US08400400B2
A handheld wireless communication device is disclosed that has a housing, display, and keyboard. The keyboard consists of a plurality of keys having a right-hand keyfield located on a right-hand side of at least one elongate raised rail and a left-hand keyfield located on a left-hand side of at least one elongate raised rail. The keys of the keyfield have letters and numbers associated therewith. Each of the keyfields has an engagement surface configured for digital engagement by a user. Each of the at least one elongate raised rail has an upper fixed surface positioned above at least a portion of each keyfield located adjacent thereto so that each of the at least one elongate raised rails constitutes a tactile divider between adjacently located keyfields.
US08400394B2
A backlight unit assembly, a liquid crystal display having the same, and a dimming method thereof are provided. The dimming method for a liquid crystal display includes setting a plurality of lookup tables, each lookup table having different data for adjusting luminance corresponding to a same grayscale, calculating a grayscale average of a whole liquid crystal display panel and grayscale averages of individual liquid crystal display panel blocks with respect to an image signal input to the liquid crystal display panel, selecting one of the plurality of lookup tables in accordance with the whole grayscale average, and calculating the data for obtaining the luminance corresponding to the individual grayscale averages in the selected lookup table, and adjusting and applying power to a light emitting diode assembly using the calculated data. In the case of displaying an image, which is dark on the whole and only a part of which is bright, power is applied with a wider pulse width at the same grayscale, and thus the image can be displayed with a desired luminance to minimize image distortion.
US08400387B2
A scanning electrode driving circuit (32) and a signal electrode driving circuit (31) of a driving circuit (30) applies, to scanning electrodes of a liquid crystal panel with a memory effect (40), a scanning voltage (TPV) in a voltage waveform composed of 0V and three values which are positive or negative unipolar (VH, VD and VS), and also applies, to signal electrodes, a signal voltage (SGV) in a voltage waveform composed of 0V and three values having a same polarity as the scanning voltage. Further, image data is displayed at a pixel of the liquid crystal panel with a memory effect (40) during three scanning periods such as a correction period for correcting the alternation, a reset period for resetting the image, and a selection period for writing new image, and in the three scanning periods, the voltage to be applied between the scanning electrode and the signal electrode is made completely alternating.
US08400381B2
An analog output buffer circuit is provided. A first transistor has a source, drain, and gate coupled to a first node, a second node, and a third node, respectively. A second transistor is coupled between the second node and the third node. The second transistor has a gate coupled to a first control line. A third transistor has a source coupled to a data line, a drain coupled to the first node, and a gate coupled to the first control line. A fourth transistor has a source coupled to the second node, a drain coupled to an output terminal, and a gate coupled to a second control line. A fifth transistor has a source coupled to the first node, a drain coupled to a first power supply, and a gate coupled to the second control line. A capacitor is coupled between the third node and the first power supply.
US08400369B2
A multiband antenna includes at least two antenna elements for use in a low frequency band and a high frequency band, a feeding point unit configured to be shared by both of the antenna elements for use in the low frequency band and the high frequency band and an impedance matching unit configured to be inserted into and connected to a position between an end of the antenna element for use in the high frequency band on the side of the feeding point unit and an open end thereof.
US08400367B2
An antenna assembly is provided for mounting on a predetermined support structure positioned on a surface, the support structure having a peripheral edge at an elevated position above the surface. The antenna assembly includes an antenna and a support for supporting the antenna at an elevated position above the surface when mounted on the support structure. The support is adapted to support the antenna at a sufficient height above the surface to provide a direct path for electromagnetic radiation at least a portion of the antenna to a position on the surface external of the peripheral edge of less than or equal to about 4.5 meters from substantially any point on the peripheral edge, or to a position on the surface at a point positioned 3 meters from the front of the support structure and 3 meters from a side of the support structure.
US08400363B2
An in-mold type RF antenna, a device including the same, and associated methods, a method including stacking a copper foil on a base film, forming an antenna film by processing the copper foil to form an RF antenna pattern thereon, the antenna film being configured to be accommodated in a case of a device, disposing the antenna film in a mold for forming the case of the device, and forming the case having the antenna film integrally formed therewith by injecting a resin into the mold.
US08400362B2
A radio communication apparatus configured to be used for first radio communication and second radio communication which are different from each other is provided. The radio communication apparatus has a first antenna, a coupling reduction element, a magnetic material sheet and a second antenna. The first antenna is configured to be used for the first radio communication, and is formed by a conductive line wound in a plane like a coil. The coupling reduction element is formed by a plane-shaped conductor, provided almost parallel to the plane of the first antenna, and configured to be put in a condition of electrical floating. The magnetic material sheet is provided between the first antenna and the coupling reduction element. The second antenna is configured to be used for the second radio communication, and is provided close to at least a portion of the first antenna.
US08400361B2
An integrated circuit (IC) antenna structure includes a micro-electromechanical (MEM) area, a feed point, and a transmission line. The micro-electromechanical (MEM) area includes a three-dimensional shape, wherein the three dimensional-shape provides an antenna structure. The feed point is coupled to provide an outbound radio frequency (RF) signal to the antenna structure for transmission and to receive an inbound RF signal from the antenna structure. The transmission line electrically coupled to the feed point.
US08400354B2
A combined GPS and GLONASS receiver receives GPS signals and GLONASS signals. A calibration signal is generated utilizing the received GPS signals and/or the received GLONASS signals to offset group delay errors in the received GLONASS signals. The generated calibration signal is filtered through Kalman filters to estimate group delay variations in the received GLONASS signals. The estimated group error delay variations are combined with the received GLONASS signals to calibrate the received GLONASS signals by offsetting the estimated group error delay variations. When GPS signals are not available for use, the combined GPS and GLONASS receiver obtains group delay errors stored or in the received GLONASS signals to estimate calibration coefficients. The estimate calibration coefficients are updated utilizing received GPS and/or GLONASS signals. The updated estimated calibration coefficients are stored before turning off the combined GPS and GLONASS receiver to expedite calibrating of GLONASS signals received upon turning on.
US08400353B2
Apparatus and methods are provided for use in a receiver that receives global positioning data from one or more satellites above the Earth's surface. The apparatus and methods involve detecting a change in at least one parameter associated with the receiver and determining if the change in the at least one parameter is to be treated as erroneous. As a result of determining if the change in the at least one parameter is to be treated as erroneous, a further action may be performed. Determining if the change is to be treated as erroneous may include, for example, detecting changes in more than one parameter and determining if the changes are coincident. Detecting a change in at least one parameter may also enable the receiver to predict the presence and magnitude of multipath components of signals, predict changes in an environment local to the receiver, predict large errors in position estimates determined by the receiver and modify an acquisition and tracking strategy used by the receiver.
US08400341B2
A data converter circuit includes a non-uniform sampling circuit and a resampler circuit. The non-uniform sampling circuit includes a sampling voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) having an input to receive an analog data signal and having an output to generate a quantized data signal, wherein the quantized data signal comprises a plurality of non-uniform transition intervals indicative of data contained in the analog data signal. The resampling circuit has an input to receive the quantized data signal and is configured to reconstruct the data from the quantized data signal. For some embodiments, the data converter can also include a PLL that includes a feedback VCO having matched components with the sampling VCO.
US08400339B2
Embodiments of apparatus and methods for applying a gain to an input signal are provided. An embodiment of a switched-capacitor gain stage circuit includes an input node, an output node, an operational amplifier, a correlated-double-sampling portion, a correlated-level-shifting portion, and a switching configuration. The operational amplifier has a first amplifier input, a second amplifier input, and an amplifier output. The correlated-double-sampling portion includes a plurality of sampling capacitors arranged in parallel and selectively coupled between the input node and a central node, and an offset storage capacitor including a first terminal coupled to the first amplifier input. The correlated-level-shifting portion includes a correlated-level-shifting capacitor including a first terminal coupled to the output node. The switching configuration has multiple switches that are controllable sequentially to place the gain stage circuit in a sampling state, an approximate output voltage storage state, a level shifting and gain state, and an output state.
US08400338B2
Automatic test equipment (ATE) includes circuitry configured to pass a signal in a channel of the ATE, and memory configured to store a first and second correction values. A first correction value is based on a first version of the signal, where the first correction value is for use in correcting static non-linearity associated with the channel. A second correction value is based on a second version of the signal, where the second correction value is for use in correcting dynamic non-linearity associated with the channel. Digital signal processing logic is configured to use the first correction value, the second correction value, and the signal in order to compensate for harmonic distortion from the channel.
US08400334B2
An asymmetric approach for compressing digital data, or digitized analog data, uses dictionary-based compression for a transmitter and receiver communicating over a lossy unidirectional communication channel. The transmitter is responsible for generating active dictionaries, selecting appropriate dictionaries for compressing data, retiring old dictionaries, and sending new dictionaries to the receiver. The receiver passively stores the dictionaries from the transmitter and uses the right stored dictionary to decompress data received from the transmitter, as indicated by instructions in the compressed data set.
US08400333B2
A multi-directional input apparatus includes an operating member including a shaft portion which extends to the outside, a housing having an opening through which the shaft portion extends and configured to support the operating member in a tiltable manner, interlocking members moved by the operating member when the shaft portion is tilted, and detectors which detect changes in the positions of the interlocking members. A sliding member is externally fitted to the shaft portion such that the sliding member is movable in an axial direction, and a coil spring is disposed between a flange provided on the shaft portion and the sliding member. A rubbing surface of the sliding member is in elastic contact with a receiving surface on an inner wall of an annular edge portion surrounding the opening. The rubbing surface and the receiving surface are spherical surfaces centered on a tilting center of the shaft portion.
US08400327B2
A method for querying a measurement value, wherein the measurement value is converted into a modulation signal that influences the reflective properties of a sensor antenna. A signal is emitted via a query device, wherein the signal is returned in an altered fashion by the sensor antenna and then received again by the query device. The measurement value is determined from the altered signal received. According to at least one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of measurement values are detected by sensors and the query device is moved past a plurality of sensor antennas in a vehicle or by a person. Thus, a plurality of sensors detect measurement values on a railroad line, for example. The vehicle is, for example, a rail vehicle traveling on the track of the railroad line.
US08400326B2
A telemetry system for use in developing a field of wells has a first downhole device capable of transmitting and/or receiving signals disposed in an appraisal well, an electronics control system located at or near the top of the appraisal, a cable disposed in the appraisal well that provides signal communication between the first downhole device and the electronics control system, and a second downhole device capable of transmitting and/or receiving signals disposed in a second wellbore. The signal is passed through the cable between the first downhole device and the electronics control system. From there, the signal may be re-transmitted to a desired location.
US08400325B2
An exemplary temperature controlled power line device includes a cable operable to transmit power. The cable includes a core and an oxidizing layer. The core and the oxidizing layer may be in selective electrical communication so as to initiate and halt oxidation of the core. The core may oxidize as a result of a galvanic reaction and the cable may be connected to a control box. The control box may be used to monitor as well as control the oxidation of the core.
US08400324B1
An apparatus for alerting shoppers at a checkout register having a bagging station with a rotating member having at least one bag support that is capable of pivoting between a first position, wherein the support is disposed prior to loading a merchandise into an at least one bag supported on the at least one bag support, and a second position wherein the at least one bag support is tilted outwardly relative to the bagging station. The apparatus includes at least one switch in contact with the bag support and an indicator in electrical communication with the switch for indicating that the at least one bag support is disposed in the second position.
US08400323B2
An occupant detection system and method are provided for detecting an occupant seated in a vehicle seat. An electrode is arranged in a seat proximate to an expected location of an occupant for sensing an occupant proximate thereto. The electrode may be integrated with a seat heater. Control circuitry controls the seat heater. A signal generator is coupled to the electrode and configured output to the electrode a plurality of signals at a plurality of frequencies. Occupant detection circuitry detects voltages responsive to the plurality of signals at the plurality of frequencies and detects a state of occupancy based on the detected voltages. An LC circuit coupled to the electrode and the control circuitry suppresses capacitance generated by the control circuitry.
US08400322B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for scalable media output. The apparatus includes a proximity sensor module to detect the presence and proximity of a user, and to generate presence and proximity data in response to the location of the user with respect to the proximity sensor module. The sensor control module is configured to scale the media output of a media device. The system includes the apparatus and a display module configured to output visual information and an audio module configured to output aural information. The method includes detecting the presence and proximity of a user, generating presence and proximity data in response to the location of the user with respect to a proximity sensor module, communicating the presence and proximity data with a sensor control module, and scaling the media output of a media device in response to the presence and proximity data.
US08400320B2
System for monitoring oil level and detecting leaks in power transformers, reactors, current and potential transformers, high voltage bushings and the like, notably for a system that through the use of sensors and other electronic components measures and monitors transformers and similar equipment in real time, filled with insulating oil, with greater precision and without need for floats or mobile mechanical parts, while presenting countless facilities in the sense of making level monitoring more reliable and safer, highlighting the level error calculations, oil leak detection alarm, excess oil detection alarm during the equipment filling process and calculation of tendencies of evolution for levels among other facilities.
US08400317B2
A hazardous condition alerting system is described that provides a method for alerting on a hazardous condition. The method may include transmitting a location data item identifying a location of an alerting apparatus to a remote server. The method may further include receiving alert information from the remote server when the remote server makes the determination that the location of the alerting apparatus corresponds to a hazardous location. And the method may further include providing a local alert on the alerting apparatus when the alert information from the remote server is received by the alerting apparatus.
US08400301B1
A window safety and security device detects unauthorized movement of a double-hung window, sliding window, or door upon which the safety and security device is installed and communicates an alarm in response to the detecting. The device includes a housing, a suction cup affixed to or integral with the housing configured to be removably attached to an inside glass pane of a first sash of a double-hung window, sliding window or door. An electrical switch is disposed in, on or affixed to the housing for contacting a portion of a second sash when the second sash is slid to a fixed position to actuate the switch. A light or a buzzer or both communicates a detected window or door movement sufficient to cause a change of state in the switch.
US08400300B2
A wallet includes semi-rigid first and second portions each having an outer side and an inner side, the second portion being hingedly coupled to the first portion whereby the second portion is movable relative to the first portion to define open and closed configurations. The first portion inner side includes a pocket. A foldable changing pad is operatively coupled to at least one of the first portion and the second portion. The wallet includes a speaker and a sensor for determining when the first and second portions are at the open configuration. A processor is data communication with the speaker and the sensor. Programming causes the processor to automatically actuate the speaker an amount of time after the sensor determines that the first and second portions are at the open configuration.
US08400297B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for a power conserving active RFID label. A system for performing radio frequency (RF) communications includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached to one or more items to be tracked, the RFID tag configured to receive a request and a time interval indicating a time for determining a temperature and a battery voltage, and to adjust the time interval at a time of determining the temperature and the battery voltage if the detected voltage is less than a predetermined voltage, and an interrogator communicatively coupled to one or more antennas to transmit one or more requests to the RFID tag and to receive one or more responses, at least one response including a time, temperature and battery voltage.
US08400289B2
Disclosed is a tire pressure monitoring system for motor vehicles, including a central unit (2, 7) with at least one trigger module (4), which is integrated into the central unit or connects through control lines (3) to the central unit, and with at least one tire module (6) arranged in a vehicle wheel (5), with the tire module being in communication with the central unit and the trigger module by means of wireless transmission technology, and with the tire pressure monitoring system including fewer trigger modules than tire modules.
US08400288B2
An operator configurable vehicle instrument panel with the ability to provide both analog and digital style outputs, and more particularly to an instrument panel configured to provide a digital style display in a first state and an analog state display in a second state using a physical pointer that was not visible in the first state.
US08400284B2
A method for controlling headlights on a vehicle includes detecting for a wiper switch state for a wiper switch on a vehicle, detecting wiper operations, incrementing a counter value by x until the counter value reaches a headlight ON threshold, counting toward a time threshold, decrementing the counter value by x until the counter value reaches a headlight OFF threshold value, and changing a state of the headlights based on the counter value reaching one of the headlight ON threshold and the headlight OFF threshold. Incrementing the counter value by x can occur in response to each detected wiper operation. Counting toward the time threshold can occur in response to detecting a wiper switch OFF state. Decrementing the counter value by x can occur in response to each instance of the time threshold elapsing with no change from the wiper switch OFF state. A plurality of intermediate counter values can be found between the headlight ON threshold and the headlight OFF threshold. A control system is also disclosed.
US08400272B2
A method and device enables improving a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of a backscatter signal received from a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The method includes generating a continuous wave (CW) carrier signal at the reader device (step 505). An amplitude modulation (AM) noise component of the CW carrier signal is then detected (step 510). The AM noise component is inverted to an inverted noise signal (step 515), and the inverted noise signal is summed with the CW carrier signal to provide an AM noise cancelled carrier signal (step 520). The AM noise cancelled carrier signal is then transmitted from an antenna of the reader device (step 525), and the backscatter signal is received at the reader device in response to transmission of the AM noise cancelled carrier signal (step 530).
US08400268B1
The system comprises a plurality of reference tags affixed to reference locations in a coverage area and configured to form a wireless mesh network. The system also includes a call tag configured to communicate with the plurality of reference tags and to collect data regarding the communication with the plurality of reference tags. The call tag is configured to send a first signal in response to an event. A positioning system is coupled to the wireless mesh network and configured to receive the first signal and the data collected by the call tag. The positioning system is further configured to process the data collected by the call tag to determine the call tag location with respect to the plurality of reference tags. A portable electronic device is configured to communicate with the wireless mesh network and configured to receive call tag location from the positioning system.
US08400261B2
A motor vehicle includes control apparatus for establishing an interactive human-machine interface (HMI) between a vehicle driver and an on-board communication system that is wirelessly coupled to a nomadic communication device carried by the driver. The on-board communication system has the ability to activate the nomadic communication device to check for messages, and the interactive HMI includes a configurable display through which check-message inquiries are selectively communicated to the driver, and an input device selectively manipulated by the driver to accept a check-message inquiry. An HMI controller responsive to sensed vehicle operating condition data and driver manipulation of the input device determines if and when a check-message inquiry should be communicated to the driver.
US08400256B2
A hand covering that may be in the form of a glove includes at least one finger receptacle having a sheath wall with an external surface and an internal surface, an outer strand having a metallic component and an inner strand. The outer strand includes a portion that extends into the sheath wall of the receptacle such that the portion of the outer strand does not cross the interior surface of the sheath wall of the receptacle. The outer strand and the inner strand are associated with one another such that, when a finger of a user is accommodated in the at least one receptacle, an electrical conductivity path exists that includes the finger of the user, the inner strand, and the outer strand.
US08400252B2
Disclosed is a fuse resistor representing superior manufacturing efficiency and assembling reliability. The fuse resistor includes a resistor, a thermal fuse that is disconnected by heat generated from the resistor, and a case receiving the resistor and the thermal fuse therein and having a space section for transferring radiant heat of the resistor to the thermal fuse. Fillers are not required so that the manufacturing process is simplified. Since the assembling process is completed by covering a body of the case with a cap after the resistor and the thermal fuse have been inserted into the body, the manufacturing efficiency is improved.
US08400248B2
Provided is a wireless power transfer device. The wireless power transfer device includes: a base substrate including a base coil; transmission substrates spaced from the base substrate and including transmission coils; and a contact plug penetrating the base substrate and the transmission substrates to connect one ends of the transmission coils; wherein the transmission coils have the greater turn number than the base coil and transmitting/receiving a power signal through a magnetic resonance method.
US08400245B2
Magnetic components including pre-formed clips are described that are more amenable to production on a miniaturized scale. Discrete core pieces can be assembled with pre-formed coils and physically gapped from one another with more efficient manufacturing techniques.
US08400241B2
A magnetically-triggered proximity switch includes a cylindrical switch body and a bias member non-movably secured within the switch body. The proximity switch also includes first and second normally-closed contacts and first and second normally-open contacts. The proximity switch further includes a spherical contact magnet disposed within the switch body, with the contact magnet being movable relative to the bias member from a first switch position and a second switch position. In the first switch position, an attraction to the bias member maintains the contact magnet in contact with the first and second normally-closed contacts, thereby completing a circuit between the first and second normally-closed contacts. In the second switch position, an attraction to a movable target external to the switch body moves the contact magnet into contact with the first and second normally-open contacts, thereby completing a circuit between the first and second normally-open contacts.
US08400239B2
The switching device includes an actuation magnet provided in a magnet chamber and fixed in the magnet chamber by at least one spring element, at least one displaceable switch contact, the at least one displaceable switch contact being displaceable by the actuation magnet and at least one stationary switch contact, the magnet chamber including an assembly opening for inserting or removing a tolerance insert.
US08400234B2
An apparatus for removing a leakage signal includes a coupler including a transmission port through which a transmission signal is input, an antenna port through which the transmission signal is output to an antenna and a receiving signal is input from the antenna, and a receiving port through which the receiving signal is output; and a removing unit which outputs, to the receiving port, a leakage removing signal having a same magnitude as one of or a sum of a magnitude of a first leakage signal of the transmission signal, which is generated at the transmission port and input to the receiving port, and a magnitude of a second leakage signal of the transmission signal which is input to the receiving port through the antenna port, the leakage removing signal having an opposite phase to one of the phases or an aggregate phase of the first and second leakage signals.
US08400232B2
A balun includes a first set of wound conductors includes a first loop portion and a second loop portion. The first loop portion and the second loop portion are conductively coupled and form a first figure eight structure. The balun further includes a second set of wound conductors includes a third loop portion and a fourth loop portion. The third loop portion and the fourth loop portion are conductively coupled and form a second figure eight structure. The first loop portion and the third loop portion are inductively coupled. The second loop portion and the fourth loop portion are inductively coupled.
US08400231B2
A high-frequency coupler and a communication device are compact, capable of efficiently communicating a large volume of data over a short distance and can be used in combination with a non-contact IC card. The high-frequency coupler includes magnetic-field-generating patterns and a surrounding pattern disposed around a periphery thereof, and is used to communicate a large volume of data over a short distance in a communication system that uses broadband frequencies. Out of the magnetic fields radiated in directions perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane of the patterns from the magnetic-field-generating patterns, portions extending laterally in the plane of the patterns are blocked by the surrounding pattern, the magnetic fields are lengthened in a direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the plane of the patterns and the communication distance is increased.
US08400229B2
An vector modulator using a time delay and a phase shifter is disclosed, the vector modulator including a time delay (110) varying a phase of an input signal by time-delaying the input signal; a first coupler (120) converting the signal outputted in changed phase through the time delay to an I channel signal and a Q channel signal each having a 90° phase difference and outputting the I/Q channel signals; a first phase shifter (130) varying the phase of the I channel signal outputted from the first coupler within a predetermined phase range and outputting the phase-variable I channel signal; a second phase shifter (140) varying the Q channel signal outputted from the first coupler within a predetermined phase range and outputting the phase-variable Q channel signal; and a second coupler (150) coupling phase-variable I/Q channel signals and outputting the coupled signals.
US08400225B1
An optically tunable cavity for an electronic device concurrently achieves high bandwidth (for example, at least about 10 percent, typically greater than about 50 percent) with high DC-RF efficiency (for example, at least about 50 percent, typically greater than about 85 percent). The electronic device may be a vacuum electronic device, including linear-beam and cross-field devices, with either an input circuit or an output circuit, or both, containing a photocapacitance-controlled resonator embedded such that a laser beam can impinge upon a semiconductor gap of the resonator. The laser beam may instantaneously change the resonant mode of the overall loaded cavity, thus allowing for amplification or oscillation of the desired frequency throughout the vacuum electronic device.
US08400223B2
An amplifier arrangement with an amplifier arrangement input and an amplifier arrangement output is disclosed. The amplifier arrangement comprises a first transistor and a first ballast resistance, wherein the first ballast resistance connects a first transistor base of the first transistor to a common base terminal at least one second transistor and at least one second ballast resistance, wherein the at least one second ballast resistance connects a second transistor base of the at least second transistor to the common base terminal; and a feedback device comprising a feedback input terminal for sensing at least a base voltage of the first transistor and further comprising a feedback output terminal that is connected to the common base terminal.
US08400219B2
Circuits are disclosed that may include a plurality of transistors having controllable current paths coupled between at least a first and second node, the transistors configured to generate an analog electrical output signal in response to an analog input value; wherein at least one of the transistors has a deeply depleted channel formed below its gate that includes a substantially undoped channel region formed over a relatively highly doped screen layer formed over a doped body region.
US08400216B2
Disclosed is a 3-way Doherty power amplifier using a driving amplifier in which driving amplifiers are connected to the front stages of a carrier amplifier and a peaking amplifier, respectively, so as to obtain a high gain and a high efficiency. To this end, the Doherty power amplifier includes: a hybrid power distributor for distributing an input signal into first and second path units; and a driving amplifier for receiving a signal outputted from the hybrid power distributor and controlling the driving of a carrier amplifier, a first peaking amplifier, and a second peaking amplifier, wherein: the carrier amplifier, the first peaking amplifier, and the second peaking amplifier are connected to a rear stage of the driving amplifier, respectively; the first path unit generates a high efficiency at a low input power; and the second path unit maintains a high efficiency and gain in a high output range.
US08400215B2
A power amplification device for a satellite communication device with a redundant configuration, in which a plurality of power amplifiers including a standby power amplifier are connected in a ring shape, and which easily switches connection to the standby power amplifier in a case of a failure in active power amplifiers without closing a detour route. The power amplification device for the satellite communication device includes a plurality of basic units each including: a plurality of power amplifiers including at least one standby power amplifier, which are arranged in parallel; a plurality of switches provided to input ends and output ends of the plurality of power amplifiers for switching connection paths; and bypass connection lines for connecting the plurality of switches in a ring shape, and the plurality of basic units are connected in cascade.
US08400214B2
This disclosure describes at least one class AB amplifier output stage circuit arrangement that can operate at low supply voltages, with minimum current generated. Furthermore, at least one class AB amplifier stage circuit arrangement described herein reacts favorably to a supply voltage, that is, exhibits a good power supply rejection ratio. Moreover, this disclosure describes class AB amplifier output stage circuit arrangements that include a negative channel metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) transistor current mirror arrangement and a positive channel metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS) transistor current mirror arrangement. In some implementations, a monitoring circuit may be coupled to a class AB amplifier output stage circuit arrangement to offset mismatch that may occur in the class AB amplifier output stage.
US08400212B1
A regulator system for a charge pump system divides the binary decoding into two branches. One controls a set of parallel connected resistors for fine output voltage steps. The other branch controls a serial resistor to provide the large step size. For example, a 9-bit digital input signal is split into 2 least significant for the fine adjustment and the other 7 bits for the larger adjustments. In the example of a 50 mV step size, in one current path 2 bits of the binary input then control two parallel resistors for 50 mV and 100 mV step size, and in the other current path 7 bits are used for one-hot-decode control serial resistors to provide a 200 mV step size. A unity gain operational amplifier and a high voltage device are added in between the two branches to decouple the parasitic capacitance of large parallel resistors from the other elements.
US08400211B2
An integrated circuit includes a first pass gate and a first receiver electrically coupled with the first pass gate. The first receiver includes a first N-type transistor. A first gate of the first N-type transistor is electrically coupled with the first pass gate. A first P-type bulk of the first N-type transistor is surrounded by a first N-type doped region. The first N-type doped region is surrounded by a first N-type well. The first N-type doped region has a dopant concentration higher than that of the first N-type well.
US08400208B2
Switch circuits are disclosed, for providing a single-ended and a differentially switched high-voltage output signals by switching a high supply voltage in response to at least one logic-level control signal. The switch that provides the single-ended switched high-voltage output signal includes a chain of at least three serially coupled field effect transistors (FETs). The chain receives the high supply voltage and switches it to output the high-voltage output signal. The switch that provides the differentially switched high-voltage output signal includes two differentially coupled chains, each having at least three serially coupled FETs. The chains receive the high supply voltage and switch it to output the differential high-voltage output signal. A control/bias circuit provides a control voltage to at least one of the FETs in the chains, responsive to the control signal.
US08400206B2
According to one embodiment, a level shifter circuit operable with a low voltage input comprises first and second pull-down switches configured to receive the low voltage input as respective non-inverted and inverted control voltages, first and second pull-up switches coupled between the respective first and second pull-down switches and an output supply voltage, and a pull-up boost switching stage coupled to a node between the first pull-up switch and the first pull-down switch. The pull-up boost switching stage is configured to turn ON in response to the second pull-down switch turning ON, and to turn OFF before the first pull-up switch turns OFF. In one embodiment, the level shifter circuit may be implemented as part of an input/output (IO) pad of an integrated circuit (IC) fabricated on a semiconductor die.
US08400203B1
The delay circuit, such as a clock circuit, of an integrated circuit operates with tolerance of variation in temperature. For example, the delay circuit has a temperature dependent current generator that has an adjustable temperature coefficient, such that a range of temperature coefficients is selectable at a particular current output. Also, the clock circuit of an integrated circuit operates with multiple versions of a current that controls a discharging rate and/or a charging rate between reference signals of timing circuitry.
US08400188B2
A variety of edge-detection related devices, methods and systems are implemented in various fashions. One implementation is directed to an edge detector circuit for detecting an edge of an input signal and producing an output level-sensitive signal that is synchronous to a clock signal having an active edge corresponding to a transition from a first-signal level to a second-signal level. A first flip-flop has the input signal as a clock input and produces an internal level-sensitive signal and is reset by the output level-sensitive signal. Logic passes the level-sensitive signal when the clock signal is at the second-signal level and blocks the internal level-sensitive signal when the clock signal is at the first-signal level. A second flip-flop is set by the passed internal level-sensitive signal to produce the output level-sensitive signal. The second flip-flop is cleared in response to the output level-sensitive signal, a reset input and the clock signal.
US08400181B2
A wafer is disclosed that includes a plurality of pipeline interconnected integrated circuit dies that form a plurality of pipelines. A plurality of dies in each pipeline is connected to receive scanned output test data from a neighboring die in a pipeline. A wafer level test access mechanism (TAM) transceiver circuitry, located outside the plurality of pipeline interconnected IC dies, is connected in common to each of the pipelines to provide input test data in a parallel fashion to the plurality of pipelines. The wafer level test access mechanism transceiver circuitry also provides output test results from each of the pipelines for evaluation by a computerized test system. In one embodiment, the wafer level test access mechanism transceiver circuitry is wireless so that it wirelessly receives test data to be passed through the multiple pipelines on a wafer and also includes wireless transmit circuitry to transmit test results from each of the pipelines. When on the wafer, the dies in a pipeline are interconnected with pipeline die test interconnection paths that provide pipeline test information interconnection among the plurality of dies in the pipeline.
US08400169B2
The disclosure is directed to a capacitive sensor for measuring a small biomedical electrical charge originating from an object under test comprising input circuit elements having an electrode for sensing the charge to provide an output signal that is a function of the charge being measured, wherein the electrode has no electrical contact with the object; amplification circuit elements (A) connected to the input circuit elements; processing circuit elements configured for receiving and processing the amplified output signal and to provide the measurement; and conditioning and monitoring circuit elements coupled to at least the input circuit elements comprising monitoring circuit elements and conditioning circuit elements; (R1) wherein the monitoring circuit elements are configured for monitoring the amplified output signal to detect an error in a measurement that is greater than a preset value caused by charge buildup on the electrode; and wherein the conditioning circuit elements are configured to be activated for. discharging the electrode when the error in the measurement is detected by the monitoring circuit elements and the conditioning circuit elements are configured to be deactivated, when the error in the measurement is no longer detected.
US08400164B2
Methods and systems method for sensing a position of an object in a body include positioning a probe in the body, making measurements of mapping electrical currents passing between at least a first electrode on the probe and a plurality of second electrodes on a surface of the body, calibrating the measurements so as to compensate for one or more non-ideal features of the measurements including effects of system-dependent electrical coupling to one or more devices other than the first electrode and the second electrodes, and computing the position of the probe in the body using the calibrated measurements.
US08400159B2
Methods and related systems are described for determining the casing attenuation factor for various frequencies from measurements of the impedance of the transmitting or receiving coil of wire of. The compensation is based on two relationships. The first relationship is between one or more measured impedance parameters and the product of casing conductivity, casing thickness and electromagnetic frequency. The second relationship is between the casing correction factor and the product of casing conductivity, casing thickness and electromagnetic frequency.
US08400144B2
A rotational position sensor includes a rotating body rotatably supported around a predetermined axis line by a bearing portion of a housing and a sensor unit having a movable sensor element arranged at the rotating body to detect a rotational angle position of the rotating body and a fixed sensor element arranged at the housing. The rotating body includes a tapered annular contact face defining a part of a virtual cone face with a vertex on the axis line and the bearing portion includes a tapered annular bearing face rotatably supporting the annular contact face on the virtual cone face. Accordingly, the rotating body is consistently located on the axis line due to an automatic alignment effect. Therefore, the rotational angle position of the rotating body can be detected with high accuracy even with occurrence of aging variation such as wearing at a bearing area.
US08400129B2
The present invention provides an adaptive constant on-time switching regulator which comprises a switching circuit, a control circuit, and an output circuit. The control circuit controls the switches in the switching circuit to be turned on for an adaptive constant time, and be turned off for a minimum time.
US08400123B2
A voltage converter includes input terminals configured to receive an input voltage, and output terminals configured to provide an output voltage and an output current. At least one first converter stage is connected between the input terminals and the output terminals, having at least one unipolar transistor, and configured to provide a first output current. At least one second converter stage is connected between the input terminals and the output terminals, having at least one bipolar transistor, and configured to provide a second output current. A control circuit is configured to control the first output current and the second output current such that there is a first output current range in which the first output current is higher than the second output current.
US08400114B2
A DC power tool having an interiorly provided lithium battery element and a charging switch includes a safety protection module to eliminate the risk of circuitry burn-out and other dangers resulting from connecting the power tool to a power supply with unmatched rated voltage and rated current when charging the power tool via use of an adapter.
US08400110B2
According to one embodiment, an AC power adapter for providing voltage to an electrically-operated device includes a power converter module electrically coupled to a power source via at least one hot lead and at least one neutral lead. The power converter module is configured to convert voltage received from the power source to voltage suitable for use by the electrically-operated device. The AC power adapter also includes a relay circuit coupled to the hot lead to control the voltage passing from the power source to the power converter module.
US08400107B2
When a user performs a short-press manipulation to A button or B button, a vehicle ID associated with either A button or B button having received the short-press manipulation is specified based on a button-vehicle correspondence table. Charge status information of a battery of a vehicle corresponding to the above associated vehicle ID is acquired from the vehicle. Thereby, the display device displays the acquired charge status information or the electric power supply is started to the battery of the vehicle corresponding to the vehicle ID.
US08400106B2
The invention relates to a recharging station (10) for recharging an electric vehicle (50) powered by energy storage means (52), said vehicle (50) being designed to follow a route via a point at which the recharging station (10) is situated, said station (10) including recharging means (12) suitable for recharging the storage means (52) of the electric vehicle (50) while said vehicle is in the vicinity of the station. The invention is characterized in that the recharging means (12) comprise a storage device (14) suitable for storing electrical energy delivered by an electrical energy source (16), and connection means (18) for electrically connecting the storage device (14) of the station (10) to the storage means (52) of the vehicle (50), and for transferring the energy stored in the storage device (14) of the station (10) to the storage means (52) of the electric vehicle (50).
US08400099B2
A meter system includes: an indicator including a pointer, a step motor, a stopper mechanism and a driving controller; and a flasher function unit including a flasher switch, a flasher and a flasher controller. The driving controller has: a stopper position detection operation executing element for executing a pointer moving away operation when a stopper position detection operation executing condition is satisfied and for executing a voltage detection type zero point stopper position detection operation when the executing condition is satisfied, and the flasher switch does not turn on and off, and a zero point return enforcement type zero point stopper position detection operation when the executing condition is satisfied, and the flasher switch turns on and off; a zero point setting element; and an applying element for applying the driving signal having the zero point.
US08400093B2
A system for detecting a backspin condition of a motor in an electrical submersible pump is disclosed herein. The system comprises a sensor mounted proximate to the motor, the sensor outputting a signal, a power cable connected between a motor and a controller, the power cable supplying a three phase AC voltage to the motor, one phase of the three phase signal having a control signal thereon; electronics connected to the sensor, the electronics receiving the signal and propagating the signal to the controller; and a computer defining the controller, the controller having a non-transitory memory, a computer processor, and a computer program product stored on the memory and executable by the processor, the computer program product performing a process of controlling the variable speed drive of the motor and a process of monitoring the signal from the sensor to determine if the motor is backspinning.
US08400076B2
An electronic circuit for driving an LED device, including an LED, a driver for supply current to the LED array, and one or two current detection modules connected to one or both ends of the LED array for detecting current level and sending signals about the current level detected to the driver, which will break the circuit immediately upon detecting a fault condition on either side of the LED array based on the feedback from one or both current detection modules.
US08400072B2
The present invention discloses a light emitting device driver circuit and a method for driving a light emitting device. In the present invention, the secondary windings of a transformer provide positive and negative secondary voltages, so as to generate positive and negative output voltages. A light emitting device circuit is coupled between the positive and negative output voltages. As such, the specification to withstand high voltage for a device in the circuit is reduced.
US08400070B2
An electronic ballast is provided, including first a second input connections for connecting an alternating supply voltage; an EMC filter; a rectifier; a capacitor for providing the DC operating voltage for the output stage; and a power factor correction device, which comprises a number n of partial devices for power factor correction, as well as a control device for controlling the number n of partial devices, the power to be provided at the output of the power factor correction device being a total power currently to be provided, the power to be provided by the partial device i being a currently to be provided partial power of the partial device i. The control device is configured to control at least first and second partial devices as a function of the currently to be provided total power in such that their currently to be provided partial powers differ from one another.
US08400064B2
A transient voltage suppressor circuit is disclosed for a plurality (N) of LEDs connected in series. Only one zener diode is created for connection to each node between LEDs, and a pair of zener diodes (the “end” zener diodes) are connected to the two pins (anode and cathode pads) of the series string. Therefore, only N+1 zener diodes are used. The end zener diodes (Q1 and Qn+1) effectively create back-to-back zener diodes across the two pins since the zener diodes share a common p+ substrate. The n+ regions of the end zener diodes Q1 and Qn+1 have the highest breakdown voltage requirement and must be placed relatively far apart. Adjacent n+ regions of the intermediate zener diodes have a much lower breakdown voltage requirement so may be located close together. The zener diodes may be placed within a very small footprint or can be larger for better suppressor performance.
US08400055B2
An organic electroluminescence apparatus includes a support substrate having a pixel region; a plurality of pixels; organic electroluminescence devices each having at least a first electrode layer, an emission layer, and a translucent second electrode layer; and an auxiliary wiring layer having a stripe-like pattern or a grid-like pattern. The apparatus emits light emitted from the organic electroluminescence device from the side where the second electrode layer is disposed, the second electrode layer is disposed over the entire or approximately the entire pixel region, and the auxiliary wiring layer is formed of a metal layer having a thickness capable of achieving translucency and is disposed so as to, in the plan view, overlap at least part of the organic electroluminescence device of each of the plurality of the pixels.
US08400051B2
A light-emitting device is provided that can extract light in all directions and that has wide directivity. This light-emitting device includes: an elongated bar-shaped package extending sideways, the package being formed such that a plurality of leads are formed integrally with a first resin with part of the leads exposed; a light-emitting element that is fixed onto at least one of the leads and that is electrically connected to at least one of the leads; and a second resin sealing the light-emitting element. In the light-emitting device, the first resin and the second resin are formed of optically transparent resin, and the leads have outer lead portions used for external connection and protruding sideways from both left and right ends of the package.
US08400041B2
Segmented stator assemblies having a plurality of stator segments and a plurality of end caps are disclosed. According to one example embodiment, a segmented stator assembly includes a plurality of stator segments and a plurality of end caps. Each stator segment has a yoke portion and a tooth portion extending from the yoke portion. Each end cap is positioned over one of the stator segments. Each end cap includes a body portion positioned at least partially over the yoke portion of its associated stator segment. At least one of the body portions includes at least a first post that cooperates with a post of an adjacent end cap to define a first wire management tie-down. The stator assembly further includes a stator wire coupled to the first wire management tie-down. Stator assemblies and end caps having other wire management and routing features are also disclosed.
US08400036B1
A specific force capacity thrust bearing and a method for producing such a design for a particular application are disclosed. The magnetic flux density in the stator material is maximized by varying cross-sectional area normal to the flux path. After a set of initial parameters are chosen, the design can be improved upon by changing the design variables and then verifying the force capacity using a finite element program. By linking the finite element program to a model of the geometry and using some basic algorithms, it is possible to automatically iterate until an optimal design is reached. The resulting design has a much higher force capacity than designs typical of the prior art.
US08400028B2
Provided is a brushless AC generator for a vehicle, with improved cooling performance for an exiting core and an exciting coil. In the brushless AC generator for the vehicle, a rotor includes: magnetic-pole cores fixed to a shaft; a cylindrical exciting core fixed to a rear bracket, the exciting core being inserted into one of the magnetic-pole cores; and an exciting coil formed by winding a conductor around a minor-diameter portion of the exciting core. The rear bracket includes: vent holes for the rotor, through which cooling air generated by rotation of a cooling fin passes, the vent holes for the rotor being formed around a bearing housing portion for housing a rear bearing therein; and a guiding portion including an air duct for guiding the cooling air, which has passed through the vent holes for the rotor, to the exciting core.
US08400026B2
A circuit can include a supercapacitor switch including first and second terminals, that is configured to electrically couple the terminals to one another in a closed position and to electrically de-couple the terminals from one another in an open position responsive to a supercapacitor switch control signal. A first supercapacitor has a first terminal that is electrically coupled to the first terminal of the supercapacitor switch and has a second terminal that is electrically coupled to a reference voltage. A second supercapacitor has a first terminal that is electrically coupled to the second terminal of the supercapacitor switch and has a second terminal that is electrically coupled to the reference voltage.
US08400020B2
Described herein are embodiments of a source high-Q resonator, optionally coupled to an energy source, and a second high-Q resonator, optionally coupled to an energy drain that may be located a variable distance from the source resonator. The source resonator and the second resonator may be coupled to transfer electromagnetic energy from said source resonator to said second resonator over a distance D that is smaller than each of the resonant wavelengths λ1 and λ2 corresponding to the resonant frequencies ω1 and ω2, respectively.
US08400018B2
Described herein are embodiments of a source high-Q resonator optionally coupled to an energy source, and a second high-Q resonator, optionally coupled to an energy drain that may be located a distance from the source resonator. The source resonator and the second resonator may be coupled to provide κ/sqrt(Γ1Γ2)>0.2 via near-field wireless energy transfer among the source resonator and the second resonator.
US08400015B2
According to one embodiment, an apparatus for providing node redundant power to a system includes a plurality of devices, with each device including a power supply. Each power supply includes a first direct current (DC) input coupled to a first input of an OR logic gate, and a second DC input representing by an alternating current (AC) input. The second DC input is coupled to a second input of the OR logic gate, and at least one DC output is coupled to an output of the OR logic gate. Each power supply also includes a backup power supply for supplying a voltage coupled to a common node. The OR logic gate provides DC voltage to the DC output to power the system from the first DC input only when voltage from the AC input is not available.
US08400014B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for improving power efficiency in battery-charging DC power control systems when a power source input voltage is fluctuating. Power is received from the power sources in the form of AC or DC electrical energy and is controlled and regulated by the DC power control systems into DC voltages for charging batteries and/or for driving output loads. Input voltage from the power sources may fluctuate and may drop below a voltage level required to charge the batteries, resulting in a loss in power conversion efficiency. Embodiments of the present disclosure detect low input voltage, boost the low input voltage to a sufficient voltage level for charging the batteries, and manage the distribution of the battery power and input power to the loads to increase power efficiency while meeting load power demands.
US08400011B2
An illumination device improved in safety to the eye is provided. The illumination device includes: a semiconductor laser element to serve as an excitation light source which emits laser light; a fluorescent plate which contains a fluorescent substance for emitting light of a desired color and is irradiated with laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser element; a light receiving element part which detects light reflected from the fluorescent plate; and a light source control part which controls laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser element based on a detection signal from the light receiving element part.
US08400002B2
A series of underwater sails spaced apart, attach to a moving cable loop between pulleys with electric generators. The sails inflate by the force of the water current and drive the cable in the direction of the current to turn the generators to generate electricity. As the sails reach the end pulley or tail spool they deflate and are pulled back to the beginning power pulley in a continual repeated cycle.
US08399995B2
A semiconductor device includes a chip. The chip includes a single circuit element formed in a semiconductor substrate, a first metal layer on a first face of the semiconductor substrate, and a second metal layer on a second face of the semiconductor substrate opposite the first face. The first metal layer and the second metal layer are configured for accessing the single circuit element. A smaller of a first width of the first face of the semiconductor substrate and a second width of the first face of the semiconductor substrate perpendicular to the first width is less than or equal to a distance between an exposed face of the first metal layer parallel to the first face of the semiconductor substrate and an exposed face of the second metal layer parallel to the second face of the semiconductor substrate.
US08399994B2
A semiconductor chip includes a body part having a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface, and an opening passing from the first surface to the second surface of the body part.
US08399990B2
Method of forming top electrode for capacitor and interconnection in integrated passive device (IPD)
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate having a first conductive layer disposed on a top surface of the substrate. A high resistivity layer is formed over the substrate and the first conductive layer. A dielectric layer is deposited over the substrate, first conductive layer and high resistivity layer. A portion of the dielectric layer, high resistivity layer, and first conductive layer forms a capacitor stack. A first passivation layer is formed over the dielectric layer. A second conductive layer is formed over the capacitor stack and a portion of the first passivation layer. A first opening is etched in the dielectric layer to expose a surface of the high resistivity layer. A third and fourth conductive layer is deposited over the first opening in the dielectric layer and a portion of the first passivation layer.
US08399989B2
A circuitry component comprising a semiconductor substrate, a pad over said semiconductor substrate, a tantalum-containing layer on a side wall and a bottom surface of said pad, a passivation layer over said semiconductor substrate, an opening in said passivation layer exposing said pad, a titanium-containing layer over said pad exposed by said opening, and a gold layer over said titanium-containing layer.
US08399983B1
A semiconductor assembly with an integrated circuit (IC) and a companion device. An exemplary semiconductor assembly includes a printed circuit board (PCB) and first and second ICs. The PCB has first contacts on a top surface and second contacts on a bottom surface. The first contacts are vertically aligned with the second contacts and are electrically coupled by vias in the PCB. The first IC has first terminals respectively coupled to the first contacts of the PCB, the first terminals including first input/output (IO) terminals. The second IC includes at least one die, and second terminals coupled to at least a portion of the second contacts of the PCB. The second terminals include second IO terminals of the companion die, and are respectively coupled to those of the second contacts that are vertically aligned with those of the first contacts respectively coupled to the first IO terminals.
US08399981B2
An improved system and method for assigning power and ground pins and single ended or differential signal pairs for a ball grid array semiconductor package. In certain embodiments, the system uses a hexagonal pattern where the grid may be represented by a multiplicity of nested hexagonal patterns.
US08399979B2
An electrode connection structure of a semiconductor chip is provided to realize a highly reliable electrical connection with low stress without using a bump. A conductive member may be used for such an electrode connection structure. A semiconductor device is provided wherein semiconductor chips are arranged in layers without providing the semiconductor chips with a through via, and a method is provided for manufacturing such a semiconductor device. A part or all of the surface of a horizontal recess, which is formed in an adhesive layer arranged between a first electrode of a lower layer and a second electrode of an upper layer, is provided with a conductive member for connecting the first electrode and the second electrode.
US08399978B2
A device includes a vertical power semiconductor chip having an epitaxial layer and a bulk semiconductor layer. A first contact pad is arranged on a first main face of the power semiconductor chip and a second contact pad is arranged on a second main face of the power semiconductor chip opposite to the first main face. The device further comprises an electrically conducting carrier attached to the second contact pad.
US08399974B1
A method of forming a bonded shingle stacked die package is provided. The method includes providing a wafer, singulating the wafer into a plurality of strips, applying to at least a portion of at least one mating surface of each of the plurality of strips a material capable of reacting with the other mating surface, stacking the plurality of strips in an overlapping stair-step configuration, exposing the stacked strips to conditions sufficient to bond the plurality of strips together, and dicing the stacked strips into individual die shingle stack configurations.
US08399971B2
Packaged microelectronic devices and methods of manufacturing packaged microelectronic devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a microelectronic device includes forming a stand-off layer over a plurality of microelectronic dies on a semiconductor workpiece, and removing selected portions of the stand-off layer to form a plurality of stand-offs with the individual stand-offs positioned on a backside of a corresponding die. The method further includes cutting the semiconductor workpiece to singulate the dies, and attaching the stand-off on a first singulated die to a second die.
US08399970B2
When a metal ribbon is ultrasonic-bonded, a peripheral area of an island and hanging pins provided in the periphery of the island need to be clamped by use of clampers of a bonder to prevent the island from being lifted up. However, if no sufficiently-wide peripheral area of the island can be secured or no hinging pins can be provided due to the miniaturization of the device, there arises a problem that the island cannot be clamped. A protrusion, which protrudes toward a lead and has the same height as an end portion of the lead, is provided to an edge of the island opposed to the lead. Accordingly, when the protrusion and the end portion of the lead are simultaneously pressed by the damper, it is possible to prevent the island from being lifted up even when no hanging pin or no clamp area around the island is provided.
US08399969B2
A chip package and a fabrication method thereof are provided. The chip package includes a substrate and a chip disposed over the substrate. A solder layer is disposed between the chip and the substrate. A conductive pad is disposed between the solder layer and the substrate, wherein the conductive pad includes a first portion disposed under the solder layer, a second portion disposed away from the first portion and a connective portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion. The connective portion has a width which is narrower than a width of the first portion along a first direction perpendicular to a second direction extending from the first portion to the connective portion.
US08399968B2
A non-leaded integrated circuit package system is provided providing a die paddle of a lead frame, forming a dual row of terminals including outer terminal pads and inner terminal pads, and selectively fusing an extension between the die paddle and instances of the inner terminal pads.
US08399963B2
A chip package includes a substrate having a pad region, a device region, and a remained scribe region located at a periphery of the substrate; a signal and an EMI ground pads disposed on the pad region; a first and a second openings penetrating into the substrate to expose the signal and the EMI ground pads, respectively; a first and a second conducting layers located in the first and the second openings and electrically connecting the signal and the EMI ground pads, respectively, wherein the first conducting layer and the signal pad are separated from a periphery of the remained scribe region, and wherein a portion of the second conducting layer and/or the EMI ground pad extend(s) to a periphery of the remained scribe region; and a third conducting layer surrounding the periphery of the remained scribe region to electrically connect the second conducting layer and/or the EMI ground pad.
US08399959B2
According to one exemplary embodiment, a programmable poly fuse includes a P type resistive poly segment forming a P-N junction with an adjacent N type resistive poly segment. The programmable poly fuse further includes a P side silicided poly line contiguous with the P type resistive poly segment and coupled to a P side terminal of the poly fuse. The programmable poly fuse further includes an N side silicided poly line contiguous with the N type resistive poly segment and coupled to an N side terminal of the poly fuse. During a normal operating mode, a voltage less than or equal to approximately 2.5 volts is applied to the N side terminal of the programmable poly fuse. A voltage higher than approximately 3.5 volts is required at the N side terminal of the poly fuse to break down the P-N junction.
US08399954B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit device according to an embodiment of the invention includes: a protective element formed on a semiconductor substrate; and a plurality of wiring layers composed of insulating layers including a layer that is a low dielectric-constant film, and metal lines, in which a metal line in a second wiring layer and a metal line in a first wiring layer among the plurality of wiring layers extend from the other region above the semiconductor substrate to a region electrically connected with the protective element.
US08399944B2
A light emitting diode and a method for fabricating the same are provided. The light emitting diode includes: a transparent substrate; a semiconductor material layer formed on the top surface of a substrate with an active layer generating light; and a fluorescent layer formed on the back surface of the substrate with controlled varied thicknesses. The ratio of light whose wavelength is shifted while propagating through the fluorescent layer and the original light generated in the active layer can be controlled by adjusting the thickness of the fluorescent layer, to emit desirable homogeneous white light from the light emitting diode.
US08399938B2
An FET device includes a plurality of Fin-FET devices. The fins of the Fin-FET devices are composed of a first material. The FET device includes a second material, which is epitaxially merging the fins. The fins are vertically recessed relative to an upper surface of the second material. The FET device furthermore includes a continuous silicide layer formed over the fins and over the second material, and a stress liner covering the device.
US08399937B2
A semiconductor body (1) comprises a connecting lead (21) for contacting a semiconductor area (2). The conductivity S per unit length of the connecting lead (21) changes from a first value SW to a second value S0. The semiconductor area (2) is electrically conductively connected to the connecting lead (21).
US08399933B2
A method of fabricating an integrated circuit and an integrated circuit having silicon on a stress liner are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a semiconductor substrate comprising an embedded disposable layer, and removing at least a portion of the disposable layer to form a void within the substrate. This method further comprises depositing a material in that void to form a stress liner, and forming a transistor on an outside semiconductor layer of the substrate. This semiconductor layer separates the transistor from the stress liner. In one embodiment, the substrate includes isolation regions; and the removing includes forming recesses in the isolation regions, and removing at least a portion of the disposable layer via these recesses. In one embodiment, the depositing includes depositing a material in the void via the recesses. End caps may be formed in the recesses at ends of the stress liner.
US08399932B2
A semiconductor device includes a silicon substrate; an element isolation region; an element region including a first well; a contact region; a gate electrode extending from the element region to a sub-region of the element isolation region between the element region and the contact region; a source diffusion region; a drain diffusion region; a first insulating region contacting a lower end of the source diffusion region; a second insulating region contacting a lower end of the drain diffusion region; and a via plug configured to electrically connect the gate electrode with the contact region. The first well is disposed below the gate electrode and is electrically connected with the contact region via the silicon substrate under the sub-region. The lower end of the element isolation region except the sub-region is located lower than the lower end of the first well.
US08399926B2
A FinFET and nanowire transistor with strain direction optimized in accordance with the sideface orientation and carrier polarity and an SMT-introduced manufacturing method for achieving the same are provided. A semiconductor device includes a pMISFET having a semiconductor substrate, a rectangular solid-shaped semiconductor layer formed at upper part of the substrate to have a top surface parallel to a principal plane of the substrate and a sideface with a (100) plane perpendicular to the substrate's principal plane, a channel region formed in the rectangular semiconductor layer, a gate insulating film formed at least on the sideface of the rectangular layer, a gate electrode on the gate insulator film, and source/drain regions formed in the rectangular semiconductor layer to interpose the channel region therebetween. The channel region is applied a compressive strain in the perpendicular direction to the substrate principal plane. A manufacturing method of the device is also disclosed.
US08399922B2
A method for fabricating double-gate and tri-gate transistors in the same process flow is described. In one embodiment, a sacrificial layer is formed over stacks that include semiconductor bodies and insulative members. The sacrificial layer is planarized prior to forming gate-defining members. After forming the gate-defining members, remaining insulative member portions are removed from above the semiconductor body of the tri-gate device but not the I-gate device. This facilitates the formation of metallization on three sides of the tri-gate device, and the formation of independent gates for the I-gate device.
US08399921B2
The manufacturing method includes the steps of: providing a semiconductor base of a first conduction type; forming a first epitaxial layer with a plurality of epitaxial pillars of therein on a first surface of the semiconductor base, wherein the epitaxial pillars have a conduction type opposite to the first epitaxial layer; forming a plurality of first shallow trenches and a plurality of second shallow trenches alternately on the epitaxial pillars and the first epitaxial layer, wherein the first shallow trench has a width greater than the width of the second shallow trench and the first shallow trench is extended downward to the epitaxial pillar; and forming a plurality of gate regions in the first shallow trenches respectively; forming a plurality of source regions on both sides of the first shallow trench; and forming a source metal conducting wire to connect the source regions.
US08399918B2
An electronic device can include a tunnel structure that includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and tunnel dielectric layer disposed between the electrodes. In a particular embodiment, the tunnel structure may or may not include an intermediate doped region that is at the primary surface, abuts a lightly doped region, and has a second conductivity type opposite from and a dopant concentration greater than the lightly doped region. In another embodiment, the electrodes have opposite conductivity types. In a further embodiment, an electrode can be formed from a portion of a substrate or well region, and the other electrode can be formed over such portion of the substrate or well region.
US08399914B2
A solid-state imaging device includes a photoelectric conversion unit that includes a first region of a first conductivity type and a second region of a second conductivity type between which a pn junction is formed, the first region and the second region being formed in a signal-readout surface of a semiconductor substrate, the second region being located at a position deeper than the first region; and a transfer transistor configured to transfer signal charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit to a readout drain through a channel region that lies under a surface of the first region and horizontally adjacent to the photoelectric conversion unit, the transfer transistor being formed in the signal-readout surface. The transfer transistor includes a transfer gate electrode that extends from above the channel region with a gate insulating film therebetween to above the first region so as to extend across a step.
US08399912B2
Some exemplary embodiments of a III-nitride power device including a HEMT with multiple interconnect metal layers and a solderable front metal structure using solder bars for external circuit connections have been disclosed. The solderable front metal structure may comprise a tri-metal such as TiNiAg, and may be configured to expose source and drain contacts of the HEMT as alternating elongated digits or bars. Additionally, a single package may integrate multiple such HEMTs wherein the front metal structures expose alternating interdigitated source and drain contacts, which may be advantageous for DC-DC power conversion circuit designs using III-nitride devices. By using solder bars for external circuit connections, lateral conduction is enabled, thereby advantageously reducing device Rdson.
US08399908B2
Methods for making a programmable metallization memory cell are disclosed.
US08399907B2
In one embodiment, a power transistor device comprises a substrate that forms a PN junction with an overlying buffer layer. The power transistor device further includes a first region, a drift region that adjoins a top surface of the buffer layer, and a body region. The body region separates the first region from the drift region. First and second dielectric regions respectively adjoin opposing lateral sidewall portions of the drift region. The dielectric regions extend in a vertical direction from at least just beneath the body region down at least into the buffer layer. First and second field plates are respectively disposed in the first and second dielectric regions. A trench gate that controls forward conduction is disposed above the dielectric region adjacent to and insulated from the body region.
US08399897B2
An optical device package includes a substrate having an upper surface, a distal end, a proximal end, and distal and proximal longitudinally extending notches co-linearly aligned with each other. A structure is mounted to the substrate and has at least one recessed portion. The structure can be a lid or a frame to which a lid is bonded. An optical fiber is positioned within at least one of the proximal longitudinally extending notch and the distal longitudinally extending notch and within the recessed portion of the structure mounted to the substrate. The optical device package can also include conductive legs extending upwardly from bonding pads on the upper surface of the substrate to facilitate flip mounting of the optical device package onto a circuit board or other such platform.
US08399896B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes n-type and p-type semiconductor layers, barrier layers, and a well layer. The n-type and p-type semiconductor layers and the barrier layers include nitride semiconductor. The barrier layers are provided between the n-type and p-type semiconductor layers. The well layer is provided between the barrier layers, has a smaller band gap energy than the barrier layers, and includes InGaN. At least one of the barrier layers includes first, second, and third layers. The second layer is provided closer to the p-type semiconductor layer than the first layer. The third layer is provided closer to the p-type semiconductor layer than the second layer. The second layer includes AlxGa1−xN (0
US08399892B2
A display device includes, on a substrate, light emitting elements each formed by sequentially stacking a first electrode layer, an organic layer including a light emission layer, and a second electrode layer and arranged in first and second directions which cross each other, a drive circuit including drive elements that drive light emitting elements, and a wiring extending in the first direction, and an insulating layer disposed in a gap region sandwiched by the light emitting elements neighboring in the second direction and having a recess or a projection. The wiring is disposed in an overlap region overlapping with the recess or the projection in the insulating layer in a thickness direction, in the gap region, and the second electrode layers in the light emitting elements neighboring in the second direction are separated from each other by the recess or the projection in the insulating layer.
US08399890B2
Embodiments relate to a semiconductor light emitting device and a light emitting apparatus comprising the same. The semiconductor light emitting device according to embodiments comprises a plurality of light emitting cells comprising a plurality of compound semiconductor layers; a plurality of ohmic contact layers on the light emitting cells; a first insulating layer on the ohmic contact layer; a second electrode layer electrically connected to a first light emitting cell of the light emitting cells; and a plurality of interconnection layers connecting the light emitting cells in series.
US08399885B2
A thin film transistor substrate including a plurality of thin film transistors, and a flat panel display apparatus. Each of the plurality of thin film transistors includes an active layer comprising a first channel region having a first plurality of protrusion lines arranged therein and a second channel region and having a second plurality of protrusion lines arranged therein, a source electrode and a drain electrode electrically connected to the active layer and a gate electrode insulated from the active layer, wherein the first and second plurality of protrusion lines extend in a first direction, wherein a edges of the first channel region that extend in the first direction and are offset sideways by a distance in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction from corresponding edges of the second channel region that extend in the first direction.
US08399873B2
A waterproof sensing device including a base, a rear cover, a sensing module, and a lens is provided. The rear cover is selectively rotatably disposed on the base, wherein the rear cover has a side wall to enclose an accommodation space. The sensing module is disposed in the accommodation space. The lens covers the rear cover on the edge of the side wall of the rear cover and seals the accommodation space. A waterproof treatment is disposed between the lens and the edge of the side wall, such that moisture is prevented from intruding into the accommodation space to cause damage, no matter where the sensing device is disposed.
US08399868B2
Devices, tools, and methods for mitigating contamination of an optics surface used in extreme ultraviolet (EUV) applications disclosed. The method may include providing an optically reflective surface configured to reflect EUV radiation. The method may further include exposing the optically reflective surface to EUV radiation thereby generating electrons. The method may also include applying an electromagnetic field to the optically reflective surface, the electromagnetic field configured to reduce reactions initiated by the electrons on the optically reflective surface. The applied electromagnetic field may be constant or varied and also may have different biases.
US08399856B2
A method and a device for detecting degradation in the quality of a brake fluid are disclosed. The brake fluid comprises a luminescent dye, wherein there is a change in luminescence emitted by the dye in response to a change in water content of the brake fluid.
US08399855B2
A photodiode (200), for instance a PN or a PIN photodiode, is disclosed. The photodiode receives incident radiation having first and second spectral distributions, where the first spectral distribution is spectrally shifted from the second spectral distribution. The photodiode has a first semiconductor layer (211) capable of absorbing incident radiation (231) having a first spectral distribution without generating a photocurrent, while simultaneously transmitting incident radiation having a second spectral distribution to the intrinsic layer (212) for generating a photocurrent (213). The photodiode may be used in connection with detecting the presence of target molecules that has been labeled with labeling agents, such as fluorophores or quantum dots. The labeling agents are characterized by the Stokes shift and, therefore, they emit fluorescent radiation having the second spectral distribution that is spectrally shifted from the illumination radiation having the first spectral distribution.
US08399854B1
A germicidal sterilization apparatus which includes a housing, a plate disposed atop the housing, and at least one ultraviolet light source supported by the housing. The at least one UV light source is adapted and configured to generate UV light waves which kill or deactivate harmful germs, microorganisms and spores thereof, pathogens, and/or transmissible diseases. The apparatus is integrated with a weight-measuring device for determining and indicating the weight of an individual.
US08399848B2
A radiation detector includes an array of detector pixels each including an array of detector cells. Each detector cell includes a photodiode biased in a breakdown region and digital circuitry coupled with the photodiode and configured to output a first digital value in a quiescent state and a second digital value responsive to photon detection by the photodiode. Digital triggering circuitry is configured to output a trigger signal indicative of a start of an integration time period responsive to a selected number of one or more of the detector cells transitioning from the first digital value to the second digital value. Readout digital circuitry accumulates a count of a number of transitions of detector cells of the array of detector cells from the first digital state to the second digital state over the integration time period.
US08399847B2
In one embodiment, a portable X-ray detector assembly is provided comprising a detector array and a housing for the detector array. The housing is provided as a multi-layer structure in which at least one layer improves or increases the structural integrity of other layers of the housing. In certain embodiments, the structural integrity layer also acts to reduce or eliminate electromagnetic interference that might otherwise affect the detector or other electronics in the vicinity of the detector.
US08399846B2
Provided is a radiation image detecting system including a cassette type radiation image detecting apparatus capable of being driven by electric power supplied from a built-in battery; a charge controlling circuit to control charging of the battery; a cradle supplying electric power to the radiation image detecting apparatus; and a cable supplying electric power to the radiation image detecting apparatus, wherein the radiation image detecting apparatus includes a connection section being electrically connected to each of the cradle and the cable to receive the electric power; the battery is charged by the cradle being connected to the connection section and by the cable being connected to the connection section; and the charge controlling circuit switches a charging current between a time when the cradle is connected to the connection section and a time when the cable is connected to the connection section.
US08399841B2
A digital radiographic detector has a scintillator element having a particulate phosphor dispersed within a binder composition, wherein the binder composition is a pressure-sensitive adhesive, wherein the particulate phosphor emits light corresponding to a level of incident radiation. There is an array of photosensors wherein each photosensor in the array is energizable to provide an output signal indicative of the level of emitted light that is received. The scintillator element bonds directly to, and in optical contact with, either the array of photosensors or an array of optical fibers that guide light to the array of photosensors.
US08399835B2
A trigger signal generation device restrains a jitter from being generated in a measurement result of light, such as terahertz light, that has transmitted through a device under test. The device includes a first photoelectric conversion unit that applies photoelectric conversion to a probe light pulse, a second photoelectric conversion unit that applies photoelectric conversion to a pump light pulse, a first amplification unit that amplifies an output from the first photoelectric conversion unit, and a second amplification unit that amplifies an output from the second photoelectric conversion unit. The device also includes a trigger signal output unit that outputs a cross-correlation of outputs of the first amplification unit and the second amplification unit as a trigger signal, and a period difference adjustment unit that adjusts a difference in periods.
US08399829B2
Methods are described for measuring the amount of a vitamin B2 in a sample. More specifically, mass spectrometric methods are described for detecting and quantifying vitamin B2 in a sample utilizing on-line extraction methods coupled with tandem mass spectrometric techniques.
US08399828B2
A tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometer includes a first pulsed ion source that produces ions with a first mass and charge that directs the ions into a first stage of a tandem TOF mass spectrometer. In addition, a second pulsed ion source produces ions with a second mass and an opposite charge directs the ions into the first stage of the tandem TOF mass spectrometer. A field-free reaction region is positioned in the ion flight path so that ions from first and second pulsed ion source arrive at the entrance of the field-free reaction region substantially simultaneously in at least one of time and space. At least some of the ions from the first and second pulsed ion source are fragmented by ion-ion collision between positive and negative ions. A second stage of the tandem mass spectrometer separates fragment ions produced in the reaction region according to their mass-to-charge ratio.
US08399826B2
A method for obtaining fragment ions having product ion spectrum with a mixture of high, medium and lower energy product ions. The method includes (a) providing a selected RF field to an ion optical element upstream of an ion containment field; (b) transmitting ions through the ion optical element and into the ion containment field such that the selected RF field determines, at least in part, a selected kinetic energy profile of the ions within the ion containment field, wherein the selected kinetic energy profile is selected to fragment the ions to concurrently provide a plurality of groups of product ions; and (c) detecting each group of product ions in the plurality of groups of product ions.
US08399822B2
Aspects of the present disclosure include systems and methods for indicating an amount of use of a pulse oximetry sensor. According to one embodiment, the system includes an oximeter that monitors the amount of use for a given sensor. The oximeter and/or the sensor may advantageously include a visual alarm, an audio alarm, a vibrational alarm, a power down function, or the like, which can be activated when a predetermined amount of use has expired. According to another embodiment, the system includes a sensor having a memory device storing a unique identifier.
US08399816B2
A system providing a physical-barrier defense against rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) that is suitable for use on aircraft, ground vehicles and ships. The system includes a propulsion device (for example, a rocket) and a barrier that is attached to the propulsion device by one or more tethers. The barrier includes an inflatable frame. When the propulsion device is launched, an inflator inflates the frame to assume an open state, and the propulsion device pulls the tether and the barrier along a trajectory for intercepting an RPG.
US08399814B2
A uniform heating assembly including at least one first insulative substrate, at least one first common terminal, at least one second common terminal and a multiplicity of conductive filaments at least partially embedded in the at one insulative substrate and extending at least mainly along both electrically parallel and geometrically parallel paths between the at least one first common terminal and the at least one second common terminal.
US08399812B2
A cooking and storage system comprises a refrigeration device, a cooking device and controller for controlling the cooking device, and the refrigeration device provides to the controller temperature information relating to the temperature within the refrigeration device.
US08399808B2
Systems and methods for forming a time-average line image are disclosed. The method includes forming a line image with a first amount of intensity non-uniformity. The method also includes forming and scanning a secondary image over at least a portion of the line image to form a time-averaged modified line image having a second amount of intensity non-uniformity that is less than the first amount. Wafer emissivity is measured in real time to control the intensity of the secondary image. Temperature is also measured in real time based on the wafer emissivity and reflectivity of the secondary image, and can be used to control the intensity of the secondary image.
US08399806B2
Provided is a built-in type cooker including a heat dissipation part connected to an electronic component and exposed to the outside of the cabinet. The built-in type cooker include a cabinet having an upwardly opened polyhedral shape, a top plate covering a top surface of the cabinet, the electronic component installed within the cabinet, and the heat dissipation part in which at least portion thereof is exposed to the side of the cabinet, the heat dissipation part being connected to the electronic component.
US08399805B2
An anti-fogging device has a substantially transparent or optically clear plastic layer with a heater element formed of etched metallic foil bonded to it. The device has an adhesive element disposed at the periphery of the device for sticking to a viewing member such as a motorcycle helmet visor, surgical mask or rear windscreen for a convertible car, to leave a gap between the heater element and the viewing member.
US08399783B2
A multi-directional switch device includes: an operation member; an actuator which is applied with an operation force from the operation member; a plurality of rubber contacts which is pressed down by the actuator; and a plurality of fixed contacts to or from which the rubber contacts are respectively movable close or away, wherein the multi-directional switch device performs a switching operation in such a manner that a combination of a pair of two rubber contacts is selected from the plurality of rubber contacts in response to an operation direction, and both of the two rubber contacts are pressed down so as to respectively come into contact with the corresponding fixed contacts.
US08399768B2
The invention relates to an insulated wire for use in electronic equipment, comprising an electrically conductive core and an insulating layer and/or an insulating jacket consisting of a flame retardant elastomeric composition surrounding the electrically conductive core, wherein the flame retardant elastomeric composition comprises a elastomeric polymer selected from the group consisting of styrenic block copolymers, olefinic thermoplastic elastomers and combinations thereof; and a metal salt of a phosphinic acid of the formula [R1R2P(O)O]−mMm+ (formula I) and/or a diphosphinic acid of the formula [O(O)PR1—R3—PR2(O)O]2−nMxm+ (formula II), and/or a polymer thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are equal or different substituents chosen from the group consisting of hydrogen, linear, branched and cyclic C1-C6 aliphatic groups, and aromatic groups, R3 is chosen from the group consisting of linear, branched and cyclic C1-C10 aliphatic groups and C6-C10 aromatic and aliphatic-aromatic groups, M is a metal chosen from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Al, Sb, Sn, Ge, Ti, Zn, Fe, Zr, Ce, Bi, Sr, Mn, Li, Na, and K, and m, n and x are equal or different integers in the range of 1-4.
US08399767B2
Sealing devices are provided along with methods of installing energy dissipating tubing. An aspect of the invention provides a sealing device for connecting an energy dissipative tube having a length of tubing, a first resin layer surrounding the outside of the tubing, a conductive layer adjacent to the outside of the first resin layer, and a second resin layer surrounding the conductive layer and the first resin layer. The sealing device includes one or more penetrating members configured to penetrate the second resin layer and establish electrical continuity with the conductive layer.
US08399759B2
A solar generator apparatus includes a solar generator module, a middle column, first and second winding devices and first and second cables. The generator module has first to fourth corner portions. The middle column has a first end mounted on a fixed structure, and a second end pivotally connected to a middle portion of a bottom of the generator module, and rotatably supports the generator module. The first and second winding devices are attached to the middle column. The first cable has a first end connected to the first corner portion and a second end connected to the third corner portion, and is wound around the first winding device. The second cable has a first end connected to the second corner portion, and a second end connected to the fourth corner portion, and is wound around the second winding device. An angle of the generator module is adjusted by rotating one or both of the first and second winding devices.
US08399758B2
A tone control device is provided. The tone control device includes a bridge configured to be mounted to an instrument. The bridge includes a body and an adjustment area located within the bridge. The adjustment area and the body define at least one recess in at least one surface of the bridge. The tone control device further includes a weight assembly configured to be movable within the at least one recess.
US08399750B1
A novel maize variety designated PHP9T and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHP9T with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHP9T through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHP9T or a locus conversion of PHP9T with another maize variety.
US08399742B2
The invention provides seed and plants of squash hybrid PX 13067464 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of squash hybrid PX 13067464 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a squash plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another squash plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US08399739B2
The present invention relates to methods of manipulating senescence in plants. The invention also relates to vectors useful in such methods, transformed plants with modified senescence characteristics and plant cells, seeds and other parts of such plants.
US08399729B2
This invention relates to a process and system for cracking hydrocarbon feedstock containing vacuum resid comprising: (a) subjecting a vacuum resid to a first thermal conversion in a thermal conversion reactor (such as delayed coker, fluid coker, Flexicoker™, visbreaker and catalytic hydrovisbreaker) where at least 30 wt % of the vacuum resid is converted to material boiling below 1050° F. (566° C.); (b) introducing said thermally converted resid to a vapor/liquid separator, said separator being integrated into a steam cracking furnace, to form a vapor phase and liquid phase; (c) passing said vapor phase to the radiant furnace in said steam cracking furnace; and (d) recovering at least 30 wt % olefins from the material exiting the radiant furnace (based upon the weight of the total hydrocarbon material exiting the radiant furnace).
US08399724B2
This invention relates to a vinyl terminated higher olefin copolymer having an Mn of 300 g/mol or more (measured by 1H NMR) comprising: (i) from about 20 to about 99.9 mol % of at least one C5 to C40 higher olefin monomer; and (ii) from about 0.1 to about 80 mol % of propylene; wherein the higher olefin copolymer has at least 40% allyl chain ends. The copolymer may also have an isobutyl chain end to allyl chain end ratio of less than 0.7:1 and/or an allyl chain end to vinylidene chain end ratio of greater than 2:1.
US08399722B2
The object is to provide a process for producing highly pure 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, whereby formation of 3,3,3-trifluoropropene as a by-product is suppressed.A process for producing 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, which comprises introducing and reacting a raw material compound composed of at least one of 1,1-dichloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and 1-chloro-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene, and hydrogen, in a catalyst layer packed with a catalyst-supporting carrier, wherein the temperature of the catalyst layer is controlled to be higher than the dew point of the raw material mixed gas comprising the raw material compound and the hydrogen, and the maximum temperature of the catalyst layer is maintained to be at most 130° C. during the reaction.
US08399721B2
Disclosed is a process for the preparation of fluorine-containing olefins comprising contacting a chlorofluoroalkene with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature sufficient to cause replacement of the chlorine substituents of the chlorofluoroalkene with hydrogen to produce a fluorine-containing olefin, wherein said catalyst is a composition comprising chromium, nickel and optionally an alkali metal selected from potassium and cesium. Also disclosed are catalyst compositions for the hydrodechlorination of chlorofluoroalkenes comprising copper, nickel, and an alkali metal selected from potassium and cesium, and methods of making such catalysts.
US08399719B2
In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing a water stream comprising the steps of hydrogenating acetic acid to form a crude ethanol product and separating at least a portion of the crude ethanol product in at least one column of a plurality of columns into a distillate comprising ethanol and a residue comprising the water stream. The water stream preferably is essentially free of organic impurities other than acetic acid and ethanol.
US08399708B2
The invention relates to the use of valnoctamide (VCD) for the treatment of bipolar disorder and in particular for the treatment of the manic phase of the bipolar disorder.
US08399704B2
The present invention provides methods to produce arginine bicarbonate more rapidly and efficiently than conventional methods.
US08399698B1
This invention relates to substituted activated methylene reagents and methods of using such reagents to form electron deficient olefins such as butadienes.
US08399687B2
A process for making a hydrogenated product includes providing a clarified DAS-containing fermentation broth, distilling the broth to form an overhead that includes water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes MAS, at least some DAS, and at least about 20 wt % water, cooling and/or evaporating the bottoms, and optionally adding an antisolvent to the bottoms, to attain a temperature and composition sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a DAS-containing liquid portion and a MAS-containing solid portion that is substantially free of DAS, separating the solid portion from the liquid portion, recovering the solid portion, hydrogenating the second solid portion in the presence of at least one hydrogenation catalyst to produce the hydrogenated product comprising at least one of THF, GBL or BDO, and recovering the hydrogenated product.
US08399686B2
Disclosed herein are process for preparing cyclic esters comprising unsaturated functional groups. Also disclosed are copolymers prepared from the cyclic esters. The copolymers can be used to form microparticles, polymer micelles, etc., which are useful in drug delivery applications.
US08399682B2
The present invention relates to novel substituted (pyrazolylcarbonyl)imidazolidinones, methods for their preparation, their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, as well as their use for the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, especially of retroviral diseases, in humans and/or animals.
US08399681B2
The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), methods for preparing these compounds, compositions, intermediates and derivatives thereof and for treating a condition including but not limited to ankylosing spondylitis, artherosclerosis, arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis, infectious arthritis, childhood arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis), bone-related diseases (including those related to bone formation), breast cancer (including those unresponsive to anti-estrogen therapy), cardiovascular disorders, cartilage-related disease (such as cartilage injury/loss, cartilage degeneration, and those related to cartilage formation), chondrodysplasia, chondrosarcoma, chronic back injury, chronic bronchitis, chronic inflammatory airway disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, disorders of energy homeostasis, gout, pseudogout, lipid disorders, metabolic syndrome, multiple myeloma, obesity, osteoarthritis, osteogenesis imperfecta, osteolytic bone metastasis, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, Paget's disease, periodontal disease, polymyalgia rheumatica, Reiter's syndrome, repetitive stress injury, hyperglycemia, elevated blood glucose level, and insulin resistance.
US08399680B2
The invention relates to a method for preparing arylamines and, in particular, a method for preparing aniline and anilines substituted on the aromatic ring from ammonia, under easily-industrialized mild conditions with good selectivity and yields, in the presence of a catalytic system including a copper complex.
US08399679B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing 1-aryl-substituted pyrazoles, comprising the reaction of alkoxy enones and enamino ketones with arylhydrazine derivatives to give 1-aryl-substituted dihydro-1H-pyrazoles, the further reaction thereof with elimination of water to give 1-aryl-substituted trihalomethylpyrazoles, and the further processing thereof.
US08399670B2
The present invention is directed to novel process for the preparation of regioselective perylenediimides derivatives, specifically mono and dibrominated derivatives.
US08399667B2
The invention concerns quinazoline derivatives of Formula (I) wherein each of Q1, Z, R1 and Q2 have any of the meanings defined in the description; processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the manufacture of a medicament for use as an antiproliferative agent in the prevention or treatment of tumours which are sensitive to inhibition of erbB receptor tyrosine kinases.
US08399666B2
Described herein are compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, which modulate the activity of 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP). Also described herein are methods of using such FLAP modulators, alone and in combination with other compounds, for treating respiratory, cardiovascular, and other leukotriene-dependent or leukotriene mediated conditions or diseases.
US08399659B2
This invention relates to compounds and methods for the treatment of cancer. In particular, the invention provides compounds that inhibit Aurora kinase, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and methods of using the compounds for the treatment of cancer.
US08399656B2
Process for preparing glycopeptides having asparagine-linked oligosaccharides, and the glycopeptides
Glycopeptide having at least one asparagine-linked oligosaccharide at a desired position of the peptide chain obtained by: (1) esterifying hydroxyl of a resin and carboxyl of an amino acid having amino group nitrogen protected with a fat-soluble protective group (AGFPG), (2) removing the protective group to form a free amino group, (3) amidating the free amino group and carboxyl of an amino acid having AGFPG, (4) removing the protective group, (5) repeating the steps (3) and (4), (6) amidating the free amino group and carboxyl of the asparagine portion of an asparagine-linked oligosaccharide having AGFPG, (7) removing the protective group, (8) amidating the free amino group and carboxyl of an amino acid having AGFPG, (9) repeating steps (7) and (8), (10) removing the protective group, and (11) cutting off the resin with an acid; glycopeptide obtained by transferring sialic acid or a derivative thereof to the above glycopeptide.
US08399651B2
The invention provides mutants of GAS57 (Spy0416) which are unable to cleave IL-8 and similar substrates but which still maintain the ability to induce protection against S. pyogenes. The invention also provides antibodies which specifically bind to GAS57 and which inhibit its ability to cleave IL-8 and similar substrates. The mutants are useful, inter alia, in vaccine compositions to induce protection against S. pyogenes. The antibodies are useful, e.g., as therapeutics for treating S. pyogenes infections.
US08399647B2
The present disclosure provides isolated monoclonal antibodies, particularly human monoclonal antibodies, or antigen binding portions thereof, that specifically bind to integrin α5β1 with high affinity. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies of the disclosure, expression vectors, host cells and methods for expressing the antibodies of the disclosure are also provided. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies or antigen binding portions thereof are also provided. The disclosure also provides methods for treating various cancers using the anti-α5β1 antibodies or antigen binding portions thereof described herein.
US08399643B2
The present invention provides PiggyBac transposase proteins, nucleic acids encoding the same, compositions comprising the same, kits comprising the same, non-human transgenic animals comprising the same, and methods of using the same.
US08399641B2
Provided herein are isolated genomic polynucleotide fragments from the from the p15 region of chromosome 11 encoding human tumor suppressing subtransferable candidate 6 and methods of use.
US08399638B2
Provided herein are isolated genomic polynucleotide fragments from the p15 arm of chromosome 11 and methods of use.
US08399635B2
Described herein are methods of inhibiting the growth of or killing a bacterium in an animal subject, preventing or delaying onset of an infection with a bacterium in an animal subject, preventing or delaying onset of a pathogen mediated disease or disorder in an animal subject, or reducing bacterial load in an animal subject, comprising administering an effective amount of a derivatized chitosan to the animal. Also described herein are preparations comprising a chitosan derivative for administration to an animal.
US08399634B2
The present invention provides methods for preparing LPS antagonist lipodisaccharide B1287 and stereoisomers thereof, which compounds are useful as in the prophylactic and affirmative treatment of endotoxemia including sepsis, septicemia and various forms of septic shock. Also provided are synthetic intermediates useful for implementing the inventive methods.
US08399626B2
The present invention relates to antibodies against human Angiopoietin 2 (anti-ANG-2 antibodies), methods for their production, pharmaceutical compositions containing said antibodies, and uses thereof.
US08399625B1
The present invention relates to an antibody acceptor framework and to methods for grafting non-human antibodies, e.g., rabbit antibodies, using a particularly well suited antibody acceptor framework. Antibodies generated by the methods of the invention are useful in a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
US08399620B2
A method for purifying a recombinant protein using a multimodal or mixed mode resin containing ligands which comprise a hydrophobic part and a negatively charged part is described. The invention is advantageous in that it is a single step chromatographic process which does not require adjustment of pH or conductivity during loading step and results in high yield and potency. The process is used for the purification of recombinant compositions of coagulation factor, particularly recombinant Factor VIII.
US08399619B2
A collagen material is disclosed and can include a plurality of particles. Each particle can include an elongated, thin body having one or more arcuate portions and one or more straight portions. Further, each particle can include one or more fibers extending from the body. One or more fibers of one particle can engage the one or more fibers of one or more other particles to establish a matrix of material, where a cross-linking agent may be added in the collagen material. Furthermore, an additive including a radiocontrast medium, a drug, a cellular matter, a biological factor, or a combination thereof may be added to the collagen mixture.
US08399615B2
The invention relates to compounds and processes useful for the preparation of protease inhibitors, particularly serine protease inhibitors. The protease inhibitors are useful for treatment of HCV infections.
US08399612B2
A process comprising substitution of an acceptor molecule comprising a group —XC(O)— wherein X is O, S, or NR8, where R8 is C1-6 alkyl, C6-12 aryl or hydrogen, with a nucleophile, wherein the acceptor molecule is cyclised such that said nucleophilic substitution at —XC(O)— occurs without racemization, is provided. This process has particular application for the production of a peptide by extension from the activated carboxy-terminus of an acyl amino acid residue without epimerization.
US08399609B2
A method of treatment for treating, preventing, inhibiting or reducing extracellular matrix build-up in a body tissue or a bodily fluid transport vessel, in a subject, includes administering to a subject in need of such treatment an effective amount of a composition including a peptide agent including amino acid sequence LKKTET, a conservative variant thereof, or a peptide agent that stimulates production of an LKKTET peptide, or a conservative variant thereof, in the tissue.
US08399608B2
A process for the preparation of polyether alcohols by reacting at least one alkylene oxide with at least one unsaturated starter having at least one active hydrogen atom per molecule under basic catalysis, that the alkoxylation is carried out in at least two stages, in stage (I) the alkoxylation of the starter or starters being carried out with not more than 10 mol of alkylene oxide per mole of starter with a catalyst concentration of not more than 0.0085 mol of basic catalyst per mole and in stage (II) and the optionally following stages, the alkoxylated starter or starters from stage (I) being reacted with further alkylene oxide at a catalyst concentration of at least 0.01 mol of basic catalyst per mole of starter.
US08399605B2
A semiconductive polymer comprising a first repeat unit in the polymer backbone comprising general formula 1: where a=1 or 2; b=0 or 1; and c=0, 1 or 2, provided that when c=0 then b=0; Ar1, Ar2, Ar3, Ar4, Ar5, and Ar6 each independently represent an aryl or heteroaryl ring or a fused derivative thereof; characterized in that at least one of Ar1, Ar2, Ar4, and Ar5 is non-conjugating; and provided that (a) when a=1, Ar1 is not linked to Ar2 by a direct bond, (b) when b=1 and c=1, Ar4 is not linked to Ar5 by a direct bond, (c) when b=0 and c=1, Ar2 is not linked to Ar5 by a direct bond, (d) when a=2, the Ar1 groups are not linked by a single bond, and (e) when c=2, the Ar5 groups are not linked by a single bond.
US08399602B2
The present invention relates to a polymerization reactor for continuous polymerization, the reactor being constructed in two stages and comprising a prepolymerization stage which is configured as a stirred vessel or as a loop-type bubble column and also a main polymerization stage which is configured as a tubular reactor. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for the production of biodegradable polyester, in particular polylactide, the reactor according to the invention being used. Likewise, the invention relates to a polymerization device which comprises further components in addition to the polymerization reactor.
US08399599B2
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for the processing of plastic material, with a receptacle or cutter-compactor (1) into which the material to be treated can be introduced, in the lower region of which a discharge opening (10) is provided, through which the processed material can be ejected from the receptacle (1), for example into an extruder (11). According to the invention, the receptacle (1) is divided into at least two chambers (6a, 6b, 6c, . . . ) separated from each other by an intermediate base (2′, 2″, . . . ), wherein at least one mixing or comminution tool (7a, 7b, 7c, . . . ) is arranged which acts upon the material in each chamber (6a, 6b, 6c, . . . ), with which the material can be converted into a softened but permanently lumpy or particle-shaped and not melted state and wherein means (5′, 5″, . . . ) are provided which effect or permit an exchange or a transfer of the softened, lumpy, not melted material between each directly adjacent chamber (6a, 6b, 6c, . . . ).
US08399583B2
A polymer which has a radical polymerizable unsaturated group in a side chain and can be made a molecular design suitable for the purpose; a curable resin composition containing the polymer, which provides a cured product having high surface hardness after curing and hardly suffering from scratch; the cured product; and an article obtained by laminating the cured product are provided. The polymer (A) of the present invention is obtained by polymerizing, at least, a vinyl monomer represented by the following general formula (1) and a cyclic ether compound represented by the following general formula (2). The polymer (A) of the present invention is preferably obtained by polymerization of 1 wt % or more and 99.9 wt % or less of a vinyl monomer represented by the general formula (1), 0.1 wt % or more and 99 wt % or less of a cyclic ether compound represented by the general formula (2) and 0 wt % or more and 98.9 wt % or less of the other cationic polymerizable monomer. [wherein R1 represents an alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and m represents a positive integer] [wherein n represents an integer of 1 to 5].
US08399577B2
A curable epoxy resin composition including at least an epoxy resin component and a hardener component, and optionally further additives, wherein: (a) the epoxy resin component is an epoxy resin compound or a mixture of such compounds; (b) the hardener component includes (b1) an aliphatic and cycloaliphatic or aromatic polycarbonic acid anhydride; and (b2) a polyether-amine of the general formula (I), H2N—(CnH2n—O)m—CnH2n—NH2, wherein n is an integer from 2 to 8; and m is from about 3 to about 100; (c) the polycarbonic acid anhydride [component (b1)] is present in the curable epoxy resin composition in a concentration of 0.60 Mol to 0.93 Mol; and (d) the polyether-amine of the general formula (I) [component (b2)] is present in the curable epoxy resin composition in a concentration of about 0.02 Mol to about 0.1 Mol.
US08399574B2
The present invention provides a resin powder composition for slush molding which can give slush molded articles with more excellent hydrolysis resistance. The present invention relates to a resin powder composition for slush molding which is characterized by comprising as the main component a thermoplastic polyurethane resin powder, preferably a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer powder, and containing a polycarbodiimide prepared by polymerizing tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate, alkoxy terminated one having a number average molecular weight of 500 to 30,000.
US08399573B2
Thermoplastic compositions having miscible and compatible immiscible polymer blends are disclosed. The miscible polymer blends have a single glass transition temperature. The compatible polymer blends have two glass transition temperatures.
US08399551B2
An embodiment of the present invention is a nanocomposite comprising a clay and an elastomer comprising at least C2 to C10 olefin derived units; wherein the elastomer also comprises functionalized monomer units pendant to the elastomer. Desirable embodiments of the elastomer include poly(isobutylene-co-p-alkylstyrene) elastomers and poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene) elastomers, which are functionalized by reacting free radical generating agents and unsaturated carboxylic acids, unsaturated esters, unsaturated imides, and the like, with the elastomer. The clay is exfoliated in one embodiment by the addition of exfoliating agents such as alkyl amines and silanes to the clay. The composition can include secondary rubbers such as general purpose rubbers, and curatives, fillers, and the like. The nanocomposites of the invention have improved air barrier properties such as are useful for tire innerliners and innertubes.
US08399549B2
Described are golf balls comprising cores or intermediate layers prepared from thermoplastic compositions having coefficients of restitution equal to or greater than 0.83 and PGA compression greater than 100. Also described is a composition comprising or prepared from (a) at least one aliphatic, mono-functional organic acid having from 16 to 20 carbon atoms, wherein the organic acid is unsaturated and linear; (b) an ethylene acid copolymer consisting essentially of copolymerized comonomers of ethylene and from 18 to 24 weight % of copolymerized comonomers of at least one C3 to C8 α,β ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, based on the total weight of the ethylene acid copolymer, having a melt index from about 200 to about 600 g/10 minutes; wherein the combined acid moieties of (a) and (b) are nominally neutralized to a level from about 120% to about 200%; and optionally (c) filler.
US08399538B2
The invention provides silicone hydrogel contact lenses that exhibit reduced back surface debris and reduced incidence of superior epithelial arcurate lesions.
US08399534B2
Energy curable inks formulations are disclosed having improved resistance properties.
US08399533B2
A photocurable composition includes at least one N-oxyazinium salt photoinitiator, a photosensitizer for the N-oxyazinium salt photoinitiator, an N-oxyazinium salt efficiency amplifier, and one or more photocurable acrylates. This composition can be cured using irradiation under high efficiency. Curing can be carried out in oxygen-containing environment.
US08399527B1
A Fischer-Tropsch process including the steps of providing a reactor having a substrate element with a surface and a plurality of elongated micro-structures of catalyst material attached to the substrate surface The catalyst material includes at least one of cobalt, iron, or ruthenium and the micro-structures have a width of less than about 1 um and a length at least five times the width. A carbon compound and hydrogen are injected into the reactor such that at least a portion of the carbon compound and hydrogen contact the catalyst material. The carbon compound and hydrogen are reacted with the catalyst at a temperature between about 80° F. and about 200° F.
US08399526B2
Method for optimizing the operation of a unit for the synthesis of hydrocarbons from a synthesis gas
The invention concerns a method for optimizing the operation of a reaction section for hydrocarbon synthesis starting from a feed comprising synthesis gas, operated in the presence of a catalyst comprising cobalt. This method comprises the following steps: a) determining the theoretical molar ratio, PH2O:PH2, in the reaction section; b) optionally, adjusting the ratio PH2O:PH2 determined in step a) to a value strictly below 1; c) determining the new value for the theoretical ratio PH2O:PH2 in the reaction section; and repeating steps a) to c) until the ratio of the partial pressures of water and hydrogen, PH2O:PH2, has a value strictly less than 1.1.
US08399524B2
Provided is a novel oily material that spreads smoothly upon application and is free from stickiness, and also gives ungreasy and moisturized feeling after application, but does not give friction feeling peculiar to silicone. The invention was completed upon finding that a specific acyl acidic amino acid monosilicone monosterol ester can solve the foregoing problems.
US08399521B2
A method for treating skin, reducing oxidative damage to a skin cell, reducing lipoxygenase (LO) activity in a skin cell, reducing cyclooxygenase (COX) activity in a skin cell, reducing tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in a skin cell, or reduction matrix metalloproteinase enzyme activity in a skin cell comprising contacting skin or a skin cell with an aromatic skin-active ingredient.
US08399518B2
Methods and compositions are disclosed for stimulating weight loss and/or lowering triglyceride levels in an individual mammal in need thereof. In an exemplary method, a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of DITPA, and optionally one or more lipid-reducing agents, is administered to an individual mammal to stimulate weight loss, and/or reduce levels of triglyceride and/or lipoprotein in the mammal.
US08399513B2
Crystalline (2R)-2-phenylcarbonyloxypropyl (2S)-2-amino-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propanoate mesylate, hydrate, methods of making the hydrate, pharmaceutical compositions containing the hydrate, and methods of using the hydrate to treat diseases or disorders such as Parkinson's disease are provided.
US08399506B2
The present invention relates to the use of combinations of 4-bromo-2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile and an oxidizing agent, for eradicating, eliminating or reducing aquatic organisms in ballast water or bilge water whereby 4-bromo-2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrrole-3-carbonitrile and the oxidizing agent are in respective proportions to provide a synergistic effect against fouling organisms. Suitable oxidizing agents are e.g. bromine, chlorine, ozone, sodium hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, potassium ferrate, peroxydisulfates such as ammonium peroxydisulfate, sodium peroxydisulfate, and potassium peroxydisulfate; peroxymonocarbonates such as calcium peroxycarbonate and sodium peroxycarbonate; peroxydicarbonates such as sodium peroxydicarbonate and potassium peroxydicarbonate; superoxides such as potassium superoxide and sodium superoxide; peroxides such as potassium peroxide, and sodium peroxide; and Fremy's salts such as potassium nitrosodisulfonate, sodium nitrosodisulfonate, and disodium nitrosodisulfonate.
US08399501B2
The invention provides a micronized 4′-{2-ethoxy-4-ethyl-5-[((S)-2-mercapto-4-methylpentanoylamino)methyl]imidazol-1-ylmethyl}-3′-fluorobiphenyl-2-carboxylic acid having improved stability. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the stable micronized compound, processes for preparing the stable micronized compound, and methods of using the stable micronized compound to treat diseases such as hypertension.
US08399499B2
The present invention provides 3- to 7-membered 1,3-diaza-4-oxo-heterocyclic derivatives, such as imidazolidinone O derivatives, capable of releasing in a controlled manner a biologically active aldehyde or ketone in the surrounding. The invention also relates to the use of these compounds as perfuming or flavoring ingredients, as well as to the perfuming compositions and consumer articles containing such derivatives. It also provides a process for preparing said derivatives of the invention.
US08399491B2
This disclosure relates to compounds of formula (I): wherein G1, G2, G3, G4, n, Y, Z, Z1, Z2, Z3, and Z4 are as defined in the disclosure, or a salt thereof, or a hydrate or solvate thereof, and to processes for the preparation of these compounds and the therapeutic use thereof.
US08399489B2
Compounds of formula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts are described. Processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, their use as medicaments and their use in the treatment of bacterial infections are also described.
US08399485B2
Bipiperidyl compounds of the formula: (I) are disclosed as useful for treating or preventing type 2 diabetes and similar conditions. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates are included as well. The compounds are useful as agonists of the g-protein coupled receptor GPR-119.
US08399479B2
The present invention relates to modulators of ATP-Binding Cassette (“ABC”) transporters or fragments thereof, including Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator, compositions thereof, and methods therewith. The present invention also relates to methods of treating ABC transporter mediated diseases using such modulators.
US08399476B2
The present invention relates to derivatives of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines of formula I, in which R, R1 to R4 and n have the meanings indicated in the claims, which modulate the transcription of endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase and are valuable pharmacologically active compounds. Specifically, the compounds of formula I upregulate the expression of the enzyme endothelial NO synthase and can be applied in conditions in which an increased expression of said enzyme or an increased NO level or the normalization of a decreased NO level is desired. The invention further relates to processes for the preparation of compounds of formula I, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to the use of compounds of formula I for the stimulation of the expression of endothelial NO synthase or for the treatment of various diseases including cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis, thrombosis, coronary artery disease, hypertension and cardiac insufficiency, for example.
US08399458B2
The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinase. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders. The invention also provides processes for preparing compounds of the inventions.
US08399432B2
The present invention discloses pharmaceutical/nutritional compositions for alleviating symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and methods of treatment for PMS using such pharmaceutical/nutritional composition including: at least 2% (w/w) phosphatidyl-L-serine, or salts thereof, out of a total composition, as an effective ingredient, wherein: the phosphatidyl-L-serine has a structural fatty-acid chain derived from at least one raw material lecithin. Preferably, the phosphatidyl-L-serine is produced by enzymatic reaction of at least one raw material lecithin with phospholipase-D; at least one raw material lecithin is selected from the group consisting of: a vegetal lecithin and a non-vegetal lecithin; and the phospholipase-D is selected from the group consisting of: vegetal phospholipase-D, bacterial-originated enzyme phospholipase-D, and a combination of vegetal phospholipase-D and bacterial-originated enzyme phospholipase-D. Preferably, the structural fatty-acid chain is a saturated, hydrogenated fatty-acid chain. Preferably, the phosphatidyl-L-serine is derived from a dairy lecithin.
US08399431B2
The present invention relates to novel compositions of therapeutic cyclodextrin containing polymeric compounds designed as a carrier for small molecule therapeutics delivery and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. These cyclodextrin-containing polymers improve drug stability and solubility, and reduce toxicity of the small molecule therapeutic when used in vivo. Furthermore, by selecting from a variety of linker groups and targeting ligands the polymers present methods for controlled delivery of the therapeutic agents. The invention also relates to methods of treating subjects with the therapeutic compositions described herein. The invention further relates to methods for conducting pharmaceutical business comprising manufacturing, licensing, or distributing kits containing or relating to the polymeric compounds described herein.
US08399429B2
Compounds of the formula I: including any possible stereoisomers thereof, wherein: R1 is hydrogen or halo; R4 is a monophosphate, diphosphate or triphosphate ester; or R4 is a group of formula R7 is optionally substituted phenyl; naphthyl; indolyl or N—C1-C6alkyloxycarbonyl-indolyl; R8 is hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, benzyl; R8′ is hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl, benzyl; or R8 and R8′ together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form C3-C7cycloalkyl; R9 is C1-C10alkyl, benzyl, or optionally substituted phenyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. pharmaceutical formulations and the use of compounds I as HCV inhibitors.
US08399428B2
The invention provides a compound of formula (I), wherein R1-R6 and X have any of the values described, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds and therapeutic methods comprising the administration of such compounds.
US08399422B2
The invention relates to compositions of transfection comprising an oligonucleotide and an amphiphilic cationic molecule of formula (I) wherein, —X is N—R1, S or O, R1 being a C1-C4 alkyl radical or an hydroxylated C3-C6 alkyl radical, R2 and R3, identical or different, represent H or a C1-C4 alkyl radical, or R2 and R3 are linked together to form a saturated or unsaturated cycle or a heterocycle having 5 or 6 elements, E is a C1-C5 alkyl spacer, R4 and R5, identical or different, represent saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, C10-C36 hydrocarbon or fluorocarbon chains, optionally comprising C3-C6 cycloalkyl, A− is a biocompatible anion. The invention relates to compositions active for oligonucleotides delivery into eukaryotic cells in culture, ex vivo or in vivo. The invention relates to compositions of transfection comprising an oligonucleotide active for RNA interference. Such compositions can be used as tools for biological studies or as drugs for therapies.
US08399421B2
The present invention is drawn to treatment of neuropathic pain due to spinal cord injury. In this regard, the present invention discloses methods and composition to treat neuropathic pain.
US08399414B2
The object of this invention is to provide a novel pharmaceutical composition for getting rid of pains and anxiety in patients. This invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing lactoferrin as an active ingredient. The composition of this invention is useful for treatment of at least one disease or condition selected from the group consisting of pains, including the phase 1 pain and the phase 2 pain, anxiety and stress. The composition is particularly beneficial to alleviating or getting rid of the pain and anxiety which significantly lower quality of life of patients with end-stage cancer. The composition of this invention is also useful for treatment of pains, including the phase 1 pain and the phase 2 pain, and inflammation which accompany arthritis or diseases in the junctions of bones (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, frozen shoulder, sports injuries such as tennis elbow and baseball shoulder, and low back pain).
US08399410B2
Disclosed are devices for urine voiding postponement, and methods for treating conditions such as central diabetes insipidus, enuresis, nocturia, urinary frequency or incontinence. The devices deliver a desmopressin flux through the skin of a patient in a low dose amount just necessary to achieve a desired anti-diuretic effect without undesirable side effects such as hyponatremia. The devices are designed to permit a state of normal urinary production to return quickly after the desmopressin flux is terminated.
US08399409B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for facilitating fusion of bones in a joint. The present invention provides compositions and methods for promoting fusion of bones in arthrodetic procedures. In one embodiment, a method of performing an arthrodetic procedure comprises providing a composition comprising PDGF disposed in a biocompatible matrix and applying the composition to a site of desired bone fusion in a joint.
US08399394B2
Systems and methods for processing glycerol into one or more useful products are provided. The method can include decreasing a pH of a mixture comprising glycerol and fatty acids to produce an emulsion comprising a glycerol-rich portion and a fatty acids-rich portion. At least a portion of the glycerol-rich portion can be reacted with at least one of an oxidant and a catalyst at conditions sufficient to produce a reacted product comprising glyceric acid, oxalic acid, glycolic acid, formic acid, or any combination thereof.
US08399392B2
A method of reducing asphaltene precipitation or ‘black paint’ in an engine is disclosed. The method includes the step of lubricating the engine with a lubricating oil composition comprising: an oil of lubricating viscosity in a major amount; and, a salicylate detergent system in a minor amount comprising one or more neutral or overbased alkaline earth metal C22 hydrocarbyl substituted salicylates.
US08399389B2
Provided herein are compositions comprising at least one estolide compound of formula: in which n is an integer equal to or greater than 0; m is an integer equal to or greater than 1; R1, independently for each occurrence, is selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; R2 is selected from hydrogen and optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched; and R3 and R4, independently for each occurrence, are selected from optionally substituted alkyl that is saturated or unsaturated, and branched or unbranched. Also provided are uses of the compositions described herein.
US08399388B2
The present invention is directed to a method for preparing an unsulfurized, carboxylate-containing additive for lubricating oils and the product produced by said method, wherein said method comprises a) neutralization of a mixture of at least two alkyl phenols using an alkaline earth base in the presence of a promoter, to produce a mixture of alkyl phenates, wherein the mixture of at least two alkyl phenols comprises at least a first alkyl phenol wherein the alkyl group is derived from an isomerized alpha olefin and a second alkyl phenol wherein the alkyl group is derived from a branched chain olefin; (b) carboxylation of the mixture of alkyl phenates obtained in step (a) using carbon dioxide under carboxylation conditions sufficient to convert at least 20 mole % of the starting alkyl phenols to alkyl salicylate; and (c) removal of at least about 10% of the starting mixture of at least two alkyl phenols from the product produced in step (b) to produce said additive.
US08399377B2
A thermal transfer image-receiving sheet having, on a support, at least one heat-insulating layer and at least one receiving layer on the heat-insulating layer, wherein the heat-insulating layer contains hollow polymer particles, gelatin and a latex having a glass transition temperature of from 30 to 85° C., and the molecular chain of the polymer constituting the latex has a styrene recurring unit and a butadiene recurring unit.
US08399371B2
An optical glass in includes SiO2, B2O3, Al2O3, BaO, CaO, ZnO, La2O3, Gd2O3, and Y2O3, each in a specific ratio. Further, the optical glass satisfies the following conditional expressions (1) and (2), taking the content of SiO2 as A, the content of B2O3 as B, the content in total of La2O3, Gd2O3 and Y2O3 as C, and the content in total of SiO2 and B2O3 as D. 0.35
US08399360B1
A method is provided for cleaning a semiconductor topography having one or more contact openings etched through a dielectric layer formed on a substrate. The method substantially eliminates unfilled contacts and reduces contact defects. Generally, the method involves: (i) heating the substrate in a processing chamber to a predetermined temperature; (ii) generating a plasma upstream of the process chamber using a microwave generator and a process gas comprising nitrogen and hydrogen or argon and helium; and (iii) introducing the plasma into the process chamber to clean the semiconductor topography. As the clean is accomplished substantially without the use of an organic solvent, galvanic corrosion of contacts subsequently formed in the contact openings is substantially eliminated. Other embodiments are also described.
US08399357B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed. The method forms a semiconductor device including a workpiece structure having a first region and second region located adjacent to the first region formed therein. The first region includes a first pattern and the second region includes a second pattern having at least a greater pattern width or a smaller aspect ratio than the first pattern. The method includes forming the first pattern by providing a first film having a first contact angle at a top portion thereof and the second pattern by providing a second film having a second contact angle less than the first contact angle at a top portion thereof; cleaning the first and the second regions by a chemical liquid; rinsing the cleaned first and the second regions by a rinse liquid; and drying the rinsed first and the second regions.
US08399353B2
A method of forming a Cu wiring in a trench or hole formed in a substrate is provided. The method includes forming a barrier film on the surface of the trench or hole, forming a Ru film on the barrier film, and embedding copper in the trench or hole by forming a Cu film on the Ru film using PVD while heating the substrate such that migration of copper into the trench or hole occurs.
US08399345B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes: forming an isolation region for defining a plurality of active regions in a silicon substrate; doping p-type impurities in at least one of the plurality of active regions to form a p-type well; forming an NMOS gate electrode traversing the p-type well via a gate insulating film; implanting n-type impurity ions into the p-type well on both sides of the NMOS gate electrode to form n-type extension regions; forming an NMOS gate side wall spacer on side walls of the NMOS gate electrode; implanting n-type impurity ions into the p-type well outside the NMOS gate side wall spacers to form n-type source/drain regions; forming a nickel silicide layer in surface regions of the n-type source/drain regions; and implanting Al ions the said n-type source/drain regions to dope Al in the nickel silicide layer surface regions.
US08399338B2
The objective is to limit pickup defects when chips with a semi-cured adhesive layer are picked up following dicing by lowering the adhesive strength of an ultraviolet curable adhesive beforehand while improving the cohesive force. Provided is a dicing method for semiconductor wafers with a semi-cured adhesive layer that comprises a process to coat the back surface of semiconductor wafers with a paste-like adhesive and semi-cure the paste-like adhesive in a sheet form using heating or ultraviolet irradiation to form a semi-cured adhesive layer, a gluing process to glue an adhesive sheet, wherein an ultraviolet curable adhesive is laminated on a base film, onto the semi-cured adhesive layer, an ultraviolet irradiation process to apply ultraviolet irradiation to the ultraviolet curable adhesive, and a dicing process to dice the semi-cured adhesive layer glued to the adhesive sheet and the semiconductor wafers.
US08399324B2
In a method of fabricating a semiconductor device on a substrate having thereon a conductive layer, the conductive layer is patterned to form a plurality of opened regions. A gate insulation layer is formed on a sidewall of each of the opened regions. A pillar pattern is formed in each opened region. On each pillar pattern, a gate electrode, which encloses the pillar pattern, is formed by removing the conductive layer between the pillar patterns.
US08399311B2
A thin film transistor array panel includes a gate line formed on a substrate, an interlayer insulating film formed on the gate line and having an opening, a gate insulator formed in the opening, a data line formed on the interlayer insulating film and including a first conductive layer made of a transparent conductive oxide and a second conductive layer made of a metal, a source electrode connected to the data line and made of a transparent conductive oxide, a drain electrode facing the source electrode and made of a transparent conductive oxide, a pixel electrode connected to the drain electrode, and an organic semiconductor contacting the source electrode and the drain electrode.
US08399310B2
A method of making a logic transistor in a logic region of a substrate and a non-volatile memory cell in an NVM region of the substrate includes forming a gate dielectric layer on the substrate. A first polysilicon layer is formed on the gate dielectric. The first polysilicon layer is formed over the NVM region and removing the first polysilicon layer over the logic region. A dielectric layer is formed over the NVM region including the first polysilicon layer and over the logic region. A protective layer is formed over the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer and the protective layer are removed from the logic region to leave a remaining portion of the dielectric layer and a remaining portion of the protective layer over the NVM region. A high-k dielectric layer is formed over the logic region and the remaining portion of the protective layer. A first metal layer is formed over the high K dielectric layer. The first metal layer, the high K dielectric, and the remaining portion of the protective layer are removed over the NVM region to leave a remaining portion of the first metal layer and a remaining portion of the high K dielectric layer over the logic region. A conductive layer is deposited over the remaining portion of the dielectric layer and over the first metal layer. The NVM cell and the logic transistor are formed and this includes patterning the conductive layer.
US08399309B2
A manufacturing method is disclosed which ensures strength of a wafer and improves device performance. A thermal diffusion layer is formed from a front surface of a wafer. A tapered groove which reaches the thermal diffusion layer is formed from a back surface by anisotropic etching with alkaline solution. In-groove thermal diffusion layer is formed on side wall surfaces of the groove. A separation layer of a reverse blocking IGBT is configured of the thermal diffusion layer and the in-groove diffusion layer. The thermal diffusion layer is formed shallowly by forming the in-groove diffusion layer. It is possible to considerably reduce thermal diffusion time. By carrying out an ion implantation forming the in-groove diffusion layer and an ion implantation forming a collector layer separately, it is possible to select an optimum value for tradeoff between turn-on voltage and switching loss, while ensuring reverse blocking voltage of the reverse blocking IGBT.
US08399303B1
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a modularized integrated circuit (IC). The method includes the following steps: providing a base; and coupling an input/output module with the base. The base includes a lead-frame and a first package. The first package covers the lead-frame but exposes first contact points. The input/output module includes a first substrate, a plurality of first conducting columns, and a plurality of third contact points. A portion of each of the third contact points is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the first contact points. The method enhances the flexibility of IC design, and reduces the time and costs of developing new process techniques.
US08399302B2
The occurrence of a resin seal failure is suppressed. A molding step is carried out using a lead frame in which there are formed multiple air vent portions for discharging gas in each cavity formed in the upper die of a molding die to outside the cavity. The air vent portions are formed at positions overlapping with the other corner portions, arranged inside a gate portion of the cavity. Each of the air vent portions is led out from the other corner portions of the cavity to outside a clamp area and is extended along sides of the cavity, respectively, in the clamp area.
US08399288B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, source/drain electrodes, and a channel-forming region that are disposed on a base is provided. The method includes the steps of forming a thin film by application of a mixed solution including a polymeric insulating material and a dioxaanthanthrene compound represented by structural formula (1) below; and subsequently drying the thin film to induce phase separation of the polymeric insulating material and the dioxaanthanthrene compound, thereby forming the gate insulating layer from the polymeric insulating material and the channel-forming region from the dioxaanthanthrene compound: wherein at least one of R3 and R9 represents a substituent other than hydrogen.
US08399283B2
Provided is a bifacial photovoltaic arrangement comprising a bifacial cell which included a semiconductor layer having a first surface and a second surface, a first passivation layer formed on the first surface of the semiconductor layer and a second passivation layer formed on the second surface of the semiconductor layer, and a plurality of metallizations formed on the first and second passivation layers and selectively connected to the semiconductor layer. At least some of the metallizations on the bifacial photovoltaic arrangement comprising an elongated metal structure having a relatively small width and a relatively large height extending upward from the first and second passivation layers.
US08399282B2
A method for forming a pad in a wafer with a three-dimensional stacking structure is disclosed. The method includes bonding a device wafer that includes an Si substrate and a handling wafer, thinning a back side of the Si substrate, depositing an anti-reflective layer on the thinned back side of the Si substrate, depositing a back side dielectric layer on the anti-reflective layer, forming vias that pass through the anti-reflective layer and the back side dielectric layer and contact back sides of super contacts which are formed on the Si substrate, and forming a pad on the back side dielectric layer such that the pad is electrically connected to the vias.
US08399273B2
A light-emitting diode (LED) device is provided. The LED device has a lower LED layer and an upper LED layer with a light-emitting layer interposed therebetween. A current blocking layer is formed in the upper LED layer such that current passing between an electrode contacting the upper LED layer flows around the current blocking layer. When the current blocking layer is positioned between the electrode and the light-emitting layer, the light emitted by the light-emitting layer is not blocked by the electrode and the light efficiency is increased. The current blocking layer may be formed by converting a portion of the upper LED layer into a resistive region. In an embodiment, ions such as magnesium, carbon, or silicon are implanted into the upper LED layer to form the current blocking layer.
US08399271B2
A display apparatus includes a substrate; a first insulating layer formed on the substrate and having an upper surface including a concavo-convex area including one or more concave features and one or more convex features; a first storage electrode overlaying the upper surface and a side surface of the first insulating layer and having an upper surface including a concavo-convex area including one or more concave features and one or more convex features, each concave feature of the first storage electrode overlying at least one respective concave feature of the first insulating layer, each convex feature of the first storage electrode overlying at least one respective convex feature of the first insulating layer; a second insulating layer formed on the first storage electrode; and a second storage electrode formed on the second insulating layer which separates the second storage electrode from the underlying first storage electrode.
US08399268B1
A method for depositing a layer of phosphor-containing material on a plurality of LED dies includes disposing a template with a plurality of openings on an adhesive tape and disposing each of a plurality of LED dies in one of the plurality of openings of the template. The method also includes forming a patterned dry film photoresist layer over the template and the plurality of LED dies. The photoresist layer has a plurality of openings configured to expose a top surface of each of the LED dies. Next, a phosphor-containing material is disposed on the exposed top surface of each the LED dies. The method further includes removing the photoresist layer and the template.
US08399265B2
A device is disclosed for releasably receiving a singulated semiconductor chip having a first main surface and a second main surface opposite the first main surface. The device includes a support structure. At least one elastic element is arranged on the support structure. Electrical contact elements are arranged on the at least one elastic element and adapted to be contacted to the first main surface of the semiconductor chip. A foil is adapted to be arranged over the second main surface of the semiconductor chip.
US08399259B2
The measuring device of the invention includes: a first container and a second container for holding a sample; and an optical measurement part for carrying out an optical measurement. The first container has a first sample supply inlet for supplying a sample containing an analyte to the first container and at least one electrode. The second container has a second sample supply inlet for supplying the sample to the second container and a reagent holding part for holding a reagent for the optical measurement.
US08399254B2
Host cells comprise a site for targeted integration and iterative stacking of DNA through recombination. The site comprises a target sequence comprising (a) a truncated functional sequence effective for restoration of a functional sequence when operably linked through a recombination event with a sequence that completes the truncated functional sequence; (b) a first recombinase recognition site derived through site-specific recombination-mediated excision of nucleotide sequences flanked by recombinase recognition sequences; and (c) a host homology sequence located between the truncated functional sequence and the first recombinase recognition site derived through site-specific recombination-mediated excision of nucleotide sequences flanked by recombinase recognition sequences.
US08399251B2
The invention relates to a method of identifying and obtaining cells that have the potential to differentiate into pancreatic cells, having the step of contacting a cell population containing endocrine pre-progenitor cells, endocrine progenitor cells, early endocrine cells, and/or fully differentiated endocrine cells with a DNER binding agent; as well as isolating and/or expanding cells obtained by the method and compositions thereof.
US08399249B2
The present invention relates to cell capture assay for the selection of a high producer cell line expressing anti-CD34 antibodies that recognize the CD34 membrane-protein in the cell membrane. The monoclonal antibody secreted by the hybridoma cell line 9C5/9069 binds to human CD34 and is used to isolate stem cells. The DNA sequences encoding for the antibody heavy and light chain have been identified, isolated from the hybridoma cells and cloned into appropriate expression vectors. After co-transfection of the heavy and light chain genes into HEK293T or in CHO cells either conditioned medium or purified antibody were assessed for binding to CD34 protein located in the cell membrane in different cell capture assays. The binding of the antibody to CD34-positive cells could be shown with these assays for several cell lines.
US08399241B2
Disclosed are compositions and methods for modulating expression of genes that function at the step of ER of Golgi trafficking. Compounds that modulate expression of these genes of activity of the encoded proteins can be used to inhibit alpha-synuclein mediated toxicity and used to threat of prevent synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease. Also disclosed are methods of identifying inhibitors of alpha-synuclein mediated toxicity.
US08399230B2
The thermal stability of enzymes is improved by incorporating the enzyme in a matrix of a non-reducing sugar, such as trehalose. Heat-stable compositions of enzymes and sugar are formed by adding the enzymes to a sugar syrup and drying the mixture either by spreading it on a carrier or by spray drying. The enzyme compositions retain higher levels of activity after being subjected to heat in product-forming processes, such as steam pelleting of animal feed supplemented with the enzyme compositions.
US08399224B2
Described herein is a method of preparing DDGS containing reduced levels of beta-glucan and phytic acid suitable for an animal feed.
US08399219B2
The present disclosure provides for proprotein and activatable proprotein compositions. A proprotein contains a functional protein (i.e. a full length protein or functional fragment thereof) which is coupled to a peptide mask that inhibits the binding of the functional protein to its target or binding partner. An activatable proprotein contains a functional protein coupled to a peptide mask, and further coupled to an activatable linker, wherein in an non-activated state, the peptide mask inhibits binding of the functional protein to its target or binding partner and in an activated state the peptide mask does not inhibit binding of the functional protein to its target or binding partner. Proproteins can provide for reduced toxicity and adverse side effects that could otherwise result from binding of a functional protein at non-treatment sites if it were not inhibited from binding its binding partner. Proproteins can further provide improved biodistribution characteristics. Proproteins containing a peptide mask can display a longer in vivo or serum half-life than the corresponding functional protein not containing a peptide mask. The disclosure further provides methods of screening for, making, and using these proproteins.
US08399218B2
The present disclosure relates to engineered zinc finger proteins that target 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) genes in plants and methods of using such zinc finger proteins in modulating gene expression, gene inactivation, and targeted gene modification. In particular, the disclosure pertains to zinc finger nucleases for targeted cleavage and alteration of EPSPS genes.
US08399214B2
The present invention features improved processes and organisms for the production of methionine. The invention demonstrates that a ΔmetF organism or a ΔmetE AmetH organism, for example, mutants of C. glutamicum or E. coli, can use a methyl capped sulfide source, e.g., dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), as a source of both sulfur and a methyl group, bypassing the need for MetH/MetE and MetF activity and the need to reduce sulfate, for the synthesis of methionine. Also described in this patent are data implicating MetY (also called MetZ) as an enzyme that incorporates a methyl capped sulfide source, e.g., DMDS, into methionine. A ΔmetF ΔmetB strain of C. glutamicum can use a methyl capped sulfide source, e.g., DMDS, as a source of both sulfide and a methyl group. Furthermore, methionine production by engineered prototrophic organisms that overproduce O-acetyl-homoserine was improved by the addition of a methyl capped sulfide source, e.g., DMDS.
US08399213B2
The invention relates in general to tyrosine dephosphorylation. More specifically, the invention relates to methods and compositions for monitoring intracellular tyrosine dephosphorylation at the single cell level. The invention further relates to techniques that can be used as aid in the development of novel therapeutics, and monitor regulation of intracellular tyrosine phosphatase activity at the single cell level.
US08399211B2
The present invention provides processes for determining the molecular weight of glatiramer acetate and other copolymers. The present invention further provides a plurality of molecular weight markers for determining the molecular weight of glatiramer acetate and other copolypmers which display linear relationships between molar ellipticity and molecular weight, and between retention time and the log of the molecular weight. The molecular weight markers also optimally demonstrate biological activity similar to glatiramer acetate or corresponding copolymers and can be used for treating or preventing various immune diseases. In addition, the subject invention provides pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of immune diseases comprising a polypeptide having an identified molecular weight and an amino acid composition corresponding to glatiramer acetate or a terpolymer.
US08399204B2
The present invention provides a screening method for determining whether a substance of interest is a substance which alters GPR120 mediated cell stimulating activities, comprising using a substance of interest, a biomembrane containing GPR120, or cells containing said biomembrane, and phospholipase or salts thereof. According to a screening method of the present invention, the method can screen substances such as CCK and GLP-1 which are involved in the secretion of hormones in gastrointestinal tracts.
US08399203B2
A method of analyzing cellular samples that include a chemically crosslinked analyte is provided. The analysis typically involves the use of mass spectrometry.
US08399202B2
Novel immuno-interactive fragments of the αC portion of a mammalian inhibin α subunit, together with their variants and derivatives, produce antigen-binding molecules that are interactive with the αC portion, and which are chemically well defined and which can be produced in commercially significant quantities. The antigen-binding molecules of the invention can be used for the detection of a mammalian inhibin and for the treatment and/or prevention of conditions associated with aberrant levels of a mammalian inhibin.
US08399199B2
The present invention concerns preparation of DNA molecules, such as a library, using a stem-loop oligonucleotide. In particular embodiments, the invention employs a single reaction mixture and conditions. In particular, at least part of the inverted palindrome is removed during the preparation of the molecules to facilitate amplification of the molecules. Thus, in specific embodiments, the DNA molecules are suitable for amplification and are not hindered by the presence of the palindrome.
US08399193B2
The present invention relates to the identification of novel DNA biomarkers and the use of the aberrant methylation patterns of the biomarkers to diagnose a disease or a condition (e.g., a cancer) associated therewith. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of the novel DNA biomarkers to diagnose lung cancers, e.g., squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas.
US08399190B2
A method for lysing cells is disclosed. The method includes stirring cells with a magnetic stir element in the presence of a plurality of cell lysis beads at a speed sufficient to lyse the cells. Also disclosed is a device for lysing cells. The device includes a container having a magnetic stir element and a plurality of cell lysis beads disposed therein. The container is dimensioned to allow rotation of the magnetic stir element inside the container.
US08399188B2
The invention provides nucleoside and nucleotide molecules containing cleavable linkers linking a label such as a dye. The invention also provides nucleosides and nucleotide molecules containing a blocking group, either removable or non-removable. The invention additionally provides methods of using the nucleoside and nucleotide molecules containing a cleavable linker and/or a blocking group.
US08399183B2
A multiple mask and a multiple masking layer technique can be used to pattern an IC layer. A RET can be used to define one or more fine-line patterns in a first masking layer. Portions of the fine-line features are then removed or designated for removal using a mask. This removal/designation can include accessing a desired layout (with at least one layout feature including a fine-line feature and a coarse feature) and expanding layout features only in directions along critical dimensions of those layout features. Another mask can then be used to define coarse features in a second masking layer formed over the patterned first masking layer. Coarse feature(s) can be derived from the desired layout using a shrink/grow operation performed only in directions orthogonal to a critical dimension of the fine-line features. The IC layer can be patterned using the composite mask formed by the patterned first and second masking layers.
US08399168B2
A method for producing a toner, that can produce a low temperature fixable toner in a stable manner, a toner produced by the production method, a two-component developer using the toner, a developing device and an image forming apparatus are provided. The toner is produced using an aqueous dispersion obtained by dispersing a crystalline self-dispersion polyester resin having at least one carboxyl group and containing a compound represented by the following chemical formula (1) as an alcohol component in an aqueous medium. The aqueous dispersion, a colorant particle aqueous dispersion and a wax particle aqueous dispersion are mixed to aggregate, and a non-crystalline self-dispersion polyester resin particle aqueous dispersion is further added to perform aggregation. The liquid mixture containing the aggregates is heated and washed, thereby obtaining a toner: HO—CH2CH2CH2CH2nOH (1) wherein n is an integer of from 2 to 50.
US08399163B2
When an alignment mark does not exist within an area of an image obtained by a camera, the coordinate of the alignment mark is calculated based on an identification mark existing in the area of the image and a previously stored positional relationship between the alignment mark and the identification mark. A distance by which a long-sized base material is to be moved for causing the alignment mark to be positioned within the imaging area of the camera is calculated based on the calculated coordinate of the alignment mark, and the long-sized base material is moved by the calculated distance.
US08399158B2
Techniques are disclosed for fabricating lithography masks, which include a first level process comprising lithography and etching to form mask frame and in-die areas, and a second level process comprising lithography and etching to form one or more mask features in the in-die area. At least one of the mask features has a smallest dimension in the nanometer range (e.g., 32 nm technology node, or smaller). The techniques may be embodied, for example, in a lithography mask for fabricating semiconductor circuits. In one such example case, the mask includes a frame area and an in-die area formed after the frame area. The in-die area includes one or more mask features, at least one of which has a smallest dimension of less than 100 nm. The mask has a critical dimension bias of less than 20 nm and a structure that comprises a substrate and an absorber layer.
US08399156B2
Disclosed are a volume phase hologram recording material having high sensitivity, high contrast, and excellent multiple recording and record holding properties and a volume phase hologram recording medium using the same. The volume phase hologram recording material comprises mainly a polymer matrix (a), a radically photopolymerizable compound (b), and a radical photopolymerization initiator (c) and the polymer matrix is a three-dimensionally crosslinked or linear polymer matrix formed from a polymer matrix-forming material containing 0.5-50 wt % of an episulfide compound (f), an epoxy compound (g), and a curing agent (h).
US08399153B2
In a method for the production of a membrane electrode assembly comprising a membrane, electrodes and a catalyst, the catalyst is pressed into the membrane material, e.g. when forming the material in situ.
US08399152B2
Provided is a method of producing a fuel cell catalyst layer which has a large specific surface area and high activity and which includes the steps of: forming a dendritic structural member including a catalyst precursor by a vapor phase method; providing a coating layer on a surface of the dendritic structural member; and subjecting the dendritic structural member having the coating layer provided thereon to a reduction treatment. The dendritic structural member including a catalyst precursor is a dendritic structural member including platinum oxide or a dendritic structural member containing a composite oxide of platinum oxide and an element except platinum.
US08399148B2
Provided is a varnish which contains a solvent and an electrode electrolyte for a solid polymer fuel cell electrolyte, which contains a polymer with a structure having a main chain including a polyphenylene, a side chain including a sulfonic acid group and a repeating structural unit as a side chain including a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group.
US08399132B2
A niobium oxide-containing electrode includes a collector; and an active material layer formed on the collector, the active material layer including an active material, a conducting agent and a binder; and niobium oxide on the active material layer on the collector.
US08399131B2
Disclosed is a composite negative electrode active material including a graphitizable carbon material containing a layered structure formed of stacked carbon layers partially having a three-dimensional regularity, and a low crystalline carbon material. A negative electrode including the composite negative electrode active material is used to produce a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery thus produced has a high energy density and demonstrates a high output/input performance for a long period of time in various environments of high to low temperatures.
US08399130B2
This invention relates generally to electrode materials, electrochemical cells employing such materials, and methods of synthesizing such materials. The electrode materials have a crystal structure with a high ratio of Li to metal M, which is found to improve capacity by enabling the transfer of a greater amount of lithium per metal, and which is also found to improve stability by retaining a sufficient amount of lithium after charging. Furthermore, synthesis techniques are presented which result in improved charge and discharge capacities and reduced particle sizes of the electrode materials.
US08399125B2
A cap assembly and a secondary battery using the cap assembly, the cap assembly including: a cap-up having a groove; a PTC thermistor disposed in the groove; and inner components disposed below the cap-up. The inner components can include a vent disposed under the cap-up; a cap-down disposed under the vent; a sub-plate disposed under the cap-down; and an insulating vent disposed between the vent and the cap-down The secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly; a can containing the electrode assembly, having an opening at one side; and the cap assembly to seal the opening of the can.
US08399120B2
A battery module includes a plurality of rechargeable batteries, each rechargeable battery including a case having an opening at one side and an electrode assembly inserted inside the case; and a sealing layer disposed between an opening of at least one case and a case of a neighboring rechargeable battery, wherein the opening of the at least case is covered by the case of the neighboring rechargeable battery.
US08399118B2
A battery module and a method for cooling the battery module are provided. The battery module includes a first battery cell and a cooling fin disposed adjacent to the first battery cell. The cooling fin has first and second headers, an extruded housing, and a flow diverter. The first and second headers are coupled to first and second ends, respectively, of the extruded housing. The extruded housing has a first plurality of flow channels and a second plurality of flow channels extending therethrough that fluidly communicate with the first and second headers. The flow diverter is disposed in the first header to induce a fluid to flow from the first header through the first plurality of flow channels in the extruded housing to the second header to extract heat energy from the first battery cell.
US08399109B2
Organic electronic devices comprising a phthalimide compound. The phthalimide compounds disclosed herein are electron transporters with large HOMO-LUMO gaps, high triplet energies, large reduction potentials, and/or thermal and chemical stability. As such, these phthalimide compounds are suitable for use in any of various organic electronic devices, such as OLEDs and solar cells. In an OLED, the phthalimide compounds may serve various functions, such as a host in the emissive layer, as a hole blocking material, or as an electron transport material. In a solar cell, the phthalimide compounds may serve various functions, such as an exciton blocking material. Various examples of phthalimide compounds which may be suitable for use in the present invention are disclosed.
US08399102B2
The current invention relates to a moisture-hardening composition that contains, in addition to a silane-functional polymer with end groups of formula (I), a reaction product that can be manufactured from an amino silane with primary amino groups and an alkene that is free of silane groups. The compositions are characterized by improved expandability with concurrent high reactivity, good adhesion characteristics, and high tear strength and are suited especially for use as elastic bonding substance or sealant.
US08399099B1
The present invention relates to cationically and radically curable coating compositions for coating a surface. The coating compositions consist essentially of a radically or cationically curable monomer, and a metal salt. The metal salt is chosen so that it is reduced at the surface to be coated, and where the standard reduction potential of the metal salt is greater than the standard reduction potential of the surface, and where when the composition is placed in contact with the surface, the metal salt of the composition is reduced at the surface, thereby initiating cure of the curable component in the compositions. Redox mediated cure of the coating compositions results in a coating or film on the surface. The invention also provides for functionalization of surfaces. Cross-linking of the coating occurs directly on the surface.
US08399097B2
A safety laminate comprises an interlayer that comprises an ionomer that is the neutralized product of a precursor acid copolymer. The precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of a first α-olefin having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and about 20 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of a first α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms; and has a melt flow rate of about 10 to about 4000 g/10 min. When neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90% and when comprising counterions that consist essentially of sodium cations, the precursor acid copolymer produces a sodium ionomer that has a melt flow rate of about 0.7 to about 25 g/10 min and a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.0 j/g. The ionomer composition may further comprise a second ionomer that has a melt flow rate of about 10 g/10 min or less.
US08399096B2
An ionomer composition comprises an ionomer that is the neutralized product of a precursor acid copolymer. The precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of an α-olefin having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and about 20 to about 30 wt %, based on the total weight of the precursor acid copolymer, of copolymerized units of an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms; a melt flow rate of about 10 to about 4000 g/10 min; and, when neutralized to a level of about 40% to about 90% and when comprising counterions that consist essentially of sodium cations, the precursor acid copolymer produces a sodium ionomer that has a melt flow rate of about 0.7 to about 25 g/10 min and a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.0 j/g. Further provided are articles comprising the ionomer composition.
US08399094B2
The present invention provides laminates including: (a) at least one layer of at least one polyurethane including a reaction product of components including: (i) at least one polyisocyanate; (ii) at least one branched polyol having 4 to 18 carbon atoms and at least 3 hydroxyl groups; and (iii) at least one diol having 2 to 18 carbon atoms wherein the reaction components are maintained at a temperature of at least about 100° C. for at least about 10 minutes; and (b) at least one layer of a substrate selected from the group consisting of paper, glass, ceramic, wood, masonry, textile, metal or organic polymeric material and combinations thereof; and methods of making the same.
US08399092B2
A zinc oxide particle having large particle diameter and being high-density is provided. An exoergic resin composition, an exoergic grease and an exoergic coating composition containing the zinc oxide particle exhibit an excellent exoergic property. The zinc oxide particle being high-density, has a density of 4.0 g/cm3 or more, median size (D50) of 17 to 10000 μm and tap bulk density of 3.10 g/cm3 or more.
US08399091B2
An adhesive sheet is provided in which properties that cause corrosion of a non-contacting metal are inhibited. The adhesive sheet is provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed from an aqueous dispersion type adhesive composition. The pressure-sensitive adhesive composition contains an aqueous dispersion type acrylic polymer synthesized using a chain transfer agent that does not have sulfur as a composite element thereof. The amount of sulfur-containing gas (as SO42−) released from the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet in the case of heating for 1 hour at 85° C. is 0.043 μg/1 cm2 or less, adhesive strength on an ABS sheet is 10 N/20 mm or more, and holding time as determined in an 80° C. cohesive strength test is 1 hour or more.
US08399090B2
This invention provides a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition that exhibits excellent pressure-sensitive adhesive properties after crosslinking treatment, does not cause lifting or lifting upon heat treatment or treatment under high-humidity conditions particularly even in the case of a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer having a reduced layer thickness, and has excellent durability. A pressure-sensitive adhesive layer formed using the pressure-sensitive adhesive composition, and a process for producing the same are also provided. Further, an optical member with pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and an image display using the same are provided. The pressure-sensitive adhesive composition is characterized by comprising 100 parts by weight of an (meth)acrylic polymer and 0.02 to 2 parts by weight of a peroxide, and 0.02 to 2 parts by weight of an isocyanate crosslinking agent, the (meth)acrylic polymer comprising as monomer units 50 to 98% by weight of an (meth)acrylic monomer represented by general formula CH2═C(R1)COOR2, wherein R1 represents hydrogen or a methyl group and R2 represents an alkyl group having 2 to 14 carbon atoms, and 0.1 to 35% by weight of a nitrogen-containing monomer.
US08399088B2
A flexible, self-adhering stretchable material with improved stretch and recovery properties is provided as a flashing for use in building openings such as windows. The material includes a microcreped topsheet and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The material extends to the desired length at a low applied force and recovers a low to moderate amount, making it particularly suited for use in the lower corners of window openings.
US08399081B2
A solar cell module comprising a solar cell layer and an ionomer sheet comprising a sodium/zinc mixed ionomer that is the neutralization product of a precursor acid copolymer; wherein the precursor acid copolymer comprises copolymerized units of an α-olefin having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and about 20 to about 30 wt % of copolymerized units of an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 to 8 carbon atoms based on the total weight of the precursor acid copolymer; wherein the precursor acid copolymer has a melt flow rate of about 70 to about 1000 g/10 min, as determined in accordance with ASTM D1238 at 190° C. and 2.16 kg; and wherein when about 40% to about 90% of the total content of the carboxylic acid groups present in the precursor acid copolymer are neutralized to carboxylate groups to comprise carboxylate groups and counterions that consist essentially of sodium ions, the resulting sodium ionomer has a freeze enthalpy that is not detectable or that is less than about 3.0 j/g, when determined by differential scanning calorimetry in accordance with ASTM D3418.
US08399080B2
A long life balloon formed from a lamination. The lamination includes a polyester film with a total thickness of 4 μm to 12 μm. The polyester film includes a biaxially oriented polyester core layer and at least one amorphous copolyester skin layer. The lamination also includes a sealant layer and a gas barrier layer on an opposite side of the polyester film from the sealant layer. The oxygen transmission rate of the balloon is less than 0.1 cc/100 sqin/day, a bonding strength of the gas barrier layer to the surface of the polyester film is more than 300 g/in at dry conditions, a sealing strength of the balloon is more than 3.5 kg/in, and a floating time of the balloon is more than 20 days.
US08399070B2
A method of forming an electrochemical test sensor includes providing a base. Electrochemically-active material is placed on the base. Dielectric material is applied over the electrochemically-active material. A first selected area of the dielectric material is laser-ablated to expose the electrochemically-active material. A second selected area of the dielectric material and the electrochemically-active material are laser-ablated to expose the base. The first selected area is different from the second selected area. A second layer is applied to assist in forming a channel in the test sensor. The channel assists in allowing a fluid sample to contact a reagent located therein. The dielectric material is located between the base and the second layer.
US08399067B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for coating a substrate (60), in particular a printed circuit board (61), with a device (16) for applying a coating material (material applying device) and a device (14) for supplying a gaseous medium (gas supplying device), the material applying device having an inner tubular element (16). The apparatus is distinguished by the fact that the gas supplying device has an outer tubular element (14) which is arranged coaxially in relation to the inner tubular element (16) and encloses the latter, so that a gas supply channel (19) is formed between the outer tubular element (14) and the inner tubular element (16), the supply channel (19) being designed in such a way that the gaseous medium flows out parallel to the coating material, in order to displace the coating material when it impinges on the substrate (60) and in this way distribute it over the surface area. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for coating a substrate.
US08399063B2
An anticurl backing layer dispersion, including: a volatile carrier liquid, solid organic or inorganic particles, and a surfactant, wherein the dispersion does not include a binder. An anitcurl backing layer composition including the above-described dispersion, a binder solution comprising a binder and a volatile carrier liquid, and optionally a resin, is also disclosed.
US08399058B2
The present disclosure relates to a profiled masking article and method of masking a substrate to be treated or painted that provides a feathered or soft edge between painted and unpainted areas. The masking article described herein may be used as a single strip, or as multiple strips, placed side by side, wherein a strip is removed between treatments of different types. This allows successive treatment layers to completely cover previous layers, thus avoiding defects resulting from exposed layers of material. In an embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a masking article comprising: at least one elongate body (12), said body (12) having a top surface, a bottom surface and at least two lateral surfaces, wherein at least a portion of said body comprises an adhesive material; and a generally planar top portion (14), connected to the body along at least one surface, said top portion (14) having a microstructured surface.
US08399054B2
A method is disclosed for growing metal (including semiconductor metal) nanowires from a film deposited on a substrate. In an illustrative embodiment tin and silicon are co-deposited, such as by sputtering, on a silicon substrate at, for example, ambient temperature. The deposited tin and silicon do not mix and the film has a tin phase dispersed in a higher melting, lower coefficient of thermal expansion, silicon phase. Upon heating, the tin expands against the silicon and expels small tin wires from the upper surface of the film. Other metal or metal alloy wires may be formed in a like manner using a matrix material and substrate in film deposition that don't mix with the metal composition and, when heated, force the expanding metal to extrude from the film surface as small diameter wires.
US08399048B2
Provided is a method of patterning a catalyst using nano imprint lithography. The method includes slurrying a catalyst, preparing a stamp for forming a catalyst pattern, forming the catalyst pattern by coating a substrate with the catalyst slurry, imprinting the stamp on the catalyst slurry and performing patterning simultaneously with calcination through nano imprint lithography, and drying the patterned catalyst. As the catalyst pattern is formed through the nano imprint lithography, a surface area of the catalyst increases and it is easy to pattern the catalyst according to the shape of the stamp.
US08399042B2
The invention relates to aqueous dispersions containing (a) 5 to 50% by weight of sterols and/or stanols; and (b) 0.5 to 20% by weight of citric acid esters of mono- and/or diglycerides, based on the total weight of the dispersion, wherein the citric acid esters of mono- and/or diglycerides are partially neutralised; and to a process for the production of an aqueous sterol/stanol-containing dispersion, which process comprises (a) dissolving citric acid esters of mono- and/or diglycerides that are partly neutralised, in water; (b) dispersing sterols and/or stanols in the emulsifier solution to form a pre-dispersion; and (c) grinding the pre-dispersion in a ball-mill until the dispersion has a particle mass diameter, d90, of less than 5 μm. Optionally, this dispersion is spray-dried.
US08399039B2
A shelf-stable, liquid whitening composition having a whitening agent and a stabilizing system are disclosed. The stabilizing system includes a gum component, preferably of a mixture of two different gum, present in an amount sufficient to suspend the whitening agent in the liquid whitening composition and in an aqueous media to which the liquid whitening composition is added, an emulsifier in an amount sufficient to maintain emulsion stability in the liquid whitening composition and in the aqueous media, and a cellulose component, preferably of a blend of a microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose blend, in an amount sufficient to help maintain suspension and emulsion stability of the liquid whitening composition alone and in the aqueous media. The stabilizing system maintains the liquid whitener in a homogeneous state for at least about 9 months at ambient temperatures, and further maintains the whitening composition in suspension when added to the aqueous media.
US08399037B2
Grain or legume having an increased content of a functional component (γ-aminobutyric acid) is obtained by humidifying grain (such as rice, wheat or corn) or legume (such as soybean and adzuki bean) by forcing the grain into an air having a temperature of 50° C. or more and a relative humidity of 90% or more such that a moisture content thereof rises within the range of 16.0% to 18.5%, and thereafter, drying the grain or legume.
US08399030B1
A new use of castor oil in treating atopic eczema and cradle cap is disclosed. Compositions of greater than 50% castor oil and less than 50% mineral oil are preferable for skin application. Compositions of approximately 80% castor oil and 20% mineral oil are optimal for skin application. The compositions are best applied using a small pump-spray bottle (optimally about 2 oz.) having a relatively small output aperture (optimally about 3 mm). The spray application and composition reduced the messiness of the application process.The composition is applied differently to different conditions; specifically the composition is applied to atopic eczema and dry or non-oily cradle cap and left in place to be absorbed into the patient's skin; to oily cradle cap, the composition is optimally applied for a period of about 5 minutes, after which the scalp is massaged and the patient's scabs or flakes are removed along with the composition.
US08399026B2
The presently described subject matter relates to isolated spider venom peptides, which are used as potent and selective ion channel blockers, and to a composition and methods for treatment of pain.
US08399018B2
Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for the treatment of otic disorders with ion channel modulators. In these methods, the ion channel modulator compositions and formulations are administered locally to an individual afflicted with an otic disorder, through direct application of the ion channel modulator compositions and formulations onto the auris interna target areas, or via perfusion into the auris interna structures.
US08399011B1
The present invention relates to an oral particle composition as an ingredient in an extended-release tablet formulation, comprising a core and a coat, wherein the coat is acid-soluble.
US08399005B2
The present invention is directed to compositions comprising at least one nitric oxide donor and at least one second therapeutically active agent with antimicrobial or wound healing capability. In one embodiment, the nitric oxide donor is a nanoparticle which is designed to control for the amount and duration of release of nitric oxide. The nanoparticle may further comprise the additional therapeutically active agent. The composition is useful for enhancing wound healing and for treating and preventing microbial infection. In one embodiment, the composition is directed toward reducing oral bacteria or dental plaque. The combination of one or more nitric oxide donors and one or more additional therapeutically active agent results in unexpected synergistic effects, wherein both the antimicrobial efficacy of the nitric oxide and the antimicrobial or wound healing efficacy of the second therapeutically active agent are enhanced. As a result, a patient may benefit from reduced dosage requirements and a reduced likelihood of antimicrobial resistance. The composition may be formulated for local or systemic administration, for topical applications as well as for use in coatings for medical supplies and devices.
US08399002B2
An anhydrous topical scar treatment product having a water activity of less than 0.50, the product being comprised of (i) a silicone elastomer, (ii) a non-volatile, anhydrous carrier vehicle, (iii) L-ascorbic acid in the form of fine powder, at a concentration of concentration of from 7.5% to 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the anhydrous topical scar treatment product, and (iv) an oil-soluble Vitamin C derivative at a concentration of from 5% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the anhydrous topical scar treatment product.
US08398995B2
A method for inducing immune tolerance to type I diabetes in a mammal by mucosal delivery of an antigen involved in the induction of type I diabetes such as pro-insulin or insulin is disclosed. The antigen involved in the induction of type I diabetes is delivered together with an IL-10 secreting micro-organism such as Lactococcus lactis and a anti-CD3 antibody.
US08398989B2
Human cystathionine β-synthase variants are disclosed, as well as a method to produce recombinant human cystathionine β-synthase and variants thereof. More particularly, the role of both the N-terminal and C-terminal regions of human CBS has been studied, and a variety of truncation mutants and modified CBS homologues are described. In addition, a method to express and purify recombinant human cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) and variants thereof which have only one or two additional amino acid residues at the N-terminus are described.
US08398983B2
The present application discloses an immunogenic composition comprising a Hib saccharide conjugate, at least one additional bacterial, for example N. meningitidis, saccharide conjugate(s), and a further antigen selected from the group consisting of whole cell pertussis and hepatitis B surface antigen, wherein the saccharide dose of the Hib saccharide conjugate is less than 5 ug.
US08398981B2
To provide a therapeutic drug for Alzheimer's disease and/or a cancer. The therapeutic drug for Alzheimer's disease and/or a cancer contains an anti-nicastrin antibody, a derivative of the antibody, or a fragment of the antibody or the derivative.
US08398969B2
The present invention discloses a novel apathogenic viral strain useful in the treatment of viral hepatitis infections. The preferred viral strain of Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) is specifically characterized in terms of structure and biological activities. The invention also provides recombinant IBDV viral vectors for the inclusion of exogenous nucleic acid sequences enhancing the viral replication inhibitory effect of the virus of the invention. Preferably, the viral vector comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a cytokine. A method of treating viral hepatitis in a host comprising administering an anti-hepatitis effective amount of the IBDV strain of the present invention also provided.
US08398968B2
The present invention provides a recombinant adenovirus vector characterized by the partial or total deletion of adenoviral E2B function and having an expression cassette containing a heterologous sequence encoding a protein of interest inserted into the E1 region. Such vectors are designed to reduce or eliminate the occurrence of replication competent adenovirus contamination. Additionally, the expression cassette of the vector may contain one or more regulatory elements capable of increasing the expression of the heterologous sequence and/or reducing the expression of viral proteins. Such a reduction in expression of viral proteins reduces the cytotoxicty and immunogenicity of the adenovirus vectors when administered in vivo. Transformed production host cells and a method of producing recombinant proteins and gene therapy also are included within the scope of this invention.
US08398963B2
The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition containing at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer which has, in incorporated form, a) 5 to 50% by weight of an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monomer of the formula I where R1 and X1 are defined herein, b) 25 to 90% by weight an N-vinylamide and/or N-vinyllactam, c) 0.5 to 30% by weight of a compound having a free-radically polymerizable, α,β-ethylenically unsaturated double bond and a cationogenic and/or cationic group per molecule, and d) 0 to 30% by weight of an α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monomer of the formula II where R3, X2, and R4 are defined herein, and the salts thereof.
US08398959B2
Described are compositions and methods for imparting a sunless tan with functionalized adjuvants and a tanning agent like dihydroxyacetone. The functionalized adjuvants are pyrrole and/or indole derivatives functionalized with a substituent comprising a carbonyl group.
US08398956B2
The present application discloses compositions and methods of synthesis and use involving click chemistry reactions for in vivo or in vitro formation of therapeutic and/or diagnostic complexes. Preferably, the diagnostic complex is of use for 18F imaging, while the therapeutic complex is of use for targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs or toxins. More preferably, a chelating moiety or targetable construct may be conjugated to a targeting molecule, such as an antibody or antibody fragment, using a click chemistry reaction involving cyclooctyne, nitrone or azide reactive moieties. In most preferred embodiments, the click chemistry reaction occurs in vivo. In vivo click chemistry is not limited to 18F labeling but can be used for delivering a variety of therapeutic and/or diagnostic agents.
US08398954B2
It is disclosed a process for the production of titanium dioxide comprising the following steps: (a) a titanium ore containing iron, preferably ilmenite, is reacted with an aqueous NH4F solution; (b) the aqueous suspension thus obtained is filtered with consequent separation of a sludge fraction, which contains ammonium fluoroferrates, and a filtrate fraction, which contains ammonium fluorotitanates; (c) the filtrate fraction thus obtained is subjected to an hydrolysis reaction; (d) the thus-obtained solid component is subjected to a thermal hydrolysis reaction. The plant and the reactors for performing the above process are also disclosed.
US08398951B2
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a composite electrode for a battery is provided. The composite electrode includes silver vanadium oxide present in an amount from about 75 weight percent to about 99 weight percent and polypyrrole present in an amount from about 1 weight percent to about 25 weight percent.
US08398949B2
A novel carbon nanotube powder containing carbon nanotubes which have a roll-like structure, also novel carbon nanotubes having a roll-like structure, novel processes for the production of the carbon nanotube powders and of the carbon nanotubes, and their use as an additive or substrate for various applications are described.
US08398946B2
Brittle polysilicon rods having a rod cross-section of 80-99% available for electrical conduction and a flexural strength of 0.1 to 80 N/mm2 are produced by a process wherein the temperature of the bridge of polysilicon rods in the Siemens process is held at a high temperature and the flow rate of chlorosilanes is increased to the maximum within a short time. The rods are easily fragmented with low force, resulting in polysilicon with a low level of metallic impurities.
US08398945B2
Process for scrubbing out ammonia nitrogen and/or ammonium nitrogen and/or urea nitrogen from exhaust gases enriched with these nitrogen compounds in plants for producing ammonia or urea, wherein the nitrogen compounds first form with a hypochlorite-containing solution in a scrubber an intermediate which under acidic or neutral reaction conditions is reacted to form elemental nitrogen and salt, and the reaction of the nitrogen compounds to form elemental nitrogen and salt proceeds in a pH range of 4 to 6.
US08398941B2
Disclosed herein is a modular test tube rack. The rack contains multiple sub-racks that can be coupled together to form the test tube rack. The sub-rack can be designed to fit into a variety of scientific instrumentation including a fixed rotor centrifuge. The assembled test tube rack can be of a format and size that allows use of standard array pipetters. Thus, a system is provided allowing use of standard array pipetters and high g centrifugation.
US08398935B2
A sheath flow system having a channel with at least one fluid transporting structure located in the top and bottom surfaces situated so as to transport the sheath fluid laterally across the channel to provide sheath fluid fully surrounding the core solution. At the point of introduction into the channel, the sheath fluid and core solutions flow side by side within the channel or the core solution may be bounded on either side by the sheath fluid. The system is functional over a broad channel size range and with liquids of high or low viscosity. A wide variety of shapes of fibers and other materials can be produced from this system through the use of polymerizable material.
US08398924B2
An SCR system includes at least one reducing agent tank, a filter, a feed device and a reducing agent line for feeding and conducting a reducing agent. At least one compensation element has a volume through which the reducing agent flows and is suitable for varying the volume as a function of a reducing agent pressure. A motor vehicle having an SCR system is also provided.
US08398912B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing a plurality of molded articles from respective molds each having an external molding surface oriented according to a mold axis (X), said molds (12) being arranged with their axis (X) parallel. The apparatus comprises a plurality of pairs of jaws (4,6), each corresponding to a respective mold (12) and including a first jaw (4) and an opposed second jaw (6) which are moveable with respect to the respective mold (12) according to a first relative motion, between an open position wherein the jaws (4, 6) are spaced apart from the mold (;12) and a closed position wherein the jaws (4, 6) engage the mold (12), and a substantially axial second relative motion, wherein the pair of jaws (4,6) is slidably displaced along the mold axis (X) so as to remove it from the mold (12). The jaws (4, 6), for the first relative motion, are linearly moveable in parallel directions which are radial to the respective mold axis (X).
US08398902B2
The invention provides a method of moulding a vision correction lens from a transparent resin. The resin is introduced into a mould cavity, the sides of which cavity which correspond to the front and rear surfaces of the lens being formed by two sheets, at least one of which is flexible. The amount of resin in the cavity is adjusted to deform the flexible sheet(s) so that the shape of the lens defined by the sheet(s) will provide a desired power, and the resin is then cured. The sheets can be transparent, and a user can look through them as the amount of resin is adjusted, to ensure that the lens is of the desired power. Further, the amount of resin in the cavity can be adjusted to accommodate changes in the refractive index of the resin as it cures.
US08398899B2
A method for manufacturing an optical waveguide includes: step A of forming a first resin layer 23 by allowing a first liquid-state resin to flow to be extended in a manner so as to bury and enclose cores 22; step B of forming a second resin layer 25 by allowing a second liquid-state resin having a viscosity higher than that of the first liquid-state resin to flow to be extended on the first resin layer 23, after or while the first resin layer 23 is heated; and step C of forming an over-cladding layer 26 by curing the first resin layer 23 and the second resin layer 25.
US08398898B2
The present invention provides conductivity promoters, and in particular soluble conductivity promoters that contain a hydrocarbon moiety or a siloxane moiety and a metal. The present invention also provides methods of making soluble conductivity promoters and adhesive compositions containing the conductivity promoters of the invention.
US08398894B2
The present invention relates to a catalyst for preparing a carbon nanotube having desired apparent density by controlling the adding amount of co-precipitating agent in the process of preparing a catalyst in order to obtain a catalyst having a minimized particle size. More specifically, this invention relates to a catalyst for preparing carbon nanotube having desired apparent density based upon the reverse-correlation between the amount of co-precipitating agent added in the process of preparing catalyst and the apparent density of catalyst. The carbon nanotube prepared by the catalyst having low apparent density shows excellent electrical conductivity and highly uniformed dispersion in the polymer/carbon nanotube composite.
US08398892B2
The invention is a phosphor which includes a phosphor material having a composition represented by a general formula: M(0)aM(1)bM(2)x−(vm+n)M(3)(vm+n)−yOnNz−n, wherein M(0) is one or more elements selected from Li, Na, Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Sc, Y, La, Gd and Lu; M(1) is one or more activators selected from Mn, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb; M(2) is one or more elements selected from Si, Ge, Sn, Ti, Hf and Zr; M(3) is one or more elements selected from Be, B, Al, Ga, In, Tl and Zn; O is oxygen; N is nitrogen; and an atomic ratio of M(0), M(1), M(2), M(3), O and N is adjusted to satisfy the following: x, y and z satisfy 33≦x≦51, 8≦y≦12 and 36≦z≦56; a and b satisfy 3≦a+b≦7 and 0.001≦b≦1.2; m and n satisfy 0.8·me≦m≦1.2·me and 0≦n≦7 in which me=a+b; and v satisfies v={a·v(0)+b·v(1)}/(a+b) (wherein v(0) is a valence of M(0) ion and v(1) is a valence of M(1) ion). The invention also relates to a method for producing the phosphor and a light-emitting device using the phosphor.
US08398890B2
To provide a new phosphor of which fluorescence contains much red light component and has a large full width at half maximum, the crystal phase represented by the formula [I] is included in the phosphor. R3−x−y−z+w2MzA1.5x+y−w2Si6−w1−w2AlW1+w2Oy+w1N11−y−w1 [I] (R represents La, Gd, Lu, Y and/or Sc, M represents Ce, Eu, Mn, Yb, Pr and/or Tb, A represents Ba, Sr, Ca, Mg and/or Zn, and x, y, z, w1 and w2 are the numeric values in the following ranges: ( 1/7)≦(3−x−y−z+w2)/6<(½), 0<(1.5x+y−w2)/6<(9/2), 0
US08398883B2
A composition including a first material and a metal or a metal oxide component for use in an electrochemical redox reaction is described. The first material is represented by a general formula M1xM2yXO4, wherein M1 represents an alkali metal element; M2 represents an transition metal element; X represents phosphorus; O represents oxygen; x is from 0.6 to 1.4; and y is from 0.6 to 1.4. Further, the metal or the metal oxide component includes at least two materials selected from the group consisting of transition metal elements, semimetal elements, group IIA elements, group IIIA elements, group IVA elements, alloys thereof and oxides of the above metal elements and alloys, wherein the two materials include different metal elements. Moreover, the first material and the metal or the metal oxide component are co-crystallized or physically combined, and the metal or the metal oxide component takes less than about 30% of the composition.
US08398882B2
A process is disclosed for making CF3CF2CH3, CF3CF═CH2 and/or CF3CCl═CH2. The process involves reacting at least one starting material selected from the group consisting of halopropanes of the formula CX3CHClCH2X, halopropenes of the formula CClX2CCl═CH2 and halopropenes of the formula CX2═CClCH2X, wherein each X is independently F or Cl, with HF in a reaction zone to produce a product mixture comprising HF, HCl, CF3CF2CH3, CF3CF═CH2 and CF3CCl═CH2; and recovering the CF3CF2CH3, CF3CF═CH2 and/or CF3CCl═CH2 from the product mixture.
US08398878B2
Semiconductor wafers are polished by a material-removing polishing process A, on both sides of the wafer, using an abrasive-free polishing pad, and a polishing agent which contains abrasive; and a material-removing polishing process B, on at least one side of the wafer, using a polishing pad with a microstructured surface containing no materials which contact the wafer which are harder than the semiconductor material, and a polishing agent is added which has a pH≧ to 10 and contains no substances with abrasive action. Preferred is a method for producing a semiconductor wafer, comprising the following ordered steps: separating a semiconductor single crystal into wafers; simultaneously processing both sides of the wafer by chip-removing processing; polishing the wafer, comprising a polishing process A and a polishing process B; and CMP of one side of the wafer, removing <1 μm.
US08398877B2
A method is provided for forming an opening in a layer of a selected material. The method comprises, forming a polymer resist layer over said selected material and plasticising areas of the resist where openings are to be formed. The plasticising is performed by depositing a first solution onto the surface of said polymer resist layer, where the first solution is a plasticiser selected to increase permeability of the polymer resist layer to a second solution, in an area which has absorbed the first solution. The second solution is selected to be an etchant or solvent for the selected material. After the resist layer has been selectively plasticised, it is contacted with the second solution, which permeates the polymer resist layer in the area of increased permeability and forms an opening in the selected material.
US08398876B2
A method for chemical modification of graphene includes dry etching graphene to provide an etched graphene; and introducing a functional group at an edge of the etched graphene. Also disclosed is graphene, including an etched edge portion, the etched portion including a functional group.
US08398870B2
There is provided a method for manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic recording medium that includes a step for forming a smooth substrate surface without generating abnormal protrusions or the like when forming a magnetic film or the like on the surface of the substrate, the method for manufacturing a perpendicular magnetic recording medium characterized by including a polishing step in which the surface of a non-magnetic substrate is smoothed before forming the laminated structure on top of the non-magnetic substrate, wherein a polishing liquid used in the polishing step contains diamond particles within a range from 0.001 to 0.05% by mass and also contains a polishing accelerator within a range from 10 to 100 times the amount of diamond particles, and the polishing accelerator is an organic polymer material containing a sulfonic group or a carboxylic group and having an average molecular weight of 4,000 to 10,000.
US08398863B2
Water-purifying apparatus which generates anions and processing method thereof, which activates water through generating anions to obtain good quality purified water corresponding to pure life-giving water. Raw water introduced into the water-purifying apparatus is introduced into an inflow pipe formed in a zigzag shape and rotating units are rotated by flow rate of the introduced raw water, to raise a vortex phenomenon to generate bubbles. Accordingly, anion content and dissolved oxygen amount increases. Moreover, filter members filter poisonous impurities in the raw water to provide good quality purified water. Generation of bubbles and anions activates water to obtain good quality purified water healthy and appropriate for humans, and provide effects such as promoting environment improvement of water quality purification in the water quality purification field, promoting health improvement of treating and preventing diseases in the medical field, and promoting growth of animals and plants in the life science field.
US08398860B2
A method of purifying a surfactant for use in a pharmaceutical formulation, which comprises mixing the surfactant with a solvent and bringing said mixture into contact with a semi-permeable membrane so as to allow impurities present in the surfactant and having a molecular weight lower than the molecular weight cut-off of the membrane to pass through the membrane, whilst retaining the purified surfactant.
US08398858B2
A device is provided for transferring mass and/or exchanging energy between two media, particularly between blood and a gas/gas mixture. The device includes a chamber (2), through which the first medium flows and inside which at least one mass-permeable and/or energy-permeable hollow fiber (5), preferably a plurality of mass-permeable and/or energy-permeable hollow fibers (5), is/ are arranged. The second medium can flow through the at least one hollow fiber (5), while the first medium can flow therearound. At least one pumping element (5), which allows the first medium to be displaced from the chamber (2) and/or to be sucked into the chamber (2), is disposed in the chamber (2) of the device.
US08398855B1
A waste treatment process comprised of an ammonification system to convert soluble organic nitrogen into ammonia nitrogen, followed by a physico-chemical process to remove a substantial amount of the ammonia as a recovered ammonium sulfate fertilizer or ammonium hydroxide (“aqua ammonia”), and followed by an ammonia oxidation process to oxidize the remaining ammonia from the physico-chemical process. The process reduces ammonia and carbonaceous organic matter to less than 10 mg/l and recovers ammonia in the form of either ammonium sulfate or ammonium hydroxide.
US08398850B2
A package of water treatment pellets includes a first container and a second container. The first container is fabricated from a water-dissolvable sheet material and the first container is filled with and encases the water treatment pellets. The second container is fabricated from a non-water-dissolvable, porous material and is sized and adapted to receive the first container filled with and encasing the water treatment pellets. A water treatment feeder device includes a hollow, box-shaped magazine body defining an internal magazine chamber and a plurality of porous holders disposed in the internal magazine chamber. Each one of the plurality of porous holders retains a respective one of the packages of water treatment pellets. A water treatment feeder system for a structure operative to circulate water thereabout incorporates the water treatment feeder device and the package of water treatment pellets.
US08398846B2
The invention relates to a process for thermally cracking a hydrocarbon feed in an installation comprising a radiant section and a convection section, wherein a hydrocarbon feed stock is fed to a feed preheater present in the convection section, the heat pick-up of the feed preheater is controlled by regulating the heat exchange capacity of an economiser, said economiser being located in the convection section between the feed preheater and the radiant section, and wherein the feed heated in the preheater is thereafter cracked in the radiant section. The invention further relates to an installation for the cracking of a hydrocarbon feed.
US08398842B2
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for the preparation of nitrogen fertilizers including ammonium nitrate, urea, urea-ammonium nitrate, and/or ammonia utilizing a source of carbon, a source of nitrogen, and/or a source of hydrogen. Implementing an electrolyte serving as ionic charge carrier, (1) ammonium nitrate is produced via the reduction of a nitrogen source at the cathode and the oxidation of a nitrogen source at the anode; (2) urea or its isomers are produced via the simultaneous cathodic reduction of a carbon source and a nitrogen source; (3) ammonia is produced via the reduction of nitrogen source at the cathode and the oxidation of a hydrogen source at the anode; and (4) urea-ammonium nitrate is produced via the simultaneous cathodic reduction of a carbon source and a nitrogen source, and anodic oxidation of a nitrogen source. The electrolyte can be solid.
US08398831B2
Embodiments of a closed-contact electroplating cup assembly that may be rapidly cleaned while an electroplating system is on-line are disclosed. One disclosed embodiment comprises a cup assembly and a cone assembly, wherein the cup assembly comprises a cup bottom comprising an opening, a seal surrounding the opening, an electrical contact structure comprising a plurality of electrical contacts disposed around the opening, and an interior cup side that is tapered inwardly in along an axial direction of the cup from a cup top toward the cup bottom.
US08398824B2
Systems and methods for hydrocarbon extraction from hydrocarbon-containing material. Such systems and methods relate to extracting hydrocarbon from hydrocarbon-containing material employing a non-aqueous extractant. Additionally, such systems and methods relate to recovering and reusing non-aqueous extractant employed for extracting hydrocarbon from hydrocarbon-containing material.
US08398812B2
A substrate treating apparatus for stripping photoresist on a substrate includes a support part for supporting the substrate, a dry-type treating part for stripping the photoresist on the substrate, and a wet-type treating part for stripping the photoresist on the substrate. While the substrate is supported by the support part, the photoresist on the substrate is primarily stripped by means of the dry-type treating part and secondarily stripped by means of the wet-type treating part. The dry-type treating part includes a plasma supply unit configured to supply plasma onto the substrate and a moving unit configured to vary a relative position of the plasma supply unit and the substrate.
US08398811B2
A polishing apparatus has a polishing section (302) configured to polish a substrate and a measurement section (307) configured to measure a thickness of a film formed on the substrate. The polishing apparatus also has an interface (310) configured to input a desired thickness of a film formed on a substrate to be polished and a storage device (308a) configured to store polishing rate data on at least one past substrate therein. The polishing apparatus includes an arithmetic unit (308b) operable to calculate a polishing rate and an optimal polishing time based on the polishing rate data and the desired thickness by using a weighted average method which weights the polishing rate data on a lately polished substrate.
US08398800B2
Provided are a method and system for manufacturing optical display device that can make a previous category of an optical film remain less in the device at the exchange time of categories of optical films. The system comprises an optical display unit supply device, an optical film supply device for supplying an optical film after the optical film is cut from a roll, a sticking device for sticking the optical film on the front surface of the optical display unit, a control device for controlling the operation or stop of each device, and a counting unit for counting the supply of the optical display unit, wherein the control device stores the number (N) of the optical display units to be stuck together substantially in accordance with the optical film existing from a connecting position of the optical film to a sticking position of the optical film and stops each device when the number (X) of the optical units that remains before a previous category of the optical display unit is stuck at the exchange time of categories is substantially equal to the number (N) of the optical display units in accordance with information from the counting unit.
US08398799B2
A method of manufacturing a honeycomb structure having honeycomb segments, which includes a masking step (S1) of attaching masking materials (8) to both end surfaces (2a) of the honeycomb segments (2), a stacked body bonding step (S2) of bonding the honeycomb stacked body (3) by bonding the plurality of honeycomb segments (2) together while interposing adhesive layers therebetween, an adhesive layer drying step (S3) of integrally fixing the honeycomb stacked body (3) by heating and drying the adhesive layers, a masking material separating step (S4), of separating the masking materials (8), and a grinding step (S5) of grinding an outer peripheral portion of the honeycomb stacked body (3) into a predetermined shape.
US08398788B2
A thin zinc diffusion coating, the diffusion coating including: (a) an iron-based substrate, and (b) a zinc-iron intermetallic layer coating the iron-based substrate, the intermetallic layer having a first average thickness of less than 15 μm, as measured by a magnetic thickness gage, the intermetallic layer having a second average thickness as measured by an X-Ray fluorescence thickness measurement, and wherein a difference between the first average thickness and the second average is less than 4 μm.
US08398786B2
Disclosed herein is a precipitation hardening cold-rolled steel sheet and method for manufacturing the same, which can be used for structural components such as seat rails and the like of a vehicle body. The steel sheet comprises, by weight %, C: 0.07˜0.1%, Mn: 1.4˜1.7%, P: 0.05˜0.07%, S: 0.005% or less, acid-soluble Al: 0.1˜0.15%, Nb: 0.06˜0.09%, B: 0.0008˜0.0012%, Sb: 0.02˜0.06%, and the balance of Fe and other unavoidable impurities. The steel sheet has a yield strength of 750 MPa or more and a yield ratio of 85% or more, and is free from surface defects due to a very low degree of oxide enrichment on the surface thereof.
US08398774B2
Provided is a method of manufacturing an organic light emitting device including the step of forming an electron injection layer. The step of forming the electron injection layer includes the steps of: vaporizing in a container a dopant material as a raw material of a dopant; causing the vaporized dopant material to pass a heated medium between the container and the substrate; and forming the organic compound into the electron injection layer. According to the method the organic light emitting device which has high electron injection efficiency and can be driven at a low voltage can be obtained.
US08398769B2
A chemical vapor deposition apparatus is disclosed, which is capable of improving the yield by an extension of a cleaning cycle, the chemical vapor deposition apparatus comprising a chamber with a substrate-supporting member for supporting a substrate; a chamber lid with plural first source supplying holes, the chamber lid installed over the chamber; plural source supplying pipes for supplying a process source to the plural first source supplying holes; a spraying-pipe supporting member with plural second source supplying holes corresponding to the plural first source supplying holes, the spraying-pipe supporting member detachably installed in the chamber lid; and plural source spraying pipes with plural third source supplying holes and plural source spraying holes, the plural source spraying pipes supported by the spraying-pipe supporting member, wherein the plural third source supplying holes are supplied with the process source through the plural second source supplying holes, and the plural source spraying holes are provided to spray the process source onto the substrate.
US08398767B2
Bulk mono-crystalline gallium-containing nitride, grown on the seed at least in the direction essentially perpendicular to the direction of the seed growth, essentially without propagation of crystalline defects as present in the seed, having the dislocation density not exceeding 104/cm2 and considerably lower compared to the dislocation density of the seed, and having a large curvature radius of the crystalline lattice, preferably longer than 15 m, more preferably longer than 30 m, and most preferably of about 70 m, considerably longer than the curvature radius of the crystalline lattice of the seed.
US08398766B2
Semiconductor wafers composed of monocrystalline silicon and doped with nitrogen contain an OSF region and a Pv region, wherein the OSF region extends from the center radially toward the edge of the wafer as far as the Pv region; the wafer has an OSF density of less than 10 cm−2, a BMD density in the bulk of at least 3.5×108 cm−3, and a radial distribution of the BMD density with a fluctuation range BMDmax/BMDmin of not more than 3. The wafers are produced by controlling initial nitrogen content and maintaining oxygen within a narrow window, followed by a heat treatment.
US08398762B2
The present invention provides an ink for inkjet printing. The ink contains an aqueous vehicle, a pigment colorant and an effective amount of a bleed control agent selected from benzyl glycerol, 3-phenoxy-1,2-propanediol and any combination thereof. The ink exhibits reduced intercolor bleed when printed, for example, on plain paper.
US08398759B2
An ecologically compatible anti-microbial-adhesion agent is described, which is particularly suitable for use in anti-fouling paints, preferably for boats, characterized in that it comprises a compound selected from eugenol, vanillin, benzaldehyde substituted with one or two substituents selected from the groups —OH (hydroxy) and —OCH3 (methoxy), or any combination thereof. An anti-fouling paint is also described, particularly for boats, comprising the anti-microbial-adhesion agent mentioned above and other components selected from conventional biocides, solvents, resins, pigments, charges and fillings, and combinations thereof.
US08398756B2
A separator which includes a vessel with a horizontal section defining a horizontal chamber and a vertical section defining a vertical chamber. The vertical section extends upwardly from the horizontal section. A tubular member is positioned in the vertical section in such a way that the tubular member provides a fluid passage between the horizontal chamber and the vertical chamber and cooperates with the vertical section and the horizontal section to define a liquid receiving space. A deflector plate is spaced from the upper end of the tubular member in such a way that fluid passing up through the tubular member is deflected into the liquid receiving space and returned to the horizontal chamber.
US08398752B2
A non-woven textile based filter media is produced from polyester fiber generated using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage bottles, and that non-woven textile based filter media is used to make an air filter. By controlling the diameters and lengths of the PET derived polyester fibers, a non-woven textile based filter media that exhibits a natural Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of about 8 (without requiring electrostatic treatment) and a pressure drop of 2.9 PSI or less can be achieved. A related exemplary embodiment is an air filter fabricated entirely from recycled materials, including a recycled cardboard frame, the non-woven textile based filter media made from recycled PET derived polyester fibers, and a support structure made of recycled plastic or metal wire.
US08398740B2
The invention relates to a method for leaching a material containing a valuable metal and precipitating the valuable metal as a fine-grained powder by changing the electrochemical potential of an intermediary metal in the solution. In the leaching stage the intermediary metal or substance of the electrolyte solution is at a high degree of oxidation and in the precipitation stage another electrolyte solution is routed into the solution, in which the intermediary metal or substance is at a low degree of oxidation. After the precipitation stage the solution containing the intermediary is routed to electrolytic regeneration, in which part of the intermediary is oxidised in the anode space back to a high potential value and part is reduced in the cathode space to its low value.
US08398736B2
Jointing cement intended in particular for fastening together a plurality of filter blocks of a filtering body of an exhaust gas particle filter of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, having a silicon carbide (SiC) content of between 30% and 90%. The cement according to the invention includes at least 0.05% and less than 5% of a thermosetting resin, the percentages being percentages by weight relative to the total weight of the thermosetting resin and the mineral material, apart from the possible water.
US08398732B2
The present invention relates to a spray drying system provided with a gas filtering system, which system is intended for use in the pharmaceutical industry for aseptic production of sterile pharmaceutical products or in other industries e.g. production of food, where an intake of sterile air for the drying process is necessary. The spray drying system for providing a particulate material comprises a spray drying chamber (3), after treatment equipment (4, 5) placed downstream of the spray drying chamber and a process gas heater (2) placed upstream in relation to the spray drying chamber (3), wherein an inlet filter (1) capable of removing microorganisms at a temperature below 140° C., is placed upstream of the process gas heater (2) and that the process gas heater (2) is a non-flaking heater.
US08398731B2
A fuel treatment device includes: a reforming section that produces a hydrogen-rich gas containing carbon monoxide and water; a converting section that produces a hydrogen-rich gas containing a lower concentration of carbon monoxide by reacting the carbon monoxide and the water in the hydrogen-rich gas; a mixing channel that produces a mixed gas by mixing the hydrogen-rich gas containing the lower concentration of the carbon monoxide with air containing oxygen; an air supplying section that is connected to an upstream end of the mixing channel and supplies the air to the mixing channel; and a selective oxidizing section that is connected to a downstream end of the mixing channel and converts the mixed gas into a fuel gas by reacting the carbon monoxide and the oxygen in the mixed gas, wherein the mixing channel includes a gas supply region at the upstream side and a gas diffusion region at the downstream side, and has two or more gas supply ports connecting the gas supply region with the converting section, and a length of the gas diffusion region is 0.5 to 2 times a length of the gas supply region.
US08398721B2
Dry cleaning and fabric-treatment compositions, methods and articles incorporating the same that are suitable for use in drying machines, such as hot air drying machines found in households, apartments, and laundromats, which are normally adapted to dry wet garments and the like from a washing machine. In some embodiments, the composition includes at least one organic solvent, with the at least one organic solvent forming the greatest weight percentage of the active components in the composition. In some embodiments, the composition also may include water and/or at least one surfactant, emulsifier, perfume, and/or application-specific composition. In some embodiments, the article includes a dispenser from which the composition is selectively dispensed onto a dry garment or other object to be cleaned. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes an internal chamber containing the composition, and the composition is dispensed onto objects prior to placing the objects in a drying machine.
US08398715B2
Knee prostheses featuring components that more faithfully replicate the structure and function of the human knee joint in order to provide, among other benefits: greater flexion of the knee in a more natural way by promoting or at least accommodating internal tibial rotation in a controlled way, replication of the natural screw home mechanism, and controlled articulation of the tibia and femur respective to each other in a more natural way. In a preferred embodiment, such prostheses include an insert component disposed between a femoral component and a tibial component, the insert component preferably featuring among other things a reversely contoured posterolateral bearing surface that helps impart internal rotation to the tibia as the knee flexes. Other surfaces can also be specially shaped to achieve similar results, preferably using iterative automated techniques that allow testing and iterative design taking into account a manageable set of major forces acting on the knee during normal functioning, together with information that is known about natural knee joint kinetics and kinematics.
US08398713B2
The present invention provides an expandable fusion device capable of being installed inside an intervertebral disc space to maintain normal disc spacing and restore spinal stability, thereby facilitating an intervertebral fusion. In one embodiment, the fusion device includes a central ramp, a first endplate, and a second endplate, the central ramp capable of being moved in a first direction to move the first and second endplates outwardly and into an expanded configuration. The fusion device is capable of being deployed down an endoscopic tube.
US08398712B2
A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes upper and lower plates and a core having upper and lower curved surfaces disposed between the plates. At least one of the plates and/or the core includes a resilient material for absorbing shock or other forces applied by vertebrae. Optionally, resilient support members may be disposed within the resilient material to connect two portions of a plate or the core. Such support members may be springs, cylinders, wires or other resilient structures. The resilient material is held within the core or plate(s) via a surrounding retaining structure, such as a membrane. The resilient material disposed in one or more components of the prosthetic disc provides for shock absorption.
US08398706B2
Disclosed herein is a stent comprising: a bioabsorbable polymeric scaffolding; and a coating comprising a bioabsorbable material on at least a portion of the scaffolding, wherein the degradation rate of all or substantially all of the bioabsorbable polymer of the scaffolding is faster than the degradation rate of all or substantially all of the bioabsorbable material of the coating.
US08398703B2
Devices and methods are disclosed for providing tissue support within the body. A metallic component and a magnetic component are used and allowed to interact through the body of the tissue such that the attractive forces between these components provides the external support needed by that tissue to properly function within its position. Such a technique is described with respect to the particular example of correction of aneurysms.
US08398697B2
A catheter assembly and related methods directed to a main balloon and a side balloon, wherein the side balloon is coupled in fluid communication with the main balloon at a location distal of the side balloon. In one example, a side inflation member couples the side balloon in fluid communication to the main balloon at a distal end portion of the main balloon. A side catheter branch of the catheter assembly, which defines a side guidewire lumen, can be operatively mounted to the side balloon at a side balloon connection point to help maintain alignment of the side catheter branch relative to the side balloon.
US08398695B2
A side branch stenting system using a catheter/stent assembly having a balloon with adjacent globular and cylindrical portions and a stent mounted thereon over the cylindrical portion The stent has finger-like projections mounted over portion of the globular portion of the balloon. At a bifurcation site with another stent in place in the main vessel and having an opening into a side branch, the catheter/stent assembly is placed in the side branch and inflated. The cylindrical portion of the balloon expands the main stent body in the side vessel. The globular portion of the balloon inflates in the main vessel, constraining the main vessel and bending the finger-like projections around the circumference of the opening into the side branch.
US08398688B2
In order to improve a bone screw with a shaft defining a longitudinal axis and with a head which can be brought into engagement with a bone screw receiving means of a bone plate for the releasable connection of the bone screw to the bone plate, wherein a securing element for securing a connection between the bone screw and the bone plate is provided, wherein the bone screw can be brought from a position of engagement, in which the bone screw is held on the bone plate, into a release position, in which the bone screw can be released from the bone plate, wherein the securing element can be brought from a non-securing position, in which the bone screw can be brought into the release position, into a securing position for securing the connection between the bone screw and the bone plate, in which the bone screw takes up the position of engagement, such that a bone plate can be fixed to bone parts more easily and more securely it is suggested that the securing element be supported on the bone screw so as to be movable.
US08398686B2
The instant invention is a novel method and construct for temporary or definitive minimally invasive treatment of broken long bones such as a femur or humerus. The method includes the steps of tunneling an elongated plate subcutaneously in the subcutaneous fat layer parallel to the fractured long bone; and attaching the ends of the elongated plate to the fractured long bone. The elongated plate remains disposed in the subcutaneous fat layer and away from, but parallel to the long bone once attached to the long bone.
US08398683B2
A coupling device for securing an elongate member to the spine is provided. The coupling device comprises a compressible inner member that secures an anchor member therein when the inner member is axially shifted within an outer member. Structures are provided to prevent disassembly of the anchor and coupling device prior to locking of the elongate member.
US08398682B2
A polyaxial bone screw assembly includes a threaded shank body having an upper head portion with a mating segment and a first partial spherical surface, a retainer structure being mateable with the mating segment of the upper head portion, the retainer structure having a second partial spherical surface such that when mated, the first and second partial spherical surfaces form a spherical ball member, a receiver defining an open channel and having a base with a seating surface partially defining a cavity, the open channel communicating with the cavity, the cavity communicating with an exterior of the base through an opening sized and shaped to receive the shank upper head portion therethrough, and a bushing sized and shaped to fit within open channel and cavity, the bushing having a lower rounded surface engageable with a top surface of the spherical ball member formed by the shank and retainer structure.
US08398679B2
Sutures are provided having a first elongate body and a separate, second elongate body. The first elongate body includes a first connection structure and the second elongate body may include a second connection structure.
US08398678B2
A technique and associated instrumentation for correcting large intermetatarsal angles that result from hallux valgus. The system includes a button and a suture loop attached to the button. A suture strand is threaded through holes in the button to attach the button to the suture. The suture ends are then brought together (by being swaged, spliced or cinched together, for example) to form the suture loop comprising a continuous, uninterrupted suture loop with a single strand of swaged-together ends. The swaged-together ends may be attached to a suture passing instrument such as a K-wire (Kirschner wire) that may be further used to drill a hole through the first and second metatarsals. The swaged-together ends of the suture are then passed through the drill holes in the first and second metatarsals; and the ends of the suture are pulled until the button abuts the second metatarsal. The swaged together portion of the suture loop is then cut, and the free suture ends are passed through holes in another (second) button. The suture ends are pulled to adjust the first metatarsal to a correct intermetatarsal angle, and the first metatarsal is secured in place by tying the ends of the suture together against the second button.
US08398674B2
A medical instrument includes a hollow shank and an instrument section arranged pivotable to the hollow shank proximate the distal end of this hollow shank. An instrument part is mounted in an axially movable manner in the pivotable instrument section. This instrument part, which may be a part acting in a direct manner on organs, tissue or the like, or preferably serves for movement coupling to such a part in the pivotable instrument section, is coupled in movement via a forcibly guided multi joint arm to an actuator, which is axially movably guided in the hollow shank
US08398673B2
A surgical instrument for cutting and grasping tissue comprising a handle assembly, an elongated member and first and second jaws. A first movable member moves the second jaw in a first direction about a first pivot axis in a grasping action and a second movable member moves the second jaw in a second direction different than the first direction and about a second pivot axis in a cutting action. A switch is positioned at the proximal portion of the instrument and a selecting member is actuated by movement of the switch, the selecting member movable between a first position to enable movement of the second jaw in the first direction and prohibit movement in the second direction and a second position to enable movement of the second jaw in the second direction and prohibit movement in the first direction.
US08398671B2
A delivery wire assembly for delivery of an occlusive device to a location in a patient's vasculature includes a delivery wire conduit having a proximal tubular portion coupled to a distal coil portion, the respective tubular and coil portions defining a conduit lumen. A core wire is disposed in the conduit lumen and having a distal end coupled to an occlusive device, wherein an elongate electrical contact body at least partially seated in the conduit lumen and coupled to a proximal end of the core wire, the electrical contact body and the proximal tubular portion forming a junction. A coil collar is disposed around the electrical contact body near the junction.
US08398670B2
A collapsible medical device and associated methods of occluding an abnormal opening in, for example, a body organ, wherein the medical device is shaped from plural layers of a heat-treatable metal fabric. Each of the fabric layers is formed from a plurality of metal strands and the assembly is heat-treated within a mold in order to substantially set a desired shape of the device. By incorporating plural layers in the thus-formed medical device, the ability of the device to rapidly occlude an abnormal opening in a body organ is significantly improved.
US08398669B2
Disclosed is an indwelling fecal diverting device. The device comprises an elongate tube formed, at an upper end thereof, with a tubular body part; a pair of fixing balloons attached up and down to an outer surface of the tubular body part such that a clamping portion is defined between the fixing balloons; and a tube opening and closing balloon attached to an inner surface of the tubular body part. An injection passage is defined in the tube so that a remedial liquid can be injected through the injection passage to the outside of the tube to medically treat an anastomosed portion of an intestinal tract of a patient. The indwelling fecal diverting device is fitted into the intestinal tract of the patient, air is supplied into the fixing balloons to inflate them, and the intestinal tract is clamped around the clamping portion using a clamping band.
US08398666B2
A tissue penetrating instrument of the type used in the medical field and which may or may not be embodied in the form of an obturator associated with a trocar assembly, wherein the instrument includes an elongated shaft having a penetrating tip mounted on one end thereof. The penetrating tip includes a base secured to the one end of the shaft and a distal extremity spaced longitudinally outward from the base and formed into an apex which may be defined by a point or other configuration specifically structured to facilitate penetration or puncturing of bodily tissue. The apex may be substantially aligned with a linear extension of the central longitudinal axis of the shaft or alternatively, may be spaced laterally outward or off-set from the central longitudinal axis of the shaft. The penetrating tip further includes an exterior surface extending continuously between the apex and the base and configured to facilitate puncturing of the tissue and an enlargement of an access opening formed in the tissue, in a manner which facilitates separation of the tissue and minimizes cutting, severing or otherwise damaging the contiguous bodily tissue surrounding the access opening.
US08398664B2
A lancing device and lancet are provided with depth-control, lancet ejection, and/or guidance mechanisms. The depth-control mechanism includes a dial rotationally mounted at a distal end of the housing of the lancing device, the dial being coupled to a linkage whereby rotation of the dial imparts translational movement to a stop surface of the linkage to limit the stroke of the lancet and thereby control lancing penetration depth. The ejection mechanism includes an ejector that is advanced into contact with a transversely flared flange of the lancet to discharge the lancet from the lancing device. The guidance mechanism includes an inner guidance housing for restricting out-of-axis movement of a lancet carrier.
US08398660B2
The suturing instrument includes an elongate member having an articulating distal portion biased offset from the elongate member, and a sheath slideably disposed about the elongate member. The user positions the sheath in contact with the articulating distal portion to actuate the distal portion relative to the elongate member. The articulating distal portion is pivotally coupled to the elongate member for improved maneuverability within the body of a patient during surgical procedures.
US08398656B2
An apparatus for delivering a closure element can include a splittable carrier tube and a splitter to split the tube. The carrier tube can have an outer surface retaining a closure element in a tubular configuration and can be split into radially-expandable flaps. A closure element can have a shape-memory body having a relaxed configuration with a planar-annular body defining a lumen with tines directed inwardly from the body. The clip can be held in a retaining configuration having a substantially asymmetrically-elongated tubular shape with a trapezoidal longitudinal cross-sectional profile and a proximal end having the tines being longitudinally directed with a first tine being more distally oriented compared to a substantially opposite second tine being more proximal, and retracting to a deploying configuration having a tubular shape with a rectangular longitudinal cross-sectional profile with the first tine being even with the second tine when being delivered.
US08398653B2
A surgical method for treating a tissue structure having a wall and a lumen may include providing a substantially rigid anvil and a flexible tip affixed to and extending from the distal end of that anvil; making an incision in the wall of the tissue structure; inserting the flexible tip and at least a portion of the rigid anvil through the incision into the lumen of the tissue structure; and deforming at least one connector, introduced from outside the wall of the tissue structure, against the portion of the rigid anvil located within the lumen of the tissue structure.
US08398652B2
An apparatus and method of installing livestock ear tags are provided. The apparatus includes handle members that control the insertion of a piercing needle that cuts an opening through an animal's ear. A slidable head assembly enables efficient manipulation of the piercing needle and reload of a new piercing needle for installing another tag. The piercing needle has attached to it a securing tab of the ear tag. The tab is stripped from the piercing needle after the needle clears the far side of the ear thereby securing the tag to the ear by placing the tab on the opposite side of the ear. The piercing needle is preferably disposable. The piercing needle has an integral tissue capturing cavity for capturing a slug of tissue from the animal's ear as the needle passes through the ear. The tissue sample can be used for subsequent animal health testing. The piercing needle is automatically captured by the tool after installation to prevent contamination of the tissue sample by release of the needle onto the ground.
US08398647B2
An instrument is provided for controlling the distribution of bone cement on a surface of a prepared bone so as to prepare the bone to receive a resurfacing prosthesis. The instrument includes a shaft having a shaft axis configured to at least partially disposed within the bore of the bone, and at least one arm coupled to the shaft. The at least one arm is configured to rotate about the shaft axis and shaped so as to contact the cement on the bone when the at least one arm is rotated about the shaft axis.
US08398644B2
A retractor system and method for locating and placing a polyaxial screw while substantially simultaneously retracting tissue is shown and described. The retractor has a channel that facilitates introducing a rod into the polyaxial screw. Various embodiments are shown, including one which utilized a reducer for moving the rod in the retractor.
US08398642B2
The disclosure illustrates a dual driver for surgical reamers in which either of a crossbridge and crossbar style reamers are axially inserted in the distal end of a central shaft for the reamer driver. A pair of L shaped grips are adapted to connect and disconnect the different style of reamers by the movement of an external sleeve biased towards the connection position. Movement of the sleeve away from the distal end allows an internal plunger to cam the grips to an open position and urge the appropriate reamer from the tool driver directly in an axial direction.
US08398637B2
An apparatus and method for minimally invasive stabilization of anterior pelvic fractures consisting of two rod shaped implants that may be surgically inserted subcutaneously or along the bone surface of each hemipelvis and a means of both linking the individual rods as well as rigidly securing the construct to the pelvis.
US08398633B2
A surgical instrument includes a handle, and an elongated shaft extending from the handle. An end effector extending from the elongated shaft is in communication with a source of electrosurgical energy and defines an end effector axis. A roll joint couples the end effector to the elongated shaft and includes a first tubular structure extending distally from the elongated shaft and a second tubular structure rotatably coupled to the first tubular structure. The second tubular structure supports the end effector such that the end effector is rotatable about the end effector axis. A cable wrap volume may be disposed within one of the first and second tubular structures, and a conductor for supplying the end effector with electrosurgical energy is coiled about the end effector axis within the cable wrap volume such that rotation of the end effector about the end effector axis in a first direction unwinds the conductor.
US08398632B1
A medical device is provided having a means for actuating a pair of opposing jaw members. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position, wherein the jaw members are disposed in a spaced apart relation relative to one another, to a second position, wherein the jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. An ablation tool is connected to at least one of the jaws members, such that the jaw members are capable of conducting ablation energy through the tissue grasped therebetween.
US08398628B2
The cornea is reshaped in multiple steps according to varying amounts of energy in varying patterns and/or at varying locations to achieve a customized reshaping of the cornea to address the specific needs of an individual patient. The varying amounts of energy may be applied via one or more conducting elements, which include an outer conductor and an inner conductor disposed within the outer conductor, a distal end of the outer conductor and the inner conductor defining the varying patterns. For example, one step may form a substantially circular lesion to flatten a first portion of the cornea to treat presbyopia, while another step may form a substantially circular and concentric lesion having a greater diameter to steepen a second portion of the cornea to treat hyperopia. Advantageously, continuous transitional regions are formed relative to the reshaped portions to provide vision for intermediate distances.
US08398623B2
A cardiac ablation device, including a steerable catheter (10) and an expandable ablation element (18) incorporating one or more balloons (20,22) at the distal end of the catheter, has a continuous passageway (28, 30) extending through it from the proximal end of the catheter to the distal side of the expandable ablation element. A probe (72) carrying electrodes is introduced through this passageway and deploys, under the influence of its own resilience, to a structure incorporating a loop (82) which is automatically aligned with the axis of the expandable ablation device, so that minimal manipulation is required to place the sensor probe.
US08398620B2
A medical instrument comprises a shaft, a handle connected to said shaft and having a movable gripping part. An insert is guided along said shaft and connected to said movable part at its proximal end. A tool is provided at a distal end of said insert. A lock is provided for locking said movable grip part in a position. A detent is provided for releasing said locking of said lock. A rotatable stopping member is arranged on said movable grip part. A rotational plane of said rotatable stopping member lying across a longitudinal axis of a movement direction of said movable grip part. Said rotatable stopping member can be rotated between a first position not influencing said locking function of said lock and a second position keeping said lock permanently away from said locking engagement.
US08398614B2
An apparatus for cleansing wounds in which irrigant fluid from a reservoir connected to a conformable wound dressing and wound exudate from the dressing are recirculated by a device for moving fluid through a flow path which passes through the dressing and a means for fluid cleansing and back to the dressing. The cleansing means (which may be a single-phase, e.g. microfiltration, system or a two-phase, e.g. dialytic system) removes materials deleterious to wound healing, and the cleansed fluid, still containing materials that are beneficial in promoting wound healing, is returned to the wound bed. The dressing and a method of treatment using the apparatus.
US08398612B2
Catheter (1) for vascular access comprising a cannula (2) having at least one first lumen (21), at least one first connection tube (3), and a connection molded simultaneously on an end of the cannula (2) and on at least one part of the first connection tube (3) and manufacturing process comprising the following stages: taking a cannula (2) having at least one first lumen (21), taking one first connection tube (3), placing in a mould one end of the cannula (2) and one end of the first connection tube (3), injecting into the mould a molding material to obtain the connection (4) between the end of the first connection tube (3) and the end of the cannula placing the first lumen (21) and at least the first tube (3) in fluid communication and device for implementing the manufacturing process.
US08398610B2
A catheter for delivering a medical implant in a patient's vasculature includes an elongate catheter having a distensible and frangible cap mounted across the open distal end thereof. The cap is distendable by pressure within the catheter to provide a bumper tip for guiding the catheter through a patient's vasculature. At the desired site for deploying the medical implant, the cap is ruptured to permit the implant to be advanced through the distal opening. Methods of using the catheter are also disclosed.
US08398604B2
Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for treating an incision. The device includes a generally planar tension relief module, comprising a central structure in fluid communication with the incision, wherein at least a portion of the central structure is adapted to be aligned with a longitudinal axis of the incision; and opposing adhesive structures coupled to the central structure and a flexible sealant structure comprising a lower adhesive surface and sized to seal over the tension relief module forming a sealed flow pathway. The opposing adhesive structures are adapted to be stretched from a relaxed configuration to a first tensile configuration and to return towards the relaxed configuration from the first tensile configuration into a second tensile configuration and impart a contracting force in a direction that is towards the opposing adhesive structure.
US08398602B2
A carrying case (1) for a pharmaceutical injection device (21) administering a pharmaceutical to a living body includes a case unit (2, 20) and an electric charging device (3a). The case unit (2, 20) accommodates the pharmaceutical injection device (21). The electric charging device (3a) is mounted in the case unit (2, 20), includes an electric charging terminal (9) electrically connectable to the pharmaceutical injection device (21), and electrically charges the pharmaceutical injection device (21). The carrying case (1) can prevent troubles including such a situation that a user cannot charge the pharmaceutical injection device (21) while being out with the carrying case.
US08398597B2
A needle shield system may include a needle, an inner tube, a clip within the inner tube, an outer tube, and/or a housing. A method of shielding a needle may include housing a portion of a needle within a clip, housing the clip within an inner tube, housing the inner tube within an outer tube, housing the outer tube within a housing, interlocking the outer tube and the housing, withdrawing the needle from the clip, trapping a tip of the needle between the clip and the inner tube, partially withdrawing the inner tube from the outer tube, and/or releasing the outer tube and the housing from each other.
US08398596B2
A needle assembly comprises a metal needle (1) with a hub (13) and a marker in the form of a bubble-filled plastics rod (2) inserted within the needle. The rod (2) makes the assembly more visible under ultrasound observation when confirming correct placement of the needle (1) and is subsequently removed when correct placement has been confirmed.
US08398591B2
An aspiration catheter is provided in which rapid withdrawal of a piston disposed within a distal region of a catheter lumen creates a sudden pressure drop for ingestion of intravascular matter into the catheter lumen through a distal port while avoiding large losses of suction common with catheters having long aspiration lumens. Conventional aspiration using the same catheter can subsequently complement the procedure by fully removing the ingested matter from the catheter.
US08398590B2
A priming indicator for a fluid infusion system includes a luer cap or other component of the infusion system having an indicator surface covered by a membrane. The membrane exhibits a first visual characteristic, such as being opaque, when dry and exhibits a second characteristic, such as becoming less opaque, when wet. Once the membrane becomes wet, indicia on the surface, which may be provided on a rod at least partially covered by the membrane, becomes visible, thereby indicating an intravenous tube to which the luer cap is secured has been primed or is nearly primed. The indicator may alternately be employed at an upstream end of an infusion set, such as at the port of a medical bag providing a supply of fluid, to indicate a low level of fluid in the medical bag.
US08398589B2
Catheters for occluding, visualizing, irrigating, evacuating, and delivering agents to a treatment area are disclosed. The catheters comprise a catheter body comprising five lumens, first and second occlusion balloons coupled to the catheter body, an optional space-occupying balloon coupled to the catheter body and disposed between the first and second occlusion balloons, and an optional visualization means that enables visualization between the first and second occlusion balloons. Methods for using these catheters are also disclosed. A method comprises inflating the first and second occlusion balloons, inflating the space-occupying balloon, allowing fluid to exit via an evacuation lumen, optionally irrigating or aspirating to facilitate fluid exit via said lumen, and delivering an agent to a treatment area via the agent lumen.
US08398587B2
A steerable tube (100), comprising a hollow elongate tubular member (1) having a proximal end (2), distal end (3), a wall surface disposed between said proximal (2) and distal end (4), a bend-resistive zone (6) flanked by a proximal bendable zone (4) that forms a controller and a distal bendable zone (5) that forms an effector that moves responsive to movements of the controller, whereby the wall of the tubular member (1) in the bend-resistive zone (6) comprises a structure that is a plurality of longitudinal slits (7), forming a plurality of longitudinal strips (8, 8′), the wall of the tubular member (1) in the proximal bendable zone (4) and the distal bendable zone (5) comprises a structure that is a plurality of longitudinal wires (9, 9′, 10, 10′), at least one strip (8) is in connection with a wire (9) in the proximal bendable zone (4) and a wire (10) in the distal bendable zone (5), such that translation by said wire (9) in the controller is transmitted via the strip (8) to said wire (10) in the effector, a proximal annular region (11) of the tubular member (1), proximal to the proximal bendable zone (4) to which the proximal wires (9) are anchored, a distal annular region (12) of the tubular member (1) distal to the distal bendable zone (5) to which the distal wires (10) are anchored.
US08398585B2
The invention relates to a single-use injector and to a two-chamber system, wherein at least one first chamber is part of a cylinder-piston unit that can be received in the single-use injector, and wherein the second chamber is part of a container having at least one opening, and closed at least intermittently by means of a stopper and place in a container adapter releasably supported on the single-use injector. To this end, the stopper and the container adapter can be permanently latched to each other. When the container is inserted, the container adapter closes off the opening and displaces the stopper. When the container is inserted into the container adapter, the adapter connects the interior of the cylinder-piston unit to the interior of the container. By means of the present invention, a single-use injector and a two-chamber system having a reduced number of components is developed.
US08398573B2
The DRUJ brace is donned circumferentially around the distal radioulnar joint and provides adjustable compression of the proximal portion of the distal radioulnar joint that is independent of adjustable compression of the distal portion of the distal radioulnar joint, without compression of the ulnar styloid. Compression is maintained by hook and loop fasteners.
US08398572B2
A compression device for applying compression treatment to a patient's body. The device includes an inflatable bladder having an inner layer, an outer layer opposite the inner layer, the inner layer and the outer layer are joined to form a hollow interior adapted for periodically receiving fluid to inflate the bladder, the joined layers are joined by a seam having a sealed upstream end, an open downstream end, and sealed lateral sides. The bladder includes an opening positioned between the lateral sides and extending through the inner layer and/or the outer layer of the bladder. The device includes the tube extending toward the open downstream end of the seam and through the opening. The device includes a seal extending between the lateral sides of the seam and across the tube preventing fluid leakage between the tube and the opening in the bladder when the bladder is inflated.
US08398568B2
Methods and instruments for assessing bone, for example fracture risk, in a subject in which a test probe is inserted through the skin of the subject so that the test probe contacts the subject's bone and the resistance of the test bone to microscopic fracture by the test probe is determined. Macroscopic bone fracture risk is assessed by measuring the resistance of the bone to microscopic fractures caused by the test probe. The microscopic fractures are so small that they pose negligible health risks. The instrument may also be useful in characterizing other materials, especially if it is necessary to penetrate a layer to get to the material to be characterized.
US08398564B2
This invention describes a method for processing pressure signals derivable from locations inside or outside a human or animal body or body cavity. A major aspect of the invention relates to a method for determining relationships between different pressure-related signals with the purpose of obtaining signals predicting pressures inside a body or body cavity from pressure signals outside said body or body cavity. According to the invented method different formula-based relationships for specific types of signals and locations and sensor types are determined, which provides for a reference that can be applied on new and individual non-invasive pressure measurements. Thereby continuous pressure-related signals from a non-invasive source may be processed in a way that makes the continuous non-invasive pressure signals highly predictable of the pressures inside the body or body cavity.
US08398562B2
An ear canal pressurization device optimized for aural acoustic immittance testing is disclosed. Changes in volume of a first flexible chamber, due to motor movement, produce changes in ear canal pressure based on Boyle's law. A vent may be opened to allow ear canal pressure to gently equalize to ambient air pressure or to generate ear canal pressure sweeps free of pressure baseline offset. The vent may be closed to set a static ear canal pressure or to generate ear canal pressure sweeps with an incidental baseline offset. The vent may be controlled to generate ear canal pressure sweeps with an intended baseline offset. The device produces ear canal pressure proportional to drive voltage, so any desired pressure versus time function can be generated by applying a coil driving voltage with the appropriate amplitude versus time function.
US08398559B2
Methods for estimating the volume of the carbon dioxide stores of an individual's respiratory tract include determining a carbon dioxide store volume at which a correlation between corresponding signals of carbon dioxide elimination and an indicator of the content of carbon dioxide in blood of the individual is optimized. The estimate of the volume of carbon dioxide stores, which comprises a model of the respiratory tract, or lungs, of the individual, may be used as a transformation to improve the accuracy of one or both of the carbon dioxide elimination and carbon dioxide content signals. Transformation, or filtering, algorithms are also disclosed, as are systems in which the methods and algorithms may be used. The methods, algorithms, and systems may be used to accurately and noninvasively determine one or both of the pulmonary capillary blood flow and cardiac output of the individual.
US08398557B2
An apparatus including a receiver and an extractor is provided for determining a physiological parameter of a living being. The receiver is adapted to receive iterating optical signals, the optical signal including sequences, and a sequence including at least two bright periods during which a transmit light source adopts an on state and at least one dark period during which no transmit light source adopts an on state, and the at least two bright periods being irregularly arranged within a sequence. In addition, the apparatus includes an extractor. The extractor extracts information on the physiological parameter from a receive signal, the extractor being adapted to extract, on the basis of the information on the arrangement of the bright periods within the sequence, a value of a magnitude indicating a vital parameter.
US08398556B2
According to some embodiments, systems and methods are provided for non-invasive continuous blood pressure determination. In some embodiments, a PPG signal is received and locations of pulses within the PPG signal are identified. An area within a particular pulse is measured. The area may be of just the upstroke, downstroke or the entire pulse. The area may be measured relative to a time-domain axis or a baseline of the pulse. The pulse may be split into multiple sections and the area of each section may be measured. The area of one portion of the pulse may correspond to systolic blood pressure while the area of another portion may correspond to diastolic blood pressure. Empirical data may be used to determine blood pressure from the measured area by applying calibration data measured by a suitable device.
US08398551B2
It becomes possible to obtain high sound pressure in a high frequency domain by a capacitive ultrasonic transducer which comprises a membrane on which one electrode is formed, a cavity constructed in its backface, and a substrate on which these are mounted and supported and on whose surface an electrode is provided, on a surface in an ultrasonic transmission and reception side, characterized in that the membrane comprises tow or more layers, and at least one layer of them comprises a high dielectric constant film.
US08398545B2
A laryngoscope a handgrip, a blade, and an image-capturing unit for capturing an image. The blade is connected to the handgrip, and the image-capturing unit is movably secured on the blade. In use, users may adjust the view of the laryngoscope by moving the image-capturing unit.
US08398536B2
An implantable two-chamber system is for supporting the left ventricle of the heart. Each of the two pumping chambers (1, 1′) of the two-chamber system is ventricular shaped including an inlet (11) and an outlet (12). A pressure plate (2) is rotatably mounted externally in two arms (5) which are movably retained on the output shaft (9) of a drive unit (15) such that the center of motion (8) of the arms (5), which lies on the output shaft (9), is located on the side of the pumping chamber (1, 1′) facing away from adapters (4, 4′), and thus outside the pumping chambers (1, 1′). Each of the ventricular pumping chambers (1, 1′) is provided with a bulge (13) in order to reduce the resistance to fluid flow, this bulge (13) having a length ranging from 10 to 15 percent of the length of the pumping chamber.
US08398534B2
A brachytherapy device including an elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion. The device also includes a movable surface portion surrounding at least the distal portion of the elongate member and a plurality of source lumen tubes defining respective source lumens, the source lumen tubes being located around the elongate member, distal ends of the source lumen tubes coupled to the distal portion of the elongate member, the source lumen tubes extending a sufficient distance in a proximal direction such that the source lumen tubes extend outside a body when distal portions of the source lumen tubes are positioned in a body cavity for brachytherapy. The device also has structure coupled to the distal ends of the source lumen tubes for positioning the distal portions of the source lumen tubes at different distances from the elongate member for brachytherapy by exerting a force in a proximal direction on the distal ends of the source lumen tubes, the structure including an actuator for actuating the structure, at least a portion of the actuator being located outside the body when the distal portions of the source lumen tubes are positioned in a body cavity for brachytherapy. The device also includes a ring, tube or manifold securing a portion of the source lumen tubes proximal to the distal portion around the elongate member and a source of radiation suitable for insertion into the source lumens.
US08398526B2
A method for controlling a transmission input clutch during a vehicle launch includes determining a desired clutch torque, a desired engine torque, a desired vehicle acceleration and a desired engine speed, determining a change in clutch torque and a change in engine torque with reference to the first and second errors and current operating conditions, applying to the clutch an updated clutch torque capacity whose magnitude is the sum of the desired clutch torque and the change in engine torque, and producing an updated engine torque whose magnitude is the sum of the desired engine torque and the change in engine torque.
US08398520B1
A drive axle assembly that may include an input shaft, an output shaft, a lock collar, and a pinion. The actuator unit may move the lock collar between a first position in which the torque is transmitted from the input shaft to the pinion and a second position in which torque is not transmitted to the pinion.
US08398504B2
A shaft selection assist apparatus according to this invention includes a storage means for storing recommended shaft information indicating a correspondence between measurement parameters obtained upon a test strike with a golf club to which a predetermined reference shaft is attached, and recommended shafts among shafts of a plurality of types, an acquisition means for acquiring the measurement results of the measurement parameters associated with a test strike actually made by a user with the golf club, a selection means for selecting a recommended shaft by referring to the recommended shaft information based on the measurement results acquired by the acquisition means, and an output means for outputting information indicating the recommended shaft selected by the selection means. The measurement parameters include the vertical launch angle of a struck ball and the back spin amount on the struck ball. The recommended shaft information stored in the storage means is information which specifies recommended shafts based on the relationship between the shaft rigidity distribution, and the vertical launch angle and the back spin amount.
US08398495B2
A coupling device comprises a drive portion formed on a drive shaft and having a drive wall surface extending in the direction of a rotation axis; a driven portion formed on a driven shaft and having a driven wall surface extending in the direction of the rotation axis; a convex curved portion formed on one of the drive wall surface and the driven wall surface and extending along the rotation axis at a position spaced from the rotation axis as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis; and a concave curved portion having a smaller curvature than that of the convex curved portion and formed on the other of the drive wall surface and the driven wall surface to contact the convex curved portion and extending along the rotation axis at a position spaced from the rotation axis as viewed in the direction of the rotation axis.
US08398479B2
Provided are systems and methods configured to retain game state information during the course of game play of multiple individual games to deliver a gaming experience in addition to the game play and/or any outcome associated with the individual games and/or game sessions. Player interest can be enhanced through the requirement that multiple games be played to get to a final outcome of the game experience. Each ticket/entry can represent one step along the way (or some other ratio) of the game experience. Combining online experiences with a progression through the gaming experience with stored state information across sessions allows a game management system to track and manage the player until the game experience is complete and can include, for example, requiring a predetermined number of plays. Further the game management system can permit dynamically establishing criteria for players during any game experience.
US08398477B1
In contrast to slot-type gaming machines with their preset paylines designating predetermined array positions, the paylines of this novel wagering game are unknown until the indicia in the array have been selected. The indicia are selected from a variety of indicium types, each having a different number of members for identifying adjacent indicia. The randomly selected indicia determine the paylines, if any, in the array. Conditions may be imposed that limit the size and geometry of the paylines in this wagering game.
US08398474B2
Each play of a base game increases the likelihood of winning a bonus award. A display provides a graphical indication of the change in likelihood of winning the bonus award. In one aspect, the bonus award comprises the opportunity to play a secondary game.
US08398473B2
A gaming device includes a poker game where two cards are dealt face-up to at least one player and to a dealer. The gaming device enables the player to place an optional wager based on the initially dealt two card hand. A pay out for the optional wager is determined based on the probability that the final player hand will outrank the final dealer hand. The pay out is inversely proportional to the probability that the player will win. Therefore, if the player has a high probability of winning, the associated pay out will be relatively small. Also, if the player has a low probability of winning, the associated pay out will be relatively small. The gaming device enables the player to place multiple wager after each of a plurality of community cards are dealt, where the associated pay out changes according to a revised probability of winning.
US08398462B2
A method of creating pores in a CMP pad in-situ includes impregnating a first material with a second material to form a CMP pad. The second material can have a resistance to frictional erosion that is less than that of the first material. The CMP pad thus has two materials with differing frictional erosion resistances. The working surface of the CMP pad can be contacted to a wafer to be polished wherein the second material can be frictionally eroded during polishing.
US08398459B2
There are disclosed a polishing method and a polishing device in which cleaning of a glass substrate surface can be achieved to a high level. A glass substrate (MD substrate 1) in the shape of a circular disc having a circular hole in a center portion is polished with an abrasive liquid 50 containing free abrasive grains being supplied, and an inner peripheral end surface of the glass substrate is polished using the abrasive liquid containing the free abrasive grains by rotating a rotary brush 4 or a polishing pad in contact with the inner peripheral end surface.
US08398445B2
The present invention discloses apparatuses, systems, and methods for operating a marine vessel, drilling subsea wells, and producing hydrocarbons therefrom. The marine vessel comprises at least two matching pairs of controlled azimuthing propulsion devices to ice-vane the vessel in the event of a changing ice drift or other conditions and keep station in a body of water containing pack ice. In one embodiment, a matching pair of azimuthing propulsion devices are provided. In one embodiment, the propulsion devices share a single physical axis of rotation and in another each propulsion device has its own physical axis of rotation. In another embodiment, the azimuthing propulsion devices are controlled by an automatic control system with a feedback loop. In yet another embodiment, the vessel is substantially oblong having a centrally mounted turret with mooring lines capable of disconnecting from the vessel.
US08398443B2
A connector for establishing electrical connection between a testing device and a test strip with a biological fluid thereon includes a contact pad on the test strip, and one or more contact wires in the testing device. When the strip is inserted into the testing device, part of the strip's end engages a contact portion of a contact wire and deflects it in a direction normal to the direction of insertion. In certain embodiments the radius of curvature (in the direction of insertion) of the contact portion is controlled to reduce abrasion of the strip by the wire. In other embodiments the radius of curvature (perpendicular to the direction of insertion) is controlled to reduce the abrasion of the strip by the wire. Sometimes the contact portion and/or contact pad is plated with a sacrificial material to reduce the coefficient of friction. In other embodiments various numbers of contacts receive the end of the strip substantially simultaneously, or are staggered in rows to distribute the resistance presented.
US08398441B2
A datacommunication interconnection system includes (a) an extension trunk cable-connector assembly and (b) a trunk cable-connector assembly. The extension trunk cable-connector assembly comprises: a first cable including a plurality of first subunits, each of the first subunits comprising a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors; a jack attached to one end of the cable; and a plug attached to an opposite end of the cable. Each of the jack and the plug includes a contact for each of the conductors of the cable. The trunk cable-connector assembly comprises: a second cable including a plurality of second subunits, each of the second subunits comprising a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors; a plug attached to one end of the second cable and connected with the jack of the extension trunk cable; and a plurality of RJ-45 connectors attached to subunits at an opposite end of the second cable.
US08398437B2
A connector having a plurality of terminals that are integrally incorporated in a connector housing, in a given arrangement, with a high degree of accuracy. The connector includes a prealigner having a plurality of terminal holding recesses, a plurality of terminals fitted into and held in the terminal holding recesses in a given alignment, and a housing main body molded so that the prealigner is interposed in the housing main body as an insert element.
US08398424B1
A device includes an elongated strap, a latch structure connected to the strap and configured to receive and secure a portion of the strap within the latch structure when an end of the strap is inserted through an opening of the latch, and a clamping structure secured to the strap. The clamping structure includes a flexible ring member with two free ends that are separable from each other to define a gap between the two free ends and are further configured to be drawn toward each other such that one free end overlaps the other free end, and a locking mechanism that is operable by a user to selectively compress the ring member so as to secure a portion of at least one power cord within the ring member.
US08398421B2
A coaxial cable connector having a connector body attached to a post, the post having a first end, a second end, and a flange proximate the first end, wherein the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable, a port coupling element attached to the post, and a seal member disposed proximate the dielectric to create a seal around the dielectric to prevent entry of environmental elements is provided. Additionally, a connector having a post with an internally tapered surface proximate a first end, the internally tapered surface tapering radially inward toward the first end to compress the dielectric to form a seal around the dielectric is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.
US08398415B1
An assembly may include a first connector, a second connector, a third connector, a fourth connector, and a staged-release member. The second connector may be configured to matingly engage the first connector. The fourth connector may be configured to matingly engage the third connector. The staged-release member may include first and second portions. The first portion may be secured relative to the first and third connectors. The second portion may be movable relative to the first portion between a first position restricting axial separation of the second connector from the first connector and a second position allowing axial separation of the second connector from the first connector. The fourth connector may restrict movement of the second portion from the first position to the second position while the fourth connector is matingly engaged with the third connector.
US08398413B2
An electrical contact device, configured for electrical signals to be transmitted therethrough and for movable contact with an electrically conductive track, includes a composite carbon fiber material including plural carbon fiber elements aligned in substantially the same direction. At least a portion of the plural carbon fiber elements is bonded together in a semi-conductive (low-resistance) synthetic resin compound.
US08398401B2
A dental implant is provided that is capable of reliably preventing elution of metal when the dental implant is applied within an oral cavity and capable of reliably preventing the occurrence of mismatching (bumpy occlusion or the like) when the dental implant is fixed in place. The dental implant includes an abutment comprising a titanium member composed of a body made from titanium or titanium alloy and having a recess, and a ceramic member composed of oxide-based ceramic and having a protrusion fitted within the recess. In a pre-sintered state, the recess has a first surface shape providing a clearance between the recess and the protrusion inserted therein. In a post-sintered state, the recess has a second surface shape corresponding to a surface shape of the protrusion so that the protrusion is in close contact with and fitted to the recess.
US08398395B2
An accessory for use with a dental articulator, the accessory including a dental model holder, adapted and configured to hold a dental model, and a mounting assembly for removably affixing said dental model holder to a conventional dental model articulator. In some embodiments, the dental model holder includes a model support, a rear stop member perpendicular to the model support, and a model engaging member mounted in the model support and arranged to engage a dental model and urge it towards the stop member.
US08398393B2
A gas fired catalytic heater is provided that foregoes the need for an electrical heating element to provide the activation energy for the hydrocarbon catalyst pad. An alcohol self-igniting catalyst pad is used to provide the activation energy to the hydrocarbon catalyst pad thereby removing dependence of the heater on an outside electrical energy source to initiate start-up of the heater. The catalyst pad includes a flexible wash coat; a noble metal dispersed on the wash coat; an anti-sintering element saturating the wash coat; and a catalyst promoter saturating the wash coat.
US08398383B2
A foil shield for covering at least one opening of a suction flange of a vacuum pump includes at least one member formed of a material having a relative permeability μr greater than 1,000.
US08398380B2
A centrifugal blower in a cooling system of an electronic device having non-uniform blade spacing with acceptable balance. The non-uniform blade spacing is determined according to specific repeating sinusoidal patterns to obtain acoustic artifacts that are favorable and balance that is similar to that found with equal fan blade spacing. The fan impeller can include a prime number of fan blades to prevent higher harmonic interaction among noise sources. The perceived sound quality from the fan is improved with essentially no effect on the thermal performance of the fan.
US08398368B2
Wind Energy Converting Systems (WECS) fitted with anti-icing systems are made by using the method according to the invention in the following steps: a) prearranging a wind rotor with blades (5), an anti-icing system, and means (50, 51) for adjusting the anti-icing system; b) installing the prearranged rotor of the WECS on a test site; c) carrying out at least one operation test of the WECS; d) detecting parameters useful for determining the presence or absence of ice on the outer surface (5E) of the blades (5). If the detected parameters do not meet a predetermined target function, the method comprises additional steps of: e) performing an adjustment through said adjustment means (50, 51); repeating the previous steps from c) to e) until no ice is detected on the outer surface (5E) of the blades (5).
US08398364B1
A turbine stator vane with an airfoil extending from an endwall, a vortex flow retaining chamber formed within the endwall and wrapping around a leading edge region and opening onto a surface of the endwall in front of the leading edge region of the airfoil. A vortex flow tube is formed within the endwall and extends from one side to the opposite side of the endwall and passes through the vortex flow retaining chamber. Cooling air supply holes open into the vortex flow tube to produce a vortex flow in a direction opposite to a vortex flow of the hot secondary gas that flows into the vortex flow retaining chamber. A row of exit cooling holes are connected to the vortex flow tube and open onto the endwall surface to discharge the hot secondary flow that flows into the chamber and is mixed with the cooling air supplied through the supply holes.
US08398356B2
A wheelchair lift and restraining device for an automotive vehicle includes a base pivotally mounted beneath the main floor of a vehicle. First and second support arm portions extend outwardly from the base and are configured for engagement with a wheelchair frame, preferably a wheel axle. A rotating assembly selectively moves the support arm through approximately 90° of rotation and the system is raised and lowered relative to the vehicle to transport the wheelchair from outside the vehicle to the interior of the vehicle, and also position the wheelchair at a desired height in the vehicle interior. Translation movement of the support arms also positions the wheelchair occupant at a desired location. A headrest extends from the system to provide desired neck and head support.
US08398353B2
A print server checks a job ticket for a print job to be processed. When a method of printing set in the printing attributes of the job ticket is case binding, a first thickness of a bookblock is calculated using the paper type set in the printing attributes. The print server calculates a second thickness of a bookblock using the paper type after a change. The print server changes the paper type set in the job ticket when the difference between the first thickness and the second thickness is within a permissible range.
US08398352B2
A separation fastener assembly includes a housing defining a cavity. A frangible nut is disposed in the cavity. The nut includes a plurality of nut segments. The one-piece frangible nut greatly reduces existing assembly problems and difficulties. Adjacent nut segments are interconnected at fracture lines. A bolt has an end coupled to the nut. A movable element is disposed in the housing and movable from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the nut segments are restrained from radial expansion. In the second position the nut segments are permitted to radially expand for releasing the fastener assembly.
US08398350B2
A bolt has a bolt body including a screw part, a head part formed at an upper end of the screw part, and a flange part formed at a lower end of the head part; and an unconductive ring-shaped resinous member covering a peripheral portion of the flange part. The flange part has a disk-shaped flange body portion; and a seat surface-forming portion having a seat surface which is pressed against a portion where the bolt is to be mounted. The ring-shaped member has an edge part which is located at a position nearer to a lower end of the screw part than the seat surface and outward from the flange body portion and an annular skirt part whose diameter gradually increases to the edge part. The annular skirt part is so formed that it deforms when the bolt is mounted on the portion where the bolt is to be mounted and forms an annular liquid-tight sealing portion for the portion where the bolt is to be mounted.
US08398344B2
A method and apparatus for stabilizing cargo within a transport container. First and second tubular elements are provided having generally cylindrical bodies and bearing members at a terminal end which can react against opposing surfaces within the transport container and stabilize cargo within the container. An extension mechanism allows for the extension and selective translation between the first and second tubular members allowing the apparatus to extend and fill the space between opposing surfaces within the transport container and stabilize the cargo. A method for stabilizing cargo within a transport container includes providing an extensible load stabilizer having first and second tubular elements, each having a bearing member, positioning the load stabilizer between opposing surfaces within the transport container, and extending the tubular members with respect to each other, and stabilizing a surface of cargo against an opposing surface.
US08398340B2
A method of extracting the contents from the inside of a reactor kept at high temperature and high pressure includes the steps of introducing the contents of the reactor into a pipe having an internal space which communicates with the reactor, closing the pipe to enclose the contents in the internal space, removing unnecessary gas from the internal space, and supplying an inert gas to the internal space, thereby replacing the contents enclosed in the internal space with the inert gas. The contents are discharged from the internal space by replacing the contents enclosed in the internal space with the inert gas.
US08398338B2
Method for installing a topside module on an offshore support structure that in use comprises at least one support leg that extends a height above the water level. The method comprises the steps of supporting said topside module on a barge in a position adjacent to said at least one support leg and de-ballasting the barge to lift the topside module a height above water level.
US08398337B2
A system to permit a diver to quickly adjust a one-piece continuous piece of webbing by simply pushing or pulling the webbing in the desired direction. The system includes accessory plate which is fixed to an existing diving backplate, which allows the webbing to slide on through the attached accessories without affecting the location of the accessories with respect to the diver's body. An improved adjustable crotch strap is also secured to the backplate. An ergonomic backplate frame is also disclosed.
US08398333B2
An expansion joint holder on an existing slab of concrete employs teeth that releasably grip and hold an expansion joint when an adjoining slab is poured, and is provided with an upstanding handle for installation and subsequent removal after the adjoining slab has been poured or placed against the expansion joint.
US08398331B2
An adjustable pipe coupling assembly (10) has first and second clamps (30, 32), rotating elements (38, 40, 44) for the clamps, first and second pipes (16, 18), and first and second pivot elements (60). The clamp (30) includes opposed ears (52, 54) which locate the pipe (16) therebetween. The pipe (16) can pivot about an axis. The clamp (32) includes opposed ears (52, 54) which locate the pipe (18) therebetween. The pipe (18) can pivot about an axis. In use, rotating the clamps adjusts the horizontal angle between the axes, and pivoting the pipes about their respective pivot means adjusts the vertical angle between the pipes.
US08398330B2
A connecting assembly is provided that includes a tool receiving portion, a handle receiving portion, a tightening member, a first open region, and a second open region. The handle receiving portion has a first engaging portion, a clamping portion with a first cam, and a longitudinal axis. The tightening member has a second cam and a second engaging portion. The second engaging portion is engagable with the first engaging portion so that the tightening member moves to cause the first and second cams to interact with one another biasing the clamping portion in a desired direction. The first open region is defined at the first engaging portion, while the second open region is defined at the clamping portion so that the open regions are in fluid communication with one another.
US08398317B2
A method of controlling an imaging apparatus and an imaging apparatus using the same are provided, wherein the method controls the imaging apparatus including an image sensor that performs an electronic shutter function by calculating a moving characteristic of a mechanical shutter based on an amount of electric charge accumulated in a first area and an amount of electric charge accumulated in a second area, and controlling the electronic shutter function of the image sensor based on the calculated moving characteristic of the mechanical shutter. Accordingly, the performance of the imaging apparatus using a focal plane shutter can be improved.
US08398311B2
A bearing assembly comprises at least two adjacently-disposed bearings. Each bearing includes a bearing outer ring having a cylindrical outer circumferential surface. A bearing support retains the at least two bearings such that respective rotational axes of the at least two bearings extend in parallel. A spacer has at least two cylindrical openings configured to receive the respective cylindrical outer circumferential surfaces of the bearing outer rings such that a circumferential inner surface of each opening covers at least a portion of a width of the bearing outer ring received therein and surrounds an entire circumference of the bearing outer ring received therein. The bearing support is not fixedly connected to the spacer.
US08398307B2
A bearing device comprises a bearing fixing base, a hub, an oil seal bush, and an oily felt. The bearing fixing base is fixedly joined with a tubular support; the hub is fixedly joined with a rotor spindle which extends into the tubular support and rotates with respect to the tubular support; the oil seal bush is disposed between the spindle and the tubular support with a receiving clearance being defined between the oil seal bush and the tubular support; the oily felt is disposed in the receiving clearance. The oily felt supplies lubrication oil to lubricate the oil seal bush for prolonging a life span of the bearing device.
US08398299B2
A display mechanism for a clock movement for controlling the movements of a member for displaying at least one indication related to the time or to the operation of a timepiece, includes a cam having a periphery with a predetermined shape and driven by a base wheel, a lever pivotally mounted relative to a frame member of the movement, between an abutment position associated with an indication position of the display member, and a standby position associated with a predetermined alternative position of the display member. The lever bears a feeler intended for interaction with the periphery of the cam so as to define the abutment position, and the lever further bears a rake engaged with a pinion for driving the display member. An elastic element applies a force onto the lever for positioning it in the abutment position. The mechanism includes a mobile control member having at least a stable standby and a stable indication position.
US08398294B2
The disclosed device disperses a substance in a liquid. The device has at least one dispersing chamber, which has at least one liquid inlet, at least one substance inlet, and at least one outlet. At least one driving means is placed inside the dispersing chamber while serving to set the liquid inside the dispersing chamber in motion so that at least one cavity with varying volume forms in the liquid for drawing in the substance through the substance inlet and forcing the substance made wet with liquid through the outlet.
US08398288B1
An LED display frame structure includes a light guide plate and a heat dissipation frame. The heat dissipation frame is mounted around the periphery of the light guide plate. At least one side of the light guide plate is provided with an LED strip and a 7-like heat dissipation plate. The back of the LED strip is provided with a two-sided adhesive strip to be attached to a groove of the 7-like heat dissipation plate. The 7-like heat dissipation plate has a cover plate next to the groove. The cover plate is attached to an adhesive strip of the light guide plate. The present invention can be assembled conveniently and quickly.
US08398286B2
A backlight module for a liquid crystal display according to the present invention is provided. The backlight module includes a light guide plate, a light source, a first reflection sheet and a second reflection sheet. The light guide plate has an upper surface, a lower surface, and opposing first and second side surfaces. The light source is disposed on the first side surface of the light guide plate and comprises a plurality of point light sources. The first reflection sheet is disposed on the light source and the upper surface of the light guide plate to reflect light beams emitting from the light source to the light guide plate. The first reflection sheet includes a plurality of first portions, a plurality of second portions and a plurality of protrusion portions, wherein the first portions are positioned corresponding to the light source and arranged alternately with the second portions. The protrusion portions extend from the second portions toward the second side surface of the light guide plate. The second reflection sheet is disposed under the lower surface of the light guide plate.
US08398284B1
The present invention relates to a sequential automotive lamp apparatus. Specifically, the present invention relates to one or more apparatuses that illuminate one or more directional light sources sequentially to create a sweeping illumination. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus that illuminates two or more directional light sources sequentially within a single lamp housing. The apparatuses may be implemented in automobile lamp housings to show, preferably, a turn signal, although any other illuminated signal may be displayed by the apparatuses of the present invention, including parking lights, hazard lights, and/or brake lights.
US08398283B2
An automotive signal light is taught which employs multi-focal length light pipes to collect, collimate and direct, as needed, light emitted from one or more semiconductor light sources. Each multi-focal length light pipe includes at least one light transmission structure, each of which has a light receiving port to receive light emitted from a semiconductor light source spaced from the light receiving port by an air gap. The light transmission structure includes at least two superimposed parabolic reflecting surfaces, each having a common focal point at the light receiving port but having different focal lengths, and the superimposed parabolic reflectors operate to receive, collimate, spread and transmit the light from the semiconductor light source to a light emitting surface of the light pipe which is located adjacent to a lens of the signal light. The aesthetic arrangement of the light pipes is not particularly limited and a wide range of signal light functionalities can be provided.
US08398272B2
A lamp includes an outer shell having heat conductivity, a base provided in the outer shell, and a cover provided in the outer shell. The outer shell has a light source support, and a heat radiating surface exposed to the outside of the outer shell. The light source support is formed integral with the heat radiating surface. A light source is supported on the light source support. The light source is heated during lighting, and thermally connected to the light source support. The light source is covered with the cover.
US08398270B2
An ornament of the present invention includes a display that is hidden behind a panel. An ornament body includes at least one panel which includes a two-way mirror and a display in the interior of the body. The ornament includes a light disposed in the ornament body which, when active, reveals the display which is otherwise hidden behind the two-way mirror. The light may be activated by a sensor that recognizes physical motion, and may also include a speaker to play music and a moving display element driven by a motor.
US08398269B1
A decorative holographic ornament has a body of generally clear or translucent hard plastic or similar material, of a size suitable for use as a tree ornament or the like. Molded holographic film is applied to the inside surface of the ornament, so that it is protected by the plastic body. An inner wire spool or core is supported in the center of the ornament, and LED wire is wrapped through or around the core. When the LED lights on the LED wire are illuminated, holographic images of the LEDs are generated and visible from the outside of the ornament with a pleasing “three-dimensional” aesthetic effect.
US08398249B2
A projector for projecting an image includes: a light source for generating a light bundle; a pivotable deflection unit for deflecting the light bundle generated by the light source onto a projection surface; and an imaging device for imaging an aperture of the deflection unit onto the projection surface. The imaging device includes a mirror objective having at least two mirror elements. A method for projecting an image is also provided.
US08398246B2
An exemplary method includes defining an environment, formulating an anti-keystoning algorithm based at least in part on the defined environment, projecting a laser image from a source to a surface of the defined environment, determining at least one vector parameter with respect to the source and the surface and correcting the laser image based on the anti-keystoning algorithm and the at least one vector parameter. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.
US08398245B2
A heat exchanger which is hollow and contains a plurality of small flow paths includes: a plurality of partition walls disposed in parallel with one another in the width direction of the heat exchanger to form the plural small flow paths; and an inlet unit and an outlet unit configured to communicate with the inside and the outside of the heat exchanger, and allow cooling liquid to flow into and out of the heat exchanger through the inlet unit and the outlet unit, the inlet unit and the outlet unit extend in directions opposite to each other along the width direction from a pair of center positions located approximately at the centers of inner side surfaces of the heat exchanger in the width direction and opposed to each other, and penetrate outer side surfaces of the heat exchanger.
US08398243B2
The present invention relates to a projection device for holographic reconstruction of scenes, said device comprising at least one light modulator device and at least one light source which emits sufficiently coherent light for the generation of a wave front of a scene, which is encoded in the light modulator device. A Fourier transform (FT) of the light which is emitted by the light source and modulated by the light modulator device is projected by a projection means on to a screen. Further, the wave front which is encoded on the light modulator device is projected by the projection means into at least one virtual observer window in an observer plane. For tracking the observer window according to a change in an eye position of the at least one observer, the inventive device comprises at least one deflection means, which is disposed between the light modulator device and the screen.
US08398242B2
A display apparatus that displays an image on a retina of a user, the display apparatus comprising: an image output unit (100) which includes a light source (101, 110), a wavefront shape change unit (102, 109), and a scan unit (103, 108) and is configured to output display light for displaying the image; and a deflection unit (104, 107) configured to deflect, toward an eye of the user, the display light outputted by the image output unit (100). The deflection unit (104, 107) has a deflection characteristic of suppressing image distortion caused by a change in relative position of the deflection unit (104, 107) with respect to a pupil of the user.
US08398240B2
An ophthalmic endoilluminator is provided. The ophthalmic endoilluminator includes a light source, a first optical assembly, an optical coupling element, and an optical fiber having an optical grating located distally on the optical fiber, the optical fiber optically coupled to the optical coupling element. The first optical assembly receives and substantially collimates the white light. The optical coupling element receives the substantially collimated white light from the first optical assembly and directs the light to an optical fiber. The optical grating couples to the distal end of the optical fiber, the optical grating having a surface relief grating, and an overlayer optically coupled to the surface relief grating. The optical grating is operable to substantially diffract incident light into N diffraction orders, the N diffraction orders having a substantially uniform intensity.
US08398239B2
An eye tracking system includes a transparent lens, at least one light source, and a plurality of light detectors. The transparent lens is adapted for disposal adjacent an eye. The at least one light source is disposed within the transparent lens and is configured to emit light toward the eye. The at least one light source is transparent to visible light. The plurality of light detectors is disposed within the transparent lens and is configured to receive light that is emitted from the at least one light source and is reflected off of the eye. Each of the light detectors is transparent to visible light and is configured, upon receipt of light that is reflected off of the eye, to supply an output signal.
US08398237B2
An optical device for measuring the transmission and diffusion of a tissue of the front segment of an eye, includes: a light source; an optical collimation system for directing the collimated light beam towards a tissue of the front segment of an eye to be characterized; an optical mire placed on the optical path between the optical collimation system and the tissue; an optical imaging system capable of receiving a light beam transmitted by the mire and the tissue and capable of forming an image of the mire on an image detector; and an image processing system capable of calculating a modulation transfer function for the tissue from an image of the mire through the ocular medium. The optical mire includes a set of alternately light and dark angular sectors radially distributed from a central point. Different image processing methods for extracting a function representing the transmission and diffusion characteristics of the tissue are described.
US08398234B2
Devices including a coating layer formed of a transparent, conductive coating composition described. The coating layer may function as an active antifog coating for the prevention of water vapor condensation as droplets on a surface. The coating includes a conductive polymer and functionalized carbon nanostructures and may be crosslinked with a transition metal crosslinking agent. The composition may be coated on a surface used in a visualization application such as a face shield, glasses, safety glasses, goggles, oculars, etc., to prevent fogging on the surface.
US08398229B2
A method of curing radiation-curable fluid is described. In one example, the method includes emitting radiation from an array of light-emitting diodes towards ink to be cured. LEDs are cheap, light weight, highly efficient in their conversion of electrical power, and give effectively instant switching to full power. Another advantage is that the emission spectrum of an LED is sharply peaked around the nominal frequency. Thus LEDs give several advantages over conventional radiation sources such as mercury lamps. A low oxygen environment is preferably provided at the radiation source to accelerate the curing reaction. Also described are inks which are specially formulated to respond to the radiation emission spectrum of an LED.
US08398222B2
A method of printing includes providing liquid drops travelling along a first path using a jetting module. A catcher including a liquid outlet, a stationary surface, and a liquid source is also provided. A liquid film provided by the liquid source is caused to exit the liquid outlet of the catcher and flow over the stationary surface of the catcher. Selected liquid drops are caused to deviate from the first path and begin travelling along a second path using a deflection mechanism such that the liquid drops travelling along one of the first path and the second path contact the liquid film.
US08398218B2
An image forming apparatus, includes a liquid jet head; a container main body; an air opening mechanism configured to open and close an air opening path in the container main body. The air opening mechanism includes a holding part, and an opening member movably provided at the holding part. The opening member includes an air communicating path, a filter member, and an air room. An opening cross-sectional area of the air room in a direction perpendicular to an air flow-in direction is greater than an opening cross-sectional area of the air communicating path in a direction perpendicular to an air flow-in direction.
US08398210B2
A continuous liquid ejection system includes a substrate defining a liquid chamber. An orifice plate, affixed to the substrate, includes a MEMS transducing member. The MEMS transducing member includes a first portion anchored to the substrate and a second portion extending over and free to move relative to the liquid chamber. A compliant membrane, positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member, includes an orifice and a first portion covering the MEMS transducing member and a second portion anchored to the substrate. A liquid supply provides a liquid to the liquid chamber under a pressure sufficient to eject a continuous jet of the liquid through the orifice located in the compliant membrane. The MEMS transducing member is selectively actuated to cause a portion of the compliant membrane to be displaced relative to the liquid chamber to cause a drop of liquid to break off from the liquid jet.
US08398207B2
An apparatus includes nozzles and an ink passage. Each nozzle includes a pressure chamber which houses an electrothermal transducer provided on a substrate to apply ejection energy to ink, an ink ejection orifice which faces the electrothermal transducer, and an ink passage along which the ink is supplied to the pressure chamber. The ink supply port is provided on the substrate and communicates with the ink passages. A distance between a center of gravity of the electrothermal transducer and the ink supply port differs between the nozzles which are next to each other. In at least one of the nozzles, a center of gravity of the ink ejection orifice is shifted from that of the electrothermal transducer in a direction toward the ink supply port by an amount which is increased as the distance increases.
US08398193B2
[Problem to be Solved] To provide an inkjet recording apparatus capable of adjusting a gap with high accuracy and easily.[Solution] The present invention provides an inkjet recording apparatus 100 including line heads 20 to 23 capable of recording on a recording medium 1, a head box 11 that houses the line heads 20 to 23, and gap adjustment cams 30 to 32 that abut on a lower surface of a bottom 11b in the head box 11, in which the head box 11 is slightly movable in an up-and-down direction by rotating the gap adjustment cams 30 to 32.
US08398189B2
A liquid discharge apparatus is provided, including a cartridge attaching section to which a first liquid cartridge and a second liquid cartridge smaller than the first liquid cartridge are selectively attached, a liquid discharge head having a plurality of nozzles and a plurality of driving sections individually corresponding to the nozzles, a purge mechanism which performs a purge operation, and a purge control unit which allows the purge mechanism to perform the purge operation so that a forcible ink discharge amount in a period of time in a case in which the first liquid cartridge is attached to the cartridge attaching section is smaller than a forcible ink discharge amount in a period of time in a case in which the second liquid cartridge is attached.
US08398173B2
The invention relates to a headrest for a vehicle, a method for producing a headrest, and a vehicle seat comprising a headrest. The headrest is provided with a body (2) and a holding element (3). A filling material (23) is provided between a connection part (22), used to connect the holding element (3) to the headrest body (2), and a cover (21). The connection part (22) and the cover (21) define an essentially tight space in relation to the filling material (23) when the filling material (23) is in the essentially liquid processing state thereof.
US08398167B2
A reactive head restraint system for an occupant of an automotive vehicle seat includes a seat back frame and a reactive head restraint mechanism attached to the seat back frame. A head restraint is attached to the reactive head restraint mechanism. The seat back frame includes a left side member, a right side member, and an upper cross member. The cross member connects the left and right side members of the frame. The reactive head restraint mechanism includes a hinge for attachment to the upper cross member, a pair of spaced apart steel tubes attached to the front leaf of a hinge, a pair of plastic guide sleeves, and a push plate. The guide sleeves are inserted into the upper ends of the steel tubes. The posts of the head restraint are inserted into the guide sleeves. The rear leaf of the hinge is attached to either the underside of the cross member or is attached to the front of the cross member. The push plate is attached to the lower ends of the spaced apart steel tubes. Because of the hinged attachment of the steel tubes to the cross member, the push plate moves toward the rear of the vehicle and the head restraint simultaneously moves toward a front of the vehicle in response to occupant movement toward the rear of the seat back during vehicle impact.
US08398164B2
A fold and tumble vehicle seat assembly includes a seat cushion having an underside that forms a floor surface when the seat cushion is rotated to a stowed position, and a seat flap attached to the seat cushion for bridging a gap formed between the seat cushion and an adjacent vehicle floor surface when the seat cushion is in the stowed position. The seat flap has an outer sleeve formed of a first material and an insert received in the sleeve formed of a second material.
US08398162B2
A roof apparatus for a vehicle, which includes a driving shoe provided along a guide rail, a support member, a pair of first wall portions, a second wall portion provided being arranged between the first wall portions, the second wall portion including a movable member, the movable panel being tilted-up from a closed state by pushing one of guide grooves provided at the driving shoe and the movable member by the other one of the guide grooves and the movable member to move the support member upwardly relative to the driving shoe in response to a movement of the driving shoe in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and a pair of restriction portions provided at the first wall portions and contacting end surfaces of the movable member in the vehicle width direction during the tilted-up state of the movable panel with pressure.
US08398155B2
A magnetic holding system for a vehicle cabin includes a non-ferrous panel having a front side exposed to the vehicle cabin and a rear side. A magnet is located on the rear side of the non-ferrous panel. The thickness panel, in the region where the magnet is located, and the strength of the magnet are selected to grip a ferrous element when it is placed on the front side of the panel in the region where the magnet is located. The ferrous element may be an object to be held on the non-ferrous surface or it may be attachable to the underside of an object that is to be held.
US08398153B1
An impact receiving structure in a motor vehicle includes a vehicle frame having left and right frame rails extending longitudinally and cross frame rails extending transversely between the left and right frame rails. A vehicle body is mounted on the vehicle frame and has a transverse bulkhead and left and right A-pillars connected to the bulkhead. Left and right upper rails extend longitudinally above the front wheels and outboard of the left and right frame rails and are connected respectively to the left and right frame rails by left and right braces. Left and right deflector devices are mounted on the left and right frame rails forwardly of the front wheels and extend outwardly from the left and right frame rails to receive an impact force and transmit the impact force into the frame that would otherwise transmit through the left and right upper rail structures.
US08398148B2
A method and system for disengaging a drive rod in a door after an impact to the door. An automobile having a door with a door handle, a drive rod, a latching system, a striker, and a drive rod striking member. The drive rod striking member can be positioned adjacent the drive rod. Upon impact to the door, the drive rod is disengaged from the door handle and/or the latching system through inertia, through the drive rod striking member impacting the drive rod, or through any other disengagement mechanisms. The drive rod striking member prevents the drive rod from re-engaging with the latching system. The disengagement of the drive rod prevents the drive rod from controlling the latching system to disengage from the striker, either through deformation of the door, or through actuations by the door handle.
US08398147B2
A convertible top having a pivot link is provided that supports two bows. A main spring is secured to a pivot pin and connected to a main pivot bracket on the vehicle to provide a counterbalancing force on the balance link that assists in lifting the top stack linkage as the convertible top is retracted and extended. A five bow extends between and is attached to right and left pivot links by right and left pressure links, respectively.
US08398141B2
A vehicle seating arrangement includes a first slide rail mounted to a vehicle floor, a second slide rail mounted to the floor, a multi-passenger seat mounted to the first slide rail and to the second slide rail, a restraining device on the multi-passenger seat, and a restraining rail connected with the floor. The multi-passenger seat moves in a fore and aft longitudinal direction and includes a cantilevered section extending from the second slide rail away from the first slide rail. The restraining device is located adjacent a lateral edge of the cantilevered section. The restraining rail connects with the floor spaced laterally from the second slide rail on an opposite side of the second slide rail as the first slide rail and cooperates with the restraining rail to limit at least one of lateral movement and upward vertical movement of the lateral edge of the cantilevered section.
US08398136B2
This invention provides for an apparatus for storing one or more items. The apparatus comprises a first part adapted to be mounted to a surface or a wall and a second part mounted by a linkage arrangement to a sliding mechanism that can slidably move relative to the first part. The second part is adapted to store or hold one or more items. The second part is movable relative to the first part such that the second part can be moved from a storage position to a first access position at which the second part is at one level. The linkage arrangement is operative to move the second part from the first access position to a second access position, the second access position being located at a level spaced from that of the first access position.
US08398133B2
A vehicular crash sensing system is provided wherein a bumper cap contacts a bumper. A chamber is at least partially fit into a side rail attached to the bumper, wherein the chamber is sealed by the bumper cap. The bumper cap and chamber together enclose a space containing a volume of air. A stop element limits movement of the chamber into the side rail. A pressure sensor detects an increased chamber air pressure during crushing of the chamber resulting from movement of the bumper with respect to the stop element.
US08398129B2
A seal for tote boxes includes a post member of extended length which has an enlarged end portion and a housing which has locking fingers which flex to accept the enlarged end of the post member and then lock to prevent removal of the post member. The housing includes a pair of upwardly projecting flanges, and a downwardly projecting flange. When installed on tote box the upwardly projecting flanges maintain the position of the downwardly projecting flange so that it is visible past the handle of the tote box allowing visual access to indicia on the downwardly projecting flange and allowing an authorized user to cut the post portion to remove the seal.
US08398125B2
A vehicle pop-up hood apparatus is provided that includes: an arm member, whose proximal end portion is connected to a body of a vehicle so as to be pivotable about an axis extending in the vehicle width direction; a first connection section by which a hood of the vehicle is connected to a tip portion of the arm member, and that allows the hood to pivot relative to the arm member about an axis extending in the vehicle width direction; a second connection section that connects the hood to the arm member to prevent the hood from pivoting relative to the arm member about the first connection section; and an actuator that generates a lifting force that lifts the hood relative to the body and acts in a direction such that the connection between the hood and the arm member by means of the second connection section is broken.
US08398121B2
Secure assembly of a tube coupled to a body having a bore. The coupling is provided by an insert mounted in the bore, a releasable internal retainer for retaining the tube in the bore, and a release member slidably moveable in the bore, the release member being pushable into the bore to release the retainer for uncoupling the tube from the body. A spacer is provided to prevent the release member from being pushed in. The spacer includes a clip portion inserted in a groove formed between a stationary surface of the body or the insert and an opposing shoulder surface of the release member which projects outside of the bore. The clip portion is connected by at least one breakable bridge portion to a locking portion which abuttably engages the tube to prevent the clip portion from being removed unless the bridge portion is broken by a user.
US08398118B2
A device and method for allowing secure self-capture of multifold fingerprint impressions. The device includes a strip of fingerprint labels wrapped about a tubular ergonomic roller. A subject inserts the thumb of a first hand into the ergonomic roller and grips the roller between his thumb and forefinger. The subject then rolls the inked tip of a finger on his second hand across a label in a first rotational direction while rotating the ergonomic roller in an opposite rotational direction. To prevent fraudulent substitution of fingerprinting materials that are distributed to a subject, the materials are marked with machine readable invisible barcodes that are associated with a unique identification number. After a subject captures his fingerprints and submits his materials to a trusted observer, the barcodes on the materials are compared to the identification number to determine whether the materials submitted are in-fact those that were distributed to the subject.
US08398117B1
A printable form with a printable face ply and a wristband releasably bonded to the printable form. The wristband may be detached from the printable form and secured around a body part for use in identification.
US08398116B2
An airbag for a vehicle, the airbag formed as a bag body by sewing together a base cloth, wherein the bag body is configured so that a direction in which the bag body unfolds expands from a base end side of the bag body to a tip end side, and, the bag body includes a tensional force providing mechanism generating a tensional force pulling an upper rim of the bag body toward an outer side by forming a tension line extending so as to cross with the direction in which the bag body unfolds, along a side surface of the bag body.
US08398113B2
A knee air bag for a vehicle has an inflator, a diffuser and a cushion to protect a passenger's knee when the cushion is deployed. The knee air bag also includes an inflator connector which is provided on a back of the cushion, and an external tether which is provided on an upper portion of the inflator connector and secured at lower and upper ends thereof to the back of the cushion, thus guiding the cushion so that the cushion is deployed upwards. The knee air bag makes the cushion come into close contact with a seatback of the vehicle when the knee air bag is deployed, thus reducing interference with a roof air bag located at an upper position, therefore preventing a passenger's head or neck from suffering secondary injuries.
US08398106B2
A master device for a closed hydraulic system of handlebar-steered vehicles includes a basic body and a pressure chamber in which, in the event of actuation of the master device in order to actuate a slave device, hydraulic fluid is placed under pressure. The master device includes a hydraulic line connecting element having a connecting piece for connecting a hydraulic line and a thread section for screwing into the basic body. An air bleed opening bleeds the hydraulic system. The hydraulic line connecting element and the basic body form a valve that closes the connection between the pressure chamber and the air bleed opening when the hydraulic line connecting element is fully screwed in to the basic body.
US08398103B2
An auxiliary frame is adapted to be mounted on a rear end of a bicycle. The auxiliary frame includes two horizontally spaced apart lateral propping members, a plank member, and a supporting frame. The plank member extends between the lateral propping members and is disposed at an end of each of the lateral propping members. The supporting frame is connected to and disposed behind the plank member.
US08398100B2
A skateboard apparatus comprising a truck assembly is provided. The truck assembly comprises a suspension assembly, a pivot element, a collapsible tubular member, a compression spring, and a tension spring. The suspension assembly comprises a suspension spring for creating a rocking motion about a longitudinal axis of the board structure. The collapsible tubular member is threadedly connected to the pivot element, which is pivotally connected to the suspension assembly. The compression spring is externally and coaxially mounted around sleeve members of the collapsible tubular member. The tension spring coaxially that extends through the collapsible tubular member, in communication with the compression spring, telescopically extends and retracts the collapsible tubular member for creating an upward motion and a downward motion respectively, of the board structure. The suspension assembly synchronizes the upward and downward motion with the rocking motion of the board structure for creating a surf-like motion on a ground surface.
