop around the portion of tissue to be treated.
US09186167B2 Small diameter laparoscopic tool having releasable tip
A laparoscopy tool includes a sheath and a control wire slideably disposed within a lumen of the sheath. The sheath has a diameter of less than 1.6 mm and is introduced through an abdominal incision. A handle axially displaces the control wire within the lumen and operates a conventional tip with wire-controlled opposing jaws that is introduced through the umbilicus and has a bore formed in its trailing end. A first set of blades in the bore engage grooves formed in the leading end of the control wire and a second set of blades engages the sheath to prevent sheath retraction. A cam displaces the second set of blades away from the sheath for sheath introduction and removal, and toward the sheath to prevent sheath retraction. The tip is removed through the umbilicus and the tool is removed through the abdominal incision when the surgery is completed.
US09186163B2 Methods and devices for forming bone tunnels
Methods and devices are provided for forming bone tunnels. In general, the methods and devices allow multiple converging tunnels to be formed in bone, such as in an arthroscopic surgical procedure, e.g., a rotator cuff repair surgical procedure. One or more sutures can be advanced through the converging tunnels, and the suture(s) can be coupled to tissue. The suture(s) with the tissue coupled thereto can be tensioned, thereby helping to maximize an amount of the tissue in contact with the bone. In an exemplary embodiment, a guide device is provided that can be configured to allow a first tunnel to be formed in bone and to allow a plurality of additional tunnels to be formed in the bone at predetermined angular positions relative to the first tunnel such that each of the additional tunnels can extend transverse to the first tunnel and intersect the first tunnel.
US09186161B2 Surgical tools for arthroplasty
A patellar 3-D guidance tool includes a template. The template includes at least one contact surface for engaging a surface of the patella. The at least one contact surface substantially conforms with the surface associated with the patellar. At least one guide aperture directs movement of a surgical instrument, wherein the shape and/or position of the guide aperture is based, at least in part, on three or more anatomic reference points associated with the patellar.
US09186152B2 Left atrial appendage occlusive devices
An occlusive device for left atrial appendage occlusion that has a membrane component configured to inhibit passage of blood and an expandable frame formed from a plurality of wires having a cupped occlusive component at least partially covered with the membrane component, one or more anchors with looped ends and a hub component. The occlusive device can be delivered percutaneously. The occlusive device is useful in the occlusion of the left atrial appendage.
US09186149B2 Vaso-occlusive device
A vaso-occlusive device includes an inner coil made from inner coil wire having a first diameter and formed from a first material, and an outer coil disposed at least partially around the inner coil and made from outer coil wire having a second diameter and formed from a second material. The inner coil has a first pitch and the outer coil has a second pitch. The first diameter, material, and pitch are different from the second diameter, material, and pitch, respectively. The outer coil defines a lumen and the inner coil is disposed at least partially in the lumen. The vaso-occlusive device also includes an intermediate layer disposed between the inner coil and the outer coil, where the intermediate layer includes a biocompatible metal or a biocompatible, swellable polymer.
US09186148B2 Tissue stapler anvil feature to prevent premature jaw opening
A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly having a trigger operable to fire a staple driver to staple tissue. The instrument includes a pointed rod to which an anvil may be coupled. An anvil detection feature is included to determine when the anvil is coupled to the rod. In some versions, the anvil detection feature comprises a translatable rod that inhibits a lockout feature from disengaging. In other versions, an anvil sensing tube is disposed about the pointed rod and interferes with actuation of the trigger in a first position. A recess in the tube permits trigger to actuate when the anvil sensing tube is in the second position. Alternatively, a resilient tab is coupled to the pointed rod and resists actuation of the staple driver. A trigger lockout assembly may include a spring-loaded button that “pops” out when a push rod is actuated, thereby freeing a pivotable lockout feature.
US09186144B2 Buttress support design for EEA anvil
An apparatus for joining two hollow organ sections with an annular array of surgical staples includes a staple cartridge, an anvil, a buttress member, and a buttress mount. In particular, the staple cartridge includes a plurality of surgical staples in an annular array. The anvil includes an anvil member and a shaft extending therefrom. The anvil member defines a plurality of staple pockets for deforming the surgical staples. The anvil is movable relative to the staple cartridge component between spaced apart and approximated positions to adjustably clamp tissue between the staple cartridge and the anvil. The buttress member is concentrically aligned with the plurality of staple pockets defined in the anvil member. The buttress mount is detachably secured with the shaft of the anvil. The buttress mount includes at least one support member radially extending outward to secure the buttress member to the anvil member.
US09186142B2 Surgical instrument end effector articulation drive with pinion and opposing racks
An apparatus comprises a body and a shaft assembly. The shaft assembly is in communication with the body and comprises an end effector, first cam gear, second cam gear, and a lock bar. The end effector has an articulation joint. The first cam gear is rotatably positioned within the shaft assembly. The second cam gear is in communication with the end effector at the articulation joint. The lock bar is distally biased to lock against the second cam gear. The first cam gear is rotatable through a first range of motion to unlock the lock bar relative to the second cam gear. The first cam gear is rotatable through a second range of motion to rotate the end effector at the articulation joint.
US09186141B2 Circular anastomosis stapling apparatus utilizing a two stroke firing sequence
A circular anastomosis stapler is provided and includes a handle assembly having a firing trigger that is actuatable between a first firing stroke and a second firing stroke. A shell assembly includes a pusher assembly having a main pusher, a staple pusher and a knife pusher. A compressible member positioned between the main pusher and the knife pusher is movable between a first configuration for advancing the staple pusher through the first firing stroke to drive at least one staple from the shell assembly to staple tissue and a second configuration for advancing the knife pusher through the second firing stroke to drive a knife from the shell assembly to core the stapled tissue.
US09186140B2 Medical devices and methods useful for applying bolster material
Described are medical devices useful for applying a bolster material to a surgical fastening device such as a stapler, and related methods of manufacture and use. The devices include an applicator element for receipt between arms of the stapler, and a bolster material, desirably a remodelable extracellular matrix material, coupled to the applicator element. In certain embodiments, the bolster material is held by the applicator element, for example having at least a portion looped around or received through or over a portion of the applicator element. Also described are unique implantable materials including coatings of dried, reversible adhesive.
US09186138B2 Surgical fastener with predetermined resorption rate
A resorbable screw fastener and a method of firing with an applicator capable of applying a surgical fastener to tissue in order to form tissue connection to secure objects to tissue, the fastener including a body portion having a helical thread, a head portion disposed at the proximal end of the body portion. The resorbable screw fastener is 100% resorbed in vivo during a period of time ranging from about 14 days to about one year after implantation.
US09186135B2 Medical suture having micro cogs on surface and method of manufacturing the same
Provided are a medical suture having micro cogs on a surface thereof and a method of manufacturing the medical suture. The method of manufacturing a medical suture includes steps of: producing a suture preform where micro cogs are formed on a surface thereof by heating and pressing a raw material of a suture for surgery in an overflow mould in a heat-press solid-phase forming method; and producing a suture with twist maintained by applying a tensile force and a rotational force to the suture preform in a vacuum state where a specific temperature condition is maintained.
US09186131B2 Multi-lumen-catheter retractor system for a minimally-invasive, operative gastrointestinal treatment
Improved methods and devices for performing an endoscopic surgery are provided. Systems are taught for operatively treating gastrointestinal disorders endoscopically in a stable, yet dynamic operative environment, and in a minimally-invasive manner. Such systems include, for example, an endoscopic surgical suite. The surgical suite can have a reversibly-expandable retractor that expands to provide a stable, operative environment within a subject. The expansion can be asymmetric around a stabilizer subsystem to maximize space for a tool and an endoscope to each be maneuvered independently to visualize a target tissue and treat the target tissue from outside the patient in a minimally invasive manner.
US09186127B2 Ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus and method of controlling output of ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus
Provided is a method of controlling voltage levels of overall outputs in a combinational mode, in an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus that may operate in the combinational mode. A judging unit of the ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus may judge whether at least a part of individual modes included in the combinational mode exceeds a threshold determined by safety standards, in accordance with an inputted overall output voltage level control command. When it is judged that at least the part of the individual modes exceeds the threshold determined by the safety standards, an output control unit may maintain an individual output with respect to the at least the part, among the voltage levels that may be outputted from a transducer, to be below the threshold, so that the individual output may be below the standards in accordance with the overall output control command.
US09186125B2 Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for generating three dimensional cardiac motion image by setting line segmented strain gauges
A plurality of strain gauges defined by gauge endpoints are set in each time phase using motion vector information of tissue, and a three-dimensional strain gauge image in which each strain gauge is disposed at a three-dimensional position corresponding to, for example, an ultrasonic image in each time phase is generated and displayed. Moreover, an MPR image is set on volume data and is displayed in a predetermined form in a state where gauge coordinates are projected thereon.
US09186117B2 X-ray imaging apparatus
An X-ray imaging apparatus includes an X-ray generating unit, an X-ray image receiving unit, a control unit, and an arm unit. The X-ray generating unit radiates X-rays. The X-ray image receiving unit receives X-rays radiated by the X-ray generating unit. The control unit controls the X-ray generating unit and the X-ray image receiving unit. The arm unit is configured to extend so as to position the X-ray generating unit and the control unit above the X-ray image receiving unit and to retract in the case of transportation.
US09186116B2 Automatic tool alignment in a backscatter X-ray scanning system
Technologies pertaining to backscatter x-ray scanning systems are described herein. The backscatter x-ray scanning system includes an x-ray source, which directs collimated x-rays along a plurality of output vectors towards a target. A detector detects diffusely reflected x-rays subsequent to respective collimated x-rays impacting the target, and outputs signals indicative of parameters of the detected x-rays. An image processing system generates an x-ray image based upon parameters of the detected x-rays, wherein each pixel in the image corresponds to a respective output vector. A user selects a particular portion of the image, and a medical device is positioned such that its directional axis is coincident with the output vector corresponding to at least one pixel in the portion of the image.
US09186114B2 Method for producing a noise-reduced CT image data record, computer system, and CT system
A method is disclosed for producing a noise-reduced CT image data record by frequency band breakdown, a computer system for carrying out the method, and a CT system (1) with such a computer system. In an embodiment of the method, several linear-combined mixed image data records ( M m = c 0 , m + ∑ i ⁢ c i , m · X i ) are produced from several simultaneously-recorded energy spectrum-specific CT image data records (Xi); a frequency band breakdown of the mixed image data records (Mm) takes place into a first lowest frequency band (F0) and several higher frequency bands; and a result image data record ( E = ∑ j , m ⁢ g j , m ⁡ ( r ) · F j · M m ) is calculated, wherein each mixed image data record (Mm) is multiplied with precisely one filter and with a location-dependent function (gj,m(r)) and is thereby totaled, and wherein g0,0(r)=1.
US09186104B2 Instruments and system for producing a sample of a body fluid and for analysis thereof
Instrument for producing a sample of body liquid for analysis by piercing the skin with a lancing element having a skin piercing tip. The instrument has a housing and a lancing drive for driving a lancing element connected thereto in a puncturing movement. A pressure ring surrounds a skin contact opening and is adapted for pressing against the skin such that the skin bulges into the opening for promoting expression of body fluid. The skin contact opening has an opening area corresponding to a circle with a diameter of at least 3 mm and at most 8 mm, and the instrument comprises a pressing force control device for controlling the pressing force between the pressure ring and the skin at the time of triggering the puncturing movement, to be at least 3 N and at most 8 N.
US09186096B2 System and method for measuring balance and track motion in mammals
An example sensor band configured for attachment to a calf of a mammal and used in measuring track and balance motion of the mammal includes one or more first sensors for sensing muscle circumferential pressure at multiple positions; one or more second sensors for sensing Earth's magnetic field; and one or more third sensors for sensing Earth's gravitational field.
US09186093B2 Compositions and methods for screening cardioactive drugs
We have developed a reduced Drosophila heart preparation in which dissection of the fly heart removes nervous system input and reveals its inherent myogenic activity, which can be preserved for several hours. High speed image capture combined with computer-based analytical packages allows us to generate the equivalent of M-mode traces obtained from ultrasounds of human hearts.
US09186091B2 Systems and methods of analyzing stance of animals
Systems and methods of analyzing the distribution of weight of animals, including a base member, a plurality of sensor regions connected to the base member to respectively receive feet of the animal when the animal is standing, each sensor region having a plurality of sensors to generate signals indicative of weight applied by each foot to a respective sensor region, at least a portion of the sensors being located between the base member and the sensor regions and spaced apart proximate perimeter portions of each sensor region, and a control unit to generate an output indicative of the weight applied by each foot to the respective sensor regions based on an aggregation of the generated signals.
US09186089B2 Injectable physiological monitoring system
A system and method for decompensation prediction of a heart failure patient with one or more injectable detecting systems communicating wirelessly with a remote monitoring system. The system includes one or more injectable detecting systems having a plurality of sensors that provide an indication of at least one physiological event of a patient, a wireless communication device coupled to the one or more injectable detecting systems and configured to transfer patient data directly or indirectly from the one or more injectable detecting systems to a remote monitoring system, and a remote monitoring system coupled to the wireless communication device, the remote monitoring system using processed data to determine heart failure status and predict impending decompensation of the patient.
US09186088B2 Active catheter reconstruction for interventional magnetic resonance imaging
A method for device visualization includes receiving a set of physical characteristics including a description of spatial relationships of a plurality of markers within a device. Radiographic data of the device within a subject is acquired. An approximate location of each of the plurality of markers is identified within the radiographic data. A trajectory function is constructed for the device within the subject based on the identified approximate locations of each of the markers and the received set of physical characteristics. A section function is constructed for the device based on the set of physical characteristics and a 3D model is generated for the device based on the constructed trajectory function and the section function. A rendering of the 3D model is displayed on a display device.
US09186087B2 Combined cardiac and respiratory motion compensation for atrial fibrillation ablation procedures
A method for compensating cardiac and respiratory motion in atrial fibrillation ablation procedures includes (a) simultaneously determining a position of a circumferential mapping (CFM) catheter and a coronary sinus (CS) catheter in two consecutive image frames of a series of first 2-D image frames; (b) determining a distance between a virtual electrode on the CS catheter and a center of the CFM catheter for a first image frame of the two consecutive image frames, and for a second image frame of the two consecutive image frames; and (c) if an absolute difference of the distance for the first image frame and the distance for the second image frame is greater than a predetermined threshold, compensating for motion of the CFM catheter in a second 2-D image.
US09186085B2 Wearable assembly for measuring bio-impedance
A bio-impedance measurement apparatus includes a flexible band member, two probe sets attached to the flexible band member, a measurement device, and a wireless device. One probe set includes a probe having a tip portion configured to pierce the skin for an acupuncture point. Another probe set, used as an electrical ground, includes a probe configured to contact the reference skin at a region. The measurement device is disposed on the flexible band member and electrically coupled to the two probe sets for provision of an impulse current signal to the acupuncture point. The measurement device can amplify and measure the voltage response across the acupuncture points and the ground. The amplified signal is converted to a digital signal. The wireless device is configured to transmit the acupuncture code and impedance information to a remote monitor station. The bio-impedance measurement apparatus is disposed on a wearable sock or glove.
US09186080B2 System for identifying rotor propagation vectors
A method and system for mapping an anatomical structure includes sensing activation signals of intrinsic physiological activity with a plurality of mapping electrodes disposed in or near the anatomical structure. The activation signals are used to determine a dominant frequency for each electrode from which a wavefront vector for each electrode is determined based on a difference between the dominant frequency at a first electrode location and the dominant frequency at neighboring electrodes. An anatomical map is generated based on the determined wavefront vectors.
US09186078B2 Optical fiber sheet
An optical fiber sheet 10 includes an optical fiber 11 and a wire 12 that are arranged between a first sheet and a second sheet. The optical fiber 11 is a multi-mode optical fiber having a core of silica glass to which a refractive index adjuster is added, has a numerical aperture equal to or less than 0.30 and a flexural rigidity equal to or less than 0.50 N·mm2, and is bent to be arranged between the first sheet and the second sheet. The wire 12 intersects the optical fiber 11 between the first sheet and the second sheet.
US09186077B2 Method and device with customizable power management
A wireless communication device (200) and method (300) customizable power management. The method (300) can include: providing (310) a wireless communication device including an energy storage device; sensing (320) heart rate data of a user; and configuring (330) the wireless communication device's functionality based on the sensed heart rate data. Advantageously, the device (200) and method (300) can provide a real-time attribute of a user, which can be used to configure the functionality of a device and conserve power.
US09186074B2 Sphygmomanometer cuff and sphygmomanometer
A sphygmomanometer cuff includes a fluid bag, a curved elastic member, a cushion material, and an outer package body. The fluid bag is arranged around an arm of a subject and compresses the arm. The curved elastic member is arranged to overlap an outer side of the fluid bag with respect to the arm, formed in a substantially tubular shape extending in a predetermined axial direction, and elastically deformable in a radial direction thereof. The cushion material is arranged at a position projecting from an end of the curved elastic member in the axial direction and more easily compression deformed than the curved elastic member. The outer package body accommodates the fluid bag, the curved elastic member, and the cushion material.
US09186072B2 Physiological sensor delivery device and method
An intravascular sensor delivery device for measuring a physiological parameter of a patient, such as blood pressure, within a vascular structure or passage. In some embodiments, the device can be used to measure the pressure gradient across a stenotic lesion or heart valve. For example, such a device may be used to measure fractional flow reserve (FFR) across a stenotic lesion in order to assess the severity of the lesion. The sensor delivery device has a distal sleeve configured to pass or slide over a standard medical guidewire. Some distance back from the sensor and distal sleeve, the device separates from the guidewire to permit independent control of the sensor delivery device and the guidewire. The sensor delivery device can be sized to pass over different sizes of guidewires to enable usage in coronary and peripheral arteries, for example.
US09186069B2 Biological information displaying apparatus and biological information displaying system
A biological information displaying apparatus includes: a displaying section on which a measurement display screen displaying biological information under measurement and an abnormality display screen displaying information alarming an abnormality of the biological information, and the biological information at a timing when the abnormality occurs are displayed; and a display controlling section which is configured to display the abnormality display screen on the measurement display screen, so that the abnormality display screen is superimposed on the measurement display screen. In case where the abnormality display screen is displayed on the displaying section, the display controlling section controls the displaying section so that, even when the abnormality resolves, the information alarming the abnormality of the biological information, and the biological information at the timing when the abnormality occurs are continued to be displayed on the abnormality display screen.
US09186065B2 Diagnostic methods for osteoporosis
Methods of diagnosing bone disease such as osteoporosis are provided. The methods comprise detecting changes in the physical or chemical structure of a keratinized tissue as correlates of disease. The methods include detecting changes in the hardness, modulus, or level of sulfur bonding, particularly the level of disulfide bonding, in a keratinized tissue sample such as nail, hair, or skin. Changes in these variables serve as diagnostic markers of bone diseases that are associated with changes in bone elasticity and bone density.
US09186062B2 System and method for providing 2-dimensional computerized- tomography image corresponding to 2-dimensional ultrasound image
Embodiments for providing a 2-dimensional (D) computerized-tomography (CT) image corresponding to a 2-D ultrasound image through image registration between 3-D ultrasound and CT images are disclosed. An imaging system comprises a CT imaging unit, an ultrasound image forming unit, a storing unit, a processor and a display unit. The processor extracts the 2-D CT image from the 3-D ultrasound-CT registered image by performing a rigid-body transform upon the 3-D ultrasound image and calculating similarities between reference images and the 2-D ultrasound images, wherein the reference images are obtained through the rigid-body transform.
US09186060B2 Systems, methods and devices having stretchable integrated circuitry for sensing and delivering therapy
System, devices and methods are presented that integrate stretchable or flexible circuitry, including arrays of active devices for enhanced sensing, diagnostic, and therapeutic capabilities. The invention enables conformal sensing contact with tissues of interest, such as the inner wall of a lumen, a the brain, or the surface of the heart. Such direct, conformal contact increases accuracy of measurement and delivery of therapy. Further, the invention enables the incorporation of both sensing and therapeutic devices on the same substrate allowing for faster treatment of diseased tissue and fewer devices to perform the same procedure.
US09186059B2 Ophthalmic instrument alignment apparatus and method of using same
An ophthalmic instrument for use with a subject's eye, comprising an interferometer having a test arm in which the subject's eye is to be positioned and a reference arm, the reference arm including a mirror adapted to be positioned such that the reference arm has a predetermined length, and an ophthalmic apparatus coupled to the interferometer such that, by altering a test arm length, a length between the ophthalmic apparatus and the eye is also altered. The mirror is positioned to achieve the predetermined length and a length of the test arm is adjusted such that interference between the light reflected from the eye and the light reflected from the mirror is achieved, the ophthalmic apparatus is optically aligned with the eye.
US09186051B2 Image processing device, computer-readable recording device, and image processing method
An image processing device includes: an interest area detector that detects interest areas included in a time-series image group captured in time series; a calculation processing unit that calculates feature amounts indicative of features of the interest areas; an area classification unit that classifies the interest areas into area groups, based on the feature amounts of the interest areas and time-series positions of time-series images including the interest areas; a group feature amount calculation unit that calculates a group feature amount indicative of a feature of each of the area groups; an area selection unit that selects one or more representative areas of the interest areas belonging to the area groups, from among the area groups; and a representative image output unit that outputs one or more representative images including the representative areas in the time-series image group.