Document Document Title
US08810777B2 Lithographic apparatus, a method for removing material of one or more protrusions on a support surface, and an article support system
A lithographic projection apparatus includes a beam production system to provide a beam of radiation, pattern the beam of radiation, and project the patterned beam onto a target portion of a substrate, a support table including protrusions to support an article, a detector to detect height deviations of the protrusions, a material removing device arranged to modify a height of the protrusion material, a controller coupled between the detector and the material removing device, wherein material removing device includes a removal tool selected from the group consisting of a mechanical polishing device, a magneto rheological finishing tool, and a single or multipoint diamond tool.
US08810776B2 Mask and optical filter manufacturing apparatus including the same
A mask and an optical filter manufacturing apparatus including the same are provided. A mask used for a roll-to-roll process of forming patterns in a base film configured to move along a curved surface includes a mask body having a curved surface disposed opposite a roll around which the base film is wound and a plane surface corresponding to the reverse side of the curved surface. The curved surface of the mask body is disposed a predetermined distance apart from a curved surface of the roll. The mask and optical filter manufacturing apparatus enable formation of uniform patterns on the base film to enhance the quality of products and precisely attain the properties of the base film.
US08810775B2 EUV mirror module with a nickel electroformed curved mirror
An EUV mirror module is disclosed that comprises a substrate with a curved upper surface and a curved electroformed mirror. A self-adjusting bonding material is disposed between the substrate and the electroformed mirror. The bonding material is flowable at a melting temperature and self-adjusts to conformally fill the region between substrate to the electroformed mirror and bond the substrate and the electroformed mirror. The substrate may have at least one cooling channel for cooling the mirror module.
US08810774B2 Exposure apparatus and device fabrication method
The present invention provides an exposure apparatus including an obtaining unit configured to obtain data of a first imaging position at which light from a first pattern having, as a longitudinal direction thereof, a first direction perpendicular to an optical axis of a projection optical system forms an image via the projection optical system, and data of a second imaging position at which light from a second pattern having, as a longitudinal direction thereof, a second direction which is not parallel to the first direction and is perpendicular to the optical axis forms an image via the projection optical system, when the first pattern and the second pattern are respectively placed on an object plane of the projection optical system, and a control unit configured to control a stage so that a substrate is positioned at a target position of the substrate along the optical axis.
US08810766B2 Method and device for producing contact copies
A method and a device are described for producing copies/replica of a volume reflection hologram wherein a holographic film (4) is guided over a drum with polygon cross-section having at least two planar (polygon) master surfaces (3) to each of which at least one master (7) is attached in the circumferential direction, where the film is brought into contact with at least one master hologram (7) and its entire surface is exposed to laser. It is essential that to at least one of the master surfaces (5) with the film guided over it, a laser exposure unit (22) is assigned which allows full exposure of the respective master surface to parallel, coherent laser beams (6), and that the at least one exposure unit (22) follows section wise the rotational movement of the drum by a splitting angle with equal velocity and exposes the corresponding master surface (5) to then be reset quickly again and perform the same angular displacement and exposure together with the next master surface. In this manner, a highly productive multiplication even of large reflection holograms in high quality is possible.
US08810765B2 Electroluminescence element
An electroluminescence element includes an electroluminescence substrate including a thin film transistor substrate, and a light-emitting layer provided over the thin film transistor substrate and divided by picture-element separating portions so as to correspond to unit picture elements; and a sealing substrate arranged to hermetically seal the light-emitting layer of the electroluminescence substrate. At least one of the electroluminescence substrate and the sealing substrate is a flexible substrate. Spacers are provided between the electroluminescence substrate and the sealing substrate.
US08810764B2 Lateral-electric-field mode liquid crystal display device
To provide a structure for achieving high transmittance in a lateral-electric-field mode liquid crystal display device through stably controlling the domains in the terminal parts of comb-shaped electrodes where the liquid crystal molecules rotate in the reverse direction. In the lateral-electric-field mode liquid crystal display device in which common electrodes and pixel electrodes are formed on a same layer, a protrusion part is provided in a direction in an obtuse angle with the comb-shaped electrode and substantially in parallel to a scan line in the terminal part of the comb-shaped electrode of the pixel electrode or the common electrode, a floating electrode is extended in the extending direction of the comb-shaped electrode to overlap with the comb-shaped electrode in the terminal part, and a liquid crystal reverse rotation locked structure is formed with the protrusion part of the comb-shaped electrode and the floating electrode.
US08810761B2 Liquid crystal display
A liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a first substrate; a pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate; a first alignment layer disposed on the first substrate and the pixel electrode; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a common electrode disposed on the second substrate; a second alignment layer disposed on the second substrate and the common electrode; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the common electrode has a plurality of cutouts having a cross shape, and when viewing the first substrate and the second substrate upward, the edge of the cutout is protruded from the edge of the pixel electrode.
US08810759B2 Liquid crystal display device
An MVA mode liquid crystal display device has a liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules having negative dielectric constant anisotropy held between a first substrate and a second substrate. It includes a structural body which controls an alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules to form a multi-domain in each of pixels. The structural body includes a first structural body which overlaps a light-blocking wiring line, and a second structural body which is disposed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first structural body and is narrower than the first structural body.
US08810754B2 Interference filter and display device
According to one embodiment, an interference filter includes a base body, a lower semi-transmissive layer, and an upper semi-transmissive layer. The base body includes a major surface. The lower semi-transmissive layer is provided on the major surface. The upper semi-transmissive layer is provided on the lower semi-transmissive layer. The base body, the lower and upper semi-transmissive layers form a first region to selectively transmit blue light, a second region to selectively transmit green light, and a third region to selectively transmit red light, arranged in a plane parallel to the major surface. A distance between the lower semi-transmissive layer and the upper semi-transmissive layer in the second region is shorter than a distance between the lower semi-transmissive layer and the upper semi-transmissive layer in the first region, and shorter than a distance between the lower semi-transmissive layer and the upper semi-transmissive layer in the third region.
US08810749B2 Backlight sources having reduced thickness and liquid crystal display device using the same
A backlight source and a thinning method for the same are provided. The backlight source includes: a solid state light source array having a plurality of solid state light sources distributed on the base, a light transmitting unit arranged above the solid state light source array, and a plurality of light adjusting units arranged between the solid state light source array and the light transmitting unit. The plurality of the light adjusting units is arranged above the plurality of solid state light sources to reflect the shallow angle incident light from the solid state light source, thus changes the light intensity distribution of the output light through the light transmitting unit from the solid state light sources from Lambertian distribution to main sides emission.
US08810748B2 Liquid crystal display with light emitting diode backlight assembly and liquid crystal display thereof
A light emitting diode (“LED”) backlight assembly. The LED backlight assembly has a bottom container which has a bottom plate and a side edge surrounding the bottom plate, a plurality of light emitting diode printed circuit boards (“LED-PCBs”) on the bottom plate, and a connector which is closely located to edge located LEDs. The connector of the LED-PCB is closely located to an LED driving board, which is disposed at a lateral space of a lateral part of the bottom container to limit a vertical thickness of the backlight light assembly.
US08810742B2 Display apparatus and variable lens array
A display apparatus includes: a display unit that displays a two-dimensional image; and a variable lens array disposed to face the display unit, wherein the variable lens array includes a variable phase difference layer that receives incident linearly polarized light polarized in a first direction and allows the linearly polarized light polarized in the same direction to exit or allows linearly polarized light polarized in a second direction switched from the first direction and different therefrom to exit, and an optically anisotropic layer that receives the light having exited out of the variable phase difference layer and works as a lens array for one of the light polarized in the first direction and the light polarized in the second direction whereas working as a transparent layer for the other light.
US08810739B2 Projection type display apparatus and optical unit
In a blue-color liquid crystal panel out of a plurality of liquid crystal panels used in a projection type display apparatus, an integral value obtained by integrating absorbance of the liquid crystal layer thereof in a wavelength range from 300 nm to 350 nm is smaller in comparison with those of the other liquid crystal panels (a red-color liquid crystal panel and a green-color liquid crystal panel). In addition, the absorption end on the long wavelength side of the liquid crystal layer of the blue-color liquid crystal panel is positioned on the short wavelength side in comparison with the liquid crystal layers of the red-color liquid crystal panel and the green-color liquid crystal panel.
US08810738B2 Display apparatus and multi display apparatus having the same
A display apparatus and a multi display apparatus. The display apparatus includes a display module having an opening through which an image is displayed and a non-display area to form around the opening, and a rear cover directly coupled to a side surface of the display module. The multi display apparatus includes the plurality of display apparatuses which are coupled with each other.
US08810733B2 Television start speed enhancement
An audio video device a command to power up from a standby mode. This causes the device to start a boot process, and while the boot process proceeds. The process determines a current time from a real time clock and retrieves settings from a usage pattern database corresponding to the current time. The audio video device set to the retrieved settings. At completion of the boot process the audio video device is set to the retrieved settings. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08810730B2 Receiving device for audio-video system
The invention relates to a receiving device for an audio-video system. The receiving device comprises a connector, a video processing unit, an audio processing module, and a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit detects a status of an inputted signal received by the connector and controls the operation of at lease one of the video processing unit and the audio processing module in accordance with the detected result to avoid the audio-video system display abnormal image or play noise when the receiving device did not receive the inputted signal by accident.
US08810729B2 Method and apparatus for automatic compensation of signal losses from transmission over conductors
A method and apparatus for automatic compensation of insertion loss in signals transmitted over conductors is presented. The present invention is particularly applicable to the transmission of signals over long lengths of CAT-5 or similar twisted-pair cables. A reference signal having a known form and strength (e.g. a pulse signal) is provided to each pair of conductors carrying a component of a signal from a transmitter to a receiver. The receiver includes adjustable gain amplifiers for each conductor pair over which a component of the signal is transmitted. The gains of the amplifiers are initially set at an initial level (e.g., their maximum gain) to allow detection of the reference signal. Once the reference signal is detected in a conductor pair, the amplifier gains are adjusted such that the level of the reference signal is restored approximately to its original form and strength.
US08810727B1 Method for scaling channel of an image
A method for scaling a first channel of an image. The method comprises computing a low resolution second channel of the image based on a transformation of the second channel with a transformation function used to transform a high resolution channel into a low resolution channel; computing a correlation function between the low resolution second channel and the first channel; determining a predicted second channel having the high resolution from the low resolution second channel according to a prediction method; computing a high-pass second channel based on the difference between the second channel and the predicted second channel and based on the correlation function; and determining a predicted first channel having the high resolution from the first channel according to the prediction method.
US08810726B2 Changing the temporal sample rate of a motion-image sequence
A frame-rate conversion system having an interpolation mode and a synchronization mode. The synchronization mode is selected when temporal interpolation confidence is and images can be retimed without dropping or repeating of images. The interpolation mode is selected when the measure of temporal interpolation confidence is high or repeating of images. Images are exchanged between a temporal interpolator and a buffer at an exchange rate which is varied in the interpolation mode to optimise the buffer occupancy for retiming of images without dropping or repeating of images in s subsequent synchronization.
US08810725B2 Process for digitizing video over analog component video cables
A method for efficient digital capturing of analog video signals of computer game consoles is provided. The video format of the signal is changed from 480p to 720p, without any scaling artifacts. The number of active horizontal resolution lines and active vertical resolution lines is reduced in the higher definition space, so that the output picture is a pixel-for-pixel transformed replica of the 480p image.
US08810721B2 Camera module
A camera module includes a lens module, an image sensor, at least one first spacer, and a bump element. The lens module includes a lens unit and a supporting unit connected to the lens unit. The image sensor is disposed corresponding in position to the lens unit for sensing light from the lens unit. The first spacer is disposed between the supporting unit of the lens module and the image sensor for separating the lens module and the image sensor. The bump element is disposed on the supporting unit. The bump element is located between the first spacer and the lens unit for preventing the first spacer from contacting the lens unit.
US08810718B1 Hybrid IR flash for trail camera
A camera assembly including a camera that has an image-capturing device. The camera assembly also includes an illumination device that is coupled to the camera and that is adapted to illuminate a subject when the camera is capturing an image, and a control unit. The illumination device is capable of illuminating in at least two different peak wavelengths. The control unit automatically configures the camera assembly to use one or more of the at least two different wavelengths.
US08810711B2 Catadioptric optical system and image pickup apparatus having the same
A catadioptric optical system of the present invention includes a first imaging optical system that collects a light beam from an object, and a second imaging optical system including a refractive portion that forms an intermediate image by receiving a light beam from the first imaging optical system and to form an image of the intermediate image on an image plane, the first imaging optical system includes a first optical element and a second optical element, a reflection surface of the reflective portion of the first optical element and a reflection surface of the reflective portion of the second optical element are disposed so as to face each other, and an aperture stop is disposed between the first optical element and the second optical element.
US08810708B2 Image processing apparatus, dynamic picture reproduction apparatus, and processing method and program for the same
An image processing apparatus, computer-readable medium, and method that include synthesizing each frame of a dynamic picture so that each synthesized frame of the dynamic picture is displayed on a display, controlling the display to display a plurality of representative images, each of the plurality of representative images corresponding to a dynamic picture, and controlling the display to display a representative image, which corresponds to a dynamic picture that can be synthesized by the synthesizing step with a currently reproduced dynamic picture, in a distinguished fashion from other representative images.
US08810704B2 Solid state image capture device and camera system
A solid-state image capture device includes: a pixel section in which pixels are arranged in a matrix; control lines; a pixel drive section that performs control, through the control lines, an operation of the pixels so as to perform a shutter operation of the pixel section and so as to perform reading; a reading circuit that reads signals from the pixels; and a shutter-mode switching section that controls an operation of the pixel drive section in accordance with a rolling shutter system in which exposure is performed for each row or a global shutter system in which exposure is simultaneously performed on all the pixels. The pixel drive section includes a shutter-mode corresponding section that causes an impedance value from the control lines to a power supply in a global shutter operation to be greater than an impedance value in a rolling shutter operation.
US08810695B2 Image sensing apparatus and defective pixel detection method
An apparatus includes an image sensor, a detection unit, and a control unit. The image sensor photoelectrically converts an incident light from an object. The detection unit detects a defective pixel of the image sensor based on an image signal generated by the image sensor. The control unit controls, when a first defective pixel for irregularly outputting an abnormal level and a second defective pixel for regularly outputting an abnormal level in the image sensor are detected, storage time of the image sensor at the detection time of the first defective pixel to be longer than storage time of the image sensor at detection time of the second defective pixel and a number of image signals used for detection to be larger.
US08810693B2 Image processing apparatus and method thereof
A plurality of image data obtained by divided-capturing an object and correction image data obtained by capturing a correction chart at an angle of view wider than that in the divided capturing are input. Heterogeneity of luminance in the plurality of image data is corrected based on the correction image data. Joined image data representing the entire image of the object is generated by joining the plurality of image data in which the heterogeneity of luminance has been corrected.
US08810689B2 Image processing apparatus, imaging apparatus, image processing method, and program for processing image data at a plurality of frame rates
An image processing apparatus for performing recording and playing image data at a plurality of frame rates. The image processing apparatus includes a storage section, and a control section configured to, when performing the process of recording the image data at each of the frame rates, set information concerning a recording rate corresponding to the frame rate in a data area, in accordance with a predetermined file format, that is paired with stream data to be recorded, and store the information in the storage section.
US08810685B2 Imagine apparatus, information processing apparatus, imaging system and methods thereof for management of image data
An imaging apparatus acquires position information at regular intervals and records the position information in one route log file, and in a case that imaging is performed, acquires position information and records the position information in correlation with image data acquired by an imaging unit, and in a case that the image data with which the position information is correlated is to be deleted, extracts the position information correlated with the image data and records the position information extracted by the extraction unit.
US08810680B1 Method and apparatus for color data synthesis in digital image and video capture systems
A method of synthesizing color data through the use of what is called a Gradient Vector Synthesis method is comprised of calculating gradients at 0°, 45°, 90°, and 135° with respect to a generation point in a matrix of color data. A first-level edge test is performed by comparing each of the gradients to a noise threshold. If the first-level test indicates that an edge may be present along either of the diagonals, a second-level test may be performed. An interpolation technique is selected in response to the first-level edge test and, when performed, the second-level edge test. The selected interpolation technique is used to synthesize the missing color data at the generation point.
US08810677B2 Image processing apparatus and processing method thereof
An image processing apparatus and a processing method thereof are provided. The image processing apparatus includes an image capturing module, an image separation module, an image stabilization module, a temporal noise reduction module, and a spatial noise reduction module. The image capturing module captures a plurality of Bayer pattern images. The image separation module decreases the Bayer pattern images in size and transforms them into a plurality of YCbCr format images. The image stabilization module receives Y channel images of the YCbCr format images and the Bayer pattern images to perform motion estimation, to produce a plurality of global motion vectors (GMVs). The temporal noise reduction module performs temporal blending process on the Bayer pattern images according to the GMVs, to produce first noise reduction images. The spatial noise reduction module performs 2-dimensional spatial noise reduction on the first noise reduction images to produce second noise reduction images.
US08810672B2 Image processing method, image processing device, and recording medium for synthesizing image data with different focus positions
In accordance with an object desired to be brought into focus, aliasing is canceled, and the resolution of an output image data is increased. When a plurality of pieces of image data captured at multiple viewpoints is synthesized at a predetermined focus position, a weight for the synthesis is determined so as to reduce aliasings included in frequency characteristics of the plurality of pieces of image data.
US08810666B2 Methods and systems for processing a video for stabilization using dynamic crop
Methods and systems for processing a video for stabilization are described. A recorded video may be stabilized by removing at least a portion of shake introduced in the video. An original camera path for a camera used to record the video may be determined. A crop window size may be selected and a crop window transform may accordingly be determined. The crop window transform may describe a transform of the original camera path to a modified camera path that is smoother than the original camera path. A smoothness metric indicative of a degree of smoothness of the modified path may be determined. Based on a comparison of the smoothness metric to a predetermined threshold, for example, the crop window transform may be applied to the original video to obtain a stabilized modified video.
US08810638B2 Insertable surgical imaging device
A body-insertable imaging device includes a first camera that comprises a first image sensor and a first lens to pass incident light onto the first image sensor, a control interface to receive a remotely generated control signal, and an actuator communicatively coupled to the control interface and configured to support the camera and manipulate the camera about a pan axis, a tilt axis, and along a zoom direction in response to the control signal while the camera and actuator are within a body cavity, wherein the zoom direction extends out from a distal end of the body-insertable camera.
US08810628B2 Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive an encoded stream, an image capture type, and image capturing order information, the encoded stream being produced by encoding image data of multi-viewpoint images including images from multiple viewpoints that form a stereoscopic image, the image capture type indicating that the multi-viewpoint images have been captured at different timings, the image capturing order information indicating an image capturing order in which the multi-viewpoint images have been captured; a decoding unit configured to decode the encoded stream received by the receiving unit to generate image data; and a control unit configured to control a display apparatus to display multi-viewpoint images corresponding to the image data generated by the decoding unit in the same order as the image capturing order in accordance with the image capture type and image capturing order information received by the receiving unit.
US08810619B2 Printer
Provided is a printer capable of ensuring a large peeling angle at the time of peeling between the transfer film and the ink ribbon by differentiating a conveyance direction of the transfer film at a peeling part on a proceeding passage from the proceeding direction. In the printer which forms an image on a transfer film 46 while feeding an ink ribbon 41 and the transfer film 46 to a print position between a platen roller 45 and a thermal head 40 which are mutually pressure-contacted, the transfer film 46 is wound to form a conveyance passage between a feeding spool 48 and a winding spool 47 in a film cassette 100 which is attached to a device frame in a detachably attachable manner, and a film conveying roller 49 and pinch rollers 32a, 32b are arranged at positions so that the conveyance passage of the transfer film 46 attached to the device frame is displaced to the inside of the cassette by a predetermined amount.
US08810617B2 Apparatus and method for determining and adjusting printhead pressure
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for determining and adjusting printhead pressure of a thermal printer. The apparatus includes a printhead support housing operable for placement in a print station of a printer. A motor housed within the printhead support housing and being operable for driving a plurality of synchronized rotating gears, the gears being mounted about posts wherein the posts are configured to cause the gears to compress or decompress a set of biasing mechanisms mounted below the gears and connected to the printhead. A sensor unit operable for monitoring the thickness of a print media and in communication with a control circuit operable for adjusting the printhead pressure being applied to the print media during a print operation, wherein the printhead pressure corresponds to a pre-defined level relative to the thickness of the print media.
US08810607B2 Flexible display and a method of manufacturing a flexible display
The invention relates to a flexible display comprising a first flexible layer configured to comprise pixels 5 of the flexible display, a second flexible layer superposed on the first flexible layer, which second flexible layer comprises a color filter with a plurality of color elements 1, 2, 3, 4 associated with said pixels, wherein the pixels comprise color sub-pixels 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, the color elements and/or color sub-pixels being discontinuously arranged to counteract misalignment between respective color sub-pixels and color elements. The color elements 1, 2, 3, 4 are arranged to substantially overlap respective sub-pixels 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a whereby the buffer zones 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d are arranged to overlap a portion of said sub-pixels as well. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a flexible display.
US08810598B2 Interference based augmented reality hosting platforms
Interference-based augmented reality hosting platforms are presented. Hosting platforms can include networking nodes capable of analyzing a digital representation of scene to derive interference among elements of the scene. The hosting platform utilizes the interference to adjust the presence of augmented reality objects within an augmented reality experience. Elements of a scene can constructively interfere, enhancing presence of augmented reality objects; or destructively interfere, suppressing presence of augmented reality objects.
US08810597B2 Image display device and computer-readable medium
An image display device includes: an image display unit that displays a list of images each including information related to a position of photography; a selection unit that selects at least one image from among the images; a photography position information acquisition unit that acquires information related to the position of photography; a specification unit that specifies a map server based on the information related to the position of photography; a requesting unit that transmits to the specified map server the information related to the position of photography, and that requests the map server to transmit map data for a range that includes the position of photography; a reception unit that receives the map data transmitted from the map server; and a display control unit that displays a map based on the received map data, and displays information specifying the position of photography upon the map.
US08810590B2 Method and apparatus for spatial binning on a GPU and global path planning to avoid spatially binned objects
A method and apparatus for sorting data into spatial bins or buckets using a graphics processing unit (GPU). The method takes unsorted point data as input and scatters the points, in sorted order, into a set of bins. This key operation enables construction of a spatial data structure that is useful for applications such as particle simulation or collision detection. The disclosed method achieves better performance scaling than previous methods by exploiting geometry shaders to progressively trim the size of a working set. The method also leverages predicated rendering functionality to allow early termination without CPU/GPU synchronization. Furthermore, unlike previous techniques, the method can guarantee sorted output without requiring sorted input. This allows the method to be used to implement a form of bucket sort using the GPU.
US08810577B2 Visualizing jobs in a distributed environment with limited resources
Visualization used to show resource usage over time by different entities or jobs allows a user to see the resource usage of entities over time. Entities or jobs may be shown as horizontal bundles, possibly expanding or contracting within the constraints of the capacity of the system. Bundles can expand or contract but maintain continuity in a direction, for example, a horizontal continuity. The visualization or layout in one embodiment is updated not only for new incoming events, but also retroactively for past events, thus achieving smooth horizontal bundles as much as possible.
US08810572B2 Tessellation cache for object rendering
A method of rendering an object comprises, with a processor, generating a data set that mathematically defines an object, tessellating the object into a number of smaller objects to form a number of data subsets, storing the data subsets in a memory cache, converting the data subsets into a rasterized object, and displaying the rasterized object on a display device. A system for rendering an object comprises a processor to generate a data set that mathematically defines an object, tessellate the object into a number of smaller objects to form data subsets, transform the data subsets using a linear operator, and store the data subsets in a memory cache, a graphics processor to convert the data subsets into a rasterized object and display the rasterized object on a display device and a memory cache to receive and store the data subsets.
US08810570B2 System and method for active selection in a solid model
A system, method, and computer program for selecting modification features on a solid model that is manipulated in a computer having software instructions, comprising: a computer system, wherein the computer system includes a memory, a processor, a user input device, and a display device; a computer generated geometric model stored in the memory in the memory of the computer system; and wherein the computer system selects a modification feature directly on a solid model using a computer peripheral input that communicates a modification intent from a user; suggests a plurality of additional selection features to include with the modification feature; verifies that the included plurality of additional selection features conforms to the modification intent by a visual highlighting; modifies the solid model according to the modification intent that results in a modified solid model and modified visual display information; and displays the modified solid model using the modified visual display information to the user; and appropriate means and computer-readable instructions.
US08810558B2 Display device and electronic apparatus
A sampling transistor in embodiments of the present invention is kept at the on-state with a time width shorter than one horizontal cycle, during the period from the rising of a control pulse supplied from a scanner to the falling of the control pulse, and samples a video signal Vsig from a signal line SL to write the video signal Vsig to a hold capacitor. A sampling transistor T1 has a double gate structure in which a pair of transistor elements are connected in common. This suppresses change in the threshold voltage of the sampling transistor.
US08810556B2 Active matrix organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, pixel circuit and data current writing method thereof
An exemplary active matrix organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes a data line, a current sensing line, a power line and a plurality of pixels all electrically coupled to the data line, the current sensing line and the power line. During a data current is writing to a selected one of the pixels, the selected pixel draws a current from the current sensing line, and the data line supplies a particular data voltage to the selected pixel according to the drawn current from the current sensing line until the drawn current matched with the data current; the other non-selected pixels draw currents from the power line for light-emission. Moreover, a pixel circuit and a data current writing method adapted for the above-mentioned active matrix OLED display also are provided.
US08810536B2 Tablet computer input device
A method and apparatus are provided for user input to a tablet computer. The apparatus consists of movable grips with touch sensitive regions attached to the sides of a tablet computer. Both the positions of the grips and the location of touches are used to determine the input codes sent to the computer.
US08810535B2 Electronic device and method of controlling same
A method includes detecting a touch associated with an edge of a display of an electronic device, identifying a navigation device function associated with the touch, and performing the navigation device function.
US08810531B2 Method of a touch panel determining multi-touch
In a method of a touch panel determining multi-touch, the touch panel can determine if a sensing channel having a local minimum of a sensing value is the last sensing channel having the sensing value, or determine if sensing channels having the sensing value larger than a threshold generated according to a maximum are successive sensing channels, so as to determine the number of touch points on the touch panel. In addition, the touch panel can find a first local maximum and a second local maximum from the sensing values of the sensing channels, and compare the first local maximum and the second local maximum with a first reference and a second reference, so as to confirm the number of touch points on the touch panel.
US08810519B2 Touch sensor integrated with a keyboard spacebar
A touch sensor integrated with a keyboard spacebar. A touchpad zone can be defined on a portion of a planar surface of a spacebar. The touchpad zone can be configured to detect movement of a human appendage across the touchpad zone, or above the touchpad zone, and generate a corresponding signal from the keyboard that causes corresponding movement of a cursor presented on a display. In another embodiment, a touchpad can be positioned over the spacebar. The touchpad can be slidably engaged to the keyboard to facilitate user positioning of the touchpad over a desired portion of the spacebar.
US08810516B2 Angular sensitized keypad
Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to improving the efficiency of text input by measuring the angle of each key press and rejecting improbable keys pressed at an off-center angle. Examples include a text-entry device which has logic for resisting error while the user enters text on a keyboard of the text-entry device. Each key determines the angle at which the key is pressed. Keyboard logic on the text-entry device assigns a range of acceptable angles to each key. If a key is pressed within the range of acceptable angles, which is typically around the center, then the entry is permitted. If a key is pressed outside the range of acceptable angles, which is typically on the edges, then the entry is denied. Once text is entered, the keyboard logic assigns a prediction value to each key based on a statistical probability that the key will be entered next. The keyboard logic then adjusts the range of acceptable angles based on that statistical probability.
US08810514B2 Sensor-based pointing device for natural input and interaction
A pointing or input device is generally cylindrical or puck-shaped, and has various sensors for sensing 2D, 3D, and high degree of freedom motion for more natural user interaction.
US08810509B2 Interfacing with a computing application using a multi-digit sensor
A technology is described for interfacing with a computing application using a multi-digit sensor. A method may include obtaining an initial stroke using a single digit of a user on the multi-digit sensor. A direction change point for the initial stroke can be identified. At the direction change point for the initial stroke, a number of additional digits can be presented by the user to the multi-digit sensor. Then a completion stroke can be identified as being made with the number of additional digits. A user interface signal to can be sent to the computing application based on the number of additional digits used in the completion touch stroke. In another configuration of the technology, the touch stroke or gesture may include a single stroke where user interface items can be selected when additional digits are presented at the end of a gesture.
US08810505B2 Display device and display method
A liquid crystal television (1) includes a backlight (110a) which emits light toward an outside of the liquid crystal television (1) so that an image is displayed on a liquid crystal panel (110b) and a backlight control circuit (110c) which controls whether or not the backlight (110a) emits light. The backlight control circuit (110c) carries out control with respect to backlight (110a) so that a light-emitting period in which the backlight (110a) emits light alternates with a non-light-emitting period in which the backlight (110a) does not emit light.
US08810496B2 Liquid crystal display and method of driving the same
A liquid crystal display includes a timing controller and a liquid crystal panel. The timing controller sequentially receives first through third primitive image signals and sequentially outputs first through third corrected image signals. The liquid crystal panel displays an image based on the first through third corrected image signals. The timing controller generates a first converted image signal having a first gray level based on the first primitive image signal and stores the first converted image signal. The second primitive image signal has a second gray level and the timing controller generates a second converted image signal having a third gray level higher than the second gray level when the second gray level is lower than the first gray level. The timing controller generates the third corrected image signal using the second converted image signal and the third primitive image signal.
US08810495B2 Display device having a pixel circuit, method for driving display device, and electronic apparatus including display device
The present application provides a display device having a pixel circuit including: a pixel electrode; a capacitive element configured to be connected to the pixel electrode of liquid crystal capacitance and hold a signal potential reflecting a grayscale; and an inverter circuit configured to invert polarity of a held potential read out from the capacitive element, wherein input potential of the inverter circuit is set to middle potential in an operating supply voltage range of the inverter circuit in operation of inverting the polarity of the held potential and writing an inverted potential to the capacitive element again after reading out the held potential from the capacitive element.
US08810491B2 Liquid crystal display with color washout improvement and method of driving same
An LCD panel with color washout improvement. In one embodiment, the LCD panel includes a plurality of pixels spatially arranged in a matrix form, each pixel defined between a respective pair of scanning lines (Gn, Gn—CS) and two neighboring data lines Dm and Dm+1, comprising a pixel electrode, a first transistor electrically coupled to the scanning lines Gn, the date line Dm and the pixel electrode, and a second transistor electrically coupled to the scanning lines Gn—CS and the pixel electrode such that when N pairs of scanning signals to the N pairs of scanning lines {Gn, Gn—CS} and a plurality of data signals to the data lines, the pixel electrode of each pixel has a first voltage at the first duration of a frame period, and a second voltage at the second duration of the frame period, respectively. The first and second voltages are substantially different from each other.
US08810480B2 Methods and apparatuses for controlling display devices
Methods and apparatuses for per display scale factors within a multiple display system are described.In one aspect of the invention, a machine implemented method includes setting a scale factor for each window buffer equal to an extreme scale factor among a plurality of displays. The method further includes transferring data from each window buffer into a corresponding frame buffer for one of the plurality of displays by setting a scale factor of each frame buffer equal to the scale factor of the corresponding display.In one example according to this aspect, the method further includes displaying on a high resolution display and a low resolution display an image, stored in the corresponding frame buffers, with substantially the same physical size even though the displays have different scale factors and pixel densities. Also, the extreme scale factor is one of the largest scale factor or the smallest scale factor.
US08810475B2 Antenna device
An antenna device has a substrate having a first surface and a second surface on the opposite side of the first surface, a first-surface-side conductive layer formed on the first surface of the substrate, a second-surface-side conductive layer formed on the second surface of the substrate, and through hole conductors connecting the first-surface-side conductive layer and the second-surface-side conductive layer. The first-surface-side conductive layer and the second-surface-side conductive layer are formed such that the first-surface-side conductive layer and the second-surface-side conductive layer are connected via the through hole conductors in a crank form from the first surface to second surface of the substrate.
US08810463B2 Antenna mount
Pedestrian transportable antenna systems can include an antenna mount and an antenna for satellite based or other communication mounted on a top face of the antenna mount. A bottom face of the antenna mount may be attached to a bendable rigid rod that is sufficiently rigid to provide support for the mounted antenna such that a user can walk around with the antenna deployed while the bendable rigid rod of the antenna system is mounted to the user's back (e.g., mounting into a back portion of a vest or flak jacket). The bendable rigid rod is sufficiently rigid to support the antenna without allowing the rod to “flop” over under the load of the antenna. At the same time, the rod is sufficiently bendable so as to permit the system to be drawn closer into a user's body when the antenna is not deployed (e.g., while stepping into a vehicle).
US08810460B2 Multidimensional RF test fixture and method for securing a wireless device for RF testing
A system and method for testing RF characteristics of a wireless device. The wireless device is positioned in an x-position and a y-position of a horizontal plane of a test fixture. An RF antenna coupler is positioned in an x-position and a y-position of a vertical plane. The positioning of the wireless device and the RF antenna coupler correspond to acceptable RF characteristics for testing the wireless device. Positions of the wireless device and the RF antenna coupler are identified. The identified positions are utilized to perform subsequent testing of similar wireless devices.
US08810459B2 Antenna device of mobile terminal
Various mobile communication terminals and methods therefore, concerning antenna improvements, are discussed. One mobile communication terminal is described which includes a battery between the front side and planar outer rear side of the terminal, a display on the front side of the terminal, a first part having conductive material and constituting a first portion of the planar outer rear side of the mobile communication terminal, a second part having a non-conductive material and constituting a second portion of the planar outer rear side of the terminal, and an antenna mounted within the terminal. At least a part of the antenna is disposed between the front side and the second portion of the planar outer rear side of the terminal.
US08810452B2 Network location and synchronization of peer sensor stations in a wireless geolocation network
Transmitters are located with a network of sensors by measuring signal characteristics at multiple known locations and processing these measurements at a central node. The sensors communicate their location to the central node along with measured characteristics of the transmitter's signal, and may be required to synchronize with other sensors. Often, GNSS receivers are utilized to locate and synchronize the sensors. However, the GNSS signals may be attenuated by obstructions. In this case, the sensors determine their location by making ranging measurements with sensors that can receive the GNSS signals. The waveform for the wireless backhaul permits this ranging. Additionally, many sensors can determine their location and time synchronize with the geolocation network through reception of signals from other sensors even if they do not have a direct connection to sensors that know their location and are time synchronized.
US08810450B2 Global positioning system receiver timeline management
Satellite positioning system (SATPS) receiver that has a plurality of modes and channels, where a timeline module configures the channels based on the mode of operation of the SATPS receiver and reconfigures the channels if the mode of operation of the SATPS changes.
US08810447B2 Calibration devices and calibration methods
A calibration device, capable of calibrating a gain of a radiometer, includes an actuator and a micro-electromechanical-system (MEMS) unit. The actuator receives a calibration signal outputted from a control unit. The MEMS unit is coupled to the actuator, in which the actuator enables the MEMS unit to shield an antenna of the radiometer according to the calibration signal, such that the radiometer generates an environmental signal according to an equivalent radiant temperature received from the MEMS unit, and the control unit calibrates the gain of the radiometer according to the environmental signal.
US08810445B2 Method and apparatus for recognizing presence of objects
An object recognition apparatus is provided, which enhances accuracy in recognizing more than one object to be detected closely located along a scan direction. In the apparatus, measured-distance datums included in an area formed by those measured-distance datums which are spaced apart by a distance of not more than a predetermined allowable value are grouped as one candidate area. The candidate area, if it has a size larger than a specified value, is regarded as a special candidate area. An object area on an image datum corresponding to the special candidate area is subjected to an image recognition process to define the range of the objects residing therein. The special candidate area is divided at a border between the objects based on the defined range. All candidate areas including the divided new candidate areas are subjected to a tracing process to confirm an object in each candidate area.
US08810442B1 Background calibration of aperture center errors in analog to digital converters
A method of background calibration of aperture center errors in a data communication system is provided. In an implementation, in response to detection of a low sampler output (“0”) in between two high sampler outputs (“1”), the method includes: calculating a signal derivative of an ADC output signal at the time of the detected low output; and adjusting timing at a selected sampler based on the calculated signal derivative. In an example implementation, the method includes watching for bubbles in the thermometer code output, and estimating the first derivative of the signal at the time of the bubble, then estimating the sign of the errors. In an example implementation, the errors are used in a control loop to reduce the aperture center error.
US08810431B2 Highway merge assistant and control
A vehicle merge control system includes a host communication system in a host vehicle for exchanging vehicle position and kinematics data with a remote communication system in at least one remote vehicle. A vehicle host processor determines respective positions and paths of travel of the at least one remote vehicle and the host vehicle. The host processor determines a time to intersect based on the positions and predicted paths of travel between the host vehicle and remote vehicle during a merging maneuver. A host vehicle is configured to transmit a host vehicle intention message from the host communication system to the remote communication system for negotiating a merging position between the host vehicle and the at least one remote vehicle. The host vehicle executes the merging maneuver using the negotiated merging position.
US08810425B2 Travel route mapping based on radiation exposure risks
Exemplary methods, systems and components enable detection and/or monitoring and/or control of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) exposure of target body-related portions of a user operating a telecommunication device. In some embodiments a risk-assessment output is provided based on a safety threshold or predetermined intrusion level of EMR exposure. A further aspect may include interaction with external EMR sources regarding possible modification of emissions as well as possible arrangements for other types of remedial action. Some embodiments may provide travel route mapping data indicative of EMR source locations and/or irradiation values in a given locale.
US08810422B2 Surveillance system
This invention relates generally to the field of surveillance systems, and in particular to fault and alarm condition reporting to a monitoring system. The surveillance system comprises a plurality of identification sensors and a measurement device coupled to each of the plurality of identification sensors for measuring the acceleration thereof. A detection system connected with each of the plurality of identification sensors processes acceleration data measured from each of the measurement devices. Based on the processing of the acceleration data, an alert is generated by an alert system.
US08810410B2 Activity meter
A pedometer includes an activity amount acquisition unit that acquires an activity amount of a user, an index acquisition unit that acquires an index relating to the activity amount, and an index output unit that outputs the acquired index. The index acquisition unit includes an activity age acquisition unit that acquires an activity age represented by a standard age of a person who does the same amount of activity as the activity amount acquired in a unit period, using body information of the user, and acquires an index enabling the active age to reach a target activity age, based on the acquired activity amount.
US08810403B2 Intermodulation mitigation technique in an RFID system
When multiple readers for RF transponders have to be placed in close proximity, such as in adjacent lanes of a highway toll barrier, they can be set to operate at different frequencies. When signals from two adjacent ones of the readers interfere, the resulting signal includes interference terms whose frequencies equal the sum of the reader frequencies and the difference between the reader frequencies. To remove such interference terms while passing the desired terms, a tag includes a low-pass or other frequency-selective filter.
US08810396B2 Analysis system
A method for analyzing the condition of a machine having a rotating shaft, includes:receiving a digital input signal (I) having a first plurality (ILENGTH) of sample values, the digital input signal (I) representing mechanical vibrations emanating from rotating the shaft so far as to cause occurrence of a vibration having a period of repetition (TR); dividing the received digital input signal (I) into a first signal portion (2070) and a second signal portion; generating a digital output signal (O) having a second plurality (OLENGTH) of samples, the second plurality (OLENGTH) being a positive integer and lower than the first plurality (ILENGTH); the digital output signal (O) being generated in response to the first signal portion (2070) and the second signal portion.
US08810395B2 Hardware equipment hire cabinet
Hardware equipment hire cabinet. An automated hardware equipment hire cabinet is provided in which the hiring of pieces of hardware equipment is monitored by the use of individual tags being read by tag readers such that their removal and replacement can be monitored and hire times and service intervals monitored. In at least one exemplary embodiment of a hardware equipment hire cabinet of the present disclosure, the cabinet comprises a hardware equipment storage area comprising a plurality of equipment bays, a hire tracking system comprising a first equipment sensor configured to detect removal of a piece of equipment from an equipment bay and to electronically store hire data concerning such removal, and a quarantine system comprising a dedicated quarantine area and a second equipment sensor configured to detect the presence of a quarantined piece of equipment in the quarantine area and to electronically store quarantine data.
US08810391B2 Sensing exposure to environmental factors
A method of sensing exposure to one or more of a plurality of environmental factors includes exposing a code circuit to at least some of the environmental factors, the code circuit disposed over a substrate and including a plurality of electrically-connected sensor patches, each sensor patch susceptible to one of the environmental factors, wherein the code circuit has an electrical state. An electrical excitation signal is passed through the code circuit, and a corresponding received electrical signal detected, using a transceiver formed on a transceiver substrate separate from and disposed over the substrate, wherein the transceiver includes a controller and the received electrical signal depends on the excitation signal and the electrical state of the code circuit. Using the controller, the received electrical signal or a representation thereof is automatically stored in a memory. The checking and storing steps are automatically repeated after one or more selected time intervals.
US08810389B2 Apparatus and method for path finding in multimodes
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for path finding in multimodes. The apparatus for path finding in multimodes includes: a location-tracking unit that tracks current locations of a plurality of terminals to generate a plurality of pieces of location information; a path-finding unit that receives a path-finding request for specific destinations common to the plurality of terminals from the plurality of terminals to find paths to the specific destinations from the location of each terminal at the time of the path-finding request and generate the plurality of pieces of path information; and a sharing server that transmits the plurality of pieces of path information and the location information of the plurality of terminals on the found paths to the plurality of terminals.
US08810379B2 Bed exit night light
The invention is a Bed Exit Night Light System designed to illuminate a hospital room if a patient leaves his bed, but is not activated by the presence of hospital staff or casual movement of equipment.
US08810372B2 Method and apparatus for power management for a radio frequency identification system
A method and device of power management for a networked radio frequency identification (“RFID”) system are disclosed. The described power management methods reduce the power consumption of battery-operated RFD) readers and REED tags. These power conservation methods increase the RFID system's hours of operation and decrease the cost by allowing the RFID readers and tags to function for a longer period of time before requiring charging or replacement of their batteries.
US08810366B2 Service providing device, service providing method, biometric information authentication server, biometric information authentication method, program, and service providing system
Provided is a service providing device including a biometric information extraction unit for extracting biometric information, which is information unique to a living body, from living body image data obtained by capturing an image of a part of the living body, an authentication request unit for transmitting the biometric information extracted by the biometric information extraction unit and collation order information, which is information relating to an order of collating at least a piece of registered biometric information registered in advance with the biometric information at a time of authentication of the biometric information, to a biometric authentication server for authenticating the biometric information based on the at least a piece of registered biometric information registered in advance, and for requesting the authentication of the extracted biometric information, and a service providing unit for providing a specific service to a user according to an authentication result for the biometric information.
US08810360B2 Method and apparatus for controlling the status of a device
The status of a device is controlled by detecting (403) the presence of a user; changing the status of a device to a first state (405) if the presence of a user is detected within a first, predetermined zone; changing the status of the device to the second state (407) if the presence of a user is detected outside a second, predetermined zone, the first, predetermined zone being smaller than and being wholly contained within the second, predetermined zone; and maintaining (407) the current state of the device if the presence of a user is detected outside of the first, predetermined zone and within the second predetermined zone.
US08810359B2 Assembling and controlling light unit arrays
A method and a system for assembling and controlling a lighting array including a plurality of lighting units by providing a representation of the lighting array having a unit entry for and corresponding to each lighting unit in the lighting array wherein each unit entry includes a physical location address field and a lighting unit identification field. The representation of the lighting array is mapped onto the array address space by entering a physical address in the array address space into the location address field of each unit entry and serializing the lighting unit by writing a unique unit identifier of a corresponding lighting unit into the lighting unit identification field of each unit entry.
US08810357B2 Transmitting instructions in a medical supply unit
A medical supply unit includes a bus system for transmitting instructions of control elements to actuators. The bus system is provided with transmitters and receivers being connected to each other by a transmission system. Via the transmission system, commands of the transmitters are transmitted, which are controlled by the control elements, and the responsive receiver transfers the command to a switching instruction at an output of the responsive receiver so as to control an actuator.
US08810346B2 Electromagnetic actuator comprising a magnetic tube and used for actuating a hydraulic or pneumatic valve
The electromagnetic actuator comprises an electric coil mounted in a magnetic yoke, first and second pole parts, which are connected to the yoke and each of which extends near a free space in which a magnetic core is translationally displaceable by the action of the power supply to the electric coil and the formation of different magnetic fields in the pole parts. The inventive actuator consists of a tubular part, which is made of a magnetic material, delimits, at least partially, the free space, surrounds the magnetic core for guiding the displacement thereof and has magnetically continues with the pole parts in such a way that the radial air gap between the magnetic core and the magnetic pole parts is reduced.
US08810342B2 Electromagnetic relay
An electromagnetic relay includes a relay body, a connector and an electronic-component connection terminal. The connector is provided integrally with the relay body. The electronic-component connection terminal is disposed so as to protrude from the relay body.
US08810341B2 Magnetically actuated micro-electro-mechanical capacitor switches in laminate
Magnetically actuated micro-electro-mechanical capacitor switches in laminate are disclosed. According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a first layer comprising a coil and magnetic element, the magnetic element made from one of nickel and iron; a second layer comprising a flexible member, wherein a permanent magnet is attached to the flexible member; a conductive plate having an insulating dielectric coating, the conductive plate attached to one of the flexible member or a magnet; and a third layer comprising a transmission line and magnetic material, wherein the transmission line comprises one or more of a signal conductor and one or more ground conductors in near proximity.
US08810337B2 Compact bandpass filter with no third order response
A bandpass filter passes a range of frequencies with low loss while suppressing frequencies above and below the passed range of frequencies. One or more spurlines is included into the existing structure of the bandpass filter so that a selected odd multiple of the passed frequency range is suppressed.
US08810334B2 Signal splitter for use in MoCA/CATV networks
There is provided a splitter circuit for use with a CATV network comprising a signal input in communication with a balun to supply two signal outputs, a resistor connected in parallel between the outputs, and capacitive, inductive, and resistive elements associated with the resistor, thereby to give an insertion loss in to out in the range of 3 to 10 dB.
US08810328B2 Circuit arrangement for inductive energy transfer
A circuit arrangement for the inductive transfer of energy is disclosed. The circuit arrangement includes an oscillator; and a device for detecting the load of the oscillator and for setting the circuit arrangement into one of multiple operating states depending on the detected load. The device determines the load of the oscillator using an electrical variable occurring in the oscillator.
US08810322B2 Apparatus and method for frequency generation
A wideband frequency generator has two or more oscillators for different frequency bands, disposed on the same die within a flip chip package. Coupling between inductors of the two oscillators is reduced by placing one inductor on the die and the other inductor on the package, separating the inductors by a solder bump diameter. The loosely coupled inductors allow manipulation of the LC tank circuit of one of the oscillators to increase the bandwidth of the other oscillator, and vice versa. Preventing undesirable mode of oscillation in one of the oscillators may be achieved by loading the LC tank circuit of the other oscillator with a large capacitance, such as the entire capacitance of the coarse tuning bank of the other oscillator. Preventing the undesirable mode may also be achieved by decreasing the quality factor of the other oscillator's LC tank and thereby increasing the losses in the tank circuit.
US08810321B2 Oscillator auto-trimming method and semiconductor device using the method
An oscillator auto-trimming method is provided. The oscillator auto-trimming method includes receiving, by a subtractor, a first count result and second count result to output a difference between the first count result and the second count result as an offset frequency, receiving, by a divider, the offset frequency to output a divided signal corresponding to a result of dividing the offset frequency by a reference offset frequency output from a micro control unit, and receiving, by the micro control unit, the divided signal and determine whether to change an oscillator frequency.
US08810315B2 Differential amplifying circuit
A differential amplifying circuit includes: two metal oxide semiconductor transistors to form a differential pair and receive a differential signal; a plurality of capacitance elements coupled in series between drains of the two metal oxide semiconductor transistors; and an inductance circuit coupled between at least one connection node of the plurality of capacitance elements and a bias power terminal.
US08810314B2 Envelope tracking amplifier
An envelope tracking power amplifier uses signal cancellation techniques to provide isolation between RF signals and envelope signals, without the use of filters. In this manner, the envelope tracking power amplifiers are capable of operating with envelope signals that are at or near the frequency of the corresponding RF signals. In at least one embodiment, a double balanced power amplifier is provided that includes a balanced RF input port, a balanced RF output port, and a balanced envelope input port. The balanced nature of the amplifier results in ports of the amplifier forming virtual grounds with respect to signals at other ports. In some other embodiments, a single balanced amplifier is provided that provides isolation between ports thereof.
US08810303B2 Method and system for controlling HS-NMOS power switches with slew-rate limitation
A method and system for limiting the slew rate of the output voltage of one or more high side (HS) NMOS power switches is disclosed. A circuit arrangement configured to control a first NMOS switch is described. The arrangement comprises voltage provisioning means configured to supply a gate voltage to a gate terminal of the first NMOS switch; current provisioning means configured to provide a current; a first control stage configured to provide and/or remove a connection between the gate terminal of the first NMOS switch and the voltage provisioning means, thereby switching the first NMOS switch to an on-state and/or an off-state, respectively; and a first feedback control link between an output terminal of the first NMOS switch and the current provisioning means configured to control the slew-rate of a voltage at the first output terminal.
US08810297B2 Circuit device, frequency changing circuit, method of testing circuit device, and method of controlling frequency changing circuit
A circuit device includes a clock generator outputting a clock signal having a first frequency; plural phase controllers inputting the clock signal having the first frequency, and outputting clock signals having the first frequency and having phases advanced or delayed with respect to a phase of the clock signal; a selector inputting the plural clock signals having the first frequency output from the plural phase controllers, sequentially selecting pulses of the plural clock signals, and outputting a clock signal having a second frequency; a pattern generator generating a test pattern based on the clock signal having the second frequency; and a circuit inputting the clock signal having the second frequency and the test pattern generated by the pattern generator, operate based on the clock signal having the second frequency, and outputting operation results.
US08810289B1 Digital power on reset
Apparatuses, circuits, methods, and other embodiments associated with digital power on reset are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a digital electronic component configured to produce a clock signal. A first counter is configured to output a first count signal based on the clock signal and a second counter is configured to output a second count signal based on the clock signal. A power on reset logic is configured to provide a power on reset signal based on the first count signal and the second count signal, where the power on reset logic is configured to disable the digital electronic component after providing the power on reset signal to prevent the digital electronic component from drawing power.
US08810288B2 Output buffer
An output buffer is disclosed. The output buffer includes an input-stage circuit, an output-stage circuit and a compensation circuit. The compensation circuit includes a capacitor, a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a fourth switch. The input-stage circuit receives a differential input signal and outputting a response signal. The output-stage circuit receives the response signal and outputting an output signal. The first switch controls a connection between the input-stage circuit and a first terminal of the capacitor. The second switch controls the connection between an output terminal of the compensation circuit and a second terminal of the capacitor. The third switch controls the connection between the input-stage circuit and the second-terminal of the capacitor. The forth switch controls the connection between the output terminal of the compensation circuit and the first terminal of the capacitor.
US08810282B2 Apparatus and methods for voltage comparison
Apparatus and methods for voltage comparison are provided. In one embodiment, a comparator includes a first input transistor having a gate configured to receive a first input voltage and a second input transistor having a gate configured to receive a second input voltage. The first and second input transistors can be used to compare the first input voltage to the second input voltage. Additionally, the comparator further includes a first Miller capacitor electrically connected to a drain of the first input transistor and a second Miller capacitor electrically connected to a drain of the second input transistor. Furthermore, first and second inverting amplification circuits are electrically connected across the first and second Miller capacitors, respectively, so as to increase the effective capacitance of the capacitors. The first and second Miller capacitors can be used to extend the comparator's integration time, thereby enhancing the performance of the comparator.
US08810276B2 Programmable structured arrays
A programmable semiconductor device includes a user programmable switch comprising a configurable element positioned above a transistor material layer deposited on a substrate layer.
US08810268B2 Built-in self-test circuit for liquid crystal display source driver
A built-in self-test (BIST) circuit for a liquid crystal display (LCD) source driver includes at least one digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and at least one buffer coupled to the respective DAC, wherein the buffer is reconfigurable as a comparator. A first input signal and a second input signal are coupled to the comparator. The first input signal is a predetermined reference voltage level. The second input signal is a test offset voltage in a test range.
US08810259B2 Method of inspection of sealed capsules with a process of determination of the quality of the seal and related equipment for in-line inspection
An exemplary embodiment of this invention relates to a method of inspection of a filled hard capsule sealed with a solvent sealing agent, including a process for determining the quality of the seal. The process may include: supplying a filled hard capsule sealed with a solvent sealing agent; supplying a microwave resonator wherein a measuring field having a resonance curve is generated; directing the capsule through the measuring field; measuring characteristics related to the modification of the resonance curve produced by the presence of the capsule in the measuring field, in comparison with a reference resonance curve corresponding to an empty state of the resonator; and using the measured characteristics to determine a value associated with the quality of the seal. Other exemplary embodiments of this invention relates to a method for sorting capsules on the basis of the result of the inspection method and to an associated equipment able to carry out such methods.
US08810258B2 Signal acquisition system having reduced probe loading of a device under test
A signal acquisition system has a signal acquisition probe having probe tip circuitry coupled to a resistive center conductor signal cable. The resistive center conductor signal cable of the signal acquisition probe is coupled to a compensation system in a signal processing instrument via an input node and input circuitry in the signal processing instrument. The signal acquisition probe and the signal processing instrument have mismatched time constants at the input node with the compensation system having an input amplifier with feedback loop circuitry and a shunt pole-zero pair coupled to the input circuitry providing pole-zero pairs for maintaining flatness over the signal acquisition system frequency bandwidth.
US08810256B1 Impedance meter calibration
A method for verifying the adjustment for the purpose of calibration of an impedance meter having at least a first and a second measurement range includes measuring within the first range a first measured value of a test impedance; measuring within the second range a second measured value of the test impedance; and comparing the first and second measured values to verify the calibration of the impedance meter.
US08810253B2 Characterization of electrical power distribution systems using characterization matrices
Embodiments of methods and apparatuses for characterizing an electrical power distribution system are disclosed. One method includes applying a plurality of test signals to a first plurality of test points of the electrical power distribution system, measuring a plurality of response signals at a second plurality of test points of the electrical distribution system, deriving a characterization matrix for the electrical power distribution system from the plurality of test signals and response signals, and characterizing the electrical power distribution system based on the derived characterization matrix.
US08810250B2 Apparatus, system and methods for ground current detection
Various systems, methods and apparatus are described for detecting an excessive or faulty ground current in a conductive wire or electronic device. A ground current detector is coupled to a known earth ground to determine whether other ground lines are carrying excessive, faulty and/or leaking currents. If these types of unsafe conditions are detected, then a user can take appropriate action to locate and correct these problems.
US08810248B2 Method of testing electric field recording of a marine electromagnetic sensor cable
A method of testing the electric field recording of a marine electromagnetic sensor cable including electrodes is provided. The method includes causing time varying current to flow between at least one pair of current electrodes disposed along the marine electromagnetic sensor cable. The flow of current generates a voltage in a body of water, thereby causing a secondary field impressed on a pair of sensor electrodes disposed along the marine electromagnetic sensor cable. A potential difference between the pair of sensor electrodes is measured. Accuracy of the electric field recording is inferred from the measured potential difference.
US08810236B2 Apparatus and associated methods
An analyte sensor apparatus and a corresponding fluid medium, the analyte sensor apparatus comprising a sensing element, the external surface of which comprises a membrane to inhibit exposure of the sensing element; the corresponding fluid medium comprising a receptor species and an activatable species, the receptor species for interacting with an analyte to activate the activatable species, activation of the activated species causing increased porosity of the membrane of an in-contact analyte sensor apparatus to correspondingly increase exposure of the sensing element to allow for production of a detectable electrical signal which can be used to sense the presence of the analyte.
US08810225B2 Methodology of on-chip soft-start circuits for switching mode DC/DC converter
Methods of a switching mode DC/DC converter are provided in the present invention. The proposed method includes a step of causing a switching frequency of the converter to be operated at a rated value multiplied by a second predetermined value when an output voltage of the converter is not larger than a first predetermined value.
US08810224B2 System and method to regulate voltage
A system and method to regulate voltage is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a voltage regulator includes an error amplifier, a voltage buffer responsive to the error amplifier, and a first transistor responsive to the voltage buffer and coupled to a voltage supply source. A second transistor is coupled to the voltage supply source and further coupled to an output node. A third transistor is coupled to the first transistor and has a gate coupled to a capacitor. The capacitor is coupled to a node between the error amplifier and the voltage buffer.
US08810219B2 Voltage regulator with transient response
A voltage regulator having good transient response characteristics and maintaining stable operation is provided. The voltage regulator includes: a first MOS transistor having a gate terminal connected to an output terminal of the differential amplifier circuit; a first constant current source provided between the first MOS transistor and a ground terminal; an output MOS transistor having a gate terminal connected to a drain terminal of the first MOS transistor via a phase compensation circuit; a second MOS transistor having a gate terminal to which an output of the differential amplifier circuit is input and a drain terminal connected to the gate terminal of the output MOS transistor; and a second constant current source provided between the second MOS transistor and a ground terminal.
US08810208B2 Charging efficiency using selectable isolation
The apparatus for charging an energy storage system (ESS) from an AC line voltage includes a boost stage for converting the AC line voltage to a first ESS charging voltage; an isolation stage, coupled to the boost stage, for converting the first ESS charging voltage to a second ESS charging voltage with the second ESS charging voltage less than the first ESS charging voltage, the isolation stage removing a common mode current between the ESS and the boost stage; a configurator, responsive to a control signal, to set a direct communication of the first ESS charging voltage to the ESS in a bypass mode and to open the direct communication of the first ESS charging voltage to the ESS in an isolation mode; and a controller, coupled to the configurator, for setting the modes responsive to a battery voltage, a peak of the AC line voltage, and a total leakage current at an input of the AC line voltage, the controller asserting the control signal to the configurator.
US08810204B2 Protection of a thin-layer battery by periodically operating battery at maximum discharge current
A method for protecting a thin-layer battery connected to an intermittent load including the steps of periodically operating the battery at its maximum discharge current, and disconnecting the battery as soon as the voltage across it reaches a threshold value greater than its critical voltage for the maximum discharge current.
US08810202B2 Battery system and its control method
A battery system includes a battery, a control section that controls the battery to charge electric power supplied from the electrical grid and to discharge electric power to the electrical grid; and a system controller. The system controller controls the control section such that the battery system operates in a first mode where electric power that is generated by a pre-designated distributed electric power source associated with the electrical grid is supplied preferentially to a user's load or in a second mode where electric power that is charged in the battery is supplied preferentially to the user's load.
US08810196B2 Inductive charger and charging method
A charger for inductively charging one or more battery powered appliances simultaneously includes an external unit configured to inductively provide power to the battery powered appliances. The external unit includes two or more primary coil pairs that are arranged in a circular pattern; an AC power source for providing an alternating current (AC) to the primary coil pairs for generating a rotating magnetic field between respective primary coils of the primary coil pairs; and a processor for driving the AC power source. The one or more battery powered appliances are configured to be arranged inside the circular pattern of the external unit. Further, each appliance includes a secondary coil for enclosing part of the magnetic field and, in response, generating a current for charging the battery of the appliance.
US08810193B2 Charging apparatus having gas generation detector and charging method for the same
A charging apparatus for charging a cell group, in which a plurality of secondary cells are connected in series, by supplying a charging current Ic to the secondary cells is provided with an overcharge protection circuit including discharge route circuits 34 provided to each of the secondary cells and adapted to cause the secondary cells to discharge during charging by connecting the secondary cells to the discharge route circuits based on cell voltages Vb of the secondary cells or to stop discharging by cutting off the secondary cells from the discharge route circuits; and a charger controller for continuing charging while reducing the charging current Ic until the discharge of the secondary cell having started discharging to the discharge route circuit is stopped when the discharge of any one of the secondary cells to the discharge route circuit is started by the overcharge protection circuit.
US08810192B2 Power aggregation system for distributed electric resources
Systems and methods are described for a power aggregation system. In one implementation, a method includes a establishing a communication connection with each of multiple electric resources connected to a power grid, receiving an energy generation signal from a power grid operator, and controlling a number of the electric resources being charged by the power grid as a function of the energy generation signal.
US08810191B2 Solar sign illumination system
A lighting system hardware and control are described. Advantages of the system include the ability to add lighting to an otherwise unmodified location by providing a clamping system that is adaptable to multiple configurations and remote operability. Remote operability includes the ability to use renewable power sources such as solar or wind power and the ability for self-calibration with respect to the time of day. The system also minimizes the number of circuit components required thus making it optimally inexpensive and reliable.
US08810187B2 Method and apparatus for misstep detection and recovery in a stepper motor
A stepper motor system and apparatus use a position-feedback device, which may have a resolution capability as low as 200 counts per motor shaft revolution, for misstep detection and motor step recovery. In use of the system, position deviation is computed periodically and cyclically, by subtracting the feedback position from the corresponding commanded position, to determine the load angle, implicitly, and the operating status of the motor. If the load angle is within an established allowable range of values, normal stepper operation along the programmed trajectory is maintained, without adjustment. A load angle that exceeds the limits of that range however indicates that a misstep has occurred, and the system controller initiates immediate action to recover lost motor steps, to reestablish synchronism, and to then continue toward the final target position, with minimal loss of time.
US08810185B2 Drive circuit and method
A stepping motor includes two coils. A driver circuit drives the stepping motor by setting dissimilar phases of supply currents to these two coils. One terminal of one coil is connected to ground and another terminal is set to a high impedance state, and an induced voltage generated at that coil is detected as a voltage with respect to ground. Then, in accordance with the state of the detected induced voltage, the magnitude of motor drive current supplied to the two coils is controlled.
US08810183B2 PWM signal output circuit
A PWM-signal-output circuit includes a detecting unit to detect periods in which a speed signal with logic level changing alternately and having a period corresponding to a motor-rotation speed is at one and the other logic levels, a dividing unit to divide each of the periods into first to third periods; a first output unit to change a PWM-signal duty-cycle in a stepwise manner toward an input-signal duty-cycle in the first period, a second output unit to cause a PWM-signal duty-cycle to become equal to an input-signal duty-cycle, to maintain a current flowing through the motor coil constant, in the second period; and a third output unit to change a PWM-signal duty-cycle in a stepwise manner from an input-signal duty-cycle, to decrease a current flowing through the motor coil, in the third period.
US08810182B2 Adaptive harmonic reduction apparatus and methods
Power conversion systems with active front end converters for example motor drives and power generation systems for distributed energy sources are presented with adaptive harmonic minimization for grid-tie converters for minimized or reduced total harmonic distortion in the line current spectrum including the source harmonic current, the load harmonics and the PWM harmonics.
US08810181B2 Control apparatus and measuring apparatus
A control apparatus for controllably driving a drive mechanism which displaces a movable member, includes: an electric-current detecting unit configured to detect electric current for driving the drive mechanism; a speed control unit configured to set a target electric-current according to a drive speed at which the drive mechanism is caused to drive the movable member; and an electric-current control unit configured to multiply, by an integral gain and a proportional gain, an electric-current deviation between a target electric-current and a detection electric-current detected by the electric-current detecting unit to set output electric-current to be output to the drive mechanism, wherein the current control unit changes at least one of the integral gain and the proportional gain according to the drive speed of the drive mechanism.
US08810180B2 Electric motor operation apparatus and method
A method for operating an electric motor with primary and secondary sections, wherein the primary section has a multi-phase exciter winding, each of the phase connections of said exciter winding being connected to an output connection of an end stage, which has controllable semi-conductor switches for applying phase voltages to the output connections, includes the following steps: a) introducing an operating phase by applying the phase voltages to the output connections such that a moving magnetic field is induced in the exciter winding, the moving field effecting a relative motion between the primary and secondary sections, b) hinting off the phase voltage at least one of the output connections to introduce a measurement phase, and c) measuring the electrical back emf induced in the winding strand in order to determine the angular difference between the phase position of the exciter current and that of the back emf.
US08810173B2 Rotating machinery condition monitoring using position sensor
Continuous monitoring and fault diagnosis of rotating machinery during variable speed operation is performed using only a position feedback signal. The position sensor generates a periodic waveform having multiple pulses per revolution of the machine. A circuit is included to detect, for example, a zero crossing or edge of the periodic waveform. At each detected zero crossing or edge, the time and position of the event is stored in memory. Other data, such as the current in the motor, may also be sampled and stored in memory. Because the sampled data is triggered by repeated feature of the position feedback signal, the sampled data is in a stationary reference frame in the position domain. Frequency analysis is performed on the sampled data, and the frequency components present in either the sampled signal are analyzed to identify the presence of a fault in the rotating machinery.
US08810169B2 Method and system for estimating rotor angle of an electric machine
Position samples are stored from an encoder coupled to a permanent magnet electric machine. A data processor determines first changes in position between successive position samples and second changes between successive first changes in position. A data processor determines whether each first change in position is generally increasing, decreasing or constant. A corrective motion factor is applied to each stored position sample based on whether the first change in position is generally increasing or decreasing. The data processor estimates a final rotor angle of the electric machine based on a particular one of the position samples and a corresponding first change in position associated with the particular one of the position samples corresponding to a respective time.
US08810152B2 Light emitting diode module
A light emitting diode module includes a circuit board, a light-emitting-diode (LED) unit, a light-adjusting unit and a conductive trace. The LED unit is directly mounted on the circuit board. The light-adjusting unit is directly mounted on the circuit board at a position distinct from a mounting portion of the LED unit on the circuit board, and is operable to adjust electric current flowing through the LED unit. The conductive trace is disposed on the circuit board for electrically connecting the LED unit to the light-adjusting unit.
US08810148B2 Surge-proof interface circuit
In examples of the embodiment, a surge-proof interface circuit (100) comprises a rectifier circuit (20) which is configured to produce a rectified rectifier output voltage at the rectifier output terminals (20c, 20d), in accordance with a rectifier input voltage at the rectifier input terminals (20a, 20b), and a Darlington circuit (30) which comprises at least two transistors (Q3, Q4). Said Darlington circuit (30) comprises a current path (35) which can be controlled on the output side in accordance with a control signal (62) and said current path (35) which can be controlled on the output side is coupled between the rectifier output connections (20c, 20d).
US08810134B2 Harmonic cold plasma device and associated methods
A method for generating atmospheric pressure cold plasma inside a hand-held unit discharges cold plasma with simultaneously different rf wavelengths and their harmonics. The unit includes an rf tuning network that is powered by a low-voltage power supply connected to a series of high-voltage coils and capacitors. The rf energy signal is transferred to a primary containment chamber and dispersed through an electrode plate network of various sizes and thicknesses to create multiple frequencies. Helium gas is introduced into the first primary containment chamber, where electron separation is initiated. The energized gas flows into a secondary magnetic compression chamber, where a balanced frequency network grid with capacitance creates the final electron separation, which is inverted magnetically and exits through an orifice with a nozzle. The cold plasma thus generated has been shown to be capable of accelerating a healing process in flesh wounds on animal laboratory specimens.
US08810131B2 Field emission device with AC output
A field emission device is configured as a heat engine with an AC output.
US08810130B2 Light-emitting device and method of manufacturing the same
To provide a bright and highly reliable light-emitting device. An anode (102), an EL layer (103), a cathode (104), and an auxiliary electrode (105) are formed sequentially in lamination on a reflecting electrode (101). Further, the anode (102), the cathode (104), and the auxiliary electrode (105) are either transparent or semi-transparent with respect to visible radiation. In such a structure, lights generated in the EL layer (103) are almost all irradiated to the side of the cathode (104), whereby an effect light emitting area of a pixel is drastically enhanced.
US08810119B2 Spark plug for an internal combustion engine
A spark plug includes a center electrode having an end portion, and an earth electrode having an opposing portion opposed to the end portion via a gap. The end portion has an end-projecting portion. The opposing portion has an opposing-projecting portion opposed to the end-projecting portion. The end-projecting portion and the opposing-projecting portion have non-projection direction opposing surfaces which are parallel to and opposed to each other with a minimum distance and in a direction other than a projection direction. A first opposing area of a portion which includes the non-projection direction opposing surfaces and where the end-projecting portion and the opposing-projecting portion are opposed to each other with the minimum distance is larger than a second opposing area obtained when a plane of the end-projecting portion and a plane of the opposing-projecting portion, which are orthogonal to the projection direction, are opposed to each other in the projection direction.
US08810109B2 Piezoelectric actuator, motor, robot hand, and robot
A motor includes a vibrating plate having a projection part to be pressed against a driven member and a piezoelectric material provided on the vibrating plate, wherein a Young's modulus EL in the pressing direction of the vibrating plate and a Young's modulus ES in a direction crossing the pressing direction are different.
US08810104B2 Acoustic wave device and method for fabricating the same
A surface acoustic wave device includes a piezoelectric substrate, at least one interdigital transducer (IDT) electrode provided on the piezoelectric substrate, and an insulator layer to improve a temperature characteristic arranged so as to cover the IDT electrode. When a surface of the insulator layer is classified into a first surface region under which the IDT electrode is positioned and a second surface region under which no IDT electrode is positioned, the surface of the insulator layer in at least one portion of the second surface region is higher than the surface of the insulator layer from the piezoelectric substrate in at least one portion of the first surface region by at least about 0.001λ, where the wavelength of an acoustic wave is λ.
US08810102B2 Rotor for an electric machine with reduced detent torque
The invention relates to an electric machine, in particular to a generator for supplying the electrical system of a motor vehicle, comprising a laminated rotor (20) with an energiser winding (29), which provides the energisation for the machine preferably in conjunction with permanent magnets (24, 25) arranged on the rotor periphery. According to the invention, the rotor laminate bundle (21) is made up of at least two part bundles (21a, b) in the axial direction with grooves (40) running into each other and with poles offset relative to each other (32 to 38). A machine with reduced detent torque is thus obtained with grooves (40) aligned parallel to the axis, in which the energiser windings (29) can be placed with a high filling factor and without production difficulties and without the risk of damaging the winding insulation.
US08810098B2 Magnetic gear arrangement having a variable gear ratio
A magnetic gear arrangement is provided having a magnetically active gear member that generates a first magnetic field, which is modulated by interpoles. The modulated magnetic field generates magnetic poles on a magnetically passive gear member, and these poles form a second magnetic field. The material of the passive gear member is sufficiently magnetically hard that the first and second magnetic fields interact to couple the motion of the active and passive gear members according to a given gear ratio.
US08810086B2 Rotor for an electric external rotor motor and external rotor motor
Disclosed is a rotor (1) for an electric rotor motor, consisting of a rotor bell (2) with a peripheral wall (4) and at least one one-sided rotor base (6) to enclose a stator, in particular as a part of a motor housing with a high IP rating, for example IP54 per DIN/IEC-EN 60034-5. The rotor bell (2) features a heat sink (12) with high heat conductivity that extends through the rotor base (6) in such a way that the motor heat arising on the inside can be removed via the heat sink (12) through the rotor base (6) to the outside into the environment. Further, the invention relates to an electric rotor motor, in particular with an encapsulated motor housing with a high IP-protection system, for example IP54 per DIN/IEC-EN 60034-5, consisting of a stator and a rotor (1) enclosing the stator in an embodiment of the above-described type.
US08810078B2 Analog current output circuit
In the analog current output circuit according to the present invention, a rising start position and a tilt of an internal control voltage are set such that it crosses, at the maximum of an analog output current, a load end voltage obtained when the resistance of a load is the one near the center of a specification range. According to a comparison result in a comparator, a switch causes a DC/DC converter to input a high reference voltage and causes an output transistor to output a high power supply voltage when the internal control voltage is smaller than the load end voltage and causes the DC/DC converter to input a low reference voltage and causes the output transistor to output a low power supply voltage when the internal control voltage is larger than the load end voltage.
US08810071B2 Wireless power transmission system
A Wireless power transmission system comprises a base unit (1) with multiple magnetic field generator circuits and a device (10), separable from said base unit (1) having a receiving inductor, adapted to receive power inductively when said device (10) is in proximity to one of said generator circuits, wherein said base unit (1) comprises a controller (3), configured to determine a transmission circuit (2′) from said generator circuits when said receiving inductor is in proximity to said transmission circuit (2′), whereupon said transmission circuit (2′) is operated to generate a first magnetic field (8), having a first phase, to induce a current in said receiving inductor and at least one of the remaining generator circuits is operated as a compensation circuit (2″, 52, 82) to generate a second magnetic field (21), having an opposite phase to said first phase.
US08810069B2 System and method for maximizing power output of photovoltaic strings
A PV system includes a plurality of PV strings each having an optimal string voltage at which a string output power is maximized. The PV strings are connected to a DC link in a parallel arrangement such that each PV strings operates at a variable DC link voltage. A PV inverter is connected to the DC link to receive a DC output, with the PV inverter controlling the DC link voltage. Delta DC/DC converters are connected to the PV strings, with each DC/DC converter receiving the DC link voltage from the DC link and providing a tuning voltage to the DC link voltage at which its respective PV string operates in order to bring the string voltage for that PV string to its optimal string voltage. The tuning voltage of each delta DC/DC converter is the difference between the DC link voltage and a respective optimal string voltage.
US08810066B2 Power storage system and method of controlling the same
A power storage system and method of controlling the system is disclosed. The power storage system is connected to a power generation system and a grid. If a remaining amount of power of a battery is insufficient when the grid is in a quasi-normal state, the battery is charged by directly receiving electric power from the grid, and thus electric power is available for the if the grid subsequently goes back into the abnormal state.
US08810065B2 Method to reduce system idle power through system VR output adjustments during Soix states
An electronic device includes a power control circuit to generate a power mode signal and a plurality of voltage regulators to receive the power mode signal. Each voltage regulator reduces an output voltage in response to the power mode signal, and the reduced output voltage of each voltage regulator is used to power a different circuit of or function to be performed in the electronic device.
US08810062B2 Transfer switch assembly and method
A method for assembly of a transfer switch is disclosed that includes a power switch device with a number engagement landings and a printed circuit board defining an opening bordered by a number of tabs. The tabs engage the landings as the switch device extends through the openings, and can be fastened together.
US08810060B2 Charging device for vehicle
A charging device for a vehicle includes a connector configured such that a coupler for transmitting electric power from an external power supply to the vehicle is connectable to the connector, a charging circuit for transmitting electric power from the connector to a power storage device, a charging control unit for charging the power storage device by controlling the charging circuit while in an operating state, and for halting control of the charging circuit while in a halting state, and an activation control unit for keeping the charging control unit in the halting state until detecting that the connector receives electric power, in a case where connection of the coupler and the connector is detected, and for switching the charging control unit from the halting state to the operating state when it is detected that the connector receives electric power.
US08810059B2 Effective low voltage to medium voltage transmission on PRIME band
Coupling and interface circuits for powerline modems are disclosed. A powerline modem may be coupled to a low voltage (LV) line or a medium voltage (MV) line using a circuit that is designed to compensate for signal attenuation and loss that is created by the a LV/MV transformer and/or a MV coupler. In one embodiment, separate coupling transformers may be used by the modem for reception and transmission. In other embodiments, a capacitance is switched on the transmission line before the modem transmits to lower the line impedance.
US08810045B2 Packaging substrate and semiconductor package
A packaging substrate and a semiconductor package each include: a metal board having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, wherein the first surface has a plurality of first openings for defining a first core circuit layer therebetween, the second surface has a plurality of second openings for defining a second core circuit layer therebetween, each of the first and second openings has a wide outer portion and a narrow inner portion, and the inner portion of each of the second openings is in communication with the inner portion of a corresponding one of the first openings; a first encapsulant formed in the first openings; a second encapsulant formed in the second openings; and a surface circuit layer formed on the first encapsulant and the first core circuit layer.
US08810042B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip having a multilayer interconnect, a first spiral inductor and a second spiral inductor formed in the multilayer interconnect, and an interconnect substrate formed over the semiconductor chip and having a third spiral inductor and a fourth spiral inductor. The third spiral inductor overlaps the first spiral inductor in a plan view. The fourth spiral inductor overlaps the second spiral inductor in the plan view. The third spiral inductor and the fourth spiral inductor collectively include a line, the line being spirally wound in a same direction in the third spiral inductor and the fourth spiral inductor.
US08810035B2 Semiconductor bonding structure body and manufacturing method of semiconductor bonding structure body
A bonding structure body in which a semiconductor element and an electrode are bonded via a solder material, wherein a part that allows bonding has a first intermetallic compound layer that has been formed on the electrode side, a second intermetallic compound layer that has been formed on the semiconductor element side, and a third layer that is constituted by a phase containing Sn and a sticks-like intermetallic compound part, which is sandwiched between the two layers of the first intermetallic compound layer and the second intermetallic compound layer, and the sticks-like intermetallic compound part is interlayer-bonded to both of the first intermetallic compound layer and the second intermetallic compound layer.
US08810028B1 Integrated circuit packaging devices and methods
Integrated circuit packaging devices and methods are disclosed. An embodiment package lid is formed from a single piece of material. The lid includes a planar rectangular main body having a bottom surface, and a leg disposed at each corner of the main body and within a perimeter of the main body. Each leg has a wall projecting downwardly from the main body and a non-planar bottom surface disposed at a bottom of the wall. The non-planar bottom surface of the leg faces a same direction as the main body bottom surface.
US08810017B2 Integrated circuit package system with removable backing element having plated terminal leads and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit package system includes: attaching a first die to a first die pad; connecting electrically a second die to the first die through a die interconnect positioned between the first die and the second die; connecting a first lead adjacent the first die pad to the first die; connecting a second lead to the second die, the second lead opposing the first lead and adjacent the second die; and providing a molding material around the first die, the second die, the die interconnect, the first lead and the second lead, with a portion of the first lead exposed.
US08810011B2 Semiconductor device and method of forming shielding layer over semiconductor die mounted to TSV interposer
A semiconductor device has a plurality of conductive vias formed partially through a substrate. A conductive layer is formed over the substrate and electrically connected to the conductive vias. A semiconductor die is mounted over the substrate. An encapsulant is deposited over the semiconductor die and substrate. A trench is formed through the encapsulant around the semiconductor die. A shielding layer is formed over the encapsulant. The trench is formed partially through the substrate and the shielding layer is formed in the trench partially through the substrate. An insulating layer can be formed in the trench prior to forming the shielding layer. A portion of the substrate is removed to expose the conductive vias. An interconnect structure is formed over the substrate opposite the semiconductor die. The interconnect structure is electrically connected to the conductive vias. The shielding layer is electrically connected to the interconnect structure.
US08810005B1 Bipolar device having a monocrystalline semiconductor intrinsic base to extrinsic base link-up region
A bipolar device with an entirely monocrystalline intrinsic base to extrinsic base link-up region. To form the device, a first extrinsic base layer, which is amorphous or polycrystalline, is deposited such that it contacts an edge portion of a monocrystalline section of an intrinsic base layer through an opening in a dielectric layer. A second extrinsic base layer is deposited on the first. An anneal is performed, either before or after deposition of the second extrinsic base layer, so that the extrinsic base layers are monocrystalline. An opening is formed through the extrinsic base layers to a dielectric landing pad aligned above a center portion of the monocrystalline section of the intrinsic base layer. The dielectric landing pad is removed and a semiconductor layer is grown epitaxially on exposed monocrystalline surfaces of the extrinsic and intrinsic base layers, thereby forming the entirely monocrystalline intrinsic base to extrinsic base link-up region.
US08809997B2 E-fuse structures and methods of operating and manufacturing the same
An e-fuse structure includes a first doped region and a second doped region formed in a substrate. The first doped region has a first conductivity type and the second doped region has a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. The first and second doped regions contact each other. A conductive pattern is disposed on the first and second doped regions and contacts the first and second doped regions. A first contact plug is disposed on the conductive pattern in an area corresponding to the first doped region, and a second contact plug is disposed on the conductive pattern in an area corresponding to the second doped region.
US08809990B2 Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
Provided are a semiconductor device including a high voltage transistor and a low voltage transistor and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including a high voltage region and a low voltage region; a high voltage transistor formed in the high voltage region and including a first active region, a first source/drain region, a first gate insulating layer, and a first gate electrode; and a low voltage transistor formed in the low voltage region and including a second active region, a second source/drain region, a second gate insulating layer, and a second gate electrode. The second source/drain region has a smaller thickness than a thickness of the first source/drain region.
US08809989B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a semiconductor substrate having a hexagonal crystalline structure with a c-axis and c-planes; and transistors on a c plane of the semiconductor substrate. Source electrodes of the transistors are connected to each other. Drain electrodes of the transistors are connected to each other. Gate electrodes of the transistors are connected to each other. The gate electrodes of the transistors extend along directions that form angles with each other that are 60 degrees or 120 degrees, in a plan view seen from a direction perpendicular to the c plane of the semiconductor substrate.
US08809980B2 Infrared sensor
An infrared sensor according to the present invention includes a semiconductor substrate, a thin-film pyroelectric element made of lead titanate zirconate and disposed on the semiconductor substrate, a coating film coating the pyroelectric element and having a topmost surface that forms a light receiving surface for infrared rays, and a cavity formed to a shape dug in from a top surface of the semiconductor substrate at a portion opposite to the pyroelectric element and thermally isolates the pyroelectric element from the semiconductor substrate.
US08809977B2 Semicondcutor device and method for fabricating the same
A semiconductor device includes a pinned layer having a magnetic direction permanently set to a first direction, a tunnel insulating layer arranged on the pinned layer, a free layer arranged on the tunnel insulating layer and having a changeable magnetic direction, and a magnetic induction layer formed to surround the pinned layer and have a magnetic direction permanently set to a second direction different from the first direction.
US08809966B2 Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes an active area having a source and a gate. A gate metal contact is deposited above and forms an electrical contact with the gate and a source metal contact is deposited above and forms an electrical contact with the source. The source metal contact includes a plurality of metal through contacts positioned adjacent a side of the active area, the plurality of metal through contacts being spaced at intervals from one another and arranged in two or more rows.
US08809955B2 Semiconductor structure and method for manufacturing the same
Semiconductor structures and methods for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The semiconductor structure comprises: a gate stack formed on a semiconductor substrate; a super-steep retrograde island embedded in said semiconductor substrate and self-aligned with said gate stack; and a counter doped region embedded in said super-steep retrograde island, wherein said counter doped region has a doping type opposite to a doping type of said super-steep retrograde island. The semiconductor structures and the methods for manufacturing the same facilitate alleviating short channel effects.
US08809943B2 Three dimensional semiconductor memory devices and methods of fabricating the same
A three dimensional semiconductor memory device includes an electrode structure having a plurality of conductive electrode patterns and insulating patterns alternatingly stacked on a substrate. Opposite sidewalls of the electrode structure include respective grooves therein extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substrate. First and second active patterns protrude from the substrate and extend within the grooves in the opposite sidewalls of the electrode structure, respectively. Respective data storing layers extend in the grooves between the conductive electrode patterns of the electrode structure and sidewalls of the first and second active patterns adjacent thereto. Related fabrication methods are also discussed.
US08809936B2 Memory cell system with multiple nitride layers
A memory cell system is provided including forming a first insulator layer over a semiconductor substrate, forming a charge trap layer over the first insulator layer, forming a second insulator layer over the charge trap layer, forming a top blocking intermediate layer over the second insulator layer, and forming a contact layer over the top blocking intermediate layer.
US08809934B2 Semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof
A lamination pattern having a control gate electrode, a first insulation film thereover, and a second insulation film thereover is formed over a semiconductor substrate. A memory gate electrode is formed adjacent to the lamination pattern. A gate insulation film is formed between the control gate and the semiconductor substrate. A fourth insulation film, including a lamination film of a silicon oxide film, a silicon nitride film, and another silicon oxide film, is formed between the memory gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate and between the lamination pattern and the memory gate electrode. At the sidewall on the side of the lamination pattern adjacent to the memory gate electrode, the first insulation film is retreated from the control gate electrode and the second insulation film, and the upper end corner portion of the control gate electrode is rounded.
US08809911B2 Semiconductor device
Plural gate trenches are formed in the surface of an n-type drift region. A gate electrode is formed across a gate oxide film on the inner walls of the gate trenches. P-type base regions are selectively formed so as to neighbor each other in the gate trench longitudinal direction between neighboring gate trenches. An n-type emitter region is formed in contact with the gate trench in a surface layer of the p-type base regions. Also, a p-type contact region with a concentration higher than that of the p-type base region is formed in the surface layer of the p-type base region so as to be in contact with the gate trench side of the n-type emitter region. An edge portion on the gate trench side of the n-type emitter region terminates inside the p-type contact region.
US08809910B1 Thick AlN inter-layer for III-nitride layer on silicon substrate
The present disclosure relates to a gallium-nitride (GaN) transistor device having a composite gallium nitride layer with alternating layers of GaN and aluminum nitride (AlN). In some embodiments, the GaN transistor device has a first GaN layer disposed above a semiconductor substrate. An AlN inter-layer is disposed on the first GaN layer. A second GaN layer is disposed on the AlN inter-layer. The AlN inter-layer allows for the thickness of the GaN layer to be increased over continuous GaN layers, mitigating bowing and cracking of the GaN substrate, while improving the breakdown voltage of the disclosed GaN device.
US08809908B2 Semiconductor wafer, semiconductor wafer manufacturing method, and electronic device
A high-quality GaAs-type crystal thin film using an inexpensive Si wafer with good thermal release characteristics is achieved. Provided is a semiconductor wafer comprising an Si wafer; a Ge layer that is crystal-grown on the wafer and shaped as an isolated island; a buffer layer that is crystal-grown on the Ge layer and is a group 3-5 compound semiconductor layer containing P; and a functional layer that is crystal-grown on the buffer layer. The Ge layer may be shaped as an island having a size that does not exceed double a distance moved by crystal defects as a result of annealing the Ge layer at a certain temperature for a certain time. The Ge layer may be shaped as an island having a size for which stress due to a difference relative to a thermal expansion coefficient of Si, which is material of the wafer, does not cause crystal defects when the Ge layer is annealed at a certain temperature.
US08809904B2 Electronic device structure with a semiconductor ledge layer for surface passivation
Electronic device structures including semiconductor ledge layers for surface passivation and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the electronic device includes a number of semiconductor layers of a desired semiconductor material having alternating doping types. The semiconductor layers include a base layer of a first doping type that includes a highly doped well forming a first contact region of the electronic device and one or more contact layers of a second doping type on the base layer that have been etched to form a second contact region of the electronic device. The etching of the one or more contact layers causes substantial crystalline damage, and thus interface charge, on the surface of the base layer. In order to passivate the surface of the base layer, a semiconductor ledge layer of the semiconductor material is epitaxially grown on at least the surface of the base layer.
US08809897B2 Solid state transducer devices, including devices having integrated electrostatic discharge protection, and associated systems and methods
Solid state transducer devices having integrated electrostatic discharge protection and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a solid state transducer device includes a solid state emitter, and an electrostatic discharge device carried by the solid state emitter. In some embodiments, the electrostatic discharge device and the solid state emitter share a common first contact and a common second contact. In further embodiments, the solid state lighting device and the electrostatic discharge device share a common epitaxial substrate. In still further embodiments, the electrostatic discharge device is positioned between the solid state lighting device and a support substrate.
US08809895B2 Light emitting device and method of fabricating the same
Provided are a light emitting device and a method of fabricating the same. The light emitting device includes a first conductive type semiconductor layer, a second conductive type semiconductor layer, and an active layer between the first conductive type semiconductor layer and the second conductive type semiconductor layer, the active layer being formed of a semiconductor material. Also, the light emitting device further includes a current spreading layer comprising a plurality of carbon nanotube bundles physically connected to each other on one of the first and second conductive type semiconductor layers.
US08809885B2 Light emitting device
Disclosed is a light emitting device. The light emitting device comprises a light emitting structure comprising a plurality of compound semiconductor layers; and a light extraction structure on the light emitting structure. The light extraction structure comprises a plurality of first layers and a plurality of second layers which are alternately disposed with each other to have a negative refraction index.
US08809884B2 Light emitting device including an electrode on a textured surface, light emitting device package and lighting system
Disclosed are a light emitting device, a light emitting device package and a lighting system. The light emitting device of the embodiment includes a light emitting structure including a first conductive semiconductor layer, a second conductive semiconductor layer and an active layer between the first and second conductive semiconductor layers; a second electrode under the second conductive semiconductor layer; a first texture over a first region of the first conductive semiconductor layer; an A-electrode over the first region of the first conductive semiconductor layer; and a B-electrode over a second region of the first conductive semiconductor layer, wherein the B-electrode includes a pad electrode connected to a wire.
US08809879B2 Light-emitting device and a method of manufacturing light-emitting device
To provide a highly reliable light-emitting device and especially a light-emitting device which can be formed without use of a metal mask and includes a plurality of light-emitting elements. A structural body at least an end of which has an acute-angled shape is provided so that the end can pass downward through an electrically conductive film formed over the insulating layer and can be at least in contact with an insulating layer having elasticity, thereby physically separating the electrically conductive film, and the electrically conductive films are thus electrically insulated from each other. Such a structure may be provided between adjacent light-emitting elements so that the light-emitting elements can be electrically insulated from each other in the light-emitting device.
US08809877B2 Semiconductor voltage transformation structure
A semiconductor voltage transformation structure is provided. The semiconductor voltage transformation structure includes: a first electrode layer ; an electricity-to-light conversion layer formed on the first electrode layer; a second electrode layer formed on the electricity-to-light conversion layer; a first isolation layer formed on the second electrode layer; a third electrode layer formed on the first isolation layer; a light-to-electricity conversion layer formed on the third electrode layer; and a fourth electrode layer formed on the light-to-electricity conversion layer, in which the first isolation layer, the second electrode layer and the third electrode layer are transparent to a working light emitted by the electricity-to-light conversion layer.
US08809876B2 Absorbing film
Materials can be prepared in a layer-by-layer fashion on a patterned first substrate and subsequently transferred to a second substrate. The transfer step can preserve the pattern of the first substrate, such that the second substrate will bear a pattern of the transferred material. The material can be an electrostatic multilayer including a light absorbing dye, such as a J-aggregating cyanine dye.
US08809870B2 Semiconductor device
A conventional DRAM needs to be refreshed at an interval of several tens of milliseconds to hold data, which results in large power consumption. In addition, a transistor therein is frequently turned on and off; thus, deterioration of the transistor is also a problem. These problems become significant as the memory capacity increases and transistor miniaturization advances. Another problem is that an increase in memory capacity leads to an increase in the area, despite an attempt at integration through advancement of transistor miniaturization. A transistor is provided which includes an oxide semiconductor and has a trench structure including a trench for a gate electrode and a trench for element isolation. In addition, a plurality of memory elements each including the transistor having a trench structure and including an oxide semiconductor is stacked in a semiconductor device, whereby the circuit area of the semiconductor device can be reduced.
US08809869B2 Diode with heterojunction of nitride semiconductor layers
A diode includes: a semiconductor layer stack; cathode and anode electrodes formed on the semiconductor layer stack so as to be spaced apart from each other; and a protection film covering a region of an upper surface of the semiconductor layer stack. The semiconductor layer stack includes a first nitride semiconductor layer, and a second nitride semiconductor layer having a larger band gap than the first nitride semiconductor layer, and has a channel. The anode electrode includes: a p-type third nitride semiconductor layer formed on the semiconductor layer stack; a first metal layer being in ohmic contact with the third nitride semiconductor layer; and a second metal layer being in contact with the first metal layer, and being in ohmic contact with the channel.
US08809867B2 Dislocation reduction in non-polar III-nitride thin films
Lateral epitaxial overgrowth of non-polar III-nitride seed layers reduces threading dislocations in the non-polar III-nitride thin films. First, a thin patterned dielectric mask is applied to the seed layer. Second, a selective epitaxial regrowth is performed to achieve a lateral overgrowth based on the patterned mask. Upon regrowth, the non-polar III-nitride films initially grow vertically through openings in the dielectric mask before laterally overgrowing the mask in directions perpendicular to the vertical growth direction. Threading dislocations are reduced in the overgrown regions by (1) the mask blocking the propagation of dislocations vertically into the growing film and (2) the bending of dislocations through the transition from vertical to lateral growth.
US08809865B2 Display device
A display device including a base substrate, a pixel disposed on the base substrate, and a color filter part disposed between the base substrate and the pixel. The color filter part includes a color filter corresponding to the pixel and a black matrix disposed at at least a side of the color filter. The pixel includes a cover layer defining a tunnel-shaped cavity on the base substrate, an image display part disposed in the tunnel-shaped cavity, and first and second pixel electrodes and a common electrode applying an electric field to the image display part. The tunnel-shaped cavity is formed by forming a sacrificial layer and wet-etching the sacrificial layer.
US08809864B2 Liquid crystal display and method for manufacturing the same
Provided is a liquid crystal display including: a first substrate; a thin film transistor disposed on the first substrate; a passivation layer disposed on the thin film transistor and comprising a contact hole exposing an electrode of the thin film transistor; a pixel electrode disposed on the passivation layer and connected to the electrode of the thin film transistor through the contact hole; a lower buffer layer disposed on the pixel electrode; a lower alignment layer disposed on the lower buffer layer; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a common electrode disposed on the second substrate; an upper buffer layer disposed on the common electrode; and an upper alignment layer disposed on the upper buffer layer, in which the lower buffer layer comprises parylene, the upper buffer layer comprises parylene, or both the lower and the upper buffer layers comprise parylene.
US08809862B2 Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the same
The present invention provides a semiconductor device which suppresses a short circuit and a leakage current between a semiconductor film and a gate electrode generated by a break or thin thickness of a gate insulating film in an end portion of a channel region of the semiconductor film, and the manufacturing method of the semiconductor device. Plural thin film transistors which each have semiconductor film provided over a substrate continuously, conductive films provided over the semiconductor film through a gate insulating film, source and drain regions provided in the semiconductor film which are not overlapped with the conductive films, and channel regions provided in the semiconductor film existing under the conductive films and between the source and drain regions. And impurity regions provided in the semiconductor film which is not overlapped with the conductive film and provided adjacent to the source and drain regions. Further, the conductive films are provided over the channel regions and regions of the semiconductor film which are provided adjacent to the channel regions.
US08809853B2 Semiconductor device
With a combination of a transistor including an oxide semiconductor material and a transistor including a semiconductor material other than an oxide semiconductor, a semiconductor device with a novel structure in which data can be retained for a long time and does not have a limitation on the number of writing can be obtained. When a connection electrode for connecting the transistor including a semiconductor material other than an oxide semiconductor to the transistor including an oxide semiconductor material is smaller than an electrode of the transistor including a semiconductor material other than an oxide semiconductor that is connected to the connection electrode, the semiconductor device with a novel structure can be highly integrated and the storage capacity per unit area can be increased.
US08809847B2 Photoelectric conversion device and imaging device
A photoelectric conversion device includes an organic photoelectric conversion layer, and suppresses sensitivity degradation caused by the light irradiation. A photoelectric conversion device 100 is formed by stacking a first electrode layer 104, a photoelectric conversion layer 15 including an organic material, and a second electrode layer 108 on a substrate 101, in which the photoelectric conversion layer 15 has a bulk hetero structure of a P-type organic semiconductor and an N-type organic semiconductor, and a difference between an ionization potential of the P-type organic semiconductor and an apparent ionization potential of the bulk hetero structure is 0.50 eV or less. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress sensitivity degradation caused by the light irradiation.
US08809846B2 Organic molecular memories and organic molecules for organic molecular memories
An organic molecular memory of an embodiment includes: a first conductive layer; a second conductive layer; and an organic molecular layer that is provided between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, and contains an organic molecule selected from a group of molecules that simultaneously satisfy the following conditions (I) and (II) in a molecular system having a molecular frame with a π-electron system spreading along the molecular axis: (I) one of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) is delocalized along the molecular axis, and the other one is localized with respect to the molecular axis; and (II) the value of the energy level of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) is −5.75 eV or higher.
US08809840B2 Organic light emitting device
An organic light emitting device may include an emission layer between a reflecting electrode and one of a transmitting or transflective electrode, and an optical control layer formed with an organic material that is 5000 to 10,000 Å thick between the transmitting or transflective electrode and the emission layer.
US08809832B1 Method of selective photo-enhanced wet oxidation for nitride layer regrowth on substrates and associated structure
Various embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to selective photo-enhanced wet oxidation for nitride layer regrowth on substrates. In one aspect, a method may comprise: forming a first III-nitride layer with a first low bandgap energy on a first surface of a substrate; forming a second III-nitride layer with a first high bandgap energy on the first III-nitride layer; transforming portions of the first III-nitride layer into a plurality of III-oxide stripes by photo-enhanced wet oxidation; forming a plurality of III-nitride nanowires with a second low bandgap energy on the second III-nitride layer between the III-oxide stripes; and selectively transforming at least some of the III-nitride nanowires into III-oxide nanowires by selective photo-enhanced oxidation.
US08809827B1 Thermally assisted MRAM with multilayer strap and top contact for low thermal conductivity
A mechanism is provided for a thermally assisted magnetoresistive random access memory device (TAS-MRAM). The device includes a magnetic tunnel junction configured to store data, a first multilayer contact structure positioned on one end of the magnetic tunnel junction, and a second multilayer contact structure positioned on an opposite end of the magnetic tunnel junction. The first multilayer contact structure and the second multilayer contact structure each include multiple layers of metals. The multiple layers of metals are structured to inhibit thermal conductivity between the magnetic tunnel junction and surrounding structures, and the multiple layers of metals are structured to electrically conduct electrical current.
US08809826B2 Memory element and memory device
A memory element and a memory device having the stable switching characteristics with the characteristics of data retention remaining favorable are provided. The memory element includes a first electrode, a memory layer, and a second electrode in this order. The memory layer includes an ion source layer provided on the second electrode side, a resistance change layer provided between the ion source layer and the first electrode, and a barrier layer provided between the resistance change layer and the first electrode, and having conductivity higher than that of the resistance change layer.
US08809823B1 System and method for controlling droplet timing and steering in an LPP EUV light source
A method and apparatus for improved control of the trajectory and timing of droplets of target material in a laser produced plasma (LPP) extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light system is disclosed. A droplet illumination module generates a laser curtain, and sensors detect the droplets as they pass through the curtain. One sensor in combination with a controller detects the position of the droplets relative to a desired trajectory to the irradiation site so that a signal can be sent to an actuator of a droplet generator to adjust orientation of the droplet generator and direct subsequent droplets to the irradiation site, as in the prior art. A second sensor, or droplet detection module, also detects each droplet as it passes through the curtain, and in combination with a controller determines when the source laser should generate a pulse so that the pulse will arrive at the irradiation site at the same time as the droplet, and sends a signal to the source laser to fire at the correct time.
US08809821B2 Holder device, chamber apparatus, and extreme ultraviolet light generation system
A holder device for holding an optical element includes a holder having first and second members to sandwich the optical element therebetween, and a sealing member for creating a seal between the second member and the optical element.
US08809803B2 Inductively coupled plasma ion source with multiple antennas for wide ion beam
A wide ion beam source includes a plurality of RF windows arranged in a predetermined relationship, a single plasma chamber disposed on a first side of the plurality of RF windows, a plurality of RF antennas, each RF antenna of the plurality of RF antennas disposed on a second side of a respective RF window of the plurality of RF windows, the second side being opposite the first side, and a plurality of RF sources, each RF source coupled to a respective RF antenna of the plurality of RF antennas, wherein a difference in frequency of a first RF signal produced by a first RF source coupled to a first RF antenna from that of a second RF signal produced by a second RF source coupled to an RF antenna adjacent to the first RF antenna is greater than 10 kHz.
US08809799B2 Charged particles beam apparatus and charged particles beam apparatus design method
Problems to be solved: To obtain higher brightness than Langmuir limit. Adjust brightness to the optimum value.Method of resolution: To obtain such beams, the following means and methods are effective. A charged particles beam apparatus consisting of a charged particle source, a beam drawing electrode, and a beam control electrode, wherein; after the charged particles beam source a condenser lens is designed, and brightness of the charged particles beam is adjusted by adjusting a magnification factor of said condenser lens.
US08809796B2 Lag compensating X-ray detector and method of driving the same
An X-ray detector and a method of driving the X-ray detector, which accurately compensate for an image lag of an X-ray scanning by using an X-ray image and a dark image, are provided. A stand-by time for the X-ray scanning may be reduced by increasing the accuracy of the image lag compensation.
US08809793B2 System and method for pixelated detector calibration
Present embodiments relate to the calibration of detectors having one or more arrays of pixelated detectors. According to an embodiment, a method includes detecting optical outputs generated by a plurality of scintillation crystals of a detector with an array of pixelated detectors, generating, with the array of pixelated detectors, respective signals indicative of the optical outputs, generating, from the respective signals, a unique energy spectrum correlated to each of the plurality of scintillation crystals, grouping subsets of the plurality of scintillation crystals into macrocrystals, determining a representative energy spectrum peak for each macrocrystal based on the respective energy spectra of the scintillation crystals in the macrocrystal, comparing a value of the representative energy spectrum peak for each macrocrystal with a target peak value, and adjusting an operating parameter of at least one pixelated detector in the array of pixelated detectors as a result of the comparison.
US08809792B2 Field-of-view-dependent coincidence window for positron emission tomography
A method and apparatus for determining a coincidence window for imaging a region of interest of an object using a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner. The method includes determining a diameter of a transverse field of view (FOV) for imaging the region of interest of the object; and calculating the coincidence window based on the determined diameter, a ring diameter of the PET scanner, an axial length of the PET scanner, and a time-of-flight resolution of the PET scanner.
US08809788B2 Rotating sensor for occupancy detection
A system to detect occupants is provided. The system may rotate the field of views of multiple sensors in order to scan an area. The system may scan the area multiple times. The system may determine the number of occupants in the area based on a comparison of a scan of the area with a scan of the area when the area is determined to be unoccupied. The system may determine the number of occupants in the area based on a maximum number of occupants detected by any of the sensors. The system may also determine a location of an object or an occupant from scans of the area obtained from multiple sensors.
US08809787B2 Gunshot detection system and method
A device and a method for use in detection of a muzzle flash event is described. The device can include a Photo Detector Array (PDA), sensitive in at least a portion of the NIR and SWIR spectrum, and a filter of electromagnetic radiation selectively passing in this portion a spectral range of low atmospheric transmission, the PDA has an integration time shorter than a duration of the muzzle flash event.
US08809784B2 Incident radiation detector packaging
In accordance with particular embodiments, a method for packaging an incident radiation detector includes depositing an opaque solder resistant material on a first surface of a transparent lid substrate configured to cover at least one detector. The method also includes forming at least one cavity in the lid substrate. The method further includes forming a first portion of at least one hermetic seal ring on the opaque solder resistant material. The first portion of each hermetic seal ring surrounds a perimeter of a corresponding cavity in the lid substrate. The method also includes aligning the first portion of the at least one hermetic seal ring with a second portion of the at least one hermetic seal ring. The method additionally includes bonding the first portion of the at least one hermetic seal ring with the second portion of the at least one hermetic seal ring with solder.
US08809782B2 Scanning electron microscope
A scanning electron microscope includes a main scanning electron microscope unit having an electron optical column and a sample chamber, a controller over the main scanning electron microscope unit, a single housing that houses both the main scanning electron microscope unit and the controller, and a bottom plate disposed under the single housing, the main scanning electron microscope unit and the controller. A first leg member is attached to a bottom face of the bottom plate on a side of the controller with a first opening hole provided through the bottom plate on a side of the main scanning electron microscope unit, and a damper is fixed to a bottom face of the main scanning electron microscope unit and disposed through the first opening hole.
US08809775B2 Curtain gas filter for high-flux ion sources
A curtain-gas filter for a mass- or mobility-spectrometer that bars gases or vapors of a high-flux atmospheric pressure ion source, as we ions of high mobility and charged droplets, from entering an evacuated mass spectrometer or a mobility spectrometer that is at a lower pressure than the main filter volume of the curtain-gas filter. A portion of the ion-source buffer gas in the ion-source plume is sucked through an ion-source buffer gas inlet into the main filter volume of the curtain-gas filter, from where this ion-source gas is exhausted after a properly shaped electric field has pushed a large portion of the embedded ions into an externally provided stream of a clean buffer gas, which is sucked through a passage into a mass- or mobility-spectrometer that is at a lower pressure.
US08809771B2 Devices, systems, and methods for dispersive energy imaging
Devices, systems, and methods for dispersive energy imaging are disclosed. The full three-dimensional velocity distribution function of a flowing particle stream may be measured and properties of the particle stream characterized. In some devices, an aperture system controls the entry of a stream of particles into the sensor where an electrostatic deflector separates the stream of particles into different species, and a detector system senses the separated species.
US08809748B2 Apparatus and method for post heat treating pipe or weld joints
An apparatus and method for heating a pipe prior to performing a welding operation, an interpass welding operation, a hydrogen bake-out operation of a weld joint or for post heat-treating of a weld joint is provided. The heating apparatus can include at least one heating collar placed around a pipe or weld joint, and a controller unit for controlling the thermal heat energy transferred from the heating collar to the pipe or weld joint.
US08809747B2 Current peak spreading schemes for multiplexed heated array
A method of operating a heating plate for a substrate support assembly used to support a semiconductor substrate in a semiconductor processing apparatus, wherein the heating plate comprises power supply lines and power return lines and respective heater zone connected between every pair of power supply line and power return line. The method reduces maximum currents carried by the power supply lines and power return lines by temporally spreading current pulses for powering the heater zones.
US08809735B2 Consumable electrode arc welding method and consumable electrode arc welding device
If a short circuit does not occur during deceleration of a wire feed speed in forward feed of a welding wire before the wire feed speed reaches a predetermined wire feed speed, a cyclic change is stopped and the wire feed speed is constantly controlled at the first feed speed. If a short circuit occurs during forward feed at the first feed speed, deceleration from the first feed speed starts, and the cyclic change is resumed for welding. This achieves uniform weld bead without increasing spatters even if any external disturbance such as change of distance between a tip and base material occurs.
US08809734B2 Methods and systems for thermal-based laser processing a multi-material device
A method and system for locally processing a predetermined microstructure formed on a substrate without causing undesirable changes in electrical or physical characteristics of the substrate or other structures formed on the substrate are provided. The method includes providing information based on a model of laser pulse interactions with the predetermined microstructure, the substrate and the other structures. At least one characteristic of at least one pulse is determined based on the information. A pulsed laser beam is generated including the at least one pulse. The method further includes irradiating the at least one pulse having the at least one determined characteristic into a spot on the predetermined microstructure. The at least one determined characteristic and other characteristics of the at least one pulse are sufficient to locally process the predetermined microstructure without causing the undesirable changes.
US08809733B2 Sub-surface marking of product housings
Techniques or processes for providing markings on products are disclosed. In one embodiment, the products have housings and the markings are to be provided on sub-surfaces of the housings. For example, a housing for a particular product can include an outer housing surface and the markings can be provided on a sub-surface the outer housing surface yet still be visible from the outside of the housing. Since the markings are beneath the surface of the housing, the markings are durable.
US08809727B2 Heat treatment apparatus
The present invention relates to a heat treatment apparatus that performs activation annealing or defect repair annealing and surface oxidization which succeed impurity doping intended to control the conductive property of a semiconductor substrate. In the present invention, a sample to be heated is placed on a lower electrode in a plasma treatment chamber. A gap between an upper electrode and the lower electrode is filled with a gap whose main raw material is a rare gas (helium, argon, krypton, xenon, or the like) having a pressure close to the atmospheric pressure. A power fed from a high-frequency power supply is applied to the upper electrode in order to induce an atmospheric-pressure glow discharge. Gas heating in the gap between the electrodes, which depends on the glow discharge, is used to heat-treat the sample to be heated.
US08809716B2 Haptic steering wheel switch apparatus and haptic steering wheel swtich system including the same
The present invention provides a haptic steering wheel switch apparatus including: a haptic wheel housing unit configured to be disposed on a vehicle steering wheel; a circuit board unit configured to be disposed inside the haptic wheel housing unit; and a haptic wheel device including a haptic wheel device actuator configured to establish an electrical connection with the circuit board unit and including a haptic shaft, a haptic knob connected with the haptic shaft and exposedly disposed in the haptic wheel housing unit, and a haptic wheel device sensing unit configured to detect the rotating state of the haptic shaft, wherein the haptic wheel device is disposed on a front or rear side of the vehicle steering wheel, and a haptic steering wheel switch system including the same.
US08809710B2 Actuation unit
The invention relates to an actuation unit of a moving part (1) of a motor vehicle, in particular a rear hood (1), comprising an actuation part (10) that is fastened to a housing part (20), at least two conductor elements (21) disposed on the housing part (20), an elastically deformable contact element (22) that cooperates with the conductor elements (21), a plunger (11), which is disposed at the actuation part (10), for deforming the contact element (22). According to the invention, the actuation part (10) and the housing part (20) delimit an internal space (2) that is totally closed off from the environment (3), and the actuation part (10) is mounted pivotably about an axis (4) that runs axisymetrically with respect to the internal space (2).
US08809707B2 Combination pressure switch with manual shutoff
A combination pressure switch including a pressure switch moveable between open and closed positions in response to a working pressure of a fluid, the pressure switch including a contact assembly having first and second terminals electrically connected through a current-carrying member movable by the pressure switch, and a manual switch configured to move the current-carrying member independent of the movement of the pressure switch.
US08809703B2 Keys with double-diving-board spring mechanisms
Keys may be formed for keyboards. The keyboards may be attached to electronic devices such as computers or may be formed within a portable computer or other electronic equipment. A keyboard may be provided with a planar housing member such as a top plate. The top plate may have openings through which key caps protrude. Each key cap may be attached to a respective spring mechanism. The spring mechanism for each key may have first and second diving-board structures that flex about respective parallel flex axes. A dome switch may be mounted under each spring mechanism. The dome switch is compressed when the key cap is pressed and the first diving-board structure moves towards the dome switch. The top plate may have edge portions surrounding each key opening that form upstop structures that prevent the key caps and spring mechanisms from tilting when the dome switch is compressed.
US08809701B2 Connecting device for electrical junction boxes
A connecting device for electrical junction boxes, including a sleeve member that can be inserted in a first hole of a first wall of a first box and in a second hole provided in a second wall of a second box to be joined to the first box. An annular gasket is fitted around the sleeve and is located between the two walls. The sleeve has a first end provided with a plate that is internal to the first box and a second end provided with an abutment means that engages the inner side of the second wall. The insertion of a wedge member, which is applied between the plate and the first wall, gradually moves the plate away from the inner side, pushing the walls against each other and compressing the gasket between them.
US08809693B2 Three-dimensional circuit board
A three-dimensional circuit board is formed by comprising a board, a first wiring-electrode group provided on a plurality of steps above the board, and a second wiring-electrode connected to the first wiring-electrode group at least in an altitude direction, in which at least a connecting portion between the first wiring-electrode group and the second wiring-electrode is integrated in a continuously identical shape.
US08809689B2 Systems and methods for composite structures with embedded interconnects
A composite interconnect assembly includes a body structure formed from a composite material (e.g., a carbon graphite material) with one or more conductive traces embedded therein (e.g., a copper or copper alloy). One or more contact regions are provided such that the conductive traces are exposed and are configured to mechanically and electrically connect to one or more electronic components. The body structure may have a variety of shapes, including planar, cylindrical, conical, and the like.
US08809687B2 Flexible printed board and method of manufacturing same
[Object]To provide a flexible printed board improved in bendability.[Means for solving]The flexible printed board 2 comprises: an insulating substrate 21; a circuit wiring 22 laid on the insulating substrate 21; a circuit protection layer 23 laid on the circuit wiring 22; a shield conductive layer 24 laid on the circuit protection layer 23; and a shield insulating layer 25 laid on the shield conductive layer 24, and is characterized by meeting the following Expression (1). 0.75≦E2/E1≦1.29  Expression (1) Note that E1 denotes the tensile elastic modulus of the shield conductive layer 24 and E2 denotes the tensile elastic modulus of the shield insulating layer 25.
US08809682B2 Divided conduit
A divided conduit containing a thermoplastic conduit and at least one strip-shaped textile. The strip-shaped substrate may be a strip-shaped textile or a strip-shaped film and has a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge which are adhered to or embedded into the inner surface of the conduit forming at least two flexible, longitudinal channels for enveloping cables or other elongated structures.
US08809675B2 Solar cell system
A solar cell system includes a number of P-N junction cells, a number of inner electrodes, a first collecting electrode, a second collecting electrode and a reflector. The number of the P-N junction cells is M. M is equal to or greater than 2. The M P-N junction cells are arranged from a first P-N junction cell to an Mth P-N junction cell along the straight line. The P-N junction cells are arranged in series along a straight line. The number of the inner electrodes is M−1. At least one inner electrode includes a carbon nanotube array. A photoreceptive surface is parallel to the straight line. A reflector is located on an emitting surface opposite to the photoreceptive surface.
US08809668B2 Transparent substrate equipped with an electrode
The subject of the invention is a transparent substrate, especially made of glass, which is provided with an electrode, especially for a solar cell, comprising a conductive layer based on molybdenum Mo with a thickness of at most 500 nm, especially at most 400 nm or at most 300 nm or at most 200 nm.
US08809665B2 Electronic percussion gestures for touchscreens
Methods, computer program products, and systems for receiving gestures and producing percussion instrument signals are disclosed. An exemplary method includes receiving a gesture on an area of a touchscreen representing a percussion instrument and generating a signal based on the gesture and area. The gesture can be a single point initiation touch on an area, and a drag into another area. The gesture can be a two-touch point initiation touch on a first area, and a change in distance between the points to change a first parameter such as repeat rate. Such gestures can further include translation of the touch points as a group along an axis to change a second parameter such as volume, pitch, or reverb.
US08809664B2 Support function recommending apparatus, a support function recommending method, a support function recommending system, and a recording medium
Plural electronic musical instruments 2 obtain proficiency level related information, that includes items such as usage amounts of plural support functions which are used by a user in performing a playing practice of a practice piece during a period from a previous practice to the last practice and a proficiency level of a playing technique of a practice piece, and supply the information to a server 1. The server stores the received proficiency level related information in a database 14. Upon receipt of the information, a controlling unit 12 of the server 1 sends back the electronic musical instrument 2 information indicating the support function most suitable for practicing the practice piece determined on the basis of the received information and a series of information stored in the database containing the proficiency level related information including the item of the proficiency level corresponding to an aimed level.
US08809658B2 Keyboard device for electronic musical instrument
A keyboard device includes plural white and black keys 11w, 11b that rock according to a key depression/release operation. Positions of key support portions 13w, 13b supporting the plural white and black keys 11b, 11w in the longitudinal direction are set to be different from one another. The keyboard device also includes hammers 16w, 16b that rock with the rocking movement of the plural white and black keys 11w, 11b. The plural white and black keys 11w, 11b include drive units 11w1, 11b1 that drive the hammers 16w, 16b. The drive units 11w1, 11b1 and the pivot centers of the hammers are located on the same straight line extending in the lateral direction. An upper-limit stopper 21 and a lower-limit stopper 20, which restrict the rocking movement of the hammers 16w, 16b, are provided to extend in the lateral direction.
US08809657B2 Inverted keyboard instrument and method of playing the same
An electronic keyboard instrument is provided and methods of playing and assembling the same. The instrument comprises a controller for enabling activation of electronic signals having audible, visible, amplifiable, recordable and/or like characteristics, and a power source for operating the controller. A first keyboard is provided having a first selected length and being oriented in a first direction such that (i) audible notes of music from at least one internal sound module and/or at least one external sound module, (ii) recordable data to be enhanced or modified by an external sequencer or program controlled apparatus, (iii) photoelectric signals, and (iv) processes or mechanisms, triggered or controlled by external signals or data, for controlling machines, video playback or lighting, and/or the like may be generated and/or activated using a first hand of one or more users. A second keyboard with a second selected length is generally coextensive with and oriented generally opposite to the first such that (i) audible notes of music from at least one internal sound module and/or at least one external sound module, (ii) recordable data to be enhanced or modified by an external sequencer or program controlled apparatus, (iii) photoelectric signals, and (iv) processes or mechanisms, triggered or controlled by external signals or data, for controlling machines, video playback or lighting, and/or the like may be generated and/or activated using a second hand of the one or more users. In addition, an interface connects the controller to at least one external device having sound module, and/or sequencing and signal enhancement functions. A plurality of peripheral devices operatively connected thereto permit interactive control and manipulation of the signals. Finally, a wearable support is mounted to the instrument for suspending the first and second keyboards from the user's body during instrument operation. Alternatively, the instrument is suspended by a support structure in a generally horizontal fashion for simultaneous operation by multiple users.
US08809653B2 Inbred corn line BC110
An inbred corn line, designated BC110, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of inbred corn line BC110, to the plants and plant parts of inbred corn line BC110 and to methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, by crossing inbred corn line BC110 with itself or another corn line. The invention also relates to products produced from the seeds, plants, or parts thereof, of inbred corn line BC110 and/or of the hybrids produced using the inbred as a parent. The invention further relates to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line BC110.
US08809650B1 Maize variety inbred PH1MHD
A novel maize variety designated PH1MHD and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1MHD with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1MHD 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 PH1MHD or a locus conversion of PH1MHD with another maize variety.
US08809649B1 Maize variety hybrid X13B607
A novel maize variety designated X13B607 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X13B607 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13B607 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13B607, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13B607. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13B607.
US08809645B1 Maize hybrid X13C755
A novel maize variety designated X13C755 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X13C755 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13C755 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13C755, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13C755. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13C755.
US08809641B1 Maize inbred PH1MB5
A novel maize variety designated PH1MB5 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1MB5 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1MB5 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 PH1MB5 or a locus conversion of PH1MB5 with another maize variety.
US08809633B2 Lettuce cultivar champion
A lettuce cultivar, designated Champion, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of lettuce cultivar Champion, to the plants of lettuce cultivar Champion and to methods for producing a lettuce plant by crossing the cultivar Champion with itself or another lettuce cultivar. The invention further relates to methods for producing a lettuce plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic lettuce plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to lettuce cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar Champion, to methods for producing other lettuce cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar Champion and to the lettuce plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid lettuce seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar Champion with another lettuce cultivar.
US08809632B2 Lettuce cultivar Carlsbad
A lettuce cultivar, designated Carlsbad, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of lettuce cultivar Carlsbad, to the plants of lettuce cultivar Carlsbad and to methods for producing a lettuce plant by crossing the cultivar Carlsbad with itself or another lettuce cultivar. The invention further relates to methods for producing a lettuce plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic lettuce plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to lettuce cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar Carlsbad, to methods for producing other lettuce cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar Carlsbad and to the lettuce plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid lettuce seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar Carlsbad with another lettuce cultivar.
US08809630B2 Polynucleotides and polypeptides in plants
The invention relates to plant transcription factor polypeptides, polynucleotides that encode them, homologs from a variety of plant species, and methods of using the polynucleotides and polypeptides to produce transgenic plants having advantageous properties compared to a reference plant. Sequence information related to these polynucleotides and polypeptides can also be used in bioinformatic search methods and is also disclosed.
US08809618B2 Transgenic mouse for screening and for studies of the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of ligands acting on the oestrogen receptor and its intracellular receptors, and method for the preparation thereof
The object of the invention is a method for the production of a non-human transgenic mammal by means of which it is possible to monitor in vivo and in all the tissues the state of activation of any intracellular receptor, utilizing a reporter gene inducible by natural or synthetic molecules which modulate the activity of such receptor. The mammal is question is preferably a mouse.
US08809613B2 Method for preparing linear alpha-olefins
The present invention relates to a method for preparing linear alpha-olefins (LAO) by oligomerization of ethylene in the presence of a solvent and homogeneous catalyst, comprising the steps of: (i) feeding ethylene, solvent and catalyst into an oligomerization reactor, (ii) oligomerizing the ethylene in the reactor, (iii) removing a reactor outlet stream comprising solvent, linear alpha-olefins, optionally unreacted ethylene and catalyst from the reactor via a reactor outlet piping system, (iv) dosing at least one additive selected from the group consisting of alcohols, poly-ethylene glycols, polyethylene glycol monoethers, polyethylene glycol diethers, polyamines, amines, amino alcohols and surfactants, (v) transferring the reactor outlet stream containing the additive to a catalyst deactivation and removal section, and (vi) deactivating the catalyst with caustic and removing the deactivated catalyst from the reactor outlet stream, wherein the residence time of the additive in the reactor outlet stream prior to mixing with caustic is at least 1 second preferably at least 5 seconds, more preferably at least 10 seconds.
US08809607B2 Co-production of renewable diesel and renewable gasoline
A process for co-production of renewable diesel fuel range hydrocarbons and gasoline fuel range hydrocarbons from biomass-derived oils and fatty materials (e.g. triglycerides, diglycerides, monoglycerides, and free fatty acids) and biomass-derived polyol (e.g. sorbitol, xylitol, trehalose, sucrose, and sugar alcohol), respectively, in a same refinery hydrotreater with or without co-feeding of diesel fuel range hydrocarbons.
US08809602B2 Method of producing iodizing agent, and method of producing aromatic iodine compound
A method of the present invention, for producing an iodizing agent, includes the step of electrolyzing iodine molecules in a solution by using an acid as a supporting electrolyte. This realizes (i) a method of producing an iodine cation suitable for use as an iodizing agent that does not require a sophisticated separation operation after iodizing reaction is completed, and (ii) an electrolyte used in the method. Further, a method of the present invention, for producing an aromatic iodine compound, includes the step of causing an iodizing agent, and an aromatic compound whose nucleus has one or more substituent groups and two or more hydrogen atoms, to react with each other under the presence of a certain ether compound. This realizes such a method of producing an aromatic iodine compound that position selectivity in iodizing reaction of an aromatic compound is improved.
US08809598B2 Producing ethanol using two different streams from acetic acid carbonylation process
This invention relates to processes for producing ethanol from at least two different streams obtained by carbonylating methanol. The process comprises the steps of reacting carbon monoxide with at least one reactant in a first reactor containing a reaction medium to produce a reaction solution comprising acetic acid, wherein the at least one reactant is selected from the group consisting of methanol, methyl acetate, methyl formate, dimethyl ether and mixtures thereof and wherein the reaction medium comprises water, acetic acid, methyl iodide, and a first catalyst, purifying the reaction solution to yield an acetic acid product stream and at least one derivative stream, introducing the acetic acid product stream and the at least one derivative stream into a second reactor in the presence of a second catalyst to form a crude ethanol product, and recovering ethanol from the crude ethanol product.
US08809591B2 Process for the manufacture of TMHQ
The present invention is directed to a process for the manufacture of 2,3,5-trimethyl-hydro-p-benzoquinone comprising the following steps: a) hydrogenating 2,6-dimethyl-p-benzoquinone with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst in an organic solvent to obtain 2,6-dimethyl-hydro-p-benzoquinone; b) reacting 2,6-dimethyl-hydro-p-benzoquinone with a secondary amine and formal-dehyde in an organic solvent to obtain 2,6-dimethyl-3-(N,N-disubstituted aminomethyl)-hydro-p-benzoquinone; c) reacting 2,6-dimethyl-3-(N,N-disubstituted aminomethyl)-hydro-p-benzoquinone with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst in an organic solvent to obtain 2,3,5-trimethylhydro-p-benzoquinone; wherein the organic solvent in all steps a), b) and c) is independently selected from the group consisting of methyl tert.-butyl ether, ethyl tert.-butyl ether, methyl tert.-amyl ether, methoxycyclopentane and any mixtures thereof. Preferably the organic solvent used in all steps a), b) and c) is the same.
US08809582B2 Process for preparing surface-reacted calcium carbonate and its use
The present invention relates to an economic process for preparing surface-reacted calcium carbonate. The present invention further relates to a surface-reacted calcium carbonate having an increased specific BET surface area, and the use of a process for adjusting the specific BET surface area.
US08809581B2 Method of making 6-aminocaproic acid as active pharmaceutical ingredient
The present invention provides a method for making 6-aminocaproic acid as an active pharmaceutical ingredient. The method comprises: performing a hydrolysis procedure to have ε-caprolactam react with acid or base to generate a first reaction mixture, performing a modification procedure to have a solubility regulating agent reacts with 6-aminocaproic acid in the first reaction mixture to form a second reaction mixture including an aminocaproic acid intermediate, performing a separation procedure to have the intermediate separated from the second reaction mixture and performing a hydrogenation procedure to have the aminocaproic acid intermediate hydrogenated to form a 6-aminocaproic acid product.
US08809565B2 5-sulfoisophthalic acid salts and process for the preparation thereof
This invention relates to methods for the production of sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, magnesium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, aluminum, copper (II) and zinc salts of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid. In addition, this disclosure describes new compositions of matter, specifically, the rubidium, manganese, cobalt, nickel, and copper (II) salts of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid. The method utilizes the addition of metals salts to a crude sulfonation solution of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid.
US08809558B1 Synthetic methods and intermediates for the preparation of xenicanes
The invention provides novel synthetic intermediates and synthetic methods that are useful for preparing compounds of the xenicane family. Certain compounds of the invention may also possess anti-cancer properties.
US08809557B2 Method for producing optically active fluorinated oxetane
Disclosed is a method of producing an optically active fluorinated oxetane, which can be an important pharmaceutical or agricultural intermediate, by reaction of a fluorinated α-keto ester with an acyl alkenyl ether in the presence of a transition metal complex with an optically active ligand. This method utilizes a catalytic asymmetric synthesis process and does not require a stoichiometric amount of chiral source. It is thus possible to dramatically reduce the amount of use of the asymmetric catalyst especially when the reaction is performed at a high concentration of substrate (with the use of a small amount of reaction solvent) or in the absence of a reaction solvent (under neat conditions). Further, the target optically active fluorinated oxetane can be obtained with high yield and with very high optical purity. The product contains almost no difficult-to-separate impurity and shows high chemical purity.
US08809549B2 Esters of bendamustine and related compounds, and medical use thereof
The present invention relates to particular esters of bendamustine and related compounds, and medical uses thereof.
US08809545B2 Aryl pyridine as aldosterone synthase inhibitors
The present invention provides a compound of formula I; a method for manufacturing the compounds of the invention, and its therapeutic uses. The present invention further provides a combination of pharmacologically active agents and a pharmaceutical composition.
US08809538B2 Piperidine-containing compounds and use thereof
A method for preventing and/or treating a metabolic disease, cerebrovascular disease, etc. which comprises administering to a mammal an effective amount of the compound of the formula (I): wherein all symbols have the same meanings as defined in the specification; a salt thereof, an N-oxide thereof, a solvate thereof, or a prodrug thereof. And a novel compound of the formula (I-1): wherein all symbols have the same meanings as defined in the specification; a salt thereof, an N-oxide thereof, a solvate thereof, or a prodrug thereof has an anti-diabetic effect and a neuroprotective effect. Accordingly, the compound of the formula (I) and the compound of the formula (I-1) are useful in a method for preventing and/or treating for a metabolic disease such as diabetes, cerebrovascular disease such as stroke, etc.
US08809531B2 Rhodamine dyes and conjugates
The present invention relates generally to novel rhodamine dyes which upon conjugation with another molecule form single isomeric conjugation products. These novel rhodamine dyes contain only one single functional group on the rhodomine molecule for conjugation so that their conjugation products are single isomeric conjugation products.
US08809530B1 Compositions of protein receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors
The present invention relates to novel synthetic substituted heterocyclic compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same that are capable of inhibiting or antagonizing a family of receptor tyrosine kinases, Tropomysosin Related Kinases (Trk), in particular the nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor, TrkA. The invention further concerns the use of such compounds in the treatment and/or prevention of pain, cancer, restenosis, atherosclerosis, psoriasis, thrombosis, or a disease, disorder or injury relating to dysmyelination or demyelination or the disease or disorder associated with abnormal activities of NGF recptor TrkA.
US08809527B2 Modulators of toll-like receptors
Provided are modulators of TLRs of Formula II: pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, compositions containing such compounds, and therapeutic methods that include the administration of such compounds.
US08809526B2 Synthesis of cyclopentaquinazolines
A method of producing 6-amino-cyclopenta[g]quinazolines, in enantiomerically enriched form, is provided. In particular, the method may be applicable to the synthesis of N—{N-{4-[N-((6S)-2 -hydroxymethyl-4-oxo-3,4,7,8-tetrahydro-6H-cyclo-penta[g]quinazolin-6-yl)-N-(prop-2 -ynyl)amino]benzoyl}-L-γ-glutamyl}-D-glutamic acid (ONX-0801).
US08809525B2 1,2,4-triazine-4-amine derivatives
According to the invention there is provided a compound of formula A1 which may be useful in the treatment of a condition or disorder ameliorated by the inhibition of the A1-A2b or, particularly, the A2a receptor wherein the compound of formula A1 has the structure, wherein, A represents Cy1 or HetA; Cy1 represents a 5- to 14-membered aromatic, fully saturated or partially unsaturated carbocyclic ring system comprising one, two or three rings, which Cy1 group is optionally substituted by one or more R4a substituents; HetA represents a 5- to 14-membered heterocyclic group that may be aromatic, fully saturated or partially unsaturated, and which contains one or more heteroatoms selected from O, S and N, which heterocyclic group may comprise one, two or three rings and which HetA group is optionally substituted by one or more R4b substituents; B represents a Cy2 or HetB; Cy2 represents a 3- to 10-membered aromatic, fully saturated or partially unsaturated carbocyclic ring system comprising one or two rings, which Cy2 group is optionally substituted by one or more R4c substituents; HetB represents a 3- to 10-membered heterocyclic group that may be aromatic, fully saturated or partially unsaturated, and which contains one or more heteroatoms selected from O, S and N, which heterocyclic group may comprise one or two rings and which HetB group is optionally substituted by one or more R4d substituents.
US08809524B2 Phenylacetic acid compound
A compound represented by formula (I), wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, etc., R2 and R3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, optionally oxidized C1-4 alkyl group or optionally protected hydroxyl group, or R2 and R3 taken together represent optionally oxidized C2-5 alkylene group, R4 represents an optionally oxidized C1-6 alkyl group, etc., R5 represents an optionally oxidized C1-6 alkyl group, etc., R6 represents an optionally oxidized C1-6 alkyl group, etc., m represents 0 or an integer from 1 to 3, n represents 0 or an integer from 1 to 4, and i represents 0 or an integer from 1 to 7.
US08809522B2 Method of preparing a glycoside of a mono- or diacylglycerol product from a plant material
The present invention provides a method of preparing a glycoside of a mono- or diacylglycerol product from a plant material. The method comprises the steps of: (i) optionally milling the plant material, (ii) extracting the optionally milled plant material with a first aqueous extraction solution obtaining a first liquid phase and a first solid phase, (iii) separating the liquid phase from the solid phase to obtain a glycoside of mono- or diacylglycerol product, (iv) extracting the solid phase from step (iii) with a second extraction solution obtaining a second liquid phase and a second phase, and (v) separating the second liquid phase from the second solid phase to obtain a second and a third glycoside of mono- or diacylglycerol product, wherein the second extraction solution further comprises a cell wall degrading enzyme or a mixture of cell wall degrading enzymes.
US08809520B2 Phosphonate nucleosides useful as active ingredients in pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of viral infections, and intermediates for their production
The invention is directed to processes of preparing phosphonate nucleosides comprising a phosphonalkoxy-substituted five-membered, saturated or unsaturated, oxygen-containing ring coupled to a heterocyclic nucleobase such as a pyrimidine or purine base. These compounds can be described by general formula (II)
US08809519B2 Method for nucleic acids isolation
Methods for isolating nucleic acids using a solid phase having alkylene sulfonyl-containing compounds on its surface are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises: contacting a sample containing nucleic acids with a solid phase having alkylene sulfonyl-containing compounds on its surface in a first aqueous solution to provide a loaded solid phase; washing the loaded solid phase with a second aqueous solution to provide a washed solid phase; and eluting the washed solid phase with a low ionic strength liquid to obtain the isolated nucleic acids. Kits containing a solid phase having alkylene sulfonyl-containing compounds also are provided.
US08809515B2 Methods and compositions for the specific inhibition of gene expression by double-stranded RNA
The invention is directed to compositions and methods for selectively reducing the expression of a gene product from a desired target gene in a cell, as well as for treating diseases caused by the expression of the gene. More particularly, the invention is directed to compositions that contain double stranded RNA (“dsRNA”), and methods for preparing them, that are capable of reducing the expression of target genes in eukaryotic cells. The dsRNA has a first oligonucleotide sequence that is between 25 and about 30 nucleotides in length and a second oligonucleotide sequence that anneals to the first sequence under biological conditions. In addition, a region of one of the sequences of the dsRNA having a sequence length of at least 19 nucleotides is sufficiently complementary to a nucleotide sequence of the RNA produced from the target gene to trigger the destruction of the target RNA by the RNAi machinery.
US08809508B2 Diagnostic antibody assay
Diagnostic assays for the diagnosis of amyloidosis, in particular Alzheimer's disease, and related aspects. In particular, monoclonal antibodies and an antibody assay are provided.
US08809504B2 Inhibitor which is deactivatable by a reagent produced by a target cell
The invention relates to molecules inhibiting biologically active compounds and further comprising moieties specifically cleavable by a reagent produced by a target cell. The invention relates to inhibitors that bind, inhibit, suppress, neutralize, or decrease activity of a biologically active agent. Inhibitors comprise at least one moiety that bind, inhibit, suppress, neutralize, or decrease activity of a biologically active agent and at least one moiety that can be cleaved specifically by a reagent produced by target cells. The cleavage deactivates the inhibitor. Following cleavage, the active agent is liberated into the local environment. Administration of the inhibitor alone or together with the active agent suppress the compound's activity until it reaches the proximity of a target cell. Targeted specific release enables the agent concentration in specific site to reach levels that have desired therapeutic effects without systemic toxicity.
US08809503B2 Optimized Fc variants and methods for their generation
The present invention relates to optimized Fc variants, methods for their generation, and antibodies and Fc fusions comprising optimized Fc variants.
US08809501B2 Nucleophilic catalysts for oxime linkage
The invention relates to materials and methods of conjugating a water soluble polymer to an oxidized carbohydrate moiety of a therapeutic protein comprising contacting the oxidized carbohydrate moiety with an activated water soluble polymer under conditions that allow conjugation. More specifically, the present invention relates to the aforementioned materials and methods wherein the water soluble polymer contains an active aminooxy group and wherein an oxime or hydrazone linkage is formed between the oxidized carbohydrate moiety and the active aminooxy group on the water soluble polymer, and wherein the conjugation is carried out in the presence of a nucleophilic catalyst.
US08809500B2 Complexes comprising mammalian raptor polypeptide and mammalian mTOR polypeptide
The present invention relates to isolated raptor nucleic acid molecules of mammalian origin (e.g., human) and complements, portions and variants thereof. Another aspect of the invention are isolated raptor polypeptides of mammalian origin and portions thereof, and antibodies or antigen binding fragments thereof that specifically bind a raptor polypeptide. The present invention also relates to constructs and host cells comprising the nucleic acid molecules described herein. In addition, the present invention relates to uses of the nucleic acid and polypeptide molecules provided herein.
US08809498B2 Pepstatin A derivatives
The invention relates to a compound having a structure according to the general formula P3-P2-P1-P1′-P2′ (I), wherein residues P3, P2, P1, P1′ and P2′ are specifically defined and may be, e.g., certain amino acid residues. The invention further relates to the use of said compound and to a method for synthesizing a peptide.
US08809497B2 Compounds and methods for the treatment of vascular disease
The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of vascular dysfunction, reducing ischemic pain and/or treatment of a vascular disease comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of Annexin A5 or a functional analogue or variant thereof to a patient in need of such treatment. The vascular dysfunction, ischemic pain and/or vascular disease may be associated with impaired endothelium mediated vasodilatation, a reduced eNOS activity, and/or a reduced NO bioavailability. The patient may be suffering from a disease selected from angina pectoris, ischemic heart disease, peripheral artery disease, systolic hypertension, migraine, type 2 diabetes and erectile dysfunction.
US08809495B2 Peptides imparting cell permeability to lipid membrane structure and/or enhancing cell permeability of lipid membrane structure, and lipid membrane structure comprising lipid bound to such peptide as constituent lipid and having cell permeability or showing enhanced cell permeability
Provided are peptides imparting cell permeability to a lipid membrane structure and/or enhancing the cell permeability of a lipid membrane structure, and a lipid membrane structure which comprises, as a constituent lipid, a lipid bound to such a peptide and has cell permeability or shows enhanced cell permeability. The amino acid sequences of the peptides imparting cell permeability to a lipid membrane structure and/or enhancing the cell permeability of a lipid membrane structure are represented by: LX1X2X1X1X1L, LLX2X1X1X1L and LX1X2X1X1L (wherein L represents a leucine residue; X1 represents a polar amino acid residue; and X2 represents a polar, non-charged and branched chain amino acid residue).
US08809489B2 Methods for preparing polymeric reagents and compositions of polymeric reagents
Methods for preparing active carbonate esters of water-soluble polymers are provided. Also provided are other methods related to the active carbonate esters of water-soluble polymers, as well as corresponding compositions.
US08809456B2 Polyolefin compositions and methods of production thereof
This invention relates to methods for producing an alkene terminated polystyrene, including: contacting a styrenic block copolymer and an alkene in the presence of a metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to produce an alkene terminated polystyrene having an unsaturation functionality of at least 0.7 and a MWD of about 1.5 or less. Methods for producing functionalized polymers and polyethylene blend composition comprising these functionalized polymers are also disclosed.
US08809455B2 Elastomeric compositions and their use in articles
A dynamically vulcanized alloy contains at least one isobutylene-containing elastomer and at least one thermoplastic resin, wherein the elastomer is present as a dispersed phase of small vulcanized or partially vulcanized particles in a continuous phase of the thermoplastic resin. The dynamically vulcanized alloy also contains an anhydride functionalized oligomer. The alloy maintains a high Shore A hardness value while obtaining improved flowability for processing.
US08809454B2 Pressure-sensitive adhesive composition and pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet using the same
A pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet is formed by using: a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition comprising (A) a polyrotaxane having a linear-chain molecule passing through opening portions of at least two cyclic molecules, the cyclic molecules having a reactive group, the polyrotaxane having blocking groups at both ends of the linear-chain molecule, and (B) a pressure-sensitive adhesive polymer having two or more functional groups capable of reacting with the reactive group; or, a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition comprising (A) a polyrotaxane having a linear-chain molecule passing through opening portions of at least two cyclic molecules, the cyclic molecules having a reactive group, the polyrotaxane having blocking groups at both ends of the linear-chain molecule, (B′) a pressure-sensitive adhesive polymer having two or more reactive groups, and (C) a compound having two or more functional groups capable of reacting with the reactive group of the polyrotaxane (A) and the reactive groups of the polymer (B′). As a result there can be provided a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet comprising a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer excellent in flexibility and having high gel fraction and durability, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition that constitutes the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.
US08809453B2 Branched polymers
The present invention is directed to branched reactive water-soluble polymers comprising at least two polymer arms, such as poly(ethylene glycol), attached to a central aliphatic hydrocarbon core molecule through heteroatom linkages. The branched polymers bear at least one functional group for reacting with a biologically active agent to form a biologically active conjugate. The functional group of the branched polymer can be directly attached to the aliphatic hydrocarbon core or via an intervening linkage, such as a heteroatom, -alkylene-, —O-alkylene-O—, -alkylene-O-alkylene-, -aryl-O—, —O-aryl-, (—O-alkylene-)m, or (-alkylene-O—)m linkage, wherein m is 1-10.
US08809446B2 Substituted 3-oxopentanoates and their uses in coating compositions
Substituted 3-oxopentanoates are disclosed that correspond to the following formula 1: in which R is hydrogen, or a methyl group; X is a straight-chain, branched, or cyclic alkyl or alkyl ether group having from 1 to 15 carbon atoms or aromatic group having from 6 to 15 carbon atoms; and Y1 and Y2 are independently hydrogen or an alkyl having 1 to 2 carbon atoms. Also disclosed are emulsion polymers, suspension polymers, and solution polymers that comprise residues from the substituted 3-oxopentanoate monomers, and that may also include one or more additional ethylenically unsaturated monomers. Also disclosed are coating compositions that include a latex emulsion polymer and the substituted 3-oxopentanoate monomer of formula 1 provided as a coalescent.
US08809434B2 Process for preparing aramid copolymer
The invention concerns processes for forming a polymer comprising residues of terephthaloyl chloride, paraphenylene diamine, and a salt of formula I wherein A− is a halogen anion, HSO4−, OH−, NO3−, C2H3O2−, or H2PO4−; the process comprising the steps of: a) forming a mixture comprising salt of formula I and paraphenylene diamine in a solvent system comprising an organic solvent and an inorganic salt; and b) adding terephthaloyl chloride to the mixture and allowing the formation of the polymer.
US08809430B2 Mixtures, compositions, and methods of applying mixtures as coatings
Mixtures are provided that can include: latex polymer; antifoam; surfactant; plasticizer; ether; fungicide; glycol; and liquid stabilizer. Mixtures comprising: glycol; antioxidant; and defoamer. Compositions are provided that can include: a substrate; and a mixture over the substrate, the mixture comprising one or more of: latex polymer; antifoam; surfactant; plasticizer; ether; fungicide; glycol; liquid stabilizer; and antioxidant. Vehicle tires are provided. Plastic vehicle components are provided. Substrate treatment methods are provided that can include applying compositions to the substrate, the compositions comprising one or more of: latex polymer; antifoam; surfactant; plasticizer; ether; fungicide; glycol; liquid stabilizer; and antioxidant. Vehicle tire treatment methods are provided. Vehicle component treatment methods are provided.
US08809428B2 Golf ball
The present disclosure relates to golf balls having components including intermediate layers and outer cover layers prepared from blends of polyamides mixed with one or more functional polymer modifiers. The functional polymer modifier incorporates a copolymer or a terpolymer having a glycidyl group, hydroxyl group, maleic anhydride group or carboxylic group, or a mixture of these. When used in golf ball covers or mantles, these materials exhibit improved impact durability when compared to analogous balls but having ionomeric- or polyurethane-based layers of similar hardness.
US08809412B2 Radiation-curable formulations
The present invention relates to the use of oligomeric siloxane components in radiation-curable formulations which in the cured state offer a particular degree of corrosion control for metallic substrates.
US08809410B2 Process for making a flexible polyurethane foam
Flexible polyurethane foam having a density of 25-70 kg/m3 and a compression load deflection of 5-15 kPa. Process for making a flexible polyurethane foam and the use as plant growth medium and in green roofs and green walls.
US08809400B2 Method to ameliorate oxidative stress and improve working memory via pterostilbene administration
Disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition for treating oxidative stress comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a substantially pure compound of pterostilbene and a physiologically acceptable carrier. Pterostilbene is administered in an amount between about 2.5 mg to about 10 mg per kilogram of subject body weight. Also disclosed is a method for increasing a working memory of a subject, the method comprising administrating an effective amount of a substantially pure compound of pterostilbene, wherein the working memory for a subject increase and the therapeutic effectiveness is about 10 mg of pterostilbene per kilogram of subject body weight.
US08809396B2 Substituted fused-ring compounds for inflammation and immune-related uses
The invention relates to compounds of structural formula (I) or (II): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, wherein L, L1, Y, R1, R2, R9, R10, ring A, ring B, ring C, and ring D are defined herein. These compounds are useful as immunosuppressive agents and for treating and preventing inflammatory conditions, allergic disorders, and immune disorders.
US08809386B2 Use of dynamin ring stabilizers
There is provided a method for promoting dynamin ring formation and/or maintenance of dynamin rings in a cell, comprising treating the cell with an effective amount of a dynamin ring stabilizer, or a prodrug or pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the dynamin ring stabilizer. The maintenance or accumulation of dynamin ring formation has particular application in the prophylaxis or treatment of a kidney disease or condition characterized by proteinuria. A dynamin ring stabilizer can be any agent that interacts with dynamin to promote dynamin ring assembly and/or inhibit dynamin ring disassembly. There are also provided methods for prophylaxis or treatment of podocyte dysfunction and/or maintaining or inducing actin cytoskeleton formation in a cell utilizing dynamin ring stabilizers, and for screening a test agent for use as a dynamin ring stabilizer.
US08809383B2 Pyrazole compound
The present invention relates to a novel serotonin reuptake inhibitor which also exhibits 5-HT2C antagonistic action (antidepressive and anxiolytic effects), in particular, 5-HT2C inverse agonistic action comprising Compound (1): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl etc.; R5 is C4-7 alkyl or —(CR8R9)r-E; R6, R7, R8 and R9 are independently hydrogen, fluorine or C1-6 alkyl; A is C6-10 aryl or heteroaryl etc.; r is 1, 2, 3 or 4; E is C3-8 cycloalkyl or C6-10 aryl etc.; L is oxygen, sulfur or —NR10—; n is 1, 2 or 3; R10 is hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl etc.; and X is hydrogen or halogen etc.
US08809378B2 Metalloenzyme inhibitor compounds
The instant invention describes compounds having metalloenzyme modulating activity, and methods of treating diseases, disorders or symptoms thereof mediated by such metalloenzymes.
US08809375B2 Spot-on pesticide composition
A spot-on pesticide composition for animals, specifically mammals, including dogs and cats, which composition comprises a combination of active components, including fipronil and a pyrethroid, and optionally an insect growth regulator, in doses and proportions which are parasiticidally effective against a variety of insects and pests, and in a formulation which is convenient for local application to the animal's skin, preferably localized over a small surface area.
US08809364B2 Polycyclic aryl substituted triazoles and polycyclic heteroaryl substituted triazoles useful as axl inhibitors
Polycyclic aryl and polycyclic heteroaryl substituted triazoles and pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds are disclosed as being useful in inhibiting the activity of the receptor protein tyrosine kinase Axl. Methods of using the compounds in treating diseases or conditions associated with Axl catalytic activity are also disclosed.
US08809357B2 Compounds and derivatizations of DNAs and RNAs on the nucleobases of pyrimidines for function, structure and therapeutics
The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I), a derivative, or a tautomer thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of said compound or said tautomer; methods of preparation of the same; and methods of counducting drug discovery and research by applying the same in an investigation.
US08809356B2 Inhibitors of NEDD8-activating enzyme
Disclosed are chemical entities which are inhibitors of Nedd8-activating enzyme (NAE), namely, the compound {(1S,2S,4R)-4-[(6-{[(1R,2S)-5-chloro-2-methoxy-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-yl]amino}pyrimidin-4-yl)oxy]-2-hydroxycyclopentyl}methyl sulfamate and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; solid state forms thereof; and prodrugs thereof. Also disclosed are methods of using the chemical entities to treat disorders such as cancer.
US08809352B2 Sulfonamides as inhibitors of Bcl-2 family proteins for the treatments of cancer
The present invention includes novel compound and methods of treating a disease or disorder by antagonizing Bcl-2 family proteins, particularly compounds of formula (I): or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as well as methods of treating a disease, disorder, or syndrome associated with Bcl-2 inhibition, particularly hyperproliferative diseases. The present invention also includes pharmaceutical compositions including compounds of formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
US08809344B2 Compounds, compositions, and methods for control of hepatitis C viral infections
Various tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine compounds, compositions, methods of making, and methods for the prevention and treatment of HCV infections and associated diseases are disclosed. The invention further relates to biomarkers for identification of HCV strains which are resistant to the tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine compounds.
US08809339B2 Compounds and methods for inhibiting phosphate transport
Compounds having activity as phosphate transport inhibitors, more specifically, inhibitors of intestinal apical membrane Na/phosphate co-transport, are disclosed. The compounds have the following structure (I): including stereoisomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof, wherein X, Y and A are as defined herein. Methods associated with preparation and use of such compounds, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, are also disclosed.
US08809336B2 Ortho-condensed pyridine and pyrimidine derivatives (e.g., purines) as protein kinases inhibitors
The invention provides a compound for use as a protein kinase B inhibitor, the compound being a compound of the formula (I) or salts, solvates, tautomers or N-oxides thereof, wherein T is N or CR5; J1-J2 is N═C(R6), (R7)C═N, (R8)N—C(O), (R8)2C—C(O), N═N or (R7)C═C(R6); E is a monocyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic group of 5 or 6 ring members, the heterocyclic group containing up to 3 heteroatoms selected from O, N and S; Q1 is a bond or a saturated C1-3 hydrocarbon linker group, one of the carbon atoms in the linker group being optionally be replaced by an oxygen or nitrogen atom, or an adjacent pair of carbon atoms may be replaced by CONRq or NRqCO where Rq is hydrogen or methyl, or Rq is a C1-4 alkylene chain linked to R1 or a carbon atom of Q1 to form a cyclic moiety; and wherein the carbon atoms of the linker group Q1 may optionally bear one or more substituents selected from fluorine and hydroxy; Q2 is a bond or a saturated hydrocarbon linker group containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, wherein one of the carbon atoms in the linker group may optionally be replaced by an oxygen or nitrogen atom; and wherein the carbon atoms of the linker group may optionally bear one or more substituents selected from fluorine and hydroxy, provided that the hydroxy group when present is not located at a carbon atom a with respect to the G group; and provided that when E is aryl or heteroaryl, then Q2 is other than a bond; G is hydrogen, NR2R3, OH or SH provided that when E is aryl or heteroaryl and Q2 is a bond, then G is hydrogen; R1 is hydrogen or an aryl or heteroaryl group, with the proviso that when R1 is hydrogen and G is NR2R3, then Q2 is a bond; and R2, R3, R4, R6 and R8 are as defined in the claims.
US08809325B2 Benzyl-oxathiazine derivatives substituted with adamantane and noradamantane, medicaments containing said compounds and use thereof
Disclosed is a benzyl-oxathiazine derivative, as shown in Formula I, the derivative being substituted with adamantane or noradamantane: the variables of which are as described herein; also disclosed is a method of preparation and use of same.
US08809320B2 Benzodiazepine derivatives
The invention relates to novel benzodiazepine derivatives with antiproliferative activity and more specifically to novel benzodiazepines of formula (I) and (II), in which the diazepine ring (B) is fused with a heterocyclic ring (CD), wherein the heterocyclic ring is bicyclic or a compound of formula (III), in which the diazepine ring (B) is fused with a heterocyclic ring (C), wherein the heterocyclic ring is monocyclic. The invention provides cytotoxic dimers of these compounds. The invention also provides conjugates of the monomers and the dimers. The invention further provides compositions and methods useful for inhibiting abnormal cell growth or treating a proliferative disorder in a mammal using the compounds or conjugates of the invention. The invention further relates to methods of using the compounds or conjugates for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis or treatment of mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions.
US08809314B1 Cephalosporin compound
The cephalosporin compound of formula (I) is disclosed, which exhibits antibiotic activity against Gram-negative (e.g., Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive (e.g., methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. Methods of manufacturing the compound of formula (I), and uses of the compound in the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions and antibacterial applications are also disclosed.
US08809312B2 Composition and method for affecting obesity and related conditions
A composition including an effective amount of a compound including manganese [III]tetrakis(4-benzoic acid)porphyrin (MnTBAP), derivatives or analogs thereof to induce a reduction in body weight of a mammal or to improve insulin sensitivity of an obese mammal. A method including introducing an effective amount of a compound including manganese [III]tetrakis(4-benzoic acid)porphyrin (MnTBAP), derivatives or analogs thereof to a mammal to induce a reduction in body weight or to induce an increase in metabolism or insulin sensitivity of the mammal.
US08809302B2 Therapeutic approaches for treating alzheimer'S disease
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. More specifically, the present invention relates to novel combinatorial therapies of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. In particular, the invention concerns compounds which, alone or in combination(s), can effectively modulate synapse function and/or angiogenesis and/or cell stress response. The invention also relates to methods of producing a drug or a drug combination for treating Alzheimer's disease and to methods of treating Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder.
US08809298B2 Methods, compositions, unit dosage forms, and kits testing for pharmacologic stress testing with reduced side effects
Methods are presented that comprise the administration of a pharmaceutical composition comprising adenosine and dipyridamole, as well methods comprising the combined administration of dipyridamole administered as a bolus with adenosine given as an infusion, both at dosages below their respective single agent dosages, for detecting the presence and/or assessing the severity of myocardial ischemia during pharmacologic stress tests. The methods are useful for exploiting the vasodilating abilities of adenosine at doses at which side effects related to adenosine are substantially reduced while optimal coronary artery perfusion is achieved. Also presented are compositions, unit dosage forms, and kits that are useful in performing the methods.
US08809282B2 Method of reducing titers of antibodies specific for a therapeutic agent
The present invention relates, in general, to a method of treating patients undergoing enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) or other therapy involving the administration of a proteinaceous therapeutic agent as well gene replacement therapy with non-viral or viral vectors, or other therapeutic modality or modalities, used alone or in combination, which involve the administration of exogenous substances for potential therapeutic benefit, including, but not limited to DNA vaccines, siRNA, splice-site switching oligomers (SSOs) as well as RNA-based nanoparticles (RNPs) and nanovaccines. The invention further relates to compounds and compositions suitable for use in such methods.
US08809275B2 Peptoids and methods for treating alzheimer's disease
Provided herein are peptoids capable of inhibiting or reversing amyloid β (Aβ) fibril or plaque production. The peptoids form a helical structure with three monomers per helical turn and have at least two monomers with a side-chain having an arylalkyl group having the same chirality positioned such that the side-chains are on the same side of the peptoid. Also provided are methods of using the peptoids to inhibit or reverse aggregation of Aβ and methods of treating subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or slowing the progression of AD.
US08809267B2 Antiviral compounds
The invention is related to anti-viral compounds, compositions containing such compounds, and therapeutic methods that include the administration of such compounds, as well as to processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds.
US08809260B2 β-arrestin effectors and compositions and methods of use thereof
This application describes a family of compounds acting as β-arrestin effectors. Such compounds may provide significant therapeutic benefit in the treatment of chronic and acute cardiovascular diseases.
US08809258B2 Method for producing peptide
The present invention provides a method for producing a peptide, characterized in that it comprises converting an —SH group of a peptide comprising an amino acid residue having the —SH group to an —OH group, wherein said method comprises the following steps (a) to (c): (a) allowing an —SH group in a peptide to react with a methylating agent to convert the —SH group to an -SMe group; (b) allowing the -SMe group obtained in the step (a) to react with a cyanizing agent to produce a reaction intermediate; and (c) converting the reaction intermediate obtained in the step (b) to a peptide comprising an amino acid residue having an —OH group under more basic conditions than the conditions in the step (b).
US08809254B2 Azeotrope-like compositions of pentafluoroethane and trifluoroiodomethane
Provided are azeotrope-like compositions comprising heptafluoropropane and trifluoroiodomethane and uses thereof, including use in refrigerant compositions, refrigeration systems, blowing agents, fire suppressant compositions, and aerosol propellants.
US08809250B2 Concentrated film delivery systems
A water soluble strip that includes a carrier film that include water soluble polymer, one or more actives and one or more agents such as heat forming agent and/or degrading accelerator. The water soluble strip can optionally include other additives. The actives includes antimicrobial agent, cleaning agent and/or surfactant. The water soluble strip can include other materials. The heat forming agent and/or degrading accelerator, when used, are designed facilitate in degrading or dissolving the water soluble strip and/or increase the activity of the one or more actives. The water soluble film can be used for a variety of applications such as a hard surface cleaning strip, dishwashing strip, laundry cleaning strip, stop removing strip, drain unclogging strip, toilet bowl cleaning strip and the like. The water soluble strip eliminates the need to purchase and store numerous containers and/or heavy containers of cleaner that take up large amounts of shelf space.
US08809238B2 Probe based nucleic acid detection
The invention provides a method for detecting a target nucleotide sequence by tagging the nucleotide sequence with a nucleotide tag, providing a probe oligonucleotide with a melting temperature Tm1, comprising a regulatory sequence and a nucleotide tag recognition sequence; incorporating the probe oligonucleotide into the tagged polynucleotide in a polynucleotide amplification reaction, providing a regulatory oligonucleotide with a melting temperature Tm2, comprising a sequence segment that is at least partially complementary to the regulatory sequence, amplifying the tagged target nucleic acid sequence in a PCR amplification reaction using the probe oligonucleotide as a primer, and detecting the amplification product; wherein Tm1 and Tm2 are higher than the annealing temperature associated with the polynucleotide amplification reaction.
US08809234B1 Drift reduction compositions for agricultural use
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of agricultural chemicals and, more particularly, to compositions which can be added to agricultural chemicals for the purpose of improving efficacy and reducing drift of sprayed chemicals away from target areas. Further disclosed are processes for preparing combination water conditioning adjuvant and drift reduction compositions as well as methods of drift reduction utilizing such compositions.
US08809229B2 Filter substrate composition
An aggregate composition and process for making the aggregate composition. The aggregate composition includes an insoluble rare earth-containing compound and a polymer binder. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from cerium carbonate or a cerium salt. In a specific embodiment, the aggregate composition consists essentially of one or more cerium oxides, the polymer binder and optionally a flow aid. A process for making the composition includes mixing the insoluble rare earth-containing compound with a polymer binder to form a mixture, and subjecting the mixture to mechanical, chemical and/or thermal treatment to adhere the rare earth compound to the polymer binder. The aggregate composition can be used in a variety of fluid treatment applications to remove one or more chemical and biological contaminants in a fluid.
US08809228B2 Oil adsorbent and method of manufacturing oil adsorbent
According to one embodiment, an oil adsorbent includes inorganic particles and a polymer formed on surfaces of or between the inorganic particles. The content rate of the inorganic particles is 50% by volume or more and 97% by volume or less relative to the inorganic particles and the polymer, and an area of the inorganic particles is 30% or more and 60% or less relative to a cross-section of the inorganic particles and the polymer.
US08809227B1 Metal-absorbing polymer-containing product
A composite product for the selective removal of dissolved heavy metal ions from water includes a high bulk cotton fabric incorporating a thermally generated polymer in sufficient amount to cause stiffening of the composite product and self-curling when immersed in water.
US08809226B2 Method of producing carrier for catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butane, method of producing carrier-supported magnesium orthovanadate catalyst, and method of producing n-butene and 1, 3-butadiene using said catalyst
A method of producing a carrier used for a catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation of n-butane; a method of producing a magnesium orthovanadate catalyst supported by the carrier; and a method of producing n-butene and 1,3-butadiene using the catalyst are described.
US08809220B2 Method of making Ziegler-Natta type catalysts
A process for making a Ziegler-Natta-type catalyst precursor including contacting a Group 4 metal compound with one or more Titanium compounds selected from the group of TiCl3 (Al-activated or hydrogen-reduced), and Ti(OR)4 where R is ethyl, isopropyl or butyl in the presence of an alcohol solution having at least one C2-C4 alcohol and at least one of MgCl2 and magnesium compounds which form MgCl2 in the presence of the alcohol solution to form a catalyst precursor solution is provided. Also provided are catalysts made from the precursors produced by the process. Also provided are polymers made using the catalysts.
US08809212B1 Electrospun fiber mats from polymers having a low Tm, Tg, or molecular weight
Methods and apparatus for forming non-woven fiber mats from polymers and monomers that are traditionally difficult to use for fiber formation are shown and described. Applicable techniques include electrospinning and other traditional fiber formation methods. Suitable polymers and monomers include those having low molecular weight, a low melting point, and/or a low glass transition temperature.
US08809211B2 Industrial two-layer fabric
An industrial two-layer fabric includes an upper side fabric and a lower side fabric. The upper side warps of the upper side fabric comprise a first warp set and a second warp set. The first warp set contains two upper side warps and a warp binding yarn that binds the upper side fabric and the lower side fabric. The two upper side warps are woven with the same upper side wefts. The second warp set contains one upper side warp. At a position where the warp binding yarn passes above one of the upper side wefts, the warp binding yarn is placed between the two upper side warps of the first warp set and pass below the same one of the upper side wefts, whereby the two upper side warps and the warp binding yarn of the first warp set form the upper side warp design.
US08809203B2 Method for manufacturing semiconductor device using a microwave plasma CVD apparatus
It is an object to provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device that has a semiconductor element including a film in which mixing impurities is suppressed. It is another object to provide a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device with high yield. In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device in which an insulating film is formed in contact with a semiconductor layer provided over a substrate having an insulating surface with use of a plasma CVD apparatus, after an inner wall of a reaction chamber of the plasma CVD apparatus is coated with a film that does not include an impurity to the insulating film, a substrate is introduced in the reaction chamber, and the insulating film is deposited over the substrate. As a result, an insulating film in which the amount of impurities is reduced can be formed.
US08809199B2 Method of etching features in silicon nitride films
A processing method is provided for plasma etching features in a silicon nitride (SiN) film covered by a mask pattern. The method includes preparing a film stack on a substrate, the film stack containing a SiN film on the substrate and a mask pattern on the SiN film, forming a plasma from a process gas containing HBr gas, O2 gas, and a carbon-fluorine-containing gas, applying pulsed RF bias power to the substrate, and transferring the mask pattern to the SiN film by exposing the film stack to the plasma.
US08809196B2 Method of etching a thin film using pressure modulation
A method for transferring a feature pattern to a thin film on a substrate is described. The method comprises disposing a substrate comprising one or more mask layers overlying a thin film in a plasma processing system, and forming a feature pattern in the one or more mask layers. The method further comprises transferring the feature pattern in the one or more mask layers to the thin film by: performing a first plasma etching process at a first pressure less than about 80 mtorr, and performing a second plasma etching process at a second pressure greater than about 80 mtorr.
US08809192B2 Method for deposition of at least one electrically conducting film on a substrate
A method for deposition of at least one electrically conducting film on a substrate, wherein the method includes the steps of: selecting a layer of a film material, wherein the layer includes a mask on a front side, and wherein the layer and the mask are one piece; positioning the front side of the layer upon the substrate; applying at least one laser pulse onto a back side of the layer, so as to melt and to vaporize at least parts of the layer such that melt droplets are propelled toward and deposited upon the substrate; and forming the film, wherein at least one slot of the mask limits the distribution of the melt droplets.
US08809188B2 Method for fabricating through substrate vias
A method of fabricating through substrate vias is disclosed. In one aspect, vias are etched from the backside of the substrate down to shallow trench isolation (STI) or the pre-metal dielectric stack (PMD). Extra contacts between metal 1 contact pads and the through-wafer vias are fabricated for realizing the contact between the through wafer vias and the back-end-of-line of the semiconductor chips.
US08809179B2 Method for reducing topography of non-volatile memory and resulting memory cells
A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes providing a substrate; forming a gate stack of a flash memory cell, wherein a top portion of the gate stack comprises a capping layer; forming a gate having at least a portion over the capping layer; and reducing a thickness of the portion of the gate over the capping layer. The topography height difference between the flash memory cell and MOS devices on the same chip is reduced.
US08809178B2 Methods of forming bulk FinFET devices with replacement gates so as to reduce punch through leakage currents
One illustrative method disclosed herein includes forming a plurality of spaced-apart trenches in a semiconducting substrate to thereby define a fin structure for the device, forming a local isolation region within each of the trenches, forming a sacrificial gate structure on the fin structure, wherein the sacrificial gate structure comprises at least a sacrificial gate electrode, and forming a layer of insulating material above the fin structure and within the trench above the local isolation region. In this example, the method further includes performing at least one etching process to remove the sacrificial gate structure to thereby define a gate cavity, after removing the sacrificial gate structure, performing at least one etching process to form a recess in the local isolation region, and forming a replacement gate structure that is positioned in the recess in the local isolation region and in the gate cavity.
US08809174B2 MOSFET gate and source/drain contact metallization
A MOSFET is described incorporating a common metal process to make contact to the source, drain and the metal gate respectively which may be formed concurrently with the same metal or metals.
US08809172B2 Self-aligned patterning for deep implantation in a semiconductor structure
Methods of forming self-aligned patterns for performing oppositely doped deep implantations in a semiconductor substrate are disclosed. The semiconductor substrate has implantation and non-implantation regions. The methods include forming a hardmask pattern for a first implantation with a first conductivity-type dopant, depositing an etch stop layer, filling trenches between the hardmask pattern with a sacrificial filler material having a higher wet etch resistance than the hardmask, removing a top portion of the sacrificial filler material and the etch stop layer over a top surface of the hardmask pattern, removing the hardmask pattern in the implantation region by wet etching, and performing a second ion implantation with a second conductivity type dopant opposite of the first conductivity type.
US08809169B2 Multi-layer pattern for alternate ALD processes
A method of patterning a substrate. A sacrificial film is formed over a substrate and a pattern created therein. A first spacer layer is conformally deposited over the patterned sacrificial film and at least one horizontal portion of the first spacer layer is removed while vertical portions of the first spacer layer remain. A second spacer layer is conformally deposited over the patterned sacrificial film and the remaining portions of the first spacer layer. At least one horizontal portion of the second spacer layer is removed while vertical portions of the second spacer layer remain. Conformal deposition of the first and second spacer layers is optionally repeated one or more times. Conformal deposition of the first layer is optionally repeated. Then, one of the first or second spacer layers is removed while substantially leaving the vertical portions of the remaining one of the first or second spacer layers.
US08809164B2 Method of large-area circuit layout recognition
Methods for detecting the physical layout of an integrated circuit are provided. The methods of the present disclosure allow large area imaging of the circuit layout without requiring tedious sample preparation techniques. The imaging can be performed utilizing low-energy beam techniques such as scanning electron microscopy; however, more sophisticated imaging techniques can also be employed. In the methods of the present disclosure, spalling is used to remove a portion of a semiconductor layer including at least one semiconductor device formed thereon or therein from a base substrate. In some cases, a buried insulator layer that is located beneath a semiconductor layer including the at least one semiconductor device can be completely or partially removed. In some cases, the semiconductor layer including the at least one semiconductor device can be thinned. The methods improve the detection quality that the buried insulator layer and a thick semiconductor layer can reduce.
US08809143B2 Fabrication of MOS device with schottky barrier controlling layer
Fabricating a semiconductor device includes: forming a gate trench in an epitaxial layer overlaying a semiconductor substrate; depositing gate material in the gate trench; forming a body; forming a source; forming an active region contact trench that extends through the source and the body into the drain; forming a Schottky barrier controlling layer in the epitaxial layer in bottom region of the active region contact trench; and disposing a contact electrode within the active region contact trench.
US08809141B2 High performance CMOS transistors using PMD liner stress
A silicon nitrate layer (110) is formed over a transistor gate (40) and source and drain regions (70). The as-formed silicon nitride layer (110) comprises a first tensile stress and a high hydrogen concentration. The as-formed silicon nitride layer (110) is thermally annealed converting the first tensile stress into a second tensile stress that is larger than the first tensile stress. Following the thermal anneal, the hydrogen concentration in the silicon nitride layer (110) is greater than 12 atomic percent.
US08809140B2 Aqua regia and hydrogen peroxide HCl combination to remove Ni and NiPt residues
A method for cleaning residues from a semiconductor substrate during a nickel platinum silicidation process is disclosed, including a multi-step residue cleaning, including exposing the substrate to an aqua regia solution, followed by an exposure to a solution having hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide. The SC2 solution can further react with remaining platinum residues, rendering it more soluble in an aqueous solution and thereby dissolving it from the surface of the substrate.
US08809139B2 Fin-last FinFET and methods of forming same
Embodiments of the present disclosure are a FinFET device, and methods of forming a FinFET device. An embodiment is a method for forming a FinFET device, the method comprising forming a semiconductor strip over a semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor strip is disposed in a dielectric layer, forming a gate over the semiconductor strip and the dielectric layer, and forming a first recess and a second recess in the semiconductor strip, wherein the first recess is on an opposite side of the gate from the second recess. The method further comprises forming a source region in the first recess and a drain region in the second recess, and recessing the dielectric layer, wherein a first portion of the semiconductor strip extends above a top surface of the dielectric layer forming a semiconductor fin.
US08809132B2 Capping layers for metal oxynitride TFTs
A capping layer may be deposited over the active channel of a thin film transistor (TFT) in order to protect the active channel from contamination. The capping layer may affect the performance of the TFT. If the capping layer contains too much hydrogen, nitrogen, or oxygen, the threshold voltage, sub threshold slope, and mobility of the TFT may be negatively impacted. By controlling the ratio of the flow rates of the nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen containing gases, the performance of the TFT may be optimized. Additionally, the power density, capping layer deposition pressure, and the temperature may also be controlled to optimize the TFT performance.
US08809120B2 Method of dicing a wafer
A method of dicing a semiconductor wafer includes forming a layer stack on a first main surface of a substrate. The layer stack and a portion of the substrate are etched according to a pattern defining an intended dicing location to obtain a trench structure. The substrate is irradiated with a laser beam to locally modify the substrate between a bottom of the trench structure and a second main surface of the substrate opposite to the first main surface.
US08809118B2 Chip on leads
Described herein are microelectronic packages including a plurality of bonding fingers and multiple integrated circuit chips, at least one integrated circuit chip being mounted onto the bonding fingers. According to various embodiments of the present invention, mounting the integrated circuit chip onto the bonding fingers may reduce the pin-out count by allowing multiple integrated circuit chips to be interconnected within the same microelectronic package. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08809114B2 Memory cell that employs a selectively grown reversible resistance-switching element and methods of forming the same
A method of forming a memory cell is provided that includes forming a steering element above a substrate, forming a material layer on the substrate, patterning and etching the material layer, and oxidizing the patterned and etched material layer to form a reversible resistance-switching material. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08809113B2 Solution-processed metal-selenide semiconductor using selenium nanoparticles
A method is provided for forming a solution-processed metal and mixed-metal selenide semiconductor using selenium (Se) nanoparticles (NPs). The method forms a first solution including SeNPs dispersed in a solvent. Added to the first solution is a second solution including a first material set of metal salts, metal complexes, or combinations thereof, which are dissolved in a solvent, forming a third solution. The third solution is deposited on a conductive substrate, forming a first intermediate film comprising metal precursors, from corresponding members of the first material set, and embedded SeNPs. As a result of thermally annealing, the metal precursors are transformed and the first intermediate film is selenized, forming a first metal selenide-containing semiconductor. In one aspect, the first solution further comprises ligands for the stabilization of SeNPs, which are liberated during thermal annealing. In another aspect, the metal selenide-containing semiconductor comprises copper, indium, gallium diselenide (CIGS).
US08809112B2 Selectively etching of a carbon nano tubes (CNT) polymer matrix on a plastic substructure
The present invention refers to a method for selectively structuring of a polymer matrix comprising CNT (carbon nano tubes) on a flexible plastic substructure. The method also includes a suitable etching composition, which allows to proceed the method in a mass production.
US08809111B2 Methods of making patterned structures of fluorine-containing polymeric materials and fluorine-containing polymers
Methods and compositions for obtaining patterned structures comprising fluorine-containing polymeric materials. The fluorine-containing polymeric materials have sufficient fluorine content such that the materials can be patterned using conventional photolithographic/pattern transfer methods and maintain desirable mechanical and physical properties. The patterned structures can be used, for example, in light-emitting devices.
US08809107B2 Method for making Schottky barrier diode
A method for making a Schottky barrier diode includes the following steps. A first metal layer, a second metal layer and a carbon nanotube composite material are provided. The carbon nanotube composite material is applied on the first metal layer and the second metal layer to form a semiconductor layer. The carbon nanotube composite material includes an insulated polymer and a number of carbon nanotubes dispersed in the insulated polymer. The semiconductor layer is in Schottky contact with the first metal layer and in ohmic contact with the second metal layer.
US08809105B2 Method of processing a semiconductor assembly
A method for processing a semiconductor assembly is presented. The method includes thermally processing a semiconductor assembly in a non-oxidizing atmosphere at a pressure greater than about 10 Torr. The semiconductor assembly includes a semiconductor layer disposed on a support, and the semiconductor layer includes cadmium and sulfur.
US08809104B2 Dye-sensitized solar cell and method of fabricating the same
Provided are a dye-sensitized solar cell and a method of fabricating the same. The dye-sensitized solar cell includes an electrode structure including a conductive layer having pores that are regularly arranged, a semiconductor oxide layer disposed on a surface of the conductive layer, and a dye layer disposed on a surface of the semiconductor oxide layer.
US08809101B2 Semiconductor light emitting device, nitride semiconductor wafer, and method for manufacturing nitride semiconductor layer
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes: first and second semiconductor layers, a light emitting part, and an In-containing layer. The first semiconductor layer is formed on a silicon substrate via a foundation layer. The light emitting part is provided on the first semiconductor layer, and includes barrier layers and a well layer provided between the barrier layers including Ga1−z1Inz1N (0
US08809082B2 Method for producing lamps
A method for producing luminous means proposes providing a carrier serving as a heat sink, said carrier comprising a planar chip mounting region. The planar chip mounting region is structured for the purpose of producing a first partial region and at least one second partial region. In this case, the first partial region has a solder-repellent property after structuring. Afterward, a solder is applied to the planar chip mounting region, such that said solder wets the at least one second partial region. At least one optoelectronic body is fixed into the at least one second partial region with the solder at the carrier. Finally, contact-connections are formed for the purpose of feeding electrical energy to the optoelectronic luminous body.
US08809081B2 Electronic device and method of manufacturing an electronic device
An electronic device comprising at least one die stack having at least a first die (D1) comprising a first array of light emitting units (OLED) for emitting light, a second layer (D2) comprising a second array of via holes (VH) and a third die (D3) comprising a third array of light detecting units (PD) for detecting light from the first array of light emitting units (OELD) is provided. The second layer (D2) is arranged between the first die (D1) and the third die (D3). The first, second and third array are aligned such that light emitted from the first array of light emitting units (OLED) passed through the second array of via holes (VH) and is detected by the third array of light detecting units (PD). The first array of light emitting units and/or the third array of light detecting units are manufactured based on standard semiconductor manufacturing processes.
US08809072B2 Sub-resolution assist feature arranging method and computer program product and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
According to a sub-resolution assist feature arranging method in embodiments, it is selected which of a rule base and a model base is set for which pattern region on pattern data corresponding to a main pattern as a type of the method of arranging the sub-resolution assist feature for improving resolution of the main pattern formed on a substrate. Then, the sub-resolution assist feature by the rule base is arranged in a pattern region set as the rule base and the sub-resolution assist feature by the model base is arranged in a pattern region set as the model base.
US08809068B2 Manipulation of beads in droplets and methods for manipulating droplets
The invention provides a method of dispersing or circulating magnetically responsive beads within a droplet in a droplet actuator. The invention, in one embodiment, makes use of a droplet actuator with a plurality of droplet operations electrodes configured to transport the droplet, and a magnetic field present at a portion of the plurality of droplet operations electrodes. A bead-containing droplet is provided on the droplet actuator in the presence of the uniform magnetic field. Beads are circulated in the droplet during incubation by conducting droplet operations on the droplet within a uniform region of the magnetic field wherein droplet operations do not allow magnetically responsive beads to be introduced into a region of the magnetic field which is sufficiently non-uniform to cause bead clumping resulting in a more homogenous distribution of the beads in the droplet. Other embodiments are also provided.
US08809066B2 Apparatus and method for image detection of test strip comprising code area
An analyzing apparatus contains an image detection unit and an analysis unit. The image detection unit contains a view field area that covers at least a reaction area and a background area in a test piece. The reaction area exhibits a reaction color when exposed to a test substance in a specimen. The analysis unit detects the test substance based on the reaction color and determines, during detection of the test substance, whether a state of the background area falls within an acceptable range set for the test substance.
US08809046B2 Algal elongases
Provided herein are exemplary isolated nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides having elongase activity, which utilize fatty acids as substrates.
US08809043B2 Rotation system for cell growth chamber of a cell expansion system and method of use therefor
A system and method for rotating a cell growth chamber of a cell expansion system includes a rotatable member for engaging a chamber coupling attached to the cell growth chamber. The rotatable member includes an independently operable mechanism for engaging a rotatable fitting associated with the chamber coupling. In at least one embodiment, the chamber coupling is selectively rotatable by turning the rotatable member, thereby rotating the cell growth chamber around a first axis. The cell growth chamber is also selectively rotatable around a second axis by turning the rotatable fitting associated with the chamber coupling. Other novel aspects include a way of attaching the cell growth chamber to the shaft assembly, and a new tube routing clip.
US08809042B1 Plug flow reactor process for anaerobic cellulosic ethanol
The present invention is generally related to systems and methods to permit the growth of anaerobic, ethanol-producing bacteria using pretreated biomass such as cellulose in a manner to facilitate the efficient conversion of cellulose to ethanol.
US08809039B2 Amplification system with spatial separation
An automated nucleic acid analysis method and analytical system are described comprising separate modules, wherein the air flow of any one of said modules is controlled and wherein at least the air flow between the module for isolation and purification of the analyte and the module for analysis of the analyte are separated.
US08809036B2 Secretion expression of antibiotic peptide CAD in Bacillus subtilis and expression system of recombination Bacillus subtilis
The present invention relates to a method for expressing antimicrobial peptide CAD by means of a recombinant Bacillus subtilis expression system. The SUMO protease expression operon is first artificially synthesized. The protein expression operon genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae small ubiquitin-related protein is then fused with the antibacterial peptide AD. The fusion protein is further cloned into the pNF11 plamid to be introduced into Bacillus subtilis, thereby ensuring the induced expression of recombined Bacillus subtilis in shake flasks. The method has the advantages of a simple expression system, large-scale production, low production cost, strong biological activity and no toxic or harmful substance production. Moreover, the method provides a medicine with low price and strong antibacterial capacity for clinic disease prevention and treatment. This invention can also be used as a feedstuff additive.
US08809035B2 Canine probiotic Bifidobacterium
According to the invention there is provided a strain of lactic acid bacteria of the species Bifidobacterium globosum obtainable by isolation from resected and washed canine gastrointestinal tract having a probiotic activity in animals. Methods of use and compositions comprising the Bifidobacterium globosum of the present invention are also provided.
US08809028B2 Biosynthesis of caffeic acid and caffeic acid derivatives by recombinant microorganisms
Microorganisms are genetically engineered to synthesize caffeic acid from simple carbon sources via a tyrosine intermediate by means of a dual pathway that utilizes both endogenous and engineered enzymatic activities.
US08809026B2 Processes for producing lipids
The present invention relates to processes for extracting lipid from vegetative plant parts such as leaves, stems, roots and tubers, and for producing industrial products such as hydrocarbon products from the lipids. Preferred industrial products include alkyl esters which may be blended with petroleum based fuels.
US08809024B2 Process for preparing dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors and intermediates therefor
A process for production of cyclopropyl-fused pyrrolidine-based inhibitors of dipeptidyl peptidase IV is provided which employs a BOC-protected amine of the structure prepared by subjecting an acid of the structure to reduce amination by treating the acid with ammonium formate, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, dithiothreitol and partially purified phenylalanine dehydrogenase/formate dehydrogenase enzyme concentrate (PDH/FDH) and without isolating treating the resulting amine of the structure 2 with di-tert-butyl dicarbonate to form the BOC-protected amine.
US08809018B2 Modified nucleotide molecules of xylanase and application thereof
Modified nucleotide molecules of xylanase and the application of the nucleotide molecules in constructing recombinant vectors, host cells or producing xylanase are disclosed, wherein the nucleotide molecules contain nucleotide sequences having greater than 80% identity with nucleotide sequence shown by SEQ ID NO: 1.
US08809017B2 IRES mediated multicistronic vectors
This invention relates to nucleic acid molecules comprising at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding for a peptide or protein of interest, at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding for a selectable marker, and at least one IRES sequence, wherein the at least one IRES sequence is located between the at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding for the peptide or protein of interest and the at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding for the selectable marker. Furthermore, this invention relates to host cells comprising such nucleic acid molecule and to methods of recombinant protein expression using such host cells.
US08809009B2 Methods of diagnosing a disease and methods of monitoring treatment of a disease by quantifying a non-reducing end glycan residual compound and comparing to a second biomarker
Provided herein are methods of diagnosing or monitoring the treatment of abnormal glycan accumulation or a disorder associated with abnormal glycan accumulation.
US08809007B2 Method for determining the activity of a proteolytic coagulation factor in a sample
A method for determining the activity of a proteolytic coagulation factor in a sample may include (a) providing and incubating a reaction mixture comprising (i) the sample, (ii) an agent for direct or indirect activation of the proteolytic coagulation factor in the sample, (iii) a cleavable substrate which has at least one cleavage site for the activated coagulation factor, (iv) a solid phase to which the cleavable substrate is bound or becomes bound during the incubation; (b) separating off the solid phase; and (c) determining the amount of solid-phase-bound, uncleaved substrate, wherein the determined amount of solid-phase-bound, uncleaved substrate indicates a quantitative measure of the activity of the proteolytic coagulation factor in the sample.
US08809005B2 Conjugate and its use as a standard in an immunoassay
A composition comprising a conjugate of an anti-idiotype antibody specifically binding to a CDR region of a parent antibody and method of using polyclonal human serum immunoglobulin of class E, G, M, or A, and the use of said composition as a standard in an immunoassay is presented.
US08809004B2 Detection of feline immunodeficiency virus
Method, device and kit for the detection of antibodies directed to Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). The method includes contacting the felid biological sample with FIV env polypeptide and detecting whether the polypeptide substantially binds to the antibody in the biological sample. The method will detect FIV antibodies in a sample from animals that have been naturally infected but the method will not detect antibodies in a sample from animals that have not been infected and that have not been vaccinated with an FIV vaccine after within about the previous five to eight weeks.
US08809003B2 Reduction in false results in assay measurements
Methods and reagents are disclosed for detecting a false result in an assay measurement for determining a concentration of an analyte in a sample suspected of containing the analyte. The method comprises measuring assay signal resulting from background only and measuring assay signal resulting from the presence of analyte in the sample plus background and subtracting the first measurement from the second measurement to determine the concentration of analyte in the sample. For example, a measurement result 1 is determined by means of an assay conducted on a portion of the sample where analyte in the sample is substantially sequestered and a measurement result 2 is determined by means of the assay conducted on an equal portion of the same sample where analyte in the sample is substantially non-sequestered. Measurement result 1 is subtracted from measurement result 2 to determine the concentration of analyte in the sample.
US08809000B2 Methods of screening heteromeric T1R2/T1R3 receptors for compounds which modulate sweet taste signaling
Newly identified mammalian taste-cell-specific G protein-coupled receptors which function as hetero-oligomeric complexes in the sweet taste transduction pathway, and the genes and cDNA encoding said receptors are described. Specifically, T1R G protein-coupled receptors active in sweet taste signaling as hetero-oligomeric complexes, and the genes and cDNA encoding the same, are described, along with methods for isolating such genes and for isolating and expressing such receptors. Methods for identifying putative taste modulating compounds using such hetero-oligomeric complexes also described, as is a novel surface expression facilitating peptide useful for targeting integral plasma membrane proteins to the surface of a cell.
US08808992B2 SHOC2 mutations causing noonan-like syndrome with loose anagen hair
The present invention is directed to methods of diagnosing Noonan-like syndrome with loose anagen hair comprising detecting a mutation in SHOC2 gene. One specific diagnostic mutation disclosed is an A-to-G transition at position 4 resulting in a mutation at position 2 of SHOC2 amino acid sequence from serine to glycine. The invention also provides related sequences and kits.
US08808988B2 Compositions and methods for nucleotide sequencing
The invention provides nucleoside and nucleotide molecules containing cleavable linkers linking a label such as a dye. The invention also provides nucleosides and nucleotide molecules containing a blocking group, either removable or non-removable. The invention additionally provides methods of using the nucleoside and nucleotide molecules containing a cleavable linker and/or a blocking group.
US08808979B2 Methods related to liver enzyme induction as a predisposition for liver toxicity and diseases or disorders associated therewith
The present invention pertains to the field of toxicological assessments for risk stratification of chemical compounds. Specifically, it relates to a method for diagnosing the pro-pathological effect of compounds which are inducing liver enzymes. It also relates to a method of determining whether a compound is capable of exhibiting pro-pathological effects on the liver by enzyme induction in a subject and to a method of identifying a drug for treating the pro-pathological effect of liver enzyme induction. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a data collection comprising characteristic values of at least five analytes, a data storage medium comprising said data collection, and a system and a device for diagnosing the pro-pathological effect of liver enzyme induction. Finally, the present invention pertains to the use of a group of analytes or means for the determination thereof for the manufacture of a diagnostic device or composition for diagnosing the pro-pathological effect of liver enzyme induction in a subject. For each sex, a different metabolome pattern, i.e. a different set of analytes is disclosed. The liver enzyme induction markers are mainly selected from free fatty acids, but also include various phosphatidylcholines, galactose, 3- and 5-Methoxysphingosine, Cholesterol, Threonic acid, 1,2-Dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidyl-L-serine, Glycerol, Glycerophosphate, Dodecanol, myo-Inositol-2-monophosphate.
US08808970B2 Manufacturing method of semiconductor device
To improve the manufacturing yield of semiconductor devices. Over a semiconductor wafer, a film to be processed is formed; over that film, an antireflection film is formed; and, over the antireflection film, a resist layer is formed. Then, the resist layer is subjected to liquid immersion exposure, and a development and rinsing process to form a resist pattern. After that, the antireflection film and the film to be processed are etched sequentially using the resist pattern as an etching mask. In the development process of the resist layer, the antireflection film is exposed from parts from which the resist layer has been removed by the development process. When performing a rinsing process after the development, the water repellent property of the surface of the antireflection film exposed from the resist layer is not lower than the water repellent property of the surface of the resist layer.
US08808969B2 Method of making radiation-sensitive sol-gel materials
Radiation-sensitive sol-gel compositions are provided, along with methods of forming microelectronic structures and the structures thus formed. The compositions comprise a sol-gel compound and a base generator dispersed or dissolved in a solvent system. The sol-gel compound comprises recurring monomeric units comprising silicon with crosslinkable moieties bonded to the silicon. Upon exposure to radiation, the base generator generates a strong base, which crosslinks the sol-gel compound in the compositions to yield a crosslinked layer that is insoluble in developers or solvents. The unexposed portions of the layer can be removed to yield a patterned sol-gel layer. The invention can be used to form patterns from sol-gel materials comprising features having feature sizes of less than about 1 μm.
US08808955B2 Toner and development agent, image forming apparatus, and process cartridge using the same
A toner includes a coloring agent, a binder resin comprising a crystalline resin having a urethane skeleton and/or urea skeleton, and a releasing agent (a microcrystalline wax). A development agent, a process cartridge, and an image forming apparatus employ the toner to form images on recording media electrophotographically.
US08808954B2 Electrophotographic photoconductor, process cartridge including the same, and image forming apparatus including the same
The present invention provides an electrophotographic photoconductor that can improve unevenness in image density and reduce image defects such as fogging and dots. The electrophotographic photoconductor includes a conductive support, an intermediate layer, and a photosensitive layer. The intermediate layer includes metal oxide particles surface-treated with a titanium chelate compound represented by the following formula (1): Ti(OR)n(L)4-n  (1) wherein R at each occurrence independently represents a C1-16 aliphatic hydrocarbon group; L at each occurrence independently represents a ligand derived from a chelating agent selected from the group consisting of β-ketoester represented by the following formula (1a): β-diketone represented by the following formula (1b): and a C3-10 alkylene glycol; n represents an integer of 1 to 3; if n is 2 or more, two Rs may be coupled to each other.
US08808946B2 Urethane acrylate having a high refractive index and reduced double bond density
The invention relates to novel specially substituted urethane acrylates based on tris(p-isocyanatophenyl)thiophosphate having a high refractive index and reduced double bond density, and to a method for the production and use thereof.
US08808945B2 Fabrication process for cholesteric liquid crystal media having a volume hologram
A volume hologram layer (2) is formed on a substrate (1), and a cholesteric liquid crystal layer (3) is then formed on the hologram layer (2). After the substrate (1) is peeled off the volume hologram layer (2), an adhesive layer (4) is formed on the surface of the volume hologram layer (2) with the substrate (1) peeled off, and another substrate (5) is then formed on the adhesive layer (4). Finally, a label form of cholesteric liquid crystal medium having a volume hologram is shaped out of the resulting multilayer structure; it is thus possible to fabricate cholesteric liquid crystal media having a volume hologram with efficiency yet without recourse to any complicated steps such as an alignment step.
US08808944B2 Method for storing holographic data
A method for storing holographic data, said method comprising: step (A) providing an optically transparent substrate comprising a polymer composition and a light absorbing chromophore, said polymer composition comprising a continuous phase and a dispersed phase, said dispersed phase being less than about 200 nm in size; and step (B) irradiating a volume element of the optically transparent substrate with a holographic interference pattern, wherein the pattern has a first wavelength and an intensity both sufficient to cause a phase change in at least a portion of the dispersed phase within the volume element of the substrate to produce within the irradiated volume element refractive index variations corresponding to the holographic interference pattern, thereby producing an optically readable datum corresponding to the volume element.
US08808941B2 Naphthoxazine benzoxazine-based monomer, polymer thereof, electrode for fuel cell including the polymer, electrolyte membrane for fuel cell including the polymer, and fuel cell using the electrode
A naphthoxazine benzoxazine-based monomer is represented by Formula 1 below: In Formula 1, R2 and R3 or R3 and R4 are linked to each other to form a group represented by Formula 2 below, and R5 and R6 or R6 and R7 are linked to each other to form a group represented by Formula 2 below, In Formula 2, * represents the bonding position of R2 and R3, R3 and R4, R5 and R6, or R6 and R7 of Formula 1. A polymer is formed by polymerizing the naphthoxazine benzoxazine-based monomer, an electrode for a fuel cell includes the polymer, an electrolyte membrane for a fuel cell includes the polymer, and a fuel cell uses the electrode.
US08808937B2 Vehicle fuel cell cooling system
A system includes a radiator side flow path for supplying a coolant which has cooled a fuel cell stack to a radiator, a bypass flow path for allowing the coolant which has cooled the fuel cell stack to bypass the radiator, a thermostat valve for increasing a flow rate of the coolant flowing through the radiator side flow path in a case where the temperature of the coolant is high as compared to a case where the temperature of the coolant is low, and an electric heater for warming up the coolant. The electric heater is controlled based on an outside atmospheric pressure and on the temperature of the coolant such that the temperature of the coolant flowing into the fuel cell stack is raised in a case where the outside atmospheric pressure is high as compared to a case where the outside atmospheric pressure is low.
US08808935B2 Fuel cell system
A fuel cell system including a fuel cell, a reformer, a combustor that heats the reformer using anode off-gas of the fuel cell as a fuel, and a ratio controller that controls a ratio of a combustion component supplied to the combustor in accordance with a temperature distribution in a gas flow direction inside the combustor.
US08808927B2 Nonaqueous electrolyte lithium secondary battery
A lithium secondary battery comprises an anode capable of intercalating or disintercalating lithium ions, a cathode configured with a lithium-containing oxide, and a nonaqueous electrolyte solution. The lithium-containing oxide comprises a lithium nickel based oxide. The nonaqueous electrolyte solution comprises vinyl ethylene carbonate (VEC) and a mono-nitrile compound. This lithium secondary battery solves the deterioration of charge/discharge cycle characteristics caused by a lithium nickel based oxide used for a cathode, and also controls the decomposition reaction of electrolyte to solve the swelling phenomenon even though the battery is stored at a high temperature or charged/discharged in a fully-charged state, thereby improving high-temperature life characteristics.
US08808921B2 Current collector for flexible electrode, method of manufacturing same, and negative electrode including same
Disclosed are a current collector for a flexible electrode, a method of manufacturing the same, and a negative electrode including the same. The current collector for a flexible electrode includes: a flexible polymer substrate; a cross-linkable polymer layer disposed on the polymer substrate; and a metal layer disposed on the cross-linkable polymer layer, wherein the surface of the cross-linkable polymer layer includes a plurality of protrusions and grooves.
US08808910B2 Non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, electrode used for secondary battery, and method of manufacturing electrode
A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes an electrode body including a positive electrode and a negative electrode superimposed upon each other with a separator interposed therebetween. The negative electrode is superimposed upon the positive electrode in a state where a negative electrode active material layer, except the part on a proximal end part of a negative electrode tab, is positioned inside an outer edge of a positive electrode active material layer of the positive electrode. A width H1 of the negative electrode active material layer including the part on the proximal end part of the negative electrode tab, width H2 of the negative electrode active material layer or negative electrode current collector at a part other than the negative electrode tab, and width H3 of the positive electrode active material layer are formed to satisfy the relationships of H2
US08808909B2 Lithium ion batteries using discrete carbon nanotubes, methods for production thereof and products obtained therefrom
Compositions, and methods of obtaining them, useful for lithium ion batteries comprising discrete oxidized carbon nanotubes having attached to their surface lithium ion active materials in the form of nanometer sized crystals or layers. The composition can further comprise graphene or oxygenated graphene.
US08808908B2 Battery module of novel structure
A battery module has a plurality of batteries, each having an electrode assembly mounted in a battery case including a metal layer and a resin layer, as unit cells, are stacked one on another in the thickness direction, wherein the battery module is constructed such that electrode leads of each unit cell are bent and placed on an upper-end sealing part of each unit cell, through-holes for mechanical coupling and electrical connection are formed in the electrode leads and the sealing part such that the through-holes of the electrode leads communicate with the corresponding through-holes of the sealing part, respectively, and conductive coupling members are inserted through the through-holes of the unit cells. The battery module accomplished a maximum reduction in volume, increasing sealability of the sealing part, and easily accomplishing the electrical connection and the mechanical coupling between components.
US08808907B2 Battery module
Disclosed is a battery module which comprises a cell unit that comprises cells, and a case that contains the cell unit. The case comprises: a first member which has a first guide portion, and a second member which has a second guide portion that is fitted into the first guide portion by being slid on the first guide portion.
US08808895B2 Battery protection structures
A battery may have a foil battery pack with leads that are coupled to a printed circuit board. Battery protection structures formed from an insulating material such as plastic may be used to protect the foil battery pack. The foil battery pack may have a rectangular shape with front and rear faces surrounded by a rectangular peripheral edge. The battery protection structures may have a ring shape that surrounds the peripheral edge while leaving the front and rear faces exposed to minimize the size of the battery protection structures. An elastomeric material may be used to form the battery protection structures. The elastomeric material may allow the battery protection structures to stretch when the battery pack expands during use. Two shots of plastic may be incorporated into the battery protection structures to provide both puncture resistance and the ability to stretch during use.
US08808889B2 Sealed battery and manufacturing method thereof, and vehicle and device having the same mounted thereon
The sealed battery has a battery container (4, 5) and a power generating element sealed inside the battery container. The battery container is provided with a fill opening (12), an annular ridge (16), which extends around the entire circumference of the outer face surrounding the fill opening, and an annular indentation (15) on the inside of the inner wall surface of the annular ridge, and has a sealing cap (8), which fits into the annular indentation and covers the fill opening. The sealing cap is joined by being welded to the inner wall surface of the annular ridge around the entire circumference at the edge thereof. Since heat is not well transferred from the inside to the outside of the outer wall surface of the annular ridge, the effective thermal capacity during welding is mostly determined by the structure of the area inside the outer wall surface of the annular ridge. Consequently, the effective thermal capacity is nearly uniform independent of direction. Thus, it is possible to provide a sealed battery, a manufacturing method thereof, and vehicles and machinery in which the same is installed, wherein the opening can be closed under consistent welding conditions around the entire circumference.
US08808883B2 Secondary battery pack of compact structure
Disclosed herein is a secondary battery pack including a battery cell having an electrode assembly mounted in a battery case together with an electrolyte, a protection circuit module (PCM) having a protection circuit for controlling overcharge, overdischarge, and overcurrent of the battery cell, an insulative mounting member mounted to a top cap of the battery cell, and an insulative cap coupled to the upper end of the battery cell, wherein the top cap is provided with at least one protrusion-type electrode terminal, and the top cap is provided at a partial region where the protrusion-type electrode terminal is not formed with a space (depression space) depressed downward by a predetermined depth. The insulative mounting member is provided with a through-hole (a first through-hole) corresponding to the protrusion-type electrode terminal and a through-hole (a second through-hole) corresponding to the depression space, the PCM is provided with a coupling through-hole corresponding to the first through-hole, and the coupling of the insulative mounting member and the PCM to the battery cell is achieved by successively fixedly inserting the protrusion-type electrode terminal through the first through-hole of the insulative mounting member and the coupling through-hole of the PCM.
US08808878B2 Compound and use thereof
A compound according to the present invention is represented by the general formula (1): as defined herein. This makes it possible to provide (i) a novel compound that exhibits a practically sufficient light-emitting property not only in a case where the novel compound is used as a luminescent dopant, but also in a case where the novel compound is used solely, and (ii) use of the novel compound.
US08808869B2 Treatment agent for use in lignocellulose material
An objective of the present invention is to provide a lignocellulose material exhibiting superior dimensional stability and having a reduced water-absorbing property, as well as provide a lignocellulose hybrid material, a paper product or a wood product, with superior dimensional stability and a reduced water-absorbing property. In the present invention, a lignocellulose material is treated with a treatment agent for use in a lignocellulose material containing: (A) a polyvalent carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof; and (B) a silicon compound containing a functional group binding to a silicon atom, and thereby, a lignocellulose hybrid material is obtained. In addition, a paper product or a wood product is obtained by using the aforementioned lignocellulose hybrid material.
US08808868B2 Fluorinated copolymers of (meth)acrylates and (meth)acrylic acid amine complexes
A stain resistant, oil and water repellent copolymer comprising a copolymer prepared from fluorinated (meth)acrylate and amine salts of (meth)acrylic acid, and a method of providing stain resistance, oil and water repellency to substrates and a treated substrate.
US08808867B2 Alumina forming bimetallic tube for refinery process furnaces and method of making and using
Provided is a bimetallic tube for transport of hydrocarbon feedstocks in refinery process furnaces, and more particularly in furnace radiant coils, including: i) an outer tube layer being formed from carbon steels or low chromium steels comprising less than 15.0 wt. % Cr based on the total weight of the steel; ii) an inner tube layer being formed from an alumina forming bulk alloy including 5.0 to 10.0 wt. % of Al, 20.0 wt. % to 25.0 wt. % Cr, less than 0.4 wt. % Si, and at least 35.0 wt. % Fe with the balance being Ni, wherein the inner tube layer is formed plasma powder welding the alumina forming bulk alloy on the inner surface of the outer tube layer; and iii) an oxide layer formed on the surface of the inner tube layer, wherein the oxide layer is substantially comprised of alumina, chromia, silica, mullite, spinels, or mixtures thereof.
US08808857B1 Carbon nanotube array interface material and methods
An interface material employing carbon nanotube (CNT) array and a method of fabricating the same. A first CNT array is provided on a first substrate. A second CNT array is provided on a second substrate. A first support layer is disposed on the first CNT array, wherein the first CNT array is between the first support layer and the first substrate. A second support layer is disposed on the second CNT array, wherein the second CNT array is between the second support layer and the second substrate. The first support layer is attached to the second support layer. The first and second substrates are removed, thereby providing the interface material.
US08808851B2 Multi-layered composite crystalline colloidal array films
A multi-layered composite material is disclosed, which includes an ordered periodic array of particles held in a matrix composition. The composite material further includes inorganic nanosized particles infused into the array of particles.
US08808850B2 Water resistant intumescent fire retardant coating
A fire retardant intumescent coating composition is disclosed, which includes expandable graphite, an aromatic polyamine resin, and a phosphorous-containing compound. An overlay for applying to a wood substrate is also disclosed, which includes a core layer comprising a substrate and a resin composition, a top layer on one side of the core layer comprising the fire retardant intumescent coating composition, and an optional bottom layer on the opposite side of the core layer from the top layer. A process of forming the overlay is also disclosed, which includes applying the resin composition to the core layer substrate to form a resinated core layer, and applying a coating composition on the resinated core layer, directly or indirectly, to form the top layer; wherein the coating composition comprises expandable graphite, an aromatic polyamine resin, and a phosphorous-containing compound.
US08808847B2 Layered composite component
A layered composite component is disclosed, the component including: a plurality of stacked layers defining a component thickness between opposed component surfaces and at least one reinforcing element extending from each of the opposed component surfaces the reinforcing elements extending at least partially through the component thickness. Another layered composite component is also disclosed, the component including: a plurality of stacked layers defining a plane and having a primary in-plane axis, wherein the at least one block array of reinforcing elements extends into the component along a reinforcing direction that is angled with respect to the plane of the stacked layers, and wherein the at least one block array is angled in the plane of the stacked layers with respect to the primary axis.
US08808842B2 Offset-printable coated white paper having a high fluorescent intensity and method for producing same
The invention concerns a coated white sheet having a fluorescence intensity of more than 55, measured in accordance with international standard ISO 11475: 2004, by the difference between the value for the CIE whiteness under D65 illuminant and the value for this same CIE whiteness after interposing a filter that eliminates wavelengths shorter than 420 nm, and being offset-printable with no mottling, said coated sheet comprising at least one base sheet and a printable white surface coat having a pigmented composition which comprises: —at least some white coating pigments and at least one coating binder; —at least one fluorescent whitening agent in a total quantity of 1% dry weight or more with respect to the dry weight of said pigments; —at least one support substance for said whitening agent in a total quantity of dry weight of more than 2% with respect to the dry weight of said pigments. The invention also concerns a method for producing said coated sheet by curtain coating said pigmented composition.
US08808838B2 Surface coatings and methods
Provided are methods and compositions pertaining to coatings (e.g., paints) for covering a substrate. In some aspects and embodiments the coatings may include a heat reflective metal oxide pigment that, applied to an external surface of a building (or applied on a substrate used for an external surface of a building) reduces energy consumption in the building. In other aspects and embodiments, provided are textured coatings having a texturing material; e.g., methods and compositions are provided pertaining to textured coatings that can be applied robotically or in an automated fashion. In various aspects and embodiments, textured coatings are provided that include a texturing material and a heat reflective metal oxide pigment. In some aspects and embodiments coatings are provided that include pumice texturing materials (e.g., pumice having particle sizes of greater than 150 microns).
US08808824B2 Optical information recording medium, method of recording information and azo metal complex dye
An aspect of the present invention relates to an optical information recording medium comprising a recording layer on a surface of a support, wherein the surface of the support has pregrooves with a track pitch ranging from 50 to 500 nm, the recording layer comprises an azo metal complex dye being a complex of six azo dyes and seven transition metal ions. A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method of recording information onto the optical information recording medium and a novel azo metal complex dye.
US08808799B2 Method and apparatus for organic vapor printing
In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to providing a first gas stream carrying vaporized material and depositing the vaporized material onto a substrate by directing a plurality of gas streams containing the vaporized material to a substrate, forming an gas curtain around the streams to prevent its dissemination beyond a target print area, and allowing the vaporized material to condense on the target print area. In another embodiment, heat is used to regulate the flow of the material and the thickness of the deposited layer.
US08808797B2 Method of manufacturing a gas barrier plastic container
Methods of manufacturing a gas barrier plastic container include a method in which the inside of a vacuum chamber which houses a plastic container is exhausted to form a pre-set pressure, and while maintaining a state where electricity is supplied to a thermal catalyst arranged inside the vacuum chamber to generate heat above a pre-set temperature, a source gas is blown on the thermal catalyst to decompose the source gas and create chemical species, whereby a gas barrier thin film is formed by the chemical species reaching at least one of either the inner surface or the outer surface of the plastic container.
US08808795B2 Method of producing laminate film
A method of producing a laminate film includes coating a support with coating solutions with at least two monolayer extrusion dies to provide layers. A difference in solubility parameter between the coating solution and a solute in the adjoining layer ≧0.1 for respective coating solutions. Viscosity of the downstream side die coating solution is lower than that of an upstream side die. Each coating solution has a Capillary number Ca<1.7. A difference in surface tension |σ2−σ1| between the adjoining layers satisfies |σ2−σ1|>0.5 [mN/m], where σ1, σ2 are surface tensions of coating solution from upstream and downstream side dies, respectively. A ratio of a coating thickness h1 [μm] of the coating solution for an upper layer and a distance L [μm] of the upper layer from the support surface satisfies h1/L<0.14. Distance between discharge nozzles is ≧1 mm and ≦700 mm.
US08808793B2 Disc vapor lubrication
A method comprising introducing a workpiece support into a chamber of an apparatus. The workpiece support is for supporting thereon a plurality of workpieces. The apparatus comprising: the chamber having an interior space configured to be maintained at a pressure below atmospheric pressure; a vapor source for supplying the interior space of the chamber with a linearly extending stream of lubricant vapor; the workpiece support for supporting thereon a plurality of workpieces with surfaces facing the vapor source; and a conveyor for continuously moving the workpiece support transversely past the linearly extending stream of lubricant vapor from the vapor source. The method also comprising continuously moving the workpiece support with the plurality of workpieces supported thereon transversely past the linearly extending stream of lubricant vapor from the vapor source and depositing a uniform thickness film of the lubricant on at least one surface of each of the plurality of workpieces.
US08808789B2 Process for forming conductive features
Methods and compositions for preparing highly conductive electronic features are disclosed. When organoamine-stabilized silver nanoparticles are exposed to an alkaline composition, the resulting electronic feature is highly conductive. Such methods are particularly advantageous when applied to aged silver nanoparticle compositions.
US08808780B2 Method and apparatus for making a food chip product
An apparatus (1) for making shaped food chip products (2) including hotplates (3) (4) that are arranged in such way that, when in use, food snacks are hold between the hotplates and where at least one hotplate surface is covered with a steam permeable membrane (5). Also a method for making food chip product (2) including feeding slices of food in a monolayered between hotplates (3, 4) where at least one of the hotplate surfaces pressing on the food snack is covered with a membrane (5) that guidance the steam away.
US08808779B2 Method for reducing the oil content of potato chips
A method is disclosed which reduces the oil content of a potato chip. The method teaches that a steeper, faster temperature drop upon initial introduction of the potato slice to the fryer, followed by a longer period of exposure to lower temperatures before increasing to standard frying temperatures, reduces oil content of a potato chip. The invention further discloses a pre-treatment method which involves submerging the potatoes in a hot water bath which results in decreased oil content. Additionally, the invention discloses a post-treatment method involving subjecting the potato chip to superheated steam that further reduces oil content. The two pre and post-treatment methods, combined with the primary temperature scheme method for reducing oil content, yield a potato chip with significantly reduced oil content.
US08808777B2 System and method for preparing a beverage
A capsule, system and method for preparing a predetermined quantity of beverage suitable for consumption using an extractable product is shown. The capsule includes a circumferential first wall, a second wall closing the circumferential first wall at a first end, and a flexible sheet-shaped perforate and/or porous third wall closing the circumferential first wall at a second, open, end opposite the second wall. The first, second and third wall enclose an inner space including the extractable product. The third wall forms an outermost boundary of the capsule in an axial direction thereof. The third wall comprises a woven or nonwoven filtering material, such as filtering paper.
US08808774B2 pKa buffered flavor enhanced reduced moisture fruits and vegetables
The described pKa process creates a unique combination of active ingredients. The calcium carbonate carrier is impregnated with various proportions of active ingredients and the compounds are made more effective by the sheer and absorption action as they are combined in the described process. The calcium carrier is adjusted to incorporate small amounts of highly efficient/effective pH adjusters. No natural solution exists in Nature with a pH of 10.6 that is optimal for adjusting the pKa naturally in foods. The present invention effects a change in the pKa of most acids and therefore impacts pH which can positively affect flavor, color and taste. The reduced moisture process in combination with the invention solution applied as a treatment results in fruits and vegetables that exhibit cleaner flavors, better texture, enhanced color and lower microbial counts than is found in standard IQF vegetables currently available.
US08808771B2 Active ingredient delivery system with an amorphous metal salt as carrier
An active ingredient delivery system and a method of making or using the same, wherein the delivery system includes an active ingredient and a carrier component of an amorphous metal salt, with the active ingredient at least partly fixed to and partly encapsulated by the carrier component. The active ingredient may be a bitter tasting polyphenol such as a flavonoid.
US08808766B2 Herbal compositions for the control of hematophagous parasites
There is described an herbal hematophagous parasite control composition which comprises Picraena excelsa (Quassia), Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) and Azadirachta indica folium (Neem) provided that the composition is substantially free Juglans nigra folia (black walnut) and/or Allium sativim (garlic). There are also described a method of controlling hematophagous parasites.
US08808763B2 Methods for improving sleep efficiency in healthy human beings
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to methods and supplements for improving sleep efficiency in human beings.
US08808755B2 Hydrogen peroxide-based skin disinfectant
A skin disinfectant in ready-to-use concentrated liquid or dry powdered form. Ready-to-use liquid forms have a pH of from about 2 to about 6 and include: (a) hydrogen peroxide in a concentration of from about 0.01 to about 4% w/w of the solution; (b) at least one surfactant chosen from imidazoline derivatives, alkyl betaines, alkyl amidopropyl betaine amides, alkyl amidopropyl betaines, alkylsulfo betaines, amine oxides and derivatives thereof in a concentration of from about 0.01 to about 15% w/w of the solution; (c) at least one hydrogen peroxide stabilizer in a concentration of from about 0.01 to about 4% w/w of the solution; (d) at least one member chosen from cyclic carboxylic acids and salts thereof in a concentration of from about 0.01 to about 4% w/w of the solution; and (e) at least one skin conditioning agent in a concentration of from about 0.01 to about 10% w/w of the solution.
US08808750B2 Microporous zirconium silicate for the treatment of hyperkalemia
The present invention relates to novel microporous zirconium silicate compositions that are formulated to remove toxins, e.g. potassium ions, from the gastrointestinal tract at an elevated rate without causing undesirable side effects. The preferred formulations are designed avoid increase in pH of urine in patients and/or avoid potential entry of particles into the bloodstream of the patient. Also disclosed is a method for preparing high purity crystals of UZSi-9 exhibiting an enhanced level of potassium exchange capacity. These compositions are particularly useful in the therapeutic treatment of hyperkalemia.
US08808735B2 Fast wet-massing method for the preparation of calcium-containing compositions
The present invention relates to a novel process for the preparation of a granulate comprising a calcium-containing compound as an active substance. The method comprises a method for the preparation of a granulate comprising a calcium-containing compound as an active substance, the method comprising, i) feeding a granulation chamber with a composition comprising the calcium-containing compound, ii) wet-massing the composition with a granulation liquid optionally comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable binder for a time period of at the most 30 sec to obtain a wet granulate, iii) drying the thus obtained wet granulate. A granulate obtained by the present method is especially suitable in the preparation of solid dosage forms, in particular in the preparation of tablets.
US08808733B2 Method of controlled drug release from a liposome carrier
Disclosed are methods and compositions for the controlled release of a drug or agent from a liposome using light or radiation. Also disclosed are compositions comprising liposomes having a lipid layer, wherein the liposomes contain an agent, an enzyme capable of releasing the agent from the liposome, and an enzyme activator sequestered by a molecular cage. In another aspect, methods of delivering an agent to a target in a subject are disclosed.
US08808724B2 Antimicrobial coatings with preferred microstructure for medical devices
A medical device having an antimicrobial coating. The device has a first coating layer having an antimicrobial agent over at least part of the outer surfaces of the device. The first coating has an outer surface. There is a second discontinuous polymeric coating containing an antimicrobial agent, which is on top of and covering part of the outer surface of the first coating. The second discontinuous coating has a microstructure.
US08808723B2 Polymers containing poly(ester amides) and agents for use with medical articles and methods of fabricating the same
Polymers containing poly(ester amides) and agents for use with medical articles and methods of fabricating the same are disclosed. The medical article generally comprises an implantable substrate having a coating, and the coating contains a polymer comprising a polymeric product of a reaction comprising a polyol, a polycarboxylic acid, an amino acid and an agent.
US08808720B2 Formulation
A product comprising microcapsules which themselves comprise (a) a polymeric shell; and (b) a core which comprises (i) a solid agrochemical dispersed in a matrix and (ii) a water-immiscible liquid characterized in that the matrix is distributed non-continuously throughout the water-immiscible liquid.
US08808719B1 Use of Chromobacterium substugae formulations, compostions and compounds to modulate cornworm rootworm larvae infestation
Provided is the use of or compositions or formulations comprising Chromobacterium species, filtrate, supernatant, extract, pesticidally active compound or metabolite derived therefrom as an insecticide, particularly against infestation of Corn Rootworm larvae.
US08808701B2 Methods of inhibiting the interaction of C5aR with C5a with anti-C5aR antibodies
The present invention is directed to humanized antibodies which bind the human C5a receptor and their use as therapeutic and diagnostic agents. The present invention is further directed toward nucleic acid sequences which encode said humanized antibodies, and their expression in recombinant host cells. In particular, the present invention is directed towards humanized antibodies derived from murine antibody 7F3 which specifically binds to the human C5a receptor.
US08808688B2 Cell preparation for erectile dysfunction or sensory disorders of the lower urinary tract containing adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells
An object is to provide a novel medical use of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells. It was discovered that adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASC) promote improvement of erectile dysfunction and recovery of the urge to urinate (improvement of sensory disorders of the lower urinary tract). On the basis of the discovery, a cell preparation containing adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells, which is effective to erectile dysfunction or sensory disorders of the lower urinary tract, is provided. In one embodiment, adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells and body fat are used in combination.
US08808672B2 Liquid cosmetic
To provide a liquid cosmetic which is loaded into a liquid applicator having an applying part and suitably used as a cosmetic for eye-makeup around the eyes, the liquid cosmetic comprises, at least, 1 to 20% by mass of high-brightness particles, 2 to 10% by mass of film-forming resin, 0.3% by mass or more of an anionic polymer compound having a thickening effect, and water, and is configured such that the viscosity at 25° C. and a shear rate of 76.8 s−1 in an EMD type viscometer falls within the range of 250 to 1,000 mPa·s.
US08808664B2 Lipidated glycoprotein particles and methods of use
Lipidated micro- or macroparticles are prepared by covalently linking a glycoprotein, typically collagen, with at least one lipid. An amino group in the glycoprotein is joined with a primary amine in the lipid. These particles can be used to encapsulate active ingredients, such as drugs.
US08808663B2 Hydrogen generation using compositions including magnesium and silicon
Embodiments relate to methods of generating hydrogen including contacting magnesium and silicon to form a mixture and reacting the mixture with an aqueous solution, sufficient to generate hydrogen. The solution can include water and salt.
US08808656B2 Garnet-type single crystal, optics using same and related apparatus thereof
A garnet-type single crystal is represented by a general formula, A3B2C3O12 (having a crystal structure with three sites A, B and C occupied by cations, wherein A represents an element occupying the site A, B represents an element occupying the site B, C represents an element occupying the site C, O represents an oxygen atom), and contains fluorine, in which the fluorine attains any one or both of substituting for the oxygen atom or compensating for oxygen defect.
US08808650B1 Foldable specimen rack with configurable specimen receiver
A foldable specimen rack includes a foldable box that moves from a closed, storage position to an open in-use position. The foldable box may include and open box and open bottom when the box is in the open position. The foldable specimen rack may also include a removable insert member situated adjacent the open top of the foldable box. The removable insert member includes multiple specimen holder receiving slots. Different removable insert members may includes slots that accommodate different size specimen holders.
US08808649B2 System for conducting the identification of bacteria in urine
A system for conducting the identification and quantification of micro-organisms, e.g., bacteria in urine samples which includes: 1) several disposable cartridges for holding four disposable components including a centrifuge tube, a pipette tip having a 1 ml volume, a second pipette tip having a 0.5 ml volume, and an optical cup or cuvette; 2) a sample processor for receiving the disposable cartridges and processing the urine samples including transferring the processed urine sample to the optical cups; and 3) an optical analyzer for receiving the disposable cartridges and configured to analyze the type and quantity of micro-organisms in the urine sample. The disposable cartridges with their components including the optical cups or cuvettes are used in the sample processor, and the optical cups or cuvettes containing the processed urine samples are used in the optical analyzer for identifying and quantifying the type of micro-organism existing in the processed urine samples.
US08808644B2 Methods for dispensing fluids into microplates utilizing microwell covers
Automated apparatus and methods for dispensing fluids into microplates utilizing microwell covers, the covers comprising open portions to allow a pipette access to one or more wells and impermeable portions which prevent the fluids from getting into wells shielded by the impermeable portion. The open portions and impermeable portions are preferably arranged and sized to align with alternating rows of wells in a particular microplate. Preferred covers are movably positioned on the microplate. Automated dispensing apparatus for use with microplates and microwell covers comprises a programmable controller, and suitable interfaces which allow the apparatus to be programmed, and which control a dispensing head such that pipettes are moved in the desired manner in order to take advantage of the protective features of the microwell covers. The apparatus also preferably comprises at least one transfer mechanism for moving a cover relative to a microplate at a dispensing station.
US08808643B1 Fluidics platform and method for sample preparation and analysis
Herein provided are fluidics platform and method for sample preparation and analysis. The fluidics platform is capable of analyzing DNA from blood samples using amplification assays such as polymerase-chain-reaction assays and loop-mediated-isothermal-amplification assays. The fluidics platform can also be used for other types of assays and analyzes. In some embodiments, a sample in a sealed tube can be inserted directly. The following isolation, detection, and analyzes can be performed without a user's intervention. The disclosed platform may also comprises a sample preparation system with a magnetic actuator, a heater, and an air-drying mechanism, and fluid manipulation processes for extraction, washing, elution, assay assembly, assay detection, and cleaning after reactions and between samples.
US08808638B2 Retort sterilization device, heating device, heat sterilization method, and heat treatment method
A retort sterilization device includes a water steam generation device for generating water steam and a heating pot, connected to the water steam generation device, for accommodating retort food. The water steam generation device includes a heat exchanger for performing heat exchange between liquid flowing in a liquid path and heating vapor flowing in the vapor path. A top end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected via a water steam supply pipe to a water steam ejection section located in an internal area of the heating pot. The heat exchanger is connected to a liquid container. A bottom end of the liquid path of the heat exchanger is connected to the liquid container via a communicating tube. The liquid container is coupled to the heating pot.
US08808631B2 Centralized, time-shared vapor sterilization system
A system for conveying a sterilant vapor to a plurality of processing lines having articles moving therealong. The system includes a central source of a sterilant vapor. A conveying device is provided for conveying a sterilant vapor from the central source to a plurality of processing lines. A plurality of sensing devices are provided for sensing a plurality of operational parameters associated with the system and the plurality of processing lines. A controller is provided for receiving signals from the plurality of sensing devices. The controller is programmed to monitor continuously the plurality of sensing devices to determine if an event indicative of a malfunction has occurred with respect to the system or the plurality of processing lines. The controller is programmed to adjust the operation of the system in response to the event to maintain uninterrupted operation of one or more of the plurality of processing lines.
US08808626B2 Amperometric immunosensor
An electrochemical immunosensor system with reduced interference, comprising: a first immunosensor that generates an electrochemical signal based on the formation of a sandwich between an immobilized antibody, a target analyte and a labeled antibody, wherein a portion of the signal arises from non-specific binding of the labeled antibody in the region of the first immunosensor, and a second immunosensor that acts as an immuno-reference sensor and generates a signal that is the same as or predictably related to the degree of non-specific binding which occurs in the region of the first immunosensor, and has an immunocomplex between an immobilized antibody and an endogenous or exogenous protein that is in the sample and that is not the target analyte.
US08808625B2 Dispensing apparatus and a dispensing method
In a dispensing apparatus for dispensing a liquid, such as a sample solution, on a substrate, such as a glass slide, the dispensing apparatus includes a capillary provided with a distal end and a proximal end, a pump unit configured to pump an operating liquid into the capillary and to pump the operating liquid out of the capillary, and a controller configured to control the pump unit so as to change a position of a liquid surface of the operating liquid in the capillary so that a predetermined volume of liquid is suctioned from the distal end into the capillary and the liquid suctioned in the capillary is discharged from the distal end. As a result, it is possible to precisely dispense extremely small volume amounts of liquids such as a nanoliter.
US08808624B2 Blood analyzer, blood analysis method and hemolytic agent
This blood analyzer includes a sample preparation portion preparing a measurement sample free from a labeling substance from a blood sample and a hemolytic agent free from a labeling substance, a light information generation portion generating fluorescent information and at least two types of scattered light information from the measurement sample and a control portion performing a first classification of white blood cells in the measurement sample into at least four groups of monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils and others on the basis of the fluorescent information and the two types of scattered light information.
US08808622B2 Sterilization system and device
A system, device and method for sterilizing or decontaminating an object that by exposing the object to a sterilant gas comprised of one or more oxides of nitrogen, such as NO, NO2, NO3, N2O3, N2O4, N2O5, N2O and mixtures thereof. The source of the sterilant gas can be generated from a sterilant gas-generating composition or provided by a source of the sterilant gas.
US08808614B2 Method of manufacturing porous sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride ceramics from granular Si mixture powder and porous sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride ceramics manufactured thereby
Disclosed is a porous sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride ceramic, which includes an array of sintered granules having fine pore channels in the sintered granules and coarse pore channels formed between the sintered granules, and in which the pore channel size is controlled so that both coarse pores and fine pores are formed together in the ceramic, thus simultaneously enhancing air permeability and capturing efficiency. A method of manufacturing the porous sintered reaction-bonded silicon nitride ceramic is also provided.
US08808604B2 Concrete pole and manufacturing method therefor
A method for manufacturing a concrete pole, includes steps of preparing a mold with PC steel bars; preparing a concrete composition comprising cement 19˜21 weight percent, Pozzolanic material 3˜5 weight percent, fine aggregate 25˜40 weight percent, natural stone aggregate 30˜45 weight percent, chemical admixture 0.3˜0.4 weight percent, inorganic pigment 0.4˜1.0 weight percent, and water 6˜7 weight percent; pouring the concrete composition into the mold; shaping the poured composition into a hollow pole; curing the shaped pole by steam at a temperature range from 75° C. to 85° C. from 6 to 8 hours; removing the mold from the cured pole; and grinding the outer surface of the pole so that the pattern and color of the natural stones are exposed on the outer surface.
US08808594B1 Coform fibrous materials and method for making same
A method is disclosed for producing a coform fibrous materials comprising the steps of supplying a first fiber forming stream comprising a first phase comprising a polymer melt and a second phase comprising a pressurized gas to a two-phase flow nozzle, supplying a separate second stream containing at least one secondary material to the two-phase flow nozzle, combining the first fiber forming stream and the second stream to form a composite fiber forming stream and fibrillating the composite fiber forming stream into a coform fibrous web. Superabsorbent and filtration coform fibrous materials for filtration and produced using the method are also disclosed.
US08808590B2 Pelletizing device and method
Pelletizing device and method for pelletizing pelletizing materials having a pelletizing disk inclined to the horizontal and provided rotatable wherein the pelletizing disk is driven via a motor device. The pelletizing disk comprises a bottom and a side wall, the effective height of the side wall being variable. The side wall comprises an inner side wall device and an outer side wall device, the inner side wall device being disposed height-adjustable relative to the outer side wall device.
US08808585B2 Vegetable oil of high dielectric purity, method for obtaining same and use in an electrical device
A dielectric high purity vegetable oil—free from antioxidants and/or external additives to be used in electric equipment such as transformers, as isolating element and as cooling means and a method for obtaining the same in which the dielectric high purity vegetable oil—is obtained by means of the optimization of the bleaching steps—and deodorizing—from the Refining process—known as Modified Caustic Refining Long-Mix (RBD).
US08808584B2 Active material for lithium secondary battery, electrode for lithium secondary battery, lithium secondary battery, and method for producing the same
It is an object of the present invention to provide an active material for a lithium secondary battery having high discharge capacity and excellent in high rate discharge characteristics and a lithium secondary battery using the same. The active material for a lithium secondary battery containing a solid solution of a lithium-transition metal composite oxide having an α-NaFeO2 type crystal structure and the lithium secondary battery using the same have features that the composition ratios of the metal elements contained in the solid solution satisfy Li1+(x/3)Co1−x−y−zNiy/2Mgz/2Mn(2x/3)+(y/2)+(z/2) (x>0; y>0; z>0; x+y+z<1); the active material has an X-ray diffraction pattern capable of belonging to space group P3112; and the active material has discharge capacity exceeding 200 mAh/g. Further, in addition to the above-mentioned features, they have features that an intensity ratio between the diffraction peak of (003) plane and the diffraction peak of (114) plane measured by X-ray diffractometry is I(003)/I(114)≧1.15 and/or the half width of the diffraction peak of (003) plane is 0.15° or less and the half width of the diffraction peak of (114) plane is 0.25° or less.
US08808581B2 Conductive compositions containing Li2RuO3 and ion-exchanged Li2RuO3 and their use in the manufacture of semiconductor devices
The present invention is directed to an electrically conductive composition comprising (i) an electrically conductive metal, (ii) a component selected from the group consisting of Li2RuO3, ion-exchanged Li2RuO3 and mixtures thereof, and (iii) a glass frit all dispersed in an organic medium. The present invention is further directed to an electrode formed from the composition and a semiconductor device and, in particular, a solar cell comprising such an electrode. The electrodes provide good adhesion and good electrical performance.
US08808577B2 Thermally stable oxynitride phosphor and light source comprising such a phosphor
A thermally stable phosphor made of the M-Si—O—N system, having a cation M and an activator D, M being represented by Ba or Sr alone or as a mixture and optionally also being combined with at least one other element from the group Ca, Mg, Zn, Cu. The phosphor is activated with Eu or Ce or Tb alone or as a mixture, optionally in codoping with Mn or Yb. The activator D partially replaces the cation M. The phosphor is produced from the charge stoichiometry MO—SiO2—SiN4/3 with an increased oxygen content relative to the known phosphor MSi2O2N2:D, where MO is an oxidic compound.
US08808567B2 Magnetic nanoparticles and magnetorheological fluid comprising same
A nanoparticle composition comprises a ferromagnetic or superparamagnetic metal nanoparticle, and a functionalized carbonaceous coating on a surface of the ferromagnetic or superparamagnetic metal nanoparticle. A magnetorheological fluid comprises the nanoparticle composition.
US08808564B2 Method and apparatus for selective nitridation process
Embodiments described herein generally relate to methods for manufacturing flash memory devices. In one embodiment, a method for removing native oxides from a substrate is provided. The method includes transferring a substrate having an oxide layer disposed thereon into a first processing chamber, exposing the substrate to a plasma generated from a cleaning gas mixture, wherein the cleaning gas mixture comprises a hydrogen-containing gas and a fluorine-containing gas, heating the substrate to a temperature sufficient to remove the oxide layer from the substrate, transferring the substrate from the first processing chamber to a second processing chamber without breaking vacuum, and flowing a plasma containing substantially nitrogen-containing radicals into the second processing chamber to expose the substrate to nitrogen containing radicals.
US08808559B2 Etch rate detection for reflective multi-material layers etching
A method and apparatus for etching a photomask substrate with enhanced process monitoring, for example, by providing for optical monitoring at different regions of the photomask to obtain desired etch rate or thickness loss is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes performing an etching process on a reflective multi-material layer that includes at least one molybdenum layer and one silicon layer through a patterned mask, directing radiation having a wavelength from about 170 nm and about 800 nm to an area of the multi-material layer uncovered by the patterned mask, collecting an optical signal reflected from the area uncovered by the patterned mask, analyzing a waveform obtained from the reflected optical signal, and determining a first endpoint of the etching process when an intensity of the reflected optical signal is between about 60 percent and about 90 percent less than an initial reflected optical signal.
US08808556B2 Embroidery and method of making same
Chemical burnout is used on fabrics having beaded and/or glittered areas to create embroidery that realistically simulates hand-sewn embroidery. A chemical fluid etchant is printed only on selected areas of a pattern on a fabric of cellulose fibers. Preferably, the fabric is a composite fabric that also has non-cellulose fibers. A curable fluid adhesive is printed only on other selected areas of the pattern. Ornamental particles are deposited onto the curable adhesive. The composite fabric is heated to cure the adhesive and fix the particles to the other selected areas, and to simultaneously activate the etchant to dissolve the cellulose fibers at the selected areas. The chemical etchant is removed by rinsing the composite fabric.
US08808550B2 Apparatus and method for dissolution of ozone in water and catalytic oxidation
A system and method for oxidation treatment of water in which ozone gas is dissolved in water by passing a mixed gas-liquid stream through a monolith at an elevated pressure that is close to the preferred gas output pressure for an ozone generator. The monolith is preferably contained at least partially within a gas-liquid separator vessel. Advanced oxidation is optionally provided by injecting hydrogen peroxide and/or embedding a catalyst on the monolith. At least a portion of the treated water is preferably recycled in order to increase total ozone dosing in the effluent stream.
US08808542B2 Disc filter
A filter device having a vent device for inhibiting formation of a vacuum in the filter device. The filter device includes a drum for receiving the liquid wherein the drum includes a drum headspace. The filter device also includes filter sets for filtering the liquid. The drum is rotated to enable cleaning of filter media. The filter device also includes a frame having spaced apart supports for supporting each of the filter sets. A fluid passageway extends between the supports, wherein the fluid passageway provides fluid communication between the tank headspace and a filter set to vent a filter set.
US08808531B2 Small volume in vitro analyte sensor
A sensor designed to determine the concentration of analyte in a sample having a volume of less than about 1 μL. The sensor has a working electrode coated with a redox mediator that acts as an electron transfer agent between the analyte and the electrode. A second electron transfer agent, such as an enzyme, can be added to facilitate the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the analyte. Various electrochemical detection methods, such as amperometric, voltammetric, and potentiometric techniques, can be used to determine the analyte concentration. The sensor can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum.
US08808527B2 Method of sterilizing water
A method of sterilizing water that includes: immersing at least one electrode unit having a negative electrode within a container and a positive electrode within the container, the positive electrode separated from and facing the negative electrode, wherein the negative electrode has a plurality of negative electrode projections thereon, and the positive electrode has a plurality of positive electrode projections thereon, each positive electrode projection arranged to face and be aligned with each negative electrode projection one by one; and, supplying direct current by at least one power supply to the electrode unit immersed under the water.
US08808526B2 Process for changing a spent anode
The process involves pouring a smothering powder onto a spent anode placed on a support to cover it, with the aim of limiting fluorinated gas emission by the anode. The support may include a temporary tank, pre-filled with powder and provided with an opening for discharging the powder towards the anode on the support.
US08808523B2 Method for forming ZrO2 film by plasma electrolytic oxidation
A method for forming a ZrO2 oxide film by plasma electrolytic oxidation includes a first step of placing an anode, which is a substrate with a ZrN film, and a cathode into an electrolyte of which the temperature range is from 65° C. to 75° C. Said electrolyte contains barium acetate or barium hydroxide ranging from 0.3 M to 0.7 M and sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide ranging from 1.5 M to 2.5 M. The method includes a second step of applying a voltage ranging from 50 V to 1000 V to the anode and cathode to finally form a ZrO2 film on a surface of the ZrN film of the anode. A DC power supply, an AC power supply, unipolar pulse power supply or bipolar pulse power supply is applied to said anode and cathode in constant-voltage mode or constant-current mode. The oxide film can be formed more rapidly than the prior art and has excellent crystallinity.
US08808519B2 Microfluidic device
A microfluidic device includes a micro-channel that defines a plane. A plurality of drive electrodes is located on a first side of the plane. At least one ground electrode is operable to establish an electric potential with the plurality of drive electrodes. An array of electrochemical biosensors is located on a second, opposite side of the plane.
US08808509B2 Pyrolytic gas generator
Pyrolytic gas generator for generating clean useful gas from biomass, particularly wood, oil seeds or the like, where a gasification channel in multi-chambered construction is provided, which gasification channel is provided with an assist burner which can supply heat from the outside to the gasification channel during gasification of the biomass, a pre-pyrolyzing pipe is connected upstream of the gasification channel and an ash discharge downstream of the gasification channel, wherein the generated gases are re-gasified in the gasification channel while the material to be gasified is mechanically transported from a material container to the ash discharge.
US08808507B2 Microwave assisted flash pyrolysis system and method using the same
The present invention provides a microwave assisted flash pyrolysis system to carry out microwave assisted flash pyrolysis in an industrial scale. The microwave assisted flash pyrolysis system comprises at least one microwave generator; a chamber comprises: at least one feedstock inlet, at least one baffle plate, a microwave-transparent rotating window, and at least one microwave inlet, at least one wet gas outlet, and at least one dry end product outlet. The present invention also provides a method using the same system to carry out microwave assisted flash pyrolysis.
US08808501B2 Methods for individualizing trichomes
A method for individualizing a trichome from an epidermis of a non-seed portion of a trichome-bearing plant in the Asteraceae family and Melastomataceae family to form a fibrous structure is provided. The method comprises contacting the plant with a device to separate the trichome from the epidermis and incorporating the separated trichome into fibrous structure.
US08808500B2 Method for the use of oxidants for microbial control under reducing conditions
Microbial growth in an aqueous system containing borohydride residues is controlled by adding an aldehyde or aldehyde source, followed by adding an active halogen biocide. The active halogen biocide is preferably stabilized by an N-hydrogen compound.
US08808486B2 Method for manufacturing color electrophoretic display device
A method for manufacturing a color electrophoretic display device includes the following steps. First, a substrate having a displaying region and a circuit region around the displaying region is provided. Next, a driving array is formed in the displaying region. Subsequently, an electrophoretic display layer is formed on the driving array. Afterwards, a thermal transfer process is performed so that a color filter layer is formed on the electrophoretic display layer. The method can increase the production eligibility rate of the color electrophoretic display device, thereby improving the display quality of the color electrophoretic display device.
US08808478B2 Structural mounting insert having a non-conductive isolator
The present invention is predicated upon methods and devices for positively mounting structural members while preventing or substantially limiting exposure of such members to environmental conditions possibly leading to corrosion.
US08808471B2 Martensitic stainless steel strengthened by copper-nucleated nitride precipitates
A martensitic stainless steel alloy is strengthened by copper-nucleated nitride precipitates. The alloy includes, in combination by weight percent, about 10.0 to about 12.5 Cr, about 2.0 to about 7.5 Ni, up to about 17.0 Co, about 0.6 to about 1.5 Mo, about 0.5 to about 2.3 Cu, up to about 0.6 Mn, up to about 0.4 Si, about 0.05 to about 0.15 V, up to about 0.10 N, up to about 0.035 C, up to about 0.01 W, and the balance Fe and incidental elements and impurities. The nitride precipitates may be enriched by one or more transition metals.
US08808470B2 High-carbon chromium bearing steel and production method of the same
Provided is a production method including: heating a workpiece at a temperature higher than an Ac1 transformation point in a carburizing atmosphere; slowly cooling the workpiece at not more than 70° C./Hr down to a temperature T satisfying Formula (1) while maintaining the carburizing atmosphere: Ar1−20≧T(° C.)≧300° C. . . . (1); and cooling the workpiece in an oxidizing atmosphere. According to this method, it is possible to efficiently produce a high-carbon chromium bearing steel whose depth of the recarburized layer or the overcarburized layer is within a range from 0 to 0.2 mm, having less machining allowance, and excellent in machinability, using a steel tube after hot tube-making.
US08808468B2 Fe—Si—La alloy having excellent magneto-caloric properties
The invention relates to a Fe—Si—La alloy having the atomic composition: (La1-a-a′MmaTRa′)1[(Fe1-b-b′CObMb′)1-x(Si1-cXc)x]13(CdNeH1-d-e)y(R)z(I)f Mm representing a mixture of lanthanum, cerium, neodymium and praseodynium in the weight proportion of 22 to 26% La, 48 to 53% Ce, 17 to 20% Nd and 5 to 7% Pr, the said mixture possibly comprising up to 1% by weight of impurities, TR representing one or more elements of the rare earth family other than lanthanum, M representing one or more type d transition elements of the 3d, 4d and 5d layers X representing a metalloid element selected from Ge, Al, B, Ga and In R representing one or more elements selected from Al, Ca, Mg, K and Na, I representing one or two elements selected from O and S, with: 0≦a<0.5 and 0≦a′<0.2 0≦b≦0.2 and 0≦b′<0.4 0≦c≦0.5 and 0≦d≦1 0≦e≦1 and f≦0.1 0.09≦x≦0.13 and 0.002≦y≦4 0.0001≦z≦0.01 the subscripts b, d, e, x and y being such that the alloy further satisfies the following condition: 6.143b(13(1−x))+4.437y[1−0.0614(d+e)]≧1  Eq.1 d*y≧0.005  Eq.2 It also relates to a powder of this alloy or to a mixture of these alloys and the method of fabrication.
US08808461B2 Method and device for emptying the floor of a black liquor recovery boiler
A method for emptying a furnace floor from smelt in a black liquor recovery boiler when the black liquor recovery boiler is being shut down. The emptying can be started while smelt is still flowing in smelt spouts. The floor is emptied by sucking smelt from the furnace with a smelt eductor. A device for removing smelt and wash water from a furnace of a black liquor recovery boiler by means of suction. Negative pressure is generated in the device by conducting pressurized gas into a suction pipe of an eductor so that preheated pressurized gas is discharged in the discharge direction of smelt and wash water.
US08808460B2 Intelligent control of a bottle washer
Method of cleaning containers, in particular bottles of glass or plastics, in a cleaning module with a cleaning machine where at least one cleaning medium is allowed to act on the containers transported through the cleaning machine, and with an inspection unit, including determining at least one control parameter with respect to the degree of soiling of the cleaned bottles, detecting the degree of soiling of the cleaned bottles, evaluating the detected degree of soiling of the cleaned bottles in view of the at least one control parameter with respect to the degree of soiling, returning bottles evaluated to exhibit an excessive degree of soiling to the inlet of the cleaning machine, and automatically controlling the cleaning parameters of the cleaning machine if the number of returned bottles, based on the number of cleaned bottles, exceeds a predetermined target value or target range.
US08808451B2 Reducing agent for the soluble chromate content of cement and methods for production thereof
The invention relates to a reducing agent for the soluble chromate content of cement and to methods for the production thereof, which comprise concentrating an used sulfuric acid, containing iron (II) sulfate, and separating the sulfuric acid from the obtained precipitate which contains iron (II) sulfate.
US08808445B2 Asphalt-rubber compositions and systems and methods for preparing same
One embodiment provides a process for preparing an asphalt-coated crumb rubber composition that meets the specification set forth in ASTM D80-02 or deviations thereof which may be established by the specifying agency from time to time. The process generally comprises obtaining asphalt of different penetration grades, combining the asphalt of each grade with preselected chemicals to form separate premixed components, blending the premixed components together under predetermined conditions to form, upon curing, an asphalt-coated crumb rubber composition that meets certain physical requirements for asphalt-rubber binder (ARB), such as those set forth in ASTM D8-02. Advantageously, the resulting asphalt-coated crumb rubber composition not only meets the physical requirements of ARB used in road paving but also has improved dispersion of the rubber, such as dispersion of the rubber in an oil-in-water emulsion of an asphalt.
US08808443B2 Sizing composition for mineral wool based on hydrogenated sugar and insulating products obtained
A sizing composition for insulating products based on mineral wool, in particular of glass or of rock, which includes at least one hydrogenated sugar and at least one polyfunctional crosslinking agent. Another subject matter of the present invention is the insulating products based on mineral fibers thus obtained.
US08808441B2 Inkjet inks
The present disclosure provides inkjet inks and associated methods and systems. In one example, an inkjet ink can comprise an ink vehicle and a colorant, wherein the ink vehicle includes an organic co-solvent, water, and from 0.0001 wt % to 0.1 wt % dextran based on the inkjet ink as a whole.
US08808440B2 Ink composition, ink for inkjet recording and inkjet recording method
An ink composition containing at least three coloring materials of a first coloring material, a second coloring material, and a third coloring material, in which the first coloring material is a compound represented by Formula (Y) as described, the second coloring material is at least one compound selected from Group A consisting of compounds having a specific structure, in which the mass ratio of the content (% by mass) of the second coloring material in the composition to the content (% by mass) of the first coloring material in the composition is 0.001 to 1.0, and the third coloring material is a compound different from the first coloring material as described.
US08808433B2 Carbon ion pump for removal of carbon dioxide from combustion gas and other gas mixtures
A novel method and system of separating carbon dioxide from flue gas is introduced. Instead of relying on large temperature or pressure changes to remove carbon dioxide from a solvent used to absorb it from flue gas, the ion pump method, as disclosed herein, dramatically increases the concentration of dissolved carbonate ion in solution. This increases the overlying vapor pressure of carbon dioxide gas, permitting carbon dioxide to be removed from the downstream side of the ion pump as a pure gas. The ion pumping may be obtained from reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, thermal desalination methods, or an ion pump system having an oscillating flow in synchronization with an induced electric field.
US08808427B2 Process and apparatus for the treatment of a carbon dioxide-containing gas stream form a large-scale combustion plant
The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the treatment of a carbon dioxide-containing gas stream from a large-scale combustion plant, in particular of a power station. The gas stream is separated in a carbon dioxide purification stage R into a gas substream having an increased carbon dioxide content and a gas substream having a reduced carbon dioxide content. The gas substream having an increased carbon dioxide content is fed to a further use and/or storage S. In particular, compression of the carbon dioxide under the ground can reduce the emission of gases which affect the climate. To increase the proportion of compressible CO2, it is proposed that the gas substream having a reduced carbon dioxide content is fed to a pressure swing adsorption stage PSA in which a fraction which is rich in carbon dioxide and a fraction which is low in carbon dioxide are produced. The fraction which is rich in carbon dioxide is recirculated to the carbon dioxide purification stage R or is passed directly to further use and/or storage S.
US08808426B2 Increasing scales, capacities, and/or efficiencies in swing adsorption processes with hydrocarbon gas feeds
The invention relates to an increased efficiency high-capacity pressure and/or temperature swing adsorption process comprising: contacting a feedstream at a rate of more than 75 MSCFD with an adsorbent material under conditions sufficient for the adsorbent material to selectively adsorb at least one of the component gases in the feedstream, so as to form a first effluent; and selectively desorbing the adsorbed gas from the adsorption material, so as to form a second effluent The adsorption module can contain rotary valves both on the feed end and on the product end and a rotational member defining a central rotational axis, with the adsorption bed(s) oriented circumferentially thereto. The adsorption bed walls can be angled, the feed end cross-sectional area of the adsorption bed(s) can be larger than the product end, and/or the feed end rotary valve diameter of the module(s) can be larger than the product end.
US08808422B2 Method for increasing the penetration depth of an oxygen stream
A method and device are disclosed for automatically evaluating a delivery system in respect of the energy efficiency and emissions efficiency thereof. The method may include: determining a service level for the delivery system according to an energy intensity and an evaluation relevance of the particular delivery system, detecting energy data and emissions data of the delivery system corresponding to the determined service level of the delivery system, and calculating at least one indicator based on the detected energy data and emissions data and/or based on data for the energy management and environmental management of the delivery system for evaluating the delivery system with respect to the energy efficiency and emissions efficiency thereof.
US08808420B2 Process for preparing nanoparticles
A process for producing nanoparticles comprises the steps of preparing silver seeds in the presence of a water soluble polyanionic polymer and growing the silver seeds to form nanoparticles. The polyanionic polymer may be poly(sodium styrenesulphonate).
US08808417B2 Air cleaner arrangements; serviceable filter elements; and, methods
An air cleaner arrangement or assembly is provided. The air cleaner arrangement includes a serviceable filter cartridge. The air cleaner assembly also includes an arrangement for positioning the filter cartridge into a preferred, sealing, orientation and for securing the filter cartridge in that location. Preferred serviceable filter cartridges are provided, as well as methods of assembly and use.
US08808402B2 Arrangement for holding a substrate in a material deposition apparatus
An arrangement (1) for holding a substrate (10) in a material deposition apparatus, which substrate (10) has a deposition side (10a) upon which material (M) is to be deposited, and which arrangement (1) comprises: a shadow mask (20) comprising a number of deposition openings (Di); a support structure (30) comprising a number of surround openings (Si); and a support structure holding means (6) for holding the support mask (30) and/or a substrate holding means (5) for holding the substrate (10), such that the support structure (30) is on the same side as the deposition side (10a) of the substrate (10), and the shadow mask (20) is positioned between the substrate (10) and the support structure (30) such that at least one deposition opening (Di) of the shadow mask (10) lies within a corresponding surround opening (Si) of the support structure (30).
US08808400B2 Dyeing or lightening process using a composition rich in fatty substances comprising an alcohol having at least 20 carbons, compositions and device
The present invention relates to a process for dyeing or lightening human keratin fibers, which consists in extemporaneously mixing at the time of use two compositions (A) and (B) and in applying the mixture to the fibers; the said mixture comprising at least 25% by weight of fatty substances relative to the total weight of the mixture of compositions (A) (B); with: composition (A) being in the form of a direct emulsion comprising: at least 30% by weight of oil(s) (i); at least one fatty alcohol having at least 20 carbon atoms in its longest hydrocarbon chain (ii); at least one surfactant (iii); at least one basifying agent (iv); and optionally at least one dye chosen from oxidation dyes and direct dyes, and mixtures thereof (v); composition (B) comprising at least one oxidizing agent. The invention also relates to compositions (A), the mixture of the aforementioned compositions (A) and (B), and a multi-compartment device.
US08808390B2 Acetabular prosthesis having an orientable face
A prosthetic component assembly, such as an acetabular cup, includes a shell, a bearing positioner and a bearing. The shell and bearing positioner are configured to facilitate orienting the bearing positioner in multiple orientations relative to the shell and for securing the bearing positioner in a selected orientation of the multiple orientations relative to the shell. The bearing is configured to be received in the bearing positioner at multiple rotational orientations for optimal joint biomechanics. The bearing positioner is selected from among a plurality of lateralized positioners to accommodate the joint anatomy.
US08808388B2 Constrained knee prosthesis
A tibial insert includes a base and a post extending from the base along a longitudinal axis. The post has a medial surface, a lateral surface, and a height along the longitudinal axis. The medial surface has a medial section, and the lateral surface has a lateral section oriented substantially parallel to the medial section. The medial section and the lateral section each have a width in a substantially anterior-posterior direction that is sufficient to enable varus/valgus constraint over a flexion/extension range from extension to about 90 to 120 degrees of flexion when the tibial insert is mated with a femoral component.
US08808370B2 Recoil inhibitor for prosthetic valve
A valve loading apparatus is provided for loading a crimped prosthetic valve into a lumen of a delivery system. The valve recoil adapter can counteract recoil of a compressed prosthetic valve, and maintain the valve at its desired crimp diameter. An integrated bioprosthesis/delivery system is provided for delivering a bioprosthesis to a target area within a body lumen is provided. The delivery system includes a valve covering member and a compressing member, which compresses the valve covering member to surround, hold, and/or compress the valve during delivery to the target area.
US08808360B2 Apparatus and methods for conduits and materials
The present invention provides apparatus and methods for a conduit, such as an implantable conduit for a vessel. The conduit may comprise a main member and a side-branch member. The conduit may be implanted with the side-branch member initially disposed within the main member. When positioned, the side-branch member may then be extended from within the main member and into a vessel side-branch. The materials for the conduit may include circumferentially distensible and/or low recoil materials. The materials for the conduit may be constructed by various techniques and may include materials with enhanced flexibility and kink resistance.
US08808358B2 Vascular endograft
An endograft for a vessel having a vascular branch extending from the vessel is provided. The endograft includes a main body having a wall separating interior and exterior surfaces and adapted to be inserted within the vessel. The main body is characterized by a single proximal opening and two distal openings and at least one aperture extending through the wall. At least one stent is secured to the main body that upon expansion pressure fits the main body into the vessel. An open tunnel is secured to the interior surface of the main body around the main body aperture and secured somewhere along the tunnel length to provide fluid communication between the interior and exterior surfaces of the main body through the aperture and with the vascular branch in proximity to the main body aperture. The tunnel is readily formed independent of an expandable stent. Through the addition of further apertures and tunnels, an endograft is well suited for revascularizing the celiac, superior mesenteric artery and renal arteries for the treatment of a suprarenal aortic aneurysm. The insertion of a sleeve positioned partly within the tunnel and extending beyond the exterior surface of the main body into the vascular branch assures continued fluid flow to the vascular branch. The two distal openings are adapted to engage the iliac arteries.
US08808356B2 Collapsible and re-expandable prosthetic heart valve cuff designs and complementary technological applications
A prosthetic heart valve is provided with a cuff having features which promote sealing with the native tissues even where the native tissues are irregular. The cuff may include a portion adapted to bear on the LVOT when the valve is implanted in a native aortic valve. The valve may include elements for biasing the cuff outwardly with respect to the stent body when the stent body is in an expanded condition. The cuff may have portions of different thickness distributed around the circumference of the valve in a pattern matching the shape of the opening defined by the native tissue. All or part of the cuff may be movable relative to the stent during implantation.
US08808355B2 Stent graft having a closeable fenestration
A radially expandable stent graft 10 for placement in a lumen of a patient is disclosed. The stent graft 10 comprises: a prosthetic trunk 100 comprising a trunk lumen 110 there-through; a prosthetic branch 300 comprising a branch lumen 310 extending there-through, wherein the branch lumen 310 is in fluid communication with the trunk lumen 110 through a lateral opening 115 in the trunk lumen 110; a valve 150 comprising a fenestration 152 for providing temporary lateral access into the trunk lumen 110, the valve 150 positioned opposite the lateral opening 115 in the trunk lumen 110; and a valve actuator. The valve actuator closes the fenestration 152 as the stent graft 10 expands.
US08808353B2 Crush recoverable polymer scaffolds having a low crossing profile
A medical device includes a polymer scaffold crimped to a catheter having an expansion balloon. The scaffold, after being deployed by the balloon, provides a crush recovery of about 90% after the diameter of the scaffold has been pinched or crushed by 50%. The scaffold also has a reduced crimped profile and a modification of the scaffold's ring structure at the crowns that contributes to the reduced crimped profile.
US08808351B2 Stretchable prosthesis fenestration
A prosthesis (10) having a variable size or stretchable fenestration (14) in the graft material (37) of a biocompatible tubular graft (11). An expandable frame (16) is disposed about the fenestration, and a portion (17) of the graft material about the fenestration is folded back over the frame to cover the frame. Additional grafts or prosthesis of varying size can be inserted through the frame and fenestration with the stretched frame and folded portion compressing on the inserted graft forming a seal therewith.
US08808349B2 Controlled sequential deployment
A stent graft introducer (1) which includes a handle arrangement which by telescopic movement of a slide or slide portions (104, 106) into a handle portion (100) causes controlled sequential deployment of a stent graft (14). Stops (218,217, 218, 219) ensure actions are carried out in a selected order. A sheath (116) of the introducer is fixed to a slide portion such that with retraction of the slide portion the sheath is withdrawn from a stent graft retained on the introducer and at a selected position trigger wires retaining the stent graft onto the introducer are also released. Interconnections between the slides and the handle are provided to prevent relative rotation and re-extension after full retraction.
US08808347B2 Stent alignment during treatment of a bifurcation
A system for treating a bifurcation includes a first radially expandable stent and a second radially expandable stent. The first stent has a side hole and a plurality of lateral elements extending from the side hole. The second stent has a plurality of axial elements extending away from the proximal end of the second stent. The axial elements of the second stent interdigitate with the lateral elements of the first stent when both stents have been expanded.
US08808336B2 Joint arthrodesis and arthroplasty
An implantable fixation system for fusing a joint between a first bone and a second bone. The system may include an anchor, standoff, bolt, and cortical washer. The system may be implanted across the joint along a single trajectory, the length of the system adjustable to provide compressive force between the anchor and the cortical washer. The system may be implanted across a tibiotalar joint with the anchor positioned in the sinus tarsi. A spacing member may be inserted between the two bones and the fixation system implanted to extend through an opening in the spacing member. The spacing member may be anatomically shaped and/or provide deformity correction. An ankle arthroplasty system may include a tibial plate, a talar plate, and a bearing insert. The plates may be anchored to the tibia and talus along a single trajectory. The ankle arthroplasty system may be revisable to a fusion system.
US08808335B2 Locking element for a polyaxial bone anchor, bone plate assembly and tool
A locking element is configured to be used with a polyaxial bone anchor, and is substantially cylindrical with a bottom side facing a head of the bone anchor, a top side opposite to the bottom side, and a surface portion with an external thread. The locking element has a first recess at the bottom side for accommodating at least a portion of the head, and a second recess at the top side for engagement with a driver. The second recess is located outside the center of the top side. The head has a portion with a largest diameter, and a first level L1 is defined by the highest point of a circle with the largest diameter drawn around the head, and a second level L2 is defined by the bottom of the second recess, L2 being at a level not higher than L1.
US08808333B2 Periprosthetic bone plates
The present disclosure relates to bone plates that are configured for use with bones having periprosthetic fractures. For example, in the event that a proximal femur is fractured in an area that is adjacent to a prosthetic component, such as a femoral stem used in a hip replacement, the periprosthetic bone plates of the present invention may be used. In one exemplary embodiment, the periprosthetic bone plates include a periprosthetic zone having a plurality of central apertures and a plurality of outer apertures that are offset from the central apertures. The periprosthetic zone may further include a plurality of indentations, each indentation extending longitudinally between adjacent outer apertures to narrow a width of the bone plate.
US08808329B2 Apparatus and method for securing a portion of a body
An anchor connected with a suture is moved through a passage between opposite sides of a bone. The anchor is then pivoted to change its orientation. A second anchor is connected with the suture. While tension is maintained in the suture, the suture is secured against movement relative to the anchors. This may be done by tying the suture or by using a suture retainer to hold the suture. A suture retainer may be used in place of the second anchor. The passage may extend across a fracture in the bone. The passage may have either a nonlinear or linear configuration. The passage may be formed by first moving a thin elongated member through the bone. The thin elongated member is then used as a guide for a drill. The thin elongated member is withdrawn from the drill and the suture anchor is moved through a passage in the drill.
US08808325B2 Surgical stapling instrument with staples having crown features for increasing formed staple footprint
A staple having a crown, a deformable leg extending from the crown, and a spring extending from the crown configured to compress tissue between the spring and the deformable member. Owing to the flexibility of the spring, the staple can accommodate a wide range of tissue thicknesses while still compressing the tissue captured therein. As a result, a single staple design can be used in a wide variety of surgical procedures thereby reducing the amount of staple designs that must be provided to the surgeon. In at least one embodiment, the staple includes a crushable member. This crushable member can include a plastically deformable first portion and an elastically deformable second portion. The present invention can also include, in various embodiments, a crown, a first deformable member extending from the crown, and means for compressing the tissue against the first deformable member.
US08808320B2 Devices and methods for arched roof cutters
Disclosed herein are tissue-removal devices and methods for treating spinal diseases using such devices. The tissue-removal devices may comprise a cable and/or extendable elements with a retracted and a deployed configuration. The cable and/or extendable elements may be distally supported and restrained by a support element such that the support element may be pushed transversely away when the extendable element is distally extended into its deployed configuration. An annular cutting element may be provided about the distal end of the extendable element or the support element. Various configurations of the extendable and support elements are described herein, as well as methods of using tissue-removal devices with extendable and support elements coupled by an annular cutting element for treating spinal diseases.
US08808302B2 Customized patient-specific acetabular orthopaedic surgical instrument and method of use and fabrication
A customized patient-specific acetabular orthopaedic surgical instrument is disclosed. A method for fabricating and using the orthopaedic surgical instrument us also disclosed.
US08808300B2 Guide assembly for use in a medical procedure
An assembly includes a guide component having (i) a base defining a first passageway, and (ii) a handle attached to the base, the base including a first coupling component. The assembly further includes a first sheath defining a second passageway, the first sheath including a second coupling component configured to cooperate with the first coupling component to couple the first sheath to the base. The first passageway is aligned with the second passageway when the first sheath is coupled to the base. The assembly further includes a stop structure defining a central passage, the stop structure including an external surface having a plurality of keyways defined therein. The first sheath includes a key member configured to be selectively received in any one of the plurality of keyways. The stop structure is fixed in relation to the first sheath when the key member is positioned in any one of the plurality of keyways.
US08808298B2 Pivoting cut guides
The present disclosure provides a cut guide for use in preparation of the distal femur to form the anterior, anterior chamfer, distal, posterior chamfer and posterior facets as well as the intercondylar box cuts utilized to prepare a femoral intercondylar box. To allow for the use of a single cutting guide to make all of these femoral osteotomies, the present disclosure implements an orthopedic guide assembly including a primary guide body with a secondary guide body rotatably connected to the primary guide body. With this configuration, the secondary guide body can be rotated into an operable position to guide a femoral osteotomy and may also be rotated into an inoperable position in which it is moved from a configuration (i.e., the operable position) in which it acts as a barrier to movement of an osteotome across a guide surface of the primary guide body.
US08808291B2 External fixator
A fixator for use in the reconstruction of acute, chronic and traumatic injuries to the upper and lower extremities. The fixator has a unique clamping system that allows for the snapping in of pins and rails, and for multi-planar fixation of bones. The claim system includes a hinge, a first clamp, and a second clamp.
US08808283B2 Inductive powered surgical device with wireless control
A system and method for wirelessly powering an electrosurgical device using a generator to generate a radio frequency (RF) energy field. A switch on the electrosurgical device sends a wireless signal to the generator, where the generator allows a current to pass through an inductive coil to generate the RF energy field. The RF energy field induces a current to flow across an inductive coil within the electrosurgical device. The current flow is then processed through a RF conditioning circuit and outputted to the end effector assembly of the device.
US08808274B2 Wound dressing
A method and apparatus are disclosed for dressing a wound. The apparatus comprises a sealing layer comprising at least one orifice, an absorbent layer over the sealing layer, absorbing wound exude and a liquid impermeable, gas permeable filter layer over the absorbent layer.
US08808272B2 Biocompatible medical devices
A modified medical device for delivery of a pharmaceutically active material is described. The present inventors have found that many conventional medical devices contain a metallic or polymeric component that comes into contact with a pharmaceutically active material during use, and that the contact substantially reduce the pharmaceutical effectiveness of the pharmaceutically active material. The invention described herein concerns various modifications to the metallic or polymeric component that are effective to diminish such a substantial reduction in pharmaceutical effectiveness.
US08808269B2 Reservoir plunger position monitoring and medical device incorporating same
Apparatus are provided for infusion devices and related control systems and methods. An infusion device includes a voided portion adapted to receive a shaft portion that includes a shaft coupled to a plunger of a reservoir and a sensing arrangement proximate the voided portion to sense a detectable feature. A control module may determine a remaining amount of fluid in the reservoir or identify an anomalous condition based at least in part on the sensed position of the detectable feature.
US08808267B2 Wearable article with highly extensible fastening member having stress distribution features
Wearable disposable absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, having elastically extensible fastening members (also sometimes known as fastening “ears”) with particular features, extending from a chassis or main portion of the articles, are disclosed. The fastening members may be highly extensible and have an overall geometry characterized by greater length nearer the chassis or main portion and lesser length nearer the distal end. Examples disclosed may have a fastener zone having a Stiffness of at least about 1,500 N/m, and shape and dimensional characteristics, that help avoid problems of buckling and/or flipping of edges of the fastening members, dishing of fastener components, and fastening member tearing, while the articles are applied and worn.
US08808261B2 Ureteral bypass devices and procedures
A ureteral bypass device and procedure suitable for performing internal urinary diversions within patients, including patients such as humans and veterinary animals (cats and dogs). The device includes a nephrostomy catheter having a proximal end, an oppositely-disposed distal end, and means for securing the distal end within the renal pelvis of a kidney of a patient, a cystostomy catheter having a proximal end, an oppositely-disposed distal end, and means for securing the distal end of the cystostomy catheter within the urinary bladder of the patient, and an adaptor fluidically connected to the proximal ends of the nephrostomy and cystostomy catheters so as to fluidically connect the nephrostomy and cystostomy catheters together through the adaptor. If implanted subcutaneously, the adaptor may include an entry site that has a self-sealing septum that can be accessed with a needle while the device remains implanted and secured under the skin to subcutaneous tissue.
US08808256B2 Eye drug delivery system
A punctal plug or lacrimal insert comprising a microelectromechanical system pump and associated reservoir may be utilized to deliver precise dosages of an active agent into the eye though the tear film. The microelectromechanical system pump comprises four main components; namely, a reservoir, a pump, a series of valves and a vent. The microelectromechanical system pump is positioned within a cavity in the punctal plug. The microelectromechanical system pump is positioned with a cavity in the punctal plug.
US08808255B2 Drug delivery cuff
Embodiments provide a drug delivery cuff including a drug reservoir. In an embodiment, an integrated drug pump may be provided. A drug delivery cuff in accordance with an embodiment may be placed around any suitable vascular graft (e.g., ePTFE) or directly around any natural tissue conduit (e.g., perivascularly), at any position along the graft/conduit or overlapping a graft and conduit, either at the time of graft surgical placement or separate therefrom.
US08808250B2 Auto-injector with a torsion spring
The invention relates to an auto-injector for administering a dose of a liquid medicament (M), comprising: an elongate outer casing arranged to contain a syringe with a hollow needle and a stopper for sealing the syringe and displacing the medicament (M), the outer casing having a distal end (D) and a proximal end (P) with an orifice intended to be applied against an injection site, wherein the syringe is slidably arranged with respect to the outer casing, spring means capable of, upon activation: pushing the needle past the proximal end (P), operating the syringe to supply the dose of medicament (M), and retracting the syringe with the needle activating means arranged to lock the spring means in a pressurized state prior to manual operation and capable of, upon manual operation, releasing the spring means for injection, wherein the spring means is a torsion spring grounded at one end in the outer casing and at the other end in a first gear member rotatable about a longitudinal axis, wherein the first gear member, upon rotation, is arranged for translatively moving a second gear member toward the proximal end (P), the second gear member prevented from rotating and coupled to the stopper in order to push it towards the proximal end (P), wherein the first gear member is engaged with the activating means prior to manual operation in a manner to prevent rotation and disengaged from the activating means upon manual operation.
US08808248B2 Catheter sheath introducer with rotational lock
A sheath introducer for use with a catheter, has a hub and a tube through which the catheter extends, and a lock assembly which has a rotational knob that actuates a plurality of prongs arranged in a radial pattern around a hole in the hub that receives the catheter, wherein the prongs synchronously rotate in one direction to grip the catheter or in the other direction to release the catheter.
US08808246B2 Peripheral blood sampling methods and devices
Methods and devices are provided for transporting fluid between a body and an external source. More particularly, the methods and devices provided can be used to transport blood from a body. In one exemplary embodiment, a system is provided for transporting fluid between a body and an external source. The system can include a collection catheter that is sized to fit inside a catheter that is placed in the body and configured to have its distal end extend beyond a distal end of the catheter that is placed in the body. Various methods for transporting fluid from the body to an external source are also provided.
US08808242B2 Apparatus for injection into an eye
The invention relates to an apparatus for injection into an eye comprising of a means for displacing a conjunctival layer of the eye over an underlying scleral layer of the eye so as to form a fold in the conjunctival layer, and means for guiding a needle through the conjunctival layer once the fold has been formed.
US08808225B2 Methods and devices for drug delivery to ocular tissue using microneedle
Methods and devices are provided for targeted administration of a drug to a patient's eye. In one embodiment, the method includes inserting a hollow microneedle into the sclera of the eye at an insertion site and infusing a fluid drug formulation through the inserted microneedle and into the suprachoroidal space of the eye, wherein the infused fluid drug formulation flows within the suprachoroidal space away from the insertion site during the infusion. The fluid drug formulation may flow circumferentially toward the retinochoroidal tissue, macula, and optic nerve in the posterior segment of the eye.
US08808213B2 Mechanically advantaged spinal system and method
A mechanically advantaged progressive spinal system and method, wherein a string- and pulley-free strap arrangement facilitates adjustment of tension and enhances patient delivered muscle strength, wherein posterior plate curvature may be quickly and easily adjusted to best accommodate a patient's lordosis and kyphosis, and wherein modular components allow for adaptation of mobility and support to improving patient needs.