US08797334B2

The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates seamlessly switching between graphics-processing units (GPUs) to drive a display. In one embodiment, the system receives a request to switch from using a first GPU to using a second GPU to drive the display. In response to this request, the system uses a kernel thread which operates in the background to configure the second GPU to prepare the second GPU to drive the display. While the kernel thread is configuring the second GPU, the system continues to drive the display with the first GPU and a user thread continues to execute a window manager which performs operations associated with servicing user requests. When configuration of the second GPU is complete, the system switches the signal source for the display from the first GPU to the second GPU.
US08797333B2

A method for controlling a video wall system, in which the video wall system includes a plurality of host processors. The method includes the step of transmitting a plurality of continuous commands without time interval therebetween one by one to the host processors and the step of the host processors synchronously performing corresponding operations according to the commands. A video wall system is also disclosed herein.
US08797332B2

Methods and apparatus are provided, as an aspect of a combined CPU/APD architecture system, for discovering and reporting properties of devices and system topology that are relevant to efficiently scheduling and distributing computational tasks to the various computational resources of a combined CPU/APD architecture system. The combined CPU/APD architecture unifies CPUs and APDs in a flexible computing environment. In some embodiments, the combined CPU/APD architecture capabilities are implemented in a single integrated circuit, elements of which can include one or more CPU cores and one or more APD cores. The combined CPU/APD architecture creates a foundation upon which existing and new programming frameworks, languages, and tools can be constructed.
US08797330B1

An operating system may receive transition information indicating that a user-interface of an application is to be transitioned from a first state to a second state. Transition of the user-interface from the first state to the second state comprises a change in a property of a user-interface item. The operating system may, in response to receiving the transition information, obtain from a rendering engine a value for the property of the user-interface item corresponding to the first state. The operating system may embed a module in the rendering engine so as to detect the change in the property of the user-interface item through communication from the application to the rendering engine; and obtain from the module a respective value for the property of the user-interface item corresponding to the second state. The operating system may generate an animation based on a comparison between the value and the respective value.
US08797326B2

When a list of file names is to be displayed on a display device, a comparison is made between a necessary display width of each of the file names and a width of a display area of the display device. For each of the file names having a necessary display width greater than the width of the display area, it is checked whether the file name contains a particular character string portion of a predetermined type, and, if so, the file name is displayed in the list in a partly-omitted display style where a leading end portion, particular character string portion and extension of the file name are left in the list with the other part of the character string omitted. The particular character string portion can function as an important element for identifying the data item in question.
US08797317B2

The present disclosure relates to a mobile terminal and control method thereof for allowing a touch input to a three-dimensional stereoscopic image. The method disclosed herein may include displaying a three-dimensional stereoscopic image including a plurality of objects, detecting the location of a detection target in a detection region corresponding to the three-dimensional stereoscopic image, selecting a first object based on the location of the detection target, moving the first object along the movement of the detection target in a state that the first object is selected, and generating at least one object between the first and the second object when a distance between the first and the second object is increased in one direction due to the movement of the first object.
US08797315B1

Embodiments relate to editing a tour in a geographic information system. In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method efficiently edits a tour through a three-dimensional environment on a geographic information system. In the method, a user is enabled to define a tour comprising a series of segments. Each segment specifies a duration of the segment in the tour, a position of a virtual camera in the three-dimensional environment during playback of the segment of the tour, and an asset to be visible at a specified position in the three-dimensional environment at a time relative to when the segment of the tour is played. A user is also enabled to alter an order of the series of segments. In response to an input to play the tour, for each segment of the tour in an order specified by the series of segments, the virtual camera is moved to the position specified by the segment to display the three-dimensional environment from a viewpoint of the virtual camera. The asset is displayed in the three-dimensional environment.
US08797305B2

Provided is a display device for carrying out seamless display so that a sense of strangeness is not given to a viewer or the sense of strangeness is reduced. In at least one embodiment, a display device includes a display panel on which a plurality of display elements are disposed in a matrix, the display panel having a frame area which is located at an end of the display panel and in which no display element is provided; a light guide element provided on the display panel, the light guide element changing a light path of part of light emitted from the plurality of display elements so that the part of light is guided to the frame area; a photosensor provided on the display panel, the photosensor detecting environment illuminance; an image signal correcting section which (i) corrects, in accordance with the environment illuminance detected by the photosensor, an image signal to be supplied to a display element included in an area where the light guide element is provided so that a reduction in luminance or coloring of display light of the image caused by the light guide element is reduced, and (ii) outputs a corrected image signal; and a driving section which drives the display element in accordance with the corrected image signal.
US08797299B2

A stylus comprises a stylus barrel, a connecting element and a stylus body. The stylus barrel has a receptacle defined therethrough. The connecting element is fixed to one end of the stylus barrel. The stylus body is retractably and slidably coupled to the stylus barrel. The stylus body is configured to be optionally supported by the connecting element in an extended state or locked to the opposite end of the stylus barrel in a retracted state with the stylus body received within the receptacle of the stylus barrel.
US08797298B2

Embodiments of a finger navigation device are described. In one embodiment, the finger navigation device includes a light guide film (LGF), a light source, a sensor, and a navigation engine. At least a portion of the LGF exhibits total internal reflection (TIR) and the light source is in optical communication with the LGF and configured to inject light into the LGF. The sensor is configured to detect light that exits from the LGF after being reflected from a finger that is proximate the LGF and the navigation engine is configured to generate lateral movement information, which is indicative of lateral movement of the finger relative to the sensor, in response to light that is reflected from the finger and detected by the sensor. Other embodiments of the finger navigation device are also described.
US08797296B2

A method and device are provided for adjusting brightness of an optical touch panel. The optical touch panel comprises a microprocessor, a display module including a back light source, and an optical position detection device including optical transmitting devices and optical receiving devices. The method comprises detecting, via the optical receiving devices, a current ambient light level on the display module. The method further comprises generating, via the optical receiving devices, a current ambient light level signal indicative of the current ambient light level and transmitting the current ambient light level signal to the microprocessor. Furthermore, the method comprises adjusting, via the microprocessor, brightness of the back light source based on the current ambient light level signal.
US08797287B2

In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a touch sensor comprising a touch-sensitive area, and a touch-sensor controller coupled to the touch sensor. The touch-sensor controller is operable when executed to: select one or more regions associated with a stylus within the touch-sensitive area, and scan one or more electrodes within each region.
US08797279B2

A computer implemented method for determining an intensity of user input to a computer system, performed by the computer system that is programmed to perform the method includes determining by a display, an indication of a finger position a user in response to a change in finger position relative to the computer system, wherein change in fin position is also associated with a magnitude of change, determining by a physical sensor of the computer system, the magnitude of change in response to the change in finger position, determining by the computer system, a user selection of a function to perform in response to the indication of the finger position, determining by the computer system, an input parameter associated with the function in response to the magnitude of change, and initiating performance by the computer system, of the function in response to the input parameter.
US08797272B2

Electronic devices with preselected operational characteristics and associated methods are disclosed. The electronic devices can include a touch sensing component that senses a touch from an input mechanism and an input circuitry that measures at least one parameter of the touch from the touch sensing component. The electronic devices can also include a processor that performs an analysis of the measured at least one parameter of the detected touch and implements preselected operational characteristics of the electronic device based on the performed analysis.
US08797270B2

A terminal device with a display function enables only an operation of a desired operation key valid, and easily perform the invalidation operation. In response to switching to a predetermined function mode by manipulating a jog dial, an image in the switched function mode is displayed in a display surface, based on an image signal from a display control section. A bar is located on a borderline between a contents area and an operation area in an initial state of displaying an image. When the jog dial is manipulated by the user to thereby move the bar from the borderline to a predetermined position within the operation area, a CPU determines that the position of the bar has been moved. Then, the CPU detects a new position of the bar, and makes an operation with respect to the operation key located between the bar and the borderline invalid.
US08797256B2

An electrophoresis display is provided to reduce writing time of a memory. The electrophoresis display includes: an electrophoresis display panel; a first memory and a second memory for alternatively storing a previous state image and a current state image; and a controller sets the first digital data generated by the system as the current state image and stores it alternately in one of the first and second memories every cycle, keeps storing the first digital data previously stored in the other one of the first and second memories in it as the previous state image, compares the current state image and the previous state image, and generates second digital data to be displayed on the electrophoresis display panel by use of waveform information corresponding to the result of the comparison among the plurality of waveform information.
US08797251B2

Embodiments may be directed to a gate driving circuit. The gate driving circuit includes a pre-charge unit, a pull-up unit, a boosting unit, and a discharge unit. The pre-charge unit pre-charges a first node in response to a first input signal. The pull-up unit outputs a first clock signal as a gate driving signal in response to a first node signal of the first node. The boosting unit boosts the first node signal of the first node in response to the first node signal and the first clock signal. The discharge unit discharges the first node to a gate-off voltage level in response to a second input signal and a second clock signal.
US08797247B2

A display panel (320) of an electronic matrix display (205) can have a set of pixel elements (245), a matrix of gate lines (215) and source lines (220), and a set of switches (235). Pixel elements (245) can be of at least three different colors arranged in a repeating pattern to form a matrix of horizontal and vertical rows. In each horizontal row, each pixel element (245) except those on the ends of the horizontal row has two neighboring pixel elements that are a different color than the pixel element (245) and that are a different color than each other. Each unique intersection point of the gate lines (215) and source lines (220) of the matrix can be hardwired to a set of more than one of the pixel elements (245) of the same color.
US08797245B2

A projecting portion is formed on first and second side walls of the inner frame parallel to two sides of the non-overlapping region of the first substrate which intersect with one side of the non-overlapping region of the first substrate. The projecting portion of the inner frame has an opening portion. The lower frame has an opening portion through which the projecting portion of the inner frame penetrates. The projecting portion of the inner frame penetrates the opening portion of the lower frame and projects to a side of the lower frame opposite to the display panel. A protruding portion is formed on the casing correspondingly to the projecting portion of the inner frame. The inner frame is fixed to the casing by making an opening portion formed in the projecting portion of the inner frame engage with the protruding portion of the casing.
US08797244B2

A display device includes first and second pixels, first and second gate lines which transfer first and second gate-on voltages, respectively, to the first and second pixels in a first frame and a second frame, respectively, a first data line which transfers a first data voltage to the first pixel in the second frame and a second data line which transfers a second data voltage to the second pixel in the first frame. The first pixel stores the first data voltage as a first stored data voltage in response to the first gate-on voltage and discharges the first stored data voltage in response to the second gate-on voltage. The second pixel stores the second data voltage as a second stored data voltage in response to the second gate-on voltage and discharges the second stored data voltage in response to the first gate-on voltage.
US08797238B2

An organic light emitting display (OLED) is disclosed. The OLED includes a storage capacitor formed in a first region of the substrate, a thin film transistor formed in a second region of the substrate, a first data line capacitor formed in a third region of the substrate, an organic light emitting diode formed on the storage capacitor and the thin film transistor, and a second data line capacitor formed on the data line capacitor.
US08797236B2

Provided is automatic shading goggles in that a welding helmet is manufactured in a goggle shape, so that the size thereof is compact and the weight thereof is light and a shading degree of a LCD lens can be selectively adjusted in any one mode of a welding mode for shielding a harmful light generated during welding operation and a security mode for shielding a visible ray, so that it can reduce a burden of the weight applied to a worker, block a strong light during welding operation, and easily distinguish the surrounding objects, when the welding operation is not performed.
US08797228B2

An adjusting mechanism of adjusting an angle of an antenna module is disclosed in the present invention. The adjusting mechanism includes a base, a supporter pivotally connected to the base for supporting the antenna module, a connecting component pivoting to the supporter, and a jointing component disposed on the base and slidably inserting into a slot on the connecting component. The connecting component is for pivoting to the supporter and sliding relative to the jointing component along a direction of the slot simultaneously, so as to adjust an angle between the supporter and the base.
US08797222B2

A directional slot antenna comprises a radiating component coupled to a reflector. A reflector spacing gap or cavity between the radiating component and the reflector has a height which is less than a predetermined height of a free-space reflector spacing cavity associated with desired gains for frequencies of interest. A dielectric material insert is positioned within the reflector spacing cavity and fills or partially fills the cavity. The reduced-height cavity including the dielectric material insert provides an increased electrical separation between the radiating component and the reflector that corresponds to the predetermined height of the free-space reflector spacing cavity.
US08797220B2

A multi-service antenna may comprise: a support structure, a reflector mounted to the support structure, a signal processing assembly mounted with the support structure, a first wire strung between the reflector and the support structure and/or the signal processing assembly, and circuitry for processing a first signal received as a result of electromagnetic radiation (e.g., terrestrial television and/or cellular signals) incident on the first wire. The circuitry for processing the first signal may be housed in the signal processing assembly. A second wire may also be strung between the reflector and the support structure and/or the signal processing assembly, and the circuitry may be operable to perform diversity processing of signals received via the two wires.
US08797219B2

The present invention relates to an infinite wavelength antenna device, which includes: a board body made of a dielectric and having a slab structure; a feed part arranged on one surface of the board body, and generating a magnetic field when power is applied; and an MNG resonance part arranged on the board body so that a preset distance is maintained from the feed part and at least a portion thereof is placed within the magnetic field, grounded through both ends thereof, resonating at a specific frequency band when the magnetic field is generated, and having a negative permeability. In the present invention, as the infinite wavelength antenna device operates according to the infinite wavelength property, the resonant frequency band may be determined independently of the size of the antenna device. Hence, miniaturization of the infinite wavelength antenna device can be realized. In addition, as power feeding is performed using magnetic coupling in the infinite wavelength antenna device, power can be easily fed to multiple resonance parts of the antenna device. Consequently, the infinite wavelength antenna device may resonate at multiple frequency bands or a wider frequency band.
US08797217B2

A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, at least one wireless transceiver carried by the portable housing, and at least one satellite positioning signal receiver carried by the portable housing. The mobile wireless communications device may also include an antenna assembly carried by the portable housing. The antenna assembly may include a base electrical conductor having a pair of antenna feed points defined therein and coupled to the at least one wireless transceiver and the at least one satellite signal positioning receiver. The antenna assembly may also include first and second conductor arms being spaced apart, parallel, and extending outwardly from the base electrical conductor.
US08797211B2

Methods and systems for establishing a non-line of sight millimeter wave connection that include a transmitter unit having beam-steering capability, a receiver unit having beam-steering capability, and a reflecting unit in a position having a line-of-sight path to the transmitter unit and the receiver unit. The reflecting unit includes an attachment mechanism configured to attach to a mounting point on an object or surface, a reflecting surface that is reflective to millimeter-wave radiation, and an adjustable pivot connected between the attachment mechanism and the reflecting surface configured to permit directional positioning of the reflecting surface relative to the attachment mechanism.
US08797206B2

The present invention discloses one or more methods to perform multimode processing using a single set of measured data in a multi-sensor fusion framework. In this context, various data processing methodologies are combined in parallel in a suitable manner to simultaneously image, detect, identify and track moving targets over clutter such as stationary background using data obtained from a single set of measurements. Traditionally multiple sets of data would be required to perform these tasks, furthermore the disparate datum would be processed independently of one another. By using a common data source and interconnected processors the information content of the measured data can be fully exploited and leveraged to provide actionable intelligence and aid logistics.
US08797191B2

A display system and method for an aircraft are provided. The display device includes a processing unit configured to receive arrestor bed information associated with a runway and to generate display commands based on the arrestor bed information; and a display device coupled the processing unit and configured to receive the display commands and to display symbology representing the arrestor bed information.
US08797177B2

A medical telemetry system includes: a medical telemeter including: a measuring portion which measures a biological signal of a patient as biological signal data; a communicating portion which wirelessly transmits the biological signal data; and a connection information storing portion which stores connection information; and a receiver including: a non-contact communicating portion which executes first non-contact communication to read the connection information in a non-contact manner; a storage portion which stores the connection information read by the non-contact communicating portion; and a receiving portion which starts reception of the biological signal data transmitted by the communicating portion, when the connection information is stored in the storage portion.
US08797176B1

A panel-mountable audible and visual warning device having an internal volume control shutter within a resonant cavity defined by the device housing and a sound generating element within the housing. Another embodiment has a cap on a main housing which fits into a hole in a mounting panel, with the cap external to the panel, the cap having multiple LEDs mounted therein in front of the panel face and behind and radially outward of a piezoelectric transducer so as to emit light directly forward past the transducer. Another cap embodiment has a piezoelectric transducer, LEDs, and a pushbutton switch mechanism including a movable surface portion of the cap's front wall and an internal set of switch contacts operably connected thereto. A control circuit can partially disable the alarm signaling function, such as by muting the transducer but continuing to energize the LEDs in response to actuation of the switch.
US08797173B2

Provided is an apparatus for controlling charging of a portable terminal equipped with a solar battery that converts solar energy into an electrical energy, the apparatus including a thermistor in which a resistance value changes according to a temperature change; a comparator which outputs a first signal when a temperature surrounding the thermistor is less than a preset reference temperature as determined by the resistance value change of the thermistor according to the temperature change and outputs a second signal when the temperature is at least the preset reference temperature or more; and a charging unit which is activated and receives the electrical energy from the solar battery to charge a battery when the first signal is inputted from the comparator, and is deactivated and blocks the charge of battery in case the second signal is inputted.
US08797172B2

A battery powered transmitter is provided with a battery status circuit that determines an output voltage level associated with the battery. The battery status circuit is provided with multiple voltage reference thresholds. One or more visual voltage status indicators are electrically coupled with the battery status circuit. The battery status circuit actuates a visual voltage status indicator when the battery status circuit determines the voltage output level of the battery to be within a first output range. One or more additional visual voltage status indicators may be actuated when the battery status circuit determines the voltage output level of the battery to be within other output ranges.
US08797160B1

A system, apparatus, and method for a high degree of container security using tamper evident indicator is provided. According to one embodiment, the tamper evident indicator may be a visible alarm, an audible alarm, or their combinations. Further, the tamper evident indicator may be incorporated into a smart container monitoring system. More specifically, the tamper evident indicator may be linked to a mesh network, thus a primary container in a set of linked containers may alert inspectors to other containers that have been tampered.
US08797148B2

A radio frequency IC device achieves impedance matching between a radio IC chip and a radiation plate in a wide frequency band, and achieves desired radiation characteristics over a wide range of frequencies. A radio frequency IC device and a radio communication system allow both long-distance and short-distance communication and, in particular, allow short-distance communication using a small amount of energy. The radio frequency IC device includes an electromagnetic coupling module including a radio IC chip and a feed circuit board, and a radiation plate. An annular electrode is arranged to be coupled to both a feed circuit of the electromagnetic coupling module and the radiation plate. The radiation plate defines an electric-field radiation plate for long-distance communication, while the annular electrode defines a magnetic-field radiation plate for short-distance communication. The feed circuit board may be removed, so that the radio IC chip is coupled to the annular electrode directly or with an interposer disposed therebetween.
US08797147B2

An upright type apparatus for embedding wireless IC tags, the upright apparatus including: a vibration alignment unit for aligning the wireless IC tags in the same direction by applying a vibrating force to the wireless IC tags; a separating unit for separating the wireless IC tags aligned by the vibration alignment unit and dropping the separated wireless IC tags one by one into a vertically-dropping passage; a plurality of IC tag processing units disposed along the vertically-dropping passage in a vertical direction; a plurality of IC tag pressure feeding sections disposed at a lateral side of the plurality of IC tag processing units, respectively; and a defective wireless IC tag reception section provided beneath the vertically-dropping passage.
US08797143B2

An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a communication control unit controlling communication of a radio communication device with a data carrier transmitting a signal including communication distance information regarding a communication distance; an output variable control unit varying transmission output of the radio communication device; and a data carrier determination unit determining that the data carrier having a short communication distance is valid as the transmission output is large, and determining that the data carrier having a long communication distance is valid as the transmission output is small.
US08797140B2

According to an aspect of an embodiment, a method comprises, storing information corresponding to a plurality of users in association with first reference biometric data and second reference biometric data, the users being divided into first and second groups, the quality of the first reference biometric data of each of the users in the first group being not less than a predetermined level, the quality of the first reference biometric data of each of the users in the second group being less than the predetermined level, obtaining first biometric data of a user by inputting first biometric information of the user, providing first authentication, obtaining second biometric data of a user by inputting second biometric information of the user when the first authentication indicates presumed matching of the first biometric data with the first biometric reference data of one of the users in the second group and providing second authentication.
US08797134B2

Disclosed is a field coil assembly of an electromagnetic clutch including a bobbin from which lead wires, which are both ends of a coil made of an aluminum-based material, protrude outward, a core that surrounds the bobbin such that the lead wires are exposed, a bobbin terminal installed at the bobbin while being adjacent to the lead wire of the coil, and a connector coupled to the core and including a lead wire terminal. The lead wires of the coil are connected to the bobbin terminal through heating and pressing.
US08797132B2

Some embodiments include an accessory for a mobile electronic device. Other embodiments of related accessories and methods are also disclosed.
US08797122B2

A butler matrix includes at least one input coupler that is positioned at an input end of the butler matrix, receives an input signal, and divides and outputs it to a plurality of paths, and at least one output coupler that receives a signal from the input coupler and divides the signal into a plurality of paths to output it as an output signal. A separation coupler is formed in an intersecting path including an intersecting section at which transmission paths intersect among a plurality of paths through which a signal is transmitted to separate signals transmitted through different transmission paths. Further, a compensation coupler is formed in a path excluding the intersecting path to compensate a phase difference.
US08797115B2

According to one embodiment, a coupler transmits and receives an electromagnetic wave by electromagnetic coupling between the coupler and another coupler. The coupler includes a line-shaped coupling element having a first open end and a second open end, a ground plane, a feeding element connecting the coupling element and a feed point, and a short circuiting element connecting the coupling element and the ground plane. The feeding element comprises a first end connected to an intermediate portion of the coupling element between the first open end and the second open end, and a second end connected to the feed point. The short circuiting element comprises a third end connected to the intermediate portion of the coupling element, and a fourth end connected to the ground plane.
US08797107B2

A voltage controlled oscillator includes a split ring resonator (SRR) configured to have meta-material characteristics fabricated on a board, and an energy compensation circuit configured to cause resonant oscillation of the SRR. The energy compensation circuit is fabricated in the form of an integrated circuit.
US08797097B2

A filtering device, applicable in a transceiver, includes: a capacitive circuit coupled to an amplifying circuit by a first capacitive configuration or by a second capacitive configuration; and a resistive circuit coupled to the amplifying circuit by a first resistive configuration or by a second resistive configuration; wherein when the capacitive circuit is the first capacitive configuration, the filtering device is used to perform a first filtering process upon a receiving signal of the filtering device, and when the capacitive circuit is the second capacitive configuration, the filtering device is used to perform a second filtering process upon a transmitting signal of the filtering device.
US08797093B2

A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first voltage supply unit, a second voltage supply unit configured to supply a voltage with a level different from that of the first voltage supply unit, and a voltage stabilizing unit connected between the first and second voltage supply units, and including at least one discharge path that includes a clamping section configured to temporarily drop a level of a voltage introduced from the first or second voltage supply unit, and a discharge section configured to discharge the voltage having passed through the clamping section to the second or first voltage supply unit.
US08797088B2

Charge pump feedback control device and method are provided. The device is coupled to the charge pump unit which receives an input voltage so as to generate an output voltage and has switches and at least one capacitor, the device includes: a compensation unit, a modulation unit, and a phase control unit. The compensation unit receives the output voltage, compensates the output voltage for stability, and generates an error signal. The modulation unit receives the error signal, modulates the error signal, and correspondingly generates a modulation signal. The phase control unit receives the modulation signal so as to generate phase signal, and controls the plurality of switches of the charge pump unit according to the plurality of phase signal so as to generate the output voltage through the input voltage charging/discharging at least one capacitor of the charge pump unit.
US08797079B2

A differential delay line includes a series connection of a plurality of differential delay stages. Each differential delay stage includes a first delay element and a second delay element. The first delay element has a first input, a second input and an output. The second delay element has a first input, a second input and an output. The output of the first delay element of an n-th differential delay stage of the plurality of differential delay stages is coupled to an input of the second delay element of an (n+m)-th differential delay stage of the plurality of differential delay stages, wherein m is an even natural number larger than or equal to two.
US08797077B2

A master-slave flip-flop circuit includes: a master circuit to receive input data in a first state of a reference clock and hold the input data in a second state of the reference clock to output intermediary data; and a slave circuit to receive the intermediary data in the second state and hold the intermediary data in the first state to output data, wherein the master circuit includes: a feedback two-input NOR gate to receive an output of the master circuit and a first clock; an input three-input NOR gate to receive the input data, a second clock, and a third clock; and a synthesis two-input NOR gate to receive an output of the input three-input NOR gate and an output of the feedback two-input NOR gate.
US08797065B2

A selector circuit includes a plurality of first selection circuits each configured to select one of plural input signals on the basis of a first selection control signal and to output a first output signal and a second selection circuit configured to select one of the first output signals on the basis of a second selection control signal. Each of the first selection circuits includes a charging circuit configured to charge a first node by electrically connecting the first node to a first voltage in a first period, and a discharge control circuit configured to control, on the basis of the first selection control signal, the input signals and the second selection control signal, whether to discharge the charged first node by electrically connecting the first node to a second voltage source having a potential lower than the first voltage source in a second period following the first period.
US08797062B2

Some embodiments provide a configurable IC that includes several configurable logic circuits, where the logic circuits include several sets of associated configurable logic circuits. For each several sets of associated configurable logic circuits, the reconfigurable IC also includes a carry circuit for performing up to N carry operations sequentially, wherein N is greater than two.
US08797061B2

Integrated circuits may include partial reconfiguration (PR) circuitry for reconfiguring a portion of a memory array. The PR circuitry may include a host circuit, a control circuit, an address register, and first, second, and third data registers. The host circuit may send a series of PR instructions to the control circuit. The control circuit may include a decompression circuit for decompressing compressed instructions, a decryption circuit for decrypting encrypted instructions, an error checking circuit for detecting errors in the instructions, and a logic circuit. The address register may select a desired frame. The selected frame may be loaded into the third data register. The contents of the third data register may be shifted into the first data register. The contents of the first data register may be modified according to a desired logic function using the logic circuit, shifted into the second data register, and written into the selected frame.
US08797059B2

A method and circuit for implementing security protection with carbon nanotube based sensors for cryptographic applications, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. A carbon nanotube layer is incorporated with a polymeric encapsulation layer of a security card. Electrical connections to the carbon nanotube layer are provided for electrical monitoring of electrical resistance of the carbon nanotube layer.
US08797058B2

Techniques for solar cell electrical characterization are provided. In one aspect, a solar testing device is provided. The device includes a solar simulator; and a continuous neutral density filter in front of the solar simulator having regions of varying light attenuation levels ranging from transparent to opaque, the continuous neutral density filter having an area sufficiently large to filter all light generated by the solar simulator, and wherein a position of the continuous neutral density filter relative to the solar simulator is variable so as to control a light intensity produced by the device. A solar cell electrical characterization system and a method for performing a solar cell electrical characterization are also provided.
US08797057B2

Test structures for performing electrical tests of devices under one or more microbumps are provided. Each test structure includes at least one microbump pad and a test pad. The microbump pad is a part of a metal pad connected to an interconnect for a device. A width of the microbump pad is equal to or less than about 50 μm. The test pad is connected to the at least one microbump pad. The test pad has a size large enough to allow circuit probing of the device. The test pad is another part of the metal pad. A width of the test pad is greater than the at least one microbump pad.
US08797050B2

An electrical circuit confirming to the IEC 61158-2 standard comprising a power supply, a device as a load thereof, and monitoring means adapted to monitor one or more physical layer attributes of the electrical circuit, in which the device comprises an enclosure, device function electronics disposed therein and two terminals connecting said device function electronics to said electrical circuit, in which water detection means is disposed inside said enclosure, and comprises water detection probes and a physical layer attribute modifier mounted across said electrical circuit in parallel with said device function electronics, and in which when said water detection probes detect water said physical layer attribute modifier makes a modification to a physical layer attribute of the electrical circuit, which modification is detectable by said monitoring means.
US08797038B2

A marine electromagnetic survey system includes a power cable configured to couple to a power supply at one axial end, and to a head unit at the other end. The power supply includes a source of direct current which is coupled to the power cable. The head unit includes equipment configured to output a lower voltage at a higher current than the source of direct current. At least one electromagnetic antenna is coupled to the head unit and is configured to receive the output of the head unit equipment.
US08797034B1

A magnetic resonance imaging configuration to straighten and otherwise homogenize the field lines in the imaging portion, creating improved image quality. Through use of calibrated corrective coils, magnetic field lines can be manipulated to improve uniformity and image quality. Additionally, when the apparatus is composed of non-ferromagnetic materials, field strengths can be increased to overcome limitations of Iron-based systems such as by use of superconductivity. A patient positioning apparatus allows multi-positioning of a patient within the calibrated and more uniform magnetic field lines.
US08797030B2

A Magnetic Resonance (MR) Radio-Frequency (RF) coil and method of manufacturing are provided for a multi-modality imaging system. The multi-modality imaging system includes a Magnetic Resonance (MR) scanner portion configured to acquired MR data of a patient using one or more MR Radio-Frequency (RF) coils. The one or more MR RF coils are formed from carbon nanotube conductors. The multi-modality imaging system also includes a radiation potion configured to transmit radiation through or detect radiation from the patient.
US08797029B2

The receive coil arrangement includes an inner coil adjacent the part to be imaged so as to maximize the received MR signal and an outer coil, which may be the built in body coil of the magnet, connected by cable to the signal processing system. Both the coils are individually tuned to the common resonant frequency and the receive coil include an arrangement to halt current flow therein during the transmit stage. The first coil has no cable and is arranged to communicate the MR signal therein to the signal processing system through the outer coil by inducing the MR signal onto the outer coil. Despite inherent losses by interfering with the tuning of the loops and in the inductive coupling this magnifies the MR signal and makes the first coil wireless. Arrangements are provided for generating from the output of the second coil separate signals for separate channels of the signal processing unit.
US08797028B2

A sensor device and a method for the determination of the amount of target particles at a contact surface adjacent to a sample chamber include detecting, by a detector, the target particles in the sample chamber by a sensor element, and providing at least one corresponding sensor signal. An evaluation unit determines the amount of target particles in a first zone at the contracts surface and in a second zone a distance away from the contact surface based on this sensor signal. In an optical measurement approach, frustrated total internal reflection taking place under different operating conditions, such as wavelength and/or angle of incidence, may be used to extract information about the first and second zones. In a magnetic measurement approach, different magnetic excitation fields may be used to excite magnetic target particles differently in the first and second zone.
US08797021B2

An electrochemical corrosion potential (ECP) probe assembly for monitoring ECP in a high velocity reactor line includes an airfoil shaped ECP cover that improves the streamlines over and around an ECP sensor. The airfoil shaped cover includes flow holes drilled normal to the surface of the ECP cover. As such, the direction of flow of reactor water into the ECP probe assembly is altered to reduce the flow rate internal to the ECP cover sufficiently to prevent damage to the ECP probes. To facilitate use as a retrofit component, the ECP cover may have an elliptical section that is contiguous to a circular section that conforms to the geometry of existing probe wells and probe sub-assemblies.
US08797019B2

A handheld fiber optic current and voltage monitor for applications in high voltage environment. A light source generates constant optical signal that is split by a fiber optic splitter into two paths. One path feeds a DMEMS based current sensor that is driven by a current to voltage conversion device that converts the current in a conductor into a voltage. The other path goes to a DMEMS based electric field sensor driven by a condenser antenna that converts the electric field near a high voltage power line conductor into a voltage. The output optical signals from the current sensor and the electric field sensor are received by respective optical receivers and converted into electric signals. A signal processing unit processes the signals, and a display screen displays the results. All these are mounted on a plastic mast for handheld operation.
US08797018B2

An apparatus and method for identifying the current and voltage phase and terminal for power system devices is described. In one aspect of the present invention, the respective current phase and terminal of two current terminals is identified based on a known phase and known phase angle associated with a third current terminal at the location of the electrical power system. In another aspect of the present invention, the voltage phase and terminal is identified based on a known phase and known phase angle associated with a third current terminal at the location of the electrical power system. In another aspect of the present invention, the respective voltage phase and terminal of three voltage terminals is identified based on known phase and known phase angles associated with first and second current terminals at the location of the electrical power system.
US08797014B2

A DC-DC converter to convert an input voltage into a predetermined voltage includes a first switching device to provide energy for an inductor; a second switching device to discharge the energy from the inductor to an output terminal; an error amplifier to amplify an error voltage between a first reference voltage and a monitoring voltage obtained by dividing an output voltage output from the output terminal; a set signal generation circuit including a first comparator into which a second reference voltage and an output of the error amplifier are input; a reset signal generation circuit; a control circuit into which an output from the set signal generation circuit and an output from the reset signal generation circuit are input; and a detection circuit to detect a switching frequency of an electric power supply, wherein a characteristic of the first comparator is changed according to the switching frequency.
US08797013B2

An adaptive slope-compensation method is applied for a switch-mode power supply. The switch-mode power supply has a power switch, and an inductor coupled to an input power. The power switch controls the inductor storing energy or releasing energy to generate an output voltage. The adaptive slope-compensation method includes detecting an inductor current passing through the inductor and to generate an inductor-current detecting voltage, detecting a duty cycle of the power switch, detecting a voltage variation of the inductor-current detecting voltage when the power switch is turned on, generating a slope-compensation signal according to the voltage variation and the duty cycle, and adjusting the timing of turning the power switch on or off. In this way, even if the operation conditions of the input power and the output voltage change, the system still can quickly response and does not generate sub-harmonic oscillation.
US08797009B2

A voltage converter includes a power switch having respective charging and discharging control terminals, and an output terminal coupled to a series connected inductor and capacitor. The voltage converter also includes a charging switch coupled to the charging control terminal of the power switch, a discharging switch coupled to the discharging control terminal of the power switch, and a feedback circuit coupling the power switch, charging switch and discharging switch to a node at which the capacitor and inductor are connected. During a charging phase, the charging switch couples the capacitor to the charging control terminal of the power switch, and during a discharging phase, the discharging switch couples the capacitor to the discharging control terminal of the power switch.
US08797007B2

A DC-DC converter includes a smoothing capacitor connected between a first output terminal connected to a first end of a load and a second output terminal connected to a second end of the load, the smoothing capacitor smoothing an output voltage. The DC-DC converter includes a choke coil having a first end connected to a first end of a battery. The DC-DC converter includes a semiconductor integrated circuit having a switch terminal connected to a second end of the choke coil, a first potential terminal connected to the first output terminal, and a second potential terminal connected to the second output terminal and a second end of the battery.
US08797006B2

Disclosed are bias voltage generating circuits and methods for a switching power supply. In one embodiment, a switching power supply can include: (i) a driver circuit configured to receive a bias voltage, and to drive a switch in a power stage of the switching power supply; (ii) where a ratio of an output voltage of the switching power supply to an expected bias voltage of the driver circuit is configured as a proportionality coefficient; (iii) a bias voltage generating circuit configured to generate the bias voltage for the driver circuit based on a first voltage; and (iv) an H-shaped inductor coupled to an input of the bias voltage generating circuit, where the first voltage is configured to be generated based on a number of turns of the H-shaped inductor and the proportionality coefficient.
US08797000B2

In a charging control system for recording data regarding charging a secondary battery, a status recording unit refers the charging voltage value and the charging current value and records the referred charging voltage, the referred charging current and reference time when the charging current value is referred and time when the charging voltage value is referred, on the recording unit. A battery protecting unit stops the charging the secondary battery when the charging voltage exceeds the predetermined target voltage value. The status recording unit starts recording of the charging voltage value, the charging current value, and the reference time on the recording unit, when the charging voltage exceeds the target voltage value as a result of a fail in stopping the charging by the battery protecting unit because of occurrence of a trouble in the battery protecting unit.
US08796998B2

Method and circuits for sensing a bidirectional current without requiring an external sense resistor are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment the invention is applied for fuel gauging of one or more batteries and comprises a charger/active diode, which can source current into the battery and sink current from the battery to supply a mobile electronic device. The invention can be applied to any other application requiring sensing of bidirectional currents. A regulated cascode forces a voltage drop over a power transistor and a sense transistor to be the same. A feedback current is measured by an ADC. The integration of these current measurements over time is equal to the actual charge of the battery.
US08796997B2

A lithium polymer (LiPo) battery pack having LiPo battery cells is provided which includes battery protection circuitry, charging circuitry, cell balancing circuitry, and control and communication circuitry. The batteries can be charged while in use by an internal charger. Battery charging and discharging are accomplished in a controlled and protected manner to avoid overcharging and overdischarging conditions. The novel battery pack has built-in safeguards against dangerous LiPo battery conditions and is implemented in a small, portable unit which contains the battery cells, control and protection circuitry, internal charger and display gauge. The battery pack is useful for powering an intravenous fluid warmer or other medical or electrical devices and equipment.
US08796992B2

A basic unit of lithium-ion battery, including: at least two series-connected lithium-ion cells; at least one lithium-ion cell for balance; controllable switches with the same number as the lithium-ion cells; a drive module for the controllable switches; a voltage detection module for detecting a voltage at two ends of the lithium-ion cells; and a controller. The lithium-ion cell for balance is connected in parallel to the lithium-ion cells. The controllable switches control the turn on/off of the connection in parallel between the lithium-ion cell for balance and each of the lithium-ion cells independently. The drive module for the controllable switches and the voltage detection module are connected to the controller. A battery pack including the basic unit of lithium-ion battery and a method for real-time charge/discharge equalizing of the basic unit of lithium-ion battery are also provided.
US08796987B2

The electrical vehicle energy storage system permits the electric refueling of the electric vehicle just like an automobile would be refueled with gasoline at a gas station. Circuitry on board the vehicle accessible by the electric refueling station enables the determination of the energy content of the battery module or modules returned to the electric refueling station and the owner of the vehicle is given credit for the energy remaining in the battery module or modules which have been exchanged. Selective refueling may take place for given battery modules by removing them from the battery system and charging them at home, office or factory. A process for operating an electric vehicle is also disclosed and claimed.
US08796979B2

Disclosed is an apparatus for driving a BLDC motor, the apparatus including: a BLDC motor having a single sensing coil therein; a position/speed calculation unit for calculating a current position and a current speed of a rotor by using voltages at both ends of the sensing coil; a control unit for comparing the current speed of the rotor calculated by the position/speed calculation unit with a command speed and then outputting a control signal through a Proportional Integral (PI) control; a motor driving unit for generating a PWM signal based on the current position of the rotor calculated by the position/speed calculation unit and the control signal output by the control unit; and a power device unit for controlling the BLDC motor according to the PWM signal generated by the motor driving unit.
US08796968B2

The present application relates to an anticipatory control system and method for electric motor applied to cyclic loads, said system including an electric motor (10), at least an electronic control unit (20), at least an electronic power unit (30), and at least an electric position-monitoring device. The electric motor (10) is electrically driven by the electronic power unit (30), the electronic power unit (30) is electrically controlled by the electronic control unit (20), the system includes an average speed controller and a device for monitoring the position of the electric motor, both implemented by the electronic control unit (20). The speed controller is designed to monitor an average speed of the electric motor (10), the position-monitoring device is designed to monitor and store an instantaneous speed (Vi) in each position of the electric motor (10) and estimate, for each position, an instantaneous control speed (Vc) of the electric motor (10), the electronic control unit (20) is designed to calculate an average voltage (Vm) from the average speed monitored, and the electronic power unit (30) is designed to drive electrically the electric motor 10 by a control voltage value (Vcontrol). This control voltage value (Vcontrol) is calculated by multiplying the average voltage (Vm) by the result of the division of the instantaneous control speed (Vc) by the average speed.
US08796960B2

A control device for a motor drive system including an AC motor having a magnet in a rotor, a converter, and an inverter generates a step-up command value for the converter based on a torque command value for the AC motor. The control device determines whether or not to carry out field-weakening control for increasing a current in a direction weakening force of a magnet that is supplied from the inverter to the AC motor, based on the step-up command value and a state of drive of the AC motor. When field-weakening control should be carried out and when an absolute value of the torque command value is smaller than a threshold value, the control device further increases the generated step-up command value. By doing so, an amount of a field-weakening current can be decreased and therefore efficiency of the motor drive system can be improved.
US08796959B2

A linear motor system includes a discontinuous linear motor and motor control device. The discontinuous linear motor includes a mover and a plurality of individual motors spaced from each other along a movement path of the mover. Each of the individual motors functions as an armature on a primary side of one independent linear motor. A sensor, arranged to act as a linear scale, is disposed for each individual motor and detects a position of the mover. The motor control device includes a plurality of individual motor control units and a multiple unit controller to comprehensively control the individual motor control units. The individual motor control units control the individual motors disposed in curved path sections, and each of the individual motor control units includes a curved-line correspondence corrector to correct a detection value obtained from the sensor according to a relationship between a curved line of the path and a position of the sensor.
US08796953B2

In one embodiment, a DC converter has a frequency adjusting device with a frequency selection circuit, a frequency change-over switch (17), a frequency generator (18), a threshold signal generator (19), a state machine (20) and a unit (21) for providing a ready signal (S3). The frequency selection circuit has an output (15), at which a control signal (S5) is provided, which is set up to select a frequency of the switching frequency signal (DCLK) of the DC converter. The invention further relates to a method for selecting a frequency of the DC converter.
US08796952B2

Semiconductor light emitting devices include a first string of at least one blue-shifted-yellow LED, a second string of at least one blue-shifted-green LED, and a third string of at least one LED that emits light in the red color range. These devices include at least a first circuit that is configured to provide an operating current to at least one of the first LED or the second LED and a second circuit that is configured to provide an operating current to the third light source. The drive currents supplied by the first and second circuits may be independently controlled to set a color point of the light emitting device at a desired color point.
US08796949B2

The present invention provides an ultraviolet light irradiation device having a planer UV light source in which the irradiation intensity of UV light can be adjusted finely in a wider range. The ultraviolet light irradiation device of the present invention comprises an UV light source and a housing that holds the planer UV light source. In the UV light source, a plurality of thin plasma tubes, each of which has an UV phosphor layer formed therein, are arranged in parallel with each other on an electrode support sheet, and drive circuits apply a pulse voltage to electrode pairs provided between the electrode support sheet and an array of the thin plasma tubes. A control circuit controls a factor of the pulse voltage to be applied to the electrode pairs so as to adjust the irradiation intensity of the UV light.
US08796934B2

The invention relates to a plasma source with an oscillator having an active element and a resonator connected to the active element. The resonator has a hollow body, a gas inlet, a gas outlet arranged at a distal end of the hollow body about a longitudinal axis of the hollow body, and a coil arranged along the longitudinal axis of the hollow body, said coil having an effective length of one quarter of a wavelength at a resonant frequency of the resonator. A distal end of the coil is arranged relative to the gas outlet such that a plasma section can form between the distal end of the coil serving as a first plasma electrode and the gas outlet of the hollow body serving as a second plasma electrode. At a proximal end of the hollow body, the coil is lead out of the interior of the hollow body through an electrically contact-free feed-through, and a proximal end of the coil contacts the hollow body at its external side. At a first contact region located between the proximal end of the coil and the feed-through, the coil is coupled to a first gate of the active element, and at a second contact region located between the proximal end of the coil and the feed-through, the coil is coupled to a second gate of the active element.
US08796931B2

A current regulating LED strobe drive circuit is disclosed for efficiently producing a LED strobe that is consistent in both intensity and color. The circuit may include an inrush control for limiting an amount of current that is allowed to flow through the drive circuit upon activation, an energy storage component for storing and supplying power for flashing a LED, a current regulator electrically coupled to the energy storage component for sensing and regulating a current supplied by the energy storage element, a LED electrically coupled to the current regulator, and a flash control element electrically coupled to the current regulator for communicating a flash pulse signal that provides a pulsed pattern with which current is allowed to flow from the current regulator to the LED. The circuit may further include an output control having an operator interface for allowing an operator to define a desired light output level.
US08796928B2

In order to increase a service life of a microwave generator, a resonator configuration for a microwave generator has a hollow cylindrical electrical conductor positioned inside a housing, a first electrode, and a second electrode. Two electrodes are spaced apart from one another and form a spark gap in the region of the conductor. A contact element is provided for making electrical contact between the conductor and the first electrode. The position of the first electrode can be adjusted to modify a length of the spark gap. Furthermore, the contact element is electrically connected to the first electrode or its holder so as to resist movement so that the opposing contact surfaces remain in contact even when the position of the first electrode is adjusted with respect to the second electrode. The contact element is configured to be deformable, preferably elastically deformable, for this purpose.
US08796927B2

A plasma cell and a method for making a plasma cell are disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a cell comprises a semiconductor material, an opening disposed in the semiconductor material, a dielectric layer lining a surface of the opening, a cap layer closing the opening, a first electrode disposed adjacent the opening, and a second electrode disposed adjacent the opening.
US08796926B2

An AC, rf, or pulse-excited microdischarge device and array are provide by the invention. A preferred array includes a substrate. A plurality of microdischarge cavities that contain discharge medium are in the substrate. A transparent layer seals the discharge medium in the microdischarge cavites. Electrodes stimulate the discharge medium. The microdischarge cavities are physically isolated from the electrodes by dielectric and arranged relative to the electrodes such that ac, rf, or pulsed excitation applied to the electrodes stimulates plasma excitation of the discharge medium. The microdischarge cavities are sized to produce plasma within the microdischarge cavities.
US08796922B2

An LED bulb, which includes a shell, a filler material within the shell of the bulb, at least one type of phosphor dispersed inside the filler material and at least one LED within the shell.
US08796917B2

A compound for an organic optoelectronic device, an organic light emitting diode, and a display device, the compound being represented by the following Chemical Formula 1:
US08796916B2

The invention relates to a white emitting light source with an improved luminescent material of the formula (AEN2/3)*b(MN)*c(SiN4/3)*d1CeO3/2*d2EuO*xSiO2*yAlO3/2 wherein AE is an alkaline earth metal chosen of the group of Ca, Mg, Sr and Ba or mixtures thereof and M is a trivalent element chosen of the group of Al, B, Ga, Sc with d1>10*d2. In combination with a UV to blue light generating device this material leads to an improved light quality and stability, especially an improved temperature stability for a wide range of applications.
US08796913B2

An electro-optical device includes an effective display region including a pixel, the pixel including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a light-emitting layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a wiring line connected to the second electrode at a position to the periphery of the effective display region, the wiring line including a first wiring layer and a second wiring layer that are electrically connected to each other and that overlap each other, the first wiring layer and the second wiring layer both extending in a direction in which an edge of the effective display region extends, the first wiring layer and the second wiring layer extending in the direction a distance that is longer than a distance in which the edge of the effective display region extends in the direction.
US08796906B2

A vibrating body is accommodated in a vibrating body case in a state where both sides of the vibrating body containing a piezoelectric material are sandwiched between buffer portions from a direction intersecting a bending direction of the vibrating body, and the buffer portions are pressed against the vibrating body using a pressing lid through elastic portions. Pressing plates are provided between the buffer portions and the elastic portions to restrict the movement of the pressing plates in a vibration direction of the vibrating body.
US08796882B2

An apparatus for supplying power to a load. The apparatus including a plurality of sources to provide charge, and a controller adapted to control a transfer of charge from the sources to the load at distinct times. The controller may control the transfer of charge based on variation of an ambient condition or a manufacturing process. The controller may control the transfer of charge to generate a defined voltage across the load. The apparatus may include a regulator adapted to regulate a voltage across the load. The regulator may regulate the voltage across the load in a defined timing relationship with the transfer of charge from the sources to the load.
US08796847B2

A package substrate includes an insulating substrate, a functional pattern and a main dummy pattern. A semiconductor chip is arranged on the insulating substrate. The functional pattern is formed on the insulating substrate. The functional pattern is electrically connected to the semiconductor chip. The main dummy pattern is formed on a portion of the insulating substrate at least of to the outside of and/or adjacent the functional pattern in a path of stress generated by a difference between thermal expansion coefficient of the insulating substrate and the semiconductor chip, so as to divert the stress away from the functional pattern. Thus, the stress is not concentrated on the functional pattern. As a result, damage to the functional bump caused by the stress is prevented.
US08796846B2

A semiconductor device is made by forming a first conductive layer over a carrier. The first conductive layer has a first area electrically isolated from a second area of the first conductive layer. A conductive pillar is formed over the first area of the first conductive layer. A semiconductor die or component is mounted to the second area of the first conductive layer. A first encapsulant is deposited over the semiconductor die and around the conductive pillar. A first interconnect structure is formed over the first encapsulant. The first interconnect structure is electrically connected to the conductive pillar. The carrier is removed. A portion of the first conductive layer is removed. The remaining portion of the first conductive layer includes an interconnect line and UBM pad. A second interconnect structure is formed over a remaining portion of the first conductive layer is removed.
US08796844B2

A package structure including a first semiconductor element, a second semiconductor element, a semiconductor interposer and a substrate is provided. The first semiconductor element includes multiple first conductive bumps. The second semiconductor element includes multiple second conductive bumps. The semiconductor interposer includes a connection motherboard, at least one signal wire and at least one signal conductive column. The signal wire is disposed on the connection motherboard. The two ends of the signal wire are electrically connected to one of the first conductive bumps and one of the second conductive bumps respectively. The signal conductive column is electrically connected to the signal wire. The substrate is electrically connected to the signal conductive column. The first and the second semiconductor elements have the same circuit structure. The substrate of the package structure can simultaneously form a signal communication path with the first and the second semiconductor element respectively.
US08796843B1

High-power and high-frequency semiconductor devices require high signal integrity and high thermal conductance assembly technologies and packages. In particular, wide-gap-semiconductor devices on diamond benefit from spatially separate electrical and thermal connections. This application discloses assembly and package architectures that offer high signal integrity and high thermal conductance.
US08796828B2

A microelectronic assembly includes a substrate and an electrically conductive element. The substrate can have a CTE less than 10 ppm/° C., a major surface having a recess not extending through the substrate, and a material having a modulus of elasticity less than 10 GPa disposed within the recess. The electrically conductive element can include a joining portion overlying the recess and extending from an anchor portion supported by the substrate. The joining portion can be at least partially exposed at the major surface for connection to a component external to the microelectronic unit.
US08796827B2

The present invention provides a non-insulated type DC-DC converter having a circuit in which a power MOS•FET for a high side switch and a power MOS•FET for a low side switch are connected in series. In the non-insulated type DC-DC converter, the power transistor for the high side switch, the power transistor for the low side switch, and driver circuits that drive these are respectively constituted by different semiconductor chips. The three semiconductor chips are accommodated in one package, and the semiconductor chip including the power transistor for the high side switch, and the semiconductor chip including the driver circuits are disposed so as to approach each other.
US08796826B2

A device and method for minimizing the forces that may compromise a lead frame mount to a support structure in an integrated circuit die package during various packaging method steps. When a window clamp is used to provide pressure during a lead frame bonding step or during a wire bonding step during packaging, the vertical force applied by the window clamp may be transferred in lateral direction by the physical contour of the top plate of the support structure. By changing the physical contour of the top plate of the support structure, such as by disposing a specific kind of contoured protrusion, one may minimize or eliminate the lateral forces that act against achieving a solid bond of the lead frame to the support structure. Further, during wire bonding, the same minimization or elimination of lateral forces lead to improved wire bonding.
US08796817B2

A semiconductor device includes a multilayer substrate, a semiconductor element secured to an upper surface of the multilayer substrate, a first metal pattern located on a portion of a lower surface of the multilayer substrate, a dielectric having a higher permittivity than the multilayer substrate and located on the lower surface of the multilayer substrate, and a bottom surface electrode located on a bottom surface of the semiconductor device. The bottom surface electrode, the dielectric, and the first metal pattern together form a bypass capacitor.
US08796815B2

A means for selectively electrically connecting an electrical interconnect line, such as a bit line of a memory cell, with an associated contact stud and electrically isolating the interconnect line from other partially underlying contact studs for other electrical features, such as capacitor bottom electrodes. The interconnect line can be formed partially-connected to all contact studs, thereby allowing the electrical features to be formed in closer proximity to one another for higher levels of integration, and in subsequent steps of fabrication, the contact studs associated with memory cell features other than the interconnect line can be isolated from the interconnect line by the removal of a silicide cap, or the selective etching of a portion of these contact studs, and the formation of an insulating sidewall between the non-selected contact stud and the interconnect line.
US08796811B2

In a hybrid integrated module, a semiconductor die is mechanically coupled face-to-face to an integrated device in which the substrate has been removed. For example, the integrated circuit may include an optical device fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer in which the backside silicon handler has been completely removed, thereby facilitating improved device performance and highly efficient thermal tuning of the operating wavelength of the optical device. Moreover, the semiconductor die may be a VLSI chip that provides power, and serves as a mechanical handler and/or an electrical driver. The thermal tuning efficiency of the substrateless optical device may be enhanced by over 100× relative to an optical device with an intact substrate, and by 5× relative to an optical device in which the substrate has only been removed in proximity to the optical device.
US08796802B2

Semiconductor photodetectors are provided that may enable optimized usage of an active detector array. The semiconductor photodetectors may have a structure that can be produced and/or configured as simply as possible. A radiation detector system is also provided.
US08796789B2

A first sealing layer having a frame-like shape and a first contact layer are formed on a back surface of a frame portion of a sensor substrate. The first contact layer is separated from the first sealing layer, extends through a functional member and an insulation layer, and is electrically connected to the functional member and a first base member. A second sealing layer and a second contact layer are formed on a surface of a wiring substrate. The second sealing layer faces the first sealing layer. The second contact layer is separated from the second sealing layer, extends through the insulation layer, and is electrically connected to the second base member. The sealing layers are eutectically bonded to each other. The contact layers are electrically connected to each other, and thereby the first and second base members and the frame portion have the same potential.
US08796785B2

To suppress variation of a signal in a semiconductor device. By suppressing the variation, formation of a stripe pattern in displaying an image on a semiconductor device can be suppressed, for example. A distance between two adjacent signal lines which go into a floating state in different periods (G1) is longer than a distance between two adjacent signal lines which go into a floating state in the same period (G0, G2). Consequently, variation in potential of a signal line due to capacitive coupling can be suppressed. For example, in the case where the signal line is a source signal line in an active matrix display device, formation of a stripe pattern in a displayed image can be suppressed.
US08796780B2

Provided is a semiconductor device capable of having a single metal/dual high-k structure with a good shape and having flat band voltages suited for nMOS and pMOS, respectively. The semiconductor device according to the one embodiment of the present invention has a first conductivity type MOSFET and a second conductivity type MOSFET. The first and second conductivity type MOSFETs are each equipped with a first insulating film formed over a semiconductor substrate, a second insulating film formed over the first insulating film and made of an insulating material having a higher dielectric constant than the first insulating film, and a gate electrode formed over the second insulating film and having, as a lower layer of the gate electrode, a metal layer containing a material which diffuses into the second insulating film to control a work function thereof. The second conductivity type MOSFET is equipped further with a diffusion barrier film formed between the first insulating film and the second insulating film to prevent diffusion of a work-function controlling material into the interface of the first insulating film.
US08796777B2

A method includes forming a gate of a transistor within a substrate having a surface and forming a buried oxide (BOX) layer within the substrate and adjacent to the gate at a first BOX layer face. The method also includes forming a raised source-drain channel (“fin”), where at least a portion of the fin extends from the surface of the substrate, and where the fin has a first fin face adjacent a second BOX layer face of the BOX layer.
US08796775B2

An Electro-Static Discharge (ESD) protection device is provided. The ESD protection device includes a metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor, including a source area having a surface on which a first silicide is formed, the source area including a source connecting area including a first connecting portion formed on the first silicide, and a source extension area, a gate arranged in parallel with the source area, and a drain area arranged in parallel with the source area and the gate, the drain area having a surface on which a second silicide is formed, the drain area including a drain connecting area formed opposite the source extension area, the drain connecting area including second connection portion formed on the second silicide, and a drain extension area formed opposite the source connecting area.
US08796771B2

A method of forming a transistor device includes implanting a diffusion inhibiting species in a semiconductor-on-insulator substrate comprising a bulk substrate, a buried insulator layer, and a semiconductor-on-insulator layer, the semiconductor-on-insulator substrate having one or more gate structures formed thereon such that the diffusion inhibiting species is disposed in portions of the semiconductor-on-insulator layer corresponding to a channel region, and disposed in portions of the buried insulator layer corresponding to source and drain regions. A transistor dopant species is introduced in the source and drain regions. An anneal is performed so as to diffuse the transistor dopant species in a substantially vertical direction while substantially preventing lateral diffusion of the transistor dopant species into the channel region.
US08796770B2

A semiconductor device along with circuits including the same and methods of operating the same are described. The device includes an electrically floating body region, and a gate is disposed over a first portion of the body region. The device includes a source region adjoining a second portion of the body region, the second portion adjacent the first portion and separating the source region from the first portion. The device includes a drain region adjoining a third portion of the body region, the third portion adjacent the first portion and separating the drain region from the first portion.
US08796761B2

A semiconductor device includes a trench region extending into a drift zone of a semiconductor body from a surface. The semiconductor device further includes a dielectric structure extending along a lateral side of the trench region, wherein a part of the dielectric structure is a charged insulating structure. The semiconductor device further includes a gate electrode in the trench region and a body region of a conductivity type other than the conductivity type of the drift zone. The charged insulating structure adjoins each one of the drift zone, the body region and the dielectric structure and further adjoins or is arranged below a bottom side of a gate dielectric of the dielectric structure.
US08796750B2

This invention comprises plurality of edge illuminated photodiodes. More specifically, the photodiodes of the present invention comprise novel structures designed to minimize reductions in responsivity due to edge surface recombination and improve quantum efficiency. The novel structures include, but are not limited to, angled facets, textured surface regions, and appropriately doped edge regions.
US08796745B2

A semiconductor device containing an extended drain MOS transistor with an integrated snubber formed by forming a drain drift region of the MOS transistor, forming a snubber capacitor including a capacitor dielectric layer and capacitor plate over the extended drain, and forming a snubber resistor over a gate of the MOS transistor so that the resistor is connected in series between the capacitor plate and a source of the MOS transistor.
US08796744B1

The present invention discloses a semiconductor device, which comprises a substrate, a buffer layer on the substrate, an inversely doped isolation layer on the buffer layer, a barrier layer on the inversely doped isolation layer, a channel layer on the barrier layer, a gate stack structure on the channel layer, and source and drain regions at both sides of the gate stack structure, characterized in that the buffer layer and/or the barrier layer and/or the inversely doped isolation layer are formed of SiGe alloys or SiGeSn alloys, and the channel layer is formed of a GeSn alloy. The semiconductor device according to the present invention uses a quantum well structure of SiGe/GeSn/SiGe to restrict transportation of carriers, and it introduces a stress through lattice mis-match to greatly increase the carrier mobility, thus improving the device driving capability so as to be adapted to high-speed and high-frequency application.
US08796741B2

A semiconductor device and methods of making a semiconductor device using graphene are described. A monolithic three dimensional integrated circuit device includes a first layer having first active devices. The monolithic three dimensional integrated circuit device also includes a second layer having second active devices that each include a graphene portion. The second layer can be fabricated on the first layer to form a stack of active devices. A base substrate may support the stack of active devices.
US08796739B2

A polycrystalline fuse includes a first layer of polycrystalline material on a substrate and a second layer of a silicide material on the first layer. The first and second layers are shaped to form first and second terminal portions of a first width joined along a length of the fuse by a fuse portion of a second width narrower than the first width. First and second contacts are connected to the first and second terminal portions respectively. The silicide material being discontinuous in a terminal region of the second layer along the length of the fuse.
US08796738B2

There are disclosed herein various implementations of a semiconductor structure and method. The semiconductor structure comprises a substrate, a transition body over the substrate, and a group III-V intermediate body having a bottom surface over the transition body. The semiconductor structure also includes a group III-V device layer over a top surface of the group III-V intermediate body. The group III-V intermediate body has a continuously reduced impurity concentration wherein a higher impurity concentration at the bottom surface is continuously reduced to a lower impurity concentration at the top surface.
US08796720B2

A white LED includes a red light emitting unit, a green light emitting unit, a blue light emitting unit, and an optical grating located on a same plane. The red light emitting unit, the green light emitting unit and the blue light emitting unit are located around the optical grating. Each light emitting unit includes a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, a second semiconductor layer and a first reflector layer stacked in that order. The optical grating includes a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second semiconductor layer stacked in that order. The first semiconductor layer of the optical grating and the first semiconductor layers of the light emitting units are a continuous integrated structure.
US08796712B2

A phosphor layer is composed of a resin in which phosphor particles and light scattering particles are dispersed.
US08796706B2

Disclosed herein is a light emitting diode package including a package body having a cavity, a light emitting diode chip having a plurality of light emitting cells connected in series to one another, a phosphor converting a frequency of light emitted from the light emitting diode chip, and a pair of lead electrodes. The light emitting cells are connected in series between the pair of lead electrodes.
US08796705B2

A light emitting device is provided. The light emitting device includes a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer including a plurality of well layers and a plurality of barrier layers on the first conductive type semiconductor layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer on the active layer. An upper surface of at least first barrier layer among the barrier layers includes an uneven surface. The first barrier layer is disposed more closely to the second conductive type semiconductor layer than to the first conductive type semiconductor layer.
US08796702B2

An organic light emitting display device includes a substrate, a plurality of pixels on the substrate having a first region configured to emit light and a second region configured to transmit external light, a plurality of pixel circuit units, a plurality of first electrodes, a first organic layer on the plurality of first electrodes, a second organic layer on the first organic layer, the second organic layer including an emission layer, a third organic layer on the second organic layer, the third organic layer being positioned in the first region and outside a central portion of the second region, and a second electrode having a first portion only on the third organic layer.
US08796701B2

A display panel apparatus includes a planarizing film formed on a substrate, at least one pixel including a lower electrode; an organic EL layer; and an upper electrode which are formed above the planarizing film; an auxiliary electrode electrically connected to the upper electrode which is the opposite to the lower electrode; a display section including a plurality of the pixels; an electrode plate electrically connected to the auxiliary electrode and arranged to cover the planarizing film outside the display section, and the electrode plate has a hole exposing a part of a surface of the planarizing film. Furthermore, the display panel apparatus also includes a hole injection layer which is an inorganic material layer made of an inorganic material and covering the hole.
US08796697B2

A semiconductor device includes: a package; an input matching circuit and an output matching circuit in the package; and transistor chips between the input matching circuit and the output matching circuit in the package. Each transistor chip includes a semiconductor substrate having long sides and short sides that are shorter than the long sides, and a gate electrode, a drain electrode and a source electrode on the semiconductor substrate. The gate electrode has gate fingers arranged along the long sides of the semiconductor substrate and a gate pad commonly connected to the gate fingers and connected to the input matching circuit via a first wire. The drain electrode is connected to the output matching circuit via a second wire. The long sides of the semiconductor substrates of the transistor chips are oblique with respect to an input/output direction extending from the input matching circuit to the output matching circuit.
US08796692B2

A thin-film semiconductor device includes: a gate electrode; a channel layer; a first amorphous semiconductor layer; a channel protective layer; a pair of second amorphous semiconductor layers formed on side surfaces of the channel layer; and a pair of contact layers which contacts the side surfaces of the channel layer via the second amorphous semiconductor layers. The gate electrode, the channel layer, the first amorphous semiconductor layer, and the channel protective layer are stacked so as to have outlines that coincide with one another in a top view. The first amorphous semiconductor layer has a density of localized states higher than those of the second amorphous semiconductor layers. The second amorphous semiconductor layers have band gaps larger than that of the first amorphous semiconductor layer.
US08796688B2

A pixel structure, a method of manufacturing the pixel structure, and an active device matrix substrate are provided. The pixel structure includes a first patterned metal layer having a common line and a gate; a first insulation layer; a semiconductor pattern; a second patterned metal layer having a source and a drain both electrically connected to the semiconductor pattern; a second insulation layer having a contact opening exposing the drain; and an electrode layer having a common electrode, and a pixel electrode connected to the drain through the contact opening. The common line, the first insulation layer, and the pixel electrode constitute a first storage capacitor. The common line, the drain, and the common electrode constitute a sandwich structure. The common line, the first insulation layer, and the drain constitute a second storage capacitor. The drain, the second insulation layer, and the common electrode constitute a third storage capacitor.
US08796686B2

An integrated circuit includes a seal ring structure disposed around a circuit that is disposed over a substrate. A first pad is electrically coupled with the seal ring structure. A leakage current test structure is disposed adjacent to the seal ring structure. A second pad electrically coupled with the leakage current test structure, wherein the leakage current test structure is configured to provide a leakage current test between the seal ring structure and the leakage current test structure.
US08796685B2

A device for monitoring charging effects includes a semiconductor substrate having a surface region. The device also includes first, second, and third doped regions spaced apart in the semiconductor substrate and a dielectric layer overlying the surface region. The device also includes a first gate overlying a first portion of the dielectric layer disposed between the first and the second doped regions, and a second gate overlying a second portion of the dielectric layer disposed between the second and the third doped regions, the second gate being characterized by a first surface area. Moreover, the device has a conductive layer electrically coupled to the second gate for collecting plasma charges. The conductive layer is characterized by a second surface area. The first gate is connected to a conductor that is coupled to a bias voltage, and the second gate is a floating gate that is not connected to any voltage.
US08796679B2

A method of manufacturing an IGZO active layer includes depositing ions including In, Ga, and Zn from a first target, and depositing ions including In from a second target having a different atomic composition from the first target. The deposition of ions from the second target may be controlled to adjust an atomic % of In in the IGZO layer to be about 45 atomic % to about 80 atomic %.
US08796674B2

Provided is a method of manufacturing an organic electronic device, wherein an organic electronic device that controls the injection and mobility of carriers in an organic charge transport layer thereof is manufactured by laminating organic layers comprising the same charge transportable organic compound, when manufacturing the organic electronic device with the coating method. In this method of manufacturing an organic electronic device, which comprises a pair of electrodes on a substrate, and at least an organic functional layer and an organic charge transport layer in between the electrodes, the organic charge transport layer is formed by, in the following order: 1) a process for forming a first organic layer by coating, on the organic functional layer, a first organic layer coating-liquid, containing a charge transportable organic compound; and 2) a process for forming a second organic layer by coating, on the first organic layer, a second organic layer coating-liquid containing the charge transportable organic compound and a metallic compound. The method of manufacturing an organic electronic device is further specified by sections 3), 4), and 5).
US08796663B2

A memory cell comprises a diode layer, a variable resistance layer, a first electrode layer. The diode layer functions as a rectifier element. The variable resistance layer functions as a variable resistance element. The first electrode layer is provided between the variable resistance layer and the diode layer. The first electrode layer comprises a titanium nitride layer configured by titanium nitride. Where a first ratio is defined as a ratio of titanium atoms to nitrogen atoms in a first region in the titanium nitride layer and a second ratio is defined as a ratio of titanium atoms to nitrogen atoms in a second region which is in the titanium nitride layer and is nearer to the variable resistance layer than is the first region, the second ratio is larger than the first ratio.
US08796660B2

A nonvolatile memory element (20) of the present invention comprises a resistance variable element (14) and a diode (18) which are formed on a substrate (10) such that the resistance variable element (14) has a resistance variable layer (11) sandwiched between a lower electrode (12) and an upper electrode (13), and the diode (18) which is connected in series with the resistance variable element (14) in the laminating direction and has an insulating layer or semiconductor layer (15) sandwiched between a first electrode (16) at the lower side and a second electrode (17) at the upper side. The resistance variable layer (11) is embedded in a first contact hole (21) formed on the lower electrode (12). A first area (22) where insulating layer or semiconductor layer (15) of the diode (18) is in contact with a first electrode (16) of the diode (18) is larger than at least one of a second area (23) where the resistance variable layer (11) is in contact with the upper electrode (13) and a third area (24) where the resistance variable layer (11) is in contact with the lower electrode (12).
US08796655B2

An electro-hydrodynamic system that extracts energy from a gas stream, which includes an injector that injects a first species of particles having the same polarity into the gas stream, wherein particle movement with the gas stream is opposed by a first electric field; an electric field generator that generates a second electric field opposing the first, such that the net electric field at a predetermined distance downstream from the injector is approximately zero; an upstream collector that collects a second species of particles having a polarity opposite the first particle species; a downstream collector that collects the charged particle; and a load coupled between the downstream collector and the upstream collector, wherein the load converts the kinetic energy of the gas stream into electric power.
US08796653B2

Methods and apparatus for detecting variations in electromagnetic fields, in particular, terahertz (THz) electromagnetic fields, are provided. The methods and apparatus employ polarization detection devices and controllers to maintain or vary the polarization of modulated signals as desired. The methods and apparatus are provided to characterize electromagnetic fields by directing the electromagnetic field and a probe beam upon an electro-crystal and detecting the modulation of the resulting probe beam. Detection of the modulation of the probe beam is practiced by detecting and comparing the polarization components of the modulated probe beam. Aspects of the invention may be used to analyze or detect explosives, explosive related compounds, and pharmaceuticals, among other substances. A compact apparatus, modular optical devices for use with the apparatus, sample holders, and radiation source mounts are also disclosed.
US08796650B2

A charged particle beam drawing apparatus includes a charged particle beam gun, a first forming aperture member having an opening, wherein a charged particle beam emitted from the charged particle beam gun is passed through the opening of the first forming aperture member, a second forming aperture member having an opening, wherein the charged particle beam passed through the first forming aperture member is passed through the opening of the second forming aperture member, a movable stage for supporting a workpiece, wherein patterns corresponding to figures in a drawing data are drawn on the workpiece by the charged particle beam passed through the second forming aperture member, and a drawing data correcting process portion for moving the figures in the drawing data on the basis of positions in the opening of the second forming aperture, where the charged particle beam for drawing the patterns is passed through.
US08796649B2

The support and electrode assemblies of the ion implanter are cooled by circulating a coolant through these parts during operation. The support for the arc chamber includes a one piece block of aluminum through which coolant passes and a hollow rectangular post on which the arc chamber sits with a space therebetween.
US08796640B2

In various embodiments, an emitter for the irradiation of surfaces is provided. The emitter may include: an emitter vessel and an emitter base connected thereto, wherein the emitter base has at least one gas opening, which is designed for supplying a process gas into a spatial area adjacent to the emitter vessel.
US08796639B2

Provided is an ion beam treatment apparatus. The treatment apparatus includes a target for generating positive ions including a thin film for generating positive ions and nanowires disposed on at least one side of the thin film for generating positive ions, and a laser for emitting a laser beam incident on nanowires to project positive ions to a tumor region of a patient by generating the positive ions from the thin film for generating positive ions. Each of the nanowires may include a metal nanocore and a polymer shell surrounding the metal nanocore. The laser beam incident on the nanowires forms surface plasmon resonance, a near field having an intensity enhanced more than an intensity of the laser beam is formed by the surface plasmon resonance, and the positive ions are emitted from the thin film for generating positive ions by the near field.
US08796633B2

A radiation detector includes a sensor panel, a scintillator panel, a reflective layer, and a radiation irradiation detecting photodetector laminated in this order from a side of a radiation receiving surface. Radiation transmitted through a patient's body enters the scintillator panel through the sensor panel, and is converted into light. The converted light propagates through columnar crystals in the scintillator panel with total internal reflection. Apart of the light reaches the sensor panel, while the remains reach the reflective layer. The light reaching the sensor panel is detected by photoelectric converters. Out of the light reaching the reflective layer, a short wavelength component with a relatively high refractive index is specularly reflected to the sensor panel. A long wavelength component with a relatively low refractive index is transmitted through the reflective layer, and enters the radiation irradiation detecting photodetector, which detects a start of radiation irradiation.
US08796631B2

Polymer composite neutron detector materials are described. The composite materials include an aromatic polymer matrix, such as an aromatic polyester. Distributed within the polymer matrix are neutron capture agents, such as 6LiF nanoparticles, and organic or inorganic luminescent fluors. The composite materials can be formed into stretched or unstretched thin films, fibers or fiber mats.
US08796625B2

An ultrasensitive dual optical method for measuring antioxidant concentration and total antioxidant capacity is provided. Using the process, the detection limit for vitamin C is as low as 7 nM. The method is based on a hybrid of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) with hydrogen-peroxide. The method provides is a robust, cheap, fast, and reusable optical sensing method for antioxidant and total antioxidant capacity measurement in foods and plasma. The method can also be developed as a miniature assay for both in vitro and in vivo detection.
US08796605B2

A single-photon receiver and method for detecting a single-photon are presented. The receiver comprises a SPAD that receives a gating signal having a fundamental frequency in the 100 MHz to multiple GHz range. The receiver further comprises a two-stage frequency filter for filtering the output of the SPAD, wherein the filter has: (1) a notch filter response at the fundamental frequency; and (2) a low-pass filter response whose cutoff frequency is less than the first harmonic of the fundamental frequency. As a result, the frequency filter removes substantially all the frequency components in the SPAD output without significant degradation of the signal quality but with reduced complexity, cost, and footprint requirement relative to receivers in the prior art.
US08796602B2

An induction heating device includes the following elements: a resonance circuit; a power factor improvement circuit for boosting rectified output, supplying the output to an inverter, and improving the power factor of a commercial alternating current; and a load material detector for detecting the material of the load. The inverter includes switching elements forming a full-bridge circuit. The drive frequency of the switching elements is switched between a frequency substantially equal to a resonance frequency of the resonance circuit and a frequency substantially 1/n time (n being an integer equal to or larger than two) thereof, according to a detection result of the load material.
US08796585B2

Methods and devices for controlling a welding power source based on a primary supply voltage level are provided. One method may include sensing activation of the welding power source and sensing a primary supply voltage established on a control transformer of the welding power source. The method may also include establishing a substantial current draw from a primary power supply that exceeds a predefined current threshold when the sensed primary supply voltage exceeds a predefined voltage threshold. The substantial current draw may be adapted to trip a circuit breaker of the welding power source to disallow current through the welding power source when the sensed primary supply voltage exceeds the predefined voltage threshold.
US08796584B2

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a bearing component, in which a visually undetectable identification mark is created on a surface of the component by means of laser marking performed in a protective gas environment. The protective gas environment prevents the formation of a visible oxide layer, while the temperatures induced at the component surface and below the component surface, due to the laser marking, are sufficient to alter the microstructure of the bearing steel from which the component is made. The altered microstructure is revealable by applying an etchant to the visually undetectable mark, thereby allowing authentication of the bearing component.
US08796576B2

A sorting system for flat items of mail has N1≧2 parallel-connected groups of storage modules for simultaneously storing a multiplicity of items of mail. The items of mail are fed through N2≧1 parallel mail feeders to in each case a plurality of groups, and discharged via N3≧2 parallel mail dischargers from in each case a plurality of groups. A process controller controls a joint storing of items of mail from a stream of mail into storage modules belonging to at least one group and simultaneously controls discharging of jointly deposited items of mail from storage modules belonging to at least one other group. It is thus possible to intersperse the streams of mail with little or no intersecting, accompanied by a high throughput rate through the sorting system.
US08796568B2

A switching assembly having an interlock device for a selector switch is provided. The interlock device includes a flapper member rotatably coupled to a base member. The flapper member has an aperture disposed proximate to an aperture of a panel such that the selector switch extends through the apertures. The flapper member further includes an indented region and has a first operational position proximate to the panel and a second operational position disposed outwardly from the panel. When an arm portion of the selector switch is disposed within the indented region of the flapper member at the second rotational position and the flapper member is rotated to the second operational position, then the arm portion cannot be rotated outside of the indented region.
US08796552B2

High capacity (10 GW, for example) passively cooled non-superconducting underground high voltage direct current electric power transmission lines (100) of very low loss (1% per 1,000 km, for example) and competitive cost. The transmission lines (100) include segment modules (101) linked together with compliant splice modules (102) between the segments (101), typically installed in a protective conduit (103). The segment modules (101) include relatively rigid pipe-shaped conductors (117) insulated by pipe-like solid insulating layers (131) to form segment modules (101) that resemble pipe. The segment modules (101) are linked together through radially and axially compliant splice modules (102) to form the transmission line (100). There are preferably wheels (300) deployed to ease insertion and removal of the assembled segment modules (101) and splice modules (102) into the conduit (103), to center each segment module (101) within the conduit (103), and/or to provide motive force and/or braking to allow the assembled segment modules (101) and splice modules (102) to be installed on a slope.
US08796548B2

A utility box assembly includes a housing structure having an open upper end, a first peripheral channel around the open upper end, and a second peripheral channel disposed below the first peripheral channel and inwardly therefrom. A first sealing element is seated in the first peripheral channel, and a second sealing element is seated in the second peripheral channel. A cover is configured to cover the open upper end. The cover has an outer peripheral portion configured to engage the first sealing element, and a downward-depending flange configured to engage the second sealing element. A liquid-tight seal is provided by the compression of the first and second sealing elements within their channels when the cover is secured to the open upper end of the housing.
US08796545B2

A dye-sensitized solar cell includes a negative electrode, a positive electrode, a photoelectrode mounted between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, and an electrolyte located between the photoelectrode and the positive electrode. The photoelectrode is adapted to absorb a dye. The photoelectrode includes a dense layer, a scattering layer and a carrier transport layer. The dense layer, the scattering layer and the carrier transport layer are stacked one upon another. The dense layer is formed by titanium dioxide nanoparticles having a diameter of 15-20 nm. The scattering layer is formed by titanium dioxide nanospheres having a diameter of 200-500 nm. The carrier transport layer is formed by titanium dioxide nanotubes having a length of 300-800 nm. Furthermore, a photoelectrode for the dye-sensitized solar cell, as well as a method for producing the photoelectrode, are also disclosed.
US08796535B2

A thermal tracking system for a concentrating photovoltaic system is disclosed. The thermal tracking system comprises a photovoltaic receiver. The photovoltaic receiver comprises a photovoltaic laminate and a heat spreader. The thermal tracking system further comprises first and second thermal sensors coupled to the photovoltaic laminate and sensing two temperatures of the laminate. The thermal tracking system also comprises third and fourth thermal sensors positioned adjacent the heat spreader and sensing two temperatures near the heat spreader.
US08796531B2

A programmable pickup director switching system for a musical instrument having a plurality of pickup coils and a pickup director control board communicatively interconnected to the plurality of pickup coils. The system also includes a push/pull potentiometer structured and arranged to activate different combinations of one or more of the plurality of pickup coils, a main multi-position switch having m positions, and a bank select switch having n positions. Additionally, the system includes a switching matrix configured to switch one or more of the plurality of pickup coils into a signal path based on a position of at least one of the main multi-position switch, the bank select switch and the push/pull potentiometer.
US08796529B2

An ergonomic, portable, electronic, string-like instrument that utilizes a pseudo-string interface. The pseudo-string interface is tactile for sightless playability and capable of advanced input such as force and pressure sensitivity. The pseudo-strings function to select a note, trigger a selected note, select and play a note on the instrument or an external peripheral. The instrument is played using the techniques of multiple other stringed instruments and the ergonomics allow the user to hold and handle the device consistent with traditional and non-traditional playing techniques familiar to musicians of various instruments. It is internally or externally powered and connects directly to industry-standard musical hardware such as MIDI devices, amplifiers and multi-track recorders.
US08796524B1

This disclosure relates to improvements to a stringed musical instrument, and to guitar embodiments for use with transposing and non transposing vibrato mechanisms.Vibrato devices for guitars are known. The device and method disclosed improve the ability to of a player to bend entire chords in a manner that maintains harmonic relationship between individual strings.The disclosure also includes improved manual controls and means to extend the transposing range of such a vibrato device.
US08796517B1

A novel maize variety designated X00C185 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X00C185 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X00C185 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X00C185, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X00C185. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X00C185.
US08796513B1

The present invention is in the field of soybean cultivar 07JR801843 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean cultivar 07JR801843 and its progeny, and methods of making 07JR801843.
US08796505B2

A method for the preparation of a eukaryotic organism, for example selected from plants, animals and fungi, showing constitutive, inducible and/or organ specific expression of a specifically modified TPS gene, which comprises the steps of providing a TPS gene; designing a suitable modification to the TPS gene by aligning the gene with the corresponding gene of yeast and establishing which part of the gene extends beyond the 5′ terminus of the yeast gene; deleting or inactivating a part of the N-terminal region of the TPS gene extending beyond the 5′ terminus of the yeast gene, in order to achieve an increased trehalose-6-phosphate synthase activity; cloning the thus modified gene into an expression vector under the control of a constitutive, inducible and/or organ-specific promoter; transforming a plant cell or tissue with the thus obtained expression vector; and regenerating a complete plant from the transformed plant cell or tissue.
US08796502B2

A method of marking an absorbent article which has a liquid pervious top sheet, a liquid impervious back sheet, and an absorbent body enclosed there between. The method includes providing at least one strip on an inside of the back sheet material, i.e., on the side adjacent the absorbent body, wherein a color or tint of the strip is different from the rest of the back sheet material and wherein the color or tint of the strip is selected so as to be an indication of product type, product size, or product absorption capacity of the absorbent article; and arranging a wetness indicator on or adjacent the at least one strip on the inside of the liquid impervious back sheet so that the wetness indicator is visible through the back sheet material.
US08796496B2

The present invention relates to a process for nonoxidatively dehydroaromatizing a reactant stream comprising C1-C4-aliphatics, comprising the steps of I. feeding reactant stream E into a reaction zone 1, converting reactant stream E under nonoxidative conditions in the presence of a particulate catalyst to a product stream P comprising aromatic hydrocarbons and discharging product stream P from reaction zone 1, II. transferring the catalyst with reduced activity as a result of deposited coke into a reaction zone 2, III. at least partly regenerating the catalyst with supply of a hydrogen-comprising gas stream H in a reaction zone 2, at least some of the coke deposited being converted to methane to form a methane-comprising gas stream M which is fed at least partly to reaction zone 1, IV. discharging the catalyst from reaction zone 2 and V. recycling at least a portion of the discharged catalyst into reaction zone 1, reaction zone 1 and reaction zone 2 being arranged spatially adjacent to one another in the same reactor.
US08796494B2

A method of catalytically preparing a fluid product from solid carbonaceous material is described. In the method, at least one of the following equilibria is established by one or more catalysts: a) CH3OH=CO+2H2, b) CO+H2O=CO2+H2. In some versions, the solid carbonaceous material is woody biomass. Components of the fluid product can include one or a combination of C5-C9 alcohols. In certain versions, the method can be practiced with substantially all of the carbon in the carbonaceous material being converted to the fluid product. Also, in some versions, the fluid product can be prepared with substantially no char formation. The fluid product of various versions can be used directly as fuel or as a reagent for preparing commodity chemicals without the need for separating the fluid product components.
US08796492B2

An α-(unsaturated alkoxyalkyl)acrylate composition is provided which enables an α-(unsaturated alkoxyalkyl)acrylate product to be stored at a high purity for an extended period of time and can fully suppress problems such as discoloration and gelation from arising during polymerization, and a method of safely preparing α-(unsaturated alkoxyalkyl)acrylate compositions industrially, with high purity. The composition includes an α-(unsaturated alkoxyalkyl)acrylate of a specific structure and an antioxidant, the content of the antioxidant being from 0.03 to 0.5 wt % per 100 wt % of the α-(unsaturated alkoxyalkyl)acrylate.
US08796486B2

A process for aftertreatment of polyol esters prepared by reacting polyols of the general formula H—(—O—[—CR1R2—]m—)o—OH in which R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen, an alkyl radical having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or a hydroxyalkyl radical having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, m is an integer of 1 to 10, o is an integer of 2 to 15, with linear or branched aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 3 to 20 carbon atoms in the presence of an adsorbent and in the presence of metal compounds selected from the group of titanium compounds, zirconium compounds, tin compounds, zinc compounds, iron compounds and aluminum compounds as a catalyst while removing the water formed and subsequently treating with steam, characterized in that the polyol ester obtained is aftertreated first with an oxidizing or reducing compound and immediately thereafter with steam at a temperature of 150 to 250° C. and over a period of 0.5 to 5 hours.
US08796479B2

A process for recovering a lipid from a lipid containing material, comprising subjecting the lipid containing material to superheated steam and recovering the lipid in a liquid state.
US08796478B2

Process for the manufacture of 1,2-epoxy-3-chloropropane by reaction between allyl chloride and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a solid catalyst and in the possible presence of at least one solvent in an epoxidation medium comprising at least two liquid phases under the conditions of reaction, comprising feeding continuously a reaction zone comprising the catalyst with at least allyl chloride, hydrogen peroxide and possibly at least one solvent at a total liquid linear velocity higher than or equal to 0.01 m/s and lower than or equal to 1 m/s, wherein the pressure drop across the reaction zone is lower than or equal to 25 kPa/m.
US08796474B1

The present invention provides intermediate compounds and synthetic methods that can be used to prepare complex cyclic compounds including macrolides. The invention also provides cyclic compounds that have useful biological properties such as antiinfective, antiinflammatory, or antitumor properties.
US08796468B2

Disclosed is an adamantanamine derivative which is useful as a significant intermediate of an 11βHSD-1 inhibitor.Disclosed is a compound represented by the formula (II): wherein R10 is a group represented by the formula: —(CR13R14)m-NR12—R11 or the like.
US08796461B2

A 1,2,4,5-substituted phenyl compound represented by the formula (1): wherein one of X1-X5 is nitrogen and the remainders of X1-X5 are carbon; R1 and R2 represent hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl or C1-6 alkoxy; R3 and R4 represent C1-6 alkyl or C1-6 alkoxy; and m is an integer of 0-4, and n is an integer of 0-5. This compound is useful as a constituent for an organic electroluminescent device.
US08796460B2

The present invention relates to compounds of Formula (I), below, (wherein X, R1, R2, R3, p, E, ring A, and ring B are as defined herein). The present invention also relates to compositions (including pharmaceutically acceptable compositions) comprising these compounds, alone and in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents, and to methods for their use in inhibiting KSP kinesin activity, and for treating cellular proliferative diseases or disorders associated with KSP kinesin activity. Formula I
US08796446B2

A method of removing a carboxylic acid from a liquid including a tertiary amide solvent includes: forming an extraction medium including an acid-extracting tin species and an extraction solvent that is immiscible with the tertiary amide solvent; subsequently contacting the liquid with the extraction medium, forming a phase including a de-acidified tertiary amide solvent and a phase including the extraction solvent; and removing the phase including the extraction solvent, to afford a liquid including the de-acidified tertiary amide solvent. The acid-extracting tin species is one or more tin species obtained by reaction of a di(hydrocarbyl) tin oxide with less than one equivalent of a carboxylic acid, or tin species obtainable by reaction of a 1,3-diacyloxy-1,1,3,3-tetra-(hydrocarbyl)distannoxane with an aqueous base. A method of preparing a sucralose-6-acylate includes uses the foregoing method to remove a carboxylic acid from a liquid including a tertiary amide solvent and the sucralose-6-acylate.
US08796442B2

A nucleotide construct comprising a nucleotide sequence that forms a stem and a loop, wherein the loop comprises a nucleotide sequence that modulates expression of a target, wherein the stem comprises a nucleotide sequence that modulates expression of a target, and wherein the target modulated by the nucleotide sequence in the loop and the target modulated by the nucleotide sequence in the stem may be the same or different. Vectors, methods of regulating target expression, methods of providing a cell, and methods of treating conditions comprising the nucleotide sequence are also disclosed.
US08796434B2

α-Lactosamine hydrochloride, substantially free of β-lactosamine hydrochloride; a method of preparing α-lactosamine hydrochloride monohydrate from an anomeric mixture of lactosamine hydrochloride, including: preparing a solution including the anomeric mixture of lactosamine hydrochloride, water and at least one water-miscible organic solvent at a temperature of 0-100° C., and cooling the solution to cause crystallization of α-lactosamine hydrochloride monohydrate; a method of preparing anhydrous α-lactosamine hydrochloride; and use of α-lactosamine hydrochloride as a food supplement or intermediate in synthesis.
US08796428B2

The invention relates to an antibody specific to Erk1/2 phosphorylated at Thr188 and a method for producing the same. The invention also relates to an in vitro method for determining the presence of phosphorylated Erk1/2 in a sample using the antibody of the invention. Therefore, the invention also comprises an assay for diagnosing a heart disease in vitro comprising the antibody of the invention and certain uses of the antibody. Moreover the invention relates to a peptide used to produce the antibody.
US08796422B2

This application is directed to chemokine-immunoglobulin fusion polypeptides and chemokine-polymer conjugates. The fusion polypeptides and conjugates can be used for treating chemokine receptor-mediated disorders and modulating inflammation, inflammatory cell motility, cancer cell motility, or cancer cell survival.
US08796416B1

Provided herein are methods for prophylactic treatment of renal disorders comprising administration of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), or fragment, analog, complex or aggregate thereof, or any combination thereof, to an individual suspected of having, predisposed to, or at risk of developing a renal disorder.
US08796401B2

The present invention relates to a new polymerization process which is suitable for polymerizing high molecular weight products of high viscosity such as polycarbonates and polystyrenes in reasonable time. The present invention achieves the above-identified object by means of a polymerization process, wherein at least in the final stages of the polymerization reaction, two different types of mechanical mixing means are employed as alternatives, designated first and second mixing means. The first mixing means do generate new surfaces in the material to be treated by means of mechanical mixing and by means of gravity driven mixing, while the second mixing means do generate new surfaces in the material to be treated not by means of mechanical mixing and only by means of gravity driven mixing.
US08796395B2

Described as one aspect of the invention are polymer blends comprising at least one polyester wherein the polymer blend comprises: (A) a polyester composition comprising (I) at least one polyester (Polymer A) which comprises: (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising: (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising: (i) about 10 to about 90 mole % of ethylene glycol residues; and (ii) about 90 to about 10 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol residues; (II) residues of at least one titanium compound; and (III) at least one chelating phosphorus species, reaction products thereof, or mixtures thereof, represented by the structure: wherein: n=an integer from 1 to 4; R can be hydrogen or C1-C22-alkyl; and R1 and R2 each can be hydrogen, C1-C22-alkyl, hydroxyl, or aryl; wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %; and wherein the inherent viscosity of the polyester is from 0.35 to 1.2 dL/g as determined in 60/40 (wt/wt) phenol/tetrachloroethane at a concentration of 0.25 g/50 ml at 25° C.; and (B) at least one polymeric component other than Polymer A.
US08796394B2

The invention provides an antifouling hydrogel comprising an effective amount of antifouling polymer modified with a compound containing catechol functional groups to yield a modified antifouling polymer comprising at least one catechol functional end group; and an effective amount of at least one oxidizing reagent, wherein the at least one oxidizing reagent reacts with the modified antifouling polymer to provide a modified antifouling polymer comprising at least one oxidized catechol end group, wherein an antifouling hydrogel is provided. Methods of synthesis, methods of use and kits of the antifouling hydrogel are also provided.
US08796392B2

A method for injection molding a thermoplastic composition that contains a polyarylene sulfide and an aromatic amide oligomer is provided. Due to the improved crystallization properties imparted by the oligomer, the present inventors have discovered that the thermoplastic composition can be molded at lower temperatures to still achieve the same degree of crystallization. In addition to minimizing the energy requirements for the molding operation, such low mold temperatures may be accomplished using heating mediums that are less corrosive and expensive than some conventional techniques.
US08796389B2

The present invention relates to a method for thermal crosslinking of adhesives and also to products produced with these adhesives. An object of the invention is to provide a method for thermal crosslinking of adhesives where the crosslinking is covalent and (initiated by a chemical or physical stimulus) reversible. As and when required, the crosslinking method can also be configured to result in a covalent, irreversible network.
US08796388B2

This invention relates flame retardant compositions containing low molecular weight brominated anionic, chain transfer, vinyl aromatic polymers, hereinafter “ACTVAP”. The compositions can accommodate high bromine content while still exhibiting a low thermally labile bromine content. The compositions have glass transition temperatures, Tg, that are predictive of acceptable melt flows and heat distortion temperatures (HDT) in HIPS and ABS based formulations substrates. The compositions, are suitable flame retardant candidates for use in thermoplastic formulations, e.g. polystyrene and ABS formulations.
US08796376B2

A functionalized polyolefin having one or more pyridazine moieties is disclosed herein. A method to produce the functionalized polyolefin is also disclosed. A composition including the functionalized polyolefin is also disclosed.
US08796375B2

A prepreg that yields a semiconductor device which, even when using Cu wire, exhibits excellent reliability under conditions of high temperature and high humidity (heat-resistant and moisture-resistant reliability), a metal-clad laminate and a printed wiring board that use the prepreg, and a semiconductor device that uses the printed wiring board. Specifically disclosed are a prepreg comprising a substrate and a B-staged resin composition comprising (a) a thermosetting resin, (b) a hydrotalcite compound having a specific composition, (c) zinc molybdate, and (d) lanthanum oxide.
US08796368B2

A water- and oil-repellent comprising an aqueous dispersion of a fluorine-containing copolymer including as a copolymerization unit (a) a perfluoroalkylalkyl (meth)acrylate represented by the general formula CnF2n+1CmH2mOCOCR═CH2 (wherein R represents hydrogen atom or methyl group; n represents 4, 5, or 6; and m represents 1, 2, 3, or 4), (b) benzyl (meth)acrylate, (c) a fluorine-free polymerizable monomer other than benzyl (meth)acrylate, and (d) a cross-linkable group-containing polymerizable monomer; and a blocked isocyanate added to the aqueous dispersion in a weight ratio of 0.05 to 3.0 to the weight of the solid content of the aqueous dispersion.
US08796366B2

The present invention relates to solid pigment preparations containing (A) 5 to 99 percent by weight of at least one pigment; (B) 1 to 95 percent by weight of at least one water-soluble dispersing additive based on copolymers that consist of the following structural units: (i) 1.0 to 50 mol percent of structural unit B1; a combined total of 50 to 99.0 mole percent of structural units (B2) and (B3); (iii) 0 to 49 mole percent of structural unit (B4).
US08796363B2

A flame retardant resin composition including: a thermoplastic resin; and a flame retardant, wherein the flame retardant includes a phosphorylated lignin derivative, and wherein the phosphorylated lignin derivative is produced by adding phosphoric acid to a lignin derivative obtained by subjecting a naturally occurring lignin to a predetermined treatment.
US08796362B2

The invention relates to a polymer material with several advantageous properties. The polymer material has a low degree of swelling in water, it is biodegradable, it has extremely low permeability to gasses such as CO2 and it has a high strength. The polymer material is useful for a number of purposes, such as for preparing containers for food or beverages. The polymer material is prepared from a prepolymerization mixture comprising grafted plant derived material and monomers and/or cross-linkers.
US08796351B2

A method for forming a pressure sensitive adhesive including providing a substance that is an epoxidized triglyceride or an epoxidized fatty ester, and polymerizing the substance. A pressure sensitive adhesive can be formed by copolymerizing at least two substances that can be an epoxidized triglyceride, epoxidized fatty ester, or (meth)acrylic copolymer. In yet another method, the at least two substances can be an acrylated epoxidized triglyceride, acrylic copolymer, fatty acid based monomer produced by the reaction of an acid group of a fatty acid and an epoxy group of glycidylmethacrylate, or (meth)acrylic monomer.
US08796342B2

The present invention relates to the field of oil thickeners and in particular oil gels. Embodiments of the present invention relate for example to a an oil composition containing at least one complex comprising an oil dispersible emulsifier and protein fibers and preparations comprising such oil compositions; the use of such complexes as oil thickeners, and a method to produce the complexes.
US08796332B2

The invention features methods of inhibiting the growth of, or killing, fungal and certain bacterial microorganisms with one or more of a family of glycerol-based compounds.
US08796328B2

Disclosed herein are compounds of formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs, or combinations thereof, wherein X1, L, Rx, Ry, Rz, R1, R2, A, m, n, p, q, and r are defined in the specification. Compositions comprising such compounds and methods for treating conditions and disorders using such compounds and compositions are also disclosed.
US08796321B2

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating a disease in an animal, which disease is responsive to inhibiting of functional cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) polypeptide by administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound defined herein (including those compounds set forth in Tables 1-2 or encompassed by formulas I-IV) or compositions thereof, thereby treating the disease. The present invention particularly, relates to a method of treating diarrhea and polycystic kidney disease.
US08796314B2

This invention provides compounds of formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3, CY, X1, X2, and X3 are as described in the specification. The compounds are inhibitors of PI3K and are thus useful for treating proliferative, inflammatory, or cardiovascular disorders.
US08796309B2

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition that can efficiently achieve its medicinal action by having excellent basic pharmacologically active substance absorbency, even the basic pharmacologically active substance is poorly soluble, the pharmaceutical composition being prepared by adding (i) a basic pharmacologically active substance together with (ii) a fatty acid and organic acid glycerol ester and/or fatty acid and organic acid polyglycerol ester.
US08796306B2

A noxious arthropod controlling composition comprising a heterocyclic compound represented by the formula (1) [wherein, A1 and A2 represent ═C(R6)—, nitrogen and so on, R1 represents a halogen and so on, R3 and R4 represent optionally substituted C1 to C4 chain hydrocarbon group and so on, R5 represents a hydrogen and so on, n represents 0 or 1] as an active ingredient has an excellent effect for controlling noxious arthropods.
US08796303B2

The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I), racemates, isomers and/or salts thereof useful in the treatment of viral infections, in particular respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing the compounds.
US08796302B2

The invention includes methods of neuroprotection, inducing release of neurotrophic factors, inhibiting the over-activation of innate immune cells, attenuating the toxin-induced death and/or damage of tissues, reducing inflammation, treating an inflammation-related condition, and inhibiting NADPH oxidase, that includes contacting or administering an effective amount of at least one compound of the invention that include: valproic acid, sodium butyrate, and salts thereof; opioid peptides; a peptide comprising the tripeptide GGF; and morphinans, such as naloxone, naltrexone, 3-hydroxy-morphinan and dextromethorphan.
US08796277B2

The invention relates to radioprotectors of formula (I), processes for their preparation and their use in protecting biological materials from radiation damage. In diagnostic and therapeutic radiology, particularly in cancer radiotherapy, the radioprotectors of the present invention may be used to protect certain normal tissues or structures from radiation damage. The radioprotectors of formula (I) may also have uses in decreasing the effects of irradiation in non-medical scenarios, both civil and military.
US08796271B2

This invention provides compounds of formula IA-a or IB-a and subsets thereof: wherein Z, HY, R1, R2, G1, W, n, and A and subsets thereof are as described in the specification. The compounds are inhibitors of PI3K and are thus useful for treating proliferative, inflammatory, or cardiovascular disorders.
US08796270B2

An imidazopyridine having the structure or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are provided herein. Methods of treating patients suffering from certain diseases and disorders responsive to the inhibition of Syk activity, which comprises administering to such patients an amount of at least one chemical entity effective to reduce signs or symptoms of the disease or disorder are provided. Also provided are methods for determining the presence or absence of Syk kinase in a sample.
US08796262B2

This invention relates to new fused heterocyclic derivatives having affinity to S1P receptors, a pharmaceutical composition containing said compounds, as well as the use of said compounds for the preparation of a medicament for treating, alleviating or preventing diseases and conditions in which any S1P receptor is involved or in which modulation of the endogenous S1P signaling system via any S1P receptor is involved.
US08796257B2

A compound of formula (I): wherein: M is hydrogen or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt-forming cation; Y is OR1 or NR2R3, and R1, R2, R3 and M are as defined herein. Also, methods of treating bacterial infection, pharmaceutical compositions, molecular complexes and processes for preparing compounds.
US08796253B2

This invention relates to novel heteroaryl substituted pyrazole compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and the use of those compounds or compositions for treating hyper-proliferative and/or angiogenesis disorders, as a sole agent or in combination with other active ingredients or therapeutic measures.
US08796252B2

The present invention is directed to a stable, soluble, antimicrobial composition concentrate comprising pyrithione or a pyrithione complex in an amount of from about 0.5% to about 30 weight percent, a zinc source in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 10%, and an organic amine component in an amount of from about 30% to about 80%, said percents being based upon the total weight of the composition concentrate. The invention is also directed to methods of controlling the growth of free-living microorganisms or biofilms using the antimicrobial composition of the invention, and products made using the antimicrobial composition of the invention.
US08796251B2

The invention provides compositions and methods for the treatment of glomerulonephritis. In one embodiment, the invention provides a compound of formula (I) R-L-CO—X  (I) (wherein R is a C10-24 unsaturated hydrocarbon group optionally interrupted by one or more heteroatoms or groups of heteroatoms selected from S, O, N, SO, SO2, said hydrocarbon group comprising at least 4 non-conjugated double bonds; L is a linking group forming a bridge of 1 to 5 atoms between the R group and the carbonyl CO; and X is an electron withdrawing group) or a salt thereof for use in the treatment of glomerulonephritis.
US08796243B2

The invention generally relates to methods to inhibit inflammation or pathogen infection by administering at least one anionic lipid or compositions comprising at least one anionic lipid to an individual. The invention also relates to methods to prevent or inhibit respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection by administering at least one anionic lipid or compositions comprising at least one anionic lipid to an individual. The invention further relates to compositions comprising randomly mixed surfactant lipids and methods to produce the compositions.
US08796241B2

Methods for treating diseases in humans and vertebrate animals are provided using competitive antagonists of cellular metabolites combined with a protective agent for protecting host cells from toxic effects of the drugs. Also provided are kits comprising competitive antagonists and suitable protective agents. In addition, screening methods for identifying competitive antagonists, protective agents and potentiating agents, for use according to the methods of the invention, are provided.
US08796236B2

This disclosure provides methods and compositions for treating lysosomal storage diseases in a subject. In one aspect of the invention, a transgene product is delivered to a subject by administering a recombinant neurotrophic viral vector containing the transgene to the brain. The viral vector delivers the transgene to a region of the brain which is susceptible to infection by the virus and which expresses the encoded recombinant viral gene product. Also provided are compositions for delivery of a transgene product to a subject by administering a recombinant neurotrophic viral vector containing the transgene to the subject's brain. The transgene product may be any that is deficient in a lysosomal storage disease.
US08796235B2

The present invention pertains to vectors for regulating gene expression having at least one gene expressing cassette and at least one gene suppressing cassette, wherein the gene expression cassette encodes a polypeptide of interest, and wherein the gene suppressing cassette encodes a short interfering RNA (siRNA) molecule that reduces expression of a target gene by RNA interference. The present invention further includes vectors that contain suppressor cassettes in conjunction with cassettes upregulating gene expression regulated by either a constitutive promoter, such as a general CMV promoter, or a tissue specific promoter. The present invention further includes vectors that contain Dengue virus gene suppression cassettes. The present invention further includes pharmaceutical compositions containing such vectors, methods of modulating the expression of genes in a host using such vectors, and method of producing such vectors.
US08796232B2

Triazole-containing macrolide and ketolide antibiotics, therapeutic compositions containing them and methods of use for treating diseases caused by one or more resistant organisms are described.
US08796220B2

The invention features methods to induce and maintain a protective cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response to a peptide of the HER2/neu oncogene, E75, with the effect of inducing and maintaining protective or therapeutic immunity against breast cancer in a patient in clinical remission. The methods comprise administering to the patient an effective amount of a vaccine composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, an adjuvant such as recombinant human GM-CSF, and the E75 peptide at an optimized dose and schedule. The methods further comprise administering an annual or semi-annual booster vaccine dose due to declining E75-specific T cell immunity. The invention also features vaccine compositions for use in the methods.
US08796218B2

A method for preparing a biologically active complex, said method comprising a recombinant protein having the sequence of α-lactalbumin, such as human α-lactalbumin or a fragment thereof but which lacks intra-molecular disulfide bonds, and oleic acid, and process for preparing this are described and claimed. The recombinant protein suitably has cysteines found in the native protein changed to other amino acids, such as alanine. Improvements in recombinant expression, process rationalisation and yields of biologically active complexes, as well as the complexes obtained are also described and claimed.
US08796214B2

The present invention relates to a neurotrophic peptide having an amino acid sequence of VGDGGLFEKKL (SEQ ID NO:1) and alternatively comprising an adamantyl group at the C- and/or N-terminal end. The neurotrophic peptide can rescue cognition, correct impairments in neural cell proliferation and synaptic plasticity, and thus address the cognitive defects associated with Down syndrome.
US08796208B2

Methods and compositions are described to regenerate cartilage in a partial thickness defect or area of reduced volume of articular cartilage comprising an infiltration suppressor agent and a columnar growth promoting agent.
US08796203B2

The present invention provides materials and methods for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis). Materials of the invention may include compositions comprising one or more tight junction antagonists and optionally one or more therapeutic agents. Methods of the invention may comprise treating a subject in need thereof with a composition comprising one or more tight junction antagonists and, optionally one or more therapeutic agents.
US08796197B2

A portable cleaning article includes a coated capsule and cleaning agent, in which the cleaning agent is contained within the coated capsule, the characteristic in that: the coated capsule having a thin-film layer and an oil layer that is coated over the surface of the thin-film layer to form a portable cleaning article. When the coated capsule is brought into contact with water by the user, the coated capsule dissolves in water for the cleaning agent to exert its cleaning function.
US08796195B2

Tetrafluoroboric acid and an organic nitrogenous base, related compounds and compositions, as can be used in conjunction with various methods of cleaning and/or the treatment of substrate surfaces.
US08796189B2

A gear oil composition is provided. The composition comprises a major amount of base oil comprising a mixture of a mineral base oil and polybutene; and 0.1 to 0.5 wt % of carbon black, based on the total weight of the gear oil composition. Such compositions can provide improved viscosity stability.
US08796184B2

An article such as a biomolecular detector or biosensor having a nonfouling surface thereon includes: (a) a substrate having a surface portion; (b) a linking layer on the surface portion; and (c) a polymer layer formed on the linking layer; and (d) a first member of a specific binding pair (e.g., a protein, peptide, antibody, nucleic acid, etc.) bound to the polymer layer. Methods of making and using the articles are also described.
US08796177B2

Provided herein are synergistic herbicidal compositions containing and methods utilizing (a) a compound of formula (I): or an agriculturally acceptable salt or ester thereof and (b) an ACCase inhibitors, including. e.g., clethodim, clodinafop-propargyl, cyhalofop-R-butyl, diclofop-methyl, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, fluazifop-P-butyl, haloxyfop-R-methyl, metamifop, pinoxaden, profoxydim, quizalofop-P-ethyl, sethoxydim and tralkoxydim, provide synergistic weed control of undesirable vegetation in rice, cereals, wheat, barley, oats, rye, sorghum, corn/maize, sugarcane, sunflower, oilseed rape, canola, sugar beet, soybean, cotton, pineapple, pastures, grasslands, rangelands, fallowland, turf, tree and vine orchards, aquatics, plantation crops, vegetables, industrial vegetation management (IVM) or rights of way (ROW).
US08796176B2

PROBLEMProvided is a composition for controlling pests having excellent control effect for pests and a method for controlling pests.SOLUTIONA composition for controlling pests comprising an α-alkoxyphenylacetic acid compound and a neonicotinoid compound as active ingredients.
US08796160B2

An optical cavity furnace 10 having multiple optical energy sources 12 associated with an optical cavity 18 of the furnace. The multiple optical energy sources 12 may be lamps or other devices suitable for producing an appropriate level of optical energy. The optical cavity furnace 10 may also include one or more reflectors 14 and one or more walls 16 associated with the optical energy sources 12 such that the reflectors 14 and walls 16 define the optical cavity 18. The walls 16 may have any desired configuration or shape to enhance operation of the furnace as an optical cavity 18. The optical energy sources 12 may be positioned at any location with respect to the reflectors 14 and walls defining the optical cavity. The optical cavity furnace 10 may further include a semiconductor wafer transport system 22 for transporting one or more semiconductor wafers 20 through the optical cavity.
US08796156B2

A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate; providing a first lithography mask, a second lithography mask, and a third lithography mask; forming a first mask layer over the semiconductor substrate, wherein a pattern of the first mask layer is defined using the first lithography mask; performing a first etch to the semiconductor substrate to define an active region using the first mask layer; forming a second mask layer having a plurality of mask strips over the semiconductor substrate and over the active region; forming a third mask layer over the second mask layer, wherein a middle portion of the plurality of mask strips is exposed through an opening in the third mask layer, and end portions of the plurality of mask strips are covered by the third mask layer; and performing a second etch to the semiconductor substrate through the opening.
US08796143B2

A semiconductor device in which a metal silicide layer is formed by a salicide process is improved in reliability. By a salicide process according to a partial reaction method, metal silicide layers are formed over respective surfaces of gate electrodes, n+-type semiconductor regions, and p+-type semiconductor regions. In a first heat treatment when the metal silicide layers are formed, a heat-conduction type anneal apparatus is used for the heat treatment of a semiconductor wafer. In a second heat treatment, a microwave anneal apparatus is used for the heat treatment of the semiconductor wafer, thereby reducing the temperature of the second heat treatment and preventing abnormal growth of the metal silicide layers. Thus, a junction leakage current in the metal silicide layers is reduced.
US08796142B2

A tantalum nitride film rich in tantalum atoms is formed by simultaneously introducing a raw gas consisting of a coordination compound of elemental tantalum (Ta) having a coordinated ligand of formula: N═(R, R′) (wherein, R and R′ each represents an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms) and NH3 gas into a film-forming chamber; reacting the raw gas with the NH3 gas; forming a reduced compound having Ta—NH3 on a substrate; and introducing a hydrogen atom-containing gas into the chamber to form a tantalum nitride film rich in tantalum atoms. The resulting tantalum nitride film has a low resistance, low contents of C and N atoms, and a high compositional ratio: Ta/N, show sufficiently high adherence to Cu film and can thus be useful as a barrier film. Moreover, tantalum particles are implanted in the resulting film according to the sputtering technique to further enrich the film with tantalum.
US08796140B1

A method of providing signal, power and ground through a through-silicon-via (TSV), and an integrated circuit chip having a TSV that simultaneously provides signal, power and ground. In one embodiment, the method comprises forming a TSV through a semiconductor substrate, including forming a via in the substrate; and forming a multitude of conductive bars in the via. The multitude of conductive bars include at least one signal bar, at least one power bar, and at least one ground bar. The method further comprises connecting the at least one power bar to a power voltage source to apply power through the TSV; connecting the at least one ground bar to a ground voltage; and connecting the at least one signal bar to a source of an electronic signal to conduct the signal through the TSV and to form a hybrid power-ground-signal TSV in the substrate.
US08796139B2

A bar formed from a reconstituted wafer and containing one or more conductive material filled voids is used to electrically and physically connect the top and bottom packages in a package-on-package (PoP) package. The bar is disposed in the fan out area of the lower package forming the PoP package.
US08796138B2

Methods and apparatus for forming through-vias are presented, for example, a method for forming a via in a portion of a semiconductor wafer comprising a substrate. The method comprises forming a trench surrounding a first part of the substrate such that the first part is separated from a second part of the substrate, forming a hole through the substrate within the first part, and forming a first metal within the hole. The trench extends through the substrate. The first metal extends from a front surface of the substrate to a back surface of the substrate. The via comprises the hole and the first metal.
US08796137B2

A semiconductor device has a first semiconductor die with a sloped side surface. The first semiconductor die is mounted to a temporary carrier. An RDL extends from a back surface of the first semiconductor die along the sloped side surface of the first semiconductor die to the carrier. An encapsulant is deposited over the carrier and a portion of the RDL along the sloped side surface. The back surface of the first semiconductor die and a portion of the RDL is devoid of the encapsulant. The temporary carrier is removed. An interconnect structure is formed over the encapsulant and exposed active surface of the first semiconductor die. The RDL is electrically connected to the interconnect structure. A second semiconductor die is mounted over the back surface of the first semiconductor die. The second semiconductor die has bumps electrically connected to the RDL.
US08796136B2

A semiconductor device is provided, which includes an annular insulation separation portion penetrating a semiconductor substrate, and an electrode penetrating the semiconductor substrate in a region surrounded by the annular insulation separation portion, wherein the insulation separation portion includes at least a first film that gives compressive stress in a depth direction on the side of a substrate, a second film that gives tensile stress in the depth direction is formed on the first film, and film thicknesses of the first and second films are adjusted so that the compressive stress and the tensile stress are almost balanced.
US08796135B2

A microelectronic unit includes a microelectronic element, e.g., an integrated circuit chip, having a semiconductor region of monocrystalline form. The semiconductor region has a front surface extending in a first direction, an active circuit element adjacent the front surface, a rear surface remote from the front surface, and a conductive via which extends towards the rear surface. The conductive via can be insulated from the semiconductor region by an inorganic dielectric layer. An opening can extend from the rear surface partially through a thickness of the semiconductor region, with the opening and the conductive via having respective widths in the first direction. The width of the opening may be greater than the width of the conductive via where the opening meets the conductive via. A rear contact can be electrically connected to the conductive via and exposed at the rear surface for electrical connection with an external circuit element, such as another like microelectronic unit, a microelectronic package, or a circuit panel.
US08796132B2

Disclosed herein is a system and method for mounting semiconductor packages by forming one or more interconnects, optionally, with a wirebonder, and mounting the interconnects to a mounting pad on a target package. Mounting the interconnect may comprise ultrasonically welding the interconnects to the mounting pads, and the interconnect may be mounted via a mounting node on the end of the interconnect, wherein the mounting node may be formed by an electric flame off process. The interconnects may be trimmed to one or more substantially uniform heights, optionally using a laser or contact-type trimming system, and the tails of the interconnects may be supported during trimming. A top package may be bonded on the trimmed ends of the interconnects. During mounting, a support plate may be used to support the package, and a mask maybe used during interconnect mounting.
US08796119B2

The present invention relates to semiconductor devices comprising semiconductor nanoelements. In particular the invention relates to devices having a volume element having a larger diameter than the nanoelement arranged in epitaxial connection to the nanoelement. The volume element is being doped in order to provide a high charge carrier injection into the nanoelement and a low access resistance in an electrical connection. The nanoelement may be upstanding from a semiconductor substrate. A concentric layer of low resistivity material forms on the volume element forms a contact.
US08796115B2

A light-emitting diode arrangement comprising a plurality of semiconductor chips which are provided for emitting electromagnetic radiation from their front side and which are fixed by their rear side—opposite the front side—on a first main face of a common carrier body, wherein the semiconductor chips consist of a respective substrateless semiconductor layer stack and are fixed to the common carrier body without an auxiliary carrier, and to a method for producing such a light-emitting diode arrangement.
US08796108B2

Disclosed is a Zener diode having a scalable reverse-bias breakdown voltage (Vb) as a function of the position of a cathode contact region relative to the interface between adjacent cathode and anode well regions. Specifically, cathode and anode contact regions are positioned adjacent to corresponding cathode and anode well regions and are further separated by an isolation region. However, while the anode contact region is contained entirely within the anode well region, one end of the cathode contact region extends laterally into the anode well region. The length of this end can be predetermined in order to selectively adjust the Vb of the diode (e.g., increasing the length reduces Vb of the diode and vice versa). Also disclosed are an integrated circuit, incorporating multiple instances of the diode with different reverse-bias breakdown voltages, a method of forming the diode and a design structure for the diode.
US08796095B2

Provided is a high-k metal gate structure formed over a semiconductor fin. A nitride layer is formed over the gate structure and the semiconductor fin, using two separate deposition operations, the first forming a very thin nitride film. Implantation operations may be carried out in between the two nitride film deposition operations. The first nitride film may be SiNx or SiCNx and the second nitride film is SiCNx. The nitride films may be combined to form low wet etch rate spacers enabling further processing operations to be carried out without damaging underlying structures and without requiring the formation of further dummy spacers. Further processing operations include epitaxial silicon/SiGe processing sequences and source/drain implanting operations carried out with the low etch rate spacers intact.
US08796090B2

A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of semiconductor body lines in which a plurality of buried bit lines are buried, to be separated by a plurality of trenches, forming a filling layer that fills each of the plurality of trenches, forming a conductive layer over the plurality of semiconductor body lines and the filling layer, forming a plurality of semiconductor pillars over the plurality of semiconductor body lines by etching the conductive layer.
US08796087B2

A semiconductor device including a substrate; a bottom electrode on the substrate; a first dielectric layer on the bottom electrode, the first dielectric layer including a first metal oxide including at least one of Hf, Al, Zr, La, Ba, Sr, Ti, and Pb; a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer, the second dielectric layer including a second metal oxide including at least one of Hf, Al, Zr, La, Ba, Sr, Ti, and Pb, wherein the first metal oxide and the second metal oxide are different materials; a third dielectric layer on the second dielectric layer, the third dielectric layer including a metal carbon oxynitride; and an upper electrode on the third dielectric layer.
US08796079B2

A fabrication method of a pixel structure and a pixel structure are provided. A first patterned metal layer including scan lines and a gate is formed on a substrate. A first insulation layer, a semiconductor layer, an etching stop pattern and a metal layer are formed sequentially on the first patterned metal layer. The metal layer and the semiconductor layer are patterned to form a second patterned metal layer and a patterned semiconductor layer. The second patterned metal layer includes data lines, a source and a drain. The patterned semiconductor layer includes a first semiconductor pattern completely overlapping the second patterned metal layer and a second semiconductor pattern without overlapping the second patterned metal layer, wherein the second semiconductor pattern includes a channel pattern and a marginal pattern. The channel pattern is between the source and the drain and the marginal pattern surrounds the first semiconductor pattern.
US08796074B2

Chip cracking that occurs when a dicing step using a blade is carried out to acquire semiconductor chips with the reduced thickness of a semiconductor wafer is suppressed. When the semiconductor wafer is cut at the dicing step for the semiconductor wafer, a blade is advanced as follows: in dicing in a first direction (Y-direction in FIG. 12) along a first straight line, the blade is advanced from a first point to a second point. The first point is positioned in a first portion and the second point is opposed to the first point with a second straight line running through the center point of the semiconductor wafer in between.
US08796067B2

A method for forming an organic material layer on a substrate in an in-line deposition system is disclosed. In one aspect, the organic material is deposited with a predetermined non-constant deposition rate profile, which includes a first predetermined deposition rate range provided to deposit at least a first monolayer of the organic material layer with a first predetermined average deposition rate and a second predetermined deposition rate range provided to deposit at least a second monolayer of the organic material layer with a second predetermined average deposition rate. The injection of organic material through the openings of the injector is controlled for realizing the predetermined deposition rate profile.
US08796066B2

Substrates for solar cells are prepared by etching a plurality of metallurgical grade wafers; depositing aluminum layer on backside of each wafer; depositing a layer of hydrogenated silicon nitride on front surface of each wafer; annealing the wafers at elevated temperature; removing the hydrogenated silicon nitride without disturbing the aluminum layer. A solar cell is then fabricated on the front surface of the wafer while the aluminum remain to serve as the back contact of the cell.
US08796060B2

Novel methods of producing photovoltaic cells are provided herein, as well as photovoltaic cells produced thereby, and uses thereof. In some embodiments, a method as described herein comprises doping a substrate so as to form a p+layer on one side and an n+layer on an another side, removing at least a portion of the n+layer, and then forming a second n+layer, such that a concentration of the n-dopant in the second n+layer is variable throughout a surface of the substrate.
US08796058B2

Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) structures, metrology structures and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming one or metrology structure, during formation of a device in a chip area. The method further includes venting the one or more metrology structure after formation of the device.
US08796049B2

Methods and systems to method to determine an adhesion force of an underfill material to a chip assembled in a flip-chip module are provided. A method includes forming a flip-chip module including a chip connected to a substrate with a layer of underfill material adhered to the chip and the substrate. The method also includes forming a block from the layer of underfill material. The method further includes measuring a force required to shear the block from a surface of the flip-chip module.
US08796046B2

Methods and apparatus for shielding a shielding a non-volatile memory, such as shielding a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) device from a magnetic flux are provided. In an example, a shielding layer is formed adjacent to an electrode of an MTJ device, such that the shielding layer substantially surrounds a surface of the electrode, and a metal line is coupled to the shielding layer. The metal line can be coupled to the shielding layer by a via.
US08796044B2

Device structures, fabrication methods, and design structures for a capacitor of a memory cell of ferroelectric random access memory device. The capacitor may include a first electrode comprised of a first conductor, a ferroelectric layer on the first electrode, a second electrode on the ferroelectric layer, and a cap layer on an upper surface of the second electrode. The second electrode may be comprised of a second conductor, and the cap layer may have a composition that is free of titanium. The second electrode may be formed by etching a layer of a material formed on a layer of the second conductor to define a hardmask and then modifying the remaining portion of that material in the hardmask to have a comparatively less etch rate, when exposed to a chlorine-based reactive ion etch chemistry, than when initially formed.
US08796037B2

A method of detection separation and identification for expressed trace protein/peptide; and a system therefor. There is provided a method of detecting, separating and identifying a minute amount of expressed protein and/or peptide, characterized in that a fluorescent derivative of protein and/or peptide contained in a test subject sample having been labeled with a fluorescence reagent is applied to HPLC; a fluorescent fraction is collected and subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis; mass-spectrometry of the resultant fluorescence-labeled fragments and non-fluorescence-labeled fragments is carried out; and the thus obtained ion molecular weight information on each of the fragments is collated with an available protein and/or peptide fragment database to thereby accomplish a structural analysis. Further, there is provided an identification system therefor.
US08796036B2

An array of sensors arranged in matched pairs of transistors with an output formed on a first transistor and a sensor formed on the second transistor of the matched pair. The matched pairs are arranged such that the second transistor in the matched pair is read through the output of the first transistor in the matched pair. The first transistor in the matched pair is forced into the saturation (active) region to prevent interference from the second transistor on the output of the first transistor. A sample is taken of the output. The first transistor is then placed into the linear region allowing the sensor formed on the second transistor to be read through the output of the first transistor. A sample is taken from the output of the sensor reading of the second transistor. A difference is formed of the two samples.
US08796029B2

A system for processing a target material includes; a cartridge which stores a material which reacts with the target material, and may include at least one chamber and at least one valve connected to the at least one chamber, a first module which may be loaded with the at least one cartridge and may rotate, a second module which may selectively open or close the at least one valve, a third module which may selectively control the temperature of the at least one chamber, and a control module which may control the first module, the second module and the third module.
US08796028B2

The invention relates to a method for treating a biological sample, comprising the following method steps: i) preparation of a biological sample and ii) bringing the biological sample into contact with a composition, comprising: (1) 1 to 100 wt. % of at least one polyol and (2) 0 to 99 wt. % of at least one additive, wherein the total amount of components (1) and (2) is 100 wt. %. The invention further relates to biological samples obtained by said method, a method for analysis of a treated biological sample, devices for treating a biological sample, use of said devices, various kits and use of a composition.
US08796027B2

A nucleic acid is effectively introduced into a cell while suppressing the cytotoxicity by administering a nucleic acid complex comprising a high molecular weight derivative of ε-poly-L-lysine and a nucleic acid to a cell.
US08796025B2

The invention is directed to methods for the treatment of wounds. Such methods utilize novel compositions, including but not limited to amnion-derived multipotent cells (herein referred to as AMP cells), conditioned media derived therefrom (herein referred to as amnion-derived cellular cytokine suspension or ACCS), cell lysates derived therefrom, cell products derived therefrom, each alone or in combination.
US08796024B2

A method for culturing neural cells using a culture medium is provided. Each neural cell includes a neural cell body and at least one neurite branched from the neural cell body. The culture medium includes a substrate and a carbon nanotube structure located on the substrate. A surface of the carbon nanotube structure is polarized to form a polar surface. The neural cells are cultured on the polar surface to grow neurites along the carbon nanotube wires. The carbon nanotube structure includes a number of carbon nanotube wires spaced apart from each other. A distance between adjacent carbon nanotube wires is greater than or equal to a diameter of the neural cell body.
US08796007B2

The present invention provides a method capable of producing a natural or recombinant protein in high yield. The present invention relates to a method of producing a polypeptide, comprising culturing a cell which strongly expresses cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase and has a transferred DNA encoding a desired polypeptide and thereby allowing the cell to produce the polypeptide. Hamster cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase, a DNA encoding the same, a recombinant vector and a transformed cell are also provided.
US08796000B2

The invention is directed to enzyme preparations which are obtainable by providing enzyme immobilizates which comprise enzymes or microorganisms comprising enzymes immobilized on an inert support with a polyethersilicone coating obtained by hydrosilylation, to a process for preparing such enzyme preparations and to the use of enzyme preparations as an industrial biocatalyst.
US08795996B2

The present invention provides isolated gene sequences involved in xylose fermentation and related recombinant yeast which are useful in methods of enhanced biofuel production, particularly ethanol production. Methods of bioengineering recombinant yeast useful for biofuel production are also provided.
US08795983B2

The present invention relates to methods and systems for scanning, detecting, and monitoring microorganisms on solid or semi-solid media using intrinsic fluorescence (IF) measurements. The methods are further directed to detection, characterization and/or identification of microorganisms on a solid or semi-solid media using intrinsic fluorescence (IF) measurements that are characteristic of said microorganisms.
US08795979B2

The present invention provides novel methods for determining the presence or amount of a hydrolytic enzyme in a sample, based on novel substrates for the enzymes, and also provides compositions and methods that provide highly sensitive assay methods for such hydrolytic enzymes.
US08795963B2

The invention relates to procedures and methods of determining a susceptibility to cardiac arrhythmia, including Atrial Fibrillation, Atrial Flutter and Stroke, by assessing the presence or absence of alleles at polymorphic markers found to be associated with risk of these conditions. The invention further relates to kits encompassing reagents for assessing such markers, and diagnostic methods, uses and procedures for utilizing such susceptibility markers.
US08795960B2

Disclosed are methods of multiplexed analysis of oligonucleotides in a sample, including: methods of probe and target “engineering”, as well as methods of assay signal analysis relating to the modulation of the probe-target affinity constant, K by a variety of factors including the elastic properties of target strands and layers of immobilized (“grafted”) probes; and assay methodologies relating to: the tuning of assay signal intensities including dynamic range compression and on-chip signal amplification; the combination of hybridization-mediated and elongation-mediated detection for the quantitative determination of abundance of messages displaying a high degree of sequence similarity, including, for example, the simultaneous determination of the relative expression levels, and identification of the specific class of, untranslated AU-rich subsequences located near the 3′ terminus of mRNA; and a new method of subtractive differential gene expression analysis which requires only a single color label.
US08795951B2

A material for forming a resist sensitization film contains a metal salt, a resin and, a solvent. A method for producing a semiconductor device contains applying such material (or a resist) onto a processing surface so as to form a resist sensitization film or a resist film, applying a resist (or the aforementioned material) onto the resist sensitization film so as to form a resist film (or a resist sensitization film); exposing the resist film (or the resist film and the resist sensitization film) to exposure light, and developing the exposed resist film (or the exposed resist film and resist sensitization film) so as to form a resist pattern; and etching the processing surface using the resist pattern as a mask so as to pattern the processing surface.
US08795941B2

The present disclosure provides a polyester toner resin comprising a polyhydroxylated thymol derivative that may be used in manufacturing an emulsion aggregation (EA) toner for imaging devices.
US08795939B2

A toner, including a lactone compound having not less than 14-membered rings; and a resin including a crystalline polyester unit.
US08795938B2

To provide a toner, which contains: toner base particles each containing a binder resin and a colorant; and an external additive containing inorganic particles and fatty acid metal salt particles, wherein the inorganic particles contain at least hydrophobic silica particles, wherein a liberation ratio Ya of the hydrophobic silica particles from the toner is 1% by mass to 20% by mass, and wherein a libration ratio Yb of the fatty acid metal salt particles from the toner is 30% by mass to 90% by mass.
US08795936B2

An undercoat layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive member contains a polymer having a specific repeating structural unit in order to provide an electrophotographic photosensitive member that suppresses positive ghost, and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus having the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
US08795929B2

A pellicle including a frame having a square shape; and a buffer zone in the frame, the buffer zone dividing a lower surface of the frame into a plurality of portions.
US08795921B2

An alignment system and method for assembling a fuel cell stack. Components of the fuel cell stack have internal alignment features and are aligned to a predetermined orientation during assembly. The system and method allow fuel cell stacks to be assembled within high tolerance levels while improving access to each component during assembly. Additionally, the system and method can provide additional rigidity to a fuel cell stack.
US08795917B2

The present invention provides a fuel cell system that controls a pressure for a fuel gas supplied to a fuel cell so that the anode-cathode differential pressure between an anode and a cathode of a fuel cell is maintained within a predetermined range, in order to provide a desired generation amount while reducing the amount of fuel gas discharged to the exterior of the system even if it is difficult to provide an appropriate fuel gas supply amount for a fuel cell load (the generation requirement on the cell). If the system determines that the amount of fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell is less than an appropriate required gas amount for the load (generation requirement) (step S9: NO), for example, if the concentration of nitrogen in the fuel gas reaches a predetermined value or greater, the open and close state of shut-off valves H3, H3A is switched to increase the pressure for the fuel gas supplied to the fuel cell 20 (step S11).
US08795915B2

Provided is a fuel cell system capable of making a shift of an operation state while optically controlling an output voltage and an output voltage of a fuel cell. When an ECU judges that the time when an operation should be shifted from a low-efficiency operation to a normal operation has come, the ECU performs, as preprocessing prior to a shift to a ΔV control, processing of increasing an oxidant gas supplied to a fuel cell stack by a predetermined amount. After this processing, the ECU detects output power, calculates an output power deviation, and then compares the output power deviation with a set deviation threshold. When the output power deviation exceeds the deviation threshold, the ECU carries out the ΔV control, and then carries out an I-V control. Meanwhile, when the output power deviation does not exceed the deviation threshold, the ECU judges that the time when the ΔV control is carried out has not come yet, and automatically starts the I-V control without carrying out the ΔV control.
US08795902B2

A main object of the present invention is to provide a solid electrolyte material having excellent Li ion conductivity. To attain the object, the present invention provides a solid electrolyte material represented by a general formula: Lix(La1-aM1a)y(Ti1-bM2b)zOδ, wherein “x”, “y”, and “z” satisfy relations of x+y+z=1, 0.850≦x/(x+y+z)≦0.930, and 0.087≦y/(y+z)≦0.115; “a” is 0≦a≦1; “b” is 0≦b≦1; “δ” is 0.8≦δ≦1.2; “M1” is at least one selected from the group consisting of Sr, Na, Nd, Pr, Sm, Gd, Dy, Y, Eu, Tb, and Ba; and “M2” is at least one selected from the group consisting of Mg, W, Mn, Al, Ge, Ru, Nb, Ta, Co, Zr, Hf, Fe, Cr, and Ga.
US08795897B2

Provided is a cathode active material containing a Ni-based lithium mixed transition metal oxide. More specifically, the cathode active material comprises the lithium mixed transition metal oxide having a composition represented by Formula I of LixMyO2 wherein M, x and y are as defined in the specification, which is prepared by a solid-state reaction of Li2CO3 with a mixed transition metal precursor under an oxygen-deficient atmosphere, and has a Li2CO3 content of less than 0.07% by weight of the cathode active material as determined by pH titration. The cathode active material in accordance with the present invention and substantially free of water-soluble bases such as lithium carbonates and lithium sulfates and therefore has excellent high-temperature and storage stabilities and a stable crystal structure. A secondary battery comprising such a cathode active material exhibits a high capacity and excellent characteristics, and can be produced by an environmentally friendly method with low production costs and high production efficiency.
US08795887B2

A method for extracting ions from an active material for use in a battery electrode includes mixing the active material and an activating compound to form a mixture. The mixture is annealed such that an amount of ions is extracted from the active material, an amount of oxygen is liberated from the active material, and an activated active material is formed. Embodiments of the invention include the activated active material, the electrode, and the primary and secondary batteries formed from such activated active materials.
US08795886B2

A secondary battery capable of improving cycle characteristics is provided. An anode includes: an anode active material layer on an anode current collector, the anode active material layer including a plurality of anode active material particles, in which the average particle area of the plurality of anode active material particles observed from a surface of the anode active material layer is within a range of 1 μm2 to 60 μm2 both inclusive.
US08795884B2

In the nonaqueous secondary battery of the present invention, a positive electrode mixture layer included in a positive electrode contains a lithium-containing complex oxide defined by the general formula LixM1yM2zM3vO2 (where, M1 represents at least one transition metal element selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni and Mn, M2 represents at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ti, Zr, Ge, Nb, Al and Sn, M3 represents an element other than Li, M1 and M2, 0.97≦x<1.02, 0.8≦y<1.02, 0.002≦z≦0.05, and 0≦v≦0.05) and has a density of 3.5 g/cm3 or more. A nonaqueous electrolyte contains a fluorinated nitrile compound including two or more cyano groups or a cyano group and an ester group.
US08795882B2

An outside gasket for insulating a cover from an external terminal to be fixed thereto is readily fixed to the cover irrespective of a simple structure. A battery includes: a battery case which contains a power generating element therein and whose top surface is opened; a cover which closes the top surface; at which an external terminal exposed to the outside is disposed at the outer surface of the cover via an outside gasket, the cover having an engagement portion which expands outward and is formed into a shape except a circle, and the outside gasket having a recess to be engaged to the engagement portion.
US08795880B2

A battery (100) includes a terminal fixing portion (40) projecting outwardly from a lid body (14), and an outer cover member (60) covering the terminal fixing portion (40). The terminal fixing portion (40) includes a hole (42) into which an electrode terminal (30) is inserted. The outer cover member (60) includes a cylindrical portion (62) (deformation restricting portion) covering an outer peripheral surface (40b) of the terminal fixing portion (40) and restrict deformation of the outer peripheral surface (40b) of the terminal fixing portion (40), and a pressure application portion (64) that compresses against a top end portion (40a) of the terminal fixing portion (40) and causes the terminal fixing portion (40) to deform.
US08795876B2

A battery module for a vehicle comprises a first portion adapted to be mounted to a vehicle and a second portion mounted to a battery box. A first pair of high voltage electrical connectors is mounted to the first portion and a second pair of high voltage electrical connectors are mounted to the second portion. The first pair of high voltage electrical connectors are configured to mate with the second pair of high voltage electrical connectors. Additionally, a first general electrical connector is mounted to the first portion of the battery box and a second general electrical connector is mounted to the second portion of the battery box. The first general electrical connector is configured to mate with the second general electrical connector.
US08795859B2

A magnetic recording medium includes, in a main surface of a glass substrate on which a magnetic recording layer is formed, a plurality of annular first thermally-conductive regions having a larger thermal conductivity than the glass substrate that are provided concentrically with the glass substrate. The first thermally-conductive regions are each provided so that it extends across a plurality of tracks. The first thermally-conductive region has a radial width larger than a depth, from the main surface, of the first thermally-conductive region.
US08795858B2

An aspect of the present invention relates to a magnetic recording medium comprising a nonmagnetic layer containing a nonmagnetic powder and a binder and a magnetic layer containing a ferromagnetic powder and a binder in this order on a nonmagnetic support, wherein the binder of the magnetic layer is a mixture of a vinyl chloride copolymer, polyurethane resin, and polyisocyanate, the polyurethane resin having a glass transition temperature ranging from 90 to 130° C. and a storage elastic modulus at 80° C. ranging from 2.5 to 5.0 GPa, the nonmagnetic layer is a radiation-cured layer formed by curing with radiation a radiation-curable composition comprising a nonmagnetic powder and a binder component, the binder component comprising a radiation-curable vinyl chloride copolymer and a radiation-curable polyurethane resin, and the radiation-curable vinyl chloride copolymer and radiation-curable polyurethane resin both have glass transition temperatures ranging from 30 to 100° C.
US08795838B2

A composite material for optical use as well as the method for obtaining it. This material includes a substrate made from a thermoplastic copolyester, a layer of polyurethane bonding primer, and a silicone anti-scratch varnish; advantageously, this varnish has hydroxyl groups, aliphatic CH groups, ester groups, and siloxane groups without methyl groups. This material makes it possible to produce optical pieces, in particular sunglasses, particularly solar glasses, as well as eyeshades for helmets or masks.
US08795836B2

The present invention is directed to an electrodepositable coating composition comprising a bismuth salt and a stabilizing agent, and wherein the molar ratio of elemental bismuth to the stabilizing agent is not less than 1:0.25.
US08795833B2

The invention relates to a polyoxymethylene (POM) powder for use in a selective laser sintering process and having the following parameters: Isothermal crystallization time (at 152° C.)>3 min Mnfrom 22 000 to 25 000 g/mol Mwfrom 60 000 to 140 000 g/mol Mw/Mnfrom 3 to 5 MVRfrom 15 to 70 [cm3/10 min] d50 average particle size60 μm Particle sizefrom 30 to 130 μm. A process for producing the powder, and also moldings produced from this powder by a selective laser sintering process, are also described.
US08795832B2

According to some embodiments, a cable protection system to at least partially shield a cable from heat, fire, an impact or other potentially harmful event or occurrence comprises a first encompassing member configured for placement around the cable or cable bundle, wherein a first void is defined between the first encompassing member and an outside of the cable or cable bundle. The system additionally includes a second encompassing member positioned around the first encompassing member, wherein a second void is defined between the first encompassing member and the second encompassing member. Further, the system comprises one or more fill materials positioned within the second void. In some embodiments, the fill material comprises vermiculite, ceramic and/or one or more other materials. The first void permits the cable protection system to be slidably moved relative to the cable or cable bundle.
US08795829B2

A composition containing polymeric particles. The polymeric particles have an average particle diameter from 30 to 300 nm and a Vicker's scale hardness from 100 to 700 Kgf/mm2. The composition also contains a film-forming polymer having Tg no greater than 80° C. The refractive index difference between the polymeric particles and the film-forming polymer is at least 0.04.
US08795828B2

Composite wear parts including encapsulated preformed ceramic shapes are disclosed. Preformed ceramic shapes are embedded in a metal alloy to protect the base metal from abrasion. The preformed ceramic shapes may have a uniform, preformed geometry that provides for packing the preformed ceramic shapes together in a uniform way. The preformed ceramic shapes may be positioned at a location in the composite wear part exposed to an abrasion without using a binding agent. The preformed ceramic shapes may also be contained in a porous container. A truss structure may be integrated in the preformed ceramic shapes to compartmentalize the preformed ceramic shapes into multiple isolated sub regions to stiffen the composite wear parts.
US08795816B2

Coextruded films provide cross directional zoned multiple components side-by-side to one another. Systems and methods relate to coextruding such films. During coextrusion, a first polymer conjoins with a second polymer while a temperature differential is maintained between the first and second polymers. This temperature differential is selected to reduce a difference between the viscosities of the first and second polymers making the viscosity of the first polymer close enough to the viscosity of the second polymer to avoid separation upon coextrusion. Further, the films may form a layer in subsequent lamination to other material layers.
US08795814B2

A panel has an upper side facing the room in the use position and a lower side facing the floor. The lower side is coated, at least in sections, with a bonding layer composed of polymer. The bonding layer has an uneven surface on the outer side facing away from the panel, and has been coated at least in sections with a damping layer composed of polymer. A covering composed of panels, a process and an apparatus for producing the panels are also described.
US08795810B2

A laminate of thermoplastic film materials exhibiting throughgoing porosity and comprising plies A and B, A having an inner surface A1 partly in contact with B and an outer surface A2, and B having an inner surface BI partly in contact with A and an outer surface B2, A and B consisting of continuous material except for a multitude of perforations in each ply, whereby essentially no perforation in A corresponds directly to a perforation in B, the lamination between A and B on surfaces A1 and B1 being a) through a coextruded lower melting lamination layer on A and/or B and b) established in such discontinuous manner that there is formed a channel system between A1 and B1 connecting the majority of the perforations in A each with at least one of the perforations in B, and connecting the majority of the perforations in B each with at least one of the perforations in A is provided in addition to a process and apparatus for producing such a laminate.
US08795808B2

A reinforcing drywall tape and a method of making the same, the tape having a greige combined with a laid scrim constructed in situ on the greige and bonded to the greige by a resin coating, and a pressure sensitive adhesive fully covering an inward facing surface of the greige wherein the greige is adapted for adherence to drywall sections.
US08795798B2

A method for producing a recording medium, including a step of coating one or more ink receiving layers provided on at least one surface of a substrate with an outermost layer coating liquid to form an outermost layer, where an ink receiving layer of the one or more ink receiving layers, which is nearest to the outermost layer contains alumina hydrate and a binder. The outermost layer coating liquid contains monodispersive and spherical cationic colloidal silica particles having an average particle size of 30 nm or more and 60 nm or less, polyvinyl alcohol having a saponification degree of 75% by mol or more and 85% by mol or less and a viscosity-average polymerization degree of 1,500 or more and 2,200 or less, and cationic polyurethane emulsion particles having an average particle size of 10 nm or more and 100 nm or less.
US08795795B2

The invention is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large positive dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a large elastic coefficient, a high stability to ultraviolet light and heat, or that is suitably balanced between at least two of the characteristics. As the liquid crystal display device containing the compositions is to provide an AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth, thus it can be used for the liquid crystal projector, liquid crystal television and so forth.
US08795793B2

Embodiments of a gas distribution plate for distributing gas in a processing chamber are provided. In one embodiment, a gas distribution plate includes a diffuser plate having an upstream side and a downstream side, and a plurality of gas passages passing between the upstream and downstream sides of the diffuser plate. At least one of the gas passages has a right cylindrical shape for a portion of its length extending from the upstream side and a coaxial conical shape for the remainder length of the diffuser plate, the upstream end of the conical portion having substantially the same diameter as the right cylindrical portion and the downstream end of the conical portion having a larger diameter. The gas distribution plate is relatively easy to manufacture and provides good chamber cleaning rate, good thin film deposition uniformity and good thin film deposition rate. The gas distribution plate also has the advantage of reduced chamber cleaning residues on the diffuser surface and reduced incorporation of the cleaning residues in the thin film being deposited.
US08795790B2

[Problem] An object is to provide a magnetic recording medium with improved HDI characteristics, such as impact resistance, and its manufacturing method.[Solution] A typical structure of a magnetic recording medium 100 according to the present invention includes, on a base, at least a magnetic recording layer 122, a protective layer 126, and a lubricating layer 128, wherein the magnetic recording layer 122 includes, in an in-plane direction, a magnetic recording part 136 configured of a magnetic material and a non-recording part 134 magnetically separating the magnetic recording part 136, and a surface corresponding to the non-recording part 134 protuberates more than a surface corresponding to the magnetic recording part 136.
US08795784B2

Aqueous oil-in-water emulsion comprising from 1 to 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the emulsion, of functional alkoxysilanes and/or condensed oligomers thereof and/or organoalkoxysiloxanes, at least one emulsifier and water, wherein the emulsion has a pH of from 5 to 9 and preferably a mean droplet size of the disperse phase of ≦0.5 μm, and the width of the droplet size distribution, expressed as the span (Formula I), is from 0.6 to 1.2. The preparation of the emulsions having the desired droplet size distribution is carried out in apparatuses having at least one pressure stage at a pressure of from 2 to 15 MPa. The emulsion can be used for hydrophobicizing porous mineral building materials.
US08795779B2

A system and method is shown for coating an article, including a chamber that can be at least partially open to surrounding air to allow free flow of air through the chamber and recovery of vapor produced during a coating operation within the chamber. The chamber can include a support surface that is adapted to support the article during a coating process, and a coating device within the chamber can be adapted to selectively apply a coating of a fluorocarbon in a fluorinated solvent to at least a portion of an article supported on the support surface.
US08795777B2

A liner plate structure, system and method is provided for lining of mine shaft bores, tunnels and the like. The liner plate structure includes a primary plate portion and at least one flange disposed at a side edge of the primary plate portion. A polymer seal element extends along a recess within an exterior surface of the flange.
US08795767B2

Luminescent materials and the use of such materials in anti-counterfeiting, inventory, photovoltaic, and other applications are described herein. In one embodiment, a method of forming a luminescent material includes: (1) providing a source of A and X, wherein A is selected from at least one of elements of Group 1, and X is selected from at least one of elements of Group 17; (2) providing a source of B, wherein B is selected from at least one of elements of Group 14; (3) subjecting the source of A and X and the source of B to vacuum deposition to form a set of films adjacent to a substrate; and (4) heating the set of films to a temperature in the range of 120° C. to 350° C. to form a luminescent material adjacent to the substrate, wherein the luminescent material includes A, B, and X.
US08795763B2

A track shield structure is disclosed that enables higher track density to be achieved in a patterned track medium without increasing adjacent track erasure and side reading. This is accomplished by placing a soft magnetic shielding structure in the space that is present between the tracks in the patterned medium. A process for manufacturing the added shielding structure is also described.
US08795759B2

A confectionery composition comprises cocoa-based material, fat, glucose and sucrose. The composition comprises glucose in an amount of between 10% and 85% by weight based on the weight of the composition, has a weight ratio of glucose to sucrose of at least 0.5, preferably between 1.2 and 3.5, and has a weight ratio of glucose to fat of at least 0.5, preferably between 0.9 and 4. The composition has a density of less than 0.2 g/cm3, preferably between 0.03 and 0.15 g/cm3.
US08795751B2

An apparatus and method for the manufacture of a chocolate piece or tablet having a core or cavity passing through the thickness of the piece or tablet which comprises a mold (10) comprising a surrounding wall (11) and base (12), a central aperture having a predetermined cross-sectional shape passing through the base, and a former (14) having a cross-sectional shape conforming to that of the central aperture adapted to reciprocate through the central aperture between a retracted position where its upper surface is level with the base (12) of the mold to an advanced position where its upper surface lies at any level from above the base of the mold to the top of the mold.
US08795746B2

A therapeutic formulation containing mucin glycans derived from one or a number of nutritionally appropriate sources is described.
US08795745B2

A thermoplastic or elastomeric composition, is characterized in that: a) it exhibits a degree of biodegradability of less than 50%, preferably less than 30%, and b) it contains at least 0.5% and at most 99.95% by weight of an ester of a starchy material, which has a degree of ester substitution (DS) of between 1.6 and 3, and at least 0.05% by weight and at most 99.5% by weight of a polymer other than starch.
US08795743B2

Natural lycopene concentrate obtained from a plant structure after alkalinization, solid-liquid separation, acidification and a second solid-liquid separation. The concentrate obtained is highly bioavailable and water-soluble at room temperature.
US08795736B2

The present disclosure is directed toward a composition and method of treating and preventing infection of pathogenic microorganisms and endopyhtic microorganisms in a plant through the use of phosphite compositions.
US08795727B2

Fragmented polysaccharide based hydrogel compositions and methods of making and using the same are provided. The subject polysaccharide based hydrogel compositions are prepared by combining a polysaccharide component with a hydrophilic polymer and a cross-linking agent. Also provided are kits and systems for use in preparing the subject compositions.
US08795723B2

The invention relates to a sustained release formulation for delivering one or more pharmaceutically active agents. The formulation comprises cross-linked high amylose starch and at least one pharmaceutically active agent, and optionally can be subdivided into smaller dosage forms where the smaller dosage forms have substantially the same sustained release properties as the formulation from which they were derived. The formulations can provide sustained release for up to at least 24 hours, and because of their divisability permits a recipient of the active agent or the person administering the active agent to titrate the dosage of the agent.
US08795716B2

Disclosed is a sanitary napkin for wearing adjacent the pudendal region, the sanitary napkin having a skin care composition applied thereon, wherein the sanitary napkin has a caliper less than about 5.0 mm. The skin care composition can have from about 0.001% to about 0.1% by weight of hexamidine, from about 0.001% to about 10% by weight of zinc oxide, from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of niacinamide, and a carrier.
US08795704B2

According to an aspect of the present invention, medical devices are provided which include a metallic substrate and a polymeric region disposed over and in contact with the metallic substrate. The polymeric region includes (a) a fluorine-containing polymer that contains at least one type of fluorine-containing monomer selected from a vinylidene fluoride monomer, a hexafluoropropylene monomer, and a combination thereof, and (b) an adhesion promoting copolymer that contains (i) at least one type of first monomer that covalently or non-covalently bonds with the metallic substrate and (ii) at least one type of second monomer selected from acrylate monomers, methacrylate monomers, fluorine-containing monomers, and combinations thereof.
US08795702B2

This invention relates to methods for producing a composite bone graft material that can regenerate bony defects in the body. The invention further relates to methods that allow for the production of bioactive glass particles used in the composite that have been surface treated to allow for the production of a highly porous composite that can hold significant amounts of body fluid or other molecules that will aid in the regenerative process. The method of surface treatment allows for the manufacture of a suitable implantable composite while retaining the unique osteostimulative properties that are associated with bioactive glass particles.
US08795690B2

The invention relates to a composition comprising at least two protective proteins against Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae) or functionally active variant thereof; a protective peptide against S. agalactiae; one or more nucleic acid(s) encoding the at least two proteins and/or the protective peptide; a method of producing the composition; a pharmaceutical composition, especially a vaccine, comprising the composition and/or at least one protective peptide; methods for producing antibodies; a mixture of antibodies against the at least two proteins of the composition; the use of the composition and/or at least one protective peptide and/or one or more nucleic acid(s) for the manufacture of a medicament for the immunization or treatment of a subject; methods of diagnosing a S. agalactiae infection; a method for identifying a ligand capable of binding the composition and/or at least one protective peptide; and the use of the composition and/or at least one protective peptide for the isolation and/or purification and/or identification of an interaction partner of the composition and/or peptide.
US08795688B2

The invention relates to live attenuated VDV2 (VERO-Derived Vaccine Dengue serotype 2) strains which have been derived from the wild-type dengue-2 strain 16681 by passaging on PDK and Vero cells and nucleic acids thereof. The invention further relates to a vaccine composition which comprises a VDV2 strain.
US08795685B2

Described is the use of a mutation of at least one amino acid in the immunosuppressive domain of a HIV or SIV accessory protein, for modulating the immunosuppressive property of the protein.
US08795684B2

The invention relates to an agent for treating cervical dysplasias, comprising a recombinant, genetically modified E1-deleted adenovirus replication defective in non-HPV infected cells, which is suitable for local external application in the region of the portio and the cervix uteri.
US08795680B2

Methods for preparing an oligosaccharide-protein carrier immunogenic conjugate or a polysaccharide-protein carrier immunogenic conjugate. The methods include obtaining an oligosaccharide or polysaccharide having a KDO moiety located at the terminal reducing end of the oligosaccharide or polysaccharide that includes a carbonyl functional group; and reacting the carbonyl functional group of the KDO moiety with an aminooxylated protein carrier molecule resulting in a conjugate that includes a covalent oxime bond between the oligosaccharide and the protein carrier or the polysaccharide and the protein carrier.
US08795679B2

The invention provides the use of extracts from algae for cosmetic and/or medical treatment of skin, including improving and enhancing the skin-barrier, anti-aging treatment and photo-protective treatment. The invention is based on the finding that extracts from algae obtainable from saline hot water sources exhibit a multi-faceted biological effect useful in the cosmetic and/or therapeutic treatment of skin for the above purposes. Specifically, it has been shown that such algae extracts induce markers (involucrin, filaggrin and transglutaminase-1) for skin barrier formation in keratinocytes, induce collagen expression in dermal fibroblasts and inhibit UVA-induced up-regulation of photo-aging markers (matrix metalloproteinase MMP-1 and cytokine IL-6).
US08795671B2

The present application relates to an immunoglobulin preparation comprising anti-hepatitis B antibodies for subcutaneous administration and to uses thereof, including methods for treating, preventing and/or reducing a disease, disorder or condition associated with hepatitis B virus.
US08795670B2

A liquid aqueous pharmaceutical formulation is described which has a high protein concentration, a pH of between about 4 and about 8, and enhanced stability.
US08795669B2

The present invention provides pharmaceutical formulations comprising a human antibody that specifically binds to human proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9). The formulations may contain, in addition to an anti-PCSK9 antibody, at least one amino acid, at least one sugar, or at least one non-ionic surfactant. The pharmaceutical formulations of the present invention exhibit a substantial degree of antibody stability after storage for several months.
US08795662B2

Described herein are compositions and methods of use of anti-pancreatic cancer antibodies or fragments thereof, such as murine, chimeric, humanized or human PAM4 antibodies. The antibodies show novel and useful diagnostic characteristics, such as binding with high specificity to pancreatic and other cancers, but not to normal or benign pancreatic tissues and binding to a high percentage of early stage pancreatic cancers. Preferably, the antibodies bind to pancreatic cancer mucins such as MUC1 or MUC5ac and are of use for the detection and diagnosis of early stage pancreatic cancer. In more preferred embodiments, the anti-pancreatic cancer antibodies can be used for immunoassay of serum samples, wherein the immunoassay detects a marker for early stage pancreatic cancer in serum. Most preferably, the serum is extracted with an organic phase, such as butanol, before immunoassay. Alternatively, immunoassay with PAM4 and anti-CA19.9 antibodies may be utilized to improve sensitivity for pancreatic cancer.
US08795659B2

The present disclosure relates to salts and compositions of isophosphoramide mustard and isophosphoramide mustard analogs. In one embodiment the salts can be represented by the formula I: (I) wherein A+ represents an ammonium species selected from the protonated (conjugate acid) or quaternary forms of aliphatic amines and aromatic amines, including basic amino acids, heterocyclic amines, substituted and unsubstituted pyridines, guanidines and amidines; and X and Y independently represent leaving groups. Also disclosed herein are methods for making such compounds and formulating pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Methods for administering the disclosed compounds to subjects, particularly to treat hyperproliferative disorders, also are disclosed.
US08795655B2

The present invention provides a therapeutic agent for a lower urinary tract disease such as cystitis, interstitial cystitis, prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia etc., which are considered as refractory disease, and an agent for improving a lower urinary tract symptom associated with the lower urinary tract disease.
US08795650B2

A method to generate unlimited numbers of macrophage/dendritic cells or neutrophils from mice, using conditional Hox oncoproteins is disclosed. The invention further includes the establishment of a system to investigate immune responses to microorganisms or diseases involving chronic inflammation.
US08795646B2

The present application relates generally to oral pharmaceutical formulations for the treatment of human canities.
US08795645B2

The present invention is drawn to a composition and method for lifting color and/or imparting shine onto keratinous substrates, the composition containing: (a) at least one fatty quaternary amine compound; (b) at least one nonionic surfactant; (c) at least one anionic silicone; and (d) at least one oxidizing agent. The compositions of the present invention may optionally contain at least one thickening agent, at least one alkaline agent, at least one fatty substance other than a fatty acid, and at least one salt.
US08795641B2

An aluminum salt composition comprising an aluminum chlorohydrate having an aluminum to chloride molar ratio of about 0.3:1 to about 3:1, exhibiting a SEC chromatogram having a SEC Peak 4 to Peak 3 intensity ratio of at least 17, a SEC Peak 3 area of less than 5% of a total area of Peaks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 in the SEC chromatogram, and a Peak 4 intensity greater than a Peak 5 intensity in aqueous solution.
US08795638B1

This invention pertains to dental care compositions with antimicrobial benefits. In particular, the invention provides for compositions of oral tissue-adherent salts that release biocidal ions on a controlled release basis and thereby provide and maintain an essentially uniform concentration of biocidal ions above the MBC or MIC of the target bacteria at the site of application in the mouth for an extended period of time. The compositions are useful for treating or preventing oral diseases resulting from bacteria, fungal or yeast infections, such as caries, gingivitis, periodontal disease and candidiasis.
US08795635B2

The present invention relates to stable substantially non-aqueous, non-alcoholic, non-silicone, foamable carrier compositions comprising petrolatum or mixtures thereof, at least one foam agent, at least one propellant, and with and without the addition of an active agent. The formulations may contain a solvent substantially miscible therein. The present invention further provides a method of treating, alleviating or preventing a disorder of mammalian subject in need thereof, comprising administering the above-mentioned compositions to an afflicted target site of said mammalian subject.
US08795628B2

Methods of imaging a living host using Raman nanoparticles; methods of generating a true image of a living host having been administered Raman nanoparticles; methods of multiplex imaging of a living host using a plurality of Raman nanoparticles; methods of generating multimodality images by combining Raman images with other functional/anatomical images; labeled Raman nanoparticles; and the like, are provided.
US08795626B2

A chabazite-type zeolite having copper and an alkali earth metal supported thereon. The alkali earth metal is preferably at least one metal selected from the group consisting of calcium, magnesium and barium. Moreover, the SiO2/Al2O3 molar ratio is preferably from 10 to 50, and the copper/aluminum atomic ratio is preferably from 0.15 to 0.25. This type of chabazite-type zeolite exhibits a higher nitrogen oxide purification rate after a hydrothermal durability treatment than those of conventional chabazite-type zeolite catalysts on which only copper is supported.
US08795620B2

An embodiment of a method for recovering nitric acid from acid pickling solution includes introducing a treating material comprising at least one chemical into a pickling solution comprising free nitric acid. The treating material reacts with at least a portion of the free nitric acid in the pickling solution and produces NOx. A gas stream comprising at least a portion of the NOx is contacted with ozone, thereby forming oxidation products including nitrogen sesquioxide and nitrogen pentoxide. At least a portion of the nitrogen sesquioxide and nitrogen pentoxide is contacted with water, thereby forming nitric acid, and at least a portion of the nitric acid is collected.
US08795613B2

The aluminum content of neopentasilane is reduced by treatment with organic compounds D which contain N, O, and/or S atoms and which have free electron pairs on these atoms.
US08795609B2

Embodiments of the invention relate to a clinical instrument analyzer system for the automatic analysis of patient samples. In one embodiment, the analyzer may be used to analyze bodily fluid samples, such as blood, plasma, serum, urine or cerebrospinal fluid, for example. Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus and method, for example, an immunoassay method, for separating out target molecules in a magnetic field and then analyzing those target molecules with a luminometer.
US08795605B2

Non-limiting exemplary embodiment(s) of apparatus(es) and method(s) are described for the conveyance of fluid media and entrained materials between two or more locations, each possessing a different cross-sectional area. Equidistant pathways incorporated into uniquely designed conduits enable this transference to occur with minimal band spreading and separation resolution loss due to undesirable flow patterns that arise from end effects. The design enables the conduits to be employed with locations of almost any description including process channels, surfaces, or even open volume of any size and used for almost any purpose. The conduits and/or associated locations may be empty of any contents or filled with gelatinous, porous, granular, or particulated material. The design of non-limiting exemplary embodiment(s) of apparatus(es) and method(s) may be easily adapted or configured as necessary.
US08795601B2

Filter media for an active field polarized media air cleaner includes two layers of dielectric material with a higher resistance air permeable screen sandwiched between the lower resistivity electric layers. The filter media may further include a mixed fiber filter layer having fibers from different sides of the triboelectric scale. The filter media may further include a layer of relatively higher density dielectric material followed by a layer of relatively lower density dielectric material.
US08795600B2

A UV Disinfection System is provided comprising a wastewater treatment device in combination with a UV treatment device. Multiple embodiments provide that the UV treatment device is contained substantially within the wastewater treatment device. Embodiments include those wherein the UV treatment device is substantially vertically oriented and extends downward from an outlet shared by the wastewater treatment device and the UV treatment device, thereby requiring all flow exiting the wastewater treatment device to pass through the UV treatment device.
US08795598B2

An exhaust treatment device comprises a housing defining an inlet opening and an outlet opening, a first catalyst brick and a second catalyst brick each having an inlet end and an outlet end, a first insulating support cover, and a second insulating support cover. The first catalyst brick is disposed within a first segment of the housing, and the second catalyst brick is disposed within a second segment of the housing. The first segment has an inner periphery that is not equal to an inner periphery of the second segment. The first and second catalyst bricks each have nonuniform dimensions with respect to one another. The first and second segments of the housing are independently dimensioned in proportion to the first and second catalyst bricks respectively. The first insulating support cover is disposed within the first segment of the housing in a first annular space between an inner surface of the housing and an exterior surface of the first catalyst brick. The second insulating support cover is disposed within the second segment of the housing in a second annular space between the inner surface of the housing and an exterior surface of the second catalyst brick. The first and second insulating support covers are independently dimensioned in proportion to the first and second catalyst bricks respectively.
US08795592B2

A sample processing apparatus includes a sample carrier receiving region configured to receive sample carrier carrying one or more samples for processing by the sample processing apparatus, and a thermal control system that controls a thermal cycling of the one or more samples for processing by the sample processing apparatus by selectively varying a pressure over a fluid in substantial thermal communication with the sample carrier, thereby varying a boiling point temperature of the fluid.
US08795588B2

A contaminant removal system is disclosed for selectively removing contaminants from a fluid stream. The contaminant removal system has a catalytic reactor of the type that is susceptible to deactivating agents, and is configured to remove contaminants from a fluid stream. The contaminant removal system has a first adsorbent device positioned upstream, with respect to the fluid stream direction, of the catalytic reactor, that is configured to chemically bind with and remove the deactivating agents from the fluid stream. The contaminant removal system can have a second adsorbent device positioned downstream, with respect to the fluid stream direction, of the catalytic reactor. The second adsorbent device is configured to remove undesirable byproducts that may be generated when the catalytic reactor removes contaminants from the fluid stream.
US08795584B2

A small diameter, elongated steel article, comprising fully consolidated, prealloyed metal powder is disclosed. The consolidated metal powder has a microstructure that has a substantially uniform distribution of fine grains having a grain size of not larger than about 9 when determined in accordance with ASTM Standard Specification E 112. The microstructure of the consolidated metal powder is further characterized by having a plurality of substantially spheroidal carbides uniformly distributed throughout the consolidated metal powder that are not greater than about 6 microns in major dimension and a plurality of sulfides uniformly distributed throughout the consolidated metal powder wherein the sulfides are not greater than about 2 microns in major dimension. A process for making the elongated steel article is also disclosed.
US08795582B2

The invention relates to a device for distributing a material in a molten state, said device comprising a swinging chute (16) supported so as to be capable of swinging about a substantially horizontal swinging axis (25), and a driving group (40). The latter comprises gear motor group (42), a drum winch (44) driven by the gear motor group (42), and at least one cable segment (50, 50′) that can be both wound on or unwound from said drum. One end of the cable segment (46, 50, 50′) is attached to the swinging chute (16) at a distance L from the swinging axis (25) thereof so as to apply a swinging momentum to said swinging chute (16).
US08795581B2

Fused silica ceramics plays demanding role in high velocity missile/aircraft'radome development. Slip casting is the most common and commercially viable process utilized for radome production. Unfortunately slip casting cannot afford high density due to its poor green packing density which in turn results in poor rain erosion resistance. Present invention discloses process for preparing high density fused silica bodies by adding boron oxide (B2O3) with the commercially available high purity fused silica as sintering aid cum de-vitrification inhibitor. Various concentrations of B2O3 were added to high purity fused silica. Thus formed compositions were made into slip-castable slurries in aqueous medium without any addition of dispersing agents. The reheological properties like mild shear thinning and low thixotropic behaviour of the slurries were established. These slurries were then slip-casted in plaster of parries mold. The green and sintered properties of the casted samples were studied. The sintered sample with density higher than 2 g/cc (90-95% of the theoretical density) was achieved without de-vitrification. XRD studies on sintered samples showed the amorphous nature of the sample. The improved properties of fused silica system can favor its utilization in radome applications.
US08795578B2

A method and apparatus for forming a fiber reinforced composite structure comprising at least two components, a hard base tool presenting a first tool face, a second tooling element presenting a second tool face to locate the second component against the first component. Components are of a dry fibrous form and are to be injected with a liquid resin. A flexible bagging blanket forms with the tools a sealed enclosure into which the resin is injected to form the structure by resin transfer infusion. To maintain the relative dispositions of the components without the need for elaborate mandrel plates, control rods are inserted at least partially through the two components to act as fasteners and to maintain the relative disposition of the components during resin injection. After injection the assembly is cured and the control rods may remain in situ or be removed from the structure.
US08795572B2

A stamping structure for imprinting micro-sized features is provided. The stamping structure includes one or more optical flats. A flexure arrangement includes a plurality of beam flexures arranged in a symmetric configuration around the one or more optical flats so as to minimize the error yaw motion (θz) from thermal fluctuations associated with fixturing the one or more optical flats.
US08795571B2

Methods and devices control a de-curling apparatus. A roll of material is fed through a nip formed between a first roller having a concave shape and a second roller contacting the first roller. The second roller has a convex shape mirroring the concave shape. The methods and devices automatically and continually adjust the amount of pressure applied at the nip between the first roller and the second roller as the material is unrolled from the roll into the nip.
US08795569B2

A gearwheel (1) is provided with an external part (2), an insert (3), and a connecting part (4) for creating a form-fitting connection between the external part (2) and the insert (3), wherein the connecting part (4) is made from a material molded between the external part (2) and the insert (3). A method for manufacturing a gearwheel (1) is provided, in which an external part (2) and an insert (3) are form-fittingly connected to a connecting part (4), wherein the minimum of one such connecting part (4) is molded between the external part (2) and the insert (3).
US08795562B2

The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for pelletizing polymer melts comprising blowing agent in a pelletizing chamber through which a liquid flows, its pressure being above the ambient pressure. In a first step, the polymer melt is injected into the pelletizing chamber, in a second step the polymer melt is cut via a cutting apparatus into individual pellets and, in a third step, the pellets produced in the pelletizing process are discharged with the liquid from the pelletizing chamber and are then isolated from the liquid. This process also comprises at least one of the following steps: (a) comminution of agglomerates or of pellets which exceed a prescribed maximum size, in a comminuting machine downstream of the pelletizing chamber or in a comminuting unit downstream of the cutting apparatus, (b) depressurization of the liquid in a depressurizing machine, (c) depressurization of the liquid in a throttle apparatus, where there is, upstream of the throttle apparatus, a pressure-equalizing container, (d) isolation of the pellets from the liquid, without any prior depressurization of the liquid with the pellets which it comprises.
US08795558B2

This invention discloses methods for generating one or both of an ophthalmic lens precursor with at least a portion of one surface free-formed from a Reactive Mixture. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens precursor is formed on a substrate with an arcuate optical quality surface via a source of actinic radiation controllable to cure a definable portion of a volume of Reactive Mixture.
US08795554B2

Disclosed is a sputtering target for an oxide semiconductor, comprising In, Ga, and Zn. Also disclosed are a process for producing the sputtering target, a thin film of an oxide semiconductor using a sputtering target, and a method for thin-film transistor formation. The sputtering target comprises an oxide sintered compact containing a compound having a homologous crystal structure represented by InGaO3(ZnO) and exhibits such an X-ray diffraction pattern that the proportion of peaks at 2θ=62 to 63 degrees to the maximum peak of InGaO3(ZnO) is not more than 3%.
US08795544B2

One object is to provide a power storage device including an electrolyte using a room-temperature ionic liquid which includes a univalent anion and a cyclic quaternary ammonium cation having excellent reduction resistance. Another object is to provide a high-performance power storage device. A room-temperature ionic liquid which includes a cyclic quaternary ammonium cation represented by a general formula (G1) below is used for an electrolyte of a power storage device. In the general formula (G1), one or two of R1 to R5 are any of an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a methoxy group, a methoxymethyl group, and a methoxyethyl group. The other three or four of R1 to R5 are hydrogen atoms. A− is a univalent imide anion, a univalent methide anion, a perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid anion, tetrafluoroborate (BF4−), or hexafluorophosphate (PF6−).
US08795539B2

A method of forming patterns includes forming a layer composed of a ketene based random copolymer on a substrate, forming a block copolymer on the ketene based random copolymer layer and patterning the ketene based random copolymer layer by removing a part of the block copolymer and a portion of the ketene based random copolymer layer.
US08795538B2

A method according to one embodiment includes depositing a dielectric hard mask layer above a polymer mask under-layer; forming a photoresist mask above the hard mask layer; transferring the image of the photoresist mask onto the hard mask layer using reactive ion etching, thereby defining a hard mask; determining that a critical dimension bias of the hard mask is within or outside a specification; and changing a level of an input source power used during a subsequent reactive ion etching step to move the critical dimension bias towards a target critical dimension bias when the critical dimension bias of the hard mask is outside the specification. Additional embodiments are also disclosed.
US08795525B2

Systems and methods for the storage of potential energy that may be readily converted to electrical power delivered to a customer or grid distribution are disclosed. This method may involve the use of salinity gradients, or as they may be also described, osmotic pressure gradients or differences between two solutions, to produce hydraulic pressure in a concentrated solution, allowing for the generation of power.
US08795523B2

An embodiment of the invention relates to a device for detecting an analyte in a sample. The device comprises a fluidic network and an integrated circuitry component. The fluidic network comprises a sample zone, a cleaning zone and a detection zone. The fluidic network contains a magnetic particle and/or a signal particle. A sample containing an analyte is introduced, and the analyte interacts with the magnetic particle and/or the signal particle through affinity agents. A microcoil array or a mechanically movable permanent magnet is functionally coupled to the fluidic network, which are activatable to generate a magnetic field within a portion of the fluidic network, and move the magnetic particle from the sample zone to the detection zone. A detection element is present which detects optical or electrical signals from the signal particle, thus indicating the presence of the analyte.
US08795522B2

An improved oil filter, for use with an internal combustion engine, comprises a hollow filter housing defining a chamber therein and having an inlet and an outlet with a flow path therebetween; a mechanically active filter member disposed inside the filter housing in the flow path; and a chemically active filter member disposed inside the filter housing in the flow path. The chemically active filter member comprises a plurality of composite oil additive pellets. The plurality of pellets is interconnected to form a substantially integral permeable member, and the substantially integral permeable member is impregnated with an alkaline composition. The alkaline composition is provided to counteract acidic combustion products in lubricating oil in an internal combustion engine.
US08795520B2

An oil spill recovery vessel (10) is provided that comprises a catamaran bow section (12) with twin hulls between which an oil skimmer unit (11) is arranged for displacement between a lowered, operating, position in oil-polluted water and a raised, non-operational, position clear of the water. Aft of the catamaran bow section (12) is a trimaran main section (13) made up of a central hull interposed between two outer hulls formed by aft continuations of the twin hulls of the catamaran bow section (12); the three hulls of the trimaran main section have conjoined upper portions. A propulsion unit (53) is operative to move the vessel (10) forward at slow speed for skimming operations, and, with the skimmer unit (11) in its raised position, at a fast speed in which the vessel planes on its trimaran main section (13).
US08795514B2

The present invention relates to a regenerated hydrotreatment catalyst regenerated from a hydrotreatment catalyst for treating a petroleum fraction, the hydrotreatment catalyst being prepared by supporting molybdenum and at least one species selected from metals of Groups 8 to 10 of the Periodic Table on an inorganic carrier containing an aluminum oxide, wherein a residual carbon content is in the range of 0.15 mass % to 3.0 mass %, a peak intensity of a molybdenum composite metal oxide with respect to an intensity of a base peak is in the range of 0.60 to 1.10 in an X-Ray diffraction spectrum, and a peak intensity of a Mo—S bond derived from a residual sulfur peak with respect to an intensity of a base peak is in the range of 0.10 to 0.60 in a radial distribution curve obtained from an extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectrum of an X-ray absorption fine structure analysis.
US08795510B2

An automated self-propelled robotic pool cleaner having a housing and drive means for moving the pool cleaner over at least the bottom wall of a pool, is provided with an integral on-board electrochemical chlorine generator for producing chlorine from a chlorine compound, e.g., sodium chloride, that is dissolved in the pool water, a source of electrical power operatively connected to the electrochemical chlorine generator, control means for initiating and terminating the operation of the chlorine generator, and an outlet for discharging water containing chlorine ions produced by the electrochemical generator to thereby distribute the chlorine into the water proximate the exterior of the pool cleaner housing as the pool cleaner follows a programmed operational mode across the bottom and/or side walls of the pool. The operation of the chlorine generator is in response to a manually operated switch and/or signals generated by an automated testing probe, which signals are transmitted directly or indirectly to the control means.
US08795506B2

Electrowinning methods and apparatus are suitable for producing elemental deposits of high quality, purity, and volume. Respective cathodes are used during electrowinning for bearing the elemental product, segregating impurities, dissolving morphologically undesirable material, and augmenting productivity. Silicon suitable for use in photovoltaic devices may be electrodeposited in solid form from silicon dioxide dissolved in a molten salt.
US08795497B2

Disclosed herein is a cell sorter including a measuring electrode, working electrode, detection electrode, and output section. The measuring electrode forms a measuring electric field in a flow path to measure a complex dielectric constant of each cells flowing through the flow path. The working electrode forms, in the flow path, a working electric field to sort the cells by imparting a dielectrophoretic force to the cells and using the flow path. The detection electrode detects the presence of the cell in the fluid flowing through the flow path. The output section acquires a sorting signal based on information about the measured complex dielectric constant and a detection signal indicating the detection of the cell by the detection electrode. The output section outputs a working signal adapted to form the working electric field to the working electrode when the detection signal is acquired if the sorting signal is acquired.
US08795496B2

A method for manufacturing a one-dimensional nano-structure-based device comprises the steps of: preparing a solution (14) containing one-dimensional nano-structures (18); providing a pair of electrical conductors (10, 12) each having a tip (101, 121), the tips thereof being spaced apart from and opposite to each other; applying the solution to the tips of the electrical conductors thereby the tips being interconnected by the solution; applying a voltage (16) between the two conductors thereby at least one one-dimensional nano-structure being interconnected between the tips of the electrical conductors; and applying an external energy to at least one of the conductors and the one-dimensional nano-structure so as to disconnect the conductors from each other thereby obtaining at least one conductor having the tip with the one-dimensional nano-structure connected therewith.
US08795494B2

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for carrier-free deflection electrophoresis, in which a separating media and a sample to be examined flow through a separating chamber between a pair of electrodes in a series of reversing bulk fluid flow along the direction of the electrodes, thereby separating the sample into zones which are to be collected into fractions for analysis or further processing. Among other things, the apparatus and method enable high-resolution separation of particles that can be performed in miniaturized chambers in electrophoresis modes including isoelectric focusing, zone electrophoresis, and isotachophoresis.
US08795492B2

A gas sensor element includes a solid electrolyte body having oxygen ion conductivity, a pair of measurement and reference electrodes respectively provided on an opposite pair of first and second surfaces of the solid electrolyte body, a porous diffusion-resistant layer through which a measurement gas is introduced to the measurement electrode, and a protective layer. The protective layer is provided to cover, at least, an outer surface of the porous diffusion-resistant layer through which the measurement gas flows into the diffusion-resistant layer. The protective layer is hydrophilic at room temperature and water-repellent at high temperatures at which the solid electrolyte body can be activated.
US08795488B2

In some embodiments, a feed structure to couple RF energy to a target may include a body having a first end to receive RF energy and a second end opposite the first end to couple the RF energy to a target, the body further having a central opening disposed through the body from the first end to the second end; a first member coupled to the body at the first end, wherein the first member comprises a first element circumscribing the body and extending radially outward from the body, and one or more terminals disposed in the first member to receive RF energy from an RF power source; and a source distribution plate coupled to the second end of the body to distribute the RF energy to the target, wherein the source distribution plate includes a hole disposed through the plate and aligned with the central opening of the body.
US08795482B1

Methods and apparatus are provided for planar metal plating on a workpiece having a surface with recessed regions and exposed surface regions; comprising the steps of: causing a plating accelerator to become attached to said surface including the recessed and exposed surface regions; selectively removing the plating accelerator from the exposed surface regions without performing substantial metal plating on the surface; and after removal of plating accelerator is at least partially complete, plating metal onto the surface, whereby the plating accelerator remaining attached to the surface increases the rate of metal plating in the recessed regions relative to the rate of metal plating in the exposed surface regions.
US08795468B2

The withdrawal screen section is for impregnation of chips during the manufacture of chemical pulp. Chips are steamed and impregnated in a low pressure impregnation vessel using pressurized hot spent cooking liquor BL. The spent cooking liquor produces most of the steam BLST necessary for steaming the chips. To reduce the need for adding fresh steam for chip steaming is a first withdrawal section in the impregnation vessel modified to be used both as a flash tank for warm pressurized wash filtrate and improved wash-out feature for the spent impregnation liquid behind the screen in the withdrawal section. The withdrawal volume is arranged with an upper part located above the liquid level LIQLEV of the impregnation vessel. Additional pressurized warm wash liquor REC1 is added to the withdrawal volume and flashed off steam is led in a steam duct to the chip volume above the liquid level.
US08795461B2

A method for stretching a carbon nanotube film includes providing one or more carbon nanotube films and one or more elastic supporters, attaching at least one portion of the one or more carbon nanotube films to the one or more elastic supporters, and stretching the elastic supporters.
US08795454B2

In a manufacturing method for a monolithic ceramic electronic component, a plurality of green chips arrayed in row and column directions which are obtained after cutting a mother block are spaced apart from each other and then tumbled, thereby uniformly making the side surface of each of the green chips an open surface. Thereafter, an adhesive is applied to the side surface. Then, by placing a side surface ceramic green sheet on an affixation elastic body, and pressing the side surface of the green chips against the side surface ceramic green sheet, the side surface ceramic green sheet is punched and stuck to the side surface.
US08795449B2

The present invention relates to a Fe—Ga—Al-based magnetostrictive thin-sheet material and a process for preparation thereof. The raw materials used for production of the thin-sheet material is composed of the components according to the general Formula, Fe100-x-y-zGaxAlyMz, wherein x=10-30, y=1-10, and z=0.1-5, and M is any one, or more elements selected from V, Cr, Zr, Sb, Sn, Ti, SiC.
US08795444B1

A method of thermomagnetically processing a material includes disposing a workpiece within a bore of a magnet; exposing the workpiece to a magnetic field of at least about 1 Tesla generated by the magnet; and, while exposing the workpiece to the magnetic field, applying heat energy to the workpiece at a plurality of frequencies to achieve spatially-controlled heating of the workpiece. An apparatus for thermomagnetically processing a material comprises: a high field strength magnet having a bore extending therethrough for insertion of a workpiece therein; and an energy source disposed adjacent to an entrance to the bore. The energy source is an emitter of variable frequency heat energy, and the bore comprises a waveguide for propagation of the variable frequency heat energy from the energy source to the workpiece.
US08795440B2

A method of growing non-polar m-plane III-nitride film, such as GaN, AlN, AlGaN or InGaN, wherein the non-polar m-plane III-nitride film is grown on a suitable substrate, such as an m-SiC, m-GaN, LiGaO2 or LiAlO2 substrate, using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The method includes performing a solvent clean and acid dip of the substrate to remove oxide from the surface, annealing the substrate, growing a nucleation layer, such as aluminum nitride (AlN), on the annealed substrate, and growing the non-polar m-plane III-nitride film on the nucleation layer using MOCVD.
US08795435B2

In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a susceptor which includes an annular first susceptor portion for supporting the peripheral portion of a silicon wafer and further includes a second susceptor portion provided in contact with the peripheral portion of the first susceptor portion and covering the opening of the first susceptor portion. The second susceptor portion is disposed so that, when the silicon wafer is supported on the first susceptor portion, a gap of a predetermined size is formed between the silicon wafer and the second susceptor portion, and so that another gap of a size substantially equal to the predetermined size and directly connected to the above gap is formed between the first susceptor portion and the second susceptor portion.
US08795429B2

A method of making a rapid setting lightweight homogeneous foamed fly ash based cementitious aggregate composition with improved compressive strength for products such as panels is disclosed. The method mixes fly ash, alkali metal salt of citric acid, foaming agent for entraining air, optional foam stabilizing agent, a calcium sulfate such as stucco or gypsum, and water. Compositions are also disclosed which include mixtures of fly ash, particularly Class C fly ash alone or in mixtures with Class F fly ash, alkali metal salts of citric acid, foaming agents, a calcium sulfate such as calcium sulfate dihydrate or hemihydrate and an optional portland cement.
US08795416B2

An in-situ forced oxidation wet flue gas desulfurization apparatus, method and arrangement for utilization with oxy-fuel combustion power plants. The apparatus is a tower-like structure having a flue gas scrubbing zone and a reaction zone located subjacent to the gas scrubbing zone. A sulfur oxide absorbing liquid slurry is supplied to the gas scrubbing zone to react with and scrub the sulfur oxides from the flue gas. The partially reacted liquid slurry reagent and the scrubbed products drain into the reaction zone, rising to a set level. Oxidation air is introduced into the liquid slurry in the reaction zone to force the in-situ oxidation of sulfur compounds collected in the reaction zone. A wall separates and communicates the gas scrubbing zone and the reaction zone, the wall prevents the oxidation air from entering the gas scrubbing zone and extends into the liquid slurry below a nominal depth required to establish and maintain a liquid slurry seal thereby substantially precluding the leakage of flue gas into the reaction zone while allowing the partially reacted liquid slurry reagent and scrubbed products to drain into the reaction zone.
US08795407B2

An iron-based powder composition is provided comprising, in addition to an iron-based powder, a minor amount of a machinability improving additive comprising at least one silicate from the group of phyllosilicates. The technology further concerns the use of the machinability improving additive and a method for producing an iron-based sintered part having improved machinability.
US08795401B2

Disclosed in a filter for filtering a working fluid comprising a canister having an inlet and an outlet; a first partially perforated generally conical member positioned in said canister; a second generally conical member positioned inside said first partially perforated generally conical member, whereby the working fluid upon entering the inlet is caused to spin inside the canister, to pass through the perforated portion of the first generally conical member, to enter an inlet to the second generally conical member, to spin within the second conical member and to pass through the outlet.
US08795391B2

The present invention relates to an aqueous oxidative coloring composition for keratin fibers especially human hair with improved conditioning effect, improved color fastness against washing and for achieving homogeneous even coloration. The object of the present invention is an aqueous composition for coloring keratin fibers especially human hair, based on at least one oxidative dye precursor, optionally at least one coupling agent and/at least one direct dye and furthermore comprising in a cosmetically acceptable medium at least one anionic surfactant, at least one branched fatty acid and at least one quaternary ammonium surfactant.
US08795390B2

Tanned leather, skin or pelt is produced by non-metal tanning, comprising the step of tanning a bated hide, skin or pelt with a tanning agent (A), the tanning agent (A) being at least one compound of formula (I), wherein Hal signifies chlorine or fluorine, X signifies N or CR, Y signifies hydrogen, C1-8-alkyl, C1-4-alkyl-carbonyl, C-1-4-alkyl-sulphonyl or a radical of formula (Ia), or (Ib) —(—C2-3 alkylene-O—)q—H (Ib), R signifies hydrogen or chlorine, q is 1 to 10 and M signifies hydrogen, an alkali metal cation or an ammonium cation being a protonated tertiary amine or a quaternary ammonium cation, in a tanning bath having a pH of from 6 to 10 at the beginning of the tanning step.
US08795381B2

Methods and apparatus of the present invention provide for orthopaedic replacement of the hip while substantially preserving muscles and soft tissues around the hip joint resulting in reduced healing time and decreased risk of dislocation following the procedure. In an exemplary embodiment, an intramedullary rod 1502 is inserted longitudinally into the femur. A prosthetic femoral neck 3102 is then inserted from a point along the side of the patient's body and into the side of the femur and through a pre-existing lateral bore in the intramedullary rod 1502 and through the remainder of the femur to join the prosthetic femoral head 1102. The methods and apparatus include structures and techniques for fixing the prosthetic femoral neck 3102 in relation to the intramedullary rod 1502.
US08795379B2

The present teachings are directed to a shoulder prosthesis having an adjustable radial offset and/or angular inclination provided by relative rotation of an adapter interdisposed between a stem and a head. In one example, a prosthesis has a stem having a first longitudinal axis. The prosthesis can also include an adaptor including a first taper. The first taper can have a first taper axis. The prosthesis can include a head supported by the adaptor. The head can be selectively oriented and then coupled to the first taper and the combination can be selectively orientated and the coupled to the stem.
US08795378B2

Artificial joint prostheses, including hip, knee and shoulder joints, are described. In some aspects, an artificial joint prosthesis includes: a bone-facing surface of an artificial joint prosthesis, the bone-facing surface configured to face a bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; a non-contact surface of the artificial joint prosthesis, the non-contact surface adjacent to the bone-facing surface of the artificial joint prosthesis; at least one fluid deflection structure attached to the non-contact surface, the fluid deflection structure positioned to direct a flow of synovial fluid away from the bone-prosthesis interface in vivo; and at least one particle retaining structure positioned to contact the directed flow of synovial fluid and configured to retain particles present within the synovial fluid.
US08795370B2

This invention relates to a spinal fusion system and method for use as a prosthetic implant. The system and method includes a housing dimensioned to be situated between adjacent spinal bones, such as adjacent vertebrae. The housing cooperates with the spinal bones to define a graft area for receiving graft material, which may be inserted anteriorly into the housing during a surgical operation such as a vertebrectomy or discectomy. A housing may have various features such as migration preventers to prevent the housing from migrating posteriorly towards a spinal column and can be used with a cover that permits the housing to “float” relative thereto. Screws are provided in one embodiment and are dimensioned or configured to lock against each other to retain the screws and, consequently, the cover in place.
US08795368B2

An implant includes a first component including a wall that defines a first surface and a second surface. The first surface defines a first opening and the second surface defines a second opening. The second opening is spaced apart from the first opening to define a cavity therebetween. A second component is supported by the first component and configured for movement relative thereto. The second component is movable between a first configuration such that the second component is disposed between the first opening and the second opening within the cavity and a second, expanded configuration such that the second component simultaneously passes through the first and second openings to extend from the cavity. Methods of use are also disclosed.
US08795360B2

There is provided a mechanism for gently detaching a loading catheter from a tracheostomy tube once the tube is placed in the trachea of a patient. After dilating the trachea, a loading catheter is inserted into a tracheostomy tube with which it desirably engages. Once the loading catheter and tracheostomy tube are attached to each other, the entire unit is passed through the stoma until the flange of the tracheostomy tube is in contact with the throat. The loading catheter may then be removed by rotating or twisting the loading catheter handle. The loading catheter and tracheostomy tube have a cam-action mechanism that gently forces the two parts apart as they are rotated relative to each other. This “cam action” disengagement allows for the removal of the loading catheter without subjecting the trachea or throat to undue pressure or forces that might cause trauma or increase recovery time. Other accessories like cannulas and obturators may attach and detach from the tracheostomy tube in a like manner.
US08795359B2

Breast implants including sensor modules and related methods are described herein. Breast implants include those with: a shell configured to be substantially filled with a viscous material; a plurality of projections extending from an external surface of the shell, the projections forming a plurality of compartments adjacent to the external surface of the shell; at least one fluid-permeable cover attached to the projections, the cover completely enveloping the shell and the plurality of projections; a plurality of sensor modules attached to the shell, each of the sensor modules oriented to detect one or more analytes in a fluid within one of the plurality of compartments, wherein each of the plurality of sensor modules includes a unique identifier; and at least one power source operably attached to the plurality of sensor modules.
US08795356B2

A vascular implant for replacing a native heart valve comprises a self expanding stent supporting a valve body having leaflets. The stent preferably comprises an anchoring structure configured to prevent the implant from passing through the valve annulus. For delivery, the implant is compacted within a delivery device and secured at one end. During delivery the implant is partially released from the delivery device, and positioning of the implant can be verified prior to full release. The implant can be at least partially resheathed and repositioned if desired.
US08795353B2

An adjustable annuloplasty device holder has a member having an anterior segment and a posterior segment that are shaped to hold an anterior portion and a posterior portion, respectively, of an annuloplasty device. The anterior segment has a given size and the posterior segment is adjustable in order to change the anterior-posterior ratio of the holder to accommodate annuloplasty devices having a plurality of different anterior-posterior ratios.
US08795350B2

A fenestrated endograft having an expandable stent frame and a lumen is described herein. The stent frame has a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a central portion. The central portion may include a fabric that has an aperture partially surrounded by part of the expandable stent frame. The lumen extends through the proximal end portion, the central portion, and the distal end portion. The stent frame is radially expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The central portion is coupled to a fabric, which extends about a perimeter of the central portion. The fabric has an aperture with a cross-sectional dimension that is substantially equal to a cross-sectional dimension of an outer cross-sectional dimension of the distal end portion. The central portion has a curved elongate member, which includes a curved segment extending around at least one-fourth of a perimeter of the aperture.
US08795348B2

A medical system including an elongate member and an elongate element associated with the elongate member so that a shape of the elongate member can be altered upon applying energy to the element.
US08795347B2

A system for treating a bifurcation includes first and second delivery catheters, each having an expandable member. A stent having a side hole is disposed on the second delivery catheter. A portion of the first delivery catheter is disposed under a portion of the stent. The first delivery catheter is slidable relative to the second delivery catheter, and the first delivery catheter passes through the side hole. Expansion of the first expandable member expands a portion of the stent and expansion of the second expandable member expands the rest of the stent.
US08795345B2

A device including a self-expandable member having a proximal end portion, a main body portion and a distal end portion. Each of the self-expandable portions consists of a plurality of cell structures formed by intersecting strut members. In one implementation, at least one proximal cell structure in the proximal end portion has one or more struts that have a width and/or thickness greater than the width and/or thickness of the majority of strut members in the main body and distal end portions of the expandable member. Attached to at least one of the proximal-most cell structures in the proximal end portion is a proximally extending flexible wire having sufficient length and flexibility to navigate the tortuous vasculature of a patient. In another implementation, the device is delivered to the treatment site through the lumen of a delivery catheter.
US08795330B1

A device for disrupting flow through a fistula may include a woven textile having a compressed state and an expanded state. The woven textile may include, in the expanded state, a neck, a first bulb coupled to a proximal side of the neck, and a second bulb coupled to a distal side of the neck. The neck has a first braid angle. The first bulb may have a second braid angle greater than the first braid angle. The second bulb may have a third braid angle greater than the first braid angle.
US08795329B2

The present invention provides systems and methods for occluding or closing a patent foramen ovale of a patient (PFO). The invention includes a catheter carrying an energy delivery element. The catheter introduces the energy delivery element into the patent foramen ovale of a patient's heart. Once appropriately positioned, the energy delivery element applies energy, such as radiofrequency energy, to the tissues surrounding the patent foramen ovale. The application of energy causes the tissues to join together, occluding the patent foramen ovale. The energy delivery element may be removable or permanently implanted in the patent foramen ovale.
US08795319B2

An occluding device for occlusion of fluid flow through a body cavity is disclosed. The device comprises an embolization coil formed from at least one wire strand and having an initial tension. The embolization coil is defined by a primary coil formed into a secondary coil. The primary coil has a primary shape defined by a linear longitudinally extending coil having a plurality of helical turns and is helically wound into the secondary coil, wherein the secondary coil has a series of axially spaced apart loops. The axially spaced apart loops are larger than the helical turns of the primary coil. The embolization coil is movable between an expanded state for occlusion of a body cavity and a collapsed state for delivery or retrieval. An absorbent material, including at least one of cotton and regenerated cellulose, is attached to the embolization coil and extends therefrom. A kit is also included.
US08795318B2

Retrievable vena cava filters for the temporary or permanent prevention of Pulmonary embolism (PE) are disclosed. A filter in accordance with the present invention has a tube-within-tube structure with overlapping semi-spheres. The semi-spheres comprise a plurality of expandable legs. The first tube may have a plurality of slots allowing for deployment of a first or second sets of expandable legs on the second tube. The free end of each leg in the first set of expandable legs may be oriented in a direction the same as or opposite to the free end of each leg in the second set. The filter may also be formed from a single tube. In certain embodiments, the filter of the present invention can be retrieved from either end.
US08795306B2

Described here are devices and methods for performing atherectomies. Generally, the atherectomy devices include a handle, a cutter assembly, and a catheter or catheter assembly therebetween. The cutter assembly includes a cutter housing and a cutter having a first cutting element and a second cutting element, each of which can be rotated relative to the atherectomy device to cut occlusive material.
US08795298B2

Devices, methods, and kits for tensioning tethers during a tissue modification procedure are described. In some variations, a tether coupled to anchors embedded in tissue may be tensioned to provide a cinching effect that tightens or compresses the tissue by bringing two pieces or sections of the tissue together. In certain variations, the tether may then be locked (e.g., to maintain the tension), and/or excess tether may be severed. The devices, methods, and/or kits may be used, for example, in minimally invasive procedures.
US08795297B2

A novel catheter-based system which ligates the left atrial appendage (LAA) on the outside of the heart, preferably using a combination of catheters and/or instruments, e.g., a guide catheter positioned inside the left atrial appendage which may assist in locating the left atrial appendage and/or assist in the optimal placement of a ligature on the outside of the appendage, and a ligating catheter and/or instrument outside the heart in the pericardial space to set a ligating element at the neck of the left atrial appendage.
US08795295B2

A surgical pledget assembly includes a pledget body having first and second apertures extending through the body, one or more snares passing through the apertures in the pledget body and including first and second suture engaging loops disposed on a distal side of the pledget, an optional third folding loop disposed on a proximal side of the pledget, and a handle secured to the ends of the snare or snares proximal to the pledget.
US08795294B2

A delivery mechanism for delivering tissue holding implants through tissues to be held in approximation includes a shaft having a tip at its distal end, and which is loaded with one or more implants. A wire channel which contains a driving wire is also located within the shaft. When the mechanism is actuated, the driving wire exhibits a proportional longitudinal displacement in the wire channel, such that the wire engages an implant, conveys it along the shaft's longitudinal axis towards the tip, and forces it through the tip. The implants are oriented such that they lie along or nearly along the shaft's longitudinal axis when being conveyed along the axis. The mechanism may optionally include an opposing jaw arranged such that, when actuated, the distal end of the jaw is moved towards the tip, such that tissues placed between the jaw and tip are pinned between them.
US08795290B2

Improved ear ventilation tubes and spring loaded insertion devices for use with the ventilation tubes whereby perforation and insertion steps take place substantially simultaneously with an aspiration step following.
US08795288B2

A device for providing access to a treatment site within the body of a patient includes a tubular member having a first, generally elongated configuration for introduction into the body of the patient, and deployable therein to a second configuration. The second configuration includes an axially displaced segment along the distal portion of the tubular member. The tubular member includes a side port oriented along the axially displaced segment, and further includes a lumen communicating with the side port. The lumen and side port are sized for passage therethrough of an interventional device for delivery to the treatment site.
US08795282B2

A surgical instrument and method determine the orientation of the mechanical axis of a femur. The instrument may include a rod with a first end of the rod rotatably secured at a first point on the surface of distal femur that corresponds to center of the knee joint so that the first end is coincident with the mechanical axis. The connection between the first end of the rod and the distal end of the femur defines a first point of rotation. The second end of the rod is slideably received within a sleeve that is rotatably connected to a support positioned distally away from the distal end of the femur. The connection between the sleeve and the support defines a second point of rotation. When the distance between the first and second points of rotation is minimized, a line drawn therebetween is coincident with the mechanical axis of the femur.
US08795279B2

A peripheral peg drill component comprising a housing having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, at least two drill bits extending from the second side of the housing, a defined opening on the second side of the housing, the defined opening being configured to receive an alignment pin extending from a bony surface, and a driving mechanism within the housing, the driving mechanism being configured to rotate the at least two drill bits and cause them to simultaneously penetrate the bony surface.
US08795278B2

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of tissue removal and more particularly to methods and devices for use in medical applications involving selective tissue removal. One exemplary method includes the steps of providing a tissue cutting instrument capable of distinguishing between target tissue to be removed and non-target tissue, urging the instrument against the target tissue and the non-target tissue, and allowing the instrument to cut the target tissue while automatically avoiding cutting of non-target tissue. Various tools for carrying out this method are also described.
US08795267B2

Surgical cutting apparatus having a treatment channel and a measurement channel for conveying microwave energy from a source to an antenna at a cutting edge. The measurement channel operates at lower power than the treatment channel for determining when higher energy can be safely applied. The apparatus may deliver microwave radiation at differing frequencies to one or more antennas at the cutting edge, e.g. to provide different treatment effects. The source may generate an output for an antenna whose frequency can be selected e.g. for most efficient operation. Selection may be automatic based on detected magnitude and phase of reflected signals during a frequency sweep of a forward signal. Power delivered to tissue via the cutting element may be manually boosted to deal with large blood vessels. The apparatus may include a reflected power monitor for recognizing behavior in reflected signals received from the antenna to trigger automatic pre-emptive action.
US08795266B2

An energy delivering probe is used for thermally coagulating and/or constricting hollow anatomical structures (HAS) including, but not limited to, blood vessels such as perforator veins. The probe includes a shaft and an energy source.
US08795252B2

Methods, system and devices for monitoring a closed loop control operation including signal levels received from an analyte sensor and automatic delivery of medication at least in part in response to the received analyte sensor signals, determining whether the signal level received from the analyte sensor is associated with one of a fault condition or a potential fault condition, and dynamically adjusting a current infusion rate executed by the closed loop control operation when it is determined that the signal level from the analyte sensor is associated with one of the fault condition or potential fault condition, where medication delivery rate is adjusted to a first predetermined range when the signal level is associated with the fault condition, and adjusted to a second predetermined range when the signal level is associated with a potential fault condition, and where the first predetermined range is narrower compared to the second predetermined range are provided.
US08795250B2

An absorbent article comprises a chassis having a front waist portion, a back waist portion, and a crotch portion extending between the front and back waist portions. The chassis includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. An outer leg cuff is disposed outward of each of the longitudinal side edges of the chassis having elastics forming a gather along at least a portion thereof. One or more inner leg cuffs are disposed on the inside surface of the chassis along each of the longitudinal side edges thereof having elastics forming a gather along at least a portion of the crotch portion. One or more fastening components are disposed at the outer longitudinal side of the outer leg cuffs to fasten the absorbent article around the waist of the wearer.
US08795241B2

A deployment catheter is described herein that preferably is configured to deliver a medical device such as a valve to a location in a patient such as a patient's airway. Preferably, such a deployment catheter is configured to be used in conjunction with a bronchoscope. In some embodiments, a locking lever is provided to reduce the likelihood of accidental deployment of the device, and which resets conveniently after use to as to permit multiple device deployments.
US08795236B2

The present disclosure describes a cecostomy tube having a head with an opening and a valve. There is a flexible catheter with a lumen having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the catheter in fluid communication with the opening in the head, a portion of the catheter extending away from the head to define the distal end. The catheter also has walls defining inside and outside surfaces from the opening defined in the head to the distal end of the catheter. There is a retainer provided on the distal end of the catheter. The retainer can change shape from a first profile or configuration to a second profile where the second profile is larger than the first profile and the second profile is adapted to retain the cecostomy tube in place in a body. The device may be placed in a single, initial surgical operation.
US08795234B2

An infusion set has an integrated ballistic inserter that can insert a needle at a controlled high rate of speed to a depth to deliver content to the upper 3 mm of skin surface, and a skin securing, adhesive layer to secure the skin surface at the insertion site such that the inserter that can insert a needle without a risk of tenting of the skin surface. A driving spring of the ballistic inserter is captured within the ballistic inserter, and can be released by user operation, to insert a needle at such a controlled rate of speed.
US08795231B2

An automated reservoir filling system for a portable medical device is disclosed. The system includes a vial sealed by a septum partially filled with a liquid and a gas occupying a headspace. The system further includes a reservoir with a volume defined between a reservoir septum and a plunger head. The plunger head is coupled to a plunger arm which is further coupled to a drive system. Further included is a transfer system with a vial end that pierces the vial septum and remains in contact with the liquid, and a reservoir end that pierces the reservoir septum and remains in the reservoir volume. A controller coupled to the drive system to actuates the drive system automatically drawing fluid from the vial to the reservoir through the degas system.
US08795226B2

A cannula assembly (10) comprising a hub (76) and a cannula (12) mounted in the hub (76). The cannula defines an inner space (36). The cannula comprises a distal end (16) and a proximal end (18). A first medicament (40) is provided in the inner space of the cannula. In one arrangement, the hub of the cannula assembly is configured to be coupled to an injection device (26). The cannula assembly may be removably or permanently coupled to the injection device containing a second medicament (17).
US08795217B2

An access disconnection system includes: an arterial line; a venous line; a transmitter configured to transmit a sound wave in one of the arterial and venous lines when connected to a patient; a receiver configured to receive the sound wave from the other of the arterial and venous lines when connected to the patient; and electronic circuitry coupled to at least one of the transmitter and receiver, the circuitry configured to send a disconnection output indicative of a change in the sound waves received by the receiver from the transmitter sufficient to expect that an access disconnection of one of the arterial line and venous lines has occurred.
US08795213B2

An orthosis for the treatment of congenital, developmental and degenerative spinal deformities or misalignments, including an upper thoracic component adapted to cover part or the whole thorax and made in non-elastic material, a pelvic component adapted to encircle the pelvis and made in elastic-material and reinforced with non-elastic materials, a non-elastic strapping system adapted to encircle the pelvis transversely and providing a stable fitting, resistant to transverse plane rotations and proximal migration, and at least four removable, corrective elastic bands running obliquely around part or all of the body circumference and attach from the thoracic component (right shoulder, left shoulder, right distal thorax, left distal thorax) to posterior-lateral and/or anterior sections of the pelvic component.
US08795209B2

An automated chest compression device for performing CPR, with distance sensors disposed on a compressing mechanism and on a structure fixed relative to the CPR patient, for determining inferior/superior movement of the compressing mechanism over the course of multiple compressions.
US08795206B2

Systems, methods and apparatuses for recording anatomic orientation and position.
US08795205B2

An optical displacement sensor is provided according to one embodiment. The optical displacement sensor comprises a housing; a displacement member coupled to the housing, configured to contact an object under test and move based on displacement of the object under test; a light emitter coupled to the housing; an optical transducer coupled to the housing; and a reflecting surface coupled to the displacement member to reflect at least a part of the light emitted from the light emitter to the optical transducer, such that movement of the displacement member modifies intensity distribution of the light reflected to the optical transducer.
US08795203B2

Improved wiring arrangements for sensor catheters are provided to reduce wire-to-wire cross-talk wherein wires connecting the sensor of the sensor catheter to a processing unit are divided into a plurality of wire bundles contained within respective sheaths, with the wires in wire bundle twisted together reduce electromagnetic signal interference among the individual wires, or between wire bundles.
US08795186B2

A system for determining onset of an acute hypotensive episode, the system includes a plurality of collectors configured to determine heart rate, mean arterial pressure, stroke volume, total peripheral resistance, and/or age of a patient, an estimate model configured to receive data from the collectors, a simulate model configured to receive information from the estimate model to simulate operation of an effector portion and a neural portion of an arterial baroreceptor reflex pathway, and a prediction model configured predict onset of an acute hypotensive episode based on results from the simulate model. A method and a computer software code for determining onset of an acute hypotensive episode are also disclosed.
US08795179B2

A gain control method for B-mode ultrasonic imaging, a gain control module, and a B-mode ultrasonic imaging system are disclosed.
US08795174B2

An adherent device to monitor a patient comprises an adhesive patch to adhere to a skin of the patient. At least four electrodes are connected to the patch and capable of electrically coupling to the patient. Impedance circuitry is coupled to the at least four electrodes to measure a hydration signal of the patient. Electrocardiogram circuitry is coupled to at least two of the at least four electrodes to measure an electrocardiogram signal of the patient. An accelerometer can be mechanically coupled to the adhesive patch to generate a signal in response to at least one of an activity or a position of the patient.
US08795163B2

Methods and devices are provided to allow for easy customization of a surgical access device by an end user. In one exemplary embodiment a surgical access device is provided that includes a plurality of elongate seal elements that are configured to form a sealed configuration between a surgical site and an outside environment. The seal elements can be disposed in a surgical opening and can mate directly to each other with the outermost seal elements mating directly to tissue of the opening. The seal elements can include one or more mating elements to provide the desired mating. The seal elements can also include sealable openings that are configured to receive surgical instruments for use at the surgical site. The sealable openings maintain the desired seal throughout the course of a surgical procedure. Exemplary methods for providing custom configurations on location are also provided.
US08795162B2

An illuminated suction apparatus including a hand-held surgical device combining a high-performance non-fiber optic optical waveguide with suction. This device is useful in a wide array of surgical procedures including open and minimally invasive orthopedics.
US08795155B2

The present invention provides an electric bending endoscope device which has an endoscope supporting device. The endoscope supporting device is provided with an electric bending unit and an insertion portion detachably configured in a state that an electric bending endoscope is always supported to improve an efficiency of an operation to be performed before and after an inspection and to reduce the work or burdens of the users, and in the state that the endoscope is being supported, the endoscope can be used, and similarly, the supporting device can be stored in the state that the endoscope is being supported. For the purpose, the electric bending endoscope device includes an endoscope 11 having an observation function and a treatment function of the inside of a body cavity, and an endoscope supporting device 40 having a first moving member (hinge 46) capable of moving up and down the endoscope in a direction perpendicular to a floor, a second moving member (arm movable portion 43 and slide guide 44) capable of moving the endoscope in a horizontal direction with respect to the floor, a first supporting portion (bearing portion 42a) for permitting the endoscope to rotate around an axis and supporting the endoscope, and a second supporting portion (supporting portion 42) for supporting the endoscope movably in vertical and horizontal directions.
US08795149B2

The embodiments relate to cardiac assist devices that comprise a jacket that wraps the exterior of the heart, where the jacket comprises one or more pneumatic or hydraulic bladders. The pneumatic or hydraulic bladders are linked to a pump, and the pump fills the bladders with fluid and withdraws the fluid in a cycle to match beats of the heart to assist contraction and pumping of the heart in systole or to assist expansion and filling of the heart in diastole.
US08795141B2

A composite chair storage device includes a chair, a slide mechanism and an exercise module for storing a composite chair. A first roller and a second roller are embedded into two slide rails for performing linear displacement. With the assistance of a sliding third roller and a pressure element capable of turning over an exercise equipment of an exercise module, the exercise module can be stored into a containing space of the chair or unfolded from the containing space of the chair quickly and conveniently, to achieve the effect of folding and unfolding the composite chair effectively.
US08795137B2

We have disclosed a modular personal network (MPN) that includes multiple devices that may be worn, carried, or used in close proximity to a user. The devices communicate wirelessly. Functions of the MPN may be modified by adding or removing components. The MPN may communicate with a personal computer. General purpose devices may include a control unit, a display, a user input, and an audio output. The MPN may provide a variety of functions, including time, communication, entertainment, organization, guidance, athletic, medical, travel, outdoors, identity, security, and military.
US08795135B2

Various systems and methods are described for controlling an engine in a vehicle, the engine being coupled to a transmission. One example method comprises, under selected braking conditions, shutting-off the engine and spinning-down the engine to rest while the vehicle is traveling, and in response to a foot-off-brake event, restarting the engine by at least partially engaging the transmission and adjusting engine torque control actuators.
US08795134B2

A control apparatus for a vehicular automatic transmission configured to selectively establish a plurality of shift positions by engaging respective combinations of two frictional coupling devices of a plurality of frictional coupling devices, with output hydraulic pressures of respective ones of a plurality of solenoid valves provided in a hydraulic control circuit, includes: a normal-state output regulation control portion and an electrically-normal-state determining portion.
US08795131B2

A hybrid vehicle powertrain that has an engine and an electric machine that may separately or jointly provide torque to a multi-speed transmission. A drivetrain including the engine and the motor is controlled to reduce the requested level of torque provided to the transmission during an upshift. The method is initiated by a request for a reduction of the level of torque and checking the operating state of the engine. If the engine is not on, the torque from the motor is reduced. If the engine is on, the torque from the motor is reduced first and then the torque from the engine is reduced to the requested level of torque.
US08795127B2

A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of two to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and one reverse gear ratio.
US08795125B2

Various drive axle systems are described each having a bevel gear system associated with the front axle system that is designed to minimize the angle of the inter-axle driveline with respect to the rear axle pinion gear.
US08795122B2

A gear support assembly for a turbine engine includes an epicyclic gear arrangement and a first tapered bearing and a second tapered bearing spaced apart from the first tapered bearing. The first tapered bearing and the second tapered bearing are arranged axially forward of the epicyclic gear arrangement and support the epicyclic gear arrangement.
US08795119B2

A valve assembly includes a valve body having an input in selective communication with an output, a latching piston disposed within the valve body, a balance spring disposed between the latching piston and the valve body, and a valve piston disposed within the valve body. The input communicates with the output when the valve piston is in a first position and the input does not communicate with the output when the valve piston is in a second position. A diaphragm spring is disposed between the latching piston and the valve piston. A holding spring is disposed between the valve piston and the valve body.
US08795117B2

A transmission for transferring torque from a prime mover includes a first input shaft adapted to be driven by the prime mover, a second input shaft, an output shaft and an epicyclic gearset. The gearset includes a ring gear being driven by the first input shaft, pinion gears being driven by the ring gear, a sun gear driven by the second input shaft and driving the pinion gears, and a carrier driving the output shaft. A reaction motor drives the second input shaft. A controller controls the reaction motor to vary the speed of the second input shaft and define a gear ratio between the first input shaft and the output shaft based on the second input shaft speed.
US08795115B2

A hybrid dual configuration transmission for a vehicle having an electric motor, planetary gear set and a plurality of gear meshes is disclosed herein. The hybrid dual configuration transmission provides for a plurality of electrically variable transmission operating modes and a plurality of fixed gear operating modes. The hybrid dual configuration transmission may be operated utilizing exclusively the electric motor, exclusively an engine, or any combination of the electric motor and engine.
US08795114B2

A transmission includes a first motor/generator having a first rotor that is selectively rotatable about a first axis and a second motor/generator having a second rotor that is selectively rotatable about a second axis. A first planetary gearset and a second planetary gearset each has a respective first planetary member, a respective second planetary member, and a respective third planetary member. One of the members of the first planetary gearset is operatively connected to the first rotor to receive torque therefrom. One of the members of the second planetary gearset is operatively connected to the second rotor to receive torque therefrom.
US08795110B2

A disk set arrangement for a chain-CVT having a function-optimized disk set surface contour. The CVT includes a first drive disk set and a second driven disk set, wherein the disk sets of the disk set arrangement in each case include two disks mounted on respective shafts. One disk of each of the disk sets can be displaced axially relative to an opposed axially fixed disk. An endless chain arrangement with rocker pressure pieces is operative between the disk sets to transmit torque. The rocker pressure pieces have longitudinal axes that extend parallel to the rotational axes of the shafts, and include outer axial ends that contact the contoured disk surfaces.
US08795100B2

A hollow golf club head includes a sole, a crown, a skirt, and a striking face. The golf club includes a junction interconnecting the sole, crown, and skirt to the striking face, the junction including at least one stiffening member.
US08795095B2

A method and apparatus for a motion ride for creating an illusion of teleportation on a multiple of passengers in a ride vehicle. Multiple embodiments of varying apparatus are presented for completing four steps of the method. Passengers observe motion of the passenger vehicle over several environments creating an anticipated location for a perceived final destination of the passenger vehicle following motion through an enclosing structure. The enclosing structure has motion distinct from motion of the passenger vehicle over a predetermined amount of time creating a separation between the actual final destination of the passenger vehicle and the perceived final destination anticipated by passengers. Revealing the actual final destination of the passenger vehicle to passengers creates the effect of the passenger vehicle appearing in a different and unanticipated location instantaneously. The effect can be used for complimenting a story-telling teleportation event of a motion ride.
US08795091B2

An adapter interface apparatus has a user input device and an associated video display. The user selects a distinguishable visual image representation for association into an audiovisual presentation, such as where that user is identified. For example, color, size graphics or shape can be used to distinguish users. In one embodiment a digitized image of each user's face is used as the distinguishable representation. Alternatively, the user can create an original image or select one of a predetermined set of visual images as the user's identification for use in the audiovisual presentation. In one embodiment, the adapter interface is coupled to an audiovisual presentation system and a storage card containing User Images. The adapter interface system integrates a selected User Image from the Storage Card into the audiovisual presentation.
US08795088B2

In the present invention, a game system includes a game program storage unit, a group information management unit, a play history storage unit, and a group information update unit. The game program storage unit stores a game program for executing a game to be provided to a plurality of terminal devices. The group information management unit stores player identification information identifying each of a plurality of players of the game and group identification information identifying a group which includes the player, in association with each other. The play history storage unit stores a play history of each of the plurality of players for the game. The group information update unit changes an association stored in the group information management unit between player identification information identifying a first player among the plurality of players and group identification information, at least partially in accordance with the play history of the first player.
US08795081B2

A game machine includes: an entertainment button that can move up and down from a normal operation position to a protruding position; a display part that displays characters related to a content of a game; a character determining part configured to determine a character to be displayed on the display; a stopper plate that holds the entertainment button in the protruding position; and a protruding position detecting part that detects the entertainment button being held in the protruding position by the stopper plate. When the protruding position detecting part detects the entertainment button not being held in the protruding position after having detected the entertainment button being held in the protruding position, the character detecting part recognizes that the entertainment button held in the protruding position is pushed down, and therefore determines a predetermined character. When the character determining part determines the character, the display part displays the determined character.
US08795078B1

Techniques for providing compatibility between two different game controllers are disclosed. When a new or more advanced controller is introduced, it is important that such a new controller works with a system originally configured for an existing or old controller. The new controller may provide more functionalities than the old one does. In some cases, the new controller provides more sensing signals than the old one does. The new controller is configured to work with the system to transform the sensing signals therefrom to masquerade as though they were coming from the old controller. The transforming of the sensing signals comprises: replicating operational characteristics of the old controller, and relocating virtually the sensing signals to appear as though the sensing signals were generated from inertial sensors located in a certain location in the new controller responsive to a certain location of the inertial sensors in the old controller.
US08795067B2

A gaming device having a bonus scheme, wherein the player may choose when to play a bonus scheme, so long as the player is qualified to do so. The method of qualifying the player to enter the bonus round connects or links the base game operation of the gaming device with the bonus scheme. The reels of the base game contain symbols which alone or in combination with other symbols yield one or more bonus awards to a player. The bonus awards are escrowed and displayed a bonus award escrow display. Once the player obtains a single bonus award, the player becomes eligible or qualified to play the bonus round and the player may choose to do so at any time. The player can accumulate bonus awards and use multiple bonus awards at one time.
US08795057B2

A gaming system and method including providing a community or group bonus event to a plurality of players at a plurality of gaming devices. For each of the players determined as eligible to participate in a triggered group bonus event, the gaming system determines that player's relative probability of winning a group bonus event award in the triggered bonus event. In one such embodiment, each player's relative probability of winning the group bonus event award is based on that player's wagering history, such as any amounts wagered by that player, the frequency of placing such wagers and/or frequency of not placing any wagers.
US08795054B2

A method and system for conducting an interactive lottery game between players and a lottery gaming organization are provided. Player game indicia are displayed to the player on a graphical user interface along with separately displayed game indicia assigned to the gaming organization for play of the game. The player selects one of the game indicia via the user interface, with the player's selection designated on the user interface without being revealed to the gaming organization. The gaming organization subsequently randomly selects one of the game indicia, which is displayed to the player on the user interface. The system determines whether the player-selected game indicia match predetermined criteria as a function of the randomly selected game indicia. The steps are repeated until no game indicia remain or no further matches are possible.
US08795050B2

A gaming system configured to operate a game associated with a plurality of game elements is provided. The gaming system provides a quantity of the game elements to a player and a dealer. The gaming system forms a first dealer hand and a second dealer hand from the provided game elements according to one of a plurality of element setting rules. The gaming system enables the player to manually form a first player hand and a second player hand from the provided game elements or to instruct the gaming system to automatically do so according to one of the element setting rules. If the player manually sets the player hands, the gaming system indicates whether the player's hands were formed in accordance with any of the element setting rules. The gaming system determines any awards based on a comparison of the player hands with the dealer hands.
US08795049B2

A gaming system configured to operate a game associated with a plurality of game elements is provided. The gaming system provides a quantity of the game elements to a player and a dealer. The gaming system forms a first dealer hand and a second dealer hand from the provided game elements according to one of a plurality of element setting rules. The gaming system enables the player to manually form a first player hand and a second player hand from the provided game elements or to instruct the gaming system to automatically do so according to one of the element setting rules. If the player manually sets the player hands, the gaming system indicates whether the player's hands were formed in accordance with any of the element setting rules. The gaming system determines any awards based on a comparison of the player hands with the dealer hands.
US08795045B2

The realm of fantasy sports gaming is expanded beyond the selection of current, active athletes by including former athletes, or former seasons for current athletes, in a selection pool for fantasy sports leagues. This is accomplished by querying databases of sports statistics for the purpose of generating a mock performance that can be fairly compared and incorporated with real-time performances generated by current athletes actively participating in the same sport. The end result is a realistic, yet unpredictable, statistical box score for a former athlete that can be translated via a point system for the purpose of fantasy sports league play.
US08795016B2

The present invention is floating lounge that provides a central corridor between two lounge portions and a floating base supporting said lounge. The two lounge portions each have a concave channel extending along the length of each lounge portion on the underside of the cabana.
US08795008B2

A hybrid power device for a marine vehicle is provided that has two hybrid prime movers, an electric motor and a combustion engine, that distribute power, for example torque, to a single or dual propulsor, such as surface drives with propellers. The prime movers can apply power singly or in unison, but maintain substantially optimum propulsive efficiency in all cases. The power outputs of the prime movers are in communication with a power transmitting device such as a gear box that may combine the power outputs to drive a single propulsor, or may have a power-splitting embodiment driving dual propulsors. In addition, multiple hybrid power devices may be deployed in other embodiments.
US08794999B2

A hermetic terminal is disclosed as having a body including an exterior surface and a plurality of openings in the body accommodating a pin extending through each opening that is hermetically sealed and electrically isolated from the body. The terminal also includes a dielectric pin-isolating feature forming a barrier that increases the operative through-air spacing between the pins of the terminal. The power rating for the terminal is thereby increased without increasing the overall size of the terminal.
US08794995B2

A cable connector assembly, comprising comprises: a plurality of contacts (2) defining a plurality of first contacts (27) which may be used as power contacts and a plurality of second contacts (28), an insulative housing (1) molding outside the contacts (2), a flat-shaped cable (3) connecting with the contacts (2), the cable (3) comprises a plurality of coaxial wires arranged along the level direction, each coaxial wire comprises a plurality of inner conductors (30), two inner conductors (30) are connected with a first contact (27), and one inner conductor (30) is connected with a second contact (28), a metallic shell (4) shielding outside the insulative housing (1).
US08794992B2

An electrical connector comprising: a shell, zinc alloy shell body, front rubber core, rubber plug and wire; said zinc alloy shell body is provided with a holding groove penetrating from the front to rear ends; the front rubber core and the rubber plug are installed inside the zinc alloy shell body, and the shell set externally onto the zinc alloy shell body; the electric connector is provided with a hook unit, which penetrates the front rubber core, and is also coupled with the zinc alloy shell body; at the rear end of said hook unit, a locating part is molded, and also locked at the threading section of the wire. Compared with prior arts, the utility model features excellent air-tightness, anti-EMI capacity and compactness, thus improving the signal transmission capacity of the electric connector.
US08794986B2

The housing has a guide rail protruding from the upper face of the bottom wall portion and extending towards the rear end portion. The guide rail includes a wide portion near the front end portion and a narrow portion near the rear end portion being narrower in width than the wide portion. The sliding portion has a recessed guide groove slidably engaging the guide rail. The guide groove engages the wide portion when the card-type unit is in the locked position and engages the narrow portion instead of the wide portion when the card-type unit is in the ejection position.
US08794984B2

A protective structure includes a covering body, a protective component, a fixing component and a fastening portion. The covering body is for covering the connector. The protective component is connected to the covering body and for plugging into the connector. The fixing component is connected to a side of the covering body and for plugging into an installation hole on a case of the electronic device. The fixing component includes a shaft for pivoting relative to the case so as to drive the covering body to a position where the covering body does not cover the connector when the protective component does not plug into the connector. The fastening portion is installed on the fixing component and is for contacting against the installation hole after the fixing component is plugged into the installation hole so as to prevent the fixing component from separating from the installation hole.
US08794981B1

An electrical connector may include a printed circuit board (PCB), the PCB including a plurality of contacts, a plurality of wires coupled to the plurality of contacts on the PCB, a non-conductive pad extending across the PCB, a plurality of pins extending across the non-conductive pad, and an overmold. The plurality of pins may be coupled to the plurality of contacts. The overmold may cover at least a portion of the PCB and at least a first portion of each of the plurality of pins. The overmold may include a first aperture exposing at least a second portion of each of the plurality of pins.
US08794980B2

A first connector may include a housing defining a first connector face to be positioned in a first position or a second position proximate to a second connector face of a second connector. A first extremely high frequency (EHF) communication unit may be disposed in the housing for communicating with a second EHF communication unit of the second connector when the first connector face is positioned in first or second position relative to the second connector face. A first magnet may be disposed in the housing. The first magnet may align with and repel a second magnet disposed relative to the second connector face when the first connector face is positioned in the second position. The first magnet may be configured not to align with and not to repel the second magnet when first connector face is positioned in the first position relative to the second connector face.
US08794979B2

A computerized educational presentation system is provided. The system may include a presentation application program. The presentation application program may include a presentation module that is operable in an author mode to create an educational presentation having a plurality of educational resources. The educational resources may include at least a poll. Further, the presentation module may be operable in a presentation mode to make the educational presentation accessible for viewing at a plurality of student computing devices. The presentation application program further may include an interaction module. During the author mode, the interaction module may update one or more educational resources of the educational presentation in response to receiving user edits via an author tool. During the presentation mode, the interaction module may receive student feedback at a teacher computing device in response to presentation of the poll at the plurality of student computing devices.
US08794967B2

The present invention provides a firearm training system for actual and virtual moving targets comprising a firearm, a trigger-initiated image-capturing device mounted on a firearm, a processor, and a display. The system allows a user to visualize the accuracy of a shot taken when the trigger was pulled or the gun fired by showing the predicted position of the firearm's projectile in relation to the moving targets.
US08794966B2

A dental implant fixture mount-abutment includes a fixture mount having a coronal end and an internal slot, a tapered cylinder body, a root for internally connecting to a dental implant, and a plurality of engaging jaws protruded from the root for engaging with an internal channel of the dental implant, such that the root forms a male connector for inserting into the internal channel in the dental implant to stabilize the DIFMA in position.
US08794958B1

An ejection mechanism has a base, a rotation disk and a feeding station. The base is configured for mounting of the rotation disk and the feeding station, The base further includes an arched guiding track, and the arched guiding track is disposed around the rotating gear. The rotation disk is fan-shaped and is rotatably coupled to the base by a rotating shaft such that the rotation disk is aligned above the arched guiding track. the rotation disk is further provided with an arched row of teeth on a bottom of the rotation disk corresponding to the rotating gear of the base. The rotation disk driven by the rotating gear causes the arched row of teeth to rotate and also to simultaneously cause the rotation disk to rotate around the rotating shaft on the arched guiding track. The ejection mechanism which is suitable for different sizes of elbow pipes.
US08794953B2

Disclosed is a molding device (10) for a machine for manufacturing containers, in particular bottles, made of a thermoplastic material by blow-molding or stretch blow-molding a preheated preform. The molding device (10) includes: two half-molds (14), each of which is provided with a half-cavity (16) and each of which includes a sealing surface (18) and an outer surface (20); two mold carriers (34), each of which has a recess (40) for receiving a corresponding half-mold (14); and an attachment element (44, 52) for removably attaching each half-mold (14) into the recess (40) of the corresponding mold carrier (34), characterized in that the attachment element (44, 52) is controlled by the attraction of the half-mold (14) against the back wall (42) of the recess (40) of the mold carrier (34).
US08794948B2

An apparatus for the continuous production of a twin wall pipe has mold block halves supplied in pairs to form a mold, and a pipe head, which has an external nozzle for the extrusion of an external hose and an internal nozzle for the extrusion of an internal hose. A support air and venting channel which is annular-cylindrical and concentric with respect to the center longitudinal axis of the pipe head opens out between the external nozzle and internal nozzle.
US08794947B2

A translating die apparatus and method for forming a piece of material into a part having complex contours. The translating die apparatus may comprise upper and lower mounts, fixed upper and lower dies fixed to the upper and lower mounts, respectively, and movable upper and lower dies translatably coupled with the mounts and configured to translate laterally toward and away from the fixed upper and lower dies. The piece of material may be placed between the upper and lower dies and one of the mounts may be actuated toward another of the mounts to sandwich the piece of material between the upper and lower dies. Simultaneously, the movable upper and lower dies may translate toward the fixed upper and lower dies, until the movable and fixed dies abut each other when the upper and lower dies are fully pressing the piece of material therebetween.
US08794943B2

A rotary engine is described including: (1) a rotor located within a housing, the rotor configured with a plurality of rotor vane slots; (2) a vane separating an interior space between the rotor and the housing into at least a trailing chamber and a leading chamber, where the vane slidingly engages a rotor vane slot; (3) a first passage through the vane, the first passage including a first exit port into the rotationally trailing chamber; and (4) a second exit port to the rotationally trailing chamber, where the first exit port and the second exit port connect to any of: (a) the first passage through the vane and (b) the first passage and a second passage through the vane, respectively. Optionally, one or more seals affixed to the vane and/or the rotor valve the first passage, the second passage, a vane wingtip, and/or a conduit through the rotor.
US08794938B2

The invention relates to a cylinder piston arrangement for an especially volumetric fluid pump or a fluid motor, preferably comprising at least one axial expansion tubular membrane piston defining at least one inner pulsating working chamber. A particular field of application for such pumps or motors is the operation thereof with fluids loaded with extraneous materials, especially abrasive granulated materials. Especially high-speed machines with high working pressures of between a few hundred to a thousand bar are required, the energetic and also volumetric degree of efficiency thus becoming highly important factors. The aim of the invention is therefore to create pumps or fluid motors which are characterized by high degrees of efficiency and long service lives. To this end, at least one clearance driving body (TK1) is actively connected to the pulsating working chamber (AR).
US08794937B2

First and second structures are connected by helical fibers. The orientation between the first and second structures are changed, and by doing so, the positions of the helical fibers are correspondingly changed. The position of change of the helical fibers can be used for a pumping effect, or to change some other fluidic characteristics. One other fluidic characteristics, for example, may use the movement of the helical fibers as a valve.
US08794935B2

In an axial fan including a motor, a substrate that connects ends of a plurality of coils is disposed at a position axially under a bottom portion of a case with an axial gap therebetween. A spacer is interposed between the substrate and the bottom portion, and the substrate is fixed to the spacer. A plurality of through holes provided in the bottom portion are disposed in axial alignment with a plurality of through holes provided in the spacer. An air flow produced by rotation of an impeller at least partially passes through the interior of the case to be discharged to outside of the case through the through holes in the bottom portion so that heat generated inside the motor can be efficiently transferred to outside of the case.
US08794933B2

A hermetic compressor includes a closed vessel for storing lubricating oil, an electric-driving element, and a compressing element driven by the electric-driving element. The compressing element includes a cylinder block forming a compression chamber, a piton that reciprocates inside the compression chamber, and an oiling device for supplying the lubricating oil to an outer circumference of the piston. A first oil groove is concavely formed on the outer circumference of the piston, and a second oil groove is concavely formed on a side opposite to the compression chamber relative to the first oil groove. The second oil groove has a spatial volume same or greater than that of the first oil groove. An expanded clearance portion is provided such that a clearance between the piston and the cylindrical hole portion broadens from a top dead point to a bottom dead point.
US08794914B2

A centrifugal compressor wheel for a turbocharger is disclosed. The wheel includes an axially extending hub having an inlet end, an outlet end, an arcuate outer surface and a shaft bore. The wheel also includes a blade array disposed on the outer surface of the hub, the blade array comprising a plurality of circumferentially-spaced, radially and axially extending, arcuate centrifugal impeller blades disposed thereon; the hub and the blade array comprising a non-woven, discontinuous-fiber-filled, polymer matrix composite material.
US08794907B1

A high compression ratio compressor having multiple stages of airfoils to produce the high pressure rations, where the last stage airfoils are cooled by passing cooling air through the airfoils without discharging film cooling air. The cooling air for the airfoils is bled off from an upstream stage of the compressor, passed through the airfoil to provide for the cooling, passed through a heat exchanger to preheat a fuel, where the preheated fuel is passed into the combustor. the cooled cooling air form the heat exchanger can be reintroduced back into the compressor or passed through the turbine to cool last stage airfoils in the turbine.
US08794906B1

A turbine stator vane with an airfoil extending between an inner endwall and an outer endwall, and with a fillet formed between the airfoil and each of the endwalls, and a row of metering impingement and diffusion slots extending around the leading edge region and along the pressure side and suction side of the airfoil just below the fillet that discharges a layer of film cooling air onto the surface of the endwall. A showerhead arrangement of film cooling holes in the leading edge region of the airfoil also discharges a layer of film cooling air toward the leading edge fillet in order to form a double layer of film cooling air from the leading edge region of the endwall.
US08794900B2

A position adjustment assembly for an agricultural conveyor includes an inner arm having a first end configured to rotatably couple to an agricultural storage system at a first location. The position adjustment assembly also includes an outer arm having a first end, a second end, and a pivot positioned between the first end and the second end. A second end of the inner arm is rotatably coupled to the outer arm at the pivot, and the agricultural conveyor is configured to rotatably couple to the second end of the outer arm. In addition, the position adjustment assembly includes an intermediate link having a first end configured to rotatably couple to the agricultural storage system at a second location, longitudinally offset from the first location. A second end of the intermediate link is rotatably coupled to the first end of the outer arm.
US08794898B2

A hand-operated hay bale cart has only two wheels connected in a laterally spaced-apart fashion to a generally rectangular handle frame. The handle frame is generally near the top, or above, the wheels, creating an open space beneath the frame and between the wheels for receiving a bale of animal feed. Pivotally supported by the handle frame is a securement rack that swings freely on a horizontal axis and includes a set of curved hooks at or near both the front and back of the securement rack. A hook handle operates the hooks to rotate relative to the rack to impale the hay bale. The securement rack, if it is allowed to rotate freely, including when it has impaled and secured a bale of hay, may balance the lifted bale of hay between the two wheels for convenient transport.
US08794894B2

A self-piercing rivet is disclosed. The self-piercing rivet integrally joins an upper plate member and a lower plate member overlapped with each other. The self-piercing rivet includes: a head portion; and a shank portion integrally connected to the head portion and provided with more than two slits.
US08794888B2

The invention relates to a fixing element (1) for anchoring in an undercut drilled hole. The fixing element (1) has a shank portion (2) and an expansion element (3), there being arranged on the shank portion (2) an expander body (8) for expanding the expansion element (3) and a load-application means (7). The expansion element (3) is sleeve-like, having at its end that is at the rear in the direction of introduction (E) a ring-shaped main body (13) at the introduction end of which there is arranged an expansion lobe (10) having an opening (17).
US08794879B2

The tool has a clamping part (2) and a working part (11). It consists of a wear-resistant material, which contains tungsten carbide which has a grain size that lies in the range between approximately 0.2 and approximately 0.5 μm. The clamping part (2) consists of a tough material, which likewise contains tungsten carbide which has a grain size in the range between approximately 0.8 and approximately 1.3 μm. In a transitional region (11) between the working part (11) and the clamping part (2), the proportion of wear-resistant tungsten carbide decreases in the direction of the clamping part (2) to 0 and the proportion of tough tungsten carbide decreases in the direction of the working part (11) to 0. The mixing ratio between wear-resistant and tough tungsten carbide changes approximately steadily in the transitional region (10).
US08794878B2

A cutting tool comprising a cutting tool holder and a cutting insert adapted to be mounted thereon. The tool holder comprises an insert seat defined by a base and at least one side wall extending from the base to define an insert seat space adapted to receive therein the insert. The seat comprises a support element extending into the insert seat from the base, and a fastening member engageable with the seat. The fastening member is displaceable with respect thereto between a mounting position adapted to allow the insert to be mounted onto the seat and a securing position adapted for securing the insert within the seat. The insert is formed with a securing cavity and when the insert is mounted onto the tool holder and is in the securing position, a portion of the support element and the fastening member is received within the cavity of the insert.
US08794874B2

A marine tensioner has a tensioner frame and multiple track units mounted in the frame. Each track unit comprises an elongated chassis, the chassis having a central portion between two end portions. Each track unit comprises an endless track supported by the chassis, the endless track having friction elements adapted to engage an elongated article. Between each track unit and the tensioner frame a connecting structure is provided that allows for lateral and pivotal motion of the track unit so as to adapt the position of the track unit to an elongated article diameter. One or more squeeze actuators are provided between the tensioner frame and the chassis of the track unit and actuator control means are provided which are associated with the one or more squeeze actuators and allow to control the squeeze force exerted by the friction elements of the track unit on the elongated article.
US08794872B2

A membrane lined structure for storing large fluid volumes comprising a base surrounding by supporting wall structures, and lined with a double membrane sealed at the edges and formed into a plurality of cellular components which can be inflated and deflated to assist in positioning for purposes of constructing the structure and securing the liner to the upper edges of the structural walls. The cellular membranes can further be monitored to ensure the integrity of the membrane liner prior to filling of the structure or during regular operations.
US08794854B2

The present invention provides a foldable keyboard comprising a plurality of sections, a flat cable electrically connected between the sections, and a folding component connected between the sections. The folding component comprises fixing parts corresponding to the sections, and a connecting part connected between the fixing parts. The sections are correspondingly fixed on the fixing parts of the folding component. The connecting part is located between the sections. The sections pivot about the connecting part therebetween for folding or unfolding the foldable keyboard. The present invention adopts a folding component to connect the sections of the keyboard for folding the sections of the keyboard thereby being portable. The folding component is easy to manufacture with low cost, effectively reduces the thickness of the keyboard and extends the service life of the keyboard.
US08794840B1

A bearing apparatus includes: (a) an inner member comprising rigid material with a first contact surface; (b) an outer member comprising rigid material with a second contact surface; (c) an annular intermediate member between the inner and outer members, and having: (i) a third contact surface including first bearing elements contacting the first contact surface to define a first bearing interface, each first bearing element including a raised central portion flanked beam portions; and (ii) a fourth contact surface including second bearing elements contacting the second contact surface to define a second bearing interface, each second bearing element including a raised central portion flanked by a pair of beam portions; (d) wherein the contact surfaces of each bearing interface are wear-resistant; and (e) wherein the bearing elements are shaped and sized so as to conform in an irregular shape to the at least one contact surface.
US08794837B2

A composite material to be used in construction of a container includes a tear compliant area in the form of a non-bonded strip between composite material layers designed to allow a user to more easily open the package and remove the contents. The non-bonded tear compliant strip incorporated in the composite material may also embody additional tear proponents in the form of perforations, slits or other material weakening feature included in the outside layer of the material.
US08794836B2

A packaging article comprises a heat-shrinkable multilayer film having a first heat seal running the length of the article and a second heat seal running across the bottom of the internal volume of the article. The packaging article also comprises a skirt outward of the second heat seal, the skirt having first and second tear initiators positioned so that a superimposed straight line extending through the inward and outward ends of each tear initiator intersects a superimposed straight line extending through the ends of the first heat seal at a lesser included angle of from 25 degrees to 55 degrees, with the inward end of each the first and second tear initiators terminating at a location which is from 3 to 30 millimeters from the first heat seal and 3 to 50 millimeters from the second heat seal.
US08794824B2

A case unit includes a resin case main body including an outer peripheral surface and an opening forming surface enclosed by the outer peripheral surface and being formed with an opening. A step is provided on an inner peripheral surface of the opening to face an entrance of the opening. An elastic member is provided along the inner peripheral surface of the opening and mounted on the step. A light transmission member is press-fitted in the opening via the elastic member and covers the opening. And, a fitting part of a frame member is fitted on the outer peripheral surface of the resin case main body to make an elastic member pressing part extending from the fitting part toward the entrance of the frame member cover at least a part of the elastic member at the entrance of the opening.
US08794823B2

A magnetic resonator, for a timepiece, is disclosed which comprises an oscillator of the tuning-fork type having first and second branches in the form of a U of which at least a first branch supports a first permanent magnet defining a first magnetic field, an escape wheel, designed to be arranged in engagement with a watchwork gear train in order to allow it to be driven by a power source of the timepiece and, situated within range of said first permanent magnet in order to undergo the influence of the first magnetic field. In particular, provision is made for the escape wheel to be free and support at least two permanent magnets, preferably at least four, arranged so that the vibrations of the first branch of the tuning fork, on the one hand, control the rotation speed of the escape wheel and, on the other hand, are sustained periodically by the magnetic interaction between the first permanent magnet of the tuning fork and the permanent magnets of the escape wheel in order to define a free escapement.
US08794821B2

A simple, robust and low-cost torsionally flexible, sealed drive that allows external drives to provide agitation within a container. A torsionally flexible tube is sealed to a torsionally rigid portion of a container. A second end of the tube is sealed to a driven element within the container. The driven element is coupled to a drive-shaft that is partly contained within the tube. Motion of the protruding end of the drive shaft imparts a corresponding motion to the driven element, while maintaining a water-tight seal between container and drive-shaft. One useful motion is a rotary oscillation. A stepper motor may operate via such a drive to impart a rotary oscillation to an impellor in a bioreactor, or mixing container, suitable for agitating a cell culture in a nutrient medium or hydrating a powdered media in water. The drive is suited to use in disposable bioreactors and mixers.
US08794798B2

A white film has reflective properties, concealing properties and film-forming stability and can be made into a thin film, a white film, which contains voids therein and satisfies the following formulae (i) to (iii) is provided: 0.6≦nB/nA≦0.9  (i) 20≦nA  (ii) 15≦nB  (iii) (wherein, nA represents the number of interfaces in 10 μm of the surface layer in the film thickness direction; and nB represents the number of interfaces in ±5 μm of the central part in the film thickness direction).
US08794797B2

The present invention relates to an illuminator apparatus comprising one or more LEDs and one or more current control components and/or other illuminator components coupled in a thermally conductive manner to a circuit board. The circuit board, in turn, is in a thermally conductive manner integrated into a cooling element which serves as a frame part of the illuminator in order to transfer heat generated by the LEDs and the current control components and/or the other components through the circuit board to the cooling element and therefrom further to other structures of the illuminator and to an ambient environment.
US08794794B2

A lighting circuit substrate is arranged in a cap so that one surface of a lighting circuit substrate and a flat portion of a cap projection are arranged so as to face each other. Also, lighting circuit components are mounted on the one surface of the lighting circuit substrate, and the lighting circuit components are arranged within the cap projection. Arrangement is such that a clearance between the lighting circuit substrate and the flat portion of the cap projection becomes larger than the height of a component whose projecting dimension from the lighting circuit substrate is the largest from among the lighting circuit components.
US08794792B1

A spill light reducer assembly includes at least one light source, at least one reflector, and a spill light reducer plate. The reflector includes a proximal end disposed about one or more corresponding light sources and a distal end extending outwardly from the proximal end. The spill light reducer plate includes at least one opening formed therein, which is positioned a predetermined distance away from the distal opening. The light source emits a main light beam and a spill light beam surrounding the main light beam. The spill light reducer plate reduces the amount of spill light emitted through the opening of the spill light reducer plate. A light fixture includes a housing that defines a cavity and a light emitting window. The spill light reducer plate is disposed within the cavity.
US08794782B2

A lightweight plastic baton includes a hollow cylindrical body which telescopically supports a flexible cylindrical plastic baton shaft. One or more slideways support and concentrically center the baton shaft within the hollow body. A flashlight having a strobed light operating mode is coupled to the baton body to provide a less than lethal deterrent to a potential assailant. A radially movable elastic switch cover is mounted substantially flush with the outer surface of the flashlight to prevent inadvertent actuation of one of several selectable flashlight operating modes.
US08794770B2

A projection display includes at least one light source, at least one reflective image generator configured to represent frames in a two-dimensional distribution of subareas of same, a projection optics arrangement having a two-dimensional arrangement of optical projection elements and being configured to image an associated subarea of the at least one image generator onto an image plane in each case, so that images of the frames superimpose within the image plane to form an overall picture, and at least one beam splitter arranged within an optical path between the at least one reflective image generator and the two-dimensional arrangement of optical projection elements, on the one hand, and the optical path between the at least one light source and the at least one reflective image generator, on the other hand.
US08794761B2

An optical unit concentrates light beams from measurement-light paths at first and second irradiation positions on an eyeground. Next, a control unit controls a scanning unit so that the light beams concentrated at the first and second irradiation positions are scanned in first and second scanning areas of the eyeground and so that the first and second scanning areas overlap to form an overlap area. A tomographic-information acquisition unit acquires first tomographic information and second tomographic information in the first and second scanning areas from interference light. Third tomographic information is acquired from the first tomographic information and the second tomographic information in the first and second scanning areas on the basis of the first tomographic information and the second tomographic information in the overlap area.
US08794759B2

The invention is directed to a contact lens design and methods of manufacturing, fitting and using such lenses. The contact lens may be designed for use in a corneal refractive therapy (CRT) program. The lens provides a design which allows proper fitting of a patient, whether for corrective contact lenses or for a CRT program. Due to the rational design of the lenses according to the present invention, a minimal number of lens parameter increments can be identified to cover the range of common corneas. It is therefore possible to provide pre-formed lens buttons or blanks which are easily formed into a final design, thereby simplifying and speeding up the treatment process. Further, any adjustment of the lens design which may be required based upon trial fitting or the like, is easily envisioned and implemented by the fitter.
US08794755B2

A printed matter production process including ejecting droplets of an actinic ray curable inkjet ink in a heated state through a head to supply the droplets onto a recording medium, thereby forming an image, the actinic ray curable inkjet ink including a polymerizable compound, a photopolymerization initiator and a gelling agent, having a viscosity of from 60 to 200 mPasecond at 25° C. and at a shear rate of 1000/second and showing a phase transition at a temperature of not lower than 25° C., characterized in that the actinic ray curable inkjet ink includes a bifunctional polymerizable compound with a molecular weight of not lower than 400 and with a viscosity at 25° C. of not more than 100 mPasecond in an amount of not less than 75 % by mass of the total amount of the polymerizable compound.
US08794750B2

An ink containment system for an inkjet cartridge, for storing ink for printing, comprises a rigid basin member and a rigid moveable plate. A flexible membrane is affixed to a surface of the basin member and to a surface of the plate forming an ink reservoir within the basin member, plate and flexible membrane. A spring-biased mechanism is disposed between the basin member and plate, for biasing the plate apart from the basin member, generating a negative pressure within the ink reservoir and the basin member remaining stationary relative to the movement of the plate. The basin member has a bowl-like configuration and the spring is seated within the reservoir in such a way that when the ink reservoir has collapsed due to depletion of ink, the flexible membrane and moveable plate are substantially flush with surfaces of the basin member.
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