最新美国发明专利第2016-09-20期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

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US09447178B2	Therapeutic and diagnostic target The present invention provides methods and compositions for treatment, screening, diagnosis and prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, kidney cancer, head and neck cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer or pancreatic cancer, for monitoring the effectiveness of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, breast cancer, colorectal cancer, kidney cancer, head and neck cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer or pancreatic cancer treatment, and for drug development. The present invention also provides methods and compositions for depletion of immune cells to treat inflammatory diseases.
US09447177B2	Transgenic mouse homozygous for chimeric IgH locus The invention discloses methods for the generation of chimaeric human—non-human antibodies and chimaeric antibody chains, antibodies and antibody chains so produced, and derivatives thereof including fully humanized antibodies; compositions comprising said antibodies, antibody chains and derivatives, as well as cells, non-human mammals and vectors, suitable for use in said methods.
US09447172B2	Vaccinia virus H3L and B5R specific monoclonal antibodies and methods of making and using same The invention relates to antibodies and subsequences thereof that specifically bind to poxvirus B5R envelope protein, antibodies and subsequences thereof that specifically bind to poxvirus H3L envelope protein, and combinations thereof.
US09447171B2	Purification process for fragment antibodies A process for purification of a fragment antibody from a culture medium also comprising at least one impurity is provided. The purification is carried out after the pH of the culture medium has been reduced to a pH at which the fragment antibody is soluble, but one or more of the impurities are insoluble. A process for the preparation of a fragment antibody employing such a purification process is also provided.
US09447166B2	Compositions and methods for the intracellular disruption of VEGF and VEGFR-2 by intraceptors The present invention provides an intraceptor that interacts with and decreases activity of with VEGF and/or a VEGFR for the treatment of angiogenesis-related conditions. The present invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of use thereof, for the treatment and prevention of an angiogenesis-related condition using said intraceptors. The invention further provides for nucleic acids encoding said intraceptors.
US09447165B2	Variant activin IIB receptor The present invention provides variant activin IIB soluble receptor polypeptides and proteins capable of binding and inhibiting the activities of activin A, myostatin, or GDF-11. The present invention also provides polynucleotides, vectors and host cells capable of producing the variant polypeptides and proteins. Compositions and methods for treating muscle-wasting and other diseases and disorders are also provided.
US09447163B2	Purification of insulin The present application discloses a chromatographic process for separating protein components of a protein-containing solution, the solution comprising an insulin peptide and one or more di- or polyvalent metal ions, the insulin peptide being capable of self-association and/or structural change in the presence of di- or polyvalent metal ions, the process comprising the steps of: a) applying the protein-containing solution to a column of a chromatographic solid phase material, wherein the loading of the insulin peptide is at least 6.0 g per liter of column volume (g/LCV); and b) eluting the insulin peptide from the solid phase material using an eluent having a pH of at the most 8.5; and collecting a pool of the insulin peptide corresponding to at least 75% by weight of the insulin peptide applied to the column in step (a).
US09447160B2	Compositions, methods and kits for treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases The present invention is directed to fusion proteins having an IL-21 cytokine portion and an anti-CD20 antibody portion, and methods of using such fusion proteins. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions and kits utilizing the IL-21-anti-CD20 fusion proteins. In particular, the methods, kits and compositions of the invention are useful in the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases.
US09447157B2	Nitration shielding peptides and methods of use thereof Nitration shielding peptides that reduce or prevent nitration of a protein of interest are disclosed. The peptide can serve as molecular sink for nitrating agents, block access of the nitrating agents to the target tyrosine on the protein of interest, serve as substrate for the nitrating agent (i.e., provide an alternative nitratable tyrosine residue), provide a nitrating agent neutralizing moiety such as antioxidant, or a combination thereof. The nitration shielding peptide can be a fusion protein that includes one or more additional domains such a protein transduction domain, a targeting signal, a purification tag, or any combination thereof. Exemplary nitration shielding peptides for reducing nitration of RhoA and PKG-1α, and methods of use thereof for treating pathologies, disease, and disorders associated with nitration of RhoA and PKG-1α, respectively are also provided.
US09447150B2	Peptide domains that bind small molecules of industrial significance Described herein are small peptide domains and consensus sequences that bind small target molecules of industrial importance, e.g., metals such as nickel, β carotene, and isoflavones such as genistein. Also described are fusion proteins containing such binding domains fused to proteins or to peptide domains like GST or CBD that bind other ligands and can be used to immobilize the target binding domain on a support. One class of fusion proteins that is useful in industrial settings are fusions that contain concatemers of target binding domains, which increases the binding equivalents per molecule.
US09447146B2	Guanylylcyclase C ligands Guanylin cyclase C compound of the inventions are disclosed. Conjugated compounds comprising guanylin cyclase C compound of the inventions conjugated to detectable or therapeutic moieties are disclosed. Methods of detecting, imaging and treating cancer and treating diarrhea are disclosed.
US09447145B2	Compositions for inhibiting immune complex formation in a subject Polypeptides and other compounds that can bind specifically to the CH2-CH3 cleft of an immunoglobulin molecule, and methods for using such polypeptides and compounds to inhibit Fc-mediated immune complex formation, are described.
US09447138B2	Potent LNA oligonucleotides for the inhibition of HIF-1a expression The present disclosure relates to an LNA oligonucleotide consisting of a sequence selected from the group consisting of 5′-(Tx)GxGxcsasasgscsastscscsTxGxT-3′ and 5′-(Gx)TxTxascstsgscscststscsTxTxA-3′, wherein capital letters designate a beta-D-oxy-LNA nucleotide analogue, small letters designate a 2-deoxynucleotide, underline designates either a beta-D-oxy-LNA nucleotide analogue or a 2-deoxynucleotide, subscript “s” designates a phosphorothioate link between neighbouring nucleotides/LNA nucleotide analogues, and subscript “x” designates either a phosphorothioate link or a phosphorodiester link between neighbouring nucleotides/LNA nucleotide analogues, and wherein the sequence is optionally extended by up to five 2-deoxynucleotide units. The LNA oligonucleotides are useful for modulating the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1a (HIF-1a), e.g. in the treatment of cancer diseases, inhibiting angiogenesis, inducing apoptosis, preventing cellular proliferation, or treating an angiogenic disease, e.g. diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration (ARMD), psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases.
US09447133B2	Synthetic oligosaccharides for moraxella vaccine The present invention provides synthetic Moraxella catarrhalis lipooligosaccharide (LOS)-based oligosaccharides and conjugates containing various M. catarrhalis serotype-specific oligosaccharide antigens or various core M. catarrhalis oligosaccharide structures or motifs corresponding to one or more of the three major serotypes and/or members within a given serotype. The oligosaccharides may be synthesized by a chemical assembly methodology relying on a limited number of monosaccharide and disaccharide building blocks. The invention further provides M. catarrhalis LOS-based immunogenic and immunoprotective compositions and antibodies derived therefrom for diagnosing, treating, and preventing infections caused by M. catarrhalis.
US09447126B2	Methods and systems for camptothecin analog synthesis Methods and systems for making camptothecin analogs and intermediates are provided. Aspects include safer and lower cost methodologies for making camptothecin analogs and intermediates from synthetic materials. In another aspect, the methods and systems can achieve a yield of the camptothecin analogs greater than about 0.4%.
US09447125B2	Reusable homogeneous cobalt pyridine diimine catalysts for dehydrogenative silylation and tandem dehydrogenative-silylation-hydrogenation Disclosed herein are cobalt complexes containing terdentate pyridine di-imine ligands and their use as efficient, reusable, and selective dehydrogenative silylation, crosslinking, and tandem dehydrogenative silylation-hydrogenation catalysts.
US09447119B2	Chemical compound for inhibiting the growth and proliferation of human liver cancer cells HepG2 and method for synthesizing it The compound “2-((4-nitrophenyl)amino)-7,8,9,10-tetrahydro cyclohepta[4,5]thieno[2,3-d][1,3,4]thiadiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-11(6H)-one” and method of synthesizing it, wherein the compound is effective to inhibit the growth and proliferation of human liver cancer cells HepG2. The compound has a higher efficiency to inhibit the growth and proliferation of these cells as it has an inhibitory concentration value (IC50) of 0.7 μg, compared to reference medication Doxorubicin that has an (IC50) value of 1.2 μg. It further surpasses that reference medication at all tested concentrations. The method includes the steps of: preparing a first compound of cycloheptanone, ethylcyanoacetate, sulfur, ethanol and diethylamine; preparing a second compound by heating of the first compound with excess of hydrazine hydrate in absolute ethanol as solvent; preparing a third compound by heating the second compound with carbon disulphide in dry pyridine; and preparing the compound of the invention by reacting the third compound with 4-nitrophenylisothiocyanate in dry N,N-methylformamide as solvent.
US09447117B2	Substituted 2-azabicycles and their use as orexin receptor modulators The present invention is directed to compounds of Formula I: wherein X is N or CR1; Y is N or CR2; R1 is H, alkoxy, halo, triazolyl, pyrimidinyl, oxazolyl, isoxazole, oxadiazolyl, or pyrazolyl; R2 is H, alkyl, alkoxy, or halo; Z is NH or O; R3 is H, alkyl, alkoxy, halo, or triazolyl; R4 is H or alkyl; or R3 and R4, together with the atoms to which they are attached, form a 6- membered aryl ring or a 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl ring; R5 is pyridyl, pyrazinyl, or pyrimidinyl, wherein the pyridyl, pyrazinyl, or pyrimidinyl is optionally substituted with halo or alkyl; and n is 1 or 2. Methods of making the compounds of Formula I are also described. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of Formula I. Methods of using the compounds of the invention are also within the scope of the invention.
US09447115B2	Organic dyes, process for producing the same and use thereof The present invention provides an organic dye, a process for producing the same and the use thereof. The organic dye has the structure of formula (I) or formula (II). The regulation of the molecular energy levels and three-dimensional structures are achieved by ring-merging phenanthrocarbazole and an electron-rich thiophene unit as well as by selecting appropriate substituents. Thereby, when the organic dye of the present invention is applied to a dye-sensitized solar cell, the power conversion efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cell is greatly improved. Meanwhile, the raw materials for the process according to the present invention have plenty of sources with low costs, so that a commercial production can be effected.
US09447113B2	Organic electroluminescent materials and devices Novel heterocyclic materials are disclosed. The materials contain a fused tetracyclic structure that can improve the properties of OLED devices when the novel heterocyclic materials are incorporated into such devices.
US09447110B2	Substituted tetrahydroisoquinoline compounds as factor XIa inhibitors The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I): or stereoisomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein all of the variables are as defined herein. These compounds are inhibitors of factor XIa and/or plasma kallikrein which may be used as medicaments.
US09447108B2	Deuterated morphine derivatives The invention relates to new morphine derivatives deuterated at the 7,8-position of the morphine ring, furthermore to a process for the preparation thereof, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them. The new deuterated morphine derivatives show high and selective μ-opioid receptor binding activity leading to the benefit of higher analgesic activity at lower dosages inducing thereby reduced adverse effects compared to the hydrogenated derivatives. The compounds of the invention are useful for example in the treatment of pain or can be used as antitussive agents with a reduced risk of the possibility of drug abuse.
US09447106B2	Substituted pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines as bruton's tyrosine kinase modulators The invention is substituted 4,5-dihydro- and 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrazolo[1,5-α]pyrimidine compounds of formula (I), and salts thereof, compositions thereof, and methods of use therefor, such as inhibiting protein kinase, including Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk), and for treating disorders mediated thereby.
US09447102B2	Protein kinase inhibitors The present invention relates to a novel family of inhibitors of protein kinase of formula 1 and process for their production and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to inhibitors of the members of the Tec, Src and Btk protein kinase families.
US09447097B2	4-amino-imidazoquinoline compounds This invention relates to novel 4-amino-imidazoquinoline compounds of the formula wherein R1 to R4 are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds are TLR agonists and may therefore be useful as medicaments for the treatment of diseases such as cancer or infectious diseases.
US09447089B2	Compositions and uses thereof Provided are solid dispersions, solid molecular complexes, salts and crystalline polymorphs involving propane-1-sulfonic acid {3-[5-(4-chloro-phenyl)-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine-3-carbonyl]-2,4-difluoro-phenyl}-amide.
US09447088B2	Compositions and methods for treatment of cancer The present invention relates to pyrroloquinolinyl-pyrrolidine-2,5-dione compounds in combination with chemotherapeutic agents. The present invention provides methods of treating a cell proliferative disorder, such as a cancer, by administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a pyrroloquinolinyl-pyrrole-2,5-dione compound or pyrroloquinolinyl-pyrrolidine-2,5-dione compound of the present invention and also administering a effective amount of a chemotherapeutic agent.
US09447082B2	Optically active fluconazole analogues containing thiophenes as antifungal agents The invention discloses optically active compounds of Formula (1a) or Formula (1b), wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a halogen selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine; and wherein (a) R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and an alkyl group having a linear or branched chain having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or (b) R3 and R4 together form a cycloalkyl ring having 3 to 10 carbon atoms fused to the thiophene ring; and wherein R5 is CN or COOR′, where R′ is methyl or ethyl. The compounds of Formula (1a) or Formula (1b) may be used in pharmaceutical compositions for treating fungal infections.
US09447072B2	Pyridone derivative and pharmaceutical containing same General formula (I): The present invention pertains to: a pyridone derivate or a salt thereof represented by general formula (I); or a medicine containing the pyridone derivative or salt thereof as an active ingredient. [In the formula, ring A, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are specific groups.]
US09447071B2	Crystalline polymorphs of the free base of 2-hydroxy-6-((2-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methoxy)benzaldehyde Disclosed are crystalline free base ansolvate forms of 2-hydroxy-6-((2-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methoxy)benzaldehyde (or Compound 1), such as the free base Form I, Form II and Material N. Also disclosed are crystalline free base solvates of 2-hydroxy-6-((2-(1-isopropyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)pyridin-3-yl)methoxy)benzaldehyde (or Compound 1).
US09447068B2	Functionalized polymer compositions The invention relates to functionalized polymers including homopolymers and copolymers and their uses in industrial applications and in agricultural applications. In particular, the homopolymers and copolymers may be, for example, used in polymer blends, used as nutritives and in feed compositions, and used in combination with a pharmaceutical or nutritive.
US09447066B2	Salts and crystal forms This invention relates to salts and crystal forms of (S)-6-chloro-7-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-3-carboxylic acid, Compound A, which is cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor. The present invention provides a salt of compound A, a crystal form thereof, a process for preparing the said salt and a pharmaceutical composition thereof and its use. The salts and/or co-crystals of Compound A of the present invention show good formulation properties such as high aqueous solubility, good intrinsic dissolution, good crystallinity, good thermal stability or low hygroscopicity.
US09447061B2	Process for preparing epichlorohydrin from dichlorohydrin The present invention pertains to a process for preparing a product rich in epichlorohydrin, comprising the steps of: a) reacting a mixture of dichlorohydrin and a base at a temperature in the range of 0-40° C. during a period of time in the range from 1 second to 180 minutes, wherein the base is present in a less than stoichiometric amount, to obtain a reaction mixture comprising epichlorohydrin and brine; b) subjecting at least part of the reaction mixture to a separation step to form a product fraction which is rich in epichlorohydrin and a brine fraction which is lean in epichlorohydrin; c) subjecting at least part of the brine fraction to a purification step to yield a purified brine. It has been found that the process according to the invention allows the manufacture of epichlorohydrin from dichlorohydrin on an industrial scale at high yield, while at the same time providing a brine with a low total organic carbon content without extensive separation being necessary.
US09447060B2	Small molecule modulators of pRb inactivation The present invention provides a small molecule treatment of diseases/conditions caused by a virus carrying a viral oncoprotein. In one embodiment, the virus which carries the viral oncoprotein is HPV. The small molecule useful herein includes thiadiazolin-3,5-dione compounds having an optionally substituted aryl group bound to one nitrogen atom of said thiadiazolin-3,5-dione compound. The small molecules may also be administered with a compound which inhibits binding of HPV E6 to p53. In one embodiment, the thiadiazolin-3,5-dione compound has formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, solvate, or metabolite thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are defined herein.
US09447055B1	α-amino esters of hydroxypropylthiazolidine carboxamide derivative and salt form, crystal polymorph thereof The invention provides α-amino esters of a hydroxypropylthiazolidine carboxamide derivative, (2S)-3-([1,1′-biphenyl]-4-ylsulfonyl)-N-[(1S)-3-hydroxy-1-phenylpropyl]-1,3-thiazolidine-2-carboxamide, as well as salts and crystal polymorphs thereof, that can be used to inhibit prostaglandin F receptor. The invention further encompasses methods of treating disorders such as pre-term labor at the early gestational stage by the administration of these substances to a patient in need of treatment.
US09447053B2	Process for the preparation of calcobutrol A process for the preparation of the calcium complex of 10-(2, 3-Dihydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl)propyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclodecane-4,7-triacetic acid, also known as Calcobutrol, starting from the pure gadolinium complex (Gadobutrol) is disclosed. Also disclosed is Calcobutrol with a hitherto unknown level of purity.
US09447045B2	Histone demethylase inhibitors The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods for treating cancer and neoplastic disease. Provided herein are substituted amidopyridine or amidopyridazine derivative compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds. The subject compounds and compositions are useful for inhibition histone demethylase. Furthermore, the subject compounds and compositions are useful for the treatment of cancer, such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, bladder cancer, lung cancer and/or melanoma and the like.
US09447042B2	Endoparasite control agent Provided are an endoparasite control agent comprising a carboxamide derivative represented by the general formula (I): or a salt thereof as an active ingredient, and a method for controlling endoparasites, comprising orally or parenterally administering the endoparasite control agent.
US09447040B2	Tricyclic compounds, compositions comprising them and uses thereof Tricyclic compounds, compositions and uses thereof in the treatment of at least one disease, disorder or condition such as for example obesity, overweight, abnormal fat-distribution and any conditions or disease associated therewith.
US09447039B2	Indole carboxamide derivatives and uses thereof A compound of Formula (I) is provided that has been shown to be useful for treating a disease, disorder or syndrome that is mediated by the transportation of essential molecules in the mmpL3 pathway: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are as defined herein.
US09447035B2	Integrin antagonist conjugates for targeted delivery to cells expressing VLA-4 The invention relates to compounds of formula I: wherein R1, R2, and n are defined in the detailed description and claims. In particular, the present invention relates to the compounds of formula I for use in the manufacture and delivery of conjugated moieties such as small molecules, peptides, nucleic acids, fluorescent moieties, and polymers which are linked to VLA-4 integrin antagonists to target cells expressing VLA-4.
US09447033B2	Potassium channel blockers The present invention provides a compound of formula (I) or its salts or pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof wherein X1, R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are defined as set forth in the specification. The compounds are useful as potassium ion channel inhibitors.
US09447032B2	Urea stripping process for the production of urea The invention relates to a process for producing urea wherein an aqueous urea solution, leaving a urea reaction zone is fed to a stripper, where a part of the non-converted ammonia and carbon dioxide is separated from the aqueous urea solution, which solution leaves the stripper to a first recovery section of one or more serial recovery sections and is subsequently fed to one or more urea concentration sections, wherein the urea solution leaving the stripper is subjected to an adiabatic expansion, thus creating a vapor and a liquid, which are separated before the liquid enters a first recovery section and the vapor is condensed. The invention further relates to a urea plant comprising a stripper and a first recovery section, wherein an adiabatic expansion valve and a liquid/gas separator is provided between the stripper and the first recovery section.
US09447031B2	Compound, poly(imide-amide) copolymer, and an article including the poly(imide-amide) copolymer A compound represented by Chemical Formula 1: wherein in Chemical Formula 1, R1 and R2 are the same or different, and are each independently an electron-withdrawing group, R3 to R6 are the same or different, and are each independently selected from a hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C20 alkyl group, and a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C20 aryl group, and n11 and n12 are the same or different, and are each independently an integer from 1 to 4.
US09447030B2	Inhibitors of histone deacetylase The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, solvate, or prodrug thereof, wherein U, J, V, X, R2a, R2b, R2c, R5 and t are as described herein. The present invention relates generally to inhibitors of histone deacetylase and to methods of making and using them. These compounds are useful for promoting cognitive function and enhancing learning and memory formation. In addition, these compounds are useful for treating, alleviating, and/or preventing various conditions, including for example, neurological disorders, memory and cognitive function disorders/impairments, extinction learning disorders, fungal diseases and infections, inflammatory diseases, hematological diseases, and neoplastic diseases in humans and animals.
US09447028B2	Therapeutic aryl-amido-aryl compounds and their use The present invention pertains generally to the field of therapeutic compounds, and more specifically to certain aryl-amido-aryl compounds of the following formula (for convenience, collectively referred to herein as “AAA compounds”), which, inter alia, are (selective) retinoic acid receptor α (RARα) agonists. The present invention also pertains to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds and compositions, both in vitro and in vivo, to (selectively) activate RARα, and in the treatment of diseases and conditions that are mediated by RARα, that are ameliorated by the activation of RARα, etc., including cognitive disorders, memory impairment, memory deficit, senile dementia, Alzheimer's disease, early stage Alzheimer's disease, intermediate stage Alzheimer's disease, late stage Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, and mild cognitive impairment.
US09447026B2	Bicyclic analgesic compounds Analgesic compounds for treatment of pain or fever that include a bicyclopentane moiety linked to an amine, combinations of the compounds with opioid analgesic drugs, and methods for treating pain or fever by administering a compound described herein.
US09447023B2	Curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin derivatives The invention relates to novel curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin derivatives, which have been modified at one phenolic group to incorporate more-reactive groups. The curcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin derivatives are in the form of monomers, dimmers, and polymers. Z-Ln-Y (I) wherein: Z is represented by:
US09447022B2	Triarylamine derivative and electrophotographic photosensitive member A triarylamine derivative is represented by general formula (1) shown below. In general formula (1), R1, R2, and R3 each represent, independently of one another, a halogen atom, an optionally substituted alkyl group having a carbon number of at least 1 and no greater than 6, an optionally substituted alkoxy group having a carbon number of at least 1 and no greater than 6, or an optionally substituted aryl group having a carbon number of at least 6 and no greater than 12. In general formula (1), o, p, and q each represent, independently of one another, an integer of at least 0 and no greater than 4, and m and n each represent, independently of one another, an integer of at least 1 and no greater than 2.
US09447019B2	Fluorinated CBD compounds, compositions and uses thereof The present invention relates to fluorine substituted CBD compounds, compositions thereof and uses thereof for the preparation of medicaments.
US09447017B2	Process for the production of 4-alkanoyloxy-2-methylbutanoic acid The present invention relates to an improved process for the production of 4-alkanoyloxy-2-methylbutanoic acid, as well as to the use of such compounds in organic syntheses, especially in processes forming intermediates (building blocks) for the synthesis of organic compounds comprising isoprene (isoterpene) units, such as β-carotene or other carotenoids (e.g. canthaxanthin, zeaxanthin or astaxanthin) or as vitamin E or vitamin A as well as other structurally similar compounds.
US09447016B2	Method for the preparation of triglycerides of medium-chain length fatty acids A method is disclosed for the preparation of glycerol esters (triglycerides) of medium-chain length monocarboxylic fatty acids which consists of the reaction of the precursor free fatty acid and glycerol in the presence of a catalyst under partial vacuum. The process preferably uses a metal catalyst such as an oxide or a chloride of tungsten, molybdenum, calcium, zinc, chromium or magnesium. The method of the invention allows the preparation in high yield and high purity (>99.5%) of the final triglyceride. The present method allows the formation of triglycerides without solvent. Are also contemplated, the triglyceride obtained by the method, and the pharmaceutical composition containing the triglyceride as an excipient or as an active ingredient.
US09447013B2	Method for producing oxide Provided is a method of oxidizing a substrate with excellent oxidizing power to yield a corresponding oxide. The method can employ a commercially available imide compound as intact as a catalyst and can produce the oxide in a high yield under mild conditions.A method for producing an oxide according to the present invention includes performing oxidation of a substrate in the presence of oxygen and ozone under catalysis of an imide compound to yield a corresponding oxide. The imide compound has a cyclic imide skeleton represented by Formula (I). In the formula, n is selected from 0 and 1; and X is selected from an oxygen atom and an —OR group, where R is selected from hydrogen and a hydroxy-protecting group.
US09447011B2	Methods, systems and devices for simultaneous production of lactic acid and propylene glycol from glycerol Methods, processes and systems for using solid catalysts to simultaneously produce lactic acid and propylene glycol from glycerol are provide, as are methods, processes and systems of converting glycerol use heterogeneous catalytic agents. Different combinations of catalysts and reaction conditions provide tunable ranges for the yields of lactic acid and propylene glycol. The conversion methods, processes and systems are not reliant on external hydrogen. Applications to crude glycerol, including that co-produced during biodiesel production, are also described.
US09447010B2	Method for preparing a herbicidal compound The present invention discloses a simple method for transforming cashew nut shell liquid into an active herbicidal composition.
US09447009B2	Method for preparing acrolein from glycerol or glycerine A method of preparing acrolein from glycerol or glycerine is disclosed. The method includes dehydrating glycerol or glycerine in the presence of a catalyst consisting of at least (a) a mixed oxide of zirconium and at least one metal, said metal being selected from niobium, tantalum and vanadium, or (b) a zirconium oxide and at least one metal oxide, the metal being selected from niobium, tantalum and vanadium, or (c) a silicon oxide and a mixed oxide of zirconium and at least one metal, the metal being selected from tungsten, cerium, manganese, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium and silicon, or (d) a titanium oxide and a mixed oxide of zirconium and at least one metal, said metal being selected from tungsten, cerium, manganese, niobium, tantalum, titanium, vanadium and silicon.
US09447007B2	Process for producing fluorinated organic compounds A process for fluorinating hydrocarbon compounds, which comprises: A. providing a compound selected from the group consisting of straight-chain, branched-chain and cyclic alkanes, straight-chain, branched-chain and cyclic ethers, said compound comprising at least one carbon-hydrogen bond and being free from —C(O)— functional groups; B. reacting said compound with fluorine in the presence of at least one (per)haloolefin comprising at least one carbon-carbon double bond and having at least one fluorine or chlorine atom on either one of the carbon atoms of said double bond, to obtain a compound wherein at least one carbon-hydrogen bond has been replaced by a carbon-fluorine bond. Compositions of partially fluorinated compounds obtained with the process are also disclosed.
US09447001B2	Process and device for simulated-countercurrent chromatographic separation for the production of metaxylene with high yield This invention describes a process for separation of xylenes for the purpose of the production of high-purity metaxylene, a simulated countercurrent process using at least one adsorber with a limited cumulative total level (Hcu) of adsorbent at a surface velocity (Vsl) that is less than 2 cm/s.
US09446998B2	Paraffinic jet and diesel fuels and base oils from vegetable oils via a combination of hydrotreating, paraffin disproportionation and hydroisomerization The present invention relates to a new process which comprises the steps of hydrotreating, paraffin disproportionation and hydroisomerization to convert biological hydrocarbonaceous oxygenated oils comprising triglycerides into biologically-derived paraffinic jet/diesel fuels, solvents and base oils. A combination of conventional hydrogenation/dehydrogenation catalysts, such as Pt/Al2O3, and conventional olefin metathesis catalysts, such as WO3/SiO2, or inexpensive variations thereof, is generally employed in the paraffin disproportionation step.
US09446995B2	Synthesis of therapeutic and diagnostic drugs centered on regioselective and stereoselective ring opening of aziridinium ions Stereoselective and regioselective synthesis of compounds via nucleophilic ring opening reactions of aziridinium ions for use in stereoselective and regioselective synthesis of therapeutic and diagnostic compounds.
US09446991B2	Compositions of substantially spherical particles and methods of making thereof An improved composition comprising substantial spherical UFP particles and an active agent, such as NBPT, and optionally other components is used as an additive for liquid and solid fertilizers, typically containing urea. Methods of making the compositions and their use are also disclosed.
US09446989B2	Carbon fiber-reinforced article and method therefor A method of fabricating a carbon fiber-reinforced article includes providing carbon fibers that have surfaces that include an initial interfacial bonding strength capacity with respect to bonding with boron nitride. The surfaces are then modified to reduce the initial interfacial bonding strength capacity. A layer of boron nitride is then deposited on the modified surfaces and the carbon fibers are then embedded in a ceramic matrix. A carbon fiber-reinforced article includes the carbon fibers, the layer of boron nitride on the surfaces of the carbon fibers, and the ceramic matrix. The article exhibits non-brittle fracture.
US09446987B2	Premixed hybrid grout Grouts, grout products and methods of applying such grouts that include a urethane-acrylic hybrid polymer dispersion (UA-HPD) and a filler material. The UA-HPD may be present in an amount of about 10-40% by weight of the composition, while the filler material may be present in an amount of about 60-90% by weight of the composition. Additional filler materials may also be provided within the UA-HPD grout composition to provide the resultant UA-HPD grout with desired characteristics and properties. The UA-HPD containing grouts are applied between spaced-apart tiles and/or masonry to fill voids and/or joints there-between.
US09446985B2	Method of treating cellulose material with CO2 or source thereof The present invention relates to materials having improved and useful properties and to methods relating to the manufacture of said materials. In particular the present invention relates to a method of modifying the surface of a material, preferably a fibrous material, to enable carbon dioxide to be carried by the surface. The carbon dioxide may be bound to the surface in a reversible or irreversible manner. The method of treating the surface of a material comprises (a) contacting the surface of the material with a composition comprising an amino compound; and (b) contacting the surface of the material with a composition comprising carbon dioxide or a source thereof.
US09446982B2	Transparent or transparent colored lithium aluminum silicate glass ceramic articles having adapted thermal expansion and use thereof Transparent or transparent dyed lithium aluminum silicate (LAS) glass ceramic material is provided that has an adapted thermal expansion. The material includes high-quartz mixed crystals as the predominant crystalline phase, and a thermal expansion between room temperature and 700° C. from 1.0 to 2.5·10−6/K.
US09446980B2	Ceramic glaze having antimicrobial property An antimicrobial ceramic glazing composition contains one or more antimicrobial agents disposed therein. Methods for making and using the glazing composition are disclosed, as well as substrates having a fired antimicrobial glaze thereon. The antimicrobial agents comprise metallic oxides, with a subset of the disclosed combinations exhibiting synergistic effect in fired glazes.
US09446977B2	Method and system for making a glass article with uniform mold temperature A glass sheet is formed on a mold into a glass article having a three-dimensional shape. The mold, with the glass article thereon, is arranged within an interior space of a radiation shield such that the mold is between a leading end barrier and a trailing end barrier of the radiation shield. The mold, glass article, and radiation shield are translated through a sequence of cooling stations while maintaining the mold between the leading and trailing end barriers, wherein the leading and trailing end barriers inhibit radiation heat transfer at leading and trailing ends of the mold.
US09446975B2	Gasifying system and method Systems and methods for treating carbon-containing waste materials include a gasifying system, a drier system for pre-drying the material, and an energy-recovery system for recovering waste heat and/or producer gas from the gasifying system/method for use in pre-drying the material. The energy-recovery system can include a recirculation system for recovering the waste heat and/or a thermal oxidizer or other combustion device for burning the producer gas, along with a heat-transfer-loop for transferring the recovered heat energy to the drier for pre-drying the material. In another aspect of the invention, the gasifying systems and methods use a thermal-screw conveyor with a product chamber and rotary thermal screws, and an oxygen-delivery system configured for delivering oxygen into the product chamber for immediate absorption into the material, with or without the dryer system and/or the energy-recovery system.
US09446974B2	Fluid treatment methods and systems Methods and systems for treatment of wastewater. In some embodiments, the system may comprise one or more modules such as an electrochemical module, an electrocoagulation module, a flotation module, an evaporation module, and an ultrafiltration module. One or more detection modules may also be provided to analyze the concentration of one or more wastewater components in the wastewater. Data from such modules may be used to adjust one or more operational parameters or conditions in the treatment system. The system may also comprise one or more features designed to minimize adverse effects on the environment, such as avoiding adding chemicals to the stream, extracting salt or other chemicals for re-use, and/or use of carbon dioxide gas from on-site combustion processes.
US09446972B2	Activated sludge treatment method, and method for upgrading existing waste water treatment equipment using said method The object is to provide an activated sludge treatment method whereby production of excess sludge is brought substantially to zero; and a method for upgrading existing waste water treatment equipment, employing this method. The method includes a step (1) in which sludge (2) produced in a sedimentation tank is supplied to a waste water aeration-conditioning tank for activated sludge treatment; a step (2) in which waste water into which the sludge (2) has been mixed is subjected to aeration-conditioning to bring the oxidation-reduction potential to a positive value, and supplied to a pressurized flotation concentration-separation tank; a step (3) in which the sludge (1) produced through treatment in the pressurized flotation concentration-separation tank is supplied to the bioreactor; a step (4) in which the treated waste water (1) separated from the pressurized flotation concentration-separation tank is supplied to a dilute activated sludge aeration tank; a step (5) in which released water and the sludge (3) produced by treatment in the bioreactor are supplied to the dilute activated sludge aeration tank; and a step (6) in which the treated waste water (2) separated from the dilute activated sludge aeration tank is supplied to the sedimentation tank.
US09446966B2	Method for forming metal fluoride material The present invention is directed to processing techniques and systems of metal fluoride based material, including but not limited to nickel difluoride, copper difluoride, manganese fluoride, chromium fluoride, bismuth fluoride, iron trifluoride, iron difluoride, iron oxyfluoride, metal doped iron fluorides, e.g., FexM1-xFy (M=metals, which can be Co, Ni, Cu, Cr, Mn, Bi and Ti) materials. An exemplary implementation involves mixing a first compound comprising a metal material, nitrogen, and oxygen to a second compound comprising hydrogen fluoride. The mixed compound is milled to form metal fluoride precursor and a certain byproduct. The byproduct is removed, and the metal fluoride precursor is treated to form iron trifluoride product. There are other embodiments as well.
US09446962B2	Process for revamping an ammonia plant with nitrogen-based washing of a purge stream A process and a plant for producing ammonia, where an ASU (3) delivers an oxygen stream and a nitrogen stream; the oxygen stream (9) is fed to the secondary reformer of a front-end reforming section (1); the nitrogen stream (10) is used to wash a purge gas or tail gas taken from the synthesis loop (2), preferably in a cryogenic section; a methane-free and inert-free gas stream is recovered and recycled to the synthesis loop (2) or at the suction of the main syngas compressor, to recover the hydrogen contained therein. A corresponding method for increasing the capacity of an ammonia plant, by providing the ASU and feeding the oxygen stream to the secondary reformer and the nitrogen stream to a suitable purge gas recovery unit.
US09446961B2	MCM-56 manufacture The present invention provides an improved method for manufacturing high quality porous crystalline MCM-56 material. It also relates to the MCM-56 material manufactured by the improved method, catalyst compositions comprising same and use thereof in a process for catalytic conversion of hydrocarbon compounds. One such conversion process involves production of monoalkylated aromatic compounds, particularly ethylbenzene and cumene, by the liquid or partial liquid phase alkylation of alkylatable aromatic compound, particularly benzene.
US09446960B2	Process for ion exchange on zeolites Aspects of the present invention relate to an improved process for exchanging sodium ions in zeolites comprising sodium ions and rare earth metal ions for ammonium ions. For this exchange, aqueous solutions of ammonium salts, for example ammonium sulfate, ammonium nitrate or ammonium chloride, are currently being used. The resulting “ammonium zeolites” are calcined to convert them, with release of ammonia, to the H form of the zeolites suitable as a catalyst. The use of ammonium carbonate also minimizes the amount of rare earth metal ions which are leached out of the zeolites comprising rare earth metal ions.
US09446952B2	Batch methods for producing chlorine dioxide solutions A process for generating aqueous chlorine dioxide solutions includes adding a solid phase alkali metal chlorite, a solid phase acid, and a solid phase oxidizing agent to an aqueous solution, wherein the solid phase acid ahs a pKa less than 4. Also disclosed are compositions for producing chlorine dioxide solutions.
US09446949B2	Vicinal surfaces of polycrystalline structures The present invention provides vicinal surfaces of polycrystalline materials and a method for their preparation. The method includes the deposition of a polycrystalline material on a substrate followed by removing the material from the substrate so as to expose a vicinal surface having stepped terraces. The step of removing the material from the substrate may be preceded by annealing. The vicinal surfaces are useful for a variety of applications.
US09446947B2	Use of metal native oxide to control stress gradient and bending moment of a released MEMS structure A MEMS device is formed by forming a sacrificial layer over a substrate and forming a first metal layer over the sacrificial layer. Subsequently, the first metal layer is exposed to an oxidizing ambient which oxidizes a surface layer of the first metal layer where exposed to the oxidizing ambient, to form a native oxide layer of the first metal layer. A second metal layer is subsequently formed over the native oxide layer of the first metal layer. The sacrificial layer is subsequently removed, forming a released metal structure.
US09446942B2	Electronic part, electronic apparatus, and moving object An electronic part includes a bottom portion of a cavity that has an oscillation device, a ceiling portion so disposed that it faces the bottom portion via the cavity and having holes, a shielding portion that is disposed in the cavity and between the bottom portion of the cavity and the ceiling portion and covers the holes in a plan view viewed in the direction in which the bottom portion of the cavity and the ceiling portion are arranged, and sealing portions that are connected to both the ceiling portion and the shielding portion via the holes and seal the holes.
US09446941B2	Method of lower profile MEMS package with stress isolations MEMS packages, modules, and methods of fabrication are described. In an embodiment, a MEMS package includes a MEMS die and an IC die mounted on a front side of a surface mount substrate, and a molding compound encapsulating the IC die and the MEMS die on the front side of the surface mount substrate. In an embodiment, a landing pad arrangement on a back side of the surface mount substrate forms and anchor plane area for bonding the surface mount substrate to a module substrate that is not directly beneath the MEMS die.
US09446938B2	SOI substrate, physical quantity sensor, SOI substrate manufacturing method, and physical quantity sensor manufacturing method A capacitance type physical quantity sensor includes: a first substrate; and a second substrate bonded to the first substrate through an insulating film. The second substrate includes first and second groove portions at a place of the second substrate facing an end portion of the first and second support units formed on the first substrate on a side opposite to the movable unit. A part of the end portion of the first support unit protrudes over the first groove portion. A part of the end portion of the second support unit protrudes over the second groove portion.
US09446937B2	Functional device, acceleration sensor, and switch A functional device includes: a substrate; and a movable section configured to be held by the substrate and to be movable along a first direction in a surface of the substrate, in which the movable section includes a plurality of first shaft portions with relatively high rigidity, the plurality of first shaft portions are arranged side by side to extend along the first direction and to be line-symmetric to one another, and protrusions configured to brake the movable section are provided on substantially extended lines of the first shaft portions.
US09446935B2	Method for monitoring crane safety and crane The invention relates to a method for monitoring the crane safety of a crane with a variable support base and with a monitoring unit, wherein several safety criteria are monitored during crane operation, in that, for each criterion which is dependent on at least one parameter relating to the crane configuration and/or crane movement during crane operation, an admissible specific limit value is calculated during crane operation, and monitored for compliance. In addition, the invention relates to a method for operating a crane with a monitoring unit which calculates an admissible bearing load dependent on one or more modifiable parameters, during the operation of the crane, and a sensor system which detects the current modifiable parameters during crane operation, and makes them available to the monitoring unit, wherein one or more sensor values are modified before the calculation of the admissible bearing load, in order to determine the admissible bearing load for one or more future parameters.
US09446933B1	Lifter and method for moving traffic barriers A traffic barrier lifter mountable on a boom and having a gearbox with a first and a second rotating axis; a pair of opposing arms directly mounted to the first and second rotating axis and a rotator capable of rotating the lifter relative to the boom, wherein the gearbox is capable of moving the pair of opposing arms from an open position to a closed position such that the arms can clamp onto a traffic barrier. The rotator being capable of rotating the arms and traffic barrier relative to the boom.
US09446932B2	Pole lifting and setting device The invention provides a pole lifting apparatus. The pole lifting apparatus including a base section having a base plate; one or more mast sections connected to the base section and extendable in an axial manner therewith, wherein an uppermost mast section of the one or more mast sections comprises a pulley mounted at its uppermost end; and a hoist secured to the base section and having a wire rope operably associated with the one or more mast sections and pulley for use in a pole lifting operation.
US09446929B2	Steel strip stabilizing apparatus Provided is a steel strip stabilizing apparatus which dampens vibrations of a plated steel strip in a non-contact manner or corrects the shape of the plated steel strip. The steel strip stabilizing apparatus comprises: a plurality of steel strip damping means arranged on at least one side of a steel strip undergoing processing in a direction there towards so as to damp vibrations in the steel strip; and a damping means moving unit connected to the steel strip damping means to move at least a portion of each of the steel strip damping means in a widthwise direction with regard to the steel strip corresponding to the width of the steel strip. According to the present invention, (unit) damping means are movable in the widthwise direction with regard to the steel strip, thus improving the vibration damping properties, the steel strip curvature correcting properties and the plated quality of the steel strip.
US09446926B2	Media stacker to receive media sheets from a system A drawer defines a chamber to receive a media sheet from a system. A moving element is to engage the media sheet as the media sheet is output from the system. The moving element is to slide the media sheet to a target position in the drawer, and the moving element is to disengage from the media sheet once the particular media sheet has reached the target position. A retaining element is to engage the media sheet as the media sheet slides into the drawer.
US09446924B2	Exclusivity system and method The present invention is directed to a system and method for ensuring a controlled supply source of web material 34 to be dispensed through at least one dispenser 2, 4, 6 or 24. The method involves providing at least one dispenser 2, 4, 6 or 24 to a web material provider 26 or 28 at reduced or no charge, providing exhausting means 14, 16 or 18 to the web material provider 26 or 28 for periodically activating at least one dispenser 2, 4, 6 or 24 in return for consideration 40, transferring at least one dispenser 2, 4, 6 or 24 from the web material provider 26 or 28 to an end user 32 at reduced or no charge to the end user 32, wherein the web material provider 26 or 28 provides web material 34 to be dispensed from at least one dispenser 2, 4, 6 or 24 to the end user 32 in return for consideration and transferring the exhausting means 14, 16 or 18 to the end user 32 for periodically activating at least one dispenser 2, 4, 6 or 24 in return for consideration 40 from the end user 32 which consideration is built into the consideration the end user gives to the product provider 26 or 28 so that the additional consideration for the activation means is transparent to the end user 32. The system comprises a dispenser 2, 4, 6 or 24 for dispensing web material 34, a credit carrying device 14, 16 or 18 for storing a predetermined number of credits 36 corresponding to a predetermined amount of web material 34 to be dispensed by a dispenser 2, 4, 6 or 24, wherein the credit carrying device 14, 16 or 18 interacts with the dispenser 2, 4, 6 or 24 to provide credit information to the dispenser 2, 4, 6 or 24 corresponding to at least a portion of the credits 36 on the credit carrying device 14, 16 or 18, a reading device 42 interacting with the credit carrying device 14, 16 or 18 for reading at least a portion of the credit information 36 stored on the credit carrying device 14, 16 or 18 and an activation device 44, in communication with the reading device 42, selectively activating the dispenser in response to credit information received from the credit carrying device 14, 16 or 18.
US09446923B2	Sheet conveying apparatus and image forming apparatus Provided is a sheet conveying apparatus including: a pair of rollers which includes an upper roller and a lower roller and conveys a sheet in a nipping manner; a driving unit which independently drives the upper roller and the lower roller; a conveying unit which is disposed at the upstream of the pair of rollers in the sheet conveying direction and conveys the sheet to the pair of rollers; an overlapping unit which is provided between the pair of rollers and the conveying unit and overlaps a subsequent sheet on a precedent sheet in the conveying direction; and a control unit which controls the driving unit, wherein the control unit controls the driving unit so that: the upper roller and the lower roller are driven before a leading end of the precedent sheet conveyed by the conveying unit reaches the pair of rollers and the driving of the upper roller and the lower roller is stopped before a tail end of the precedent sheet passes the pair of rollers; the pair of rollers is driven again before a leading end of the subsequent sheet conveyed by the conveying unit and overlapped on the precedent sheet nipped by the pair of rollers reaches the pair of rollers and only the upper roller is driven so as to convey the subsequent sheet to the downstream in the conveying direction after the leading end of the subsequent sheet conveyed by the conveying unit reaches the pair of rollers; and the upper roller and the lower roller are driven so as to convey the precedent sheet and the subsequent sheet overlapped on the precedent sheet to the downstream in the conveying direction.
US09446918B2	Method for steering an airport vehicle The method for steering a vehicle for loading and unloading a container includes a driver manually driving the vehicle within a handling area outside the limits of a station specifically dedicated to the loading and unloading of a standardized container, and parking the vehicle in a waiting area. Once parked, the vehicle is handled by automatic steering which automatically actuates at least the control of the path thereof and steers in the reverse direction until the vehicle is positioned within the station. The method includes carrying out the loading or unloading of the container, and steering the vehicle manually or automatically in the forward direction until positioned within the waiting area before giving up the automatic steering so that the driver can manually move the vehicle in the forward direction outside the waiting area.
US09446914B1	Vortex effect production device and method of improved transport of materials through a tube, pipe, and/or cylinder structure A tubular or cylindrical unit that creates a vortex effect with externally supplied pressurized fluid injected angularly within a transport structure is provided. Such a unit is utilized to either accelerate the vacuum and/or air conveyance of liquids, solid aggregates, and gases, reduce the energy required for such materials transport processes, or both. Such a result is achieved through the introduction of pressurized fluid via a plurality of injectors situated evenly around the circumference of the subject tube, pipe, and/or cylinder, and angled uniformly for an even pressure injection of fluid within the conveyance component thereof. In effect, through such injection of pressurized fluid, the overall transport system may be operated at significantly reduced cost while increasing the efficiency of overall vacuum and air conveyance systems simultaneously. The method of utilization of such a device is also encompassed within this invention.
US09446911B2	Apparatus for transferring reaction receptacles between a plurality of receptacle-receiving structures An apparatus for transferring receptacles between a plurality of receptacle-receiving structures disposed at different locations adjacent a transport track. The apparatus includes a receptacle carrier operatively engaged with the transport track and adapted to carry a receptacle and translate along the transport track. The receptacle carrier is further adapted to selectively stop at a transfer station with respect to any of the receptacles-receiving structures. The receptacle carrier includes a receptacle moving mechanism adapted to move a receptacle with respect to the receptacle carrier to move a receptacle into and/or out of the receptacle carrier. The apparatus further includes a transfer position locating system to automatically determine a location of a transfer position of the receptacle carrier with respect to each of the receptacle-receiving structures, thereby enabling the receptacle carrier to transfer a receptacle between the receptacle carrier and the receptacle-receiving structures.
US09446909B2	Container gripper and transporting element with such container grippers A one-piece container gripper for suspending containers from a container region beneath a container mouth has segments, a locking portion, and a spring portion. On a front side of the container gripper, the segments define a container mount between them. The spring portion exerts a closing force pre-stressing the segments, thus urging the container mount to close. The segments can be moved apart against a spring-exerted closing force to open the gripper. The locking portion, which is integral with the container gripper, moves resiliently between a position that locks the gripper and a position that unlocks it.
US09446900B2	Tube sorter and tube sorting system Disclosed is a tube sorter comprising: a transporting section configured to transport a sample rack; a storage arranged at a higher level than the transporting section, capable of storing a plurality of sample tubes; a lifting section configured to lift up the sample rack transported by the rack transporting section; and a sample tube transferring section configured to remove a sample tube from the sample rack lifted up by the lifting section and set the removed sample tube in the storage.
US09446897B2	Bag for transporting and handling liquid or quasi liquid substances The invention relates to a bag for transporting and handling liquid or quasi liquid substances, that comprises at least a bottom and four sides and optionally a lid. The bag is provided with a sealed inner envelope including filling and optionally draining members. The bag also includes reinforcement plates integrated in the sides and the lid of the bag and optionally in the bottom of the bag. The bag is further provided with members for lifting same. The bag is particularly characterised in that the four sides of the bag include at the upper portions thereof an overhanging collar (2) oriented towards the inside, the four tails of the collar being connected at their adjacent edges along common ridges (3) oriented as in a pyramid, and in that the lifting members include, on the one hand, lifting straps (7) including a section (7d) sawn on the above-mentioned ridges (3) of the collar so that each strap, also sawn on the vertical ridges of the four corners of the bag (7a), includes a section (7d) oriented back into the bag along said ridge (3) and, on the other hand, a tube or duct (8) connected at least to the straps grouped by pairs.
US09446895B2	Two liquid dispenser [Problem] Provided is a two-liquid dispenser storing two types of content, and capable of stably and equally discharging two liquids.[Solution] A two-liquid dispenser (10) is provided with: a pressure-proof container (11); a flexible inner container (12) housed in the pressure-proof container; a pouch (13) housed in the inner container; a valve assembly (14) to close the pressure-proof container (11), the inner container (12), and the pouch (13); a first content (A1) filed in the pouch; a second content (A2) filled in a first space (S1) between the pressure-proof container (11) and the inner container (12); and a propellant (P) filled in a second space (S2) between the inner container (12) and the pouch.
US09446894B2	Valve for pressurized container A valve for dispensing a flowable product from a container includes a mounting cup. The mounting cup includes a bottom wall having a central portion defining a seal-mounting opening through which a seal and a stem extend. An external seal bead of the seal overlies an upper end of the central portion. The upper end of the central portion is disposed at or below a plane extending transverse to a central axis of the mounting cup and defined by a juncture of a sidewall and an annular sidewall-bottom transition portion of the mounting cup.
US09446891B2	Package for containers A carrier that is at least partially holding a plurality of containers. The carrier can include a plurality of panels comprising a bottom panel, a first side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a second side panel foldably connected to the bottom panel, a first top panel foldably connected to the first side panel, and a second top panel foldably connected to the second side panel. At least one container-receiving feature extends in at least the bottom panel. The at least one container-receiving feature can at least partially receive at least one container of the plurality of containers. At least one retention flap is foldably connected to the first top panel or the second top panel. The at least one retention flap engages at least a portion of a flange of at least one container.
US09446886B2	Differential pressure metering device A metering end cap provided to the neck of a flexible container containing a fluid and intended to transfer, at will, an amount of fluid from an upstream space towards a downstream space, this end cap including a chamber in which is disposed a movable valve normally biased towards a rest position and operationally moved towards an end position. The valve isolates the upstream space and the downstream space from each other in its end position and only in this position, and the outlet of the chamber communicates with the upstream space for any position of the valve other that its end position.
US09446884B2	Flexible panel pitcher A container or pitcher having a flexible side wall portion and rim portion of the container which can conform to the shape of an object to which the pitcher is applied to thereby direct fluid flow from the pitcher over a broader area and to prevent fluid from flowing from the pitcher and underneath the rim of the pitcher and onto portions of the object to which it is not desirable to apply the fluid.
US09446873B2	Poultry loader with alignment mechanism An improved loader is described. The loader includes a frame having an upper surface, a pair of horns adjustably connected to the upper surface, each horn comprising an upper shoulder, a lower shoulder, and an air duct between the upper shoulder and the lower shoulder, a pair of air hoses connecting each air duet to a controller, the controller being connected to a pressurized air supply, and an alignment mechanism mounted, the alignment mechanism including an axle mounted to the frame, a first arm connected to a first panel, the first arm rotatably connected to the axle, a second arm connected to a second panel, the second arm rotatably connected to the axle, a gear mechanism connected to the axle and to the first arm and the second arm, the gear mechanism configured to rotate the second arm in a direction opposite to a direction of rotation of the first arm, and a dual-action cylinder connected to at least one of the first arm and the second arm.
US09446872B2	Device and method for opening a plurality of piping bags A device for opening a piping bag for pre-filling comprises first and second gripping surfaces, adapted for clamping an openable end of the piping bag therebetween, wherein the gripping surfaces, while in clamping engagement with the piping bag, are movable relative to each other in a direction substantially parallel with said gripping surfaces. A method for opening a piping bag for prefilling is also disclosed.
US09446870B1	Automatic silverware wrapping system An automatic silverware wrapping system uses a series of utensil holding magazines that dispense their wares down a chute and onto a napkin holding carrier platen that advances through the system. Once the silverware is on the napkin, an intermediate fold is imparted onto one of the corners of the napkin and then end folds are imparted onto two other corners. Thereafter, the partially folded napkin and its utensils drop down to a pair of roller bearing rails that counter rotate relative to each other in order to roll the napkin up around the silverware.
US09446864B2	NANOSAT electrothermal deployment system An electrothermal deployment system may be configured for controlled release of various apparatus from their prelaunch stowage positions in small satellites. The deployment system includes a fusible line secured to a structural component of the satellite, as well as to various deployable apparatus secured to, within, or on the satellite. The deployable apparatus may include items such as solar panels and antennas. The deployment system includes an electrically resistive element such as a burn bar formed of a cylinder or tube, including a resistor pad overlying and/or incorporated within an exterior surface of the burn bar. The burn bar may be coupled to an electrical circuit configured to heat the resistor for the purpose of melting the fusible line secured in direct contact therewith, thus causing the fusible line to break to cause deployment. The fusible line is configured to remain in secure contact with the resistor until apparatus deployment.
US09446863B2	Satellite having a simplified, streamlined, and economical structure, and method for implementing same The invention relates to a satellite having a structure that includes a circular launching interface ring and at least two main planar apparatus-holding walls that are substantially parallel to the axis of the ring and rigidly connected to one another and to the ring. Each wall directly bears on the ring by a base of the wall, and each wall is rigidly and directly attached to the ring by at least one somewhat point-by-point connection on at least one point or area of tangency or intersection with the base of the wall and the ring.
US09446861B2	Methods and systems for health monitoring for aircraft A method for health monitoring for an aircraft includes the steps of obtaining vibration data for the aircraft, obtaining navigation data for the aircraft, and determining a measure of health of the aircraft using the vibration data and the navigation data.
US09446859B2	Single-stage, separated gas-fluid shock absorber servicing The present disclosure includes methods for servicing shock struts. Such shock struts may be “air over oil” type, having a gas portion and a liquid portion of a sealed fluid chamber. Methods in accordance with the disclosure include pressurizing the gas portion to a first pressure, then pressurizing the liquid portion until a final pressure is achieved in the gas portion.
US09446858B2	Apparatus and methods for tethered aerial platform and system A drone system includes a drone that includes a propulsion system, a flight stabilizer system, and an air payload interface unit, and a camera system, wherein the camera system includes a camera stabilizing unit, and a ground support system to which the drone is detachably coupled through a tether unit, and for providing electrical power to the propulsion system. The drone system further includes a ground payload interface unit for receiving and transmitting command and telemetry information to the air payload interface unit through the tether unit, and a controlling device for controlling the propulsion system and the camera system through the tether unit.
US09446857B2	Engine cowl and inlet cover A method for covering an end of a housing for an engine. A cover is positioned relative to the end of the housing for the engine. The cover comprises a structure, a flange comprised of a deformable material extending from the structure around a circumference of the structure, and a retaining feature configured to extend from a middle portion of the structure such that the retaining feature and the flange form a channel configured to receive the end of the housing. The cover is moved in a direction towards the end of the housing for the engine such that the retaining feature extends into an inlet of the engine through an opening of the housing to form an interference fit between the retaining feature and a portion of an interior surface of the housing.
US09446855B2	Method of facilitating the approach to a platform A method of facilitating the approach to a platform by an aircraft, the method comprising a step of constructing a database, including for each stored platform at least one identifier of the platform, coordinates of a geometrical center of the platform, a height of the geometrical center, and the radius (OR) of a circle in which the platform lies. During a parameter-setting step, the target platform to be reached, a course to be followed, and a height parameter relative to a minimum decision altitude are determined. During a path construction step, the positions of an initial approach fix (IAF), of a final approach fix (FAF), and of a decision point (MAP) are determined by placing them in a plane that is offset relative to the platform.
US09446854B2	Display mounting apparatus According to one aspect, a display mounting apparatus includes a base mount member, a pivot support member, and an upper mount member. The base mount member includes a pair of pivot attachment holes. The pivot support member includes an upper mounting surface and a locking pin passage. The pivot support member is coupled to the base mount member by a pivot pin that passes through the pair of pivot attachment holes. The upper mount member includes a display mounting surface, a lower surface, and a pair of locking pin holes arranged to engage a locking pin that passes through the pair of locking pin holes and through the locking pin passage of the pivot support member when the upper mounting surface of the pivot support member is positioned proximate to the lower surface of the upper mount member.
US09446851B2	Landing hazard avoidance display Landing hazard avoidance displays can provide rapidly understood visual indications of where it is safe to land a vehicle and where it is unsafe to land a vehicle. Color coded maps can indicate zones in two dimensions relative to the vehicles position where it is safe to land. The map can be simply green (safe) and red (unsafe) areas with an indication of scale or can be a color coding of another map such as a surface map. The color coding can be determined in real time based on topological measurements and safety criteria to thereby adapt to dynamic, unknown, or partially known environments.
US09446849B1	Stowable reclining seat with lateral translation linkage A stowable seat is provided. The stowable seat may comprise a housing, a back rest coupled to the housing at a top of the back rest, and a seat bottom coupled to a bottom of the back rest. A track may be coupled to a housing with the seat bottom configured to slide along the track. A linkage may be coupled between the housing and the track and configured to translate the track away from the housing.
US09446848B2	Arrangement of seats convertible into bunks A set includes two blocks each of two seats convertible for lying down, wherein the two blocks are arranged with the seats of one block face-to-face with the seats of the other block inside a circumscribed rectangle. Each block includes a first seat and a second seat. The first-seats of the two blocks are arranged along a first diagonal of the circumscribed rectangle and the longitudinal axes of the first seats are oriented so that their directions are close to the first diagonal and the first seats are substantially face-to-face. The distance between the two first seats is such that a foot area of a first seat of a block is superposed when seen from above with a foot area of the first seat of the other block. In the recumbent configuration, the planes to lie down on of the two first seats are at different heights.
US09446847B2	Vertically mounted dry ice cooling compartment applied to a galley cart for temperature gradient reduction A case for a galley cart defines a cavity with at least two dividers positioned within the cavity, each having a first end edge and an opposing second end edge, with the dividers defining at least two chambers within the cavity. A door is movably attached to the case having a first position in which the cavity is accessible and a second position in which the cavity is substantially sealed. The door incorporates a housing having at least one cooling puck corresponding to at least a first one of the chambers and a second cooling puck corresponding to a second one of the chambers. At least one sealing member is coupled to the housing in the door and configured to compress against the first end edges of the dividers and to provide flow communication between the first cooling compartment and the first chamber and between the second cooling compartment and the second chamber when the door is in the second position.
US09446845B2	Foldable and self-deployable aerial vehicle An aerial vehicle including self-autonomous deployable arms and methods of deploying the vehicle are disclosed. The arms may include patterns located thereon that allow the arms to transition between wrapped, flat, and deployed configurations autonomously without the need for direct intervention by a user.
US09446844B2	Aircraft system that enables ground traveling Disclosed is a flying object system performing ground traveling, which travels on the ground and flies in the air. The flying object system travels with three or more wheels connected to a main body, generates flying force through wings symmetrically installed at both sides of the main body, and is provided with plural propellers, operated by a control lever and installed on the wings and at least a part of the main body, each of the wings being divided into a plurality of compartments to be folded or be changed in shape by pressure of gas or air. Therefore, the flying object system travels on a road on the ground and takes off and flies in the air in traffic congestion, and flies in the air and lands and travels on a road on the ground if necessary, thus rapidly moving to a destination without the effects of traffic congestion.
US09446841B2	Method and apparatus for improved vibration isolation A tunable vibration isolator having a housing, fluid chamber, and at least one tuning passage. A piston assembly is resiliently disposed within the housing. A vibration isolation fluid is allowed to flow from the fluid chambers through the tuning passage. A metering valve is actuated up and down in order to change the effective diameter of the tuning passage, resulting in a change to the isolation frequency.
US09446840B2	Systems and methods for alleviating aircraft loads with plasma actuators Systems and methods for alleviating aircraft loads with plasma actuators are disclosed. A method for operating an aircraft in accordance with a particular embodiment includes receiving an input corresponding to an aircraft component structural response to an aerodynamic load. The method can further include, based at least in part on the input corresponding to the aircraft component's structural response, reducing the structural response to the aerodynamic load by activating at least one plasma actuator carried by the aircraft, in accordance with one or more activation parameters.
US09446837B2	Method and apparatus for minimizing dynamic structural loads of an aircraft A method for dynamically alleviating loads generated on an aircraft by a disturbance of gust involves automatically detecting a disturbance due to gust on a flight of the aircraft. When a disturbance due to gust is detected, control commands for control surfaces are automatically generated and the control commands are applied to actuate the control surfaces. The method also involves dynamically actuating the control surfaces in a prescribed dynamic way in order to minimize not only a first load peak but also at least a second load peak.
US09446836B2	Method for a leading edge slat on a wing of an aircraft A method for managing a flight control surface system. A leading edge device is moved on a leading edge from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The leading edge device has an outer surface, an inner surface, and a deformable fairing attached to the leading edge device such that the deformable fairing covers at least a portion of the inner surface. The deformable fairing changes from a deformed shape to an original shape when the leading edge device is moved to the deployed position. The leading edge device is then moved from the deployed position to the undeployed position, wherein the deformable fairing changes from the original shape to the deformed shape.
US09446835B2	Aircraft wing A wing including a spar, a box shaped sleeve in the spar running substantially the entire length of the wing, a skin affixed to spar and to the corners of the sleeve and shaped to from a leading edge and trailing edge of the wing, a spoiler affixed to an upper surface of the trailing edge of the spar, a vent affixed to the lower surface of the trailing edge of the spar below the spoiler.
US09446831B2	Watercraft automation and aquatic effort data utilization Watercraft automation and aquatic data utilization for aquatic efforts are utilized for fishing and network communication. Current aquatic effort data and prior aquatic effort data are obtained. An update is received for the prior aquatic effort data. The update is sent to a mapping service.
US09446829B1	Transmissions for outboard marine engines having internal ring gear and layshaft A transmission is for an outboard marine engine. The transmission comprises a rotatable input shaft that is rotated by an internal combustion engine, a rotatable output shaft that powers a propulsor, a forward gear that causes forward rotation of the output shaft and propulsor, a reverse gear that causes reverse rotation of the output shaft and propulsor, a clutch that is movable between a forward clutch position wherein the forward gear causes the forward rotation of the output shaft and propulsor and a reverse clutch position wherein the reverse gear causes the reverse rotation of the output shaft and propulsor, and an internal ring gear that couples the output shaft to one of the forward gear and the reverse gear.
US09446828B1	Marine vessels and apparatuses for mounting marine drives on marine vessels An apparatus is for mounting a marine drive to a hull of a marine vessel. An outer clamping plate faces an outside surface of the hull and an inner clamping plate faces an opposing inside surface of the hull. A marine drive housing extends through the hull. The marine drive housing is held in place with respect to the hull by at least one vibration dampening sealing member that is disposed between the inner and outer clamping plates. A first connector clamps the outer clamping plate to the outside surface of the hull and a second connector clamps the inner clamping plate to the outer clamping plate. The inner and outer clamping plates are held at a fixed distance from each other so that a consistent compression force is applied to the vibration dampening sealing member.
US09446825B1	Self-propelled, catamaran-type, dual-application, semisubmersible ship with hydrodynamic hulls and columns A semisubmersible vessel can comprise: a first hull, one or more columns extending upward from the first hull, a second hull, one or more columns extending upward from the second hull, and one or more cross members joining the first hull or its columns and the second hull or its columns. The first and second hulls are shaped to reduce hydrodynamic drag; the one or more columns can also be shaped to reduce hydrodynamic drag. The hulls include one or more self-propulsion units mounted at various locations for various purposes (e.g., cruising, maneuvering, station-keeping, and so on).
US09446823B2	Wake-modifying device for a boat A recreational sport boat includes a hull, having starboard and port sides and a transom, and a pair of wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. One of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a port side of the boat's centerline and another of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a starboard side of the boat's centerline. Each wake-modifying device includes a plate-like member and at least one downturned surface at a trailing portion of the plate-like member. Each wake-modifying device is pivotable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position about a pivot axis that is horizontal or inclined no more than about 35° from horizontal. When a wake-modifying device is in the deployed position, the downturned surface is lower than it is in the non-deployed position so as to be able to modify the boat's wake.
US09446820B2	Mooring device for mooring a ship Mooring device for mooring a ship and comprising a base, a movable arm construction supported by the base, and at least one magnet mounted in a frame, which frame is supported by the movable arm construction, wherein the frame is provided with at least one leaf spring, and at least one magnet is supported by the at least one leaf spring. Further there is a hinge connected to the movable arm construction, and the frame comprises two beams on opposite sides of the hinge, wherein each beam supports at least one leaf spring and a magnet mounted on said at least one leaf spring.
US09446816B2	Bicycle electronic system A bicycle electronic system including: a manual command management unit, having a casing configured for being fixed at a handgrip of a bicycle handlebar, that includes at least one first manually actuatable switch and a first processor; a derailleur management unit comprising a second processor; and, a first direct communication channel that connects the first processor and the second processor. In response to the manual actuation of the at least one first switch, the first processor emits a derailleur command signal addressed to the derailleur management unit, and the second processor receives the derailleur command signal from the first processor through the first direct communication channel.
US09446813B2	Bicycle shifter A bicycle shifter for pulling and releasing a control cable connected to a gear change mechanism mountable at or near an end of the handlebar that returns to a neutral position after each shift operation to decrease aerodynamic drag encountered by the rider. The shifter includes a takeup member, a control mechanism, a holding mechanism and a return assembly. The takeup member is rotatable about a shift axis for winding and unwinding the control cable thereon in a cable-pull direction and a cable-release direction. The control mechanism is movable in a first direction to rotate the takeup member in the cable-pull direction and in a second direction to rotate the takeup member in the cable-release direction. The holding mechanism retains the takeup member in a selected position and the return assembly returns the control mechanism to the neutral position after each shift operation.
US09446812B2	Bicycle stem A bicycle stem that includes a tubular main body portion with an internal cavity and a first outer casing holder that is configured to hold an end of a first outer casing of a cable. The first outer casing holder is disposed in the internal cavity.
US09446807B2	Seat post assembly with tilt mechanism A bicycle seat post assembly includes a seat post that has a barrel, a cradle assembly, and a tilt mechanism. The cradle assembly is received in the barrel to secure a saddle to the seat post. The tilt mechanism is received in the barrel for setting saddle tilt. The tilt mechanism has at least one expander configured to at least expand. The expander is positioned in the barrel to exert a torque on the cradle assembly during expansion that causes the cradle assembly to rotate.
US09446806B2	Rubber crawler A rubber crawler has: an endless rubber belt that is entrained about plural wheels; plural rubber projections that are disposed on the rubber belt and spaced apart from one another in a crawler circumferential direction, project toward an inner peripheral side of the rubber belt, and come into contact with the wheels to limit the movement of the wheels in a crawler width direction; and a low-hardness rubber portion that configures part of an inner peripheral surface of the rubber belt, is disposed between mutually adjacent rubber projections, and is formed by a rubber having a lower hardness than the rubber projections.
US09446805B2	Track assembly having arcuate crawler shoes A crawler shoe is disclosed for use with a mobile machine having a track assembly with a sprocket. The crawler shoe may have a ground engaging surface, and laterally spaced-apart links connected at a side opposite the ground engaging surface. The laterally spaced-apart links may each have an arcuate wear surface configured to provide hub support against bearing forces of the sprocket, and at least one bore configured to receive a pin that transfers tractive forces from the sprocket to the plate.
US09446801B1	Trailer assembly for transport of containers of proppant material A trailer assembly suitable for carrying a container of proppant has a frame with a first side rail and a second side rail extending in generally parallel relation to each other and a plurality of wheels rotatably mounted below the frame. The frame has a plurality of cross members extending between the side rails. First and second outriggers extend across the side rails so as to each have one end extending outwardly of one of the side rails and an opposite end extending outwardly of the other side rail. The first and second outriggers are suitable for receiving the container of proppant thereon. The frame has a first section positioned above the wheels and a second section positioned at a level lower than a level of the first section. The proppant container is placed on the first section.
US09446797B2	Front vehicle-body structure of vehicle There are provided a cowl panel provided above a dash panel partitioning an engine room from a vehicle compartment and extending in a vehicle width direction, a suspension tower protruding toward an inside of the engine room and supporting a front suspension, and a connecting bracket connecting the suspension tower and the cowl panel and configured to slant rearward and upward, wherein the connecting bracket comprises a front-end flange portion and a rear-end flange portion, the front-end flange portion is joined to a slant portion formed at a rear portion of a top of the suspension tower which is configured to slant rearward and downward, and the rear-end flange portion is configured to rise upward via a bending portion and joined to a vertical wall portion of the cowl panel.
US09446796B2	Utility vehicle A utility vehicle including: a chassis; an engine provided on the chassis; an engine room accommodating the engine; a storage box provided next to the engine room and accommodating an air cleaner or a battery; a partition member dividing the engine room and the storage box; and a rivet configured to detachably attach at least part of the partition member to the chassis.
US09446793B2	Under-floor frame system for vehicle An under-floor frame system is disclosed. In particular, a main frame made of carbon fiber composite materials forms a closed quadrangle. A center cross member made of carbon fiber composite materials runs along a width direction of a vehicle and connects middles of the both side members. Also, a front cross member and a rear cross member made of carbon fiber composite materials runs along a width direction of a vehicle and connects a front side member portion and a rear side member portion at both sides of the main frame, respectively. A center tunnel member made of carbon fiber composite materials and is extended in a width direction of a vehicle to traverse an upper space of the center cross member and connects the front cross member and the rear cross member.
US09446790B2	Electric power steering system An electric power steering system includes: an electric motor that generates assist torque; an auxiliary power supply device including a capacitor connected to a main power supply and discharging electric power to the electric motor; and a control device that controls the auxiliary power supply device. There is a plurality of modes of connection between the main power supply and the auxiliary power supply device. The control device switches the mode of connection between the main power supply and the auxiliary power supply device, depending on the situation.
US09446789B2	Electric power steering apparatus An electric power steering apparatus that realizes vibration suppression of response characteristics and has a control performance having resistance properties against disturbances such as a road surface change by using a velocity I-P control (a proportional-lead type PI control) in a vehicle having functions of an automatic steering control and a manual steering control.
US09446784B2	Steering-bracket supporting apparatus and steering apparatus A supporting apparatus for a steering bracket includes a capsule support portion of a steering bracket supporting a steering column, a separation capsule to fix a vehicle body-side member to the steering bracket, a resin member, a shear pin, and an inertial action body including a weight portion moving to a front side of a vehicle by inertia due to a primary collision and pulling out the shear pin from a second bracket-side hole with the movement.
US09446783B2	Steering apparatus A steering apparatus includes a steering column including a cylindrical outer column and a cylindrical inner column partially inserted into the outer column, and rotatably supporting an input shaft connected to a steering wheel, two telescopic adjustment portions projecting from an outer peripheral surface of the outer column to extend facing each other, the two telescopic adjustment portions each including an elongated hole elongated in an axial direction of the outer column, a rod penetrating the elongated hole, and an urging member provided on an outer peripheral surface of the inner column exposed from a slit provided between the two telescopic adjustment portions on the outer peripheral surface of the outer column, and urging the rod outward in a radial direction of the inner column and being positioned in an opening portion provided in an outer peripheral surface of the inner column.
US09446782B2	Telescopic shaft and manufacturing method thereof Provided is a telescopic shaft having a coated section that reduces sliding resistance, with fluctuation of the sliding resistance according to sliding position of the telescopic shaft being reduced. A female shaft 16B is fitted onto a male shaft in a state of interference, and by causing the male shaft 16A to slide back-and-forth a specified number of times in the axial direction with respect to the female shaft 16B while applying, for example, a load in a direction that bends the male shaft 16A with respect to the female shaft 16B, friction heat is generated between side surfaces 411 of grooves 41 in the female shaft 16B and the coated section 61, which heats the coated section 61 and causes the coated section 61 to expand along the entire length in the axial direction of teeth 51 of the male shaft 16A. Therefore, the coated section 61 plastically deforms along the entire length in the axial direction of the teeth causing compressive strain to occur. By causing the male shaft 16A to slide back-and-forth with respect to the female shaft 16B in this state, the grooves 41 of the female shaft 16B and the teeth 51 of the male shaft 16A are uniformly in contact along the entire length in the axial direction, and thus sliding friction becomes constant along the entire length of the sliding range.
US09446779B2	Lightweight collapsible stroller A stroller is provided, which includes a frame and a drive mechanism coupled to the frame and configured to transition the frame between an open position and a closed position. The drive mechanism includes: a cable drive; at least one spool rotated by the cable drive; at least one cable received by the at least one spool and connected to the frame; and at least one biasing member connected to the at least one cable for removing slack from the at least one cable. The stroller is configured such that rotation of the at least one spool by the cable drive causes the cable to exert a force against the frame to transition the frame between the open position and the closed position or between the closed position and the open position.
US09446778B2	Start-assist pedal for transport dolly Disclosed herein is a design for a start-assist pedal assembly typically used for a cart or dolly that includes a pedal mounted to a support arm. An arched foot arm is pivotally attached to the support arm and a roller is supported by the arched foot arm.
US09446777B2	Wheeled carrier with brakes A portable transporting carrier for standard size buckets and for standard size propane gas tanks with wheels connected by an axle element and configured to position and support the bucket or the tank on the axle element and with an offset handle positioned over a center of gravity of the bucket or tank to facilitate lifting and carrying of the carrier with supported bucket or tank. The carrier is optionally convertible to a transportable working skid.
US09446775B2	Bogie frame for railway vehicles A bogie frame for railway vehicles includes a pair of left and right side beams disposed along a direction of rails; a cross beam that connects the side beams to each other, and a mounting bracket for mounting a functional part, the mounting bracket being joined to the cross beam. The cross beam has a rectangular cross section and includes a top plate section, a bottom plate section, and a pair of side plate sections. The top plate section has a cutout opening extending to one of the side plate sections. The mounting bracket is inserted in the cutout opening and the mounting bracket and the top plate section are butt welded together. This configuration enhances welding workability for welding mounting brackets for mounting functional parts such as a traction motor, a gearbox, and a brake, and allows a greater degree of design flexibility in mounting the functional parts.
US09446768B2	System and method for energy optimization in autonomous vehicle operation Vehicle operating systems are autonomously operated. A transient in an upcoming path of the vehicle is determined from a comparison of vehicle path data and vehicle status data to a threshold of mechanism first operating system. Operational parameters for one of first and second operating systems are selected according to the comparison. The selected operational parameters are applied to the operation of the one of the first and second operating systems.
US09446761B2	Control device A control device that controls a vehicle drive device in which a first engagement device, a rotating electrical machine, a second engagement device, and an output member are sequentially arranged in this order from an input member side on a power transmission path that connects the input member drivingly coupled to an internal combustion engine to the output member drivingly coupled to wheels. The control device controls both the first engagement device and the second engagement device to a slip engaged state, and causes the rotating electrical machine to generate electric power.
US09446746B2	Method of vehicle stability control A method of vehicle stability control including the steps of: a) applying a test braking pulse to a wheel on a first side of the vehicle and to a wheel on a second, opposite, side of the vehicle, b) measuring the rotational speed of both wheels during the test braking pulse, c) calculating a change in wheel speed during the test braking pulse for each wheel, d) calculating the difference between the change in speed of the wheels, e) carrying out a stability control intervention if the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, f)ceasing the test braking pulse if the difference over the first period of times is less than a predetermined level, and g) continuing the test braking pulse for a second period of time if the difference over the first period of time is greater than the predetermined level.
US09446740B2	Windshield wiper assembly A windshield wiper assembly for a vehicle includes a wiper motor. The wiper motor has a housing having a top surface and a side surface, a projection projecting from the top surface, a mounting bracket integrally extending from the side surface, and a rib integrally extending from the top surface and between the projection and a longitudinal end of the mounting bracket. Advantageously, the rib enhances the robustness of the housing so that it is more tolerant of stresses experienced during use.
US09446739B2	Control method and control system for a vehicle closing element A method for controlling an adjusting movement of a power-operated adjustable vehicle closing element, via which a body opening of a vehicle can be closed and which can automatically be adjusted for clearing the body opening in the presence of an operating event is provided.
US09446729B2	Driver assistance system The invention provides a driver assistance method, comprising the steps of: sensing a vehicle's state and the environment, on the basis of sensing output signals, determining whether a critical state of the vehicle is to be expected in the future, if yes, determining a total amount and a time duration of an activation of at least one vehicle actuator required in order to avoid occurrence of the critical state, the activation being of a nature which can be sensed by the driver of the vehicle, and partially performing, by a control module, the activation, i.e. for a portion of the amount and/or a portion of the time duration of the determined total amount and time duration.
US09446728B2	Vehicle A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a front wheel housing, an axle, a disk wheel fixed to the axle in the front wheel housing and a tire mounted on the disk wheel. The vehicle further includes a breaking member that is provided projecting from the vehicle body toward the disk wheel. The breaking member breaks the disk wheel when the vehicle body is crashed at a front thereof at a predetermined speed or higher.
US09446723B2	Interior panels for motor vehicles and methods for making the interior panels Interior panels for motor vehicles and methods for making interior panels are provided. In one example, an interior panel includes, but is not limited to a fiber reinforced composite substrate that has a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side. The fiber reinforced composite substrate defines a plurality of inwardly tapered pockets. The inwardly tapered pockets are arranged proximate to each other and extend between the first and second sides. Each of the inwardly tapered pockets has an open end that is disposed in the second side and a closed end that is disposed adjacent to the first side.
US09446720B1	Adjustable bracket for mounting an electronic media device in a vehicle An adjustable bracket for mounting an electronic media device (EMD) in a vehicle includes a rigid housing mountable to an instrument panel substrate. A linear rail is fixedly attached to the housing. A lower arm is pivotally connected to the housing and rotatable between a lower arm stowed position with the lower arm parallel to the rail and a lower arm extended position with the lower arm perpendicular to the rail. An upper arm assembly is adjustably connected to the rail and has a hinged upper arm rotatable between an upper arm stowed position with the upper arm parallel to the rail and an upper arm extended position with the upper arm perpendicular to the rail. In the respective extended positions, the lower arm and the upper arm are to engage and retain the EMD with an EMD display visible to an occupant of the vehicle during vehicle operation.
US09446713B2	Trailer angle detection system A vision system for a vehicle includes a rearward facing camera disposed at a rearward portion of a vehicle. With a trailer attached to the vehicle and rearward of the vehicle, a processor is operable to process captured images and, responsive at least in part to the processing, is operable to determine a plurality of trailer and vehicle-trailer interface parameters. The system is operable to calculate a calculated trailer angle based at least in part on calculations involving the parameters and a steering angle of the vehicle. Responsive to processing of images captured by the camera, the system is operable to determine a determined trailer angle of the trailer relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. Responsive to the determined trailer angle and the calculated trailer angle, the system is operable to determine a degree of offset between the calculated trailer angle and the detected trailer angle.
US09446709B2	Vehicle backlit assembly with photoluminescent structure A vehicle backlit assembly is provided and includes a support member and at least one backlit interactive member at least partially extending through an opening in the support member. An excitation source is operable to emit a primary emission for backlighting the at least one backlit interactive member. A photoluminescent structure is coupled to the at least one backlit interactive member and is formulated to convert the primary emission into a secondary emission. An opaque layer is coupled to the photoluminescent structure and defines an opening through which the secondary emission is transmitted.
US09446706B2	Headlight dampening system and method A headlamp assembly comprising a light source and a housing for the light source, a dampening element for dampening movement of the housing in or generally along at least one axis in response to dynamic loads during operation of the vehicle, while permitting movement of the housing in a predetermined direction. Another embodiment comprises a headlamp assembly comprising a light source and a support housing having a projection extending from the support housing. At least one isolator is mounted on the projection and a bracket comprising a working surface generally opposes a landing surface of a landing. The working surface comprises a slot adapted to receive a post and permit the post to move in the slot. The at least one isolator cooperates and engages the working surface or the landing surface to dampen movement of the support housing in response to dynamic loads during operation of the vehicle.
US09446704B1	Tie down The Tie Down includes: a) a hub including, a Trace configured to engage with a Tensioning Element, at least one Rim including an Edge set of teeth, and at least one Rim including a Side set of teeth; b) a high speed winding mechanism engaging with the Edge set of teeth; and c) a slide lock engaging with the Side set of teeth.
US09446703B1	Slidable room assembly A slidable room assembly comprising a vehicle body having an opening formed in an exterior wall and a reciprocable slideout unit or compartment disposed in the opening and slidable between a retracted position and an extended position. Sliding movement of the slideout unit is controlled by means of a drive mechanism that includes rack gear assemblies driven from a drive shaft as described herein. Sliding movement of the slideout unit may be either motor driven or manually powered.
US09446702B2	Slide out for food trucks An improved slide out for food trucks, recreational vehicles, buses, and trailers is described in which the slide out that extends from below to above the top of the vehicle's wheels.
US09446700B2	Roll off hoist with hinged end portion A container handling system and method for a wheeled transport vehicle is disclosed that is capable of loading and unloading containers, particularly in locations where the overhead height is limited. A hinged tail member at the rear end of the elongated body (a/k/a tilt frame member) is rotated to the ground allowing the containers to be loaded and unloaded without rotating the tilt frame to its maximum height. A cable reeving arrangement, such as a dual reeving arrangement, can be utilized to load and unload the container.
US09446697B2	Vehicle seat A vehicle seat is provided in which a projecting part is integrally provided in a middle part of a lower frame of a seat back frame forming a framework of a seat back and is extending further forward and upward than the lower frame. This enables the impact absorption when the seat back receives an impact load from the rear to be enhanced, while stabilizing the supporting force applied to the occupant by the seat back for supporting the occupant's back.
US09446694B2	Extendable comfort headrest A vehicle headrest, including a center portion, two side members that attach to opposite ends of the center portion and that extend forward and retract backward and a locking mechanism in each side member that locks each side member independent of the other side member in multiple positions relative to the center portion.
US09446693B2	Height-adjustable head restraint for a vehicle seat and vehicle seat with a height-adjustable head restraint In a height-adjustable arrangement of a head restraint on a vehicle seat, the head restraint or at least one cushion of the head restraint is fastened by a receiving plate fixed on a framework to a receiving slide of a height-adjustment mechanism. The receiving slide is arranged in a height-displaceable manner on at least one guide element of the height-adjustment mechanism by at least two actuating pulls acting in an opposed manner on the receiving slide, the guide element being arranged in or on a holding element of the head restraint. A vehicle seat can include a height-adjustable head restraint.
US09446691B2	Headrest with under garnish for vehicle seat A structure of a headrest mounted on a seat, wherein the headrest has, provided at the bottom surface thereof, an under garnish made of a hard synthetic resin material and wherein a stay of the headrest is partly supported in a holder having a head portion projecting from a top portion of a seat back of the seat, the top portion of the seat back being formed by a foam padding and a trim cover assembly overlaying the foam padding. The under garnish is provided with at least one protruding portion which protrudes downwardly therefrom. This at least one protruding portion is disposed at a location oriented towards a padding provided in the seat back. A degree to which the protruding portion protrudes from the under garnish is greater than a height of the head portion of the holder.
US09446689B2	Fitting system for a vehicle seat A vehicle seat fitting system has a fitting, by which a backrest can be freely pivoted relative to a seat part and a rotatable memory flag disk coupled to the backrest during the free pivoting and to the seat part in the starting position. The flag disk includes disk toothing and a second toothing is allocated to the backrest. The toothings are engaged during the free pivoting. A control lever with a coupler hinged on the control lever, is coupled to an unlocking lever and moves the toothings into engagement. The flag disk is coupled to the seat part, in the starting position, by a lock receptacle and a control element movable relative to the lock receptacle and the lock receptacle is a section of a control contour by which the control element, arranged on the control lever, holds the control lever directed out during the free pivoting.
US09446685B2	Method for activating a safety actuator of a motor vehicle A method for activating a safety actuator of a motor vehicle includes: ascertaining an endangerment model of the motor vehicle with the aid of an anticipatory sensor system and at least one characteristic value of a pose of a driver of the motor vehicle; ascertaining a controllability of the motor vehicle by a driver of the motor vehicle with the aid of the at least one characteristic value; and activating the safety actuator to an extent which is a function of the endangerment model and the controllability.
US09446683B2	System and method for controlling the torque of a traction motor of a motor vehicle as a function of the rotation speed and the depression of the accelerator pedal A system and method for controlling torque of an engine of a motor vehicle based on rotational velocity and depression of an acceleration pedal. The system for controlling torque of an engine helps to propel a motor vehicle and includes: sensors configured to measure a rotational velocity and depression of an acceleration pedal, a mechanism for determining a torque setpoint capable of determining a torque setpoint that increases with the rotational velocity and starts with a reference torque for a reference rotational velocity, and the mechanism for determining being connected to an output of the electric engine.
US09446682B2	Method of operating a preemptive EV battery pack temperature control system A method of thermally pre-conditioning a vehicle's battery pack prior to vehicle departure is provided. The system, after determining that the vehicle is off and/or the driver has left the car, monitors a variety of conditions corresponding to both the vehicle and the driver in order to determine the probability of the driver requiring near-term use of the car. Typical monitored conditions may include driver and vehicle location, driver proximity, time of day, day of week, driver's upcoming appointments, and a historical data base that tracks driver behavior. Once the probability that the car will be needed within a preset time period exceeds a preset level, the system determines whether the battery pack should be heated or cooled based on the current battery pack temperature, and then activates an appropriate thermal management system.
US09446679B2	Battery system, electric vehicle, mobile unit, electric power storage device and power supply device A battery ECU provides an N-th arithmetic processing device with an ID assignment signal. The N-th arithmetic processing device receives the ID assignment signal, and stores an ID that is transmitted by the battery ECU. The battery ECU provides an i-th arithmetic processing device (i is a natural number from N to 2) with a command for providing an ID assignment signal. The i-th arithmetic processing device provides the (i−1)-th arithmetic processing device with the ID assignment signal in response to the command for providing an ID assignment signal. The (i−1)-th arithmetic processing device receives the ID assignment signal, and stores an ID that is transmitted by the battery ECU.
US09446675B2	Non-contact power supply apparatus, non-contact power supply system, and non-contact power supply method A non-contact power supply apparatus includes a power receiving coil and transmits and receives power in a non-contact manner through magnetic coupling between the power receiving coil and a power transmitting coil included in a ground-side unit. The non-contact power supply apparatus includes: a remaining power detecting part configured to detect the remaining power of a battery; a charge start determining part configured to determine whether or not to start a charge operation of the battery, based on whether or not the remaining power of the battery detected by the remaining power detecting part is equal to or less than a charge start threshold; and a charge controlling part configured to start the charge operation if the charge start determining part determines that the charge operation is to be started.
US09446671B2	Electrical storage system An electrical storage system includes an electrical storage device, a motor, a system main relay, a first charging line, a charger, a first charging relay, a second charging line, an inlet, a second charging relay and a controller. The controller is configured to control a energizing state and a non-energizing state of the system main relay, the first charging relay and the second charging relay. The controller is configured to cause the first charging relay to the non-energizing state when the second charging relay in the energizing state is subjected to adhesion.
US09446669B2	Work vehicle and work vehicle control method A state display section of a work vehicle is configured to display whether an electricity storage apparatus is in an electricity charging or discharging state. A state determination unit is configured to determine the state to be displayed on the state display section on the basis of a parameter corresponding to electricity supplied to or discharged from the electricity storage apparatus. The state determination unit is configured to change a threshold for a parameter for determining if the state to be displayed on the state display section is to be set to the charging state (discharging state) based on whether or not the state displayed on the state display section most recently is the charging state (discharging state). Until a predetermined first time period elapses, the state determination section is configured to determine the state after the change as the state to be displayed on the state display section.
US09446666B2	Method to supply an electric accessory of a motor vehicle comprising an electric battery to which said accessory is connected A method of powering an electrical accessory of a motor vehicle including an electric battery to which the accessory is connected, the accessory and the battery also being connected electrically to an external electricity generator, wherein the following steps are performed in alternation: a) causing the accessory to be powered by the battery of the vehicle; and b) causing the accessory and the battery to be powered by the external electricity generator. A motor vehicle includes an electrical accessory connected to an electric battery of the vehicle, wherein powering of the accessory is controlled by the above method when the battery is charged and connected to an external generator.
US09446662B2	Auxiliary drive system An auxiliary drive system including a transmission which is connectable to a prime mover and produces an output torque for driving a driveshaft, the transmission having at least first and second power takeoffs, a pump in fluid communication with a hydraulic motor, the hydraulic motor operably connected to the second power takeoff and in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump, a control valve to vary flow rate to the hydraulic motor, the second power takeoff driving a driveshaft operably connected to the transmission.
US09446660B2	Vehicle grill shutter, vehicle flap member, and actuator A vehicle grill shutter includes an actuator, a flap member which is configured to rotate between a closed position and an open position by the actuator, and an attachment position regulation mechanism which connects the actuator and the flap member, and is configured such that the flap member is connected to the actuator only when the flap member is positioned at a regular position with respect to the actuator.
US09446657B2	Vehicle driving device A vehicle driving device that includes a rotary electrical machine that functions as a driving force source of a wheel along with an internal combustion engine; a transmission device that is disposed side by side with respect to the rotary electrical machine in an axial direction, the axial direction being a direction in which a rotation axis center of the rotary electrical machine extends; a case including a first case section that accommodates the rotary electrical machine and a second case section that accommodates the transmission device; an inverter device that controls the rotary electrical machine; and a wiring member that connects the rotary electrical machine and the inverter device.
US09446656B2	Covering apparatus for open-topped containers A spring-loaded covering apparatus. The covering apparatus can include a drive screw and a carriage threadably engaged with the drive screw. Rotation of the drive screw can affect translation of the carriage, such that the position of the carriage is adjustable along the length of the drive screw. Moreover, the carriage can include a spring, which can be attached to the extendable cover via a pivot arm. The cover can be wound onto a roller and, when a length of the cover is unwound from the roller, the spring can pivot the arm to pull the cover into an extended configuration.
US09446654B2	Vehicle air conditioner In a vehicle air conditioner, a first warm air diversion passage is a tunnel-shaped passage that is provided near a first side air outlet and takes in warm air and causes the air to flow without mixing with cool air. A second warm air diversion passage is a passage inside a tunnel that is provided near a second side air outlet and takes in warm air and causes the air to flow without mixing with cool air. A diversion passage section includes an in-tunnel guide wall that directs the warm air flowing through the first warm air diversion passage toward the first side air outlet, and an in-tunnel guide wall that directs the warm air flowing through the second warm air diversion passage toward the second side air outlet.
US09446652B2	Road surface state obtaining device and suspension system An emitting device emits parallel light beams which impinge on a road surface, forming marks. An imaging device takes an image of an image pickup object containing the marks to obtain a picked-up image. A longitudinal distance between mark images respectively corresponding to the marks is detected. A larger gradient can be obtained in the case where the distance is long than in the case where the distance is short. While the gradient of the road surface is obtained based on the distance as described above, a relative positional relationship between the two mark images is not changed as long as the gradient of the road surface is the same even when the height position of an over-spring member provided with the emitting device and the imaging device is changed. Accordingly, the gradient of the road surface can be obtained without consideration of the displacement of the over-spring member.
US09446646B1	Spring seats and vehicle suspension systems incorporating such spring seats A spring seat is provided for incorporation into a vehicle suspension system having an axle and a leaf spring. The spring seat includes a seat portion and a spring mounting portion associated with an upper end of the seat portion. The spring mounting portion is configured to accommodate a portion of the leaf spring and includes an upper surface. The upper surface defines a plurality of bores, with at least one of the bores being internally threaded and receiving at least a portion of an externally threaded mechanical fastener. Alternatively (or additionally), the axle may include a body, with at least one of the bores of the spring mounting portion of the spring seat being at least partially positioned directly above the body of the axle.
US09446645B2	Control arm base A control arm base (30) for connecting a control arm (10), particularly a divided control arm, for a wheel (20) to a vehicle, which control arm (10) includes at least two partial control arms (11a, 11b) which can be connected on the one hand to a vehicle-side joint (32a, 32b) and on the other to a wheel-side joint (13, 13a, 13b, 13c). In order to realize a targeted influencing of the longitudinal and transverse rigidity of the control arm with simple conventional joints, the control arm base (30) includes at least two vehicle-connecting joints (31a; 31b) for articulated connection of the control arm base (30) to the vehicle, and at least two partial control arm connecting joints (32a, 32b) for the vehicle-side articulated connection of each of the partial control arms (11a, 11b) to the control arm base (30). The invention further relates to a wheel suspension that includes such a control arm base (30).
US09446640B1	Box A-frame suspension arm Improvements in a suspension arm for a land vehicle. The suspension arm is an A-Frame box suspension arm to be essentially fabricated from sheet metal. The sheet metal members are fabricated to the desired shape and then some members are bent. The top and bottom plate members to be keyed. The keyed members both position the components and minimize or eliminate the need for a fixture that holds the parts while they are being welded together. The driver and passenger suspension arms flipper or mirror images. This allows both the left and right sides of the vehicle to utilize the same suspension arm. The box structure transfers loads along the multiple wall structures of the suspension arm when loads are encountered by the wheels and then transferred into the frame. The suspension arms are used in off-road and on-road vehicles for transportation.
US09446639B2	Float accessory for a land vehicle A float accessory for land vehicles has a front rack portion and a rear rack portion. Both rack portions are mechanically fastened to a frame assembly which is itself attached to a vehicle frame. The front rack portion is connected to the frame assembly, and the front rack portion and the rear rack portion have two sides wherein each side has a lifting arm rotationally attached thereto by way of a pivot member. The lifting arms are secured in their lowered configuration by way of a latch and catch combination. The lifting arms are also locked in their upper configuration and intermediate configurations by way of a perforated disc cooperating with a spring lock pin.
US09446638B2	Wheel and air pressure adjusting device A wheel is configured by attaching a rim and a hub mounting part via an attaching portion. The wheel has a pneumatic tire mounted on the rim, and is mounted on the vehicle hub by the hub mounting part. The wheel comprises an air passage that penetrates through the attaching portion and opens on the outer circumferential surface of the rim and the mounting surface of the hub mounting part. The wheel also comprises a plurality of air passages that are mutually independent.
US09446637B2	Tire inflation system A tire inflation system including an axle housing and a sealing ring disposed on the axle housing. The sealing ring has a conduit formed therethrough. A hub is rotatably disposed on the axle housing. The hub is disposed adjacent the sealing ring and has a conduit formed therethrough which is in fluid communication with a conduit formed through a fastener engaged with the hub. The tire inflation system also includes an inner rotary seal disposed between the sealing ring and the hub and an outer rotary seal disposed between the sealing ring and the hub. The conduit formed through the hub is in fluid communication with the conduit formed through the sealing ring through an area between the inner rotary seal and the outer rotary seal. A bearing seal is disposed between the hub and the axle housing and outboard of the outer rotary seal.
US09446636B2	Pressure check tool and method of operating the same At a portable tool, vehicle identification information is requested from a vehicle and responsively received from the vehicle. Based upon the vehicle information, one or more tire pressure sensor activation/trigger methods or parameters are determined. The determined one or more tire pressure sensor activation/trigger methods or parameters are used to activate singularly or a plurality of tire pressure monitoring (TPM) sensors at the vehicle. Tire pressure information is responsively received from the activated TPM sensors.
US09446634B2	Universal tire pressure sensor A tire pressure sensor for motor vehicles includes a housing accommodating an integrated circuit (sensor IC), wherein the sensor IC has a microcontroller and a pressure sensor. The microcontroller, transfers pressure measurement values acquired by the pressure sensor to a receiver by wireless communication. The sensor IC has an internal memory, in which executable instructions and data can be stored, which, when executed, result in the acquisition and transference of the pressure measurement data. The sensor IC is coupled to an auxiliary memory module disposed in the housing. Numerous different data packets, with respective instructions or data, are stored in the memory module which can be activated via the microcontroller, in order to copy a selected data packet into the internal memory. The microcontroller controls the power supply for the auxiliary memory module such that the auxiliary memory can be switched over to an energy saving mode.
US09446633B2	Elastic vehicle tire The invention relates to an elastic vehicle tire (1) comprising a tire cavity. Said cavity is enclosed by a running strip (2) supporting the tread surface (3) and a side wall (4, 4.1) formed on each side of the running strip (2). A noise dampening insert (9) or a noise dampening insert arrangement disposed therein is provided in the tire cavity. A ventilation layer (13) having a structure permeable to air at least in the transverse and/or longitudinal direction of the running strip (3) is disposed between the noise dampening insert (9) or noise dampening insert arrangement and connected to the inner side (10) of the running strip (2) supporting the running surface (3). Said layer is suitable for passing an air flow at least partially in contact with the inner wall (10) of the running strip (2).
US09446631B2	Rubber composition for run-flat tire A rubber composition for a run-flat tire comprises from 20 to 100 parts by weight of a reinforcing filler per 100 parts by weight of a diene rubber containing from 10 to 80 wt. % of butadiene rubber and from 10 to 40 wt. % of natural rubber; wherein the reinforcing filler contains at least 50 wt. % of carbon black; a mode diameter Dst in a mass distribution curve of a Stokes diameter of aggregates of the carbon black is at least 145 nm; a nitrogen adsorption specific surface area N2SA is from 45 to 70 m2/g; and a ratio N2SA/IA of the nitrogen adsorption specific surface area N2SA to an iodine adsorption IA (units: mg/g) is from 1.00 to 1.40.
US09446629B2	Pneumatic tire A pneumatic tire is disclosed, adapted to highly effectively combine on-ice and on-snow performances. The pneumatic tire includes block groups (G) formed by polygonal blocks (10), which are arranged closely in a tread portion (1). The polygonal blocks (10) are formed by grooves (9) including first groove (9a) with a groove width (W9a) between the polygonal blocks 10 neighboring with each other in the tire circumferential direction. The groove width (W9a) of the first grooves (9a) is larger than a groove width (W9b) of second grooves (9b) between the polygonal blocks 10 neighboring with each other with a zigzag pattern.
US09446628B2	Tire for two-wheeled vehicles, including a tread having sipes A tire for a motorized two-wheeled vehicle comprising a reinforcing structure of the carcass type, made up of reinforcing elements, anchored on each side of the tire to a bead the base of which is intended to be mounted on a rim seat, each bead being extended radially outwards by a sidewall, the sidewalls radially towards the outside joining to a tread comprising incisions. The length of the incisions is less than 1.2 times the width of the area of the contact patch and at least one incision has at least one end which ends in a cut in the tread the width of which is greater than 2.5 mm and the length of which is between 2.5 and 10 mm.
US09446627B2	Rubber composition for sidewall and tire using the same An object of the present invention is to provide a rubber composition for a sidewall having excellent conductivity, anti-spew cutting property and extrusion processability in good balance and assuring low production cost. The present invention provides a rubber composition for a sidewall comprising 2 to 15 parts by mass of a wet processed silica having a BET specific surface area of 70 to 250 m2/g and 40 to 62 parts by mass of a carbon black having a BET specific surface area of 37 to 125 m2/g based on 100 parts by mass of a diene rubber component, wherein the rubber composition does not contain a silane coupling agent, and has a volume resistivity of not more than 1×108 Ω·cm.
US09446626B2	Vehicle wheel hub assembly A vehicle wheel hub assembly comprising an axle element that is rotationally stationary about an axial axis, and a hub shell element rotatable about the axle element, including a first end portion and a second end portion axially spaced from said first end portion. The axle element includes a control shaft that is axially displaceable relative to the hub shell element between an axially extended position and an axially retracted position. The control shaft includes an engagement end and a control end. In the extended position, the engagement end is axially distal from the second end portion and, in the retracted position, the engagement end is axially proximal to the second end portion relative to said extended orientation. Including a releasable axial retaining means to control the axial movement of the control shaft relative to the hub shell.
US09446624B1	Apparatus for cleaning a paint roller cover by scraping or by submersion An improved apparatus for cleaning a paint roller by scraping or by submersion during rotation, comprising an attachment member connection to a base, said base further connected to a cylinder with an outer diameter approximately equal to the inner diameter of a paint roller frame, wherein said cylinder comprises a substantially solid surface interrupted by one or more longitudinal voids.
US09446615B2	Color erasing apparatus and method of controlling temperature of heat source in color erasing apparatus A color erasing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a color erasing unit that heats a paper to erase an image formed on the paper by a heat-erasable coloring material. A sensor outputs a sensor signal indicative of a thickness of the paper. A paper thickness detector determines the thickness of the paper based on the sensor signal. A conveying unit conveys the paper through the color erasing unit. A conveying unit controller controls a conveyance speed of the paper conveyed through the color erasing unit based on the thickness of the paper determined by the paper thickness detector.
US09446614B2	Printing apparatus and printing method A printing apparatus includes a head that discharges ink to a printing region, and causes ink dots formed on the printing region to be cured to form a line image in a first direction, and a movement section that that causes the printing medium to move relative to the head in a second direction intersecting the first direction, in which the printing region is divided into a plurality of areas in the second direction, and the movement section alternately switches the area in which the line image is formed by the head between the plurality of areas while causing the printing medium to relatively move.
US09446609B2	Cutter device and printing apparatus A cutter device includes a cutter configured to cut a material to be cut; a carriage having a cutter and moving in a widthwise direction with respect to a feeding direction of the material to be cut; and a guide unit configured to guide the carriage in the widthwise direction and, assuming that the movement of the carriage when the cutter cuts the material to be cut is an outward route, a homeward route of the cutter of the carriage is different from the outward route of the cutter, and is shifted from the outward route toward one material to be cut which moves first in the direction away from the other material to be cut in the feeding direction immediately after the cutting from between the materials to be cut divided into two parts.
US09446608B2	System for generating vacuum response curves A system for generating a response curve for adjusting the positions of a pair of adjustable edge seals to the width of a print medium in a printing system is disclosed. The system comprises a vacuum chamber connected to a vacuum source, which provides vacuum to the vacuum chamber. Spaced sealing rollers and edge seals define an opening in the vacuum chamber. A sensor measures a vacuum level in the vacuum chamber. A controller is used to produce signals indicative of an activation level or a vacuum level. Means for adjusting the position of the edge seals are used to reposition the edge seals to at least one new position. The controller produces signals indicative of an activation level or a vacuum level at the new positions. A response curve is produced using the signals produced at the first and new positions.
US09446606B2	Aqueous ink for inkjet, inkjet recorder and inkjet recording method An aqueous ink for inkjet includes water; a hydrosoluble organic solvent; a pigment; and a particulate resin. The hydrosoluble organic solvent includes 2,3-butanediol and 1,2-propanediol at a weight ratio (2,3-butanediol/1,2-propanediol) of from 98/2 to 60/40.
US09446602B2	Digital binder printing A method and equipment to form a digital image on a surface by applying a powder layer including color pigments on the surfaces, bonding a part of the powder and removing the non-bonded powder from the surface.
US09446601B2	Drawing control method, laser irradiating apparatus, drawing control program, and recording medium having recorded therewith Drawing control methods, laser irradiating apparatuses, drawing control programs, and recording mediums having recorded therewith are provided that make it possible to efficiently carry out drawing with high quality. The drawing control method controls, by a computer, a drawing device which draws what is to be drawn onto multiple unit regions on a surface of a medium. The computer executes a drawing order determining step which determines a drawing order of a line segment included in the what is to be drawn such that multiple continuing line segments over mutually neighboring multiple unit regions are drawn continuously.
US09446600B2	High efficiency printing method for improved image quality Novel methods for calibrating a thermal printer by adjusting a look up table comprising the steps of receiving a test pattern to be printed on a receiver medium, printing the test pattern on the receiver medium, using a sensor to measure a depletion amount of donor material, and using a processor to adjust the lookup table based on the measured depletion amount are disclosed.
US09446595B2	Ink jet printing apparatus and method for controlling the same There is provided an ink jet printing apparatus that does not give poor usability to users and a method for controlling the same. To achieve this, in recovery processing performed multiple times to recover an ejection state, in a case where a printing instruction is inputted, the recovery processing is suspended in an amount smaller than an amount required for recovery, depending on an amount of ink in an ink tank.
US09446592B2	Liquid ejection cartridge and liquid ejection apparatus A liquid ejection head includes a liquid ejection section including an element substrate having ejection ports for ejecting liquid and an electrical wiring substrate connected to a contact of the liquid ejection apparatus to transmit signals to the element substrate, a liquid tank loading section including a containing space for containing a liquid tank storing liquid to be supplied to the element substrate and a lock member having an engaging part for engaging with a holding part of the liquid tank and a fixation means for rigidly securing the liquid election section and the liquid tank loading section in position.
US09446591B2	Inkjet head for reducing variation in liquid ejection performance An inkjet head comprises a pressure chamber; a nozzle plate including a first surface at the side of the pressure chamber, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a first nozzle formed into a frustum which penetrates the first surface and the second surface and the diameter of which decreases as it goes closer to the second surface, and a second nozzle formed into a frustum which is the same as the frustum of the first nozzle; and a driving element configured adjacent to the pressure chamber to eject droplets from the first nozzle and the second nozzle simultaneously; wherein the part of the first nozzle on the first surface is integrally connected to the part of the second nozzle on the first surface, and the part of the first nozzle on the second surface is separated from the part of the second nozzle on the second surface.
US09446588B2	Liquid ejecting head, liquid ejecting apparatus, and piezoelectric element A liquid ejecting head includes a piezoelectric element including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a piezoelectric layer between the first and the second electrodes. The piezoelectric layer includes a buffer layer disposed on the first electrode and containing Bi and an element selected from Al, Si, Cr, and Mn and a complex oxide layer disposed on the buffer layer and having a perovskite structure containing Bi, Fe, Ba, and Ti.
US09446587B2	Molded printhead In one example, a molded printhead includes a printhead die in a molding having a channel therein through which fluid may pass directly to a back part of the die. The front part of the die is exposed outside the molding surrounding the die. Electrical connections are made between terminals at the front part of the die and contacts to connect to circuitry external to the printhead.
US09446585B2	Methods and apparatus for handheld inkjet printer A handheld inkjet printer includes an inkjet print head and a tip. One or more sensors measure the position of points on a curved surface that are physically touched by the tip while the tip is moved relative to the surface. Based on these measurements, a computer generates or modifies a computer model that specifies at least (i) position of the curved surface, and (ii) a target region of the curved surface on which a pattern is to be printed. In addition, the one or more sensors measure position and orientation of nozzles in the print head, while the handset is moved relative to the surface. The computers also calculate, based on the computer model and these additional measurements, which of the nozzles to fire at a different times, such that the pattern is printed on the target region as the handset is moved relative to the surface.
US09446583B2	Capacitive load drive circuit A capacitive load drive circuit, which may be embodied in a printer, includes capacitive elements; a first circuit substrate, on which is installed a control signal supply unit that generates control signals; a second circuit substrate, on which is installed a circuit that charges or discharges the capacitive elements according to the control signals; and a flexible flat cable, on which is formed wirings including control wiring, which transmits the control signals from the first to the second circuit substrate, and a wiring, which supplies power supply and ground voltages to the second circuit substrate. A total path length of the wirings between the first and second circuit substrates is shorter than the total path length of the wiring between the second circuit substrate and each of the capacitive elements.
US09446582B2	Perfector A perfector includes: a printing unit that performs printing simultaneously on both surfaces of a paper sheet; detecting means for detecting printing conditions on both surfaces of the paper sheet; and transporting means for transporting the paper sheet to a delivery unit. The printing unit includes: a blanket impression cylinder that holds and transports the paper sheet; and a blanket cylinder in contact with the blanket impression cylinder. The transporting means includes: a transfer cylinder in contact with the blanket impression cylinder and receives the paper sheet from the blanket impression cylinder; and a delivery cylinder in contact with the transfer cylinder and receives the paper sheet from the transfer cylinder. The detecting means includes: a first checking camera that detects the printing condition on one surface of the paper sheet; and a second checking camera that detects the printing condition on the other surface of the paper sheet.
US09446581B2	Ink supply device for printing machine Provided is an ink supply device for a printing machine which can accurately supply a quantity of ink necessary for acquiring desired concentration while making the fine adjustment of concentration of ink by an operator unnecessary. A control device 34 of the ink supply device includes: a concentration prediction value calculation means 53 which acquires a concentration prediction value when the concentration becomes stable based on concentration measured values of a predetermined number of printed matters; a graph change value calculation means 54 which acquires a graph change value using the concentration prediction value and a concentration target value; and a control graph value calculation means 55 which acquires a control graph value for controlling a rotational angle based on a preset set graph value and the graph change value.
US09446580B2	Balanced stencil foil tensioning frame with foil alignment fixture A balanced stencil foil tensioning frame with a foil alignment fixture removes the need for the complex air/bladder arrangement of conventional systems by pivoting side members to engage foil. With less components, the tensioning frame system is reliable and light weight with few moving parts. In one embodiment, a base member can receive a stencil foil and a frame top can lock into the base member, depressing the edges of the stencil foil. The amount of provided depression can adjust the tension of the foil. In another embodiment, a plurality of tension segments can move in a linear direction to create a uniform foil tension. The alignment fixture can be wall mounted to hold foil in a vertical position. This allows for consistent alignment and attachment of foil to the tensioning frame.
US09446576B2	Adhesive agent, adhesive material using the same, and method of use thereof An adhesive agent comprising a condensation resin having a structural unit obtained by polycondensing a polymerizable monomer containing a monomer (A) having 2 or more carboxyl groups and a monomer (B) having 2 or more amino groups, and meeting at least one of the following (1) and (2), and the following (3): (1) at least one selected from the group consisting of the monomer (A), an anhydride of the monomer (A). and the monomer (B) is liquid at 25° C.; (2) the condensation resin has a polyoxyalkanediyl group; and (3) the monomer (A) contains an isophthalic acid.
US09446575B1	Monitoring composite manufacturing and repair processes using chromatic films A composite structure is processed using heat and pressure. A chromatic film is placed in proximity to the composite structure and is used to monitor at least one of the temperature of the heat and the pressure during processing.
US09446574B2	Method for bonding plastics and method for releasing a bond in the plastic composite and a plastic composite The invention relates to the field of chemistry and concerns a method suitable for example for use in the automotive industry or in aircraft construction. The object of the present invention is to provide a method by which a bonding of the regions of the plastics that are in direct contact is accomplished. The object is achieved by a method for bonding plastics in which materials which contain at least one electrically conductive material and only partially cover the plastics are applied to at least one of the plastics to be bonded, then the plastics are brought into contact with one another, at least in the region with the materials, and after that at least this region is exposed at least once to an alternating electromagnetic field.
US09446571B2	Touch panel and method of manufacturing touch panel A manufacturing method of a touch panel includes: forming a graphene electrode on a metal substrate; adhering a transfer film on the graphene electrode; patterning the metal substrate to form electrode wiring; adhering a base substrate under the electrode wiring; and removing the transfer film. In the manufacturing method, the metal layer used when forming the graphene electrode is not removed after forming the graphene, and the metal layer is patterned to be used as the electrode wiring, such that the removal process of the metal layer and the forming process of the electrode wiring are unified into one. Accordingly, in the manufacturing process of the touch panel using the graphene as the transparent electrode, the manufacturing process is simplified.
US09446570B2	Sheet article manufacturing apparatus Concave portions filled with particles of high-absorbent resin are arranged on a side surface of a cylinder part in its circumferential direction. When each concave portion passes about the lowermost portion, the particles are ejected. A first roller conveys a first sheet member so that the first sheet member passes near the above lowermost portion. A second roller is located anterior to the above lowermost portion with respect to a moving direction of the side surface of the cylinder part at the above lowermost portion, and conveys a second sheet member to the vicinity of the above lowermost portion, to place the second sheet member on the first sheet member which has been supplied with particles. In the second roller, annular grooves are formed on the side surface. Therefore, impact on particles which collide with the second sheet member on the second roller is absorbed and scattering of particles is reduced.
US09446567B2	Synthetic resin laminate The present invention has an object of providing a synthetic resin laminate that is usable for a transparent substrate material or protective material, has high thermoformability (pressure formability, thermal-bending formability), high insert moldability, and high surface hardness and/or impact resistance, and also providing a molded body formed by molding such a synthetic resin laminate. The synthetic resin laminate includes a polycarbonate-based substrate layer; and a resin laminated on one of, or both of, two surfaces of the polycarbonate-based substrate layer, the resin containing a specific (meth)acrylate copolymer resin and a specific polycarbonate resin. The polycarbonate-based substrate layer includes a polymer alloy and thus has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 110 to 130° C. Thus, the resultant synthetic resin laminate has high thermoformability and high surface hardness.
US09446562B2	Coated film for insert mold decoration, methods for using the same, and articles made thereby In an embodiment, a coated thermoplastic film, comprises a polymeric film substrate; and a coating formed from a coating composition comprising a urethane acrylate having a functionality of 2.0 to 6.0 acrylate functional groups; an acrylate monomer having a functional group; and an epoxy acrylate oligomer; and an additive comprising at least one of a silicone based additive, palmitic acid, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing. In an embodiment, a method of molding an article comprises decorating and forming the coated thermoplastic film to form a shaped film, and placing the shaped film into a mold, and injecting a resin into the mold cavity space behind the shaped film, wherein the shaped film and the injection molded resin form a single molded part.
US09446557B2	Method for producing a three-dimensional object and stereolithography machine employing said method Method for producing a three-dimensional object in layers by way of a stereolithography machine (1) including a container (2) suited to contain a liquid substance (3), structure (5) suited to emit predefined radiation (4) suited to selectively solidify a layer (6) of the liquid substance (3) adjacent to the bottom (2a) of the container (2), and an actuator (8) suited to move the solidified layer (6a) with respect to the bottom (2a). The method includes selectively solidifying the liquid layer (6); separating the solidified layer (6a) from the bottom (2a) through a movement (11) suited to move them away from each other, including a plurality of shifts (12, 12a, 12b, 12c) for corresponding predefined lengths, spaced by corresponding intermediate stops (14, 14a, 14b) for corresponding predefined time intervals (15, 15a, 15b). The intermediate stops are carried out before the solidified layer has become completely detached from the bottom.
US09446555B2	Hot wedge welding machine and method of operation The invention relates to providing a hot wedge welding machine which may eliminate the thermal dampening that occurs to a welding element when the material to be welded is first introduced into the welding machine. The invention relates to cooling the welding element to stimulate a heating system to heat the welding element to the desired temperature. The artificial cooling stress provided by a cooling system is removed generally at the same time genuine cooling stress of the material is applied to the welding element. This results in the welding element maintaining a consistent temperature when the material is introduced into the welding machine.
US09446545B2	Injection device, molding machine, and method for controlling injection device An injection device is provided with a stationary-side frame supporting a barrel, a movable-side frame rotatably supporting a screw, a pair of ball screws, and injection drive mechanisms includes servomotors configured to rotate the ball screws. A force detector such as a load cell and the like is disposed between the first ball screw and the movable-side frame. A dummy member is disposed between the second ball screw and the movable-side frame. A control unit controls the first injection drive mechanism based on the output of the force detector and controls the second injection drive mechanism based on the output of the force detector and an arithmetic operation performed in consideration of the respective spring constants of the force detector and the dummy member.
US09446544B2	Method and system for multivariate remote monitoring of polymer processing In an injection molding process, it can be difficult to detect, in real time, process control variables such as pressure and temperature. Traditional temperature detectors and pressure sensors can be difficult to place in or near a mold cavity. An example embodiment of the present invention includes a self-powered multivariate sensor and uses acoustic transmission. The sensor may employ an infra-red thermal detector and pressure sensor and transmit coded representations of measurements acoustically via a body of the mold. From the temperature and pressure, melt velocity and melt viscosity of a compound in the mold can be determined with a high degree of accuracy by a processor internal to or external from the sensor. The example embodiment maintains structural integrity of the mold, provides a wireless self-powered sensor, and makes available sensing of properties of the viscous compound to enable injection molded parts production at a success rate exceeding 90%.
US09446543B2	Injection mould with hot runner manifold To simplify the cleaning of hot runner feed lines, and consequently to reduce the downtimes, an injection mold with at least one central feed line and a number of plates arranged one above the other is proposed. The injection mold has at least one hot runner feed line with one or more branching points, at which the hot runner feed line changes direction and/or is divided. In each plate, the hot runner feed line runs in a straight line from the upper surface of a plate to the lower surface of the plate. These hot runner feed lines run straight and at an angle within the plate. At least on one side, the hot runner feed lines open out into exchangeable inserts. For cleaning the injection mold, the exchangeable inserts can be removed from the plates and cleaned separately, while the straight-running hot runner feed lines can be mechanically cleaned in a conventional way.
US09446539B2	Conductive adhesive and method of forming same A method of forming a conductive adhesive includes condensation-polymerizing a carrier onto a plurality of carbon nanotubes each disposed on a substrate and having a first end and a second end spaced opposite the first end. The carrier is spaced apart from the substrate so that each of the plurality of carbon nanotubes extends continuously through the carrier such that the first end and the second end are spaced apart from the carrier. After condensation-polymerizing, the method includes removing the substrate from the plurality of carbon nanotubes without removing the carrier from the plurality of carbon nanotubes to thereby form the conductive adhesive. A conductive adhesive for removably joining a first surface and a second surface is also disclosed.
US09446534B2	Disconnection unit for instantaneous disconnection of a load A disconnection unit (10) is described for instantaneous disconnection of a load connected to a vessel (12) with the help of a wire, cable, chain or the like (16) that runs on a topside of an assigned part of an open deck (14) of a vessel, where the unit (10) comprises a housing (30) that contains an explosive part (32), said explosive part comprises, at least, one explosive unit (34) formed as a directed charge with a blast-off side, where the unit (10) is arranged to extend above the deck (14) of the vessel, and the unit (10) comprises a rod mechanism (50) arranged to hold the housing with the explosive part (32) adjoining said wire, cable, chain or the like (16) that shall be cut. Also described is an anchor handling vessel comprising, at least, one disconnection unit.
US09446531B2	Constant acceleration hydrocutting system An improvement to hydrocutting systems includes a curved shape for the acceleration and deceleration sections of the system. In the acceleration and deceleration tubes, the curvature of the sidewall is non-linear along its length, and the water flowing therein accelerates, positively or negatively, at a substantially constant rate. In an embodiment, there is a second curvature, which may be offset from the first curvature by about 90 degrees, that accelerates the water at a second, different substantially constant rate, in order to align the food product both lengthwise and rotationally to a desired orientation.
US09446526B2	Loading device having suction assemblies with adjustable interspaces thereamong A loading device of a robot includes a frame, a first pneumatic cylinder and a first pulley member mounted on a top face of the frame, a second pneumatic cylinder and a second pulley member mounted on a bottom face of the frame, first and second suction assemblies coupled to the first pneumatic cylinder and the first pulley member, third and fourth suction assemblies coupled to the second pneumatic cylinder and the second pulley member, and a fifth suction assembly secured to a middle of the frame. Interspaces among the first to fifth suction assemblies are adjustable by activating the first and second pneumatic cylinder to extend or retract pistons thereof.
US09446525B2	Robot hand and robot A robot hand includes a first bit, a second bit, a first holding member, and a second holding member. The second bit holds a microtube between the first bit and the second bit. The first holding member is disposed on the first bit. The second holding member is disposed on the second bit. The second holding member holds a vessel between the first holding member and the second holding member.
US09446522B2	Presence sensing and position correction for wafer on a carrier ring Embodiments of the invention include apparatuses and systems for determining the position of a carrier ring assembly supported by an end effector. In an embodiment, the position of the carrier ring assembly is determined by passing the carrier ring assembly through a plurality of through beam sensors. As the carrier ring passes through the sensors, a plurality of sensor transitions along points on the carrier ring assembly are detected. Each sensor transition indicates that one of the through beam sensors changed from an unblocked state to a blocked state, or changed from an blocked state to an unblocked state. The position of the end effector is recorded at each sensor transition and is associated with the sensor transition that caused the end effector position to be recorded. A position of the carrier ring assembly is then calculated from the plurality of sensor transitions and their associated end effector positions.
US09446520B2	Method and system for robotic positioning A robotic system including at least two acoustic sensors, spaced apart, for receiving respective versions of a respective continuous ultrasonic waveform emitted by each of one or more positional elements, each of the respective continuous ultrasonic waveforms comprising a respective modulated carrier and an electromagnetic sensor for receiving a respective electromagnetic signal emitted by a respective electromagnetic emitter of a same respective one of the positional elements, and a computing device. The respective electromagnetic signal is emitted in coordination with the respective ultrasonic waveform emitted by the same positional element. The computing device decodes the versions of the ultrasonic waveform and the electromagnetic signal to measure time delays between the versions of the respective ultrasonic waveform and the respective electromagnetic signal, converts the time delays to distances, and triangulates the distances to determine positions of the positional elements. A robot maneuvers based on the determined positions.
US09446518B1	Leg collision avoidance in a robotic device An example implementation for avoiding leg collisions may involve a biped robot reducing a three-dimensional system to a two-dimensional projection of the biped robot's feet. An example biped robot may determine a touchdown location for a swing foot. The biped robot may determine lateral positions of the touchdown location and the swing foot, each relative to a stance foot. Based on one or more of the determined lateral positions of the touchdown location and the swing foot, each relative to the stance foot, the biped robot may determine an intermediate swing point for the swing foot that is not on a line defined by the swing foot and the touchdown location. The biped robot may further cause the swing foot to move to the intermediate swing point, and then cause the swing foot to move to the touchdown location.
US09446513B2	Robotic grippers including finger webbing for improved grasping A robotic gripper includes a gripper palm, a first pair of adjacent fingers extending from the palm, each finger in the first pair of fingers including a first link coupled to a second link by a rotatable joint, and a second pair of adjacent fingers extending from the palm, each finger in the second pair of fingers including a first link coupled to a second link by a rotatable joint. A web member is attached to the first pair of adjacent fingers, the web member having a web portion having a gripping face, the web portion disposed between a first one of the first pair of adjacent fingers and a second one of the second pair of adjacent fingers.
US09446512B1	iAnt swarm robotic platform and evolutionary algorithms The present invention provides a swarm of robots and a related method of operating the swarm. The robots are programmed to start at a nest and to select a dispersal direction from a uniform random distribution. The robots travel along the dispersal direction until transitioning to a search mode upon reaching a search site, where the robot performs a correlated random walk with fixed step size and direction and using a standard deviation to determine how correlated the direction of the next step of the robot is with the direction of the previous step. If no resource is found within predetermined time t independently determined by each of said robots, the robot returns to the nest and repeats the above steps.
US09446507B2	Ratcheting torque wrench A disposable ratcheting device and method is disclosed, which may include a shaft extending axially through at least a shank. The shank also provides a cup or chamber wherein a series of drive bodies reside in a movable fashion. The shank is placed in a body having an inner wall with teeth formed radially, The drive bodies have toes protruding beyond the shank and which, in a locked direction, engage the teeth inside the body.
US09446501B2	Method and apparatus for abrasive stream perforation An abrasive stream perforation (ASP) system and method for forming a plurality of perforations through a composite part. The ASP system may include a compressed air source, a particulate source, a valve, nozzles, and a positioning device. The valve is actuatable between an open state and a closed state. The compressed air and particulate are simultaneously forced through the valve in its open state and then forced through the nozzles and against the surface of the composite part, forming the perforations through the composite part. The support frame maintains the nozzles in a spaced relationship to each other and a selected distance away from the composite part. The positioning device is fixed to the support frame and actuates the support frame relative to the surface of the composite part for proper positioning of the nozzles and the resulting perforations.
US09446500B2	Underwater abrasive entrainment waterjet cutting method The use of abrasive entrainment waterjet technology to cut objects located at the bottom of a body of water. Abrasive is conducted to an abrasive waterjet cutting head under the control of an abrasive feed and metering system that monitors the differential pressure between the cutting head and reservoir of abrasive material and maintains the pressure at the abrasive reservoir greater than the pressure hydrostatic pressure at the cutting head.
US09446499B2	Grinding wheel truing method and grinding machine A truing device is supported so as to be elastically movable in the Z-axis direction, which is parallel to a grinding wheel rotational axis, and elastically movable in the X-axis direction in which a grinding wheel cuts into the truing device, and includes a movement restriction device that controls prohibition and permission of elastic movement. The method includes: causing a surface of the grinding wheel to contact the truing device in the X-axis direction; and correcting a shape of the grinding wheel when the grinding wheel cuts into the truing device until the amount of elastic movement of the truing device in the X-axis direction reaches a first predetermined amount, by controlling the movement restriction device to prohibit elastic movement of the truing device, and thereafter causing the grinding wheel to further cut into the truing device in the X-axis direction by a second predetermined amount.
US09446493B2	Kit for polishing sapphire surfaces Kits for polishing sapphire surfaces are disclosed. The kits have compositions including colloidal silica and the colloidal silica has a broad particle size distribution. The kits also include a polishing pad. The polishing pad may include polyurethane impregnated with polyester and it may have a compressibility of about 1% to about 40% and a Shore D hardness of about 50 to about 60.
US09446490B2	Method of friction welding and apparatus of friction welding To provide a method of friction welding and an apparatus of friction welding in which a length of time for manufacturing one product is reduced as much as possible regardless of the dimension errors of works. The fast forwarding distance Lx1 is calculated for the fast forwarding by using the results of measuring the dimensions of works W1, W2 under the condition of the constant slowly forwarding distance Lx2, Thereby, for the work of a legitimate dimension and even for the work having a dimension smaller than the legitimate dimension, the elongation of the slowly forwarding distance is prevented compared with the work having the longer dimension than the legitimate dimension, and the relative proportion of the fast forwarding distance Lx1 is increased by making shorter the specified slowly forwarding distance.
US09446488B2	Self-locking molded-in blind inserts Blind inserts for use with sandwich panels and methods for manufacturing the same. A blind insert can include a nut arranged in an insert. The insert can include a cavity at an end of the nut. When a screw is screwed into the nut, the screw can enter the cavity and dig into the insert. The interference between the insert and the screw can provide friction that prevents the screw from loosening in a vibrating environment. The blind insert can be made by placing a mandrel into the nut. The mandrel includes a nose that extends past the end of the nut. When the insert is molded around the nut, the mandrel prevents mold material from entering a threaded aperture of the nut and forms the cavity in the insert. The blind insert can also be made by placing a cap that defines the cavity on the end of the nut. The insert can be molded around the cap and the nut.
US09446485B2	Double offset ball member usable in ball valves and other flow control applications Ball valves and ball valve components usable to control the flow of fluids and methods for manufacturing said ball valve components. Ball valves include a ball member comprising two curved segments of like shape and size, which are integrally joined and disposed symmetrically to one another relative to the axis of rotation of the ball member. A bore extends through the joined first and the second curved segments, wherein the first end of the bore is located on the first curved segment and the second end of the bore is located on the second curved segment. Each curved segment is disposed symmetrically to one another, relative to the axis of rotation. The area of separation, between the curved segments, defines shoulders of like configuration, wherein each shoulder is located symmetrically with respect to the other relative to the ball member's axis of rotation.
US09446483B2	Dual walled titanium tubing and methods of manufacturing the tubing Within examples, a method of manufacturing a double-walled titanium conduit is described. Example methods include stitch welding multiple concentric sheets to form a stitch layer, providing the stitch layer between an inner wall and an outer wall of the double-walled titanium conduit, circumferentially seam welding the inner wall and the outer wall to the stitch layer to create a welded assembly, die forming the welded assembly at temperature and pressure to form inner structures between the multiple concentric sheets according to stitch welding lines and to enable a diffusion bond process among the inner wall, the stitch layer, and the outer wall, and removing the double-walled titanium conduit from the die.
US09446482B2	Laser system processing unit connection A laser system includes one or more lasers and one or more laser processing units each connected to a respective one of the one or more lasers by a laser light cable and a data line associated uniquely with the laser light cable. Each laser processing unit includes a safety device for monitoring the laser processing unit and an interface for the data line. The laser system also includes a central safety control operably associated with the one or more laser processing units and configured to monitor the safety devices of multiple laser processing units of the laser system. The interface of each of the one or more laser processing units is connected to the central safety control and via the data line to the respective one of the one or more lasers.
US09446480B2	Reinforced cladding A method for forming a reinforced cladding on a superalloy substrate. The method includes forming a melt pool including a superalloy material and a plurality of discrete carbon reinforcing structures on the superalloy substrate via application of energy from an energy source. The method further includes cooling the melt pool to form a reinforced cladding including the superalloy material and the carbon reinforcing structures on the substrate.
US09446479B2	Processing method for plate-shaped workpiece A method of processing a plate-shaped workpiece includes: a positioning step of mounting the plate-shaped workpiece on a support plate; a joining step of irradiating an outer peripheral portion of the plate-shaped workpiece mounted on the support plate with a laser beam to form a fusion bond region where the plate-shaped workpiece is fusion-bonded to the support plate at the outer peripheral portion of the plate-shaped workpiece, thereby fixing the plate-shaped workpiece onto the support plate; and a processing step of processing the plate-shaped workpiece after the joining step.
US09446475B2	Weld assembly for ultrasonic additive manufacturing applications A system for use in ultrasonic additive manufacturing processes, comprising a milling machine or the like and a weld assembly. The milling machine further includes a spindle adapted to receive a milling tool, wherein the spindle is capable of moving in the z-axis direction; and a table positioned beneath the spindle, wherein the table is capable of moving in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. The weld assembly is adapted to be mounted on the spindle of the milling machine and further includes an ultrasonic weld head; a tapered tool shank adapted to connect the weld assembly to the spindle; and a unique mating collar disposed between the ultrasonic weld head and the spindle, wherein the mating collar is operative transfer thrust loads associated with ultrasonic additive manufacturing processes from the ultrasonic weld head to the z-axis of the spindle without damaging the spindle or other components of the machine.
US09446474B2	Electrode cap grinding and changing all-in-one (AIO) machine An electrode cap grinding and changing machine is provided. The machine includes a frame, a drive motor having an output end and a balanced floating unit, wherein the balanced floating unit is arranged on the frame, and the drive motor is arranged on the balanced floating unit, the output end of the drive motor penetrates through the balanced floating unit and then is connected with a working table having two sides, the two sides of the working table having a cap dismounting unit and a cap grinding unit drivably interconnected with the output end of the drive motor, and electrode cap storage units arranged at an outermost end of the two sides of the working table or on the frame.
US09446473B2	Electric resistance welding operation management device, electric resistance welding operation management method, and computer program An electric resistance welding operation management device manages a welding operation during manufacture of electric resistance welded steel pipe, in which heat is input to a steel plate, that is being conveyed along a specific conveyance direction and formed into a circular tube shape while pressing side faces of the metal plate with a pair of squeeze rolls, to weld together two circumferential direction edge portions of the metal plate converging in a V-shape. The electric resistance welding operation management device includes an image input section that inputs plural images and each including a Vee convergence region of the steel plate. The electric resistance welding operation management device includes a welding point position derivation section that derives the position of a welding point.
US09446459B2	Surface machining device for a cellular structure A device for machining a slot on a surface of a cellular structure includes a machining head that includes a chassis, a rotary tool rotating about a tool axis perpendicular to the direction of the slot, two guide wheels arranged on either side of the rotary tool that have a plurality of teeth configured and positioned such that they penetrate the cells of an alignment of the cellular structure. The machining head includes a link between the chassis and at least one guide wheel that enables a degree of freedom in a lateral direction parallel to the tool axis such that the guide wheel is movable in relation to the rotary tool in the lateral direction.
US09446454B2	Segmented orbital drill A segmented orbital drill includes a segmented portion with a semi-finishing cutting portion and a plurality of finishing cutting portions. The semi-finishing cutting portion and finishing cutting portions are separated by grooves formed by a front wall and a rear wall. The segmented portion allows for a fresh cutting edge (i.e., rear wall of the groove) to be revealed as the orbital drill wears in the axial direction. The segmented portion also causes less contact with the workpiece, which reduces power consumption and minimizes deflection of the orbital drill. The segmented orbital drill also includes an optional pilot at one end of the drill, and a clearance neck portion between a shank and the segmented portion. A method of machining a workpiece using the segmented orbital drill is also disclosed.
US09446450B2	Cutting insert, cutting tool, and method for manufacturing cut workpiece using same A cutting insert, a cutting tool and method of manufacturing a machined product. The cutting insert includes: upper and lower surfaces; a side surface; a cutting edge; and a rake portion on the upper surface. The cutting edge includes major and minor cutting edges that are convex toward outside of the main body portion. The minor cutting edge has a curvature radius smaller than a curvature radius of the major cutting edge. The rake portion is inclined and approaches the lower surface as moving from the major cutting edge toward inside of the main body portion and is located along the major cutting edge. An inclination angle of the rake portion becomes smaller as moving from a part continuous with one end of the major cutting edge toward a part continuous with center of the major cutting edge.
US09446448B2	Recoaters for powder-layer three-dimensional printers Recoaters for powder-layer three-dimensional printers which are capable of producing enhanced powder layer uniformity and powder-layer three-dimensional printers having such recoaters are described. The recoater comprises a bridge, two supports, one at either end of the bridge, a powder reservoir, and a substantially rectangular plate which extends between the two supports and contains an opening through which the powder reservoir either extends into or through or through which build powder can be fed into the powder reservoir. The plate has a length to minimum width ratio of no more than about 7.0 and a length to maximum width ratio of no more than about 5.0, the plate being adapted to brace the bridge into a perpendicular relationship with the first and second supports when the recoater is being controllably moved and the powder reservoir is dispensing powder to form a powder layer.
US09446447B2	Method and device for producing motor vehicle chassis parts A method and device for producing motor vehicle chassis parts is provided. The motor vehicle chassis parts can be subjected to tensile stress, compressive stress and torsion and the mechanical strength of the motor vehicle chassis parts can be adjusted over the respective cross-section. The motor vehicle chassis parts have high ductility and temperature stability and are made of an AlSiZnMg alloy by permanent mould casting.
US09446446B2	System and method for assembling and disassembling components from a wind power turbine A method and system is provided for assembling or disassembling a blade of a wind turbine. The wind turbine includes a tower resting on a base, a rotor including at least one rotor blade having a blade connection flange and a nacelle mounted atop the tower, a hub rotatably connected to the nacelle and including a hub connection flange adapted to be detachably connected to a blade connection flange of a rotor blade. Thy wind turbine further includes a first positioning element adapted to be attached to the nacelle or to the tower in a top area and a second positioning element adapted to be joined to the blade in a root blade area, where the first and second positioning elements are configured to cooperate to provide an accurate position of the blade connection flange prior to connection to the hub connection flange.
US09446445B2	Method for manufacturing hollow shafts The present invention describes a method of manufacturing a near-net shaped hollow shaft useful for high power applications such as gearboxes for wind energy industry. The method involves providing a concast bloom (of a round or rectangular or of any polygonal cross section) or an as-cast round ingot from which a hollow perform is prepared using hollow die punching, followed by process of heat treatment, proof-machining and stress relieving.
US09446442B2	Moving workpiece parts on machine tools Machine tools for processing plate-like workpieces by punching include a punching tool including a punch and a punching die, a drive unit for moving the punch and the punching die relative to each other along a stroke axis for cutting a workpiece part free from a plate-like workpiece, a hold-down device that is movable along the stroke axis and that includes a stripper that contacts an upper surface of the plate-like workpiece while the plate-like workpiece is punched through by the punch, a detection device for detecting a reference position of the hold-down device along the stroke axis, wherein the stripper contacts the upper surface of the workpiece at the reference position, and a numerical control unit for positioning the stripper at a particular distance from the reference position such that a workpiece part that has been cut off can be moved away from a processing region.
US09446440B2	Method for producing a gun barrel having barrel flutings The invention relates to a method for producing a gun barrel by cold forging a cylindrical blank in a barrel hammering machine, which has a plurality of forging hammers distributed around the circumference of the blank and acting radially on the blank, wherein forging hammers having ribs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blank are used in order to forge longitudinal grooves in the blank during the cold forging.
US09446439B2	Process for manufacturing a wound hose, particularly a spiral wound metallic hose, as well as wound hose and flexible conduction element with a wound hose A heat-insulated wound hose is formed by a process, in which a metal wound hose is at first upset, such that turns, which are spaced apart by adjacent axial wall areas of individual turns, form at least one uninterrupted jacket wall surface. A ceramic-based coating is subsequently applied to the at least one uninterrupted jacket wall surface. The coating is then cured, and the wound hose thus formed is subsequently pulled apart, whereby adjacent axial wall areas of adjacent turns are detached from one another and thereby the coating is broken up at partitions.
US09446435B2	Particle manipulation system with cytometric capability A MEMS-based particle manipulation system which uses a particle manipulation stage and a plurality of laser interrogation regions. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the particle manipulation stage. In one exemplary embodiment, the particle manipulation stage is a microfabricated, flap-type fluid valve, which sorts a target particle from non-target particles in a fluid stream. The laser interrogation stages are disposed in the microfabricated fluid channels at the input and output of the flap-type sorting valve. The laser interrogation regions may be used to assess the effectiveness or accuracy of the sorting, and to control or adjust sort parameters during the sorting process.
US09446434B2	Inspection apparatus and method using pattern recognition Inspection apparatus comprises a feed system for delivering a stream of articles to an imaging zone. A camera generates image data from the stream at the imaging zone for processing by a computer. The computer comprises a pattern recognition system for identifying defects in areas from the image data, and for ranking identified defects. The pattern recognition system is programmed to operate according to multiple defect criteria. The computer is also coupled to a graphical user interface to display the areas identified from the image data as thumbnails on the interface arranged according to rank of the identified defects in the areas, in each of at least two defect criteria. The areas from the generated image data will normally be defined around each identified defect with the defect central therein. These areas, or thumbnails, can overlap.
US09446432B2	Vibratory apparatus with transport and assembly method A vibratory apparatus includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall and at least one pair of mated interior walls, the first sidewall, the second sidewall and the at least one pair of mated interior walls depending longitudinally between an inlet end and an outlet end. The at least one pair of mated interior walls is disposed laterally between the first and second sidewalls. At least one deck depends between the first and second sidewalls, and is divided into longitudinally depending sections by the at least one pair of mated interior walls. The apparatus also includes an exciter coupled to the at least one deck.
US09446428B2	Method of dip-coating a segmented multifocal lens A method of dip-coating a segmented multifocal lens (1) having a segment with a curved portion and a straight line portion, includes the steps of: placing the lens (1) on a basket support (21); immersing the lens (1) vertically in a coating solution bath (16); and withdrawing the lens (1) vertically from the bath (16); wherein the step of placing the lens (1) is performed such that the straight line portion of the lens (1) is in a vertical plane; and wherein, before or during the step of immersing the lens (1), the lens (1) is inclined to an inclined position between a vertical position and a horizontal position of the lens (1), in which inclined position the segment is downwardly inclined and the straight line portion of the segment remains in the vertical plane.
US09446417B2	Vibration response and tuning of a center of mass/gravity of a centrifuge Centrifuges have been designed in the past for centrifuging multi-welled containers, but they are limited in centripetal acceleration or have a large footprint. The invention provides a centrifuge with a high centripetal acceleration and imbalance tolerance while maintaining a small footprint and being able to integrate with laboratory automation equipment. Methods and apparatuses for centrifugation include a rotor assembly positioned within a shield assembly suspended in a centrifuge. The rotor assembly is operably connected to the motor for rotating payloads (e.g., multi-welled containers) around an axis. The shield assembly is positioned such that the center of mass is aligned with the axis of rotation of the rotor assembly and the plane containing the rotational imbalance force vector. This alignment allows rotation of the container with an acceleration of at least 2000 g (or at least 3000 g, 4000 g, 5000 g, etc.).
US09446414B2	Waste processing machine, vigilance control system, timer, and methods therefor A control system for a waste processing machine includes an actuator and a timer operatively connected to one another, wherein at least one of the actuator and the timer are in communication with and adapted to control at least one of the feed system, the cutting system, and the power system of the waste processing machine in response to the position of the actuator and a time frame or interval.
US09446412B2	Distributor plate locking mechanism for a vertical shaft impact crusher A replaceable distributor plate, adapted for protecting a lower horizontal disc of a rotor of a vertical shaft impact crusher, includes a first portion of a bayonet joint, the first portion being adapted for cooperating with a second portion of the bayonet joint, the second portion being associated with the lower horizontal disc.
US09446410B2	Thermal cycler apparatus with elastomeric adhesive An apparatus for thermal cycling can transfer heat uniformly and efficiently. The apparatus can be used in a method that reduces condensation on sample wells. The apparatus can also be manufactured to provide uniform configurations. For example, a sample, illustratively for polymerase chain reaction (PCR), in each sample well and the components of the embodiment of the thermal cycler apparatus shown at including a well block, a base plate, a layer of adhesive, a peltier device, another layer of adhesive and a heat sink.
US09446407B2	Lid mechanism The invention provides a lid mechanism suitable for use with automated instrumentation. The lid mechanism has a compact design enabling it to function in very small spaces, and therefore on very compact instrumentation. One embodiment of the lid mechanism has a nut positioned around a jackscrew; a motor translationally attached to the nut for driving rotational motion of the nut around the jackscrew and vertical motion of the jackscrew; a main shaft positioned around the jackscrew with a bearing support positioned on the main shaft; a moving support comprising a bearing guide track and positioned on the main shaft so that the bearing support is positioned within the bearing guide track; and a lid plate positioned on the moving support so that vertical movement of the moving support causes vertical movement of the lid plate and rotational movement of the moving support causes rotational movement of the lid plate. Also provided is an automated laboratory instrument having a lid mechanism of the invention.
US09446406B2	Sample collection and bioluminescent analysis system Methods and apparatus for evaluating the quality of an environment or process by measuring light emitted from a bioluminescent sample containing ATP, ADP, or alkaline phosphatase. The apparatus comprises a sample collection and analysis system used to collect a sample, mix reagents, react the sample, and collect it in a measurement chamber. The system includes an instrument having a photon detection assembly for use with the sample testing device and one or more probe assemblies that optically cooperate with the instrument. The instrument includes a dark chamber with a reflective interior surface which may be concave or preferably spherical, and a photon detection sensor such as a multi-pixel photon counter sensor. A substantially transparent portion of the probe assembly, and liquid contained therein, focus bioluminescence toward the photon detection sensor.
US09446405B2	Microfluidic analyte detection cartridge device, system and method A microfluidic cartridge for assaying an analyte comprises one or more test channels, each having a lumen; one or more reference solution channels in fluid communication with the test channels; one or more sample channels in fluid communication with the test channels; one or more sensors at least partially exposed in the lumen of the test channels; and a processor coupled to the one or more sensors for measuring properties of the analyte to determine at least one of an identity, concentration, dose, and dosage of the analyte.
US09446400B2	Alcohol-soluble conjugated polymer and use thereof A conjugated polymer is provided, having a structure of formula (I): in formula (I), n is an integer greater than 10, wherein (i) R1 is R2 is wherein A1 is a functional group having a tertiary amine group or a quaternary ammonium salt group, R4 is independently selected from hydrogen, fluorine, alkyl, alkoxy, fluoroalkyl, or fluoroalkoxy, or (ii) R1 is R2 is A2, wherein R3 is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, fluoroalkyl, A2, or and A2 is a functional group having a tertiary amine group or a quaternary ammonium salt group, wherein R5 is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, or fluoroalkyl.
US09446399B2	Process for regenerating catalyst in a fluid catalytic cracking unit One exemplary embodiment can be a process for regenerating catalyst in a fluid catalytic cracking unit. Generally, the process includes providing a feed to a riser of a reaction vessel, and providing a stream to a distributor positioned within a void proximate to an inlet receiving unregenerated catalyst in a regenerator. The feed can include at least one of a gas oil, a vacuum gas oil, an atmospheric gas oil, a coker gas oil, a hydrotreated gas oil, a hydrocracker unconverted oil, and an atmospheric residue.
US09446390B2	Process for preparing acrylic acid using an aluminum-free zeolitic material The present invention relates to a process for preparing acrylic acid comprising (i) providing a stream comprising a formaldehyde source and acetic acid and (ii) contacting this stream with an aldol condensation catalyst comprising a zeolitic material, wherein the framework structure of the zeolitic material in (ii) includes Si and O, and has a molar Al:Si ratio of 0:1 to 0.001:1, and wherein the framework structure of the zeolitic material in (ii), in addition to Si and any Al, comprises one or more elements selected from the group consisting of tetravalent elements Y other than Si and trivalent elements X other than Al.
US09446380B2	Water-blocking filler and filler for engineered multi-barriers using said water-blocking filler Provided are a water-blocking filler, the swelling properties of which do not decrease easily even when in contact with water containing calcium ions, and a filler for engineered multi-barriers with said water-blocking filler as the engineered multi-barrier filler. A water-blocking filler mainly comprising sodium bentonite obtained by mixing 30 weight % or less, in terms of inner percentage, of a pozzolan substance such as fly ash or silica fume with said bentonite, and a filler using said water-blocking filler that is used for engineered multi-barriers in radioactive waste disposal facilities.
US09446379B2	Scintillation detector An improved scintillation detector capable of withstanding harsh operating environments includes a scintillator in a sealed casing having an atmosphere with an oxygen content not greater than about 100 ppb and an oxygen scavenger in the atmosphere within the sealed casing. The scintillator can include a material that may be damaged by exposure to oxygen. The oxygen scavenger can include an oxidizable compound.
US09446375B2	Continuous modular reactor The present invention discloses a flow reactor composed of plurality of modular/fluidic components that helps retain agility and re-configurability of the continuous chemical processes with improved processing ability. More specifically, disclosed herein is a continuous flow reactor composed of varied permutations and combinations of a plurality of modular/fluidic components for chemical processing. The components are connected to each other using connectors that facilitate the connection of either with two or more, similar or different components.
US09446374B2	Residence time plate The present invention relates to a residence time plate comprising a stack of at least two substantially parallel and elongated flow chambers arranged such that the elongated side of each flow chamber lies next to the elongated side of a neighboring flow chamber and is separated by said neighboring chamber by a separation wall. Each separation wall has at least one through hole forming a communication between two neighboring flow chambers, and the through holes are arranged in the separation walls on alternating sides of an imaginary central line drawn through the stack of flow chambers such that the flow direction in a flow chamber is along the extension of the flow chamber and opposite the flow direction of a neighboring chamber. Moreover, the residence time plate comprises at least one liquid inlet and at least one liquid outlet arranged such that liquid flowing from said inlet to said outlet passes through the stack of flow chambers. Further, at least one flow-path enhancing insert is arranged in at least one flow chamber and forming a number of insert flow passages in said flow chamber, wherein the insert flow passages are arranged such that liquid flowing in the flow chamber is directed through said insert flow passages, thereby forming a zigzag flow path along the flow direction of the flow chamber.
US09446369B2	Apparatuses for stripping gaseous hydrocarbons from particulate material and processes for the same Apparatuses and processes are provided for stripping gaseous hydrocarbons from particulate material. One process comprises the step of contacting particles containing hydrocarbons with a stripping vapor in countercurrent flow to remove at least a portion of the hydrocarbons with the stripping vapor to form stripped particles. Contacting the particles includes advancing the particles down a sloping element of a structured packing toward a reinforcing rod that is disposed along a lower channel portion of the sloping element. The particles are advanced over the reinforcing rod. The particles are contacted with the stripping vapor that is rising up adjacent to the lower channel portion.
US09446363B2	Methanol carbonylation system with multiple absorber feed options A methanol carbonylation system 10 includes an absorber tower 75 adapted for receiving a vent gas stream and removing methyl iodide therefrom with a scrubber solvent, the absorber tower being coupled to first and second scrubber solvent sources 16, 56 which are capable of supplying different first and second scrubber solvents. A switching system including valves 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 alternatively provides first or second scrubber solvents to the absorber tower and returns the used solvent and sorbed material to the carbonylation system to accommodate different operating modes.
US09446357B2	Aeration equipment An aeration apparatus includes an injection nozzle provided at one of the open ends of a main body formed in the shape of a cylinder. When the injection nozzle is immersed in a liquid, the main body stands upright such that the injection nozzle is on a lower side, and gas is injected inside the main body from the injection nozzle to disperse the gas. The injection nozzle is disposed such that a center line of an injection port formed at the tip of the injection nozzle intersects the inner flow channel surface at a position lower than a blade member disposed in the lowest stage, and such that the angle formed between the center line and the vertical direction is not greater than 45 degrees.
US09446354B2	Device, system and process for modification or concentration of cell-depleted fluid A product concentration device that utilizes a reservoir connected to a hollow-fiber filter element where the reservoir can serve as a container for filtrate emanating from another filtering device, such that product in the reservoir can be stored, concentrated and/or further processed as desired. Enclosed reactor systems, each of at least three chambers, fluid flow between the chambers controlled by selectively permeable barriers, flow controlled by an alternating flow diaphragm pump.
US09446353B2	Catalyst for treating exhaust gas and method for producing the same An object of the present invention is to provide a catalyst for treating exhaust gas adapted not only to remove CO and VOCs based on unsaturated hydrocarbons such as C2H4 but also to accelerate a decomposition reaction of saturated hydrocarbons such as propane and to provide a method for producing such a catalyst for treating exhaust gas. The present invention provides a catalyst for treating an exhaust gas containing carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds, the catalyst comprising a substrate containing a NOx removal catalyst component and a porous inorganic compound layer containing a noble metal, the layer being applied to the substrate.
US09446351B2	Filtration medium and process for filtering a fluid stream A filtration medium comprises a textile substrate and a mercury abatement coating on a least a portion of the surface of the textile substrate. The mercury abatement coating comprises a copper salt, a binder, and other optional components. A process for removing mercury from a gaseous stream uses the filtration medium.
US09446349B2	Adsorptive permeation hollow fiber membrane, method of manufacturing the same, and gas adsorptive/desorptive separation system utilizing the same Disclosed are an adsorptive permeation hollow fiber membrane formed by uniformly dispersing an adsorbent capable of selectively adsorbing only a specific gas in mixed gas components inside a porous hollow fiber membrane having a sponge structure capable of non-selectively permeating a mixed gas in a powder or crystalline powder form, a method of manufacturing the same, and a gas adsorptive/desorptive separation system utilizing the same.
US09446343B2	Simulated moving bed system for CO2 separation, and method of same A system and method for separating and/or purification of CO2 gas from a CO2 feed stream is described. The system and method include a plurality of fixed sorbent beds, adsorption zones and desorption zones, where the sorbent beds are connected via valve and lines to create a simulated moving bed system, where the sorbent beds move from one adsorption position to another adsorption position, and then into one regeneration position to another regeneration position, and optionally back to an adsorption position. The system and method operate by concentration swing adsorption/desorption and by adsorptive/desorptive displacement.
US09446340B2	Air filter cartridge Filters capable of dissipating static charges. One example includes a filter media pack comprising fluted media secured to facing media; the fluted media having cellulose fibers; and the fluted media including an amount of carbon black sufficient to impart a static charge dissipative property thereto. One example includes an air filter cartridge having a filter media pack comprising fluted media secured to facing media; the fluted media comprising cellulose fibers; the fluted media having at least one side coated with a static charge dissipative amount of a metallic coating. These filters are useable in, for example, dust collectors.
US09446337B2	Filter media for long-term high temperature applications A filter media is generally described including an upstream layer of a nonwoven fiber having a denier between about 5.0 and 7.0 and a weight of between about 3.0 and 5.0 opsy, optionally a scrim, and a cap layer of a fiber having a denier between about 0.1 and 5.0, and a weight between about 2.0 and 4.0 opsy carried by the upstream layer and disposed downstream from the upstream layer. The upstream layer, scrim and cap layer can have a weight of about 4.0 opsy, 2.0 opsy and 3.0 opsy respectively. A downstream layer can be disposed between the upstream layer and the cap layer.
US09446336B2	Dual cartridge filter stabilizer A stabilizer for suppressing vibration, shock, translational, and rotational forces, on a dual cartridge filter system. The stabilizer uses opposing curved surfaces which correspond with, and follow the curvature of, the diameter of each cartridge cylindrical housing. The stabilizer is formed having a stabilizer base with locking members or leg portions radially extending along a bottom portion of each opposing curved surface. The stabilizer is secured to each filter housing by having the locking members inserted within indents on a rim of the filter housing bottom end cap. In alternative embodiments, the locking member is a resilient tab that forms a friction fit with a complementary structure on the filter housing bottom end cap, or an interlocking snap-fit male/female clip complementary to a female/male clip or snap on the filter housing lower cap.
US09446332B2	Apparatus for separating gas and liquid Disclosed is an apparatus for separating gas and liquid. The apparatus for separating gas and liquid includes a housing, a rotating shaft provided inside the housing, a drive unit configured to rotate the rotating shaft, a rotating cone mounted at the rotating shaft to rotate about the rotating shaft and having a diameter decreasing from an upper end to a lower end thereof, a fixed cone fixed in the housing to be spaced apart from the rotating cone and having a diameter decreasing from an upper end to a lower end thereof, and a scraper configured to remove scale generated in at least one of the fixed cone and the rotating cone, based on the rotation of the rotating shaft.
US09446331B2	System and method for dispensing photoresist A system comprises: a filter for removing at least one of a contaminant or gas bubbles from a liquid photoresist to provide a filtered photoresist at an outlet of the filter. The filter has a filter vent. A trap has an inlet coupled to receive the filtered photoresist from the filter, for removing a remaining contaminant or gas bubbles from the filtered photoresist. One or more valves and one or more conduits are connected to the filter and the trap. The one or more valves are operable to reverse a direction of flow of the filtered photoresist, so that the photoresist flows from the inlet of the trap, through the outlet of the filter, to the filter vent.
US09446330B2	HPLC capillary column device A high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) capillary column device, system and method for processing a HPLC sample with a cartridge housing a packed capillary column; at least one inlet connection to the capillary column for a sample fluid; and at least one outlet connection from the capillary column for the sample fluid. The outlet connection is able to accommodate either a spray tip for atomizing the sample fluid or a transport tube for transporting the sample fluid from a spray tip column to a spray tip. Inlet connections enable supply of electrical power to the capillary column through electrical connections disposed within the cartridge housing; and gas for evaporating the sample liquid is supplied to at least one outlet connection from the capillary column for the sample fluid through a gas supply line within the cartridge housing. The temperature of the sample liquid can be controlled through a heat connection.
US09446325B2	Remote control system Provided is a communication processing module, which is compatible with various kinds of devices to be operated by an operation input device. The communication processing module for the device to be operated receives any one of a standard operation signal specifying a standard action and a specific operation signal specifying an action unique to the device to be operated, which are transmitted by the operation input device. When the received operation signal is the standard operation signal, the communication processing module causes the device to be operated to execute an action corresponding to a content of the operation signal, and when the received operation signal is the specific operation signal, transfers data contained in the signal to a unique processing module. The unique processing module causes the device to be operated to execute an action corresponding to a content of the data transferred from the communication processing module.
US09446317B2	Server system and method to provide bonus based on login history A server system refers to the login history of a registered friend player within a given period when an authenticated player has been subjected to a login process. The server system gives a bonus that corresponds to the number (login friend count) of friend users who have logged in within the given period to the authenticated player when the authenticated player has logged in.
US09446311B2	Device, game and control methods therefor In an embodiment there is provided a method of controlling a user interface responsive to user input with a displayed game board comprising a plurality of object positions on said interface, the method comprising the following implemented by at least one processor of a device in communication with said interface and at least one memory: displaying a game board having a plurality of first and second game objects displayed on said game board positions, each first and second object having one or more characteristics stored in said at least one memory, the second game objects having a third characteristic, detecting an input trajectory comprising a selection of a sequence of one or more neighbouring first game objects sharing at least one same characteristic in response to user input, determining a target direction comprising a portion of said input trajectory with respect to the game board, and generating a further game object having a movement vector comprising said target direction in dependence on said portion of said input trajectory, the target direction extending to the boundary of the displayed game board.
US09446307B2	Device for balance exercises and balance games using variable restoring forces A board apparatus for balance exercises and balance games having a platform that is tiltable on a base part, freely rotatable around a vertical axis, and mounted movably along the vertical axis. A restoring part generates restoring forces that counteract motions of the platform and can be modified by the user. The restoring part includes four elastomer springs that are arranged at a distance from the center of the base part. The elastomer springs can be offset inward or outward with respect to the center of the base part, enabling accurate adaptation of the restoring forces. When twisting the platform around the vertical axis, the restoring part always returns the support part into one of two initial positions that are located 180 degree opposite to one another.
US09446304B2	Image processing program, image processing device and image processing method To provide an image processing device and the like capable of improving visibility of images in a game and so on with respect to a user. A player object operated by the user and plural objects different from the player object are generated in a three dimensional virtual space, and an object existing within a given range including the player object in these plural objects is selected as an object to be imaged, and a position of a virtual camera is determined so that the player object and the object to be imaged are captured into the two dimensional image.
US09446303B2	Non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having information processing program stored thereon, information processing apparatus, information processing system, and information processing method Diversification of a game field is realized while maintaining appropriate visibilities of the game field and a player object. An information processing apparatus includes: an object control section which controls movement of the virtual object by performing, based on a predetermined condition, switching between a first and a second state in which a virtual object movable region in the virtual space is restricted to a first and a second region, respectively; an image generation section which generates an image taken by a virtual camera; and a virtual camera control section which sets, in the first state, the position of the virtual camera to a first viewpoint that is a high-angle viewpoint with respect to the first region, and sets, in the second state, the position of the virtual camera to a second viewpoint that is a viewpoint other than the high-angle viewpoint.
US09446296B2	Conditioning apparatus and related methods In one embodiment, a conditioning apparatus for conditioning a user includes a target, and an illumination source spaced apart from the target. The illumination source is configured to project a light upon the target for use in response to movement of the user.
US09446294B2	Golf club and golf club head structures A golf club head has a body defining a ball striking face. The body further has a first leg extending away from the ball striking face and a second leg extending away from the ball striking face wherein a void is defined between the first leg and the second leg. The body further defines a cover that extends over the void. The golf club head may further have support structures and adjustable weight members.
US09446293B2	Golf club A golf club having a face adapted to directly strike a golf ball thereon, a pipe-shaped shaft coupled to the club head, and a grip coupled to the top end periphery of the shaft, includes a first protrusion formed on one side of an internal surface of a face thereof; a second protrusion formed on the rear surface of the interior thereof in such a manner as to face the first protrusion and having a lubricating oil inlet passage formed thereon in such a manner as to be connected to the outside; a spring disposed engagedly between the first protrusion and the second protrusion; a bolt detachably mounted on the entrance of the lubricating oil inlet passage of the second protrusion; and an elastic structure slidingly operating along the spring in such a manner as to surround the spring.
US09446288B1	Exercise and therapy device having SPNRED material An exercise/therapy device has a base, a foot receptacle rotatably mounted to the base, and one or more rollers mounted to the base and aligned with the foot receptacle. Somatosensory proprioceptive neuromuscular re-education (SPNRED) material is provided on the foot receptacle and/or rollers to stimulate the user's foot during exercise. The exercise device allows for Active Isolated Stretching by enabling multiple exercises and stimulation materials that can be quickly interchanged.
US09446287B2	Sensor-based athletic activity measurements Determining pace or speed based on sensor data may include determining an amount of contact time a user's foot has with a workout surface such as the ground. Contact time may be determined by identifying samples in the sensor data that correspond to various events such as a heelstrike, a toe-off and a subsequent heelstrike. In one example, these events may be identified by determining a sequence of three sample values (e.g., a triplet) that exceeds corresponding thresholds. The validity of an identified triplet (e.g., heelstrike, toe-off and heelstrike) may be confirmed by determining whether a difference between a last event sample and a middle event sample is greater than a difference between the middle event sample and an initial event sample. Once confirmed, a contact time may be determined from the triplet. A linear or non-linear relationship may then be applied to the contact time to determine a speed or pace.
US09446285B1	Unsupported pelvic/spine exercise system and method The invention is embodied in an exercise system that can allow its user to counterbalance the effects associated with a predominantly sedentary lifestyle though a fitness device that comprises a combination of (a) supporting the lower body in a manner that permits a user's upper body to act as a third class lever with the user's hips operating as fulcrum and (b) engaging in resistance exercises with the upper body in a horizontal position, unsupported above the greater trochanter.
US09446284B2	Squat exercising The present disclosure comprises methods, apparatus, components, and techniques for performing a squat exercise. Embodiments of the present disclosure may assist the user to carry out a squat with proper form to reduce the risk of injury and increase effectiveness of the exercise. Embodiments of the present disclosure comprise a forward knee-arresting surface to restrict forward movement of the user's knees in order to keep the knees in line with the user's toes. Embodiments of the present disclosure further comprise lateral knee guides. A resistive force may be applied to the lateral knee guides to increase muscle exertion while carrying out the exercise.
US09446281B2	Functional exercise device An exercise device with a frame which may include a longitudinal center section, defining a first end and a second end, and two substantially equal end sections, one of each of the end sections may be coupled to the first end and the second end of the center section substantially at a midpoint with respect to the width and the height of the end sections. One or more pins may be coupled to the frame between the first end and the second end, the pins adapted to receive weight plates. A bumper may be coupled to the top and bottom of the end sections. A sled frame may be added to the device to convert the device to a functional sled with different configurations. The sled skids may be removable to be easily repositioned, removed or replaced when worn.
US09446279B1	Resistance-applying garment and connectors used in forming garment A resistance-applying garment includes an elastic line arranged in a zigzag pattern and a plurality of connectors connecting side-by-side pairs of portions of the line so as to form an assembled tubular mesh netting structure having an endless sidewall and open opposite ends in which none of the portions of the line cross over one another and the connectors are disposed about the exterior of the endless sidewall. Each connector has a body with a pair of passageways defined therethrough between opposite outer end portions and an inner middle portion of the body and extending between front and rear faces thereof and spaced from top and opposite outer sides thereof. Line portions are received and removably retained in the passageways. Top side and opposite outer sides of the body define a U-shaped outer surface arcuate-shaped and extending to and between the front and rear faces.
US09446272B2	Siloxane-containing fire extinguishing foam The invention relates to fire extinguishing foams or concentrates thereof, these comprising a carbohydrate-containing siloxane surfactant.
US09446270B2	Fire extinguishing and fire suppression compositions comprising unsaturated fluorocarbons Disclosed herein are flame suppression compounds and methods of use thereof. The compounds include unsaturated fluorocarbons appropriate for use in fire protection applications.
US09446269B2	System and method for fire suppression A system and method for fire suppression proactively identifies persons present, during a fire, in a fire suppressant release area. The persons are identified using an electronic monitoring system. An fire suppression system using a suppressant that is effective but unsafe for humans is put into service only if no person is detected. In situations where a person is present, an alternate fire suppressant is released that is safe for humans.
US09446266B2	Compositions and method for thermal protection of hair This invention details a method for providing thermal protection to human hair by applying an aerosolized polymer system to the hair before heat treatment. It has been found that acrylate polymers provide good protection from the damaging affects of curling irons and straightening irons and afford improvements in the look and feel of the treated hair.
US09446263B2	Systems and methods for linear accelerator radiotherapy with magnetic resonance imaging Systems and methods for the delivery of linear accelerator radiotherapy in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging in which components of a linear accelerator may be placed in shielding containers around a gantry, may be connected with RF waveguides, and may employ various systems and methods for magnetic and radio frequency shielding.
US09446259B2	Systems and methods for neuro-EEG synchronization therapy Described are methods, devices, and systems for a novel, inexpensive, easy to use therapy for a number of disorders. Described are methods and devices to treat disorders that involves no medication. Methods and devices described herein use alternating magnetic fields to gently “tune” the brain and affect mood, focus, and cognition of subjects.
US09446258B1	Device and method for contactless skin treatment Devices and methods for contactless skin treatment use feedback power control for non-invasive treatment of skin and human tissue. Electromagnetic energy heats skin or tissue. A feedback system measures an output physical quantity before the output of electromagnetic waves from the device into the patient. Alternatively the feedback system scans values of a physical quantity on or near the patient. The devices and methods allow for delivering the optimum amount of energy to the patient while reducing the thermal load of the device.
US09446253B2	Energy adaptive communication for medical devices System and methods for energy adaptive communications between medical devices are disclosed. In one example, a medical device includes a communication module configured to deliver a plurality of pulses to tissue of a patient, where each pulse has an amount of energy. A control module operatively coupled to the communication module, may be configured to, for each delivered pulse, determine whether the delivered pulse produces an unwanted stimulation of the patient and to change the amount of energy of the plurality of pulses over time so as to identify an amount of energy that corresponds to an unwanted stimulation threshold for the pulses. The control module may then set a maximum energy value for communication pulses that is below the unwanted stimulation threshold, and may deliver communication pulses below the maximum energy value during communication with another medical device.
US09446251B1	Handheld treatment device A handheld treatment device can include a handheld housing; a transmitting antenna located in the handheld housing and configured to accept one or more input signals and to transmit one or more electromagnetic signals to a neural stimulator that is implanted in the patient's body; and control circuitry located in the handheld housing and configured to provide the one or more input signals to the transmitting antenna.
US09446250B2	Implantable medical device with multi-function single coil A combination charging and telemetry circuit for use within an implantable device, such as a microstimulator, uses a single coil for both charging and telemetry. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, one or more capacitors are used to tune the single coil to different frequencies, wherein the coil is used for multiple purposes, e.g., for receiving power from an external source and also for the telemetry of information to and from an external source.
US09446249B2	System and method for introducing tissue stimulation lead into patient using real-time coupling efficiency measurements A system and method for locating an implantable tissue stimulation lead within a patient. A measurement indicative of a coupling efficiency between the tissue stimulation lead and tissue at a location is taken. The location of the tissue stimulation lead relative to the tissue is tracked. Coupling efficiency information based on the measurement from the monitoring device is generated, tracking information based on the tissue stimulation lead location is generated, and the coupling efficiency information and tracking information is concurrently conveyed to the user.
US09446245B2	Systems and methods for selectively stimulating components in, on, or near the pudendal nerve or its branches to achieve selectively physiological responses Systems and methods selectively stimulate components of the pudendal nerve away from the sacral root to evoke desired physiologic responses in persons who lack the ability to otherwise produce these responses—e.g., maintain continence and/or produce micturition, and/or provide male/female sexuality responses, and/or provide bowel responses. The systems and methods use a multiple electrode array, or individual electrodes, placed on, in, or near the pudendal nerve. The electrode array, or individual electrodes, in association with a pulse generator, provide selective stimulation of individual fascicles within the pudendal nerve, to achieve different physiologic responses.
US09446233B2	Behind-the-ear (BTE) prosthetic device with antenna A BTE prosthetic device for use in a medical system or prosthesis comprises a connector configured to mechanically attach an auxiliary device of the system to the BTE prosthetic device. The connector is electrically connected to an transceiver of the BTE prosthetic device. The connector operates as an electromagnetic antenna for transmitting and/or receiving signals between the BTE prosthetic and other components of the medical system.
US09446231B2	Neurostimulation system and method for compounding current to minimize current sources A neurostimulation system and method of providing therapy to a patient implanted with a plurality of electrodes using a plurality of electrical sources is provided. A source-electrode coupling configuration is determined from the electrical sources and electrodes. Electrical current is respectively conveyed between active ones of the plurality of electrical sources and active subsets of the plurality of electrodes in accordance with the determined source-electrode coupling configuration. The total number of the electrodes in the active electrode subsets is greater than the total number of the active electrical sources.
US09446230B1	Cochlear implant electrode array and method for inserting the same into a human cochlea An exemplary cochlear electrode array includes a flexible body having a pre-curved spiral shape so as to conform with the curvature of a human cochlea, a plurality of stimulation electrode contacts spaced apart along a first side of the flexible body, a bundle of wires embedded within the flexible body for electrically connecting the electrode contacts to at least one stimulation signal source, at least one inflatable portion extending along at least part of the length of the flexible body, the at least one inflatable portion being adapted to straighten the flexible body, starting from the pre-curved shape, prior to insertion into the cochlea upon being inflated by being filled with gas or liquid, and to allow the flexible body to gradually reassume its pre-curved shape during insertion of the flexible body into the cochlea upon gradual withdrawal of gas or liquid from the at least one inflatable portion.
US09446229B2	Catheter A flexible catheter includes two electrical contacts in a distal region of the catheter and a distal aperture of a hose line. The electrical contacts are connected to a high frequency pulse generator for applying pulsed radio frequency energy for nerve stimulation. A temperature sensor is located in the distal region of the catheter. The flexible catheter is inserted into a region in the spinal canal and the pulsed radio frequency generator is operated, thereby applying pulsed radio frequency energy to a localized region to be treated. The temperature at the distal region of the catheter can also be monitored, and the pulsed radio frequency energy is applied in dependance on the monitored temperature. Further, a position of the catheter is probed by applying a test stimulation signal via the electrical contacts.
US09446215B2	Device for humidifying breathing air for artificial respiration A device for humidifying breathing air for artificial respiration of mammals, in particular human beings, includes at least one essentially closed container for receiving water, a first opening for letting in the non-humidified air and a second opening for letting out humidified air, and an inlet for supplying the water to the container. The inlet is located in the upper part of the container, which is adjoined by a tube essentially crossing through the container interior, and on the free end of the tube, a valve is disposed, which limits the level of the water supplied via the tube in such a way that the container bottom in the container interior is essentially covered with water.
US09446214B2	Patient interface device including a moveable wedge forehead adjustment assembly A patient interface device is provided that includes a patient sealing assembly, such as a mask having a rigid shell and a cushion coupled to the rigid shell, and a forehead support movably coupled to the patient sealing assembly. The forehead support is moved by an wedge-type adjustment mechanism such that linear translation of the wedge moves the forehead support among the plurality of positions and fixes the forehead support in a desired position among the plurality of positions.
US09446212B2	Method and apparatus for delivering a fluid to a patient An apparatus for facilitating delivery of a fluid, such as an anaesthetic fluid, to the respiratory tract of a subject. It includes a fluid line substrate, in the form of a block having conduits formed therein for delivery and removal of an anaesthetic. A subject port is formed to receive the anatomy of the patient. A mask apparatus is arranged for mating with the subject port, and having an opening to receive the nose and mouth of the subject.
US09446211B2	Resuscitation device with onboard processor A resuscitator has a patient airway interface device, a bag, a flow passage coupled between the bag and patient airway interface device, and a sensor assembly. The patient airway interface device may be a mask or an endotracheal tube. The sensor assembly has a display, at least one sensor coupled to the flow passage and configured to provide a measurement of at least one parameter, and a processor coupled to the display and the at least one sensor. The processor is configured to receive the measurement from the sensor and provide information on the display based on the received measurement. The information may include a current breath rate, a pressure-vs-time curve, and guidance to the user to assist in achieving a target breath rate.
US09446203B2	Needle hub and disposal device for single-use needle assemblies Described is a needle hub comprising a proximal end adapted to engage a medicament delivery device, a distal end having an opening, a shoulder disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, and a needle assembly engagement mechanism (F1) coupled to the shoulder and adapted to releasably engage a needle assembly. The needle assembly engagement mechanism (F1) includes two or more resilient arms adapted to releasably engage a retainer element on the needle assembly.
US09446194B2	Methods and systems for promoting glucose management Methods and systems for encouraging interactions with a glucose monitoring system include incrementing a score and/or providing a reward based on a variety of different interactions with the glucose monitoring system. The interactions which improve the score may include initiating or changing displays, downloading data, setting operational parameters and other interactions that are independent of a user's glucose measurements. Encouraging these interactions can enhance success in maintaining healthy glucose concentrations.
US09446192B2	Implantable pump with reservoir level detector An implantable pump includes a base plate and a can that are parts of the pump housing. The base plate bottom divides the housing into a first electronics chamber and a second chamber. A bellows mechanism is connected to the base plate and is disposed within the second chamber. The bellow mechanism has an expandable sidewall and a bottom plate. The bellow mechanism divides the second chamber into a medicament receiving portion and a non-medicament-receiving portion. The bellow mechanism has an intermediate plate disposed within the medicament-receiving portion. A coil is disposed in a recess on the lower surface of the base plate, and the coil is spaced from an internal wall of the recess. The amount of fluid remaining in the implantable pump can be monitored by energizing the coil. A primary magnetic field is generated by the energized coil. A secondary magnetic field, which is dependant on the position of the bottom and intermediate plate of the bellow mechanism, couples back to the primary field affecting the electrical characteristics of the coil. The amount of fluid remaining in the reservoir is determined based on the resulting changes in the electrical characteristics of the coil.
US09446191B2	Flow sensor for medical pump A medical pump or the like provides a flow sensor element that may be integrated into the IV tubing assembly. The flow sensor element fits within the medical pump which may provide for capacitive plates sensing changes in the electrical environment within the flow sensor element to deduce flow. For example, the flow sensor element may promote free space liquid drops that cause a periodic change in capacitance across the flow sensor element or the flow sensor element may hold a physical turbine or the like whose movement changes the capacitance across the capacitive plates.
US09446190B2	Hypodermic needle assembly and related methods A needle assembly for a hypodermic syringe is disclosed herein. In various aspects, the needle assembly includes a hub and a needle. A bond secures the needle to the hub, and the bond is configured to break allowing the needle to be withdrawn entirely from the hub upon application of a selected axial force to the needle, in various aspects. The axial force may be less than the tensile strength of the needle. Related methods of use of the needle assembly apparatus are disclosed herein.This Abstract is presented to meet requirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) only. This Abstract is not intended to identify key elements of the apparatus and the related methods disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof.
US09446189B2	Tissue transfer systems Devices and methods for tissue transfer are described where a cannula may be inserted into the breast of a subject at one of several points of entry. Insertion of the cannula into the breast may be accomplished by using a guidance system to distinguish between tissue types. Once desirably positioned, the cannula may be withdrawn from the breast while automatically (or manually) injecting the fat in multiple deposits of adipose tissue or fat such that the deposited fat remains within the tract formed by the withdrawn cannula. Multiple tracts of the deposited fat may be injected within the breast until the breast has been desirably remodeled and/or augmented.
US09446188B2	Infusion pump assembly An infusion pump assembly includes a locking tab and a pump barrel inside a pump barrel housing, where the pump barrel accommodates a reservoir assembly. The reservoir assembly includes a reservoir and a plunger rod. The infusion pump assembly also includes a locking disc at a terminus of the pump barrel. The locking disc includes a clearance hole for the plunger rod. The locking disc also includes at least one locking tab notch in close proximity with the locking tab. The locking tab is in moveable engagement with the locking tab notch, and the reservoir moves the locking tab from a locked position to an unlocked position when the plunger rod is inserted through clearance hole. The locking disc rotates upon torque being applied to the reservoir assembly, the locking disc rotating from a non-loaded position to a loaded position with respect to the plunger rod and a drive screw.
US09446186B2	Operating an infusion pump system Some embodiments of an infusion pump system can be configured to provide improved safety monitoring features so that a user receives proper dosage amounts.
US09446181B2	Method to treat blood by controlling blood pumps with fluid pumps A washer press apparatus for washing and dewatering a wide range of solids concentrations of pulp in liquid suspensions includes multiple distinct displacement wash zones about a drum with multiple nips.
US09446180B2	Controller and power source for implantable blood pump Methods and apparatus for controlling the operation of, and providing power for and to, implantable ventricular assist devices which include a brushless DC motor-driven blood pump, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a control system for driving an implantable pump is provided. The digital processor is responsive to data associated with the operation of the pump received at the data transfer port, and from the program data stored in memory, (i) to determine therefrom, the identity of the pump, (ii) to determine therefrom, electrical characteristics and features of the identified pump, and (iii) to adaptively generate and apply to the data port, control signals for driving the identified pump. Latch mechanisms, an elongated flexible electrical cable with a strain relief segment, and a lower housing portion that is heavier than an upper housing portion, may also be provided with the control system.
US09446176B2	Dressings and methods for treating a tissue site on a patient Dressings, systems, and methods for treating a tissue site on a patient involve allowing liquids from the tissue site or a priming fluid to evaporate and exit the dressing through a liquid-impermeable, vapor-permeable membrane. The dressing is able to process more liquids than would otherwise be possible without evaporation and potentially to create reduced pressure. Other dressings, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US09446175B2	Compositions and methods for treating and preventing neointimal stenosis Methods for treating or preventing neointima stenosis are disclosed. The methods generally involve the use of a TGFβ inhibitor, a SMAD2 inhibitor, an FGF Receptor agonist, a Let-7 agonist, or a combination thereof, to inhibit endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (Endo-MT) of vascular endothelial cells into smooth muscle cells (SMC) at sites of endothelial damage. The disclosed methods can therefore be used to prevent or inhibit neointimal stenosis or restenosis, e.g., after angioplasty, vascular graft, or stent. Also disclosed are methods for increasing the patency of biodegradable, synthetic vascular grafts using a composition that inhibits Endo-MT. A cell-free tissue engineered vascular graft (TEVG) produced by this method is also disclosed.
US09446174B2	Bioerodible composites for endoprostheses A bioerodible endoprosthesis includes a composite including a matrix comprising a bioerodible magnesium alloy and a plurality of ceramic nanoparticles within the matrix. The bioerodible magnesium alloy has a microstructure including equiaxed Mg-rich solid solution-phase grains having an average grain diameter of less than or equal to 5 microns. The microstructure can be produced by one or more equal-channel high-strain processes.
US09446172B2	Modification of bioabsorbable stent to reduce thrombogenecity Bioabsorbable polymer scaffolds with coatings are disclosed that include immobilized antithrombotic agents on the scaffolds or in or on the coatings. The agents act synergistically with antiproliferative agents released from coatings by providing hemocompatibility during and without interfering with antiproliferative agent release. Methods of modifying scaffolds and coatings with the antithrombotic agents are disclosed.
US09446171B2	Heat-shrinkable tube having tearability An object of the present invention is to provide a tube which can be easily torn and has a large heat-shrinkability at a low temperature. The tube of the present invention is a heat-shrinkable tube having tearability, including a mixture of a fluorine resin and a different kind of resin from the fluorine resin, in which an amount of change in loss energy, ΔE loss, with change in temperature from 175° C. to 185° C. is a positive value.
US09446169B2	Method for creating perfusable microvessel systems A method for the creation of endothelial parent vessels from human vascular endothelial cells in vitro in a culture perfusion device (CPD) including a collagen chamber, inlet ports, a capillary tube, and an outlet port. A collagen solution is injected into the collagen chamber through a syringe needle until the chamber is filled with collagen. The CPD is perfused by filling the inlet ports and sequentially priming the inlet ports, and the outlet ports. A perfusable channel is created in the collagen chamber and a concentrated suspension of endothelial cells is injected into the inlet ports. The endothelial cells are injected into the at least one perfusable channel and incubated to attach to the walls of the perfusable channel. The cells are distributed within the CPD; and perfused to form a parent vessel having homogeneous monolayers of cells.
US09446163B2	Nonwoven having improved softness signals, and methods for manufacturing A method of manufacturing a nonwoven including the steps of: forming a nonwoven web substantially comprised of continuous fibers; applying a bonding pattern to said nonwoven web using a smooth roll and a calender roll wherein said bonding pattern comprises a pattern having unbonded areas; and subjecting the side of said nonwoven web contacted by said smooth roll to a hydraulic treatment at a pressure of between 25 and 75 bars and a total energy of about 0.01-0.04 kwhr/kg., wherein said continuous fibers are comprised of between 97% and 98.5% by weight of an olefin resin comprising substantially of polypropylene and between 1.5% and 3% by weight of a whitener.
US09446153B2	Polyethylene glycol based oligomers for coating nanoparticles, nanoparticles coated therewith, and related methods In a composition aspect of the invention, a nanoparticle coating comprises repeating polyacrylic acid monomers covalently bound together in an aliphatic chain having a plurality of carboxylic acid functional groups and modified carboxylic acid functional groups extending therefrom. A first portion of the modified carboxylic acid functional groups are modified by a PEG oligomer having a terminal methoxy functional group and a second portion of the modified carboxylic acid functional groups are modified by a PEG oligomer having at least one terminal catechol group.
US09446152B2	Polyethylene glycol based oligomers for coating nanoparticles, nanoparticles coated therewith, and related methods In a composition aspect of the invention, a nanoparticle coating comprises repeating polyacrylic acid monomers covalently bound together in an aliphatic chain having a plurality of carboxylic acid functional groups and modified carboxylic acid functional groups extending therefrom. A first portion of the modified carboxylic acid functional groups are modified by a PEG oligomer having a terminal methoxy functional group and a second portion of the modified carboxylic acid functional groups are modified by a PEG oligomer having at least one terminal sulfur moiety.
US09446149B2	Nanoparticles stabilized with nitrophenylboronic acid compositions Described herein are polymer conjugates comprising a polymer containing a polyol coupled to a polymer containing a nitroboronic acid.
US09446143B2	Influenza antigen delivery vectors and constructs The present invention relates to fluorocarbon vectors for the delivery of influenza antigens to immunoresponsive target cells. It further relates to fluorocarbon vector-influenza antigen constructs and the use of such vectors associated with antigens as vaccines and immunotherapeutics in animals, including humans.
US09446140B2	MetAP-2 inhibitor polymersomes for therapeutic administration The present invention provides methods to treating inflammation related disease and disorders such as an autoimmune disease and autoimmune related uveitis by administering compositions and formulations comprising MetAP-2 inhibitors as disclosed herein. The composition comprises a formulation of a fumagillol derivative that retains anti-inflammation activity and is associated with a block copolymer comprising a hydrophilic polymer moiety and a hydrophobic polymer moiety.
US09446123B2	Multimeric complexes with improved in vivo stability, pharmacokinetics and efficacy The present invention concerns multimeric complexes based on antibody fusion proteins comprising an AD moiety attached to the C-terminal end of each antibody light chain. The complexes further comprise effector moities attached to DDD moieties. Two copies of the DDD moiety form a dimer that binds to the AD moiety. The complexes may be trimers, pentamers, hexamers or other multimers. The effector moieties may be selected from a second antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, a cytokine, an interferon, a toxin, an antigen, a xenoantigen, a hapten, a protamine, a hormone, an enzyme, a ligand-binding protein, a pro-apoptotic agent and an anti-angiogenic agent. Surprisingly, attachment of the AD moiety to the C-terminal end of the antibody light chain results in improved pharmacokinetics and in vivo stability and efficacy, compared to homologous complexes wherein the AD moiety is attached to the antibody heavy chain.
US09446120B2	DNA vaccine The present invention provides a therapeutic or improving agent for a lifestyle-related disease, containing an expression vector encoding a chimeric Hepatitis B virus core antigen polypeptide inserted with an amino acid sequence containing a specific epitope of the lifestyle-related disease-related factor, wherein the amino acid sequence containing the specific epitope is inserted between the amino acid residues 80 and 81 of the hepatitis B virus core antigen polypeptide.
US09446118B2	Newcastle disease virus vectored herpesvirus vaccines The present invention encompasses recombinant Newcastle Disease Virus-Herpesvirus vaccines or compositions. The invention encompasses recombinant NDV vectors encoding and expressing herpesvirus pathogen, antigens, proteins, epitopes or immunogens. Such vaccines or compositions can be used to protect animals against disease.
US09446116B2	Peptide sequences and compositions Provided is a polypeptide having no more than 100 amino acids, which polypeptide comprises one or more sequences having at least 60% homology with any of SEQ ID 1-6, or comprises two or more epitopes having 7 amino acids or more, each epitope having at least 60% homology with a sub-sequence of any of SEQ ID 1-6 that has the same length as the epitope: SEQ ID 1 DLEALMEWLKTRPILSPLTKGILGFVFTLTVP SEQ ID 2 LLYCLMVMYLNPGNYSMQVKLGTLCALCEKQASHS SEQ ID 3 DLIFLARSALILRGSVAHKSC SEQ ID 4 PGIADIEDLTLLARSMVVVRP SEQ ID 5 LLIDGTASLSPGMMMGMFNMLSTVLGVSILNLGQ SEQ ID 6 IIGILHLILWILDRLFFKCIYRLF wherein, the polypeptide is immunogenic in a vertebrate expressing a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) allele, and wherein the polypeptide is not a complete influenza virus protein.
US09446113B2	Bacterial live vector vaccines expressing chromosomally-integrated foreign antigens Bacterial live vector vaccines represent a vaccine development strategy that offers exceptional flexibility. In the present invention, genes encoding protective antigens of unrelated bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungal pathogens are expressed in an attenuated bacterial vaccine strain that delivers these foreign antigens to the immune system, thereby eliciting relevant immune responses. Rather than expressing these antigens using only low copy expression plasmids, expression of foreign proteins is accomplished using both low copy expression plasmids in conjunction with chromosomal integrations within the same live vector. This strategy compensates for the inherent disadvantage of loss of gene dosage (versus exclusive plasmid-based expression) by integrating antigen expression cassettes into multiple chromosomal sites already inactivated in an attenuated vector.
US09446108B2	Fish vaccine The present invention relates to novel compositions for medical use, particularly for use as vaccines. The present invention relies upon the dependence of the bacteria of the species Alliivibrio wodanis (formerly Vibrio wodanis) in the pathogenesis in the unrecognized, novel disease wodanosis (Norwegian: odinose), as well as in the chronic disease stages of winter ulcer in a composition together with Moritella viscosa (M. viscosa). in addition, it is also related herein to a composition comprising inactivated bacteria of one or more culture(s) of the species M. viscosa cultivated in physical contact with cells of A. wodanis to improve the technical composition and protection of a vaccine against winter ulcer. The invention also relates to use of such vaccine compositions in prevention and/or treatment of wodanosis and winter ulcer, methods for the production of such vaccines, and to methods for preventing, controlling and combating Alliivibno wodanis infection and chronic winter ulcer in fish.
US09446106B2	NEIL3 peptides and vaccines including the same The present invention provides isolated peptides or the fragments derived from SEQ ID NO: 45, which bind to an HLA antigen and induce cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). The peptides may include the above mentioned amino acid sequence with substitution deletion, or addition of one, two, or several amino acids sequences. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions including these peptides. The peptides of this invention can be used for diagnosing or treating cancer.
US09446105B2	Chimeric antigen receptor specific for folate receptor β The invention provides compositions and methods for treating leukemia, for example, acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The invention also relates to at least one chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) specific to folate receptor beta (FRβ), vectors comprising the same, and recombinant T cells comprising the FRβ CAR. The invention also includes methods of administering a genetically modified T cell expressing a CAR that comprises a FRβ binding domain in combination with a RXR agonist, such as all-trans retinoic acid.
US09446102B2	Polypeptides having alpha-glucuronidase activity and polynucleotides encoding same The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having alpha-glucuronidase activity, catalytic domains and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, catalytic domains. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides or catalytic domains.
US09446100B2	Dietary supplements and formulations Provided are dietary supplements, formulations, kits and methods for administration to an individual with type II diabetes or at risk of developing type II diabetes. Provided herein are formulations, kits and methods useful for treating, preventing, supporting, controlling, restoring, and/or maintaining blood sugar levels in individuals with type II diabetes or at risk of developing the same. Also provided are formulations, kits and methods useful for reducing and/or eliminating requirement of ex-vivo insulin administration in an individual diagnosed with type II diabetes.
US09446099B2	Method for brain cancer therapy by co-administration of a parvovirus and interferon-gamma Described is a pharmaceutical composition comprising (a) a parvovirus and (b) a cytokine, preferably IFN-γ, and the use of said composition for treatment of cancer, e.g., a brain tumor.
US09446097B2	Methods for treating metabolic disorders using FGF The method provides methods and compositions for treating metabolic disorders such as impaired glucose tolerance, elevated blood glucose, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, obesity, and fatty liver.
US09446095B2	Solid composition containing wheat albumin and alanine or a salt thereof Provided is a solid composition which has reduced bad taste and offensive odor and provides good taste and flavor, while containing wheat albumin at a high concentration. A solid composition comprising the following components (A) and (B): (A) wheat albumin, and (B) alanine or a salt thereof, wherein a mass ratio of a content of the 0.19-wheat albumin (a) in the solid composition to a content of the alanine or a salt thereof in terms of alanine (b) in the solid composition, [(a):(b)], is from 250:1 to 10:1.
US09446091B2	Caspofungin or salts thereof with high purity, as well as preparation method and use thereof Disclosed are a high purity of caspofungin or salts thereof, and a preparation method thereof, and use thereof. Disclosed are a caspofungin or salts thereof with low solvent residue and hyposaline, and a preparation process comprising: dissolving a crude product of caspofungin or salts thereof into a system of water and acetic acid, then mixing with a first organic solvent ethyl alcohol, subsequently mixing with a second organic solvent ethyl acetate, then being subject to filtration and drying together with water, to obtain caspofungin or salts thereof with high stability, low solvent residue and hyposaline.
US09446089B1	Oil blend for skin treatment An anhydrous blend of oils suitable for treating or preventing skin ailments, such as eczema, and for soothing the skin. The blend includes virgin coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, jojoba oil, calendula oil, vitamin E oil, tea tree oil, German chamomile extract and lanolin. The blend does not contain water soluble actives and is essentially free from corn oil and soy oil.
US09446087B2	Anti-resorptive and bone building dietary supplements and methods of use Disclosed herein are dietary supplement compositions and methods for increasing or stimulating bone growth, decreasing or preventing bone resorption, increasing bone strength, improving bone structure, and improving bone architecture comprising a first composition comprising a combination of at least two of: quercetin, Rehmannia sp., Rehmannia sp. root, Siberian ginseng, Sophora japonica, licorice, and ipriflavone, wherein the combination of the first composition increases bone morphogenic protein-2 gene, promoter or protein expression; and a second composition comprising an extract of pomegranate in combination with at least one of Siberian ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, green tea, Sophora japonica, Rehmannia sp., grape seed, Dong Quai, and ipriflavone, wherein the combination of the second composition inhibits the expression of RANK-L.
US09446086B2	Composition for treatment of menopause A novel herbal extract, MF101, is effective in the treatment of symptoms of menopause.
US09446081B2	Pharmaceutical composition for preventing and treating complications of diabetes containing a traditional oriental medicine extract or a fraction thereof as an active ingredient The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention and treatment of diabetic complications comprising the extract of Homonoia riparia Lour. or the fraction thereof as an active ingredient. More particularly, the extract of Homonoia riparia Lour. or the fractions thereof of the present invention can inhibit the activity of aldose reductase and the generation of the advanced glycation endproducts, the index of diabetic complications, and have powerful activity of inhibiting diabetic complications with brining the anti-cataract, anti-retinopathy, and anti-neuropathy effect, and have the activity of anti-oxidation as well, so that they can be effectively used as an active ingredient of a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention and treatment of diabetic complications.
US09446076B2	Pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of heart diseases The present invention is related to a pharmaceutical composition comprising cells committed to the generation of heart tissue and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient produced according to internationally recognized standards for pharmaceutical product manufacture, a process for the manufacture of such a pharmaceutical composition and a kit for the administration of said pharmaceutical composition which comprises a container containing said pharmaceutical composition.
US09446073B2	Non-lineage committed precursor cells from the dental papillary tissue of teeth Multipotent cranial neural crest stem cells and non-lineage committed precursor cells are described. The neural crest cells are capable of self-renewal, of being cultured into clonal spheroids including neurospheres, and of differentiation into neurons or other neuroepithelial cells. The non-lineage committed precursors are capable of differentiation into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and are capable of de-differentiation into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Methods of obtaining, generating, isolating and culturing cranial neural crest stem cells and non-lineage committed precursor cells are also disclosed, including methods of providing a substantially pure in vitro cell culture consisting essentially of stem cells capable of multipotent differentiation and de-differentiation to a pluripotent state, which may be used for medical research or preserved for future therapeutic use by their autologous donor or a heterologous recipient.
US09446070B2	Nanoceria with citric acid additive A process for making nanoparticles of biocompatible materials is described, wherein an aqueous reaction mixture comprising cerous ion, citric acid, an oxidant, and water, is adjusted to a predetermined range of pH, held at temperature conditions to directly form, without isolation, a stable dispersion of cerium oxide nanoparticles. Dispersions of these biocompatible cerium oxide nanoparticles exhibit self-life well in excess of one year, and may be used to prevent and/or treat disease or injury, such as oxidative stress related diseases and events.
US09446064B2	Combination therapy for treating cancer The present invention relates to compositions comprising inhibitors of human histone methyltransferase DOT1L and one or more therapeutic agents, particularly anticancer agents, and methods of combination therapy for administering to subjects in need thereof for the treatment of cancer.
US09446060B2	Method of producing therapeutic agent The present invention relates to a therapeutic agent, wherein the therapeutic agent is D-Boramine. The therapeutic agent is prepared by mixing L-carnitine tartrate, pyridoxal 5′ phosphate and fumaric acid. D-Boramine, when administered orally or parenterally in therapeutic quantities, is effective for use in the prevention of cancer that arises from mutations to the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, i.e., breast and ovarian and the treatment of several types of human diseases including, but not limited to, Antiphospholipid Syndrome, Disseminate Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), infections arising from viruses (including strains of Human Papillomavirus, Herpes Simplex Virus and Simian Virus), tuberculosis (including XDR Tuberculosis) and mycoplasma, Hepatitis A, B and C, MTHFR genetic mutations.
US09446055B2	Disintegrating particle composition and orally rapidly disintegrating tablet There has been a need for an orally rapidly disintegrating tablet which has a good texture and taste in the oral cavity, such a sufficient hardness as not giving any worry of being chipped or dusted during production or transportation and good disintegrating properties in the oral cavity and can sustain a sufficient hardness even under humid conditions after opening. Disclosed are a disintegrating particle composition which is prepared by dispersing, in the presence of water, mannitol, xylitol, an inorganic excipient, a disintegrating agent and carmellose and drying, and an orally rapidly disintegrating tablet which comprises said disintegrating particle composition, an active substance and a disintegrating agent. The disintegrating tablet has a good texture and taste, an appropriate hardness and good disintegrating properties and can sustain a sufficient hardness under humid conditions.
US09446053B2	Method for enhancing the secretion of GLP-1 using bitter compounds The present invention provides a method for enhancing the secretion of GLP-1 of the intestinal endocrine L-cells using a bitter compound, wherein the bitter compound is a cucurbitane-triterpenoid or allyl isothiocyanate. The bitter compound can regulate the secretion of GLP-1, thus is potentially reliable for the development of medicament or healthy victual.
US09446052B2	Composition for prevention of nausea or vomiting Provided is a composition for preventing nausea or vomiting, including a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist and a corticosteroid, and having a pH adjusted to 3.0-6.0. Provided also is a method for preparing a composition for preventing nausea or vomiting, including: mixing a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist with a corticosteroid; and adjusting pH of the mixture obtained from the preceding operation to 3.0-6.0.
US09446050B2	Method for treatment of mesothelioma The present invention provides that Ras-like, estrogen-regulated, growth inhibitor (RERG) is a malignant mesothelioma biomarker of clinical course and treatment sensitivity and, itself a target for mesothelioma treatment. A low RERG level in a mesothelioma subject indicates poor prognosis. Analyzing RERG expression level along can help mesothelioma patients make treatment choices. Furthermore, mesothelioma can be treated by modulating RERG activity, for example, with treatment with estrogen or estrogen-like agents.
US09446049B2	Hormone replacement formulation The basic formulation comprises a combination of three estrogens, 2-hydroxyestrone, 17-beta-estradiol and estriol, and a metabolite of an estrogen, 2-methoxyestradiol, in specified amounts. Amounts of folic acid, DHEA, testosterone, Vitamin B6, Di-Indolyl Methane, melatonin and progesterone, as well as selenium and cobalt can be added in specific amounts to the basic formulation. 2-Hydroxyestradiol, another metabolic, can also be added.
US09446023B2	Methods and compositions involving (S)-bucindolol Disclosed is bucindolol substantially free of its R-stereoisomer. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions that include bucindolol substantially free of its R-stereoisomer or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also disclosed are methods of treating a patient that involve administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a composition of the present invention.
US09446020B2	Methods for Alzheimer'S disease treatment and cognitive enhancement The present invention relates to compositions and methods to modulate α-secretase and/or to improve cognitive ability. The invention further relates the improved/enhanced cognitive ability in diseased individuals, particularly Alzheimer's Disease patients, and treatment thereof through increased sAPP production. Macrocyclic lactones (i.e. bryostatin class and neristatin class) are compounds preferred for use with the present composition. The present invention also provides methods for increasing the generation of non-amyloidogenic soluble APP comprising the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by administering an effective amount of PKC activator(s).
US09446014B2	Composition for improving membrane composition and functioning of cells It has now been found that after administration to a diseased person or person that is at risk for developing such disease of a neutraceutical or pharmaceutical composition that comprises: a) a lipid fraction comprising at least one of docosahexaneoic acid (DHA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA); b) a protein fraction comprising proteinaceous material from non-human origin which provide at least cysteine and/or taurine; and c) a mineral fraction comprising at least one of manganese and molybdene, the health of these persons improves. Membrane function of several types of mammalian cells improves, which allows efficient treatment of immune related disorders, such as allergy, autoimmune diseases, cancer, cognitive dysfunction and other diseases of the nervous system, neuropathies, such as diabetic neuropathies and neuropathic pains, neuronal damage during insulin resistance, and gut diseases and support of the development of gut and lung function during growth or recovery.
US09446009B2	Methods for treating conditions of the nail unit The biodegradable drug delivery systems described here are formulated for implantation into the nail unit and its surrounding tissues for the treatment of various nail unit conditions. The systems include non-temperature dependent phase change compositions that may be formulated as solutions, solids, semisolids, microparticles, or crystals.
US09446007B2	Methods for maintaining or improving health, well-being and/or a physiological function in a subject The invention relates to a method of treating or preventing a condition in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an acceptable composition comprising meglumine or a salt thereof. The invention further relates to a method of improving a physiological function in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an acceptable composition comprising meglumine or a salt thereof.
US09445993B2	Nanotechnology approach for inhalation therapies This invention relates to lipid nanoparticle compositions and methods for the localized delivery of active agents via inhalation therapy.
US09445991B2	Methods, pharmaceutical compositions and articles of manufacture for administering therapeutic cells to the animal central nervous system Methods and compositions for preventing and treating the damaged and/or degenerating CNS experiencing loss or death of CNS cells. Various embodiments of the invention transport a therapeutically effective amount of, inter alia at least one therapeutic cell to the CNS by intranasal application to the upper-third of the nasal cavity, thereby bypassing the blood-brain barrier. A pharmaceutical composition according to the invention may comprise at least one therapeutic cell, at least one delivery-enhancement agent, at least one antibiotic, at least one regulatory factor and/or at least one immunosuppressive agent, wherein the composition is delivered to the upper-third of the nasal cavity. The therapeutic cells, once delivered to the CNS, migrate preferentially to the area of damage or degeneration or injury.
US09445986B2	Cosmetic composition, cosmetic treatment method and compound The invention relates to a cosmetic composition comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable medium, a compound that can be obtained by reaction between an OH-functionalized or COOH-functionalized wax and a junction group capable of establishing hydrogen bonds with one or more partner junction groups, said junction group comprising at least one unit of formula (I) or (II): The invention also relates to a cosmetic treatment process using said compounds.
US09445984B2	Two-part cosmetic product with swelling effect to biological surfaces The invention relates to a two part cosmetic composition for application to a biological surface to impart a swelling effect comprising a siloxane polymer with at least two hydroxy-functionalized terminal groups or hydroxy-functionalized side chains and/or a polyol with at least two hydroxyl groups, a hydrosiloxane with at least two Si—H units and a catalyst, wherein in one part of the composition the siloxan polymer and/or the polyol and the catalyst or the hydrosiloxane are contained and in the other part of the composition the hydrosiloxane or the catalyst are contained and wherein said catalyst catalyzes in-situ cross-linking of the siloxane polymer or polyol and the hydrosiloxane by dehydrogenative coupling to form a foamed elastomeric transfer resistant film after combination of the two parts.
US09445982B2	Polymer-based pigment-bearing ink A cosmetic water-based ink containing at least one acryl-based polymer, at least one polymeric ionic thickener, at least one anionic or amphoteric-ionic surfactant, at least one material in particle form and at least one non-ionic surfactant, wherein the non-ionic surfactant is a compound which contains between 4 and 8 units of PEG or PPG and a C6-C20 fatty acid residue.
US09445981B2	PLOD-2 stimulators and their use in the treatment of skin Methods for preventing, ameliorating, or reducing dermatological signs of aging are provided which employ a composition comprising an effective amount of N-Acetyl-Tyrosinamide and an effective amount of a retinoid, in a cosmetically acceptable vehicle, for topical application to the skin for a time sufficient to improve the appearance of said skin.
US09445980B2	Methods for stimulating hair growth A method for promoting hair growth in a human in need of promoting hair growth. The method includes preparing a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of at least three of: a Bone Morphogenetic Protein, Transforming Growth Factor Beta, Platelet Derived Growth Factor, Insulin-like Growth Factor, Basic Fibroblastic Growth Factor and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor; and administering the composition to the human.
US09445974B2	Mascara in powder form The mascara in powder form comprises at least a first polymer whose melting point is between 35° C. and 70° C., and a second polymer with a melting point of between 80° C. and 150° C. The first polymer may be chosen from vinylpyrrolidone copolymers, and polyalkylene glycols. The second polymer may be chosen from polybutenes, preferably with an average molecular weight of between 300 and 2500 g/mol, and polyvinylpyrrolidones, preferably with an average molecular weight of between 10 000 and 100 000 g/mol. The mascara in powder form is taken up in the desired amount and is then heated before application or at the time of application to the keratin fibers.
US09445972B2	Monitor for monitoring a comsumption of pills from a container A monitor for monitoring a consumption of pills from a container, the monitor comprises: an interface; a controller; multiple sensors of different types, an alert element; and a transceiver that is configured to exchange information with one or more devices that differ from the monitor; wherein the interface is configured to interface with the container; wherein when the monitor interfaces with the container the multiple sensors are configured to (i) detect an attempt to consume a pill of the pills from the container and (ii) evaluate an amount of pills within the container; wherein the controller is configured to trigger an erroneous consumption alert when the attempt to consume the pill does not correspond to a desired pill consumption schedule.
US09445966B2	Range of motion device The present disclosure provides an orthosis for stretching tissue around a joint of a patient between first and second relatively pivotable body portions flexing tissue about an arm joint of a wearer. The orthosis includes a first arm member affixable to the first body portion and including a first extension member extending therefrom. A second arm member affixable to the second body portion is also included and has a second extension member having an arcuate shape extending therefrom. The second extension member is operatively connected to the first extension member and travels through the first extension member along an arcuate path when the second arm member is moved from a first position to a second position relative to the first arm member configured to couple to a first arm portion of the wearer, a second arm member pivotably coupled to the first arm member, the second arm member configured to couple to a second arm portion of the wearer, and a drive assembly coupled to the first and second arm members and configured to move the first arm member in an arcuate path.
US09445959B2	Two-wheeled self-balancing wheelchair A two-wheeled self-balancing wheelchair is provided, including: a housing having support brackets which are mounted directly below rotary shafts of the motors located at both sides of the bottom side of the housing, rotary shafts of the motors which are drawn out from the housing, and wheels which are mounted to the rotary shafts and rotate in a way as to read an inclination angle of a rider's body; a saddle frame which is mounted on the upper part of the housing; and multipoint supports mounted at the front and rear of the support brackets, each of the multipoint supports having a first hinge part and a second hinge part which are formed at the front ends of the multipoint support to be able to rotate by bolts and are connected with each other through a connection bar and a third hinge part.
US09445957B2	Wheelchair securement system and device The restraint and retractor assembly described and claimed herein are for securing a wheelchair to a support while the wheelchair is in transit. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one securement assembly having a configuration in which a portion of the wheelchair is secured in the vehicle. In this embodiment, the securement assembly includes a retractor secured to the vehicle and a restraint that has both of its ends secured to or near the retractor and a middle segment extends to and from a spool in the refractor, a middle segment is connected to the wheelchair by a connector and passes through an opening in the connector, providing a double length of flexible webbing to secure the wheelchair to the support surface.
US09445956B1	Dressing applicator A dressing applicator that deposits a dressing pad and tape portion onto a surface. The dressing applicator comprises a lever-actuated mechanism that biases various arms in order to position and deposit the dressing pad and tape portion onto a surface.
US09445953B2	Absorbent article with a fluid-entangled body facing material including a plurality of hollow projections An absorbent article having improved handling of body exudates can include a fluid-entangled body facing material including a support layer and a projection layer. The fluid-entangled body facing material can include a plurality of hollow projections formed from a first plurality of fibers in the projection layer. The hollow projections can extend from the outer surface of the projection layer in a direction away from the support layer. The absorbent article can minimize the amount of body exudates in contact with a wearer's skin and can minimize the incidence of leakage of body exudates from the absorbent article.
US09445951B2	Absorbent article having improved properties of handling low-viscosity fecal materials An absorbent article, such as a diaper, pant diaper, incontinence garment, incontinence insert, bed protecting sheet or the like intended to absorb and retain body exudates which may include low viscosity fecal materials. The article has an absorbent core (5) and a cover enclosing the absorbent core, the cover having a liquid pervious inner cover (6) on the body facing side of the absorbent core and a liquid impervious cover (7) on the garment facing side of the absorbent core, wherein the inner cover (6) in at least a fecal receiving area has parts of the rear and crotch portions (3, 4) of the article has a three-dimensionally structured hydrophilic fibrous web material (12) having on the body facing surface a plurality of alternating recessed (13) and elevated portions (14), wherein the recessed as well as the elevated portions are hydrophilic.
US09445948B2	System for wound therapy In wound therapy, a combination of negative pressure therapy and subsequent therapy in a preferably moist or moist-wet medium without use of negative pressure reduces costs and improves therapeutic results. Thus, the present invention involves a method for treatment of a wound by therapy having a first segment, in which negative pressure wound therapy is performed, and a subsequent, second segment, in which wound therapy is conducted using a wound dressing without creating a negative pressure. The wound dressing for the second segment has an absorbent body with a superabsorbent polymer. The invention also relates to a device for conducting negative pressure wound therapy and a wound dressing for use in such method, and further to a kit including such a device and wound dressing.
US09445947B2	Abdominal wound dressing An abdominal wound dressing and methods of use are described that enable the application of negative pressure to the wound site in a healing manner while also limiting the formation of adhesions that would prevent the removal of the dressing. The dressing includes a layer of porous foam material enclosed by sheets of elastomeric material punctuated by a number of appropriately placed holes. Multiple layers of porous foam may also be used. A suction tube connector is provided on an upper surface of a layer of foam for connection to a negative pressure source. At least one layer of foam is enclosed in elastomeric material and is placed in direct contact with the tissue within the open wound. Fluids are drawn by negative pressure through the holes positioned in the elastomeric envelope and through the foam.
US09445944B2	Lacrimal implants and related methods Lacrimal implants for treating diseases or disorders are disclosed. More particularly, lacrimal implants, methods of making such implants, and methods of treating ocular, respiration, inner ear or other diseases or disorders using such implants are disclosed.
US09445942B2	Holding device for contact lens for vitreous surgery, holding device set, and contact lens for vitreous surgery, and lens set A lens holding ring 50 is held by a string-like body 40a stretched along a surface of an eyeball 1 by being supported by a plurality of cannulas 21, 22 inserted to a sclera 2, and is fixed to the surface of the eyeball 1 by a tensile stress of the string-like body 40a, and in this state, holds a surgery lens 30 on the eyeball. The lens holding ring 50 comprises a lens holder 51 including an opening 52 into which a lens is inserted, and engagement parts 57 provided at positions opposed to each other across the opening 52. Each engagement part has an engagement structure of engaging with the string-like body 40a for fixing the lens holder to the surface of the eyeball so as to interpose the lens holder therein, and has a folded part 58 on the tip of the engagement part for preventing coming-off of the string-like body.
US09445938B1	Oral devices Apparatus for reducing obstructive sleep apnea, snoring and/or nasal drainage. One apparatus includes an upper member fitting the interior and exterior surfaces of a user's upper dentition, and a lower member fitting similarly adjacent a user's lower dentition. The lower member includes eyeteeth extensions projecting away from the lower member. The upper member includes molar extensions projecting away from the upper member and toward the member molar regions so that when the user bites or clenches, the upper right and lower right extensions impinge on one another in substantially overlapping fashion, as do the upper left and lower left extensions. The upper and lower members have an anterior shape to form a gap sufficient for the user's tongue to extend into the gap, and each molar extension may include a magnet. Methods of using the apparatus and kits to reduce sleep apnea, snoring, and/or nasal drainage.
US09445930B2	Methods, devices, and systems for obesity treatment Upon filling multiple inflatable chambers of a gastric balloon structure in a patient's stomach, the gastric balloon structure assumes a natural three-dimensional kidney shape of the gastric cavity. A flexible central spine may span a gap between two inflatable chambers and may include lumens for inflation of one or both chambers. The plurality of compartments, when in an inflated state, may form a cavity therebetween through which food may pass and may leave in a stomach a residual volume of 10 ml to 100 ml.
US09445928B2	Delivery system having a single handed deployment handle for a retractable outer sheath A delivery system for delivering a prosthesis, the delivery system including a housing, a sheath extending from within the housing, a clutching mechanism housed within the housing, and a cable. The clutching mechanism includes a one-way clutch that transmits a torque from an actuator to an inner shaft assembly when the actuator is rotated in a first direction and does not transmit a torque from the actuator to the inner shaft assembly when the actuator is rotated in a second opposing direction. The actuator is accessible from an exterior of the housing. The cable has a first end coupled to a proximal portion of the sheath and a second end coupled to the inner shaft assembly, and actuation of the actuator causes the actuator to rotate in the first direction, thereby causing the inner shaft assembly to wind up a portion of cable and retract the sheath.
US09445926B2	Intravascular stent A stent comprises a first expansion strut column of first expansion strut pairs and a second expansion strut column of second expansion strut pairs. Each first expansion strut pair is connected to a second expansion strut pair by a connecting strut. Each connecting strut comprises at least one wrap portion, the at least one wrap portion being at least partially wrapped about at least one of the first joining portions of at least one of the first expansion strut column and the second expansion strut column.
US09445924B2	Tubular metal prosthesis and method of making it For welding a polished component of one metal to a polished prosthesis of another metal, ramp surfaces are used, to compensate for loss of precise dimensions of the two components at the surfaces that face each other at the weld interface, during the respective polishing procedures for the two metals.
US09445923B2	System and method for precise prosthesis positioning in hip arthroplasty Provided are systems and methods for precise intra-operative placement and positioning of components of hip prostheses, particularly with respect to avoiding acetabular prosthetic implant malpositioning in the human hip. In one embodiment the system includes at least a pair of electronic sensors as tilt and direction sensors, which are positioned on the patient's native bone structure and the prosthesis, plus at least one of an electronic angle sensor and an electronic leg length measurement unit, plus a computer processor running application software that is capable of receiving and using information from the various electronic sensors to calculate relevant angular relationships and, optionally, distance relationships. The system electronically measures a living subject's pelvic tilt and position while lying in the lateral decubitus position during the surgery. The systems and methods provide accurate and precise measurements of the subject's pelvic tilt, angle of inclination, and angle of forward flexion to the surgeon during the procedure by which the hip prosthesis is surgically implanted into the subject.
US09445920B2	Spinal implant device A spinal fusion device that is expandable. The device features a top and bottom surface for engaging adjacent vertebrae, a hollow center for stacking of bone or bone growth material, and a slidable mechanism with grooves for expanding or unexpanding the device.
US09445914B2	Surgical implant with guiding rail A prosthetic intervertebral spacer is disclosed. The spacer preferably includes a body and an interface extending away from the body for use during implantation of the spacer. Methods of implanting the spacer and tools used during such procedure are also disclosed.
US09445913B2	Arcuate fixation member Arcuate fixation members with varying configurations and/or features are provided, along with additional components for use therewith in provided intervertebral implants. The arcuate fixation members may be of different lengths, cross sectional geometries, and/or cross sectional areas. Applications of intervertebral implants utilizing arcuate fixation members are particularly suitable when a linear line-of-approach for delivering fixation members is undesirable.
US09445910B2	Method of minimally invasive shoulder replacement surgery A method of shoulder replacement surgery is described in which an implant is placed on a surface of a glenohumeral joint while keeping the joint located. The method includes creating a first non-bony passage to the joint, inserting the implant through the passage into the joint, and replacing a surface of the joint with the implant without dislocation of the joint.
US09445908B2	Elevated implant for the reconstruction of meniscus defects or partial meniscus defects An implant for reconstructing meniscus defects or partial meniscus defects includes an elevated molding with a femoral condylar contact area, a tibial condylar contact area and an articular capsule contact area, in the manner of an artificial meniscus or artificial partial meniscus with a contour of an outer area that is substantially the same as a natural meniscus or partial meniscus, wherein at least one additional elevation is formed on the outer area of the elevated molding.
US09445906B2	Medical device and method A receptacle for receiving a mating member in an orthopedic joint, wherein the receptacle comprises: a first portion shaped so as to contact with the mating member, in normal use; a second portion shaped so as to not contact with the mating member, in normal use, wherein the first portion comprises a non-spherical surface. A mating member for being received by a receptacle, wherein the mating member comprises: a first portion shaped so as to contact with the receptacle, in normal use; a second portion shaped so as to not contact with the receptacle, in normal use, wherein the first portion comprises a non-spherical surface. Also disclosed are receptacles and heads of generally elliptical shape.
US09445900B2	Implants and methods for correcting tissue defects An implant comprises a plurality of discrete biocompatible molded cement mosaic plates of maximum width w and thickness d connected by wire arms molded into and extending substantially laterally from the mosaic plates. Neighboring mosaic plates are separated by a gap of width t, and at least some of the mosaic plates have a hexagon shape.
US09445897B2	Prosthetic implant delivery device with introducer catheter A delivery system and a method for deploying a cardiovascular prosthetic implant using a minimally invasive procedure are disclosed. The delivery system comprises an introducer catheter, a delivery catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, and a seal assembly, wherein an outer diameter of the distal end of the delivery catheter is greater than an inner diameter of the distal end of the introducer catheter.
US09445896B2	Methods for treating a heart valve insufficiency or stenosis A medical device for treating a heart valve insufficiency, with an endoprosthesis which can be introduced into a patient's body and expanded to secure a heart valve prosthesis in the patient's aorta with a catheter. In an embodiment, the endoprosthesis has a plurality of positioning arches configured to be positioned with respect to a patient's aorta and a plurality of retaining arches to support a heart valve prosthesis. The endoprosthesis includes a collapsed mode during the process of introducing it into the patient's body and an expanded mode when it is implanted. The endoprosthesis may be introduced into a patient's body and expanded via a catheter. In an embodiment, the catheter has first and second slide mechanisms configured to independently manipulate first and second sleeve elements to sequentially expand the endoprosthesis from the collapsed mode to the expanded mode.
US09445894B2	Prosthetic heart valve with linking element and methods for implanting same Disclosed is a prosthetic heart valve incorporating one or more linking elements adapted for anchoring, aligning, stabilizing, fixing, or otherwise enabling the implantation of other prosthetic devices, including other prosthetic heart valves, in or around the heart.
US09445891B2	Intraocular lens Provided is an intraocular lens including a lens and a pair of right and left loop-shaped support portions, and a folding-back portion is provided in the front end of each support portion. A sclera tunnel is formed in the circumferential direction at a position of a depth corresponding to the half of the thickness of the sclera in two symmetrical positions with respect to the visual axis in a portion adjacent to a limbus of the sclera. The front end of the support portion is extracted from the ciliary sulcus and is inserted into the sclera tunnel, so that the intraocular lens is fixed into the eye. Furthermore, at that time, the folding-back portion is hooked to a certain portion inside the sclera tunnel, so that the support portion is strongly restrained inside the sclera tunnel. As a result, the intraocular lens is more reliably fixed.
US09445888B2	Implant, implantation device, implantation method An implant suitable for being anchored with the aid of mechanical vibration in an opening provided in bone tissue. The implant is compressible in the direction of a compression axis under local enlargement of a distance between a peripheral implant surface and the compression axis. The implant includes a coupling-in face which serves for coupling a compressing force and the mechanical vibrations into the implant, which coupling-in face is not parallel to the compression axis. The implant also includes a thermoplastic material which, in areas of the local distance enlargement, forms at least a part of the peripheral surface of the implant.
US09445886B2	Vascular prosthesis A vascular prosthesis configured for direct connection to an artery. The vascular prosthesis may include a tube of material other than autologous vascular tissue, having an end formation, which is configured for surgical connection to an opening formed in the artery, and a narrower portion prior to commencement of the end formation. The end formation may have an enlarged chamber adapted to induce a concave section in the blood vessel upon attachment thereto.
US09445879B1	Dental appliances and methods for their fabrication The invention consists of a rapidly crosslinkable, two-component silicone elastomer together with a specially designed tray that serves as a form for the silicone resin and forms an integral portion of a dental appliance.
US09445878B2	Generating a chemical agent in situ A method of cleaning teeth by providing a device for generating a chemical agent in situ on an as-needed basis via the application of an electrical potential across a pair of conductors in communication with an electrolyte. The chemical agents may include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide, chlorine and/or hypochlorite. The device may include a voltage source and a first set of electrodes for applying an electrical potential to the electrolyte. The device may also include a second set of electrodes disposed about an anode of the first set of electrodes. The first and second sets of anodes cooperate to produce ions, peroxides, ozone and/or other chemical agents via the application of electrical potential to the electrolyte.
US09445875B2	Device for holding medical equipment, treatment kit, and associated preparation method A device includes a channel, which defines an inner space for receiving medical equipment. The channel is reversibly deformable between a first stable spatial configuration and at least one second stable spatial configuration. The device includes a plurality of holders for supporting the channel over a bearing surface. The device also includes a distal wall and a proximal wall longitudinally closing off the inner space.
US09445871B2	Laser modulation for coagulation An apparatus has a pump module providing pump energy, a resonator and a controller. The resonator includes a gain medium receiving the pump energy from the pump module and producing light; reflective surfaces reflecting light produced by the gain medium back toward the gain medium; and a variable light attenuator receiving light produced by the gain medium. The controller controls the amount of light attenuated by the variable light attenuator such that the apparatus emits windows of pulses of laser light at spaced time intervals, each window containing a plurality of pulses of laser light and each interval between windows being larger than an interval between pulses within a window. The emitted windows of pulses of laser light heat tissue to a temperature that causes coagulation without vaporization.
US09445869B2	Microwave surgical device A microwave surgical device with high energy efficiency produces, at an antenna, an asymmetric heating pattern directed towards the side and it comprises: a plain curved portion extending from the distal end of said external conductor; and an inflection point at said distal end of the external conductor, so that said curved portion has a single cavity directed towards the axis of the coaxial end part.
US09445867B1	Methods for renal neuromodulation via catheters having expandable treatment members Methods and apparatus are provided for monopolar neuromodulation, e.g., via a pulsed electric field. Such monopolar neuromodulation may effectuate irreversible electroporation or electrofusion, necrosis and/or inducement of apoptosis, alteration of gene expression, action potential attenuation or blockade, changes in cytokine up-regulation and other conditions in target neural fibers. In some embodiments, monopolar neuromodulation is applied to neural fibers that contribute to renal function. In some embodiments, such monopolar neuromodulation is performed bilaterally.
US09445866B2	Method to remove a tumor using a percutaneous surgical instrument The present invention relates to a method of removing a tumor by radiofrequency ablation, comprising providing a guiding device (6) having at least two first concentric through holes (8, 81, 82) and a plurality of second through holes (10, 11) at a periphery of the guiding device (6). The method further comprising placing the guiding device against the skin of a patient and inserting two first electrodes (3, 4, 5) into the first through holes (8, 81, 82) of the guiding device and into a patient's skin and then applying a first radiofrequency current between the two first electrodes (3, 4, 5). The method further comprising inserting a second electrode (5) through a second through hole (10, 11) and into the patient's skin and then applying a second radiofrequency current between a first electrode (3, 4) and the second electrode (5).
US09445863B2	Combination electrosurgical device An electrosurgical system comprising: a handpiece including: a first working arm, a second working arm, and an activation circuit having a first switch state and a second switch state, wherein a therapy current is conducted between the first working arm and the second working arm when the activation circuit is in the second switch state and the handpiece is in a first position; wherein the therapy current is conducted between the first working arm or the second working arm, and an adjacent handpiece component when the activation circuit is in the second switch state and the handpiece is in a second position; and wherein the therapy current is not conducted when the activation circuit is in the first switch state.
US09445862B2	Systems and methods for selecting, activating, or selecting and activating transducers Transducer-based systems can be configured to display a graphical representation of a transducer-based device, the graphical representation including graphical elements corresponding to transducers of the transducer-based device, and also including between graphical elements respectively associated with a set of the transducers and respectively associated with a region of space between the transducers of the transducer-based device. Selection of graphical elements and/or between graphical elements can cause activation of the set of transducers associated with the selected elements. Selection of a plurality of graphical elements and/or between graphical elements can cause visual display of a corresponding activation path in the graphical representation. Visual characteristics of graphical elements and between graphical elements can change based on an activation-status of the corresponding transducers. Activation requests for a set of transducers can be denied if it is determined that a transducer in the set of transducers is unacceptable for activation.
US09445859B2	Multifunctional ablation device An intravascular catheter is provided, including a flexible elongate body; an expandable element positioned on the elongate body; a substantially linear thermal segment located proximally of the expandable element, the thermal segment defining a first flexibility, where the thermal segment is positioned between two portions of the catheter body each including a flexibility less than that of the thermal segment; a first fluid flow path in fluid communication with the expandable element; and a second fluid flow path in fluid communication with the thermal segment.
US09445854B2	Bone treatment systems and methods The present disclosure relates to bone cement formulations that have an extended working time for use in vertebroplasty procedures and other osteoplasty procedures together with cement injectors that include energy delivery systems for on-demand control of cement viscosity and flow parameters. The bone cement formulations may include a liquid component having at least one monomer and a non-liquid component including polymer particles and benzoyl peroxide (BPO). The non-liquid component may be further configured to allow controlled exposure of the BPO to the liquid monomer so as to enable control of the viscosity of the bone cement composition.
US09445849B2	Surgical instrument with integrated compression and distraction mechanisms Embodiments disclosed herein provide compression/distraction methods and tools useful for fitting a spinal stabilization system in a patient through minimally invasive surgery. The spinal stabilization system may comprise screws anchored in vertebrae. The vertebrae may need to be compressed or distracted. One embodiment of an instrument disclosed herein may comprise a shaft for engaging one of the screws through an extender sleeve. A driver may engage another screw through an opening of the instrument. Through this engagement, a surgeon may use the rack and pinion of the instrument to compress or distract one or more levels of the vertebrae in a parallel motion, which can be advantageous clinically in certain situations.
US09445847B2	Polyaxial bone anchoring device A polyaxial bone anchoring device includes an anchoring element having a shank and a head having an outer surface portion shaped as a segment of a sphere, a receiving part having a seat portion for receiving the head, and a pressure element having a head contacting surface portion having at least two circumferentially distinct projections and defining a recess for holding the head, the recess having a first region configured to receive the head and a second region defined by at least part of one of the projections and having an undersize compared to the shape of the head, such that when the head is held in the recess, the projections extend over a portion of the head with the largest outer diameter, and the head contacting surface portion corresponding to the second region is expanded from a neutral position to clamp the head by friction.
US09445846B2	System and method for dynamic vertebral stabilization An intervertebral stabilization device and method is disclosed. The device preferably includes a planar spring enclosed within a housing. The housing is joined to an articulation component at either end, and the articulation components have couplings connectable to anchoring components which are securable to adjacent vertebrae. The planar spring can flex and retract providing relative motion between the adjacent vertebrae. The articulation components are ball and socket joints which allow the entire assembly to flexibly follow the curvature of the spine. A fusion rod with articulation components and couplings at either end may be substituted for the spring device. The couplings enable interchangeability between a fusion rod assembly and spring assembly, so that dynamic stabilization can occur at one vertebral level and fusion at the adjacent vertebral level. An overhung spring assembly with a sideways displaced housing which allows for a shorter pedicle to pedicle displacement is also disclosed.
US09445845B2	Dynamic stabilization systems and devices for a spine A dynamic stabilization device is disclosed. The device includes a dual spring member comprising an outer spring and an inner spring that have approximately equal working lengths. The dynamic stabilization device is also configured so that the dual spring member does not undergo stresses greater than an effective fatigue limit that is related to a fatigue limit of the spring. Methods for treating a deformity of a spine using a dynamic stabilization device are also disclosed.
US09445842B2	Facet fixation prosthesis A facet screw system for surgical implantation into bone tissue having a shaft, a compression member and a washer. The shaft includes a shaft having a bone engaging portion and a compression member engaging portion. The compression member includes a spherical head portion having a recess for engaging with a driving instrument, and an elongated coupling portion having internal threads for coupling with the compression member engaging portion of the shaft and a washer coupled to the spherical head portion of the compression member and having a plurality of bone engaging protrusions. The washer is adapted to be polyaxially rotatable with respect to the compression member.
US09445841B2	Wire tensioner tip for use with wire fixation bolt A wire tensioner tip for use with a wire fixation bolt. First and second wires may be anchored to and tensioned across an external fixator frame with first and second wire tensioners. The first and second wires may be anchored at first anchor locations with first and second wire fixation bolts. First and second wire tensioner tips may engage with third and fourth wire fixation bolts, thereby preventing the third and fourth wire fixation bolts from rotating. The first and second wires may be tensioned to a desired tension with the first and second wire tensioners at the same time to prevent over-tensioning or under-tensioning. The first and second wires may be anchored at second anchor locations with third and fourth wire fixation bolts. By engaging the wire fixator bolts with the wire tensioning tips, fewer tools are required and one medical professional can tension two wires at once.
US09445838B2	Pen needle assembly for delivering drug solutions In one aspect, a pen needle assembly is provided herein which includes a hub, and a needle fixed to the hub, the needle having proximal and distal ends with a lumen extending therebetween. The needle extends distally from the hub to define an exposed length between the distal end of the needle and the hub in the range of about 5.0 to 9.0 mm. The hub defines a post formed about the needle, the post having a distally-facing first skin engaging surface. The exposed length of the needle extends distally from the first skin engaging surface. The hub also defines a distally-facing second skin engaging surface which at least partially circumscribes the first skin engaging surface. The second skin engaging surface being located proximally of the first skin engaging surface. Advantageously, with the subject invention, a pen needle assembly is provided having two skin engaging surfaces which provide stability in achieving subcutaneous injections.
US09445837B2	Surgical needle with enhanced ultrasound reflectivity A surgical needle having notches in a sidewall with enhanced ultrasound reflectivity is disclosed. Indentations, ridges, projections, overhanging edges, and other structures are formed in the notches to retain small amounts of air or other reflective material as the surgical needle is passed through tissue. The additional amounts of reflective material retained by these structures will significantly enhance the ultrasound reflectivity and enhance the response to ultrasonic probing to provide an enhanced image during needle placement in a medical patient so that the needle may be accurately placed as desired. Alternatively or additionally, the notches are filled with a substance that contains air bubbles suspended in the substance wherein the suspended air bubbles provide the reflectivity enhancement. In both embodiments, the needle will be visible at any angle in which the device is used in a medical patient.
US09445835B2	Circumcision device A circumcision device (10) including a proximal end (16), a distal end (18), an inner recess (30) and an outer surface. The inner recess (30) opens from the proximal end (16) and is adapted to receive substantially all of a glans of a penis therein. The outer surface includes a plurality of indicators (26) spaced apart from the proximal end (16). In use, a foreskin is pulled over the outer surface until the foreskin reaches a predetermined one of the indicators (26), thereby providing a visual guide to the level of circumcision.
US09445834B2	Methods and devices for cutting tissue A catheter is provided, which includes a cutting element having one or more raised elements. The cutting element has a cup-shaped surface at the distal end that may be smooth and continuous except for the raised elements.
US09445832B2	Surgical instruments A surgical device. The surgical device may comprise a transducer, an end effector, a generator and a control circuit. The transducer may be configured to provide vibrations. The end effector may be coupled to the transducer and may extend from the transducer along the longitudinal axis. The generator may provide an electrical signal to the transducer. Also, the control circuit may modify a current amplitude of the electrical signal in response to a change in a vibration frequency of the end effector. Accordingly to various embodiments, the control circuit may detect a first contribution to a vibration frequency of the end effector, the first contribution originating from tissue in contact with the end effector. Also, according to various embodiments, the control circuit may indicate a change in a vibration frequency of the end effector.
US09445831B2	Variable aspiration control device An aspiration control device may include a conduit having a distal end and a proximal end. The conduit may define a conduit lumen and an aperture vent open to the conduit lumen. A coupling may be configured to couple the proximal end of the conduit with a vacuum source and an inner cannula of a tissue cutting device. The inner cannula may define an inner cannula lumen wherein the vacuum source is configured to supply a vacuum to each of the coupling lumen and the inner cannula lumen. A sleeve may be movably disposed about the conduit, and a device motor may be in communication with the sleeve and be configured to move the sleeve to a predefined position relative to the vent in response to an input single from a user interface. The predefined position of the sleeve may correspond to a predefined level of vacuum to be supplied to the inner cannula lumen.
US09445824B2	Method and apparatus for performing arthroscopic microfracture surgery A microfracture instrument for applying microfracture therapy to a bone, the microfracture instrument comprising: an elongated shaft comprising a distal end and a proximal end; a needle comprising a body terminating in at least one sharp point, the needle being movably mounted to the distal end of the shaft for movement between an extended position for engaging the bone with the at least one sharp point of the needle and a retracted position for withdrawing the at least one sharp point of the needle from the bone; and a drive shaft movably mounted to the elongated shaft, the drive shaft being connected to the body of the needle so that movement of the drive shaft relative to the elongated shaft moves the needle between its extended position and its retracted position.
US09445822B2	Method of assembling the oscillating assembly of a surgical sagittal saw A method of assembling a surgical sagittal saw that includes an oscillating head. The oscillating head and the yoke used to drive the head are formed with complementary tapered surfaces. The oscillating head is seated in the yoke so the tapered surfaces are adjacent. The yoke and head are pressed together so the yoke and head tapered surfaces abut. As a result of tapered surfaces abutting the oscillating head and yoke effectively become a single unit. The oscillating head and yoke are mounted to the saw body so the yoke can be driven by the drive shaft integral with the saw. The oscillating head is rotatably mounted to the saw. Thus, upon actuation of the drive shaft, the drive shaft oscillates the yoke so as to foster similar oscillations in the oscillating head. The oscillating head drives the saw blade attached to the saw.
US09445818B2	Content inflation and delivery system A content inflation and delivery system including a fluid inlet communication with a fluid outlet; wherein the fluid outlet is positioned between the fluid inlet and a second end of the container. The system also includes an inflatable content being configured for inflation and delivery from the second end of the container.
US09445816B2	Circular stapler with selectable motorized and manual control An apparatus is operable to clamp, cut, and staple tissue. The apparatus includes a stapling head assembly, a shaft assembly coupled to the stapling head assembly, and an actuator handle assembly coupled to the shaft assembly. The stapling head assembly is operable to clamp tissue, cut tissue, and staple tissue in response to rotation imparted by a single rotary drive shaft extending through the shaft assembly. The actuator handle assembly includes a motor positioned within a motor housing, a rotation knob, and a selection assembly. The rotation knob is coupled to a proximal end of the motor housing. The rotation knob is configured to translate between a proximal position and a distal position. The selection assembly is operable to select between motorized operation of the apparatus or manual operation of the apparatus, based on the longitudinal position of the rotation knob.
US09445815B2	Methods and instruments for treating GERD and haital hernia The invention relates to an intraluminar method of treating a reflux disease in a patient by implanting a device comprising an movement restriction device that, when implanted in a patient, fills a volume in the patient's abdomen that is close to and at least partially above the patient's cardia when the patient is in a standing position. The invention further relates to a method of restoring the location of the cardia in a patient suffering from a reflux disease and to an instrument suitable to use with intraluminar method and/or restoration method. Also disclosed are instruments treating a patient suffering hiatal hernia and providing a movement restriction device to be invaginated in the stomach fundus wall.
US09445812B2	Center cinch and release of buttress material A buttressed anvil assembly is provided for use with a surgical stapling instrument. The buttressed anvil assembly generally includes an anvil member having a strip of buttress material attached thereto by a pair of sutures. A tensioning mechanism is provided to secure or tension the buttress material to the anvil member prior to use and allow for release of the buttress material after stapling of tissue. The tensioning mechanism includes a cinch track engageable with one of the pair of sutures.
US09445809B2	Gentle touch surgical stapler Embodiments include a surgical device and a method. An embodiment of the surgical instrument includes at least one grasping jaw, the at least one grasping jaw being adapted to deliver surgical staples by a force generated from a force generator mechanism that is contained within the at least one grasping jaw or is in a proximity to the at least one grasping jaw. Another embodiment includes at least one grasping jaw, at least one actuation mechanism adapted to deliver surgical fasteners, the actuation mechanism being located in a proximity to or contained within the at least one grasping jaw, the surgical fasteners containing at least one shape-transforming material, at least one sensor, at least one chemical tissue sealant and at least one cutter. A method includes: grasping a body organ/tissue with at least one grasping jaw, adjusting a configuration of the grasping in response to a signal or a datum or an image, and releasing a surgical staple/fastener in response to the signal, datum or image.
US09445804B2	Suture anchoring assemblies and methods of use A suture anchor assembly and methods of use will now are disclosed for the repair of human or animal tissue defects. The suture anchor assembly is capable of being inserted into a tissue or bone while also being able to create an expanded profile when subjected to a retrograde force. This expanded profile anchors the assembly into the tissue or bone by a changing of position of elements of the assembly relative to other assembly elements. Embodiments of the suture anchor assembly and methods are capable of precisely positioning assembly elements in the tissue or bone to effectively repair the defects. Some embodiments of the suture anchor assembly may include pliable buttons. And some embodiments of the suture anchor assembly may also include buttons made of bioabsorbable or resorbable materials.
US09445802B2	Ophthalmic tool for eye imaging device An ophthalmic tool includes an ophthalmic speculum for holding a patient's eye open and for guiding a lens probe of an eye imaging device to be directly contacted with a cornea of the patient's eye. The ophthalmic speculum includes two eyelid distensible frames, a mechanism to spread the eyelid distensible frames apart, and a probe guiding frame including a plurality of probe guiders spacedly extended from the eyelid distensible frames. Each probe guider has a peak upwardly extended above the eyelid distensible frame that serves as a guiding point and forms a probe guiding cavity within the guiding points of the probe guiders. The lens probe is guided to be disposed within the probe guiding cavity via the guiding points before and after the lens probe is aligned and contacted with the cornea of the patient's eye in a proper upright orientation.
US09445797B2	Percutaneous atrial and ventricular septal defect closure device Medical devices for closing anatomical apertures, such as atrial or ventricular septal defects, are disclosed. The medical devices can include a plug body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. The plug body can include an exterior surface, an interior surface defining an interior lumen, and a seal which can be located within the interior lumen. The medical devices can also include at least one arm member extending through the plug body between the exterior surface and the interior surface of the plug body. In certain embodiments, the medical device can include a distal loop and a proximal loop extending through the plug body. In certain embodiments, the proximal loop can be smaller than the distal loop, such that a top end and a bottom end of the proximal loop can fit within a top end and a bottom end of the distal loop.
US09445795B2	Prevention of premature gelling of delivery devices for pH dependent forming materials The present disclosure provides treatment of an apparatus, in embodiments a delivery device, which prevents premature gelling of any materials or precursor(s) of a pH dependent forming material, in embodiments a hydrogel, dispensed by the delivery device. The pH microenvironment near the surface of a lumen of the device, in embodiments the tip of a spray applicator through which the material to be dispensed is expelled from the device, may be controlled to prevent premature gelling.
US09445794B2	Catheter for use with an endoscope Endoscopes, medical devices for use with endoscopes, and methods for making and using endoscopes. An example medical device for use with an endoscope is a catheter having one or more ridges formed on an outer surface thereof. The ridges may interact, for example, with the elevator of an endoscope.
US09445793B2	Trajectory guide, access port, and fiducial marker alignment A trajectory guide for introducing an instrument into a human or animal subject is described. A guide stem can be removed in sections without disturbing the aligned instrument. An access port portion of the trajectory guide can be left in place, without disturbing trajectory alignment, and can allow overlying skin to be sutured closed. The access port can provide infusate delivery, such as using an injection port, catheter or the like. A fiducial marker arrangement can provide easy and accurate trajectory alignment, for use with the present trajectory guide, another trajectory guide, or without any trajectory guide.
US09445788B2	Ultrasound probe diagnosing apparatus, ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, and ultrasound probe diagnosing method An ultrasound probe diagnosing apparatus which diagnoses an ultrasound probe having an array of a plurality of ultrasound transducing elements on the basis of how the ultrasound probe receives reflected ultrasound waves from a test object placed to face the ultrasound probe, includes a part which detects a posture of the ultrasound probe with respect to the test object by comparing reflected ultrasound signals received by at least some of the plurality of ultrasound transducing elements, and a presenting part which presents information based on the detected posture.
US09445783B2	Ultrasound diagnostic adapter, ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, and ultrasound diagnostic method An ultrasound diagnostic adapter used when diagnosing a subject using an ultrasound probe that transmits and receives ultrasound waves, the ultrasound diagnostic adapter includes: a pad which has (i) a main surface that is a surface on a side where the ultrasound probe is disposed, and (ii) a back surface that is a surface which is opposite to the main surface and is on a side where the subject is disposed; and a first reflective member which is disposed inside the pad and made from a material having a different acoustic impedance than a material included in the pad, wherein the first reflective member is disposed such that at least one of (i) a distance between the first reflective member and the main surface and (ii) a width of the first reflective member viewed from the side of the main surface varies depending on a position in the main surface.
US09445782B2	Ultrasonic probe and manufacturing method thereof The present application relates to an ultrasonic probe including a connector capable of applying an electrical signal to a piezoelectric material and disposed at the outside of a backing layer, and a method of manufacturing the same. The ultrasonic probe includes a piezoelectric material, a backing layer installed on the rear surface of the piezoelectric material, and a first connector installed on at least one side surface of the backing layer and electrically connected to the piezoelectric material.
US09445778B2	ECG-gated temporal sampling in cardiac kinetic modeling In a diagnostic imaging system (10), a monitor (50) monitors periodic biological cycles of the subject (14). A trigger point detector (60) detects a time (t1, t2, . . . , tn) of a common, reoccurring reference point (R1, R2, . . . , Rn) in each periodic cycle of the subject (14). A sequence selector (62) selects a sequence (64) of nominal sampling segments (Si, S2, . . . , Sn). An adjustor (70) adjusts duration of each nominal sampling segment (Si, S2, . . . , Sn) to coincide with the times of detected reference points (R1, R2, . . . , Rn). A scaling processor (72) scales each adjusted segment based on a difference in duration between the corresponding nominal (Si, S2, . . . , Sn) and adjusted sampling segments (S′i, S′2, . . . , S′n).
US09445776B2	X-ray imaging apparatus and method of controlling the same Disclosed are an X-ray imaging apparatus that captures one or more images of an inner part of the human body or the like, and a method for controlling the apparatus. In particular, an imaging system includes an X-ray generator which is configured to irradiate a target object with X-rays, a detector which is configured to detect X-rays which are emitted at a plurality of times and which have propagated through the target object, a driver which is configured to change a position of the X-ray generator or the detector, an image processor which is configured to generate a plurality of X-ray images from the detected X-rays and to compare the plurality of X-ray images in order to generate at least one difference image, and a controller which is configured to detect tissues which constitute the target object based on the at least one difference image.
US09445775B2	Single step differential phase contrast x-ray imaging A system and method for single step and motionless x-ray phase contrast imaging. In one embodiment, a system for single step x-ray imaging includes a clinical x-ray source, a first coded aperture mask, a second coded aperture mask, and a photon counting spectral detector. The first coded aperture mask is disposed between the x-ray source and an object to be imaged. The photon counting spectral detector is disposed to detect x-rays passing through the object. The second coded aperture mask is disposed between the object to be imaged and the photon counting spectral detector. The system can provide, from a single acquisition step, an absorption image, a phase image, and differential phase image.
US09445770B2	Nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus A nuclear medicine diagnostic apparatus includes a support unit for supporting an inspection object from front, an opening for receiving a breast of the inspection object supported by the support unit, a detector ring opposed to the inspection object across a supporting surface of the support unit for detecting radiation generated from the breast, a chest mat provided around the opening formed in the support unit for supporting the chest of the inspection object, and an outer mat provided outward of the chest mat for supporting the inspection object. The chest mat is formed of a material having a greater sagging rate than the outer mat.
US09445769B2	Method and apparatus for detecting disease regression through network-based gait analysis A method, computer-readable storage device and apparatus for determining a regression of a medical condition are disclosed. For example, a method receives characteristics of motion information, wherein the characteristics of motion information is based upon gait information, compares the characteristics of motion information over a time period to a profile of the medical condition, wherein the profile of the medical condition comprises a plurality of signatures associated with different stages of the medical condition, determines a potential presence of the regression of the medical condition when the characteristics of motion information matches one of the plurality of signatures, and transmits a notification of the potential presence of the regression of the medical condition.
US09445767B2	Apparatus and method for measuring biologic parameters Support structures for positioning sensors on a physiologic tunnel for measuring physical, chemical and biological parameters of the body and to produce an action according to the measured value of the parameters. The support structure includes a sensor fitted on the support structures using a special geometry for acquiring continuous and undisturbed data on the physiology of the body. Signals are transmitted to a remote station by wireless transmission such as by electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared, sound and the like or by being reported locally by audio or visual transmission. The physical and chemical parameters include brain function, metabolic function, hydrodynamic function, hydration status, levels of chemical compounds in the blood, and the like. The support structure includes patches, clips, eyeglasses, head mounted gear and the like, containing passive or active sensors positioned at the end of the tunnel with sensing systems positioned on and accessing a physiologic tunnel.
US09445765B2	Internet-based system for characterizing patients undergoing an electrophysiology procedure The invention provides a system for evaluating a patient featuring: 1) an ECG-measuring system connected to the patient and configured to sense ECG information from the patient; 2) a data-acquisition system interfaced to a vital sign-monitoring system configured to sense vital sign information from the patient during an electro-physiology (EP) procedure; and 3) an external software system interfaced to both systems. The external software system includes a first software interface that receives ECG information measured from the patient by the ECG-measuring system, and a second software interface that receives vital sign and EP-related information from the data-acquisition system measured from the patient during an EP procedure. A database stores physiological and EP-related information measured from the patient before, during, and after the EP procedure. And an algorithm interfaced with the database determines an efficacy of the EP procedure by collectively analyzing information measured during each of these phases.
US09445764B2	Method for automatic setting time varying parameter alert and alarm limits When monitoring physiological parameters (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, etc.) of a patient, a threshold limit (30) is set (e.g., automatically or manually) and the monitored parameter is continuously compared to the threshold limit, which may be constant or may vary with time. An alarm (36) is triggered if the monitored parameter exceeds the threshold limit at any time, or if the monitored parameter has not reached a target value by the end of a predefined time period by which an administered drug or therapy should have been effective.
US09445761B2	Lancet ejection and advancement mechanism for multi-lancet cartridge A lancing device includes an advance-and-eject mechanism with a positioning member for manipulating a series of interconnected lancets. The advance-and-eject mechanism includes an actuator, a control channel, a cam-and-follower mechanism, one or more axial-contact members, and one or more angular-contact members. Actuating the actuator relative to the control channel imparts rotational and axial forces on the positioning member, and the cam-and-follower mechanism selectively restricts rotational and/or axial motion of the positioning member to induce first-stage rotation, second-stage translation, third-stage rotation, and fourth-stage translation. The first-stage rotation rotates the axial-contact members into an interference position, the second-stage translation advances the axial-contact members and the lancet, the third-stage rotation rotates the angular-contact members and the lancet to sever its rearside connection, and the fourth-stage translation advances the axial-contact members and the lancet to a position free of the serial-interconnected lancets thereby ejecting it from the lancing device.
US09445760B2	Blood collection safety devices and methods of use and manufacture An automatically locking safety device, e.g., for use in a blood collection procedure, can include a housing, first and second needle covers that are at least partly received in the housing, and a needle that is at least partly received in at least one of the first and second needle covers. The needle can include a proximal tip configured for placement into a patient and a distal tip configured for placement into a blood collection vial. In some embodiments, the first and second needle covers are biased by a biasing member. In some cases, one or both of the first and second needle covers can be locked to prevent axial movement thereof after the blood collection procedure. In certain embodiments, a distal end of the device is configured to connect with a medical connector, such as a needleless IV access device.
US09445756B2	Dynamic integrated lancing test strip with sterility cover An integrated lancing test strip includes a test strip and a lancet packet coupled to the test strip. The lancet packet includes a sterility sheet enclosing a lancet to maintain the sterility of the lancet and prevent cross-contamination between the test strip and the lancet. The sterility sheet allows the lancet to be sterilized separately from the test strip. The sterility sheet gives the integrated strip a low profile, which is attractive for packaging multiple integrated strips in cassettes, drums, magazines or the like. In one form, the integrated strip is loaded in a meter that includes an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the position of the test strip relative to the skin being sampled. This allows the user to adjust the position of the test strip so as to not apply excessive pressure against skin, which could hamper bleeding from the incision in the skin.
US09445748B2	Device and method for fractionally collecting contents of exhaled air A device for fractionally collecting contents of exhaled air by changing the state of matter of the contents by means of the Joule-Thomson effect arising during the expansion of pressurized gas. The temperature of the exhaled air conducted in a flow channel is lowered, because of the cooling of the expanding gas, to a temperature that is suitable for condensing the contents in the exhaled air flow. This device and method provides a more efficient means by which condensate can be separated from exhaled air in comparison to conveying exhaled air along a cooling surface for the condensation of the contents, as a result of which condensation of the contents occurs only in the area of these cooling surfaces, so that several breath cycles are required for the collection of sufficient condensate for analysis.
US09445746B1	Systems and methods for catheter tip placement using ECG A system and method for catheter placement using ECG is provided. In certain embodiments, the system and method can generate a patient specific window for tracking a characteristic of an ECG waveform, such as the amplitude of a P-wave. The patient specific window can be utilized in a system and method for assisting in the placement of a catheter within a patient. In other embodiments, a tip location algorithm can be used with an anti-thrombogenic catheter and an intravascular electrode assembly for maintaining a high resolution intravascular signal in an ECG based catheter tip placement system.
US09445745B2	Tool shape estimation A medical tool includes a location sensor at a distal end. While the tool is being maneuvered to a desired region of interest, a control unit records a first location reading obtained according to an output from the sensor when requested by a user, indicative of when a patient's anatomy constrains free movement of the tool in at least one degree of freedom. Once the tool has reached the region of interest, the control unit records a second location reading according to the sensor output indicative of a current location. A relaxation shape of the tool forms a shape constraint on the tool shape reconstruction. The control unit determines a reconstruction representing the current shape of the tool based on the positional constraints and the shape constraint. The reconstruction is graphically superimposed on an image of the region of interest.
US09445744B2	Methods, systems, and devices for spine centrum extraction and intervertebral disk dividing Devices, systems, and methods for spine centrum extraction and intervertebral disk dividing are disclosed.
US09445737B2	Signal analysis related to treatment sites A method includes storing baseline data representing at least one local or global electrical characteristics for at least a portion of a region of interest (ROI) of a patient's anatomical structure. The baseline data is determined based on electrical measurement data obtained during at least one first measurement interval. The method also includes storing in memory other data representing the at least one local or global electrical characteristics for the at least a portion of the ROI based on electrical measurement data obtained during at least one subsequent measurement interval. The method also includes evaluating the baseline data relative to the other data to determine a change in the at least one local or global electrical characteristics. The method also includes generating an output based on the evaluating to provide an indication of progress or success associated with the applying the treatment.
US09445734B2	Devices and methods for endovascular electrography An adapter for an endovascular device and a catheter steering device are provided. The adapter for an endovascular device includes a body, a conductive metal ring and a conductive wire. The body includes a first open end, a second open end, a central lumen having a substantially cylindrical surface extending from the first open end to the second open end, and a channel extending from the central lumen to an external opening. The conductive metal ring is attached to the surface of the central lumen, and the conductive wire is coupled to the conductive metal ring and extends through the channel and the external opening. The steering device for a catheter that has a plurality of lumens with spaced distal openings includes a stylet for disposition within one of the plurality of lumens, and a steering member for disposition within a different one of the plurality of lumens. In the installed position, the stylet and the steering member are connected together at respective distal ends such that a portion of the steering member is disposed outside of the distal end of the catheter.
US09445732B2	Methods and device for sensing a person's pulse in traditional chinese medicine This invention discloses a pulse-sensing device and methods for pulse sensing. In one embodiment, the device includes a robotic finger comprising a humanoid-finger structure, and an actuating-force transferring member for transferring an actuating force to the structure at an actuation point thereon and along an actuation direction. One end of the structure is pivotally mounted to a fulcrum and another end has a sensing area. The robotic finger is configured such that, when the sensing area contacts a person's wrist, a first perpendicular distance from the fulcrum to a first line is substantially longer than a second perpendicular distance from the fulcrum to a second line, where the first line is a straight line passing through a sensing point of the sensing area and being substantially perpendicular to the sensing area, and the second line is a straight line passing through the actuation point and orienting along the actuation direction.
US09445728B2	Blood pressure cuff A device can include a vibration sensor configured to sense blood flow in a lumen of a person; a cuff coupled to the vibration sensor and configured to contact a limb of the person; a mechanical cuff tensioner coupled to the cuff, the mechanical cuff tensioner configured to adjust a compressive force of the cuff on the lumen; a tension sensor operably coupled to the mechanical cuff tensioner, the tension sensor configured to measure a first tension value of the cuff during a first sense by the vibration sensor and to measure a second tension value of the cuff during a second sense by the vibration sensor; and a recorder mechanism configured to record the first tension value, the first measurement by the vibration sensor, the second tension value, and the second measurement by the vibration sensor.
US09445726B2	Electronic apparatus, thermometer, body temperature management system, alarm control method, and program An electronic apparatus includes an alarm unit, a reception unit, and a control unit. The alarm unit is capable of outputting an alarm. The reception unit receives an alarm stop signal from a thermometer. The control unit causes the alarm unit to output the alarm at a set time and stop the alarm on the basis of the alarm stop signal.
US09445724B2	Method and apparatus for measuring and displaying dental plaque A method and an apparatus for measuring and displaying dental plaque are provided, and the method includes the steps of dividing near infrared light output from a light source into measurement light and reference light, applying the measurement light toward a tooth in an oral cavity and scanning the tooth with the measurement light, producing interference light from reflected light and back-scattered light from the tooth and the reference light, generating an optical coherence tomographic image based on a scattering intensity value of the interference light, extracting a dental plaque region having a specific scattering intensity value from the optical coherence tomographic image, and quantifying the dental plaque. A method and an apparatus for measuring and displaying gingiva and/or alveolar bone are further provided. A method and an apparatus for quantifying dental plaque, digitizing the dental plaque, and generating an image of the dental plaque are further provided.
US09445723B2	Devices, systems and methods for authenticated intravascular device use and reuse Devices, systems, and methods for reconditioning an intravascular device for reuse are provided. The method includes reading first security data from a memory of the intravascular device; determining if the intravascular device is authentic; generating second security data, when the intravascular device is authentic; and writing the second security data to the memory of the intravascular device. Devices, systems, and methods for authenticating an intravascular device for use are also provided. The method includes bringing an intravascular device into communication with a computing device, the intravascular device including a memory; determining if first security data is authentic; determining, when the first security data is authentic, if the intravascular device has been reconditioned; determining, when the intravascular device has been reconditioned, if the second security data is authentic base; and permitting, when second security data is authentic, use of the intravascular device in the clinical procedure.
US09445722B2	Method for performing combined magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography A method is disclosed for performing a combined magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography scan of an examination object in an MR/PET system. An embodiment of the method entails acquiring first magnetic resonance data using a first readout gradient field. The first readout gradient field is chosen such that, at a location of the field of view of the magnetic resonance system, a distortion caused by a nonlinearity of the first readout gradient field and a distortion caused by a B0 field inhomogeneity substantially cancel each other out. First magnetic resonance images for planning the combined magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography session and determining an attenuation correction map for a positron emission tomography scan are determined on the basis of the first magnetic resonance data. Positron emission data and second magnetic resonance data are acquired using a second readout gradient field.
US09445721B2	MR gamma hybrid imaging system A pendant breast imaging system that operates with a MRI system and which allows a planar gamma camera breast imaging system to be positioned away from the breast area while MRI imaging is occurring, and which then moves into breast imaging position after MRI imaging is complete, and which can again be removed from the breast area to allow intervention to occur is described. It may use various collimator or scintillator materials and designs.
US09445719B2	Patient monitoring systems and methods An adherent patient device is configured to adhere to the skin of the patient and measure electrocardiogram data, impedance data, accelerometer data, blood oxygen data and temperature data. The adherent device can communicate wirelessly with gateways and a local processor system, such that the patient can wander about the hospital and update the monitoring station with the patient data when the patient is ambulatory. The local processor system can be configured to customize alerts for the patient, for example to notify automatically a specialist in response to a special condition of the patient. The adherent device may comprise a unique adherent device identifier such that the customized alert can be sent based on the unique device identifier. Each of the gateways can be carried and may comprise a unique gateway identifier, such that the unique device identifier and the unique gateway identifier can be used to locate the ambulatory patient.
US09445718B2	Optical system and measurement method thereof An optical system for measuring an observed object includes an illuminant component, an imaging component, and an optical component. The illuminant component generates a measuring light. The optical component including a mirror and a beam splitter is located between the illuminant component and the imaging component. The mirror is located between the illuminant component and the observed object, the beam splitter is located between the mirror, the observed object, and the imaging component. The measuring light is projected to the observed object via the mirror and beam splitter, and an imaging light that has been generated from the illuminant component and reflected by the observed object is projected to the imaging component via the beam splitter, the imaging light and the measuring light intersect at the beam splitter. The present invention also provides a measurement method.
US09445717B2	System and method for characterising eye-related systems Described herein is a light directing assembly for use in an object analysis system. The light directing assembly includes a plurality of optical relay assemblies. Each optical relay assembly includes at least one optical element configured to relay an interrogation beam from a light transmission system to an object and relay a return beam from the object to the light transmission system, the return beam being generated by reflection or back scattering of the interrogation beam by the object. Each optical relay assembly defines an interrogation angle at which the interrogation beam relayed by the optical relay assembly reaches the object, and an optical path length being the distance from the light transmission system to the object traveled by an interrogation beam via the optical relay assembly. The plurality of optical relay assemblies are further configured such that the optical path length for a given optical relay assembly has a predefined relationship with the optical path lengths of the other optical relay assemblies.
US09445712B2	Medical device illuminator and charging system A portable medical illuminator is configured for attachment to a medical device wherein the illuminator includes an illuminator housing and a light source disposed in relation to the housing. A portable rechargeable power supply is connected to the light source, and an inductive charging coil is disposed within the illuminator housing to enable contactless charging of the contained portable power supply.
US09445709B2	Imaging unit and imaging system An imaging unit includes: an imager that receives and photoelectrically converts light from a target to be captured; a branching unit that branches a signal from the imager into two signals; a first converter into which one of the two signals is input to convert the input signal into an optical signal; a second converter into which the other of the two signals is input to convert the input signal into an electric signal; a first output unit that outputs the optical signal; a second output unit that outputs the electric signal; a detector that detects a unit connected to the imaging unit; and a controller that causes the first output unit to output the optical signal if the unit detected by the detector is the control unit, and causes the second output unit to output the electric signal if the unit detected by the detector is the inspection unit.
US09445708B2	Water-bearing domestic appliance A water-bearing domestic appliance, in particular a dishwasher, includes a liquid storage container, in particular a storage container in which washing liquid can be temporarily stored. At least one flow-control element is arranged in a liquid chamber of the storage container to divert and/or to split the washing liquor flowing into the storage container or being discharged from it.
US09445707B2	Dishwasher with permanent storage compartment A dishwasher, including a chamber for washing dishes and a chamber for storing dishes is provided. A mechanism is also provided allowing the dish racks to move the dishes from the washing chamber to the storage chamber of the dishwasher once the wash is completed.
US09445702B2	Autonomous surface cleaning robot for wet and dry cleaning An autonomous floor cleaning robot includes a transport drive and control system arranged for autonomous movement of the robot over a floor for performing cleaning operations. The robot chassis carries a first cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arranged to suction loose particulates up from the cleaning surface and a second cleaning zone comprising cleaning elements arraigned to apply a cleaning fluid onto the surface and to thereafter collect the cleaning fluid up from the surface after it has been used to clean the surface. The robot chassis carries a supply of cleaning fluid and a waste container for storing waste materials collected up from the cleaning surface.
US09445700B2	Glass-wiping robot A glass-wiping robot comprising a glass-wiping robot housing (1), a power cord (2) extending outward through the housing (1), a protruding mechanism (3) provided on the housing (1) and protruding from the surface thereof, and a power cord positioning sheath (4) provided on the housing (1), where the power cord (2) passes through a central through-hole of the power cord positioning sheath (4) and is fixed. By providing the power cord positioning sheath (4), the glass-wiping robot ensures that the power cord (2) does not interfere with other parts on the surface of the machine body of the glass-wiping robot, prevents the power cord (2) from hanging downward and winding when the glass-wiping robot is working, provides a simplified structure, and greatly improves the operational safety of the glass-wiping robot.
US09445699B2	Low power toilet light illuminator and night light with photosensor activation A toilet illumination device engageable with a toilet seat is provided which illuminates the toilet and proximal area in low ambient light or darkness. The device is battery powered and utilizes light emitters such as LED's to provide a low energy light source to assist users in locating and using the toilet upon awakening in the night. The device may emit light in a spectrum or lumen level known to not significantly interfere with user's falling back to sleep due to the low light and color characteristics of the light emitting diodes. The device once activated in low light conditions and may illuminate a plurality of light emitting diodes when the seat is lifted and or lowered without the need to turn on bathroom lights or other brighter and more energy consuming light sources.
US09445698B2	Toilet seat handle A toilet seat handle for lifting a toilet seat and its cover. The toilet seat handle is affixed to the toilet seat cover, and selectively engages the toilet seat to lift the cover and the seat individually or together. Because the handle mechanism is affixed to the front of the cover, when the toilet is being used, with the seat up or down, the handle mechanism is well away from the toilet, such that the handle mechanism remains clean and sanitary.
US09445696B2	Sanitary toilet seat and bowl A sanitary toilet seat has a pivot point for raising and lowering the toilet seat, which pivot point is located on a plane above a horizontal plane upon which the seat may rest when in a lowered position on the toilet bowl. In addition, a toilet bowl may have a steep inside bowl angle to reduce splash effects.
US09445695B2	Urinal, and method for replacing an odor seal of a urinal The invention relates to a urinal having an odor seal or trap (2). The urinal is characterized by provision of another odor seal or trap (9), preferably connected in series with the first odor seal or trap (2).
US09445692B2	Bathing facility cushion device A bathing facility cushion device protects a person from impact damage in the event of an accident incident to bathing. The device includes an elongated resilient retainer and an elongated pad. An inner section and an outer section of the retainer define a channel therebetween. The channel tapers extending away from a medial section of the retainer. A first section and a second section of the pad define a passage therebetween. The pad is enageable to the retainer wherein the retainer is configured for securing the pad over a top surface of a side wall of a bathtub such that the first section and the second section extend downwardly along the side wall of the bathtub.
US09445684B2	Covering for an architectural opening A covering for an architectural opening comprising: a rail; a covering material, attached to said rail; at least two cords for guiding, supporting and/or lifting the covering material, the cords extending through the rail; and at least one weight disposed within the rail; characterised in that the rail comprises a longitudinally extending front portion, a longitudinally extending rear portion and a longitudinally extending central portion disposed between the front portion and the rear portion, and wherein said at least one weight is positioned at a location remote from the central portion.
US09445680B2	Device for facilitating self-dressing A portable device that facilitates and aids in self-dressing lower as well as upper body with single and or multiple articles of clothing with minimal physical motion, and coordination (e.g., exertion, bending, squeezing, gripping, twisting etc.). The portable device includes a base that supports and provides stability for maintaining the portable device in an upright position, and defines a workspace for positioning articles of clothing. Further included is a first retainer associated with the base, a second retainer associated with a handle, and a first and second side posts adjustably and moveably associated with the base.

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