| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08188997B2 |
Accelerated ray tracing using shallow bounding volume hierarchies
Methods, systems, devices, and computer program code (software) products enable acceleration of ray tracing by using acceleration data structures with high arity to enable processing of nodes using streaming SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data) instructions with reduced memory requirements. |
| US08188994B2 |
Power consumption detection apparatus, power consumption control apparatus, image processing apparatus, self-luminous display apparatus, electronic device, power consumption detection method, power consumption control method, and computer program
Disclosed herein is a power consumption detection apparatus including: a line current calculation section configured to calculate, based on an image signal, a value of a line current consumed by each of horizontal lines; and a power consumption calculation section configured to calculate, on a horizontal line cycle, power consumed by an entire display panel based on the most recent values of the line currents, the values corresponding in number to a vertical resolution. |
| US08188992B2 |
Method and apparatus for driving plasma display panel
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for driving a plasma display panel that can be driven at a low voltage and prevent undesired discharge from being generated under high temperature environment. |
| US08188964B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device is composed of a liquid crystal display panel which includes liquid crystal pixels arranged in a matrix form and each having liquid crystal held between a pixel electrode and a common electrode, scanning lines arranged along the rows of pixels, signal lines arranged along the columns of pixels and pixel switching elements arranged near intersections between the scanning lines and the signal lines and each driven via a corresponding scanning line, and a display control circuit which controls the display panel. The display control circuit is configured to simultaneously drive all of the scanning lines, transition the potentials of the signal lines to a value substantially equal to potential of the common electrode in a state where the scanning lines are driven within a one-frame period, and turn off a power source after a preset period of time required for the transition has elapsed. |
| US08188959B2 |
Liquid crystal display exhibiting less flicker and method for driving same
An exemplary liquid crystal display includes a frame buffer (41), a frame rate conversion circuit (42), a data divider (43), and a data driver (44). The frame buffer is configured for doubling a frame rate of inputted signals. The frame rate conversion circuit is configured for reducing a bit number of signals. The frame rate conversion circuit includes a first and a second look up table. The first look up table converts a gray level of one of the sub-frames into a higher gray level corresponding to signals with the lower bit number. The second look up table is configured for converting a gray level of the other sub-frame into a lower gray level corresponding to signals with the lower bit number. The data divider is configured for transmitting the signals to the data driver in several buses. The data driver drives the liquid crystal display to display images. |
| US08188956B2 |
Display device with tone correction circuit
The present invention prevents a TFT liquid crystal display device from deteriorating its image quality due to the insufficiency of voltage written through TFTs. There is disclosed a display device that includes a display panel in which the plural pixel electrodes are positioned between two neighboring video signal lines and arranged in the extending direction of the video signal lines, a pixel electrode connected to one of the two neighboring video signal lines through a TFT and a pixel electrode connected to the other video signal line through a TFT being alternately arranged; and a correction circuit that compares the tone of video data to be written into one of the plural pixel electrodes against the tone of video data to be written into a preceding pixel electrode that is connected through a TFT to the video signal line, to which the one of the plural pixel electrodes is also connected through a TFT, and placed one position toward a signal input end of the video signal line as compared to the one of the plural pixel electrodes, and corrects the video data to be written into the one of the plural pixel electrodes. |
| US08188951B2 |
Chip on glass type display device
A display device includes a display panel including a display region and first and second non-display regions disposed at a periphery of the display region, a first drive integrated circuit including a first signal input terminal, a second drive integrated circuit including a second signal input terminal, the first and second drive integrated circuits disposed in the first non-display region, a circuit board generating and outputting a driving signal and disposed in the second non-display region, a first signal line interconnecting the first signal input terminal and the second signal input terminal, and a second signal line extending from the circuit board and connected to the first signal line at a central position of the first signal line. |
| US08188940B2 |
Organic electroluminescent display device and method of driving the same
An organic electroluminescent display device and a method of driving the same, which can prevent a voltage drop and ensure a simple layout, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the organic electroluminescent display device includes: i) a display unit including a plurality of pixel circuits, ii) a data driver providing a data signal to the display unit, iii) a scan driver providing a scan signal to the display unit, iv) a first voltage source applying a first power supply voltage, v) a second voltage source applying a second power supply voltage to the display unit, and a switching unit electrically connected between the data driver and the second voltage source, and adapted to output the second power supply voltage to the display unit for a first period of time and output the data signal to the display unit for a second period of time in response to a predetermined control signal. |
| US08188934B2 |
Antenna structure and a method for its manufacture
The antenna has an antenna element and a feed tower for forming a feed to the antenna element. In addition, the antenna has a dielectric support plate, which is mechanically fastened to the first end of the feed tower. The antenna element is in the form of a folded dipole, and it consists of metal strips connected with each other on at least two surfaces of the dielectric support plate. At the first end, the feed tower is electrically connected to two different points of the antenna element. |
| US08188921B2 |
Apparatus and method for constructing and utilizing a beacon location database
A method to support client device position discovery within a building includes ascribing building position coordinates to beacons within the building. The building position coordinates are converted to physical position coordinates. The physical position coordinates are augmented with at least one additional parameter that supports position resolution. A client device communicates with accessed beacons positioned within the building. A beacon location database characterizing the physical locations of the accessed beacons is also accessed. The physical location of the client device is computed based upon the physical locations of the accessed beacons. |
| US08188919B2 |
Globally-convergent geo-location algorithm
A system and method for estimating a geolocation of a non-cooperative target using any reasonable target location estimate. Collectors may acquire actual signal measurements including a direction of arrival (DOA), a target range, a time difference of arrival (TDOA), a range rate, a range sum, and/or a frequency difference of arrival (FDOA). A processing device may receive the actual signal measurements and navigational data regarding the collectors. Then, the processing device may calculate an estimated target location as a solution to a nonlinear optimization problem where an objective function to be minimized is a weighted sum-of-squares of differences between the actual signal measurements and calculated values corresponding to signal measurements that theoretically should be produced for a particular target location. The algorithm used to solve this problem may be a globally convergent algorithm, such as a Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm. |
| US08188918B2 |
Antenna system having a steerable radiation pattern based on geographic location
An antenna system (10) for receiving satellite signals in a vehicle exhibits a radiation pattern (11). The antenna system (10) includes a plurality of parasitic elements (18) which are electrically connectable together using linking switches (20). The geometry of the radiation pattern (11) changes as the linking switches (20) are activated and deactivated. Control of the linking switches (20), and thus the geometry of the radiation pattern (11), is based on the geographic location of the antenna system (10). Thus, the radiation pattern (10) can be steered based on geographic location to enhance signal reception. The geographic location may be obtained automatically via a GPS receiver (30) or manually via a user. |
| US08188917B2 |
System and method for operating a GPS device in a micro power mode
A wireless device including a transceiver that utilizes a power supply is described. The wireless device includes a Global Positioning System (“GPS”) section having a plurality of GPS subsystems and a power controller in signal communication with the power supply and GPS section, wherein the power controller is configured to selectively power each GPS subsystem from the plurality of GPS subsystems. |
| US08188916B2 |
Position/time detecting apparatus and timepiece including the apparatus
The number of GPS satellites from which radio waves are received and the intensities of radio waves received from the GPS satellites are acquired. In a first state in which radio waves of a first signal intensity are received from four GPS satellites in a first predetermined time, orbit/time information are acquired from the respective GPS satellites. The time information indicates a radio-wave emission GMT clock time at the satellite when the radio waves were emitted from the satellite. In a second state in which radio waves of a second signal intensity lower than the first intensity are received from one or more GPS satellites within a second time longer than the first predetermined time, the time information is acquired from the respective GPS satellites. In the first state, a current time and a current position of the GPS timepiece is calculated based on the time/orbit information. In the second state, a current time is calculated based on the time information. |
| US08188906B2 |
Weather radar apparatus and rainfall rate calculation method
According to one embodiment, a weather radar apparatus includes a transmitting/receiving unit configured to simultaneously transmit radar waves of a horizontally polarized wave and a vertically polarized wave and receive reflected waves, a signal processing unit configured to perform dual polarization observation based on a reception output from the transmitting/receiving unit and calculate a received power of each polarized wave, an observation parameter calculation unit configured to calculate, based on the received powers, a first observation parameter having a first spatial resolution, and a second observation parameter having higher correlation with a rainfall rate than that of the first observation parameter and a second spatial resolution lower than the first spatial resolution, and a rainfall rate calculation unit configured to synthetically determine the rainfall rate based on the first observation parameter and the second observation parameter. |
| US08188888B2 |
Method and traffic control system for controlling traffic flows including hazardous material or abnormal load transportation units
Disclosed are a method and a traffic routing system for controlling traffic flows in which hazardous or special material is transported through safety-critical traffic zones such as tunnels, bridges or locks. In the method and traffic routing system, safety-relevant data is read with the help of a signal transmitter disposed on the transported hazardous or special material and is transmitted to a central computer unit when said vehicle passes reading devices located in the safety-critical traffic zone. The central computer unit determines a safety risk in the safety-critical traffic zone on the basis of the safety-relevant data of all transported hazardous or special material located in the safety-critical traffic zone and sets traffic routing signals. |
| US08188881B2 |
System and method for controlling multiple well tools
Systems and methods for downhole completions. A downhole running tool can have a body having a bore formed therethrough. A latch member can be disposed on a first portion of the body. A reset member can be disposed on a second portion of the body. A conduit can be formed within a sidewall of the body. The conduit can be located between the first and second portions of the body. A pressure relief port can be disposed at a first end of the conduit; and a first flow port can be disposed at a second end of the conduit. The pressure relief port and first flow port can be in communication with an outer diameter of the body. |
| US08188878B2 |
LED light communication system
An LED light and communication system includes at least one optical transceiver, the optical transceiver including a light support and a processor. The light support has a plurality of light emitting diodes and at least one photodetector attached thereto, the light emitting diodes receiving power from a power source. The processor is in communication with the light emitting diodes and the at least one photodetector, the processor capable of illuminating the light emitting diodes to simultaneously create at least one first light signal, and at least one second light signal, the first light signal being observable to the unaided eyes of an individual and the second light signal not being observable to the unaided eyes of the individual. The second light signal includes at least one data packet. The at least one data packet comprises global positioning system (GPS) location information. |
| US08188875B2 |
Radio field intensity measurement device, and radio field intensity detector and game console using the same
The present invention provides a radio field intensity measurement device having a display portion with improved visibility, in the case of measuring a weak radiowave from a long distance. In the radio field intensity measurement device, a battery is provided as a power source for power supply and the battery is charged by a received radiowave. When a potential of a signal obtained from the received radiowave is higher than an output potential of the battery, the power is stored in the battery. On the other hand, when the potential of the signal obtained from the received radiowave is lower than the output potential of the battery, power produced by the battery is used as power to drive the radio field intensity measurement device. As an element to display the radio field intensity, a thermochromic element or an electrochromic element is used. |
| US08188867B2 |
Transponder inlay for a personal document and method for the production thereof
The invention relates to a transponder inlay (11) for manufacturing a layered structure (40) for a personal document with a substrate layer (12) for arranging a transponder unit (15) that includes an antenna coil (13) and a chip module (14) and which is situated on a contact surface (17) of the substrate layer, wherein the chip module (14) is accommodated in a window opening (30) formed in the substrate layer (12) in such a way that a chip carrier (23) of the chip module rests with its circumferential edge on a compressed peripheral shoulder (24) of the window opening (30); the invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the transponder inlay. In addition, the present invention relates to a layered structure for a personal document, which is provided with such a transponder inlay, and an identification document having such a layered structure. |
| US08188865B2 |
Apparatus for a status reporting device for container handler
A mechanism and method for making status reporting devices for container handlers, including: providing a micro-controller module, and installing a program system into memory accessed by a computer directing the micro-controller module. The micro-controller module communicatively couples with means for wirelessly communicating and for sensing a state of the container handler. Means for wirelessly communicating may include means for wirelessly determining container handler location. The micro-controller module may be communicatively coupled to a separate means for determining location. An apparatus making the devices may include a second program system directing the invention's method through a second computer, which may control an assembly device in creating the micro-controller, coupled with the means for sensing and for wirelessly communicating. |
| US08188864B2 |
Device and method for inspecting equipment
An equipment inspecting device for inspecting at least one piece of equipment positioned in an office from among a plurality of offices included in the equipment inspection target recognizes office information for indicating a position of an office, and searches office equipment information for indicating a previous state of at least one piece of equipment positioned in the office by using the office information. The equipment inspecting device transmits the searched office equipment information to the equipment information collecting device so that an equipment information collecting device for collecting at least one piece of equipment information corresponding to at least one piece of equipment may generate update information for indicating a state change of at least one piece of equipment. Also, the equipment inspecting device receives the update information from the equipment information collecting device, and updates office equipment information by using the update information. |
| US08188861B2 |
Intelligent observation and identification database system
An intelligent video/audio observation and identification database system may define a security zone or group of zones. The system may identify vehicles and individuals entering or exiting the zone through image recognition of the vehicle or individual as compared to prerecorded information stored in a database. The system may alert security personnel as to warrants or other information discovered pertaining to the recognized vehicle or individual resulting from a database search. The system may compare images of a suspect vehicle, such as an undercarriage image, to standard vehicle images stored in the database and alert security personnel as to potential vehicle overloading or foreign objects detected, such as potential bombs. The system may track individuals or vehicles within a zone or between zones. The system may further learn the standard times and locations of vehicles or individuals tracked by the system and alert security personnel upon deviation from standard activity. |
| US08188860B2 |
Secure sensor/actuator systems
A chip module including a sensor/actuator, an input/output interface, a data processing circuit connected between the input/output interface and the sensor/actuator such that sensor/actuator data may be communicated to/from outside the chip module via the input/output interface, and a manipulation detector assembly configured to output an alarm signal responsive to attacks affecting the sensor/actuator data. |
| US08188858B2 |
Method and apparatus for collecting data
A method and apparatus for collecting data, and more particularly, a data collecting method and apparatus which automatically transmit data to a wireless data transmitting/receiving station when an amount of data stored in the data collecting apparatus is more than a predetermined first reference value. A data collecting apparatus includes: a measuring module measuring data and storing the measured data in a storage unit; and a communication module automatically transmitting the stored data to a wireless data transmitting/receiving station when the amount of data stored in the storage unit is more than a first reference value. |
| US08188856B2 |
System and method for providing a task reminder
Systems, methods, and computer readable media for providing a task reminder are disclosed herein. The method includes receiving information identifying a historical presence of a user of a mobile communication device at a location. The method further includes receiving task information that identifies a task and a task location. The method includes receiving a current location a user of a mobile communication device. The method includes generating a reminder of the task based on the historical presence of the user and a distance between the task location and the current location of the user. |
| US08188847B2 |
Information transmission and processing systems and methods for freight carriers
Methods and systems for remotely monitoring trailer or trailers attached to a vehicle is provided. The method includes associating an identification tag or ABS ECU that is configured to broadcast a trailer identification signal with a trailer. The method further includes receiving the trailer identification signal on-board the vehicle, associating the trailer identification signal with the vehicle, transmitting the trailer identification signal to a remote processor and receiving the trailer identification signal at the remote processor. The system comprises a mobile data terminal capable of generating and responding to telematic events comprising at least one processor, a graphical user interface, an input device, a memory and a set of executable instructions which may include a plurality of modules, such as a vehicle location module capable of receiving a GPS signal and transmitting the GPS signal to a remote processor for determining a location of a transportation unit. |
| US08188845B2 |
Modifying an appearance of a vehicle based on content of the vehicle
A mechanism is provided for controlling an output of a vehicle mounted display based on the current cargo loading of the vehicle so as to change the appearance of the vehicle. The mechanisms may identify at least one identifier of contents of a current cargo loading of the vehicle. The at least one identifier may identify at least one product currently being transported by the vehicle. The mechanisms may further correlate the at least one identifier with display data to be rendered on the vehicle mounted display. The mechanisms may further output the display data to the vehicle mounted display such that the display data is rendered on the vehicle mounted display. |
| US08188844B2 |
Reconfigurable tactile interface utilizing active material actuation
A reconfigurable tactile human-machine interface adapted for facilitating selection and manipulation by a user, presenting a first geometric shape, orientation, position, or characteristic, and including at least one active material element configured to cause the interface to achieve a second geometric shape, orientation, position or otherwise characteristic when activated or deactivated, and preferably further including at least one sensor, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and interface and configured to selectively cause the element to be activated upon receipt of sensory input. |
| US08188836B2 |
Apparatus for switching high frequency signals
A high frequency signal switching apparatus includes a bias unit which transmits a bias power source; a control signal transmitter, which provides a control signal received from outside; and a switching unit, so that the input signal input through the input terminal by switching one or more diodes according to the control signal driven by the bias power source is output selectively on the output terminal. |
| US08188834B2 |
Device for detecting the location of a compression point
The device has a first substrate on which an electrical resistive element is mounted, and a second substrate on which a contact electrode is mounted. The contact electrode is disposed opposite the resistive element at an electrically insulating distance. It can be brought into electrical contact with the resistive element by pressing the substrates together. The device is provided with electrical or electronic circuitry for detecting the location of the compression point. At least one of the substrates is equipped with a flat leaf spring of spring-grade sheet metal attached flush thereto, which leaf covers the compression zone of the substrates. |
| US08188831B2 |
Thermal overload relay
A thermal overload relay includes a main bimetal for detection of an overload current, a shifter associated with the main bimetal, a release lever working according to a displacement of the shifter, a contact reversing mechanism for changing-over contacts by reversing action caused by rotation of the release lever, and a manipulation structure for manipulating the release lever and the contact reversing mechanism. The manipulation structure includes a reset bar for returning the contact reversing mechanism to an initial state. The reset bar is arranged to change-over between a manual reset state in which the reset bar can be pushed-in and an automatic reset state in which the reset bar is pushed-in and turned from the manual reset state and held in that state. |
| US08188826B2 |
Coil unit and electronic apparatus using the same
A coil unit includes a coil formed by winding a coil wire, a wiring substrate, and a magnetic substance for receiving magnetic lines of force generated by the coil. The wiring substrate includes a connection terminal connected to both ends of the coil, an external connection terminal, and a wiring pattern for connecting the connection terminal and the external connection terminal. No circuit element other than the coil is mounted on the wiring substrate. |
| US08188822B2 |
Cooling system for large power transformers
A cooling system includes a housing having a compartment and an oil inlet. A transformer unit is disposed in the compartment and includes a plurality of large power transformers. A heat-dissipating unit is disposed in the compartment and includes a fluid inlet port member, a fluid outlet port member, a heat conductor, and a plurality of heat exchange pipes. The heat conductor is in thermal contact with the heat exchange pipes. The heat exchange pipes are arranged along a first direction. Each of the heat exchange pipes extends along a plane that is not parallel to the first direction. A cooling oil is introduced into the compartment through the oil inlet such that the transformer unit, the heat conductor, and the heat exchange pipes are immersed in the cooling oil. |
| US08188817B2 |
Electromechanical relay and method of making same
A double-pole-double-throw (DPDT) electromechanical relay employing a movable first magnet and a nearby third electromagnet is disclosed. The movable first magnet is permanently magnetized with a magnetic moment and has at least a first end and a second end. The third electromagnet, when energized, produces a third magnetic field which is primarily perpendicular to the magnetization direction of the first movable magnet and exerts a magnetic torque on the first magnet to force the first magnet to rotate and closes electrical conduction paths at the first end. Changing the direction of the electrical current in the third electromagnet changes the direction of the third magnetic field and thus the direction of the magnetic torque on the first magnet, and causes the first magnet to rotate in an opposite direction and opens the electrical conduction path at the first end and closes the electrical conduction paths at the second end. Latching, non-latching types, and various forms (normally open or closed, etc.) of relays can be formed by appropriately adjusting various force magnitudes. |
| US08188807B2 |
Attenuation element
The invention relates to an attenuation element. According to the invention, this attenuation element has two rail pieces (46, 48) and two conducting pieces (50, 52), wherein a rail piece (46, 48) and a conducting piece (50, 52) each are electrically connected in parallel, wherein these rail pieces (46, 48) are spatially disposed in parallel at a distance from each other, and wherein the conducting pieces (50, 52) each are made of electrically highly conductive material, and the rail pieces (46, 48) each are made of an electrically poorly conductive material. In this manner, the high-frequency currents can be substantially attenuated in a rectifier having distributed intermediate voltage circuits without the power loss in the intermediate voltage circuit markedly increasing such that the capacitors (10, 12, 24, 28) of the rectifier having distributed intermediate voltage circuits no longer need to be oversized with regard to an RMS current of the intermediate voltage circuit of this rectifier. |
| US08188806B2 |
Tuner and transformer formed by printed circuit board thereof
A tuner and a transformer formed by printed circuit board thereof are provided. The transformer includes a first winding and a second winding. In which, the first winding forms a first inductor and the second winding forms a second inductor. The transformer is formed by the first and the second inductors, wherein the first winding and the second winding are formed by conducting wires of a printed circuit board. |
| US08188796B2 |
Digital phase-locked loop clock system
A clock system includes a digital phase/frequency detector (DPFD), a buffer, a digitally-controlled oscillator (DCO) including a sigma-delta modulator (SDM), an adder, a first frequency divider. The DPFD may have a first input for a reference input clock, a second input for a feedback signal, the DPFD generating an output representing a difference between the reference input clock and the feedback signal. The buffer may be coupled to the DPFD for storing the difference signal over time. The SDM may have a control input coupled to the buffer. The adder may have inputs coupled to the SDM and a source of an integer control word. The first frequency divider may have an input for receiving an external clock signal and a control input coupled to the adder, the DCO generating an output clock signal having an average frequency representing a frequency of the external clock signal divided by (N+F/M). |
| US08188785B2 |
Mixed-mode circuits and methods of producing a reference current and a reference voltage
In an embodiment, a circuit includes a first transistor having a first current electrode, a control electrode, and a second current electrode coupled to a power supply terminal. The circuit further includes a resistive element having a first terminal coupled to the control electrode of the first transistor and a second terminal coupled to the power supply terminal. The circuit also includes a feedback circuit for providing a first current to the first control electrode of the first transistor and for preserving substantially the first current related to a voltage at the control electrode of the first transistor, through the resistive element. The feedback circuit includes an output terminal for providing an output signal in response to a voltage at the control electrode of the first transistor. In an embodiment, the first transistor is a floating-gate device with programmable threshold voltage. |
| US08188782B1 |
Clock system and method for compensating timing information of clock system
A clock system includes a clock signal generating circuit and a controlling circuit. The clock signal generating circuit is used for generating a primary clock signal and a reference clock signal both derived from an oscillating signal of the clock signal generating circuit. The controlling circuit is coupled to the clock signal generating circuit and used for receiving the primary clock signal under a normal mode and compensating timing information generated from the primary clock signal according to the reference clock signal when the clock system exits a power saving mode. The primary clock signal is de-activated when the clock system enters the power saving mode and is activated when the clock system exits the power saving mode. The clock system can keep a continue clock for system to use when the primary clock signal is gated or power saving mode is entered. |
| US08188780B2 |
Pulsed static flip-flop
A pulsed static flip-flop comprises a first logic device which combines a logic signal with a pulsed signal and outputs a set signal, a second logic device which logically combines the logic signal with a complementary pulsed signal and outputs a reset signal; and a latch device comprising storage means which hold a logic hold level to be tapped off as a stored logic state of the logic signal. The logic hold level is adjustable to a first logic level by a first push-pull transistor controlled by the set signal and to a second logic level by a second push-pull transistor controlled by the reset signal. |
| US08188772B2 |
Waveform generation circuit
A waveform generation circuit includes: a waveform generation block configured to generate a waveform signal corresponding to a driving control signal; and a control signal generation block configured to generate a driving control signal for compensating the waveform signal for an environmental factor reflected into the waveform generation circuit. |
| US08188763B2 |
Nonvolatile nanotube programmable logic devices and a nonvolatile nanotube field programmable gate array using same
Field programmable device (FPD) chips with large logic capacity and field programmability that are in-circuit programmable are described. FPDs use small versatile nonvolatile nanotube switches that enable efficient architectures for dense low power and high performance chip implementations and are compatible with low cost CMOS technologies and simple to integrate. |
| US08188760B2 |
Curve tracer signal conversion for integrated circuit testing
A curve tracer signal conversion device is provided. The signal conversion device has an input connected to the curve tracer base port to accept a repeating sequence of stepped base signals. The conversion device has a signal input connected to either the curve tracer collector or emitter port, typically the collector. The conversion device has a plurality of signal outputs, where each signal output is sequentially connected to the selected (i.e. collector) curve tracer port in response to a corresponding base step signal. The signals outputs may be provided to a test fixture, for testing a multi-pin integrated circuit (IC). |
| US08188756B2 |
Method for determining the electrical resistance of an electrical supply lead to sensor elements and a sensor arrangement
The invention relates to a method for determining the electrical resistance of an electrical supply lead to sensor elements and concerns a sensor arrangement. The sensor elements are interconnected to form a sensor arrangement, and the electrical total resistance of the supply lead to the sensor elements is determined by effecting a measurement involving an electrical component. The electrical total resistance of the supply lead to the sensor elements is compared to a reference value, whereby the reference value is the value of the electrical total resistance of a reference component of the circuit arrangement and of its electrical leads. The reference value is also determined by effecting a measurement. |
| US08188751B2 |
Method and measuring instrument for measuring water content
For measuring the water content of a web in the wire section of a paper machine, at least one radiofrequency-operated resonator sensor forms an electric near field, in which a web affects the resonance frequency of each resonator sensor. The water content of the web is measured as a function of the resonance frequency of each resonator sensor in a measuring unit. |
| US08188748B2 |
Electromagnetic surveying
A method of determining the nature of subterranean strata. The transmitter antenna is towed by vessel at a distance h above the sea floor. The antenna omits a wave field whose strength is proportional to the current delivered to the antenna and this is monitored. The input voltage to the antenna is also measured and changes in antenna impedance are calculated. Changes in antenna impedance are used together with seismic information to determine the nature of the subsea strata. |
| US08188740B2 |
Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
The present invention provides a vertical magnetic field MRI apparatus which is capable of speeding up imaging for taking an image of any cross section of a wide area such as a total body, while suppressing increase of the number of channels and maintaining high sensitivity in a deep portion of a subject. A receiver coil unit 500 incorporates a bed coil unit 600 whose longitudinal direction agrees with a body axis direction of the test object 103, and an upper coil unit 700 which is detachably mounted on the bed coil unit 600. The bed coil unit 600 is provided with a carrying surface 601 for placing the test object 103 thereon and multiple lower sub-coils arranged in a lower part of the carrying surface 601, and the upper coil unit 700 is provided with multiple upper sub-coils which are connected to the lower sub-coils. The upper sub-coils are separated into two parts; one arranged in a flexible inner support 20-1 covering the installation surface 601 and another arranged in a flexible outer support 20-2 covering the external side of the inner support 20-1. The upper sub-coils and the lower sub-coils are connected by mounting the upper coil unit 700 on the bed coil unit 600, thereby forming the multiple types of sub-coils. |
| US08188739B2 |
Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging apparatus
A method for obtaining the most appropriate amplitude of signal suppression pulse, which suppresses unnecessary signals from the substance not subjected to measurement, highly accurately, swiftly and stably, and an MRI apparatus that enables the optimization are provided.A pulse amplitude adjusting means equipped in the MRI apparatus acquires signals while changing the amplitude of signal suppression pulse and calculates signal absolute values and phase values, and computes reference signals, which are polarized signal absolute values, based on the changes in signal phase values. This reference signals are subjected to polynomial fitting. A value which makes this fitting curve is 0 or closes to 0 is set as the optimal pulse amplitude. |
| US08188737B2 |
MRI compatible radio frequency (RF) coil, with each rung of the RF coil containing a plurality of individual parallel wires internally
A radio frequency (RF) coil for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system includes a plurality of rungs. Each rung includes a plurality of wires positioned parallel to one another. Each wire has a circular cross section and an insulating material disposed around an outside surface of the wire. Using wires with a circular cross-section reduces the eddy currents produced on a rung. As a result, the amount of eddy current produced heating, vibration and acoustic noise is reduced. The plurality of wires also enables a more uniform current distribution along the width of each rung that in turn produces a more uniform excitation field (B1). |
| US08188726B2 |
Method and arrangement to determine the cell capacitor voltage of a cell of a multi-cell power converter
An arrangement to determine a cell capacitor voltage value of a cell of a multi-cell power converter includes the cell and a control unit. The cell itself includes four power electronic valves interconnected as a full-bridge converter having a first and a second phase leg, where each phase leg includes a series-connection of two of the four power electronic valves and where the connection point between the two power electronic valves of each phase leg is externally connectable, a cell capacitor being connected in parallel to the first and the second phase legs, and four gate units, each being connected to a corresponding one of the power electronic valves as well as to the control unit. |
| US08188717B2 |
Active communications bus power harvester for differential signal communication system
A balanced differential signal communication system having at least two data lines connecting multiple nodes in series, each node comprising a signal generator for applying signals to the data lines that produce a controllable differential voltage across the data lines; a rechargeable storage device for receiving electrical energy from the data lines to charge the storage device; at least one device coupled to the storage device for receiving electrical energy from the storage device; and a controllable converter coupling the data lines to the storage device for controlling the charging and discharging of the storage device with power captured from the data lines. |
| US08188708B2 |
Battery charger with high frequency transformer
A battery-charging system includes a power supply having a high-frequency transformer and is configured to deliver a battery charging power to charge at least one battery. The high-frequency transformer has a bobbin including an elongated top and bottom surfaces and first and second substantially semi-circular end surfaces connecting the top surface with the bottom surface to form an elongated first coil winding surface having a central axis. A first coil is wound around the first coil winding surface, and a second coil is magnetically coupled to the first coil and wound thereto. |
| US08188707B2 |
Methods and systems for a wall mounted universal power supply
Methods and Systems for charging portable equipment having divergent power requirements and exhibiting different structural features are provided by devices having adapters to accommodate the portable equipment in the form of a wall mounted universal power supply. Adapters are configured in plate formats that fit into cradles capable of charging cell phones, video cameras, and wireless routers. |
| US08188698B2 |
Integrated fan drive system for air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE)
An integrated fan drive system for air-cooled heat exchangers. The integrated fan drive system has a high-torque, low speed permanent magnet motor having a rotatable shaft, a fan that is directly connected to the rotatable shaft, and a variable frequency drive device in electrical signal communication with the permanent magnet motor to control the rotational speed of the permanent magnet motor. The high-torque, permanent magnet motor comprises no more than two bearings in operative association with the shaft. The variable frequency drive device has a variable frequency controller that has an input for receiving AC power and an output for providing electrical signals that control the operational speed of high-torque, permanent magnet motor. The variable frequency drive device also includes a user interface in electronic data signal communication with the variable frequency controller to allow a user to input motor speed control data. Other embodiments of the invention are described herein. |
| US08188687B2 |
Light emitting device for AC power operation
Disclosed is an improved light-emitting device for an AC power operation. A conventional light emitting device employs an AC light-emitting diode having arrays of light emitting cells connected in reverse parallel. The arrays in the prior art alternately repeat on/off in response to a phase change of an AC power source, resulting in short light emission time during a ½ cycle and the occurrence of a flicker effect. An AC light-emitting device according to the present invention employs a variety of means by which light emission time is prolonged during a ½ cycle in response to a phase change of an AC power source and a flicker effect can be reduced. For example, the means may be switching blocks respectively connected to nodes between the light emitting cells, switching blocks connected to a plurality of arrays, or a delay phosphor. Further, there is provided an AC light-emitting device, wherein a plurality of arrays having the different numbers of light emitting cells are employed to increase light emission time and to reduce a flicker effect. |
| US08188680B2 |
Illuminating device
To a constant-current power supply whose output current can be variably set, light emitting modules can be connected in parallel. A control unit recognizes connection information outputted from an information output unit provided in each of the light emitting modules and varies the output current of the constant-current power supply. Drive can be controlled in response to a state of the connected light emitting modules such as the connecting number of light emitting modules. |
| US08188679B2 |
Self-powered LED bypass-switch configuration
A LED string is divided into segments that each have a bypass-switch and a driver for the bypass-switch. The driver is powered by a supply voltage locally generated from the forward-voltages of the LEDs of the segment. |
| US08188676B2 |
Systems and methods for driving light-emitting diodes
At least some embodiments include a LED driver system. The system includes multiple branches of series-coupled LEDs, multiple current sources, and control logic. Each of the current sources is coupled to a separate branch of series-coupled LEDs. The control logic is coupled to the current sources, and is configured to regulate current through each branch based at least in part on a feedback voltage measured at a node in one of the branches. |
| US08188666B2 |
Control circuit for adjusting backlight
A control circuit for adjusting a backlight color is provided. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the control circuit comprises an input device, a control unit, a backlight, and a plurality of pulse-width modulation units. The input device receives a plurality of external messages to generate a corresponding plurality of control signals. The control unit has a plurality of pins, implements a plurality of calculations based on the plurality of control signals, and generates a plurality of light-adjusting signals, each of which has a respective pulse width. The backlight has a plurality of light sources for a color mixing. Each of the pulse-width modulation units is correspondingly coupled to each of the pins and to each of the light sources, and adjusts a light of the each light source based on the respective pulse width. |
| US08188660B2 |
Plasma display panel having improved brightness and bright room contrast
A plasma display panel including a first substrate and a second substrate, the first substrate having an inner surface facing the second substrate, at least one dark-colored visible ray absorbing layer on the inner surface of the first substrate, at least one discharge sustaining electrode pair on the visible ray absorbing layer, a first dielectric layer on the discharge sustaining electrode pair, an address electrode on the second substrate and disposed in a direction crossing the discharge sustaining electrode pair, a second dielectric layer on the address electrode, barrier ribs disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and defining a plurality of discharge cells, and a phosphor layer coated in the discharge cells. |
| US08188656B2 |
Photomultiplier tube
A photomultiplier tube including a casing having a glass substrate with a main surface made with an insulating material, dynodes having a 1st stage to an Nth stage which are arrayed to be spaced away sequentially from a first end side to a second end side on the main surface, a photocathode installed on the first end side to be spaced away from the 1st stage dynode to emit photoelectrons, and an anode part installed on the second end side to be spaced away from the Nth stage dynode, wherein a groove is formed between two adjacent dynodes on the main surface of the glass substrate, and the 1st stage to the Nth stage dynodes are fixed on raised parts adjacent to the grooves. |
| US08188655B2 |
Light-emitting device and electronic devices
The present invention provides a lightweight, thin light-emitting device having a new structure which has a plurality of display screens. Further, the invention provides a dual emission type display device which can perform a pure black display and can achieve high contrast. According to the invention, at least, both electrodes of a light-emitting element (an anode and a cathode of a light-emitting element) are highly light-transmitting at the same level, and a polarizing plate or a circularly polarizing plate is provided, thereby conducting a pure black display that is a state of no light-emission and enhancing the contrast. Moreover, unevenness of color tones in displays of the both sides, which is a problem of a full-color dual emission type display device structure, can be solved according to the invention. |
| US08188650B2 |
Method for preparing multilayer of nanocrystals, and organic-inorganic hybrid electroluminescence device comprising multilayer of nanocrystals prepared by the method
A method for preparing a multilayer of nanocrystals. The method includes the steps of (i) coating nanocrystals surface-coordinated by a photosensitive compound, or a mixed solution of a photosensitive compound and nanocrystals surface-coordinated by a material miscible with the photosensitive compound, on a substrate, drying the coated substrate, and exposing the dried substrate to UV light to form a first monolayer of nanocrystals, and (ii) repeating the procedure of step (i) to form one or more monolayers of nanocrystals on the first monolayer of nanocrystals. Further, an organic-inorganic hybrid electroluminescence device using a multilayer of nanocrystals prepared by the method as a luminescent layer. The luminescent efficiency and luminescence intensity of the electroluminescence device can be enhanced, and the electrical properties of the electroluminescence device can be controlled by the use of the multilayer of nanocrystals as a luminescent layer. |
| US08188649B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display device and method of fabricating the same
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device includes a substrate, a first electrode disposed on the substrate, an organic layer including an emission layer disposed on the first electrode, and a second electrode including stacked layers of Yb and Ag on the organic layer. A method of fabricating the organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device includes providing a substrate, forming a first electrode on the substrate, forming an organic layer including an emission layer on the first electrode, and forming a second electrode including stacked layers of Yb and Ag on the organic layer. |
| US08188640B2 |
Spark plug center electrode with reduced cover portion thickness
A method of producing a spark plug includes reducing the diameter of a center electrode while maintaining the heat dissipation property of the center electrode. A columnar member in which an outer skin member and a core member having a high thermal conductivity are clad, and which is columnarly extended, are configured by extrusion molding into a state where the thickness of the outer skin member is substantially uniform. A flange portion and a tip end portion are formed in the columnar member to obtain an electrode intermediate member. In a middle trunk portion of the electrode intermediate member, the thickness of the outer skin member is maintained. Then, the surface of the middle trunk portion is cut or polished to reduce the thickness, whereby the diameter of a center electrode is reduced while maintaining the outer diameter of the core member. |
| US08188634B2 |
Electrostatic drive, method for operating a micromechanical component having an electrostatic drive, and method for manufacturing an electrostatic drive
An electrostatic drive having at least three intermediate frames, each two adjacent intermediate frames being connected to one another via at least one intermediate spring whose longitudinal directions lie on a first axis of rotation, and intermediate electrode fingers being situated on frame girders oriented parallel to the first axis of rotation of the intermediate frames, and having an outer frame that surrounds the intermediate frames and that is connected to the outermost intermediate frame via at least one outer spring whose longitudinal direction lies on a second axis of rotation that is oriented non-parallel to the first axis of rotation, and outer electrode fingers being situated on frame girders oriented parallel to the second axis of rotation of the outer frame and of the outermost intermediate frame of the at least three intermediate frames. In addition, a micromechanical component having this electrostatic drive, a method for operating such a micromechanical component, and methods for manufacturing the electrostatic drive and the micromechanical component are described. |
| US08188628B2 |
Method for mounting an angle measuring device on an electric motor
In order to connect an angle measuring device to a brushless direct-current motor, a coupling is used, the coupling halves (10, 28) of which are each attached to the rotor (46) of the motor and/or the rotor (42) of the angle measuring device. Instead of using a coupling that is rotationally symmetrical at arbitrary angular positions as in the prior art, a coupling is used in which the coupling halves (10, 28) can be connected to one another only in a finite number of relative angular positions. An adjustment must be made before the coupling halves (10, 28) are attached to the respective rotors (46, 52). This allows all subsequent adjustment to be omitted, for example, even for maintenance work. |
| US08188612B2 |
Wind turbine generator and start-up method of the same
A start-up method of a wind turbine generator includes a step of increasing a pitch angle of a wind turbine blade from a feather pitch angle to a fine pitch angle. The step of increasing the pitch angle of the wind turbine blade includes steps of: determining based on first to n-th pitch angles (n≧2) greater than the feather pitch angle and smaller than the fine pitch angle and first to n-th rotational speed conditions associated with the first to n-th pitch angles, respectively, whether a control target rotational speed, which is a wind turbine speed or generator speed, satisfies the i-th rotational speed condition when the pitch angle reaches the i-th rotational speed out of the first to n-th pitch angles, the first to n-th pitch angles and the first to n-th rotational speed conditions being stored in a storage unit; decreasing the pitch angle to the (i−1)-th pitch angle or the feather pitch angle in a case that the control target rotational speed does not satisfy the i-th rotational speed condition when the pitch angle reaches the i-th pitch angle; and increasing the pitch angle to the (i+1)-th pitch angle or the fine pitch angle in a case that the control target rotational speed satisfies the i-th rotational speed condition when the pitch angle reaches the i-th pitch angle. |
| US08188611B2 |
Flow deflection devices and method for energy capture machines
The flow of fluid into energy capture machines is crucial for determining the amount of energy extracted, particularly in the field of renewable energy resources. The current invention describes devices and methods for applying the physics of flow to energy capture machines, most commonly wind and water turbines, by enhancing the flow into the energy capture component by the appropriate placement of various objects called flow deflection devices (FDD). FDDs can make a highly significant improvement in power output. |
| US08188608B2 |
Ejector device
An ejector device effective to generate a negative pressure by element of compressed air fed to an ejector of the device via a compressed-air duct includes an air suction duct, a pressure sensor and an electrically activatable valve member arranged in the compressed-air duct for regulating the flow of compressed air to the ejector, as well as electrically supplied control electronics (6) adapted to actuate the valve member in response to the pressure in the air suction duct detected by the sensor. The device includes an accumulator by which the control electronics are supplied with electricity, and a generator, which via a charging air duct (9), is in flow communication with the compressed-air duct and is driven by compressed air for generating electrical energy, which is brought into the accumulator for charging the same. |
| US08188607B2 |
Layout structure for chip coupling
A layout structure disposed on the substrate of the liquid crystal display (LCD) for chip coupling is provided. The first and second orientations that are substantially perpendicular to the first orientation can be defined on the substrate. The layout structure includes a plurality of lines, which extend along the second orientation, and a plurality of conductive pads that are respectively disposed on the lines. The conductive pads are distributed along the first orientation and staggered along the second orientation. Each line can shift away from the adjacent conductive pad on the first orientation. Thus, the LCD chip has a better conductivity and a thinner dimension under the precision of the conventional machines. |
| US08188605B2 |
Components joining method and components joining structure
To provide a components joining method and a components joining structure which can realize joining of components while securing conduction at a low electrical resistance with high reliability.In a construction in which by using a solder paste containing solder particles 5 in a thermosetting resin 3a, a rigid substrate 1 and a flexible substrate 7 are bonded by the thermosetting resin 3a, and a first terminal 2 and a second terminal 8 are electrically connected by the solder particles 5, a blending ratio of an activator of the thermosetting resin 3a in the solder paste is properly set and oxide film removed portions 2b, 8b, and 5b are partially formed in oxide films 2a, 8a, and 5a of the first terminal 2, the second terminal 8, and the solder particles 5. Thereby, the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 8 are electrically conducted by solder bonding the solder particles 5 to both the first terminal 2 and the second terminal 8 via the oxide film removed portions 2b and 8b, and while fusion of the solder particles 5 with each other is prevented in the thermosetting resin 3a, connection of components at a low electrical resistance is realized with high reliability. |
| US08188594B2 |
Input/output package architectures
A high-speed I/O trace is part of an I/O package architecture for an integrated circuit package substrate. The integrated circuit package substrate includes an integrated heat spreader footprint on a die-side and the I/O trace to couple with an IC device to be disposed inside the IHS footprint. The I/O trace includes a pin-out terminal outside the IHS footprint to couple to an IC device to be disposed outside the IHS footprint. The high-speed I/O trace can sustain a data flow rate from a processor in a range from 5 gigabits per second (Gb/s) to 40 Gb/s. |
| US08188593B2 |
Silicon substrate having through vias and package having the same
The present invention relates to a silicon substrate having through vias and a package having the same. The silicon substrate includes a substrate body, a plurality of through vias and at least one heat dissipating area. The substrate body has a surface, and the material of the substrate body is silicon. The through vias penetrate the substrate body, and each of the through vias has a conductive material therein. The heat dissipating area is disposed on the surface of the substrate body and covers at least two through vias. The heat dissipating area is made of metal, and the through vias inside the heat dissipating area have same electrical potential. Thus, the heat in the through vias is transmitted to the heat dissipating area, and since the area of the heat dissipating area is large, the silicon substrate has good heat dissipation efficiency. |
| US08188568B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit
A semiconductor circuit includes: a first diffusion layer formed on a substrate; a second diffusion layer formed in an upper part of the first diffusion layer; a third diffusion layer formed in an upper part of the second diffusion layer; a fourth diffusion layer formed in the upper part of the first diffusion layer; and a fifth diffusion formed below the third diffusion layer. A sum of a shortest distance from the third diffusion layer to the fifth diffusion layer and a shortest distance from the fifth diffusion layer or the lower end of the first diffusion layer to the fourth diffusion layer is smaller than a shortest distance from the third diffusion layer to the fourth diffusion layer. The substrate, the second and the fifth diffusion layer are a first conductivity type and the others are a second conductivity type. |
| US08188566B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device
The bottom side of an N type silicon substrate is connected to a power supply terminal, a second P type epitaxial layer is formed on all sides of the N type silicon substrate, and a device forming portion is provided on the second P type epitaxial layer. A first P type epitaxial layer and an interlayer insulating film are provided on the device forming portion and an N well and a P well are formed on the top surface of the first P type epitaxial layer. The second P type epitaxial layer is connected to a ground terminal via the first P type epitaxial layer, the P well, a p+ diffusion region, a via and a wire. Accordingly, a pn junction is formed at the interface between the second P type epitaxial layer and the N type silicon substrate. |
| US08188562B2 |
Multi-layer N-type stack for cadmium telluride based thin film photovoltaic devices and methods of making
Thin film photovoltaic devices are provided that generally include a transparent conductive oxide layer on the glass, a multi-layer n-type stack on the transparent conductive oxide layer, and a cadmium telluride layer on the multi-layer n-type stack. The multi-layer n-type stack generally includes a first layer and a second layer, where the first layer comprises cadmium and sulfur and the second layer comprises cadmium and oxygen. The multi-layer n-type stack can, in certain embodiments, include additional layers (e.g., a third layer, a fourth layer, etc.). Methods are also generally provided for manufacturing such thin film photovoltaic devices. |
| US08188554B2 |
Memory device having movable electrode and method of manufacturing the memory device
A memory device includes a bit line, a first word line, a bit line contact, an electrode, a second word line and a contact tip. The bit line may extend along a first direction. The first word line is formed over the bit line and extends in a second direction. The bit line contact is formed between adjacent first word lines. The bit line contact may have an upper face substantially higher than the first word lines. The electrode contacting with the bit line contact may include an elastic material bending by an electric field among the electrode, the first word line and the second word line. The second word line is disposed over the electrode and corresponds to at least one of the first word lines. The contact tip formed at a lateral portion of the electrode may protrude toward the first and the second word lines. |
| US08188547B2 |
Semiconductor device with complementary transistors that include hafnium-containing gate insulators and metal gate electrodes
A first adjusting metal, capable of varying the threshold voltage of a first-conductivity-type transistor of a complementary transistor, is added to the first-conductivity-type transistor and a second-conductivity-type transistor at the same time, and a diffusion suppressive element, capable of suppressing diffusion of the first adjusting metal, is added from above a metal gate electrode of the second-conductivity-type transistor. |
| US08188545B2 |
Integrated circuit device and electronic instrument
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes N pad rows in which pads are respectively arranged, and electrostatic discharge protection elements disposed in a lower layer of the N pad rows and connected with each pad in the N pad rows. The electrostatic discharge protection elements are disposed in a lower layer of regions at least partially including each of the N pads. |
| US08188539B2 |
Field-effect semiconductor device and method of forming the same
A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor layer, a body region of a first conductivity type formed in the semiconductor layer and extending from a first surface of the semiconductor layer, a first region of a second conductivity type formed in the body region, and a second region of the first conductivity type formed in the body region. The first region extends from the first surface of the semiconductor layer and provides a current electrode region of the semiconductor device. The second region surrounds the first region. The doping concentration of the first conductivity type in the second region is greater than a doping concentration of the first conductivity type in the body region. |
| US08188534B2 |
Semiconductor memory device
The present invention aims at providing a semiconductor memory device that can be manufactured by a MOS process and can realize a stable operation. A storage transistor has impurity diffusion regions, a channel formation region, a charge accumulation node, a gate oxide film, and a gate electrode. The gate electrode is connected to a gate line and the impurity diffusion region is connected to a source line. The storage transistor creates a state where holes are accumulated in the charge accumulation node and a state where the holes are not accumulated in the charge accumulation node to thereby store data “1” and data “0”, respectively. An access transistor has impurity diffusion regions, a channel formation region, a gate oxide film, and a gate electrode. The impurity diffusion region is connected to a bit line. |
| US08188525B2 |
Image sensor
An image sensor includes a substrate, transparent layers covering the substrate and delimiting an exposition surface exposed to light, separate photosensitive areas at the substrate level and, for each photosensitive area, a first optical means capable of deviating towards the photosensitive area light reaching a central region of a portion of the exposition surface. The sensor further includes, for each photosensitive area, a second optical means, separate from the first optical means, capable of deviating towards the photosensitive area light reaching a peripheral region of the portion of the exposition surface surrounding the central region. |
| US08188521B2 |
Power semiconductor device
A power semiconductor device has semiconductor layers, including: first layer of first type; second and third layers respectively of first and second types alternately on the first layer; fourth layers of second type on the third layers; fifth layers of first type on the fourth layer; sixth and seventh layers respectively of second and first types alternately on the second and third layers; a first electrode connected to the first layer; an insulation film on fourth, sixth, and seventh layers; a second electrode on fourth, sixth, and seventh layers via the insulation film; and a third electrode joined to fourth and fifth layers, wherein the sixth layers are connected to the fourth layers and one of the third layers between two fourth layers, and an impurity concentration of the third layers below the sixth layers is higher than that of the third layers under the fourth layers. |
| US08188513B2 |
Nanowire and larger GaN based HEMTS
Nanowire and larger, post-based HEMTs, arrays of such HEMTs, and methods for their manufacture are provided. In one embodiment, a HEMT can include a III-N based core-shell structure including a core member (e.g., GaN), a shell member (e.g., AlGaN) surrounding a length of the core member and a two-dimensional electron gas (2-DEG) at the interface therebetween. The core member including a nanowire and/or a post can be disposed over a doped buffer layer and a gate material can be disposed around a portion of the shell member. Exemplary methods for making the nanowire HEMTs and arrays of nanowire HEMTs can include epitaxially forming nanowire(s) and epitaxially forming a shell member from each formed nanowire. Exemplary methods for making the post HEMTs and arrays of post HEMTs can include etching a III-N layer to form III-N post(s) followed by formation of the shell member(s). |
| US08188506B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device
A semiconductor light emitting device and corresponding method of manufacture, where the semiconductor light emitting device includes a light emitting structure, a second electrode layer, an insulating layer, and a protrusion. The light emitting structure comprises a second conductive semiconductor layer, an active layer under the second conductive semiconductor layer, and a first conductive semiconductor layer under the active layer. The second electrode layer is formed on the light emitting structure. The insulating layer is formed along the circumference of the top surface of the light emitting structure. The protrusion protrudes from the undersurface of the insulating layer to the upper part of the first conductive semiconductor layer. |
| US08188501B2 |
Optical device to emit polarized light
An optical device capable of emitting polarized light includes a light emitting means, two multi-layer optical films disposed above and below the light emitting means and two metal layers. The two metal layers cover the two multi-layer optical layers from the upper and lower sides respectively. Each of the two multi-layer optical films includes at least two films made from materials of different refractive indexes that are stacked in a staggered manner. The optical film formed by the multi-layer optical films and metal layers provides greater reflectance to S-polarized light (TE) and higher absorption to P-polarized light. Light generated by the light emitting means emits diagonally to the optical films and is reflected several times thereof to form S-polarized light (TE) to emit sideward. |
| US08188484B2 |
Semiconductor device
The semiconductor device according to the present invention includes: a semiconductor layer made of SiC; an impurity region formed by doping the semiconductor layer with an impurity; and a contact wire formed on the semiconductor layer in contact with the impurity region, while the contact wire has a polysilicon layer in the portion in contact with the impurity region, and has a metal layer on the polysilicon layer. |
| US08188471B2 |
Field effect transistor
A field effect transistor is provided including a gate electrode (for example, 15), a source electrode (13), a drain electrode (14) and a channel layer (11) to control current flowing between the source electrode (13) and the drain electrode (14) by applying a voltage to the gate electrode (15). The channel layer (11) is constituted of an amorphous oxide containing In and Si and having a compositional ratio expressed by Si/(In+Si) of not less than 0.05 and not more than 0.40. |
| US08188468B2 |
Compound-type thin film, method of forming the same, and electronic device using the same
An organometal material gas is supplied into a low electron temperature and high density plasma excited by microwaves to form a thin film of a compound on a substrate as a film forming object. In this case, the temperature of a supply system for the organometal material gas is controlled by taking advantage of the relationship between the vapor pressure and temperature of the organometal material gas. |
| US08188466B2 |
Resistance variable element
A resistance variable element is provided, which is capable of performing bipolar operation by a specified mechanism and usable as a memory. The resistance variable element has a laminated structure including an electrode, another electrode, an oxide layer between the electrodes, and an oxide layer in contact with the oxide layer between the oxide layer and the electrode. The oxide layer is switchable from the low-resistance state to the high-resistance state by donating oxygen ions to the oxide layer, and from the high-resistance state to the low-resistance state by accepting oxygen ions from the oxide layer. The oxide layer is switchable from the low-resistance state to the high-resistance state by accepting oxygen ions from the oxide layer, and from the high-resistance state to the low-resistance state by donating oxygen ions to the oxide layer. |
| US08188460B2 |
Bi-layer pseudo-spin field-effect transistor
A bi-layer pseudo-spin field-effect transistor (BiSFET) is disclosed. The BiSFET includes a first and second conduction layers separated by a tunnel dielectric. The BiSFET transistor also includes a first gate separated from the first conduction layer by an insulating dielectric layer, and a second gate separated from the second conduction layer by an insulating layer. These conduction layers may be composed of graphene. The voltages applied to the first and/or second gates can control the peak current and associated voltage value for current flow between top and bottom conduction channels, and interlayer current voltage characteristic exhibiting negative differential resistance. BiSFETs may be used to make a variety of logic gates. A clocked power supply scheme may be used to facilitate BiSFET-based logic. |
| US08188459B2 |
Devices based on SI/nitride structures
A nitride-based semiconductor device is provided. The nitride-base semiconductor device includes a substrate comprising one or more locally etched regions and a buffer layer comprising one or multiple InAlGaN layers on the substrate. A channel layer includes GaN on the buffer layer. A barrier layer includes one or multiple AlGaN layers on the channel layer. |
| US08188456B2 |
Thermionic electron emitters/collectors have a doped diamond layer with variable doping concentrations
A thermionic electron emitter/collector includes a substrate and a doped diamond electron emitter/collector layer on the substrate. The doped diamond electron emitter/collector layer has at least a first and a second doping concentration as a function of depth such that the first doping concentration is different from the second doping concentration. |
| US08188454B2 |
Forming a phase change memory with an ovonic threshold switch
A phase change memory may include an ovonic threshold switch formed over an ovonic memory. In one embodiment, the switch includes a chalcogenide layer that overlaps an underlying electrode. Then, edge damage, due to etching the chalcogenide layer, may be isolated to reduce leakage current. |
| US08188449B2 |
Charged particle beam drawing method and apparatus
A charged particle beam drawing apparatus for drawing patterns corresponding to figures in a drawing data, has a portion for dividing a drawing area on the workpiece into block frames, a portion for combining at least a first block frame and a second block frame into a virtual block frame, and a portion for transferring a data of the virtual block frame from an input data dividing module to a common memory of a first converter and a second converter. The first converter converts a data of a first figure included in the first block frame into a first drawing apparatus internal format data. The second converter converts a data of a second figure included in the second block frame into a second drawing apparatus internal format data. The first figure and the second figure are included in a cell extending over the first block frame and the second block frame. |
| US08188448B2 |
Temperature controlled ion source
An ion source is provided that utilizes the same dopant gas supplied to the chamber to generate the desired process plasma to also provide temperature control of the chamber walls during high throughput operations. The ion source includes a chamber having a wall that defines an interior surface. A liner is disposed within the chamber and has at least one orifice to supply the dopant gas to an inside of the chamber. A gap is defined between at least a portion of the interior surface of the chamber wall and the liner. A first conduit is configured to supply dopant gas to the gap where the dopant gas has a flow rate within the gap. A second conduit is configured to remove the dopant gas from the gap, wherein the flow rate of the dopant gas within the gap acts as a heat transfer media to regulate the temperature of the interior of the chamber. |
| US08188433B2 |
Physiological sensor having reduced sensitivity to interference
A physiological sensor having reduced sensitivity to interference includes a light source, a light detector in optical communication with the light source, and a sensor pad at least partially housing the light source and the light detector. The sensor pad is configured to be capacitively isolated from a patient. Moreover, the physiological sensor may be electrically connected to an amplifier having a signal ground and a monitor. |
| US08188429B2 |
Scanning electron microscope for determining quality of a semiconductor pattern
Disclosed herein is a scanning electron microscope capable of determining quality of a semiconductor pattern, deformation of contact-holes, and inclination of the sidewall of the contact-holes, respectively. To that end, the scanning electron microscope includes image pickup means for picking up images of a circuit pattern formed on a semiconductor wafer on a preset condition, calculation means for comparing each of the images picked up by the image pickup means with a prestored reference image to thereby calculate a feature of the images picked up, and a computer for executing evaluation on quality of the circuit pattern on the basis of the feature calculated by the calculation means, and calculation of the feature is executed independently with reference to a secondary electron image, and each of back-scattering electron images. |
| US08188422B1 |
Fabrication of three-dimensional ion optics assemblies by metallization of non-conductive substrates
A die assembly for creating a ring electrode including a cylindrically-shaped die base, two die walls and a die top sized to fit inside a cylindrical die housing. The die base and die top having a series of concentric elevations used as impressions to form on two ends of the ring electrode. A method of fabricating an LTCC ring electrode using the die assembly is also provided. |
| US08188418B1 |
Switchable hybrid receiver for coherent and direct optical detection
Embodiments of the present invention provide a switchable dual-mode detection system that can be electronically or optically switched between direct and coherent detection. The dual-mode detection system comprises a photo detector and one or more switching elements used in conjunction with the photo detector to electronically or optically switch the detection system between direct and coherent detection. The switching elements may include a switchable detector driver that selectively biases the photo detector into a low gain mode for coherent detection and a high gain mode for direct detection, and/or a switchable optical subsystem that selectively mixes a local oscillator beam with the input signal beam for coherent detection and not for direct detection, and/or an amplifier switch that selectively directs the output photo current of the photo detector to one of two amplifiers, where one of the amplifiers is optimized for direct detection and the other for coherent detection. |
| US08188409B2 |
Temperature probe for an oven, oven and method for operating an oven
The invention relates to a temperature probe for an oven, comprising in one embodiment a longitudinal housing in the form of a spit. A temperature sensor and an electronic unit are arranged in a tip and are connected at the other end to emitting means. The temperature probe comprises a thermogenerator for producing energy. The thermogenerator uses a temperature difference between a higher temperature inside the oven and a lower core temperature in a food product, such as roast, in which the temperature probe is inserted, for producing energy for operating the emitting means. |
| US08188405B2 |
Electric arc welding machine and operating method with modular unit enclosing cooling unit
A welding machine has a welding unit for generating a welding voltage/current, and at least one welding tool connectable to the welding unit by a cable. The welding unit has a closed protective casing, and a cooling unit for cooling the welding tool and/or cable on command. A modular unit containing the cooling unit is insertable and easily removable from inside the casing and is closed for protection of the welding unit. |
| US08188404B2 |
Laser processing method and laser processing apparatus
In six rows of molten processed regions 131, 132, the molten processed region 131 closest to a front face 17a of a metal film 17 opposing a front face 3 of an object to be processed 1 acting as a laser light entrance surface is formed by irradiating a silicon wafer 11 with a reflected light component of laser light L reflected by the front face 17a of the metal film 17. This can form the molten processed region 131 very close to the front face 17a of the metal film 17. |
| US08188397B2 |
Sheet switch module
A sheet switch module (21) including a circuit board (22), at least one key switch (25) mounted on one surface of the circuit board (22), a light-guiding sheet unit (30) covering one surface of the key switch (25), at least one LED (26) mounted on the circuit board (22) to enter light into the light-guiding sheet unit (30), the light-guiding sheet unit (30) being formed by a plurality of light-guiding sheets (31,32) at least parts of which are overlapped, the key switch (25) being illuminated by the LED (26) by way of plurality of light-guiding sheets (31,32). |
| US08188396B2 |
SCADA ready field test switch
A monitored SCADA Ready Field Test (FT) Switch is disclosed. The monitored switch relates to the incorporation of a monitoring switch for each switch unit in a FT switch to monitor the position of the corresponding switch unit and the FT switch, generally. |
| US08188391B2 |
Vibration switch and circuit using the same
A vibration switch is provided. The vibration switch includes a housing; a plurality of conductive members are received in the housing and spaced apart from each other; a biasing member is suspended in the housing; a plurality of wires electrically connected to the conductive members and the biasing member respectively; wherein, when the housing receives a vibration, the biasing member is deflected and contacts one of the conductive members, thereby making an electrical connection between the biasing member and the conductive member. A circuit using the vibration switch is also provided. |
| US08188389B2 |
Slide switch
A slide switch including: an operating member which moves circular arcuately in a predetermined movement stroke relative to a main surface of a printed wiring board for outputting a plurality of electrical signals and selects between the electric signals; a converting mechanism for converting a circular arcuate movement of the operating member into a rectilinear movement relative to the main surface of the printed wiring board; and a moving member rectilinearly moved relative to the main surface of the printed wiring board by the converting mechanism and determining, in cooperation with the printed wiring board, an electrified state corresponding to an electric signal selected by the operating member. |
| US08188383B2 |
Combination weighing apparatus with conveyor apparatus having coaxial sprial members
A combination weighing apparatus includes a distribution unit, a plurality of conveying units and a plurality of weighing hoppers. At least one of the conveying units has a trough and a plurality of spiral members. The trough has an inside edge positioned below the distribution unit and an outside edge positioned above the weighing hopper. The spiral members are placed above a bottom surface of the trough with each of the spiral members defining an external peripheral surface. The spiral members are configured and arranged to be rotatably driven to convey the product material supplied from the distribution unit in a vicinity of the inside edge, along the external peripheral surfaces toward a vicinity of the outside edge. The spiral members are configured and arranged to stop movement of the product material on the external peripheral surfaces when the spiral members are not rotatably driven. |
| US08188379B2 |
Package substrate structure
A package substrate structure includes: a substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface and characterized by a plurality of wire-bonding pads provided on the first surface of the substrate, a plurality of ball-implanting pads provided on the second surface of the substrate, and at least a cavity formed to penetrate the first and second surfaces of the substrate; a metal board mounted on the second surface of the substrate and covering the cavity, wherein the metal board has a thickness greater than that of the ball-implanting pads and has an area greater than that of the cavity; and solder masks disposed on the first and second surfaces of the substrate respectively and having at least a solder-mask cavity corresponding in position to the cavity of the substrate, the solder masks further having a plurality of openings for exposing the wire-bonding pads, the ball-implanting pads and the metal board. |
| US08188375B2 |
Multilayer circuit board and method for manufacturing the same
A multilayer circuit board comprises core layers 101 and 102 made of a core material impregnated with resin, resin layers 111 and 112 interposed between the core layers 101 and 102, a wiring pattern 140 embedded in the resin layers 111 and 112. The core layers 101 and 102 have a thickness of 100 μm or smaller, whereby the entire board can significantly be thinned. Furthermore, the less strong resin layers 111 and 112 are interposed between the hard core layers 101 and 102, whereby the entire board has increased strength. |
| US08188372B2 |
Flex-rigid printed wiring board and manufacturing method thereof
A flex-rigid printed wiring board is provided which can retain flexibility of a flexible portion while increasing durability of the flexible portion against folding, and can ensure conduction in a rigid portion, and a method of manufacturing the printed wiring board.The flex-rigid printed wiring board includes a conductor layer provided on at least one face of a base film, one region of the wiring board containing the base film being a rigid region, an another region containing the base film being a flexible region. The average thickness “tf” of the conductor layer on the base film formed in the flexible region and the average thickness “tR” of the conductor layer on the base film formed in the rigid region satisfy the relationship of tf |
| US08188366B2 |
Integrated solar energy conversion system, method, and apparatus
A solar energy conversion package includes a photovoltaic (PV) cell, a thermionic or thermoelectric conversion unit and a thermal heating system. Solar radiation is concentrated by a lens or reflector and directed to the PV cell for electrical power conversion. A water circulation system maintains the PV cell at working temperatures. The thermionic or thermoelectric conversion cell is coupled between these cells in the thermal path to generate additional power. Additional efficiencies may be gained by partitioning the solar radiation with prisms or wavelength specific filters or reflective coatings into discrete spectrum segments optimized for each conversion unit for maximizing efficiency of electrical energy conversion and equipment design. Integrating all three of these conversion techniques produces a synergistic system that exceeds the performance conventional solar conversion systems. |
| US08188363B2 |
Module level solutions to solar cell polarization
A solar cell module includes interconnected solar cells, a transparent cover over the front sides of the solar cells, and a backsheet on the backsides of the solar cells. The solar cell module includes an electrical insulator between the transparent cover and the front sides of the solar cells. An encapsulant protectively packages the solar cells. To prevent polarization, the insulator has resistance suitable to prevent charge from leaking from the front sides of the solar cells to other portions of the solar cell module by way of the transparent cover. The insulator may be attached (e.g., by coating) directly on an underside of the transparent cover or be a separate layer formed between layers of the encapsulant. The solar cells may be back junction solar cells. |
| US08188362B2 |
Photophysicochemical cell
The present invention provides photophysicochemical cell which comprises, as the photoanode electrode (a) an electrode formed of a porous semiconductor material which, under ultraviolet irradiation condition, is photo-excited and functions as a porous electrically conductive material in an ultraviolet region, or (b) the porous semiconductor material capable of functioning as an ultraviolet-region electrically conductive material is selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, tin dioxide, tungsten oxide, and silicon carbide, and (c) the porous semiconductor material which constitutes the photoanode electrode capable of functioning as an ultraviolet-region electrically conductive material has large effective surface area of some hundreds times to thousands times the apparent surface area of the electrode. |
| US08188361B2 |
Photovoltaic electrochromic device
A photovoltaic electrochromic device includes a semi-transparent thin-film solar cell substrate, an electrochromic solution, and a transparent non-conductive substrate, wherein the electrochromic solution is located between the transparent non-conductive substrate and the semi-transparent thin-film solar cell substrate. The semi-transparent thin-film solar cell substrate includes a transparent substrate and a plurality of thin-film solar cells, wherein the anodes and the cathodes of the thin-film solar cells are also used as the anodes and the cathodes of the photovoltaic electrochromic device. Because a driving voltage of the electrochromic solution is low, the thickness of an intrinsic layer in each of the thin-film solar cells can be thinned, which increases the transmittance of the photovoltaic electrochromic device. Besides, the current output of the photovoltaic electrochromic device can be controlled by an additional output switch layout coupled with the thin-film solar cells. |
| US08188360B2 |
Thermoelectric conversion device
A thermoelectric conversion device includes a hot terminal substrate, a cold terminal substrate and a stacked structure. The stacked structure is disposed between the hot terminal substrate and the cold terminal substrate. The stacked structure includes thermoelectric conversion layers each including a thermoelectric couple layer, a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer, a first heat-conductive and electrically insulating structure and a second heat-conductive and electrically insulating structure. Each of the thermoelectric conversion layers is arranged in the stacked structure. The first conductive layer includes first conductive materials and is arranged on tops of P/N type thermoelectric conversion elements. The second conductive layer includes second conductive materials and is arranged on bottoms of the P/N type thermoelectric conversion elements. The first heat-conductive and electrically insulating structure is connected between two adjacent first conductive layers. The second heat-conductive and electrically insulating structure is connected between two adjacent second conductive layers. |
| US08188358B2 |
Percussion instrument
A percussion instrument that is formed of a housing, a compressible foam material connected to the housing, an electronic pick-up embedded within said compressible foam material and a compression plate. The housing includes a front opening and a cavity and a rear portion of the compressible foam material extends through the front opening of the housing and into the cavity of the housing. The electronic pick-up is spaced from the outer surface of the compressible foam material. The compression plate is positioned on the front face of the compressible foam material and is spaced from an outer edge of the front face. |
| US08188357B2 |
Graphical user interface and methods of use thereof in a multimedia player
In a portable multimedia device, a method, apparatus, and system for providing user supplied configuration data are described. In one embodiment, a hierarchically ordered graphical user interface is provided. A first order, or home, interface provides a highest order of user selectable items each of which, when selected, results in an automatic transition to a lower order user interface associated with the selected item. In one of the described embodiments, the lower order interface includes other user selectable items associated with the previously selected item from the higher order user interface. |
| US08188355B2 |
Adjustable depth snare drum
A snare drum having four cylindrical members which nest within and are permanently attached to each other from the top shell of the drum. The top ends of the four cylindrical members are located adjacent to each other and the bottom ends of the third and fourth cylindrical members are located below the bottom ends of the first and second cylindrical members. A fifth cylindrical member slides axially along the lower end of the third cylindrical member. The top ends of the four cylindrical members are covered by a first drum head and the bottom ends of the third and fourth cylindrical members are covered by a second drum head. The four cylindrical members are the top shell for the drum and the fifth cylindrical member is the bottom shell for the drum. The distance between the first and second drum heads change as the fifth cylindrical member is manually moved axially along the third cylindrical member. |
| US08188352B2 |
Sliding mechanism for chorded zither
An improved chorded zither is disclosed herein which may be characterized in that it comprises a novel adjustably positionable chord bar assembly (which assembly enables the playing of every key in the normal chromatic scale of 12 keys). In a preferred embodiment, the inventive chord bar assembly comprises a slidable chord bar rack operably connected to a plurality of chord bars, with the chord bar rack being interposed between the top surface of a body and a plurality of strings (associated with a stringed musical instrument). The plurality of chord bars is positioned above chord bar rack and perpendicular relative to the plurality of tensioned strings. The chord bar assembly is configured to be adjustably positionable between at least a set up key position, a sharpened key position, and a flatted key position. |
| US08188351B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH174075
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH174075. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH174075, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH174075 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH174075. |
| US08188348B1 |
Maize variety inbred PH12RJ
A novel maize variety designated PH12RJ and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH12RJ with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH12RJ through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH12RJ or a locus conversion of PH12RJ with another maize variety. |
| US08188343B1 |
Soybean variety XB48Q10
A novel soybean variety, designated XB48Q10 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB48Q10, cells from soybean variety XB48Q10, plants of soybean XB48Q10, and plant parts of soybean variety XB48Q10. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB48Q10 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XB48Q10, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB48Q10. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB48Q10 are further provided. |
| US08188341B2 |
Soybean cultivar 82264565
A soybean cultivar designated 82264565 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 82264565, to the plants of soybean 82264565, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 82264565 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 82264565 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety 82264565, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 82264565 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 82264565 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08188330B2 |
Dressing and an epidermal positioning mechanism and method for using same
A dressing mechanism comprising a first section, a second section, and a third section. The first section and the third section each may each include one side having an adhesive layer. An overlaying, non-adhesive barrier layer may be located between a portion of the adhesive layer and a first or third section. At least one of the first or third sections may further include a plurality of hook or loop members which are arranged to be fastened to corresponding hook or loop members of a hook and loop fastener. |
| US08188320B2 |
Process for preparing pure cyclododecanone
The present invention relates to a process for preparing at least one cyclic compound with Z cycles and 7 to 16 carbon atoms with a keto group, at least comprising the stages: (a1) oxidation of a composition (A), at least comprising one cyclic olefin with Z cycles and 7 to 16 carbon atoms and at least two C—C double bonds, by means of dinitrogen monoxide to give a composition (A1), (a2) separating off the at least one cyclic olefin with Z cycles and 7 to 16 carbon atoms with at least two C—C double bonds from the composition (A1) in order to obtain a composition (A2), and (b) distillative treatment of the composition (A2) from step (a2) in order to obtain a composition (B), comprising the at least one cyclic compound with Z cycles and 7 to 16 carbon atoms with a keto group and less than 1.0% by weight of the at least one compound with Z−1 cycles and 7 to 16 carbon atoms with at least one aldehyde group, where Z can be 1, 2, 3 or 4. |
| US08188314B2 |
Benzyloxy anilide derivatives useful as potassium channel modulators
The present invention relates to benzyloxyanilide derivatives having the following structural formula: The compounds of the present invention are useful for the treatment and prevention of diseases and disorders which are affected by activation or modulation of potassium ion channels. One such condition is seizure disorders. |
| US08188313B2 |
Analogs of alpha galactosylceramide and uses thereof
Compounds of formula wherein the variable are defined in the specification, are used in compositions which stimulate T cell responses. |
| US08188311B2 |
L-threonine derivatives of high therapeutic index
The present invention is directed to a derivative comprised of an L-Threonine bonded to a medicament or drug having a hydroxy, amino, carboxy or acylating derivative thereon. The derivative has the same utility as the drug from which it is made, but it has enhanced therapeutic properties. In fact, the derivatives of the present invention enhance at least one or more therapeutic qualities, as defined herein. The present invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions containing same. |
| US08188308B2 |
Crystal of glutathione and process for production thereof
Disclosed is a crystal of glutathione having an average width of 7 to 40 μm and an average particle diameter of 10 to 60 μm, preferably having an angle of repose of 53 degree or less, more preferably having a crude specific volume of 5.0 cm3/g or less, still more preferably in the form of an alpha-form crystal. Also disclosed is a tablet containing such a crystal of glutathione. Further disclosed is a process for producing such a crystal of glutathione. |
| US08188299B2 |
Acrylate derivatives, alcohol derivatives, and method for producing them
Provided are an acrylate derivative useful as a raw material of a polymer compound for resist compositions capable of giving resist patterns which are excellent in lithographic performance and have a good shape, an intermediate thereof (alcohol derivative) and production processes for them. To be specific, it is an acrylate derivative represented by a formula shown below: (wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, methyl or trifluoromethyl; R2, R3, R5, R7, R8, R9 and R10 each represent independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R4 and R6 each represent independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or both of R4 and R6 are combined to represent an alkylene group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, —O— or —S—; and R11 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a cyclic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms). |
| US08188296B2 |
Gentisic acid for stabilising 123-I radiopharmaceuticals
The present invention relates to stabilized 123I-labelled radiopharmaceutical compositions having a stabilizer which comprises gentisic acid or a salt thereof with a biocompatible cation. Methods of preparation of the stabilized radioiodine compositions as well as the use of gentisic acid to stabilize 123I-labelled radiopharmaceutical at a specified radioactive concentration range are also described. |
| US08188295B2 |
Method for producing difluoromethyl-substituted pyrazole compounds
The present invention relates to a process for preparing 3-difluoromethyl-Substituted pyrazole compounds of the formula (I) in which R1 is H, halogen, nitro, C1-C8-alkyl, C1-C8-haloalkyl, C3-C8-cycloalkyl, phenyl, naphthyl, hetaryl, cyano, —C(═O)—OR1a, —C(═O)—NR1bR1c, —C(═O)—SR1d or —C(═S)—SR1e; R2 is H, C1-C4-alkyl, benzyl or phenyl; R3 is H, halogen, C1-C8-alkoxy, C1-C8-haloalkoxy, C3-C8-cycloalkoxy, C2-C8-alkenyloxy, C1-C8-alkylthio, C1-C8-haloalkylthio, C3-C8-cyclo-alkylthio or C2-C8-alkenylthio; compounds of the formula (II.a) or (II.b), in which R1 and R3 each have one of the definitions given above; R4 is halogen, —OR4a, —SR4a, —O—SO2—R4a or an —NR4bR4c group; R5 and R6 are each C1-C8-alkyl, C1-C8-haloalkyl, C3-C8-cycloalkyl, benzyl or phenyl, or, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, are a 3- to 8-membered heterocycle; Lewis acid adducts of compounds of the formula (II.b); the use of compounds of the formula (II.a) or (II.b) and of the Lewis acid adducts for preparing compounds of the formula (I) or (VI); and to a process for converting such compounds to the corresponding 3-difluoro-pyrazol-4-ylcarboxylic acids. |
| US08188283B2 |
Modulators of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator
The present invention relates to modulators of ATP-Binding Cassette (“ABC”) transporters or fragments thereof, including Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator, compositions thereof, and methods therewith. The present invention also relates to methods of treating ABC transporter mediated diseases using such modulators. |
| US08188278B2 |
Photosensitizer dye and dye sensitized solar cell
A photosensitizer dye is provided and it is a ruthenium-based complex represented by formula (1): wherein X1 is one of formulae (2) to (7) and X2 is hydrogen (H) or the same as X1. |
| US08188275B2 |
Dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors
Compounds, pharmaceuticals, kits and methods are provided for use with DPP-IV and other S9 proteases that comprise a compound comprising: wherein M is N or CR4; Q1 and Q2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of CO, SO, SO2, and C═NR9; and each L, X, R1, R2, and R3 are as defined herein. |
| US08188274B2 |
Process for preparing aminocrotonylamino-substituted quinazoline derivatives
The invention relates to an improved process for preparing aminocrotonylamino-substituted quinazoline derivatives of general formula (I) wherein the groups Ra, Rb, Rc and Rd have the meanings given in the claims, as well as sulphonyl derivatives of formula and the use thereof as synthesis components for preparing quinazolines of formula (I). The quinazoline derivatives of formula (I) are inhibitors of signal transduction mediated by tyrosinekinases and by the Epidermal Growth Factor-Receptor (EGF-R) and are therefore particularly suitable for the treatment of tumoral diseases. |
| US08188270B2 |
Polymorphous form of 5-chloro-N-({(5S)-2-oxo-3[4-(3-oxo-4-morpholinyl)-phenyl]-1,3-oxazolidine-5-yl}-methyl)-2-thiophene carboxamide
The present invention relates to a novel polymorphic form and the amorphous form of 5-chloro-N-({(5S)-2-oxo-3-[4-(3-oxo-4-morpholinyl)-phenyl]-1,3-oxazolidin-5-yl}-methyl)-2-thiophene-carboxamide, processes for their preparation, medicaments comprising these forms, and their use in the control of diseases. |
| US08188268B2 |
Porous crystalline saccharide, its preparation and uses
An object of the present invention is to provide a crystalline saccharide having novel physical properties, a preparation and uses thereof. The present invention solves the above objects by providing a porous crystalline saccharide having a number of pores, a process for producing the same, comprising the step of keeping hydrous crystalline saccharide at an ambient temperature or higher in an organic solvent for the dehydration, and the use thereof. |
| US08188266B2 |
Cellulose- or lignocellulose-containing composite materials based on a silane-based composite as a binder
The present invention relates to a composite material based on (a) a cellulose- or lignocellulose-containing material and (b) a composite as a binder, the composite resulting from the reaction of at least the components (i) a glycidyloxypropylalkoxysilane, (ii) an aqueous silica sol having a solids content of >20% by weight, (iii) an organic acid as a hydrolysis catalyst and (iv) n-propyl zirconate, butyl titanate or titanium acetylacetonate as a crosslinking agent. The present invention furthermore relates to a process for the production of said composite materials and the use of a composite (b) as a binder for the production of wood-based materials. |
| US08188264B2 |
RNAi mediated knockdown of NuMA for cancer therapy
This invention relates to the use of short interfering nucleic acid molecules (siRNA) to inhibit Nuclear Mitotic Apparatus Protein (NuMA) gene expression and their use in treatment of disease, including cancer. |
| US08188260B2 |
Versatile acylation catalytic RNAs and uses thereof
An object of the present invention is to provide novel ribozyme systems capable of catalyzing tRNA acetylation using various carboxylic acids as acyl donors and uses thereof. Disclosed is a ribozyme catalyzing tRNA acetylation having a structure consisting of the RNA sequence represented by: (formula 1) P1-Z1Z2Z3Z4(N1)1(N1)2 . . . (N1)p-P2-(N2)1(N2)2 . . . (N2)q Y1Y2Y3-(N3)1(N3)2-N4GGN wherein (N1)1-(N1)p each independently represent any monoribonucleotide of U, C, A, and G; p represents 3 or 4; (N2)1-(N2)q each independently represent any monoribonucleotide of U, C, A, and G; q represents 5 or 6; (N3)1-(N3)2 each independently represent any monoribonucleotide of U, C, A, and G; N4 represents any monoribonucleotide of U, C, A, and G; Z1-Z4 each independently represent C or G; Y1-Y3 each independently represent C or G; N represents a monoribonucleotide complementary to A or G; and P1 and P2 represent a domain consisting of any RNA sequence capable of having a stem-loop structure. |
| US08188255B2 |
Human microRNAs associated with cancer
The invention provides new sequences for human microRNAs associated with cancer which may be used as molecular markers for cancer diagnostics or as therapeutic targets or agents. |
| US08188254B2 |
C-class oligonucleotide analogs with enhanced immunostimulatory potency
The invention relates to a class of CpG immunostimulatory oligonucleotides containing a CpG immunostimulatory motif and a second motif which is capable of forming secondary structure, including duplex and higher order structures, in vitro and in vivo. The oligonucleotides of the invention are useful as adjuvants in vaccination. The oligonucleotides are also useful for inducing an immune response, inducing expression of a type I interferon (IFN), inducing expression of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), and for treating a variety of conditions, including allergy, asthma, infection, and cancer. |
| US08188253B2 |
Penaeidin gene promoters in tiger shrimp and applications thereof
The present invention relates to new penaeidin gene promoters found in tiger shrimps and applications thereof. The promoters of the invention are useful for the development of transgenic shrimps and valuable for the shrimp culture industry. |
| US08188252B2 |
Rad51 derived cancer cell specific promoters for targeted anti-cancer therapy
Provided are compositions and methods for inhibiting growth of cancer cells. The method of the invention relates to delivering to cells an effective amount of a composition that contains a polynucleotide having a Rad51 promoter or a polynucleotide having at least 95% similarity to a Rad51 promoter. The Rad51 promoter is operably linked to a coding region for a cytotoxic agent. In vitro and in vivo results demonstrating effectiveness of the polynucleotides of the invention are presented. |
| US08188244B2 |
Carcinoembryonic antigen fusions and uses thereof
Polynucleotides encoding carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) fusion proteins are provided, the CEA fusion proteins comprising a CEA protein, or functional variant thereof, fused to a substantial portion of an immunoenhancing element. The polynucleotides of the present invention can elicit an immune response in a mammal, which, in preferred embodiments, is stronger than the immune response elicited by a wild-type CEA. The gene encoding CEA is commonly associated with the development of human carcinomas. The present invention provides compositions and methods to elicit or enhance immunity to the protein product expressed by the CEA tumor-associated antigen, wherein aberrant CEA expression is associated with a carcinoma or its development. This invention specifically provides adenoviral vector and plasmid constructs carrying polynucleotides encoding CEA fusion proteins and discloses their use in vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions for preventing and treating cancer. |
| US08188243B2 |
Methods and compositions for the detection of biological molecules using a two particle complex
The invention provides methods of detecting analytes of interest in a sample using electrogenerated chemiluminescence. The invention also provides compositions comprising at least one solid support that entraps or contains an electrogenerated chemiluminescent moiety. |
| US08188229B2 |
High density fibrous polymers suitable for implant
This invention includes malleable, biodegradable, fibrous compositions for application to a tissue site in order to promote or facilitate new tissue growth. One aspect of this invention is a fibrous component that provides unique mechanical and physical properties. The invention may be created by providing a vessel containing a slurry, said slurry comprising a plurality of natural or synthetic polymer fibers and at least one suspension fluid, wherein the polymer fibers are substantially evenly dispersed and randomly oriented throughout the volume of the suspension fluid; applying a force, e.g., centrifugal, to said vessel containing said slurry, whereupon said force serves to cause said polymer fibers to migrate through the suspension fluid and amass at a furthest extent of the vessel, forming a polymer material, with said polymer material comprising polymer fibers of sufficient length and sufficiently viscous, interlaced, or interlocked to retard dissociation of said polymer fibers. |
| US08188223B2 |
Serum albumin binding proteins
The present invention relates to amino acid sequences that are capable of binding to serum albumin, which sequences do not significantly reduce or inhibit the binding of serum albumin to FcRn or significantly reduce the half-life of serum albumin. It further relates to proteins and polypeptides comprising or essentially consisting of such amino acid sequences; to nucleic acids that encode such amino acid sequences, proteins or polypeptides; to compositions, and in particular pharmaceutical compositions, that comprise such amino acid sequences, proteins and polypeptides; and to uses of such amino acid sequences, proteins and polypeptides. |
| US08188220B2 |
Methods and compositions related to targeting wounds, regenerating tissue, and tumors
Disclosed are compositions and methods useful for targeting regenerating tissue, wounds, and tumors. The compositions and methods are based on peptide sequences that selectively bind to and home to regenerating tissue, wound sites, and tumors in animals. The disclosed targeting is useful for delivering therapeutic and detectable agents to regenerating tissue, wound sites, and tumors in animals. |
| US08188218B2 |
Bi-functional peptides for multiple sclerosis treatment and diagnosis
Novel bifunctional peptides useful in the treatment and/or diagnosis of EAE or MS. The peptides have a first peptide portion derived from an epitope of myelin proteolipid protein, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, or oligodendrocyte-specific peptide and a second peptide portion derived from CD11a (LFA-1 alpha subunit), CD18 (LFA-1 beta subunit), CD154 (CD40L), Fas-Ligand, or CTLA4. The carboxy and/or amino termini of the bifunctional peptides may be modified. |
| US08188211B2 |
Oxymethylene polymers, process for the preparation thereof and use thereof
Oxymethylene polymers having a bimodal distribution or having a distribution of higher modality and having a targeted content of a low molecular weight fraction of from 1 to 5 percent by mass are described. Moldings of these polymers are distinguished by high low-temperature notched impact strength associated with a high modulus of elasticity. |
| US08188208B2 |
Solid polyurethane elastomers which exhibit reduced dimensional shrinkage
This invention relates to solid elastomers which exhibit reduced dimensional shrinkage, and to a process for the production of these elastomers. These elastomers comprise the reaction product of a polyisocyanate component or prepolymer, with an isocyanate-reactive component comprising a high molecular weight component having an EO cap having less than 17% by wt., a chain extender and optionally, a crosslinker, in the presence of at least one catalysts. These solid elastomers are produced via the reaction injection molding process in a closed mold, preferably at an isocyanate index of about 70 to about 130. |
| US08188205B2 |
Hydrotalcite catalyzed polymerization of trimethylene carbonate
The present invention relates to the use of hydrotalcites as catalysts for the polymerization of unsubstituted or substituted trimethylene carbonate. |
| US08188202B2 |
Diene polymer and production process thereof
A polymer comprising a unit represented by the following formula (1); and a process for producing the polymer comprising the step of polymerizing a diene compound such as 9,9-diallylfluorene in the presence of a polymerization catalyst formed by contacting a nickel compound with an organoaluminum compound and/or a boron compound: |
| US08188198B2 |
Method for optimizing energy efficiency in a polymerization process
The present invention relates to a process for cooling a polymerization reaction for producing polyolefin comprising the steps of: (a) thermally contacting said polymerization reaction with a cooling fluid such that the cooling fluid removes thermal energy from said reaction, (b) thermally contacting said cooling fluid with a working fluid thereby recovering said thermal energy from said cooling fluid in said working fluid, and (c) thermally contacting the cooling fluid obtained in step (b) with the polymerization reaction thereby cooling said reaction, wherein the working fluid is phase converted thereby providing energy in the form of heat and/or electricity and/or mechanical power back to the polyolefin production process. Said invention also relates to a polymerization process for producing olefin polymers in a reactor, and also relates to a process for energy optimization of energy consumption in a polymerization process and to a polymerization unit. |
| US08188194B2 |
Adhesive for polarizing plate and polarizing plate having adhesive layer
An adhesive composition for polarizing plates in which an acrylic polymer, a tin compound having a dialkyl group and serving as a cross-linking accelerator and an isocyanate cross-linker are dissolved in an organic solvent, the acrylic polymer being formed by copolymerization of monomers containing an alkyl (meth)acrylate, a hydroxyl group containing monomer and/or a carboxyl group containing monomer, wherein preferably, a solution containing 30% by weight of the acrylic polymer which constitutes the adhesive composition, dissolved in 70% by weight of ethyl acetate has a viscosity in the range of 0.5 to 10.0 Pa·s measured at 23° C., and the acrylic polymer has a weight-average molecular weight in the range of 300,000 to 700,000. |
| US08188191B2 |
Polyolefin polymer containing vinyl groups at both ends and composition thereof
The present invention is a polyolefin polymer containing vinyl groups at both ends thereof, and a composition and a molded product containing the polymer, wherein the polymer contains a constitutional unit derived from at least one selected from the group consisting of ethylene (a), an α-olefin (b) having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, and a cyclic olefin (c), and (1) a ratio of terminal vinylation is 70% or more relative to all of both ends of molecular chains, and (2) an intrinsic viscosity [η] is in the range of 0.01 to 10 dl/g as measured in a decalin solution at 135° C. The polymer of the present invention may be molded by a LIM molding, an injection molding, a transfer molding, a compression molding, and the like, and is excellent in acid resistance, gas permeation resistance, hydrolysis resistance, and dynamic fatigue resistance. From the polymer, a thermoplastic resin composition and a crosslinkable resin composition, and a crosslinked composition having excellent mechanical characteristics are obtained. |
| US08188181B2 |
Photochromic compositions, resins and articles obtained therefrom
Compositions that include one or more compounds according to formula I: wherein Y is —S—, or —SO2—; R1 and R1′ are independently chosen from H, —CH3, or a combination thereof; R2 is H, —CH3, or, and m and n are independently chosen from 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4; and one or more photochromic compounds. |
| US08188179B2 |
Ink-jet recording pigment ink
An ink-jet recording pigment ink comprises water, a pigment, a water-soluble organic solvent and a copolymer; the copolymer being obtained by copolymerizing a silicone type macromer having a vinyl group, represented by the following Formula (1), a vinyl monomer having a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, represented by the following Formula (2), and a monomer having an anionic functional group. |
| US08188175B2 |
Wood substitute material and its use
The invention relates to a wood substitute material for wood-encased pencils, comprising the following ingredients: 15-3.0% by weight of at least one polymeric binder, 50-80% by weight of at least one organic filler, 0-20% by weight of at least one inorganic filler, 0.5-5% by weight of at least one adhesion promoter, 1-30% by weight of at least one wax, 0-10% by weight of at least one color pigment, and 0-10% by weight of at least one additive, the at least one adhesion promoter forming a chemical bond between the at least one polymeric binder and the at least one organic filler, a ratio of the at least one adhesion promoter and the at least one wax in the range from 1:2 to 1:6 being formed, and the sum of organic and inorganic filler being not more than 80% by weight. |
| US08188172B2 |
Polyester compositions, method of manufacture, and uses thereof
A composition is described, comprising: (a) from 20 to 80 wt % of a polyester; (b) from 5 to 35 wt % of a flame retardant phosphinate of the formula (I) [(R1)(R2)(PO)—O]−mMm+ (I), a flame retardant diphosphinate of the formula (II) [(O—POR1)(R3)(POR2—O)]2−nMxm+ (II), and/or a flame retardant polymer derived from the flame retardant phosphinate of the formula (I) or the flame retardant diphosphinate of the formula (II), wherein R1 and R2 are identical or different and are H, C1-C6-alkyl, linear or branched, or C6-C10-aryl; R3 is C1-C10-alkylene, linear or branched, C6-C10-arylene, -alkylarylene or -arylalkylene; M is an alkaline earth metal, alkali metal, Al, Ti, Zn, Fe, or boron; m is 1, 2, 3 or 4; n is 1, 2, or 3; and x is 1 or 2; (c) from 1 to 25 wt % of a melamine polyphosphate, melamine cyanurate, melamine pyrophosphate, and/or melamine phosphate; (d) from more than 0 to 25 wt % of a polyetherimide; and (e) optionally, an additive. |
| US08188153B2 |
Fischer-Tropsch synthesis using microchannel technology and novel catalyst and microchannel reactor
The disclosed invention relates to a process for converting a reactant composition comprising H2 and CO to a product comprising at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms, the process comprising: flowing the reactant composition through a microchannel reactor in contact with a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst to convert the reactant composition to the product, the microchannel reactor comprising a plurality of process microchannels containing the catalyst; transferring heat from the process microchannels to a heat exchanger; and removing the product from the microchannel reactor; the process producing at least about 0.5 gram of aliphatic hydrocarbon having at least about 5 carbon atoms per gram of catalyst per hour; the selectivity to methane in the product being less than about 25%. The disclosed invention also relates to a supported catalyst comprising Co, and a microchannel reactor comprising at least one process microchannel and at least one adjacent heat exchange zone. |
| US08188149B2 |
Use of R(+)-N-propargy1-1-aminoindan to treat or prevent hearing loss
The subject invention provides a method of treating or inhibiting hearing loss in a mammalian subject. The method includes administering to a mammalian subject an amount of R(+)-N-propargyl-1-aminoindan or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof effective to treat or inhibit the hearing loss in the subject. |
| US08188148B2 |
Substituted 1,3-diphenylpropane derivatives, preparations and uses thereof
The present invention concerns substituted 1,3-diphenylpropane derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and the therapeutic uses thereof, particularly in the field of human and animal health. |
| US08188144B2 |
In vitro preservation of living animal cells and compounds suitable for use in the preservation of living animal cells
The invention is directed to compounds of Formula (I) or salts thereof. The invention is also directed to use of the compounds of formula (I) in the in vitro preservation of living animal cells. The living cells can be isolated cells, such as stem cells, or groups of cells such as tissue or an organ. |
| US08188137B2 |
HCV protease inhibitors and uses thereof
The present invention provides compounds, pharmaceutically acceptable compositions thereof, and methods of using the same. |
| US08188135B2 |
Compounds as cannabinoid receptor ligands
Disclosed herein are cannabinoid receptor ligands of formula (I) wherein A1, A5, Rx, X4, and z are as defined in the specification. Compositions comprising such compounds, and methods for treating conditions and disorders using such compounds and compositions are also disclosed. |
| US08188132B2 |
Linked dibenzimidazole derivatives
The present invention discloses compounds of Formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or prodrugs thereof: which inhibit RNA-containing virus, particularly the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Consequently, the compounds of the present invention interfere with the life cycle of the hepatitis C virus and are also useful as antiviral agents. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aforementioned compounds for administration to a subject suffering from HCV infection. The invention also relates to methods of treating an HCV infection in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compounds of the present invention. |
| US08188131B2 |
Compounds that enhance Atoh1 expression
This invention generally provides compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for their use, which include methods that result in increased expression in an Atoh1 gene (e.g., Hath1) in a biological cell. More specifically, the invention relates to the treatment of diseases and/or disorders that would benefit from increased Atoh1 expression, e.g., a hearing impairment or imbalance disorder associated with a loss of auditory hair cells, or a disorder associated with abnormal cellular proliferation. |
| US08188130B1 |
Anti-cancer hydantoin compounds and methods
The present invention relates to methods of either treating or preventing cancer and novel compositions relevant to that treatment and prevention. More particularly, this invention relates to compounds which share features with (Z)-5-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)imidazolidine-2,4-dione and (Z)-5-(4-S-ethylbenzylidene)imidazolidine-2,4-dione and anti-cancer uses for those compounds. Embodiments of the present invention include methods that have anti-cancer effects including anti-metastatic, anti-growth, and anti-invasive activities. |
| US08188125B2 |
Human protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors and methods of use
The present disclosure relates to compounds effective as human protein tyrosine phosphatase beta (HPTP-β) inhibitors thereby regulating angiogenesis. The present disclosure further relates to compositions comprising one or more human protein tyrosine phosphatase beta (HPTP-β) inhibitors, and to methods for regulating angiogenesis. |
| US08188123B2 |
(Pyrrolidin-2-yl)phenyl derivatives
The invention relates to (pyrrolidin-2-yl)phenyl derivatives having the general Formula I wherein R1 is (C1-4)alkyl, halo(C1-4)alkyl, (C1-4)alkyloxy, or halo(C1-4)alkyloxy; R2 is H, (C1-4)alkyl, halo(C1-4)alkyl, (C1-4)alkyloxy, halo(C1-4)alkyloxy or halogen; R3 is H, (C1-4)alkyl or halo(C1-4)alkyl; R4 is H, (C1-4)alkyl or halo(C1-4)alkyl; R5 is H, (C1-4)alkyl or halo-(C1-4)-alkyl; or R4 and R5, when bonded to the same carbon atom, can together with the carbon atom form a spiro(C3-6)cycloalkyl group, optionally substituted with halogen; R6 is H, (C1-4)alkyl, halo(C1-4)alkyl, (C1-4)alkyloxy, halo(C1-4)alkyloxy or halogen; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, as well as to the use of these (pyrrolidin-2-yl)phenyl derivatives for the treatment of pain, such as neuropathic pain or inflammatory pain. |
| US08188122B2 |
Insecticidal aryl pyrrolidines
The present invention provides novel aryl pyrrolidines having an excellent insecticidal action as insecticides. Aryl pyrrolidines represented by the formula (I) and use thereof as insecticide. |
| US08188120B2 |
Lactam-containing compounds and derivatives thereof as factor Xa inhibitors
The present application describes lactam-containing compounds and derivatives thereof of Formula I: P4—P-M-M4 I or pharmaceutically acceptable salt forms thereof, wherein ring P, if present is a 5-7 membered carbocycle or heterocycle and ring M is a 5-7 membered carbocycle or heterocycle. Compounds of the present invention are useful as inhibitors of trypsin-like serine proteases, specifically factor Xa. |
| US08188118B2 |
Method for treating multiple myeloma using 3-(4-amino-1-oxo-1,3-dihydroisoindol-2-yl)-piperidine-2,6-dione in combination with antibodies
Methods of treating, preventing and/or managing cancer as well as and diseases and disorders associated with, or characterized by, undesired angiogenesis are disclosed. Specific methods encompass the administration of an immunomodulatory compound alone or in combination with a second active ingredient. The invention further relates to methods of reducing or avoiding adverse side effects associated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy or immunotherapy which comprise the administration of an immunomodulatory compound. Pharmaceutical compositions, single unit dosage forms, and kits suitable for use in methods of the invention are also disclosed. |
| US08188116B2 |
Agents for therapy efficacy monitoring and deep tissue imaging
Compounds and methods related to NIR molecular imaging, in-vitro and in-vivo functional imaging, therapy/efficacy monitoring, and cancer and metastatic activity imaging. Compounds and methods demonstrated pertain to the field of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor imaging, metabolic imaging, cellular respiration imaging, cellular proliferation imaging as targeted agents that incorporate signaling agents. |
| US08188091B2 |
Tetrahydroquinazoline compounds and their use in preparing medicaments for treating and preventing virosis
The present invention relates to a compound of formula (I) or isomers thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrates thereof. The present invention further relates to processes for the preparation of the compounds of formula (I) and optical isomers, and to the use of the compounds of formula (I), or isomers thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrates thereof as medicaments, in particular as medicaments for the treatment and prevention of Hepatitis B. |
| US08188090B2 |
Naphthylacetic acids
The invention is concerned with the compounds of formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof, wherein X, Q and R1-R3 are defined in the detailed description and claims. The invention is also concerned with the compounds of formula Z: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof, wherein R1-R3 are defined in the detailed description and claims. In addition, the present invention relates to methods of manufacturing and using the compounds of formula I and Z as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds. The compounds of formula I and Z are antagonists or partial agonists at the CRTH2 receptor and may be useful in treating diseases and disorders associated with that receptor such as asthma. |
| US08188089B2 |
Tylophorine analogs as antitumor agents
Compounds of Formula I are described: preferably subject to the proviso that either (a) R2 and R3 together form —O—CH(R10)—O—, or (b) R5 and R6 together form —O—CH(R10)—O—, wherein R10 is H, halo, or loweralkyl. Pharmaceutical salts, formulations, and methods of using the same in the treatment of cancer are also described. |
| US08188085B2 |
Antifungal agents
Novel derivatives of enfumafungin are disclosed herein, along with their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates and prodrugs. Also disclosed are compositions comprising such compounds, methods of preparing such compounds and methods of using such compounds as antifungal agents and/or inhibitors of (1,3)-β-D-glucan synthase. The disclosed compounds, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates and prodrugs, as well as compositions comprising such compounds, salts, hydrates and prodrugs, are useful for treating and/or preventing fungal infections and associated diseases and conditions. |
| US08188083B2 |
Triazolopyridazines
The present invention is directed to novel compounds of formula (I) wherein the variables are defined as herein. The compounds of formula (I) are useful as kinase inhibitors and as such would be useful in treating certain conditions and diseases, especially inflammatory conditions and diseases and proliferative disorders and conditions, for example, cancers. |
| US08188082B2 |
5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-imidazo[1,5-α]pyrazine derivatives
The invention relates to 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-imidazo[1,5-a]pyrazine derivatives of formula (I), wherein X represents CH2 or O; R1 represents a phenyl group, which group is independently mono-, di-, or tri-substituted wherein the substituents are independently selected from the group consisting of (C1-4)alkyl, (C1-4)alkoxy, halogen, cyano, trifluoromethoxy and trifluoromethyl; R2 represents (C1-4)alkyl, (C1-4)alkoxy, (C2-4)alkenyl, halogen, cyano, hydroxymethyl, trifluoromethyl, C(O)NR5R6 or cyclopropyl; R3 represents (C1-4)alkyl, (C1-4)alkoxy-methyl or halogen; R4 represents (C1-4)alkyl; R5 represents hydrogen or (C1-4)alkyl; and R6 represents hydrogen or (C1-4)alkyl. The invention also relates to pharmaceutically acceptable salts of such compounds; and to the use of such compounds as medicaments; especially as orexin receptor antagonists. |
| US08188080B2 |
VHR protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors, compositions and methods of use
Disclosed herein are Vaccinia H1-related (VHR) protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibitors that provide a method for treating cancer. |
| US08188076B2 |
Compositions, synthesis, and methods of utilizing arylpiperazine derivatives
The present invention provides arylpiperazine derivatives having Formula I which can be advantageously used for treating schizophrenia and related psychoses such as acute manic, bipolar disorder, autistic disorder and depression. |
| US08188068B2 |
Bridged polycyclic compound based compositions for coating oral surfaces in pets
A pharmaceutically active agent, a pharmaceutically active agent carrier and method of use thereof are described. In some embodiments, a system may include a composition. The composition may include one or more bridged polycyclic compounds. At least one of the bridged polycyclic compounds may include at least two cyclic groups, and at least two pharmaceutically active agents may be associated with the bridged polycyclic compound. In some embodiments, one or more bridged polycyclic compounds may be applied to an oral surface of an animal (e.g., canine, feline) such that an oral malady may be inhibited and/or ameliorated. |
| US08188067B2 |
Formulations of 6-mercaptopurine
The present invention provides improved formulations of 6-mercaptopurine that exhibit better bioavailability and faster dissolution than previous formulations. |
| US08188062B2 |
Delivery of DNA or RNA via gap junctions from host cells to target cells and a cell-based delivery system for antisense or siRNA
A method of delivering an oligonucleotide or a plasmid expressing an oligonucleotide into a target cell comprises introducing an oligonucleotide into a donor cell, particularly a stem cell, and contacting the target cell with the donor cell under conditions permitting the donor cell to form a gap junction with the target cell, whereby the oligonucleotide or a product of the oligonucleotide is delivered into the target cell from the donor cell. |
| US08188058B2 |
Use of toll-like receptor-9 agonists, toll-like receptor-4 antagonists, and/or nuclear oligomerization domain-2 agonists for the treatment or prevention of toll-like receptor-4-associated disorders
The present invention relates to the use of a TLR9 agonist and/or a TLR4 antagonist and/or a NOD2 agonist for treatment or prevention of disorders involving TLR4 activation, such as systemic sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis. |
| US08188055B2 |
Inactivators of O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase
Disclosed are compounds that are AGT inactivators that include a folate residue, e.g., a compound of formula (I), wherein X1, X2, R1, and R2 are as described herein. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also disclosed are methods of enhancing the chemotherapeutic treatment of tumor cells and inactivating AGT in a tumor cell. The methods comprise, inter alia, administering a compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt of formula (I). |
| US08188052B2 |
Method for the treatment and prevention of ocular disorders
Provided herein are methods for treatment of ocular diseases. The methods comprise administering a compound of general Formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and Ak are as defined in the specification. |
| US08188051B2 |
Metadherin polypeptides, encoding nucleic acids and methods of use
Metadherin, a protein that controls metastasis, and variants of metadherin are described. DNA sequences encoding the same and methods of production are described. Therapies involving the application of metadherin, binding agents that bind to metadherin, such as antibodies, and expression modulating agents, such as siRNA, are described. The use of metadherin or metadherin variants for delivering desired substances to particular lung tissue is described. A method of diagnosing metastatic cells based on the presence of metadherin is described. |
| US08188047B2 |
Therapeutic and cosmetic compositions for treatment of skin
The present invention is directed to a skin cream containing L-glutathione and methyl sulfone in combination with perfluorodecalin and various vitamins such as Vitamin D and C. The cream can be used to treat cancerous and precancerous diseases found in or on the skin. |
| US08188045B2 |
Kallikrein inhibitors and anti-thrombolytic agents and uses thereof
Methods, kits and compositions are described that include a non-naturally occurring kallikrein inhibitor and an anti-thrombolytic agent, e.g., an anti-fibrinolytic agent, for preventing or reducing blood loss and/or ischemia, e.g., ischemia associated with perioperative blood loss and cerebral ischemia, the onset of systemic inflammatory response, and/or reperfusion injury, e.g., reperfusion injury associated with cerebral ischemia or a focal brain ischemia, e.g., in patients subjected to invasive surgical procedures, especially procedures requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. |
| US08188043B2 |
Nicotine in therapeutic angiogenesis and vasculogenesis
The present invention features methods for induction of angiogenesis by administration of nicotine or other nicotine receptor agonist. Induction of angiogenesis by the methods of the invention can be used in therapeutic angiogenesis in, for example, treatment of ischemic syndromes such as coronary or peripheral arterial disease. |
| US08188037B2 |
Microparticles comprising somatostatin analogues
Disclosed are microparticles comprising a somatostatin analogue embedded in a biocompatible pharmacologically acceptable polymer matrix for a long acting release and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such microparticles. |
| US08188029B2 |
Hydrophilic polyurethane foam articles comprising an antimicrobial compound
Foamed polyurethane articles, such as a sponges, sheets, tapes or ribbons, blocks or other molded, extruded or cast article which foamed polyurethane articles exhibit an antimicrobial benefit and are particularly useful in the formation of cleaning articles. Processes for the manufacture of such cleaning articles based on hydrophilic polyurethane foams exhibit an antimicrobial benefit and their use are also described. |
| US08188026B2 |
Liquid treatment composition
According to the present invention there is provided a pearlescent liquid treatment composition suitable for use as a laundry or hard surface cleaning composition comprising a rheology modifier providing a pouring viscosity at 20 sec−1 of from 50 to 700 cps, a viscosity at constant low stress of 0.1 Pa which is at least 300 cps, preferably 500 cps and a pearlescent agent, said pearlescent agent having D0.99 volume particle size of less than 60 μm. |
| US08188020B2 |
Lubricating oil composition containing an alkali metal detergent
The present invention provides overbased detergents as lubricating additives effective for the lubrication of mechanical components in land and marine engines, such as, for example, hydraulic systems, transmissions, two-stroke and four-stroke vehicular engines, and trunk piston and two-stroke crosshead marine engines. |
| US08188005B2 |
Liquid composition for promoting plant growth containing titanium dioxide nanoparticles
Disclosed herein is a liquid composition for promoting plant growth containing titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The liquid composition contains, as an active ingredient, an aqueous solution prepared by adjusting the pH of colloidal titanium dioxide, a plant growth promoting component, to 0.4-0.6, in order to prevent rapid precipitation of the colloidal titanium dioxide, and then diluting the colloidal titanium dioxide with water to a predetermined concentration. The colloidal titanium dioxide, an environmentally friendly substance harmless to plants and the human body, which is contained in the plant growth promoting composition, is prevented from rapidly precipitating when it is diluted for application to plants. The plant growth promoting composition is harmless to organisms, reduces environmental contamination caused by over-application of biochemical fertilizers and is inexpensive, leading to an increase in farmer's income. |
| US08188003B2 |
Method of inducing virus tolerance of plants
A method of inducing virus tolerance of plants which comprises treating the plants, the soil or seeds with an effective amount of a compound of the formula I. |
| US08187999B2 |
Thermal transfer sheet
It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermal transfer sheet which has a conductive primer layer having adequate adhesion and heat resistance without using a binder resin, has an excellent antistatic property, and hardly causes troubles in printing.The present invention pertains to a thermal transfer sheet formed by providing a thermally-transferable color material layer on one side of a substrate sheet and providing a heat resistant slipping layer on the other side of the substrate sheet with a primer layer interposed between the slipping layer and the substrate sheet, wherein the primer layer is formed by using a conductive colloidal inorganic pigment ultrafine particle. |
| US08187995B2 |
Cerium/zirconium-base composite oxide, method for producing the same, oxygen storage/release component using said cerium-zirconium-base composite oxide, exhaust gas purification catalyst, and exhaust gas purification method using the same
This invention relates to a cerium-zirconium-base composite oxide, which is useful, e.g., for the purification of exhaust gas discharged from combustion engines such as internal combustion engines and boilers and can release a high level of oxygen in a low temperature region, a method for producing the same, an oxygen storage/release component using the same, an exhaust gas purification catalyst, and an exhaust gas purification method. The cerium-zirconium-base composite oxide satisfies requirements (1) that the oxygen release initiation temperature is 380° C. or below, (2) that the oxygen release amount is not less than 485 μmol/g, and further (3) that the oxygen release amount at 400° C. is not less than 15 μmol/g. The cerium-zirconium-base composite oxide can be produced, for example, by mixing a starting material for cerium and a starting material for zirconium at a predetermined mixing ratio together, melting the starting material mixture at a temperature at or above the melting point, then cooling the melt to form an ingot, then optionally grinding the ingot to prepare powder, subsequently removing strain within powder crystal grains under heating, and then grinding to a further fine state. |
| US08187960B2 |
Method of joining and method of fabricating an organic light emitting diode display device using the same
A method of joining a flexible layer and a support includes forming a first metal layer on one surface of the flexible layer, forming a second metal layer on one surface of the support, cleaning the first metal layer and the second metal layer, and joining the first metal layer to the second metal layer, such that the first metal layer is between the flexible layer and the second metal layer. |
| US08187948B2 |
Hybrid gap-fill approach for STI formation
A method of forming a shallow trench isolation region is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a top surface; forming an opening extending from the top surface into the semiconductor substrate; performing a conformal deposition method to fill a dielectric material into the opening; performing a first treatment on the dielectric material, wherein the first treatment provides an energy high enough for breaking bonds in the dielectric material; and performing a steam anneal on the dielectric material. |
| US08187938B2 |
Non-volatile memory device and method for fabricating the same
A method for fabricating a non-volatile memory device includes alternately stacking a plurality of interlayer dielectric layers and a plurality of conductive layers over a substrate, etching the interlayer dielectric layers and the conductive layers to form a trench which exposes a surface of the substrate forming a first material layer over a resulting structure in which the trench is formed, forming a second material layer over the first material layer, removing portions of the second material layer and the first material layer formed on a bottom of the trench to expose the surface of the substrate, removing the second material layer, and burying a channel layer within the trench in which the second material layer is removed. |
| US08187937B2 |
Semiconductor component and method for producing the same
A method for producing a semiconductor component has the following step: the front side (101) of the semiconductor body (100) is irradiated with high-energy particles using the terminal electrode (40) as a mask, in order to produce recombination centers (80A, 80B) in the semiconductor body (100) for the recombination of the first and second conduction type of charge carriers. |
| US08187936B2 |
Ultrahigh density vertical NAND memory device and method of making thereof
A method of making a monolithic three dimensional NAND string. The method includes forming a stack of alternating layers of a first material and a second material over a substrate. The first material includes a conductive or semiconductor control gate material and the second material includes an insulating material. The method also includes etching the stack to form at least one opening in the stack, selectively etching the first material to form first recesses in the first material and forming a blocking dielectric in the first recesses. The method also includes forming a plurality of discrete charge storage segments separated from each other in the first recesses over the blocking dielectric, forming a tunnel dielectric over a side wall of the discrete charge storage segments exposed in the at least one opening and forming a semiconductor channel in the at least one opening. |
| US08187930B2 |
Structure and layout of a FET prime cell
Method of making a semiconductor device that includes forming a source and a drain in a substrate, forming a gate on the substrate between the source and drain, forming a substrate contact in electrical contact with the source, and forming an electrical contact to the source, drain and gate, and the substrate. |
| US08187921B2 |
Semiconductor package having ink-jet type dam and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor package includes a substrate which includes a chip mounting unit disposed on a first surface thereof and a pad forming unit disposed on an outer region of the chip mounting unit. The semiconductor package further includes a plurality of pads disposed on the pad forming unit of the substrate, a semiconductor chip disposed on the chip mounting unit of the substrate, a dam disposed on the first surface of the substrate between the semiconductor chip and the pad forming unit, and wherein the dam separates at least a portion of the pads from the semiconductor chip. In addition, the semiconductor package further includes an underfill material disposed between an active surface of the semiconductor chip and the first surface of the substrate and wherein an upper surface of the dam is rounded due to surface tension. |
| US08187915B2 |
Aryl dicarboxylic acid diimidazole-based compounds as n-type semiconductor materials for thin film transistors
A process for fabricating a thin film semiconductor device includes the following steps, but not necessarily in the noted order. Firstly, a thin film of organic semiconductor material is deposited onto a substrate. This thin film of organic semiconductor material comprises organic semiconductor material that comprises one or more aryl dicarboxylic diimidazole-based compounds of claim 1 such that the film exhibits a field effect electron mobility that is greater than 0.005 cm2/Vs. Then, the process includes forming a spaced apart source electrode and drain electrode, wherein the source electrode and the drain electrode are separated by and electrically connected with, the n-channel semiconductor film. A gate electrode is then formed, spaced apart from the semiconductor material. One or more of the thin film semiconductor devices (or transistors) can be incorporated into an electronic device. |
| US08187909B2 |
Backside illuminated image sensor having deep light reflective trenches
An array of pixels is formed using a semiconductor layer having a frontside and a backside through which incident light is received. Each pixel typically includes a photosensitive region formed in the semiconductor layer and a trench formed adjacent to the photosensitive region. The trench causes the incident light to be directed away from the trench and towards the photosensitive region. |
| US08187907B1 |
Solder structures for fabrication of inverted metamorphic multijunction solar cells
A method of manufacturing a solar cell by providing a first substrate; depositing on the first substrate a sequence of layers of semiconductor material forming a solar cell including a top subcell and a bottom subcell; forming a metal back contact over the bottom subcell; forming a group of discrete, spaced-apart first bonding elements over the surface of the back metal contact; attaching a surrogate substrate on top of the back metal contact using the bonding elements; and removing the first substrate to expose the surface of the top subcell. |
| US08187905B2 |
Method of forming a microlens and a method for manufacturing an image sensor
A microlens, an image sensor including the microlens, a method of forming the microlens and a method of manufacturing the image sensor are provided. The microlens includes a polysilicon pattern, having a cylindrical shape, formed on a substrate, and a round-type shell portion enclosing the polysilicon pattern. The microlens may further include a filler material filling an interior of the shell portion, or a second shell portion covering the first shell portion. The method of forming a microlens includes forming a silicon pattern on a semiconductor substrate having a lower structure, forming a capping film on the semiconductor substrate over the silicon pattern, annealing the silicon pattern and the capping film altering the silicon pattern to a polysilicon pattern having a cylindrical shape and the capping film to a shell portion for a round-type microlens, and filling an interior of the shell portion with a lens material through an opening between the semiconductor substrate and an edge of the shell portion. The image sensor includes a microlens formed by a similar method and a photodiode having a cylindrical shape. |
| US08187901B2 |
Epitaxial formation support structures and associated methods
Epitaxial formation support structures and associated methods of manufacturing epitaxial formation support structures and solid state lighting devices are disclosed herein. In several embodiments, a method of manufacturing an epitaxial formation support substrate can include forming an uncured support substrate that has a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and coefficient of thermal expansion substantially similar to N-type gallium nitride. The method can further include positioning the first side of the uncured support substrate on a first surface of a first reference plate and positioning a second surface of a second reference plate on the second side to form a stack. The first and second surfaces can include uniformly flat portions. The method can also include firing the stack to sinter the uncured support substrate. At least side of the support substrate can form a planar surface that is substantially uniformly flat. |
| US08187900B2 |
Optimization of polishing stop design
The present invention provides a method of fabricating vertical LED structures in which the substrate used for epitaxial layer growth is removed through polishing. The polishing technique used in an exemplary embodiment is chemical mechanical polishing using polish stops to provide a sufficiently level plane. Polish stops are provided in the multilayer structure before polishing the surface, the hardness of the polish stop material being greater than the hardness of the material that needs to be removed. Consequently, vertical LEDs can be produced at a lower cost and higher yield compared to either laser lift-off or conventional polishing. Exemplary vertical LEDs are GaN LEDs. The polish stops may be removed by saw dicing, laser dicing or plasma etching. |
| US08187891B2 |
Methods for detection and determination of vitamin C by luminescence
The present invention provides a method for detection or determination of vitamin C by luminescence that employs a redox-responsive fluorogenic probe consisting of porphyrin or phthalocyanine with a nitroxide radical(s), or that employs a liposome preparation comprising the said redox-responsive fluorogenic probe. The present method can overcome the problems of prior art methods, and in particular, are applicable for bioimaging to allow elucidation of the behavior of vitamin C in vivo. |
| US08187888B2 |
Fluidic system for a flow cytometer
The fluidic system of the preferred embodiment includes a sheath pump to pump sheath fluid from a sheath container into an interrogation zone and a waste pump to pump waste fluid from the interrogation zone into a waste container. The sheath pump and/or the waste pump draw sample fluid from a sample container into the interrogation zone. The fluidic system also includes a controller to adjust the flow rate of the sample fluid from the sample container into the interrogation zone. The fluidic system is preferably incorporated into a flow cytometer with a flow cell that includes the interrogation zone. |
| US08187877B2 |
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia cell line
The preparation and characterization of antibodies that bind to antigens on CLL or other cancer cells, especially to antigens upregulated in the cancer cells, and the identification and characterization of antigens present on or upregulated by cancer cells are useful in studying and treating cancer. |
| US08187875B2 |
Dopaminergic neurons derived from corneal limbus, methods of isolation and uses thereof
The present disclosure describes the generation of neural cells and neurons from mammalian pluripotent embryonic-like stem cells (ELSCs) isolated from corneal limbal tissue, a non-embryonic tissue. Specifically, the present disclosure describes the generation of neuroprogenitor cells and differentiated dopaminergic neurons from ELSCs. The disclosed methods demonstrate the potential of ELSCs as a therapeutic tool, and may provide new therapeutic alternatives for various diseases, conditions, and injuries. Neuroprogenitor cells generated from ELSCs isolated from corneo-limbal tissue were transplanted into a rat model of Parkinson's disease, and were able to alleviate motor abnormalities in the rats for at least six months. |
| US08187874B2 |
Drug discovery method
The present invention relates to drug discovery methods, particularly antiviral drug discovery methods. |
| US08187871B2 |
Co-crystallization of ERR-α with a ligand that forms a reversible covalent bond
The crystal structure of the ligand binding domain of ERR-α in complex with a ligand that forms a reversible thioether bond to Cys325 of ERR-α, methods to measure dissociation rates for ligands that form reversible covalent bonds, and methods to design ligands that form reversible covalent bonds for use as modulators of ERR-α activity are disclosed. The crystal structure and methods provide a novel molecular mechanism for modulation of the activity of ERR-α and provide the basis for rational drug design to obtain potent specific ligands for use as modulators of the activity of this new drug target. |
| US08187866B2 |
Optical scanning system
An optical scanning system including a switchable light source, a detector, a substrate and a plurality of optical sensing sites, as well s methods and kits for use thereof are provided. The substrate is coupled to and in optical communication with the switchable light source and the detector. Additionally, the substrate includes a plurality of substantially parallel excitation waveguides, and a plurality of substantially parallel collection waveguides, the excitation waveguides and collection waveguides crossing to form a two-dimensional array of intersection regions where an excitation waveguide and a collection waveguide cross and provide optical communication with the intersection region at each crossing. The plurality of optical sensing sites are each in optical communication with an intersection region. |
| US08187863B2 |
Cell-chip and automatic controlled system capable of detecting conditions for optimizing differentiation of stem cell using mechanical stimulus
Provided are a cell chip and a system thereof that are capable of detecting optimal conditions for stem cell differentiation by mechanical stimuli. The cell chip for cell differentiation experimentation includes a plurality of cell chambers for storing cells and culture media, cell and culture medium injection ports for transferring the cells and culture media to corresponding cell chambers, fine passages for moving the cells and the culture media injected into the cell and culture medium injection ports to the cell chambers, pneumatic injection ports for injecting pneumatic pressures applied to the cell chambers, and apertures having circular films for transferring the pneumatic pressures injected through the pneumatic injection ports to corresponding cell chambers. Here, at least two of the apertures may have different areas to vary the magnitude of pneumatic pressure applied to corresponding cell chambers. |
| US08187861B1 |
Phosphate removal-recovery and biofuel feedstock system
For extracting phosphorous from algae-in a body of water, the algae are deposited into a sealable tank (200) that is then evacuated, thereby rupturing the algal cell walls. The ruptured algae are then moved to a second tank (260), mixed with water and bacterial cultures, and allowed to settle until the lipids rise to the top and the oil-less debris settles to the bottom. The second tank also contains sacrificial (295) and rusted electrodes (320). The phosphorous from the algae combines with the rust. The lipids and debris are then removed. Next, an electrical source (315) causes the rust to be removed from the rusted electrodes and settle. In addition, a phosphorous-rich scum floats to the top. These components are placed in storage containers for later use and the water is returned, thereby reducing its phosphorous content. |
| US08187860B2 |
Recombinant microalgae cells producing novel oils
Disclosed herein are obligate heterotrophic microalgae cells containing an exogenous gene. In some embodiments the gene is a sucrose utilization gene, and further disclosed are methods of manufacturing triglyceride oils using sugar cane or sugar beets as a feedstock in a heterotrophic fermentation. In other embodiments the feedstock is depolymerized cellulosic material. Also disclosed are cells that produce medium chain fatty acids at levels not produced in non-recombinant cells of the same species and genus. |
| US08187857B2 |
Multicellular organisms derived from normal/nondiseased and diseased mammalian tissues
The present invention relates to pleomorphic cells (“morphotes”), which exhibit morphologic and genetic characteristics of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including resemblance to prokaryotic cells at the unicellular level, and resemblance to eukaryotic cells at the multicellular level due to their ability to self-organize in vitro into multicellular, mammalian tissue-like patterns consisting of tissue-like sheets, capillary-like networks, and trabecular (spongy) bone-like structures. Morphotes have a number of applications in the diagnostic medical, therapeutic medical, biological, biomaterials, bionanotechnological, and industrial fields. |
| US08187852B2 |
Porous film
A porous film is used as a cell culture substrate that is a scaffold for a spheroid. The porous film has a plurality of pores whose diameters gradually increase in a direction A. The diameters of the pores gradually increase from a first area P1 to a third area P3 in this order. The first to the third areas P1 to P3 are located on the porous film along the direction A. The diameters and depths of the pores increase in proportion to the distance in the direction A. |
| US08187843B2 |
Method for production of L-glutamine
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a microorganism belonging to the genus Corynebacterium, wherein the activity of (1) a protein having the amino acid sequence shown by any one of SEQ ID NO:1 to 3, or (2) a protein having a homology of 80% or more to the amino acid sequence shown by any one of SEQ ID NO:1 to 3, and having substantially the same activity as the activity of a protein having the amino acid sequence shown by any one of SEQ ID NO:1 to 3, has been reduced or lost, and wherein the activity of (3) a protein having the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO:4, or (4) a protein having a homology of 80% or more to the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO:4, and having substantially the same activity as the activity of a protein having the amino acid sequence shown by SEQ ID NO:4, has been reduced or lost, and a process for producing L-glutamine using the microorganism and the like. |
| US08187834B2 |
Non-cytotoxic protein conjugates
The present invention is directed to non-cytotoxic protein conjugates for inhibition or reduction of exocytic fusion in a nociceptive sensory afferent cell. The protein conjugates comprise: (i) a Targeting Moiety (TM), wherein the TM is an agonist of a receptor present on a nociceptive sensory afferent cell, and wherein the receptor undergoes endocytosis to be incorporated into an endosome within the nociceptive sensory afferent cell; (ii) a non-cytotoxic protease or a fragment thereof, wherein the protease or protease fragment is capable of cleaving a protein of the exocytic fusion apparatus of the nociceptive sensory afferent cell; and (iii) a Translocation Domain, wherein the Translocation Domain translocates the protease or protease fragment from within the endosome, across the endosomal membrane, and into the cytosol of the nociceptive sensory afferent cell. Nucleic acid sequences encoding the protein conjugates, methods of preparing same and uses thereof are also described. |
| US08187827B2 |
Diagnostic methods for acute ischemic disease using activated hepcidin as an indicator
An objective of the present invention is to provide methods of testing for acute ischemic diseases using active hepcidin as an indicator, methods for determining the timing to administer an agent for treating the disease, and kits for these methods. To accomplish the objective, the present inventors analyzed the serum proteome patterns characteristic of acute myocardial infarction patients using SELDI-TOF-MS. As a result, it was found that hepcidin-20 has a very high correlation with acute myocardial infarction. Furthermore, the present inventors discovered that at the time of disease onset, the blood concentration of hepcidin-20 rises sharply in particular, and shows high levels within six hours, especially four hours of onset. The present invention enables early diagnosis of acute ischemic diseases. |
| US08187825B2 |
Thiol detection method
It is an object of the present invention to provide: a novel thiol-detecting reagent, which can be used in vivo and which solves the problem regarding the generation of background fluorescence due to hydrolysis; and a method for detecting thiol using the aforementioned reagent. The present invention provides a compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein each R2 independently represents an alkyl group containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogen atom, or a hydrogen atom. |
| US08187819B2 |
Methods of identifying compounds that bind TANGO240
The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules, designated TANGO 228 nucleic acid molecules, which encode secreted proteins with homology to the rat MCA-32 protein, isolated nucleic acid molecules, designated TANGO 240 nucleic acid molecules, which encode secreted proteins with homology to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis hypothetical protein Rv0712, and isolated nucleic acid molecules, designated TANGO 243 nucleic acid molecules, which encode proteins with homology to human PLAP (phospholipase A2-activating protein).The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, expression vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and non-human transgenic animals in which a nucleic acid molecule of the invention has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated polypeptides, fusion polypeptides, antigenic peptides and antibodies. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided. |
| US08187818B2 |
Use of sPLA2 activity for the diagnosis of a cardiovascular event
A method for determining an increased risk of mortality or of a cardiac and/or vascular event in a patient, includes:—determining the sPLA2 activity of the patient as a first risk marker—determining at least the value of a second risk marker chosen among CRP level, IgM IC of apo B 100 level or IgM MDA-LDL level—determining the ratio (odds ratio) between the value of the sPLA2 activity and the value of the second risk marker and comparing it to a predetermined odds ratio, the odds ratio compared to the predetermined odds ratio being indicative of an increased risk of mortality or of a cardiac and/or vascular event. A new micro method adaptation for automated fluorimetric measurement of serum secretory phospholipase A2 is also disclosed. |
| US08187814B2 |
Methods for concurrent identification and quantification of an unknown bioagent
The present invention provides methods for the quantification of an unknown bioagent in a sample by amplification of nucleic acid of the bioagent, and concurrent amplification of a known quantity of a calibration polynucleotide from which are obtained a bioagent identifying amplicon and a calibration amplicon. Upon molecular mass analysis, mass and abundance data are obtained. The identity of the bioagent is then determined from the molecular mass of the bioagent identifying amplicon and the quantity of the identified bioagent in the sample is determined from the abundance data of the bioagent identifying amplicon and the abundance data of the calibration amplicon. |
| US08187804B2 |
Specific marker Lmx1a on dopaminergic neurons
The present invention identified Lmx1a genes, which are expressed in dopaminergic neurons at all differentiation stages, from proliferating dopaminergic neuron progenitor cells before cell cycle exit to cells after cell cycle exit. Lmx1a expression in cells can be used as an indicator when selecting cells suitable for transplantation therapy for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, and is useful as a marker for screening agents involved in the induction of dopaminergic neuron differentiation. |
| US08187803B2 |
Probe, probe set, probe-immobilized carrier, and genetic testing method
A nucleic acid probe for classification of pathogenic bacterial species is capable of collectively detecting bacterial strains of the same species and differentially detecting them from other bacterial species. Any one of the base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 62 to 64 or a combination of at least two of them is used for detecting the gene of an infectious disease pathogenic bacterium. |
| US08187800B2 |
Methods for selecting active agents for cancer treatment
The present invention provides methods for individualizing chemotherapy, and particularly methods for individualizing neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The present invention provides methods for predicting a cancer patient's response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, including assessing the probability of a positive response upon treatment with candidate agents prior to surgery. In various aspects, the invention involves culturing a monolayer of malignant cells from an explant of a patient's biopsy specimen, such as a transcutaneous biopsy-sized specimen, and testing the malignant cells for resistance or sensitivity to one or a plurality of candidate agents for neoadjuvant therapy. In other aspects, the invention provides methods for accurately scoring and interpreting such assays, and discloses in vitro chemoresponse results that are predictive of a patient's pathological complete response (pCR) upon receiving the corresponding treatment regimen. |
| US08187799B2 |
Stabilization of liquid solutions of recombinant protein for frozen storage
The invention relates to a method for stabilizing a bulk solution of recombinant protein for frozen storage, which comprises providing a partially-purified solution of recombinant protein which has a monovalent salt concentration of at least 100 mM, and adding a carbohydrate to said solution in an amount sufficient that, upon freezing, the solution has a glass transition temperature of −56° C. or higher. |
| US08187798B2 |
Method of forming fine patterns
It is disclosed a method of forming fine patterns comprising: subjecting a substrate having photoresist patterns to a hydrophilic treatment, covering the substrate having photoresist patterns with an over-coating agent for forming fine patterns, applying heat treatment to cause thermal shrinkage of the over-coating agent so that the spacing between adjacent photoresist patterns is lessened by the resulting thermal shrinking action, and removing the over-coating agent substantially completely. |
| US08187797B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor device
A template having a first recess pattern is brought into contact with a mask material formed on a substrate. The mask material with which the first recess pattern is filled is cured. A mask material pattern is formed on the substrate by releasing the template from the mask material. A resist pattern is formed to cover a part of the mask material pattern by forming a resist on the mask material pattern and selectively irradiating radiation onto the resist and thereafter developing the resist. The substrate is processed by using the mask material pattern and the resist pattern as a mask. |
| US08187792B2 |
Processing of positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor
Positive-working imageable elements can be imaged and processed using a processing solution that comprises at least 0.03 N of an organic amine or a mixture thereof, whose conjugated acids have a pKa greater than 9 and a boiling point greater than 150° C. The imageable element is a single-layer, infrared radiation-sensitive positive-working imageable element comprising a substrate and an infrared radiation absorbing compound. It also has an imageable layer that comprises a developability-enhancing compound and a poly(vinyl acetal) in which at least 25 mol % of its recurring units comprise pendant phenol, naphthol, or anthracenol groups that are substituted with one or more electron-withdrawing groups. |
| US08187787B2 |
Fluorine-containing compound, fluorine-containing polymer, negative-type resist composition, and patterning process using same
Disclosed is a fluorine-containing unsaturated carboxylic acid represented by formula (1), wherein R1 represents a polymerizable double-bond containing group, R3 represents a fluorine atom or fluorine-containing alkyl group, and W represents a bivalent linking group. This compound can provide a fluorine-containing polymer compound that has a weight-average molecular weight of 1,000-1,000,000 and contains a repeating unit represented by formula (2), wherein R3 and W are defined as above, each of R4, R5 and R6 independently represents a hydrogen atom, fluorine atom or monovalent organic group, at least two of R4, R5 and R6 may be combined to form a ring. This polymer compound can provide a chemically amplified resist composition that is transparent to KrF or ArF excimer laser light and has a high resolution and is capable of forming a pattern having a rectangular section with no swelling. |
| US08187782B2 |
Full color image formation process
Disclosed is a process of forming a full color image according to electrophotography, employing a yellow toner, a magenta toner and a cyan colorant, the process comprising the step of forming a yellow toner image, a magenta toner image and a cyan toner image on a recording material, wherein the yellow toner image has reflectance (in terms of %) satisfying formulas (11) through (14) below, the magenta toner image has reflectance (in terms of %) satisfying formulas (21) through (24) below, and the cyan toner image has reflectance (in terms of %) satisfying formulas (31) through (34) below. 2≦A415+A460≦24 Formula (11) 20≦A510−A490≦40 Formula (12) 2≦A550−A530≦16 and Formula (13) 70≦A550 Formula (14) 30≦B450−B520≦85 Formula (21) 1≦B530+B570≦25 Formula (22) 2≦B670−B600≦50 and Formula (23) 80≦B670 Formula (24) 4≦|C480−C450|≦16 Formula (31) 15≦C550−C570≦35 and Formula (32) 20≦C570≦50 Formula (33) 0≦C620+C650≦30 Formula (34) |
| US08187779B2 |
Toner for electrostatic image development
A toner for electrostatic image development containing a resin binder and a charge control agent, wherein the resin binder contains a polyester A obtained by polycondensing a carboxylic acid component containing isophthalic acid and/or an ester thereof, and an alcohol component, and wherein the charge control agent contains an azo-iron complex represented by the formula (I): wherein each of R1 and R4, which may be identical or different, is a linear or branched alkyl group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms; each of R2, R3, R5, and R6, which may be identical or different, is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a halogen atom, a nitro group, or a carboxyl group; and A+ is a cation. The toner for electrostatic image development is suitably used in developing latent images formed in, for example, electrophotography, an electrostatic recording method, an electrostatic printing method, or the like. |
| US08187774B2 |
Mask for EUV lithography and method for exposure using the same
Disclosed is a mask for an EUV lithography, which includes: a mirror layer which reflects EUV incident on a substrate; an absorber pattern formed on the mirror layer so as to expose a first region and a second region in the mirror layer; and a first groove formed by recessing a third region in the first region of the mirror layer by a first depth and a second groove formed by recessing a fourth region in the second region of the mirror layer by a second depth, which is deeper than the first depth. |
| US08187770B2 |
High performance, crosslinked polymeric material for holographic data storage
An optical recording material and methods of making such material is provided. The material comprises of a dewar benzene monomer, with at least two cross-linkable groups, a sensitizer, a cross-linker, and an initiator. The material does not require a binder or a co-sensitizer. The material can be fabricated by an exceedingly easy technique that offers high photosensitivity, high diffraction efficiency, millimeter thickness, and high dynamic range. |
| US08187769B2 |
Supported catalyst for fuel cell, method of preparing the same, electrode for fuel cell including the supported catalyst, membrane electrode assembly including the electrode, and fuel cell including the membrane electrode assembly
Provided are a supported catalyst for a fuel cell, a method of preparing the same, an electrode for a fuel cell including the supported catalyst, a membrane electrode assembly including the electrode, and a fuel cell including the membrane electrode assembly. Specifically, the supported catalyst for a fuel cell has a layered structure obtained by sequentially depositing a carbonaceous support, metal oxide particles, and catalyst metal. The supported catalyst has excellent electrical activity, excellent durability, and can be easily mass-produced at low cost. The membrane electrode assembly including the supported catalyst and a fuel cell including the membrane electrode assembly each show excellent output density and high performance. |
| US08187765B2 |
Membrane electrode assembly and polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell
A membrane electrode assembly according to the invention includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and an electrode joined to each of two sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane is such that some or all of the protons included in the entire solid polymer electrolyte membrane, a band region, or a non-power generating region are ion exchanged with one or more cations selected from among complex cations, class four alkylammonium cations, and high valence cations. In addition or alternatively, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane includes an organo-metalloxane polymer obtained by impregnating the entire solid polymer electrolyte membrane, the non-power generating region, or the band region with an organo-metalloxane monomer that includes an ammonium cation or a class four ammonium cation at its terminus and then hydrolyzing and polycondensing the organo-metalloxane monomer. |
| US08187764B2 |
Fuel cell with moisture retentive layer in MEA
A fuel cell includes a cathode, an anode, an electrolyte membrane interposed between the cathode and the anode, and a porous layer containing a moisture retentive material. The anode includes an anode catalyst layer adjacent to the electrolyte membrane and an anode diffusion layer adjacent to the anode catalyst layer, and the porous layer is disposed between the anode catalyst layer and the electrolyte membrane. The performance of the fuel cell can be stably maintained even when a fuel supply is temporarily interrupted due to a malfunction of a pump or clogging of a fuel channel. |
| US08187763B2 |
Cooling liquid composition for fuel cell
A coolant composition for a fuel cell unit, which contains at least one aliphatic alcohol having unsaturated bonds in the molecules having 2 to 20 carbon atoms each. The coolant composition maintains the electrical conductivity of the coolant at 10 μS/cm or below as well as the fluctuation of the electrical conductivity within the range of 0 to 10 μS/cm. |
| US08187755B2 |
Electrode for electrochemical element, its manufacturing method, and electrochemical element using the same
Having a current collector having a concave portion and a convex portion at least on one side, and a columnar body formed on the convex portion of the current collector, the columnar body contains an active material for inserting and extracting lithium ions bonding at least with oxygen, and the oxygen content ratio of the active material of the columnar body becomes smaller as going away from the interface of the current collector. |
| US08187754B2 |
Coin-type non-aqueous electrolyte battery
The non-aqueous electrolyte battery of the present invention includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The negative electrode includes a molded body including Si-containing negative electrode active material particles and a conductive agent. The conductive agent includes a first conductive agent and a fibrous second conductive agent. The first conductive agent covers at least a portion of the surface of the Si-containing negative electrode active material particles, and the second conductive agent is in contact with at least two Si-containing negative electrode active material particles with the first conductive agent on the surface thereof. |
| US08187753B2 |
Electrode material with enhanced ionic transport properties
Materials useful as electrodes for lithium batteries have very good electronic and ionic conductivities. They are fabricated from a starting mixture which includes a metal, a phosphate ion, and an additive which enhances the transport of lithium ions in the resultant material. The mixture is heated in a reducing environment to produce the material. The additive may comprise a pentavalent metal or a carbon. In certain embodiments the material is a two-phase material. Also disclosed are electrodes which incorporate the materials and lithium batteries which incorporate those electrodes. |
| US08187749B2 |
Positive electrode for lithium ion secondary battery and lithium ion secondary battery using the same
According to a positive electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery comprising a current collector and a mixture layer containing a transition metal-containing complex oxide as a positive electrode active material formed on the current collector, wherein the mixture layer has surface roughness of 0.1 μm or more and 0.5 μm or less in terms of a Ra value and the mixture layer has a surface treated layer treated with a coupling agent on the surface, it is possible to obtain a positive electrode which is excellent in suppression of moisture absorption. By using the positive electrode, it is possible to obtain a lithium ion secondary battery which is excellent in storage characteristics and causes less battery swelling since the amount of a gas generated upon charging and discharging decreases. |
| US08187748B2 |
Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery
A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery including: a positive electrode having a positive electrode material mixture containing a composite lithium oxide; a negative electrode; a polyolefin separator; a non-aqueous electrolyte; and a heat-resistant insulating layer interposed between the positive and negative electrodes. The positive electrode material mixture has an estimated heat generation rate at 200° C. of not greater than 50 W/kg. The positive electrode and the negative electrode are wound together with the separator and the heat-resistant insulating layer interposed therebetween. |
| US08187741B2 |
Alkaline battery
The present invention provides an alkaline battery which has high reliability and high cost performance and does not cause an internal short circuit resulting from gel leakage even when the filling densities of the positive and negative electrodes are reduced. In the alkaline battery, a positive electrode 2 contains manganese dioxide as a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode 3 is a gel negative electrode containing zinc as a negative electrode active material, a filling density of manganese dioxide in the positive electrode 2 is in a range of 2.31 to 2.45 g/cm3, a filling density of zinc in the negative electrode 3 is in a range of 1.49 to 1.65 g/cm3, and a ratio (h1/h2) between a height of the positive electrode 2 (h1) and a height of the negative electrode 3 (h2) is in a range of 0.96 to 1.06. |
| US08187739B2 |
Power storage apparatus and cooling system
To provide a power storage apparatus which can achieve improved heat radiation of a power storage unit, a power storage apparatus has a power storage unit including an electrode element placed with an electrolyte layer, and a case housing the power storage unit and a cooling fluid which is used for cooling the power storage unit and is in contact with at least the electrode element. |
| US08187728B2 |
Organic electroluminescent device and display device
An organic electroluminescent is provided having an anode, a cathode, and at least one organic layer including a light-emitting layer provided between the anode and the cathode, wherein the organic layer includes an amine compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein Ar1 to Ar4 each independently represent a specific aromatic group; R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or a particular substituent group; and n stands for an integer of 1, 2 or 3. |
| US08187724B2 |
Method of manufacture of a dual alloy impeller
There is provided a method for fabricating a dual alloy structure that may in turn be machined to fabricate a rotary component for use in a gas turbine engine. The method provides a powder metal (PM) nickel based superalloy and a nickel aluminide intermetallic based alloy. The powder metal (PM) nickel based superalloy displays characteristics, such as improved strength, low cycle fatigue resistance, fracture toughness, and crack growth resistance. The nickel aluminide intermetallic based alloy displays characteristics, such as high temperature creep and oxidation resistance, suitable for use in the outer radial area of an impeller. A bore sub-element is fabricated from the powder metal (PM) nickel based superalloy. A body sub-element is fabricated from the nickel aluminide intermetallic based alloy. The bore sub-element and body sub-element are joined by inertia welding or diffusion bonding at a common mating surface. |
| US08187716B2 |
Aqueous adhesion promoter composition comprising an aminosilane and a mercaptosilane
Aqueous adhesion promoter compositions include at least one aminosilane and/or aminosiloxane and also at least one mercaptosilane. The adhesion promoter compositions are suitable more particularly as primers or adhesion-promoter undercoats for adhesives and sealants. They are especially suitable for the adhesive bonding of vehicle glazing. Exceptionally high adhesion has been found more particularly with glazing featuring applied silver prints. |
| US08187715B2 |
Rare-earth-containing glass material and substrate and device comprising such substrate
A rare-earth-containing glass material having a composition, expressed in mole percentages on and oxide basis, comprising: SiO2: 66-75 Al2O3: 11-17 B2O3: 0-4 MgO: 1-6.5 CaO: 2-7 SrO: 0-4 BaO: 0-4 Y2O3: 0-4 La2O3: 0-4 Y2O3+La2O3: 0.1-4. The inclusion of Y2O3 and/or La2O3 in the composition reduces the T2.3 of the glass thereby allowing higher annealing-point glasses to be produced. The glass is particularly useful for low-temperature polycrystalline silicon-based semiconductor devices. |
| US08187714B2 |
Transparent substrate provided with an electrode
Transparent substrate, especially made of glass, associated with an electrode, especially one suitable for solar cells, characterized in that the electrode comprises a first transparent electrically conducting layer composed of an undoped mineral oxide, said first layer being coated with a second transparent electrically conducting layer composed of the same mineral oxide, said mineral oxide however being doped. |
| US08187709B2 |
Light wood-based materials having good mechanical properties and low formaldehyde emission
A light wood-containing material having an average density in the range from 200 to 600 kg/m3, comprising, based in each case on the wood-containing material: A) from 30 to 95% by weight of wood particles; B) from 1 to 15% by weight of a filler having a bulk density in the range from 10 to 100 kg/m3, selected from the group consisting of foamable plastic particles and already foamed plastic particles; C) from 3 to 50% by weight of a binder comprising an aminoplast resin and an organic isocyanate having at least two isocyanate groups and, if appropriate, D) additives. |
| US08187704B2 |
Optical film, polarizing plate and image display device
An optical film, includes: a transparent support; and at least one low refractive index layer, wherein the at least one low refractive index layer is a layer formed from a coating composition containing: (A) an inorganic fine particle; (B) a fluorine-containing copolymer; and (C) a polyfunctional fluorine-containing acrylate, and the polyfunctional fluorine-containing acrylate (C) is represented by the following structural formula: wherein Rf represents a (p+q)-valent perfluoro saturated hydrocarbon group having a carbon number of 1 to 20, which may have an ether bond; p represents an integer of 2 to 10; q represents an integer of 0 to 8, provided that (p+q) represents an integer of 2 to 10; r represents an integer of 0 to 100; and R represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a fluorine atom or a trifluoromethyl group. |
| US08187702B1 |
Decorative laminate and method of making
A decorative laminate is provided and includes a core with at least one epoxy resin impregnated fiberboard sheet. The decorative laminate also includes at least one decorative layer provided adjacent to the core. A method of forming a decorative laminate is also provided. |
| US08187688B2 |
Foldable labels
According to certain embodiments disclosed in the present application, an adhesive label configured to be fed into a printer includes a main layer having a first side configured to be printed and a second side and a liner configured to releasably attach to the second surface of the main layer. The second surface of the main layer comprises one or more creases configured to facilitate folding of the label in a desired manner. In some embodiments, the crease enables folding of the label along a longitudinal centerline. In one embodiment, the crease does not extend across an entire width of the label. In other arrangements, the main layer comprises an intermediate layer and a printable layer secured to the intermediate layer. |
| US08187687B2 |
Reinforcing matrix for spoolable pipe
A spoolable pipe is disclosed, the spoolable pipe having an internal pressure barrier formed about a longitudinal axis, and a reinforcing layer(s) enclosing the internal pressure barrier that includes a solid hydrocarbon matrix. The pipe can also include an energy conductor(s) integrated with and/or located between the internal pressure barrier and/or the reinforcing layer(s). |
| US08187684B2 |
Double-donnable glove
A polychloroprene article comprises a polymer which is more readily chlorinatable that polychloroprene. A method of making the article comprises forming the article from an aqueous dispersion or solution of polychloroprene, characterized in that one or more polymers which are more readily chlorinatable than polychloroprene are included in said dispersion or solution. Preferably, the article is a polychloroprene glove containing carboxylated nitrile rubber, carboxylated styrene butadiene or polyisoprene. |
| US08187675B2 |
Image forming method
The invention provides an image forming method including at least: applying, onto a recording medium, an ink composition containing at least a water-soluble solvent, a pigment, a polymer particle and water; and removing at least a part of the volatile solvent from the ink composition on the recording medium. Herein, the water-soluble solvent contains at least a volatile water-soluble solvent having an SP value of 27.5 or more at an amount of 30 mass % thereof. |
| US08187663B2 |
Measurement, monitoring and control of directed product movements in a Wurster-arrangement and suitable systems
A process for measuring, monitoring and/or controlling directed product movements of fluidized products in process systems (1) selected from fluidized bed and spouted bed systems during a spraying process for coating and/or granulation, which includes, with the aid of one or more microwave sensor devices (8), injecting microwave radiation without contact into one or more product streams, receiving the microwave radiation reflected by the particles of the particular product stream and, on the basis of the microwave radiation received, forming and transmitting a measurement signal for the characterization of the product stream, the corresponding use of microwave sensor devices (8) and correspondingly equipped apparatus (1). |
| US08187661B2 |
Stent support assembly and coating method
A support assembly for a stent and a method of using the same to coat a stent are provided. The support assembly provides for minimum contact between the stent and the support assembly so as to reduce or eliminate coating defects. |
| US08187657B2 |
Prepared foods containing triglyceride-recrystallized non-esterified phytosterols
A dietary supplement is provided which includes at least one triglyceride-based edible fat and between 3% and 50% by weight of triglyceride recrystallized phytosterols. The dietary supplement can be in the form of a capsule, pill or wafer. Additionally, the dietary supplement can be combined with protein, vitamins, minerals, or combinations thereof. |
| US08187653B2 |
System and methods for transporting or storing oxidatively-degradable foodstuff
Disclosed are packaging systems and methods useful in extending the storage-life of foodstuff such as fresh fish. The packaging systems and methods can be used to transport or store the foodstuff for an extended period of time. The packaging systems preferably use a fuel cell to maintain a reduced oxygen level in the environment surrounding the foodstuff. |
| US08187645B2 |
Yogurt containing confectionery pieces
Methods of preparation for cultured milk based products and products prepared thereby are provided wherein a yogurt is produced containing 0.1% to about 5% confectionery filaments. The process involves providing a cooled fermented yogurt base at a temperature of 0° C. to 5° C.; injecting a liquid fat-bearing compound having a total fat concentration of 24% to about 40% into the cooled yogurt base; whereby the liquid fat-bearing compound is shattered into filaments upon contact with the cooled fermented yogurt. |
| US08187632B2 |
Sustained-release preparations of quinolone antibiotics
The present invention relates to an orally administrable preparation comprising a quinolone antibiotic which releases the active compound with a delay. |
| US08187630B2 |
Extended release oral dosage composition
A bilayer solid composition comprising (a) an immediate release first layer comprising an anti-allergic effective amount of desloratadine and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and (b) a sustained release second layer comprising an effective amount of a nasal decongestant, e.g. pseudoephedrine sulfate and a pharmaceutically acceptable sustained release agent wherein the composition contains less than about 2% of desloratadine decomposition products is disclosed. A solid composition comprising an anti-allergic effective amount of desloratadine and at least one, and preferably two pharmaceutically acceptable antioxidants is also disclosed. |
| US08187627B2 |
Dressing delivery system for internal wounds
A dressing delivery system comprises an applicator for holding and positioning a wound dressing. The applicator comprises a sleeve having a distal spreading portion. The wound dressing is disposed on or adjacent the spreading portion. The applicator urges the dressing into contact with the wound. The sleeve is advanced to actuate the spreading portion, which increases the diameter of the applicator and preferably deploys the dressing. |
| US08187626B2 |
Wound dressings containing complexes of transition metals and alginate for elastase-sequestering
Transition metal (e.g., silver and copper) derivatized phosphorylated polysaccharides (cellulose, starch, gauze) provide antimicrobial and elastase sequestration properties to wound dressings, and the wound dressing have enhanced water sorption and elastase sequestration when used with alginates. Wound dressings with alginates (e.g., silver alginate, crosslinked alginates, etc.) provide enhanced wound fluid absorption as well as elastase sequestration. |
| US08187622B2 |
Use of nonionic esters in a coating for surfaces coming in contact with blood
The present invention relates to methods for coating at least one surface of a medical device for improving the hemocompatibility of said surface. Further, the invention relates to medical devices comprising surfaces, coated with a coating composition containing a nonionic ester formed from an acyclic C3-C6(OH)3-6 polyol and from at least three C12-C26 fatty acids, and further includes at least one hydrophilic group. |
| US08187617B2 |
Immediate release compositions and methods for delivering drug formulations using weak acid ion exchange resins in abnormally high pH environments
Immediate release compositions and methods for delivering drug formulations using weak acid ion exchange resins in abnormally high pH environments. |
| US08187610B2 |
Streptococcus equi strain
The invention provides Streptococcus vaccine strains (e.g. S. equi which is causative of ‘strangles’) comprising the following modifications in their genomes: (i) attenuation of one or more essential biosynthetic genes, (ii) attenuation of one or more genes which encode a haemolytic toxin, or protein involved in the production thereof, plus preferably any one, two, or most preferably three of the following modifications: (iii) attenuation of one or more genes which encode a protein responsible for immune evasion (iv) modification of one or more genes such as to permit serological discrimination of the vaccine strain based on analysis of a protein encoded by said genes, and (v) attenuation of one or more genes which encode an enzyme responsible for recombination repair of the genome. The invention provides inter alia live attenuated vaccine strains which generate an immune response to multiple protective epitopes presented in a context resembling the live pathogen. |
| US08187603B2 |
Antibodies to human IL-22
The present application provides human antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof that specifically bind to the human interleukin-22 (IL-22). The antibodies can act as antagonists of IL-22 activity, thereby modulating immune responses in general, and those mediated by IL-22 in particular. The disclosed compositions and methods may be used for example, in diagnosing, treating or preventing inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, allergies, septic shock, infectious disorders, transplant rejection, cancer, and other immune system disorders. |
| US08187596B1 |
Method of treating asthma or allergy by administering an IL-33 receptor antibody
Provided herein are methods of modulating IL-33 activity, e.g., for the purpose of treating immune diseases and conditions, as well as methods of screening for compounds capable antagonizing IL-33 signaling. |
| US08187579B2 |
Thickening agent
Thickening agents which containing a specific N-acylamino acid (component A) and a specific amideamine (component B) are capable of generating, when used in combination with a wide variety of oily bases including a hydrocarbon oil and silicone, a creamy thickening composition having a practical dissolution temperature and a smooth feeling in use when applied to the skin. |
| US08187575B2 |
Triazine derivatives as UV absorbers
The present invention relates to new compounds of formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and R8 independently from each other are hydrogen; C1-C18alkyl; C2-C18alkenyl; C5-C7, cycloalkyl; C1-C6alkylene-C5-C7, cycloalkyl; R9 is hydrogen; C1-C18alkyl; C2-C18alkenyl; C5-C7cycloalkyl; C1-C6alkylene-C5-C7cycloalkyl; C6-C10aryl; A is —S—; —O— or —NR10—, wherein R10 has the same meanings as R9; X is COOR11; CONR12R13; SO3, R14; or SO2NR15R16, wherein R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, and R16, have independently from each other the same meanings as R9; to their preparation and to their use as UV absorbers in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations. |
| US08187563B2 |
Method for producing Si bulk polycrystal ingot
A method is provided for producing a Si bulk polycrystal ingot with high quality and high homogeneity, which has no significant crystal defects and is free from diffused impurities with a high yield. An upper face of a Si melt is locally cooled by bringing coolant close to a surface of the Si melt from an upper part of a crucible in the crucible containing the Si melt or by inserting the coolant into the Si melt. A dendrite crystal is formed in the vicinity of the surface of the Si melt. Cooling is performed thereafter while maintaining a proper temperature distribution, and a Si bulk crystal is grown from an upper part toward a lower part using a lower face of the dendrite crystal as a fresh growth face. |
| US08187549B2 |
Chemical reactors with annularly positioned delivery and removal devices, and associated systems and methods
Chemical reactors with annularly positioned delivery and removal devices, and associated systems and methods. A reactor in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a reactor vessel having a light-transmissible surface proximate to a reaction zone, and a movable reactant delivery system positioned within the reactor vessel. The reactor can further include a product removal system positioned within the reactor vessel and positioned annularly inwardly or outwardly from the delivery system. A solar concentrator is positioned to direct solar radiation through the light-transmissible surface to the reaction zone. |
| US08187548B2 |
Catalyst-supported particulate filter
A catalyst layer formed on the walls of exhaust gas channels in a particulate filter contains a catalyst material containing at least two kinds of primary particles selected from the group consisting of primary particles of activated alumina, primary particles of a ZrNd-based mixed oxide and primary particles of a CeZr-based mixed oxide. The catalyst material is formed so that primary particles of one of the ZrNd-based mixed oxide and the CeZr-based mixed oxide are dispersedly carried on the surface of each of secondary particles. Each secondary particle is formed by cohesion of at least one kind of primary particles selected from the group consisting of primary particles of activated alumina and primary particles of the other of the ZrNd-based mixed oxide and the CeZr-based mixed oxide. |
| US08187542B2 |
Optical detection field having diamond-like carbon thin film formed therein
An optical detection field, wherein a diamond-like carbon thin film containing therein fluorine is formed on a surface facing an existence region of a substance. |
| US08187540B2 |
Concentration monitor method
A concentration monitor for monitoring a concentration of a plurality of use solutions, each of the plurality of use solutions being, at least, a concentrate in a diluent, each of the plurality of use solutions having a resistivity which varies as a function of both temperature and an amount of the concentrate contained in a given amount of the diluent. A resistivity probe is adapted for use with at least one of the plurality of use solutions for taking a measurement related to the resistivity of the at least one of the plurality of use solutions. A temperature sensor is adapted for use with the at least one of the plurality of use solutions for taking a measurement related to the temperature of the at least one of the plurality of use solutions. A controller calculates the concentration of the at least one of the plurality of the use solutions based upon a predetermined algorithm using the resistivity and the temperature for the particular one of the at least one of the plurality of use solutions, the algorithm being based upon knowledge of the at least one of the plurality of use solutions being measured. |
| US08187538B2 |
Diluent wells produced in card format for immunodiagnostic testing
An immunodiagnostic test card includes a flat planar member and at least one dilution chamber that is supported by the flat planar member. The at least one dilution chamber can be disposed adjacent chambers used for testing a patient sample that are provided on the immunodiagnostic test card or can be provided separately. |
| US08187536B2 |
System and method for the unequivocal allocation of histological cassettes and specimen slides
A system (100) and a method for the unequivocal allocation of histological cassettes (30) and specimen slides (60) is described. The system encompasses a microtome (1) and at least one reading unit (80). The data (33) of the histological cassette (30) and the data (33) of the at least one specimen slide (60) are read by means of the reading unit (80). The reading unit (80) is provided with at least one indicating element (83) that outputs a signal in accordance with the degree of correspondence between the data (33) of the histological cassette (30) and the data (33) on the specimen slide (60). |
| US08187535B2 |
Robotic handling system and method with independently operable detachable tools
An analytical system and method that enables more efficient transport of movable devices (22) among stations (24, 25, 26). According to one aspect of the invention, the system and method permit operational timesharing of a transport mechanism (34) for the movable devices. According to another aspect of the invention, control of the transport mechanism is effected on an event-driven basis. The invention has particular application to an adaptive, motion and fluids system for automating the sample handling/management process associated with analytical processes and especially bioanalytical processes such as introducing samples into LC and HPLC systems. |
| US08187529B2 |
Wear resistant alloy and method of producing thereof
A wear resistant, high chromium white iron, in an unheat-treated condition has a microstructure substantially comprising austenite and M7C3 carbides. The white iron contains at least one martensite promoter and at least one austenite stabilizer which are present at respective levels to achieve a balance between their effects whereby the white iron has a microstructure characterized by at least one of: i) being substantially free of martensite at interfaces between the austenite and M7C3 carbides; and ii) having a relatively low level of interconnectivity between carbide particles; such that the white iron is substantially crack-free. The white iron may be as-cast or comprise weld deposited hardfacing. |
| US08187525B2 |
Method of firing green bodies into porous ceramic articles
A method of forming a porous ceramic article having a narrow pore distribution includes heating a green body containing ceramic forming raw materials in a firing environment that raising the temperature of the firing environment to a peak temperature, then reducing the temperature to a hold temperature in order to form porous ceramic. |
| US08187522B2 |
Method and apparatus for producing a three-dimensionally shaped object, and three dimensionally shaped object
A method for producing a three-dimensionally shaped object, includes the steps of: (i) forming a solidified layer by irradiating a light beam on a specified portion of a powder layer placed on a shaping table to sinter or melt the specified portion; (ii) forming another solidified layer by placing a new powder layer on the solidified layer thus obtained, and irradiating the light beam on a specified portion of the new powder layer to sinter or melt the specified portion of the new powder layer; and (iii) repeating the step (ii) to produce a three-dimensionally shaped object. When performing the steps (i) to (iii) within a chamber, at least a part of an ambient gas in the chamber is exhausted from the chamber through a gas passage of a shaping tank. |
| US08187521B2 |
Method and device for producing three-dimensional objects
A method for producing three-dimensional objects from a powder material which is capable of solidification by irradiation with a high-energy beam is disclosed. The method comprises homogeneously pre-heating the powder material by scanning with the high-energy beam along predetermined paths over a pre-heating area so that consecutive paths are separated by a minimum security distance which is adapted to prevent undesirable summation effects in the pre-heating area, and then solidifying the powder material by fusing together the powder material. Apparatus for producing such three-dimensional objects is also disclosed. |
| US08187519B2 |
Process for making a die by laser engraving and using the die for the production of a surface-structed coating
The invention relates to a process for the production of a die for the production of a surface-structured coating which can be bonded to a sheet-like substrate, in particular a leather or a textile material, and which is formed by application of a liquid plastic material to the surface of the die and subsequent solidification of the plastic material, the die having a surface structure corresponding to the surface structure of the coating, wherein the surface structure of the die is produced by laser engraving. |
| US08187517B2 |
Use of a tool and a method for producing a surface member
A helical tool (1′, 1″) having a rigid outer helical support surface (2) is used as support for a non-rigid material for producing a hollow elongated member onto and as an integral part with a surface member (3) in manufacturing of a surface member having at least one hollow elongated stiffening member integral therewith. |
| US08187515B2 |
Large area roll-to-roll imprint lithography
Droplets of polymerizable material may be patterned on a film sheet. The droplets of polymerizable material may be dispensed on the film sheet. A pre-determined force may be applied to an imprint lithography template such that localized trapping of the droplets of the polymerizable material on the film sheet is minimized and the droplets coalesce to form a continuous layer. The polymerizable material may be solidified to form a patterned layer having a residual layer and at least one feature. |
| US08187513B2 |
Method for producing articles consisting of polymer materials having a medicamentous depot effect
The process for the preparation of articles from polymer materials having a medicamentous depot effect is performed by mixing the starting materials, shaping the mixture, cross-linking the polymer material at least until a sufficient dimensional stability is reached, performing all the necessary processing work, introducing the article into a protective package, sterilizing the packaged article, optionally with further cross-linking of the polymer material. |
| US08187512B2 |
Method and device for granulating plastics and/or polymers
A method and apparatus for the pelletization of plastics and/or polymers, in which a melt coming from a melt generator is supplied via a diverter valve having different operating positions to a plurality of pelletizing heads through which the melt is pelletized. The plurality of pelletizing heads have different throughput capacities and are used sequentially for the start-up of the pelletizing process, with the melt first being supplied to a first pelletizing head having a smaller throughput capacity and then the melt volume flow being increased and the diverter valve being switched over such that the melt is diverted by the diverter valve to a second pelletizing head having a larger throughput capacity. |
| US08187511B2 |
Method for producing resin porous membrane with adhesive layer, resin porous membrane with adhesive layer, and filter member
The present invention provides a resin porous membrane with an adhesive layer that exhibits excellent bonding precision and can be bonded to an adherend while maintaining the gas permeability of the porous membrane even when the porous membrane is small, and a method for producing the resin porous membrane with the adhesive layer. The present invention also provides the filter member including the resin porous membrane with the adhesive layer. |
| US08187510B2 |
Method for producing granular composition
A method for producing a granular composition including the steps of: stirring and granulating a mixture containing not less than 3 parts by weight and not more than 80 parts by weight of a phenol compound represented by the formula (1): wherein R1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, X is an n-valent alcohol residue having 1 to 18 carbon atoms optionally containing a heteroatom, a cyclic group, or a heteroatom and a cyclic group, and n is an integer of 1 to 4, and not less than 20 parts by weight and not more than 50 parts by weight of a binder to obtain a granular agglomerate; and cracking the granular agglomerate at a temperature equal to or lower than the melting point of the binder and equal to or higher than the temperature which is 10° C. lower than the melting point, through a cracking machine equipped with a separation mechanism capable of recovering a granule having a particle size of not more than 5 mm, and a cracking mechanism, to obtain a granule. |
| US08187505B2 |
Conductive compositions and processes for use in the manufacture of semiconductor devices: flux materials
Described herein are a silicon semiconductor device and a conductive paste, including a flux material, for use in the front side of a solar cell device. |
| US08187500B2 |
Biphasic inks
A biphasic ink comprises a plurality of attractive particles, a plurality of repulsive particles, and a carrier liquid. |
| US08187498B2 |
Phosphor, method for manufacturing the same, and light emitting diode
A phosphor is formed with a glass coating layer on a surface of a phosphor grain to have improved moisture and/or thermal stability. A method for manufacturing the phosphor comprises preparing phosphor gains excitable by light, and forming a glass coating layer on a surface of each phosphor grain. The glass coating layer may be formed by mixing the phosphor grains with a glass composition; heat-treating a mixture of the phosphor grains and the glass composition to make the glass composition melt and surround the phosphor grains; and cooling and breaking the heat-treated mixture to provide phosphors, each comprising the phosphor grain having the glass coating layer formed on a surface of the phosphor grain. |
| US08187493B2 |
PDLC films
A grafted polymer and its use in polymer/liquid crystal composite films, and more particularly in PDLC films, is disclosed. The grafted polymer includes (alkyl)acrylic acid or (alkyl)acrylamide moieties. At least one of the moieties is grafted with an alkylphenol or with an alkoxylated alkylphenol. |
| US08187492B2 |
Medical device employing liquid crystal block copolymers and method of making the same
A medical device, at least a portion of which is formed from a polymer composition including at least one liquid crystal block copolymer having at least one A block and at least one B block wherein the A block is formed of mesogenic repeat units and the B block is a soft block. |
| US08187477B2 |
Methods and apparatus for isolating platelets from blood
A platelet collection device comprising a centrifugal spin-separator container with a cavity having a longitudinal inner surface. A float in the cavity has a base, a platelet collection surface above the base, an outer surface. The float density is below the density of erythrocytes and above the density of plasma. The platelet collection surface has a position on the float which places it below the level of platelets when the float is suspended in separated blood. During centrifugation, a layer of platelets or buffy coat collects closely adjacent the platelet collection surface. Movement of a float having a density greater than whole blood through the sedimenting erythrocytes releases entrapped platelets, increasing the platelet yield. |
| US08187469B2 |
Separation of fluids using zeolite ITQ-32
The invention relates to a method of separating fluids from mixtures using a zeolite known as ITQ-32 consisting of a two-dimensional pore system comprising channels with openings formed by 8 tetrahedra which are interconnected by channels with openings formed by 12 tetrahedra. The inventive method comprises at least the following steps: a) the zeolite ITQ-32 material is brought into contact with the mixture of fluids, b) one or more of the components are adsorbed in the zeolite ITQ-32 material, c) the non-adsorbed components are extracted, and d) one or more of the components adsorbed in the zeolite ITQ-32 material are recovered. |
| US08187456B2 |
Hydrocracking of heavy feedstocks with improved hydrogen management
An improved process for hydrocracking heavy petroleum feedstocks wherein hydrogen-containing streams associated with a hydrocracker are subjected to rapid cycle pressure swing adsorption having a cycle time of less than 30 S. |
| US08187454B2 |
Degradation detector and detecting method
A degradation detector of an exhaust gas sensor is disclosed. The detector comprises a first heater resistance estimator (16) for estimating a resistance of a heater that heats the exhaust gas sensor, based on a device resistance of the exhaust gas sensor; a heater resistance calculator (17) for calculating a resistance of the heater, based on a heater current of the heater; and a degradation determiner (18) for determining whether the exhaust gas sensor is degraded, by comparing the estimated resistance of the heater and the calculated resistance of the heater. |
| US08187447B2 |
Zinc ferrite thin film, method for manufacturing the same and application thereof
Electrochemical methods for manufacturing a zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4) thin film include preparing an electrodeposition solution and forming the zinc ferrite thin film on a conductive substrate under suitable conditions. The electrodeposition solution includes about 10−2 M to about 10−1 M zinc nitrate aqueous solution and about 10−3 M to about 10−2 M ferric nitrate aqueous solution. |
| US08187444B2 |
Fluid treatment device
A fluid treatment device is disclosed. The fluid treatment device includes at least a first electrode and a second electrode in direct contact with the fluid. The fluid treatment device may include a control device which adjusts a parameter of an alternating potential difference provided between the first electrode and the second electrode based on the indication of the conductivity between the first electrode and the second electrode. |
| US08187439B2 |
Electrocoating process for mixed-metal automotive bodies-in-white
Mixed-metal automotive vehicle bodies-in-white comprising ferrous metal surfaces, zinc surfaces, aluminum alloy surfaces, and magnesium alloy surfaces are cleaned and immersed in an aqueous bath comprising an adhesion promoter and an aqueous electrocoat bath (the adhesion promoter may be in the electrocoat bath. The adhesion promoter, which may be a cerium salt, is selected to react with each metal in the body surfaces to form an oxide layer that provides corrosion resistance for the surface and adherence for the deposited polymeric paint coating. The body is cathodic in the electrocoat deposition. |
| US08187437B2 |
Electrochemical gas sensor
A mediator-based electrochemical gas sensor reacts selectively with hydrogen sulfide. The gas sensor has an electrolyte solution (9), which contains a mediator compound in the form of metallates of transition metals. |
| US08187435B2 |
Reference electrode
The invention provides a reference electrode including a liquid electrolyte containing water, a water soluble organic compound with molecular size and boiling point are both greater than water, and an ionic salt; a solid crystal of the ionic salt in the liquid electrolyte; a metal/metal salt complex layer in contact with the liquid electrolyte; an leading wire connected to the metal/metal salt complex layer; an insulation case for containing the liquid electrolyte; and a nano-porous junction material embedded in the insulation case for contacting the liquid electrolyte, wherein a pore size of the nano-porous junction material is greater than a cation diameter of the ionic salt but smaller than a molecular length of the water soluble organic compound. The solid crystal of the ionic salt is the sediment of part of the ionic salt because the amount of the ionic salt is more than its solubility in the liquid electrolyte. |
| US08187433B2 |
Compound material analyte sensor
A sensing element adapted to, at least in part, be inserted into a mammalian body. The sensing element is made up of a core of a structurally robust metal and a plated portion made of an electrochemically active metal conjoined to at least a portion of the core. This sensing element may be used as part of a method for the continuous or intermittent monitoring of an analyte within a mammalian body. The method includes inserting at least a portion of the sensing element into the mammalian body and measuring any electric current produced by at least of portion of the sensor. |
| US08187427B2 |
Embossing roll assembly with mixed inclination embosses
An emboss pattern, tissue product and method of manufacturing tissue product having improved bulk and softness with minimal roll ridging. The pattern combines a plurality of aligned signature bosses with a grouping of signature bosses offset from the machine direction in a clockwise manner and another grouping of signature bosses being offset in a counter-clockwise manner. |
| US08187425B2 |
Apparatus for washing and dewatering pulp
Apparatus for washing and dewatering pulp including a pair of rotatable press rolls with a permeable outer surface in a casing including a vat in which the press rolls are installed is provided. A gap is provided between the vat and the press rolls as well as means for feeding the pulp into the gap between the rolls and the vat includes a first segment partially enclosing the first roll and a second segment partially enclosing the second roll, and casing members for each segment are pivotable about axes of rotation to open and close the casing, and the distance between the axes of rotation is less than the sum of the outer diameter of the two press rolls. |
| US08187422B2 |
Disposable cellulosic wiper
A high efficiency disposable cellulosic wiper includes (a) pulp-derived papermaking fiber; (b) up to 75% by weight regenerated cellulosic microfiber having a characteristic CSF value of less than 175 ml, the microfiber being selected and present in amounts such that the wiper exhibits a Laplace pore volume fraction at pore sizes less than 15 microns of at least 1.5 times that of a like wiper prepared without regenerated cellulose microfiber. The wipers of the invention exhibit remarkable residue removal efficiency. |
| US08187421B2 |
Absorbent sheet incorporating regenerated cellulose microfiber
An absorbent paper sheet includes cellulosic papermaking fiber and up to about 75 percent by weight fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber which may be regenerated from a cellulosic dope utilizing a tertiary amine N-oxide solvent or selected ionic liquids. Fibrillation of the microfiber is controlled such that it has a reduced coarseness and a reduced freeness as compared with unfibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber from which it is made and provides at least one of the following attributes to the absorbent sheet: (a) the absorbent sheet exhibits an elevated SAT value and an elevated wet tensile value as compared with a like sheet prepared without fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber; (b) the absorbent sheet exhibits an elevated wet/dry CD tensile ratio as compared with a like sheet prepared without fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber; (c) the absorbent sheet exhibits a lower GM Break Modulus than a like sheet having like tensile values prepared without fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber; or (d) the absorbent sheet exhibits an elevated bulk as compared with a like sheet having like tensile values prepared without fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber. |
| US08187419B2 |
Soft tissue paper having a polyhydroxy compound and lotion applied onto a surface thereof
The present disclosure provides a paper product having at least two plies. Only one outer surface of the tissue paper product has a lotion and a polyhydroxy compound having a molecular weight ranging from about 150 to about 4,000 and selected from the group consisting of glycerols, polyglycerols, polyethylene glycols (PEGs), polyoxyethylenes, polyoxypropylenes, and combinations thereof applied thereto by slot extrusion. The polyhydroxy compound provides the tissue paper product with a Wet Burst greater than about 90 g, a Dynamic Coefficient of Friction less than about 0.9, and a Bending Flexibility less than about 0.042 gf cm2/cm. |
| US08187399B2 |
Rotary wax transfer decorating system
A label applicator system transfers labels from a web to items moving on a rotary item transport. The applicator system includes a supply for supplying the web with the labels thereon and a take-up for taking up the web after transfer of the label from the web to the item. The supply and take-up are vertically oriented. The applicator includes a movable label applicator head. A rotary table moves the items along a path defined by rotation of the table and rotates the items relative to an axis of the items. The label applicator head is movable toward and away from the item and the item is rotated to apply the label to the item as it moves passed the applicator head. |
| US08187395B2 |
Electrical contact having high electrical conductivity made of internally oxidized silver-oxide material for compact electromagnetic relay
Disclosed is an electrical contact having high electrical conductivity for a compact electromagnetic relay including an internally oxidized silver-oxide material which is prepared by subjecting an Ag alloy having a composition consisting essentially of, by weight, 5.1 to 9% Sn, 1.5 to 5% In, and 0.005 to 0.06% Bi, with the balance being Ag and unavoidable impurities, to an internal oxidation treatment and then subjecting to a heat treatment for diffusion, aggregation, and growth of precipitated oxides, wherein the internally oxidized silver-oxide material has a metallographic structure such that coarse grains of composite oxides are dispersed and distributed in an Ag matrix, the coarse grains of composite oxides being formed as a result of coarsening of ultra-fine grains of Sn-based oxides and ultra-fine grains of In-based oxides, which are precipitated by the internal oxidation treatment, by the heat treatment for diffusion, aggregation, and growth of the precipitated oxides. |
| US08187385B2 |
Conveying unit and vacuum deposition device
The conveying unit conveys a long sheet-like subject in its longitudinal direction. The conveying unit includes a stepped roller which has large-diameter portions spaced apart from each other in a direction perpendicular to a direction of conveyance of the sheet-like subject and having a larger diameter than a remainder of the stepped roller being a small-diameter portion of the stepped roller, the large-diameter portions supporting and conveying the sheet-like subject, a closed space forming subunit between the small-diameter portion of the stepped roller and the sheet-like subject and a gas supply subunit for supplying a gas to the closed space. The vacuum deposition device forms a film on a surface of a long substrate by vacuum deposition. The vacuum deposition device includes a vacuum chamber, a conveying device which includes the conveying unit and a film forming unit. |
| US08187383B2 |
Semiconductor single crystal manufacturing device and manufacturing method
In order to provide a semiconductor single crystal manufacturing device and a manufacturing method using a CZ method wherein the resistivity and oxygen concentration of a silicon single crystal can be controlled and wherein a single crystal yield can be improved, in the present invention, there is provided a wall 10 which defines a chamber inner wall 1c of a chamber 1, a crucible 2 and a heater 3. The wall 10 is formed by three members, namely, a single crystal side flow-straightening member 11, a melt surface side flow-straightening member 12 and a heater side flow-straightening member 13, which are connected to form a purge gas directing path 100. When the semiconductor single crystal is pulled, a flow speed of a purge gas that passes through the vicinity of the surface of the melt in a quartz crucible 3 is controlled. |
| US08187381B2 |
Process gas delivery for semiconductor process chamber
Methods and apparatus for a gas delivery assembly are provided herein. In some embodiments, the gas delivery assembly includes a gas inlet funnel having a first volume and one or more gas conduits; each gas conduit having an inlet and an outlet for facilitating the flow of a gas therethrough and into the first volume, wherein each gas conduit has a second volume less than the first volume, and wherein each gas conduit has a cross-section that increases from a first cross-section proximate the inlet to a second cross-section proximate the outlet, wherein the second cross-section is non-circular. In some embodiments, each conduit has a longitudinal axis that intersects a central axis of the gas inlet funnel. |
| US08187375B2 |
Compositions for use in construction and methods of applying the same
A composition for use in construction that is substantially free of volatile organic compounds (VOC) that when applied to a surface produces a smooth or textured, water-shedding (hydrophobic properties), aesthetically-pleasing, protective continuous coating. The coated surface as well as the method of preparing and applying the composition is also provided. |
| US08187372B2 |
Ink-jet O/W emulsion ink and ink-jet recording method using the same
An ink-jet O/W emulsion ink of the present invention includes an aqueous continuous phase (a), and a nonaqueous discontinuous phase (b), wherein the aqueous continuous phase (a) includes water, at least one pigment and at least one ionic or nonionic surfactant, and the nonaqueous discontinuous phase (b) includes at least one water-insoluble organic material having a hydroxyl group. |
| US08187368B2 |
Low power consuming desorption apparatus and dehumidifier using the same
The present invention provides a low power consumption desorption apparatus, which utilizes a pair of electrodes coupled to an absorbing material to provide an electric current flowing through the absorbing material so as to desorb the substances absorbed within the absorbing material. By means of the desorption apparatus of the present invention, the absorbing material is able to enhance the desorbing efficiency and reducing power consumption during desorption. The present invention further provides a dehumidifier using the low power consumption desorption apparatus for providing a continuous dry air flow to desorb and regenerate the moisture from the absorbing material so that the dehumidifier is capable of removing moisture in the air repeatedly to reduce the humidity. |
| US08187361B2 |
Effluent gas recovery system in polysilicon and silane plants
Purified SiHCl3 and/or SiCl4 are used as a sweep gas across a permeate side of a gas separation membrane receiving effluent gas from a polysilicon reactor. The combined sweep gas and permeate is recycled to the reactor. |
| US08187358B2 |
Apparatus and method for clean, rapidly solidified alloys
One non-limiting embodiment of an apparatus for forming an alloy powder or preform includes a melting assembly, an atomizing assembly, and a field generating assembly, and a collector. The melting assembly produces at least one of a stream of a molten alloy and a series of droplets of a molten alloy, and may be substantially free from ceramic in regions contacted by the molten alloy. The atomizing assembly generates electrons and impinges the electrons on molten alloy from the melting assembly, thereby producing molten alloy particles. The field generating assembly produces at least one of an electrostatic field and an electromagnetic field between the atomizing assembly and the collector. The molten alloy particles interact with the at least one field, which influences at least one of the acceleration, speed, and direction of the molten alloy particles. Related methods also are disclosed. |
| US08187348B2 |
Hydrogen generator
A hydrogen generator includes a container with multiple concentric hollow cylinders of chemical hydride fuel disposed within the container. A water vapor source is disposed within the container and operable to deliver water vapor to the cylinders of chemical hydride fuel. Generated hydrogen is provided via a hydrogen output port formed in the container. |
| US08187342B2 |
Process for indigo dyeing of wool and wool blends
A process for indigo dyeing of wool and wool blends comprising the steps of subjecting the wool and wool blends to a step of pretreatment by impregnation with a shrink resistance agent, subjecting the pretreated wool and wool blend yarns to the step of indigo dyeing and post dyeing, wherein the step of dyeing and post dyeing includes a single step or a plurality of steps of impregnation of the pretreated wool and wool blends in an indigo dye bath followed each time by the step of oxidation. |
| US08187331B2 |
Expandable vertebral implant and methods of use
An implant for insertion between vertebral members in which an inner member, intermediate member, and outer member are concentrically disposed. The inner and outer members may comprise end plates to contact the vertebral members. The outer member may include a tapered interior wall. A locking element is movably contained within an opening that extends through a sidewall of the intermediate member. The intermediate member is displaceable longitudinally in first and second directions relative to the outer member. Displacement of the intermediate member in the first direction tends to force the locking element laterally into contact with the inner and outer members. A biasing member may urge the intermediate member in the first direction. Displacement of the intermediate member in the second direction allows the locking element to be laterally displaced out of contact with the inner member. |
| US08187327B2 |
Selectively-expandable bone scaffold
An apparatus includes a scaffold configured to be disposed in a bone. The scaffold is configured to move from a first configuration to a second configuration. The scaffold in the second configuration is expanded from the first configuration. A selectively-expandable actuator is configured to be removably disposed within the scaffold. The selectively-expandable actuator is configured to move at least a portion of the scaffold to the second configuration when the selectively-expandable actuator is moved to an expanded configuration. A shape of the selectively-expandable actuator is substantially the same as a shape of the scaffold when the selectively-expandable actuator and the scaffold are in the second configuration. The selectively-expandable actuator configured to be removed from the scaffold when in a collapsed configuration. The scaffold is configured to remain substantially in the second configuration after the scaffold has been expanded by the actuator. |
| US08187325B2 |
Materials for use in accommodating intraocular lens system
There is disclosed an accommodating intraocular lens for implantation in an eye having an optical axis. The lens comprises an anterior portion which in turn comprises an anterior viewing element and an anterior biasing element. The lens further comprises a posterior portion which in turn comprises a posterior viewing element in spaced relationship to the anterior viewing element and a posterior biasing element. The anterior portion and posterior portion meet at first and second apices of the intraocular lens. The anterior portion and the posterior portion and/or the apices are responsive to force thereon to cause the separation between the viewing elements to change. Additional embodiments and methods are also disclosed. |
| US08187324B2 |
Telescoping apparatus for delivering and adjusting a medical device in a vessel
A medical device that can be used for treating a defective heart valve. One aspect of the invention pertains to a longitudinally adjustable medical device that comprises a distal portion, a proximal portion, and a cord member. The distal portion comprises a distal anchoring member, a distal telescope, and a distal backbone. The proximal portion comprises a proximal anchoring member, a proximal telescope, and a proximal backbone. The distal backbone and the proximal backbone are configured to provide a structural support to the device while providing flexibility to the device. The cord member is disposed within the device and used to facilitate longitudinal adjustment for the device. |
| US08187320B2 |
Medical implants containing FK506 (tacrolimus)
Implants and methods of making same are provided for treatment or prophylaxis of coronary or peripheral vascular constrictions or vascular occlusions, and particularly, stenoses or restenoses, that comprise FK506 in chemically covalently bound, non-covalently bound or physically immobilized form. |
| US08187317B2 |
Endoprosthesis, and method for producing an endoprosthesis
The endoprosthesis is designed to be implanted in an aneurysm (12) of a patient, the aneurysm (12) resulting from deformation of a vessel wall, in particular the wall of an artery (14), the endoprosthesis including: a tubular envelope (22, 24) that extends in a direction (Y-Y′), and a plurality of pressure probes (26) fixed on the envelope (22, 24), each probe (26) including: a sensor (28) for measuring pressure, and elements (34, 36) for transmitting the pressure measurement to a monitoring apparatus located outside the patient. The elements (34, 36) for transmitting the pressure measurement from each probe (26) are designed to generate an electromagnetic pressure measurement transmission signal including at least one distinctive characteristic of the probe (26) of which these elements (34, 36) form part. |
| US08187315B1 |
Partial stent for treatment of a vascular aneurysm
A partial stent may include a backbone and arcuate ribs extending from that backbone; where the ribs have shapes and lengths, and are positioned relative to the backbone, such that when the partial stent is viewed from an end, the ribs collectively define an open arc. A partial stent may include at least one barb extending outward therefrom. The partial stent may be used for treating an aneurysm in a blood vessel, such as a cerebral aneurysm. The partial stent may be placed in the blood vessel adjacent the neck of the aneurysm such that the partial stent substantially covers the neck of the aneurysm. |
| US08187304B2 |
Facet fusion system
A device including a side wall defining an inner space; a lock mechanism; a pivot post; and a securement post where the device is a facet joint fusion cage; and a facet joint distractor is capable of engaging the lock mechanism via a lock and key arrangement. A method of using such a device includes positioning the facet fusion cage in the facet joint of a patient in need of facet joint fusion; and moving the securement post to a locked position. |
| US08187299B2 |
Methods and apparatus for cardiac valve repair
The methods, devices, and systems are provided for performing endovascular repair of atrioventricular and other cardiac valves in the heart. Regurgitation of an atrioventricular valve, particularly a mitral valve, can be repaired by modifying a tissue structure selected from the valve leaflets, the valve annulus, the valve chordae, and the papillary muscles. These structures may be modified by suturing, stapling, snaring, or shortening, using interventional tools which are introduced to a heart chamber. Preferably, the tissue structures will be temporarily modified prior to permanent modification. For example, opposed valve leaflets may be temporarily grasped and held into position prior to permanent attachment. |
| US08187288B2 |
Re-shapeable medical device
A medical device enables a user to bend it into a shape to suit a specific patient need or to orient efficiently the medical device for use. The medical device includes an elongate member, a mechanism, and an actuator. The mechanism is disposed at the distal portion of the elongate member. The actuator is at least partially disposed within the elongate member and coupled to the mechanism for actuating the mechanism relative to the elongate member. The elongate member is capable of being bent into a shape by the user and of retaining the shape during use. The shape may include multiple bends, in multiple directions, as needed for an application. Thereafter, the elongate member is capable of being bent into a second shape by the user and of maintaining the second shape during use. |
| US08187284B2 |
Intraluminary stent relocating apparatus
An apparatus for moving an object disposed within a body lumen. The apparatus includes a first sheath, a coupling member and at least one contraction member for engaging at least a portion of the object. The coupling member is movable relative to the first sheath between a retracted position and a capture position. In the retracted position, a distal portion of the coupling member is disposed within the first sheath. In the capture position, the coupling member distal portion is disposed outside the first sheath. The coupling member is also selectively attachable to the object in at least the capture position. When the coupling member is attached to the object and the contraction member is directly engaged with the object, a predetermined coupling member movement relative to the contraction member radially contracts at least a portion of the object thereby facilitating movement of the object within the body lumen. |
| US08187283B2 |
Reusable orthopaedic instrument having drain holes
A reusable orthopaedic instrument includes a reusable orthopedic trial having a first outer surface and a second outer surface that is opposite the first outer surface. The second outer surface includes a plurality of sidewalls extending outwardly therefrom to form a cavity. A drain hole is formed in the second outer surface at a location within the cavity. The drain hole extends through the reusable orthopaedic trial from the second outer surface to the first outer surface. Further, the second outer surface slopes downwardly from the plurality of sidewalls toward the drain hole. |
| US08187277B2 |
Translational occipital vertebral fixation system
An occipital plating system includes a fixation assembly with a plate and a coupling member extending from a respective one of opposite lateral portions of the plate. The coupling members include a channel to receive a connecting element extending from the spinal column. The coupling members are rotatable and translatable relative to the plate. |
| US08187274B2 |
External fixator
An external fixator system includes a fixation bar, a fixation pin, and a clamp assembly. The clamp assembly includes a first jaw pair, a second jaw pair, and a first spring insert. The first jaw pair has a first upper jaw component and a first lower jaw component that collectively define a first passage configured to receive the fixation bar. The second jaw pair has a second upper jaw component and a second lower jaw component that collectively define a second passage configured to receive the fixation pin. The first spring insert is positioned within the first passage and interposed between the first upper jaw component and the first lower jaw component. Advancement of the fixation bar into the first passage causes deflection of the first spring insert. |
| US08187272B2 |
Surgical instrument for coagulation and suction
An apparatus for aiding coagulation of fluids and tissue during surgery is provided. The apparatus includes a suction tube and first and second electrodes shaped as a cylindrical section extending from the suction tube. Two spaces are formed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and the distance between the tips of the electrodes and the suction tube is large enough to allow unobstructed viewing of the tissue that is being treated. |
| US08187264B2 |
Electrode needle device with temperature sensor
In a needle electrode device with a temperature sensor, having a hollow outer needle (1), which can be pierced into an affected area and is coated with an insulating layer (11) on an outer peripheral surface except at its distal end, and an inner needle (2), which is passed through the outer needle and has the temperature sensor (21) at its distal end, so that a high frequency current is supplied to the outer needle through the inner needle, and having a coupled tube (3) coupled to the rear end of the outer needle, so that the rear end (22) of the inner needle is inserted into the coupled tube in such a way as to be freely adjustable in its position in an axial direction, the position adjustment of the inner needle is provided with a simple operation. The coupled tube (3) is provided inside with a spring member (32) including a winding portion (32a) around the outer circumference of the rear end (22) of the inner needle (2) and a fixed portion (32b) fixed to the coupled tube (3). Moreover, the rear end (22) of the inner needle (2) can be moved in the axial direction by rotating the rear end (22) of the inner needle (2) in the opposite direction to a winding direction of the winding portion (32a). |
| US08187263B2 |
System and method for return electrode monitoring
A return electrode monitoring (“REM”) system is disclosed. The REM system includes a return electrode pad having a pair of split electrode pads and a detection circuit coupled to the pair of split electrode pads. The detection circuit and the pair of split electrode pads are adapted to resonate across a predetermined resonance range. The REM system also includes a controller coupled to the detection circuit and configured to provide a sweeping drive signal to the detection circuit across the resonance range. The detection circuit generates a drive signal in response to the sweeping drive signal and the controller determines a complex impedance across the at least one pair of split electrode pads as a function of the drive signal. |
| US08187257B2 |
Optical devices and methods for selective and conventional photocoagulation of the retinal pigment epithelium
The present invention provides devices and methods for applying radiation to the retina of a patient. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a radiation source for generating a radiation beam suitable for absorption by retinal pigment epithelial cells. One or more optical components are included to direct the beam onto the retina. A scanner is optically coupled to the radiation source to control movement of the beam in two dimensions to allow a scan over the retina. A controller applies control signals to the scanner to adjust beam movement to illuminate a plurality of retinal locations in a temporal sequence according to a predefined pattern. The device can be operated in one mode to effect selective targeting of retinal pigment epithelial cells, or in another mode to effect thermal photocoagulation of the retina. |
| US08187255B2 |
Medical devices having nanoporous coatings for controlled therapeutic agent delivery
According to an aspect of the invention, medical devices are provided which include a substrate, at least one porous reservoir containing at least one therapeutic agent disposed over the substrate, at least one nanoporous layer disposed over the at least one porous reservoir, and at least one plugged aperture, which may be located within the substrate, within the nanoporous layer, or both. According to another aspect of the invention, a method of forming a medical device is provided which includes (a) forming a porous reservoir over a substrate, (b) forming a nanoporous layer over the porous reservoir, (c) forming an aperture within the substrate or the nanoporous layer, (d) filling the porous reservoir with therapeutic agent through the aperture, and (d) plugging the aperture. |
| US08187254B2 |
Biodegradable drains for medical applications
The invention relates, generally, to medical appliances. More particularly, it relates to tubular shaped devices used as drains for draining fluids (liquids and/or gases) from antrums or other parts of the human or animal body. According to the present invention a drain is provided, which is suitable for draining a human or animal antrum, which drain comprises a synthetic biodegradable material, preferably a biodegradable polymer. |
| US08187247B2 |
Multi-configurable absorbent article
An absorbent article is provided with closure means for securing the article about the waist of a wearer. The article may be worn in a belt type configuration or a slip type configuration. Belt means are provided which are maintained in a retracted position along a rear panel of the article. Releasable attachment means allow the belt to be extended partially or fully. Fasteners on the front panel may be secured to the respective belt means in a slip type configuration, in which the belt means are in a partially or fully retracted configuration. A belt type configuration may be created in a fully extended configuration of the respective belt portions, in which the belt ends may be fastened to each other about the waist of a wearer. The article may have a substantially constant or same size in both the slip or belt type configurations. |
| US08187240B2 |
Thin and dry diaper
An absorbent article, preferably a disposable absorbent article such as a diaper, is disclosed having an absorbent core which imparts increased wearing comfort to the article and makes it thin and dry. The absorbent core useful for an absorbent article comprises a substrate layer, a discontinuous layer of absorbent material, and a layer of thermoplastic material. A second surface of the discontinuous layer of absorbent material is in at least partial contact with a first surface of the substrate layer. Portions of a second surface of the layer of thermoplastic material are in direct contact with the first surface of the substrate layer and portions of said second surface of the layer of thermoplastic material are in direct contact with a first surface of the discontinuous layer of absorbent material. A process for providing a storage layer for an absorbent core useful in an absorbent article is further disclosed. |
| US08187239B2 |
Side notched folded diaper
A disposable absorbent article includes a chassis and an absorbent assembly. The chassis includes a water-impermeable backsheet that is folded laterally inward at both of its side edges to form laterally opposing side flaps. Each side flap is attached to the interior surface of the chassis adjacent to its end edges. Each side flap has a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge. Each side flap is also attached to the interior surface of the chassis at continuous longitudinally extending laterally opposing water-impermeable side seals. The chassis is side notched to give it an hourglass shape. The chassis may include an extensible formed web material. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that may contain superabsorbent particles, which may be contained inside pockets. The absorbent assembly may be attached in a cruciform pattern to the chassis to allow portions of the chassis to extend laterally. |
| US08187238B1 |
Male incontinence garment
A urine collection device for males suffering from incontinence comprises a collection bag worn under an inner garment. The collection bag is sized to receive the entire content of a full bladder. The open end of an integral input sleeve comprises an elastic band and hook-and-loop closure members as a means of ensuring a comfortable fit, a tight seal, and a secure retention of the device. The internal portion of the collection bag comprises absorbent, jellying, and disinfecting materials. An adhesive strip provides a means of removably attaching the collection bag onto the inside of an inner garment. The device is disposable, made of flexible bio-degradable material and is intended to be removed and discarded after each use. |
| US08187231B2 |
Catheterization system
The present disclosure relates to catheterization systems and components thereof. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a catheterization system is disclosed that includes a catheter including a body with proximal and distal ends and defining first and second lumens extending therethrough, and a stylet. The stylet includes first and second stylet portions each having proximal and distal end regions, wherein the distal end regions of the first and second stylet portions together define a tapered penetrating portion. The first and second stylet portions are configured and dimensioned to be slidably positioned within the first and second lumens of the catheter, respectively. The first and second stylet portions extend from the proximal end of the catheter and beyond the distal end of the catheter, and are independently movable in relation to each other to facilitate selective removal of the first stylet portion and/or the second stylet portion from the catheter. |
| US08187226B2 |
Autoinjector
An autoinjector comprising an outer housing in which is mounted a syringe, the autoinjector further comprising an inner housing intermediate the outer housing and the syringe and an energy source in communication with said inner housing, wherein the inner housing is moveable by the energy source between three positions, namely a first position in. which the inner housing is in communication with the barrel such that, in use, the plunger and barrel are moveable axially so as to move at least part of said needle out of the outer housing; a second position in which the inner housing is in communication with the plunger but not the barrel such that, in use, said plunger is moveable axially into said barrel so as to expel medicament through the needle; and a third position in which the inner housing is in communication with neither the plunger nor the barrel such that, in use, the plunger and barrel are able to retract in order to retract the needle into the outer housing, characterized in that the plunger includes biasing means for axially biasing the barrel, before activation of the energy source, to a position forward of the part of the inner housing which acts on the barrel in said first position. |
| US08187225B2 |
Fluid injection system and pressure jacket assembly with syringe illumination
The fluid injection apparatus for use with a syringe includes an injector and a pressure jacket assembly associated with the injector. The injector includes a housing defining a central opening and a drive piston extendable through the central opening for imparting motive forces to a syringe plunger disposed within the syringe. The pressure jacket assembly includes a pressure jacket and at least one support arm associated with and extending outward from the housing. A syringe retaining member is attached to the at least one support arm. The syringe-retaining member defines a syringe receiving slot for receiving at least a portion of the syringe. A light source is located on the support arm and faces the pressure jacket for illuminating the syringe. |
| US08187220B2 |
Seal structures for wet/dry automatic injectors
An automatic medicament injector has a first compartment for a first medicament component and a second compartment for a second medicament component. The two compartments are separated by a seal structure that converts from a sealing condition to a mixing condition when the device is activated. The seal structure has a plug that opens a flow path through the seal structure to allow the second medicament component to mix with the first medicament component in the first compartment when the seal structure is in the mixing condition. |
| US08187217B2 |
TMR shunt
A conduit is provided to provide a bypass around a blockage in the coronary artery. The conduit is adapted to be positioned in the myocardium or heart wall to provide a passage for blood to flow between a chamber of the heart such as the left ventricle and the coronary artery, distal to the blockage. The stent is self-expanding or uses a balloon to expand the stent in the heart wall. Various attachment means are provided to anchor the stent and prevent its migration. In one embodiment, a conduit is provided having a distal top which is more preferably a ball top, wire top, flare top or flip-down top. These top configurations anchor the shunt at one end in the coronary artery. |
| US08187214B2 |
Apparatus for making extracorporeal blood circulation available
The present invention relates to an apparatus for making extracorporeal blood circulation available, in a particular a heart-lung machine, comprising machine, comprising a venous connection and an arterial connection, between which a blood reservoir, a blood pump and a bubble detector for the detection of air bubbles are provided, with, downstream of the bubble detector, an arterial line leading to the arterial connection via an arterial clamp and a bypass leading via a bypass clamp back into the blood reservoir which is connected to a pump extracting air from the blood reservoir. In addition, the present invention relates to a method of operating such an apparatus. |
| US08187196B2 |
System for determining endothelial dependent vasoactivity
A method of determining endothelial dependent vasoactivity of a subject, the method is effected by recording pressure-related signals of a plurality of locations adjacent to at least one blood vessel; extracting at least one parameter from the pressure-related signals; and using the at least one parameter to determine a change of at least one characteristic of the at least one blood vessel, the change being representative of endothelial functioning; thereby determining the endothelial dependent vasoactivity of the subject. |
| US08187193B2 |
Miniature actuator mechanism for intravascular imaging
The present invention relates to a new intravascular imaging device based on a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuator mechanism embedded inside an elongate member such as a guide wire or catheter. The present invention utilizes a novel SMA mechanism to provide side-looking imaging by providing movement for an ultrasound transducer element. This novel SMA actuator mechanism can be easily fabricated in micro-scale, providing an advantage over existing imaging devices because it offers the ability to miniaturize the overall size of the device, while the use of multiple transducer crystals maximizes field of view. Also disclosed are methods of using the same. |
| US08187191B2 |
System and method for equalizing received intravascular ultrasound echo signals
A system and method are disclosed for providing an equalized ultrasound echo signal for the rendering intravascular images. The system includes an ultrasound catheter including an ultrasound transducer probe. An intravascular ultrasound console receives an ultrasound echo signal corresponding to reflections of an ultrasound signal by backscatterers. An ultrasound echo signal time-gain compensation equalizer compensates the ultrasound echo signal according to sub-bands within a frequency response spectrum of the ultrasound echo signal. After applying selective amplifier gains on the sub-bands, the sub-band signals are combined to create an equalized ultrasound echo signal. |
| US08187188B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing program, storage medium and ultra-sonograph
A computer 12 of an image processing apparatus 11 acquires ultrasound B-mode images of consecutive frames to estimate a carotid artery wall at a carotid artery minor axis cross section included in an ultrasound B-mode image of a predetermined frame. The computer 12 also uses, as a template image, the ultrasound B-mode image, which includes the estimated carotid artery wall and surrounding tissues of the carotid artery wall and estimates the size of the diameter of the carotid artery wall so as to minimize a margin of error between a transformed template image, which is created by transforming the template image, and the acquired ultrasound B-mode image of each frame, thereby acquiring the time change of the carotid artery wall. |
| US08187185B2 |
Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus
The present invention provides an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus capable of appropriately evaluating dynamic characteristics of a bone. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus obtains an interpolated line 52a representing a bone surface shape based on echo signals obtained from ultrasonic beams transmitted to a surface of the bone on which a load is applied. A user inputs an outer diameter φ of the bone which can be stored in a memory. The ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS calculates a distortion ε which represents an expansion/contraction rate in an axial direction on the bone surface to which the load is applied, based on the interpolated line 52a and the bone outer diameter φ. The distortion ε is equal to a ratio defined by x/(x+dx)=r/(r+dr)=r/(r+1/2φ), wherein x represents a length of the bone surface in a measurement range (i.e., length of the interpolated line 52a) and x+dx represents a length of a neutral axis 52b of the bone. |
| US08187179B2 |
Surgical access system and related methods
A system for accessing a surgical target site and related methods, involving an initial distraction system for creating an initial distraction corridor, and an assembly capable of distracting from the initial distraction corridor to a secondary distraction corridor and thereafter sequentially receiving a plurality of retractor blades for retracting from the secondary distraction corridor to thereby create an operative corridor to the surgical target site, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site. |
| US08187178B2 |
Instrument access device
An instrument access device comprises at least a first instrument seal 71 to effect a seal around a first instrument extended through the device and a second instrument seal 72 to effect a seal around a second instrument extended through the device. The instrument seals 71, 72 are configured to be arranged in a sealing relationship to a body of a patient. The device also comprises a distal anchoring ring 401 for location within a wound interior and a retractor member 402 extending proximally from the distal anchoring ring 401 to retract laterally the sides of a wound opening. |
| US08187172B2 |
Endoscope cap with aperture
An end cap for an endoscope. The end cap is configured to allow the endoscope to be introduced into a patient body by a short-wire type of operation. |
| US08187170B2 |
Overtube and endoscope system suitable for treatment such as submucosal dissection
An overtube includes: an endoscope insertion portion passing hole through which an insertion portion of an endoscope is passed; and at least one manipulator passing hole through which a manipulator insertion portion of a manipulator apparatus is passed. The manipulator insertion portion includes a driving portion which has at least one first joint and one second joint rotating clockwise and counterclockwise. The endoscope insertion portion passing hole includes an endoscope protrusion amount determination portion which determines a length of a protrusion of the endoscope; and an observation optical system observation direction determination portion which determines an observation direction of the endoscope. The manipulator passing hole includes a manipulator protrusion amount determination portion which determines positions of the first joint of the manipulator within the observation optical system; and a joint driving direction determination portion which determines rotating directions of shafts of joints within the observation direction. |
| US08187169B2 |
Medical apparatus
A medical apparatus includes a first medical device, a second medical device, an integrated inputting device, and an integrated control device. The first medical device includes an insertion portion having a bending portion that is bent by a first driving portion and a first control device controlling the first driving portion. The second medical device includes an external force applying portion applying an external force to the insertion portion, a second driving portion allowing the external force applying portion to be operated, and a second control device controlling the second driving portion. The integrated inputting device instructs a distal end of the insertion portion to be moved to a target position or a target posture or in a target direction. Integrated control device controls at least one of the first driving portion and the second driving portion on the basis of an instruction from the integrated inputting device. |
| US08187168B2 |
Retractable ultrasonic endoscopic aspirator
A surgical instrument comprising a sleeve, a electro-mechanical transducer containing a hollow passage for producing mechanical vibrations in response to a magnetic field, an ultrasonic horn mechanically connected to the transducer, containing a hollow passage communicating with that in the transducer, for amplifying the produced vibration such that dissection of biological tissue is produced and a tip having a hollow passage, mechanically connected to the horn and whose passage communicates with that in the horn, for contacting such tissue, connection of the passage to a source of vacuum and a sheath connected to the instrument and surrounding the tip and horn, with a connection to a source of irrigating fluid and a structure for mounting the transducer and horn within the sleeve permitting retracting and extension of the transducer and horn within and with respect to the sheath. The transducer, horn and tip are immersed in the irrigating solution. The instrument may also include a telescope for viewing the tissue contacting site and provision for electrifying the tip with electro-cauterizing current as well as provision for the use of endo-laser fulguration of the site. |
| US08187161B2 |
Self-referencing communication in implantable devices
Various aspects of the present invention enable robust, reliable control functionality for effectors present on intraluminal, e.g., vascular leads, as well as other types of implantable devices. Aspects of the invention include implantable integrated circuits that have self-referencing and self-clocking signal encoding, and are capable of bidirectional communication. Also provided by the invention are effector assemblies that include the integrated circuits, as well as implantable medical devices, e.g., pulse generators that include the same, as well as systems and kits thereof and methods of using the same, e.g., in pacing applications, including cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) applications. |
| US08187159B2 |
Therapeutic member including a rail used in brachytherapy and other radiation therapy
A therapeutic member for use in brachytherapy deliverable to an implant site by way of a needle comprises a single radioactive source encapsulated by a bio-absorbable material having an outer surface including one or more ribs encircling the single radioactive source, a leading edge endcap rib and a trailing edge endcap rib. The one or more ribs reduces a tendency of the member to migrate and rotate within a patient's body after implantation. The encapsulating material further includes a first rail formed from the bio-absorbable material extending at least from opposite sides of the outer surface of the encapsulating material along the longitudinal axis of the therapeutic member, and a second rail formed from the bio-absorbable material extending at least from opposite sides of the outer surface of the encapsulating material along the longitudinal axis of the therapeutic member, the second rail arranged in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the first rail is arranged. |
| US08187158B2 |
Paper folding station
A paper folding station with a paper-feeder and a first pair of motorized rollers supported at a delivery end of the paper-feeder about respective parallel axes to draw sheets of paper from the feeder. One of the rollers is mounted on a first adjustable support. A folding buckle is provided to receive the sheets from the first pair of rollers through an inlet mouth. The buckle has a barrier causing the sheets to stop and bend into the shape of a groove below the inlet mouth. A second pair of rollers is supported near the inlet mouth about respective parallel axes to pinch the groove and to make a transverse fold on the sheet. The paper-folding station further comprises at least one transverse beam to guide the sheet near the inlet mouth. |
| US08187140B2 |
Planetary gear mechanism
A planetary gear mechanism which has at least one drive unit, at least one output unit and a freewheel unit. The freewheel unit is provided for blocking a moment which is introduced at the output unit. |
| US08187139B2 |
Planetary kinematic arrangement suitable for idle engine stop
A multiple speed power transmission, comprising: a gearbox input shaft; an output shaft; and a collection of gears, friction clutches, and passive couplers capable of transmitting power from the gearbox input shaft to the output shaft with eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio wherein the first forward speed ratio is selected by engaging friction brakes using electromechanical actuators. |
| US08187132B2 |
Vehicle controller and control method
When initial control ends, an ECU executes a program that includes the steps of: calculating a return control progression degree; calculating a target amount of change in turbine speed; calculating a feedback gain; calculating a target turbine speed; calculating a deviation between the target turbine speed and turbine speed NT; determining a hydraulic pressure command value; outputting the hydraulic pressure command; and when the turbine speed is synchronized with a first gear synchronization speed, outputting the maximum hydraulic pressure command. |
| US08187124B2 |
Batting swing trainer and method
A baseball batting swing trainer teaches proper bat swinging and ball hitting technique. The swing trainer includes a first handle attached to the first end of a shaft. The second end of the shaft includes a head having a diameter greater than the shaft diameter and less than the diameter of the head of a conventional baseball bat. A cylindrical second handle slidable between the first and second shaft ends. The second handle is sized to accommodate all five fingers on one of the user's hands in a batting grip. A process for teaching a person the proper technique for swinging a baseball bat using the swing trainer is also provided. When performed properly, the process produces an audible sound by striking the second handle against the stop while the head of the bat is passing through the user's strike zone and directly over the user's forward foot. |
| US08187123B2 |
Portable target to enable an individual to practice kicking soccer balls through what is considered the most difficult location for a goal tender to guard against
A portable target for a soccer goal designed with rods that enable an individual to stand on the ground and lift the portable target so that it can be lifted over the top horizontal crossbar of the soccer goal and then set in place. The target has elongated rods with curved hook attaching members designed in a manner that enables an individual to stand on the ground and simply lift the target so that the curved hook attaching members can be extended over the top horizontal crossbar of a soccer goal and then lowered onto the top horizontal crossbar of a soccer goal to be removably affixed thereto. The rod are removably retained within interior channels within the target. |
| US08187122B2 |
Club fitting system
A method of determining a reference lie angle for at least one iron-type golf club custom-fit for a player, according to one or more aspects of the present invention, comprises providing a first hitting surface and a second hitting surface, the first hitting surface being different from the second hitting surface; providing a test club comprising a data acquisition device; directing the player to swing the test club relative to the first hitting surface, whereby initial information is collected by the data acquisition device; determining whether the initial information collected by the data acquisition device satisfies a pre-set condition; if the condition is satisfied, directing the player to swing the test club relative to the second hitting surface, whereby supplemental information is collected by the data acquisition device; and evaluating the supplemental information collected by the data acquisition device to determine the reference lie angle. |
| US08187116B2 |
Golf clubs and golf club heads
Aspects of this disclosure relate to golf club heads which include a wood type golf club head body with a double wall structure that includes a ball striking face portion, which is configured to be disengaged from a rear portion of the golf club head body. Further aspects relate to a second wall portion which is configured to be disengaged from the golf club head body. Golf clubs including these club heads and methods of making such golf club and golf club heads also are provided. |
| US08187113B2 |
Apparatus for identifying point of hole pin in the golf course and registrating method thereof
The present invention relates to an apparatus for identifying a pin position on a golf course. The apparatus includes light-emitting means coupled to a pin pole, configured to identify a pin position, and including a wireless transmit/receive portion and a unique ID, and a remote control unit remotely controlling lighting and lights-out of the light-emitting means in a wireless manner. The remote control unit includes a wireless transmit/receive portion, a control object-setting portion selecting light-emitting means to be controlled, an execution button instructing the lighting and lights-out of the light-emitting means, and a remote controller which controls a unique ID of the light-emitting means to be controlled to be registered with internal memory by matching the unique ID to a remote control object ID of the control object-setting portion, and wirelessly transmits a lighting and lights-out command to light-emitting means having a unique ID, which matches to the registered remote control object ID, through the wireless transmit/receive portion when an execution button is pressed. |
| US08187109B2 |
Low load sliding intermediate shaft in a steering column for industrial vehicles
An intermediate shaft to adjust the height of a steering wheel to match a driver's measurements, to absorb vibrations which may be generated by the wheels and suspension up to the steering wheel, and to act as a safety measure to collapse in the event of an accident. The shaft utilizes corresponding screw/nut mechanisms comprising a nut rigidly connected to the intermediate shaft on one of the flat surfaces of a female shaft and a screw which turns to tighten a male shaft via an adjustment strip to allow adjustment of the sliding load and the torsional rigidity and hysteresis of the sliding intermediate shaft. |
| US08187102B2 |
Gaming system obtaining time-of-day data from a plurality of terminals and providing games matching customer preferences at respective times-of-day
A gaming system 10, composed of a server 11 and a plurality of gaming terminals 13, submits selection information including a game type to be executed in a gaming terminal 13 and a picture type, selected by a player in the gaming terminal 13, and operational information indicating operational status to the server 11. The server 11 aggregates the information received from the plurality of gaming terminals 13, and submits the game type and the picture type most selected, as configuration information, to the plurality of gaming terminals 13. In addition, operational information and processing results of the server 11 are displayed on a monitor 16. The gaming terminal 13 changes a stand-by screen in accordance with the configuration information and displays the stand-by screen on liquid crystal displays 30 and 40. |
| US08187101B2 |
System and method for collecting and using player information
A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player. |
| US08187096B2 |
Game apparatus and game program
A game apparatus sequentially acquires acceleration data outputted by an acceleration sensor of an input device (step S2). Further, smoothed data representing a value which is obtained by smoothing an acceleration represented by the acceleration data is calculated (step S3). A game process is executed using the acceleration data and the smoothed data (step S4). For example, the game apparatus controls an action of an object appearing in a game space by using the acceleration data and the smoothed data. |
| US08187092B2 |
Wagering game with multiple viewpoint display feature
A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming system further includes at least one display for displaying a plurality of game elements. The at least one display is adapted to display a first three-dimensional view of the plurality of game elements from a first viewpoint and a second three-dimensional view of at least one of the plurality of game elements indicating a randomly-selected outcome from a second viewpoint. The first three-dimensional view and the second three-dimensional view are rendered in real-time. |
| US08187086B2 |
Partial credits cashout method
A system or method providing a player an ability to cashout a portion of credits accumulated during gaming. Anonymous cashing out of credit is available to a player through routes both external and internal to a gaming machine. |
| US08187085B2 |
Collectable card-based game in a massively multiplayer role-playing game that processes card-based events
This disclosure generally describes a massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) or, more specifically, a card-based MMORPG that enables characters in a virtual world to collect cards representing specified actions or powers and presents three-dimensional (3D) elements to players representing one or more aspects associated with the characters and environment. This 3D display can, in one implementation, offer a real-time combat engine that processes the card-based events. The 3D display may also offer hanging effects that dynamically present state information associated with the respective character. Further, the MMORPG may offer a real-time responsive and flexible chat management system. |
| US08187079B2 |
Gaming system with patterned enhancement features
A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game wherein a play enhancement image is displayed on a randomly selected outcome. The randomly selected outcome is enhanced by the changing of symbols in the outcome to predefined enhance symbols in a pattern in response to the play enhancement image. The play enhancement image may be an action icon traversing the display or a play enhancement image pictorially indicating a pattern in which the enhance symbols are going to form on the display. |
| US08187075B2 |
Gaming machine
A gaming machine includes a gaming table, antennas and a control unit. The antennas are arranged to placement areas formed on the gaming table. The antennas are employed to determine whether or not at least one gaming medium is placed on any of the placement areas. The control unit drives at least two antennas simultaneously so that a direction of magnetic field generated by one antenna is opposed to one generated by at least one other antenna adjacent to the one antenna. |
| US08187071B1 |
Double draw video poker games
A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium for implementing improvements in video poker games. A second draw can be offered to the player, allowing the player an additional chance to improve the player's hand. The second draw can be always offered or triggered upon predefined conditions. |
| US08187068B2 |
System and method of an interactive multiple participant game
A plurality of linked gaming machines are disclosed that enhance the community participation and enjoyment of a game on multiple gaming machines. Players participate in an interactive game, either simultaneously, alternatively or in a systematic sequence, as a group or community. The participating players compete in the game such that the actions and results of each player affect the other players in the community. The interactive game combines skill and luck to improve play of the game. The interactive game could be a bonus game which players need to qualify in order to participate. If a player does not qualify, a wager can be placed to participate in the game. Players with different wagers can participate in the same game and players can wager on the outcomes of other players. |
| US08187057B2 |
Blast nozzle with blast media fragmenter
A media blast nozzle for cleaning a surface with compressed air and ejected particles of a sublimating blast media comprises a media size changer to change a size of the blast media particles. The media blast nozzle has an entrance and an exit and a throat therebetween. A converging passageway extends from the entrance to the throat, and a diverging passageway extends from the throat to the exit. The media size changer is operably located in the diverging passageway and has one or more media size changing members to fragment moving blast media particles by impact therewith. The blast media particles are provided to the media blast nozzle in an initial consistent size, and when a moving blast media particle impacts with one or more media size changing members, two or more fragments of reduced size are created from the initial blast media particle for ejection from the nozzle device. The media size changer can be adjusted by an operator to eject whole particles or fragments of particles. The size of the ejected particle fragments can also be adjusted with the media size change |
| US08187055B2 |
Polishing apparatus and polishing method
A polishing apparatus polishes a periphery of a substrate. This polishing apparatus includes a rotary holding mechanism configured to hold the substrate horizontally and rotate the substrate, plural polishing head assemblies provided around the substrate, plural tape supplying and recovering mechanisms configured to supply polishing tapes to the plural polishing head assemblies and recover the polishing tapes from the plural polishing head assemblies, and plural moving mechanisms configured to move the plural polishing head assemblies in radial directions of the substrate held by the rotary holding mechanism. The tape supplying and recovering mechanisms are located outwardly of the plural polishing head assemblies in the radial directions of the substrate, and the tape supplying and recovering mechanisms are fixed in position. |
| US08187046B2 |
Marine power splitting gearbox
A power splitting gearbox is provided that allows a single prime mover to distribute power, for example torque, to multiple final drive assemblies, such as surface drives or other final drives. The power splitting gearbox can be provided downstream from a marine transmission and can be mounted directly to a transom of a marine vessel. The gearbox can have a back wall that accepts and supports mounting surfaces of the multiple final drive assemblies such that the gearbox bears the weight of the multiple final drive assemblies. The gearbox has two outputs that rotate in opposing directions so that a pair of final drive assemblies mounted to the gearbox will counter-rotate a pair of propellers for providing a propulsive force that moves the marine vessel. |
| US08187036B2 |
Shield connector
A shield connector is provided with terminal fittings (10) having shield cables (11) connected thereto, a connector housing (20), into which the terminal fittings (10) are to be mounted, a shield shell (40) to be accommodated into the connector housing (20), and resilient pieces (45) each including a contact portion (47) which is provided on the shield shell (40) and comes into contact with a connection portion (19B) of the shield cable (11). Each resilient piece (45) includes projecting pieces (49) for preventing the resilient piece (45) from being excessively deformed by coming into contact with restricting portions (38) provided in the connector housing (20). |
| US08187035B2 |
Connector assembly
A connector assembly includes contact modules each having a dielectric body and plurality of contacts. The dielectric body includes windows internal of the dielectric body and located between adjacent contacts. Holders support corresponding contact modules and the holders are coupled together such that the contact modules are stacked parallel to one another. The holders are electrically grounded and include a support wall and tabs extending outward from the support wall. The contact modules are coupled to the holders such that the tabs are received in the windows to provide shielding within the contact modules. |
| US08187030B2 |
Device connector
A device connector has a housing main body (10), a device-side housing portion (12) to be accommodated in a connector mounting hole, a reinforcing plate (30) including an opening (31) for permitting the passage of terminal fittings, and a flange (11) formed by insert molding using the reinforcing plate (30) and synthetic resin, and terminal fittings 15. An outer peripheral end surface of the reinforcing plate (30) is exposed. The device connector is produced with a reduced cost by insert molding using a metal reinforcing plate as an insert while preventing a crack from being created in a synthetic resin portion covering the reinforcing plate (30). |
| US08187022B2 |
Lighting connector devices and uses thereof
A multi-way connector connects a plurality of lighting apparatuses together. The multi-way connector comprises: (a) a plurality of lighting connectors, each lighting connector comprising: (i) an upper housing having: plural connector pins, and one or more interlocking grooves; and (ii) a lower housing, the lower housing having a plurality of connector pin guide holes, and one or more interlocking tongue portions, the lower housing being connectable with the upper housing to form each lighting connector by coupling at least one of the one or more interlocking grooves with at least one of the one or more interlocking tongue portions, and by coupling at least one of the plural connector pins with at least one of the connector pin guide holes; (b) a multi-way connecting portion configured to permit power and/or signals to pass between and among the plurality of lighting connectors; and (c) plural flexible connectors electrically connecting an inner side of each lower housing with the multi-way connecting portion. |
| US08187018B2 |
Connector and connecting unit
A connector includes a connector protrusion to be inserted into a connector socket and including a locking lever provided on a first surface and a connecting terminal provided on a second surface opposing the first surface or on a front surface; and a connector frame surrounding the connector protrusion and having an opening in a surface opposing the first surface of the connector protrusion. When the connector frame is moved in a direction opposite to the direction where the connector protrusion is inserted while the connector protrusion is in the connector socket, an end of the locking lever fits into the opening and the locking lever is unlocked. |
| US08186984B2 |
Tire mold and tire with internal grooves in tire tread
A tire mold is described that includes a plurality of tread molding segments having an inner surface for molding the tire tread. The mold further includes a plurality of sidewall plates having an inner surface for molding the tire sidewall. The tread mold segments together with the sidewalls cooperate to form a tire molding cavity. The sidewall plate further comprises a slot that extends from the outer surface of the tread segment to the inner mold surface, and has a pin extending from the outer surface of the tread segment. The pin is mounted to a rotatable body which can swivel. The rotatable body further comprises a guide pin which cooperates with a working member to rotate the body into a desired position in order to position the pin in the tire tread to be molded. The working member actuates the rotatable body into various positions. |
| US08186979B2 |
Capacity varying type rotary compressor and refrigeration system having the same
A capacity varying type rotary compressor and a refrigeration system having the same are provided. The capacity varying type rotary compressor includes a casing that contains a certain amount of oil and maintains a discharge pressure state; a motor installed in the casing that generates a driving force; one or more cylinder assembly fixed in the casing, having a compression space that compresses a refrigerant by a rolling piston that performs an orbit motion and a vane that performs a linear motion by contacting the rolling piston, and having a vane pressure chamber formed at a rear side of the vane that implements a normal driving as the vane contacts the rolling piston or a saving driving as the vane is separated from the rolling piston; and a mode switching device that selectively supplies a suction pressure or a discharge pressure to the vane pressure chamber of the cylinder assembly according to a driving mode. |
| US08186965B2 |
Recovery tip turbine blade
A turbine blade includes an airfoil having first and second tip ribs extending along the opposite pressure and suction sides thereof. A tip baffle bifurcates the airfoil tip into two pockets, with a first pocket being laterally open at its aft end to recover leakage flow, and a second pocket being laterally closed. |
| US08186957B2 |
Fan propeller, in particular for motor vehicles
The fan impeller (10) comprises a hub (14) and blades (12) extending radially outward from the hub, the blades having a flattened airfoil profile cross section with a leading edge (24) and a trailing edge (26) between which a chord is defined. The blade (12) has a relative thickness that reached its maximum value (Emax) in the first quarter of the length of the chord measured from the leading edge (24), the relative thickness being defined by the ratio between the thickness of the blade and the length of the chord. The invention finds an application particularly in motor vehicle engine cooling fan impellers. |
| US08186942B2 |
Nacelle assembly with turbulators
A nacelle assembly for a turbine engine has a cowl. The cowl extends along an axis and has an exterior surface spaced from an interior surface. The interior surface forms an air inlet for directing airflow to the turbine engine. A turbulator for creating turbulence is disposed on one of the interior surface and the exterior surface. |
| US08186934B2 |
Casing assembly
Provision of panels within casings can cause problems where retaining bolts require apertures in the casings, which in turn may reduce the structural strength of that casing. By providing a ring within the casing and appropriate retainer elements secured to that ring, which elements in turn appropriately present panels, it is possible to provide a casing assembly which avoids the necessity of drilling or otherwise forming holes in the casing. Dam elements can be provided at each end of the assembly to prevent axial movement and therefore retain panel position within the casing. |
| US08186928B2 |
Device and method for accommodating and transporting steps of an escalator or pallets of a moving walkway
An accommodating and transport device for prefabricated steps of an escalator which are reduced in terms of their overall height or prefabricated pallets of a moving walkway includes a frame body separate and independent of the escalator or moving walkway. The frame body includes lateral guide tracks to receive rollers connected to the steps or pallets. The steps or pallets are stackable inside the frame body for transport purposes. |
| US08186927B2 |
Contained object transfer system
A transfer chamber is partitioned into a second chamber in which a transfer robot moving through an opening portion which can be opened/closed by a door is arranged, and a minute first chamber which serves as a FIMS system and includes a door capable of retaining a lid of a pod. The second chamber maintains a state in which an inert gas constantly circulates owing to minute nitrogen while having a pressure higher than that inside the first chamber. The first chamber is normally sealed while an oxide gas is suppressed in advance. In addition, at a time of transferring wafers, a partial pressure of the oxide gas is lowered with use of a downflow which is caused by the inert gas. Further, the first chamber and the second chamber are communicated with each other after a level of the partial pressure is confirmed with use of an oxygen level meter. As described above, an existing amount of the oxide gas is reduced in the so-called transfer chamber in semiconductor processing equipment in which the FIMS system is secured. |
| US08186925B2 |
Drill rod handler
An elongate item handling means comprising a base (11) adapted to be fixed to a fixture, an elongate member support (13) having a first axis, the elongate member support comprising an engagement means (19) adapted to engage an elongate item and support the elongate item such that it is parallel to the first axis and to move the elongate item into engagement with the elongate member support, wherein the elongate member support is supported from the base to be rotatable about a second axis which is transverse to the first axis whereby the elongate item when supported from the elongate member support can be moved between an upright position and a substantially horizontal position, the base being movable on the fixture between a first position located at a desired erect position of the elongate item and one or more positions clear of the first position, said elongate member support. |
| US08186919B2 |
Lock washer
A lock washer includes a planar washer body formed of a sheet of resilient metal having a selected thickness no less than the pitch thread of the bolt with which it is to be used. First and second lock tabs integral with the body extend radially outward of the central aperture, wherein each of the tabs has a radially inward facing, straight, free edge transverse to a radius of the body, and each of the tabs is displaced by a spring bend to one side of the plane of the body. The washer body is etched to a selected lesser thickness in the area of the spring bend to provide a selected spring force when the tab is pushed down to the plane of the body. |
| US08186914B2 |
Rotary cutting tool
There is provided an exceptionally practical rotary cutting tool allowing the life of the tool to be prolonged. The rotary cutting tool has a plurality of helically shaped swarf discharge flutes (2) formed on a periphery of a tool body (1) from a leading end towards a trailing end, and a peripheral blade (4) formed on an intersecting ridgeline of a rake surface (3) of the swarf discharge flutes (2) and the peripheral surface of the tool body (1). A back taper part (B), on which an outside diameter (D1) of the peripheral blade (4) and an inside diameter (D2) of the tool body (1) gradually decrease from the leading end of the tool towards the trailing end, is provided to the leading end of the tool body (1). |
| US08186911B2 |
Power umbilical comprising separate load carrying elements of composite material
A power umbilical for transfer of large amounts of electric power, fluids and electric current/signals from the sea surface to equipment deployed on the sea bed, in particular in deep waters, is disclosed. The power umbilical comprises a number of electric power conducting cables (5), pipes (4) and electric conductors/wires (6, 6) collected in a bundle, a filler material (10, 2, 3, 3′) lying at least partly around and between the pipes (4), cables (5) and the conductors/wires (6, 6), and a protective sheath (1) enclosing the pipes, cables conductors/wires and filler material. The load carrying elements (7) of the power umbilical are light weighted rods (7) of composite material that can either be collected in bundles or appear individually or in a combination thereof. |
| US08186905B2 |
Apparatuses, systems and methods for selectively affecting movement of a motor vehicle
A non-lethal vehicle device provides for the selective, remotely-deployed controlled stop of a targeted vehicle regardless of wheel or undercarriage configuration. The device is comprised of a combination of a remote arm/safe mechanism, a remote deployment controller, spike/membrane deployment mechanism(s), a “speed bump” type housing that can protrude (be driven over until deployed) or be submerged, and one or more membranes with a plurality of spikes. A combination of sensors may provide independent deployment once armed. |
| US08186898B2 |
Plural nozzle cleaning implement
A plural nozzle cleaning implement. The nozzles are oriented inwardly, to provide a converging spray pattern. The converging spray pattern provides more coverage of the target surface, which increases residence time of fluid sprayed onto debris. |
| US08186893B1 |
Mount for mounting devices and having an adjustable rotary detent assembly
A mount is provided for being secured to a support structure and which is configured to receive and support a device such as a camera. The mount includes a series of brackets and one or more rotary detent assemblies that interconnect one bracket to another. Furthermore, the mount provides a rotary detent assembly that enables the detent assembly to be angularly adjusted relative to one of the brackets that forms a part of the mount. |
| US08186887B2 |
Double row tapered roller bearing unit
Both outer-side inner ring elements 14 apply preload to respective tapered rollers 16 by being pressed from both sides in an axial direction by an outwardly-directed, flange-like collar 30, formed on an outer circumferential surface of one end among both ends in the axial direction of an inner-side outer ring member 22, and by a holding ring 31, mounted on the other end of the inner-side outer ring member 22, or by a pair of holding rings 31, mounted on both ends in the axial direction of the inner-side outer ring member 22. A double row tapered roller bearing unit having good assembly precision, being easy to process, and enabling preload control and preload readjustment to be performed with ease is thereby provided. |
| US08186886B2 |
Turbocharger shaft bearing system
An improved bearing system is provided for use in high speed rotating machinery such as a turbocharger, wherein a turbocharger shaft is rotatably supported at opposite ends by a pair of angular contact bearings subjected to a predetermined and substantially constant thrust pre-load. The angular contact bearings are carried respectively within a pair of generally cylindrical bearing sleeves which cooperatively define an axially split bearing carrier mounted within a turbocharger housing. A spring reacts between these bearing sleeves for applying a substantially constant axial thrust pre-load transmitted by the bearing sleeves to the angular contact bearings. The mechanical spring thrust pre-load may be supplemented or substituted by an hydraulic axial thrust load attributable to oil circulated through the split bearing carrier. |
| US08186880B1 |
Extended and fixed INTable simultaneously imaged calibration and correction methods and references for 3-D imaging devices
Calibration and reference samples with reduced cross-sectional areas encased within imaging tables or couch pads have low attenuation properties and provide patient comfort. The samples are stable and provide reproducible images without artifacts. The torso-length samples avoid positioning errors and misalignment. Sample density or mass calibration materials include calcium compounds representative of bone and calcifications, iodine compounds for contrast angiography, gadolinium compounds for MRI, and fat and tissue equivalent materials. Density corrections for variable patient scatter and imperfect image reconstructions improve quantitative measurement. Automated computer methods detect the samples and record readings on all images over the extent of the scans without operator interaction. Spatial references function as location references and enable spatial correction of device imperfections such as point spread function (PSF) or motion for improved images. Comparative analysis of backward and forward projections corrects images based on simultaneous imaging of the references of known properties. |
| US08186872B2 |
Automated customized cosmetic dispenser
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the creation and dispensing of a custom formulation within a package at a retail point of sale. In one aspect, the invention includes an automated dispensing apparatus including at least a two-axis robot arm. In another aspect, the invention includes an automated mixer adapted to mix the dispensed custom formulation within the package. |
| US08186861B2 |
Vehicular headlamp
Each of a pair of lower reflection areas, which are located on both left and right sides of an optical axis in a lower end portion of a reflective surface of a reflector, respectively, is formed so as to converge light from a light source at a position located forward of a rear side focal point of a projection lens in a horizontal direction, and on the same lateral side as that of each of the lower reflection areas with respect to the optical axis. Thus, the pair of light ray bundles are emitted from the projection lens, whereby a pair of additional light distribution patterns are formed on both sides of a lateral direction central portion in an upper area of a high-beam distribution pattern, respectively. The upper area of the high-beam distribution pattern is thus made bright widely in a lateral direction. |
| US08186856B2 |
Thermally managed lamp assembly
A lamp assembly comprises at least one light source such as a high-power LED (106), a housing (heat sink (108), metal base (109) with holes (126), lens (118)) in or on which the light source is located, and a fan (120) adapted to produce a current of air to cool the light source. The fan is arranged to draw air away from the light source through the holes (126) and to eject it from the housing; to this end the fan is preferably located directly underneath the light source in a self-contained package. |
| US08186854B2 |
Headlight module for motor vehicle, reflector for such a module, and headlight equipped with this module
In a headlight module for a motor vehicle, a light source having a planar surface, is immersed in a volume of transparent material, which has a refractive index greater than 1. A reflector having a focus is disposed relative to the light source so that the focus of the reflector is at a point of the light source. Accordingly, light rays emitted by light source are refracted by the transparent volume and reflected by the reflector so that such light rays become parallel to a predetermined direction. |
| US08186851B2 |
Full angle LED illumination device
A full angle LED (light-emitting diode) illumination device comprises at least three copper base plates, a plurality of LED chips, and a flexible circuit layer. Each copper base plate is electroplated with a layer of silver thereon and the copper base plates are arranged in a crisscross pattern to form the backbone of a three-dimensional globe. Each LED chip is provided on the external surface of the three-dimensional globe at a site where any two copper base plates are crisscrossed. The flexible circuit layer is provided on the peripheries of the copper base plates and electrically connected with the LED chips for controlling the LED chips. Accordingly, it is able to provide full angle illumination range and to improve the thermal conductivity and heat dissipation capability in order to prolong effectively the lifetime of the LED chips in use. |
| US08186848B2 |
Lighting device
A lighting device includes a case body including a receiving cavity and at least a portion including at least one first hole, a light emitting module in the receiving cavity, the light emitting module including a plurality of light emitting devices, a lens on the light emitting module, and a case cover including an opening through which the lens is exposed, the case cover being disposed on the case body. A heat sink is between the light emitting module and the case body to transfer heat from the light emitting module to the case where the case body acts as a conduit to transfer heat from the light emitting module to the portion of the case body including at least one first hole and the case cover has at least a portion including at least one second hole and the first hole of the case body corresponds with the second hole of the case cover. |
| US08186845B2 |
LED lamp
An LED lamp includes an elongated lamp post, a major light fixed on a top of the lamp post, a solar panel arranged on the lamp post and exposed to sunshine, a battery received in the lamp post and connected to the solar panel, an assistant light fixed on the lamp post, and a driving unit interconnecting the assistant light and the battery to control electric current to the assistant light. The major light consists of a plurality of LEDs. The assistant light consists of LEDs or fiber optic lights. |
| US08186836B2 |
Mobile Projector apparatus and method of controlling the same
A mobile projector apparatus includes a light source, a modulation unit modulating light of the light source using a picture signal, a projection lens magnifying and projecting the modulated light of the light source, a battery supplying electric power to the light source, an acceleration measuring unit measuring an acceleration applied to the mobile projector apparatus, a usage state detecting unit detecting whether or not the mobile projector apparatus is in an unused state, and an extinguishing unit extinguishing the light source based on outputs of the acceleration measuring unit and the usage state detecting unit. |
| US08186833B2 |
Method and system for electroholographic display with zeroth-order diffraction suppression
An electroholographic display system (300, 700) includes: a coherent light source (330, 730); a spatial light modulator (SLM) (320, 720) that modulates a coherent collimated light beam; and a processor and driver unit (310, 710) that generates hologram data and applies appropriate voltages to the pixels of the SLM to modulate the coherent collimated light beam with the hologram data and to suppress a zeroth order component of the modulated light beam at an image plane where the holographic image is reproduced. The processor and driver unit suppresses the zeroth order component of the modulated light beam by selecting the voltages to apply to the pixels of the SLM to cause a first group of pixels to provide a phase shift of 180 degrees to first portions of the collimated light beam with respect to portions of the collimated light beam modulated by a second group of pixels. |
| US08186832B2 |
Projector having polarization conversion element array and light shielding sections provided thereon
A projector includes: a light source; a polarization conversion element array having an entrance surface on which an effective entrance area and an ineffective entrance area are disposed to form stripes; a modulation device adapted to modulate a linearly polarized light beam emitted from the polarization conversion element array in accordance with an image signal; a projection device adapted to project the modulated light beam; a first light shielding section, a part of the entrance surface being provided with the first light shielding section adapted to shield a part of the incident light beam to the effective entrance area; and a first opening section, the first opening section being another area of the entrance surface than the part provided with the first light shielding section, at least a part of the first opening section reaches an end of the entrance surface. |
| US08186829B2 |
Progressive ophthalmic lens
The invention provides a progressive ophthalmic lens suitable to be worn by a person engaged in a sporting activity. For this purpose the lens has a far vision region which is enlarged, and a peripheral field of vision which is separated and whose mean sphere gradients are gentle. When a progressive lens of this kind is allocated to a wearer, the lens can have an addition value that is approximately equal to a prescribed value, or an addition value that is less than the prescribed value. |
| US08186824B2 |
Image forming apparatus with leading-edge detection sensor
An image forming apparatus including a recording head, a transport belt, a pressure roller, an inlet detection sensor, a leading edge detection sensor, and a control unit. The control unit controls the leading edge of the sheet to stop at the nip portion of the pressure roller and the transport belt based on the detection by the inlet detection sensor. When the leading edge of a sheet is not detected by the leading edge sensor, the leading edge position of the sheet is set based on a stop position at a nip portion of the pressure roller and the transport belt. |
| US08186822B2 |
Inkjet inks containing crosslinked polyurethanes
Inkjet inks that have, as a principal component, a crosslinked polyurethane dispersoid binder additive with selected diols used to prepare the polyurethane. The diols include a polyether diol, an ionic diol and polycarbonate, polyamide and/or poly(meth)acrylate diols. These inks can be used for printing on different media, and are particularly suitable for printing on textiles. The printed textiles are particularly durable to wash fastness and crock. |
| US08186819B2 |
Image forming apparatus and method for controlling ink ejection
An image forming apparatus includes an inkjet head, a first tank and a second tank, a first flow path, a second flow path, a third flow path, and a negative pressure control mechanism that controls negative pressure in the first tank and the second tank. The negative pressure control mechanism alternately switches a first phase in which the ink is delivered from the first tank to the second tank, and a second phase in which the ink is delivered from the second tank to the first tank. The inkjet head ejects the ink both in the first phase and in the second phase. |
| US08186818B2 |
System for maintaining temperature of a fluid in a conduit
A fluid transport apparatus maintains temperature of a fluid transported through a conduit. The fluid transport apparatus includes a fluid transport conduit that is selectively deformed by a pressure within a compressor conduit and allowed to return to its original shape by venting the pressure through a venting valve. The alternating pressurization and release of pressure from the compressor conduit moves fluid through the fluid transport conduit. A thermal conductor is associated with the fluid transport conduit to maintain the temperature of the fluid in the fluid transport conduit within a predetermined range. |
| US08186815B2 |
Liquid ejection device and sub tank for use with the same
A liquid ejection device is connectable to a main tank. The liquid ejection device includes an ejection head; and a sub tank having an inner space defined therein and including a connection portion configured to connect the inner space with the main tank. The sub tank includes a liquid inlet through which the liquid is allowed to flow from the main tank into the inner space when the main tank is connected to the connection portion; an atmosphere opening that communicates between an outside of the sub tank and the inner space; and a valve configured to selectively open and close the atmosphere opening. The valve opens the atmosphere opening in a state where the main tank is connected to the connection portion and closes the atmosphere opening in a state where the main tank is not connected to the connection portion. |
| US08186814B2 |
Liquid injecting apparatus
Provided is a liquid injecting apparatus equipped with a liquid injecting head, which is mounted on a carriage and moved reciprocally in a widthwise direction of a target, and a valve unit, which is mounted on the carriage to be supplied with liquid via a supply passage from a liquid retainer and to supply liquid to the liquid injecting head. The valve unit has a pressure chamber connected to the liquid retainer via the supply passage; a valve, which opens or closes the supply passage to supply liquid to the pressure chamber; and a flexible film member, which is displaced based on a negative pressure generated as liquid in the pressure chamber decreases to thereby operate the valve. |
| US08186812B2 |
Piezoelectric actuator, liquid transporting apparatus, and method for manufacturing piezoelectric actuator
A piezoelectric actuator includes a first piezoelectric layer, a second piezoelectric layer stacked on the first piezoelectric layer, a first electrode arranged on the first piezoelectric layer, a second electrode arranged between the first and second piezoelectric layers, and a third electrode arranged on the second piezoelectric layer. A portion of the third electrode faces the second electrode, and another portion of the third electrode faces the first electrode. The first electrode does not face at least a portion of the second electrode. A portion, of the second piezoelectric layer, sandwiched between the second electrode and the third electrode is polarized in a first direction in a thickness direction thereof, and portions, of the first and the second piezoelectric layers, which are sandwiched between the first electrode and the third electrode and between which the second electrode is not arranged, are polarized in a direction opposite to the first direction. |
| US08186808B2 |
Droplet jetting apparatus using electrostatic force and manufacturing method and ink providing method thereof
The present invention relates to a droplet jetting apparatus using electrostatic force, a manufacturing method thereof and an ink providing method thereof. The droplet jetting apparatus using electrostatic force includes a lower electrode unit in which a nozzle and a lower electrode positioned in the nozzle equipped in the upper part of a first substrate, and an ink inflow channel equipped in the lower part of the first substrate are integrally formed; an upper electrode unit having an upper electrode formed on the top surface of a second substrate and an ink discharge hole formed by being penetrated to the upper electrode from the bottom surface of the second substrate; and a bonding layer for bonding the lower electrode unit and the upper electrode unit with each other so that the nozzle is vertically aligned with the ink discharge hole. According to this configuration, the ink used in the droplet jetting apparatus is easy to select, the electrostatic force can be efficiently concentrated and manufacturing processes of the droplet jetting apparatus can be simplified. |
| US08186803B2 |
Method for inspecting droplet discharge head, device for inspecting droplet discharge head, and droplet discharge device
A method for inspecting a droplet discharge head includes discharging a plurality of droplets on an inspection workpiece from a nozzle row of the droplet discharge head at least twice in different positions on the inspection workpiece thereby forming a plurality of dot pattern rows each including a plurality of dot patterns, inspecting each of the dot patterns included in a first dot pattern row among the dot pattern rows by sequentially acquiring, using an image processing, a predetermined inspection value of the each of the dot patterns determined based on a shape of the each of the dot patterns, and initiating inspection of a second dot pattern row among the dot pattern rows when inspection of the first dot pattern row is interrupted upon one of the predetermined inspection values sequentially acquired exceeding a predetermine threshold established in advance according to a type of the predetermined inspection value. |
| US08186802B2 |
Liquid ejection devices
A liquid ejection device includes a liquid ejection head and a cartridge mounting portion configured to selectively mount an initial liquid cartridge and a replacement liquid cartridge The liquid ejection device also includes a controller configured to determine whether a mounting action of the liquid cartridge to the cartridge mounting portion has occurred, determine whether the liquid cartridge mounted by the mounting action is the initial liquid cartridge or the replacement liquid cartridge, and determine whether liquid has been initially introduced to the liquid ejection head. When the controller determines that the mounting action has occurred and the liquid cartridge mounted by the mounting action is the initial liquid cartridge after liquid has been initially introduced to the liquid ejection head, the controller prevents the initial liquid cartridge from being used or gives warning. |
| US08186794B2 |
Method of correcting alignment error of array inkjet head
A system and method of correcting an alignment error of an array inkjet head having a plurality of head chips to print a main scanning line can include determining a reference head chip, printing a plurality of reference lines in the main scanning direction to be separated from one another at a reference interval in a sub-scanning direction using the reference head chip, and printing a plurality of test lines which can be offset by a multiple m, where m is an integer, of a test interval with respect to the reference interval using other head chips, and determining one of the plurality of test lines that matches any of the plurality of reference lines of each of the head chips, and determining an amount of offset of the determined test line as an amount of offset of each head chip. |
| US08186793B2 |
Image processing method, program, image processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, image forming system
An image forming method is disclosed in which an image is formed on commercial printing paper using a high penetration pigmented ink by performing image processing which makes use of dot patterns corresponding to an output halftone level. |
| US08186792B2 |
Timing signal generator and liquid ejecting apparatus incorporating the same
A signal generating device to be installed in a liquid ejecting apparatus which comprises a liquid ejector operable to eject liquid and a carriage operable to carry the liquid ejector, the signal generating device comprising: a first generator to generate first pulse signals at first intervals corresponding to a velocity of the carriage; an estimator to estimate an interval of the first pulse signals which will be generated by the first generator based on a variation of an acceleration of the carriage as a second interval; a second generator to generate second pulse signals at third intervals which are obtained by dividing the second interval; and a third timing signal generator to generate a timing signal determining a timing at which the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejector, based on the second pulse signals. |
| US08186781B2 |
Articulated hinges using non-circular gears
A hinge for controlling the movement of a door on a refrigerator is disclosed, the hinge allowing the refrigerator to be installed flush to adjacent cabinets. The door translates and rotates in order to allow access to the refrigerator cabinet interior without contacting the adjacent cabinets. |
| US08186778B2 |
Portable electronic device with wheels
The portable electronic device includes a body, a bottom panel configured for supporting the body, at least two linear wheel assemblies assembled to the bottom panel in the body corresponding to the at least two first opening, and a directional wheel assembly assembled to the bottom panel in the body corresponding to the second opening. At least two first opening and a second opening defined in the bottom panel. Each linear wheel assembly and the directional wheel assembly include a wheel member and a driving member respectively. The driving member of each linear wheel assembly drives the wheel member of the corresponding linear wheel assembly to extend through the corresponding first opening and retract in the body. The driving member of the directional wheel assembly drives the wheel member of the directional wheel assembly to extend through the second opening and retract in the body and to rotate. |
| US08186777B2 |
Safety workbench having easy-to-clean front pane
The present invention relates to a safety workbench having a working chamber enclosed by a housing and a housing front side, which has a work opening, which is closable by an adjustable front pane, the front pane having at least one additional cleaning position, in which it is situated at least partially below a closed final position, in which the work opening is completely covered, in such a way that a cleaning opening is formed between pane top edge and housing. The front pane is easier and safer to clean than the previously known safety workbenches due to this additionally provided cleaning position. |
| US08186774B2 |
Core for rubber track and rubber track
A rubber track (1) has formed in it simple means that can carry a part of abnormal tensile force acting on substantially the entire length in the circumferential direction of the rubber track (1). The construction secures smooth operation of the rubber track and reliably prevents cutting of a steel cord (s1) due to such abnormal tensile force. A core (3) has an engagement section (3b) located in the center region in the longitudinal direction of the core, guide projections (3a) on the outer sides of the guide projections (3a). The core (3) further has tensile force carrying sections (4a, 4b) arranged at positions that are located in the thickness direction of the core and are closer to the outer periphery of the rubber track than the outer peripheral-side d-surfaces of the wing sections (3c). The tensile force carrying sections (4a, 4b) carry tensile force acting in the lateral direction of the core and also carry pressing force acting in the thickness direction of the core. Corresponding tensile force carrying sections (4a, 4b) of cores adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the rubber track are engaged with each other. Further, a fixation belt layer in the circumferential direction of the rubber track is provided in a rubber track body (1a) at positions related to tensile force carrying sections (4a, 4b). |
| US08186769B2 |
Two-wheeled motor vehicle brake control method and system
To enable, with respect to a vehicle whose vehicle body is easily lifted to a relatively large extent even in a relatively early stage when rear wheel lifting is detected, more rapid and reliable securement of the safety of the vehicle body with respect to that rear wheel lifting.When lifting of a rear wheel is detected, in contrast to what has conventionally been the case, pressure reduction of brake pressure of a front wheel is immediately started (S100, S102) regardless of whether or not there is occurrence of skidding of the front wheel, a stepwise reduction of brake pressure is performed while lifting of the rear wheel is being detected, and when the integrated amount of that amount of pressure reduction reaches a predetermined value, pressure reduction is ended even in a state where rear wheel lifting is being detected. |
| US08186762B2 |
Cutting trolley with a front and a rear attachment device
A cutting trolley having a frame structure and at least two rear wheels on a rear shaft and at least one front wheel, for a cutter of the type that includes a front handle, a rear handle, and a circular cutting blade in the front end of the cutter. The trolley also includes a cutter carrier having a front attachment device and a rear attachment device for the attachment of a cutter on the carrier via a front handle and a rear handle of the cutter, respectively, for trolley carried operation of a cutter. The cutting trolley has an adjustment means, as part of a displacement device, that can adjust the position of the cutter carrier and hence the cutter and the cutting blade for alignment control and/or curve cutting adjustment, such that the adjustment is possible without interrupting the cutting operation. |
| US08186751B2 |
Pivotal fan/grill unit for a work vehicle
A work vehicle comprises a tractor and a fan/grill unit. The fan/grill unit comprises a fan and a grill providing a portion of the exterior of the work vehicle. The fan and the grill are separately pivotally mounted to the tractor. The fan and the grill are coupled to one another in a four-bar linkage arrangement with the tractor such that the fan/grill unit is configured to pivot relative to the tractor between a closed position and an opened position. |
| US08186741B2 |
Window assembly for vehicle
A mirror assembly includes a reflective element portion and a molded portion formed of a multi-void, lightweight structure. The multi-void, lightweight structure may be formed by injecting a gas into an injection mold while the molded portion is being molded, resulting in a multi-void aerated molded structure having multiple-voids introduced during the molding step. A window assembly for a vehicle may include an outer frame portion, an inner frame portion hingedly attached to the outer frame portion, and at least one sealing element established along a sealing portion of the outer and/or inner frame portions. The outer frame portion may be pivoted relative to the inner frame portion and about the hinge portions to a closed position. The outer frame portion may be connected to the inner frame portion when in the closed position to secure the at least one sealing element therebetween. |
| US08186729B2 |
Traplock for bi-swing gate
A bi-swing gate lock uses an electric actuator to unlatch the gate on request, and a failsafe mode that automatically unlatches the gate during emergencies or power failures. The traplock uses two swing arms that pivot retractable door stops in and out on either side of a closed gate from a stationary 4″ post. Loads trying to force open a locked gate are redirected through polyurethane pads on the sides of the retractable door stops directly to the insides of matching pockets within the post. Such loads can flex the swing arms, but significant loads will not reach the swing arm pivot bearings. Keeping the gate locked requires electric power applied to a lock actuator, and the loss of power automatically unlocks the traplock. Power applied to a retraction actuator pushes out the retractable door stops. A sensor detects when the gate returns to a closed position and the lock actuator can be energized once again. |
| US08186723B2 |
Pipe fixing system and pipe fastening device
A pipe fixing system comprises a cylindrical body having a tapering part whose diameter is smaller as it goes towards the top of the body; an entry provided in the body and having a bolt hole and a projection; a fixing chip provided in the tapering part, having, in the center, a bolt hole extending from the top to the bottom of the chip and having teeth on the surface contacting a pipe; and a bolt passing through the bolt hole of the entry and that of the fixing chip. A a spring recess and a bolt end are provided on lower part of the bolt and a spring is provided in the spring recess to prevent unintentional movement of the bolt. |
| US08186713B2 |
Vented air bag
An apparatus (10) helps protect an occupant (20) of a vehicle (12). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) that includes panel (100) of material that helps define an inflatable volume (54) of the protection device. A vent opening (104) vents inflation fluid from the inflatable volume (54). A pleat (120) is folded in the panel (100). The pleat (120) is positioned against a vehicle surface (62) while the protection device (14) is in a normally deployed condition to help block inflation fluid from venting through the vent opening (104). |
| US08186707B2 |
Knee airbag device for a vehicle
In a knee airbag device for a vehicle, which has upper and lower tethers that extend in a vehicle width direction and regulate a bag thickness of an airbag, and in which gas from an inflator is supplied between the upper and lower tethers, it is aimed to make a flow of the gas toward an upper portion and a lower portion from between the upper and lower tethers at the inside of the knee airbag smoother, and to improve deployability of the knee airbag in a vehicle vertical direction.Upper and lower tethers 16 and 18 are arranged to be separated from each other in the vehicle vertical direction and are formed so that a vertical clearance therebetween increases approaching both vehicle width direction end portions 16A and 18A thereof. When the gas is supplied between the upper and lower tethers 16 and 18, the gas spreads to both vehicle width direction sides along the tethers 16 and 18 and smoothly moves around into an upper portion 14A and a lower portion 14B of a knee airbag 14 from both of the end portions 16A and 18A of the tethers 16 and 18. |
| US08186705B2 |
Stroller
A stroller having a frame with front and rear portions and right and left sides. A seat having a seat base and a seat back is mounted to the front portion of the frame. The seat back is rotatable relative to the frame between a back support position and a travel seat support position where the seat back is substantially parallel to and above the seat base when the stroller is in an operating position. |
| US08186699B2 |
Wheelchair lever drive system
A manual propulsion mechanism for wheelchairs utilizes a lever pivotally mounted to the hub of each rear wheel such that the wheelchair user can propel the chair with push/pull movements of the levers. Forward and reverse propulsion directions are accomplished by a system of one-way reversible clutches contained in the propulsion wheel hubs which also allow the levers to be operationally disconnected such that the chair can freewheel. Operator control of direction shifting is through pivoting motions imparted to the grip handles of the propulsion levers. In a preferred embodiment, improved ergonomics for propulsion direction changes are made possible by coordinating the direction of the shift pivot motion with the push/pull movement of the levers. This allows the operator to retain a comfortable, stable grip on the grip handle while simultaneously propelling and controlling direction of movement. |
| US08186682B2 |
Method and apparatus for providing advice regarding gaming strategies
Methods for providing gaming advice are provided. For example, regarding a blackjack game, one or more first player cards are identified for a first player and one or more second player cards are identified for a second player. The first and second player cards are displayed to the first player. A probability associated with a first one of the plurality of playing options is determined based at least on a set of predetermined statistical blackjack data, the one or more first player cards, and the one or more second player cards. It is then determined, based at least on the determined probability associated with the first playing option, whether to display a first indication corresponding with first advice regarding the first playing option, a second indication corresponding with second advice regarding the first playing option, or a third indication corresponding with third advice regarding the first playing option. |
| US08186681B1 |
Method of using decks of playing cards
A method of using a deck of playing cards that has a different number of cards than is needed for a game. If the number of cards needed is less than the number of cards in a deck, one deck is used. If the number of cards needed is greater than the number of cards in a deck, multiple decks are combined until the total number of cards exceeds the number needed. Then cards are removed from the combined deck, either randomly or predetermined, until the number of cards remaining is the same as the pool size. |
| US08186667B2 |
Card transfer system and card reader
Card transfer system in which a card is transferred may include transfer roller which touches and transfers the card, and rotary shaft on which transfer roller is fixed, and rotating member rotatably supported on rotary shaft, and drive mechanism coupled to rotating member to rotate rotating member, and clutch mechanism which interrupts the power transmission between rotary shaft and rotating member. Rotating member is rotatably supported on rotary shaft by antifriction bearings. Rotary shaft is rotatably supported by multiple bearings and, at the same time, at least bearing arranged closest to rotating member is a plain bearing or sliding bearing. |
| US08186664B2 |
Sheet processing apparatus and sheet processing method
A sheet processing apparatus includes a first detector configured to detect a leading edge of a sheet conveyed in a conveying direction, a second detector provided on a downstream side of the first detector in the sheet conveying direction to detect the leading edge of the sheet conveyed, a punching portion, in the downstream side of the first detector in the sheet conveying direction, to move in a sheet width direction crossing the sheet conveying direction and perform a punching process for the sheet, an edge detector configured to move in the width direction together with the punching portion and detect the edge of the sheet conveyed in the width direction, and a controller, on the basis of at least either of information of a conveying speed of the sheet and a sheet length in the conveying direction, when the edge detector starts movement in the width direction after the first or second detector detects the leading edge of the sheet, to judge whether the edge detector can detect the edge of the sheet or not, as a result of the judgment, selecting the detector positioned on the most downstream side in the conveying direction among the first and second detectors which can be used, and when the selected first or second detector detects the leading edge of the sheet conveyed, permitting the edge detector to start movement to detect the edge of the sheet in the width direction. |
| US08186662B2 |
Sheet monitor for folding machine
A folding machine includes: pairs of upper and lower downstream-side conveying belts (18B), the pairs being provided at intervals in a direction perpendicular to a conveying direction of a signature (Wb) and conveying the signature while holding the signature therebetween; stoppers (32) provided between the downstream-side conveying belts and stopping the signature conveyed by the downstream-side conveying belts by contacting therewith; and a chopper blade (19a) folding the signature stopped by the stoppers (32) in a direction parallel to the conveying direction. In the folding machine, a pair of right and left cameras (30A and 30B) are provided, which take images respectively of ranges where a conveying direction leading edge of one side edge and a conveying direction leading edge of the other side edge, the side edges being parallel to the conveying direction of the sheet, are decelerated or stopped by contacting with the stoppers (32). |
| US08186657B2 |
Air spring modular piston
A modular piston assembly is associated with an air spring assembly that has a bellows rolling over a surface of the piston assembly. The modular piston assembly includes a first piston portion adapted to fasten to an associated air spring bellows. A second piston portion separate from the first portion, is adapted to fasten to an associated mounting component. Interlocking members are provided to secure the first and second piston portions together, and/or any desired intermediate piston portions. Discrete air reservoirs may also be included in the modular piston assembly to increase the volume of the air spring. |
| US08186652B2 |
Gas and liquid mixture generation apparatus
An apparatus constructed in a simple structure and capable of generating fine air bubbles and includes an apparatus body having a circular column-like internal space defined by a cylindrical inner surface and circular inner surfaces. At least one internal cylindrical member can be disposed within the internal space away from the cylindrical inner surface. A first fluid introduction section can inject a first fluid into a tubular space between the cylindrical inner surface and the internal cylindrical member toward a circumferential direction. A second fluid introduction section and a gas and liquid mixture discharge port can be disposed in the circular inner surfaces, respectively. |
| US08186651B2 |
Conveyor belt lifting device
A conveyor belt lifting device for use on a belt-type conveyor comprising a conveyor belt supported by a support structure includes an inflatable bag and is operable between a retracted condition in which the inflatable bag is deflated and an operative condition in which the inflatable bag is inflated and its operably upper surface adopts a shape generally to conform to an underside of the conveyor belt. The invention extends to a method for providing access to components of a belt-type conveyor comprising a conveyor belt supported by a support structure. |
| US08186648B2 |
Method of shutting off conduit and pipe conduit shutoff apparatus
To enable efficient and easy attachment of a shutoff operation cover at a proper attaching position relative to two joining flange portions and also to restrict deformation in a leading end portion of a gate plate valve. A shutoff operation cover B is attached to two pipe portions 2, 3 jointed and fastened together with a fastener 5. The shutoff operation cover B is capable of surrounding outer peripheries of the two joining flange portions 2A, 3A under a sealed condition, and there is provided a gate plate valve 10 in the form of a thin plate, the valve being insertable and withdrawable for shutting off conduits of the two pipe portions 2, 3. As the gate plate valve 10 is inserted to a conduit shutting position through a gap S formed between the two joining flange portions 2A, 3A in association with a loosening operation of the fastener 5, the conduit is shut off between the two joining flange portions 2A, 3A. When the shutoff operation cover B is attached to the two pipe portions 2, 3, a leading end 10b of the gate plate valve 10 located at a conduit opening position is advanced into an annular gap 26 formed on the outer peripheral sides of opposing faces of the two joining flange portions 2A, 3A. |
| US08186647B2 |
Solenoid valve
A solenoid valve includes a bobbin, a coil, a rod, and at least one ball. The bobbin has a through hole and a multiple-turning-point groove in the inner wall of the bobbin. The coil winds around the bobbin. The rod is disposed in the through hole and is capable of moving inward or outward along the through hole, and has a recess in the outer wall of the rod. Each ball is received in the groove and the recess at the same time. |
| US08186640B2 |
Portable drawing apparatus
A portable drawing apparatus configured to act as an easel and/or desk includes a pair of upper support members each pivotally connected to a respective lower support member, and also each pivotally connected to a respective rear support member. In an operational configuration, the rear support members can project rearwardly in a plane substantially normal to a plane defined by two mutually parallel upper support members. A lower cross frame and upper cross frame are each connected to respective lower support members, and upper support members, and each further connected to the non-removable portion. A hinged lateral member, when configured in a locked position, defines the apparatus width. In a collapsed configuration, the distal portions of the upper and lower support members are configured to point in the same direction and form a bundle whose length is substantially less than that of the apparatus length in operational configuration. |
| US08186632B2 |
Panel-mounted aircraft control stick
A panel-mounted control stick for aircraft providing for roll and pitch input that emulates the response of a traditional floor-mounted control stick. The panel-mounted control stick incorporates a pitch beam input assembly and a roll input assembly for translating the movements of the control stick into movements of aircraft control surfaces. |
| US08186629B2 |
Method and a device for optimizing the operation of propulsive propellers disposed on either side of a rotorcraft fuselage
A method of optimizing the operation of left and right propellers disposed on either side of the fuselage of a rotorcraft including a main rotor. Left and right aerodynamic surfaces include respective left and right flaps suitable for being deflected, yaw stabilization of the rotorcraft being achieved via first and second pitches respectively of the left and right propellers, and the deflection angles of the left and right flaps are adjusted solely during predetermined stages of flight in order to minimize a differential pitch of the left and right propellers so as to optimize the operation of the left and right propellers, the predetermined stages of flight including stages of flight at low speed performed at an indicated air speed (IAS) of the rotorcraft that is below a predetermined threshold, and stages of yaw-stabilized flight at high speed performed at an indicated air speed of the rotorcraft greater than the predetermined threshold. |
| US08186625B2 |
Flexible vessel
A flexible vessel includes a restraint structure and a barrier structure. The restraint structure further includes a first portion, and a second substantially rounded end cap portion that is attached to the first portion. The restraint structure also includes an array of tendons. The barrier structure is positioned within the restraint structure. When the barrier contains a fluid, a portion of the load is carried by the restraint structure and another portion of the load is carried by the barrier structure. The flexible vessel is collapsible to occupy a first volume and distended to occupy a second volume. The flexible vessel is part of a system when used in various applications with respect to a craft. |
| US08186612B2 |
Method and device for gluing the free edge of a log of web material in a rewinding machine
A rewinding machine for producing logs of web material is described which includes a winding unit; a feed path of the web material towards the winding unit; a severing device to sever the web material upon completion of winding each log; and a glue dispenser to apply a glue to the web material. The machine also includes a diverter member disposed and controlled to temporarily divert the web material towards the glue dispenser. |
| US08186610B2 |
Roof shingle stripper, grinder, blower, and hopper
A hopper for a roof shingle stripper, grinder, and blower includes: a hopper; a catch area on the hopper, adapted to receive the debris; an output opening on the hopper, adapted to output the debris; a plate to urge the debris toward the output opening; and a manipulator connected to the plate having a portion that extends outside of the hopper. The manipulator pushes upon the plate thereby urging debris in the hopper toward the output opening. The grinder machine may include a motor, self-propelled wheels, a lifting blade for roof shingles, a shredder, and a conduit with a wall that channels the debris to one of two outputs. |
| US08186606B2 |
Deodorant/fragrant device, volatilizing material for use in the same, process for producing the volatilizing material, and method of deodorizing/perfuming
The present invention is directed to a deodorant/fragrant device with reduced adsorption of the fragrance and other ingredients contained in a fragrant liquid, having both excellent deodorizing function and perfuming function, wherein a fragrant liquid contained in a container is absorbed by a wick and the fragrant liquid absorbed is volatilized and released from the container through a volatilizing material placed in contact with the wick, wherein a zinc compound is carried on the volatilizing material. |
| US08186599B2 |
Collectable gift cards
A collectable gift card having a primary monetary value acceptable as legal tender for economic transactions and a secondary value providing a non-cash economic benefit to a consumer enhances the overall value of the card to both merchant and consumer. The primary value of the collectable gift card may be implemented through a standard gift card architecture or through other cash equivalent instruments such as credit cards, debit cards, cash cards or the like. The secondary value of the collectable gift card may be embodied as a gaming card for board games or other games of chance, or one card of a collectable set of cards, or as a puzzle piece forming a valuable image or game board. The collectable gift card may be a tangible object or a virtual card existing and tradeable in electronic form in devices such as cell phones, mp3 players, or on the Internet. |
| US08186595B2 |
Indicia reading apparatus having image sensing integrated circuit
There is provided in one embodiment an indicia reading apparatus having an integrated circuit that includes an image sensor array. The integrated circuit can output a pixel value output to represent an average of light incident on an adjacent set of pixels of the image sensor array. |
| US08186591B2 |
Contactless management between a smart card and mobile terminal
Certain existing commands, such as USAT/SAT/CAT commands, are modified to allow management of various types of contactless applications to be performed. Such commands are exchanged via a communication bus between a secure element and a contactless function (CLF) module to support a contactless service. The secure element may be a type of smart card and the external device may be an access gateway for transportation, a point-of-sale (PoS) terminal, or some other application for the user. |
| US08186589B2 |
UAV decision and control system
The present invention relates to a hierarchical system and method for task assignment (TA), coordination and communication of multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (DAV's) engaging multiple attack targets and conceives an ad-hoc routing algorithm for synchronization of target lists utilizing a distributed computing topology. Assuming limited communication bandwidth and range, coordination of UAV motion is achieved by implementing a simple behavioral flocking algorithm utilizing a tree topology for target list routing. The TA algorithm is based on a graph-theoretic approach, in which a node locates all the detectable targets, identifies them and computes its distance to each target. The node then produces an attack plan that minimizes the sum of distances of the UAV's in the subtree of a given node to the targets. |
| US08186587B2 |
Tagging methods and apparatus
A method of tagging and sterilizing an item, the method including the steps of: providing an item (12) that is to be sterilized and tagged; applying an RFID tagging device (22) to said item, said tagging device including a data store (30) formed from an array of micromechanical resonant members (34), said resonant members being configured to vibrate in accordance with an applied RF signal, so as to provide a data response; and sterilizing said tagged item by autoclaving and/or by irradiation. |
| US08186585B2 |
Integrated on-line door control system with standardized interfaces
A door access control system includes a pair of housings. One housing is mounted in the door. The other is mounted adjacent to the door in the surrounding frame. The one housing includes an inductor, control circuits coupled to the inductor and a door side interface. The other includes an inductor, control circuits coupled to the inductor and a frame side interface. The door side interface can be coupled to door mounted devices including a card reader, a request for exit interface and a lock interface. The frame side interface can be coupled to frame side communication links which in turn are coupled to a displaced door access control unit. Communication between housings can be carried out via the inductors. |
| US08186582B2 |
Metal-containing transaction card and method of making the same
A method of creating a single transaction card is disclosed and comprises embossing the single transaction card within a pocket to form embossed characters on a first surface of the single transaction card, filling the pocket with a fill panel to provide a substantially flush surface on a second surface of the single transaction card, wherein a third surface of the fill panel is in uniform, direct contact with an interior of the pocket. Another method is disclosed for machining a face pocket within a single transaction card and disposing a microchip therein. In various embodiments, a single transaction card is comprised of a continuous metal layer, such as, for example, titanium. |
| US08186579B2 |
Automated banking machine that outputs interference signals that jam reading ability of unauthorized card readers
A cash dispensing automated banking machine includes a card reader associated with a card slot. An anti-fraud sensing device is able to sense ambient light or generated radiation that passes to the sensing device through the card reader slot. The installation of an unauthorized card reading device on the machine changes at least one property sensed by the sensing device. A controller in the machine receives signals from the sensing device, and determines if an unauthorized card reading device has been installed. |
| US08186561B2 |
Solid state processing of hand-held knife blades to improve blade performance
A system and method for friction stir processing of a hand-held cutting edge, wherein friction stir processing techniques are used to modify the properties of the hand-held cutting edge to obtain superior edge retention and superior resistance to chipping of the hand-held cutting edge. |
| US08186557B2 |
Surgical stapling apparatus with clamping assembly
A surgical stapling apparatus includes a handle assembly and an elongate portion extending distally from the handle assembly. An end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongate portion includes an anvil assembly and a cartridge assembly, wherein at least one of the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly is movable with respect to the other to move the end effector between an open configuration where the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly are substantially spaced and a closed configuration where the cartridge assembly and the anvil assembly are closer together. The end effector also includes a clamping assembly including a first clamping surface deployable to extend laterally from the anvil assembly, and a second clamping surface deployable to extend laterally from the cartridge assembly such that, when deployed, the first and second clamping surfaces oppose one another when the cartridge assembly is in the closed position. |
| US08186556B2 |
Variable compression surgical fastener apparatus
A surgical fastener applying apparatus includes an anvil section and a cartridge section, where the cartridge section and the anvil section are movable from an unclamped position to a clamped position to clamp tissue therebetween. The cartridge section has a plurality of retention slots. A plurality of first surgical fasteners and a plurality of second surgical fasteners are disposed within a corresponding retention slot. The plurality of first surgical fasteners has a first backspan with a first configuration and the plurality of second surgical fasteners has a second backspan with a second configuration. The first configuration is different from the second configuration. In addition, when the first configuration applies a first compressive force to tissue upon formation of the plurality of first surgical fasteners and the second configuration applies a second compressive force to tissue upon formation of the plurality of second surgical fasteners, the second compressive force is different from the first compressive force. |
| US08186554B2 |
Tapered guide bushing for reciprocating driver and tool incorporating same
A guide bushing for a reciprocating nailer includes a body having a cylindrical portion and a tapered portion. An aperture extends through the body for receiving a driving rod. The tapered portion of the guide bushing extends from the nailer and is configured to fit into tight spaces, such as corners and along the tongues or grooves of, for instance, tongue and groove flooring, to fully support a nail as it is driven into the tight space. The guide bushing can be a multiple part or multiple stage bushing for more flexibility and utility. The aperture through the center of the bushing can also be stepped to cooperate with a stepped driving rod for closer holding of narrower nails. A boot can be placed at the tip of the guide bushing to provide a cushion and further retention of a nail held by the nailer. |
| US08186550B2 |
Bathing unit apparatus
Embodiments described herein relate to a bathing unit that sits in a bathtub and helps the elderly, handicapped and/or persons with problems that need assistance getting in and out of a bathtub. The bathing unit is a lightweight frame system that comprises four stair-stepped seated levels. |
| US08186542B2 |
Medicine supply apparatus and tablet case
An object is to provide a medicine supply apparatus capable of reducing a time required for charging medicines without causing any trouble during counting of the medicines, the apparatus comprises: a discharge drum which discharges the medicines from a tablet case; a medicine detecting sensor which detects the medicines discharged from the tablet case, and a control device, and this control device controls a rotating motor for rotating the discharge drum to discharge the medicines from the tablet case, counts the discharged medicines based on a detecting operation of the medicine detecting sensor, and changes a discharge speed of the medicine by the discharge drum depending on a type of medicine in the tablet case. |
| US08186539B2 |
Trash bin
A cover device for a trash bin includes a base member, which has a first end and a second end. A compartment is formed at the first end and an opening is defined between the first and second ends of the base member through which trash can be thrown into the trash bin. A cover member includes a cover portion and a connected element. At least one elastic device includes an elastic element having a first end provided at the compartment and a second end coupled to the connected element. The cover member can be rotated between a first position and a second position. While in the second position of the cover member, the elastic element is released to lift the cover member upward, with the cover portion being completely exposed from the base member outward. |
| US08186535B2 |
Tank assembly
A storage device for retaining fluids is provided. The storage device includes a first container for retaining a first fluid, wherein the first container has a first end and a second end. The storage device further includes a first end container for retaining a second fluid, wherein the first end container is generally annular in shape and is at least partially received within a portion of the first end of the first container. |