最新美国发明专利第2018-04-24期 - 专利汇|PatentHub专利检索|专利查询网|发明专利查询分析

Document	Document Title
US09951069B1	Bicyclic inhibitors of histone deacetylase Provided herein are compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, which are useful in the treatment of conditions associated with inhibition of HDAC (e.g., HDAC2).
US09951066B2	Compositions, uses and methods for making them Generally, the present invention provides novel quinolone compounds and pharmaceutical composition thereof which may inhibit cell proliferation and/or induce cell apoptosis. The present invention also provides methods of preparing such compounds and compositions, and methods of making and using the same.
US09951057B2	COMT inhibiting methods and compositions The present inventions include a method of inhibiting COMT enzyme in a subject as well as compounds of formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, that are useful in the treatment of various disorders mediated by COMT, including Parkinson's disease and/or schizophrenia.
US09951054B2	CMP porous pad with particles in a polymeric matrix The invention provides a chemical-mechanical polishing pad comprising a polymeric matrix and 0.1-15 wt. % of metal oxide particles. The polymeric matrix has pores, the metal oxide particles are uniformly distributed throughout the pores, and the metal oxide particles have a specific surface area of about 25 m2/g to about 450 m2/g. The invention further provides a method of polishing a substrate with the polishing pad.
US09951048B1	Isoquinolin-3-yl carboxamides and preparation and use thereof Isoquinoline compounds for treating various diseases and pathologies are disclosed. More particularly, the present invention concerns the use of an isoquinoline compound or analogs thereof, in the treatment of disorders characterized by the activation of Wnt pathway signaling (e.g., cancer, abnormal cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, fibrotic disorders, bone or cartilage diseases, and osteoarthritis), the modulation of cellular events mediated by Wnt pathway signaling, as well as genetic diseases and neurological conditions/disorders/diseases due to mutations or dysregulation of the Wnt pathway and/or of one or more of Wnt signaling components. Also provided are methods for treating Wnt-related disease states.
US09951045B2	Indazole compounds as 5-HT4 receptor agonists The present invention relates to novel indazole compounds of the Formula (I), wherein, R1 is alkyl or cycloalkyl; (Formula II) including their stereoisomers and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. This invention also relates to methods of making such compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds. The compounds of this invention are useful in the treatment of various disorders that are related to 5-Hydroxy-tryptamine 4 (5-HT4) receptor agonists.
US09951038B2	Quinazolin-4(3H)-one-type piperidine compounds and uses thereof The present disclosure relates to Quinazolin-4(3H)-one-Type Piperidine Compounds, such as those of Formule (I) and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, Q, Y1, Z, A, B, E, and a are as defined herein; compositions comprising an effective amount of a Quinazolin-4(3H)-one-Type Piperidine Compound, and methods to treat or prevent a condition, such as pain, comprising administering to an animal in need thereof an effective amount of a Quinazolin-4(3H)-one-Type Piperidine Compound.
US09951033B2	Tertiary amines for use in the treatment of cardiac disorders The present invention relates to tertiary amines of formula (I) for use in therapy, particularly for use in treating cardiovascular disorders. The compounds have been found to regulate phospholamban phosphorylation by interfering with the A-kinase anchor protein 18delta (AKAP18δ) binding to the PKA substrate phospholamban. The compounds share a tri(alkylaryl/alkylheteroaryl) amine structure.
US09951029B2	Styryl quinazoline derivatives as pharmaceutically active agents The present invention relates to styryl quinazoline derivatives of the general formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable solvates, hydrates, salts, regioisomeric and polymorphic forms thereof as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one of the described compounds as pharmaceutically active agent. The compounds have been identified as new drug candidates for the prevention and/or treatment of diseases related to disfunction(s) of hematopoiesis and cancer or any other form of neo- or hyperplasias related to Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) containing Internal Tandem Duplications (ITD), especially in the case of myeloid leukemia. The compounds have been also identified as new drug candidates as antibacterial agents (having bactericidal or bacteriostatic activity) which can be used for the prevention and/or treatment of bacterial infectious diseases.
US09951028B2	Agricultural chemicals The present invention relates to compounds which are of use in the field of agriculture as herbicides. The invention also relates to compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using said compounds.
US09951025B2	Halogenopyrazoles as inhibitors of thrombin There are provided inter alia multisubstituted aromatic compounds useful for the inhibition of thrombin, which compounds include substituted pyrazolyl. There are additionally provided pharmaceutical compositions. There are additionally provided methods of treating and preventing a disease or disorder, which disease or disorder is amenable to treatment or prevention by the inhibition of thrombin.
US09951019B2	Therapeutic compounds The invention provides compounds of formula (I): wherein, A, C, D, X, and Y have any of the values defined in the specification, and salts thereof. The compounds are SIRT2 inhibitors and are useful for treating SIRT2 associated conditions.
US09951014B2	Mammalian and bacterial nitric oxide synthase inhibitors Compounds and related methods for inhibition of mammalian and bacterial nitric oxide synthase.
US09951013B2	Fucosidase inhibitors The present disclosure relates, in general, to compounds useful as inhibitors of fucosidase enzymes, and to methods and compositions for the treatment of tumors or cancers, such as liver disorders and liver tumors (e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma), with a compound as disclosed herein.
US09951009B2	Polymorphic form of pyrrole derivative and intermediate thereof The present invention relates to Saroglitazar free acid of Formula (IA) or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, pharmaceutically acceptable solvates, pharmaceutically acceptable esters, stereoisomers, tautomers, analogs and derivatives thereof. The present invention also provides an amorphous form of saroglitazar free acid and processes of preparation thereof. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical composition comprising an amorphous form saroglitazar magnesium.
US09951007B2	2-methylthiopyrrolidines and their use for modulating bacterial quorum sensing Compounds of Formula (I) are disclosed herein and their use in inhibiting quorum sensing in bacteria.
US09951006B2	Method for producing powdered lauroyl peroxide The present application relates to a method for producing powdered lauroyl peroxide which is characterized in that a reaction mixture is used which comprises water, lauric acid chloride, hydrogen peroxide, an inorganic base and an alkane.
US09951005B2	Isothiocyanate functional surfactant formulation and associated method of use An isothiocyanate functional surfactant formulation, wherein the protonated form of said surfactant is represented by the following chemical structure: wherein X includes an integer ranging from approximately 1 to approximately 25, and wherein Y includes an integer ranging from approximately 6 to approximately 25; and an emollient.
US09951001B2	Hepatoprotectant acetaminophen mutual prodrugs The present invention provides hepatoprotectant acetaminophen mutual prodrugs, which have an acetaminophen moiety covalently linked to a second moiety that may act as a hepatoprotectant against acetaminophen hepatotoxicity. Additionally, acetaminophen mutual prodrugs may have improved water solubility which may provide better suitability for parenteral and other dosage forms relative to administration of acetaminophen. Also provided are methods of treating a disease or condition that is responsive to acetaminophen (such as fever, pain and ischemic injury) using hepatoprotectant acetaminophen mutual prodrugs, as well as kits and unit dosages.
US09950995B2	Crystal forms of verapamil hydrochloride Novel crystal forms of (R)-(−)-verapamil hydrochloride are disclosed.
US09950993B2	Bacterial efflux pump inhibitors Disclosed herein are compounds of formula I: and salts thereof. Also disclosed are compositions comprising of compounds of formula I and methods using compounds of formula I.
US09950991B2	Process for the preparation of iopamidol The present invention discloses a process for the preparation of Iopamidol of formula (II) and comprising the following steps: a) reacting the Compound (I) wherein X is OR2 or R3, and wherein R2 and R3 are a Ci-C6 linear or branched alkyl, C3-C6 cycloalkyl, C6 aryl, optionally substituted with a group selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl and phenyl, with the acylating agent (S)-2-(acetyloxy)propanoyl chloride in a reaction medium to provide the acetyloxy derivative of Compound (I); b) hydrolyzing the intermediate from step a) with an aqueous solution at a pH comprised from 0 to 7, by adding water or a diluted alkaline solution such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide, freeing the hydroxyls from the boron-containing protective groups, obtaining the N—(S)-2-(acetyloxy)propanoyl derivative of Compound (II); c) alkaline hydrolysis to restore the (S)-2-(hydroxy)propanoyl group and to obtain Iopamidol (II) and optional recovery of the boron derivative from the solution obtained in step b). The boron-containing protective group is versatile, efficient and recyclable. A one-pot synthesis, without intermediate isolation is provided, leading to a decreasing of recovered and recycled solvents and a significant increasing in the yield, representing a significant advantage in terms of cost-effectiveness of the entire process and environmental awareness.
US09950986B2	Oils having antibacterial activity Novel compounds, called liamocins from Aureobasidium pullulans, having the general structure in Formula 1 are disclosed. where R1 is either COCH3 or H; and R2 is between two to ten O-linked 3,5-dihydroxydecanoate; and R3 can be a polyol (e.g., L- or D-glycerol, L- or D-threitol, L- or D-erythritol, L- or D-arabitol, L- or D-xylitol, L- or D-lyxitol, L- or D-ribitol, L- or D-allitol, L- or D-altritol, L- or D-mannitol, L- or D-iditol, L- or D-gulitol, L- or D-glucitol (also called sorbitol), L- or D-galactitol (also called dulcitol), and L- or D-talitol), 2-amino-D-mannitol, 2N-acetylamino-D-mannitol, L-rhamnitol, or D-fucitol; except when R3 is D-mannitol, R2 is not 2 nor 3 O-linked 3,5-dihydroxydecanoate chains. These liamocins described above in addition to D-mannitol liamocin A1, D-mannitol liamocin A2, D-mannitol liamocin B1, and D-mannitol liamocin B2, alone or in combination with each other, can be used to kill certain bacteria and to treat certain bacterial infections.
US09950984B2	Production method for alpha-fluoro acrylic acid esters An object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing α-fluoroacrylic acid esters at a high starting material conversion and a high yield. The present invention provides, as a means to achieve the object, a process for producing a compound represented by formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and each represent alkyl, fluoroalkyl, aryl optionally substituted with at least one substituent, halogen, or hydrogen; and R3 represents alkyl, fluoroalkyl, or aryl optionally substituted with at least one substituent, the process comprising step A of reacting a compound represented by formula (2): wherein the symbols are as defined above, with carbon monoxide and an alcohol represented by formula (3): R3—OH (3) wherein the symbol is as defined above, in the presence of a transition metal complex catalyst containing at least one bidentate phosphine ligand and a base to thereby obtain the compound represented by formula (1).
US09950978B2	Method of forming alkoxylated fluoroalcohols A method of forming an alkoxylated fluoroalcohol is accomplished by providing a boron compound having or providing at least one boron-oxygen bond and an iodine source. The boron compound and iodine source are combined with reactants of a fluoroalcohol and an alkylene oxide in the presence of a base. The reactants are allowed to react to form an alkoxylated fluoroalcohol reaction product.
US09950962B2	Cubic boron nitride sintered body and coated cubic boron nitride sintered body A CBN sintered body contains CBN, a binder phase and inevitable impurities. An amount of CBN by volume is between 50%-80%. A total amount of binder phase and inevitable impurities by volume is between 20%-50%. The binder phase contains an Al compound and a Ti compound. The Al compound contains Al and one or more of N, O and B. The Ti compound contains Ti and one or more of C, N and B. When an X-ray diffraction intensity at a (100) plane of the AlN is I1 and an X-ray diffraction intensity at a (104) plane of the Al2O3 is I2, I1/I2 is between 6 and 40. When a total area of the cubic boron nitride and the Al compound is S1, and an area of a region at which the CBN and the Al compound are continuously contacted is S2, S2/S1 is between 0.98 and 1.00.
US09950960B2	Composite sintered body A composite sintered body includes a first phase and a second phase. The first phase is a diamond phase, and the second phase is a phase formed of one or more types of elements or compounds or both thereof and applying strain to the first phase. A contained amount of the second phase is larger than 0 ppm and not larger than 1000 ppm. As a result, there is provided a high wear-resistant, high local wear-resistant, and high chipping-resistant diamond-containing composite sintered body.
US09950957B2	Light weight gypsum fiber panel suitable for use as roof cover board A roof cover board made from a mixture of 30-60% stucco; 20-50% perlite; 10-30% cellulose fiber; 3-20% starch; and siloxane. Also disclosed is a stucco-free roof cover board made from a mixture of 30-60% perlite, 30-60% cellulose fiber, 5-25% starch; and siloxane. Also disclosed are methods for making same.
US09950949B2	Conversion material, particularly for a white or colored light souce comprising a semiconductor light source, a method for the production thereof, as well as a light source comprising said conversion material The invention relates to a conversion material, in particular for a white or colored light source comprising a semiconductor light source as primary light source, comprising a matrix glass that, as bulk material, for a thickness d of about 1 mm, has a pure transmission τi of greater than 80% in the wavelength region from 350 to 800 nm and in the region in which the primary light source emits light, wherein the sum of transmission and reflection of the sintered matrix glass without luminophore is at least greater than 80% in the spectral region from 350 nm to 800 nm and in the spectral region in which the primary light source emits light.
US09950948B2	Lead-free low-melting glass composition, low-temperature sealing glass frit, low-temperature sealing glass paste, conductive material, and conductive glass paste containing glass composition, and glass-sealed component and electric/electronic component prepared using the same An Ag2O—V2O5—TeO2 lead-free low-melting glass composition that is prevented or restrained from crystallization by heating so as to soften and flow more satisfactorily at a low temperature contains a principal component which includes a vanadium oxide, a tellurium oxide and a silver oxide; a secondary component which includes at least one selected from the group consisting of BaO, WO3 and P2O5; and an additional component which includes at least one selected from the group consisting of oxides of elements in Group 13 of periodic table. A total component of the principal component is 85 mole percent or more in terms of V2O5, TeO2 and Ag2O. Contents of TeO2 and Ag2O each is 1 to 2 times as much as a content of V2O5. A content of the secondary component is 0 to 13 mole percent. A content of the additional component is 0.1 to 3.0 mole percent.
US09950947B2	Optical glass and optical element The invention provides an optical glass with rather low transition temperature, high transmittance, chemical stability and good devitrification resistance, wherein the refractive index is 1.60-1.65 and the Abbe number is 62-66. The optical glass comprises, by weight percentage, 30-50% of P2O5, 35-50% of BaO, 2-6% of B2O3, 0-5% of La2O3, 0-5% of Gd2O3, 0.1-5% of Al2O3, 0.1-5% of Li2O, 2-10% of MgO, and 2-10% of CaO. According to the present invention, P2O5 is applied as the network generation body of glass so as to give high transmittance to the glass; a large amount of BaO is a key component for improving the transmittance of glass while improving the refractive index and weather durability of glass, and also the advantages of low transition temperature, good chemical stability and good devitrification resistance are provided.
US09950941B2	Apparatus for measuring glass gobs An apparatus for measuring speed, the length and elongation of a molten glass gob travelling along a defined path includes at least two optical detectors. A mask having at least two openings through which light passes to each of the optical detectors is disposed adjacent the optical detectors. A lens receives light from the moving glass gob and focuses such light through the openings of the mask. Electronics are coupled to each of the optical detectors for determining the speed of the molten glass gob as a function of timing of light sensed at the optical detectors. In exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, the optical detectors is disposed within the image plane of the lens and comprise different portions of a single light sensing device.
US09950940B1	Water purification method A method and system used to purify water that removes or reduces volatile organic compounds, calcium carbonate, cyanuric acid, and sodium bicarbonate from water to acceptable levels.
US09950938B1	Apparatus and related methods for cleaning and using swimming pools and other water Methods and apparatus are disclosed for improved apparatus and methods for cleaning swimming pools or similar bodies of water. The apparatus includes a device selectively engageable with an elongated pole, which can be disengaged from the pole and thrown into the pool water where it will dispense surfactant during the cleaning process.
US09950936B2	Water treatment process and water treatment system In a water treatment system (1) and a water treatment process, a scale inhibitor is supplied to water to be treated containing Ca ions, SO4 ions, carbonate ions, and silica, and the water to be treated is adjusted to a pH at which silica is soluble. The pH-adjusted water to be treated containing the calcium scale inhibitor is separated in a demineralizing section (10) into concentrated water and treated water. In a crystallizing section (20), seed crystals of gypsum are supplied to the concentrated water, whereby gypsum is crystallized and removed. Silica in the water to be treated is removed from the concentrated water on the downstream side of the crystallizing section (20). Calcium carbonate in the water to be treated is removed from the concentrated water on the upstream side of the demineralizing section (10) or the downstream side of the crystallizing section (20).
US09950934B1	Apparatuses and methods for degassing effluent Disclosed is a multi-stage degassing unit for degassing waste water, such as effluent from grain milling processes, through impingement upon successive impact plates. The degassing unit has one or more stages of impact plates, which alternate with redistribution trays that receive the waste water that impinges upon the impact plates directly above the trays and then redistributes the waste water through a plurality of apertures in the redistribution tray. The process of impinging the waste water against the impact plates, collecting the water, and redistributing the water into a plurality of streams may be repeated as necessary to sufficiently remove gas clinging to biomass in the waste water. This degassing will promote the settlement of the biomass for reuse in the water treatment process to reduce biological oxygen demand.
US09950930B2	Preparation method of graphene Disclosed herein is a preparation method of graphene, capable of preparing graphene having a smaller thickness and a large area, and with reduced defect generation, by a simplified process. The preparation method of graphene includes forming dispersion including a carbon-based material including unoxidized graphite, and a dispersant; and continuously passing the dispersion through a high pressure homogenizer including an inlet, an outlet, and a micro-channel for connection between the inlet and the outlet, having a diameter in a micrometer scale, wherein the carbon-based material is exfoliated, as the material is passed through the micro-channel under application of a shear force, thereby forming graphene having a thickness in nanoscale.
US09950922B2	Packaged microsystems A sub-millimeter packaged microsystem includes a microsystem located in a sealed cavity defined between first and second portions of a micropackage. One or both micropackage portions can be fabricated from a metal suitable for use in a harsh environment, such as an oil well environment. The microsystem includes electronic components and can be configured to communicate with external components through a wall of the micropackage by wireless communication or by conductive feedthroughs. Pluralities of microsystems, first micropackage portions, and/or second micropackage portions are simultaneously placed during a batch assembly process. The assembly process may include micro-crimping the first and second micropackaging portions together without the need for bonding materials and related process steps.
US09950921B2	MEMS structure with improved shielding and method An integrated circuit includes a substrate member having a surface region and a CMOS IC layer overlying the surface region. The CMOS IC layer has at least one CMOS device. The integrated circuit also includes a bottom isolation layer overlying the CMOS IC layer, a shielding layer overlying a portion of the bottom isolation layer, and a top isolation layer overlying a portion of the bottom isolation layer. The bottom isolation layer includes an isolation region between the top isolation layer and the shielding layer. The integrated circuit also has a MEMS layer overlying the top isolation layer, the shielding layer, and the bottom isolation layer. The MEMS layer includes at least one MEMS structure having at least one movable structure and at least one anchored structure. The at least one anchored structure is coupled to a portion of the top isolation layer, and the at least one movable structure overlies the shielding layer.
US09950919B2	Bits for horses Bits for horses are provided which include a central element, suitable for being inserted in a horse's mouth, a pair of lateral rings, each connected to a respective end of the central element for connection to the reins, and a pair of rosettes for protecting the horse's lip, each traversed by an axial hole to be fitted around the central element, next to the connection to the ring. The axial hole is made in an emerging portion axially facing at least the side opposite the lateral ring. The wall which delimits said axial hole may be sized to provide a stable connection due to the friction between the rosette and the central element.
US09950917B2	Beverage preservation and dispensing device There is shown a dispensing apparatus for use with pressurized containers of fluids, particularly carbonated beverages such as beer. A base that fits onto the container has a piston member slidably fitted to it, along with a compressed gas housing and a pickup tube or assembly. A handle moves the piston member with respect to the base against a spring bias. A gas flow path from the housing to the container passes through a valve, that is opened by the piston member as the handle is moved. Moving the handle opens both a liquid flow path as well as a gas flow path.
US09950914B2	Method for operating winch, and winch A method for operating a winch and a winch having a winch drum for spooling a spoolable medium, wherein the winch drum is rotatable about a first axis, a guiding member for guiding the spoolable medium, wherein the guiding member is movable along a second axis between two end positions, and an electric drive having a first electric motor for driving the guiding member towards one of the two end positions during spooling in or spooling out of the spoolable medium. The electric drive is configured to change the driving direction of the guiding member when a monitored torque of the first electric motor, or a quantity indicative thereof, exceeds a predetermined threshold.
US09950912B2	Combined counterweight hitching device and method thereof, and counterweight mounting structure The present invention relates to a combined counterweight hitching device and method thereof, and a counterweight mounting structure. The combined counterweight hitching device is mounted on a turntable tail framework, wherein the combined counterweight hitching device includes a turntable tail framework bottom plate, a lifting oil cylinder, a lifting oil cylinder fixing seat and a hitching driving mechanism, the turntable tail framework bottom plate is fixed on the turntable tail framework, the lifting oil cylinder fixing seat is arranged on the upper surface of the turntable tail framework bottom plate and is hinged with the turntable tail framework bottom plate, the lifting oil cylinder is fixed at one end of the lifting oil cylinder fixing seat, the one end distal to a point on which the turntable tail framework bottom plate is hinged with the lifting oil cylinder fixing seat, a hitching platform is mounted at a piston rod end of the lifting oil cylinder, and the hitching driving mechanism is connected with the lifting oil cylinder fixing seat, and drives the lifting oil cylinder fixing seat to make the hitching platform enter a hitching platform groove on the counterweight to complete a hitching operation. By adopting the combined counterweight hitching device and method, and the counterweight mounting structure provided by the present invention, the mounting and demounting of the combined counterweight are more convenient, and the mounting space is smaller.
US09950909B1	Tunnel relief device A tunnel relief device includes an arcuate frame member, at least two fire-extinguishing arms, and a transport assembly. The arcuate frame member traverses along a length of the tunnel via first guide rails positioned on an inner surface of the tunnel. The fire-extinguishing arms are positioned on an inner surface of the arcuate frame member and traverse along the inner surface of the arcuate frame member via second guide rails to extinguish fire induced in the tunnel. The transport assembly comprises extendable arms and housed in an upper region of the arcuate frame member. The extendable arms are movable in a horizontal or vertical direction. The transport assembly is rotatably engaged to the upper region of the arcuate frame member to transport the vehicles in the tunnel from a first position to a second position to ensure safe and unobstructed movement of the vehicles in the tunnel.
US09950901B2	Elevator arrangement and method for re-adjusting the elevator arrangement An elevator arrangement includes a plurality of elevators in a building, which plurality includes a plurality of zoned elevators moving in an elevator hoistway, which have different ranges of movement of the elevator car in the building to each other, and which zoned elevators each have a top limit and a bottom limit of the range of movement of the elevator car, to above the top limit and to below the bottom limit of which range of movement travel of the elevator car of the zoned elevator in question is prevented. The vertical location, in relation to the building, of the top limit and/or bottom limit of the range of movement of the elevator car of each aforementioned zoned elevator can be changed. The arrangement also comprises a lobby elevator, the range of movement of the elevator car of which differs from the ranges of movement of the elevator cars of the aforementioned zoned elevators, and the stopping floors of the lobby elevator comprise a plurality of lobby floors, each of which is a stopping floor of one or more zoned elevators belonging to the aforementioned zoned elevator plurality. A method is provided for re-adjusting the elevator arrangement, wherein the range of movement of the elevator car of the zoned elevator in question is changed to reach to a different height in the elevator hoistway by changing the vertical location in relation to the building of the top limit and/or the bottom limit of the range of movement of the elevator car of the zoned elevator in question.
US09950896B2	Braking wrap dispenser A film dispenser includes a holding member, the holding member including a first end and a second end joined to the first end. The holding member defines a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end. The second end defines a brake portion, a connecting portion extending radially inward from the brake portion, and a slot defined in the brake portion. The slot includes a first portion extending in a circumferential direction across a width of the brake portion and second and third portions extending across a length of the brake portion. The slot further includes a fourth portion angled with respect to the second portion and a fifth portion angled with respect to the third portion, each of the fourth and fifth portions extending in a circumferential direction, the fourth and fifth portions of the slot intersecting the second and third portions, respectively.
US09950893B2	Paper sheet handling apparatus A paper sheet handling apparatus that recognizes by using a recognition unit and counts paper sheets being transported via a transport path includes a dust tray that is arranged inside a housing of the paper sheet handling apparatus for collecting dust generated inside the housing and that can be pulled out of the paper sheet handling apparatus from a front surface thereof.
US09950891B2	Tape cutting device A tape cutting device includes a tape cutting unit adapted to ride along a tape roll. The tape cutting unit includes a device panel. A pair of spaced-apart tape roll guides extend from the device panel. A tape cutting blade having a tape cutting edge extends between the tape roll guides. A pair of tape bending tabs extends from the tape roll guides, respectively, toward each other and in spaced-apart relationship to the tape cutting edge of the tape cutting blade. A retaining mechanism is carried by the tape cutting unit. The retaining mechanism is adapted to secure the tape cutting unit on the tape roll.
US09950888B2	Document conveying apparatus, control method, and control program The document conveying apparatus includes a separation roller, a conveying roller, a driving force generation module configured to be capable of generating a first driving force with a rotation in a first direction, and capable of generating a second driving force with a rotation in a second direction opposite to the first direction, a driving force transmission module, a determination module for determining whether a document has passed the separation roller, and a control module for switching a driving force from the first driving force to the second driving force in accordance with a determination result. The driving force transmission module performs separation operation by transmitting the first driving force to the separation roller, and conveys the documents by transmitting the second driving force to the conveying roller and cuts off transmission of the second driving force to the separation roller, in accordance with the switching.
US09950883B2	Sheet feeding cartridge and image forming apparatus including the same A sheet feeding cartridge attached to or detached from a cartridge storing part formed between a pair of side face covers which constitute a part of an exterior cover of an apparatus main body. The sheet feeding cartridge includes a cartridge base on which a sheet is stacked, a cartridge cover attached so as to be slidable in a width direction perpendicular to the attachment direction, a first positioning part configured to position the cartridge base to the cartridge storing part and a second positioning part configured to position the cartridge cover with respect to the side face covers in the width direction perpendicular to the attachment direction.
US09950880B2	Method and device for fitting injection-molded parts The invention relates to a device for orienting elements, in particular filter elements (F), for fitting injection-molded parts, in particular pipette tips (P), comprising an accommodating container (1a) for accommodating the filter elements (F) as bulk material, a sieve plate (1), which forms the bottom of the accommodating container and which has bores (11) for accommodating individual filter elements (F), a buffer plate (2), which is arranged under the sieve plate (1) and which has bores (2.1) corresponding to the bores of the buffer plate (2) and which is arranged below the buffer plate in such way that the transfer plate can moved in relation to the buffer plate (2).
US09950873B2	Conveyor inspection with unmanned vehicle carying sensor structure A method inspects a conveyor (10) having opposing sides (34, 35) and a length. The conveyor includes an endless belt (16) and a plurality of roller structures (24) disposed in spaced relation along at least a portion of the length of the conveyor and under a top flight (17) of the belt for supporting the belt while material is being conveyed on the belt. Each roller structure includes at least one roller (12, 12′) constructed and arranged to rotate about an axis as the belt is conveyed with the material. The method orients an unmanned vehicle (22), having sensor structure (28) thereon, at one side of the conveyor, and causes the vehicle to travel along the portion of the length of the conveyor while the sensor structure obtains data regarding a state of at least a portion of the belt and of rollers of the plurality of roller structures while the conveyor is operating.
US09950872B2	Bin sweep auger unplugging system A bin sweep auger unplugging system for unplugging a central unloading sump in a storage bin. The bin sweep auger unplugging system generally includes an auger having a driven shaft with auger flighting, a drive unit having a drive shaft, and a clutch connected between the drive shaft and the driven shaft. The clutch selectively transfers the rotation of the drive shaft to the driven shaft of the auger. The drive shaft includes a clump breakup component that breaks up the clump of granular material above the unloading sump when the drive shaft is rotated. The clutch is disengaged when breaking up a clump of granular material to prevent the rotation of the auger.
US09950871B2	Method for the continuous manufacture and filling of flexible containers The present invention relates to a packaging method comprising the operation of transferring containers to an endless conveyor element moving forward continuously, conveying suspended containers and describing a closed trajectory imposed by a series of rotary diverting elements using to that end a container transferring device assembled on one of the diverting elements of the endless conveyor element, and rotating in a synchronized manner therewith. A device for putting the method into practice comprises a rotary body driving a plurality of clamps guided by mechanisms which can further slow down the displacement of the clamps without changing the rotating speed of the rotary body.
US09950870B2	Vertical spiral conveyor The present application discloses vertical spiral conveyors for transporting loose material without the use of vibration or oscillation and methods of transporting materials without the use of vibration or oscillation. In certain embodiments, the vertical spiral conveyor (600) comprises a vertical spiral fabrication (690) having a spiral conveyor tray (680) connected to a vertical member (612) that is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation (670), a drive arm (660) extending from the vertical spiral fabrication (690), and a drive system for rotating the vertical spiral fabrication (690) about the axis of rotation (670). The drive system comprises a power source (610) and a transmission (620) coupled to the drive arm (660). The drive system generates alternating forward and backward strokes on the drive arm (660) that rotate the vertical spiral fabrication (690) clockwise and counterclockwise about the axis of rotation to cause loose material to be conveyed around the spiral conveyor tray (680).
US09950867B2	Delivery system and receiver for moving workpieces A method and apparatus for delivering and retrieving workpieces to and from a machine table. This invention also relates to an apparatus for receiving at the machine table workpieces which are delivered to and retrieved by the delivery system. Carriers move along a conveyor without a loading arm rotating with respect to a supply table and also without the supply table rotating with respect to the loading arm. The receiver has pivot arms that act in a scissor-like manner to open and close an opening that lockingly engages a connector connected to a pallet.
US09950864B2	Conveyor system having a conveyor belt The invention relates to a conveyor system, comprising a conveyor belt, which has a carrying-side cover plate (3) and a running-side cover plate (4), and comprising drums, supporting rollers, and supporting frames, wherein the conveyor system forms a material-conveying upper run having a feed point for the conveying material and a mostly material-free lower run. For a further sufficient flame-inhibiting effect that does not negatively affect the further physical properties of the conveyor belt and that does not pose a health hazard to persons, animals, or the environment, the carrying-side (carrying side) cover plate (3) and/or the running-side (running side) cover plate (4) contains at least one flameproofing agent, wherein the flameproofing agent is free of bromium and bromium compounds.
US09950860B2	Fill device for a water reservoir tank A fill device for use with a water reservoir tank in an earth reduction system, the fill device comprising a ring having a top surface and a bottom surface, a pipe having a first end connected to the top surface of the ring and a second end for connection to a water supply, a skirt affixed to the bottom surface of the center ring, an opening surrounded by a plate and defining a tortuous path and positioned below the first end of the pipe and the skirt, and a check valve support with a check valve mounted below the opening and the plate.
US09950858B2	Tobacco-derived cellulose material and products formed thereof A paper material is provided herein, wherein the paper material includes a fibrous material including at least 5 dry weight percent of fibers derived from a plant of the Nicotiana species; wherein the paper material has a basis weight ranging from about 5 g/m2 to about 450 g/m2; and wherein the paper material has a caliper ranging from about 0.01 mils to about 200 mils. The paper material can be suitable for use in a smoking article in the form of at least one of a tipping material, a plug wrap and a wrapping material. The paper material can be suitable for use in at least one of a soft carton container suitable to house smoking articles, a label, a paper substrate of a barrier layer, a hard carton suitable to house smoking articles and a container suitable to house smokeless tobacco products.
US09950850B2	Therapeutic rinse A therapeutic rinse for treating a sore throat. The therapeutic rinse may be stored in a self-heating container that is capable of reaching a temperature of at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit when activated. The therapeutic rinse includes a liquid composition having sodium chloride, water, and a variety of vitamins, minerals and herbs stored in the reservoir of the self-heating container. An antibiotic may also be included in the therapeutic rinse. Before use, the therapeutic rinse may be heated.
US09950847B2	Secondary packaging, and method for providing it A secondary packaging comprises a tray and an insert. The tray is configured to localize a lower end of primary packages and the insert is configured to localize an upper end of the primary packages. The insert is formed from the material of the tray.
US09950846B2	Laminate, manufacturing method and shaped container Provided is a laminate having at least a base material and a fine cellulose layer which includes fine cellulose having a carboxyl group, the laminate characterized in being obtained by laminating two or more of the fine cellulose layer. Also provided is a method for manufacturing a laminate, comprising the steps of (1) coating the base material with a liquid dispersion that includes fine cellulose having a carboxyl group, (2) forming a fine cellulose layer by drying the liquid dispersion used for coating, and (3) laminating fine cellulose layers by repeating steps (1) and (2).
US09950842B2	Multiple zipper slider bag A storage bag comprising first and second zipper profiles provided adjacent to an opening to the interior of the bag. The first and second zipper profiles are provided with opposing closure elements that respectively interlock with each other. The storage bag further includes first and second isolation sections between the first and second zipper profiles to prevent the opening of the first zipper profile from impacting the opening of the second zipper profile by a slider.
US09950841B2	Non-continuously laminated multi-layered bags Multi-layer bags may be formed to include first and second sidewalls joined along a first side edge, an opposite second side edge, and a closed bottom edge. The first and second layers may be non-continuously laminated together to include bonded regions in which the layers are bonded and unbonded regions in which the layers are not bonded. Such a bag may be described as a “bag-in-a-bag” type configuration in which the inner bag is non-continuously bonded to the outer bag. The inventors have surprisingly found that such configurations of non-continuous bonding provides increased and unexpected strength properties to the multi-layer films and bags.
US09950840B2	Reclosable battery package A reclosable battery package includes a first panel having a first removable portion and a second panel optionally having a second removable portion. A pouch is disposed between the first panel and the second panel. The first panel and the second panel are joined along perimeter edges and a pouch perimeter flange is disposed between the first panel and the second panel. The pouch is slidably movable between the first panel and the second panel when the first removable portion is removed from the first panel to expose contents stored within the pouch.
US09950836B2	Cosmetic protective film using surlyn resin, method for manufacturing same, and cosmetic container manufactured using same The present invention relates to a cosmetic protective film using a Surlyn resin, and more particularly to a cosmetic protective film using a Surlyn resin which is produced by applying a Surlyn resin, is easily attached to a printing layer using a UV curing adhesive, and can perfectly protect cosmetics while increasing work efficiency by further applying a PE or PET material if necessary. A cosmetic protective film using a Surlyn resin, includes: a cosmetic container (100); and a protective film (200) attached to the cosmetic container. The protective film (200) includes: a base film layer (10) attached to a cosmetic container body; a printing layer (20) applied on the base film layer and on which various patterns and logos are printed; a UV curing adhesive layer (30) applied on the printing layer and cured by UV rays which are supplied to the UV curing adhesive layer; and a Surlyn resin layer (40) applied on the UV curing adhesive layer, for blocking external infrared rays or UV rays to prevent modification of a cosmetic solution.
US09950834B2	Rack delivery system A device delivery system includes a base support member having vertical force dissipation member(s) that dissipate vertical forces, and a device support member that mounts to one or more devices. A horizontal movement subsystem couples the device support member to the base support member, and operates to allow the device support member to move relative to the base support member in a substantially horizontal plane during rack transport. Resilient member(s) extend between the base support member and the device support member, and operate to damp the movement of the device support member relative to the base support member in the substantially horizontal plane. A movement limiting subsystem may be provided on the base support member and the device support member, and may be activated to resist movement of the device support member relative to the base support member in the substantially horizontal plane during rack positioning.
US09950829B2	Displayable shipping container A container includes a first blank and a second blank. The first blank includes a first plurality of panels and a first plurality of flaps integrally formed from a first sheet of material. The first plurality of panels includes a first side panel, a second side panel opposing the first side panel, a back panel, and a front panel. The first plurality of flaps define a bottom of the container and a first portion of a top of the container. The front panel includes a window portion. The second blank includes two or more panels and two or more top flaps integrally formed from a second sheet of material. The two or more panels include a cover front panel and a first side panel. The two or more top panels define a second portion of the top of the container. The cover front panel is attached to the window panel.
US09950828B2	Baggage conveyance tray A baggage conveyance tray suitable for a sorting conveyor system for conveying baggage at airports has raised wall plate portions protruding on the front and rear both end portions of the tray in the length (conveyance) direction thereof extending in the right-left width direction of the tray. A baggage placement surface located between the front and rear both raised wall plate portions is concave along the length direction such that the central portion in the right-left width direction is lowered while the right and left both sides are raised. Elongated protrusion portions extending along the right-left width direction of the tray are disposed on the baggage placement surface at intervals in the length direction of the tray.
US09950824B2	Preform sterilizing method and content filling method and system A preform is easily and promptly sterilized. Superheated steam (S) generated from water, and having a temperature of 200° C. to 500° C. and a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure is blasted to entire inner and outer surfaces of a preform (1) including a mouth portion (1a) thereof.
US09950822B2	Cup feeder A column of cups guided by their rims in elongated slots is spaced into desired cup pitch by one or more linear stars from which the cups can be transferred for packaging. The linear stars have lugs engaging and spacing the cups. In another aspect of the invention, cups are manipulated into patterns for final grouping and packaging and by a plurality of cup orienting pickers engaging, inverting and re-orienting the cups. In one final packaged cup group of two or more layers, alternating cups in each layer are inverted and a top lid of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a top lid of a cup in a bottom layer, while a bottom of a cup in an upper layer is disposed on a bottom of a cup in a lower layer, and in an alternating pattern.
US09950819B2	Tablet packing method and tablet packing apparatus Provided is a tablet packing method including: a step of conveying a long sheet material that is a material of a packing bag in a longitudinal direction; a step of introducing all of a same kind of tablets of the tablets prescribed to each patient to a packing space formed by the conveyed long sheet material; a step of sealing the long sheet material to form a section in which the packing space provided with the tablets is airtight; and a step of cutting the long sheet material provided with one or a plurality of the sections, in predetermined units in the longitudinal direction.
US09950818B2	Automatic bagging machine An automatic bagging machine contains: a delivery mechanism, a film transporting mechanism, an ultrasonic cutting mechanism, an electric eye mechanism, a limiting assembly, a clamping mechanism, an air tube assembly, and a pushing mechanism. The delivery mechanism includes a conveying belt and plural fixing mounts on which plural spinning bobbins are fitted. The film transporting mechanism includes two carrying sets, each having a holder on which a film material is fitted. The ultrasonic cutting mechanism includes two cutting sets, two slide rails, two first power motors, and two film cutting sets. The electric eye mechanism includes two support posts, the limiting assembly includes a circular ring and an affix mount, the clamping mechanism includes a clamp portion, a crank shaft, and a second power motor. The air tube assembly includes a first air tube and a second air tube. The pushing mechanism includes a rolling assembly and a transmission assembly.
US09950814B1	Ground-based mobile maintenance facilities for unmanned aerial vehicles Intermodal vehicles may be loaded with items and an aerial vehicle, and directed to travel to areas where demand for the items is known or anticipated. The intermodal vehicles may be coupled to locomotives, container ships, road tractors or other vehicles, and equipped with systems for loading one or more items onto the aerial vehicle, and for launching or retrieving the aerial vehicle while the intermodal vehicles are in motion. The areas where the demand is known or anticipated may be identified on any basis, including but not limited to past histories of purchases or deliveries to such areas, or events that are scheduled to occur in such areas. Additionally, intermodal vehicles may be loaded with replacement parts and/or inspection equipment, and configured to conduct repairs, servicing operations or inspections on aerial vehicles within the intermodal vehicles, while the intermodal vehicles are in motion.
US09950810B2	Wingtip control system A method and apparatus for a wingtip control system. The wingtip control system comprises a switch system for a flight deck of an aircraft and a controller. The switch system is configured to be placed into an armed state and generate an armed signal. The controller is in communication with the switch system. The controller is configured to receive the armed signal from the switch system, visually indicate a desired position for a wingtip of the aircraft in the switch system in response to an event occurring during operation of the aircraft, and generate a movement command to move the wingtip.
US09950805B2	Aircraft engine fan speed display improvements for enhanced monitoring and thrust setting ability Systems and methods for displaying N1 speed on a flight deck display in a manner that provides increased resolution at the upper end of the operating range. This is accomplished by a variable scale(s) which improves the functionality of the N1 gauge (serving as an indication of thrust) in the desired region. Also, there is visual indication to provide pilots the ability to discern if the current thrust is within a specific tolerance to the desired value within the takeoff region. This additional indication is based on color changes associated with the N1 display structure.
US09950803B2	Airplane suspension cowling structure with wing-mounted arrangement Provided is an airplane suspension (20) fairing structure with a wing-mounted arrangement, the fairing structure comprising a front fairing located in front of the leading edge (31) of a wing and a rear fairing located at the back of the leading edge (31) of the wing; the vertical section line (G) of the front fairing is curved, ascending along air flow direction from a start point (p) of an engine nacelle (10) to the maximum height position and then descending and extending below the lower surface (32) of the wing. In the present invention, due to the curved vertical section line of the front fairing of the suspension, inner space of the suspension is met only in the position requiring greater inner space, thus enabling the engine to be mounted close to the wing without additional devices; and the fairing aerodynamic surface of the suspension will not extend to the upper surface of the wing, avoiding interference of the suspension with the wing during cruising.
US09950801B2	Aircraft with electric propulsion means An aircraft with an electric propulsion arrangement which includes a fuselage, a wing system attached to the fuselage, and a tail unit attached to a rear part of the fuselage. The electric propulsion arrangement is arranged on each side of the fuselage, an electrical energy generator and electricity storage and supply devices are arranged substantially along a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the fuselage. The aircraft thus incorporates a hybrid motorization.
US09950798B2	Air conditioning system and methods of assembling the same An air conditioning system includes a first mix manifold and a second mix manifold. A first air conditioning pack is coupled in flow communication with the first mix manifold, wherein the first air conditioning pack is configured to channel a supply of fresh air to the first mix manifold. A second air conditioning pack is coupled in flow communication with the second mix manifold, wherein the second air conditioning pack is configured to channel the supply of fresh air to the second mix manifold. The first air conditioning pack is also coupled in flow communication with the second air conditioning pack.
US09950794B2	Passenger cabin for a means of transport and means of transport comprising a passenger cabin A passenger cabin for a means of transport is provided, which comprises an upper passenger deck and a lower passenger deck. The floor of the upper passenger deck comprises a lower and an upper region arranged therebeside, which are interconnected via a step or a ramp. There is an aisle in the lower region. The floor of the lower passenger deck likewise comprises a lower and an upper region arranged therebeside, between which there is a lowered aisle which is arranged so as to be laterally offset from the aisle of the upper passenger deck. The available surfaces of the upper and the lower passenger deck are mirror-symmetrically arranged. In this way, the space available can be used very effectively in order to accommodate more passengers.
US09950792B2	Aircraft area with a storage cabinet for emergency equipment objects An aircraft area comprises a door, a door aisle and a main aisle. A storage cabinet for emergency equipment objects is disposed adjacent to the door aisle and/or the main aisle, and has an access point that is reachable from the door aisle and/or the main aisle.
US09950789B2	Vertical take-off and landing aircraft A vertical take-off and landing aircraft including a propulsion mechanism that generates lift and thrust, a main frame that supports seating and a landing undercarriage, a subframe which supports the propulsion mechanism and which is arranged so as to be swingable back and forth relative to the main frame, motive power supply means supported by the main frame and supplying motive power to the propulsion mechanism, and a control stick connected to the subframe in which the propulsion mechanism includes a pair of ducted fans arranged on a left side and a right side, respectively, of the main frame, swing shafts arranged in the ducted fans, and extending in a horizontal direction, and control vanes connected to the swing shafts, and swinging the control vane enables the subframe to move relative to the main frame. Maneuverability can be improved with addition of control mechanisms restrained.
US09950787B2	Control system for controlling collective and cyclic pitch of rotor blades of a multi-blade rotor in a rotary-wing aircraft The invention is related to a control system for controlling collective and cyclic pitch of rotor blades of a multi-blade rotor 1a in a rotary-wing aircraft, the control system comprising a swash plate assembly with at least one non-rotating plate and at least one rotating plate that is mounted rotatably to the at least one non-rotating plate, the at least one rotating plate and the at least one non-rotating plate being mounted to a non-rotating sliding sleeve, wherein a spherical bearing is provided on the non-rotating sliding sleeve, wherein at least one non-rotating stop arm is provided for non-rotatably connecting the at least one non-rotating plate to the non-rotating sliding sleeve.
US09950782B2	Methods and apparatus for integrating rotary actuators in flight control systems Methods and apparatus for reacting rotary actuator and control surface loads into a wing structure using reaction links. The apparatus incorporates a structural interface feature that can facilitate a change of the component(s) in the load loop, such as the path connecting a control surface to a fixed aircraft structure via a rotary actuator. In particular, the structural interface between the rotary actuator and the rear spar of a wing can be tuned for stiffness to achieve an optimized load path that reacts actuator and control surface loads back into the wing structure. An actuator integration objective can be met for any rotary actuator using an integration method which tolerates wing and/or hinge line deflection.
US09950780B2	Horizontal folding wingtip An apparatus of an aircraft, the apparatus may include a wing comprising an unfixed portion and a fixed portion. The unfixed portion movably may connect to the fixed portion. The unfixed portion may include a rotating portion to rotate the unfixed portion between a flight position and a folded position. The fixed portion may connect to the unfixed portion of the wing. A joint may allow rotation of the unfixed portion of the wing with respect to the fixed portion of the wing about a rotation axis.
US09950779B2	Elongated structures and related assemblies An elongated structure comprising a web extending along a length of the elongated structure and a flange comprising a first flange portion, the first flange portion extending away from an area of the web. The first flange portion comprises a variable width along at least a portion of the length of the elongated structure. The first flange portion of the elongated structure may comprise the variable width the length of the elongate structure. The first flange portion may comprise a constant width along at least a portion of the length of the elongated structure. The elongated structure may further comprise a second flange portion. The second flange portion may comprise a variable width along at least a portion of the length of the elongate structure. The first flange portion may comprise a first top flange portion.
US09950774B2	Twin-hull offshore structure comprising an interconnecting central deck A floating hydrocarbon processing/storage structure with a first and second assembly, each including a hull having side walls, one or more storage tanks and a deck structure, a connection structure interconnecting the hulls, processing equipment situated on the deck structures, at least one riser connected to a subsea hydrocarbon well and to the processing equipment and/or storage tanks, with a mooring system connecting the processing/storage structure to the sea bed, each hull including a hull deck structure bridging the side walls, the connection structure including a central deck extending at or near the height of the hull deck structures along at least 70% of the length of the hulls, the central deck supporting at least one of: risers vertically extending from the central deck between the hulls to the sea bed, fluid ducts horizontally supported on the central deck, and at least one drilling/work-over rig or crane.
US09950772B2	Onboard boat lift structure and method An onboard lift for a pontoon boat has four legs pivotally attached underneath a platform and extending between the outer pontoons. Each leg terminates in a slide foot. The pivot pin for each leg is canted, such as at 13° relative to horizontal. In a stowed position, the legs and slide feet extend forward in the direction of travel and tight to the platform. When used to lift the boat, actuation of the legs pushes the slide feet outward due to the cant of the pivot axis, such that the slide feet are positioned underneath the outer pontoons when the boat is fully raised. The control allows separate powering of the front legs from the rear legs, and further has a display so the user can see the amount of extension of each set of legs.
US09950771B1	Wakeboats, wakeboat displays, and systems and methods of measuring and indicating wakeboat potential A wakeboat creates a wake, the performance level of the wake varying depending upon the mass of the wakeboat, the wakeboat including a hull; an engine supported by the hull; a controller supported by the hull; a processor coupled to the controller; a memory coupled to the processor; a sensor configured to measure at least one parameter of the wakeboat, the controller being coupled to the sensor and being configured to receive data from the sensor, the controller being configured to derive the present mass of the wakeboat from said sensor data, the controller being configured to determine the present wake performance level of the wakeboat based on the present mass of the wakeboat; anda display coupled to the controller, the controller being configured to use the display to indicate the present wake performance level of the wakeboat.
US09950766B2	Pedal positioning apparatus and method of use A removable pedal positioner to engage a crank arm and a pedal of a bicycle to position the pedal in a generally horizontal position. One embodiment comprises a bridge, at least one prong, and a mounting post. The mounting post engages the crank arm while the at least one prong extends past the crank arm to position the pedal in a generally horizontal position. In other embodiments, the positioner utilizes a flexible clamp to secure the positioner to the crank arm thereby positioning the pedal in a generally horizontal position. Upon rotation of the pedal, the device disengages from the crank arm.
US09950761B2	Carbon fiber vehicle component A carbon fiber shell is used to change the appearance or look of a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, and may be formed to be permanently installed as a vehicle body or non-permanently installed over an existing vehicle component to customize the appearance of a vehicle while still being removable. The carbon fiber shell is molded to match the contours or the shape of the original vehicle component so that, when installed, the shell has the same contours and thus the same physical shape as the original vehicle component. The carbon fiber shell includes integrated lighting material and a conductor that are disposed between the vehicle component and an exterior of the shell to provide functional and/or decorative lighting effects. Moreover, the shell shields the lighting material, conductor, and the associated electrical connections from external forces, objects, or other components of the vehicle.
US09950759B2	Reinforcement structure and method employing bulkheads A structural reinforcement device for insertion into a cavity of a structure and method for making the same including a first reinforcement section that has at least one projection of a first expandable polymeric material secured to it; and a separate second reinforcement section mated with the first reinforcement section, the second reinforcement section being configured to include at least one cavity, into which the at least one projection penetrates upon mating, and at least one aperture defined therein through which the expandable material flows during expansion and where it will remain upon curing of the material, thereby causing the first reinforcement section to be coupled with the second reinforcement section.
US09950755B2	Vehicle having an air-guiding arrangement A vehicle has an air-guiding device arranged on a lower side of the vehicle in front of a vehicle wheel. The air-guiding device includes an air-guiding body which has a side region running substantially in the vertical direction of the vehicle and facing a vehicle center, and a bottom region which faces an underlying surface and is connected to the side region and is spaced apart from the lower side. In an outer region of the air-guiding body, which faces away from the vehicle center and is connected to the bottom region and is formed with a convex curvature with respect to the outer side of the vehicle, an air flow can be directed in the direction of an outer flank of the vehicle wheel, while an air flow can be oriented in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle via the side region guiding surface.
US09950754B2	Active front deflector An active front deflector assembly having a deflector panel, actuator, and linkage assemblies each with a predetermined ratio of the links to each other for motion of the deflector panel. The assembly deploys and retracts based on vehicle requirements, and, when deployed, redirects the air flow in the front of the vehicle to improve the vehicle aerodynamics for either fuel economy or performance characteristics. Additionally, it allows for the deflector panel to retract so the vehicle meets ground clearances, etc. The deflector panel is also both rigid and semi-rigid to absorb impact energy. The drive shaft transmits the drive from the actuator coupled to one linkage assembly to the other linkage assembly for moving the deflector panel between the deployed/retracted positions. The actuator is clutched to prevent damage to the system.
US09950752B2	Aerodynamic rear drag reduction system for a trailer An aerodynamic rear drag reduction system is configured to be coupled to a frame assembly of a trailer including a rear frame and a rear swing door. The drag reduction system includes a top panel configured to be coupled to a top portion of the rear swing door to extend generally horizontally along a top portion of the rear frame of the trailer. The drag reduction system also includes a folding mechanism coupled to the top panel to move the top panel between a fully-deployed position wherein the top panel is configured to extend rearwardly generally away from the rear end of the trailer and a collapsed position wherein the top panel is configured to lie generally adjacent the rear swing door of the trailer. The folding mechanism is configured to be coupled to a door locking mechanism of the trailer.
US09950746B2	Vehicle A vehicle is provided with wheels fitted with pneumatic tires, and a vehicle body including wheel wells that surround the wheels. The pneumatic tire includes a plurality of protrusions on a sidewall portion that faces a predetermined wheel well side surface. An average normal vector of the wheel well side surface is inclined with respect to a rotation axis of the wheel. In such a configuration, when the vehicle is traveling and the tires are rotating, an air flow promotion effect and rectification effect are produced due to the protrusions on the sidewall portion, and negative pressure forms between the tire and the wheel well side surface.
US09950738B2	Trailering assist system with trailer angle detection A trailering assist system for a vehicle includes a rearward facing camera disposed at a rearward portion of a vehicle equipped with the trailering assist system. The rearward facing camera is operable to capture image data representative of the scene rearward of the equipped vehicle. When a trailer is near and/or attached to the equipped vehicle and is rearward of the equipped vehicle, a processor is operable to process the captured image data and, responsive at least in part to such processing, is operable to determine a trailer angle of the trailer relative to a longitudinal axis of the equipped vehicle.
US09950730B2	Baby stroller A baby stroller includes a frame having front and rear wheel supports, a seat rod, a push rod and a support rod. The front and rear wheel supports form a first rotating joint. The push rod includes upper and lower push rods, the lower push rod is connected to the first rotating joint. The lower push rod and the upper push rod form a second rotating joint. The support rod is rotatably connected with the upper push rod. The support rod is rotatably connected with the rear wheel support. The seat rod is rotatably connected with the front wheel support. The seat rod is rotatably connected with the support rod. Rotating the upper push rod around the second rotating joint drives the lower push rod, the support rod, the front wheel support, the rear wheel support and the seat rod to fold the stroller.
US09950729B2	Infant wagon having improved convenience of use Provided herein is an infant wagon having improved convenience of use, wherein the infant wagon includes a front frame, a rear frame, a support frame, side frames, a front handle frame, and a rear handle frame, and is configured such that the axial distance between front wheels and rear wheels thereof is reduced, whereby it is possible to reduce the burden applied to the arms of a caregiver when the infant wagon is moved or when the direction of the infant wagon is changed, such that the radius of rotation of the infant wagon is reduced, whereby it is possible to easily change the direction of the infant wagon, such that, when the infant wagon is pushed from the rear thereof to move the infant wagon.
US09950728B2	Collapsible table Disclosed is a collapsible furniture article. The collapsible furniture article comprises a horizontal support surface that articulates about a main support between an extended position and a collapsed position with respect thereto. A first primary leg is connected to the main support pivotally between an extended position and a collapsed position with respect thereto. A first secondary leg is pivotally connected to the first primary leg pivotally between an extended position and a collapsed position with respect thereto. The legs in the extended position are disposed to support the horizontal support surface in a horizontal position. In collapsed position, the primary legs are positioned between the collapsed support horizontal surface and the collapsed secondary legs.
US09950724B2	Carriage apparatus Disclosed is an apparatus for use with one or more containers shaped and configured to be retained by the apparatus, the apparatus including: a lower platform extending in a substantially horizontal direction; one or more frame members attached to and extending substantially upward from the lower platform; two or more support arms detachably engaged with and extending in the substantially horizontal direction from the frame members and adapted to removably engage with and support the containers.
US09950720B2	Light emission power control apparatus and method A system and method for adjusting light emitter output for a railway track inspection system based on data feedback from one or more sensors.
US09950718B2	Train network management system and method A train network management system for a train having a locomotive and railcars, including a node computer on the railcar and communicating with a high-speed network device for receiving and transmitting data over a high-speed network, and a locomotive computer on the locomotive and communicating with a high-speed network device for receiving and transmitting data over the high-speed network, where a communication path is generated between at least two high-speed network devices of the railcars and the high-speed network device of the locomotive, such that high-speed data communication is provided between the high-speed network devices of the railcars and the locomotive. A railcar network unit is also disclosed.
US09950715B2	Air-coupled ultrasonic inspection of rails In some example implementations, there is provided a method. The method may include generating, by an air-coupled transducer, a first ultrasonic guided wave to cause the generated ultrasonic guided wave to propagate into a rail being tested for one or more defects, wherein a frequency of the first ultrasonic guided wave is controlled by at least changing the frequency of a voltage sent to the air-coupled transducer generating the first ultrasonic guided wave; receiving, by a receiver, a second ultrasonic guided wave, wherein the second ultrasonic guided wave is received from the rail; and analyzing a signal representative of the received second ultrasonic guided wave to detect the one or more defects in the rail. Related systems, methods, and articles of manufacture are also provided.
US09950714B2	Assembly device for a side wall cladding element of a rail vehicle A rail vehicle includes a side wall cladding element and a first profile rail fastened to the side wall cladding element. The first profile rail is provided for freely positioning and securing a first holder constructed to complement the first profile rail. The first holder in turn is connected to a framework or body shell of the rail vehicle.
US09950709B2	Transmission ratio control systems and methods A target ratio module selectively determines a target ratio of transmission input shaft speed to transmission output shaft speed independently of an accelerator pedal position and as a function of a vehicle speed and a driver axle torque request. A first pulley valve control module controls opening of a first valve based on the target ratio. The first valve controls transmission fluid flow to a first pulley actuator. The first pulley actuator is coupled to the transmission input shaft of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and expands and contracts based on transmission fluid pressure. A second pulley valve control module controls opening of a second valve based on the target ratio. The second valve controls transmission fluid flow to a second pulley actuator. The second pulley actuator is coupled to the transmission output shaft of the CVT and expands and contracts based on transmission fluid pressure.
US09950706B1	Driveline system with nested loop damping control A driveline system includes a drive axle coupled to a load, an electric machine, and a control system. The electric machine is responsive to a commanded torque, has a rotor shaft coupled to the axle, and produces an output torque that rotates the axle and load to produce driveline oscillation at a high resonant frequency. The control system generates the commanded torque using a nested control loop architecture in which an outer control loop operates at a sampling rate that is below a critical rate necessary for controlling the resonant frequency, and an inner control loop operates at a sampling rate that is above the critical rate. The inner loop determines a modified torque command and acceleration value in response to a commanded torque from the outer loop. The electric machine is thereafter controlled via the commanded torque.
US09950705B2	Hybrid vehicle and method of controlling an engine disconnect clutch for engine start-up A vehicle includes an engine, a transmission, a clutch, and a controller. The clutch is configured to couple the engine and transmission during engine starts. The controller is programmed to alter an engine start torque apply schedule for the clutch such that the actual engine start time is less than the upper threshold time for a next engine start event. The controller may be further programmed to, in response to the actual engine start time being less than a lower threshold time for the engine start event, alter the engine start torque apply schedule for the clutch such the actual engine start time is greater than the lower threshold time for a next engine start event.
US09950704B2	Device and method for charging control Provided is a charging control device that allows the actual state of charge of a secondary battery to converge quickly to an upper limit value given as a control center value when the actual state of charge is higher than the upper limit value so that charging may be performed in an efficient manner and fuel economy may be improved. The charging control device (10) includes a charge/discharge integration unit (23) for computing an integrated charge/discharge value (IW) of the secondary battery, a charge control unit (26) for controlling the charging of the secondary battery such that the recognized state of charge is maintained at a prescribed upper limit value (80%) lower than a fully charged state (100%) by switching a generation voltage of a generator. When a disconnection of a terminal of the secondary battery is detected by a terminal disconnection detection unit (25), the charge control unit (26) prohibits the charging of the secondary battery from then on until the integrated charge/discharge value reaches a prescribed discharge value (−20%).
US09950697B2	Braking-driving force control system and braking-driving force control method A braking-driving force control system is provided in which erroneous vehicle speed detection may be avoided even when a frictional braking power is generated during rotation of an output shaft coupled to an electric driving motor as driving source. When only regenerative braking force is being generated as braking force while the vehicle is traveling, the braking force and the driving force are controlled based on an output shaft side vehicle speed calculated from the rotational state of an output shaft of a driving source, and when the frictional braking power is being generated while the vehicle is traveling, the braking force and the driving force will be controlled based on a wheel side vehicle speed representing the vehicle speed calculated from the rotational state of the vehicle wheel.
US09950695B2	Vehicle rear wiper and washer activation Methods, systems, and vehicles are provided for controlling rear wiper units and rear washer units for a rear windshield of a vehicle. In accordance with one embodiment, the vehicle includes, in addition to the rear windshield, the rear washer unit, and the rear windshield, a control system. The control system includes a detection unit and a processor. The detection unit is coupled to a single input device onboard the vehicle. The detection unit is configured to detect a user's engagement of the single input device. The processor is coupled to the detection unit. The processor is configured to at least facilitate automatically controlling the rear wiper unit and the rear washer unit based on the detecting of the user's engagement of the single input device.
US09950691B2	Vehicle control system A vehicle control system includes an in-vehicle device and a portable device. The in-vehicle device includes an in-vehicle communication portion. The in-vehicle communication portion transmits a regular collation signal searching the portable device, and receives a regular response signal, and receives reservation information reserving opening of an arbitrary door. The in-vehicle device includes a collation portion that collates an ID code with a master code. The in-vehicle communication portion transmits an event collation signal, and receives an event response signal. The collation portion collates the ID code with the master code. The in-vehicle device includes an output portion and an intention determination portion. The portable device includes a portable device communication portion and an operation portion and a storage portion and a notification portion. The portable device communication portion transmits the regular response signal, and transmitting the reservation information. The portable device communication portion transmits the event response signal.
US09950688B2	Gas generator The present invention provides a gas generator in which an effect of decreasing the temperature of a combustion gas and an effect of capturing mist of the combustion gas are adjusted.A cup member disposed in a cylindrical housing has one gas passage hole selected from a first gas passage hole, which is formed in part of a circumferential wall on the side of an opening, a second gas passage hole, which is formed in part of a circumferential wall on the side of a bottom portion, and a third gas passage hole, which is formed between the first gas passage hole and the second gas passage hole. By selecting one of the above gas passage holes, the effect of decreasing the temperature of the combustion gas and the effect of capturing mist of the combustion gas are adjusted.
US09950687B2	Occupant protection device An airbag of an occupant protection device as fully deployed includes a front panel section deployable in front of the head of an occupant for catching the head when the head moves forward, a left panel section deployable on a left side of the head for catching the head when the head moves towards the left, and a right panel section deployable on a right side of the head for catching the head when the head moves towards the right. The front panel section includes a main panel region that is deployable in such a manner as to be opposed to a front face of the head and an extended panel region that extends downwardly from the main panel region so as to catch at least an upper part of a thorax of the occupant.
US09950684B2	Method and device for checking a sensor signal and for actuating a passenger protection means of a vehicle A method for checking a sensor signal suitable for actuating a passenger protection arrangement of a vehicle. The method includes a step of carrying out a comparison between the sensor signal and at least one reference signal, repeatedly within a predetermined time interval, in order to obtain a plurality of comparison results, and a step of evaluating the sensor signal based on the plurality of comparison results, in order to detect a fault in the sensor signal.
US09950682B1	Control system for removable seat with integrated occupant restraint A motor vehicle occupant restraint system is provided. The system may include an occupant seat, a vehicle electronic control unit, a seat electrical circuit, and an electrical coupling between the vehicle electronic control unit and the seat electrical circuit. The occupant seat may have a mounting mechanism for enabling the seat to be removably mounted to a structural component of the motor vehicle, the occupant seat may further include at least one occupant restraint mechanism. The vehicle electronic control unit may be affixed to the motor vehicle for controlling the occupant restraint mechanism. The electronic coupling may utilize electrical conductors that are attached to and extend along the webbing of the seatbelt.
US09950678B2	Vehicle body Two outer skin parts of a vehicle body border one another at a joint. The first outer skin part includes an apron which engages in the interior of the vehicle body and overlaps with the second outer skin part. A screen engages with a guiding contour of the apron running in the direction of the joint from an end of the joint between the apron and the second outer skin part.
US09950675B2	Modular roof rack clamping system A roof rack system has a clamping system comprised of handles, a ratcheting mechanism, and a pair of jaws. The jaws provide a universal clamping system that will attach to most roof rack cross bars with an easy-on/easy-off, quick-release actuator, such as a ratcheting mechanism or lever system, that will integrate with a wide variety of accessories. The ratcheting mechanism provides compression of the attached accessory, securing it to a roof rack cross bar. This system is easier to use, more versatile, and less expensive than conventional roof rack accessory systems.
US09950673B2	Drawer arrangements Drawer arrangements are provided which include a drawer connected to a support structure having three guides for the path of the drawer between open and closed positions, at least two of which are operational at any given position of the drawer, as it moves both horizontally and vertically between different locations. In a closed position, the drawer is supported near its horizontal extremities and rests in a position that resists horizontal motion. In fully extended open positions, the drawer is supported in a cantilevered manner from the support structure. Intermediate the fully closed and fully extended positions, the drawer is supported in inclined positions which provide access to contents therein. The present invention also includes mounting structure which facilitates connection at a variety of locations under the floor of a motor home, with exterior accessibility.
US09950669B2	Vehicle camera system with multiple-camera alignment Systems and methods are described for creating a unified output image based on image data from multiple cameras with overlapping fields of view by converting a raw image from each camera into a rectified output image using a look-up table. Camera misalignments are mitigated by generating an updated look-up table based on feature point detection and matching in the overlapping fields of view.
US09950668B2	Device for providing driving support based on predicted position of preceeding vehicle A support processor performs driving support processing of outputting a warning when it is judged that there is a possibility of collision between a subject vehicle and another vehicle based on subject vehicle information acquired by a subject vehicle information acquirer and another vehicle information acquired by an another vehicle information acquirer. A subject vehicle information predictor predicts an arrival time required until a subject vehicle arrives at an intersection based on subject vehicle information. A preceding vehicle information predictor predicts the position of a preceding vehicle at the time when a predicted arrival time elapses, based on preceding vehicle information acquired by a preceding vehicle information acquirer. A support execution determiner determines whether to permit or forbid the support processor to perform driving support processing according to a predicted position of a preceding vehicle.
US09950656B2	Assistance strap for access to cargo container A device for use with a cargo compartment is provided. The device includes a fitting configured to engage a hole in a logistics track, the fitting comprising a ring that rotatably extends therefrom. An elongate strap is fixed to the ring, wherein the elongate strap extends to a free end portion, the elongate strap extends between a first end portion and a second end portion.
US09950655B2	Portable carrier for holding bags or holding displays on vehicles An apparatus and related methods for holding bags for transporting trash, or for holding displays, on the exterior of a vehicle. The apparatus includes an adjustable-length strap with a distal end and a proximal end, an engagement loop attached to the proximal end of the strap and at least one hook member attached to the distal end of the strap. The engagement loop is configured into a cow-hitch knot around a fixing means of the vehicle. To adjust the tightness of the cow-hitch knot around the fixing means, an adjustable loop-lock is provided for locking a portion of the cow-hitch knot at a desired position. The hook member consists of one or more hook-shaped, tooth-shaped or claw-shaped projections and is provided with a vacuum suction cup which is secured to a surface on the vehicle to minimize any undesired vertical or lateral movements.
US09950654B1	Method of making a headrest and headrest construction A method of making a headrest includes folding a first sheet of foam into a foam sleeve. The foam sleeve is slid over an internal core part of the headrest. The foam sleeve and the core part in turn are covered with an outermost cover. The cover is formed from (i) a first layer of material corresponding to a front face of the cover, (ii) a second sheet of foam having a periphery substantially the same shape as the first layer of material, affixed to a backside of the first layer, (iii) a second layer of the material corresponding to a rear face of the cover, and (iv) a third sheet of foam having a periphery substantially the same shape as the second layer of material, affixed to a backside of the second layer. The front and rear faces are joined together to form the cover.
US09950653B1	Seat suspension system The present invention is a seat bottom suspension system adapted to provide a varying spring constant. An embodiment includes a first plurality of flat elongated biasing members in communication with at least one axle adapted to translate in a direction generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of the flat elongated biasing members. An embodiment may include a second set of flat elongated biasing members set at a lower height than the first plurality of flat elongated biasing members to provide a progressive increase in the spring constant as the down force seen on the seat increases.
US09950652B2	Telescoping head restraint A headrest assembly includes a headrest bun adjustably supported on a linkage system. An adjustable cover assembly is operable between stowed and deployed positons relative to a position of the headrest bun and is configured to cover the linkage system in use. The adjustable cover assembly includes first and second members, wherein the first member is coupled to the linkage system for movement therewith and the second member is pivotally coupled to the first member. A gap is defined between the first member and the second member, and the gap is maintained by a plurality of spacers disposed on the first member as the cover assembly moves from the stowed position to the deployed position with the headrest bun.
US09950651B2	Motor vehicle accessory such as an armrest The invention relates to a motor-vehicle accessory, comprising a first part and at least one second part pivotal about an axis (a) relative to the first part in at least one bearing assembly (20a, 20b), and the bearing assembly (20a, 20b) comprises a bearing pin (14) on which a bearing sleeve (22) is coaxial to the bearing axis (a), and the bearing pin (14) forms a head (19) with an axial retaining face (30).The particularity is that of the bearing pin (14) having first coupling formation that engages in a second coupling formation of the bearing sleeve (22) and prevents relative rotation in a pivot direction (u1, u2) between the bearing sleeve (22) and the bearing pin (14).
US09950646B2	Vehicle seat A vehicle seat of the present invention includes a seatback frame, a backrest section that supports a back of an occupant, a swivel-coupling section that couples the backrest section and that is capable of swiveling with respect to the seatback frame in a seat width direction, and an outer periphery support section that couples plural locations at an outer peripheral side of the backrest section to the seatback frame, that supports the backrest section with respect to the seatback frame, and that permits the backrest section to swivel.
US09950640B2	Adaptive ev pedal stroke This application discusses various ways to adjust the performance of a variable input control in accordance with previous use data. In some embodiments, the previous use data can be associated with particular users of the variable input control. In this way, a response provided by the user input control can be adjusted to accommodate particular patterns of use on a user by user basis. In some embodiments, the variable input control can take the form of an accelerator pedal of a vehicle. Performance of the accelerator pedal can be adjusted by changing an amount of engine power provided for a particular accelerator pedal position. The adjustment can arrange commonly utilized power settings in the middle of the accelerator pedal range of motion to make manipulation of the accelerator pedal more comfortable and convenient for each user of the accelerator pedal.
US09950637B2	Array coil system An array coil system includes a detector coil having a plurality of coils arranged in an array, and a plurality of resistances. Both terminals of each of the coils of the detector coil are connected to a ground or a DC voltage via associated ones of the resistances.
US09950635B1	Electrified vehicle having a charging port lock connected to a manual release cable An electrified vehicle according to a non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a charging port including a lock, an electrical harness electrically coupled to the charging port, a battery assembly electrically coupled to the charging port by the electrical harness, and a manual release cable connected to the lock and routed along the electrical harness. This disclosure also relates to a method.
US09950630B2	Vehicle power source system While a current cutoff mechanism cuts off charging and discharging currents for a second electric storage device, a DC/DC converter is controlled so as to be in a state where electric power is supplied from a low-voltage side to a high-voltage side, applies voltage conversion to an input voltage of the low-voltage side so that an output voltage of the high-voltage side becomes a predetermined voltage, and after a predetermined state where the induction voltage of the AC power generator can be supplied to the low-voltage side is reached, control of the DC/DC converter is switched from the state where electric power is supplied from the low-voltage side to the high-voltage side to a state where electric power is supplied from the high-voltage side to the low-voltage side.
US09950629B2	Vehicle power source A vehicle power source includes: a generator coupled to an engine; a first power storage coupled to the generator; a second power storage coupled, in parallel with the first storage, to the generator, in which a terminal voltage of the second power storage is lower than a terminal voltage of the first power storage; and a charge and discharge controller that controls a generated voltage of the generator and controls charge and discharge of the first power storage. The charge and discharge controller raises the generated voltage to a voltage higher than the terminal voltage of the first power storage, to cause power supply from the generator to the first power storage. The charge and discharge controller lowers the generated voltage to a voltage lower than the terminal voltage of the first power storage, to cause power supply from the first power storage to an electric load.
US09950627B2	Power conversion device An object is to reduce a discharging time required for discharging residual charges of a capacitor. A power conversion device according to the present invention includes: an inverter circuit unit; a step-up circuit unit; a smoothing capacitor; and a step-up circuit control unit which controls the step-up circuit unit, wherein the step-up circuit unit has a first switching element, a second switching element connected electrically in series to the first switching element, and a reactor having a conducting current controlled by switching operation of the first switching element and the second switching element, and the step-up circuit control unit has a first control mode of controlling the switching operation of the first switching element and the second switching element by changing a duty command value and outputting a stepped up voltage from the step-up circuit unit, and a discharge control mode of discharging electric charges stored in the smoothing capacitor into the reactor, with the duty command value fixed to a predetermined value.
US09950624B2	System and method for providing a controlled power supply Various aspects of a system and a method for providing a controlled power supply are disclosed herein. The method, in a vehicle, comprises controlling a power supply unit coupled to an exterior surface of the vehicle. The power supply unit provides the power supply to an electronic device connected to the power supply unit.
US09950621B2	Indicator system for outdoor power equipment An indicator system for outdoor power equipment, such as a riding lawn mower, may include an illuminating element around the perimeter of a display screen. The illuminating element may be configured to illuminate in a predetermined manner based on a predefined condition occurring in order to alert the operator to the display screen. The display screen may be configured to display more detail about the predefined condition while the illuminating element is illuminated.
US09950619B1	Occupant facing vehicle display Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a vehicle for maneuvering an occupant of the vehicle to a destination autonomously as well as providing information about the vehicle and the vehicle's environment for display to the occupant.
US09950616B2	Deployable fuel tank baffle and fuel tank system A fuel tank baffle assembly is provided for installation in a fuel tank, the baffle assembly comprising a main body having a first end section, a second end section, and an intermediate section interconnecting the first and second end sections. Operably associated with the main body is at least one deployable auxiliary baffle structure. The auxiliary baffle structure is configured to be positioned in an undeployed state during installation into a fuel tank, thereby defining a first installation width of the baffle assembly. Following installation, the auxiliary baffle structure is deployed into an extended position, thereby defining an operational width for subsequent usage. The operational width is greater than the installation width.
US09950615B2	Lid device In a lid device opening and closing a fuel lid of a vehicle by a push-push mechanism, a common push lifter can be applied in both cases with and without a mechanism for locking the fuel lid at a closed position. The lid device (20) indirectly locks the fuel lid (10) at the closed position by controlling a displacement of a push rod (22) protruding and retracting from a push lifter unit (24). In order to control the displacement of the push rod (22), an engagement member (56) engaging the push rod (22) is movably supported in a housing (54) of a drive unit (26), and the push lifter (24) and the drive unit (26) are formed as separate members.
US09950612B2	Methods and systems for adjusting vehicle grille shutters based on engine operation Methods and systems are provided for adjusting grille shutters based on engine coolant temperature and a difference in aerodynamic drag between the grille shutter positions. In one example, the grille shutters may be adjusted into a position closer to a first smaller opening when a difference in aerodynamic drag between the first and second positions is large. In other examples, the grille shutters may be adjusted into a position closer to the second larger opening when a difference in aerodynamic drag between the first and second positions is small thus maintaining the engine at lower temperatures.
US09950610B2	Vehicle radiator apparatus A vehicle radiator apparatus includes: a radiator main body; a grill shutter unit configured to adjust the amount of air introduced from an opening in front of the radiator main body and flowing toward the radiator main body; and an air guiding plate provided to extend in a longitudinal direction below the radiator main body and the grill shutter unit to guide the air introduced from the opening to the radiator main body, in which the grill shutter unit includes: a shutter member configured to open or close the opening of a vehicle; and a shutter support member configured to support the shutter member, and including left and right side frame portions and an upper frame portion, and lower ends of the side frame portions are assembled and attached to an upper surface portion of the air guiding plate.
US09950603B2	Vehicle front structure A vehicle front structure includes a connecting member (10) formed of a belt-shaped metal plate, the connecting member (10) has a plate-shaped bottom section (11), a first folded section (12) formed by folding a circumferential edge of the bottom section (11) and a circumferential wall section (13) that is formed in a continuous annular shape and that continues to the bottom section (11) via a folded section (12), and the bottom section (11) of the connecting member is formed in a V shape upward or downward in a longitudinal direction.
US09950602B2	Installation structure for lithium battery box of electric vehicle The installation structure for the lithium battery box of the electric vehicle includes a battery box body and a vehicle frame oblique beam, where an insertion hole is produced in a front end of the battery box body; an installation groove is produced in the vehicle frame oblique beam; a front battery box base is installed in a front installation groove; an insertion bolt driven through a key is arranged on the front battery box base; where an upwards-bulged arc-shaped limit groove is produced in the middle of the lower cover in the axis of the box body; the installation groove of the vehicle frame oblique beam is an installation groove with a front opening and a rear opening; a limit bulge adaptive to the arc-shaped limit groove is produced on a groove bottom of the installation groove.
US09950599B2	Sealing for a vehicle roof A roof module for a vehicle roof, which can have a roof panel for closing an opening in the vehicle roof, a frame for mounting the Roof module onto the vehicle roof, a sealing which can be fixedly mounted to the frame for sealing engagement with the panel, and adjusting elements for adjusting the roof panel relative to the frame. The sealing can have a cover lip for covering the adjusting elements, wherein the cover lip can be bent away in a resilient manner for accessing the adjusting elements.
US09950597B2	Roof apparatus A roof apparatus includes: a roof panel in which an opening and a pedestal portion extending over an entire peripheral portion of the opening are formed; and a sunroof unit. The sunroof unit includes guide rails mounted on both edge portions of the pedestal portion in a width direction of a vehicle, functional components supported by the guide rails so as to be capable of moving in a front-and-rear direction of the vehicle, a movable panel supported by the functional components and opens and closes the opening in response to movements of the both functional components, and a fixed panel connecting front ends of the guide rails together in the width direction of the vehicle, mounted so as to be adjacent to the movable panel which is in a closed state, and covering a drive member which drives and moves the both functional components.
US09950594B1	Impact absorbing system for a vehicle A vehicle includes a door and an impact absorbing structure. The door has an interior panel. The impact absorbing structure is secured to an inner surface of the interior panel. The impact absorbing structure has a centrally located hub and a plurality of spokes extending radially outward from the hub toward a peripheral boundary of the interior panel.
US09950593B2	Door structure of vehicle A door structure of a vehicle, capable of reliably transmitting a load, is provided. A rear side door (1) includes an inner panel (2) and an elongated door beam (4) that is attached to an outer side of the inner panel (2) in a vehicle width direction of a vehicle body and arranged along a front-rear direction of the vehicle body. The door beam (4) includes a first plate portion (11) of a first bracket (10), which has a first surface intersecting an axis along the vehicle width direction, and a vehicle width direction plate portion (21) of a second bracket (20), which has a second surface intersecting an axis along the front-rear direction of the vehicle body. The door beam (4) is joined to the inner panel (2) via both the first plate portion (11) and a second plate portion (12).
US09950591B2	Vehicle air conditioner This vehicle air conditioner includes a first water-refrigerant heat exchanger, a second water-refrigerant heat exchanger, a heater core, a distributing unit which distributes the coolant, fed from a heat generating component of a vehicle, to a plurality of cooling path, and a junction unit which causes the coolant guided from a plurality of cooling paths to join, and feeds the coolant to the heat generating component. The first water-refrigerant heat exchanger inputs the coolant distributed by the distributing unit, through a first cooling path, and feeds the coolant to be guided to the junction unit, to a second cooling path. The second water-refrigerant heat exchanger inputs the coolant distributed by the distributing unit, through a third cooling path, and feeds the coolant to the heater core. The heater core inputs the coolant fed by the second water-refrigerant heat exchanger, and feeds the coolant to be guided to the junction unit, to a fourth cooling path.
US09950589B2	Air conditioner for vehicle A vehicle air conditioner includes a blower for blowing air into a space of a vehicle compartment, and an air-conditioning mode switching portion for switching between air conditioning modes. The air conditioning modes include a normal air conditioning mode in which air conditioning of a specific region including a driver seat and air conditioning of a non-specific region not including the specific region in the space of the vehicle compartment are performed, and a specific-region prioritizing air conditioning mode in which an air conditioning capability for the non-specific region is decreased as compared to the normal air conditioning mode. The air-conditioning mode switching portion adjusts the air conditioning capability for the non-specific region based on a pressure of air drawn into the blower, in the specific-region prioritizing air conditioning mode.
US09950588B2	Vehicle A vehicle includes a high voltage equipment-accommodation portion, a cooling mechanism, and a discharge passage. The high voltage equipment-accommodation portion is provided behind a seat and includes a high voltage equipment. The cooling mechanism cools the high voltage equipment with cooling air introduced from an outside of the high voltage equipment-accommodation portion and diffuses in the high voltage equipment-accommodation portion the cooling air which has cooled the high voltage equipment. The discharge passage connects a lower end part of the high voltage equipment-accommodation portion and a vicinity of a floor surface in the vehicle interior. The cooling mechanism is configured to discharge the cooling air in the high voltage equipment-accommodation portion downwardly to the vehicle interior via the discharge passage.
US09950586B2	Driving unit and cleaning robot comprising same Disclosed herein is a cleaning robot including an improved driving unit to escape from an undriveable state occurring under various driving conditions. The cleaning robot includes a body, and a driving unit that drives the body. The driving unit includes a first driving motor and a second driving motor that generate driving power; a driving wheel that rotates when the driving power is delivered to the driving wheel from the first driving motor; and a wheel frame that supports the driving wheel to be rotatable and rotates between a first position and a second position with respect to a motor shaft of the first driving motor. The wheel frame rotates in at least one section between the first position and the second position when the driving power is delivered to the wheel frame from the second driving motor.
US09950579B2	Facility-use management system, in-vehicle control apparatus, and in-facility apparatus A management computer transmits to a vehicle a request of vehicle ID to identify the vehicle, when a tire ID of the vehicle is not registered in a registration portion. Upon receiving the request, a transmission pattern adjustment section of an ECU of tire pressure monitoring system of the vehicle controls a sensor unit of at least one tire to transmit electric waves in transmission pattern expressing the vehicle ID. The management computer permits the vehicle to use a facility when a vehicle ID specified from the received transmission pattern on electric waves is registered in a registration portion.
US09950578B2	Tire air pressure detection device A tire air pressure detection device has transmitters each detecting a running state of a vehicle on the basis of a detection signal of an acceleration sensor and transmitting a frame when it is determined that the vehicle is running. Because acceleration varies independently of a tire rotation speed, a frame can be transmitted even before a vehicle speed reaches or exceeds, for example, 30 km/h. Consequently, data on a tire air pressure can be transmitted in a short time period from a running start of the vehicle and hence a decrease in tire air pressure can be detected in a short time period from the running start of the vehicle.
US09950577B1	Method to localize physical positions of Bluetooth tire pressure monitoring sensors The location of a replacement tire pressure sensor for a tire pressure monitoring system is determined by comparing received signal strength indicator (RSSI) values for the replacement sensor as received by several different receivers to an array of stored RSSI values provided by each sensor at each wheel by the same receivers when the vehicle is manufactured.
US09950576B2	Pressure detector and method of assembling the same A pressure detector includes: a case provided with a hole portion; support pillar members standing on the bottom surface of the case and each including a tapered portion at an end of each of the support pillar members; a circuit board including a sensor having a detection aperture, and mounting holes into which the respective tapered portions are insertable; and a packing provided with a through hole. The case and the circuit board are fixed by a cured resin while the hole portion is connected to the detection aperture via the through hole by inserting the tapered portion of each of the support pillar members into the mounting hole of the circuit board and by sandwiching the packing between the bottom surface of the case and the sensor.
US09950575B2	Mounting patch for a tire A rubber patch, which is useable for mounting an active electronic component to a tire, is described. The rubber patch includes a base having a connecting face and support face. The connecting face is substantially planar and is intended to be fixed to an internal surface of the tire. The support face is opposite the connecting face and is arranged to support the active electronic component. The rubber patch further includes a passive label arranged between the connecting face and the support face. The passive label is for identifying the tire and is provided with a memory for storing a unique identification data item pertaining to the tire. A corresponding tire monitoring system, which is configured to read at least the identification data item pertaining to the tire, also is described.
US09950564B2	Articulating carriage An articulating carriage for moving an object across a surface having a non-planar obstruction to allow movement of the object over the obstruction. The articulating carriage has a walking beam assembly that pivotally supports a pedestal to dispose a support surface thereof above the walking beam assembly. The walking beam assembly has a base plate, wheeled casters and a pair of spaced apart hangers having articulation openings. The walking beam pivots relative to the pedestal. In one embodiment, the pedestal is pivotally mounted on the walking beam assembly. In another embodiment, a pair of walking beam assemblies are connected with a crosstube that pivotally supports the pedestal. In another embodiment, a major crosstube assembly connects a pair of crosstubes to define a carriage having four walking beams. In yet another embodiment, a compound crosstube assembly connects pairs of major crosstube assemblies to define a carriage having eight walking beams.
US09950562B2	Wheel drive transmission unit Structural arrangements of wheel drive components facilitate the use of robust main roller bearings that are widely spaced apart from one another. This wide spacing minimizes the torque borne by the bearings for a given external load, because at least one bearing is placed closer to the expected load application point (e.g., the center of gravity of the wheel attached to the wheel hub of the drive unit). The present wheel drive bearings can support a heavy external load without expanding the overall size and configuration of a given wheel drive application.
US09950559B2	Multilayered laminate and process for preparing the same This disclosure is directed to a multilayered laminate, comprising (a) a support substrate having at least one releasable major surface; (b) a transparent overcoat formed of a first coating composition on the releasable major surface of the support substrate, wherein the first coating composition comprises an aqueous polymer dispersion having a particle size in the range of 30 to 400 nm; (c) a stone-like topcoat system on the transparent overcoat, wherein the stone-like topcoat system comprises a multicolored spot layer and a background color layer; (d) an adhesive primer coat formed of a second coating composition on the stone-like topcoat system, wherein the second coating composition comprises an aqueous polymer dispersion selected from aqueous acrylic dispersions, aqueous organic silicone dispersions and aqueous vinyl acetate dispersions, wherein the transparent overcoat in the multilayered laminate, when released from the support substrate, a gloss of at least 60% at 60°.
US09950558B1	Apparatus and method for supporting a decorative panel An apparatus and method for detachably supporting a decorative or graphic panel or covering upon a frame or door without leaving a mark or other visible evidence of the presence of the panel. The panel may be used to install a decorative panel on a door or a decorative image on a frame to be hung on a wall, for example. Specially designed corner supports are attached to the panel and looped over the respective corners of the door or frame. The decorative image or graphic may be applied to the visible face of the panel or covering by any practical process.
US09950557B2	Apparatus to orient a pushpin A decoration made from a plurality of colored objects arranged in a regular pattern on a colored substrate, individual colored objects discernable at arm's length, with the decoration recognizable at greater distance as corresponding to a digital image. The colored objects may be pushpins, and no colored objects are placed at positions where the substrate color is the desired color. Embodiments also include an apparatus to select a single pushpin from a container of pushpins, and an apparatus to orient a pushpin in preparation for insertion into the substrate.
US09950554B2	Application pen and method for the production thereof An application pen includes a hollow pen body made of plastic having a closed end and an open end and an applicator head on the open end of the pen body. The applicator head has a foam, felt or fiber body. The applicator head has an end section that fits into the open end of the pen body. The pen body has mechanical fastening means for positive-locking and/or friction-locking engagement with the outer circumference of the end section of the applicator head without deformation of the end section of the applicator head protruding into the open end of the pen body.
US09950552B2	Identity document comprising a ghost image based on a two-dimensional image An identity document includes in a single plane a two-dimensional image and under optical elements a ghost image for verifying the authenticity of the two-dimensional image. The ghost image is a stereo image and the stereo image is based on the two-dimensional image. The stereo image includes at least two images of the person on the identity card wherein at least one of the two images is a calculated image. The stereo image may further include a floating image, the floating image being arranged to be perceived to float over the ghost image.
US09950549B2	Imaging plate multi-layer blanket An apparatus and method of manufacturing a multiplayer image blanket with a platinum catalyzed fluorosilicone topcoat for a variable data lithography printing system. The blanket consists of multiple layers that may be: (A) a commercial carcass having a Sulphur free rubber outer layer, a suitable primer layer for improving the inter-layer adhesion, and the platinum catalyzed fluorosilicone topcoat; or (B) seamless polyimide substrate coated with a platinum cured silicone, a primer layer, and the fluorosilicone topcoat.
US09950543B2	Cartridge for recording medium and image forming apparatus having the same A cartridge for a recording medium and an image forming apparatus are provided. The image forming apparatus includes a housing, a printing unit disposed inside the housing, and having a thermal head with a heating element, and a cartridge for a recording medium, in which a recording medium wound in a roll shape is installed and which is provided to supply the recording medium to the printing unit, wherein the cartridge for a recording medium has a de-curl roller which guides the recording medium to be curved in a direction opposite to a winding direction, and is provided to be movable in a direction adjacent to the recording medium when the recording medium is supplied to the printing unit.
US09950542B2	Processing digital ink input subject to monitoring and intervention by an application program A facility for processing ink input is described. In one example facility, the facility receives ink input from an input device. The facility generates and renders ink stroke data structures in response to received ink input in accordance with an ink input processing pipeline. The facility provides to an executing application access to information traversing the ink input processing pipeline at a selected point in the ink input processing pipeline.
US09950538B2	Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting device A liquid ejecting head, including a flow-path unit that includes: first and second nozzle groups disposed alongside each other in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction in which nozzles are arranged; first and second common liquid chambers respectively communicating with the first and second nozzle groups, the first and second common liquid chambers being disposed alongside each other in the second direction; a liquid supply opening communicating with the first common liquid chamber and a liquid discharge opening communicating with the second common liquid chamber, on one side of the flow-path unit in the first direction; and a connecting path connecting the first and second common liquid chambers on the other side of the flow-path unit in the first direction, wherein the first common liquid chamber is disposed nearer to an outer periphery of the flow-path unit in the second direction than the second common liquid chamber.
US09950536B2	Liquid supply mechanism and liquid ejecting apparatus A liquid supply mechanism includes a sub-tank that supplies liquid to a liquid ejection head and a liquid replenishing mechanism that suctions liquid from a main tank into the sub-tank. The liquid replenishing mechanism has a diaphragm, a biasing member, and a drive member. The diaphragm has a movable portion and a mounting portion and closes one end of a liquid container chamber provided on the sub-tank. The biasing member biases the diaphragm in a first direction in which a volume of the liquid container chamber is decreased. The drive member pulls the diaphragm in a second direction in which the volume of the liquid container chamber is increased. The movable portion of the diaphragm can move in the first direction and the second direction. The movable portion has a first portion, which is flexible, and a second portion that retains its shape when the liquid container chamber is pressurized.
US09950535B2	Liquid container, liquid container unit, liquid ejection system and liquid ejection apparatus A liquid container includes a liquid container portion and a liquid inlet portion. The liquid inlet portion is connected with the liquid container portion and configured to pour liquid into the liquid container portion. The liquid container portion includes a bottom wall, a liquid inlet portion-forming wall that is located above the bottom wall and at which the liquid inlet portion is arranged, a visual recognition wall, an opposite wall opposite the visual recognition wall, and a partition wall. The visual recognition wall is a wall that extends in a direction intersecting the bottom wall and the liquid inlet portion-forming wall and through which the liquid in the liquid container portion is visible from outside. At least a part of the partition wall is located between the visual recognition wall. The opening is an intersecting part at which the liquid inlet portion intersects with the liquid inlet portion-forming wall.
US09950533B2	Head cleaning apparatus, inkjet printer and head cleaning method Provided are a head cleaning apparatus, an inkjet printer, and a head cleaning method that allow an ink discharging surface of an inkjet head to be more adequately cleaned than the known art.A head cleaning apparatus has a cleaning liquid reserving tank containing a cleaning liquid for cleaning an ink discharging surface of an inkjet head from which an ink is discharged. The head cleaning apparatus further has a removing unit that removes dirt and/or ink stain from the ink discharging surface while the ink discharging surface is being immersed in the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid reserving tank, and a wiper that wipes off the cleaning liquid left on the ink discharging surface after the removal of dirt and/or ink stain by the removing unit. The removing unit and the wiper are both disposed in the cleaning liquid reserving tank.
US09950527B2	Inkjet printhead having laterally flared fluid outlets An inkjet printhead includes: an elongate fluid manifold having a plurality of fluid outlets positioned longitudinally along a base of the fluid manifold; one or more printhead chips attached to the base of the fluid manifold, each printhead chip receiving printing fluid from one or more fluid outlets. Each fluid outlet is laterally flared towards a longitudinal edge of a respective printhead chip.
US09950525B2	Element substrate for liquid ejecting head and wafer An element substrate for a liquid ejecting head includes a substrate, an element forming layer on the substrate, and a discharge port forming member formed of an insulating member on the element forming layer. The element forming layer includes an energy generating element configured to provide energy to a liquid for ejection. The discharge port forming member includes a discharge port forming surface having discharge ports through which the liquid is ejected and an exterior side surface positioned between the discharge port forming surface and the element forming layer. The exterior side surface has a first edge facing the element forming layer. The element substrate further includes a conductive layer disposed between the first edge and the element forming layer and grounded.
US09950524B2	PZT-film laminated structure, liquid discharge head, liquid discharge device, liquid discharge apparatus, and method of making PZT-film laminated structure A PZT-film laminated structure includes a substrate, a lower electrode on the substrate, an orientation control layer on the lower electrode, a PZT layer on the orientation control layer, and an upper electrode on the PZT layer. The PZT layer has a (100) or (001) main orientation in which a peak intensity of PZT (100) or (001) is 90% or greater relative to a peak intensity of all PZT peaks in an X-ray diffraction measurement. A ratio of a total value of a secondary ion intensity of Cl relative to a total value of a secondary ion intensity of Ti in the PZT layer is equal to or smaller than 0.03 when the secondary ion intensity of Cl and the secondary ion intensity of Ti in the PZT layer are measured in a direction of thickness of the PZT layer with a magnetic-field secondary ion mass spectrometry.
US09950523B2	Bypass flow path for ink jet bubbles An apparatus includes a bypass flow path between an ink supply port and a vent port and a primary flow path between the ink supply port and an ink delivery port. A first flow velocity of the bypass flow path is higher than a second flow velocity of the primary flow path. The first flow velocity induces bubbles to travel via the bypass flow path instead of the primary flow path.
US09950522B2	MEMS devices and methods of fabrication thereof MEMS devices and methods of fabrication thereof are described. In one embodiment, the MEMS device includes a bottom alloy layer disposed over a substrate. An inner material layer is disposed on the bottom alloy layer, and a top alloy layer is disposed on the inner material layer, the top and bottom alloy layers including an alloy of at least two metals, wherein the inner material layer includes the alloy and nitrogen. The top alloy layer, the inner material layer, and the bottom alloy layer form a MEMS feature.
US09950521B2	Inkjet head and inkjet printer In accordance with an embodiment, an inkjet head comprises a pressure chamber configured to house ink; an actuator configured to be arranged corresponding to the pressure chamber; a plate configured to have a nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber; and a driving circuit configured to drive the actuator, wherein the drive circuit applies an auxiliary pulse signal which contains an expansion pulse for expanding the volume of the pressure chamber and a contraction pulse for contracting the volume of the pressure chamber in such a degree as not to eject an ink drop from the nozzle to the actuator before enabling the ink drop to be ejected from the nozzle communicating with the pressure chamber by applying the expansion pulse and the contraction pulse as a drive pulse signals.
US09950507B2	Three-dimensional structure manufacturing apparatus, manufacturing method of three-dimensional structure, and three-dimensional structure Provided is a three-dimensional structure manufacturing apparatus which manufactures a three-dimensional structure by laminating layers formed using three-dimensional formation compositions containing three-dimensional formation powders, the apparatus including: a formation unit in which the three-dimensional structure is formed; a first supply unit and a second supply unit which supply the three-dimensional formation compositions to the formation unit; a first squeegee and a second squeegee which form the layers configured with the three-dimensional formation compositions on the formation unit; and a discharge unit which discharges a binding solution for binding the three-dimensional formation compositions to the layer, in which the first supply unit, the first squeegee, the discharge unit, the second squeegee, and the second supply unit are arranged in this order, along a movement direction of the discharge unit.
US09950505B2	Method for manufacturing flexible display device A method for manufacturing the display device (70, 80) comprises: providing a first flexible substrate (101) comprising a first and second surfaces and a second flexible substrate (102) comprising a third and fourth surfaces; joining the second surface of the first flexible substrate with the third surface of the second flexible substrate by a connecting element (11) to form a laminated structure, wherein the first surface of the first flexible substrate (101) is a first outer surface of the laminated structure, and the fourth surface of the second flexible substrate (102) is a second outer surface of the laminated structure; forming a first flexible display element layer (10a) and a second flexible display element layer (10b) respectively on the first and second outer surfaces of the laminated structure; separating the first flexible substrate (101) from the second flexible substrate (102) of the laminated structure. The manufacturing method can achieve simultaneous processing of two substrates during part of the manufacturing technology, thus improving the production efficiency and reducing the production costs.
US09950504B2	Elastic composite film and composite fabric and production processes thereof An elastic composite film provided with a sintered ePTFE film and an elastomeric resin layer, produced by continuously forming the elastomeric resin layer on at least one side of the sintered ePTFE film, continuously elongating the resulting multilayer film at less than the yield point of the expanded, sintered, porous film and at an elongation factor of 1.3 times or more in the biaxial directions, or in the uniaxial direction without contracting in the direction perpendicular to the direction of elongation, and relaxing the resulting elongated multilayer film, wherein when the composite film is elongated by 10% in the longitudinal and/or transverse direction, the tensile stress of the composite film is 2.5 N/15 mm or less, and/or the elongation percentage of the composite film in the longitudinal and/or transverse direction is 30% or more and the elongation recovery rate is 70% or more.
US09950502B2	Paper and cardboard packaging with barrier coating Described is paper or cardboard packaging produced from mineral oil contaminated, (e.g., recycled) paper, wherein the packaging includes a barrier layer obtainable by applying an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising a copolymer obtainable by emulsion polymerization of C1-C4 alkyl (meth)acrylates, acid monomers, e.g., acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, 0-20 wt % of acrylonitrile and 0 to 10 wt % of further monomers in an aqueous medium in the presence of a carbohydrate compound, preferably in the form of a degraded starch, wherein the glass transition temperature of the copolymer is in the range from +10 to +45° C. The barrier layer may be situated on one of the surfaces of the packaging or form one of multiple layers of a multilayered packaging coating or be situated as a coating on one side of an inner bag situated within the packaging.
US09950497B2	Composite metal and polymer part The invention relates essentially to a composite part comprising at least one sheet of steel coated with at least one polymeric film formed beforehand by extrusion of a polymeric blend comprising at least the following components: a polymer formed of a dispersion of elastomer nodules in a polypropylene matrix, the proportion of elastomer in the matrix being less than 20% by weight of the combination formed by the matrix and the elastomer, a first antioxidant from the family of the phenolic antioxidants for a content by weight of greater than or equal to 0.2%, a second antioxidant from the family of the hydroperoxide-decomposing antioxidants for a content by weight of greater than or equal to 0.1%, reinforcing fillers for a content by weight of less than 10%. The invention relates in addition to a process for the manufacture of this composite part and to the application of this composite part in the motor vehicle and transportation fields.
US09950496B2	Multi-layer preform sheet A multi-layer preform sheet having at least a first layer and a second layer, the first layer being composed of a solder material that contains an intermetallic compound, and the second layer containing a first metal having a melting point of 300° C. or above, and a second metal capable of forming an intermetallic compound with the first metal.
US09950493B2	Decorative film A decorative film includes a dark-colored opaque substrate, which includes a surface that includes an uneven section, and a transparent decorative layer, which is stacked on the surface of the opaque substrate and closely contacts the uneven section. The uneven section includes ridges and grooves, which are located between the ridges. The ridges extend in directions of the same tendency, and the grooves extend in directions of the same tendency as the ridges. A minute uneven section formed in the top surface of each ridge includes minute ridges and minute grooves, which are located between the minute ridges. The minute ridges extend in directions of the same tendency and have a narrower width than the ridges and the grooves, and the minute grooves extend in directions of the same tendency as the minute ridges and have a narrower width than the ridges and the grooves.
US09950490B2	Tearable core, a roll including such a core and a tearable core manufacturing method A tearable core, adapted for winding a sheet product, includes a cylindrical body wall defining a longitudinal hole of longitudinal axis XX′. The cylindrical body wall is tearable from an edge, and includes an outer strip and an inner strip that are helically wound on one another and displacedly overlapped in a lateral direction parallel to the longitudinal axis XX′, and secured together through their mutually facing surfaces by a first region of attachment. The strips are made of the material having characteristics such that the inner strip and the outer strip are made of cardboard having different water drops. The cylindrical body wall is formed by securing together the outer strip, a first end part of the outer strip of one turn being superposed and secured to a second end part of the outer strip of an adjacent turn through their mutually facing surfaces by a second region of attachment.
US09950488B2	Integrated vehicle galley trash compactor A space-saving in-flight trash compactor, comprising a trash chute, a compactor mechanism disposed above a level of the trash chute, and a storage chamber removably positioned below the compactor mechanism and below a level of the trash chute. The storage chamber is vertically aligned with the compactor mechanism. The trash chute is configured to channel trash disposed through an opening of the trash chute at a level of a counter top and above a level of a top of the storage chamber into an opening of the storage chamber at the top of the storage chamber. The opening of the trash chute may be horizontally offset from the vertical alignment of the storage chamber and compactor mechanism.
US09950486B2	Method for producing a sole for a shoe The invention relates to a method for producing a sole for a shoe, especially for a sports shoe, wherein the sole has at least a first section which consists of a first plastic material and has at least a second section which consists of a second plastic material, wherein the second plastic material is Expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane. To obtain good wearing properties of the shoe the method includes the steps of: a) Producing the first section of the sole, wherein in the first section at least one recess is created which has an opening at an upper side of the sole and which is at least partially closed by a bottom region at a bottom side of the sole, wherein the recess has a defined shape in a top plan view; b) Producing of a laminar sheet made of the second plastic material; c) Cutting-out of an insert of the laminar sheet produced according to step b), wherein the insert is or forms at least a part of the second section of the sole, wherein the shape of the insert corresponds to the shape of the recess; d) Fixing the insert in the recess.
US09950483B2	Method for determining the surface concentration of carboxyl groups on a lens The invention is related to a method for qualifying and quantifying carboxyl groups on the surfaces of a silicone hydrogel contact lens. The method of the invention comprises the steps of: (a) obtaining silicone hydrogel contact lenses each of which comprises a silicone hydrogel lens body (i.e., bulk material) and a coating thereon, wherein the silicone hydrogel lens body is obtained from a lens formulation free of any polymerizable component including one or more carboxyl groups, wherein the coating comprises a polymer having carboxyl groups; (b) immersing a given number of the silicone hydrogel contact lenses in a fixed volume of a C1-C4 alcohol solution of a positively-charged dye having acetate as counter anion at a given initial concentration for a time period sufficient to stain the silicone hydrogel contact lens; and (c) determining the concentration of carboxyl groups per each silicone hydrogel contact lens and/or the thickness of the coating on the silicone hydrogel contact lens.
US09950480B2	Composite structure and methods of assembling same A composite structure and method of assembling a composite structure is provided. The composite structure includes a base member having an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines a channel therethrough. The composite structure further includes a support member coupled to the outer surface. A fabric overwrap is coupled to the support member.
US09950479B2	Method for producing FRP A method of producing FRP includes disposing a preform made of a reinforcing fiber base material in a cavity of a mold, providing a resin injection path and a suction path that sucks at least air to the mold, and causing resin from the resin injection path to flow in a direction toward the suction path in the cavity to be impregnated into the preform, wherein 1) a high flow resistance region for partially making the resin flowing in the preform hardly flow is formed in the preform itself, 2) a flow front of the resin flowing in the direction toward the suction path through the high flow resistance region is controlled to settle within a permitted region that has been predetermined relative to a shape of a product to be molded, 3) the resin injection path is formed from a runner provided around the preform and the suction path is disposed at a central portion of the preform, and the high flow resistance region is formed at a corresponding part corresponding to a part around the suction path as a high flow resistance region to cause the resin flowing in the preform from a part around the corresponding part toward the corresponding part hardly flow at the corresponding part.
US09950474B2	Additive manufacturing system and process with precision substractive technique An additive manufacturing system and process for producing three-dimensional parts, which includes forming layers of the three-dimensional part from a part material at a first resolution, and ablating selected voxels of the formed layers with a laser beam at a second resolution that is higher than the first resolution.
US09950465B2	Voxel 3D printer An example system includes: (i) a resin container defining a cavity; (ii) a plurality of rods extending from an inner base surface of the resin container and into the cavity; (iii) a plurality of light sources arranged to emit radiation into the plurality of rods, such that when the cavity contains liquid resin, radiation passing through a given one of the rods cures liquid resin that surrounds the given rod; and (iv) a control system configured to: (a) receive data specifying a three-dimensional structure; (b) determine a shape for a layer of a plurality of layers that collectively form the three-dimensional structure; and (c) determine one or more of the light sources that correspond to the shape of the layer; and (d) form the layer by operating the one or more determined light sources that correspond to the shape of the layer.
US09950464B2	Forming a carbon nano-tube dispersion Various embodiments disclose a molding compound comprising a resin, a filler, and a carbon nano-tube dispersion and methods of forming a package using the molding compound is disclosed. The carbon non-tube dispersion has a number of carbon nano-tubes with surfaces that are chemically modified by a functional group to chemically bridge the surfaces of the carbon nano-tubes and the resin, improving adhesion between the carbon nano-tubes and the resin and reducing agglomeration between various ones of the carbon nano-tubes. The carbon nano-tube dispersion achieves a low average agglomeration size in the molding compound thereby providing desirable electro-mechanical properties and laser marking compatibility. A shallow laser mark may be formed in a mold cap with a maximum depth of less than about 10 microns. Other apparatuses and methods are disclosed.
US09950459B2	Vehicle resin part and vehicle resin part manufacturing method To provide a vehicle resin part and a vehicle resin part manufacturing method with which raised portions can be formed using slanted slide molds even on opposing molded portions that have a narrow distance between them. In a rail cover, shelf-shaped portions that can be molded using a cavity and a core are formed on opposing side wall portions, and claw portions that can be molded using slanted slide molds are formed projecting from the shelf-shaped portions in the directions of the opposing side wall portions. Additionally, the claw portions are molded by moving, during demolding, the pair of slanted slide molds in the directions of the opposing side wall portions from a molding position and thereafter removing the pair of slanted slide molds in a forward direction.
US09950458B2	Gate design with plunging nozzle and a waste reservoir for separating off ratio material This invention relates generally to an apparatus for casting a portion of a tire or other article of manufacture, and, more specifically, to an apparatus that has a gate design, that has a plunging nozzle with a waste reservoir for separating off-ratio material before it enters the cavity that forms a portion of the tire or other article of manufacture. The design may further include a passage that connects the runner to the waste reservoir as-well as an air vent that allows trapped gas or air to exit the waste reservoir as it fills with waste material, a valve that is operative!'/associated with the passage for closing and opening the passage at appropriate times, and a nozzle constructed from two independently translating components for initially introducing material into the waste reservoir and subsequently into the runner.
US09950456B2	Housing and method of forming the same According to one embodiment, a housing includes a base plate and a frame formed on an outer edge of the base plate. The base plate includes a positioning hole for positioning in a mold. At least, the frame has a cross-section protruding outside the base plate. A positioning pin fit into the positioning hole is provided in the mold. An inlet through which molten resin is injected into a cavity of the mold is opened in the positioning pin. In the housing, the frame is formed on the outer edge of the base plate by injecting synthetic resin into the mold through the inlet.
US09950454B2	Method for the vacuum-assisted production of a PUR/PIR foam body The present invention relates to a method for producing a PUR/PIR foam body, comprising the steps of providing a mold adapted for applying an underpressure to the interior of the mold; introducing a reaction mixture comprising an isocyanate-reactive component A and an isocyanate B into the mold, and applying an underpressure to the interior of the mold, so the underpressure acts on the introduced reaction mixture. The underpressure is applied to the interior of the mold no later than the reaction mixture has started to set in the mold, and the isocyanate index of the reaction mixture is ≥300.
US09950448B2	In-mold adjustment of pylsteer parameters Molds, methods and systems are provided for adjusting one or more plysteer parameters in a tire having a tread formed from a mold.
US09950447B2	Article of footwear formed from two preforms and method and mold for manufacturing same A method of manufacturing a midsole includes placing first and second preforms into a midsole recess of a mold, with first and second portions of the mold defining a first overflow chamber connected to the first recess; closing the mold by positioning the first and second portions in contact with one another; heating the mold for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined temperature such that the first and second preforms melt and bond together to form a midsole, with a portion of each of the first and second preforms flowing into the first overflow chamber to form a first overflow portion; removing the midsole from the mold; allowing the midsole to expand; and cutting away the first overflow portion.
US09950443B2	Pressure die casting mold for producing a casting A pressure die casting mold for producing a casting which is part of an integral toilet having a body, a water ring, and a tank, wherein the casting, as an integral component, includes the water ring and the tank which is open on the upper side. The pressure die casting mold is composed of at least five molded parts which are interconnectable in a releasable manner, namely of a base part, two side parts having in each case one half of a front wall, a rear wall, and a cover part. The molded parts delimit a cavity which corresponds to the outer shape of the casting. A wedge element, which at least in portions delimits the inner shape of the water tank, is provided on the base part.
US09950442B2	Method of producing honeycomb structural body A method feeds raw material into a metal die and extrudes the raw material to produce a honeycomb molded body. The method fires the honeycomb molded body to make a honeycomb structural body. The metal die has a first metal die and a second metal die arranged at an upstream side of an extrusion direction of the raw material and a second metal die arranged at a downstream side of the extrusion direction of the raw material. The first metal die has a projection section and the second metal die has a penetration hole. The projection section is fitted to the penetration hole to assemble the first metal die and the second metal die. Communication holes formed in the second metal die communicate with raw material second feeding holes formed in the first metal die.
US09950441B2	Systems and methods for adjusting moisture concentration of a veneer Systems and methods for adjusting a moisture concentration of veneer are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the method for adjusting a moisture concentration of a veneer can include estimating a moisture concentration of a veneer surface at one or more locations thereon. The method can also include comparing the one or more estimated locations to a minimum moisture concentration level. The method can also include moisturizing at least a portion of the one or more estimated locations that are below the minimum moisture concentration level to increase the moisture concentration thereof.
US09950435B2	Electric shaver with imaging capability System and method for improving the shaving experience by providing improved visibility of the skin shaving area. A digital camera is integrated with the electric shaver for close image capturing of shaving area, and displaying it on a display unit. The display unit can be integral part of the electric shaver casing, or housed in a separated device which receives the image via a communication channel. The communication channel can be wireless (using radio, audio or light) or wired, such as dedicated cabling or using powerline communication. A light source is used to better illuminate the shaving area. Video compression and digital image processing techniques are used for providing for improved shaving results. The wired communication medium can simultaneously be used also for carrying power from the electric shaver assembly to the display unit, or from the display unit to the electric shaver.
US09950433B2	Dual arm blade engagement lock for folding knife A folding knife having an improved locking engagement mechanism that will maintain and hold the knife in an open locked use position or in a locked folded position. The improved locking engagement provides a spring urged dual locking bar engaged directly on the knife blade for an improved imparted force transfer. A positional locking activation safety button is resiliently registerably against an apertured pivot arm extension of the locking bar for locking and unlocking engagement.
US09950432B1	Vacuum sucker with one-cavity and multi-holes The present application discloses a vacuum sucker with one-cavity and multi-holes, which comprises a housing, a sucker member, a suction chamber and a piston member. The housing is connected to the sucker member. The sucker member is provided with at least two recess type chambers on bottom surface. The suction chamber is provided with air holes which are communicated with the recess type chambers. The piston member is movably mounted in the suction chamber and is provided with a component for one-way communication by sucking the air from the suction chamber to the outside through a reciprocating motion of the piston member. Each of the recess type chambers is provided with an air hole communicated with the suction chamber. The present application provides a vacuum sucker with one-cavity and multi-holes, achieving a better use effect through a plurality of the recess type chambers being sucked on the sucking surface.
US09950429B2	Robot cleaning system and method of controlling robot cleaner Disclosed is a method of controlling a robot cleaner. The control method includes acquiring an image of the robot cleaner and a surrounding area of the robot cleaner at a reference position, the robot cleaner having two markers spaced apart from each other by a given distance, extracting the two markers from the acquired image, defining a horizontal plane of an actual space in which the two markers are located, based on positions of the two markers displayed on the acquired image and an actual distance between the two markers, acquiring position information of the robot cleaner relative to the reference position, based on position information of the two markers in the horizontal plane, and controlling travel of the robot cleaner based on the position information of the robot cleaner relative to the reference position.
US09950426B2	Predictive robotic controller apparatus and methods Robotic devices may be trained by a user guiding the robot along target action trajectory using an input signal. A robotic device may comprise an adaptive controller configured to generate control signal based on one or more of the user guidance, sensory input, performance measure, and/or other information. Training may comprise a plurality of trials, wherein for a given context the user and the robot's controller may collaborate to develop an association between the context and the target action. Upon developing the association, the adaptive controller may be capable of generating the control signal and/or an action indication prior and/or in lieu of user input. The predictive control functionality attained by the controller may enable autonomous operation of robotic devices obviating a need for continuing user guidance.
US09950424B2	Robotic servicing multifunctional tool Herein is disclosed a multifunctional tool with replaceable tool tips. The disclosed multifunctional tool may be used as an end-effector on a robotic arm in space. Each tool tip, when in the tool holder, is driven by a common motor. The same motor can also be used to control the orientation of the tool tip about an axis. The tool tips are replaceable in the tool holder by simple and robust means, resulting in a lighter and cheaper multifunctional tool. The tool tips can be variously adapted to perform a variety of functions, including cutting, grasping, drilling, driving, etc. Since the tool may be driven by only one actuator, and the single actuator may be used to drive both the tool and rotation of the tool, mass can be saved. Use of such a multifunctional tool also reduces overall system power requirements, and system complexity.
US09950423B2	Industrial robot with a drive arrangement arranged on an arm extension An industrial robot includes a robot arm with multiple elements connected via joints, one element of which is designed as a linkage and another designed as an arm extension. The arm extension is mounted on one side of the linkage in a pivotal manner about a rotational axis by one of the joints and supports at least two other elements which form hand elements of the robot arm. An arm extension drive on the arm extension pivots the arm extension relative to the linkage, and a first hand element drive on the arm extension moves one of the hand elements relative to the arm extension. A motor shaft of the arm extension drive on the arm extension is offset from and runs parallel to the rotational axis, and a motor shaft of the first hand element drive on the arm extension is perpendicular to and spaced from the rotational axis.
US09950419B2	Hammer drill A hammer drill comprising: a body; a motor mounted within the body; a transmission housing mounted within the body, a transmission mechanism mounted within the transmission housing which is capable of rotatably driving and/or repetitively striking a cutting tool held by the hammer drill in response to rotation of an output shaft of the motor; wherein the transmission housing comprises a pair of housing portions adapted to engage each other to support the component parts of the transmission mechanism within the transmission housing; wherein the first housing portion is made from metal and the second housing portion is made from a plastic material, each of the components of the transmission mechanism being supported jointly be the first and second housing portions.
US09950417B2	Power tool An electronic pulse driver includes a motor, a hammer, an anvil, an end tool mounting unit, a power supply unit, and a control unit. The hammer is rotatable together with the anvil. The end tool mounting unit transmits the rotation of the anvil to an end tool. The power supply unit supplies a drive electric power to the motor. The control unit controls the power supply unit to halt a supply of the drive electric power to the motor when an electric current flowing to the motor increases to a prescribed value. The control unit controls the power supply unit to supply to the motor a prestart electric power lower than the drive electric power before supplying the drive electric power in order to permit the power supply unit to supply the drive electric power after the hammer is in contact with the anvil.
US09950414B2	Combustion driven fastener hand tool A combustion driven fastener hand tool is disclosed having an extruded front body component including two to three parallel bores. A first bore forms a cylinder for the piston which drives the fastener. A second bore forms a primary combustion chamber in which a fuel and air mixture is ignited and directed into the adjacent piston cylinder. A third bore (or alternately an attached component) forms a pathway for the fuel and air mixture to be directed into the primary combustion chamber. The combustion driven fastener hand tool includes numerous other features affording improvements over the prior art.
US09950412B2	Torque wrench A torque wrench includes a driving shank having two pivot bases, an anchor pivotally attached to one of the pivot bases and having channel formed in the anchor, a connection rod pivotally attached to the other pivot base, a housing engaged onto the connection rod, a casing disposed on the housing, a peg secured to the casing and slidably engaged in the channel of the anchor, a retainer member engaged into the casing and having a protrusion engaged into the housing, and a positioning element is engaged into the housing and engaged with the protrusion of the retainer member and for positioning the positioning element to the housing.
US09950410B2	Mat and floor covering puller A puller for gripping a mat, or pad, and the like for aiding in the movement and placement thereof, the puller including a plurality of pivoted lever members and gripper members mounted thereon for securely gripping the mat or pad, and including at least one handle member for moving the lever members toward and away from each other for moving the gripper members into and out of contact with the mat or pad.
US09950408B2	Abrasive pad Disclosed is an exemplary abrasive pad having a plurality of first elongated members and a plurality of second elongated members arranged crosswise relative to the first elongated members to form a mat having a first side and an opposite second side. The second elongated members alternately pass over and under the first members in a serpentine manner, and include a longitudinal concave region and a longitudinal convex region. The abrasive pad includes an abrasive material affixed to the convex region of at least one of the plurality of second elongated members, wherein the concave region of the second elongated members are devoid of abrasive material.
US09950405B2	Chemical mechanical planarization apparatus and methods A chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) apparatus is provided. The CMP apparatus includes at least one platen; and a polishing pad disposed on the platen. The CMP apparatus also includes a polishing head disposed above the platen and configured to clamp a to-be-polished wafer; and a basic solution supply port disposed above the platen and configured to supply a basic solution onto a surface of the polishing pad. Further, the CMP apparatus includes a slurry arm disposed above the platen and configured to supply a polish slurry on the surface of the polishing pad; and a deionized water supply port configured to supply deionized water onto the surface of the polishing pad. Further, the CMP apparatus also includes a negative power source configured to apply a negative voltage onto the surface of the polishing pad.
US09950402B2	System and method for aligning an ingot with mounting block An alignment system for aligning an ingot of semiconductor or solar-grade material is provided. The alignment system includes a mounting block for attachment to the ingot, an optical device for aligning a predetermined centerline of the ingot with a reference line, and adjustable supports configured for supporting the ingot on at least four support points and configured to adjust the position of the ingot. The mounting block is movable between a horizontal position and a vertical position.
US09950401B2	Jig means for a grinding machine and a grinding machine comprising the jig means A grinding machine has a rotatable grindstone (1) and a support (12), which is generally parallel to an axis of the grindstone. Jig means (1-8) are provided for bringing a knife blade (15) to be sharpened into controlled engagement with the grindstone (1). A jig arm (1) is provided with attachment means (2, 3) for its fixed attachment to the support (12) in a proper position for the sharpening of the knife blade (15) and—at a distance from the attachment means—with resilient holding means (1′) for the knife blade (15).
US09950400B2	Fabrication system and method of using the same A fabrication system may generally comprise an x-y positioning assembly, a clamping head to receive an end effector, wherein the clamping head is coupled to the x-y positioning assembly, a z positioning assembly, a platform including a surface that is rigid and substantially planar, wherein the platform is coupled to the z positioning assembly, and a controller operably coupled to the x-y positioning assembly, end effector, z positioning assembly, and platform. Methods of using the fabrication system are also described.
US09950398B2	NC machines with improved worktable A numerical control machine includes a bearing structure-frame suited to support various other parts, at least one lower surface, at least one table suited to hold a workpiece and mounted on the lower surface, and at least one head with an electric tool-holding spindle, wherein the lower surface is inclined.
US09950395B2	Multi-use pipe clamp A clamping structure configured to be secured about at least two pipes to securely hold the pipes adjacent each other during a pipeline assembly operation is disclosed. The device can be further used to adjust the relative positions of the two pipes and maintain the relative positions while the pipes are caused to be permanently affixed to each other. Some embodiments can include a clamping structure with a plurality of hingedly engaged clamp members and at least one spatial adjustment mechanism extending therefrom, the configurations of which may provide weld-access points that are conducive to the pipeline assembly operation.
US09950393B2	Hybrid low metal loading flux Flux formulations and solder attachment during the fabrication of electronic device assemblies are described. One flux formation includes a flux component and a metal particle component, the metal particle component being present in an amount of from 5 to 35 volume percent of the flux formulation. In one feature of certain embodiments, the metal particle component includes solder particles. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09950390B2	Method and an apparatus for making laser engravures on a moving web A method for making laser engravings on a web of paper, including prearranging a paper web conveying device; defining a working area along a path of the web; prearranging an emitter of laser pulses; prearranging a movable pointing device, selecting an engraving pattern to be engraved on the web; calculating an instruction file containing pointing instructions; selecting an emission power of the emitter of laser pulses; emitting laser pulses through the emission power; and operating the movable pointing device according to the instruction file.
US09950389B1	Laser calibration An improved technique for calibrating the location of an individualized marking includes marking both a grid and an image on a calibration object. The technique uses the marked grid to measure the distance in two orthogonal directions from the current image location to the desired image location by counting the number of grids between the current image location to the desired image location.
US09950387B2	Plasma torch power circuit and cooling system A plasma arc cutting system includes a power supply comprising a multi-pulse transformer and a plurality of semiconductor switches directly connected to a bank of capacitors, and a thermal regulation system connected to the power supply and configured to cool the multi-pulse transformer. The thermal regulation system includes a cold plate in direct contact with the semiconductor switches; a fluid conduit disposed within the cold plate; and a pump connected to the conduit and configured to direct a coolant fluid through the conduit. The power supply has at least one of the following operating requirements: (i) a weight to power ratio of approximately 22.4 pounds per kilowatt; (ii) a volume to power ratio of approximately 1366 cubic inches per kilowatt; (iii) an average semiconductor device case temperature of approximately 100 degrees Centigrade during a cutting operation; (iv) a maximum transformer temperature of about 133 degrees Centigrade during a cutting operation.
US09950386B2	Method and end assembly for welding device An end assembly for use with a welding device having a chamber between the diffuser sleeve and the insert which allows for cooling the insert and for controlling the flow of gas through the end assembly. Some of the components of the end assembly such as the contact tip, insert and gooseneck are constructed of a conductive material which are securely held together in contact by a diffuser sleeve constructed of a non-conductive material. The end assembly provides better conductivity of the current through the end assembly for use of less energy during welding.
US09950385B2	Wire feeding mechanism and arc processing system employing the same A wire feeding mechanism includes feeding rollers and a cushioning mechanism. The feeding rollers feed a wire, which is drawn from a wire supply source, along a predetermined feed path. The cushioning mechanism is arranged between the wire supply source and the feeding rollers. The wire has an intermediate portion that extends from the wire supply source to the feeding rollers. The cushioning mechanism applies tension to the intermediate portion while the length of the intermediate portion is changing.
US09950384B2	Welding power supply with regulated background power supply Embodiments of a welding power supply including a main power supply and a background power supply are provided. The main power supply includes a first transformer that supplies a first power output to welding electrodes for use in a welding operation. The background power supply includes a secondary transformer that charges an energy storage device to a regulated voltage level and is adapted to discharge the energy storage device by a controlled amount to supply a second regulated power output to the welding electrodes for use in the welding operation when a transient voltage event occurs.
US09950382B2	Method for a fabricated heat shield with rails and studs mounted on the cold side of a combustor heat shield A multi-pieces gas turbine engine combustor heat shield is fabricated from sheet metal. The fabrication involves: sheet metal forming a base sheet having opposed hot and cold facing sides, providing cold side details separately from the base sheet, and mounting the cold side details to the cold facing side of the base sheet. The cold side details may be brazed to the base sheet.
US09950381B2	Tube coupling and a method for forming a tube coupling A method for forming a tube coupling includes forming a metallurgical joint between a copper tube and an aluminum tube and annealing the copper tube and the aluminum tube after forming the metallurgical joint. The metallurgical joint has a eutectic region and an intermetallic region after annealing the copper tube and the aluminum tube. The method may assist with improving a performance of the metallurgical joint. A related tube coupling and evaporator are also provided.
US09950380B1	Method for forming a dual threaded die An electric discharge machining electrode is shaped to form a die for roll forming a dual threaded screw. The electrode is oriented with a face thereof adjacent to a forming surface of the die and placed within an electric discharge machine to cause electric discharge via the electrode to the forming surface of the die, to shape the die to have the geometry required for roll forming of the dual threaded screw. The EDM electrode face has a plurality of troughs and tips substantially matching coarse threads of the screw. Grooves are formed in the tips. The grooves are angled relative the tips and have a geometry substantially matching the fine threads of the screw. The face of the electrode has a form which shapes the forming surface of the die so that the die can roll form the dual threaded screw.
US09950378B2	Wire electric discharge machine In a wire electric discharge machine, a discharge delay time is used to classify the inter-electrode state into three categories; a short-circuit state, small-gap state, and large-gap state. Based on this classification, the magnitude of a machining current supplied from a main discharge circuit is determined. If the discharge delay time is zero (i.e., if no electric discharge is generated) after the lapse of a predetermined time since the start of the application of a machining voltage to an inter-electrode gap by an auxiliary discharge circuit, the inter-electrode gap is determined to be short-circuited by machining chips. Thereupon, a short-circuit machining current is supplied from the main discharge circuit to the inter-electrode gap to remove the machining chips. In this way, establishment of a complete short-circuit state is prevented so that the machining efficiency is improved to increase the machining speed.
US09950375B2	Sequentialized key duplication system An integrated key duplication machine includes a machine-based key identification module and a key cutting module. The key identification module is configured to identify a second master key while the key cutting module cuts a key blank corresponding to a first master key. A key blank corresponding to the second master key can be cut on either the integrated machine or a stand-alone machine having only key cutting capabilities.
US09950363B2	Casting apparatus and method for producing castings using it A casting apparatus for producing a casting by pouring a metal melt into a gas-permeable casting mold by gravity, comprising: a gas-permeable casting mold comprising a cavity including a sprue composed of a tubular portion and a cup portion having a larger diameter than that of the tubular portion to receive the metal melt, a runner constituting a flow path of the metal melt supplied through the sprue, and a product-forming cavity to be filled with the metal melt sent through the runner; a means for pouring the metal melt into the sprue by gravity; a gas-blowing unit comprising a gas-ejecting member to be connected to the sprue; and a mechanism for moving the gas-ejecting member; the gas-ejecting-member-moving mechanism placing the gas-ejecting member at a position just above the tubular portion and not interfering with gravity pouring of the metal melt, and moving it downward for connection to the tubular portion; the gas-blowing unit having blowing a gas to fill the product-forming cavity with the metal melt.
US09950357B2	Conveying device of rolled bars exiting from a cutting shear, cutting machine and cutting process thereof A conveying device (4) for conveying rolled bar segments, continuously exiting from a cutting shear (3), comprising at least two conveying channels (10, 11) for conveying the bar segments; at least one separation wall (8) separating a first conveying channel (10) from a second conveying channel (11); and at least one fixed partition (9), provided below the wall (8) and which separates the first channel (10) from the second channel (11); the fixed partition (9) is configured so that, at speed, when a rolled bar is deviated to pass from a direction towards the first channel to a direction towards the second channel, the tail of a first bar segment (30) advances in the first channel (10) by passing below the fixed partition (9), while the head of a second bar segment (31) after the first segment (30) advances in the second channel by passing above the fixed partition.
US09950355B2	Method of forming a component of complex shape from sheet material Method of forming a component of complex shape from an Al-alloy sheet or a Mg-alloy sheet. The method includes the steps of: a) heating the sheet to a temperature below the solution heat treatment (SHT) temperature for the alloy; b) forming the heated sheet between heated dies into or towards the complex shape; c) heating the sheet to at least its SHT temperature and substantially maintaining that temperature until SHT has been completed; and d) quenching the solution heat treated sheet between cold dies and at the same time completing the forming into the complex shape or maintaining that shape.
US09950350B2	System for coating removal Various embodiments of a system for coating removal are provided. In one embodiment, a system for removing a coating material from another material is provided, the system comprising: a staging hopper; a second elevator operatively connecting the staging hopper to the decoating mill; a decoating mill having a decoating mill tank and at least one rotary blade oriented within the decoating mill tank, wherein the at least one rotary blade can translate horizontally and vertically; a screen station having a dump hopper and a recovery tank; a washer; a dryer; an aspirator; a large waste water filter press; at least one process water filter press; a sanitary water filter; a staging tank; a water heater; and a process chemical feed system.
US09950345B2	Systems and methods for shear and warp detection and correction The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for warp and shear detection and correction and, more particularly, to systems and methods for detecting and correcting shear and warp in an address block of a mailpiece. The method is implemented in a computing device and includes: locating a barcode which is spatially consistent with a block of text; obtaining barcode bar data from the barcode which correlates to a difference in spatial orientation of one or more bars of the barcode with respect to a best fit line through the barcode; and replacing the block of text with a non-distorted block of text which can be read by optical character recognition processes, based on the barcode bar data.
US09950344B2	Actuation of a conveying system An apparatus receives data from at least one detection device which regularly detects single items on a sorting surface of a conveying system. Here, a separately actuatable drive element is assigned in each case to a plurality of partial surfaces of the sorting surface. The device regularly determines a region on the sorting surface taken up by the respective single item on the basis of the obtained data by means of triangulations for as long as the single item is situated on the sorting surface. The device determines control commands for actuating the drive elements, which are assigned to a partial surface and correspond to a specific region on the sorting surface taken up by the respective single item, on the basis of a destination at the sorting surface provided for the respective single item. Then, the device actuates the drive elements with the determined control commands.
US09950343B2	Dry separation apparatus and dry separation method Provided is a dry separation apparatus including: a main body; a first deck; a plurality of guides; a supply part; an air blow fan; and a vibration part. A dry separation method includes: supplying an object to be separated to a top surface of a first deck provided with a plurality of punches; sending, by an air blow fan, air to the punches (first punches); and horizontally vibrating, by a vibration part, the first deck so as to discharge particles which have different specific gravities of the object to be separated and a moveable force exerted by air passing the first punches through different passages.
US09950341B2	Systems and methods for fabricating spiral coils with atomized bioactive coatings Systems and methods for coating of spiral intracranial aneurysm coils, e.g., a Guglielmi Detachable Coil (GDC), such that only selected surfaces along the spiral coil are coated with a polymer via an atomized polymer deposition process. The resulting device is a detachable aneurysm coil system which preserves the mechanical geometry and flexibility of the coil, and delivers specific agents to promote wound healing.
US09950338B2	Sealant injection systems Sealant injection systems for injecting sealant into a cavity, the sealant injection systems including a sealant dispensing tip having a proximal end portion, a body portion, and a distal end portion that define a continuous channel to an aperture in the distal end portion for dispensing sealant material into a cavity, where the aperture is surrounded by a compressible material. The distal end portion may have a linear ridge defined on an end face, the aperture being asymmetrically provided relative to the ridge.
US09950337B2	Discharge System The purpose is to provide a discharge system that adopts an optimal structure for connecting a discharging device to a refilling device in a substantially aligned fashion by moving the discharging device. A discharge system includes a discharging device, a refilling device, a discharge-side coupler, a refill-side coupler, and a manipulator. The discharge-side coupler is connectable to the refill-side coupler by relatively moving the discharge-side coupler in an axial line N direction of the refill-side coupler and fluid can be refilled from the refilling device side to the discharging device side. A coupling position between the manipulator and the discharging device reaches on the axial line N when connecting the refill-side coupler and the discharge-side coupler.
US09950335B2	Device for separating overspray The invention relates to a device for separating overspray from the booth air of coating booths, in particular painting systems, charged with overspray. The device includes a separation unit through which booth air charged with overspray can be guided and in which overspray is separated. The separating unit is designed as an exchangeable structural unit having a filter housing, an inlet opening and a filter unit. The air flow charged with overspray can be guided via the air guiding device to the separation unit. The separating unit includes an inlet collar which defines the inlet at least in sections and the air guiding device includes a connecting sleeve, which immerses in such a manner into the inlet opening when the separating device is in operation in such a manner that said connecting sleeve is surrounded by the inlet collar of the separation unit.
US09950333B2	Device for coating parts including a movable receiver in which a dispenser device and an IR emitter device are located The present invention relates to a coating device for small parts, in particular for lacquering mass produced small parts, like e.g. bolts, small plastic parts and similar, and it relates to a method for this purpose with a movable receiver element for receiving and moving the small parts, and a dispenser device, located at the receiver element for continuous or portioned dispensing the coating material into the receiver element, wherein a radiation emitter device is provided in the receiver element for emitting radiation for drying and/or hardening the coating material.
US09950332B2	Apparatus and method for rotating cylindrical members and coating internal surface of tubulars Methods and systems comprising a first and a second powder coating apparatus, with each apparatus comprising a tubular barrel having an axial bore extending longitudinally therethrough, are usable for coating an interior surface of a tubular member. Each coating apparatus comprises a conical member connected with the tubular barrel and at least one gas conduit connected to the tubular barrel for communicating gas into the tubular barrel. The at least one gas conduit contains a gas flow control valve connected thereto for controlling the volumetric flow rate of gas through the at least one gas conduit. Each coating apparatus further comprises at least one container for holding a coating material, an inlet conduit for communicating the coating material into the axial bore of the tubular barrel, and a plurality of gas nozzles connected to the tubular barrel for inducing spiraling gas flow through the axial bore of the tubular barrel.
US09950329B2	High pressure water cleaner with detachable water tank A high pressure water cleaner with detachable water tank includes a water cleaner main unit having an internal hydraulic pump, a top receptacle and a feed water connector in the receptacle in communication with the hydraulic pump, and a water tank detachably insertable into the receptacle and lockable to the receptacle by a movable lock.
US09950328B2	Apparatus for dispersing particles in a fluid An apparatus for dispersing particles in a fluid, comprising: a flow divider for receiving the fluid and for separating the fluid into a first fluid stream and a second fluid stream; first and second fluid branches for receiving the fluid streams; a branch joining section for receiving the fluid streams, the branch joining section having a collision zone for allowing the first and second fluid streams to collide; a first nozzle that is arranged in the first fluid branch; and a second nozzle is arranged in the second fluid branch, the first nozzle comprising an orifice that is followed by a fluid diverging section.
US09950325B2	Carbon fiber composite discharge electrode with mechanical bias A discharge electrode using carbon fibers, nanofibers and/or nanotubes to generate the corona discharge. The invention contemplates conductive fiber, such as carbon strands with or without a polymer matrix to form a composite, and a supporting configuration in which the strand is extended along or wrapped helically around a supporting rod that extends along the length of the electrode. A mechanical bias is applied to each strand to maintain tension on the strand. Preferably this includes coil springs extending between bushings mounted on the rod and moveable hemispherical supports slidably mounted on the rod that seat against the strand.
US09950323B2	Array plates and methods for making and using same A device includes a first structure with a sheet layer with a plurality of discrete through-holes and a second structure coupled to the first structure. At least a portion of a first surface of the sheet layer of the first structure is exposed from the second structure. A top portion of the sheet layer, including the exposed portion of the first surface of the sheet layer, includes fluorocarbon. The second structure includes a material of a higher surface tension than the top of the sheet layer. A second surface of the sheet layer, opposite to the first surface of the sheet layer, is embedded in the second structure. The second structure extends at least partially into the plurality of discrete through-holes of the first structure.
US09950322B2	Microfluidic device for the manipulation of particles A microfluidic device for isolating particles of at least one given type of a sample; the device is designed to be connected to an apparatus through a plurality of electrical connectors and comprises a system of microfluidic channels and a flash memory, which contains information on the structure (arrangement and geometry of the various components) of the system of microfluidic channels, a map of non-functioning parts of the device, the maximum number of uses and the maximum time of use of the device; the memory has portions allocated for storing the number of times and the time of use of the device.
US09950319B2	High exchange-capacity anion exchange resin with dual functional-groups and method of synthesis thereof The present disclosed are a high exchange-capacity anion exchange resin with dual functional-groups and method of synthesis thereof. The invention relates to the field of environmental function material synthesis and application. The resin is based on chloromethylated polystyrene-divinylbenzene polymer as matrix, and by primary amination and quaternization, yields an anion exchange resin with dual functional-groups having both a weak base anionic group and a strong base anionic group. The anion exchange resin not only has high adsorption capacity for water-born nitrate ions, but also can effectively squelch natural organic acids such as phytic acid in water, thus simultaneously removing nitrate ions and phytic acid organic matter from water. Therefore, the resin has a broad application potential in the fields of drinking water treatment, groundwater remediation, and advanced urban sewage treatment.
US09950316B2	Catalyst design for heavy-duty diesel combustion engines Disclosed are washcoats, coated substrates formed from such washcoats, and catalytic converters for use in diesel applications, such as heavy duty diesel applications. Methods of preparing the coated substrates are also disclosed.
US09950314B2	Method for producing fine catalyst particles and method for producing carbon-supported catalyst The present invention is to provide fine catalyst particles to which sulfate ions are less likely to be adsorbed, and a carbon-supported catalyst to which sulfate ions are less likely to be adsorbed. Disclosed is a method for producing fine catalyst particles comprising a fine palladium-containing particle and a platinum-containing outermost layer covering at least part of the fine palladium-containing particle, wherein the method comprises: a copper covering step of covering at least part of the fine palladium-containing particle with copper by preparing a second dispersion by mixing a first dispersion comprising fine palladium-containing particles being dispersed in an acid solution with a copper-containing solution, and applying a potential that is nobler than the oxidation reduction potential of copper to the fine palladium-containing particles in the second dispersion, and a platinum covering step of covering at least part of the fine palladium-containing particle with platinum by substituting the copper covering at least part of the fine palladium-containing particle with platinum by mixing the second dispersion and a platinum-containing solution after the copper covering step, with applying a constant potential that is in a range between a potential that is nobler than the oxidation reduction potential of copper and a potential that is less than the oxidation reduction potential of platinum, to the fine palladium-containing particles.
US09950311B2	Process for the synthesis of magnetically recoverable, high surface area carbon-Fe3O4 nano-composite using metal organic framework (MOF) The present invention discloses magnetically recoverable, high surface area carbon-Fe3O4 nanocomposite prepared by thermolysis of metal organic framework useful for recovery of oil, dyes and pollutants. Also disclosed are methods of removing an oleophilic material from a solution by treating the solution with a carbon-Fe3O4 nanocomposite.
US09950306B2	Process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles with high free swell rate A process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles with high free swell rate by polymerizing a monomer solution or suspension comprising an ethylenically unsaturated monomer bearing acid groups, a crosslinker, an initiator and an ethylenically unsaturated ionic surfactant.
US09950305B2	Solar thermochemical processing system and method A solar thermochemical processing system is disclosed. The system includes a first unit operation for receiving concentrated solar energy. Heat from the solar energy is used to drive the first unit operation. The first unit operation also receives a first set of reactants and produces a first set of products. A second unit operation receives the first set of products from the first unit operation and produces a second set of products. A third unit operation receives heat from the second unit operation to produce a portion of the first set of reactants.
US09950303B2	Method for production of hollow particle Provided is a method for the production of a hollow particle, which can easily produce a hollow particle having plural spaces formed inside. The method for the production of a hollow particle is a method for the production of a hollow particle having plural spaces inside thereof, which comprises dispersing an oil-phase liquid prepared by dissolving or dispersing a polymerizable monomer and an oil-soluble polymerization initiator having polymerization initiation ability for the polymerizable monomer in a hydrophobic solvent, in an aqueous medium containing a water-soluble polymerization initiator having polymerization initiation ability for the polymerizable monomer, to form an oil droplet; and applying the oil-soluble polymerization initiator and the water-soluble polymerization initiator at the same time to the polymerizable monomer, and polymerizing the polymerizable monomer, to form a shell dividing plural spaces in a particle.
US09950301B2	Mixing machine and its liner A mixing machine 1 comprising a mixing head 3 having element(s) for connecting to a receptacle to form a mixing container. The mixing head 3 is pivotably supported in a frame 2 such that the mixing container can pivot for the mixing process. The mixing head 3 has at least one rotationally driven mixing tool whose drive shaft 23 extends through the wall of the mixing head 3. The mixing head 3 has a double wall with a perforated inner wall 8. The perforations form a fluid path from the chamber surrounded by the inner wall 8 to the intermediate wall chamber 10. The intermediate wall chamber 10 is connected to a pressure adjustment device for adjusting the pressure. A flexible liner 15 is arranged in the mixing head 3 on its inner surface, which liner 15 can be fixed to the inner wall 8 of the mixing head by applying a vacuum.
US09950298B2	Reverse osmosis water-on-water control valve Described are water-on-water valves for use in reverse osmosis filtration systems. The water-on-water valves are regulated by the pressure in a product line, which contains fluid from a product line of the filter module and/or the product side of a water-on-water storage tank. Exemplary valves are shuttle valves that are regulated by the pressure downstream of the product side of a reverse osmosis filter module. The valves may comprise a piston within a housing, and an end of the piston may have an enlarged diameter relative to the maximum diameter of the remainder of the piston. The body of the piston may have sections of differing diameters, where the smaller diameter sections form flow channels, or the body may a diameter that is substantially the same along its length in conjunction with gratings and flow channels.
US09950294B2	Method and device for cool-drying a gas using a heat exchanger with closed cooling circuit A method for cool drying gas by guiding gas through the secondary section of a heat exchanger whose primary section forms the evaporator of a closed cooling circuit in which a coolant can circulate by means of a compressor that is followed by a condenser and expansion means through which the coolant can circulate, whereby use is made of an air-cooled condenser with a frequency controlled fan, and the method comprises the step of controlling the speed of the aforementioned fan so that the condenser pressure is kept equal to a target value.
US09950288B2	Dripless filter assembly and method for servicing a filtration apparatus with the same A fluid filter assembly of a filtration system is described. The filter assembly described includes a cover member and a filter cartridge having at least one filter element and a plate member. The plate member includes a seal surface on one side facing the cover member, and a seal surface on another side facing away from the cover member. The seal surface facing the cover member is configured to seal with the cover member, and the seal surface facing away from the cover member configured to seal with another component of the filtration system. The assembly provides a structure that can retain a seal between sealing surfaces of the cover and the filter cartridge, at least while the fluid filter assembly is being serviced, so as to at least minimize fluid dripping and leakage.
US09950282B2	Electronic configuration and control for acoustic standing wave generation Aspects of the disclosure are directed to an apparatus for separating a second fluid or a particulate from a host fluid. That apparatus comprises a flow chamber with at least one inlet and at least one outlet. A drive circuit configured to provide a drive signal to a filter circuit configured to receive the drive signal and provide a translated drive signal. An ultrasonic transducer is cooperatively arranged with the flow chamber, and transducer includes at least one piezoelectric element configured to be driven by the current drive signal to create an acoustic standing wave in the flow chamber. At least one reflector opposing the ultrasonic transducer to reflect acoustic energy.
US09950281B2	Apparatus and method for separation of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing produced water The present invention relates to an apparatus for separation of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing produced water, comprising; a separator tank, at least one inlet tube (22, 27), at least one branch means (6) distributing the produced water stream, at least one outlet nozzle (7) and at least one guide vane (8.1) mounted under each outlet nozzle and leading water over the next outlet nozzle; at least one outlet (12) in the bottom of the tank for cleaned water and at least one outlet (9, 35, 36) rejecting rising gas with adherent oil droplets, at least one shroud (39) is arranged entirely or partly along the inside of at least one guide vane (8.1) in an angle of 30° to 150° related to the at least one guide vane (8.1). Further the invention relates to a process for separation of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing produced water.
US09950278B1	Chromatography column with inlet and outlet at one end A chromatography column includes a shell containing packed stationary phase and includes an inlet and an outlet at one end of the shell. A plastic sleeve is positioned in the shell to isolate the stationary phase from the shell. A capillary tube extends from an upstream inlet at the one end of the shell to deliver mobile phase to the upstream end of the stationary phase. Mobile phase travels through the stationary phase and exits the column at the one end. Porous filters and seals are provided. A removable coupling adapter is attached to the one end of the column and provides short flow paths and connection ports for the column inlet and outlet. The coupling adapter may incorporate other chromatography components, such as temperature control elements or flow cell optical detectors.
US09950274B2	Method and apparatus for cooling a flow containing at least 35% carbon dioxide and mercury In a method for cooling a flow containing at least 35% carbon dioxide and at least 0.2 μg/Nm3 of mercury, the mercury being in liquid and/or gas form, the flow is cooled in a first brazed aluminum plate-fin heat exchanger from a first temperature to a second temperature higher than −38.6° C. to form a cold flow at the second temperature, and the flow cooled to the second temperature is cooled in a second heat exchanger, which is a tube and shell heat exchanger, to a third temperature lower than −38.6° C.
US09950273B2	Method of separation The present invention provides a separation method of separating (A) and (B), comprising: a step of separating at least either an active hydrogen-containing compound (A) or a compound (B) that reversibly reacts with (A) from a mixture containing (A) and (B) by distillation in a multistage distillation column; and a step of supplying the mixture to an inactive region formed within the multistage distillation column.
US09950271B2	Distributed system of autonomously controlled mobile agents A system includes a drivable surface that includes location encoding markings. A mobile agent is provided that includes a drive motor, an imaging system for taking images of the markings, a vehicle wireless transceiver, and a microcontroller operatively coupled to the motor, the imaging system, and the vehicle wireless transceiver. A basestation is provided that includes a controller operatively coupled to a basestation wireless transceiver. Via wireless communication between the wireless transceivers of the mobile agent and the basestation, an action to be implemented by the mobile agent can be determined by the basestation and communicated to the mobile agent, whereupon the microcontroller of the mobile agent controls detailed movement of the mobile agent on the drivable surface based on images taken of the markings of the drivable surface by the imaging system to cause the mobile agent to implement the action on the drivable surface.
US09950270B2	Electronic device and method for controlling toy using the same A method of controlling a toy using an electronic device includes generating a control interface that includes at least one function button. The control interface is displayed on a 3D touch screen of the electronic device. A pressure value on the at least one function button is obtained, when the at least one function button is not divided into different areas. An acceleration speed for the toy is determined according to the detected pressure value. The toy is controlled to execute a function corresponding to the at least one function button based on the determined acceleration speed.
US09950261B2	Secure data encoding for low-resource remote systems A method includes identifying a string and parameters. The parameters include a coding frame, elements, and a travel path. The method includes traversing the travel path to yield an output artifact. Responsive to no active element at a next position, the method includes filling the next position from the front of the string and advancing one character and one position. Responsive to an element at the next position, the method includes filling the next position from the end of the string, decrementing one character, and determining an attack position. Responsive to the attack position existing, the method includes setting the next position to the attack position. Responsive to no attack position existing, the method includes advancing the next position according to the travel path. The method results in the output artifact encoding the string. A corresponding method decodes the output artifact. Corresponding computer program products and computer systems are disclosed.
US09950256B2	High-dimensional touchpad game controller with multiple usage and networking modalities A device comprising a High Dimensional Touch Parameter (HDTP) touch capability that can selectively function, as desired by the user, as one or more of a game controller that connects to a game console via network connections, an independent portable/mobile game device with limited but sufficient capacity of processor/memory, a controller for a game console connected remotely through the internet and or a storage device/media player that can store gaming history, personal information, or media files. In an embodiment the device comprises at least one processor for executing at least one algorithm, the algorithm including at least a game, at least one touch sensor providing real-time tactile information to at least one algorithm, the algorithm implementing at least on HDTP function, and at least one networking element configured to network the device to at least the internet.
US09950255B2	Method for implementing a computer game A method, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors, in which computer game graphics for a casual, social game are shown on a display of a computing device and in which one or more of the processors are programmed to show: a virtual path or other virtual world that indicates the level reached by the player and some of that player's social network friends; a score board that displays the score of a player once he has completed a level successfully, together with the highest scores of some of its social network friends' for that level; and in which each level of the game can be failed and, if the processor determines that the player is running out of moves or time, then the processor causes the game to automatically display a message offering extra moves and/or time for the player to purchase, to carry on playing the game, or other in-game assistance.
US09950252B2	Systems and methods of reciprocation of game asset gifting A system, machine-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing reciprocation of game asset gifts from a player is provided. A notification of a game asset of a first player that is available to a plurality of players is sent from a game server to the plurality of players. The notification is sent through a web feed in a game user interface of each player of the plurality of players. A first response requesting the game asset of the first player is received from a second web feed in a second game user interface of a second player in response to the notification. The game asset is provided to a second account of the second player in response to the first response.
US09950251B1	Systems and methods for generating a compilation reel in game video In some embodiments, a system comprises an interface, a set of compilation rules, a trigger indication selection module, and a compilation reel generation module. The interface may be configured to receive metadata corresponding to gameplay on a digital device. The metadata may include a set of trigger indicators associated with a set of gameplay events occurring during the gameplay. The set of trigger indicators may be based on a set of trigger conditions occurring during the gameplay. The trigger indicator selection module may be configured to select a subset of the set of trigger indicators based on the set of compilation reel rules. The compilation reel generation module may be configured to generate a compilation reel based on the subset of trigger indicators selected by the trigger indicator selection module, the compilation reel including video of the gameplay events corresponding to the subset of trigger indicators.
US09950247B2	Pinball machine Pinball machines are described. A method includes detecting an event during a game played at least in part over a surface of a playfield in a pinball machine. The playfield has first and second playfield portions. In response to the event, a playfield reducer located between the first and second portions is electronically activated in a manner sufficient to prevent a pinball from traveling between the first and second playfield portions. A pinball machine includes a playfield reducer that is operable to be in and transition between first and second positions during normal gameplay. When the playfield reducer is in the first position, the pinball is capable of rolling into and out of a portion of the playfield surface, and when the playfield reducer is in the second position, the playfield reducer prevents the pinball from accessing or from leaving the portion of the playfield surface.
US09950243B2	Powered skateboard A powered skateboard having a powered wheel. The powered wheel formed of a motor within tire of the wheel. The powered wheel fixed to a truck of the powered skateboard. The powered skateboard including at least one onboard battery to provide electrical power to the powered wheel.
US09950241B2	Snow ski assemblies A snow ski assembly is provided for use by an individual to slide across a snow covered surface, for example, under the force of gravity. The assembly includes a ski having a bottom wall for engaging a snow covered surface and an upturned peripheral region extending around a perimeter of the bottom wall to help facilitate sliding movement of the ski across a snow covered surface in any direction, without preference to a particular direction, and to help inhibit the ski from digging into the snow covered surface when sliding across the snow covered surface. The assembly also includes a mounting feature for coupling a binding to the bottom wall of the ski, such that an individual can position a foot in the binding and use the ski to slide across the snow covered surface.
US09950239B1	Hitting training device The hitting training device is a training device used for practicing a swing by an athlete. The hitting training device is an earbud that contains a level sensor. The earbud is worn during the practice of a swing. The level sensor detects if the head of the athlete tilts off level off during the swing. In this circumstance, the level sensor activates a buzzer that audibly and physically indicates that the head tilted inappropriately. The hitting training device comprises an earbud, a level sensor, a signaling unit and a power system. The level sensor, signaling unit and the power system are contained within the earbud. The earbud is worn in the ear of the athlete much like a Bluetooth earbud commonly used with cellular phones.
US09950231B2	Hockey skills training system and method of using the same A hockey skills training system comprising a high density polymer game board surface; a pair of nested goals disposed on one side of the shooting surface; a handle attached to the shooting surface; and at least one puck.
US09950228B1	Multi golf metal sand bunker spring rake A tool for golf course's sand bunkers that almost eliminate lines in the sand comprising a metal golf sand bunker spring rake having an elongated handle, a pair of metal tubular housings that are fastened to the handle configured to receive respective attachments, a protective shield plate assembly, a rubber cushion pad, and a sand bunker probe device. The attachments that can be connected to the tool include a roller attachment, a push tube assembly attachment, a plastic sand bunker rake attachment, and/or a drag brush.
US09950225B2	Golf club head with textured striking face A golf club head includes a heel portion, a toe portion, a hosel, and a striking face. The striking face includes a plurality of scorelines each having an average depth no less than about 0.10 mm, a plurality of micro-grooves each having an average depth no greater than about 0.010 mm, and a plurality of textured surface treatment regions superimposed on the micro-grooves so as to at least partially intersect the micro-grooves.
US09950224B2	Aerodynamic golf club head An aerodynamic golf club head with a low center of gravity and producing reduced aerodynamic drag forces. The club head has crown section attributes that impart beneficial aerodynamic properties.
US09950219B2	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 crown that extends over the void.
US09950218B2	Golf club head or other ball striking device A head for a ball striking device, such as a golf club head, includes a face member having a face with a striking surface configured for striking a ball and a rear surface opposite the striking surface, a weight member connected to the face member behind the rear surface of the face member, and a resilient member positioned between the weight member and the face member. The resilient member is connected to the rear surface of the face member to connect the weight member to the face member. The resilient member is compressible to permit energy and/or momentum to be transferred between the weight member and the face member through the resilient member during impact, including an off-center impact on the striking surface. Momentum transferred from the weight member to the face member during an off-center impact may reduce energy loss and twisting of the face on impact.
US09950217B1	Multilayer composite high-elastic environmentally-friendly ball structure The utility model discloses a multilayer composite high-elastic environmentally-friendly ball structure which comprises a base layer, a first coating layer, a second coating layer, a third coating layer and a fourth coating layer, wherein both the base layer and the first coating layer are formed by splicing a number of pieces into a hollow spherical structure, and a contact surface of two adjacent spliced pieces is a stepped surface in a “Z” shape or a concave-convex fitting surface in a “U” shape. The utility model have the advantages of simple manufacturing process, novel design, high stability, high reliability, high elasticity and long service life.
US09950216B2	Golf ball with softer feel and higher iron spin A golf ball comprising: (a) a core; (b) at least one mantle layer adjacent to the core; (c) an inner cover layer adjacent to the mantle layer; and (d) an outer cover layer adjacent to the inner cover layer, wherein the inner cover layer has a material Shore D hardness that is at least 3 less than the material Shore D hardness of the outer cover layer, and the inner cover layer has a thickness of less than 0.050 in.
US09950200B2	Respirator A closing device is provided for a container of a respirator with two container shells (2, 2′) joining each other at front surfaces, with at least one tightening strap (4), which encloses a part of a container shell outer surface located at right angles to the front surfaces. Two holding elements (5, 5′) are each provided with a recess (6, 6′) and are formed at the free ends of the tightening strap (4). A closing element (7) is formed in a U-shaped pattern with two legs (8) and meshes with each recess (6, 6′) of the holding elements (5, 5′). The legs (8) of the closing element (7) can be pulled out of the recess (6, 6′) of the holding elements (5, 5′) to take off the tightening strap (4).
US09950198B2	Multi-mission rebreather cooling system An apparatus includes a scrubber bed, a cooling unit operatively connected to the scrubber bed, and a frame configured for a user to carry the apparatus. The cooling unit includes a compressor, a condensing coil operatively connecting the compressor to an expansion valve, and an evaporating coil operatively connecting the expansion valve to the compressor, and a first fluid circulating through the compressor, the condensing coil, the expansion valve, and the evaporating coil. A method of cooling a gas in a rebreather apparatus includes scrubbing an exhalation gas to produce a recycled gas having a lower concentration of carbon dioxide than the exhalation gas, compressing, condensing, expanding, and evaporating a refrigerant in a closed-loop system, transferring heat energy from the recycled gas to the refrigerant, and metering a cooled gas to the user.
US09950197B2	Blower filter device A blower filter device (50) for a respirator system (1) has a filter unit (31) receiving an air filter (30) and a blower unit (65) drawing in the filtered air and generating discharged air. The blower unit has a blower (53) and a driving motor (54). An improved respirator system is provided with the blower filter device having a pressure sensor (55) arranged in the discharged air measuring the pressure of the discharged air, a mass flow sensor (56) arranged in the discharged air measuring the mass flow of the discharged air, or a parameter-determining unit (59, 60) determining an operating parameter of the motor. A control unit (51, 52) determines the volume flow of the discharged air via the measured pressure, the measured mass flow or based on the operating parameter determined and sets the motor as a function of the volume flow determined.
US09950196B2	Breathing circuit device A breathing circuit device has a breathing gas line for forming a closed breathing system, with a cooling device with at least one cooling element for cooling a breathing gas sent through the breathing gas line. The at least one cooling element is separated from the breathing gas with a wall and the wall is a deformable wall, so that a direct contact can be established between the at least one cooling element and the deformable wall by means of a deformation of the deformable wall.
US09950191B2	Device, system and method for immobilization of a human's body part A system for immobilization of a patient body part for radiotherapy applications which includes a device having at least one flanged support member which is suitable to be mounted to a fixation surface and is adapted to receive and retain at least two sheets is described. The first sheet covers the anatomical contours of a first area of the body part, and the second sheet covers the anatomical contours of a second area of the body part which is not covered by the first sheet. The system is capable of supporting the immobilized body part free from the fixation surface by the two sheets and the device.
US09950189B1	Treatment methodologies using light therapy A treatment method using a novel combination of non-invasive near infrared light (NIR)/laser therapy and the pharmacological agent ketamine, to more efficaciously upregulate neurotrophins and improve mitochondrial function. The NIR therapy is characterized by wavelengths of 200-2000 nm at surface wattage of 0.01-50.00 watts delivered by stationary emitters. The method can employ active circular motion techniques which involve moving the infrared light applicator manually, and/or by computer-controlled apparatus, conducted in conjunction with ketamine pharmacological therapy. In addition, a novel method of targeting NIR treatment of and characterizing central nervous system disorders using SPECT functional neuroimaging followed by quantitative analysis and a novel method of targeting NIR treatment of and characterizing spinal cord or nerve-related disorders using neurophysiological testing followed by quantitative analysis. Also, a novel method of using serial SPECT neuroimaging with quantitative analysis or using serial neurophysiological testing followed by quantitative analysis to elucidate changes in response to treatment.
US09950188B2	Apparatus for relaxing smooth muscles of human body An apparatus for relaxing smooth muscles of a human body, capable of directly radiating light having a predetermined wavelength range for inducing relaxation of the smooth muscles onto acupuncture points related to an organ consisting of smooth muscles via an electrode probe. The apparatus includes a controller body to determine whether a light radiation mode is selected and an operation is started through direct manipulation using a switch, and output an LED driving signal to an electrode probe connection terminal; and wired and wireless electrode probes to be attached to/detached from the terminal to be electrically connected to/disconnected from the controller body, and to be driven by the driving signal to emit light having a predetermined wavelength range which increases concentration of a material for relaxing the muscles. Accordingly, the apparatus promotes blood and lymph circulation in an organ consisting of smooth muscles by relaxing those muscles.
US09950187B2	System and method for therapy and diagnosis comprising optical components for distribution of radiation A system and method for interactive therapy and diagnosis of a human or animal comprising at least one first radiation source for emission of a diagnostic radiation, at least one second radiation source for emission of a therapeutic radiation, and at least one radiation conductor adapted to conduct radiation to a tumor site at or in said human or animal. A non-mechanical operation mode selector directs the therapeutic radiation and/or the diagnostic radiation to the tumor site through the radiation conductors. The operation mode selector means is preferably a non-mechanical optical switch and/or an optical combiner. The system may be used for interactive interstitial photodynamic tumor therapy.
US09950182B2	External defibrillator An external defibrillator estimates the phase of ventricular defibrillation (VF) by deriving, from an ECG exhibiting VF, at least one quality marker representing the morphology of the ECG and, therefore, the duration of the VF. The duration of the VF is calculated as a function of the value (s) of the quality marker (s). The quality marker (s) may comprise any one or more of the median slope of the ECG, the average slope of the ECG, the ratio of the power in relatively high and low frequency bands of the ECG, and a measure of the density and amplitude of peaks in the ECG, over a predetermined period.
US09950175B2	Remote closed-loop titration of decongestive therapy for the treatment of advanced heart failure An apparatus comprises one or more physiological sensing circuits that generate a sensed physiological signal and at least one of the physiological sensing circuits is implantable, a measurement circuit configured to recurrently measure one or more physiological parameters that indicate a status of heart failure of the subject, a comparison circuit configured to compare the one or more physiological parameter measurements to one or more physiological parameter target values, a therapy circuit configured to control delivery of one or more drugs to treat heart failure, and a control circuit in electrical communication with the comparison circuit and the therapy circuit and configured to recurrently adjust delivery of drug therapy according to the comparison of the measured physiological parameters to the physiological parameter targets.
US09950174B2	Implantable pulse generator that generates spinal cord stimulation signals for a human body An implantable pulse generator (IPG) that generates spinal cord stimulation signals for a human body includes a timing generator and high frequency generator. The timing generator generates timing signals that represent stimulation signals for multiple channels. The high frequency generator determines whether to modulate the timing signals and modulates them at a burst frequency according to stored burst parameters if the decision is yes. As such, the IPG provides the ability to generate both the low frequency and high frequency stimulation signals in different channels according to user programming.
US09950173B2	System and method for delivering sub-threshold and super-threshold therapy to a patient A neuromodulation system includes modulation output circuitry and control circuitry. The modulation output circuitry may be configured to deliver therapeutic electrical energy including therapeutic sub-threshold electrical energy and therapeutic a super-threshold electrical energy. The sub-threshold electrical energy is below a patient-perception threshold and the super-threshold electrical energy is above the patient-perception threshold. The patient-perception threshold is a boundary below which a patient does not sense delivery of the electrical energy and above which the patient does sense delivery of the electrical energy. The control circuitry is configured to control the modulation output circuitry to deliver the therapeutic electrical energy using alternating cycles of the sub-threshold electrical energy below the patient-perception threshold and the super-threshold electrical energy above the patient-perception-threshold.
US09950171B2	Paired stimulation pulses based on sensed compound action potential In some examples, a method may include delivering an electrical stimulation therapy to a patient, the electrical stimulation therapy comprising a first electrical stimulation pulse delivered to the patient via a first electrode and a second electrical stimulation pulse delivered to the patient via a second electrode, wherein the first electrical stimulation pulse and second electrical stimulation pulse are delivered as paired pulses with respect to each other and a combination of the first electrical stimulation pulse and the second electrical stimulation pulse evoke a compound action potential within the patient; sensing the compound action potential evoked by the combination of the first electrical stimulation pulse and the second electrical stimulation pulse; and adjusting one or more parameters of the electrical stimulation therapy based on the sensed compound action potential.
US09950170B2	System for providing stimulation pattern to modulate neural activity A system embodiment comprises an implantable device including controller circuitry, memory, a transceiver, and a generator configured to generate electrical stimulation to modulate the neural activity. The controller circuitry and the transceiver configured to cooperate to receive, from another device, data corresponding to a user-programmable stimulation pattern and store the data in the memory. The user-programmable pattern includes a programmable pattern of bursts with multiple burst durations and multiple burst interval sequences, and the bursts include pulses with a user-programmable wave morphology. The controller circuitry is operably connected to the memory and the generator to use the data stored in the memory to control generation of the electrical stimulation to provide the user-programmable stimulation pattern that includes the pulses with the user-programmable wave morphology and that includes the multiple burst durations and the multiple burst interval sequences.
US09950168B2	Methods for intracardiac surgery and intracardiac delivery of therapies and devices A method of performing an intracardiac procedure using controlled intermittent diastolic arrest (CIDA) to expand the chambers of the heart to a volume between about 75 to 200% of their normal end-diastolic volume. In one embodiment, CIDA is conducted so that cardiac arrest with cardiac distention is achieved in about 5 to 15 seconds and diastolic arrest is maintained for a time between about 5 and 90 seconds. Intracardiac procedures that are facilitated with CIDA include heart valve repair or replacement. The method involves the use of CIDA and wherein the procedure is performed in or on the heart with the use of a catheter or catheter-delivered device, therapy, or agent. In one aspect, the heart is accessed during CIDA via a left ventricular apical access port or device. In one aspect CIDA is conducted via stimulation of the vagal nerve alone or in combination with one or more of an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, a β-adrenergic receptor blocker, and/or a calcium channel blocker.
US09950164B2	System and methods for diagnosis and treatment of discogenic lower back pain Methods and devices to treat discogenic lumbar back pain are disclosed. Electrodes are implanted within the anterior epidural space of the patient. A pulse generator that is connected to the electrodes delivers electrical impulses to sympathetic nerves located within the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) of the lumbar spine and outer posterior annulus fibrosus of the intervertebral disc. In alternate embodiments, energy directed to nerves in the PLL may be from light or mechanical vibrations, or the nerves may be cooled. The electrodes may also be used diagnostically to correlate spontaneous nerve activity with spinal movement, fluctuations in autonomic tone and the patient's experience of pain. The electrodes may also be used to generate diagnostic evoked potentials. The diagnostic data are used to devise parameters for the therapeutic nerve stimulation. Automatic analysis of the data may be incorporated into a closed-loop system that performs the nerve stimulation automatically.
US09950163B2	Configuration of hearing device components Disclosed herein are example configurations of implantable units of implantable medical devices such as hearing devices. An example implantable hearing device includes a housing having a posterior side and an anterior side, with the anterior side being formed such that an inner edge of the anterior side defines an aperture. The housing includes an electrical feedthrough, a transceiver, and an antenna element. The electrical feedthrough is made of one or more biocompatible materials, and at least a portion of the electrical feedthrough is positioned beneath the aperture. The transceiver is configured to conduct RF communications. Further, the antenna element is electrically connected to the transceiver and is positioned below, above, or inside the electrical feedthrough.
US09950162B2	Distributed processing of electrophysiological signals The present application discloses systems and methods for distributed processing of electrophysiological signals. The system may include a processor, a remote device, and an implant comprising an array of electrodes. The method may comprise the processor receiving an electrophysiological signal request from the remote device that specifies at least one electrode at the implant from which to receive an electrophysiological signal, transmitting to the implant instructions to apply a plurality of stimuli via the specified at least one electrode and, for individual stimuli in the plurality of stimuli, recording an electrophysiological signal component resulting from the stimulus. The method may also comprise the processor combining the recorded individual electrophysiological signal components to produce the electrophysiological signal and transmitting the electrophysiological signal to the remote device for further processing. In some embodiments of the method, the processor may compress the electrophysiological signal before transmitting it to the remote device.
US09950161B2	Methods and apparatus for multi-vessel renal neuromodulation Methods and apparatus are provided for multi-vessel neuromodulation, e.g., via a pulsed electric field. Such multi-vessel 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, the multi-vessel neuromodulation is applied to neural fibers that contribute to renal function. Such multi-vessel neuromodulation optionally may be performed bilaterally.
US09950160B2	System and method for electrical stimulation of anorectal structures to treat anal dysfunction A system and method for treating anorectal dysfunction includes implanting, in a minimally invasive manner, an electro-medical device for stimulation of two or more separate and distinct anatomical or histological structures of the anorectal region. Electrodes operably connected to the device are positioned proximate the target anatomical or histological structures. The device provides either the same or different stimulation algorithms to each anatomical or histological structure. Smooth muscle, such as the internal anal sphincter, is provided with a continuous stimulation algorithm, while skeletal muscle, such as the external anal sphincter, is provided with an on demand stimulation algorithm. Varying stimulation algorithms applied to multiple structures results in improved anorectal function without developing muscle fatigue and tolerance.
US09950153B2	Interface apparatus for stimulation of biological tissue An apparatus for interfacing between tissues being stimulated is provided. The apparatus includes an electric source capable of generating an applied electric field across a region of tissue and/or a means for altering at least one electromagnetic characteristic of the region of tissue relative to the applied electric field and an interface component, such interface component creating an interface between the region of tissue and the applied electric field or the means for altering at least one electromagnetic characteristic of the region of tissue.
US09950150B2	Portal with septum embedded indicia An implantable portal includes a septum that has embedded therein an indicia adapted to identify at least one characteristic of the portal. The indicia may be formed as an impression at a base layer of the septum, and is filled with a radiopaque material. The septum base layer is covered by liquid silicone, which bonds with the septum base layer when solidified, so that an integral one-piece septum, with the identifier indicia embedded therein, is effected. The indicia embedded septum is fitted to the reservoir housing of the portal for providing identification information for that portal. The septum embedded indicia is viewable visually and also by x-ray or computer tomography imaging.
US09950149B2	Biomolecular cell encapsulation device and methods of implantation Provided herein is a cell encapsulation device comprising an internal chamber suitable for holding biological agents, wherein the internal chamber is disposed between a first semipermeable layer and a second semi-permeable layer, and the first and second semi-permeable layers are mounted on a supporting frame surrounding a perimeter of the internal chamber; wherein the supporting frame comprises a first frame element and a second frame element, and the first and second frame elements co-operate to position the first and second semipermeable layers at a predetermined separation distance between the layers.
US09950148B2	Wound care method and system with one or both of vacuum-light therapy and thermally augmented oxygenation A system for treatment of a wound area of a patient including a first treatment pad comprising a plurality of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for cleaning and exposing a wound area to ultraviolet light, a second treatment pad comprising removal ports for exposing the wound area to a negative pressure, and a control unit interoperably connected to the first and second treatment pads for providing a negative pressure and the ultraviolet light to the wound area.
US09950147B2	Apparatus and method for administering a skin care composition The apparatus to administer a skin care composition includes a housing, a suction tip to engage the skin, a control module, a suction pump connected to a motor, a vibrator, and a power supply. The suction tip is placed on the skin with the skin care composition. The suction pump is activated to form an area of negative pressure. The vibrator generates vibrations to the area of negative pressure to further increase absorption of the skin care composition into the skin. The method of administering with the apparatus includes forming the area of negative pressure with the suction tip, and pulsing suction and suction with vibration. The control module regulates suction and vibration to maintain the area of negative pressure through personalized settings of intensity. The vibration is controlled to maintain the seal of the suction tip on the surface of skin.
US09950142B2	Steerable catheters and methods for making them Deflectable apparatus and methods for performing a procedure within a patient's body using such apparatus are provided. Generally, the apparatus includes an elongate tubular member including a proximal end, a distal end, a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, a deflectable distal portion including first and second lumens spaced apart from one another on generally opposite sides of the longitudinal axis, and a handle coupled to the proximal end of the tubular member. A pull wire includes a loop disposed within the handle and first and second segments extending from the loop and slidably received in the first and second lumens, respectively, and coupled to the distal end. An actuator is provided on the handle for applying tension to either the first or the second segment to cause a distal portion of the tubular member to deflect, e.g., in opposite directions.
US09950137B2	Micro-fabricated guidewire devices formed with hybrid materials A guidewire device comprising: a micro-fabricated elongated outer member having an outer surface and an interior surface forming a lumen extending from a proximal end to a distal end, wherein said outer member is formed from two or more stock materials; and an inner member disposed within a portion of said lumen, and embodiments thereof.
US09950136B2	Device for body relaxation and renewal A device for the body relaxation and renewal is described. It includes a perpendicular housing, which is a body with two side walls, a rear wall, and a front wall. The walls include vents situated in a lower and an upper part of said walls. A light panel is located inside at least one of said walls with alternately mounted fluorescent lamps and halogen lights. The fluorescent lamps are mounted in three rows of three pieces, in a vertical plane, one above another. The halogen lamps are set in slots mounted to vertical brackets and placed symmetrically in two vertical rows in three sections of two pieces.
US09950134B2	Reperfusion protection in resuscitation An apparatus and method for resuscitating a patient suffering from cardiac arrest or another condition in which normal circulation has been interrupted. A ventilator is used for delivering a gas mixture to the patient. The ventilator is configured to adjust the partial pressure of CO2 to one or more partial pressures high enough to slow expiration of CO2 from the patient's lungs and thereby maintain a reduced pH in the patient's tissues for a period of time following return of spontaneous circulation.
US09950133B2	Heat and moisture exchanger A heat and moisture exchanger includes: a heat and moisture exchanger material formed by coiling a strip-shaped porous body, the porous body having a plurality of slits formed therein that are arranged along the lengthwise direction, into a spirally-wound shape with the slits facing radially outwardly; and a housing that accommodates the heat and moisture exchanger material. Such a structure for an HME makes it possible to reduce pressure loss and improve moisture retention capabilities by means of a relatively simple structure, thereby allowing the inexpensive provision of an HME that lowers the burden on a patient.
US09950132B2	Systems and methods to determine the fraction of inhaled oxygen during ventilation Systems and methods to estimate, on a breath-by-breath basis, the fraction of inhaled oxygen during ventilation of a subject. The fraction of inhaled oxygen may be based on exhaled tidal volume, a volume of dead space within the subject interface, leaked exhalation volume, and subsequently inhaled tidal volume and leaked inhalation volume.
US09950119B2	Drug reconstitution system A system including an adapter (14) for sequential engagement with a cartridge (18) containing a first substance and a vial (16) containing a second substance is disclosed. The adapter is configured to first engage with the vial and subsequently engage with the cartridge such that the cartridge is in fluid communication with the vial via the adapter. The system includes a latch member (150) engageable with a portion of the cartridge. A plunger rod (44) includes a protrusion (50) and is adapted to communicate with the latch member, the plunger rod being transitionable from a disengaged position, in which the protrusion of the plunger rod is disengaged from the latch member and the latch member is locked to the cartridge, to an engaged position, in which the protrusion is engaged with the latch member and the latch member is unlocked from the cartridge and locked to the plunger rod.
US09950117B2	Medical device and cartridge A cartridge engageable with a medical device, the method of making a cartridge comprising an ordered arrangement of N electrical components each with different respective values of an electrical property, and an ordered arrangement of N conductors operably coupled to the ordered arrangement of the N electrical components.A medical device is arranged to receive a cartridge comprises for each of N conductors on the cartridge, at least a first respective contact arranged to electrically couple with the corresponding conductor when the cartridge is engaged with the medical device; the medical device also comprises an evaluation means operable to evaluate the different respective values of an electrical property of N electrical components on the cartridge, wherein the N electrical components form an ordered arrangement which is operably coupled to the N conductors on the cartridge, and a switching arrangement operable to selectively electrically couple a respective pair of contacts to said evaluation means.
US09950115B2	Portable drug mixing and delivery device and associated methods A portable auto-injector configured to store a dry medication separately from a liquid component, wherein removal of a cap operates a first actuation mechanism which opens a sliding valve and thus allows for the initiation of a mixing step prior to injection. An extendable needle guard is provided over the delivery assembly which prevents premature injection as well as inadvertent sticks or other cross contamination of a needle. The needle guard can also form part of a secondary trigger mechanism which injects the mixed components after the mixing stage is complete.
US09950114B2	Dual-chamber syringe and associated connecting systems A dual-chamber syringe system is disclosed. Critical system oriented elements are disclosed, including plunger valve designs for accurate measurement and true, non-canting displacement; tamper and inadvertent valve actuation indicators, as well as, valve status indicators; anti-reflux construction; novel indicia patterns for dual-chamber syringe operation; structure and method for quality assurance that no gas can be delivered from a proximal chamber of the dual-chamber syringe and a kit for single step dose transfer. In addition, a tapered fitting valve is disclosed. The tapered fitting valve comprises a single molded incompressible, but supple part and a skeletal support whereby the tapered fitting valve is opened by insertion into a tapered fitting. The preferred embodiment of an actuator portion of the valve is elliptical in shape. The valve opens by compressing a slit which is parallel to, but offset from the major elliptical axis to provide sufficient space for other valve components within a limited size, such as that of a luer fitting. A syringe barrel comprising a skeletal support structure for an affixed valve for a tapered fitting is also disclosed.
US09950111B2	Device for the transcutaneous, in vivo measurement of the concentration of at least one analyte in a living organism A device for the transcutaneous, in vivo measurement of the concentration of at least one analyte in a living organism includes a catheter which can be introduced into the organism, and a luminescence indicator, which is immobilized on the catheter and which reacts to a change in the concentration of the at least one analyte to be measured with a change in at least one optical property. The luminescence indicator is transcutaneously connected to a source for providing an excitation radiation and a detector for detecting the measuring radiation. The luminescence indicator is immobilized on the outer circumference of the catheter, which is used to dispense a fluid medium, for example a medication, into the organism or to drain a body fluid.
US09950109B2	Slide-activated angled inserter and cantilevered ballistic insertion for intradermal drug infusion An infusion set has an adhesively secured main hub, and a slidable top cover, needle hub and angled or cantilevered needle that can be used for performing an intradermal needle insertion precisely targeting the upper 3 mm of skin surface, for example, one that substantially duplicates the Mantoux insertion technique, for injecting into the intradermal layers of skin, while maintaining a degree of comfort to the user. By sliding the top cover, the cantilevered needle is loaded and released or the angled needle is slid into an insertion site, while flexible arms and adhesive are used to stretch and/or flatten a skin surface, or otherwise create skin tension, at the insertion site.
US09950107B2	Systems and methods for managing workflow for injection procedures A system and method of managing workflow for a variety of injection procedures preferably includes a display that provides a graphical representation of the steps required to initiate an injection procedure. The system can, for example, set forth a suggested order or sequence for the steps to be completed, and display the suggested sequence of steps graphically. Various steps may optionally require completion of ancillary operations as a requirement for completion of the selected step.
US09950106B2	Antimicrobial barrier device The invention relates to an antimicrobial barrier device and methods of manufacture. The antimicrobial barrier comprises one or more antimicrobial drugs that inhibit biofilm formation and bacterial and/or fungal growth. The antimicrobial barrier is suited for use with insertable devices (e.g., catheters) to reduce the incidence of infection at and around the insertion site.
US09950105B2	Blood treatment and electrical blood leak detection device therefore A blood treatment machine includes a blood pump; an arterial line in fluid communication with the blood pump, the arterial line including an arterial needle; a venous line including a venous needle; and a blood leak detection device including (i) at least one electrical component, (ii) a member configured to secure the at least one electrical component onto a patient's arm adjacent to patient access of at least one of the arterial and venous needles, the at least one electrical component capable of sensing the presence of a blood leak, and (iii) a controller in operable communication with the at least one electrical component, the controller programmed to allow for an amount of expected blood seepage and to cause an alarm if blood greater than the amount of expected blood seepage is sensed by the at least one electrical component.
US09950102B2	Counterpulsation device driver apparatus, method and system A method of operating a counterpulsation device (CPD) in a human or animal subject is disclosed, the method including: receiving a heart beat signal indicative of the heart beat of the subject; providing counterpulsation therapy by controlling the pressure supplied to a CPD drive line in pneumatic communication with the CPD to cause the CPD to alternately fill with blood and eject blood with a timing that is determined at least in part based on the heart beat signal; while providing counterpulsation therapy, receiving a CPD drive line pressure signal indicative of the pressure in the CPD drive line; and adjusting the pressure supplied to the drive line based at least in part on the drive line pressure signal.
US09950101B2	Blood pump A blood pump (20) includes a stator assembly comprising a motor stator (52), a fluid inlet (24), and a fluid outlet (26). A rotor assembly includes a motor rotor (54) and an impeller (40) rotatable about an axis (44) to move fluid from the inlet (24) to the outlet (26). An outflow sheath (300) directs the flow along the outside of the pump (20).
US09950100B2	Negative pressure wound therapy dressing system A dressing (2) and an apparatus (1) comprising the dressing, for cleansing the wounds (5) in which an irrigant fluid from a reservoir (12) connected to a conformable would dressing and would exudate from the dressing are moved by a device (18) (which may be a single pump or two pumps) for moving fluid through a flow Path (6, 7, 9, 10) which passes through the dressing with a means for providing simultaneous aspiration and irrigation of the wound, to provide a desired balance of fluid at a controlled nominal flow rate that removes materials deleterious to wound healing, while distributing materials that are beneficial in promoting would healing over the wound bed.
US09950098B2	Device and method for performing a decompressive craniotomy A fixation device comprises a first anchor portion being configured to join to a first bone portion. A second anchor portion is configured to join to a second bone portion. An intermediate component extends between the first anchor portion and the second anchor portion. The intermediate component is configured to expand and contract enabling constrained movement of the second bone portion.
US09950097B2	Multifunctional chitosan grafted surfaces and uses thereof The invention relates to a multifunctional chitosan grafted surface. Specifically, the invention relates to a chitosan modified with a quaternary ammonium salt (CH-Q) grafted surface that provides various functional properties, including stability (pH 3-9) and unique pH dependent swelling and antibacterial properties.
US09950095B2	Implant and method of producing an implant The invention provides a method for producing an implant from interstitial, connective or supporting tissue, the method comprising at least one step of perfusing the tissue with at least one decellularization medium under negative pressure applied for substantially the whole time period of the perfusion.
US09950094B2	Layered cell sheets containing myoblasts and method for producing same Provided are layered cell sheets, comprising a plurality of layered cell sheets containing myoblasts, in which each cell sheet comprises cell population containing myoblasts with controlled orientations. Preferably provided are the layered cell sheets comprising a region in which the orientations of the cell population containing the myoblasts in each cell sheet are identical to each other.
US09950092B2	Dermal filler compositions for fine line treatment The present invention provides highly injectable, long-lasting hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel dermal filler compositions which are particularly advantageous for correction of fine lines in the face.
US09950091B2	Composition and method for stopping hemorrhage, infection, and accelerating healing in various types of wound or burns A composition and a method of applying the composition to a site on or within a body of a mammal. The composition includes a hydrogel matrix that includes at least one polymer cross linked, via ionic or covalent bonding, with both hyaluronic acid and alginic acid. The at least one polymer is chitosan, poly L-Lysine, or a combination thereof.
US09950090B2	System for releasing volatile substances A system for releasing volatile substances includes a receptacle housing a volatile substance, a ventilation surface arranged in the receptacle provided with ventilation windows, and a fan for inducing the ventilation of the scent of the volatile substance. The fan can move between at least two positions. The effectiveness with which the perfume evaporates during the work cycle of the device can be improved and controlled with the system.
US09950089B2	Aromatherapy apparatus and housing The present invention is an apparatus for employing aromatherapy and binaural sounds for inducing a state of relaxation in a user who may be anxious, upset, or experiencing sleeping difficulties. The apparatus comprises a shape memory foam pillow, a pair of stereo speakers, an aromatherapy diffuser, a pillowcase comprised of heat-transfer fabric, an optional vibrating device, a canopy and a housing to support these elements. The user connects a smartphone or digital audio device to the speakers, activates the aromatherapy diffuser and the vibrating device, and lays his or her head down on the pillow beneath the canopy. Ideally, the smartphone or music device should have a meditation or binaural sound application, which would be tuned to a specific beat frequency, such as 10 Hertz. The combined action of essential oil vapors and binaural sounds should enable the user to relax or sleep more soundly.
US09950088B2	Hard surface disinfection system and method A system and method for disinfecting hard surfaces in an area such as a hospital room including a light source emitting UV light and a reflector mounted behind the light source for concentrating and directing the light toward a target. The light source and reflector rotate to direct the concentrated beam around a room, thereby making more efficient use of the energy being emitted.
US09950086B2	Fixture sanitizer A sanitizer for sanitizing various plumbing fixtures and specifically, to a chemical-free sanitizer, more specifically to an ozone-free sanitizer, and yet more specifically to an electronic sanitizer using ions.
US09950083B2	Polypeptide and imaging method A peptide that can be used as an imaging probe for GLP-1R is provided. In an embodiment, a polypeptide is represented by the following formula (3); (Sequence ID No. 3) Xaa1-Leu-Ser-Lys-Gln-Met-Glu-Glu-Glu-Ala-Val-Arg- Leu-Phe-Ile-Glu-Trp-Leu-Lys-Asn-Gly-Gly-Pro-Ser- Ser-Gly-Ala-Pro-Pro-Pro-Ser (3) where Xaa1 represents an aspartic acid in which a —Y—X′ group binds to an α-amino group, X′ includes a chelating site and a radioactive metal nuclide chelated by the chelating site, the chelating site being diethylenetriaminepentaacetic dianhydride (DTPA) or 1,4,7-triazacyclononnane-N,N′,N″-triacetic acid (NOTA), and Y represents a linker including a group selected from the group consisting of —CH2—(C6H4)—, —NH—C(═S)—, —NH—(CH2)5—C(═O)—, and a combination thereof.
US09950075B2	Compositions and methods for delivering agents to the central nervous system The invention in some aspects provides compounds useful for targeting bacterial infections. In some embodiments, the compounds comprise a transferrin receptor ligand covalently linked to a bactericidal agent. In some embodiments, the bactericidal agent is a bactericidal peptide, such as a glycoside hydrolase (e.g., lysozyme).
US09950067B2	Trans carotenoids, their synthesis, formulation and uses The invention relates to trans carotenoid compounds and salts thereof as well as compositions thereof, methods for making them, and uses thereof. These compounds are useful in improving diffusivity of oxygen between red blood cells and body tissues in mammals including humans.
US09950058B2	RSV F protein mutants The present disclosure relates to RSV F protein mutants, nucleic acids or vectors encoding a RSV F protein mutant, compositions comprising a RSV F protein mutant or nucleic acid, and uses of the RSV F protein mutants, nucleic acids or vectors, and compositions.
US09950056B2	Compositions, methods and kits for eliciting an immune response The present invention relates to compositions, methods, and kits for eliciting an immune response to at least one CMV antigen expressed by a cancer cell, in particular for treating and preventing cancer. CMV determination methods, compositions, and kits also are provided.
US09950055B2	Packaging of immunostimulatory substances into virus-like particles: method of preparation and use The invention relates to the finding that virus like particles (VLPs) can be loaded with immunostimulatory substances, in particular with DNA oligonucleotides containing non-methylated C and G (CpGs). Such CpG-VLPs are dramatically more immunogenic than their CpG-free counterparts and induce enhanced B and T cell responses. The immune response against antigens optionally coupled, fused or attached otherwise to the VLPs is similarly enhanced as the immune response against the VLP itself. In addition, the T cell responses against both the VLPs and antigens are especially directed to the Th1 type. Antigens attached to CpG-loaded VLPs may therefore be ideal vaccines for prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination against allergies, tumors and other self-molecules and chronic viral diseases.
US09950049B2	Composition and therapeutic anti-tumour vaccine The invention relates to a composition which induces, in a host, a cytotoxic cell response directed against cells expressing an antigen, in particular tumor cells, and which comprises red blood cells containing said antigen. These red blood cells may be in the form of an immune complex with an immunoglobulin, in particular IgG, which recognizes an epitope at the surface of the red blood cells, and/or be heat-treated or chemically treated so as to promote phagocytosis of said red blood cells by dendritic cells. As a variant, the red blood cells may be xenogenic red blood cells. The invention also relates to a therapeutic especially anti-tumor vaccine containing such a composition.
US09950048B2	Immunogenic epitopes for immunotherapy The present invention relates to peptides, nucleic acids and cells for use in immunotherapeutic methods. In particular, the present invention relates to the immunotherapy of cancer. The present invention furthermore relates to tumor-associated T-helper cell peptide epitopes, alone or in combination with other tumor-associated peptides that serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients of vaccine compositions which stimulate anti-tumor immune responses. The present invention relates to novel peptide sequences and their variants derived from HLA class I and class II molecules of human tumor cells which can be used in vaccine compositions for eliciting anti-tumor immune responses.
US09950045B2	Method of treating depression Methods are disclosed herein for treating depression in the subject. A method includes the use of Botulinum toxin to cause paralysis of a facial muscle, such as the depressor anguli oris, procerus, frontalis, orbicularis oculi, or corrugator supercilii muscle to treat depression in the subject.
US09950043B2	Modulation of muscle and adipocyte distribution and fate Modulation of the ADAMTS1 signaling pathway alters the commitment of progenitor cells to a muscle fate; and increases muscle mass.
US09950041B2	Therapeutic charge engineered variants of lysozyme and methods for using same to treat infections The present invention is a genetically engineered version of a lysozyme protein wherein the engineered enzyme exhibits enhanced antimicrodial activity, relative to the wild type enzyme, as a result of a reduced overall electrostatic charge. Such an enzyme is an attractive therapeutic candidate for treating microbial or viral infections, particularly in cases where the infection results in an accumulation of polyanion inhibitors at the site of infection. Respiratory tract infections are one example of an infection where such an enzyme might be a particularly useful drug.
US09950040B2	Cell-free DNA as a therapeutic target for female infertility and diagnostic marker The present invention pertains to the use of DNase to treat female infertility and the use of cfDNA as a marker of female infertility.
US09950038B2	Methods and compositions for inhibiting delayed graft function Disclosed are compositions and methods for inhibiting preventing, reducing delayed graft function, allograft rejection or ischemia reperfusion injury.
US09950034B2	Methods for preventing or treating disorders by increasing bioavailability of iron and related pharmaceutical formulation The present disclosure relates to methods of treating, ameliorating or preventing a disorder comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition to a subject in need thereof, which composition contains a lipocalin mutein or a fragment or a variant thereof capable of increasing the bioavailability of iron in the subject.
US09950033B2	Use of engrailed proteins for increasing dopamine synthesis by dopaminergic neurons The invention relates to the use of an Engrailed protein as a medicament for increasing dopamine synthesis by dopaminergic neurons, in particular in the management of conditions associated with a decrease of dopamine levels without loss of dopaminergic neurons.
US09950031B2	Hatching fluid enzymes and uses thereof The present invention relates to various polypeptides from fish hatching fluid, their encoding nucleic acid sequences, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules and their use in various medical and cosmetic applications to the skin, particularly for moisturizing skin and/or for exfoliation of the horny layer of the skin for treating or preventing skin disorders or conditions in an animal.
US09950028B2	Uses of starch binding protein (SBP)-tagged immunostimulatory protein The present invention relates to a method for preventing or treating virus and protozoa infection in a subject in need thereof comprising: orally administering to said subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a complex consisting of a starch binding protein (SBP)-tagged immunostimulatory protein and a SBP-binding matrix, wherein the immunostimulatory protein is from Ganoderma species. The present invention also relates to a method for inducing interferon-gamma production in a subject in need thereof comprising: orally administering to said subject an effective amount of a composition comprising a complex consisting of a starch binding protein (SBP)-tagged immunostimulatory protein and a SBP-binding matrix, wherein the immunostimulatory protein is from Ganoderma species. The present invention further relates to a method for improving feed intake, growth rate or feed conversion ratio in a subject in need thereof comprising: administering to said subject by oral administration or injection an effective amount of a composition comprising a complex consisting of a starch binding protein (SBP)-tagged immunostimulatory protein and a SBP-binding matrix, wherein the immunostimulatory protein is from Ganoderma species.
US09950026B2	Methods for reducing oxidative damage The invention provides a method for reducing oxidative damage in a mammal, a removed organ, or a cell in need thereof. The method comprises administering an effective amount of an aromatic cationic peptide. The aromatic cationic peptide has (a) at least one net positive charge; (b) a minimum of three amino acids; (c) a maximum of about twenty amino acids, (d) a relationship between the minimum number of net positive charges (pm) and the total number of amino acid residues (r) wherein 3 pm is the largest number that is less than or equal to r+1; (e) a relationship between the minimum number of aromatic groups (a) and the total number of net positive charges (pt) wherein 3a or 2a is the largest number that is less than or equal to pt+1, except that when a is 1, pt may also be 1; and (f) at least one tyrosine or tryptophan amino acid.
US09950025B2	Compositions and methods for treatment of neoplastic disease The present invention is concerned with immunostimulant compositions, in particular compositions comprising microparticulate form of muramyl dipeptide, and their use in the treatment of neoplastic disease.
US09950024B2	Traditional Chinese medicine composition and the use thereof The present invention relates to the technical field of Traditional Chinese medicine, in particular to a traditional Chinese medicine composition and the use thereof. The traditional Chinese medicine composition comprises the following ingredients: honeysuckle, tangerine peel, stir-baked malt, honey, and hawthorn juice. The traditional Chinese medicine composition of the present invention has significant promotions on the gastric emptying rate, intestinal motility, gastric digestive enzyme (pepsin) activity and pancreatic enzyme (trypsin, chymotrypsin, amylase and lipase) activity of rats, exhibiting that the traditional Chinese medicine composition of the present invention has significant effects of clearing heat-fire and moistening the intestine.
US09950020B2	Extracts from fusarium oxysporum and use thereof Disclosed are the action and use of water extracts and polysaccharides from Fusarium oxysporum in immune enhancement, which belong to the field of biological medicine. The water extracts and polysaccharides from Fusarium oxysporum have a significant immune enhancement effect, which can promote the proliferation of macrophages, increase the phagocytic ability of macrophages, activate macrophages to release immunological active factors NO, IL-1α and TNF-α and can be used in lower immune function diseases and tumor adjuvant treatment.
US09950011B1	Genetically-modified cells comprising a modified human T cell receptor alpha constant region gene Disclosed herein is a genetically-modified cell comprising in its genome a modified human T cell receptor alpha constant region gene, wherein the cell has reduced cell-surface expression of the endogenous T cell receptor. The present disclosure further relates to methods for producing such a genetically-modified cell, and to methods of using such a cell for treating a disease in a subject.
US09950009B2	Treatment methods and biologically active preparations using blood of a donor subjected to remote conditioning Treatment methods are described using blood collected from a donor after subjecting thereof to remote conditioning such as remote ischemic conditioning via several episodes of short-term limb occlusion. Blood containing remote conditioning substances or a biologically active preparation containing such substances may be stored and used at a future time to afford a health benefit to the treatment subject. Extraction of remote conditioning substances may be done extracorporeally using dialysis or other blood processing methods following by returning of blood to the donor. Extraction of remote conditioning substances may be done during the time periods of their maximum presence in donor blood.
US09950007B2	Neuronal protection by cerium oxide nanoparticles A method of treating a subject with elevated levels of peroxynitrite includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of cerium oxide nanoparticles to the subject, wherein the cerium oxide nanoparticles reduce the level of peroxynitrite in the subject.
US09950002B2	Nanoparticles/theranostic vehicles A nanotheranostic probe and its use to facilitate diagnoses, treatment and targeting of amyloid deposits are disclosed herein.
US09949998B2	Pharmaceutical composition, methods for treating and uses thereof The present invention relates to certain SGLT-2 inhibitors for treating and/or preventing metabolic disorders, such as type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus or pre-diabetes, in patients with renal impairment or chronic kidney disease (CKD).
US09949997B2	Pharmaceutical composition, methods for treating and uses thereof The present invention relates to certain SGLT-2 inhibitors for treating and/or preventing oxidative stress, for example in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, as well as to the use of such SGLT-2 inhibitors in treatment and/or prevention of cardiovascular diseases in patients, for example type 1 or type 2 diabetes patients. The present invention further relates to certain SGLT-2 inhibitors for treating and/or preventing a metabolic disorder and preventing, reducing the risk of or delaying the occurrence of a cardiovascular event in patients, for example patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
US09949995B2	Compositions and methods of treating of bacterial infections with β-lactamase inhibitors A method of treating a bacterial infection in a subject in need thereof includes administering to the subject therapeutically effective amounts of at least one β-lactam antibiotic and at least one triazolylmethyl boronic acid.
US09949992B2	Bisphosphonate compositions and methods for treating and\or reducing cardiac dysfunction The present invention provides for methods and compositions for treating, reducing and/or preventing cardiac dysfunction by administering to subject a therapeutically effective amount of a bisphosphonate, prodrug thereof, functional analog or a pharmaceutically effective salt thereof in an amount sufficient to increase activity of at least one kinase in heart tissue of the subject.
US09949989B2	Intranasal medication delivery device and method of use thereof The intranasal medication delivery device and method of use thereof includes an elongated malleable member arcuately curved or pre-formed in manner complimentary to the anterior wall of a nasal cavity. One particular embodiment provides the elongated and arcuate member to deliver medication through a lumen such that the medication is deposited in a semi-solid state adjacent the anterior aspect of the nasal cavity lateral wall and to the anterior end of the superior, middle, and inferior turbinate. Another particular embodiment provides the elongated and arcuate member to deliver medication as a suppository to a location similar to that of the previous embodiment. The method of delivering the medicine provides depositing the medicine adjacent the anterior end of one of the superior turbinate, middle turbinate, and inferior turbinate. An exemplary medication can be any one of a corticosteroid, an anti-histamine, an immune active mediator, an IgE binding medication, or a decongestant.
US09949987B2	Corticosteroids for the treatment of joint pain Corticosteroid microparticle formulations are provided for use for treating pain, including pain caused by inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, and for slowing, arresting or reversing structural damage to tissues caused by an inflammatory disease, for example damage to articular and/or peri-articular tissues caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Corticosteroid microparticle formulations are administered locally as a sustained release dosage form (with or without an immediate release component) that results in efficacy accompanied by clinically insignificant or no measurable effect on endogenous cortisol production.
US09949986B2	Synthetic bile acid compositions and methods Bile acids and related compositions and methods of synthesis and use. More specifically, deoxycholic acid and related compositions, said compositions being free of all moieties of animal origin and free of pyrogenic moieties.
US09949984B2	Method for use of homopiperazinium compounds in the treatment of cancer A method for treating cancer comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a compound having the formula: wherein R1 and R2 are independently alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or cycloalkyl of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, Xa is CH or N, Ya is hydrogen or a substituent, each of which is independently selected; n is an integer from 1 to 5, J is a counter ion.
US09949983B2	Fused benzazepines for treatment of stuttering The present invention encompasses methods of treating a subject who stutters. The methods can include the steps of: (a) identifying a subject in need of treatment; and (b) administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of a composition comprising a D1/D5 receptor antagonist, a D1/D5 receptor partial agonist, or a mixture thereof. For example, the D1/D5 receptor antagonist can be ecopipam or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, prodrug, structural analog, metabolite, or polymorph thereof.
US09949981B2	Compositions and methods for treating proliferation disorders The present invention relates to methods of treating cell proliferative disorders, such as cancer or Proteus syndrome, by utilizing 3-(3-(4-(1-aminocyclobutyl)phenyl)-5-phenyl-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl)pyridin-2-amine or 3-(3-(4-(1-aminocyclobutyl)phenyl)-5-(3-morpholinophenyl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-yl)pyridin-2-amine or N-(1-(3-(3-(4-(1-aminocyclobutyl)phenyl)-2-(2-aminopyridin-3-yl)-3H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-5-yl)phenyl)piperidin-4-yl)-N-methylacetamide. The methods of the present invention can also relate to methods of treating cell proliferative disorders, such as cancer or Proteus syndrome, by utilizing the above compounds in combination with ((R)-6-(2-fluorophenyl)-N-(3-(2-((2-methoxyethyl)amino)ethyl)phenyl)-5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]quinazolin-2-amine).
US09949979B2	Use of inhibitors of the activity or function of PI3K The invention relates to new uses of PI3K inhibitors, wherein said inhibitors have an inhibitory action on the PI3K isoform delta for the treatment of immunopathology in a subject suffering from a disease or disorder selected from malaria, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis, toxoplasmosis and/or neurocysticercosis, via functional inhibition of TLR9 of the infected subject.
US09949975B2	Inhibitors of beta-secretase The present invention relates to spirocyclic acylguanidines and their use as inhibitors of the β-secretase enzyme (BACE1) activity, pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and methods of using the same as therapeutic agents in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, disorders characterized by cognitive decline, cognitive impairment, dementia and diseases characterized by production of β-amyloid aggregates.
US09949968B2	Diarylalkylamine REV-ERB antagonists and their use as medicaments The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof: It further discloses a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compounds of Formula (I) and their uses as anti-proliferative and proapoptotic agents for cancer therapy.
US09949965B2	Tricyclic indole Mcl-1 inhibitors and uses thereof The present invention provides for compounds that inhibit the activity of an anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member Myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1) protein. The present invention also provides for pharmaceutical compositions as well as methods for using compounds for treatment of diseases and conditions (e.g., cancer) characterized by the over-expression or dysregulation of Mcl-1 protein.
US09949964B2	Tesofensine compositions The present invention relates to tesofensine compositions, methods to prepare the same and uses thereof in preparing medicines for the prevention and treatment of overweight, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
US09949961B2	Agent for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of neoplastic diseases The invention relates to a novel agent in the form of rhodanine derivatives, which has prophylactic, antiproliferative and antimetastatic activity. Said agent can find use in medicine and pharmacology for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of neoplastic diseases of variable localization.
US09949955B2	Triazolone compounds as mPGES-1 inhibitors The present disclosure is directed to compounds of formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as mPGES-1 inhibitors. These compounds are inhibitors of the microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) enzyme and are therefore useful in the treatment of pain and/or inflammation from a variety of diseases or conditions, such as asthma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute or chronic pain and neurodegenerative diseases.
US09949951B2	Pyrrolidine-2, 5-dione derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for use as IDO1 inhibitors Uses of compound of Formula I: or pharmaceutically acceptable enantiomers, salts, solvates or prodrugs thereof are described. The compounds of Formula I are useful as IDO1 inhibitors. These are also useful for the treatment and/or prevention of cancer and endometriosis.
US09949949B2	Macrocyclic ghrelin receptor modulators and methods of using the same The present invention provides novel conformationally-defined macrocyclic compounds that can function as selective modulators of the ghrelin receptor (growth hormone sceretagogue receptor, GHS-R1a and subtypes, isoforms and variants thereof). Methods of synthesizing the novel compounds are also described herein. These compounds are useful as agonists of the ghrelin receptor and as medicaments for treatment and prevention of a range of medical conditions including, but not limited to, metabolic and/or endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular disorders, obesity and obesity-associated disorders, central nervous system disorders, bone disorders, genetic disorders, hyperproliferative disorders and inflammatory disorders.
US09949947B2	Delphinidin for combating melanoma cells The invention relates to a composition comprising a complex of delphinidin and a sulfoalkyl ether-β-cyclodextrin for use in the treatment of malignant melanoma.
US09949943B2	Method for treating neurodegenerative diseases A method for treating neurodegenerative diseases including the step of administering an isothiocyanate functional surfactant to an area affected by a neurodegenerative disease, wherein the isothiocyanate functional surfactant comprises at least one isothiocyanate functional group associated with an aliphatic and/or aromatic carbon atom of the isothiocyanate functional surfactant.
US09949941B2	GABA analog prodrug sustained release oral dosage forms Sustained release oral dosage forms of a gabapentin prodrug, 1-{[(α-isobutanoyloxyethoxy)carbonyl]aminomethyl}-1-cyclohexane acetic acid, are disclosed. The dosage forms are useful for treating or preventing diseases and disorders for which gabapentin is therapeutically effective.
US09949937B2	Use of cannabinoids in the treatment of epilepsy The present disclosure relates to the use of cannabidiol (CBD) for the reduction of total convulsive seizure frequency in the treatment of “treatment-resistant epilepsy” (TRE). In particular, the disclosure relates to the use of CBD of treating TRE when the TRE is Dravet syndrome; myoclonic absence seizures or febrile infection related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES). The disclosure further relates to the use of CBD in combination with one or more anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs).
US09949933B2	Fenofibrate formulation Various fenofibrate dosage forms contain a plurality of beads or particles, where the beads or particles include a pharmaceutical composition comprising fenofibrate; from 0.3% to 10% by weight of the beads or particles of a surfactant; and from about 5% to about 15% by weight of the beads or particles of a water soluble or water dispersible cellulosic binder. The mass ratio of the drug to the binder in the dosage form is between about 3.5:1 and 4.5:1; and the dosage form produces a first Cmax in vivo that is between about 10% and about 50% higher than a comparative Cmax produced by a comparative dosage form. The comparative dosage form comprises the drug and the binder in a ratio of between about 5:1 and 15:1.The dosage form may contain a plurality of beads or particles, each of the beads or particles including a pharmaceutical composition containing from about 20% to about 55% by weight of fenofibrate; from 0.3% to 10% by weight of a surfactant; and from about 5% to about 15% by weight of a water soluble or water dispersible cellulosic binder.
US09949929B2	Drug carrier and manufacturing method thereof A drug carrier and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The drug carrier includes a hydrophilic group, a hydrophobic group and an organic dye. The hydrophilic group and the hydrophobic group are connected by the organic dye. A plurality of the drug carriers are self-assemblable in a polar solvent to form a nanomicelle. The hydrophilic groups are located at the outer region of the nanomicelle, and the hydrophobic groups are located at the inner region of the nanomicelle.
US09949922B2	Silica hydrogel composite This invention relates to a silica hydrogel composite obtainable by mixing silica particles, comprising an encapsulated agent, with a silica sol, wherein obtained hydrogel composite is shear-thinning. The present invention also relates to use of the silica hydrogel composite according to the invention for an injectable, flowing or extrudable formulation. The present invention further relates to a method for preparing the silica hydrogel.
US09949918B2	Jojoba extract useful in improving skin barrier functions The present invention provides compositions comprising extracts of Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) in a polar solvent that are effective in promoting the barrier functions of the skin, useful for improving skin integrity, health and appearance and as anti-aging agent.
US09949917B2	Cosmetic composition comprising a combination of a sugar fatty acid ester with a plant extract of Waltheria indica or Pisum sativum for skin whitening The invention is directed to a skin-whitening agent comprising at least one sugar fatty acid ester and at least one plant extract selected from the group consisting of extracts of Waltheria indica, extracts of Pisum sativum and mixtures thereof. The invention is further directed to cosmetic compositions comprising such a skin-whitening agents.
US09949914B2	Low viscosity hair care composition This invention relates to a foamable concentrated hair care composition comprising an anionic surfactant, a co-surfactant, a viscosity reducing agent, and a cationic polymer. The hair care composition may further comprise a silicone, wherein the silicone particle size is less than about 10 microns. The hair care composition has a viscosity of from about 1 to about 3,000 cps.
US09949913B2	Luminate face lotion The present invention features novel cosmetic skin care compositions for improving the appearance of skin, particularly the reducing the appearance of age spots and discoloration.
US09949911B2	Antiperspirant and deodorant compositions The present application relates to antiperspirant compositions comprising nitrogen-based and/or oxygen based perfume raw materials, and methods for making and using the antiperspirant compositions.
US09949910B2	Cleansing compositions and methods of use thereof A method of improving the rinsability of a cleansing composition comprising an isethionate ester surfactant of formula R6COOCH2CH2SO3−M+ the method comprising incorporating into the composition one or more compounds of formula (I) wherein R1 and R6 each independently represents a C4-36 substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group; each of R2, R3, R4 and R5 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-4 alkyl group and wherein at least one of R2, R3, R4 and R5 is not hydrogen and M+ represents a cation.
US09949909B2	Use of special N-alkyl-N-acylglucamines for conditioning hair in hair washing agents The invention relates to N-alkyl-N-acylglucamines of formula (I), which exhibit in hair-washing agents comprising an aqueous surfactant system with at least one anionic surfactant, a hair-conditioning effect, wherein, in formula (I), Ra is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C5-C21 alkyl radical and Rb represents a C1-C4 alkyl radical, and wherein the N-alkyl-N-acylglucamines (I) contain at least 8 wt. %, based on the total amount of N-alkyl-N-acylglucamines (I), of compounds with a saturated C16-, C18- or a mono- or polyunsaturated C18 fatty acid radical Ra—CO—.
US09949907B2	Oral care compositions comprising calcium carbonate and a clay The present invention provides an oral care composition comprising, by total weight of the composition: (a) 15 to 35 weight % calcium carbonate; (b) 0.5 to 2 weight % cellulose ether thickening agent; (c) 1 to 6 weight % clay thickening agent; and (d) at least 35 weight % water; wherein, when the composition comprises less than 28 weight % calcium carbonate and less than 4 weight % clay thickening agent, the cellulose ether thickening agent is present in an amount of greater than 1 weight %.
US09949900B2	Method for preparing multilayer lamellar liquid crystal emulsion including intercellular lipids A method for preparing a liquid crystal emulsion includes: a) mixing, warming and dissolving intercellular lipid ingredients, non-polyoxyethylene (POE) based non-ionic surfactant, higher fatty alcohol, oil and wax to provide an oil phase part; b) mixing, warming and dissolving water, polyol and the other aqueous phase ingredients to provide an aqueous phase part; c) adding the oil phase part to the aqueous phase part, followed by agitation; d) introducing a viscosity modifier to the mixture solution under agitation; e) subjecting the mixture solution to rapid cooling under vacuum while carrying out debubbling under vacuum; and f) filtering the mixture solution through a filtering paper or filtering cloth. Provided is a stable liquid crystal emulsion having a multilayer lamellar structure including a large amount of intercellular lipid ingredients through a process using rapid cooling. The liquid crystal emulsion has an oil phase part and an aqueous phase part.
US09949899B2	Color cosmetic with high coverage and naturalness Described herein is a cosmetic composition comprising a mixture of metal oxide pigments having different shapes and sizes which provides high coverage and a natural look upon application.
US09949894B2	Transportable and surface-mounting system for an auto-injection case An auto-injection device holder includes a main body having at least a front wall, a back wall and a bottom wall, and an open top. The walls define a cavity for receiving at least partially therein at least one auto-injection device. An electrical circuit is mounted to the main body to provide information to a user of the auto-injection device holder. A switch is mounted on a wall of the main body and may be pressed by a user of the holder. The electrical circuit includes a read only memory having pertinent information stored digitally therein. When the switch is activated, the information stored digitally in the read only memory is converted to an analog signal which is provided to the speaker so that the user may hear the pertinent information, such as instructions on how to use the auto-injection device held by the holder.
US09949891B2	Portable automatic chest compression devices An automated chest compression device has a housing for supporting a patient and a motor within the housing. A conical drive spool is operatively connected to the motor and a cable, is operatively connected to the conical drive spool. The cable is adapted to extend at least partially around the chest of the patient. A controller is operable to control the motor to compress the chest to variable thresholds.
US09949888B2	Apparatus, system, and method for testing and exercising the pelvic floor musculature An apparatus (100) for testing and exercising pelvic floor musculature, the apparatus comprising an elongate housing (101) adapted for a pelvic floor aperture. The housing (101) accommodates an oscillator (120) and an accelerometer (130) connected to a signal processor (140) configured for communicating signals representative of values read from the accelerometer (130). A result is calculated from an applied oscillation and a response measured, and used for characterizing the musculature. In one embodiment the frequency resulting in the greatest response from the musculature is measured, and this frequency is applied during exercise.
US09949884B2	Device for spine correction and measurement system A device for spine correction, in a particular human spines, has a keyboard with numerous adjacent segments comprised of opposed back supports. The keyboard (3) has at least one set of cooperating segments A, B and C supported on curved arch elements which bias a patient back in engagement with the keyboard toward a desired back configuration. The device includes a support frame (1), and a relatively movable mobile frame (2) on which the keyboard is supported. A measurement system includes a controller (49), a server (50) and a screen (51). The controller is connected to sensors (26) which determine rotational positions of the segments. The server provides outputs from the screen (51) responsive to the sensed data.
US09949880B2	Absorbent article with embedded lateral topsheets The present invention relates to an absorbent article having a body-facing surface and a transverse centerline, comprising; a hydrophilic topsheet, a backsheet joined to the topsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a lateral topsheet on each longitudinal side of the body-facing surface of the absorbent article so that at least a part thereof covers the topsheet where the topsheet covers the absorbent core, wherein the lateral topsheet comprises an embedded zone along the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article comprising a plurality of compressed areas where the lateral topsheet and the topsheet are jointly compressed so that the lateral topsheet is embedded into the topsheet, and wherein the lateral topsheet in the compressed areas is one layer.
US09949879B2	Method for attaching discrete web segments A method of forming a web includes directing a first discrete segment at a first speed to a first pick-up location. The first discrete segment is transferred from the first pick-up location to an application location using a first segment transfer device. A second discrete segment is directed to at a second speed to a second pick-up location. The second discrete segment is transferred from the second pick-up location to the application location using a second segment transfer device. The first and second discrete segments are attached to each other at the application location to form a web.
US09949878B2	System and method to automatically switch on and switch off device for accurate recording of personal sound exposure measurements Embodiments relate generally to an active hearing protection device comprising a communication device operable to provide active hearing protection to a wearer; a set of earmuffs connected to the communication device, wherein each earmuff comprises an indicator mechanism operable to indicate to the communication device when the earmuff is inserted into a user's ear, a processor operable to receive information from the set of earmuffs and the indicator mechanisms of the earmuffs, and operable to automatically power the active hearing protection device on or off based on the information received from the indicator mechanism(s). When it is determined that both earmuffs are inserted into the user's ears, the active hearing protection device is powered on, and when it is determined that at least one of the earmuffs is not inserted into the user's ear(s), the active hearing protection device is powered off.
US09949872B2	Therapeutic eye and eyelid cover An eye and eyelid cover includes a pair of spaced viewing windows between which, in use, a reservoir of hot water is contained, and a compartment within which a phase change material is contained, the phase change material being molten at the initial temperature of the hot water and solidifying during cooling of the hot water while a treatment procedure is being carried out.
US09949870B2	Intra-uterine insertion device The present invention relates to an inserter (100), having a proximal (20) and distal (30) end, for inserting and positioning an intra-uterine device (IUD) (120), which is attached to a withdrawal string (130), said inserter (100) comprising: a) a plunger (102), having a central longitudinal axis, configured for slidable mounting of a hollow protective tube (110), the distal (30) end of the plunger (102) being configured for dismountable connection with the IUD (120), which protective tube (110) is configured to slidably cover the IUD (120); b) a handle (104), which is attached to the proximal (20) end of the plunger (102); and c) a longitudinal member (150) that forms part of the handle (104), which extends in the distal (30) direction with respect to the plunger (102), which longitudinal member (150) contains a friction contact surface (152) against which the protective tube (110) can frictionally engage, wherein the frictional engagement of the friction contact surface (152) against the protective tube (110) is manually actuatable and wherein the frictional engagement of the friction contact surface (152) against the protective tube (110) increases resistance to sliding of the protective tube (110) relative to the plunger (102).
US09949868B2	Mandibular advancement device Disclosed herein are mandibular advancement devices comprising an upper splint and a lower splint, where the upper splint comprises one or more upper fins, where each upper fin is located at a distance UD from back of the upper splint; the lower splints comprise one or more lower fins, where each lower fin is located at a distance LD from back of the lower splint; where the position of the upper and lower fins is unchangeable. Also disclosed are methods of reducing partial constriction of airway during sleep for a patient, the method comprising identifying a patient in need thereof; and administering to the patient the disclosed mandibular advancement device. Also disclosed are methods of manufacturing a mandibular advancement device, the method comprising obtaining measurements from a patient's dentition; digitally designing a mandibular advancement device; and milling the mandibular advancement device.
US09949867B2	Sleep apnea oral appliance for use during orthodontic treatment A sleep apnea oral appliance in which a pair of appliance trays are worn over respective orthodontic trays. The appliance trays are adjustable in order to allow them to be used with a series of orthodontic trays.
US09949859B2	Foot-therapy and toe-aligning device Described is an exercise tool. More particularly, it is a therapy and exercise tool specifically devised as a foot-therapy and toe-aligning device to align, separate, and stretch toes. The foot-therapy and toe-aligning device comprises a frame with a plurality of posts connected with the frame. The device is formed of an elastic material such that a user may place at least one of the plurality of posts between a user's toes and pull the post to stretch and elongate the post between the toes. Upon release, the elastic material of the post causes the post to attempt to return to its original shape, thereby causing it to expand out and conform its shape to fit snugly against the user's toes. Additionally, the elastic material allows the toe posts to be positioned and maintained at numerous locations between the user's toes for customizable positioning between the toes.
US09949853B2	Delivery system with hooks for resheathability Flexible implantable devices or stents can navigate tortuous vessels of the neurovasculature. The devices can also conform to the shape of tortuous vessels of the vasculature. In some embodiments, the devices can direct blood flow within a vessel away from an aneurysm or limit blood flow to the aneurysm. Methods and structures are provided for adjusting, along a length of the device, the porosity of the device while maintaining a cross-sectional dimension. In some embodiments, small hooks releasably engage the stent at a proximal end and are able to resheath the stent by retracting a proximal retaining member where the hooks are coupled to. The hooks straighten, unfurl, or otherwise disengage the stent when either unrestrained by a catheter or when coming into contact with an external stimulus found in the patient's vasculature.
US09949851B2	Fixing module and motion assistance apparatus including the same Provided are a fixing module and a motion assistance apparatus including the same, the fixing module including a base body, a plurality of side frames provided on both sides of the base body, and a height adjustment assembly provided on the base body, and on which a driving module is mounted to provide a power, wherein a distance between the plurality of side frames may be adjustable.
US09949849B2	Medial-lateral stabilizing prosthetic ankle/foot for angled and rough ground gait A device is provided including a first linkage system and a second linkage system. Each linkage system may include an upper support, a lower support, and a cross bar linkage including a first cross bar and a second cross bar. The first cross bar may be configured with a first end pivotally coupled to a first end of the lower support and a second end pivotally coupled to a second end of the upper support. The second cross bar may be configured with a first end pivotally coupled to a second end of the lower support and a second end pivotally coupled to a first end of the upper support. The device may also include a flexible bridging platform coupled to one of the upper support or the lower support of the first linkage system and coupled to the upper support of the second linkage system, and a flexible strut coupled to the lower support of the second linkage system.
US09949847B2	Bio-mechanical prosthetic finger with Y-shaped rocker The disclosure provides apparatus and methods of use pertaining to a prosthetic finger assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a coupling tip and a distal ring coupled with the coupling tip. The assembly further includes a proximal ring coupled with the distal ring. A rocker formed in a Y-shape with a first end forming a single prong and a second end forming a split prong may extend between the coupling tip and the proximal ring. The coupling tip, distal ring, proximal ring, and Y-shaped rocker may all be hingedly connected such that movements of the residual finger within the proximal ring and the distal articulate the distal ring together with the rocker to curl and bend the coupling tip. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US09949843B2	Apparatus, systems, and methods for the fixation or fusion of bone Assemblies of one or more implant structures make possible the achievement of diverse interventions involving the fusion and/or stabilization of the SI-joint and/or lumbar and sacral vertebra in a non-invasive manner, with minimal incision, and without the necessitating the removing the intervertebral disc. The representative lumbar spine interventions, which can be performed on adults or children, include, but are not limited to, SI-joint fusion or fixation; lumbar interbody fusion; translaminar lumbar fusion; lumbar facet fusion; trans-iliac lumbar fusion; and the stabilization of a spondylolisthesis.
US09949841B2	Expandable fusion device and method of installation thereof The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a body portion, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the first and second endplates capable of being moved in a direction away from the body portion into an expanded configuration or capable of being moved towards the body portion into an unexpanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed and installed in both configurations.
US09949840B1	Systems and methods for performing spine surgery Systems and methods are described for accessing and operating on an intervertebral disc at the lumbosacral junction via a trans-iliac approach. The instruments and methods described employ nerve monitoring to direct passage of the instruments through a safe zone between the L5 nerve root lying posterior to the trans-iliac path and the iliac vein (and iliac artery) lying anterior to the trans-iliac path.
US09949837B2	Partially porous bone implant keel A method for removing a stem portion of an orthopedic implant from a bone comprises exposing an implanted orthopedic implant having a body portion, a stem portion interconnected to the body and a porous metal section forming an interconnection between the body and the stem portion. A cutting tool is mounted on a holder connected to an exposed surface of the orthopedic implant. The porous section is aligned with the cutting tool mounted on the holder. The entire porous section is cut by moving the cutting tool therethrough in a direction transverse to the stem portion axis. The implant body portion is then removed and then the stem portion is removed from the bone. The cutting tool may be a saw or chisel which may be mounted on a guide fixed to the body portion.
US09949836B2	Orthopedic augment with cement trough containing projections Systems, devices, and methods are provided for orthopedic implants. The implants may include a base member, such as an acetabular shell or an augment, that is configured to couple with an augment, flange cup, mounting member, or any other suitable orthopedic attachment. An implant may include abuse member that has at least two projections with a gap between the projections. The gap between the projections allows the implant to be implanted around another implanted component, such as around a bone screw of an acetabular shell. The implant may include a fixation element, such as a screw or a cement trough, on one or more projections to couple the implant to an implanted acetabular shell. The implant may also include timing marks to facilitate alignment with corresponding marks on another implanted component.
US09949835B2	Methods of fusing a sacroiliac joint via a posterior-inferior access region A method of fusing a sacroiliac joint including implanting a joint implant into the sacroiliac joint such that the joint implant passes through a posterior-inferior access region, the joint implant having an implanted position in the sacroiliac joint such that a portion of the joint implant is positioned within a caudal portion of an articular plane of the sacroiliac joint.
US09949834B2	Prosthetic element for bone extremities such as fingers or toes, or for teeth, and corresponding production method Prosthetic element for bone extremities such as fingers or toes, or teeth, comprising a trabecular part (20, 40, 120) and two end parts or stumps (12, 34, 112; 15, 39, 115).
US09949833B2	Finishing RASP and orthopaedic surgical procedure for using the same to implant a revision hip prosthesis A surgical instrument includes a finishing rasp having a longitudinal axis, an elongated shaft, a handle, and a cutting head. The elongated shaft has an outer circumference and a bore formed therein, and the bore has an open end defined in a distal end of the elongated shaft and a blind end positioned proximally of the open end within the elongated shaft. The handle is secured to an opposite, proximal end of the elongated shaft. The cutting head is secured to, and extends away from, the distal end of the shaft. The cutting head has a length that extends along the longitudinal axis and is arcuate in shape so as to extend around less than the outer circumference of the elongated shaft at the open end of the bore. The cutting head includes a plurality of linear cutting teeth that extend along the length of the cutting head.
US09949832B2	Osteograft implant Bone implant compositions are provided that include a body made of cortical bone extending along an axis between a first end and a second end. The body includes an outer surface configured to engage host bone of a patient and at least one recess extending transverse to the axis into the outer surface of the body configured for disposal of an insert. At least one insert made of demineralized bone is disposed in the at least one recess.
US09949830B2	Method for replacing a heart valve A method for replacing a native heart valve in need thereof comprises delivering to the native heart valve an apparatus comprising a valve member, a connecting member, and an anchor member suitable for anchoring the apparatus. The valve member reversibly moves between an open position and a closed position to augment or replace the function of the native valve leaflets, thereby reducing valve regurgitation. Some embodiments include a stent that is positioned in the native heart valve with the valve member disposed therein.
US09949827B2	Replacement heart valves, delivery devices and methods A replacement heart valve and method of treating valve insufficiency includes an expandable frame configured to engage a native valve annulus. A valve body is coupled to the frame. The valve body can include a leaflet portion and possibly a skirt portion. A portion of the frame has a foreshortening portion configured to longitudinally expand when urged to a radially compacted state and longitudinally contract when urged to a radially expanded state. In one embodiment the valve skirt is attached to the frame so that it can adapt to changes in the length of the frame. A delivery device in some embodiments can use one or more coverings, such as sheaths, to controllably release the replacement heart valve at a native heart valve.
US09949824B2	Devices useful for implantation at a heart valve A device useful for implantation at a native heart valve can include an anchor element having a tubular configuration defining a longitudinal direction and a circumference, a heart valve prosthesis disposed within the anchor element, and a plurality of elongate members positioned at equidistant angular intervals about the circumference of the anchor element. The device can be configured to be transitioned from a radially collapsed delivery configuration to a radially expanded implantation configuration, and the plurality of elongate members can have a length extending in the longitudinal direction of the tubular member in the expanded implantation configuration.
US09949823B2	Universal bioabsorbable nasal implant kit Novel bioabsorbable, universal kits used to form nasal implants are disclosed. The implants are useful in rhinoplasty and nasal reconstruction surgical procedures. The kit devices have a universal configuration and can be converted by the surgeon in the field into one or more individual nasal implant devices having different configurations and applications. The kits may have outlines of nasal implants thereon.
US09949818B2	Combination double-barreled and debranching stent grafts and methods for use A combination double-barreled and debranching stent graft and methods for its use, where the stent graft comprises, a main body stent graft defining a single lumen with distal and proximal ends, a first bifurcation in the main body defining first and second lumens, the main body stent graft defines a tubular wall that is contiguous with the first and second lumens such that any fluid entering the main body stent graft must exit by entering one of the first or second lumens, (c) a second bifurcation within the first lumen defining a first leg and a second leg, (d) a third bifurcation within the first leg defining a third leg and a fourth leg, and (e) a fourth bifurcation within the second leg between about 10 mm and about 20 mm distal from the second bifurcation defining a fifth leg and a sixth leg.
US09949816B2	IVC filter retrieval systems with multiple capture modes Funnel-trap type delivery and/or retrieval devices for temporary Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) filters or other medical implants or foreign bodies are described. These may employ a locking sheath or a proximal-aperture capture feature or features for IVC filter (or other device) retrieval.
US09949812B2	Vaginal operation method for the treatment of anal incontinence in women There is disclosed a method for treating anal incontinence in women. The method comprises accessing the rectum or colon or anus though an incision in the vagina and implanting a powered restriction device on the rectum, colon or anal sphincter. There are also disclosed methods for energizing and controlling the restriction device.
US09949807B2	Drill guide for a dental implant and a method for fabricating a drill guide A drill guide for creating a drilled implant hole for a dental implant, and a method for producing the drill guide. The drill guide includes a base part having at least one access opening and at least one sleeve. A first surface of the base part has an impression of a preparation site, and a second surface of the base part opposite the first surface has a support surface. The access opening expands from the second surface to the first surface of the base part. The access opening and the support surface are shaped in such a way that the sleeve can be inserted at least partially into the access opening, and the sleeve, when inserted, rests on the support surface and is positioned and oriented relative to the base part.
US09949806B2	Orthodontic bracket assemblies with torque-adjusting drums Orthodontic bracket assemblies with torque-adjusting drums. The drum defines at least a majority of the archwire slot of the corresponding bracket assembly, and the drum may be selectively rotated about its longitudinal axis to adjust the prescriptive force that is applied to a patient's tooth during orthodontic use of the bracket assembly. The bracket assembly includes a positioning assembly that selectively retains the drum in a selected orientation relative to the base of the bracket assembly, thereby defining a prescription to be imparted by the bracket assembly to a patient's tooth. In some embodiments, the bracket assembly includes a biasing mechanism that selectively urges the positioning assembly to a position in which the drum is, or is not, retained in a selected position. In some embodiments, the bracket includes a release mechanism that selectively disengages the positioning assembly to permit adjustment of the drum.
US09949805B1	Orthodontic brace bracket attachment system An orthodontic bracket attachment system featuring brackets for orthodontic braces. The system features a wing located on a bracket facial side. The system features an adhesive indention located on a bracket lingual side. The orthodontic bracket is designed to be affixed to a surface of a tooth. Adhesive is applied to the bracket lingual side flowing into the adhesive indention. The bracket is affixed to the surface of the tooth via the adhesive.
US09949804B2	Orthodontic bracket and a method of making an orthodontic bracket Method of making a customized orthodontic bracket. A bracket receiving area is determined on a three-dimensional tooth model of a patient's tooth, and a bracket base is provided with a tooth-facing surface that is shaped according to the shape of the bracket receiving area. An outline of a bracket head is determined on the tooth model, and the bracket head is provided with a bracket head surface that is shaped according to the shape within the bracket head outline. The bracket has an outer surface with a shape corresponding to the natural shape of the patient's tooth, which helps to minimize discomfort during orthodontic treatment with the brackets.
US09949803B2	Lighting device for a medical or dental instrument Medical or dental instruments having a lighting device, manufacturing methods for such instruments and various lighting devices having an optical semiconductor element are described. The lighting devices have, for example, a body, at least one radiation-emitting surface on a radiation-emitting end of the body and at least one fluid channel which is provided in the body and connects at least one opening which is provided on the radiation-emitting end to one or more fluid sources for dispensing fluid. The lighting devices have, for example, a hollow metallic sleeve, a transparent window for emission of electromagnetic radiation and a socket on which at least one optical semiconductor element is arranged. The socket is made of a ceramic, glass ceramic or glass material, and is connected to the hollow metallic sleeve by a material comprising metal and glass.
US09949801B2	Systems and methods for commanded reconfiguration of a surgical manipulator using the null-space Devices, systems, and methods for reconfiguring a surgical manipulator by moving the manipulator within a null-space of a kinematic Jacobian of the manipulator arm. In one aspect, in response to receiving a reconfiguration command, the system drives a first set of joints and calculates velocities of the plurality of joints to be within a null-space. The joints are driven according to the reconfiguration command and the calculated movement so as to maintain a desired state of the end effector or a remote center about which an instrument shaft pivots. In another aspect, the joints are also driven according to a calculated end effector or remote center displacing velocities within a null-perpendicular-space of the Jacobian so as to effect the desired reconfiguration concurrently with a desired movement of the end effector or remote center.
US09949796B2	Round depth gauge A device for measuring blind holes formed through a bone includes (a) a first elongated rod including a shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end including an increased diameter abutment extending radially outward therefrom, the abutment including a proximal surface formed to contact a portion of the bone adjacent a distal opening of the blind hole to assume a locked configuration with the bone and (b) a second elongated rod extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis.
US09949793B2	Catheter with atraumatic tip A medical device is provided comprising a shaft comprising a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is configured to buckle upon application of a first critical force. The second segment includes an outer surface and an inner surface and is configured to buckle upon application of a second critical force. The second critical force is lower than the first critical force. The medical device further comprises a coil disposed radially inwardly of the inner surface of the second segment.
US09949783B2	Systems and methods for optimizing emissions from simultaneous activation of electrosurgery generators A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is presented including a power supply module configured to output power, a first energy module configured to receive the power and convert the power into a first waveform having a first phase, and to deliver the power in a first energy mode, and a second energy module configured to receive the power and convert the power into a second waveform having a second phase, and to deliver the power in a second energy mode. A host controller module is configured to control a type and a number of energy modalities provided by the generator platform and a comparator compares the first phase of the first waveform with the second phase of the second waveform in one or more of a plurality of sub-periods. An adjustment module adjusts a relative phase between the first and second waveforms based on results obtained from the comparator.
US09949782B2	Method for the control of a medical device as a function of neutral electrode impedance The method disclosed herein permits the operator of an electrosurgical device to move a safety switch-off threshold for a contact resistance at a neutral electrode from a first value to a second and slightly higher value. This way, for patients with a relatively high resistance yielding a somewhat elevated contact resistance despite correct attachment of the neutral electrode, uninterrupted operation of the device is achievable.
US09949781B2	Grasping treatment unit, grasping treatment instrument, and grasping treatment system A grasping treatment unit includes a first jaw, and a second jaw openable and closable relative to the first jaw. In the first jaw, a heating wire continues without branching from a first extending end to a second extending end, and heat is generated over an entire length from the first extending end to the second extending end when the electric current flows through the heating wire. In a heating portion, a calorific value per unit area is higher in a distal portion than in a proximal portion in the first jaw when the heat is generated from the heating wire. On a treatment surface of the first jaw, an amount of heat transfer from the heating portion is greater in the distal portion than in the proximal portion.
US09949778B2	Spinal implant with flexible tie A spinal implant can be fastened on a bony element of a patient via a flexible tie. In some embodiments, the spinal implant has two jaws, each having a recess and an opening. The recess is configured to receive a portion of a rod. A portion of the flexible tie is passed through the opening and between a wall of the recess and a surface of the rod to form a loop that can be placed around the bony element. The two jaws are hinged at one end and engaged at the opposite end via a locking member. The locking member can be adjusted to simultaneously hold the jaws together in a fixed position relative to the rod and lock the flexible tie, which has been properly tensioned, in translation relative to the spinal implant.
US09949777B2	Method and device for delivering medicine to bone A method for the long-term delivery of fluids to a bone of a patient includes providing a cannulated bone screw and an insert configured to be coupled to the bone screw. The method further includes creating an aperture in the skin of a patient, inserting the bone screw into a bone of the patient through the aperture, and coupling the insert to the bone screw. The method further includes the steps of providing a fluid source, coupling the fluid source to the insert, and delivering a fluid from the fluid source to the insert.
US09949767B2	Methods and devices for manipulating a vertebra Methods and devices are provided for manipulating a vertebra. In one embodiment, a surgical device can include a frame configured to couple two or more surgical instruments attached to one or more vertebrae. Coupling the two or more surgical instruments together, the frame and/or at least one of the surgical instruments can be manipulated to move at least one of the surgical instruments, thereby effecting movement at least one of the vertebra or vertebrae to which the surgical instruments coupled to the frame are attached. In this way, the surgical device can be used to facilitate rotation of a vertebra relative to another vertebra to correct the angular relationship of the vertebrae.
US09949766B2	Polyaxial screw The present invention generally is directed toward a spinal fixation system whereby a coupling element allows the physician to selectively lock or unlock either the connection between the coupling element and a fastener, such as to allow for repositioning of the coupling element, or the connection between the coupling element and an elongate rod. The locking or unlocking of these connections may be made independently and as desired by the physician.
US09949765B2	Orthopedic fixation devices and methods of installation thereof Orthopedic fixation devices and methods of installing the same. The orthopedic fixation device may include a coupling element and a bone fastener, whereby the bone fastener can be loaded into the coupling element through the bottom of a bore in the coupling element.
US09949764B2	Spinal deformity correction A spinal alignment system can include a rod and a plurality of uniplanar screw assemblies that include a screw, a cap, and a housing. The screw and cap can be configured such that the relative angular displacement between the screw and the cap is limited to a first limit angle in a first plane and to a second limit angle in a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane, the second limit angle being larger than the first limit angle. The housing can be coupled to the cap and configured to maintain the cap in proximity with the head of the screw. The housing can have two elongated elements forming a U-shaped saddle. The alignment system can also include a plurality of locking cap assemblies that capture the rod within the U-shaped saddle and are tightened to fixedly couple the rod to the respective uniplanar screw assemblies.
US09949761B2	Noninvasive device for adjusting fastener One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for a system for noninvasive adjusting fastener tensioning has an elongated shaft having a slot defined therein. The shaft has a first end oppositely disposed from the second end. An associated rod or rods may pass through each end. Selectively adjustable fasteners may have a plurality of magnets disposed in the head of the fastener. An external drive device generating a magnetic field may be used to rotate the fasteners via the magnets in the fastener head externally without the need for surgery. The fasteners may move in and out from the shaft and contact the rod to adjust tensioning.
US09949759B2	Growing rod for treating spinal deformities and method for using same A growing rod adapted to be secured along a length of a spine for treating deformities of the spine. The growing rod comprises a base rod, an extendable rod having a proximal portion that is slidably coupled to the base rod and arranged with a gear rack, and a distraction unit. The distraction unit includes a housing attached to the base rod, a rotatable drive interface accessible by an external driver from outside of the housing, and a drive gear mechanism housed within the housing and coupled to the rotatable drive interface and the gear rack such that rotation of the rotatable drive interface causes linear movement of the extendable rod through the gear rack.
US09949752B2	Systems and methods for endoluminal valve creation The present application pertains generally to medical systems and methods for creation of an autologous tissue valves within a mammalian body. In some embodiments, a system for creating an endoluminal valve from a blood vessel wall is provided. The system includes a tubular assembly having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end, a distal portion with a distal end, and a first lumen extending from the proximal end to a distal port located proximate the distal portion. The distal portion can have a supporting surface that extends in a longitudinal direction and is offset from a surface of the tubular assembly proximal the distal port. The system can further include a tissue dissection probe disposed within the first lumen.
US09949747B2	Systems and methods for installing an orthopedic implant A system includes a cartridge having an elongate body extending from a first end to a second end and having a top side and a bottom side. The cartridge defines a first hole adjacent to the first end that extends through the cartridge from the bottom side to the top side. The top side of the cartridge defines a pair of parallel slots that extend perpendicular with respect to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge. Each slot of the pair of parallel slots is equidistant from a central axis defined by the first hole.
US09949745B2	Systems, devices, and methods for guiding surgical devices into bone Devices, systems, and methods are generally provided for guiding surgical devices into a desired location and orientation in a bone. In general, the devices can include an elongate guide, a sleeve having an inner lumen therethrough for seating the guide, and a locking mechanism configured to lock a position of the guide with respect to the sleeve. The guide can have a distal, bone-engaging portion that can be laterally offset from an intermediate portion of the guide by a predetermined distance and that can extend distally beyond the sleeve to contact a bony structure. The guide can thus orient and stabilize the sleeve at the predetermined distance from the bony structure to provide for the delivery of one or more surgical devices through the sleeve and into the bone at a desired location and orientation, without requiring a surgeon to actually view the surgical site.
US09949737B2	Adapter assemblies for interconnecting surgical loading units and handle assemblies A surgical instrument includes a handle assembly, a surgical loading unit, and an adapter assembly coupled therebetween. The adapter assembly includes a housing, an elongated body, a switch assembly, and a switch actuator. The elongated body extends distally from the housing and is configured to be coupled to the surgical loading unit. The switch assembly is disposed within the housing and configured to communicate that the surgical loading unit is coupled to the elongated body. The switch assembly includes a substrate, a switch mounted on the substrate, and at least one wire coupled to the substrate. The switch actuator is movably disposed within the housing and configured to actuate the switch upon engagement of the surgical loading unit with the elongated body.
US09949732B2	System and method for all-inside suture fixation for implant attachment and soft tissue repair In one embodiment, a system for repairing a meniscus includes a suture including a first anchor, a second anchor, and a flexible portion connecting the first anchor and the second anchor. The flexible portion includes a self-locking slide knot between the first anchor and the second anchor. The system also includes a needle having a longitudinal extending bore, an open end, and a slot adjacent the open distal end, the first anchor and the second anchor are positioned entirely within the bore and slot. The system further includes a pusher configured to be movable within the bore of the needle. The pusher is configured to discharge the first anchor and the second anchor individually and sequentially through the open distal end of the needle.
US09949730B2	Circumferential wound retraction with support and guidance structures Embodiments of a circumferential retractor having an attached supporting, manipulating or positioning tool are described. The retractor optionally includes a sealing member associated with an external member of the retractor and an external support structure that may be used with the retractor and positioning tool as needed.
US09949729B2	Surgical retractor systems A medical device for keeping open of a wound during surgery is described. It comprises a surgical retractor, a mechanical retracting system a force element for automatically winding an elongate wire-like element to apply tension to the elongate wire-like element.
US09949716B2	Method for generating an elasticity image An image processing method enables an elasticity image of a body including a cavity to be produced on the basis of the material(s) forming the body, wherein the method includes the steps of: receiving a deformation image illustrating a field of movement of the points of the body on the basis of a pressure difference in the body, estimating a shape function of the body from the deformation image, calculating an elasticity image of the body on the basis of the shape function, of the pressure difference and of the deformation image.
US09949715B2	Systems and methods for ultrasound probe guidance Systems and method for ultrasound probe guidance are provided. One system includes a probe guide with a body having at least one engagement portion for coupling an ultrasound probe to the body. The system also includes at least one sensor configured to communicate with an ultrasound imaging system, wherein the at least one sensor coupled to the body and configured to determine at least one of a spatial position, an orientation, a probe head movement speed, a temperature, a scan speed of the body relative to an object being scanned, or a contact pressure relative to the body and the object being scanned.
US09949709B2	Techniques for suppression of motion artifacts in medical imaging Techniques for suppression of motion artifacts in medical imaging include obtaining projections at different times within a time interval from a medical imaging system operating on a subject. A stationary projection is determined for a first subset of the projections in which a signal source and detector array of the imaging system are in a first configuration relative to the subject. An image of the subject based on the stationary projection is displayed. For any subset, the stationary projection is a minimum value for each pixel among the subset of projections if a signal passing through a moving object of interest inside the subject is expected to cause an increase in a pixel value. Alternatively, the stationary projection is a maximum value for each pixel among the subset of projections if the signal passing through the object of interest is expected to cause a decrease in a pixel value.
US09949707B2	Radiographic imaging system, control method, and storage medium A radiographic imaging system, which includes a plurality of radiographic imaging apparatuses each configured to acquire a radiographic image and a processing unit configured to combine a plurality of the radiographic images acquired from the plurality of radiographic imaging apparatuses to generate a stitched image, includes a correction image data determination unit configured to determine correction image data based on an irradiation condition of radiation to be emitted from the radiation source, and an image correction unit configured to correct an area of the stitched image corresponding to an area in which the plurality of radiographic imaging apparatuses overlap, by using the correction image data.
US09949706B2	Image-processing device, radiographic imaging system, image-processing program, and image-processing method Provided are an image processing device, a radiography system, an image processing program, and an image processing method which can generate a tomographic image used for radiographic interpretation and a tomographic image suitable for generating a composite two-dimensional image from a projection image obtained by tomosynthesis imaging. A frequency processing unit and a tomographic image generation unit generate a first tomographic image which is emphasized according to a spatial frequency and is used for radiographic interpretation, on the basis of the projection images obtained by tomosynthesis imaging, and generate a second tomographic image which is emphasized according to the spatial frequency and on which the degree of emphasis is different from the degree of emphasis on the first tomographic image, on the basis of the projection image. A two-dimensional image generation unit combines a plurality of second tomographic images to generate a composite two-dimensional image.
US09949705B2	Device and method for x-ray phase contrast imaging A device for slot scanning phase contrast x-ray imaging, includes an x-ray emitter, a plurality of x-ray gratings, a patient couch, and an x-ray detector. Position marker elements are arranged and configured in the beam path of the x-ray emitter such that the position marker elements are visible in an x-ray image. In the x-ray image, a relative position of an object on the patient couch in relation to an x-ray beam fan of the x-ray emitter may be established from a location and a distance of the position marker elements from one another.
US09949703B2	Extremity imaging apparatus An x-ray imaging apparatus revolves a digital radiation detector and a radiation source about an imaging area where a subject is positioned to be imaged. A housing encloses the source and the detector, and includes an open housing gap to allow movement of the subject into the imaging area by moving through the open gap. A housing extension may be deployed to close the housing gap and to enclose the detector as it revolves. Shielding assemblies prevent exterior access into the housing.
US09949700B2	Medical device approaches A system and method for providing image guidance for planning approach paths for one or more medical devices at a target location. The system can receive a volumetric medical image, determine a density of content within the volumetric medical image, receive an indication of a target location within the volumetric medical image, identify obstructing objects within the volumetric medical image, and determine a plurality of pathways from an approach region of the volumetric medical image to the target location. The system can cause a display to concurrently display the volumetric medical image and a plurality of emplacements for one or more medical imaging devices.
US09949699B2	Tomographic image generating system comprising a three-dimensional camera for aquiring a thickness and/or a two-dimensional shape of a surface of a subject An embodiment of an tomographic image generating system may include: an imaging member that includes a radiation source, a radiation detector and a subject table, and captures the projected image a predetermined number of times while changing a positional relationship between the radiation source and the radiation detector; a reconstructing member that generates a tomographic image of the subject from the projected image captured by the imaging member; an acquiring member that acquires a thickness of the subject and/or a two-dimensional shape of a surface of the subject, the surface of the subject being irradiated with radiation; and a controlling member that determines an imaging condition for the imaging member and/or a reconstructing condition for the reconstructing member generating the tomographic image of the subject, on the basis of the thickness and/or the two-dimensional shape of the subject acquired by the acquiring member.
US09949696B2	Apparatus and methods for computing cardiac output of a living subject via applanation tonometry Apparatus and methods for calculating cardiac output (CO) of a living subject using applanation tonometry measurements. In one embodiment, the apparatus and methods build a nonlinear mathematical model to correlate physiologic source data vectors to target CO values. The source data vectors include one or more measurable or derivable parameters such as: systolic and diastolic pressure, pulse pressure, beat-to-beat interval, mean arterial pressure, maximal slope of the pressure rise during systole, the area under systolic part of the pulse pressure wave, gender (male or female), age, height and weight. The target CO values are acquired using various methods, across a plurality of individuals. Multidimensional nonlinear optimization is then used to find a mathematical model which transforms the source data to the target CO data. The model is then applied to an individual by acquiring physiologic data for the individual and applying the model to the collected data.
US09949692B2	Stent graft monitoring assembly and method of use thereof Assemblies are provided for positioning within a lumen comprising a stent graft; and a sensor positioned on the stent graft. Within certain aspects the sensors are wireless sensors, and include for example one or more fluid pressure sensors, contact sensors, position sensors, pulse pressure sensors, blood volume sensors, blood flow sensors, chemistry sensors (e.g., for blood and/or other fluids), metabolic sensors (e.g., for blood and/or other fluids), mechanical stress sensors and/or temperature sensors.
US09949690B2	Automatic configuration system for an operator console An automatic configuration system for an operator console wherein one or more operators control and monitor physical facilities, operations or physically dispersed services. The system includes wearable personal identification devices worn by the operators and a control unit for communicating with the wearable personal identification devices in order to detect the presence of one or more operators within a defined control room area. Each personal identification device includes a sensor unit for monitoring operator data, and is adapted to communicate the operator data to the control unit, which is adapted to configure the operator console based on the operator data.
US09949682B2	Method for determining target of alcohol test, driving safety device and system, server The present invention provides a method for determining a target of alcohol test, including: determining whether a motor vehicle satisfies a preset condition; and determining, as a target vehicle, a motor vehicle that satisfies at least one preset condition. The preset condition comprises at least one of: a parking duration in an area, in which a distance from a place selling alcoholic drinks does not exceed a predetermined distance, has a value within a predetermined range; alcohol content in a body of a driver of the motor vehicle exceeds a predetermined value; and schedule of a driver of the motor vehicle on that driving day comprises having a meal and/or a dinner party. The present invention further provides a driving safety device, a server and a driving safety system.
US09949681B2	Burnout symptoms detection and prediction A method for detecting and presenting burnout symptoms associated with users is provided. The method may include receiving a plurality of predictor rules for monitoring and detecting a plurality of burnout indicators. The method may further include monitoring and receiving the plurality of burnout indicators. Additionally, the method may include storing the monitored and received plurality of burnout indicators. The method may also include detecting a plurality of burnout events associated with the stored monitored and received plurality of burnout indicators. The method may further include determining the plurality of burnout symptoms based on the detected plurality of burnout events. The method may also include determining at least one aggregate score based on the determined plurality of burnout symptoms. The method may further include presenting at least one alert and at least one recommendation based on the determined plurality of burnout symptoms and the determined at least one aggregate score.
US09949680B2	Drawworks A drawworks for a drilling device for lowering and hoisting a load such as a drill string or parts thereof includes a frame comprising a first bearing point, a second bearing point, and a third bearing point, a winding drum, and a first bearing device connected to the frame for the winding drum. The first bearing device is arranged so that a center of respective bearing forces is located at each of the first bearing point, at the second bearing point, and at the third bearing point.
US09949675B2	Noninvasive blood measurement platform A noninvasive blood measurement platform may be used to determine the amounts of various constituents of the blood based on the bulk absorption characteristics of the blood. The platform may measure bulk absorption of energy such as, a broad-spectrum light, to determine maximum and minimum blood volumes. The platform may measure bulk absorption of energy at the maximum and minimum blood volumes. The bulk absorption measurements may be transformed using a transformation operation to determine bulk absorption characteristics in terms of frequency and/or wavelength. A time-varying component of the bulk absorption characteristics may be derived by comparing the bulk absorption characteristics at the maximum blood volume to the bulk absorption characteristics at the minimum blood volume. Multivariate analysis may be performed on the time-varying component to determine the amount of the one or more constituents of the blood.
US09949673B2	System, method and apparatus with multiple reservoirs for in situ calibration of implantable sensors A subcutaneous sensor system includes a sensor, a plurality of reservoirs, a plurality of pumps, a mixer provided with a plurality of mixer inlets and a mixer outlet, and a controller having an input coupled to the sensor output and a plurality of control outputs coupled to the plurality of pumps and the mixer. In certain embodiments, the system further includes an enclosure for the reservoirs, the pumps, the mixer and the controller, e.g. in the form of a skin patch or in the form of an implantable enclosure. In certain embodiments, the sensor is external to the enclosure and implanted beneath the skin tissue.
US09949671B2	Diagnostic mouthpieces Diagnostic mouthpieces and separate pads for same allow dental devices of various types to have a dual purpose. The diagnostic mouthpieces allow frequent use and early intervention.
US09949669B2	System and method for determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopedic procedure A method of determining patient follow-up subsequent to an orthopaedic procedure includes determining the number of cycles of use of an orthopaedic joint of the patient. If a predetermined threshold is exceeded, communication with an orthopaedic care provider is initiated. A patient monitoring system is also disclosed.
US09949668B2	Assessing autonomic activity using baroreflex analysis A method involves implantably detecting changes in posture of a patient's body. Baroreflex responses to the posture changes are determined. An autonomic tone of the patient is determined based on the baroreflex responses. Based on the autonomic tone, various patient susceptibilities to disease may be determined, including susceptibilities to heart disease, arrhythmia, and/or sudden cardiac death.
US09949665B2	Method, system and device for positioning an implant The present invention relates to a method for measuring or verifying the position of a medical implant located in an anatomical body part(s) and/or structure(s) relative to the body part(s) and/or structure(s) or specific points, landmarks or planes of the same, wherein a device is provided which has an at least partially known or previously determined geometry or at least partially known dimensions and is connected to the medical implant; positional or landmark information regarding the anatomical body part(s) and/or structure(s) is acquired; the position of the medical implant is calculated using a navigation system and a reference structure which is or can be connected to the device; and the calculated position of the medical implant is related to or compared with the acquired positional or landmark information regarding the anatomical body part(s) and/or structure(s) in order to measure or verify the position of the medical implant within or relative to the anatomical body part(s) and/or structure(s).
US09949662B2	Device and method having automatic user recognition and obtaining impedance-measurement signals Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a CPU and a memory circuit that has user-corresponding data stored on the memory circuit, and a platform over which a plurality of electrodes are interleaved, and configured for engaging the user. While the plurality of electrodes is concurrently contacting a limb or other extremity of the user, measurement signals are obtained from the plurality of electrodes. Based on a plurality of impedance-measurement signals being obtained from the electrodes, signals are generated that correspond to cardiovascular timings of the user. In such aspects of the present disclosure, pulse characteristic signals are determined based on the plurality of impedance-measurement signals. One of the pulse characteristic signals is extracted, and used as a timing reference to extract and process another pulse characteristic signal.
US09949661B2	Signal processing unit of an EMG measuring system An EMG measuring system has a signal processing unit (8) and with at least one electrode (4) for measuring a potential difference in a muscle, a muscle fiber or in a skin area of a patient. At least one measured signal representing the potential difference is transmitted from the electrode (4) to the signal processing unit (8). Another signal, which is transmitted to the at least one external device (9), is generated in the signal processing unit (8) on the basis of this measured signal. A signal transmitted from the at least one external device (9) is processed by the signal processing unit (8) and at least one control signal is generated on the basis of this signal.
US09949660B2	Method and system to discriminate rhythm patterns in cardiac activity Methods and systems are provided for discriminating rhythm patterns in cardiac activity. The method and system obtain cardiac activity data for multiple cardiac beats over a predetermined period of time. Multi-beat segments within the cardiac activity data exhibit different rhythm patterns of interest including fast and slow rhythm patterns. The method and system calculate a cardiac beats timing relation representative of intervals between the cardiac beats within a measurement window, wherein the measurement window is configured to overlap the corresponding multi-beat segment. The method and system designate the cardiac beats timing relation to have one of the rhythm patterns of interest based on a rate threshold, identifies when successive multi-beat segments exhibit rhythm patterns that transition between the fast and slow irregular rhythm patterns and records the irregular rhythm pattern transition in connection with the cardiac activity data.
US09949656B2	Catheter with stacked spine electrode assembly A catheter comprising an elongated catheter body, an electrode array distal of the catheter body, the array having a mounting member and at least first and second spine supports. Each spine support includes a base having a planar configuration, and a plurality of spines extending from the base, wherein the first base extends in a first plane and the second base extends in a second plane different from the first plane in the mounting member.
US09949651B2	Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring system A surgical system kit is described. The surgical system kit includes a peripheral electrode, a surgical access instrument configured to be placed in a surgical target site, and a control unit. The surgical access instrument has a body with a proximal end, and a distal end, two or more electrodes on the distal end at fixed locations and spaced apart a known distance. The control unit is configured to send a signal to the peripheral electrode, receive information indicative of a neural response from at least one electrode of the surgical access instrument, and interpret the information according to a nerve conduction velocity modality to measure the nerve conduction velocity through the segment of the nerve.
US09949648B2	Continuous non-invasive blood pressure measurement apparatus and methods providing automatic recalibration A blood pressure measurement system is configured to perform a calibration automatically when a calibration condition is satisfied. The calibration condition is based upon one or more parameters of pulse waves of a subject. The parameters may include pulse wave area; a time difference between systolic peak and reflected wave peak or dichrotic notch in the pulse wave and a shape of at least a portion of the pulse wave.
US09949638B2	Ophthalmology Apparatus for illuminating the retina of an eye. The apparatus includes an illumination device and a lens system. The illumination device and the lens system combine to provide incident illumination from an apparent point source located within the lens system. The apparatus also includes an illumination transfer device. The illumination transfer device has two foci and the apparent point source of the lens system is provided at a first focus point of the illumination transfer device and an eye is accommodated at a second focus point of the illumination transfer device. The illumination transfer device transfers the incident illumination from the apparent point source into the eye to illuminate the retina.
US09949629B2	Endotracheal tube insertion device An optical assembly is configured for use with an endotracheal tube insertion device and includes a flexible member with an elongated body having a substantially cylindrical shape, a distal end, and a proximal end. An endotracheal tube is carried by the flexible member, and an endotracheal tube retention tab extends outwardly from the flexible member and is configured to allow the endotracheal tube to be positioned and retained therein. The endotracheal tube retention tab has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape, defines a longitudinally extending channel, and includes an elongated slot formed therein. The elongated slot is configured to provide access to the channel and to facilitate removal of the endotracheal tube.
US09949625B2	Electronic endoscope An electronic endoscope has a light source configured to emit normal light toward an object and a rotating filter configured to be positioned in the path of light that passes from the light source to an image sensor. The rotating filter has an optical band-pass filter and a ND filter. The electronic endoscope has further a rotation controller that synchronizes a light-path traverse-interval of the band-pass filter and a light-path traverse-interval of the ND filter with a field/frame interval; and an image generator that generates a normal image from broadband image-pixel signals and generates a spectral image from specific-band image-pixel signals. The image generator has a brightness adjuster that increases a brightness level of the spectral image. Then, the ND filter reduces an amount of light emitted from the light source to an amount of light that corresponds to an increased brightness of the spectral image.
US09949618B2	Apparatus and method for coupling between a colonoscope and add-on tubes A sleeve assembly is described for coupling a colonoscope insertion tube to an add-on tube. In some embodiments, the sleeve assembly defines an elongated lumen and comprises an inner sleeve sized to receive an insertion tube of a colonoscope, an outer sleeve encircling the inner sleeve, and one or more add-on tubes positioned between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve. In some embodiments, at least the inner sleeve is collapsible to fit tightly over a colonoscope insertion tube received within the inner sleeve. In some embodiments, the inner sleeve is coupled to the outer sleeve at one or more locations along the length of the inner sleeve so that collapsing of the inner sleeve brings the outer sleeve radially closer to the inner sleeve, approximating the one or more add-on tubes to a colonoscope insertion tube received within the inner sleeve.
US09949616B2	Endoscopic surgery device, method of inserting endoscope and treatment tool, and method of removing endoscope and treatment tool An endoscope and a treatment tool which are inserted into an outer tube can move back and forth in interlock with each other, and an operation part of the treatment tool can be prevented from interfering with a proximal end of the endoscope when inserting the treatment tool into the outer tube. An endoscopic surgery device satisfies the following expressions: Lt≤Ls
US09949615B2	Systems and methods for preventing laser fiber misfiring within endoscopic access devices A system for preventing inadvertent actuation of a medical device. The system includes an elongate tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The lumen is configured to receive a medical device configured to transition between an actuated state and an inactive state. The device further includes a detection system configured to determine a position of a distal end of the medical device relative to the distal end of the elongate tube. The detection system includes a transmitting element and a receiving element.
US09949613B2	Dishwasher with slidable tine assembly A dishwasher for cleaning utensils comprising a tub, a spray system, and a rack having a wireframe body, a set of fixed tines disposed on the bottom, and a set of slidably adjustable tines arranged in pairs and adjustable relative to the fixed set of paired tines.
US09949612B2	Metering device for the metered addition of detergents A dispensing apparatus for dispensing substances, such as cleaning, washing, or dishwashing agents, in household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, or the like, having a dispensing unit having control means to control dispensing of the substances, and a tank receptacle, a tank for stocking the substances, the tank being embodied as a replaceable unit connectable to the tank receptacle, at least one connection for data transmission between the dispensing unit and the tank, at least one connection for data transmission between the household appliance and the tank and/or the dispensing unit.
US09949605B2	Cleaner head A cleaner head for a cleaning appliance, the cleaner head including a main body having an air inlet and an air outlet, an agitator supported for rotation with respect to the main body about a rotational axis, and a collector for collecting strands of hair. The collector is supported by the main body and arranged such that strands of hair drawn through the air inlet wrap around at least part of the collector. The collector is movable with respect to the main body between a hair collecting position in which the agitator is rotatable with respect to the collector and a hair removal position.
US09949602B2	Vacuum axle with a motor embedded therein and wheels A vacuum cleaner including a base including a motor assembly and a wheel, wherein the wheel rotates around the motor assembly about an axis of rotation, the wheel extends radially outward from the motor assembly, and a portion of the motor assembly intersects a plane defined by the wheel perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
US09949601B2	Cyclonic surface cleaning apparatus A surface cleaning apparatus, which in one embodiment is a hand held vacuum cleaner, comprises a cyclone and a suction motor wherein the cyclone air outlet and the suction motor inlet are positioned towards the same end of the surface cleaning apparatus whereby air exiting the cyclone travels laterally and then axially to the suction motor inlet. A surface cleaning apparatus comprises a cyclone and a suction motor wherein the suction motor is positioned rearward of the cyclone and the cyclone air outlet is positioned at a lower end of the cyclone whereby air exiting the cyclone travels laterally and then axially towards the suction motor inlet.
US09949595B1	Cookware rack A cookware rack includes a base formed with a first beam separated from a second beam. The first and second beams include a plurality of slots arranged in a plurality of columns and a plurality of rows. A wire divider is shaped to be removably received within any one of the plurality of rows, positioned within the slots forming the desired plurality of rows.
US09949593B2	Embossed paper-based bakeable tray An embossed paper-based bakeable tray having a bottom surface and sidewalls and an embossed pattern formed in the bottom surface providing a series of closely spaced projections substantially entirely over the bottom surface.
US09949589B2	Juicer cover A conical shaped juicer cover with two openings is placed over a juicer machine. The first opening is inserted around the juice machine's feeding chute, and the elastic nature of the first opening ensures a snug fit, while also covering any openings in the vicinity of the feeding chute. The second opening extends over the remainder of the juicer machine covering at least a portion of the juicer machine's base and at least the top portion of containers for collecting juice and pulp that are positioned under the juicer machine's pulp ejection spout and juicing spout. The juicer cover is composed of fabric capable of blocking and/or absorbing liquid, and preferably composed of stretch fabric.
US09949584B2	Food presentation methods Trays for food are disclosed. A tray includes a plurality of receptacles, or compartments, for different courses of a meal (e.g., the entrée, a vegetable, a fruit, a starch, a dessert, a drink, etc.). Compartments for relatively unhealthful items may be configured to make the portion sizes of those items appear to be larger than they are, while compartments for healthful items may be configured to make the portion sizes of those items appear to be smaller than they are. The tray may also be configured to ensure that healthful items are positioned closest to an individual who is eating from the tray. Methods for presenting food to an individual are also disclosed.
US09949582B2	Foam cushion cover A cushion cover includes a first chamber that includes at least one sheet, wherein the first chamber is configured to house a cushion that includes air pockets. A second chamber is sealed to the first chamber, wherein the second chamber includes a closed back end, a closed top, a closed bottom, a pair of closed sides, and an open front end. A panel, which includes at least one hole, is sealed to the first chamber and facing the open end of the second chamber. A handle is provided that includes a longitudinal strap adjoining a pair of side panels, wherein the pair of side panels are sealed to the first chamber, wherein upon a force being applied to the first chamber, air contained in the air pockets of the cushion flows through the at least one hole in the panel and into the second chamber without exiting the second chamber.

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