US08963212B2
In one general aspsect, a semiconductor device can include at least a first device region and a second device region disposed at a surface of a semiconductor region where the second device region is adjacent to the first device region and spaced apart from the first device region. That semiconductor device can include a connection region disposed between the first device region and the second device region, and a trench extending into the semiconductor region and at least extending from the first device region, through the connection region, and to the second device region. The semiconductor device can include a dielectric layer lining opposing sidewalls of the trench, an electrode disposed in the trench, and a conductive trace disposed over a portion of the trench in the connection region and electrically coupled to a portion of the electrode disposed in the connection region.
US08963211B2
A design structure is embodied in a machine readable medium for designing, manufacturing, or testing a design. The design structure includes a high-leakage dielectric formed over an active region of a FET and a low-leakage dielectric formed on the active region and adjacent the high-leakage dielectric. The low-leakage dielectric has a lower leakage than the high-leakage dielectric. Also provided is a structure and method of fabricating the structure.
US08963209B2
A circuit includes input drain, source and gate nodes. The circuit also includes a group III nitride enhancement-mode HFET having a source, drain and gate and a voltage shifter having a first terminal connected to the gate of the enhancement mode HFET at a common junction. The circuit also includes a load resistive element connected to the common junction. The drain of the enhancement-mode HFET serves as the input drain node, the source of the enhancement-mode HFET serves as the input source node and a second terminal of the voltage shifter serves as the input gate node.
US08963208B2
A structure comprises a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor-on-insulator region and a bulk region. The semiconductor-on-insulator region comprises a first semiconductor region, a dielectric layer provided between the semiconductor substrate and the first semiconductor region, and a first transistor comprising an active region provided in the first semiconductor region. The dielectric layer provides electrical isolation between the first semiconductor region and the semiconductor substrate. The bulk region comprises a second semiconductor region provided directly on the semiconductor substrate.
US08963207B2
A semiconductor device includes a buffer layer, a channel layer and a barrier layer formed over a substrate, a trench penetrating through the barrier layer to reach the middle of the channel layer, and a gate electrode disposed inside the trench via a gate insulating film. The channel layer contains n-type impurities, and a region of the channel layer positioned on a buffer layer side has an n-type impurity concentration larger than a region of the channel layer positioned on a barrier layer side, and the buffer layer is made of nitride semiconductor having a band gap wider than that of the channel layer. The channel layer is made of GaN and the buffer layer is made of AlGaN. The channel layer has a channel lower layer containing n-type impurities at an intermediate concentration and a main channel layer formed thereon and containing n-type impurities at a low concentration.
US08963203B2
According to one embodiment, a nitride semiconductor device includes a substrate; semiconductor stacked layers including a nitride semiconductor provided on the substrate, and having a buffer layer, a carrier running layer provided on the buffer layer, and a barrier layer provided on the carrier running layer; a source electrode and a drain electrode provided on the semiconductor stacked layers and in contact with the semiconductor stacked layers; and a gate electrode provided on the semiconductor stacked layers and provided between the source electrode and the drain electrode.The gate electrode has a stacked structure, and a gate metal layer, a barrier metal layer, a first interconnection layer, and a second interconnection layer including Al are sequentially stacked from a side of a surface of the semiconductor stacked layers in the stacked structure.
US08963202B2
A semiconductor ESD protection apparatus comprises a substrate; a first doped well disposed in the substrate and having a first conductivity; a first doped area having the first conductivity disposed in the first doped well; a second doped area having a second conductivity disposed in the first doped well; and an epitaxial layer disposed in the substrate, wherein the epitaxial layer has a third doped area with the first conductivity and a fourth doped area with the second conductivity separated from each other. Whereby a first bipolar junction transistor (BJT) equivalent circuit is formed between the first doped area, the first doped well and the third doped area; a second BJT equivalent circuit is formed between the second doped area, the first doped well and the fourth doped area; and the first BJT equivalent circuit and the second BJT equivalent circuit have different majority carriers.
US08963201B2
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a silicon-controlled-rectifier (SCR). The SCR includes a longitudinal silicon fin extending between an anode and a cathode and including a junction region there between. One or more first transverse fins traverses the longitudinal fin at one or more respective tapping points positioned between the anode and the junction region. Other devices and methods are also disclosed.
US08963190B2
A light-emitting device includes a substrate having a front surface on which a semiconductor light-emitting element is mounted. A front cover is provided which thermally contacts the front surface of the substrate at a periphery of the semiconductor light-emitting element and is disposed on a front side of the substrate. A heat conduction path is formed along which heat generated by the semiconductor light-emitting element is conducted in order of the substrate and the front cover and the heat is radiated from a front surface of the front cover, so that a heat radiation property from a front surface of the light-emitting device is improved.
US08963185B2
A superstrate, such as a sheet of polymer film, is used as a transport during metallization of solar cells. The back sides of the solar cells are attached to the sheet of polymer film. Contact holes are formed through the sheet of polymer film to expose doped regions of the solar cells. Metals are formed in the contact holes to electrically connect to the exposed doped regions of the solar cells. The metals are electroplated to form metal contacts of the solar cell. Subsequently, the solar cells are separated from other solar cells that were metallized while supported by the same sheet of polymer film to form strings of solar cells or individual solar cells.
US08963172B2
An optical semiconductor device includes a semiconductor support substrate of a conductivity type having a first resistivity, a semiconductor layer of the conductivity type formed on the semiconductor support substrate and having a second resistivity higher than the first resistivity, a first power supply terminal having a first metal in Schottky barrier contact with the semiconductor layer along with the semiconductor support substrate, so that a Schottky diode element is constructed by the first power supply terminal and the semiconductor layer along with the semiconductor support substrate, a second power supply terminal having a second metal in ohmic contact with the semiconductor support substrate, and a semiconductor light-emitting element connected between the first and second power supply terminals, the semiconductor light-emitting element being antiparallel with the Schottky diode with respect to the first and second power supply terminals.
US08963162B2
A high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) includes a first III-V compound layer. A second III-V compound layer is disposed on the first III-V compound layer and is different from the first III-V compound layer in composition. A carrier channel is located between the first III-V compound layer and the second III-V compound layer. A source feature and a drain feature are disposed on the second III-V compound layer. Each of the source feature and the drain feature comprises a corresponding intermetallic compound at least partially embedded in the second III-V compound layer. Each intermetallic compound is free of Au and comprises Al, Ti or Cu. A p-type layer is disposed on a portion of the second III-V compound layer between the source feature and the drain feature. A gate electrode is disposed on the p-type layer. A depletion region is disposed in the carrier channel and under the gate electrode.
US08963161B2
In a semiconductor device, gate signal lines are spaced apart from each other above a crystalline semiconductor film. Therefore a first protective circuit is not electrically connected when contact holes are opened in an interlayer insulating film. The static electricity generated during dry etching for opening the contact holes moves from the gate signal line, damages a gate insulating film, passes the crystalline semiconductor film, and again damages the gate insulating film before it reaches the gate signal line. As the static electricity generated during the dry etching damages the first protective circuit, the energy of the static electricity is reduced until it loses the capacity of damaging a driving circuit TFT. The driving circuit TFT is thus prevented from suffering electrostatic discharge damage.
US08963160B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a thin film transistor array substrate, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device. The thin film transistor array substrate comprises: an active pixel region and a wiring region, in which a conductive electrode is formed within the wiring region and the conductive electrode is grounded. The manufacturing method comprises: a thin film transistor array is formed within an active pixel region of a substrate; and a conductive electrode is formed within a wiring region located at the periphery of the active pixel region.
US08963152B2
A distance (d1) from an edge of a first region (R) at places (D) where branch electrodes (4b) extending, which branch off from an electrode line (4a) of a second source/drain electrode (4), start to overlap with a first region (R) to the electrode line (4a) is 5 μm or more. This realizes a TFT including a comb-shaped source/drain structure that enables easy repair of a source-drain leakage.
US08963150B2
A semiconductor device includes a circuit board including a ground portion, and a semiconductor package disposed on the circuit board. The semiconductor package includes an external connecting pad and an exposed pad. The exposed pad and the ground portion are electrically connected at a first surface of the exposed pad. A semiconductor chip is disposed on a second surface of the exposed pad and electrically connected to the external connecting pad. The first surface of the exposed pad is located external to the semiconductor package, and the second surface of the exposed pad is located within the semiconductor package. A test pad is disposed on the semiconductor chip and is electrically connected to the exposed pad.
US08963144B2
An organic EL light emitting device includes a transparent substrate, a transparent electrode film formed on the substrate, a positive electrode contact portion in contact with a part of the transparent electrode film and electrically connected therewith, an insulating layer formed on the transparent electrode film such that the an insulating layer covers a portion excluding a light emitting part, an organic light emitting layer formed on the transparent electrode film and on the insulating layer, a negative electrode film formed on the organic light emitting layer, a negative electrode contact portion in contact with at least a part of the negative electrode film and electrically connected therewith, and a protective layer for separating and electrically insulating the positive electrode contact portion and the transparent electrode film from the negative electrode contact portion.
US08963142B2
Provided is a photoelectric transducer having a photoelectric conversion material layer including an organic material with higher sensitivity and response than conventional one.The photoelectric transducer includes (a-1) first and second electrodes 21 and 22 separated from each other and (a-2) a photoelectric conversion material layer 30 provided between the first and second electrodes 21 and 22, wherein the photoelectric conversion material layer 30 includes an azo moiety-containing thiazole compound represented by the structural formula (1).
US08963140B2
The present disclosure is for improved organic semiconductors and improved organic photovoltaics. Liquid crystalline bent-core molecules in the B4 subphase of the present disclosure may be incorporated into improved organic semiconductors. Liquid crystalline bent-core molecules in the B4 subphase of the present disclosure may be incorporated into improved organic photovoltaics that may have improved quantum efficiencies over pre-existing organic photovoltaics.
US08963139B2
Disclosed herein is a display device in which light emitting elements of a plurality of colors including a light emitting element emitting blue light are formed in each pixel on a substrate on which a transistor is formed for each sub-pixel, and a plurality of pixels formed with sub-pixels of the plurality of colors as a unit are arranged in a form of a matrix, wherein relative positional relation between transistors of sub-pixels of respective light emission colors including blue light and a light emitting section of a light emitting element emitting the blue light is laid out such that distances between the transistors of the sub-pixels of the respective light emission colors including the blue light and the light emitting section of the light emitting element emitting the blue light are equal to each other for the respective colors.
US08963136B2
The present invention relates to a method for laminating an alignment film onto an organic light emitting diode. The method includes a) deploying a bonding agent over a surface of the organic light emitting diode; b) laminating the alignment film with the organic light emitting diode on the surface deployed with bonding agent; and c) curing the bonding agent with heat or light such that the alignment film and the organic light emitting diode are completely laminated. The present invention further discloses an LED display device. By way of foregoing, during the lamination of the alignment film, bubbles can be avoided, and the yield can be increased.
US08963135B2
Three dimensional integrated circuits including semiconductive organic materials are described. In some embodiments, the three dimensional integrated circuits include one or more electronic components that include a semiconductive region formed of one or more semiconductive organic materials. The electronic components of the three dimensional integrated circuits may also include insulating regions formed from organic insulating materials, and conductive regions form from conductive materials. The three dimensional integrated circuits may be formed by an additive manufacturing process such as three dimensional printing. Apparatus and methods for producing and testing three dimensional integrated circuits are also described.
US08963134B2
The present invention provides a display panel and a method for manufacturing the same. The display panel comprises a substrate, pixels, active elements and storage capacitors, and the active elements and storage capacitors are disposed in the pixels. Each of the storage capacitors includes a first storage electrode and a second storage electrode, and the second storage electrode is disposed in a recess of an insulating layer and positioned to the first storage electrode. In the method for manufacturing the display panel, portions of the insulating layer are removed to form the recesses positioned to the first storage electrodes. The present invention can increase the aperture ratio of the pixels.
US08963133B2
Provided is an organic electroluminescent element that achieves increased emission intensity in the front direction of the organic electroluminescent element without reducing the size of the light-emitting region thereof. The organic electroluminescent element includes: a reflective electrode; an organic electroluminescent layer including a light-emitting layer; a transparent electrode; and a light extraction structure between the reflective electrode and the organic electroluminescent layer, the structure being of a protruding shape having inclined portions whose widths gradually narrow from the reflective electrode toward a light extraction side, in which: the light extraction structure is provided on the reflective electrode to surround a light-emitting region; in a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the reflective electrode where an angle of an inclination angle formed between the reflective electrode and each of the inclined portions is largest, the angle of the inclination angle is 23° or more to 33° or less.
US08963132B2
Methods for fabricating a solution-processed OLED are provided. The methods include depositing an organic layer comprising mixture of an organic electron acceptor and an organic electron donor to form a layer that is insoluble to a non-polar solvent. Devices containing the organic layer may demonstrate improved lifetime and have a lower operating voltage while maintaining good luminous efficiency.
US08963117B2
This disclosure provides a nonvolatile memory device and related methods of manufacture and operation. The device may include one or more resistive random access memory (ReRAM) approaches to provide a memory device with more predictable operation. In particular, the forming voltage required by particular designs may be reduced through the use of a barrier layer, a reverse polarity forming voltage pulse, a forming voltage pulse where electrons are injected from a lower work function electrode, or an anneal in a reducing environment. One or more of these techniques may be applied, depending on the desired application and results.
US08963110B2
The generation of EUV light includes rotating a cylinder at least partially coated with a plasma-forming target material, directing pulsed illumination to a first set of helically-arranged spots traversing a material-coated portion of the rotating cylinder in a first direction and directing pulsed illumination to a second set of helically-arranged spots traversing the material-coated portion of the rotating cylinder in a second direction, the pulsed illumination being suitable for exciting the plasma-forming target material.
US08963107B2
Methods and apparatus for reducing energy contamination can be provided to a beam line assembly for ion implantation. Protrusions comprising surface areas and grooves therebetween can face neutral trajectories within a line of sight view from the workpiece within the beam line assembly. The protrusions can alter the course of the neutral trajectories away from the workpiece or cause alternate trajectories for further impacting before hitting a workpiece, and thereby, further reduce energy contamination for more sensitive implants.
US08963104B2
Devices having an optical element with a luminescent compound dispersed in a matrix material can be used for improving color discernment. Compositions and methods related to preparing and using these devices are also detailed in this disclosure.
US08963100B2
Nitrogen ions from a gas field ion source held at a pressure of 1.0 x 10^(-6) pa to 1.0 x 10^(-2) pa
A focused ion beam apparatus has an ion source chamber in which is disposed an emitter for emitting ions. A gas supply unit supplies nitrogen gas to the ion source chamber so that the nitrogen gas adsorbs on the surface of the emitter, and the gas supply unit maintains the pressure in the ion source chamber in the range 1.0×10−6 Pa to 1.0×10−2 Pa. An extracting electrode is spaced from the emitter, and a voltage is applied to the extracting electrode to ionize the adsorbed nitrogen gas and extract nitrogen ions in the form of an ion beam. A temperature control unit controls the temperature of the emitter.
US08963091B2
A signal detecting circuit of an infrared sensor includes: a cell array in which bolometers sensing infrared rays and outputting signal currents are arranged in an N×M format; a level generator that outputs a plurality of bias voltages corresponding to a plurality of bias levels; N resistor non-uniformity correcting circuits that are located in a column direction of the cell array and supply different bias voltages to each of the bolometers; M resistor non-uniformity correcting circuits that are located in a row direction of the cell array and supply different bias voltages to each of the bolometers; a control unit that sets a bias voltage level of each resistor non-uniformity correcting circuit to correct the resistor non-uniformity of the cell array; and N integrators that integrate the signal currents output from the cell array.
US08963084B2
A charged particle detector arrangement is described. The detector arrangement includes a detection element and a collector electrode configured to collect charged particles released from the detection element upon impact of signal charged particles.
US08963072B2
Systems and methods are provided for determining a property, e.g., density, of a geological formation based on Einstein's theory of gravitation. A tandem-structured gravimeter uses two gamma radiations emitted to two directions to determine a gravitational potential difference between two positions of the geological formation. The gravimeter can be a part of a downhole tool. The gravitational potential difference determined can be used to determine the property of the geological formation.
US08963066B2
Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging device including: a photoelectric conversion section configured to have a charge accumulating region of a first conductivity type formed in a semiconductor layer; a pixel having the photoelectric conversion section and a pixel transistor; a pixel region in which a plurality of the pixels are arranged; an epitaxially grown semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type formed on an inner wall part of a trench disposed in the semiconductor layer at least between adjacent ones of the pixels within the pixel region; and a pixel separating section configured to separate the charge accumulating regions of the adjacent ones of the pixels from each other, the pixel separating section being formed on the inside of the semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type.
US08963064B2
A photosensor array includes plural photosensor pixels. Each of the photosensor pixels includes a lower electrode, an amorphous silicon film, an n-type amorphous silicon film, and an upper electrode. The photosensor array includes plural scanning lines connected to the upper electrodes, plural read lines connected to the lower electrodes, a scanning circuit that is connected to the plural scanning lines, and sequentially supplies a selection scanning signal of a first voltage to the respective scanning lines, a first unit that inputs a second voltage higher than the first voltage to the plural read lines in a blanking period of one horizontal scanning period, and thereafter puts the plural read lines into the floating state, and a second unit that outputs a voltage change in each of the read lines within one horizontal scanning period as the sensor output voltage of the photosensor pixel.
US08963051B2
A heat treatment apparatus wherein a nozzle is accurately provided on an adaptor to prevent the nozzle from interfering with other part items and a possibility of breakage due to heat expansion of the nozzle can be reduced. The heat treatment apparatus (10) is provided with a reaction tube (42) for treating a substrate (54), a quartz adaptor (44) for supporting the reaction tube (42), a nozzle (66) connected to the adaptor (44) for supplying a treatment gas into the reaction tube (42), and a heater (46) provided outside the reaction tube (42) for heating inside the reaction tube (42). The nozzle (66) is connected to an upper plane of the adaptor (44) in the reaction tube (42) at least a part which is of the nozzle (66) and is connected with the adaptor (44) is made of quartz and other nozzle parts are made of silicon carbide.
US08963047B2
The invention relates to a tubular cored electrode for producing a high-strength fusion-welded connection and relates to a method for producing tubular cored electrodes with a diameter of less than 2 mm. In order to avoid an oxidation and water absorption of the filler flux and to retain the original thermal reaction potentials of the mineral constituents thereof, according to the invention the tubular cored electrode is characterized in that the cold formed metal tube has in the longitudinal direction a tight fusion welded connection or a weld seam, which has a smaller weld penetration than corresponds to the tube wall thickness and in this manner a spacing of the metal bond of the tube wall towards the flux core is formed.
US08963046B2
A self-adjusting liner assembly for a welding torch includes an elongated tubular body having a forward end, a rearward end, and a central bore extending from the forward end to the rearward end. An elongated fixed tube is mounted in the bore. The assembly further includes an elongated tubular slide having an inner end, an outer end, and a shoulder proximate the outer end. The fixed tube is received in the inner end of the slide, and the slide cooperates with the fixed tube in a telescoping relationship in the bore. A resilient member is disposed in the bore and envelopes a portion of the fixed tube and the slide. The resilient member engages the shoulder of the slide and urges the slide away from the fixed tube and toward the forward end of the body.
US08963036B2
This is directed to a dome switch that includes a capacitive sensor. A dome switch can include a dome operative to deform to provide tactile feedback to a user. To provide an electrical instruction to the device, the region underneath the dome can define a free space separating conductive regions forming a capacitor. For example, a tip of the dome, a button placed between the dome and a circuit board, or a user's finger can form a first conductor of a capacitor, and a support structure for the dome can include a terminal forming a second conductor completing the capacitor. When the dome deflects, the distance between the conductors can change and provide a measurable capacitance variation, which the device can detect.
US08963024B2
Contemplated device, assembly and methods include a sensor feed through assembly that protects and seals a set of wires. The assembly has a body, a first seal, a second seal and a cover. The wires thread through a first opening on the body through a second opening of the first seal and exit orthogonally between the first seal and the second seal. The cover tightens the entire assembly and secures the wires between the two seals. The entire unit can be coupled to other pressurized vessels under different temperatures and pressurized environments.
US08963012B2
A flexible circuit board includes a base film which is composed of an aluminum sheet and first protective films formed on the respective surfaces of the aluminum sheet and has a sprocket hole and a device hole, a predetermined conductor pattern which is formed on a surface of the base film, and a second protective film which is composed of aluminum and an electrically insulative film formed on a surface of the aluminum and is formed so as to cover the predetermined conductor pattern.
US08963010B2
The invention relates to a frame (1, 1a, 1b) for a cable penetration system. Said frame, which is used for receiving a plurality of bushes (20, 120, 220), comprises at least one strip (2, 12) that is arranged at a distance from the frame and is lower than the adjacent frame. Connection devices (3, 3′, 3″) suitable for receiving suitable mating pieces (23, 123, 223) for the connection devices are disposed on the strip (2, 12), the mating pieces being disposed on bushes (20, 120, 220). The connection devices (3, 3′, 3″) are arranged in such a way that bushes can be mounted in the frame essentially only in the direction normal to the frame. The invention further relates to a bush (20, 120, 220) for a cable penetration system. Said bush, which is to be received in a frame, comprises a main body, inside which a through-hole (21, 121, 221) is provided from a top side to a bottom side in the normal direction in order to receive a cable. The bush comprises at least one strip (22, 122, 132, 222, 232, 322) which is arranged at a distance from the main body and is lower than the adjacent main body. Connection devices (23, 123, 223) suitable for receiving suitable mating pieces (3, 3′, 3″) for the connection pieces are disposed on the strip, the mating pieces being disposes on a frame. The connection devices (23, 123, 223) are arranged in such a way that the bush can be mounted in the frame essentially only in the direction normal to the frame, at least two connection devices (3, 3′, 3″) being arranged on the strip (2, 12) for each bush that is to be mounted.
US08963004B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide extruded frame structures to house a conductor and associated techniques and configurations. An apparatus includes an extruded frame structure having a frame profile configured to house a conductor and insulator. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
US08963003B2
There is provided an underwater apparatus that includes a housing including a certain device, a pair of cable couplings including gimbals through which tail cables extends from the device to the outside of the housing pass, and the pair of cable couplings that connect the tail cables passing through the gimbals to a submarine cable, and a connecting holder configured to include gimbal rings fitted to the gimbals and to connect the pair of cable couplings to the housing via the gimbal rings so that the pair of cable coupling is rotatable relative to the housing, the connecting holder including an opening from which the gimbals are introduced toward the gimbal rings, wherein the connecting holder includes notches provided in an edge of the opening and the notches are formed so that the pair of cable coupling is rotatable relative to the housing.
US08962998B2
A junction box is affixed to, and electrically coupled with, a solar panel. The junction box is configured to releaseably engage and disengage accessory modules, thereby allowing accessory modules to be replaced or exchanged easily. Accessory modules are electrically coupled with other accessory modules in the solar panel string. The furthest downstream accessory module is connected to a wire harness, which is connected to a central combiner box.
US08962997B2
An electrical box suitable for safely and efficiently housing an electrical connection. The electrical box includes a bottom and a plurality of adjacent side walls, each side wall being at least partially joined to the bottom and to each adjacent side wall to form an open box. Each side wall has a top edge wherein the top edges define an open box perimeter. At least one side wall has at least one notch, the notch comprising deformable plastic members that can be biased in an open position to define a conductor opening to receive at least one of the electrical conductors. A top can be hingedly joined to one the top edges of one side wall and can be adapted to be moveable from an open position to a closed position. The conductor opening is at least partially defined by the top when the top is in the closed position, and the flexible flanges contact the conductors when the top is in the closed position.
US08962995B2
The present invention relates to a layer system (1) for thin-film solar cells and solar modules based on CIS-absorbers (4). The layer system (1) according to the invention has a buffer layer (4) made of In2(S1−x,Sex)3+δ, wherein 0≦x≦1 and −1≦δ≦1. Additionally, the buffer layer (5) is amorphously designed. With this buffer layer (5), the disadvantages of CdS-buffers frequently used to date, namely toxicity and poor process integration, are overcome, whereby in addition to high efficiency, high long-term stability is also achieved; and thus again the disadvantages of conventional buffer layers alternative to CdS do not exist.
US08962991B2
Photovoltaic cells with one or more subcells are provided with a wide band gap, pseudomorphic window layer of at least 15 nm in thickness and with an intrinsic material lattice constant that differs by at least 1% from an adjacent emitter layer. This window layer has a higher band gap than a window layer with substantially the same intrinsic material lattice constant as the adjacent emitter layer, which increases the light transmission through the window, thereby increasing the current generation in the solar cell. The quality of being pseudomorphic material preserves a good interface between the window and the emitter, reducing the minority carrier surface recombination velocity. A method is provided for building a wide band gap, pseudomorphic window layer of a photovoltaic cell that has an intrinsic material lattice constant that differs by at least 1% from the adjacent emitter layer.
US08962985B2
A solar cell includes a semiconductor substrate, an emitter region positioned at the semiconductor substrate, a first electrode which is positioned on the semiconductor substrate and is connected to the emitter region, a second electrode which is positioned on the semiconductor substrate and is connected to the semiconductor substrate, and a second electrode current collector which is positioned on the semiconductor substrate and is connected to the second electrode. An overlap distance between the second electrode and the second electrode current collector in a first direction corresponding to an extension direction of a conductive film positioned on the second electrode current collector is less than an overlap distance between the second electrode and the second electrode current collector in a second direction crossing the first direction.
US08962978B2
A semiconductor structure is described, including a semiconductor substrate and a semiconductor layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor layer is both compositionally graded and structurally graded. Specifically, the semiconductor layer is compositionally graded through its thickness from substantially intrinsic at the interface with the substrate to substantially doped at an opposite surface. Further, the semiconductor layer is structurally graded through its thickness from substantially crystalline at the interface with the substrate to substantially amorphous at the opposite surface. Related methods are also described.
US08962973B2
The invention relates to a mounting interface configured for a photovoltaic module (1) comprising a backside (2) having an overall backside surface size (4, 5), the mounting interface comprising at least six mounting elements (3) attachable to the backside (2) of the photovoltaic module (1) for mounting the photovoltaic module (1) on a mounting surface, wherein each mounting element (3) comprises a mounting element surface having an overall mounting element surface size (6, 7) such that the contact area between the photovoltaic module (1) and the mounting element (3), when attached to the photovoltaic module (1), equals the overall mounting element surface size (6, 7), and the overall backside surface size (4, 5) of the photovoltaic module (1) divided by the summarized overall mounting element surface size (6, 7) of all mounting elements (3) is ≧40 and ≦160, preferably ≧50 and ≦80, more preferably 52. The invention provides for reducing the size of each mounting element (3) such that the overall amount of material required for the mounting is reduced, resulting in minimized material costs.
US08962972B2
A structure installation rack in one embodiment is formed with horizontal rails (15) obtained by connecting a plurality of rail members (151, 152) having a pair of side plates extending in the same direction, and having a shape in which the sides of the pair of side plates extending in the direction are linked by the main plate. The connected rail members (151, 152) have a shape in which part of at least one end of the main plate or each side plate is cut off. One end of each side plate of each of the rail members (151, 152) and the other end of each side plate are connected in a state in which the one end of each side plate is superposed on the inside or outside of the other end of each side plate.
US08962971B2
Disclosed is a laminated film having: (a) a substrate; and (b) a bonding layer of ethylene polymer on one major surface of the substrate wherein the bonding layer is placed directly on the substrate or there is a (c) primer layer between the substrate and bonding layer. Also disclosed is a solar module made of such a laminated polymer film.
US08962961B2
A mute detachably attached to a brass instrument includes a fixed part and a plurality of branch pipes, each including a main pipe and an auxiliary pipe. The branch pipes are unified together and inserted into a bell pipe of a brass instrument. The fixed part is attached to the tapered portion of a bell pipe and interposed between the interior of the bell pipe and the exterior of the main pipe. The branch pipe is designed such that the auxiliary pipe is connected to the main pipe at an interconnect part, at which an air flow propagating through the main pipe is partly branched into the auxiliary pipe.
US08962960B2
A percussive device for a stringed instrument includes a support structure, an attachment component that attaches the support structure to the stringed instrument, one or more hammers attached to arms rotatably coupled to the support structure and one or more actuators rotatably coupled to the support structure. User activation of the one of the actuators causes a corresponding one of the hammers to make contact with a string of the stringed instrument. A rotational force device applies a rotational force to at least one of the hammer arms or actuators. The rotational force device includes a torsion or helical compression spring. The applied rotational force causes the hammer to be positioned not in contact with the string of the stringed instrument. The applied rotational force is overcome when an applicable force has been applied to the corresponding actuator by a user, thereby causing the at least one hammer to be positioned in contact with the corresponding string of the stringed instrument.
US08962957B2
A training aid for playing a stringed instrument of the type having a neck and a fingerboard for assisting an instrument player in the proper placement of the thumb on the back of the instrument neck while playing the instrument, said training aid comprising: (a) a solid piece positioned on the back of the neck of the instrument against which said instrument player's thumb will be positioned; (b) an attachment to the solid piece, wherein said attachment enables said solid piece to be added to the back of the instrument's neck or removed from the back of the instrument's neck. The instrument may be a guitar.
US08962955B2
A music box includes a plurality of star wheels, a plurality of sun wheels, a drive unit, a plurality of anchoring members, a plurality of vibration valves, a rotating disk, a detection unit, and a control unit. Each of the plurality of anchoring members is configured to engage one of a plurality of protruding parts of the plurality of star wheels. The rotating disk is configured to rotate according to a rotation of an axis. The rotating disk is formed with a plurality of slits arrayed in a circumferential direction of the rotating disk. The detection unit is configured to detect a passage of one or more of the plurality of slits. The control unit is configured to control one or more of the plurality of anchoring members to disengage one of the plurality of protruding parts, based on a detection result of the detection unit.
US08962937B2
A soybean cultivar designated 10221117 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 10221117, to the plants of soybean cultivar 10221117, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 10221117, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 10221117. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 10221117. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 10221117, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 10221117 with another soybean cultivar.
US08962935B2
A soybean cultivar designated 11251426 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 11251426, to the plants of soybean cultivar 11251426, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 11251426, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 11251426. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 11251426. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 11251426, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 11251426 with another soybean cultivar.
US08962934B2
A soybean cultivar designated XB33J12 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar XB33J12, to the plants of soybean cultivar XB33J12, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar XB33J12, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar XB33J12. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar XB33J12. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar XB33J12, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar XB33J12 with another soybean cultivar.
US08962924B2
Beneficial and synergistic effects for alleviating joint pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis and/or rheumatoid arthritis have been found with krill oil and/or marine oil in combination with other active constituents, including astaxanthin and polymeric hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronan) in an oral dosage form.
US08962921B2
Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded thereby are described, together with the use of those products for making transgenic plants with increased tolerance to abiotic stress (e.g., high or low temperature, drought, flood).
US08962917B2
Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding delta-5 desaturase along with a method of making long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) using this delta-5 desaturase in plants and oleaginous yeast are disclosed.
US08962914B2
The present invention relates to screening methods for rust resistance or tolerance, in particular, Asian soybean rust (ASR—Phakopsora pachyrhizi). In addition, the present invention relates to the use of molecular markers for the Glycine genus, in particular, for the Glycine max species. The present invention further relates to a method for identifying loci with quantitative and/or qualitative traits associated with rust resistance or tolerance in plants by means of molecular markers. Said markers can be used for assisted screening in improvement programs directed to selecting disease-resistant or -tolerant plants. The present invention also relates to gene pyramiding related to rust resistance. The markers of the present invention are also useful for the positional cloning of rust-resistant or -tolerant genes. Also disclosed are a method for obtaining disease-resistant or -tolerant cultivars, a process for obtaining a plant population and a method for controlling diseases in a plant population. Another object of the present invention is the use of species from the Glycine genus as a source of resistance for obtaining ASR-resistant or tolerant cultivars.
US08962908B2
A wound dressing material comprising a polymeric substrate, a silver salt, and a dyestuff to photostabilize the silver salt. The substrate may comprise collagen and/or oxidized regenerated cellulose complexed to Ag+, and the dyestuff may for example be an aniline or acridine dye.
US08962905B2
Process for the continuous hydrogenation of triglyceride containing raw materials in a fixed bed reactor system having several catalyst beds arranged in series and comprising at least one hydrogenation catalyst comprising an active phase constituted by a nickel and molybdenum element. The raw material feed, hydrogen containing gas and diluting agent are passed together through the catalyst beds at hydrogenation conditions. The raw material feed stream as well as the stream of hydrogen containing gas are divided into an equal number of different partial streams. These are each passed to one catalyst bed in such a manner that the weight ratio of diluting agent to raw material feed is essentially the same at the entrance of all catalyst beds and does not exceed 4:1. The claimed process is preferably conducted at low temperatures and allows the utilization of existing units due to the low recycle ratio.
US08962890B1
Multifunctional amine crosslinkers that may be used to create crosslinked polyimide, polyamide, and poly(amide-imide) polymers and films having shape memory properties at elevated temperatures and methods of making the same.
US08962887B2
This invention relates to the synthesis of iodixanol (1,3-bis(acetamido)-N,N′-bis[3,5-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropylaminocarbonyl)-2,4,6-triiodophenyl]-2-hydroxypropane), more specifically to the dimerization of 5-acetamido-N,N′-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2,4,6-triiodo-isophthalamide with a solvent mixture comprising 1-methoxy-2-propanol and water or methanol.
US08962886B2
This invention relates to the synthesis of iodixanol (1,3-bis(acetamido)-N,N′-bis[3,5-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropylaminocarbonyl)-2,4,6-triiodophenyl]-2-hydroxypropane), more specifically to the dimerisation of 5-acetamido-N,N′-bis(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2,4,6-triiodo-isophthalamide with methanol as solvent.
US08962873B2
Processes for continuous preparation of bioproducts are described herein. The processes include contacting fatty acid glycerides with alcohols in the presence of an acidic heterogeneous catalyst and separating the fatty acid alkyl esters from the reaction products.
US08962864B2
The invention provides processes for preparing intermediates useful for preparing compounds of the formula: or a tautomer or salt thereof, where R1-R5, a, b, X and P2, are as defined in the specification.
US08962859B2
The present invention provides a new class of compounds useful for the modulation of beta-secretase enzyme (BACE) activity. The compounds have a general Formula I: wherein variables A1, A3, A5, A6, A8, R2, R7, X, Y and Z of Formula I are defined herein. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and corresponding uses of the compounds and compositions for treatment of disorders and/or conditions related to plaque formation and deposition, resulting from the activity of BACE. Such BACE mediated disorders include, for example, Alzheimer's Disease, cognitive deficits and impairments, schizophrenia and other central nervous system conditions and disorders. The invention further provides compounds of Formulas II and III, and of sub-formulas of Formulas I, II and III, intermediates and processes and methods useful for the preparation of compounds of Formulas I-III.
US08962843B2
β-Lactamase inhibitor compounds (BLIs) are disclosed, including compounds that have activity against class A, class C or class D β-lactamases. Methods of manufacturing the BLIs, and uses of the compounds in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions and antibacterial applications are also disclosed.
US08962842B2
Described are a series of 2-pyridone compounds as a potent and selective new class of type II topoisomerase inhibitors with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity having the general formula (I); where R1, R2, X, and Y are defined herein Such compounds can be used in methods for treating an infection caused by a gram-positive pathogen, a gram-negative pathogen, or a drug-resistant strains thereof.
US08962834B2
The invention relates to compounds of formula wherein the substituents are as described in claim 1. Compounds of formula I are modulators for amyloid beta and thus, they may be useful for the treatment or prevention of a disease associated with the deposition of β-amyloid in the brain, in particular Alzheimer's disease, and other diseases such as cerebral amyloid angiopathy, hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis, Dutch-type (HCHWA-D), multi-infarct dementia, dementia pugilistica and Down syndrome.
US08962832B2
The invention relates to improved processes for the preparation of ambrisentan. The invention also relates to a novel intermediate useful in the preparation of ambrisentan and a process for the preparation of the intermediate. The invention also relates to new polymorphic form of ambrisentan. In particular, it relates to a polymorphic form, designated as Form I of ambrisentan and a process for the preparation of the Form I.
US08962828B2
Process for the preparation of triazinyl-substituted oxindoles of formula (3) and salts thereof by reacting an oxindole (1) with a triazine (2) in the presence of a carbonate, a hydroxide, a phosphate or a mixture of two or more of the aforementioned compounds, and also the compounds of formula (3) and salts thereof (3″) and the use of both for producing crop protection agents.
US08962825B2
Compounds of formula (I), and salts, N-oxides, hydrates and solvates thereof are histone deacetylase inhibitors and are useful in the treatment of cell proliferative diseases, including cancers: wherein Q, V and W independently represent —N═ or —C═; B is a divalent radical selected from (B1), (B2), (B3), (B4), (B5) and (B6). wherein the bond marked * is linked to the ring containing Q, V and W through -[Linker1]- and the bond marked ** is linked to A through -[Linker2]-; A is an optionally substituted mono-, bi- or tri-cyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring system; -[Linker1]- and -[Linker2]- independently represent a bond, or a divalent linker radical; and R is (a) a radical of formula R1R2CHNH—Y-L1-X1—(CH2)z— or (b) a radical of formula R-L1-Y1—(CH2)z—.
US08962815B2
This invention relates to bis-azo colorants for use as bluing agents, laundry care compositions comprising bis-azo colorants that may serve as bluing agents, processes for making such bluing agents and laundry care compositions and methods of using the same. The bluing agents are generally comprised of at least two components: at least one chromophore component and at least one polymeric component. These bluing agents are advantageous in providing a whitening effect to fabrics, while not building up over time and causing undesirable blue discoloration to the treated fabrics.
US08962814B2
Fully human monoclonal Abs includes (i) an antigen-binding variable region that exhibits very high binding affinity for IL-1α and (ii) a constant region that is effective at both activating the complement system though C1q binding and binding to several different Fc receptors.
US08962807B2
The present invention relates to immunoglobulin single variable domain sequences that are directed against (as defined herein) OX40L, as well as to compounds or constructs, and in particular proteins and polypeptides, that comprise or essentially consist of one or more such immunoglobulin single variable domain sequences. In particular these immunoglobulin single variable domain sequences can block binding of OX40L to OX40. The immunoglobulin single variable domains, compounds and constructs can be used for prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes, such as for the treatment of inflammatory disease and/or disorder such as e.g. asthma, allergic asthma, chronic colitis, Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and/or arthrosclerosis.
US08962805B2
The present invention relates to amino acid sequences that are directed against/and or that can specifically bind Interleukin-6 Receptor (IL-6R) with improved affinity and/or avidity, and/or that have an improved efficacy and/or potency, and which are capable of (partially, or preferably totally) blocking the IL-6/IL-6R interaction and/or inhibit signalization through IL-6, IL-6R and/or the IL-6/IL-6R complex. The invention further relates to compounds or constructs, and in particular proteins and polypeptides, that comprise or essentially consist of one or more such amino acid sequences. The invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding such amino acid sequences and polypeptides, to methods for preparing such amino acid sequences and polypeptides, to host cells expressing or capable of expressing such amino acid sequences or polypeptides, to compositions, and in particular to pharmaceutical compositions, that comprise such amino acid sequences, polypeptides, nucleic acids and/or host cells, and to uses of such amino acid sequences or polypeptides, nucleic acids, host cells and/or compositions, in particular for prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes.
US08962799B2
A method of imaging a region in a subject includes administering to the subject a complex of a metal chelated to a compound, and obtaining an image of the region in the subject.
US08962798B2
Short biologically active tetrapeptides are disclosed that are comprised of the sequences GxxG and PxxP where G (glycine) and P (proline) are maintained and x is a variable amino acid. The peptides can be used singly or in combination to stimulate production of extracellular matrix proteins in skin. A rapid, low-cost method of producing heterogenous formulations of tetrapeptides is disclosed.
US08962778B2
A cellulose resin produced by binding cardanol or a derivative thereof and abietic acid or a derivative thereof to cellulose or a derivative thereof.
US08962777B2
Crosslinked pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising at least one base polymer component obtainable by free-radical copolymerization of the following monomers: a) linear acrylic esters having 2 to 10 C atoms in the alkyl radical, b) branched, non-cyclic acrylic esters having a glass transition temperature Tg (based on the DSC measurement to DIN 53765) of not more than −20° C., c) 8% to 15% by weight of acrylic acid, d) optionally up to 10% by weight of further copolymerizable monomers, characterized in that the ratio of the linear acrylic esters to the branched acrylic esters is in the range from 1:6 to 10:1 mass fractions.
US08962775B2
A highly active, supported phosphinimine catalyst is fed to a gas phase reactor as a slurry in a liquid hydrocarbon. Feeding the catalyst to a gas phase reactor in a viscous liquid hydrocarbon modifies catalyst initiation kinetics.
US08962772B2
An antimicrobial silicone rubber comprises a silicone rubber substrate, a catechol layer bound to a surface of the silicone rubber substrate, and an antimicrobial layer disposed on the catechol layer. The catechol layer comprises a catechol material, a quinone derivative thereof, and/or a polymer of the foregoing catechol material and/or quinone derivative. The antimicrobial layer comprises an antimicrobial cationic polycarbonate covalently linked to the catechol layer.
US08962757B2
Innovative graft polymers designed for the efficient delivery of antisense molecules into biological cells and for maintaining the biological activity of these molecules while in serum and other aqueous environments are provided. Such polymers may comprise an anionic graft polymer comprising an anionic polymer backbone with pendant carboxylic acid groups and pendant chains comprising amphipathic or hydrophilic polymers covalently bonded to a portion of said pendant carboxylic acid groups. Antisense molecule delivery vectors comprising such polymers in combination with cationic agents for delivery of antisense molecules are also disclosed.
US08962756B2
At least two or more components of thermoplastic resins are compounded by chaotic mixing to form a polymer alloy with a sophisticatedly controlled dispersed phase structure. In the polymer alloy, a dispersed phase having a non-periodic structure with a correlation length of 0.001 μm to 0.5 μm and having a compactness (C) of 0.05≦(C)≦0.8, wherein the compactness (C) can form a molded product that also has transparency while maintaining the original good heat resistance or mechanical properties of the resins blended.
US08962751B2
A release agent composition, which includes a fluorocopolymer having structural units based on a monomer (a) having a C1-6 polyfluoroalkyl group and structural units based on monomer (b) having a C18-30 alkyl group, and a medium, where the mass ratio of the structural units based on the monomer (a) to the structural units based on the monomer (b) (the structural units based on the monomer (a)/the structural units based on the monomer (b)) is from 1/1 to 1/10.
US08962749B2
The invention provides a ceramic green sheet having plasticity, punching property, and sinterability of satisfactory levels as well as a low percent (heat) shrinkage. In the production of a ceramic slurry serving as a raw material of the sheet, ingredients thereof are mixed under such conditions that the functional group ratio (polyol to isocyanate) is 1.5/11.5 to 11.5/11.5; the urethane resin formed from isocyanate and polyol has a repeating-unit-based molecular weight of 290 to 988; and the ratio by weight of the urethane resin to a ceramic powder falls within a range of 4.5 to 10 parts by weight of the urethane resin with respect to 100 parts by weight of the ceramic powder. A ceramic green sheet having, in well balance, all of the properties (i.e., plasticity, punching property, sinterability, and (heat) shrinkage) required for facilitating subsequent processes such as mechanical working and firing can be provided.
US08962748B2
A novel silicone-acrylic copolymer which comprises a covalently bonded silicone polymer with an acrylic polymer through the —Si—O—Si— linkage is described. The silicone-acrylic copolymer is a reaction product of (a) a silicone polymer, (bi) a mixture of acrylic monomers wherein at least one acrylic monomer comprises a silane (meth)acrylic monomer and/or a siloxane (meth)acrylic macromer with a radical initiator to form an acrylic prepolymer or (bii) an acrylic polymer which comprises a silane or a siloxane functional group; and (c) a scrambling catalyst, wherein the ratio of the silicone polymer (a) and the mixture of acrylic monomers (bi) or polymer (bii) is from 50:1 to 1:50. The silicone-acrylic copolymer is useful as an adhesive, sealant, coating, and the like.
US08962744B2
The present invention provides a random copolymer that is used for manufacturing a tire having excellent rollability and wear resistance and that includes randomly arranged monomer units of a conjugated diene compound and of a non-conjugated olefin, a rubber composition containing the random copolymer, a cross-linked rubber composition obtained by crosslinking the rubber composition, and a tire manufactured by using the rubber composition or the cross-linked rubber composition. A copolymer of a conjugated diene compound and a non-conjugated olefin, including a random copolymer having randomly arranged monomer units of the conjugated diene compound and of the non-conjugated olefin, and containing, by more than 30 mol %, a unit derived from the conjugated diene compound.
US08962734B2
Disclosed is a phenol resin molding material comprising 100 parts by weight of a resol type phenol resin, 40 to 100 parts by weight of an inorganic fiber, 30 to 90 parts by weight of a natural silica powder having an average particle size of 0.5 to 15 μm and subjected to a coupling agent treatment and 1 to 15 parts by weight of a rubber component as main components. The molding material can contain 50% by weight or more of a glass fiber and a natural silica powder having a crushed shape can be used as the natural silica powder. As a molded article produced from the resin molding material, a resin pulley is exemplified.
US08962728B2
The present invention relates to weathering-resistant, colored moldings made of poly(alkyl)(meth)acrylate with improved gloss and resistance to mechanical influences acting on the surface of the molding, in particular with improved wipe resistance and improved scratch resistance, and also to molding compositions for producing the same.
US08962722B2
A solvent-less liquid ethylene propylene diene rubber compound and a solvent-less liquid ethylene propylene rubber compound are provided. The compounds can include a liquid ethylene propylene diene or a liquid ethylene propylene mixed with a filler system, a plasticizer, and a cross-linking agent to form the compound. The compound can have a viscosity ranging from 150,000 centipoises to 750,000 centipoises at a temperature of 23 degrees Celsius, allowing the compound to be liquid injection moldable. The compound can contain substantially no solvent.
US08962717B2
Thermoplastic molding compositions comprising A) from 10 to 93% by weight of a thermoplastic polyester B) from 1 to 20% by weight of a phosphinic salt C) from 1 to 20% by weight of a nitrogen-containing flame retardant D) from 5 to 50% by weight of a long-fiber reinforcing material with fiber length from 2 to 25 mm and L/D ratio from 500 to 4000 E) from 0 to 50% by weight of other additives, where the total of the percentages by weight of components A) to E) is 100%.
US08962713B2
A method includes using copolymers including at least polyoxyalkylenated monomer units and at least phosphorus-comprising monomer units as water-reducing agent in hydraulic binders.
US08962708B2
The invention relates to a curable dental composition comprising a curable polyether group containing polymer as component (A), an initiator capable of initiating a curing reaction of component (A) as component (B) and a certain F-containing compound as component (C). The invention also relates to a method of production and use of the curable dental composition or a respective kit of parts for the preparation of or as impression material or for the preparation of crowns and bridges.
US08962707B2
Various uses of monochlorotrifluoropropenes, in combination with one or more other components, including other fluoroalkenes, hydrocarbons; hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), ethers, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, methyl formate, formic acid, water, trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, carbon dioxide and combinations of any two or more of these, in a variety of applications, including as blowing agents, are disclosed.
US08962703B2
Iron/carbon (Fe/C) nanocomposite catalysts are prepared for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction. A preparation method includes steps of mixing iron hydrate salts and a mesoporous carbon support to form a mixture, infiltrating the iron hydrate salts into the carbon support through melt infiltration of the mixture near a melting point of the iron hydrate salts, forming iron-carbide particles infiltrated into the carbon support through calcination of the iron hydrate salts infiltrated into the carbon support under a first atmosphere, and vacuum-drying the iron-carbide particles after passivation using ethanol. Using such catalysts, liquid hydrocarbons are produced.
US08962699B2
Disclosed is a liquid composition which is intended to be filled in soft capsules and comprises an oil-insoluble ingredient dispersed in an edible oil, a reactive monoglyceride, and a triglycerol fatty acid ester having a monoester content of 50% or more. The liquid composition to be filled in soft capsules does not comprise bees wax but has a dispersion stability of the oil-insoluble ingredient equal to or higher than that of a conventional composition in which bees wax is used.
US08962696B2
The invention provides a method and a composition for enhancing the dissolution and bioavailable properties of propofol (2, 6 diisopropyl phenol) for use as an intravenously administered anesthetic in mammals. The method produces a self-microemulsifyable emulsion base composition that is utilized in the production of a water-based microemulsion preparation. In a preferred two (2) component base composition, the base composition consists of: a surfactant, containing polyethylene glycol; and liquid propofol. The microemulsion is prepared by mixing the base composition with a carrier liquid, which results in the formation of a microemulsion containing concentrations of propofol of up to about 4% by weight of propofol to the volume of the microemulsion. In a four (4) component base composition, the base composition consists of: a surfactant, containing polyethylene glycol; liquid propofol; a water-immiscible solvent; and ethanol. The microemulsion is prepared by mixing the base composition with a carrier liquid, which results in the formation of a microemulsion containing concentrations of propofol of up to about 10% by weight of propofol to the volume of the microemulsion.
US08962689B2
The present invention relates in general to medium chain dicarboxylic acids, their derivatives and their uses. In particular, the present invention relates to a composition comprising medium chain dicarboxylic acids and to the use of medium chain dicarboxylic acids and their derivatives for the preparation of products to treat or prevent metabolic disorders. The composition of the present invention can particularly well be used to treat or prevent hyperglycemia, for example diabetes.
US08962687B2
A compound of Formula (I): or a metabolite thereof, or an ester of the compound of Formula (I) or the metabolite thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of each thereof, wherein m, n, X1 and X2 are as defined herein, is useful for inhibiting liver steatosis, lobular inflammation, hepatic ballooning and hepatic scarring.
US08962680B2
Presented herein are methods for treating diarrhea by administering to a patient in need thereof, an inhibitor of chloride-ion transport in an amount sufficient to treat diarrhea. Treatment of diarrhea includes the treatment of the diarrhea as well as the pain, abdominal discomfort and other symptoms associated with diarrhea. In one embodiment, the inhibitor of chloride-ion transport is crofelemer.
US08962671B2
The present invention relates to compounds of the formula I, wherein A, D, E, G, R10, R11, R30, R40, R50 and R60 have the meanings indicated in the claims, which are valuable pharmaceutical active compounds. They are inhibitors of the protease cathepsin A, and are useful for the treatment of diseases such as atherosclerosis, heart failure, renal diseases, liver diseases or inflammatory diseases, for example. The invention furthermore relates to processes for the preparation of the compounds of the formula I, their use and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.
US08962670B2
Described herein are compounds that may be selectively activated to produce active anti-cancer agents in tumor cells. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of treating cancer using the compounds.
US08962662B2
This disclosure provides generally for antimicrobial compositions and methods for reducing or preventing microorganism growth, viability, or survival, which are useful for treating poultry, meat, seafood, vegetables, legumes, fruit, crops, and other products for human or animal consumption. For example, the compositions can include GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) antimicrobial components such as ε-poly-L-lysine in combination with at least one quaternary ammonium salt, including an aliphatic heteroaryl ammonium salt such as cetylpyridinium chloride.
US08962650B2
A therapeutic agent for tumor for combined use of a compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof represented by Formula (I) and a compound represented by Formula (II): wherein R1 is C1-6 alkyl or C3-8 cycloalkyl, R2 is a hydrogen atom or C1-6 alkoxy, and R3 is a hydrogen atom or a halogen atom, exhibits an excellent antitumor effect compared to cases where these are individually used.
US08962649B2
A multidose package containing an imiquimod formulation suitable for treating topical conditions includes: a) a dispensing aperture for dispensing the formulation from the package; b) a reservoir containing sufficient formulation to provide two or more doses; c) a metered dosage element for measuring a predetermined dose of the formulation, the element including an inlet from the reservoir and an outlet to the dispensing aperture; and d) an actuating element operating the dosage element so the predetermined dose is delivered to the dispensing aperture; wherein the dose is dispensed without microbial or other contamination or degradation of the formulation in reservoir. A corresponding course of treatment for various maladies includes providing a multidose package containing an imiquimod formulation suitable for the treatment. A corresponding method of treatment of diseases with multiple doses of an imiquimod formulation includes multiple doses provided by a multidose package.
US08962643B2
The invention encompasses compounds having formula I and the compositions and methods using these compounds in the treatment of conditions in which modulation of the JAK pathway or inhibition of JAK kinases, particularly JAK3, are therapeutically useful.
US08962638B2
The present invention relates to new piperidine inhibitors of Janus kinase 3 activity, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of use thereof.
US08962622B2
Compounds of formula I modulate jnk and cdk: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, where R, R1, R2, R3, and m are defined herein.
US08962619B2
The present invention relates to substituted imidazopyridinyl-aminopyridine compounds and methods of synthesizing these compounds. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing substituted imidazopyridinyl-aminopyridine compounds and methods of treating cell proliferative disorders, such as cancer, by administering these compounds and pharmaceutical compositions to subjects in need thereof.
US08962618B2
The invention pertains to the use of fused bicyclo heterocyclic adducts of thiohdroxy pridines or primidines as diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 1 DGAT-1 inhibitors to treat hyperlipidiemias and various diseases and disorders associated therewith. Other conditions also can be ameliorated or avoided, such as high postprandial triglycerides or diet-related hypertriglyceridemia, cardiovascular risk associated with excessive triglycerides, and insulin resistance/glucose intolerance in overweight patients, those with diabetes or other glucose metabolic disorders such as Syndrome X and/or polycystic ovary disease.
US08962616B2
Compounds, tautomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds are disclosed, wherein the compounds have the structure of Formula I, as defined in the specification. Corresponding pharmaceutical compositions, methods of treatment, methods of synthesis, and intermediates are also disclosed.
US08962613B2
A diazepine derivative having the following formula (III) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof is used as A P2X4 receptor antagonist: wherein each of R21 and R22 is hydrogen, a C1-8 alkyl group or the like; R23 is hydrogen, a C1-8 alkyl group or the like; each of R24 and R25 is hydrogen, a C1-8 alkyl group or the like; R26 is hydrogen, a C1-8 alkyl group, a halogen atom, hydroxyl, nitro, cyano, phenyl optionally having one or more substituents, or a heterocyclic group optionally having one or more substituents or the like; and p is 0 or 1.
US08962609B2
C Compounds of the general formula (I) and salts thereof are useful in the treatment of diseases associated with aberrant activity of the protein kinases IKKε and/or TBK-1: in which: R1 represents an aliphatic heterocyclyl group having 4, 5, 6 or 7 ring atoms, bonded to the phenyl group shown in formula I through a ring nitrogen atom, and optionally substituted by one or more substituents defined in the Specification; R2 represents a phenyl or heteroaryl group which is optionally substituted by one or more substituents defined in the Specification; and each of R3 and R4 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a C1-4 alkyl group.
US08962608B2
The instant invention provides compounds of formula I which are JAK inhibitors, and as such are useful for the treatment of JAK-mediated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, COPD and cancer.
US08962605B2
Disclosed is a novel family of macrocyclic compounds, coined calixurenes, which comprises linear and cyclic oligomers composed of alternating moieties of an aromatic unit and a ureatic unit, linked to one another via a bridging moiety.The disclosed calixurenes feature multiple heteroatom-containing groups, and can be designed so as to feature other functionalities, and can thus be used in a variety of applications. Further disclosed are processes of preparing the calixurenes, articles containing same and uses thereof.
US08962602B2
A compound of general formula (I), wherein R1-R17 and the - - - - - - line take various meanings for use in the treatment of cancer.
US08962595B2
Compositions containing a small molecule therapeutic and an alkyl N,N-disubstituted amino acetate are disclosed. Inclusion of the alkyl N,N-disubstituted amino acetate enhances the pharmacokinetic properties of the small molecule therapeutic.
US08962592B2
The invention provides methods of treating a meiotic kinase-associated disease, preferably the meiotic kinase HSET, by administering an inhibitor of the meiotic kinase. Preferably, the disease is associated with the presence of supernumerary centrosomes, such as cancer. Methods of inhibiting the growth of a tumor cell by contacting the cell with an inhibitor of a meiotic kinase, preferably HSET, are also provided. Screening methods for identifying inhibitors of the meiotic kinase HSET are also provided. Methods of selecting subjects for treatment with an inhibitor of a meiotic kinase, such as HSET, are also provided.
US08962588B2
The present invention relates to the identification of two microRNAs, miR-499 and miR-208b, that repress fast skeletal muscle contractile protein genes. Expression of miR-499 and/or miR-208b can be used to repress fast fiber genes and activate slow fiber genes in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. Inhibition of miR-499 and/or miR-208b is proposed as a treatment for cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, and/or heart failure. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising antagonists and agonists of miR-499 and miR-208b function are also disclosed.
US08962582B2
The present application relates to the use of hybridization chain reaction (HCR) to form double stranded RNA polymers in the presence of a target, such as a nucleic acid associated with a disease or disorder. The RNA polymers are preferably able to activate the RNA-dependent kinase PKR. Activation of PKR via RNA-HCR can be used to treat a wide variety of diseases and disorders by specifically targeting diseased cells.
US08962571B2
A method for repairing DNA damage in human keratinocytes by applying to the keratinocytes a composition comprising at least one CLOCK or PER1 gene activator and at least one DNA repair enzyme.
US08962569B2
Provided herein is tumor suppression composition and methods of making and using the same.
US08962568B2
The invention provides a method of treating T-cell mediated diseases and a method of inhibiting the activation of T-cells using certain diketopiperazines. The invention also provides methods of synthesizing diketopiperazines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising certain diketopiperazines. The invention further provides methods of making improved pharmaceutical compositions of proteins and peptides by either increasing or decreasing the content of diketopiperazines in the compositions and the resultant improved pharmaceutical compositions.
US08962557B2
Mutant fibroblast growth factor (FGF) proteins having a polypeptide sequence with a high sequence identity to proteins encoded by members of the Fgf-1 subfamily of genes from a mammalian species, such as human, and with a specific amino acid substitution of an alanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 66 of human FGF-1 with a cysteine and/or a specific amino acid substitution of a phenylalanine at a position corresponding to amino acid position 132 of human FGF-1 with a tryptophan (based on the 140 amino acid numbering scheme of human FGF-1) are provided. Other amino acid mutations or substitutions may be combined. Polynucleotide sequences encoding the mutant FGF proteins and host cells containing such polynucleotide sequences are provided. Methods of administering a mutant FGF protein to an individual to treat an ischemic condition or disease or a wound or tissue injury are also provided.
US08962551B2
The present invention relates to compounds of Formula I or II, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or prodrugs thereof: which inhibit serine protease activity, particularly the activity of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3-NS4A protease. Consequently, the compounds of the present invention interfere with the life cycle of the hepatitis C virus and are also useful as antiviral agents. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aforementioned compounds for administration to a subject suffering from HCV infection. The invention also relates to methods of treating an HCV infection in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the present invention.
US08962545B2
Administering an effective dose of glutenase to a Celiac or dermatitis herpetiformis patient reduces levels of toxic gluten oligopeptides, thereby attenuating or eliminating the damaging effects of gluten.
US08962544B2
A detergent composition as described which can be utilized in a variety of applications for cleaning surfaces and objects, removing suspended soils, and rinsing easily. The detergent composition is particularly effective at removing soils caused by raw fish soil.
US08962535B2
Methods and compositions including a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid, a relative permeability modifier, and a chelating agent; introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates a subterranean formation; and allowing at least a first portion of the treatment fluid to penetrate into a portion of the subterranean formation so as to substantially divert a second portion of the treatment fluid to another portion of the subterranean formation.
US08962533B2
A method for reducing filtrate loss of oil based drilling fluids comprising the following steps: a) preparing by emulsion polymerization an aqueous dispersion containing: i) from 20% to 60% by weight of a copolymer comprising from 60% to 90% by weight of styrene and/or vinyltoluene monomers, from 7 to 40% by weight of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate monomers and from 0.01 to 3% of polyfunctional unsaturated monomers; ii) from 40 to 80% by weight of water; iii) from 0.1% to 5% by weight of at least one surfactant; b) providing an oil based drilling fluid containing the aqueous dispersion obtained from step a), or its copolymer in powder form; c) injecting and circulating the drilling fluid in the borehole.
US08962531B2
In one embodiment, a testing device includes a substrate and a plurality of spatially distinct fungal cultures disposed on the substrate.
US08962528B2
This invention concerns the use of penoxsulam as an herbicide in alfalfa.
US08962511B2
The creation of a catalyst that can be used for a wide variety of applications including the steps of developing preliminary information regarding the catalyst, using the preliminary information to produce a template of the catalyst, and using the template of the catalyst to produce the catalyst.
US08962508B2
The present invention provides a process for treating shaped catalyst bodies which has the following steps: a) providing finished shaped catalyst bodies, b) impregnating the finished shaped catalyst bodies with a peptizing auxiliary in an amount of liquid which does not exceed the theoretical water absorption of the shaped catalyst bodies, c) thermal treating the impregnated shaped catalyst bodies at from 50° C. to 250° C. and d) calcinating the thermally treated shaped catalyst bodies at from 250° C. to 600° C. A shaped catalyst body which has increased mechanical strength and can be produced by the process of the invention is also provided. The present invention relates to the use of the shaped catalyst bodies of the invention for preparing amines and also in fixed-bed reactors or fluidized-bed reactors and to a chemical synthesis process in the presence of shaped catalyst bodies according to the present invention.
US08962503B2
To provide a colored glass plate, which uses sodium sulfate (Na2SO3) as a refining agent and which is capable of stably maintaining the mass percentage of divalent iron calculated as Fe2O3 in the total iron calculated as Fe2O3 at a high level, while suppressing development of an amber color that is derived from sodium sulfate. A colored glass plate made of alkali-containing silica glass containing elements of iron, tin and sulfur, wherein the percentage of the total sulfur calculated as SO3 is at least 0.025% as represented by mass percentage based on oxides, the percentage of divalent iron calculated as Fe2O3 in the total iron calculated as Fe2O3 is from 60 to 80% as represented by mass percentage, and the percentage of divalent tin calculated as SnO2 in the total tin calculated as SnO2 is at least 0.1% as represented by mol percentage.
US08962502B2
The present invention provides the composition of an alkali-free glass composition containing no alkali metal oxide and the preparation thereof. The alkali-free glass comprising substantially no alkali metal oxide according to the present invention comprises 61 to 73 wt % of SiO2; 0.5 to 3.9 wt % of B2O3; 3.5 to 13.5 wt % of Al2O3; 9 to 13 wt % of MgO; 1 to 8 wt % of CaO; and 4 to 10 wt % of SrO, based on the total weight of oxides present therein.
US08962501B2
Nonwoven web products containing sub-micron fibers, and more specifically nonwoven web products having sub-micron fibers formed by fibrillation of polymer films, and nonwoven materials and articles incorporating them, and methods of producing these products.
US08962500B2
A molded article having both of sufficient strength and peel resistance, especially a heat insulating material for a high temperature furnace, is provided.A carbon fiber-containing stacked molded article 1 comprises a substrate 10 composed of first carbon fibers piled, and a woven fabric layer 20 located on at least one surface of the substrate 10, and composed of carbon fiber spun yarns 21 including second carbon fibers 22 having an average fiber diameter of 12 μm or less, and third carbon fibers 23 having an average fiber diameter in excess of 12 μm.
US08962499B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a base fabric suitable for the production of a general-purpose airbag having a higher airtight performance with reduced air permeability, a high pressure resistance in the boundary portion between the inflating part and the non-inflating part, and a high impact absorption for an occupant, and a base fabric for an airbag of the present invention comprises a woven fabric formed of a multifilament synthetic fiber having a total fineness of 200 to 550 dtex and a single filament fineness of 2.0 to 7.0 dtex, wherein the elongation is, on average of warp and weft, from 5 to 15% and from 15 to 30% under loads of 50 N/cm and 300 N/cm, respectively, and the pullout resistance of the constituent yarn is from 50 to 200 N/cm/cm on average of warp and weft.
US08962491B2
The method includes forming an array of first separation walls on an underlying layer. A block co-polymer (BCP) layer is formed to fill inside regions of the first separation walls and gaps between the first separation walls. The BCP layer is phase-separated to include first domains that provide second separation walls covering inner sidewalls and outer sidewalls of the first separation walls and second domains that are separated from each other by the first domains.
US08962488B2
Methods for processing a substrate are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method of etching a dielectric layer includes generating a plasma by pulsing a first RF source signal having a first duty cycle; applying a second RF bias signal having a second duty cycle to the plasma; applying a third RF bias signal having a third duty cycle to the plasma, wherein the first, second, and third signals are synchronized; adjusting a phase variance between the first RF source signal and at least one of the second or third RF bias signals to control at least one of plasma ion density non-uniformity in the plasma or charge build-up on the dielectric layer; and etching the dielectric layer with the plasma.
US08962479B2
A metal cap is formed on an exposed upper surface of a conductive structure that is embedded within an interconnect dielectric material. During the formation of the metal cap, metallic residues simultaneously form on an exposed upper surface of the interconnect dielectric material. A thermal nitridization process or plasma nitridation process is then performed which partially or completely converts the metallic residues into nitrided metallic residues. During the nitridization process, a surface region of the interconnect dielectric material and a surface region of the metal cap also become nitrided.
US08962477B2
A method for modulating stress in films formed in semiconductor device manufacturing provides for high temperature annealing of an as-deposited compressive film such as titanium nitride. The high temperature annealing converts the initially compressive film to a tensile film without compromising other film qualities and characteristics. The converted tensile films are particularly advantageous as work function adjusting films in PMOS transistor devices and are advantageously used in conjunction with additional metal gate materials.
US08962476B2
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor die and first conductive layer formed over a surface of the semiconductor die. A first insulating layer is formed over the surface of the semiconductor die. A second insulating layer is formed over the first insulating layer and first conductive layer. An opening is formed in the second insulating layer over the first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is formed in the opening over the first conductive layer and second insulating layer. The second conductive layer has a width that is less than a width of the first conductive layer along a first axis. The second conductive layer has a width that is greater than a width of the first conductive layer along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. A third insulating layer is formed over the second conductive layer and first insulating layer.
US08962473B2
In a method of fabricating a semiconductor device, an opening is formed inside a dielectric layer above a semiconductor substrate. The opening has a wall. At least one diffusion barrier material is then formed over the wall of the opening by at least two alternating steps, which are selected from the group consisting of a process of physical vapor deposition (PVD) and a process of atomic layer deposition (ALD). A liner layer is formed over the at least one diffusion barrier material.
US08962471B2
A two-layer structure bump including a first bump layer of a bulk body of a first conductive metal, which is any of gold, copper, and nickel, formed on a substrate and a second bump layer of a sintered body of a powder of a second conductive metal, which is any of gold and silver, formed on the first bump layer. The bulk body composing the first bump layer is formed through any of plating, sputtering, or CVD. The sintered body composing the second bump layer is formed by sintering the powder of the second conductive metal having a purity of not lower than 99.9 wt % and an average particle diameter of 0.005 μm to 1.0 μm. The second bump layer has a Young's modulus 0.1 to 0.4 times that of the first bump layer.
US08962467B2
Structure providing more reliable fuse blow location, and method of making the same. A vertical metal fuse blow structure has, prior to fuse blow, an intentionally damaged portion of the fuse conductor. The damaged portion helps the fuse blow in a known location, thereby decreasing the resistance variability in post-blow circuits. At the same time, prior to fuse blow, the fuse structure is able to operate normally. The damaged portion of the fuse conductor is made by forming an opening in a cap layer above a portion of the fuse conductor, and etching the fuse conductor. Preferably, the opening is aligned such that the damaged portion is on the top corner of the fuse conductor. A cavity can be formed in the insulator adjacent to the damaged fuse conductor. The damaged fuse structure having a cavity can be easily incorporated in a process of making integrated circuits having air gaps.
US08962464B1
Embodiments of the present disclosure include self-alignment of two or more layers and methods of forming the same. An embodiment is a method for forming a semiconductor device including forming at least two gates over a substrate, forming at least two alignment structures over the at least two gates, forming spacers on the at least two alignment structures, and forming a first opening between a pair of the at least two alignment structures, the first opening extending a first distance from a top surface of the substrate. The method further includes filling the first opening with a first conductive material, forming a second opening between the spacers of at least one of the at least two alignment structures, the second opening extending a second distance from the top surface of the substrate, and filling the second opening with a second conductive material.
US08962463B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a gate dielectric layer over a substrate; forming a metal containing layer, containing an effective work function adjust species, over the gate dielectric layer; forming an anti-reaction layer over the metal containing layer; increasing an amount of the effective work function adjust species contained in the metal containing layer; and forming, on the substrate, a gate stack by etching the anti-reaction layer, the metal containing layer, and the gate dielectric layer.
US08962458B2
Methods of growing nitride semiconductor layers including forming nitride semiconductor dots on a substrate and growing a nitride semiconductor layer on the nitride semiconductor dots. The nitride semiconductor layer may be separated from the substrate to be used as a nitride semiconductor substrate.
US08962456B2
Objects of the present invention are to provide a method for producing a Group III nitride semiconductor single crystal, which method enables production of a Group III nitride semiconductor single crystal having a flat surface by means of a crucible having any inside diameter; to provide a self-standing substrate obtained from the Group III nitride semiconductor single crystal; and to provide a semiconductor device employing the self-standing substrate. The production method includes adding the template, a flux, and semiconductor raw materials to a crucible and growing a Group III nitride semiconductor single crystal while the crucible is rotated. In the growth of the semiconductor single crystal, the crucible having an inside diameter R (mm) is rotated at a maximum rotation speed ω (rpm) satisfying the following conditions: ω1−4≦ω≦ω1+4; ω1=10z; and z=−0.78×log10(R)+3.1.
US08962454B2
Embodiments of the invention describe a method for forming dielectric films for semiconductor devices. The method includes providing a substrate in a process chamber containing a microwave plasma source, introducing into the process chamber a non-metal-containing process gas including a deposition gas having a carbon-nitrogen intermolecular bond, forming a plasma from the process gas, and exposing the substrate to the plasma to deposit carbon-nitrogen-containing film on the substrate. In some embodiments, the carbon-nitrogen-containing film can include a CN film, a CNO film, a Si-doped CN film, or a Si-doped CNO film.
US08962450B2
A manufacturing process for a semiconductor-on-insulator structure having reduced electrical losses and which includes a support substrate made of silicon, an oxide layer and a thin layer of semiconductor material, and a polycrystalline silicon layer interleaved between the support substrate and the oxide layer. The process includes a treatment capable of conferring high resistivity to the support substrate prior to formation of the polycrystalline silicon layer, and then conducting at least one long thermal stabilization on the structure at a temperature not exceeding 950° C. for at least 10 minutes.
US08962445B2
A method of formation of an isolation structure for vertical semiconductor devices, the resulting isolation structure, and a memory device to prevent leakage among adjacent vertical semiconductor devices are described.
US08962444B2
Methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device are provided. The method includes forming a poly-silicon layer doped with first p-type dopants on a substrate, etching the poly-silicon layer and the substrate to form a poly-silicon pattern and a trench, forming device isolation pattern covering a lower sidewall of the poly-silicon pattern in the trench, thermally treating the poly-silicon pattern in a gas including second p-type dopants, forming a dielectric layer and a conductive layer on the thermally treated poly-silicon pattern and the device isolation pattern, etching the conductive layer, the dielectric layer, and the thermally treated poly-silicon pattern to form a control gate, a dielectric pattern, and a floating gate respectively.
US08962443B2
A method of forming a device having an airbridge on a substrate includes forming a plated conductive layer of the airbridge over at least a photoresist layer on a portion of the substrate, the plated conductive layer defining a corresponding opening for exposing a portion of the photoresist layer. The method further includes undercutting the photoresist layer to form a gap in the photoresist layer beneath the plated conductive layer at the opening, and forming an adhesion layer on the plated conductive layer and the exposed portion of the photoresist layer, the adhesion layer having a break at the gap beneath the plated conductive layer. The photoresist layer and a portion of the adhesion layer formed on the exposed portion of the photoresist layer is removed, which includes etching the photoresist layer through the break in the adhesion layer. An insulating layer is formed on at least the adhesion layer, enhancing adhesion of the insulating layer to the plated conductive layer.
US08962441B2
One illustrative device disclosed herein includes a plurality of source/drain regions positioned in an active region on opposite sides of a gate structure, each of the source/drain regions having a lateral width in a gate length direction of the transistor and a plurality of halo regions, wherein each of the halo regions is positioned under a portion, but not all, of the lateral width of one of the plurality of source/drain regions. A method disclosed herein includes forming a plurality of halo implant regions in an active region, wherein an outer edge of each of the halo implant regions is laterally spaced apart from an adjacent inner edge of an isolation region.
US08962437B2
A method for fabricating a capacitor includes: forming a first silicon layer over a semiconductor substrate, where the first silicon layer is doped with a dopant; forming an undoped second silicon layer over the first silicon layer; forming an opening by etching the second silicon layer and the first silicon layer; forming a storage node in the opening; and removing the first silicon layer and the second silicon layer.
US08962431B2
A method of forming metal silicide-comprising material includes forming a substrate which includes a first stack having second metal over first metal over silicon and a second stack having second metal over silicon. The first and second metals are of different compositions. The substrate is subjected to conditions which react the second metal with the silicon in the second stack to form metal silicide-comprising material from the second stack. The first metal between the second metal and the silicon in the first stack precludes formation of a silicide comprising the second metal and silicon from the first stack. After forming the metal silicide-comprising material, the first metal, the second metal and the metal silicide-comprising material are subjected to an etching chemistry that etches at least some remaining of the first and second metals from the substrate selectively relative to the metal silicide-comprising material.
US08962429B2
Integrated circuits and methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In an embodiment, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes simultaneously shielding a shielded region of a semiconductor substrate and exposing a surface of the shielded region of the semiconductor substrate. An ion implantation is performed to form implant areas in a non-shielded region of the semiconductor substrate adjacent the shielded region. Also, the semiconductor substrate is silicided to form a silicided area in the shielded region of the semiconductor substrate.
US08962424B2
A solar cell is formed on an n-type semiconductor substrate having a p+ emitter layer by forming spaced-apart contact/protection structures on the emitter layer, depositing a blanket dielectric passivation layer over the substrate's upper surface, utilizing laser ablation to form contact openings through the dielectric layer that expose corresponding contact/protection structures, and then forming metal gridlines on the upper surface of the dielectric layer that are electrically connected to the contact structures by way of metal via structures extending through associated contact openings. The contact/protection structures serve both as protection against substrate damage during the contact opening formation process (i.e., to prevent damage of the p+ emitter layer caused by the required high energy laser pulses), and also serve as optional silicide sources that facilitate optimal contact between the metal gridlines and the p+ emitter layer.
US08962414B1
In aspects of the present disclosure, a reliable encapsulation of a gate dielectric is provided at very early stages during fabrication. In other aspects, a semiconductor device is provided wherein a reliable encapsulation of a gate dielectric material is maintained, the reliable encapsulation being present at early stages during fabrication. In embodiments, a semiconductor device having a plurality of gate structures is provided over a surface of a semiconductor substrate. Sidewall spacers are formed over the surface and adjacent to each of the plurality of gate structures, wherein the sidewall spacers cover sidewall surfaces of each of the plurality of gate structures. After performing an implantation sequence into the sidewall spacers using adjacent gate structures as implantations masks, shadowing lower portions of the sidewall spacers, an etching process is performed for removing implanted portions from the sidewall spacers, leaving lower shadowed portions of the sidewall spacer as shaped sidewall spacers.
US08962413B1
Disclosed herein are various methods of forming spacers on FinFETs and other semiconductor devices. In one example, the method includes forming a plurality of spaced-apart trenches in a semiconducting substrate that defines a fin, forming a first layer of insulating material in the trenches that covers a lower portion of the fin but exposes an upper portion of the fin, and forming a second layer of insulating material on the exposed upper portion of the fin. The method further comprises selectively forming a dielectric material above an upper surface of the fin and in a bottom of the trench, depositing a layer of spacer material above a gate structure of the device and above the dielectric material above the fin and in the trench, and performing an etching process on the layer of spacer material to define sidewall spacers positioned adjacent the gate structure.
US08962410B2
A first transistor and a second transistor are formed with different threshold voltages. A first gate is formed over the first region of a substrate for a first transistor and a second gate over the second region for a second transistor. The first region is masked. A threshold voltage of the second transistor is adjusted by implanting through the second gate while masking the first region. Current electrode regions are formed on opposing sides of the first gate and current electrode regions on opposing sides of the second gate.
US08962409B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method includes sequentially forming a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer and a semiconductor cap layer containing a p-type impurity element on a substrate, forming a dielectric layer having an opening after the forming of the semiconductor cap layer, forming a third semiconductor layer containing a p-type impurity element on the semiconductor cap layer exposed from the opening of the dielectric layer, and forming a gate electrode on the third semiconductor layer.
US08962407B2
A method for enabling fabrication of RMG devices having a low gate height variation and a substantially planar topography and resulting device are disclosed. Embodiments include: providing on a substrate two dummy gate electrodes, each between a pair of spacers; providing a source/drain region between the two dummy gate electrodes; and forming a first nitride layer over the two dummy gate electrodes and the source/drain region, wherein the first nitride layer comprises a first portion over the dummy gate electrodes and a second portion over the source/drain region, and the second portion has an upper surface substantially coplanar with an upper surface of the dummy gate electrodes.
US08962405B2
In some aspects of the invention, a circuit pattern of a front surface structure is formed in a front surface of a semiconductor wafer and an alignment mark is formed on the front surface of a semiconductor wafer. A transparent supporting substrate is attached to the front surface of the semiconductor wafer by a transparent adhesive. Then, a resist is applied onto a rear surface of the semiconductor wafer. Then, the semiconductor wafer is mounted on a stage of an exposure apparatus, with the supporting substrate down. Then, the alignment mark formed on the front surface of the semiconductor wafer is recognized by a camera, and the positions of the semiconductor wafer and a photomask are aligned with each other. Then, the resist is patterned. Then, a circuit pattern is formed in the rear surface of the semiconductor wafer.
US08962404B2
A method for manufacturing fan-out lines on an array substrate is disclosed. The fan-out lines comprise an amorphous silicon layer, an ohmic contact layer and a source-drain electrode layer disposed on a gate insulating layer. The manufacturing processes can be conducted by forming a first layer of photoresist on the source-drain electrode layer and performing a half-exposure development process on the first layer of photoresist; etching the amorphous silicon layer, the ohmic contact layer and the source-drain electrode layer by an etching process; removing the first layer of photoresist; forming a second layer of photoresist and performing full-exposure development process on the second layer of photoresist; and etching the amorphous silicon layer by etching process to form the fan-out lines.
US08962403B2
The present invention discloses a manufacturing method for a switch and an array substrate. The method comprises: firstly, forming sequentially a first metal layer, an insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, an ohmic contact layer, a second metal layer, a third metal layer and a photoresist layer on a base substrate; after patterning the photoresist layer, etching the third metal layer and the second metal layer to form the input electrode and the output electrode of the switch; using a stripper comprising at least 30% by weight of amine in order to remove the photoresist layer and the residual second metal layer; and finally, etching the ohmic contact layer. Through the above steps, the present invention can avoid the electrical abnormality of the switch and increase process yield of the array substrate.
US08962401B2
A semiconductor device is provided that includes a fin having a first gate and a second gate formed on a first sidewall of the fin in a first trench, wherein the first gate is formed above the second gate. The device includes a third gate and a fourth gate formed on a second sidewall of the fin in a second trench, wherein the third gate is formed above the fourth gate. Methods of manufacturing and operating the device are also included. A method of operation may include biasing the first gate and the fourth gate to create a current path across the fin.
US08962397B2
At least one N-well implant having a different doping level is formed in a silicon substrate by first etching the substrate with an alignment target for aligning future process masks thereto. This alignment target is outside of any active device area. By using at least one N-well implant having a different doping level in combination with the substrate, a graded junction in the drift area of a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) field effect transistor (FET) can be created and a pseudo Ldd structure may be realized thereby.
US08962394B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a semiconductor element disposed on the substrate, and a heat conductive member composed of a solder material. The heat conductive member covers the semiconductor element, and is connected to a connection pad formed on the substrate. A heat radiator is disposed on the heat conductive member. The heat conductive member thermally connecting the semiconductor element to the heat radiator reduces the risk that electromagnetic noise may be emitted from or may be incident on the semiconductor element.
US08962390B2
A method for manufacturing a chip packaging structure is disclosed. The manufacturing method includes steps of: providing a protection layer; forming a conductive trace layer on the protection layer; forming an adhesion layer on the conductive trace layer; placing a chip on the adhesion layer; and electrically connecting the chip to the conductive trace layer. Via these arrangements, the chip packaging structure made by the manufacturing method can have a smaller thickness.
US08962383B2
Systems and methods are provided for depositing thin patterned films of materials in which individual elements of the patterned film are deposited by two or more nozzles having different geometries. The different nozzle geometries may include one or more of different throttle diameters, different exhaust diameters, different cross-sectional shapes, different bore angles, different wall angles, different exhaust distances from the substrate, and different leading edges relative to the direction of movement of the nozzles or the substrate. Methods may include steps of ejecting a carrier gas and a material from a plurality of nozzles and depositing the material on a substrate in a plurality of laterally spaced elements.
US08962377B2
A method of fabricating a pixelated imager includes providing a substrate with bottom contact layer and sensing element blanket layers on the contact layer. The blanket layers are separated into an array of sensing elements by trenches isolating adjacent sensing elements. A sensing element electrode is formed adjacent each sensing element overlying a trench and defining a TFT. A layer of metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) material is formed on a dielectric layer overlying the electrodes and on an exposed upper surface of the blanket layers defining the sensing element adjacent each TFT. A layer of metal is deposited on each TFT and separated into source/drain electrodes on opposite sides of the sensing element electrode. The metal forming one of the S/D electrodes contacts the MOS material overlying the exposed surface of the semiconductor layer, whereby each sensing element in the array is electrically connected to the adjacent TFT by the MOS material.
US08962374B2
A stack of a first anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer and a titanium layer is formed on a front surface of a semiconductor substrate including a p-n junction, and is subsequently patterned so that a semiconductor surface is physically exposed in metal contact regions of the front surface of the semiconductor substrate. The remaining portion of the titanium layer is converted into a titania layer by oxidation. A metal layer is plated on the metal contact regions, and a copper line is subsequently plated on the metal layer or a metal semiconductor alloy derived from the metal layer. A second ARC layer is deposited over the titania layer and the copper line, and is subsequently patterned to provide electrical contact to the copper line.
US08962371B2
A method for fabricating a sensor, comprises: forming, on a base substrate, a pattern of a data line (31), a pattern of a drain electrode (34), a pattern of a source electrode (33), a pattern of a receive electrode (39), a pattern of a photodiode (40) and a pattern of a transparent electrode (41); forming a pattern of an ohmic layer by using a first patterning process; forming a pattern of an active layer by using a second patterning process; forming a pattern of a gate insulating layer by using a third patterning process; and forming a pattern of a gate line (30), a pattern of a gate electrode (38) and a pattern of a bias electrode (42) by using a fourth patterning process. Such a method can reduce the number of mask as well as the production cost and simplifies the production process, thereby significantly improves the production capacity and the defect-free rate.
US08962369B2
A method for introducing species into a strained semiconductor layer comprising: providing a substrate comprising a first region comprising an exposed strained semiconductor layer, loading the substrate in a reaction chamber, then forming a conformal first species containing-layer by vapor phase deposition (VPD) at least on the exposed strained semiconductor layer, and thereafter performing a thermal treatment, thereby diffusing at least part of the first species from the first species-containing layer into the strained semiconductor layer and activating at least part of the diffused first species in the strained semiconductor layer.
US08962362B2
Vertically structured group III nitride semiconductor LED chip and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing vertically structured Group III nitride semiconductor LED chips includes a step of forming a light emitting laminate on a growth substrate; a step of forming a plurality of separate light emitting structures by partially removing the light emitting laminate to partially expose the growth substrate; a step of forming a conductive support on the plurality of light emitting structures; a step of lifting off the growth substrate from the plurality of light emitting structures; and a step of cutting the conductive support thereby singulating a plurality of LED chips each having the light emitting structure. The step of partially removing the light emitting laminate is performed such that each of the plurality of light emitting structures has a top view shape of a circle or a 4n-gon (“n” is a positive integer) having rounded corners.
US08962355B2
An optical element package includes: an optical element in a form of a chip, and a lens resin having a convex lens surface covering an optical functional surface of the optical element. The convex lens surface is formed as a rough surface having a plurality of minute convex curved surfaces having a vertex in a direction perpendicular to a plane in contact with each part of the convex lens surface.
US08962335B2
The present invention provides a gaming machine executing the processing of (A) displaying on the display at least one playing card in a display mode that displays each playing card face down; and (B) changing the display mode of one of the at least one playing card displayed in the processing (A) to a display mode enabling a part of the front of the playing card to be viewable, upon contact on any position within an area of the touch panel corresponding to an area of the display where the one of the at least one playing card is displayed.
US08962323B2
The invention provides a method of isolating dermal stem cells, having the steps of subjecting cells separated from the skin by enzyme treatment to suspension culture, and isolating cells positive for stem cell markers from the cultured cells.
US08962321B2
The present invention generally relates to novel preparations of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from hemangioblasts, methods for obtaining such MSCs, and methods of treating a pathology using such MSCs. The methods of the present invention produce substantial numbers of MSCs having a potency-retaining youthful phenotype, which are useful in the treatment of pathologies.
US08962320B2
This document provides methods and materials for treating cardiovascular tissue. For example, stem cells, compositions containing stem cells, methods for obtaining stem cells, compositions for generating stem cells expressing particular markers, and methods for repairing cardiovascular tissue are provided.
US08962315B2
Compositions and methods are disclosed herein for producing one or more immunoglobulins in an isolated B lymphocyte cell line. An isolated recombinant cell line includes an isolated B lymphocyte cell line capable of expressing at least one endogenous membrane immunoglobulin reactive to a first antigen and at least one exogenously incorporated nucleic acid encoding at least one secreted immunoglobulin reactive to a second antigen.
US08962313B2
Disclosed are: a method for culture of disease antigen specific CTLs and γδT cells in one culture step conveniently and efficiently; and a pharmaceutical agent and a therapeutic/prophylactic method both of which use a cell produced by the method. Blood is collected and peripheral blood mononuclear cells are separated from the blood. Aminobisphosphonate and a disease antigen are added to the peripheral blood mononuclear cells at the beginning of culture, and the cell culture is carried out for a predetermined period to proliferate/induce disease antigen specific CTLs and γδT cells simultaneously until the numbers of the cells reach values that are effective for the treatment of a disease. The CTLs and the γδT cells thus produced are used for the treatment.
US08962311B2
Method of culturing embryonic stem (ES) cells of avian origin includes the steps of: a) suspending ES cells originating from the blastoderm disk of fertilized un-incubated avian egg(s) in a basal culture medium supplemented with: insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF); and animal serum; and, optionally, at least one growth factor selected from among interleukin 6 (Il-6), interleukin 6 receptor (Il-6R), stem cell factor (SCF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), interleukin 11 (Il-11), oncostatin and/or cardiotrophin; b) seeding the suspension of ES cells obtained in step a) on a layer of feeder cells and further culturing the ES cells for at least 2 to 10 passages; c) optionally, removing at least one growth factor selected from among SCF, FGF, Il-6, Il-6R, LIF, oncostatin, cardiotrophin and Il-11 from the culture medium; and d) further culturing the ES cells in the medium of step c) on a layer of feeder cells.
US08962310B2
The subject invention provides advantageous systems and processes for anaerobic digestion of organic waste streams, particularly agricultural waste streams. According to this invention, a new process is provided in which a liquid fraction from an organic waste stream comprising soluble compounds is segregated and incubated in a reactor separate from the solids fraction of the organic waste stream. Digestion of waste in both reactors occurs substantially simultaneously and both reactors produce biogas (thus both reactors function essentially like single stage reactors but allow for continuous or intermittent loading). According to one aspect of the invention, at least one cross-flow baffle is provided for use in an anaerobic digester to collect biogas and break up clumped solids in the reactor. In another aspect of the invention, packing media for use in an anaerobic digester is provided.
US08962309B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for the conversion into biogas of fermentation stillage arising as a waste product of ethanol production. This apparatus comprises a separation unit for the separation of the fermentation stillage into a thin fraction and a thick fraction, at least one biogas reactor for fermenting the thin fraction and/or the thick fraction, and a storage tank. According to a first aspect of the present invention, two biogas reactors are provided, to separate the thin fraction and the thick fraction independently of one another. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a nitrogen sink is provided downstream of the storage tank to provide, from the reactor effluent, process water with low or no nitrogen content which may then be fed to the reactor and/or the bioethanol plant. According to a third aspect the invention is characterized by a combination of a single-stage separation unit and a heavy-duty biogas reactor with a pore-free flow path.
US08962301B2
A biochip and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The biochip can increase a surface area on which biomaterials can be immobilized and improve efficiency of reaction. The biochip includes: a substrate; a coating layer formed on the substrate; and a nanoparticle immobilized on the substrate by the coating layer, a material to be bound to a target material being attached on a surface of the nanoparticle.
US08962290B2
A method of increasing animal cell growth and monoclonal antibody production in an animal cell or cell culture includes the use of ultrasound at a frequency greater than about 1 MHz.
US08962288B2
A method for production of a fermentation product from cellulosic material where a cellulosic material is saccharified with an enzyme composition in the presence of a peroxide-generating system and a polypeptide having peroxidase activity, the resultant saccharified cellulosic material is fermented and a fermentation product is recovered. Inclusion of the polypeptide having peroxidase activity increases saccharification of the cellulosic material.
US08962287B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a cell capable of efficiently producing scyllo-inositol from myo-inositol and a simple method of manufacturing scyllo-inositol using the cell. The above-mentioned object is achieved by a Bacillus subtilis cell, in which a function of a protein having a scyllo-inositol dehydrogenase activity is lost, and the manufacture of scyllo-inositol using the cell, based on a novel finding that the protein having a scyllo-inositol dehydrogenase activity and a protein having a 2-keto-myo-inositol ketoreductase function are present in Bacillus subtilis.
US08962280B2
In a first aspect, the present invention features methods for differentiating DNA species originating from different individuals in a biological sample. These methods may be used to differentiate or detect fetal DNA in a maternal sample or to differentiate DNA of an organ donor from DNA of an organ recipient. In preferred embodiments, the DNA species are differentiated by observing epigenetic differences in the DNA species such as differences in DNA methylation. In a second aspect, the present invention features methods of detecting genetic abnormalities in a fetus by detecting fetal DNA in a biological sample obtained from a mother. In a third aspect, the present invention features methods for differentiating DNA species originating from an organ donor from those of an organ recipient. In a fourth aspect, the present invention features kits for differentiating DNA species originating from different individuals in a biological sample.
US08962278B2
Provided are oligonucleotides for isolating human antibody cDNAs from cells or cell lines, such as hybridomas. The invention also provides cDNAs that encode at least one provided CDR of a heavy chain or a light chain of a human monoclonal antibody that binds to B. anthracis protective antigen; and cDNAs that encode at least one provided CDR of a heavy chain or a light chain of a human monoclonal antibody that binds to B. anthracis lethal factor. The invention further provides expression vectors that contain one or more cDNAs isolated according to the methods of the invention, host cells expressing one or more inventive cDNAs, and transgenic plants and animals that express one or more inventive cDNAs. In certain embodiments of the invention the expression system is a plant-based expression system. The invention further provides antibody compositions comprising one or more antibodies produced by expressing a cDNA isolated according to the methods of the invention in a suitable expression system. Additionally encompassed in the invention are kits containing one or more of provided compositions, as well as methods of production and use of provided compositions.
US08962274B2
The invention pertains to a method for selecting at least one eukaryotic host cell expressing a product of interest, comprising (a) providing a plurality of eukaryotic host cells, wherein cellular viability of said host cells is dependent upon folate uptake, wherein said host cells comprise at least (i) a foreign polynucleotide encoding a product of interest and (ii) a foreign polynucleotide encoding a DHFR enzyme; (b) culturing said plurality of eukaryotic host cells in a selective culture medium comprising at least an inhibitor of DHFR and folate in a limiting concentration; and (c) selecting at least one eukaryotic host cell expressing the product of interest. Also provided is a method for expressing a product of interest which is based on host cells selected by said method and a cell culture medium.
US08962271B2
In one form, a fructosyl peptidyl oxidase derived from a budding yeast Phaeosphaeria nodorum for assaying a glycated protein in a sample is provided. The fructosyl peptidyl oxidase has higher activity toward fructosyl valine as well as fructosyl valyl histidine, and may be useful in assaying HbA1c with higher sensitivity and specificity. Still, other forms include unique methods, techniques, systems and devices involving a fructosyl peptidyl oxidase.
US08962269B2
The present invention relates to the discovery of the human survival motor-neuron gene or SMD gene, which is a chromosome 5-SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) determining gene. The present invention further relates to the nucleotide sequence encoding the SMN gene and corresponding amino acid sequence, a vector containing the gene encoding the SMN protein or a DNA sequence corresponding to the gene and transformant strains containing the SMN gene or a DNA sequence corresponding to the gene.
US08962268B2
The present invention relates to a method for determining the survival prognosis of patients suffering from non-small cell lung cancer. More specifically, the present invention provides methods which measure kinase activity by studying phosphorylation levels in response to a kinase inhibitor and profiles in samples obtained from patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer. The present invention also provides methods for predicting the response of a patient diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer to a medicament.
US08962265B2
Cloning and characterization of a TgIF2α kinase from Toxoplasma gondii designated TgIF2K-D illustrates that this protein is related to GCN2, an eIF2α kinase known to respond to nutrient starvation in other organisms. TgIF2K-D is present in the cytosol of both intra- and extracellular Toxoplasma and facilitates translational control through TgIF2α phosphorylation in extracellular parasites. Both a TgIF2K-D knockout parasite and a parasite harboring the TgIF2α mutant (S71A substitution) exhibited loss of eIF2α kinase activity which manifested itself as significant fitness defect. Accordingly, eIF2α phosphorylation and translational control are an important mechanism by which vulnerable extracellular parasites protect themselves which searching for a new host cell. TgIF2K-D is an excellent target for development of compounds and therapies that can be used to treat infections caused by Toxoplasma and other eukaryotic parasites, especially parasites that have high homology or identity to TgIF2K-D.
US08962262B2
Methods for producing a protein extract from cells, such as cells containing viral proteins, are provided. In general terms, the methods involve: increasing the pH of the cells to a pH of at least about pH 10.0 to produce an intermediate composition, and then, in the presence of a non-ionic detergent, neutralizing the pH of the intermediate composition to produce the protein extract. Kits and compositions for practicing the subject methods are also provided.
US08962258B2
Provided are a multiple immunoassay apparatus on a chip in which a structure comprising multiple microfluidic channels is associated with a tissue sample, which allows immunohistochemical reactions to be conducted therein, to examine various markers specific for certain diseases, and a method for performing multiple immunoassays using the same. The multiple immunoassay apparatus comprises: at least one antibody-introducing unit through which at least one antibody is introduced into the apparatus; at least one reaction unit in which the antibody reacts with a sample in an immunohistochemical pattern; and at least one fluid outlet through which a fluid including the antibody is discharged outside the apparatus.
US08962254B2
The present teachings provide methods, compositions, and kits for performing primer extension reactions on at least two target polynucleotides in the same reaction mixture. In some embodiments, a reverse transcription reaction is performed on a first target polynucleotide with a hot start primer comprising a self-complementary stem and a loop, and extension products form at high temperatures but extension products form less so at low temperatures since the self-complementary stem of the hot start primer prevents hybridization of the target specific region to the target. However, non-hot start primers with free target specific regions can hybridize to their corresponding targets at the low temperature and extension can happen at the low temperature.
US08962250B2
The invention relates to improved methods of amplifying and optionally quantifying and/or identifying a plurality of selected nucleic acid molecules from a pool of nucleic acid molecules. A first round of multiplex amplification used where the amplification reaction is allowed to proceed to a point prior to that at which significant competition between amplicons for reaction components has occurred. This is the followed by a second round of amplification that typically includes a fluorescent reporter to allow for each of the selected nucleic acid sequences to be quantified. The methods are useful for the amplification and quantification of nucleic acids from a variety of sources, such as gene expression products, whereby many such products may be amplified and quantified from very limited samples and from degraded archival samples.
US08962237B2
Disclosed herein is a method of detecting and identifying antigens that are shed into human bodily fluids during infection. The disclosed method allows circulating antigens associated with a particular infection to be detected within minutes or hours from testing as compared to days required with the current methods. Methods of identifying diagnostic indicators/targets for a given condition or disease are disclosed which include immunizing a veterinary subject with biological fluids obtained from a human infected with particular antigens to identify diagnostic targets for immunoassay. Also disclosed are methods of diagnosing and monitoring a B. pseudomallei-associated condition, such as melioidosis. Point-of-care immunoassays are also provided that can be used to diagnose or monitor the efficacy of a B. pseudomallei-associated condition treatment. These immunoassays can also be used for rapid diagnosis of infection produced by B. pseudomallei, such as meliodosis.
US08962232B2
A production process of a polymerized toner composed of polymer particles, including a step of polymerizing a polymerizable monomer composition containing a colorant and a polymerizable monomer in the presence of a polymerization initiator in an aqueous dispersion medium, wherein, in a stripping treatment step, the dispersion containing the polymer particles is introduced into an evaporator to conduct the stripping treatment by a method, in which a gas is blown into the dispersion within the evaporator to discharge volatile organic components including an unreacted polymerizable monomer out of the evaporator concomitantly with the gas, and both inert gas and saturated steam are used as the gas blown into the dispersion.
US08962228B2
A low melt or ultra low melt toner includes at least one amorphous polyester of an alkoxylated bisphenol based polyester, a crystalline polyester derived from the reaction of an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or aromatic dicarboxylic acid with an aliphatic diol, at least one colorant and at least one fluorescence agent. Methods of authentication of the toner, of authentication of documents formed from the toner, of embedding information in documents, and the like are also set forth.
US08962217B2
Provided is a fuel cell which can obtain a sufficiently high electromotive force even under a low-temperature condition such as room temperature without using a deleterious substance or platinum. This fuel cell uses an electrolyte layer containing a layer-shaped metal oxide which has been subjected to the steam treatment.
US08962215B2
An electrolyte membrane which comprises a cation exchange membrane made of a polymer having cation exchange groups and contains cerium ions is used as an electrolyte membrane for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell. In a case where the cation exchange membrane has sulfonic acid groups, the sulfonic acid groups are ion-exchanged, for example, with cerium ions so that cerium ions are contained preferably in an amount of from 0.3 to 20% of —SO3− groups contained in the cation exchange membrane. A membrane for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell capable of power generation in high energy efficiency, having high power generation performance regardless of the dew point of the feed gas and capable of stable power generation over a long period of time, can be provided.
US08962209B2
Fuel cell devices and systems are provided. In certain embodiments, the devices include a ceramic support structure having a length, a width, and a thickness. A reaction zone positioned along a portion of the length is configured to be heated to an operating reaction temperature, and has at least one active layer therein comprising an electrolyte separating first and second opposing electrodes, and active first and second gas passages adjacent the respective first and second electrodes. At least one cold zone positioned from the first end along another portion of the length is configured to remain below the operating reaction temperature. An artery flow passage extends from the first end along the length through the cold zone and into the reaction zone and is fluidicly coupled to the active first gas passage, which extends from the artery flow passage toward at least one side. The thickness of the artery flow passage is greater than the thickness of the active first gas passage. In other embodiments, fuel cell devices include an electrolyte having at least a portion thereof comprising a ceramic material sintered from a nano-sized powder. In yet other embodiments, cold zones are provided at each end of the device with the reaction zone therebetween having at least two discrete power sections, each having one or more active layers, the power sections fed by discrete fuel passages to provide a device and system capable of operating at more than one power level.
US08962203B2
A fuel cell system is disclosed that employs a thermal sensor for measuring an amount of heat generated in the fuel cell system, wherein a sensor signal from the thermal sensor is used to adjust operation of the fuel cell system when the fuel cell system is operating outside of desired thermal operating conditions.
US08962184B2
Disclosed are an anode active material for secondary batteries, capable of intercalating and deintercalating ions, the anode active material including a core including a crystalline carbon-based material, and a composite coating layer including one or more materials selected from the group consisting of low crystalline carbon and amorphous carbon, and silicon oxide capable of intercalating and deintercalating ions, wherein the composite coating layer includes a matrix comprising one component selected from (a) the one or more materials selected from the group consisting of low crystalline carbon and amorphous carbon and (b) the silicon oxide capable of intercalating and deintercalating ions, and a filler including the other component, incorporated in the matrix, and a secondary battery including the anode active material.
US08962182B2
Provided is a separator/anode assembly for use in an electric current producing cell, wherein the assembly comprises an anode current collector layer interposed between a first anode layer and a second anode layer and a porous separator layer on the side of the first anode layer opposite to the anode current collector layer, wherein the first anode layer is coated directly on the separator layer. Also provided are methods of preparing such separator/anode assemblies.
US08962178B2
A battery pack having a can housing having an electrode assembly and electrolyte, this can may include a cap plate coupled to an open end of the can. A recess is provided on a surface of the cap plate. A metal plate made of a material different from the cap plate is embedded in the recess. The metal plate includes a plurality grooves on at least one surface.
US08962176B2
The invention relates to a module comprising at least two electrical energy storage assemblies (20), each storage assembly (20) comprising a first face topped by a cover (30) electrically connected to said energy storage assembly (20) and a second face opposite the first face, each cover being in contact with a respective end of a strip (40) in order to electrically connect the two storage assemblies (20), in which the strip (40) and the faces of the covers (30) in contact with the strip (40) are flat, the strip (40) being welded to the faces of the covers (30) along weld leads (50, 50′).
US08962167B2
There is a provided a secondary battery capable of preventing unloading and rotating caused by possible vibration or shock by increasing a coupling force among the vent plate, the insulator, and the cap-down that compose the cap assembly of the secondary battery. To increase the coupling force among the vent plate, the insulator, and the cap-down, protrusions and corresponding grooves or holes, and grooves with step areas may be formed. Alternatively, a plurality of insulators may be formed in a divided form. A secondary battery with a reliable cap assembly can be implemented through such a structural change.
US08962164B2
Perpendicular magnetic recording media with magnetic anisotropy gradient and local exchange coupling
A perpendicular magnetic recording medium adapted for high recording density and high data recording rate comprises a non-magnetic substrate having at least one surface with a layer stack formed thereon, the layer stack including a perpendicular recording layer containing a plurality of columnar-shaped magnetic grains extending perpendicularly to the substrate surface for a length, with a first end distal the surface and a second end proximal the surface, wherein each of the magnetic grains has: (1) a gradient of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy field Hk extending along its length between the first end and second ends; and (2) predetermined local exchange coupling strengths along the length.
US08962158B2
Provided is an organic electroluminescent device (organic EL device), which has improved luminous efficiency, has sufficient driving stability, and has a simple construction. The organic EL device of the present invention is an organic electroluminescent device, including a light-emitting layer and a hole-transporting layer between an anode and a cathode laminated on a substrate, in which the light-emitting layer contains a phosphorescent light-emitting dopant and an indolocarbazole compound that serves as a host material, or alternatively, the hole-transporting layer contains an indolocarbazole compound. The indolocarbazole compound is represented by the following formula (1). In the formula: A1's each represent an aromatic hydrocarbon group or an aromatic heterocyclic group, provided that at least one of A1's has a fused ring structure; and R1's each represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, or an acyl group.
US08962155B2
A light emitting device material containing a pyrromethene compound represented by the general formula (1). It realized a luminescent element having a high luminescent efficiency and exellent color purity. Also provided is a luminescent element employing the materials.
US08962148B2
One embodiment of the invention includes a method comprising: placing a first insert and a second insert in a casting mold and wherein the first insert and second insert comprising a plurality of connecting post extending inbetween so that the first insert and second insert are in spaced-apart relationship in the mold, each of the first insert and the second insert comprising a first material; casting a molten second material into the casting mold so that the second material flows between the first insert and the second insert and solidifying the second material to provide a product comprising a cast over body portion with the first insert and second insert and so that the second material is mechanically locked or metallurgically bonded to the first material and so that one or both of the first insert and the second insert provides working surface for the product.
US08962147B2
A powder metal component is made of compacted and sintered powder metal particles such as chromium-containing ferrous-based metal and is porous. Following sintering, the pores are impregnated with relatively smaller particles of ceria and/or yttria. The component is then heat treated and the presence of the impregnated ceria and/or yttria serve as nucleation sites for the formation of desirable oxides, such as chromium oxide, on the surface. The impregnated particles that lie below the protective oxide layer remain available throughout the life of the component in the event the original oxide layer becomes worn or damaged, wherein a renewed protective oxide is formed in such regions due to the presence of the impregnated particles.
US08962142B2
Anti-corrosion coating for metallic substrates obtainable by reacting an organic polyisocyanate with a compound containing isocyanate-reactive hydrogen atoms at an isocyanate index of between 1000 and 5000% in the presence of a trimerisation catalyst.
US08962136B2
A surface-protecting pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet includes: a substrate; and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer that is provided on at least one side of the substrate and made from a polyester-based pressure-sensitive adhesive composition containing a crosslinking agent and a polyester including at least a lactic acid unit, a dibasic acid unit, and a glycol unit. The dibasic acid unit includes a dimer acid, the polyester has a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 to 200,000 and a glass transition temperature of −70 to −20° C. as measured using a differential scanning calorimeter at a temperature rise rate of 20° C./minute, the polyester-based pressure-sensitive adhesive composition has a hydroxyl value of 20 to 60 mgKOH/g, and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer has a gel fraction of 85 to 99% by weight.
US08962130B2
Surface films, paints, or primers can be used in preparing aircraft structural composites that may be exposed to lightning strikes. Methods for making and using these films, paints or primers are also disclosed. The surface film can include a thermoset resin or polymer, e.g., an epoxy resin and/or a thermoplastic polymer, which can be cured, bonded, or painted on the composite structure. Low-density electrically conductive materials are disclosed, such as carbon nanofiber, copper powder, metal coated microspheres, metal-coated carbon nanotubes, single wall carbon nanotubes, graphite nanoplatelets and the like, that can be uniformly dispersed throughout or on the film. Low density conductive materials can include metal screens, optionally in combination with carbon nanofibers.
US08962119B1
A tire decoration assembly facilitates changing of the cosmetic appearance of a tire. The assembly includes a first annular member having a front side and a back side. A connector is coupled to the back side of the first annular member wherein the first annular member is configured for coupling to an exterior surface of a sidewall of a tire. A second annular member has a front side and a back side. The back side of the second annular member is selectively coupled to the front side of the first annular member such that the front side of the second annular member is displayed on the tire.
US08962110B2
A cross device may include a bottom wall, a first sidewall being pivotably connected to the bottom wall, a second sidewall being pivotably connected to the bottom wall, a third sidewall being pivotably connected to the bottom wall, a fourth sidewall being pivotably connected to the bottom wall, and a top wall being pivotably connected to the first sidewall. The cross device may be movable between a first position in the form of a cross and a second position in the form of a rectangle.
US08962107B2
A liquid crystal display device that includes an array substrate, an opposite substrate and a liquid crystal display layer is described. The array substrate includes a pixel electrode and a lower alignment layer. The pixel electrode has a plurality of slit portions extending in different directions. The lower alignment layer includes a reactive mesogen (RM) diamine is formed on the pixel electrode to induce an alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules. An upper alignment layer is formed on a common electrode of the opposite substrate. The RM is cured at surfaces of the lower and upper alignment layers in response to ultraviolet (UV) light, so that liquid crystal molecules have a pretilt angle. Therefore, the aperture ratio and the response time may be improved, and afterimages may be decreased, so that display quality may be improved.
US08962101B2
High-deposition rate methods for forming transparent ashable hardmasks (AHMs) that have high plasma etch selectivity to underlying layers are provided. The methods involve placing a wafer on a powered electrode such as a powered pedestal for plasma-enhanced deposition. According to various embodiments, the deposition is run at low hydrocarbon precursor partial pressures and/or low process temperatures. Also provided are ceramic wafer pedestals with multiple electrode planes embedded with the pedestal are provided. According to various embodiments, the pedestals have multiple RF mesh electrode planes that are connected together such that all the electrode planes are at the same potential.
US08962100B2
The invention relates to a method for depositing a diamond coating onto a substrate, said method resulting in the production of a coating characterized by a novel morphology of the diamond in the form of pyramids containing submicronic grains. The method is carried out by chemical vapor deposition by controlling the applied electric field.
US08962099B2
A method for depositing functional groups on a surface of an object, and to the object treated as such, by generating and maintaining a plasma, bringing the object surface close to or in a space between the plasma electrodes, an atmosphere being present between the two electrodes, and depositing a plurality of functional groups on at least part of the surface of the object, wherein the atmosphere between the two electrodes comprises a multi-functional hyperbranched compound which is a polymer based on ABm type monomers, or a derivative of such polymer, wherein m is at least 2, A and B have reactive functional groups selected such that group A is reacted at least m times with group B, and the hyperbranched compound has a degree of branching (DB) in the range of 10.0-99.9%.
US08962097B1
A film deposition process comprising exposing a surface of a substrate to a first plasma treatment having plasma reactants in a plasma chamber to form an activated substrate surface. The activated surface has a lower water contact angle than the substrate surface before the surface activating. The process comprises introducing water vapor into the plasma chamber to form a water layer on the activated surface. The process comprises introducing pre-cursors molecules into the plasma chamber in the presence of a second plasma to graft a layer of reacted pre-cursor molecules on the water layer.
US08962086B2
A process for coating a surface of a substrate made of nonmetallic material with a metal layer consisting of providing a substrate made of nonmetallic material; subjecting a surface of said substrate to a treatment for increasing the specific surface area thereof; subjecting the resulting surface to an oxidizing treatment; contacting the resulting substrate with a solution containing an ion of a metal from groups IB and VIII of the Periodic Table; obtaining a substrate comprising ions of a metal that are chemically attached to the nonmetallic material constituting the substrate on at least one of its surfaces; subjecting the ions to a reducing treatment to obtain a substrate comprising atoms of a metal that are chemically attached to the nonmetallic material constituting the substrate on a part of at least one of its surfaces; and contacting the resulting surface with a solution containing ions of a metal.
US08962082B2
A non-contact edge coating apparatus includes an applicator for applying a coating material on an edge of a solar cell substrate and a control system configured to drive the applicator. The control system may drive the applicator along an axis to maintain a distance with an edge of the substrate as the substrate is rotated to have the edge coated with a coating material. The applicator may include a recessed portion into which the edge of the substrate is received for edge coating. For example, the applicator may be a roller with a groove. Coating material may be introduced into the groove for application onto the edge of the substrate. A variety of coating materials may be employed with the apparatus including hot melt ink and UV curable plating resist.
US08962081B2
According to one embodiment, there is provided a template forming method that transfers a pattern from a first template to a to-be-processed substrate and subjects the to-be-processed substrate to a processing process to form a second template by using an imprinting method, includes forming a first resist film on a pattern forming region on the to-be-processed substrate, selectively forming a second resist film on a mark forming region on the to-be-processed substrate, transferring a concavo-convex pattern formed on the first template to the first resist film, and processing the to-be-processed substrate with the first resist film to which the concavo-convex pattern is transferred and the second resist film used as a mask.
US08962078B2
A method is provided for depositing a dielectric film on a substrate. According to one embodiment, the method includes providing the substrate in a process chamber, exposing the substrate to a gaseous precursor to form an adsorbed layer on the substrate, exposing the adsorbed layer to an oxygen-containing gas, a nitrogen-containing gas, or an oxygen- and nitrogen-containing gas, or a combination thereof, to form the dielectric film on the substrate, generating a hydrogen halide gas in the process chamber by a decomposition reaction of a hydrogen halide precursor gas, and exposing the dielectric film to the hydrogen halide gas to remove contaminants from the dielectric film.
US08962060B2
A process for preparing stabilized edible oil-in-water emulsion containing insoluble natural fiber and being free of food additives comprising the following steps: a) preparing a fiber phase; b) preparing an emulsion; and c) mixing the prepared fiber phase and emulsion.
US08962059B1
A method of extracting oil from a byproduct stream of a bio-based ethanol production process and a organic composition resulting from the method is provided. The method includes applying an oil concentrator to a byproduct stream, mixing the oil concentrator with the byproduct stream, and separating the oil from the byproduct stream. An organic composition comprising oil derived from a byproduct stream of a bio-based ethanol production process and an oil concentrator is also provided.
US08962058B2
The present invention relates generally to functional sweetener compositions comprising non-caloric or low-caloric natural and/or synthetic, high-potency sweeteners and methods for making and using them. In particular, the present invention relates to different functional sweetener compositions comprising at least one non-caloric or low-caloric natural and/or synthetic, high-potency sweetener, at least one sweet taste improving composition, and at least one functional ingredient, such as antioxidants. The present invention also relates to functional sweetener compositions and methods that can improve the tastes of non-caloric or low-caloric high-potency sweeteners by imparting a more sugar-like taste or characteristic. In particular, the functional sweetener compositions and methods provide a more sugar-like temporal profile, including sweetness onset and sweetness linger, and/or a more sugar-like flavor profile.
US08962056B2
Techniques are described to increase product viscosity in fiber-containing food slurries having a given amount of food solids. The techniques employ one or more PSR operations as the last unit operation prior to filling to reduce particle size within the food slurry and increase product viscosity. In one or more implementations, the PSR operation may comprise an aseptic cold PSR operation such as aseptic cold homogenization. In embodiments, the PSR operation may further be controlled to reduce variability in the viscosity of the finished product.
US08962055B2
A formed food product is made by first performing a first pressing of the frozen primary product between a stamp and a cavity of a mold with a predetermined force to produce a preformed initial food product. Then, without removing the initial food product from the mold and immediately after the first pressing is completed, reducing during a relaxation phase a pressure force applied by the stamp to the intermediate food product for a predetermined time to produce an intermediate product. Finally without removing the intermediate product from the mold and immediately after the predetermined time has elapsed, performing a second pressing of the intermediate food product between the stamp and the mold cavity at a higher force than that used in the first pressing until a final food product with a contour corresponding to that of the mold cavity is achieved.
US08962040B2
A method and formulation for delivering an active compound in a vaporized state using low temperatures to vaporize the formulation. The formulation contains an inert non-reactive compound that lowers the heat of vaporization of the formulation, and the active compound. The formulation may optionally contain glycerin, alcohol, and/or water. Examples of inert non-reactive compounds that can sufficiently lower the heat of vaporization of the formulation include propylene glycol and polysorbate. The formulation can be vaporized using a hand-held low temperature vaporizer or atomizer.
US08962039B2
Use of high doses above 1 gm per day of ascorbic acid or the derivatives thereof for the treatment of neurodegenerative and neuro-muscular degenerative diseases and disorders, in particular amytrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, alzheimer's disease, parkinson's disease, and muscular dystrophy is disclosed. Preferably the dose includes mannitol which facilitates the delivery of ascorbic acid to the target cells in the brain. Still further the said dose includes zinc citrate for preventing formation of kidney stones. Dose compositions for various routes of application such as oral, intravenous, intramuscular, nasal and in the form of transdermal patches are discussed.
US08962036B2
Disintegrable preparations of lanthanum carbonate prepared by co-precipitation, facilitating the manufacture of oral pharmaceutical dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, powders, granules, and sprinkles, and the use of such dosage forms to treat subjects with hyperphosphatemia are disclosed.
US08962034B2
Methods are provided for isolating and using a whole-saliva leech extract. The methods can include feeding a phagostimulatory agent to a leech; inducing a regurgitation in the leech, the inducing including placing the leech in an environment having a temperature of less than about 0° C.; and, collecting an unrefined, whole saliva in the regurgitation of the cooled leech. The methods can include revitalizing the leech by warming it at a temperature ranging from about 5° C. to about 40° C. Stable, lyophilized, whole-saliva extracts of a leech are also provided, the extract having a stable activity when stored for use at a temperature below about −20° C., the extract maintaining at least 70% of the activity for at least 6 months. The extracts can be used to treat solid tumors, treat liquid tumors, treat diabetes, treat a viral disease, treat a parasitic disease, treat an antibacterial disease, or serve as an anti-oxidant.
US08962025B2
Compositions, methods, and kits are provided for sealing applications. Compositions are prepared by combining a first cross-linkable component with a second cross-linkable component to form a porous matrix having interstices, and combining the porous matrix with a hydrogel-forming component to fill at least some of the interstices. The compositions exhibit minimal swelling properties.
US08962022B2
The present invention is directed to compositions of taste-masked microparticles comprising a substituted benzhydrylpiperazine coated and a taste-masking layer comprising a water-insoluble polymer and a gastrosoluble polymer, and methods of making such taste-masked microparticles. The present invention is also directed to stable orally disintegrating compositions comprising taste-masked microparticles of a substituted benzhydrylpiperazine and rapidly dispersing granules, and methods of making such orally disintegrating compositions.
US08962009B2
Biocompatible intraocular implants include a steroid and a polymer associated with each other to facilitate release of the steroid into an eye for a period of time greater than about two months. The steroid may be associated with a biodegradable polymer matrix, such as a matrix of a two biodegradable polymers. Or, the steroid may be associated with a polymeric coating having one or more openings effective to permit the steroid to be released into an external environment. The implants may be placed in an eye to treat one or more ocular conditions. The steroid is released from the implant for more than about two months, and may be release for more than several years.
US08961997B2
The subject of the invention is a method for purifying the rabies virus, comprising a single ion-exchange chromatography step, said step being cation exchange chromatography according to which: a) the supernatant of a culture of cells infected with this virus is brought into contact with a cation exchange chromatography support comprising a polymethacrylate matrix onto which sulfoisobutyl groups have been grafted such that the rabies virus binds to this support, and; b) the virus is eluted from its support.
US08961993B2
Provided is a method for improving day photopic vision and/or cone-derived visual field and visual function in a subject suffering from a retinal disease or trauma including administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of crude Dunaliella powder. Also provided is a method for improving night vision and/or rod derived visual field in a subject suffering from a retinal disease including administering to the subject a pharmaceutically effective amount of crude Dunaliella powder. A pharmaceutical composition for improving day vision and/or visual field in a subject suffering from a retinal disease including crude Dunaliella powder is also provided.
US08961991B2
The present invention includes compositions and methods for the expression, secretion and use of novel compositions for use as, e.g., vaccines and antigen delivery vectors, to delivery antigens to antigen presenting cells. In one embodiment, the vector is an anti-CD40 antibody, or fragments thereof, and one or more antigenic peptides linked to the anti-CD40 antibody or fragments thereof, including humanized antibodies.
US08961985B2
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 cytotoxic T cell (CTL) peptide epitopes, alone or in combination with other tumor-associated peptides that serve as active pharmaceutical ingredients of vaccine compositions that stimulate anti-tumor immune responses. The present invention relates to 30 peptide sequences and their variants derived from HLA class I and class II molecules of human tumor cells that can be used in vaccine compositions for eliciting anti-tumor immune responses.
US08961984B2
The present invention relates to a method for covalently attaching a compound to a stainless steel, tin, iron, or titanium substrate, by contacting exposed surface(s) of the substrate with a synthetic pilin peptide containing a disulfide loop derived from the C-terminal receptor binding protein of Type IV P. aeruginosa (T4P) pilin, to bind the pilin peptide to the exposed surface(s), and covalently attaching the compound to the pilin peptide. Also disclosed are a substrate formed by the method and a biosensor device that uses the uses. Also disclosed are methods for improving the corrosion resistance, adhesive force, hardness and electron work function of certain metals.
US08961979B2
The present invention provides isolated polypeptides isolatable from a Staphylococcus spp. Also provided by the present invention are compositions that include one or more of the polypeptides, and methods for making and methods for using the polypeptides.
US08961978B2
The present disclosure relates to binding molecules, such as human monoclonal antibodies, that bind to an epitope in the stem region of hemagglutinin of influenza A viruses of phylogenetic group 1 and group 2, as well as influenza B viruses, and have a broad neutralizing activity against such influenza viruses. The disclosure provides nucleic acid molecules encoding the binding molecules, their sequences and compositions comprising the binding molecules. The binding molecules can be used in the diagnosis, prophylaxis and/or treatment of influenza A viruses of phylogenetic groups 1 and 2, as well as influenza B viruses.
US08961972B2
The present invention provides anti-N3pGlu Aβ antibodies or antigen-binding fragment thereof. In addition, the present invention provides the use of the anti-N3pGlu Aβ antibodies or antigen-binding fragment thereof for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
US08961966B2
The present invention provides a novel class of monoclonal antibodies which bind ErbB3 receptor and inhibits various ErbB3 functions. For example, the antibodies described herein are capable of binding to ErbB3 and inhibiting EGF-like ligand mediated phosphorylation of the receptor.
US08961959B2
Glucosylceramide synthase inhibitors and compositions containing the same are disclosed. Methods of using the glucosylceramide synthase inhibitors in the treatment of diseases and conditions wherein inhibition of glucosylceramide synthase provides a benefit, like Gaucher disease and Fabry disease, also are disclosed.
US08961957B2
The invention relates to therapy and methods of applying the therapy to cancer patients. The invention includes introducing intratumorally cytotoxic T lymphocyte and/or NKT cells, and prior to, coincident with, or following introducing intratumorally the cytotoxic T lymphocyte and/or NKT cells, introducing intratumorally anti-TNF and/or anti-IL-10 to the patient. The cytotoxic T lymphocyte and/or NKT cells can be induced by the intratumoral introduction of immature dendritic cells to the patient. This therapy of the invention can be effective to regress, reduce or eliminate tumor cells in tumor tissue of the patients in the absence of radiation therapy.
US08961955B2
Various embodiments of the present invention include compositions, materials and methods for maintaining and propagating mammalian mesenchymal stem cells in an undifferentiated state in the absence of feeder cells and applications of the same.
US08961953B2
This invention relates to a preparation comprising N-acetyl-lactosamine and/or an oligosaccharide containing N-acetyl-lactosamine and a probiotic Lactobacillus sp. The invention extends to nutritional compositions comprising said preparation and to the use of the preparation in the prevention and treatment of pathogenic infections of the gastro-intestinal and upper respiratory tracts.
US08961951B2
The present invention provides a method for restoring budding capability to GP64null baculoviruses including gp64null AcMNPV by expressing therein a portion of the VSV G protein gene or a truncated “stem” portion of the GP64 gene. Other embodiments provide methods to use portions of the G-stem or GP64 protein to target foreign proteins for display on virions.
US08961947B2
Methods for making biomaterials for use as a tissue sealant, kits containing precursors for forming the biomaterials, and the resulting biomaterials are described herein. The biomaterials are formed from a composition comprising at least a first and a second precursor molecule, wherein: i) the first precursor molecule is a poly(ethylene glycol) based polymer having x nucleophilic groups selected from the group consisting of thiol or amino groups, wherein x is greater than or equal to 2 ii) the second precursor molecule is of the general formula: A-[(C3H6O)n—(C2H4O)m—B]i wherein m and n are integers from 1 to 200 i is greater than 2 A is a branch point B is a conjugated unsaturated group The precursors are selected based on the desired properties of the biomaterial. Optionally, the biomaterials contain additives, such as thixotropic agents, radiopaque agents, or bioactive agents. In the preferred embodiment, the biomaterials are used to reduce, inhibit, or contain loss of a biological fluid or gas in a patient.
US08961946B2
Provided are hair processing agents capable of permanent waving hair even at a neutral to weakly acidic pH range that causes less irritation to the skin, and hair processing agents in which an unpleasant odor is masked. Hair processing agents contain at least one compound represented by the formula (2). Hair processing agents contain a compound of the formula (2) and at least one compound (ii) selected from thioglycolic acid, thiolactic acid, cysteine, acetylcysteine, cysteamine, acylcysteamine, salts thereof and ester derivatives thereof. Hair processing agents contain a compound of the formula (2), a surfactant and water, and are emulsified. Hair processing agents contain a compound of the formula (2) and a specific perfume. wherein X is a structure selected from —O—, —S—, —NH— and —NR1—; R1 is an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; Y is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom; in the formula (1), Z is a divalent organic residue having at least one mercapto group; in the formula (2), R is a divalent organic residue optionally having a mercapto group; and R2 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms.
US08961943B2
O/W-emulsifiers are described, comprising: (a) 30-50% by weight of hardened palm oil glycerides; (b) 15-35% by weight of potassium cetyl phosphates; (c) 20-30% by weight of cetyl alcohol, and (d) 5-15% by weight of potassium phosphate, in each case with respect to the total mass of the emulsifier. Further described are corresponding O/W-emulsions, comprising an aqueous phase, an oil phase dispersed in the aqueous phase and between 0.25 and 15% by weight of the abovementioned O/W-emulsifier. Finally, also described are methods for manufacturing such an O/W-emulsion.
US08961942B2
Sunless tanning compositions with adjuvants comprising sulfur comprising moieties are described. The compositions comprise an adjuvant with a +6 oxidation state sulfur moiety and results in excellent artificial tanning results within a consumer acceptable time.
US08961937B2
The present invention relates to a composition for detecting beta amyloid aggregates and a composition for diagnosing beta amyloid aggregation disease, comprising a 2-styrilpyridizine-3(2H)-one derivative or its pharmaceutically acceptable salt, to a diagnostic kit for diagnosing beta amyloid aggregation disease comprising said composition and to a method for detecting beta amyloid aggregates using said compositions to provide information for beta amyloid aggregation disease diagnosis.
US08961934B2
The present invention describes peptidomimetic radiotracers. In particular, the present invention discloses fibrosis specific multimeric small-molecule peptidomimetic radiotracers.
US08961927B2
The invention provides MRI detectable species of formula (I) Dp-Sn-Nm (I) wherein D is a MRI detectable moiety S is a spacer N is a molecule of a nutrient or pseudo-nutrient n is 0 or an integer m is an integer and p is an integer. These compounds are useful for internalizing into tumor cells an amount of the MRI detectable moiety that is distinguishably higher than the amount internalized in normal healthy cells thus allowing the diagnosis of tumors.The internalization of the MRI detectable moiety involves the nutrients or pseudo-nutrients transporting system. Preferred compounds of formula (I) are those wherein D is the chelated complex of a paramagnetic metal ion.
US08961923B2
Apparatus and methods are provided for separately preheating gaseous ammonia and an oxygen-containing gas mixture, combusting them to form a hydrogen-containing gas mixture, and cooling the hydrogen-containing gas mixture in conjunction with the preheating of the next ammonia and the preheating of the next oxygen-containing gas mixture. Combustion may occur at combinations of pressure and temperature that permit rapid and non-catalyzed decomposition of the ammonia.
US08961921B2
A method for producing a ferrate solution by producing a ferrate intermediate material and then combining the intermediate material with a halogen or ozone solution.
US08961918B2
A method for processing a substrate is provided; wherein the method comprises applying a film of a copolymer composition, comprising a poly(styrene)-b-poly(dimethylsiloxane) block copolymer component to a surface of the substrate; optionally, baking the film; subjecting the film to a high temperature annealing process under particularized atmospheric conditions for a specified period of time; followed by a treatment of the annealed film to remove the poly(styrene) from the annealed film and to convert the poly(dimethylsiloxane) in the annealed film to SiOx.
US08961916B1
This invention presents innovative methods for desulfurizing flue gas in conjunction with selective inorganics recovery using calcium chloroaluminate or calcium chloroferrate as a layered double hydroxide reagent. One of the aspects of such methods is based on scrubbing SO2 in a standalone closed loop. Further aspects of such methods are based on scrubbing SO2 by the natural alkalinity of a saline stream as a once-through sink along with controlled precipitation of magnesium hydroxide and a calcium-based mineral in a standalone basis; or in conjunction with desalination methods and/or enhanced hydrocarbons recovery.
US08961914B2
Described is a selective catalytic reduction catalyst comprising an 8-ring small pore molecular sieve promoted with copper and an alkaline earth component. The catalyst is effective to catalyze the reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the presence of a reductant. A method for selectively reducing nitrogen oxides is also described.
US08961913B2
The present invention relates to a method and a system for cleaning a CO2 rich flue gas stream containing water vapor and NOX prior to CO2 sequestration. The method and system include heating the flue gas stream to a temperature suitable for selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NOX in a flue gas heater, reducing at least some of the NOX in the heated flue gas stream to N2 by SCR, and removing at least some of the water vapor from the NOX depleted flue gas stream by adsorption in an adsorption drier.
US08961911B2
Zinc and lead are usually concomitantly present in Zn—Pb ores and tailings. A novel non-polluting hydrometallurgical process for selectively leaching and recovering zinc (Zn) from a composite lead (Pb) and zinc sulphide containing mineral, crushed untreated rock or unconsolidated mineral particles, mill tailings and/or agglomerated or unagglomerated sulphidic zinc containing waste material without necessitating smelting and refining operation has been developed. A combination of selected oxidant and alkali metal hydroxide has been found effective. A leachant consisting of e.g. a mixture of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is employed to selectively dissolve zinc sulphide at high pH at standard temperature and pressure (STP). The kinetics of leaching along with the effect of varying concentration (preferably of sodium hydroxide and sodium hypochlorite) were systematically investigated. Feed ore containing diverse set of minerals e.g. sulphides and carbonates can also be conveniently treated to selectively and almost quantitatively recover zinc as high purity zinc carbonate. This technology can be employed either in-situ or ex-situ based on the amenability of a particular type of mineral deposit or feed ore.
US08961910B2
There is provided a technology for decreasing copper and tungsten contained in tantalum-containing wastes, and recovering a high-purity tantalum. The present invention is a tantalum recovery method for recovering tantalum from a tantalum-containing waste, the method comprising subjecting the tantalum-containing waste to an acid treatment in an oxidizing atmosphere, thereafter to a roasting treatment and an alkali treatment, and further comprising carrying out a magnetic separation treatment before the acid treatment to thereby separate a tantalum-containing material in the tantalum-containing waste. This is particularly a suitable recovery method for recovering tantalum from wastes containing a relatively large amount of copper and tungsten such as discarded substrates such as printed wiring boards.
US08961905B2
An apparatus, system, and method for determining the osmolarity of a fluid. The apparatus includes at least one micro-fluidic circuit and at least one electrical circuit disposed in communication with the micro-fluidic circuit for determining a property of a fluid contained within the at least one micro-fluidic circuit.
US08961904B2
A microfluidic chip orients and isolates components in a sample fluid mixture by two-step focusing, where sheath fluids compress the sample fluid mixture in a sample input channel in one direction, such that the sample fluid mixture becomes a narrower stream bounded by the sheath fluids, and by having the sheath fluids compress the sample fluid mixture in a second direction further downstream, such that the components are compressed and oriented in a selected direction to pass through an interrogation chamber in single file formation for identification and separation by various methods. The isolation mechanism utilizes external, stacked piezoelectric actuator assemblies disposed on a microfluidic chip holder, or piezoelectric actuator assemblies on-chip, so that the actuator assemblies are triggered by an electronic signal to actuate jet chambers on either side of the sample input channel, to jet selected components in the sample input channel into one of the output channels.
US08961898B2
The present invention provides a bilayer membrane produced using a microchannel capable of easily forming bilayer membranes such as planar lipid bilayer membranes in large quantities, and a production method thereof. A process for producing a bilayer membrane of the present invention comprises forming a state where two liquid phases or liquid and gaseous phases each containing amphipathic molecules are alternately arranged in a microchannel, discharging one of the two liquid phases or the gaseous phase of the liquid and gaseous phases through branch minichannels formed in the wall on one side or in the walls on both sides to contact the remaining liquid phases adjacent to each other, and thereby forming a side-by-side arrangement of bilayer membranes comprising the amphipathic molecules.
US08961897B2
A disposable device for measuring UV radiation comprising: a matrix, at least one photochrome compound provided to said matrix wherein said photochromic compound is capable of changing its color when exposed to UV radiation, color changing agent distributed within said matrix, wherein said color changing agent irreversibly changes the device's color as a function of the UV dose irradiated, whereby said device is not affected by ambient conditions and visible light.
US08961891B2
A heat sink is used to absorb heat produced by a vehicle. The heat sink uses an endothermic catalytic alcohol dehydrogenation reaction to assist with the absorption of excess heat produced in the electronics of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the alcohol can be pre-heated by absorbing heat from various components of the vehicle. Excess heat from the various components or from the vehicle engine can be used to vaporize the reaction fluids in order to further absorb additional heat. Reaction fluids can also be sent to the vehicle's engine/burner for use as a supplemental fuel.
US08961890B2
Provided is a purifying apparatus, which includes ultraviolet lamps and an ozone lamp having different wavelengths from one another and disposed in tubes to remove bacteria, VOC, bad odors in water or air, and these tubes are arranged in a serial or parallel way. Folds are formed at inner ends of the spiral photocatalytic sheets which are in contact with the lamps and the respective lamps are inserted into to increase the contact area with air or water and the one with the lamp, thereby preventing the lamp from being damaged. The purifying apparatus includes: an outer case having an inlet and an outlet; a spiral photocatalytic sheet to be inserted into the outer case; a UV lamp to be inserted into the spiral photocatalytic sheet, wherein folds are disposed at an inner side of the spiral photocatalytic sheet where a space for inserting the UV lamp is formed.
US08961886B2
A honeycomb structure includes at least one honeycomb unit having a plurality of through holes defined by partition walls extending along a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb unit. The honeycomb unit includes zeolite, an inorganic binder, and a noble metal catalyst. The zeolite is ion-exchanged with Cu and/or Fe to reduce NOx on the zeolite by providing ammonia or its precursor. The noble metal catalyst is supported only in a region of the honeycomb unit. The region extends from one end portion of the honeycomb unit in the longitudinal direction over approximately 1.5% or more to approximately 20% or less of an overall length of the honeycomb unit in the longitudinal direction. The region is provided on a downstream side of the honeycomb unit in a direction in which an exhaust gas is configured to flow through the honeycomb unit.
US08961884B2
The electricity is suppressed from flowing through a case (5) of an electric heating catalyst (1). The electric heating catalyst (1) comprises a heat generating element (3) which generates heat by applying electricity; a case (5) which accommodates the heat generating element (3); an inner tube (4) which is provided between the heat generating element (3) and the case (5); and a mat (6) which is provided between the heat generating element (3) and the inner tube (4) and between the inner tube (4) and the case (5) and which insulates the electricity; wherein the inner tube (4) protrudes from the mat (6) toward an upstream side and a downstream side in a flow direction of an exhaust gas, the inner tube (4) is composed of at least two substances having different thermal conductivities, the substance (42) having the lower thermal conductivity is arranged on an inner side as compared with a surface, and the substance (41) having the higher thermal conductivity is arranged to surround the substance having the lower thermal conductivity.
US08961881B2
Apparatus and methods for the production of a secure supply of breathable air are important under conditions where threats from chemical and biological weapons may be present. A method and a multi-stage CATOX system for producing a purified air flow from ambient air which may have nitrogen containing toxicants is provided. The multi-stage CATOX system has a first stage and second stage, at least one of the first or the second stage has a first catalytic heat exchanger with a cold side supporting a first catalyst and a hot side configured to transfer heat therefrom to the first catalyst.
US08961876B2
A sample analyzer for analyzing a sample with a liquid in a container is disclosed. The sample analyzer comprises: a reader that reads an information of a liquid in a container, the information of the liquid being stored in a storage medium; a display; and a controller including a processor and a memory under control of the processor, the memory storing instruction causing the processor to carry out operations comprising: determining whether the sample analyzer is ready to read the information of the liquid by the reader; and causing, when the sample analyzer is determined to be ready, the display to display an indication that indicates the sample analyzer is ready to read the information of the liquid by the reader.
US08961873B2
The present invention describes a new system and method, named “Antinfection”, to protect primarily healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients against communicable and nosocomial infections. It's based on new antiseptic sprays, non-alcoholic, that can be sprayed automatically on the hands. The base of the antiseptic action is the persistent part, preventing the colonization of tissue and non-living surfaces with microorganisms through the targeted, on-demand release of Fluorine ions. The system including new sprayers for fast and controlled application; new technologies to secure the long-term protection against wear in the daily work routines of HCWs; new measurement techniques for the quality of the Antinfection; new quality recording concepts for the promotion and verification of new strategies and campaigns in the “lost war against the germs”.
US08961872B2
The invention concerns the use of a sterilization agent comprising H2O2 or a derivative thereof, capable of generating H2O2 as the sterilising component under sterilization conditions, for enhancing the hemocompatibility of objects.
US08961869B2
A hardfacing alloy for use as a surfacing on metal that are subjected to high thermal and mechanical stresses. The hardfacing alloy includes at least about 7 weight percent chromium, at least about 0.02 weight percent nitrogen, metal sensitization inhibitor, and a majority weight percent iron. The hardfacing alloy includes a low percentage of ferrite.
US08961865B2
A torch tip protector is elastically retained to an oxyacetylene cutting torch tip during transport. The torch tip protector in the preferred embodiment has a protector cap having a generally disc-shaped base and a truncated conical side wall that together form a cup or thimble-shaped torch tip cover. This torch tip cover operatively encompasses a torch tip and thereby operatively blocks access and fouling of the torch tip. To ensure that the protector cap stays engaged with torch tip, a hook secures to and is manually removable from at least one of the torch gas lines. A spring couples to the hook and couples with the protector cap to provide an elastic tension force that draws the protector cap towards hook and thereby secures the protector cap onto the torch tip.
US08961852B2
Described are systems and methods for formation of templates having alignment marks with high contrast material. High contrast material may be positioned within recesses of alignment marks.
US08961845B2
The present invention provides an optical compensation film, which has excellent visibility such as light leakage, uneven color tone and front contrast, and can simultaneously realize retardation and wavelength dispersion. The optical compensation film is characterized by containing a cellulose ester, the following polymer (a), and the following compound (b). (a) A polymer produced by copolymerizing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having in its molecule a partial structure represented by Formula (1) with at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer. (b) An esterified compound produced by esterifying all or a part of OH groups in a compound (A) having one furanose structure or one pyranose structure, or an esterified compound produced by esterifying all of or a part of OH groups in a compound (B) containing nor less than 2 and not more than 12 structures of at least one of a furanose structure or a pyranose structure.
US08961841B2
In a machine for molding colored plastic foam material, a cleaning cycle is performed, before changing color, to clean a feed circuit having a reservoir and interposed, in the machine, between a storage bin and a mold; the cleaning cycle including: emptying the reservoir by suction to remove any material still inside the reservoir; injecting compressed air into the feed circuit so that any material remaining along the feed circuit is at least partly expelled from the feed circuit and at least partly fed into a header located at the bottom of the reservoir; and emptying the header by suction.
US08961833B2
A lithium/fluorinated carbon (Li/CFx) battery having a composite cathode including an electroactive cathode material, a non-electroactive additive, a conductive agent, and a binder. The electroactive cathode material is a single fluorinated carbon having a general formula of CFx, whereby x is an averaged value ranging from about 0.5 to about 1.2. The non-electroactive additive is at least one or a mixture of two or more oxides selected from the group comprising Mg, B, Al, Si, Cu, Zn, Y, Ti, Zr, Fe, Co, or Ni. The conductive agent is selected from the group comprising carbon, metals, and mixtures thereof. Finally, the binder is an amorphous polymer selected from the group comprising fluorinated polymers, ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) rubbers, styrene butadiene rubbers (SBR), poly (acrylonitrile-methyl methacrylate), carboxymethyl celluloses (CMC), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Also, a method of reducing the initial voltage drop of a lithium/fluorinated carbon (Li/CFx) battery by providing a composite cathode which includes an electroactive cathode material having a general formula of CFx, whereby x is an averaged value ranging from about 0.5 to about 1.2, a non-electroactive additive, a conductive agent, and a binder.
US08961827B2
The present invention provides an efficient red fluorescent material and a method for producing the same, provides a white light source and an illuminating device each of which uses this red fluorescent material to achieve snow-white lighting, and furthermore provides a liquid crystal display having excellent color reproduction. The red fluorescent material contains an element (A), europium (Eu), silicon (Si), carbon (C), oxygen (O), and nitrogen (N), at an atomic ratio of the following in compositional formula (1). [A(m-x)Eux][Si(9-y)Cy]OnN[12-2(n-m)/3] Note that, in the compositional formula (1), element A is group 2 element including at least calcium (Ca) and strontium (Sr). Also, note that, in the composition formula (1), m, x, y, and n satisfy 3
US08961824B2
To provide a liquid crystal composition satisfying at least one characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature thereof, small viscosity, suitable optical anisotropy, large negative dielectric anisotropy and specific resistance, high stability to ultraviolet light and heat, or having a suitable balance regarding at least two of the characteristics; an AM device having short response time, a large voltage holding ratio and contrast ratio, and a long life. A liquid crystal composition has a nematic phase and contains a specific straight-chain compound as a first component and a specific compound having a large dielectric anisotropy as second component, and may contain a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or small viscosity as a third component and a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or large dielectric anisotropy as a fourth component, and a liquid crystal display device includes the composition.
US08961808B2
Azeotrope-like compositions are disclosed. The azeotrope-like compositions are mixtures of E-1-chloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene with E-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene or E-1,1,1,4,4,5,5,5-octafluoro-2-pentene. Also disclosed is a process of preparing a thermoplastic or thermoset foam by using such azeotrope-like compositions as blowing agents. Also disclosed is a process of producing refrigeration by using such azeotrope-like compositions. Also disclosed is a process of using such azeotrope-like compositions as solvents. Also disclosed is a process of producing an aerosol product by using such azeotrope-like compositions. Also disclosed is a process of using such azeotrope-like compositions as heat transfer media. Also disclosed is a process of extinguishing or suppressing a fire by using such azeotrope-like compositions. Also disclosed is a process of using such azeotrope-like compositions as dielectrics.
US08961801B2
In an embodiment, there is provided an imprint lithography method that includes providing a first amount of imprintable medium on a first area of a substrate, the first amount of imprintable medium, when fixed, having a first etch rate; and providing a second amount of imprintable medium on a second, different area of the substrate, the second amount of imprintable medium, when fixed, having a second, different etch rate.
US08961796B1
Methods for treating contaminated water from water cooling systems are provided. The inventive methods include treating water contaminated with anti-biofouling quaternary amine compounds with a bentonite clay slurry which has been formed on-site in a mix tank. The slurry is formed on-site by mixing a metered amount of bentonite clay particles with mix water in a mix tank to produce the desired slurry concentration and directly transferring the formed slurry from the mix tank into a flow of the contaminated water, where it mixes with the quaternary ammonium compound and detoxifies it.
US08961794B2
This invention relates to a process for production of transportation fuels from biomass. More particularly, this invention relates to a process for using solvent to remove metal impurities and high molecular weight components from biomass derived biocrude to prevent potential catalyst poisoning and catalyst bed plugging in biocrude-to-transportation fuel upgrading process.
US08961792B2
A fluid strainer is disclosed for use in a fluid piping system, the fluid strainer having a first valve chamber and a second valve chamber. The first valve chamber can have a strainer inlet and contain first and second angled members, and the second valve chamber can have a strainer outlet and contain third and fourth angled members. A first pivotable seal can be movable within the first valve chamber into sealing engagement against either of the first or second angled members, and a second pivotable seal can be movable within the second valve chamber into sealing engagement against either of the third or fourth angled members. A first strainer chamber can be in communication with the first angled member and the third angled member, and a second strainer chamber can be in communication with the second angled member and the fourth angled member.
US08961777B2
Provided is a method for accurately quantifying a chemical substance contained in a sample solution at a significantly low concentration of not more than 1×10−8M. First, prepared is a measurement system including a counter electrode 13, a first reference electrode 12, a first working electrode 11a, a second working electrode 11b and a second reference electrode 14. Second, voltages of V1 volts and V2 volts (V1>V2) are applied to the first working electrode 11a and the second working electrode 11b, respectively. Third, a voltage difference ΔE between the second working electrode 11b and the second reference electrode 14 is measured. Finally, the concentration of the chemical substance is calculated on the basis of the voltage difference ΔE.
US08961775B2
Oils from plants and animal fats are hydrolyzed to fatty acids for a Kolbe reaction. The invention relates to a high productivity Kolbe reaction process for electrochemically decarboxylating C4-C28 fatty acids using small amounts of acetic acid to lower anodic passivation voltage and synthesizing C6-C54 hydrocarbons. The C6-C54 undergo olefin metathesis and/or hydroisomerization reaction process to synthesize heavy fuel oil, diesel fuel, kerosene fuel, lubricant base oil, and linear alpha olefin products useful as precursors for polymers, detergents, and other fine chemicals.
US08961771B2
Processes and systems for electrolytically processing a microfeature workpiece with a first processing fluid and an anode are described. Microfeature workpieces are electrolytically processed using a first processing fluid, an anode, a second processing fluid, and a cation permeable barrier layer. The cation permeable barrier layer separates the first processing fluid from the second processing fluid while allowing certain cationic species to transfer between the two fluids. The described processes produce deposits over repeated plating cycles that exhibit deposit properties (e.g., resistivity) within desired ranges.
US08961770B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a method of operating a flow-through capacitor and a related controller for performing the method. The method includes establishing a summed-current capacity of the flow-through capacitor. In an operational cycle, the flow-through capacitor is operated to transfer ions between the pair of electrodes and water. A current is monitored during operation of the flow-through capacitor. This current is integrated over time to calculate a monitored-current value. To determine an end of the operational cycle, the monitored-current value is compared to the summed-current capacity.
US08961762B2
A method for separating a nanocarbon material includes a step in which a dispersion solution of the nanocarbon material which is dispersed into nanocarbon micelle groups having a plurality of different electric charges, and a retaining solution having a different specific gravity from the nanocarbon material, are introduced into an electrophoresis tank to form a layered state disposed in layers in a predetermined direction; and a step separating the nanocarbon micelle groups into at least two nanocarbon micelle groups by means of applying direct current voltage in series across the dispersion solution and the retaining solution which had both been introduced and disposed in layers.
US08961759B2
A microfluidic sensor device includes a substrate having patterned thereon at least one Ag/AgCl electrode (working electrode) and an inner chamber overlying the at least one Ag/AgCl electrode. The device includes an ion selective permeable membrane permeable to TPP+ disposed on one side of the first chamber and a sensing chamber overlying the ion selective permeable membrane. A separate reference electrode is inserted into the sensing chamber. The working electrode and reference electrode are coupled to a voltmeter to measure voltage. This voltage can then be translated into a TPP+ concentration which is used to determine the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm).
US08961757B2
The present invention provides a device for analyzing the composition of a heteropolymer comprising a carbon nanotube through which the heteropolymer is driven by electrophoresis. The carbon nanotube also serves as one electrode in a reading circuit. One end of the carbon nanotube is held in close proximity to a second electrode, and each end of the carbon nanotube is functionalized with flexibly-tethered chemical-recognition moieties, such that one will bind one site on the emerging polymer, and the second will bind another site in close proximity, generating an electrical signal between the two electrodes when the circuit is completed by the process of chemical recognition.
US08961754B2
An electrode for use in a electrochemical sensor comprises carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox-active compound, excluding an electrode based on carbon having derivatized thereron two redox-active species wherein at least one of said species is selected from anthraquinone, phenanthrenequinone and N,N′-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD). The invention further provides a pH sensor comprising: a working electrode comprising carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox active material; and a counter electrode, wherein the ratio of the surface area of the working electrode to the surface area of the counter electrode is from 1:10 to 10:1. Also provided is a pH sensor comprising: a working electrode comprising carbon modified with a chemically sensitive redox active material, and a counter electrode, wherein the area of the working electrode is from 500 μm2 to 0.1 m2. The uses of these electrodes and sensors are also described.
US08961748B2
A water electrolysis system includes a water electrolysis apparatus, a low-pressure gas-liquid separator, a high-pressure gas-liquid separator, water pipe, and a decompression water supply device. The high-pressure gas-liquid separator separates the hydrogen received from a cathode of the water electrolysis apparatus and permeation water that has permeated from the anode. The water pipe connects the high-pressure gas-liquid separator and the low-pressure gas-liquid separator and is used for returning the water from the high-pressure gas-liquid separator to the low-pressure gas-liquid separator. The decompression water supply device is arranged at the water pipe and is to decompress the water discharged from the high-pressure gas-liquid separator.
US08961745B2
The plant is suitable to produce a semiconductor film (8) having a desired thickness and consisting substantially of a compound including at least one element for each of the groups 11, 13, and 16 of the periodic classification of elements. The plant comprises an outer case (1) embedding a chamber (2) divided into one deposition zone (2a) and one evaporation zone (2b), which are separated by a screen (3) interrupted by at least one cylindrical transfer member provided with actuation means rotating about its axis (5). To the deposition zone (2a) a magnetron device (7) is associated, for the deposition by sputtering of at least one element for each of the groups 11 and 13 on the side surface (α) of the cylindrical member that is in the deposition zone (2a). To the evaporation zone (2b) a cell (10) for the evaporation of at least one element of the group 16 is associated, and such an evaporation zone (2b) houses a substrate (8a) on which the film (8) is produced. The cylindrical member (4) is provided with heating means of a portion of the side surface thereof that is from time to time in the evaporation zone (2b), so that the elements of the groups 11 and 13 previously deposited on this surface evaporate and deposit on the substrate (8a) together with the at least one element of the group 16 forming the film (8).
US08961744B2
In a system and method for recycling a high-boiling-point waste photoresist stripper generated in processes of manufacturing LCDs or semiconductor devices, an expensive high-boiling-point stripper solvent can be easily recycled at high yield and high-purity electronic grade. This system includes a first distillation device for removing low-boiling-point impurities, a second distillation device for recycling a stripper solvent composition while removing high-boiling-point impurities, and a third distillation device for removing trace water, thus recovering the stripper solvent composition, and further includes a fourth distillation device for additionally recycling a stripper solvent, thus additionally recovering a high-boiling-point stripper solvent, and this method includes removing low-boiling-point impurities, recycling a stripper solvent composition while removing high-boiling-point impurities, and removing trace water, thus recovering the stripper solvent composition, and further includes additionally recycling a stripper solvent.
US08961743B2
An improved rapid thermal conversion process for efficiently converting wood, other biomass materials, and other carbonaceous feedstock (including hydrocarbons) into high yields of valuable liquid product, e.g., bio-oil, on a large scale production, is disclosed. In the process, biomass material, e.g., wood, is fed to a conversion system where the biomass material is mixed with an upward stream of hot heat carriers, e.g., sand, that thermally convert the biomass into a hot vapor stream. The hot vapor stream is rapidly quenched with quench media in one or more condensing chambers located downstream of the conversion system. The rapid quenching condenses the vapor stream into liquid product, which is collected from the condensing chambers as a valuable liquid product.
US08961741B2
A device for retaining doctor blades includes a support element and a retaining finger with a doctor blade pocket inserted between the support element and the retaining finger. The support element and the retaining finger are constructed as a single piece.
US08961727B2
A method for optically examining a birefringent specimen, the method comprising the steps of: collecting a specimen using a substantially non-birefringent polymer film having an adhesive surface, such that the specimen is attached to the adhesive surface; and examining, between crossed polars, the specimen attached to the said film. Also provided is a substantially non-birefringent laminate film comprising: a first birefringent polymer layer and a second birefringent polymer layer, the first and second layers being mutually oriented such that the birefringent properties of the two layers cancel each other out; and an adhesive surface; wherein the adhesive surface is an outer surface of the film, and/or is an exposable surface between the first and second layers. A method of manufacturing such a film is also provided.
US08961721B2
A core intended to be used as a support for a roll of paper, especially toilet paper, is formed by winding at least one strip made of tissue, the strip being impregnated, at least locally, with starch so as to improve its stiffness. Thus configured, a core is provided having both a mechanical strength suitable for the envisaged use and a greatly improved ability to disintegrate relative to a cardboard core so as to allow it to be able to be disposed of directly in a toilet bowl without risk of blocking the soil pipe.
US08961720B2
A method of bonding first and second strands onto a substrate traveling along a machine direction in a plane of travel. The method includes moving the first and second strands in the machine direction relative to a nozzle having a nozzle body with first and second liquid discharge passages, and first and second side-by-side notches. The first and second strands are guided for movement by engaging closed ends of the respective first and second notches. Open ends of the first and second notches are oriented or directed non-perpendicular to the plane of travel of the substrate. Liquid adhesive is dispensed onto the first and second strands from the liquid discharge passages and the first and second strands are bonded to the substrate.
US08961719B2
A method for making a treated super-hard structure, the method including providing a super-hard structure comprising super-hard material selected from polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) material or thermally stable polycrystalline diamond (PCD) material; subjecting the super-hard structure to heat treatment at a treatment temperature of greater than 700 degrees centigrade at a treatment pressure at which the super-hard material is not thermodynamically stable, for a treatment period of at least about 5 minutes to produce the treated super-hard structure.
US08961716B2
An apparatus and method of uniformly heating, rheologically softening, and thermoplastically forming metallic glasses rapidly into a net shape using a rapid capacitor discharge forming (RCDF) tool are provided. The RCDF method utilizes the discharge of electrical energy stored in a capacitor to uniformly and rapidly heat a sample or charge of metallic glass alloy to a predetermined “process temperature” between the glass transition temperature of the amorphous material and the equilibrium melting point of the alloy in a time scale of several milliseconds or less. Once the sample is uniformly heated such that the entire sample block has a sufficiently low process viscosity it may be shaped into high quality amorphous bulk articles via any number of techniques including, for example, injection molding, dynamic forging, stamp forging, sheet forming, and blow molding in a time frame of less than 1 second.
US08961711B2
A method and apparatus for nitriding of highly-alloyed metal article is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus uses at least one nitrogen source gas such as nitrogen and/or ammonia in an oxygen-free nitriding gas atmosphere, with small additions of one or more hydrocarbons. In this or other embodiments, the method and apparatus described herein is applicable to metal articles comprising iron, nickel and cobalt based alloys and which tend to form passive oxide films on at least a portion of their surface, heated to and nitrided at a certain temperature without prior surface preparation. The apparatus includes an external gas injector comprising 50-60 Hz AC, high voltage/low-current arc discharge electrodes, activating the nitriding atmosphere stream on its way from source to nitriding furnace.
US08961707B2
An unblocking roller for removing excess material from the openings of cells of a honeycomb core is disclosed. The unblocking roller includes a cylindrical core having a center axis and a plurality of clusters each comprising a plurality of bristles. Each of the plurality of bristles of each cluster is coupled to the core at a first end and projecting outward from the core. Each bristle projects a minimum of a first distance from the core. Each cluster is separated from adjacent clusters by at least a second distance that is at least 20% of the first distance.
US08961702B2
A method and system for cleaning a secure instrument, such as a banknote, including a substrate, visual data and a security feature, including exposing the secure instrument to a supercritical fluid at a temperature and a pressure and for a duration sufficient to clean the substrate and not compromise the security feature and the visual data, wherein to clean the substrate includes to remove one or more substances from the substrate into the supercritical fluid. The substances removed from the substrate may include contaminants, dirt, sebum and pathogens.
US08961701B2
Drying a microelectronic topography. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods that include placing a microelectronic topography inside a process chamber, providing a non-aqueous liquid to the process chamber until at least 90% of the volume of the process chamber contains the non-aqueous liquid, pressurizing the process chamber by way of a fluid different than the non-aqueous liquid, ceasing activity with respect to the process chamber until the non-aqueous liquid and fluid form a mixture that is substantially homogenous, venting the process chamber while simultaneously providing the fluid to the process chamber, and venting the process chamber in a manner which prevents formation of liquid in the process chamber.
US08961686B2
For manufacturing a monocrystal, a monocrystal pulling-up device controls pressure within a flow straightening cylinder to be from 33331 Pa to 79993 Pa and a flow velocity of inert gas in the cylinder to be from 0.06 m/sec to 0.31 m/sec (0.005 to 0.056 SL/min·cm2) during a post-addition-pre-growth period. By controlling the flow velocity of the inert gas to be in the above-described range during the post-addition-pre-growth period, the inert gas flows smoothly even when the pressure within the cylinder is relatively high. Evaporation of a volatile dopant because of a reverse flow of the inert gas can be restrained. The volatile dopant can be prevented from adhering to the flow straightening cylinder in an amorphous state, and the volatile dopant can be prevented from dropping into a melt or sticking on the melt while growing a crystal. Foulings can be easily removed.
US08961684B2
A method and system for producing modified coal combustion products are disclosed. The additives reduce the particle sizes of the coal combustion product and may reduce the amount of un-burned carbon in the coal combustion product, making the modified product useful as an addition to cementitious materials.
US08961680B2
The present disclosure provides, in part, a solvent composition including an an acetic acid alkyl (C1-C4) ester (e.g., methyl acetate (MA), ethyl acetate (EA), or tert-butyl acetate (TBAc)) and a carbonate ester (e.g., dimethyl carbonate, or propylene carbonate).
US08961676B2
A non-toxic, biodegradable, and water soluble adhesive made from a reduction of all natural substances. The adhesive is suited for gluing ornamental accessories to infants, children, young adults, adults or pets. The adhesive is further suited for temporarily attaching items to surfaces. The adhesive may comprise a reduction of a mixture comprising a syrup, a nectar, and a refined sugar.
US08961675B2
An acoustic building material and method for manufacture incorporates chitosan in an amount sufficient to achieve acceptable physical properties with a reduction in binder and to allow the postindustrial/postconsumer content of the building material to be increased. The chitosan also enhances the dewatering of the building material.
US08961674B2
An inkjet ink is provided. The inkjet ink includes water; a water-soluble organic material in an amount of from 40 to 50% by weight based on the total weight of the inkjet ink; and a colorant. The water-soluble organic material includes at least one of 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone, β-methoxy-N,N-dimethylpropionamide, and 2-pyrrolidone in an amount of from 5 to 35% by weight based on the total weight of the inkjet ink, and further includes a compound having the following formula (1) in an amount of from 10 to 40% by weight based on the total weight of the inkjet ink.
US08961672B2
Solid alkali metal salts of organosilanols and/or their hydrolysis/condensation products are prepared by hydrolysis of organosilanes in water and in the presence of a basic alkali metal salt. The products contain predominately methyl and ethyl organic groups, and C4 or higher hydrocarbon groups as well. The solid salts effectively hydrophobe building materials, while being easily mixed with water.
US08961664B2
A carbon dioxide recovery unit is provided with: an absorption tower for bringing an exhaust gas into contact with a CO2 absorbing liquid to thereby absorb and recover CO2 from the exhaust gas; a regeneration tower for taking out the CO2 from the CO2 absorbing liquid; a CO2 delivery line L3 for delivering the taken-out CO2 to a storage process; and a CO2 return line L5 for returning the taken-out CO2 to the absorption tower. When a CO2 recovery unit and a CO2 compressing device are activated, if a storage process side has some kind of trouble and cannot receive the CO2, a destination part to which the CO2 is delivered from the regeneration tower is switched from the CO2 delivery line L3 to the CO2 return line L5, whereby the CO2 gas is mixed with the exhaust gas in the absorption tower.
US08961663B2
An apparatus that separates and recovers CO2 from a CO2 absorbent that has absorbed CO2 includes a regeneration tower configured to apply heat to the CO2 absorbent that has absorbed CO2, configured to separate and remove CO2 from the CO2 absorbent, configured to exhaust CO2 gas, and configured to regenerate the CO2 absorbent, a plurality of compressors configured to compress the CO2 gas exhausted from the regeneration tower, a dehydration device provided between the plurality of compressors and configured to remove moisture from the compressed CO2, and a line configured to supply air or N2 gas into the dehydration device to preliminarily operate the dehydration device until a stable state is achieved before starting the compressor.
US08961661B1
A system for storing hydrogen in composite materials comprising polymers in porous scaffolds. The solubility of hydrogen in polymers increases considerably when these polymers are confined to the pores of a porous scaffold, allowing enough hydrogen to be dissolved to make these composite materials practical for hydrogen storage.
US08961659B2
An electrically enhanced air filtration system is disclosed which uses rear fiber charging is disclosed. In particular, a fibrous filter may be placed in an upstream position within the system with one or more ionization arrays positioned downstream or to the rear of the fibrous filter in terms of airflow direction. The fibrous filter may include a grounded side and fiber side with the grounded side being upstream of the fiber side. The ionization array may include a plurality of electrodes each extending unidirectionally toward the fibrous filter.
US08961658B2
A mist/dust collector includes a tank body, a recovery tank having a demister member, a spraying unit spraying water or coolant fluid from a nozzle, an impeller mounted on a main shaft located in the tank body, so as to be rotatable by air flow, a disc rotary brush and a shaking-off member mounted on the shaft. A suction unit is actuated to draw air containing mist and dust into the tank body interior maintained in a negative pressure state. The impeller is rotated by collision of water or coolant fluid at a predetermined pressure, and the rotary brush and the shaking-off member are rotated simultaneously with the impeller, so that mist and dust are separated from air by a centrifugal action of the rotary brush and the shaking-off member. Mist and dust remaining in the air flowing into the recovery tank are collected by the demister member.
US08961650B2
A reduction furnace includes a pellet material supplying device forming on a grate an ignition carbon material layer having a predetermined height; an ignition device; and an exhaust gas circulation device supplying an oxygen-containing gas comprising circulated exhaust gas mixed with air, to a packed bed of the pellets heated by a combustion heat of the ignition carbon material layer. A partially-reduced iron is produced by thermally reducing the pellets through a combustion region for the ignition carbon material layer and a heating region, the combustion region formed upstream in a travelling direction of the grate by supplying a gas having a high oxygen concentration, the heating region formed downstream of the combustion region by supplying a gas having a low oxygen concentration.
US08961647B2
The invention is a process for manufacturing a nano aluminum/alumina metal matrix composite and composition produced therefrom. The process is characterized by providing an aluminum powder having a natural oxide formation layer and an aluminum oxide content between about 0.1 and about 4.5 wt. % and a specific surface area of from about 0.3 and about 5 m2/g, hot working the aluminum powder, and forming a superfine grained matrix aluminum alloy. Simultaneously there is formed in situ a substantially uniform distribution of nano particles of alumina. The alloy has a substantially linear property/temperature profile, such that physical properties such as strength are substantially maintained even at temperatures of 250° C. and above.
US08961644B2
A filter element having an end cap is provided with a seal that can better accommodate non-round holes. The seal may be a chevron type seal and/or other similar seal having a sealing flange for forming a radial seal. Methods of replacing a filter having an O-ring gasket to improve upon sealing are provided as well as filtration systems employing the filter element.
US08961642B2
A filter device for separating paint overspray from a raw gas flow containing overspray particles is provided, including at least one filter element, to which at least a part of the raw gas flow is feedable, and a clean gas chamber, to which the raw gas flow filtered by the filter element is feedable as a clean gas flow. In the event of a filter rupture at at least one filter element of the filter device, contamination of the clean gas side of the filter device and regions downstream of the filter device of a painting installation containing the filter device is kept as low as possible through use of at least one safety filter arranged downstream of the at least one filter element and associated with the clean gas chamber such that at least part of the clean gas flow is filterable in the event of a filter rupture.
US08961640B2
This filter is used for purifying air by removing foreign matters such as liquid droplets contained in the air. A separation unit is formed by a primary port, a port block to which a secondary port is formed, and a separation cylinder attached to the port block. Inside a swirl flow generating chamber of the separation unit, a cylinder blade portion formed by arranging a plurality of blades, which are extended in an axial direction along an inner peripheral surface and also inclined in a circumferential direction, in a cylindrical form is provided. The air flowed into the swirl flow generating chamber is caused to be a swirl flow by the cylindrical blade portion and foreign matters such as liquid droplets are discharged toward a collection container in a separation chamber. The purified air is guided from a discharge pipe to the secondary port.
US08961633B2
The invention relates to filter cleaning in a vacuum having a switchable flap element, the cleaning of the filter or of parts of the filter being carried out by supplying a secondary air flow to the interior of the filter to be cleaned, and air being able to flow through the filters separately from each other from the outside to the inside in the vacuum container in a sealed manner, and a flap element disposed in a chamber housing being pivotable, by means of the pivoting of which openings may be closed and released, the secondary air flow reaching the surface of the filter to be cleaned from the inside toward the outside in pulses, characterized in that the flap element comprises at least two partial flaps, the pivoting of which is actuated by a pivot drive, the respective partial flap optionally closes the outflow opening of the respective filter chamber in the direction of the intake opening of the suction turbine, the blow-out side of the suction turbine delivers the created overpressure air into an overpressure chamber in which a chamber housing is disposed, the at least one drive element to be suddenly actuated comprises openings to be opened and closed, upon the opening of which the overpressure air flows through the chamber housing optionally into an impulse channel which branches off at that location and introduces the air into one or into the other filter chamber for cleaning.
US08961629B2
The improvements proposed in this invention provide a reliable apparatus and method to gasify low rank coals in a class of pressurized circulating fluidized bed reactors termed “transport gasifier.” The embodiments overcome a number of operability and reliability problems with existing gasifiers. The systems and methods address issues related to distribution of gasification agent without the use of internals, management of heat release to avoid any agglomeration and clinker formation, specific design of bends to withstand the highly erosive environment due to high solid particles circulation rates, design of a standpipe cyclone to withstand high temperature gasification environment, compact design of seal-leg that can handle high mass solids flux, design of nozzles that eliminate plugging, uniform aeration of large diameter Standpipe, oxidant injection at the cyclone exits to effectively modulate gasifier exit temperature and reduction in overall height of the gasifier with a modified non-mechanical valve.
US08961623B2
The invention relates to quaternary ammonium amide and/or ester salts and their use as additives, including their use in fuels, such as diesel fuel. The invention particularly relates to the use of quaternary ammonium amide and/or ester salts as detergents in diesel fuels.
US08961612B2
A knee prosthesis constructed in accordance to the present disclosure includes a femoral component and a boss. The femoral component can have a first condylar portion and a second condylar portion connected by an inner condylar portion that defines an intercondylar recess, the inner condylar portion having a first engagement portion comprising a first plurality of engaging members extending therefrom. The boss can have a longitudinal body extending along a boss axis between first and second ends. The first end can be configured to selectively mate with a stem. The second end can include a second engagement portion comprising a second plurality of engaging members extending therefrom. The second engagement portion of the boss can be selectively coupled to the first engagement portion of the femoral component in a plurality of discrete positions to attain a corresponding plurality of angles of the boss axis relative to the femoral component.
US08961611B2
A method for assembling a glenoid assembly. The method includes using a base having a first side and an opposing second side. The first side includes a plurality of connection features arranged in an array. The method further includes using a plurality of glenoid attachment members, wherein each of the plurality of glenoid attachment members has a locking mechanism. One of the plurality of glenoid attachment members is selected and is connected to the base by connecting the locking mechanism of the selected one of the plurality of glenoid attachment members to one of the plurality of connection features of the base.
US08961604B2
A fixation implant and associated methods are presented. The fixation implant includes a shaft extending from a first end portion to a second end portion and having an intermediate portion therebetween. The intermediate portion is generally smooth and the end portions are threaded. The method includes use of the fixation implant for repair of a metapodial phalangeal joint of a human extremity. The method includes: forming a bone tunnel in a bone; approximating material near the bone tunnel; and threading the fixation implant into the bone tunnel in interference fashion to secure the material relative to the bone tunnel. The fixation implant may be cut such that the end portion is flush with the bone.
US08961594B2
Techniques are described for use with one or more sutures. For some applications, techniques are described for fixedly-coupling two or more sutures to each other. For some applications, such techniques are used for treating a heart valve of a subject. Techniques are also described for treating a heart valve of a subject by coupling leaflets of the heart valve to a support using tissue-piercing elements. Other embodiments are also described.
US08961591B2
Absorbable stents and absorbable stent coatings have been developed with improved properties. These devices preferably comprise biocompatible copolymers or homopolymers of 4-hydroxybutyrate, and optionally poly-L-lactic acid and other absorbable polymers and additives. Compositions of these materials can be used to make absorbable stents that provide advantageous radial strengths, resistance to recoil and creep, can be plastically expanded on a balloon catheter, and can be deployed rapidly in vivo. Stent coatings derived from these materials provide biocompatible, uniform coatings that are ductile, and can be expanded without the coating cracking and/or delarmnating and can be used as a coating matrix for drug incorporation.
US08961587B2
A branched stent graft comprises a main body portion and a branch portion. Each of the main body portion and the branch portion includes a stent and a tubular graft. The stent of the main body portion includes a plurality of stent segments, at least one of which is a varying-height stent segment (102). The stent of the branch portion includes one or more stent segments, at least one of which is a varying-height stent segment (103). The distance between the proximal-most stent segment of the branch portion and the main body portion is in the range of 2-8 mm. A positioning ring (105) may be used at a side opening which connects the branch portion and the main body portion, and the positioning ring (105) can be sutured inside the graft of the main body, between the graft of the main body and the graft of the branch, or outside the graft of the branch.
US08961584B2
A composite stent and a method for making the same are provided.
US08961582B2
A catheter assembly for endoluminal delivery of a device to a treatment site utilizing a single motion deployment for opening and removal of a flexible protective sleeve or constraining sleeve.
US08961578B2
A device for providing laser-based dermatological treatments may include a device body having an application end, a VCSEL laser supported in the device body and including multiple emitter zones, each emitter zone comprising one or more micro-emitters, each micro-emitter configured to emit a micro-beam, wherein at least two of the multiple emitter zones are configured such that the micro-beam emitted by the micro-emitters of the at least two emitter zones form a combined beam through the application end of the device to provide a treatment spot on the skin, and electronics coupled to the at least two emitter zones and configured to control the at least two emitter zones independently.
US08961576B2
An internal bracing system is disclosed for stabilizing a joint such as the knee, shoulder, ankle or the like. The internal bracing system includes an extra-articular tension band mechanism and an anchor assembly therefore. The internal bracing system adds substantial control to unstable joints which is effective in limiting the pathological joint motions and internal slippage. The anchor anchoring assembly designed to affix a tethering device to various bony structures which form a joint, for the purpose of providing stability. The anchor assembly includes an anchor and a set screw. A double helix thread/chamber structure between the anchor and set screw securely holds the tether without binding.
US08961573B2
A fracture fixation system serves in repairing a comminuted humeral head of a humeral bone. The fracture fixation system includes a plate having an upper surface, a lower surface opposite the upper surface, one of a screw and a post, and at least one aperture for receiving the one of the screw and the post therethrough. The plate is secured to a portion of a humeral shaft of the humeral bone, and the one of the screw and the post is inserted through the at least one aperture through the plate. The portion of the comminuted humeral head is attached to the one of the screw and the post using at least one suture. The one of the screw and the post is rotated to wind the at least one suture therearound to reposition the portion of the comminuted humeral head relative to the portion of the humeral shaft.
US08961572B2
An implantable spinal cross connector is provided for connecting one or more spinal fixation devices, and more preferably for connecting two spinal fixation rods that are implanted within a patient's spinal system. In general, an exemplary cross connector in accordance with the present invention includes an elongate body with at least one rod-receiving recess formed therein, and a locking mechanism that is adapted to couple to the elongate body and that is effective to lock a spinal fixation rod within the rod-receiving recess(es). The present invention also provides an inserter tool to facilitate implanting a spinal implant or device, such as a spinal cross connector.
US08961568B2
The present invention provides a bone fastener assembly useful in constructs for stabilizing bones of a patient. In one aspect of the invention, a bone fastener assembly includes a connecting member, a fastener seat, and a bone fastener. The fastener seat and fastener are receivable in the connecting member and the fastener seat is movable from a first position to a second position to retain the fastener in the connecting member. In another aspect of the invention, a bone fastener assembly includes a rod holder, a fastener seat mounted to the rod holder for rotation about the rod holder axis; and a bone, fastener. The bone fastener is generally “T”-shaped and engages the fastener seat in pivoting relationship such that the bone fastener is able to pivot to vary the angle between the bone fastener and the fastener seat.
US08961564B2
Systems, methods, and kits incorporate a fusion member for vertebral processes. The fusion member may be unitary or modular. The fusion member comprises extensions configured to be crimped to vertebral processes. The extensions may comprise tabs configured to be deformed to further penetrate the vertebral processes. The tabs may also lock together modular components of the fusion member. The fusion member may comprise fasteners extending between the extensions. The fusion member may comprise a cage with a movable cover or a graft retention feature.
US08961554B2
The present invention is a self-expanding dilation plug for use in body modification activities. The plug has a central body and a plurality of arms extending therefrom under constant spring pressure. The plug is inserted into a hole in a person's body part, such as an ear lobe, and allowed to gently stretch the tissue over time. In so doing, trauma and the risk of serious injury associated with the procedure is greatly reduced.
US08961547B2
In various embodiments, a surgical instrument for operation in an aqueous environment is provided. In at least one embodiment, the surgical instrument may include a hollow sheath and a blade disposed at least partially within the sheath. Coupled to the blade may be at least one ultrasonic transducer, which, in turn, may be coupled to a drive system. The drive system may be configured to deliver gross axial motions to the blade such that the blade translates with respect to the hollow sheath when the drive system is activated. Accordingly, tissue may be cut by the blade with gross axial movement of the blade and/or ultrasonic vibrational motion provided by the ultrasonic transducer(s). In alternative embodiments, the blade may be rotated axially instead of translated with respect to the hollow sheath.
US08961545B2
Novel devices (120) and methods for soft tissue anchoring and securement are disclosed, such devices and methods offering the advantage of enabling secured tissue to withstand significant forces after such securement is complete. The novel tissue anchoring elements (28) include a force-distributing device that has a large surface area relative to conventional tissue securement devices such as sutures and staples. The force-distributing device (28) may be implanted to a controlled depth into the tissue mass by forming a pocket in a tissue mass and inserting the device, or by slowly driving the device into tissue means of an erosion mechanism such as local pressure necrosis (56). The erosion process may be driven by a force-producing element that may also include a tissue-grasping element (144).
US08961537B2
A surgical robot with seven degrees of freedom, including various types of joints, offers a hybrid active-passive control for operation both manually and by programmed navigation. One of the degrees of freedom allows the robot to be moved efficiently around the axis of a patient's body to provide ample workspace for surgical procedures in an operating room.
US08961533B2
Anti-buckling devices for supporting flexible elongated members are described herein. In one variation, an anti-buckling device includes a first coupler for coupling to a first device, a second coupler for coupling to a second device that is configured to position a catheter member, a first set of support members coupled between the first coupler and the second coupler, and a plurality of holders coupled to the support members, the holders configured for supporting the catheter member, wherein the first set of support members form a support frame that can be extended by moving the first and second couplers away from each other, and can be collapsed by moving the first and second couplers towards each other.
US08961530B2
A prosthesis delivery and implantation system for tissue repair is disclosed. The implantation system includes provisions for manually applying a prosthesis to a treatment area. This system may be applied to heal any imperfections in various different types of tissue. The system also provides provisions for independently inserting two end portions of the prosthesis into tissue.
US08961528B2
An orthopaedic prosthetic inserter used for the implantation of double mobility cup implants is described. The inserter consists of a drive train, a C-shaped housing, and a prosthetic cup engaging subassembly. The subassembly comprises an impaction plate, a grasping plate and a domed nose. When activated by the drive train, a plurality of hook ends extending from the grasping plate latch onto the cup of the prosthetic to hold and manipulate the prosthetic cup during implantation.
US08961526B2
A surgical guidance system for properly orienting a surgical instrument, such as an acetabular cup inserter, within a patient relative to a plurality of anatomical reference points includes a support device for retaining the patient, a reference sensor fixedly coupled to the support device and a tool sensor removably coupled to the instrument. The support device includes a plurality of abutment pads that directly contact the plurality of anatomical reference points. A processor is electrically connected to the reference and tool sensors and is programmed to collect spatial orientation data compiled from each sensor. Using the spatial orientation data, the processor determines in real-time the actual orientation of the surgical instrument relative to the anatomical reference points. An indicator is electrically connected to the processor and provides a feedback signal that assists the surgeon in properly orienting the instrument relative to a user-defined acceptable range.
US08961524B2
The present invention relates to methods and instruments for placing a brace or connecting element into an animal subject for engagement with anchors secured in the animal subject. The installation instrument includes anchor extensions coupled to the anchors. The instrument is movable with respect to the anchors to position the connecting element in a position more proximate the anchors.
US08961508B2
Systems, assemblies, and methods to treat pulmonary diseases are used to decrease nervous system input to distal regions of the bronchial tree within the lungs. Treatment systems damage nerve tissue to temporarily or permanently decrease nervous system input. The treatment systems are capable of heating nerve tissue, cooling the nerve tissue, delivering a flowable substance that cause trauma to the nerve tissue, puncturing the nerve tissue, tearing the nerve tissue, cutting the nerve tissue, applying pressure to the nerve tissue, applying ultrasound to the nerve tissue, applying ionizing radiation to the nerve tissue, disrupting cell membranes of nerve tissue with electrical energy, or delivering long acting nerve blocking chemicals to the nerve tissue.
US08961504B2
A system that monitors water displacement in tissue during patient therapy includes a generator supplying electrosurgical energy to tissue, a spectrometer operably coupled to the generator, and a processor communicating with the generator and with the spectrometer having a light source for exposing tissue to light and a light sensor. The light sensor is configured to sense changes in light through tissue in response to tissue treatment and communicate the changes to the processor to determine tissue hydration levels and motility. A plurality of optical fibers may be configured in an array to communicate light between the generator and tissue. An optical temperature monitor may communicate with the processor and be coupled to an optical fiber. The optical fibers may have an optic fiber distance between adjacent optical fibers. The system may be incorporated within an electrosurgical pencil or a forceps. A corresponding method of detecting hydration is also disclosed.
US08961490B2
A vial holder is provided to protect a user's hand from needle sticks. The holder includes a handle and a shield attached to a distal end of the handle. An opening is formed in the distal end of the handle to receive a vial. The vial is placed through the opening and into a passageway of the handle with the upper end of the vial exposed. A user grasps the handle which holds the vial in a stabilized manner. A needle may then safely approach the vial in which inadvertent slippage or movement of the needle results in contact with the needle against the shield and not contact with the user's hand.
US08961489B2
A container for storing donated blood plasma has a neck and an attachable locking cap. The cap may be rotatably attached to the neck. The cap and the neck are configured to lock the cap in at least one, and preferably two, rotational positions. In one position, tubes connected to the container are accessible. After the plasma has been collected and the tubes have been cut off and sealed, in the other position, the tube stubs are protected by the cap. The bottle and the cap may define structures that facilitate storing and protecting tubing wrapped longitudinally around the container, until the container is used to collect and store plasma.
US08961480B2
An eye drop device and a method of applying eye drops to the eye are disclosed herein. An exemplary embodiment of the device contains a main housing having an interior and exterior with a top opening sized to surround the eye and a bottom opening sized to accept the tip of an eye drop vial. The device also preferably contains a cavity for accepting the battery and an LED positioned within the interior of the main housing. A switch may be used to energize the LED. The method includes the steps of attaching an eye drop vial to the main housing, positioning the device over the eye, energizing the LED, and applying the eye drops.
US08961477B2
Delivery of one or more immune response modifiers (IRMs) across a biological barrier by the use of a microneedle device.
US08961476B2
A device for protecting a user from a sharp tip of a medical needle includes a central body portion, a medical needle having a sharp tip, a pair of wings in attachment to the central body portion, and a mechanical fastener disposed on at least one of the wings. The mechanical fastener is configured to selectively attach the wings together with the medical needle positioned between the wings so as to protect a user from the sharp tip of the medical needle. In another embodiment, a sharp tip of a medical needle is withdrawn from a patient, a pair of wings with the medical needle positioned in between is closed, and the wings are fastened together with the medical needle positioned between the wings so as to protect a user from the sharp tip of the medical needle.
US08961471B2
In accordance with at least one exemplary embodiment, a syringe device, a method and a system for delivering a therapeutic amount of ozone are disclosed. A sterility case can enclose a syringe portion and can maintain sterility while the syringe device is interfaced to an ozone generator. A valvably-controlled fluid channel can extend from a barrel of the syringe portion through the case. Conducting elements can be attached to the case and can breach the case. The conductive elements can be connected to electrodes. The electrodes can be attached to the syringe portion. The syringe portion can be filled with oxygen gas via the valvably-controlled fluid channel. An electric current can be provided to the conductive elements from the ozone generator resulting in a corona discharge from at least one of the electrodes. The therapeutic amount of ozone can be produced from the oxygen gas and the syringe portion delivered into a sterile field without compromise.
US08961468B2
A surgical access assembly including a base and an elongated member extending from the base. The base defines a central axis and has an opening for receipt of a surgical instrument. The elongated member defines a passageway for passage of at least a portion of the surgical instrument and is adapted to assume a substantially rolled configuration in a normal unstressed condition thereof. When in the rolled configuration, the elongated member is rolled transverse to the central axis.
US08961462B2
An infusion pump unit includes a housing sized to allow the pump unit to be carried as a portable unit. The housing contains a controllable pumping system for pumping fluid. The pump actuator is lighter, smaller, quieter and less power consuming.
US08961461B2
An alarm system (52) for a medical pump (50) associated with delivering a fluid (54) to a patient in connection with treatment of the patient is provided. The alarm system (52) comprises an alarm (60) associated with at least one treatment parameter. The alarm (60) includes a first alarm state (1) associated with a first event relating to the treatment parameter and a second alarm state (2) associated with a second event. The second alarm state (2) is discernable from the first alarm state (1), which will allow each of the events to be treated differently by a caregiver.
US08961456B2
A fistula catheter that can prevent separating from the fistula by an inner balloon even if an outer balloon collapses by configuring an internal fixed part with an inner side balloon and an outer side balloon is disclosed. The fistula catheter A has an external fixed part, a supply tube with a primary cavity and a secondary cavity, and an internal fixed part on the tip end side outer periphery of the supply tube, expandable by a compound liquid that includes barium sulfate and distilled water supplied though the secondary cavity. The internal fixed part can be an inner balloon and an outer balloon that communicate with the secondary cavity through filler ports on the peripheral surface of the supply tube. A filter on the filler port can enable distilled water in the compound liquid to be filled into the outer balloon from the secondary cavity through the filter, and the compound liquid can be filled into the inner balloon.
US08961448B2
An implantable drainage device is provided. The device is adapted to move body fluid from one part of the body of a patient to another part of the body.
US08961446B2
An implantable flow connector for fluidically coupling a source tissue-enclosed body space with a destination element, comprising: a conduit having a lumen terminating at an orifice at a first end of the conduit implantable in the source body space through an opening formed in a tissue wall of the source body space, and a second end of the conduit implantable in the destination element through an opening in a surface of the destination element; and a circumferential flange, radially extending from the conduit proximate the conduit first end, configured to be implanted in the source body space adjacent an opening in the tissue wall of the source body space such that the conduit extends through the opening, the flange comprising one or more circumferentially adjacent sections at least one of which has a rigidity that decreases in a radially-increasing direction.
US08961445B2
This invention provides an apparatus and methods to consistently separate and concentrate selected blood components. The system includes, e.g., a computerized fluid handling system to transfer blood components between a centrifugal blood separation disc, containers and a concentrator.
US08961438B2
A system and method for measuring movements, utilizing one or more wireless accelerometers attached to one or more limbs of a human subject for the purpose of determining certain temporal and spatial gestures of the subject.
US08961437B2
An intra-oral pressure monitoring system is provided. The system is beneficial for measuring or monitoring teeth clinching or grinding during sleep. The system includes a generally horseshoe-shaped, elastomeric mouth piece. The mouth piece is dimensioned to reside between the upper and lower teeth of a patient. The mouth piece has a two or more fluid-containing cells embedded therein. The cells are configured to receive pressure applied by the teeth of a patient. The system is able to monitor bite pressures during a patient's sleep or time of resting. A method for monitoring bite pressures of a patient during sleep is also provided.
US08961428B2
A force transducer comprises a handle operably connected to a probe having an elongate tip. The force transducer includes a biasing element arranged with respect to the handle, in force transmitting communication with the probe, and a detector operable to detect a degree of force applied between the probe and the handle. The force transducer further includes an actuator operable to exert a force on the biasing element in dependence upon the degree of force detected by the detector so as to cause a predetermined force to be transmitted from the handle to the probe.
US08961425B2
An intravascular ultrasound probe is disclosed, incorporating features for utilizing an advanced transducer technology on a rotating transducer shaft. In particular, the probe accommodates the transmission of the multitude of signals across the boundary between the rotary and stationary components of the probe required to support an advanced transducer technology. These advanced transducer technologies offer the potential for increased bandwidth, improved beam profiles, better signal to noise ratio, reduced manufacturing costs, advanced tissue characterization algorithms, and other desirable features. Furthermore, the inclusion of electronic components on the spinning side of the probe can be highly advantageous in terms of preserving maximum signal to noise ratio and signal fidelity, along with other performance benefits.
US08961420B2
A system monitors and characterizes internal elasticity of a blood vessel to detect abnormality. A catheter system for heart performance characterization and abnormality detection, comprises an ultrasound device for emitting ultrasound wave signals within patient anatomy and acquiring corresponding ultrasound echo signals. A signal processor processes the ultrasound echo signals to, determine a signal indicating displacement of a tissue wall over at least one heart cycle and identify a displacement value in the displacement signal. The displacement value indicates a tissue wall displacement occurring at a point within a heart cycle. A comparator compares the tissue wall displacement value with a threshold value to provide a comparison indicator. A patient monitor, in response to the comparison indicator indicating the tissue wall displacement value exceeds the threshold value, generates an alert message associated with the threshold.
US08961414B2
The invention is a system for monitoring and reporting the activity level and caloric expenditure of an individual. The system has sensors in electronic communication with a wearable device. A processor is programmed to communicate with the sensor and a computing device to activity data from movement-related data. A remote server receiving the activity data and the data from computing device, and generates a graphical presentation. The graphical presentation comprises information related to the activity data. The wearable device also provides visual and audio data.
US08961412B2
Virtual dipole signal amplification for in-body devices, such as implantable and ingestible devices, is provided. Aspects of the in-body deployable antennas of the invention include antennas configured to go from a first configuration to a second configuration following placement in a living body, e.g., via ingestion or implantation. Embodiments of the in-body devices are configured to emit a detectable signal upon contact with a target physiological site. Also provided are methods of making and using the devices of the invention.
US08961405B2
An endoscope system includes, in order to automatically detect a type of optical adapter and to generate to display an excellent image according to an intended purpose by performing an image signal processing control corresponding to the type of the optical adapter, a signal processing circuit for performing various image signal processings on an image signal from an image-pickup element, a plurality of optical adapters each including an image-formation optical system, adapter discriminating section, and LED, the optical adapters being detachably and selectively provided to the distal end of the endoscope section, and an apparatus main body including an image processing section for performing predetermined signal processing on the image signal from the signal processing circuit, an adapter detection section for detecting the adapter discrimination section, and a controller for controlling the whole endoscope system. At least driving control of the LED and various signal processing controls on the image signal obtained by the image-pickup element are performed based on the detection result of the adapter discrimination section by the adapter detection section.
US08961404B2
An endoscope apparatus includes a transparent member that is provided at a distal end of an insertion portion of an endoscope and opposed to an image pickup optical system, a transducer that is attached to an inner surface of the transparent member, a diffraction grating that is provided on an outer surface of the transparent member, and converts an ultrasound vibration f from the transducer into a surface acoustic wave φ which propagates on the outer surface of the transparent member, and absorption portions that are provided at an outer peripheral portion of the transparent member, and deflect the propagated surface acoustic wave φ to a surface different from the outer surface to absorb the surface acoustic wave.
US08961399B2
A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with articulatable instruments extending out of its distal end, an entry guide manipulator providing controllable four degrees-of-freedom movement of the entry guide, and a controller configured to limit joint velocities in the entry guide manipulator so as to prevent movement of tips of the articulatable instruments from exceeding a maximum allowable linear velocity when the entry guide manipulator is being used to move the entry guide.
US08961395B2
A treatment device for endoscope includes a flexible sheath, an operation wire that is advanceably/retreatably inserted into the sheath, a treatment part comprising at least one elastic wires that can enter and exit a tip side inner part of the sheath, and a connecting member that secures to each other a tip of the operation wire and ends of the elastic wires. The connecting member includes a cylindrical body part, and a plurality of walls that extend from one end face of the body part in the direction of the axis of the body unit. A proximal end of the operation wire is secured to the body part, and the plurality of ends of the elastic wires are secured to the wall in the direction of the axis; when viewed from the wall side in the direction of the axis, at least one of the ends of the elastic wires overlaps with the body part. The interval between mutually adjacent walls is narrower than the outer diameter of the elastic wires.
US08961394B2
Generally described herein are apparatus, systems and methods related to a mechanical interlock joint geometry for various components and joining of components thereby creating a reliable seal against fluid leaks that is resistant at typical pressures experienced when the components are implanted into a human body. Furthermore, the seal may be enhanced when a fluid pressure exerted inside the components is increased (e.g., from 1 to 10 psi).
US08961392B2
An implant delivery system can be used to deliver an implant into a body. The implant delivery system can include an inflation tube and a tubular member surrounding the inflation tube. The inflation tube can be used to provide an inflation medium to the implant. The tubular member can have a distal tip and an opening spaced from the tip to allow the implant to be released through the opening into an anatomical structure within the body.
US08961391B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for applying an fragment of a neurotoxin such as the active light chain (LC) of the botulinum toxin (BoNT), such as one of the serotype A, B, C, D, E, F or G botulinum toxins, via permeabilization of targeted cell membranes to enable translocation of the botulinum neurotoxin light chain (BoNT-LC) molecule across the targeted cell membrane to the cell cytosol where a therapeutic response is produced in a mammalian system. The methods and apparatus include use of catheter based delivery systems, non-invasive delivery systems, and transdermal delivery systems.
US08961387B2
Transcutaneous magnetic energy transfer to drive a VAD or other implanted medical device can be supplied through two spinning (or otherwise moving) permanent magnets, or a moving permanent magnet and a moving ferric material, or a moving permanent magnet and a coil or an array of coils, One part is implanted under the patient's skin, so that the skin does not have to be broken for a connection to take place.
US08961385B2
Described herein are devices and methods for treating degenerative joint diseases with electromagnetic fields using one or more waveforms that are configured to modulate Ca2+ binding to calmodulin and thereby modulate calmodulin-dependent nitric oxide signaling within joint and other affected tissue for the purpose of reducing pain and inflammation, as well as enhancing the healing and regeneration of such tissue.
US08961374B2
A health aid and method for treating neck, shoulder and back pain including a first elongated member, a second elongated member, and an attachment connecting the first and second elongated members and configured for the first and second elongated members to move between an open position, wherein a bottom end of each of the first and second elongated members are separated by a first distance, and an engaged position, wherein the bottom ends are separated by a second distance that is less than the first distance.
US08961362B2
A compact modular assembly of a geared power train (100) and generator (400) suitable for use in a wind turbine application to maximize a step-up ratio between an input and output within a limited radial space. The power train is configured as a hybricyclic split-compound planetary gearing system with a grounded closed carrier flex pin system in a high torque stage (A), and an open carrier flex pin system in a low torque stage (B), having a step up ratio of approximately 30:1. To facilitate modular assembly and disassembly of the power train and generator, each component is mounted independently to opposite sides of a common support structure (500) anchored to a bedplate (502).
US08961361B2
A wheel drive unit includes: a planetary gear mechanism including a planetary gear and an internally-toothed gear; a casing integrated with the internally-toothed gear, a wheel being attached to the casing, and the casing transmitting rotation of the internally-toothed gear to the wheel; a bearing nut configured to prevent axial movement of the casing; and an oil seal provided more toward an interior of a vehicle than the planetary gear mechanism and axially fixed with respect the casing. An inner diameter of the detachment prevention member is smaller than an outer diameter of the externally-toothed gear.
US08961340B2
A compression collar apparatus is disposed upon an article providing an axial manual grasping stop upon the article, the apparatus includes a first arcuate element having first proximal and distal portions, the first distal portion including an engagement segment. Also, a second arcuate element having second proximal and distal portions, the first proximal portion and the second proximal portion have a first pivotal connection that enables open and closed states of the first and second arcuate elements. Further, a flexible retention arch beam having states of; free, de-arched, and intermediate, includes beam proximal and distal portions, the beam proximal portion and the second distal portion have a second pivotal connection, in the intermediate state the beam distal portion having an interlocking section that has a variable removable engagement with the engagement segment, resulting in the closed state of the first and second arcuate elements about the article.
US08961330B2
A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The shaft sleeve is removably coupled to the club head. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features provide discrete orientations between the shaft and club head.
US08961328B1
An improved method and system for aligning and calibrating the swing of a golf club, specifically a putter, that uses multiple laser beam projections with markings on them, used in conjunction with an alignment and calibration guide laid on the ground for providing instant and continuous feedback to a golfer for the purpose of hitting a golf ball in a straight direction with a consistent and predictable distance.
US08961327B1
A billiard table useful for entertaining that may be set up against a wall, for people to play the novel billiard-style game from only one side (end). The table may have two bowed leg stands. The two stands may be bolted or otherwise affixed to the underside of the table. The table may be made out of plywood and oak with a felt playing surface. Pockets with designated numbers may run along the top and the bottom of the table. Players may call their shot, set up the ball, and then aim for the corresponding pocket. If the player sinks the ball into the called pocket, the ball will return to the front of the table in the same numbered pocket to easily keep track of the score. The device saves room and involves a great deal of strategy to play.
US08961320B2
A portable, handholdable device includes global positioning system (GPS) circuitry, a camera, a user interface configured to receive user inputs, the user interface including a display; wireless communication circuitry for mobile wireless communications, and a processing system configured to execute a program using a position determined by the GPS circuitry.
US08961313B2
Systems and methods are disclosed to control interactivity with a video gaming system. The system includes a game console and a controller that is configured to be held in a plurality of handhold orientations. The controller further includes a handle that extends between a first end and a second end along a length axis and an input feature disposed at the first end. The input feature includes sensors to detect manipulations that cause a relative movement between the input feature and the handle. The manipulations that are detected include torque applied to the input feature about the length axis. Where the detected manipulation are relayed to the game console where the game console correlates the detected manipulation into control of the video game. The gaming system can be primarily executed through a local game console, or the game console (or computing device), can communicate to remote servers, over the internet, to processes primary execution. And, the processing can be for one or more users connected to interactive applications, in a multi-user gaming, communication and/or interactive application.
US08961309B2
An interactive computerized game system including a visual display, one or more user input devices, and a processor executing software that interacts with the display and input device(s) is disclosed. The software displays images of musical targets on the visual display, the musical targets possibly corresponding to a pre-recorded source of music. At least one of the user input devices is a touchscreen arranged to simulate a portion of a musical instrument. During gameplay, the gameplayer must touch the touchscreen at the appropriate time and/or in the appropriate location in response to the displayed images of musical targets. The system provides a positive indication if the player's input matches the attributes of the displayed musical targets.
US08961301B2
The invention relates to systems and methods of selecting and placing real-world wagers responsive to one or more wager triggers, obtaining outcomes of the real-world wagers, facilitating user interactions with various interactive media, and revealing the outcomes of the real-world wagers through the interactive media to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from the user interactions even though the outcomes resulted from the real-world wagers and were determined before the user interactions. A real-world wager may be initiated by one or more wager triggers that cause the real-world wager to be placed. The one or more wager triggers may include, without limitation, acquisition of a token, user selection or initiation of interactive media (e.g., selection of a game to play), an occurrence of an event in the interactive media (e.g., based on a user controlled or other in-game action), and/or other events.
US08961295B2
Systems and methods provide power management on a wagering game machine. Inrush power may be reduced by staggering application of power to various power supplies in a wagering game machine. A processor or timer may control the activation of power supplies. Further power management may be provided by placing wagering game machine peripherals in a power consumption mode appropriate to the activity or lack of activity on a wagering game machine.
US08961286B2
A method and device for harvesting threshed crops including a threshing assembly (3) arranged downstream of a cutting assembly (2) of a combine harvester (1) for separating the grain-chaff mixture (12) from the straw. A chaffing device (4) is arranged downstream of the threshing assembly (3) for separating the total straw fraction into a first and a second straw fraction (5.1, 5.2). A comminution device (8) is arranged downstream of the chaffing device (5) for comminuting the second straw fraction (5.2). A blower (10) having a suction pipe (9) draws in and mixes the grain-chaff mixture (12) and the second straw fraction (5.2) to form a mixture (18) of grain, chaff, and second straw fraction and conveys the mixture (18) into a silo (14).
US08961280B2
A tamper resistant enclosure for an electronic circuit includes an inner copper case, a tamper sensing mesh wrapped around the inner case, an outer copper case enclosing the inner case and the tamper sensing mesh, and a venting device forming a vent channel from inside the inner case to outside the outer case, the vent channel passing between overlapping layers of the tamper sensing mesh and having at least one right angle bend along its length. The venting device consists of two strips of a thin polyamide coverlay material laminated together along their length, and a length of wool yarn sandwiched between the two thin strips and extending from one end of the strips to the other end of the strips to form the vent channel. The length of yarn follows a zig-zag path between the first and second strips, the zig-zag path including at least one right angle bend.
US08961262B2
An elongated flexible open coil spring with spaced apart coils adapted to engage a guide pin on a slot car is placed in the slot of a model slot car track. Cars are positioned with their depending pins engaging the open coil spring to be carried around the track by a powered car held by and moving the open coil spring along the slot.
US08961261B2
A game call apparatus for imitating sounds of game upon receiving air exhaled by a user includes a mouthpiece, a reed assembly, and a secondary air member. Air is capable of entering and exiting the game call through the secondary air member, and the game call is capable of producing multiple types of game vocalizations, such as those of male deer.
US08961248B2
A high mass/low pressure liquid propulsion device which includes:—two counter-rotating impellers mounted inside a housing;—an inlet which in use allows inflow of liquid into the housing on a first side of said impellers; an outlet which in use allows outflow of liquid from the housing on a second side of said impellers opposite to said first side;—means for driving said impellers;—wherein the improvement comprises the provision of means for reversing the drive to said impellers, such that the direction of flow of liquid through the device is reversed and liquid enters the device through said outlet, passes through said impellers, and leaves the device through said inlet.
US08961246B1
Systems and methods are for controlling shift in a marine propulsion device. A shift sensor outputs a position signal representing a current position of a shift linkage. A control circuit is programmed to identify an impending shift change when the position signal reaches a first threshold and an actual shift change when the position signal reaches a second threshold. The control circuit is programmed to enact a shift interrupt control strategy that facilitates the actual shift change when the position signal reaches the first threshold, and to actively modify the first threshold as a change in operation of the marine propulsion device occurs.
US08961234B2
An electronic device comprising a base printed circuit board (PCB); a first edge card socket mounted on said base PCB, said socket having PCB contacts; and a PCB connection unit having PCB contacts thereon, said unit being slideably connectable to said first edge card socket and adapted to be slideably inserted into, and to make electrical contact with, a second edge card socket mounted on a second base PCB.
US08961228B2
An electrical connector including a connector housing having a mating face that is configured to engage a mating connector. The electrical connector also includes a contact module that is held by the connector housing and that includes differential pairs of signal conductors. The contact module also includes dielectric ribs that encase corresponding signal conductors. The dielectric ribs are spaced apart from one another. The contact module also includes guard conductors that extend between and couple to adjacent dielectric ribs. The contact module also includes a conductive layer that is disposed on the dielectric ribs and the guard conductors. The conductive layer is electrically coupled to the guard conductors.
US08961226B2
A connector 11 including a flexible engagement piece 25 which has a base end supported like a cantilever in a terminal accommodation chamber 17 for accommodating a terminal fitting and is thus deformable elastically, and has a free end 27 with which the terminal fitting to be inserted into the terminal accommodation chamber 17 is engaged, wherein the flexible engagement piece 25 having a beak 31 formed on the free end 27 to be engaged with the terminal fitting takes a shape of an inclined surface 29 having a height of a top portion 41 increased gradually from the free end 27 toward the base end in such a manner that a maximum shear area is obtained by a shear force of the terminal fitting.
US08961223B2
An F-connector for a coaxial cable has a substantially flush, coplanar face comprising a first insulator, locking ring, and connector body with a swaged leading edge. Within the connector body a connecting lead is attached to and spans between the first insulator and a second insulator. The F-connector may be constructed by a process that permits front-loading of the connecting lead and insulators, or by a process that permits back-loading of the connecting lead and insulators, or by a process that permits partial back-loading and partial front-loading of the connecting lead and insulators.
US08961220B2
A configurable cable for supporting an/or coupling a portable media device includes a main body with a first electrical connector on a terminal end thereof, a trunk extending from an opposing terminal end of the main body, and a second electrical connector formed on a terminal end of the trunk, wherein the second electrical connector is electrically coupled to the first electrical connector via wires running through a core of the trunk. Left and right legs extend from the opposing terminal end of the main body and on either side and substantially parallel to the trunk such that the body, trunk, and legs are disposed substantially in a plane in a first position of the configurable cable. The trunk and left and right legs are bendable from the first position into at least one of a plurality retained positions out of the plane.
US08961208B2
An electric through-wall terminal having a housing and a contact device, at which a plug zone is provided for accommodating a test- and/or connection plug. A first conductor terminal is provided which is connected with a first contact unit of the contact device. A second conductor terminal is connected with a second contact unit of the contact device. The housing comprises plug-in apertures on two sides from each of which a test- and/or connection plug can be inserted into the plug zone for contacting the first and second contact units.
US08961207B2
A card connector includes a main body having a receiving space, a plurality of terminals attached to the main body, a card ejecting mechanism including a levering member pivoted adjacent to the rear of the receiving space and an actuator movable inward and outward, and two detective terminals below the actuator, forming a switching circuit with the actuator for controlling electrical connectivity of the terminals. The actuator is configured to rotate the levering member. When the actuator is at the outward position, the plurality of terminals in enabled; when the actuator is moved beyond a triggering position, the plurality of terminals is disabled.
US08961204B2
An object is to provide a charge connector that can close an inner lid section and an outer lid section by one action to reliably avoid forgetting to close the inner lid section.A charge connector 100 includes: an opening section 108 arranged on a vehicle; a connector connection section 112 to which a cable for charging a battery is connected; an inner lid section 114 that seals a connector connection section in the opening section; an inner lid hinge 115 that is arranged in an opening and that rotates the inner lid section; an outer lid section 106 that seals the opening section from outside of the vehicle; and an outer lid hinge 120 that is installed on an opposite side of the inner lid hinge around the connector connection section and that rotates the outer lid section in a same plane as the inner lid section, wherein the outer lid section includes a rib 122 that projects inside of the opening section on a surface closer to the opening section, the rib can be in contact with the inner lid section, and when the rib is in contact with the inner lid section, the rib is formed so that a normal line at a point of contact with the inner lid section in the plane, in which the inner lid section rotates, passes on a side of the inner lid hinge closer to the outer lid hinge.
US08961203B2
Disclosed is a safety connector which can prevent “latch-up” of a battery management system (BMS) for managing a battery in a hybrid electric vehicle. The BMS connector requires that connectors be inserted into a connector base in a specific order. In particular, a first connector must first be inserted into a first connector insertion port to unlock a locking module disposed between the first connector insertion port and a second connector insertion port before any connector can be inserted into the second connector port.
US08961197B2
A fuse housing assembly is provided with a housing having a base adapted to be mounted to a printed circuit board (PCB) at least partially over a through aperture. The housing has at least one receptacle sized to receive a case-type fuse. The housing has an aperture in the base aligned with the at least one receptacle for receipt of a terminal blade from the PCB for electrical communication with the case-type fuse. At least one connector blade is mounted to the housing and extends into the at least one receptacle and extends through the base to extend through the PCB through aperture for electrical communication with the case-type fuse and the connector.
US08961187B2
A phantom comprises at least one first means for generating at least one dipole and at least one second means for actuating the first means in a non-electrical manner.
US08961183B2
Embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an Audio-Story Engine that includes a repository of prerecorded audio files that, when played in a certain sequence, with user provided recordings placed throughout, tell a story. To obtain the user provided recordings, the Audio-Story Engine asks the user to make audio recordings of various words or phrases. For example, the Audio-Story Engine may ask the user a series of questions in order to record and store the user's audible responses. Upon completion, the Audio-Story Engine plays back a completed story that incorporates the user's audio recordings by playing an appropriate user recording after playing a prerecorded audio file. This is repeated several times in sequence to form a seamless, customized, audio story. In addition, the Audio-Story Engine may alter the pitch or sound of the user's recorded words to match the pitch of the prerecorded story.
US08961182B2
The present invention is a pre-construction sample that is made of a flexible material and has a product image corresponding to an actual construction product. The pre-construction sample is preferably at least 18 inches in one dimension. The pre-construction sample is preferably produced by a printing process having at least 200 dpi, and more preferably 300 dpi. Kits of pre-construction samples are provided to assist the consumer choosing from among various construction products, such as flooring, decking, countertops, cabinets, windows, shingles, among others.
US08961178B2
A dental implant comprises a titanium member composed of a sintered body made from titanium or titanium alloy; and a ceramic member composed of oxide-based ceramic, and the ceramic member fixed to the titanium member. The titanium member has a recess, and the ceramic member has a protrusion coupled to the recess and pores, and the titanium member covers the protrusion of the ceramic member. The protrusion has a cross-sectional area increasing portion whose cross-sectional area increases toward a dead-end portion of the recess in a direction away from a base end of the protrusion. The titanium member is firmly fixed and joined to the ceramic member in a state that a part of the titanium or the titanium alloy is penetrated into the pores of the protrusion of the ceramic member.
US08961176B2
An ultrasonic instrument includes a tip portion, a transducer configured to convert electrical energy into vibrational energy, an acoustic transformer interconnecting the transducer and the tip portion, and a grip portion disposed at least partially about the acoustic transformer. The grip portion is coupled to the acoustic transformer via a resilient nodal coupling at a nodal region of the acoustic transformer. The resilient nodal coupling is configured to provide rotational and axial stability to the acoustic transformer.
US08961175B2
An in-treatment room dental vacuum system includes a vacuum producer and an operator tool including an evacuator tip. A separator is coupled with the vacuum producer and is disposed between the vacuum producer and the operator tool. A hose assembly connects the operator tool and the separator. In use, the separator receives material from the operator tool via the hose assembly and separates the material into wet phase material and dry phase material.
US08961173B2
A system for repositioning teeth comprises a plurality of individual appliances used with braces. The appliances are configured to be placed successively on the patient's teeth and to incrementally reposition the teeth from an initial tooth arrangement, through a plurality of intermediate tooth arrangements, and to a final tooth arrangement. The appliances may be substituted with braces as appropriate to optimize the treatment of the teeth.
US08961168B2
The present invention is a means of starting a controlled combustion reaction by introducing sodium borohydride or similar chemical to a liquid or gelatinous fuel. The present invention is also a device for transferring heat having a thermal conductor connected to a catalyst such that the thermal conductor is positioned within a liquid or gelatinous fuel held within a fuel container.
US08961167B2
An additive manufacturing system comprising a platen assembly configured to restrain and release a film, a head gantry configured to retain a print head for printing a three-dimensional part on the restrained film, and a removal assembly configured to draw the film having the printed three-dimensional part from the platen assembly and to cut the drawn film.
US08961166B2
An apparatus for manufacturing a light guide film may comprise a feed roller, a receiving roller, a separating device, a hot press printing device and a recombining device. Firstly, the separating device may separate a protective layer from a substrate layer of the light guide film. Secondly, a surface of the substrate layer to be manufactured may be impressed with light guide dots by the hot press printing device, and the recombining device recombine the peeled protective layer to the substrate layer. And lastly, the finished light guide film is recycled by the receiving roller. The apparatus may have advantages such as high output and low cost, and it may manufacture a large dimensioned product.
US08961161B2
Provided is a fluid machine which can be produced to have an increased weld strength and an increased reliability, at a reduced production cost. A first and a second shells (78, 80), each having a rim and a sealing portion constituting part of the rim, are butted together with the rims (78a, 80a) held together to form a groove (82) and with the sealing portions (96, 98) in contact with each other, and joined together by a weld (84) formed in the groove over the entire length of the groove to be separated from the sealing portions by a space (100).
US08961147B2
Method for controlling a compressed air unit which is provided with at least one controllable drain valve (8, 27, 37 or 39), where the above-mentioned drain valve (8, 27, 37 or 39) are controlled at least on the basis of a system parameter which is not a system parameter on the feed side of the drain valve (8, 27, 37 or 39).
US08961146B2
Apparatus is provided featuring a switch-mode power supply (SMPS) having a power circuit component in combination with a SMPS controller. The power circuit component may be configured to provide power to a pump that provides fluid from a container to some other device, including an appliance. The SMPS controller may be configured to receive signaling containing information about at least one control parameter selected from a group including a pressure at an outlet of the pump, a fluid level in the container and the temperature of a motor of the pump, and also may be configured to shut off the power provided to the pump based at least partly on the signaling received so that the power circuit component substantially does not draw power and heat up when the pump is shut off.
US08961140B2
An aircraft system and method with a first counterweight rotating balancing rotor mass concentration, and a second counterweight rotating balancing rotor mass concentration to balance a first aircraft propeller. The system includes an inboard electromagnetic coil driver with a first inboard electromagnetic coil, and a second inboard electromagnetic coil, the inboard electromagnetic coil driver and the first counterweight balancing rotor and the second counterweight balancing rotor centered around the aircraft propeller shaft rotating machine member. The system/method utilizes a first control system controller to control the coils and position the mass concentrations to balance the first aircraft propeller. The system/method includes a third counterweight rotating balancing rotor mass concentration, and a fourth counterweight rotating balancing rotor mass concentration to balance a second aircraft propeller which positioned and controlled by a second control system controller.
US08961131B2
An arrangement for extracting energy from flowing liquid, such as tidal flows, oceanic currents and water flowing in rivers. The arrangement comprises a support device (12) and a turbine device (1) which is pivotally connected to the support device (12) about a substantially horizontal axis (18). The turbine device includes at least one helical turbine (2; 4), each having an axle connected to an energy converter (22; 24). The turbine device (1) has a proximate end and a distal end, the proximate end being pivotally connected to the support device (12), and the distal end being freely movable in a substantially vertical, circular path in the flowing liquid. This enables the turbine device, in use, to adjust to an operational angle with respect to a horizontal plane. The arrangement is characterized in that the distal end of the turbine device (1) is provided with at least one transverse bar (7), stabilizing the operational angle of the turbine device (1). Various flow guiding devices also contribute to stability and performance of the arrangement.
US08961128B2
An exemplary center housing rotating assembly includes a turbine wheel; a compressor wheel; a center housing (510) that includes a through bore (515), extending from a compressor end to a turbine end along a bore axis; a bearing assembly (530) positioned in the bore where the bearing assembly includes an outer race (532) that includes keyways (535, 535′) extending from an axial end, the keyways radially inset from an outer diameter of the outer race; and a plate (570) attached to the center housing where the plate includes extending keys (578, 578′), each of the keys (578, 578′) being received by a respective one of the keyways (535, 535′) to restrict rotation of the bearing assembly in the bore. Various other exemplary devices, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
US08961125B2
A gas turbine engine includes an engine casing structure and a retention block assembly. The engine casing structure includes a pocket which receives the retention block assembly. The retention block assembly includes a stop block and a pin that retains the stop block within the pocket. The stop block is loose relative to the pin.
US08961124B2
An axial fan is provided. The axial fan includes a hub, an impeller having a plurality of blades mounted on an outer peripheral surface of the hub, and a housing surrounding the impeller. Each of the blades has a front edge angle (α) within a range of −8° to −20°, a mounting angle (β) within a range of 36° to 50°, and a twisted angle (θ) within a range of 10°±2°.
US08961121B2
A casing of a centrifugal fan includes a suction port forming wall portion, an opposed wall portion opposed to the suction port forming wall portion, and a sidewall portion connecting the suction port forming wall portion and the opposed wall portion. A tongue portion is provided at the sidewall portion. The tongue portion projects into an air passage in the vicinity of a discharge port to form a narrowed air passage portion within the air passage. A leading end surface of the tongue portion is shaped such that the width of the leading end surface increases from the suction port forming wall portion, where the suction port is formed, to the opposed wall portion. The tongue portion is shaped such that the projecting length of the tongue portion into the air passage continuously decreases from the suction port forming wall portion to the opposed wall portion.
US08961119B2
An article of manufacture having a nominal airfoil profile substantially in accordance with Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z set forth in scalable Table 1 wherein the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z are non-dimensional values convertible to dimensional distances by multiplying the Cartesian coordinate values of X, Y and Z by a number, and wherein X and Y are coordinates which, when connected by continuing arcs, define airfoil profile sections at each Z height, the airfoil profile sections at each Z height being joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape.
US08961118B2
A shaft cover support for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The shaft cover support not only provides enhanced support to a shaft cover of the gas turbine engine, but also includes a cooling fluid chamber for passing fluids from a rotor air cooling supply conduit to an inner ring cooling manifold. As such, the shaft cover support accomplishes in a single component what was only partially accomplished in two components in conventional configurations. The shaft cover support may also provide additional stiffness and reduce interference of the flow from the compressor. In addition, the shaft cover support accommodates a transition section extending between compressor and turbine sections of the engine. The shaft cover support has a radially extending region that is offset from the inlet and outlet that enables the shaft cover support to surround the transition, thereby reducing the overall length of this section of the engine.
US08961117B2
A turbine stage of a turbine engine, the stage including a rotor wheel mounted inside a sectorized ring carried by an outer casing, the outer casing including at least a circumferential rim housed in an annular cavity to attach a downstream end of the ring sector. A bottom wall of the annular cavity of the ring sector remains radially spaced apart from the circumferential rim of the outer casing to provide a thermally insulating space between them and includes a radial positioning mechanism acting on the circumferential rim.
US08961116B2
An exhaust plenum for connection to an exhaust outlet portion of a gas turbine for receiving turbine exhaust gas. The exhaust plenum includes a first wall. The first wall includes a seal attachment component in thermal contact with an exterior shell of the first wall and is adapted for attaching an annular flex seal to the first wall. The seal attachment component extends generally around a perimeter of the inlet of the exhaust plenum, and is thermally insulated from an interior space of the exhaust plenum.
US08961112B2
A fan drive gear system for a gas turbine engine includes a carrier that supports circumferentially arranged gears. A torque frame has circumferentially arranged fingers with each finger including a bore having a bore axis. A bushing is arranged in each bore and provides an aperture. At least one bushing has a bushing axis offset from the bore axis. A pin is disposed in the aperture and secures the carrier to the torque frame.
US08961110B2
A wind turbine is disclosed, the wind turbine comprising a nacelle including at least one of a debris-generating device, an inlet for air or an outlet for air. Following this invention, the wind turbine further comprises at least one electro-static filter arranged to filter at least one of the debris coming from the debris-generating device, the air coming into the nacelle through the inlet or the air coming out of the nacelle through the outlet.
US08961108B2
A cooling system for a gas turbine engine includes a first plenum, a first cooling flow passageway, and a second cooling flow passageway. The first cooling flow passageway is in fluid communication with the first plenum and with a first airfoil cooling channel within an airfoil of the stator vane. The first airfoil cooling channel is for cooling a leading edge of the airfoil. The second cooling flow passageway is in fluid communication with the first plenum and with a platform cooling channel within an outer diameter platform of the stator vane. The first cooling flow passageway and the second cooling flow passageway are disposed within a mounting hook. The first cooling flow passageway and the second cooling flow passageway are not in fluid communication with each other.
US08961107B2
A heat-dissipation fan including a base and an impeller disposed at the base, wherein the impeller includes a plurality of first blades, a plurality of second blades and a plurality of connection ribs. Each of the first blades and each of the second blades are arranged alternately. Each of the connection ribs comprises a first edge, a second edge and a third edge. The first edge is connected with the first blade, the second edge is connected with the second blade, the third edge is connected with the first edge and the second edge, and the third edge and the second blade are spaced apart to form a first vent. The first edge comprises a first length, the second edge comprises a second length, and the first length is larger than the second length.
US08961103B1
An omni-directional vertical axis wind turbine includes an axial flow turbine rotor to supply force to operate an electrical generator mounted for rotation on a vertical shaft. A shroud surrounds the turbine rotor forming a circular chamber coaxially with the turbine rotor, enclosing the airflow entry face and leaving the discharge face uncovered. Wind entering the shroud from any direction flows inwardly through air passages, where a set of baffles surrounding the circular chamber redirect incoming airflow into a stream within the circular chamber. A cylindrical enclosure mounted concentrically with the turbine rotor within the circulation chamber houses an array of stationary vanes positioned to extend across the entry base and in close proximity to the turbine rotor and aligned at angles relative to the axis of rotation, form flow-through passages to intercept the airflow and redirect it vertically into the swept area of the turbine rotor in the form of laminar streams. Entrainment effect of the streams enhances the force of airflow through the sweet area, while leading edges of rotating turbine blades intercept airflow along continuously changing points of intersection from successive passages to create additional torque to power the turbine. Angular alignment and curvature of the stationary vanes can be varied to optimize performance over a variety of wind conditions.
US08961095B2
A traveling body of a stacker crane is separable into a lower traveling portion and an upper traveling portion by separating a post into a lower post portion and an upper post portion, in which the lower traveling portion in a separated state separated from the upper traveling portion and supporting a lift body is moved in a width direction with its traveling posture being maintained to be taken in or out between a moving space and a take-in/out space.
US08961092B2
A device for retaining an attached part on a carrier part, including a clip part and an unlocking part displaceably supported in the clip part. In a release position of the unlocking part, latching legs of the clip part engage behind the carrier part while, in a dismantling position of the unlocking part, the latching legs are not engaged with the carrier part so that the attached part can be removed from the carrier part.
US08961090B2
An axle nut for preloading a bearing is provided. The axle nut may be used to apply and monitor preload on a bearing or bearing assembly. The axle nut includes a cylindrical body having a first end, a second end having a face adapted to bear against a surface, a longitudinal axis, and an outer surface engagable by a tool; a threaded through-hole directed substantially along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical body; and at least one recess in the face of the second end of the cylindrical body, the at least one recess adapted to expose at least a portion of the surface the face bears against. The first end of the axle may comprise a nut locking mechanism, for example, the nut locking mechanism may include a counter bore having a plurality of internal projections, such as, gear or spline teeth.
US08961088B2
An expanding rivet formed with a rivet body and with a rivet pin includes foot webs formed on the rivet pin, which foot webs project laterally in a pre-fitting position relative to spring arms formed on the rivet body. As a result, the free ends of the spring arms are protected against damage when the expanding rivet is inserted into a locating recess.
US08961086B2
A fastener comprises a body having an enlarged head at a first end, a tapered ramp at a second end, a cylindrical shank disposed between the enlarged head and the tapered ramp, internal threads, and a cylindrical passage formed through the body between the first and second ends. The fastener further includes a generally cylindrical corebolt having first and second threaded sections separated by a third non-threaded section, the corebolt disposed within the passage of the body and a sleeve having a generally cylindrical passage therethrough and movably disposed over a portion of the corebolt. A nut is in threaded engagement with the corebolt and is disposed adjacent an end of the sleeve. An interface between the corebolt and the nut is configured to resist relative rotation of the nut with respect to the corebolt until the sleeve is in abutment with a workpiece.
US08961085B2
There is provided a transport vehicle for transporting wind power installation rotor blades and/or pylon segments. The transport vehicle has a transport support structure having a main frame, a receiving frame fixedly connected to the main frame at a first angle, and a rotary displacement unit which is fixed with one end to the receiving frame and which at its second end has a blade adaptor for receiving a rotor blade or a pylon segment. The main frame spans a main plane. The rotary displacement unit has at least one first rotary mounting, wherein there is provided a second angle between the second rotary plane of the second rotary mounting.
US08961081B2
Gear processing machine (4), such as a gear cutting or grinding machine, wherein a chamfering and/or deburring apparatus (2) and auxiliary spindle (10) are included on the same machine. A transfer mechanism (8) loads, unloads and transfers workpieces between a machining spindle (6) and the auxiliary spindle (10) thereby enabling simultaneous cutting and chamfering and/or deburring processes to be carried out. Via the auxiliary spindle, completed workpieces may be removed from the machine and blank workpieces may be loaded into the machine while another gear is being processed on the machine spindle thereby enhancing machine output and creating a more efficient operation.
US08961075B2
A milling tool for slot milling includes a tool body and a plurality of separated first seats, which form root insert seats for root inserts arranged one after the other along a first line and a plurality of separated flank insert seats that includes a plurality of second seats for flank inserts . The plurality of second seats is arranged one after the other along a second line on a primary side of the root insert seats. A plurality of third seats for flank inserts is arranged one after the other along a third line on a secondary side of the root insert seats. Each flank insert seat includes a bottom surface, an inner side surface, and an outer side surface. Each flank insert includes an under side, an opposite upper side, and a circumferential edge side that forms a rake face connecting the upper side and the underside.
US08961070B1
An apparatus for connecting a hub of a first pipe to a hub of a second pipe in a subsea environment includes a frame suitable for receiving the hub of the second pipe, a post extending outwardly of the frame, a landing structure slidably positioned on the post, and an actuator for moving the landing structure along the post such that the hub of the first pipe is juxtaposed against the hub of the second pipe. The landing structure includes a receptacle formed thereon. This receptacle is suitable for receiving a slotted portion of an arm extending from a trunnion extending around the first pipe such that the first pipe can pivot from a generally vertical orientation to a generally horizontal orientation. A clamp can extend against the hubs of the first and second pipes so as to join the pipes together.
US08961067B1
A flexible wave-energy dissipation system includes: a plurality of brace units arranged along a horizontal direction and each including front and rear braces; a plurality of energy-dissipating posts each disposed between the front and rear braces of the corresponding brace unit and including a first spring unit connected to the front brace of the corresponding brace unit and a rod body connected to the first spring unit; a plurality of hanging cable units each connected to one front brace, one rear brace and one rod body, such that the posts are inclined upwardly and rearwardly; and an energy dissipation device including an energy-dissipating net unit disposed between two adjacent posts, and a plurality of second spring units connected between the net unit and the two adjacent posts.
US08961066B2
The present invention relates to a compacting machine comprising a shaft, an unbalanced mass and a drum, wherein the shaft is connected both to the unbalanced mass and to the drum and is adapted to transfer imbalance forces from the unbalanced mass to the drum, and further wherein the shaft is mounted in a plain bearing.
US08961051B2
The device for tapping and inoculating trees includes an elongate, main arm having an actuating mechanism attached to one end and a housing attached to the opposite end. A cutting mechanism extends from one side of the housing and a spray system is disposed in a recess in the housing. A universal actuator operates both the cutting mechanism and the spray system upon activation by the actuating mechanism. The cutting mechanism taps or scrapes the bark off the target branch and the spray system sprays a solution that stimulates the tapped area into producing more sap and sap of higher quality.
US08961042B2
An optical coupling device includes an optical coupling member, an optical-electrical converting module, and at least two optical fibers. The optical coupling member has a first under positioning portion. The optical-electrical converting module has a substrate, a base, an optical signal transmitter, and an optical signal receiver. The base is made of an insulating material and is provided on the substrate. The base has a receiving portion and a second under positioning portion to engage the first under positioning portion. The optical signal transmitter and the optical signal receiver are receiving in the receiving portion and face the first lens portion when the second under positioning portion engages the first under positioning portion. The optical fibers are beside the optical coupling member and face the second lens portion.
US08961035B2
The present disclosure relates to a fiber optic network architecture that uses outside plant fan-out devices to distribute optical signals between fiber distribution hubs and multi-service terminals. The network architecture can also include collector boxes positioned at selected locations of the network architecture. Additionally, patching systems can be used in facilitating upgrading the capacity of the fiber optic network.
US08961034B2
A ferrule for an optical fiber connector having open fiber clamping grooves. The ferrule has a body having a plurality of open grooves for clamping the terminating end sections of optical fibers. At least a section of the longitudinal opening of the groove is provided with opposing lips to provide a clamping effect. The width of the longitudinal opening defined between the lips along at least a section of the grooves is narrower than the diameter of the optical fibers to create a tight fit. The grooves and the width of the longitudinal groove openings are shaped and sized to retain the fibers without any clearance to allow for movement of the fiber relative to the groove. Similar grooves may be provided in the ferrule body for alignment guide pins. The grooves are precision formed by high throughput processes, such as stamping and extrusion.
US08961027B1
A hub bearing may include a hub provided with a disc-shaped wheel coupling portion which is coupled to a wheel and a bearing mounting portion which passes through and protrudes from the wheel coupling portion, first face splines being formed on a protruding surface; and a bearing formed with a lower end fixed to the bearing mounting portion such that one side of the lower end comes into contact with the wheel coupling portion and an upper end fixed to a vehicle body, second face splines being formed on one surface of the lower end.
US08961020B2
A thrust bearing assembly for guiding and driving a piston member having a lead screw for dispensing a medium of a delivery device when the piston member is driven in a first axial direction is provided. The thrust bearing assembly comprises a thrust bearing means for being integrated in the delivery device, a passageway for guiding the lead screw, and a rotary drive means for driving the lead screw and being fitted into or onto the thrust bearing means while being rotatable with regard to the thrust bearing. Further, the thrust bearing means comprises a thrust face which limits axial movement of the rotary drive means when driving the lead screw in the first axial direction. A drive train and a medicament delivery device in which the thrust bearing assembly is integrated are also provided.
US08961015B1
A fabric-based electronic device sleeve with a stiff directional nap lining the interior of a pocket. The directional nap (or plush) of the fabric is oriented to permit easy slidable insertion of an electronic device into the sleeve's pocket, with static friction forces between the directional nap and the device preventing the device from slipping out on its own or falling from the sleeve when held in a downward direction. As a user removes the electronic device from the sleeve, a gentle pull upon pinching the device between thumb and index finger overcomes the static friction forces between the device and the directional nap lining to permit easy removal and access.
US08961014B2
Compressible reclosable storage containers (e.g., pouches) having a one-way valve disposed along the bottom of the container. In one configuration, the reclosable pouch comprises a receptacle having a storage chamber and a mouth in communication with the storage chamber, and an airtight closure for closing the mouth. The receptacle comprises two walls made of thermoplastic web material, two side seals that include respective marginal portions of the two walls, and a vent that extends from one side seal to the other. The vent comprises a multiplicity of collapsible channels, each channel comprising a respective air inlet in flow communication with the storage chamber and a respective air outlet in flow communication with space external to the pouch. The channels may be formed by a series of zigzag or wave-shaped heat seals or heat seals have other shapes.
US08961011B2
A mobile radiography apparatus has a moveable (e.g., wheeled) transport frame and an adjustable column mounted at the frame. A boom apparatus supported by the adjustable column can support an x-ray source and can be coupled to a second display (also adjustably mounted). The second display and a first display can each be configured to control the mobile radiography apparatus and display items such as but not limited to (a) obtained images and/or related data or (b) a control panel to allow functions such as generating, storing, transmitting, modifying, and printing of the obtained images.
US08960993B2
A blender device including a rotor designed to engage with a motor device to be rotated; and an annular ring enclosing the rotor and having at least one axial orifice and a plurality of radial orifices for the passage of the blend. The blender also includes an admission duct for admitting particles intended to be incorporated into the blend, leading into the interior of the annular ring. The blender also effectively dispenses particles in a blend by introducing the particles with a high flow and decreasing product losses.
US08960989B2
A lighting device, comprising a lighting device element and a light engine component (comprising a solid state light emitter) that is removably supported by the lighting device element. Also, lighting device elements that comprise a lens, a housing member, a mechanical engagement region, an electrical contact region and/or means for removably supporting a light engine component. Also, lighting device elements in which a retaining structure holds a light engine component, a portion of a light engine component is exposed to a lens. Also, lighting devices that comprise means for removably supporting a light engine component. Also, methods that comprise removing a light engine component from a lighting device element and removably supporting a second light engine component on the lighting device element.
US08960987B2
The present invention provides a hollow backplane and a backlight module using the backplane. The backplane includes a main body and a heat sink mounted on the main body. The main body includes a bottom board and a side board connected to the bottom board. The bottom board forms a plurality of hollow sections. Reinforcement ribs are arranged in the hollow sections. The heat sink is mounted to the bottom board. The bottom board of hollow backplane is made of plastics and forms hollow sections so as to reduce the weight of the backplane. The reinforcement ribs help maintaining the strength of the backplane. With the strength being maintained, the backplane greatly reduces weight, lowers down cost, and is favorable for weight reduction of liquid crystal display device. Further, the backplane has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture, so as to further lower down the manufacture cost.
US08960983B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a profiled light guide plate, a backlight module and a liquid crystal display device. In the profiled light guided plate according to the embodiments of the present invention, because the reflectivity of the profiled assembly is less than that of the light entry assembly, the emergent angle of the light beam entering into the profiled assembly from the light entry assembly is larger than the incident angle thereof, which causes the light beam entering from the light entry assembly into the profiled assembly to converge towards the central part of the profiled assembly, away from the ramp of the profiled assembly, thereby decreasing the amount of light leakage from the ramp.
US08960970B2
A light emitting device has a light emitting element, a metal member, a covering member and a translucent member. The metal member has a first face and a second face on an opposite side from the first face. The first face has an element placement portion and a flat portion disposed around the element placement portion with the light emitting element being mounted on the element placement portion. The covering member is disposed on the second face of the metal member at the flat portion outside an illumination range of light emitted from the light emitting element. The translucent member seals part of the metal member and the light emitting element. The translucent member has a convex portion and a flange disposed around the convex portion, the flange being disposed outside the illumination range of light emitted from the light emitting element.
US08960966B2
The present invention relates to a backlight unit having a reflective portion, including a light source module for emitting a light, a first reflective portion arranged spaced a first distance away from one side of the light source module to have an open region, and a second reflective portion arranged spaced a second distance which is greater than the first distance away from the other side of the light source module to have at least a portion with a sloped surface for reflecting the light toward the open region of the first reflective portion.
US08960963B1
An illumination device includes a light source that emits an electromagnetic radiation input beam, a dichroic first mirror that reflects a first output beam and transmits a second output beam, a second mirror positioned to reflect the second output beam, and an absorber for absorbing radiation emitted by the light source. An adjustable support for the dichroic and second mirror is also provided and is adjustable between a first position where the first beam is transmitted and a second position where the second beam is transmitted, with the other beam being directed to the absorber.
US08960962B2
A ceiling mount lighting fixture includes a channel, a channel cover, and a light source including a plurality of light-emitting diodes. The channel cover includes two sides that intersect in a V-shaped base, with light-emitting diodes mounted on each side. The light-emitting diodes emit light at cone angles that overlap at the base of the channel cover. The fixture may include a diffuser and an end cap positioned on each end of the channel, each end cap including a groove. A plurality of strips may be located on the diffuser, each strip moveable from a first position on the diffuser a distance from the end caps to a second position in which the strip engages the groove on one of the end caps, thereby serving as a light trap to block light from exiting gaps between the diffuser and end caps.
US08960957B2
An LED lamp is provided. The LED lamp includes a heat radiation member having a cavity therein; an LED module disposed in the cavity; a mounting frame disposed in the cavity and being above the LED module; and a lens mounted on the mounting frame.
US08960955B2
An LED bulb includes a connecting member having an Edison male screw base and an LED module engaging with the connecting member. The LED module includes a circuit board, a first LED and a plurality of second LEDs mounted on the circuit board. The first LED is arranged on a center of the circuit board. The second LEDs are located surround the first LED. The LED bulb furthermore includes a plurality of lens. Each lens covers a corresponding second LED. Each lens includes a light-guiding portion which includes a light input surface and a light output surface. Light emitted from each of the second LEDs travels into the lens via the light input surface, and is refracted out to lateral directions of the LED bulb by the light output surface of the light-guiding portion to obtain a wider illumination range.
US08960953B2
A light emitting apparatus has a light source for emitting a first light in a forward direction. A wavelength-converting layer is spaced apart from the light source and disposed in a path of the first light. The wavelength-converting layer is configured to absorb at least a portion of the first light and emit a second light. A reflective layer is configured to be reflective of at least the second light, and the wavelength-converting layer is disposed between the reflective layer and the light source.
US08960949B2
A multi-mode portable illumination device includes a switch structure featuring a substantially planar member and a mechanical switch which requires a relatively small amount of force and a short stroke distance to actuate. The mechanical switch is attached to a member which contains circuit(s) adding additional functionality to the multi-mode portable illumination device. The member has conductive springs attached to either end that are used to complete the electrical circuit with the battery and the lamp, while their compressive force is absorbed by a housing protecting the switch structure. A conductive strip is used to improve the conductivity of the circuit in a metal multi-mode portable illumination device which has been provided with an electrically resistive protective coating.
US08960948B2
A light and associated mounting body is disclosed which is suitable for mounting on straps of different widths. In a particular embodiment the body can be mounted to the strap, for example a collar or the like, without removing the collar from the object it is attached to.
US08960943B2
A decorative lighting fixture includes a frame, a light source, a sheer layer, a coating, and a plurality of light bending particles. The frame has at least a structural element adapted to form a three dimensional shape that includes an interior and an exterior. The light source is positioned within the frame or may be external. The sheer layer extends over at least a portion of the frame so light from the light source passes through at least a portion of the sheer layer as it exits or enters the fixture. A coating is located on at least a portion of an external and/or internal surface of the fixture. The light bending particles are coupled to the coating such that light colliding with the light bending particles is altered to create a desired visual effect. Methods for making the decorative lighting fixture are also provided.
US08960936B1
A backlit storybook for the visually impaired comprises an audio and visual storybook including a book, a base, and an integral backlight. Each page of the book comprises images or words. The book is placed upon the base to enable each individual page to backlight the images and words to provide a high-contrast lighted character pattern easily readable by those with impaired vision. The system further includes a speaker for audio to play a corresponding narration and indicates when different pages should be turned.
US08960935B2
Disclosed is a printed circuit board, on which a holder for fixing a lamp is mounted, is disposed on an upper surface of a bottom cover, and an inverter supplying a driving voltage to the lamp is disposed on a lower surface of the bottom cover. The printed circuit board is electrically connected to the holder as a conductive pattern is embedded in the printed circuit board. The connector is directly mounted on the inverter, or it is connected to the inverter via a wire. In this case, the connector is also connected to the printed circuit board. Therefore, the connector of the inverter and the connector of the printed circuit board are electrically connected.
US08960924B2
An illumination system including a light source, a filtering module, a wavelength conversion unit, and a reflection unit is provided. The light source emits an illumination beam. The filtering module is disposed on a transmission path of the illumination beam and includes a plurality of filtering units having different colors. The filtering units move into the transmission path of the illumination beam in turn. Each filtering unit reflects a part of the illumination beam and allows another part of the illumination beam to pass through. The wavelength conversion unit is disposed on a transmission path of the part of the illumination beam reflected by at least one of the filtering units to convert the part of the illumination beam reflected by the at least one of the filtering units into a converted beam. The wavelength conversion unit is disposed on the reflection unit. A projection apparatus is also provided.
US08960920B2
The present invention provides a projection apparatus including a light source module, an illumination lens module, a light valve, and a projection lens. The light source module is configured to provide a first light beam, and the illumination lens module and the light valve are disposed on a first propagating path of the first light beam. The illumination lens module has a first optic axis. The light valve is configured to transfer the first light beam into a second light beam with an image, and the first light beam propagates through the illumination lens module to the light valve without reflection. The projection lens has a second optic axis substantially perpendicular to the first optic axis.
US08960916B2
A method and system of advertising that involves projection of a logo or advertisement from a drinking glass. The logo or advertisement projecting glassware has a light source that projects the inserted film when the glass is lifted, and wherein the projection is turned off when the glassware is placed on a solid surface.
US08960910B2
Light from an exit pupil of an illumination unit is directed to a beam splitter which directs the light to an objective. The retina is illuminated, if a real image of the exit pupil of the illumination unit and a real image of an entrance pupil of a camera unit are formable. The objective forms a real intermediate image of the retina between the objective and the camera unit. The beam splitter directs the light from the retina to the camera unit, while causing the path of the illumination and the path of the imaging to deviate for non-overlapping images of the exit pupil and the entrance pupil in the crystalline lens. A relay lens system forms a real image of the intermediate image on a detecting component with the light reflected from the retina for transforming the image into an electric form to be shown on a screen.
US08960903B2
Systems and methods for expanding the field-of-view of ophthalmic scanning devices are presented. An ophthalmic scanning device is designed such that the pivot point of the scanning optics is maintained at a fixed location in the pupil while the scanning optics are rotated about the eye to obtain imaging data over an increased field-of-view than can be achieved by the scanning optics alone. The rotation can be achieved using a singular rotational motion of the scanning optics about a rotational axes coincident with the scanning pivot point or can be achieved using a combination of rotational motion with a second motion either rotational or translational to maintain the scanning pivot point at the fixed location. Embodiments related to optical coherence tomography and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy are described.
