US08878919B2
An endoscope system includes an endoscope objective optical system that acquires two optical images with different focus positions, an image pickup device that picks up the two optical images to acquire two image signals, an image synthesis processing section that makes a comparison in contrast between the two image signals for each spatially identical pixel region and selects a pixel region having relatively higher contrast to thereby synthesize the two image signals into one image, and a focus switchover mechanism that moves a position of a focus switchover lens provided for the endoscope objective optical system and selectively switches a focus of the endoscope objective optical system to one of two observation regions of proximity observation and remote observation, in which the image synthesis processing section synthesizes two images in each of the respective observation regions of the proximity observation and the remote observation.
US08878915B2
A location error determination unit determines, prior to displaying on a display device stereoscopic images including a parallax image for the left eye and a parallax image for the right eye of a subject, whether the parallax image for the left eye and the parallax image for the right eye are stereoscopic images that can be located as three-dimensional images. An error communicating unit communicates an error when it is determined that that the parallax image for the left eye and the parallax image for the right eye cannot be located as stereoscopic images or when it is determined that the range of parallax between the parallax image for the left eye and the parallax image for the right eye is not accommodated within the predetermined parallax range.
US08878911B2
A three-dimensional image pickup optical system for forming two different images having a parallax alternately in time sequence on a single image pickup element, includes, in order from object side: a front system including a pair of negative 1f-lens units, a pair of an optical path deflecting units, and a combining unit for combining two optical paths on the same optical axis; and a rear system including a positive 1b-lens unit which does not move for magnification-varying, a lens unit moving for magnification-varying, and a stop, in which: the front system includes a pair of light quantity control units disposed in optical paths for the eyes on the object side of the combining unit, for switching left and right subject images alternately in a time sharing manner; and power arrangement of the 1f-lens units and the 1b-lens unit is set appropriately.
US08878904B2
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for enhancing a viewing experience when display content is viewed utilizing stereo glasses. In use, display content is received for being outputted utilizing a display. Further, a duration of a vertical blanking interval associated with the display content is increased for enhancing a viewing experience when the display content is viewed utilizing the stereo glasses.
US08878901B2
A time of flight, TOF, camera unit for an optical surveillance system and an optical surveillance system comprising such a TOF camera is disclosed. The TOF camera unit comprises a radiation emitting unit for illuminating a surveillance area defined by a first plane, a radiation detecting unit for receiving radiation reflected from said surveillance area and for generating a three-dimensional image from said detected radiation, and at least one mirror for at least partly deflecting said emitted radiation into at least one second plane extending across to said first plane and for deflecting the radiation reflected from said second plane to the radiation detecting unit. The TOF camera and the at least one mirror may be arranged on a common carrier element.
US08878884B2
According to one embodiment, an erasing apparatus for a sheet includes a conveying path configured to convey a sheet on which an image is formed with a coloring agent that is erased by heating, a first erasing section including, on an upstream side of the conveying path, a first heating member provided on one surface side of the sheet and a first rotating roller provided to be opposed to the first heating member, and a second erasing section including, on a downstream side of the first erasing section, a second heating member provided on the other surface side of the sheet and a second rotating roller provided to be opposed to the second heating member.
US08878882B2
An edge-lit backlight assembly is provided for backlighting a display. The backlight assembly may include: a light guide having a first segment and a second segment disposed within a common plane; a first light emitting diode disposed along an edge of the first segment of the light guide such that light emitted from the first light emitting diode propagates through the first segment; and a second light emitting diode disposed along an edge of the second segment of the light guide such that light emitted from the second light emitting diode propagates through the second segment. The first segment of the light guide is at least partially optically isolated from the second segment such that light emitted from the first light emitting diode is at least partially blocked from propagating through the second segment.
US08878880B2
A method of driving an electrophoretic display device includes changing the gradation level of image data on the basis of correction data corresponding to the gradation level, converting image data with the changed gradation level to a dithering pattern, in which the first color and the second color are combined, corresponding to the changed gradation level for each predetermined region of image data, and driving the electrophoretic particles of the first color and the electrophoretic particles of the second color on the basis of image data converted to the dithering pattern for the plurality of pixels in the display section.
US08878877B2
Exemplary embodiments include a method for transferring objects from a first virtual environment residing on a first computer system to a second virtual environment residing on a second computer system, the method including determining whether dimensions of the second virtual environment are compatible with dimensions of the first virtual environment, in response to a determination that the dimensions of the second virtual environment are not compatible with the dimensions of the first virtual environment, performing an interoperability rescaling between the first virtual environment and the second virtual environment and transferring the object from the first virtual environment to the second virtual environment.
US08878876B2
One exemplary embodiment involves receiving, in an electronic content creation application, provided on a computer device, input for an object of electronic content being edited in the electronic content creation application. The input modifies a position attribute or a size attribute of the object in at least one state of the multiple states relative to bounds that is the same for multiple states of the object. The electronic content creation application determines whether to update the bounds associated with the object based on the input and, if updating the bounds is necessary, it updates the bounds associated with the object and, based on the update of the bounds, updates the position attribute or the size attribute.
US08878872B1
Present novel and non-trivial system, device, and method for generating an overlay of navigation chart information. A chart generator establishes an image data set comprised of chart information data. The chart information is visual navigation information appearing on a chart and drawn to a scale. The chart information, as it visually appears on the navigation chart, is reproduced in a first image. Then, an input shape selected or created by a pilot and placed over the first image is received, from which a geographical region is defined from the input shape. Then, the image data set is updated with overlay data comprised of second chart information data. The second chart information is visual navigation information appearing on a second navigation chart within the geographical region and drawn to a second scale. The second chart information is reproduced as an overlay sized as a proportion of scales.
US08878860B2
An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to control memory access. An address pre-swizzle circuit conditions address bits provided by a processor according to access control signals. A data steering circuit connects to N sub-channels of memory to dynamically steer data for a memory access type including tiled and untiled memory accesses according to the access control signals, the conditioned address bits, and sub-channel identifiers associated with the N sub-channels. The tiled memory access includes horizontally and vertically tiled memory accesses. An address post-swizzle circuit generates sub-channel address bits to the N sub-channels using the conditioned address bits and according to the access control signals and the sub-channel identifiers.
US08878859B1
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, systems and devices of employing a monitor detection module in a computer to automatically detect the presence of a VGA display. Such a system for automatic VGA monitor detection comprises a central processing unit (CPU), a GPU, a VGA connector and the monitor detection module. The CPU provides image information to the GPU which further processed the image information to generate video signals according to a VGA display standard. The video signal comprises analog video signals (i.e., red, green and blue) and synchronization signals (i.e., horizontal and vertical). The video signals are transmitted to the VGA connector at the interface of the computer. A VGA monitor or projector may be connected to the computer at the VGA connector via a VGA data cable. The monitor detection module receives at least one of the analog video signals and at least one of the sync signals, identifies a monitor detection pulse synchronous with the sync signal, and monitors the impedance at the pin for the analog video signal at the VGA connector during the monitor detection pulse. The monitor detection module takes advantage of synchronization pulses in the horizontal or vertical sync signal to monitor termination resistance of an analog video signal line, and thus, the VGA display may be detected reliably at a fast rate without interfering with video signal transmission.
US08878858B2
A projected still or video image is controlled with light generated by a laser pointer, for example. A device with a projector and a display controller projects an image onto a surface, and an image sensor views the projected image. A handheld device outputs a beam of light. A controller receives information from the image sensor regarding the presence or movement of light from the handheld device interacting with the projected image on the surface, and a control function is implemented if the light from the handheld device interacts with the projected image in accordance with a stored predetermined visual interactions such as encircling, “scratching,” or other movements. The controller may be programmed to recognize light of a specific laser wavelength in conjunction with a control operation.
US08878844B2
The present invention relates to a depiction arrangement for security papers, value documents, electronic display devices or other data carriers, having a raster image arrangement for depicting a specified three-dimensional solid (30) that is given by a solid function f(x,y,z), having a motif image that is subdivided into a plurality of cells (24), in each of which are arranged imaged regions of the specified solid (30), a viewing grid (22) composed of a plurality of viewing elements for depicting the specified solid (30) when the motif image is viewed with the aid of the viewing grid (22), the motif image exhibiting, with its subdivision into a plurality of cells (24), an image function m(x,y).
US08878840B2
The invention generally relates to devices and methods for displaying a sub-section of a virtual model. In certain aspects, methods herein involve determining a portion of a virtual model within a user's field of view, determining a maximum load value that can be accommodated by the device, and displaying a sub-section of the virtual model based upon the portion that is within the user's field of view and the maximum load value accommodated by the device. In other aspects, devices herein include hardware and software that cause a CPU of the device to determine a portion of a virtual model within a user's field of view, determine a maximum load value that can be accommodated by the device, and display a sub-section of the virtual model based upon the portion that is within the user's field of view and the maximum load value accommodated by the device.
US08878829B2
A common electrode drive circuit for a liquid crystal display, comprising a plurality of output terminals connected to a plurality of common voltage input terminals of a common electrode layer of the liquid crystal display and adapted for inputting common voltages into the plurality of common voltage input terminals, the common electrode layer driving liquid crystal together with pixel electrodes of the liquid crystal display. The common voltages input by the plurality of output terminals decrease gradually from a data-line beginning end for data signal input to a data-line tail end for data signal input of the liquid crystal display.
US08878828B2
Display driver circuits include a multi-function driver, which is configured to support first and second modes of operation. The multi-function driver supports the first mode of operation in response to a first control signal by driving a bus with an output signal, which has a value that indicates a locked or unlocked status of a clock signal therein. The multi-function driver also supports the second mode of operation in response to a second control signal by driving the bus with multi-bit data that is unrelated to the locked or unlocked status of the clock signal.
US08878827B2
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display includes: a switching thin film transistor including a switching gate electrode, a switching active layer, a switching source electrode, and a switching drain electrode; a driving thin film transistor including a driving gate electrode, a driving active layer, a driving source electrode, and a driving drain electrode; a capacitor including a first capacitor electrode and a second capacitor electrode; a scan line that is connected to the switching gate electrode of the switching thin film transistor; a data line that intersects the scan line and that is connected to the switching source electrode of the switching thin film transistor; a first power source line that is parallel to the data line and that is connected to the driving source electrode of the driving thin film transistor; a second power source line that is separated parallel to the data line and that is connected to the second capacitor electrode of the capacitor; and an organic light emitting diode that is connected to the driving drain electrode of the driving thin film transistor.
US08878822B2
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of controlling the operation of a mobile terminal includes displaying, on a display module of the mobile terminal, a stereoscopic three-dimensional (3D) image using a disparity between left-eye and right-eye images, receiving a touch input within the stereoscopic 3D image, determining whether a position of the touch input is received within a first area, a second area or a third area, wherein the right-eye image is displayed in the first area, the left-eye image is displayed in the second area, and the third area is the overlapping area of the left-eye and right-eye images, and correcting a touch-sensing area on the display module according to the position of the received touch input, wherein the touch-sensing area receives a touch for selecting the stereoscopic 3D image.
US08878821B2
The present invention provides a method (500) executed on a processor for providing object information about an object in proximity to a display screen. The method includes the step of determining whether an at least first object is located within a proximal distance of the first surface of the display screen based on information provided by a depth camera (step 510). The method also includes the step of determining whether the at least first object has physically contacted a first surface of the display screen based on information provided by a physical contact sensing component (step 520). The information about (1) the proximal distance of the at least first object from the screen and (2) whether the at least first object has physically contacted the display surface of the screen to provide proximal event information and based on the information provided, it is determining whether the user interface should be modified (step 560).
US08878818B2
A multi-touch optical touch panel which comprises a rectangular position-detecting surface with a length L and a width W; a first set of a plurality of light-emitting element pairs configured for emitting a plurality of light beams, wherein the first set of light-emitting element pairs are arranged at various points along a first side of the position-detecting surface in a lengthwise direction; a second set of a plurality of light-emitting elements are arranged at various points along the first side at 90 degrees with reference to the first side; two reflectors arranged along two opposed sides of the rectangular position-detecting surface in the W direction; and a first set of a plurality of light-receiving element pairs configured for receiving the plurality of light beams emitted by the first set of light-emitting element pairs, wherein the first set of light-receiving element pairs are arranged at various points along a second side of the position-detecting surface opposite to the first side in a lengthwise direction; a second set of a plurality of light-receiving elements are arranged at various points along the second side at −90 degrees with reference to the second side for receiving the plurality of light beams emitted by the second set of light-emitting elements. A control circuit is configured for causing the first set of light-emitting element pairs and the second set of light-emitting elements to emit the plurality of light beams in a predetermined order to scan the position-detecting surface, and further configured for causing the first set of light-receiving element pairs and the second set of light-receiving elements to receive the plurality of light beams, thereby forming optical paths on the position-detecting surface in a grid pattern.
US08878816B2
A touch panel includes a plurality of active pixel sensors arranged in an array to sense a touch event. Each sensor element includes a photo-sensing element coupled to a single amplifier. The sensor element is arranged to provide a sensing voltage indicative of a light level received by the photo-sensor in a sensing period. The sensing voltage is amplified by the amplifier into an output voltage in the sensing period. Following the sensing period, the output voltage and the sensing voltage are reset to a predetermined voltage level. Following the reset period, the photo-sensor as well as the amplifier is disabled for a period so that the sensing level is caused to drop below the predetermined voltage level.
US08878806B2
An input/output device includes a touch sensitive layer configured to sense if an object touches the touch sensitive layer and to sense where the touch sensitive layer is contacted, a first electrode layer and second electrode layer, at least a portion of one of the first electrode layer and second electrode layer connected to at least a portion of the touch sensitive layer, and a composite piezoelectric layer connected between the first electrode layer and second electrode layer. The composite piezoelectric layer has a plurality of piezoelectric rods arranged in a polymer matrix. The polymer matrix provides the composite piezoelectric layer with a predetermined property. A drive circuit is configured to apply an alternating voltage to the first electrode layer and second electrode layer in response to the sensed object.
US08878805B2
An electronic device includes a touch panel; a light shielding film formed on a first principal surface of a touch panel corresponding to a non-operation area; and a vibrator provided on a second principal surface of the touch panel corresponding to the non-operation area. When a critical angle at which light is totally reflected by the second principal surface of the touch panel is θ and sum of a thickness T1 of the touch panel and a thickness T2 of the vibrator is T, the vibrator is positioned, in sectional view, within a range of T×tan θ from an end on the operation area side of the light shielding film on the second principal surface of the touch panel corresponding to the non-operation area, and a reflection-reducing film having a reflectance lower than a reflectance of a surface of the vibrator is provided on the surface of the vibrator positioned within the range of T×tan θ from the end on the operation area side of the light shielding film.
US08878804B2
An electronic device includes a touch panel having a first principal surface and a second principal surface positioned opposite to the first principal surface; a light shielding film formed on the first principal surface of the touch panel corresponding to a non-operation area; and a vibrator provided on the second principal surface of the touch panel corresponding to the non-operation area. When a critical angle where light is totally reflected by the second principal surface of the touch panel is represented by θ and sum of a thickness T1 of the touch panel and a thickness T2 of the vibrator is represented by T, the vibrator is provided, on the second principal surface of the touch panel corresponding to the non-operation area, at a position apart by T×tan θ or more from an end of the light shielding film which end is positioned on the operation area side, in sectional view.
US08878796B2
The virtual object indicator having dual image sensors for an electronic device comprises a housing to receive component therein. A user finger motion detecting device having the dual image sensors is attached on an upper surface of the housing for detection the motion of user finger. A controller is received in the housing for generating a control signal in responsive to the user finger motion detection, wherein the images captured by at least one of the dual image sensors is analyzed to drive a virtual object on a display of the electronic device, a communication interface is coupled to the controller for communication with the electronic device.
US08878793B2
Provided is an input apparatus capable of handling operation mistakes (erroneous operations) unintentionally performed by a user. An input apparatus 10 has a display unit 32 configured to display objects of folders arranged in a hierarchical structure, an input unit 34 configured to receive a pressing input to the display unit 32, a load detection unit 40 configured to detect a pressure load on the input unit 34, and a control unit 20, if the load detection unit 40 continuously detects a pressure load not satisfying a predetermined load standard for a predetermined period after satisfying the predetermined load standard while the display unit 32 is displaying objects of open folders, configured to control to close a lowest folder among the open folders.
US08878786B2
There is provided an image processing apparatus comprising: an input unit configured to input object data including reflection characteristics of an object; an acquisition unit configured to acquire observation position data indicating the observation position of an observer and light source data indicating a surrounding light source around the image capture unit, on the basis of image data captured by the image capture unit; and a generation unit configured to generate image data, which image includes the object placed on the display unit, on the basis of the object data, the observation position data, and the light source data, wherein the image data indicate the image which is observed at the observation position when light from the light source is reflected by the object.
US08878785B1
Computer-implemented methods for identifying a requested action using a geometric input are provided. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a geometric pattern input associated with user-selectable content displayed on the device, and receiving an identifier of a referent entity, the referent entity selected based on the geometric pattern input from a list of suggested entities identified from user-selectable content displayed on the device. The method also includes identifying, based on a shape of the geometric pattern input, at least one action to be executed that is associated with the referent entity based on the shape of the geometric pattern input, and providing an identifier of the at least one identified action to the device for selection. Systems, graphical user interfaces, and machine-readable media are also provided.
US08878784B2
Method and arrangement for affecting diagonal movement of a cursor 171 on a display screen 322 of a handheld communication device 300. The method includes sensing movement at an auxiliary user input 328 of the handheld communication device 300 indicative of a user's desire to affect diagonal movement of the cursor 171 on the display screen 322 of the handheld communication device 300. X-direction signals and Y-direction signals are produced based on the sensed movement at the auxiliary user input 328. During that time while necessary signals are being collected and processed, the cursor 171 is held steady on the display screen 322 until a predetermined criterion is met for discriminating whether the user has indicated x-direction cursor movement, y-direction cursor movement or diagonal cursor movement.
US08878771B2
A method and system for reducing power consumption in a display includes driving a display comprising a plurality of display elements having selectable resolution, wherein the display device is configured to operate at a plurality of selectable operational modes. In a first operational mode, data at a first resolution is provided to the display at a first data rate, and in a second operational mode, data at a second resolution is provided to the display at a second data rate.
US08878762B2
A level shifter for a source driver of a liquid crystal display is provided. The level shifter includes: an input stage for generating a signal with a voltage of between a positive input source voltage and a negative input source voltage according to an input logic; a middle stage for generating a first logic signal and a second logic signal according to the signal; and an output stage, for generating a first output signal with a voltage of between a first positive output source voltage and a first negative output source voltage at a first output terminal or a second output signal with a voltage of between a second positive output source voltage and a second negative output source voltage at a second output terminal according to the first logic signal and the second logic signal.
US08878757B2
The present invention solves the motion blur of moving images in hold-type display devices. An amount of a moving image is detected from image data included in frames and an image at the intermediate state between an image of the current frame and an image of the next frame is made as an interpolation image. Thus, the movement of the image can follow the movement of human eyes and the luminance of the interpolation image is changed, and thus, display can be made close to pseudo impulse type display. In this manner, hold-type display devices without motion blur and methods of driving the hold-type display devices can be provided.
US08878751B2
An organic light emitting display includes: pixels located at crossing regions between scan lines and data lines; a first control line and a second control line commonly coupled to the pixels; a control line driver configured to supply a first control signal to the first control line for a reset period and to supply a second control signal to the second control line during the reset period and a compensation period. Each pixel includes: an organic light emitting diode; a first transistor configured to control an amount of current supplied from a first power source coupled to a first electrode to a second power source via the organic light emitting diode; a second transistor configured to be turned on when the second control signal is supplied; and a fourth transistor configured to supply an initial voltage to a second electrode of the first transistor when the first control signal is supplied.
US08878750B1
A head mount display (HMD) device according to one embodiment comprises a camera unit configured to capture an image at a front of the HMD device, a distance obtaining unit configured to obtain a distance between the HMD device and an object in the front of the HMD device, a communication unit configured to transmit and receive data, a display unit configured to display visual information, and a processor configured to control the camera unit, the distance obtaining unit, the communication unit and the display unit, wherein the processor is further configured: to recognize a face from the image, to receive personal data corresponding to the recognized face, to obtain, from the received personal data, personal information and period from a latest date when the face was lastly recognized to a current date when the face is currently recognized, to display the personal information when the period is longer than a first threshold period, and control a quantity of the personal information to be displayed based on a distance between the recognized face and the HMD device, and the period, and not to display the personal information when the period is shorter than the first threshold period.
US08878748B2
A stereoscopic image display includes a display panel, which selectively displays a 2D image and a 3D image and includes a plurality of pixels, and a patterned retarder for dividing light from the display panel into first polarized light and second polarized light. Each of the pixels includes a main display unit including a first pixel electrode and a first common electrode, a subsidiary display unit including a second pixel electrode and a second common electrode, and a line unit disposed between the main display unit and the subsidiary display unit. The line unit includes a gate line, a discharge control line through which a discharge control voltage is applied to a discharge control TFT, and a lower common line through which a common voltage is applied to an upper common line.
US08878744B2
An antenna assembly having a characteristic frequency band includes an antenna feed, operatively connected to one of a radio frequency (RF) transmitter, an RF receiver, and an RF transceiver system, and a ground component. A first set of conductive elements, including either or both of linear, bent linear, and curvilinear elements, is operatively connected to the antenna feed. A second set of conductive elements, including either or both of linear, bent linear, and curvilinear elements, is operatively connected to the ground component. Each of the first set of linear conductive elements and the second set of linear conductive elements are configured as to provide substantially equal sensitivity within the characteristic frequency band across all elevation and azimuth angles.
US08878735B2
An antenna system includes: an antenna; and a transceiver for wireless data communication interconnected with the antenna for electromagnetic field emission and electromagnetic field reception; wherein the antenna comprises: an electrically conductive material, and a slot in the electrically conductive material, the slot extending in a plane that is substantially parallel with a body of a user when the antenna system is worn in its operational position by the user, the slot being configured to cause emission of an electromagnetic field upon excitation.
US08878732B1
Various mobile communication terminals and methods having antenna improvements are discussed. One mobile communication terminal is described which includes an outer front side with a display, an outer rear side having conductive and non-conductive parts, a battery, and an antenna including a radiation unit, part of which is located between the outer front side and the non-conductive part of the outer rear side, a feeding unit which electrically connects the radiation unit to a circuit board, and a ground part which is connected to the conductive part of the outer rear side, electrically connects the radiation unit to the conductive part of the outer rear side, and is separated from the feeding unit by a space.
US08878723B2
For supporting a satellite based positioning of a mobile arrangement (30, 40) with assistance data, a communication network converts parameters of a dedicated orbit model describing a movement of a satellite (50, 60), which dedicated orbit model is defined for a particular satellite based positioning system, into parameters of a common orbit model describing a movement of a satellite (50, 60). Alternatively or in addition, the network replaces a reference value that is based on a satellite based positioning system time in available parameters of an orbit model by a reference value that is based on a communication system time. After the parameter conversion and/or the reference value replacement, the parameters are provided as a part of assistance data for the satellite based positioning.
US08878716B2
A method for determining the right code set to be used for controlling an appliance includes the remote control sends one or more commands using the corresponding code of at least one of the multiple code sets to the appliance. The code set to be used for controlling this appliance is determined based on at least a command sent to the appliance by a user of the remote control, in reaction to the sending of the one or more commands by the remote control.
US08878712B2
A flash ADC circuit may include a reference ladder providing reference signals and a plurality of comparators, each providing an output based on a comparison of a pair of input signals to a pair of reference signals. At least one pair of the comparators may receive the same pair of reference signals with a different orientation of the reference signals at each of the comparators. The flash ADC may include a switch network for swapping the pair of reference signals between the pair of comparators.
US08878704B2
A character and function key input device comprises: a character button unit having character buttons, each of which is assigned to one or more characters of one or more languages or function key elements; a forward button which converts the character or function key element selected from among the characters or the function key elements into characters or function key elements assigned to the selected button or adjacent button in accordance with the dictionary order; and a backward button which converts the character or function key element selected from among the characters or the function key elements into characters or function key elements assigned to the selected button or adjacent button in accordance with the dictionary order, wherein said one or more characters or function key elements assigned to the character buttons are disposed adjacently to one other in the dictionary order, and the character or the function key element having the highest use frequency is used as a basic value. The dictionary order has a circulation configuration such that the first character or the first function key element appears again after the last character or the last function key element.
US08878698B2
An aircraft includes a composite structure and a plurality of small lightweight pollable communication devices for providing lightning strike detection coverage of a region of the structure. Each device is rendered inoperative if at least proximate to lightning current.
US08878696B2
The present invention relates to a vehicle alarm control technique. More particularly, the present invention relates to a parking control apparatus and a method for providing an alarm accurately as detecting a collision risk of a vehicle with an obstacle in advance during all the time while the vehicle moves under parking control.
US08878690B2
The invention provides a method and several types of devices for converting meter reading signals into data messages including a first message (40) having meter data (44) representing consumption of a utility, and meter diagnostic status data (43), and a second message (60) having meter reverse flow data (63-65) and meter diagnostic data (66) particular to an electronic flow meter, and receiving said first message (40) and said second message (60) and converting first message and said second message to radio frequency signals (25) and transmitting said radio frequency signals (25) to a receiver (22, 24).
US08878687B2
An automatic door sensor includes: at least one sensor module unit (sensor module 11) configured to detect optically an object or a human body and to output, according to the detection results, a signal to a door controller for controlling an automatic door to open/close; an accommodation unit (profile 12) capable of accommodating the at least one sensor module unit; a cover member (front cover 13) that is transmissive to light for use for the detection performed by the sensor module unit and configured to cover the accommodation unit in which the sensor module unit is accommodated; and a functionality expansion module (LED module 14) either side of which can be joined to the cover member and that is configured to expand functionalities of the automatic door sensor by performing communication with the sensor module unit.
US08878680B2
A litter box cleanup monitor, comprising a sensor module that is triggered when an animal uses the litter box, a transmitter that transmits a signal, and a notification device that alerts the user when the litter box has been used. The notification device can be a dedicated device, a smartphone, or an Internet-connected computer. A plurality of notification devices may also be used.
US08878675B2
Security tags such as hang tags are provided for mounting on merchandise in a retail setting. The security tags include a substrate, an RFID chip, an antenna, and a protection circuit. The chip is affixed to the substrate, while the antenna and the protection circuit are electrically connected to the chip. The security tag is connected to a piece of merchandise by an attachment element associated with the substrate. The attachment element is configured such that removal of the security tag from a piece of merchandise will damage the protection circuit. The RFID chip is configured to generate a first signal which triggers an alarm if the first signal is received by an RFID reader of a security system. The RFID chip will also trigger an alarm if the protection circuit is damaged by the security tag being removed by a customer in the shopping area or other secure area.
US08878665B2
A fire alarm system 4 for a structure, has a two-wire interconnected transceiver 4J that uses power line carrier technology to inject a radio signal onto two power conductors, 6B & 6W. The transceiver 4J includes a transmitter circuit 7 and a receiver circuit 9. The transmitter circuit 7 includes a trigger circuit 10, attachable to an output line of a local fire alarm 5. The trigger circuit 10, can monitor the output line (6 Yellow) for an alarm condition output signal, for the purpose of sensing an alarm condition. The transmitter circuit 7 responds to the alarm condition output signal by injecting the radio signal onto the two power conductors. The radio signal would activate a second fire alarm system 4B attached to power lines in the structure.
US08878657B2
An haptic interface including a knob manipulated by a user, a rotation shaft with a longitudinal axis to which the knob is fixed in rotation, an interaction element with a magneto-rheological fluid in rotation with the shaft, the fluid, a system for generating a magnetic field in the fluid, and a control unit capable of generating orders to the system for generating the magnetic field to modify the magnetic field. The system includes a coil type mechanism generating a variable magnetic field, and a permanent magnet type mechanism generating a permanent magnetic field.
US08878655B2
An apparatus including: a user interface module, a vibration mechanism configured to move the user interface module to provide a tactile effect through the user interface module, and a counterbalancing element configured to provide a counterbalancing effect for movements of the user interface module.
US08878651B2
A food source information transferring system for a livestock slaughterhouse and a related method are disclosed. In one embodiment, the food source information transferring system is capable of reading first tag-identifying information in a livestock RFID tag on a body of a carcass and second tag-identifying information in a hook RFID tag incorporated in a hook that can be hung on a hook machine. A food source information database can pair a first set of data associated with the livestock RFID tag with a second set of data associated with the hook RFID tag to preserve producer-level livestock information to meat-processing, distribution, and sales channels. This unique pairing of the first set of data associated with the livestock RFID tag and the second set of data associated with the hook RFID tag in the food source information database can result in seamless, robust, and lossless food source information management.
US08878643B2
A current sense resistor and a method of manufacturing a current sensing resistor with temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) compensation are disclosed. The resistor has a resistive strip disposed between two conductive strips. A pair of main terminals and a pair of voltage sense terminals are formed in the conductive strips. A pair of rough TCR calibration slots is located between the main terminals and the voltage sense terminals, each of the rough TCR calibration slots have a depth selected to obtain a negative starting TCR value observed at the voltage sense terminals. A fine TCR calibration slot is formed between the pair of voltage sense terminals.
US08878632B2
A laminated filter includes a first insulation layer including first and second coil patterns and a first capacitor pattern and a second insulation layer including third and fourth coil patterns and second and third capacitor patterns. The first and second coil patterns are located near one longer side of the first insulation layer and connected to the third and fourth coil patterns through penetration electrodes in the first insulation layer. The third and fourth coil patterns extend to ends of the second insulation layer through extension patterns and are connected to external electrodes to define input and output inductors. The first capacitor pattern is located near the other longer side of the first insulation layer and connected to an external ground electrode through an extension pattern. The first capacitor pattern faces the second and third capacitor patterns with the first insulation layer interposed therebetween to define input and output capacitors.
US08878628B2
A network signal coupling circuit installed in a circuit board and electrically coupled between a network-on-chip and a network connector is disclosed to include a coupling module installed each channel thereof, each coupling module including two capacitors respectively electrically connected in series to the two circuits of the respective channel, two sets of equivalent resistors respectively electrically connected in parallel to opposing ends of the capacitors, and two signal equivalent grounding terminals respectively electrically connected to the two sets of equivalent resistors; by means of the characteristic of the capacitors that the strength increases when the frequency rises, the signal coupling performance of the signal coupling circuit is relatively enhanced when the applied network frequency is increased.
US08878627B2
A monolithic power splitter is used to split a pair of input differential signals into two pairs of output differential signals in the present invention. The monolithic power splitter has two input terminals to receive a pair of input differential signals, and it has two one-by-two power splitters integrated in one single chip to split a pair of input differential signals into two pairs of output differential signals with equal power. And, the monolithic power splitter has four output terminals to output two pairs of output differential signals. In one embodiment, the first one-by-two power splitter and the second one-by-two power splitter are made on the same surface of the substrate. In another embodiment, the first one-by-two power splitter and the second one-by-two power splitter are made on opposite surfaces of the substrate. The monolithic power splitter can be used as a power combiner based on the reciprocal property of the power splitter circuit.
US08878623B2
A ferrite element for a switchable circulator comprises a first segment extending in a first direction from a center portion of the ferrite element; a second segment extending in a second direction from the center portion of the ferrite element; and a third segment extending in a third direction from the center portion of the ferrite element. Each of the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment include a first channel located at a first distance from a center point of the ferrite element. The first distance defines a first resonant section of the ferrite element. Each of the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment also include a second channel located at a second distance from the center point. The second distance defines a second resonant section of the ferrite element.
US08878622B2
In an embodiment, a method of generating a pulse-width modulated signal from an input signal includes calculating a finite number of basis functions of a first pulse-width modulated signal based on the input signal, and forming an electronic output based on the calculated finite number of basis functions.
US08878614B2
A PLL circuit includes an oscillator, a detection block, an integral path and a proportional path. The oscillator generates an oscillation signal. The detection block detects a phase difference between the oscillation signal and a reference signal and generates an integral signal that represents an integral value of the phase difference and a proportional signal that represents a current value of the phase difference. The integral path includes a regulator that receives the integral signal and supplies a regulated integral signal to the oscillator, and the regulator has a feedback loop including an error amplifier. The proportional path supplies the proportional signal, separately from the integral signal, to the oscillator. The oscillator generates the oscillation signal having an oscillation frequency controlled by both of the regulated integral signal and the proportional signal such that the phase of the oscillation signal is locked to the phase of the reference signal.
US08878611B2
According to one embodiment, a high-frequency amplifier is provided with a field effect transistor for performing amplification, and a stabilizing circuit. The field effect transistor has a source which is configured to be grounded. The stabilizing circuit is connected to a gate of the field effect transistor. The stabilizing circuit has impedance which changes so as to increase as the voltage of a drain of the field effect transistor increases.
US08878609B2
A differential amplifier circuit includes a differential amplification unit configured to amplify a difference of an input signal and a reference voltage and generate an output signal and an output bar signal, a current source configured to control an amount of current flowing through the differential amplification unit, and a current control unit configured to control an amount of current of the current source based on a level of the input signal.
US08878601B2
A circuit includes a gate node, and a bias circuit coupled to the gate node. The bias circuit is configured to, in response to a change in a gate voltage on the gate node, provide a positive feedback to the gate voltage. A power circuit is coupled to the gate node, wherein the power circuit includes a power Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (MOS) transistor. The power circuit is configured to, in response to a change in the gate voltage, provide a negative feedback to the gate voltage. An output node is coupled to the power circuit.
US08878598B2
A sensing module of the disclosure comprises a sensing device, a voltage generating device, a compensating device, and a voltage controlling device. The sensing device comprises a first reference terminal and a second reference terminal. The compensating device is coupled between the second reference terminal and a voltage reference terminal. The voltage controlling device is respectively coupled to the first reference terminal, the second reference terminal, and the voltage generating device. The voltage controlling device is used for outputting a first voltage signal to the first reference terminal based on the reference voltage signal and a cross voltage of the compensating device. A temperature variation of an impedance of the compensating device positively correlates to a temperature variation of an impedance of the sensing device. A temperature variation of a sensitivity of the sensing device negatively correlates to a temperature variation of the reference voltage signal.
US08878597B2
In one embodiment, a circuit includes at least one transistor with a base and collector being electrically connected to a ground, and at least one current source being configured to apply four different currents (A, B, C, and D) to the emitter. A sum of the currents A and C are substantially equivalent to a sum of the currents B and D, or a sum of the currents A and D are substantially equivalent to a sum of the currents B and C. The circuit outputs first, second, third, and fourth voltage potentials between the emitter and the base during application of the currents A, B, C, and D, respectively.
US08878595B2
A readout device is adapted for dual-band sensing, and includes an amplifier, two direct injection (DI) readout circuits to be respectively connected to two sensors, and a switching module. Through operation of the switching module, one of the DI readout circuits can be electrically connected to the amplifier, and cooperate with the other DI readout circuit to achieve a dual-band sensing feature.
US08878579B2
Apparatuses, systems, and a method for providing a PLL architecture with scalable power are described. In one embodiment, a system includes one or more processing units having a voltage regulator to generate a controllably adjustable supply voltage for a phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit coupled to the voltage regulator. The PLL circuit compares a phase and frequency of the reference clock signal to a phase and frequency of a generated feedback clock signal and generates an output signal based on the comparison. A tracking unit adjusts the controllably adjustable supply voltage based on an operating frequency of the system.
US08878572B2
A drive control apparatus for a semiconductor device having a diode and a transistor includes: a current detection device of a current flowing through the diode; and a control device, which applies a gate drive voltage to the semiconductor device when an on-instruction signal is input. The control device compares the current detection signal with a current threshold value during a first period, in which the on-instruction signal is input, after a second period has elapsed from gate drive voltage application time, or gate drive voltage shut-off time. A transient variation is generated on the current detection signal in the second period. The control device shuts off the gate drive voltage when the current detection signal is equal to or larger than the current threshold value. The control device applies the gate drive voltage when the current detection signal is smaller than the current threshold value.
US08878562B2
A solar battery panel inspection apparatus is an apparatus for inspecting a solar battery panel including a transparent insulating substrate having a main surface, and a transparent electrode layer, a semiconductor photoelectric conversion layer and a back electrode layer which are sequentially stacked and having an outer circumferential insulating region in which the main surface is exposed, to check the insulation performance of the outer circumferential insulating region. The solar battery panel inspection apparatus includes the first terminal to be brought into contact with the back electrode layer; the second terminal to be brought into contact with a region of or in proximity to an outer circumferential edge of the outer circumferential insulating region; one or more third terminals to be brought into contact with the outer circumferential insulating region between the first terminal and the second terminal; a voltage application unit for applying a voltage each between two terminals selected from these terminals; and a current detection unit detecting a current flowing between the two terminals to which a voltage is applied.
US08878561B2
This invention is to detect defective products of semiconductor devices with high accuracy even when the characteristics of the semiconductor devices vary according to their positions on each of wafers. A screening method includes the steps of measuring respective electrical characteristic values of a plurality of semiconductor devices included in a wafer; acquiring respective positional information of the semiconductor devices over the wafer; subtracting components relatively gently varying over the surface of the wafer, of variations in the electrical characteristic values of the semiconductor devices from the respective electrical characteristic values of the semiconductor devices to thereby correct the respective electrical characteristic values of the semiconductor devices; generating distributions of the post-correction electrical characteristic values with respect to the semiconductor devices; and detecting semiconductor devices in which the post-correction electrical characteristic values assume outliers, out of the semiconductor devices, based on the distributions.
US08878558B2
A load testing machines includes: six resistance units; six cooling fans; insulators between the resistance units and the cooling fans; and connection cables, in which: each of the resistance units includes a plurality of steps of resistor groups arranged in a z-direction and each formed of a plurality of rod-shaped resistors parallel to a x-direction connected together in series arranged at predetermined intervals in a y-direction; the six cooling fans face the resistance units, respectively, in the z-direction; the connection cables are cables used for serially and detachably connecting resistor groups next to each other in the y-direction of two resistance units next to each other in the y-direction with an interval of not smaller than a second distance in between; and the insulators each have a size corresponding to the rated voltage of a target power supply of a power supply load test to be conducted using a resistance unit group.
US08878555B2
A capacitance measurement device includes a charging control unit for charging a measured capacitor, a discharging control unit for discharging the measured capacitor, a first switch coupled to the measured capacitor and the charging control unit for controlling a connection between the measured capacitor and the charging control unit according to a first switching signal, a second switch coupled to the measured capacitor and the discharging control unit for controlling a connection between the measured capacitor and the discharging control unit according to a second switching signal, a first A/D converter coupled to the measured capacitor for converting a voltage signal on the measured capacitor into a first signal, and a duty cycle detecting circuit coupled to the measured capacitor for converting the voltage signal on the measured capacitor into a count value that represents the capacitance of the measured capacitor and outputting the count value to a processing unit.
US08878540B2
A plurality of result signals are driven low when abnormal condition is detected and driven high when no abnormal condition is detected. Presence and absence of the abnormal conditions of different types are indicated in a predetermined sequence by high and low signal levels of the result signals. The voltage detecting circuits simultaneously output the result signals on corresponding branching lines connected to a main line of a communication line. An OR gate outputs a result signal on which the result signals output by the voltage detecting circuits are superimposed. When at least one of the result signals of the voltage detecting circuits is at a level indicative of the presence of the abnormal condition, the OR gate outputs on the main line the result signal having the level indicative of the abnormal condition.
US08878539B2
A battery control module for a battery system comprises a voltage measuring module that measures battery voltage and a current measuring module that measures battery current. A state of charge (SOC) module that communicates with said current and voltage measuring modules and that estimates SOC based on a power limit ratio.
US08878535B2
When an RF pulse sequence is applied to obtain an MR signal, a pulse sequence and a blade pulse sequence that pass a center of a k-space are applied, and thus an over-sampling at the center of a k-space in a short scanning time may be enabled. Therefore, a method for capturing an MR image that is robust against a motion artifact includes applying a radio frequency (RF) pulse sequence; obtaining an MR signal in response to the applied RF pulse sequence; and generating an MR image from the obtained MR signal.
US08878534B2
In a method and a control sequence determination device and a magnetic resonance system for the determination of a magnetic resonance system activation sequence as a multichannel pulse train with multiple individual RF pulse trains to be emitted in parallel by the magnetic resonance system respectively via multiple independent radio-frequency transmission channels of a transmission device, the multichannel pulse train is calculated in order to achieve a defined local target magnetization distribution upon emission of the calculated multichannel pulse train. The local target magnetization distribution is obtained as a parameter map determined from image data obtained with preceding measurement.
US08878532B2
One or more embodiments of the invention relate to a shielding apparatus for shielding at least one at least partially metallic implant in the body of a patient during an examination by magnetic resonance imaging, which can be attached temporarily on or in the vicinity of the body of the patient and comprises a shielding material, which is suited to attenuate radio frequency alternating electromagnetic fields.
US08878531B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a current sensor including a conductive element and at least two magnetic field sensors. The conductive element includes at least three terminal areas and a common conductive area, wherein each of the at least three terminal areas is connected to the common conductive area to guide a current applied to the respective terminal area into the common conductive area. The at least two magnetic field sensors are arranged at different geometric positions adjacent to the common conductive area, wherein each of the at least two magnetic field sensors is configured to sense a magnetic field component of each current flowing into the common conductive area to provide a sensor signal based on the sensed magnetic field component.
US08878530B2
A measuring method of contactless magnetic detection of relative movement along a trajectory between a main creation system and a measuring system sensitive to the direction of the magnetic field, the creation system creating a main magnetic field of direction that varies in a plane detected by the measuring system to determine the relative position along that trajectory. The method includes subjecting the measuring system to a compensation magnetic field of direction that is fixed and opposite to the direction of the maximum main magnetic field measured by the measuring system and delivered uniquely by the main creation system and in determining the direction of a magnetic field resulting from the combination of the main magnetic field and the compensation magnetic field by measuring the two mutually-orthogonal components of the resultant magnetic field respectively varying substantially as cosine and sine functions of the angle of the resultant magnetic field.
US08878523B2
An inductive detection encoder according to the present invention includes: first and second members which are oppositely disposed so as to relatively move in a measurement direction; a transmitting coil formed in the first member; a magnetic flux coupled body which is formed in the second member and coupled with a magnetic field generated by the transmitting coil; and a receiving coil formed in the first member and having receiving loops. At least one of the transmitting coil and the receiving coil has a specific pattern that impairs the uniformity and periodicity of a pattern; and a dummy pattern formed in a position corresponding to a specific phase relationship of a cycle generated by the track with respect to the specific pattern.
US08878519B2
Sub-surface detection systems include a transmitter antenna and a receiver antenna that is coupled to a receiver circuit. The receiver antenna is rotated to three different orientations, and a reference null field direction is determined. Based on variations in the null field direction at other frequencies or variations in a magnitude of a field component in the reference null field direction, the presence, location, depth, size, and electrical properties of a target can be determined.
US08878506B2
An object of the present invention is to achieve the reduction of EMI, the improvement of conversion efficiency, and simplification of the input filter. Provided is a switching power supply device that comprises: a chopper circuit that turns on/off the passage of a current to an inductor by means of a switching element; and a switching control circuit that switches the switching element so that an input voltage and an input current have the same phase and a similar shape. The switching control circuit is configured to switch the switching element at a switching frequency that is proportional to an input voltage dependent term of a formula that expresses a third harmonic component of ripples of the current flowing to the inductor.
US08878502B2
A mode controller shifts, along with increase in an electric power in first and second of chopper circuits and, operation modes of the first and the second of the chopper circuits from a first mode to a third mode via a second mode. An operation controller causes, in the first mode, the first of chopper circuit to perform an chopping operation, and the second of chopper circuit to suspend the chopping operation, in the second mode, causes the first and the second of chopper circuits to alternatively perform the chopping operations, and in the third mode causes both of the first and the second of chopper circuits to perform the chopping operations.
US08878501B2
A multi-phase power block for a switching regulator includes a phase control circuit, N power cells and a current sharing control circuit. The phase control circuit is configured to receive a single phase PWM clock signal and generate N clock signals in N phases. Each of the N power cells includes a pair of power switches, gate drivers, a control circuit receiving one of the N clock signals and generating gate drive signals for the gate drivers, and an inductor. The current sharing control circuit is configured to assess the inductor current at the inductor of the N power cells and to generate duty cycle control signals for the N power cells. The duty cycle control signals are applied to the control circuits to adjust the duty cycle of one or more clock signals supplied to the power cells to balance a current loading among the N power cells.
US08878500B2
There are provided a power factor correction circuit, and a power supply including the same, the power factor correction circuit including a main switch adjusting a phase difference between a current and a voltage of input power, a main inductor storing or discharging the power according to switching of the main switch, a snubber circuit unit including a snubber switch forming a transfer path for surplus power present before the main switch is turned on and a snubber inductor adjusting an amount of a current applied to the snubber switch, and a reduction circuit unit including an auxiliary inductor inductively coupled to the snubber inductor and an auxiliary resistor consuming power induced from the snubber inductor through the auxiliary inductor.
US08878499B2
The instant disclosure provides a Power Factor Correction (PFC) boost converter including a PFC converter unit and a control unit and a frequency switching modulation method thereof. The control unit outputs a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal to the PFC converter unit for adjusting an electronic power output to a voltage converter. As the output load of the PFC converter unit increases, the control unit increases the frequency of the PWM signal. Conversely, as the output load of the PFC converter unit decreases, the control unit reduces the frequency of the PWM signal. Consequently, the switching loss of the PFC converter unit is reduced.
US08878498B2
A method for reducing a ripple, caused by rotational nonuniformity of an internal combustion engine, in the output voltage of a generator which is driven by the internal combustion engine is provided. The generator has a stator winding, a rotor winding, a field controller, associated with the rotor winding, for regulating the output voltage of the generator, and a downstream power converter having controllable switching elements. To reduce the voltage ripple, the output voltage of the generator is regulated on the stator side by appropriately controlling the switching elements of the power converter.
US08878494B2
A method for protecting a thin-layer battery, including the steps of: periodically operating the battery at a forced discharge current, which is a function of temperature; and disconnecting the battery as soon as the voltage across it reaches a threshold, said threshold being greater than its critical voltage for a maximum discharge current under a maximum temperature.
US08878484B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus for determining whether an accessory includes particular circuitry. A host device may measure a first voltage and a second voltage received from an accessory, where the voltages are provide through the accessory from a power source. Before measuring the second voltage, the host device may send an instruction to the accessory instructing the accessory to alter an impedance of the power path between the power source and the host device, and the host device may draw at least a threshold amount of current from the power source via the accessory. The host device may then determine whether the accessory includes particular circuitry based on the relationship between the first voltage and the second voltage.
US08878466B2
An electro-mechanical linear actuator unit comprising an actuator housing that accommodates at least two electric drives, each of which, when actuated by a control device, sets an associated drive of a respective spindle drive into rotation for adjusting linear movement of the associated spindle drive in order to produce relative linear adjustment of a control rod. The two electric drives are located in the actuator housing in such manner that relative adjustment can be produced by simultaneous actuation of the two electric drives, as the sum of the adjustment movements of the associated spindle drives, or by actuating a single electric drive, as the adjustment movement of the associated spindle drive. A respective brake is provided, in an area of each of the two electric drives, which can be selectively actuated by the control device to then prevent the adjustment movement of the respective associated spindle drive.
US08878462B2
Various embodiments relate to a circuit arrangement for operating at least one discharge lamp. In order to prevent intrinsic flicker at low dimming settings and low temperatures, according to various embodiments, a direct current which is fed into the discharge lamp so as to avoid striated discharges at relatively high dimming settings is reduced or entirely eliminated.
US08878459B2
A method for identifying a rated power of a HID lamp includes the steps of: outputting a first driving signal and a second driving signal to drive the HID lamp in order, and calculating a first electric characteristic variation of the HID lamp; and identifying the rated power of the HID lamp according to the first electric characteristic variation and a first default value.
US08878458B2
A display device includes a display panel having a plurality of pixels for displaying an image, a light source on the display panel, and a light source driving circuit configured to drive the light source. The light source driving circuit for driving a light source includes a driving voltage generator configured to supply power to a light source, and a light source controller configured to generate a light source control signal for periodically turning on/off the light source, the light source being turned on again before being turned off completely.
US08878457B2
The present invention relates to a control unit (108) for a lighting system (100) comprising at least two individually controllable light sources (102, 104), wherein the control unit (108) is connectable to the at least two individually controllable light sources (102, 104) and configured to control the at least two individually controllable light sources (102, 104), wherein the control unit (108) is further configured to control a first lighting system configuration comprising the at least two individually controllable light sources (102, 104) so as to cause it to emit a first illumination pattern (120) provided jointly by the at least two light sources (102, 104) of the first lighting system configuration, detect and store an initial set of illumination parameters being indicative of the first illumination pattern (120), determine a subsequent set of illumination parameters being indicative of a second illumination pattern (122) provided by a second lighting system configuration comprising individually controllable light sources (102, 106), the second lighting system configuration being different from the first lighting system configuration, and control, in dependence on the initial set and the subsequent set of illumination parameters, the second lighting system configuration so as to cause it to emit a third illumination pattern (124), the third illumination pattern (124) being an approximation of the first illumination pattern (120). The present invention provides advantages in respect of e.g. automatic “healing” of the lighting system (100), for example in the case where a light source (102, 104) of the lighting system (100) fails or is only capable of providing less than the normal rated light output.
US08878446B2
A method operates a light source of a motor-vehicle headlight with direct current. The light source is actually designed for operation with alternating current. The light source comprises an inductive load and is arranged between bridge sections of an electrical H-bridge circuit having four semiconductor switches. During “alternating current” operation, the light source is supplied with the alternating current via the H-bridge circuit. Two of the semiconductor switches are arranged at a top and actuated via a respective bootstrap circuit.
US08878442B2
A method includes providing a chandelier comprising at least three light emitting diodes, with each of the at least three light emitting diodes having at least one color of red, green, and blue colors. The method also includes operatively connecting the light emitting diode to a controller and a memory such that the controller provides control instructions to the light emitting diodes. The method also has controlling the at least three light emitting diodes to provide a decorative lighting effect.
US08878438B2
A lamp and proximity assembly is provided that includes a lens having a transparent window and a light source disposed to illuminate light through the transparent window of the lens. The lamp and proximity assembly further includes a proximity switch having one or more proximity sensors disposed near a perimeter of the transparent window of the lens and generating an activation field proximate to the transparent field of the lens to sense activation of the proximity switch to control activation of the light source.
US08878436B2
A fluorescent lighting device includes an arc tube, an exhaust tube extending from the arc tube, and an amalgam. A resistive heater is located adjacent to at least one of the arc tube and the exhaust tube. A power supply circuit is operatively coupled with the resistive heater. When the fluorescent lighting device is switched from an OFF state to an ON state, the power supply circuit temporarily energizes the resistive heater, thereby heating the at least one of the arc tube and the exhaust tube while the resistive heater is energized, and automatically de-energizing the resistive heater after said heating.
US08878435B2
A thermal compensating circuit board (TCB) assembly comprising a substrate, the substrate comprising at least one thermal compensating circuit deposited thereon, the substrate devoid of a solid state emitter, and at least one electrical connector coupled to the at least one thermal compensating circuit, the connector configured to couple with a solid state emitter assembly and/or power supply. Lighting devices comprising the TCB assembly are provided.
US08878433B1
A conventional (non-relativistic) magnetron provides megawatt-levels of power. The magnetron includes a fourteen vane slow wave structure that surrounds a fourteen turn helical cathode. An upstream coaxial waveguide is surrounded by a dish-shaped flange that accommodates a reflector chamber in communication with an upstream void and a downstream interaction chamber. The vanes of the slow wave structure are shaped to define fourteen resonant chambers therebetween with each of the resonant cavities having a wedge portion in communication with a neck portion.
US08878429B2
A lighting device comprising sources of visible light comprising solid state light emitters and/or luminescent materials emitting three or four different hues. A first group of the sources, when illuminated, emit light of two hues which, if combined, would produce illumination having coordinates within an area on a 1931 CIE Chromaticity Diagram defined by points having coordinates: 0.59, 0.24; 0.40, 0.50; 0.24, 0.53; 0.17, 0.25; and 0.30, 0.12. A second group of the sources is of an additional hue. Mixing light from the first and second groups produces illumination within ten MacAdam ellipses of the blackbody locus. Also, a lighting device comprising a white light source having a CRI of 75 or less and at least one solid state light emitters and/or luminescent material. Also, methods of lighting.
US08878414B2
A method of forming a weld joint includes removing a portion of an insulator from a first core of a first magnet wire and a second core of a second magnet wire so that the first wire has a first heat affectable zone and a first insulator portion adjacent the first zone, and the second wire has a second heat affectable zone and a second insulator portion adjacent the second zone. The first and second insulator portions include the insulator disposed on the first and second cores, respectively. The first and second zones have a first and second distal end spaced apart from the first and second insulator portions, respectively. The method includes welding together only the first end and the second end to form the weld joint, wherein welding does not transfer heat to the first and second insulator portions sufficient to burn the insulator.
US08878402B2
A starter motor for an engine includes a motor casing made of electrically conductive material and an end bracket fixed to one end of the motor casing. The end bracket comprises a base with brush cages integrally formed therewith, brushes mounted in the brush cages and a conductor electrically connected to the brushes and motor casing. The base is a single piece made of electrically insulating material and coaxial mounting holes are formed in the base and motor casing for fasteners to fix the starter motor to a housing of the engine.
US08878394B2
Exemplary embodiments are directed to conveying wireless power received at a receive antenna to a load. A method may include coupling each terminal of the antenna to a ground voltage during a charging phase for storing energy within the antenna. The method may further include coupling at least one terminal of the antenna to an output during an output phase for transferring energy from the antenna to the output.
US08878390B2
A Plug and Play adaptor for adding a PSU to a first PSU in a computer system. An ATX connector and a relay are contained in the adaptor. A second PSU can be added via the ATX connector in a plug-and-play manner, and the relay is energized and closes its circuit when it is powered by the first PSU and therefore turns on the second PSU through the ATX connector.
US08878387B1
An integrated circuit supplied by a rail-to-rail power supply voltage includes a multi-level stack voltage generator configured to partition the rail-to-rail power supply voltage into one or more reduced supply voltages each having a voltage value between positive and negative power supply voltages of the rail-to-rail power supply. The reduced supply voltages and the positive and negative power supply voltages being configured in series to form a stack of circuit layers. The integrated circuit further includes a core circuit including core circuit units coupled in a circuit layer or coupled between two or more circuit layers. Each core circuit unit is coupled to at least one of the reduced supply voltages. The core circuit units are coupled in the stack of circuit layers to form a serial connection of core circuit units between the positive power supply voltage and the negative power supply voltage.
US08878386B2
A power supply device generating source powers to be outputted to an inverter and external supply destinations includes: a first power supply transformer including a first primary winding and a plurality of first secondary windings wound on an outer side of the first primary winding; and a second power supply transformer including a second primary winding electrically connected to one of the first secondary windings and a plurality of second secondary windings wound on an outer side of the second primary winding. The second secondary windings are connected to the external supply destinations. The first secondary windings include an upper gate winding connected to an upper-gate power supply circuit for switching on and off a switching element of an upper arm of the inverter, and the upper gate winding is wound on an outermost side to be separated away from the one of the first secondary windings.
US08878377B2
The invention relates to a wind turbine having a wind turbine tower having a tower wall, a wind turbine nacelle positioned on top of the tower and noise reducer for reducing noise emission from the tower. The noise reducer including a beam formed as an elongated strengthening member and one or more dampers, where the dampers are arranged between the tower wall and the beam, the dampers being arranged so that relative movement between the tower wall and the beam results in dissipation of energy via the dampers in order to reduce noise emission. The invention further relates to a method for reducing noise emission from a wind turbine tower.
US08878376B2
This invention relates to a wind turbine having an additional mass each placed between a mounting end and a free end of at least two rotor blades. This invention further relates to a method for controlling a wind turbine with a pitch system for pitching a blade in a pitch angle and with blades with a mass for increased inertia, which wind turbine is operated in a normal operation mode in which a generator has a generator speed at a generator torque, and which wind turbine is to remain electrically coupled to a grid during a low voltage condition and with supplied current specifications, torque reference, power references, or according to a grid code.
US08878373B2
A variable electrical generator (20) is operable to convert mechanical motion to electrical power. The generator (20) includes at least a stator element (60) and a rotor element (50) including coils (320) and magnets (90). The generator (20) includes a configuration of modules (80) including the coils (320) for generating wavelets (30) in response to the coils (320) interacting magnetically with the magnets (90), and a control arrangement (70) for combining the wavelets (30) for generating a composite synthesized power output (10) from the generator (20). A method of maintaining a variable generator (20) includes steps of: (a) determining operating status of modules (80) of the generator (20); (b) unplugging and replacing one or more defective modules (80) as identified in step (a). The generator (20) is susceptible to being used in renewable energy system, for example in a tidal water turbine, in a wind turbine, in association with an oscillating wind vane, in association with an ocean float, in a hydroelectric turbine, in a steam turbine.
US08878371B2
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor substrate which has a plurality of pad electrodes provided on a top surface thereof and has an approximately rectangular shape; a rewiring layer which is provided with a plurality of contact wiring lines connected to the plurality of pad electrodes, is disposed on the semiconductor substrate through an insulating film, and has an approximately rectangular shape; and a plurality of ball electrodes which are provided on the rewiring layer.
US08878367B2
A substrate structure with through vias is provided. The substrate structure with through vias includes a semiconductor substrate having a back surface and a via penetrating the back surface, a metal layer, a first insulating layer and a second insulating layer. The first insulating layer is formed on the back surface of the semiconductor substrate and has an opening connected to the through via. The second insulating layer is formed on the first insulating layer and has a portion extending into the opening and the via to form a trench insulating layer. The bottom of the trench insulating layer is etched back to form a footing portion at the corner of the via. The footing portion has a height less than a total height of the first and second insulating layers.
US08878361B2
A leadless package system includes: an integrated circuit die having contact pads; external contact terminals with a conductive layer and an external coating layer; connections between contact pads in the integrated circuit die and the external contact terminals; and an encapsulant encapsulates the integrated circuit die and the external contact terminals including the external coating layer.
US08878357B2
An electronic component device includes a substrate, an electrode post made of a metal material, provide to stand on the substrate, and an electronic component whose connection electrode is connected to the electrode post, wherein the connection electrode of the electronic component and the electrode post are joined by an alloy layer including a metal which is different from the metal material of the electrode post.
US08878356B2
A package structure is provided, including: a substrate having a ground pad and an MEMS element; a lid disposed on the substrate for covering the MEMS element; a wire segment electrically connected to the ground pad; an encapsulant encapsulating the lid and the wire segment; and a circuit layer formed on the encapsulant and electrically connected to the wire segment and the lid so as to commonly ground the substrate and the lid, thereby releasing accumulated electric charges on the lid so as to improve the reliability of the MEMS system and reduce the number of I/O connections.
US08878355B2
A system and method for bonding semiconductor devices is provided. An embodiment comprises halting the flow of a eutectic bonding material by providing additional material of one of the reactants in a grid pattern, such that, as the eutectic material flows into the additional material, the additional material will change the composition of the flowing eutectic material and solidify the material, thereby stopping the flow. Other embodiments provide for additional layouts to put the additional material into the path of the flowing eutectic material.
US08878353B2
A structure may include bond elements having bases joined to conductive elements at a first portion of a first surface and end surfaces remote from the substrate. A dielectric encapsulation element may overlie and extend from the first portion and fill spaces between the bond elements to separate the bond elements from one another. The encapsulation element has a third surface facing away from the first surface. Unencapsulated portions of the bond elements are defined by at least portions of the end surfaces uncovered by the encapsulation element at the third surface. The encapsulation element at least partially defines a second portion of the first surface that is other than the first portion and has an area sized to accommodate an entire area of a microelectronic element. Some conductive elements are at the second portion and configured for connection with such microelectronic element.
US08878349B2
A semiconductor chip includes a semiconductor substrate having one surface, an other surface which faces away from the one surface, and through holes which pass through the one surface and the other surface; through electrodes filled in the through holes; and a gettering layer formed of polysilicon interposed between the through electrodes and inner surfaces of the semiconductor substrate whose form is defined by the through holes.
US08878347B2
A power module configured to arrange a first electrode on a surface of which a first switching device is bonded, a second electrode on a surface of which a second switching device is bonded, and a third electrode by stacking the first electrode, the first switching device, the second electrode, the second switching device, and the third electrode in this order from the bottom in a stacking direction, characterized by first through third electrode pieces each connected to the first through third electrodes, first and second signal lines each connected to the first and second switching devices, wherein the first through third electrode pieces and the first and second signal lines are provided extending outward in the same plane as the second electrode.
US08878346B2
An integrated circuit, and a semiconductor die package formed therefrom, are disclosed including solder columns for adding structural support to the package during the fabrication process.
US08878344B2
Compound semiconductor lateral PNP bipolar transistors are fabricated based on processes traditionally used for formation of compound semiconductor NPN heterojunction bipolar transistors and hence such PNP bipolar transistors can be fabricated inexpensively using existing fabrication technologies. In particular, GaAs-based lateral PNP bipolar transistors are fabricated using GaAs-based NPN heterojunction bipolar transistor fabrication processes.
US08878343B2
A field effect semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body having a main horizontal surface and a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type arranged between the first semiconductor region and the main horizontal surface, an insulating layer arranged on the main horizontal surface, and a first metallization arranged on the insulating layer. The first and second semiconductor regions form a pn-junction. The semiconductor body further has a deep trench extending from the main horizontal surface vertically below the pn-junction and including a conductive region insulated from the first semiconductor region and the second semiconductor region, and a narrow trench including a polycrystalline semiconductor region extending from the first metallization, through the insulating layer and at least to the conductive region. A vertical poly-diode structure including a horizontally extending pn-junction is arranged at least partly in the narrow trench.
US08878338B2
Capacitor designs for substrates, such as interposers, and methods of manufacture thereof are disclosed. A through via is formed in the interposer, and a capacitor is formed between a lower level metallization layer and a higher level metallization layer. The capacitor may be, for example, a planar capacitor with dual capacitor dielectric layers.
US08878334B1
Integrated circuits that include resistors are provided. An integrated circuit resistor may include a conductive structure disposed over a semiconductor substrate. An oxide layer may be interposed between the conductive structure and a top surface of the semiconductor substrate. A shallow trench isolation structure may be formed in the substrate directly beneath the oxide layer. The shallow trench isolation structure may be formed in a given region in the substrate that is contained within a surrounding n-well and a deep n-well. The given region within which the shallow trench isolation structure is formed may exhibit native substrate dopant concentration levels; the given region is neither an n-well nor a p-well. The surrounding n-well and the deep n-well may be reversed biased to help fully deplete the given region so that parasitic capacitance levels associated with the resistor are minimized.
US08878327B2
A Schottky barrier device includes a semiconductor substrate, a first contact metal layer, a second contact metal layer and an insulating layer. The semiconductor substrate has a first surface, and plural trenches are formed on the first surface. Each trench includes a first recess having a first depth and a second recess having a second depth. The second recess extends down from the first surface while the first recess extends down from the second recess. The first contact metal layer is formed on the second recess. The second contact metal layer is formed on the first surface between two adjacent trenches. The insulating layer is formed on the first recess. A first Schottky barrier formed between the first contact metal layer and the semiconductor substrate is larger than a second Schottky barrier formed between the second contact metal layer and the semiconductor substrate.
US08878320B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes plural magneto-resistance elements being two-dimensionally arrayed on a semiconductor substrate. In the semiconductor memory device, each of the magneto-resistance elements includes: a first magnetic layer formed on the semiconductor substrate; a non-magnetic layer formed on the first magnetic layer; and a second magnetic layer formed on the non-magnetic layer, and an insulating film buried between the magneto-resistance elements adjacent to each other, a powder made of a metallic material or a magnetic material being dispersed in the insulating film.
US08878319B2
A magnetic tunnel junction device includes a first electrode having a curved top surface, a magnetic tunnel junction layer formed along the top surface of the first electrode, and a second electrode formed on the magnetic tunnel junction layer.
US08878315B2
A MEMS structure and methods of manufacture. The method includes forming a sacrificial metal layer at a same level as a wiring layer, in a first dielectric material. The method further includes forming a metal switch at a same level as another wiring layer, in a second dielectric material. The method further includes providing at least one vent to expose the sacrificial metal layer. The method further includes removing the sacrificial metal layer to form a planar cavity, suspending the metal switch. The method further includes capping the at least one vent to hermetically seal the planar cavity.
US08878305B2
An integrated power module having a dielectric substrate, a source conductor trace formed on the dielectric substrate, a drain conductor trace formed on the dielectric substrate, a gate conductor trace formed on the dielectric substrate, a transistor chip having a top surface and a bottom surface connected to the drain conductor trace, a back-contact resistor having a flat planar structure with a top surface and a bottom surface connected to the gate conductor trace, and a first wire bond connecting the top surface of the transistor chip to the top surface of the back-contact resistor.
US08878293B2
A semiconductor device includes an interlayer insulating layer on a substrate, and a direct contact (DC) structure vertically penetrating the interlayer insulating layer and contacting the substrate, the DC structure including a DC hole exposing the substrate, an insulating DC spacer on an inner wall of the DC hole, and a conductive DC plug on the DC spacer and filling the DC hole, the DC plug including a lower DC plug and an upper DC plug on the lower DC plug, the lower DC plug having a smaller horizontal width than that of the upper DC plug.
US08878292B2
This invention discloses a semiconductor power device disposed in a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor power device includes trenched gates each having a stick-up gate segment extended above a top surface of the semiconductor substrate surrounded by sidewall spacers. The semiconductor power device further includes slots opened aligned with the sidewall spacers substantially parallel to the trenched gates. The stick-up gate segment further includes a cap composed of an insulation material surrounded by the sidewall spacers. A layer of barrier metal covers a top surface of the cap and over the sidewall spacers and extends above a top surface of the slots. The slots are filled with a gate material same as the gate segment for functioning as additional gate electrodes for providing a depletion layer extends toward the trenched gates whereby a drift region between the slots and the trenched gate is fully depleted at a gate-to-drain voltage Vgs=0 volt.
US08878286B2
In one embodiment, a vertical insulated-gate field effect transistor includes a feature embedded within a control electrode. The feature is placed within the control electrode to induce stress within predetermined regions of the transistor.
US08878282B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device including a number of memory cells formed on a semiconductor substrate, each of the memory cells has a tunnel insulating film, a charge storage layer, a block insulating film, and a gate electrode which are formed in sequence on the substrate. The gate electrode is structured such that at least first and second gate electrode layers are stacked. The dimension in the direction of gate length of the second gate electrode layer, which is formed on the first gate electrode layer, is smaller than the dimension in the direction of gate length of the first gate electrode layer.
US08878279B2
A memory device or electronic system may include a memory cell body extending from a substrate, a self-aligned floating gate separated from the memory cell body by a tunneling dielectric film, and a control gate separated from the self-aligned floating gate by a blocking dielectric film. The floating gate is flanked by the memory cell body and the control gate to form a memory cell, and the self-aligned floating gate is at least as thick as the control gate. Methods for building such a memory device are also disclosed.
US08878274B2
A capacitor for use in integrated circuits comprises a layer of conductive material. The layer of conductive material including at least a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are arranged in a predetermined pattern relative to one another to provide a maximum amount of capacitance per semiconductor die area.
US08878270B2
A semiconductor memory device including a bit line, a word line, a transistor, and a capacitor is provided. The transistor includes source and drain electrodes; an oxide semiconductor film in contact with at least both top surfaces of the source and drain electrodes; a gate insulating film in contact with at least a top surface of the oxide semiconductor film; a gate electrode which overlaps with the oxide semiconductor film with the gate insulating film provided therebetween; and an insulating film covering the source and drain electrodes, the gate insulating film, and the gate electrode. The transistor is provided in a mesh of a netlike conductive film when seen from the above. Here, the drain electrode and the netlike conductive film serve as one and the other of a pair of capacitor electrodes of the capacitor. A dielectric film of the capacitor includes at least the insulating film.
US08878268B2
At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a solid state image sensor including at least one antireflective layer and/or non rectangular shaped wiring layer cross section to reduce dark currents and 1/f noise.
US08878266B2
A CMOS image sensor includes a substrate, a gate electrode formed over the substrate, a photodiode formed over the substrate to be substantially aligned with one side of the gate electrode, a floating diffusion region formed over the substrate to be substantially aligned with the other side of the gate electrode, and a blooming pass region formed below the photodiode.
US08878259B2
Segmented semiconductor nanowires are manufactured by removal of material from a layered structure of two or more semiconductor materials in the absence of a template. The removal takes place at some locations on the surface of the layered structure and continues preferentially along the direction of a crystallographic axis, such that nanowires with a segmented structure remain at locations where little or no removal occurs. The interface between different segments can be perpendicular to or at angle with the longitudinal direction of the nanowire.
US08878258B2
A detector of biological or chemical material, including a MOS transistor having its channel region inserted between upper and lower insulated gates, the upper insulated gate including a detection layer capable of generating a charge at the interface of the upper insulated gate and of its gate insulator, the thickness of the upper gate insulator being smaller than the thickness of the lower gate insulator.
US08878256B2
In various embodiments, image sensors incorporate multiple output structures by including multiple sub-arrays, at least one of which includes a region of active pixels, a dark pixel region that is fanned and/or slanted, a dark pixel region that is unfanned and unslanted, a horizontal CCD, and an output structure for conversion of charge to voltage.
US08878253B2
A semiconductor device and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device include a plurality of first active regions and a second active region being formed on a substrate. The second active region is formed between two of the first active regions. A plurality of gate structures is formed on respective first active regions. A dummy gate structure is formed on the second active region, and a first voltage is applied to the dummy gate structure.
US08878251B2
The present invention provides a silicon-compatible compound junctionless field effect transistor enabled to be compatible to a bulk silicon substrate for substituting an expensive SOI substrate, to form a blocking semiconductor layer between a silicon substrate and an active layer by a semiconductor material having a specific difference of energy bandgap from that of the active layer to substitute a prior buried oxide for blocking a leakage current at an off-operation time and to form the active layer by a semiconductor layer having electron or hole mobility higher than that of silicon, and to operate perfectly as a junctionless device though the dopant concentration of the active layer is much lower than the prior junctionless device.
US08878246B2
A High electron mobility transistor (HEMT) includes a source electrode, a gate electrode, a drain electrode, a channel forming layer in which a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) channel is induced, and a channel supplying layer for inducing the 2DEG channel in the channel forming layer. The source electrode and the drain electrode are located on the channel supplying layer. A channel increase layer is between the channel supplying layer and the source and drain electrodes. A thickness of the channel supplying layer is less than about 15 nm.
US08878241B2
A semiconductor structure and manufacturing method for the same, and an ESD circuit are provided. The semiconductor structure comprises a first doped region, a second doped region, a third doped region and a resistor. The first doped region has a first type conductivity. The second doped region has a second type conductivity opposite to the first type conductivity. The third doped region has the first type conductivity. The first doped region and the third doped region are separated by the second doped region. The resistor is coupled between the second doped region and the third doped region. An anode is coupled to the first doped region. A cathode is coupled to the third doped region.
US08878234B2
In an embodiment, a semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device may include a substrate having a main processing surface, a first source/drain region comprising a first material of a first conductivity type, a second source/drain region comprising a second material of a second conductivity type, wherein the second conductivity type is different from the first conductivity type, a body region electrically coupled between the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region, wherein the body region extends deeper into the substrate than the first source/drain region in a first direction that is perpendicular to the main processing surface of the substrate, a gate dielectric disposed over the body region, and a gate region disposed over the gate dielectric, wherein the gate region overlaps with at least a part of the first source/drain region and with a part of the body region in the first direction.
US08878233B2
Provided are a compound semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof. A substrate and a graphene oxide layer are provided on the substrate. A first compound semiconductor layer is provided on the graphene oxide layer. The first compound semiconductor layer is selectively grown from the substrate exposed by the graphene oxide.
US08878225B2
An organic light-emitting device comprising an active layer for producing radiation having a first side surface and a second side surface adjoining a corner edge. A first contact strip extends along the first side surface for injecting charge carriers of a first type into the active layer. A second contact strip extends along the second side surface for injecting charge carriers of a second type into the active layer. The first side surface has a recessed region adjoining the corner edge, and the injection of charge carriers from the first contact strip is suppressed in the recessed region.
US08878216B2
A light emitting diode (LED) module includes a substrate, an LED disposed on the substrate, a phosphor layer disposed on the LED, and a lens disposed on the substrate. The substrate has a recess defined therein. The lens is fastened to the substrate through the recess. A manufacturing method for the LED includes forming the recess in the substrate, mounting the LED on the substrate, forming the phosphor layer on the LED, and forming the lens directly on the substrate such that the lens is fastened to the substrate through the recess.
US08878213B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes an n-type layer, a light emitting layer, a p-type layer, and a transparent electrode. The n-type layer includes a nitride semiconductor and has a thickness not more than 500 nm. The light emitting layer is provided on the n-type layer. The p-type layer is provided on the light emitting layer and includes a nitride semiconductor. The transparent electrode contacts the n-type layer. The n-type layer is disposed between the transparent electrode and the light emitting layer.
US08878205B2
Several embodiments of light emitting diode packaging configurations including a substrate with a cavity are disclosed herein. A patterned wafer has a plurality of individual LED attachment sites, and an alignment wafer has a plurality of individual cavities. The patterned wafer and the alignment wafer are superimposed with the LED attachment sites corresponding generally to the cavities of the alignment wafer. At least one LED is placed in the cavities using the cavity to align the LED relative to the patterned wafer. The LED is electrically connected to contacts on the patterned wafer, and a phosphor layer is formed in the cavity to cover at least a part of the LED.
US08878201B2
An organic light-emitting display apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the display apparatus includes i) a substrate and ii) an organic light-emitting device formed on the substrate, the organic light-emitting device including a stack structure including a first electrode, an organic light-emitting layer, and a second electrode. The apparatus may further include a sealing layer formed on the substrate so as to cover the organic light-emitting device, the sealing layer including an inorganic layer and a porous layer interposed between the sealing layer and the organic light-emitting device. One embodiment can reduce a stress due to a sealing inorganic layer so as to maintain characteristics for a long time in a severe environment and not affect an organic light-emitting device.
US08878199B2
A white LED lighting device driven by a pulse current is provided, which consists of blue, violet or ultraviolet LED chips, blue afterglow luminescence materials A and yellow luminescence materials B. Wherein the weight ratio of the blue afterglow luminescence materials A to the yellow luminescence materials B is 10-70 wt %: 30-90 wt %. The white LED lighting device drives the LED chips with a pulse current having a frequency of not less than 50 Hz. Because of using the afterglow luminescence materials, the light can be sustained when an excitation light source disappears, thereby eliminating the influence of LED light output fluctuation caused by current variation on the illumination. At the same time, the pulse current can keep the LED chips being at an intermittent work state, so as to overcome the problem of chip heating.
US08878193B2
Graphene-channel based devices and techniques for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a semiconductor device includes a first wafer having at least one graphene channel formed on a first substrate, a first oxide layer surrounding the graphene channel and source and drain contacts to the graphene channel that extend through the first oxide layer; and a second wafer having a CMOS device layer formed in a second substrate, a second oxide layer surrounding the CMOS device layer and a plurality of contacts to the CMOS device layer that extend through the second oxide layer, the wafers being bonded together by way of an oxide-to-oxide bond between the oxide layers. One or more of the contacts to the CMOS device layer are in contact with the source and drain contacts. One or more other of the contacts to the CMOS device layer are gate contacts for the graphene channel.
US08878178B2
An object is to manufacture a semiconductor device including an oxide semiconductor at low cost with high productivity in such a manner that a photolithography process is simplified by reducing the number of light-exposure masks. In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device including a channel-etched inverted-stagger thin film transistor, an oxide semiconductor film and a conductive film are etched using a mask layer formed with the use of a multi-tone mask which is a light-exposure mask through which light is transmitted so as to have a plurality of intensities. The etching step is performed by wet etching in which an etching solution is used.
US08878175B2
An object is to reduce a capacitance value of parasitic capacitance without decreasing driving capability of a transistor in a semiconductor device such as an active matrix display device. Further, another object is to provide a semiconductor device in which the capacitance value of the parasitic capacitance was reduced, at low cost. An insulating layer other than a gate insulating layer is provided between a wiring which is formed of the same material layer as a gate electrode of the transistor and a wiring which is formed of the same material layer as a source electrode or a drain electrode.
US08878174B2
A novel semiconductor element contributing to an increase in circuit scale is provided. In the semiconductor element, two different electrical switches are formed using a single oxide semiconductor layer. For example, in the semiconductor element, formation of a channel (a current path) in the vicinity of a bottom surface (a first surface) of the oxide semiconductor layer and formation of a channel in the vicinity of a top surface (a second surface) of the oxide semiconductor layer are independently controlled. Therefore, the circuit area can be reduced as compared to the case two electrical switches are separately provided (for example, the case where two transistors are separately provided). That is, a circuit is formed using the semiconductor element, whereby an increase in the circuit area due to an increase in circuit scale can be suppressed.
US08878164B2
The invention relates to an organic light-emitting diode, known under the abbreviation OLED, and to a method for the production of such an organic light-emitting diode. According to the invention, an OLED or organic light-emitting diode having an emitter layer (5) is produced, said emitter layer emitting white light in particular. The emitter layer (5) is arranged within a lossy, optical resonator. The optical path length between the two reflecting layers of the resonator determines the color of the light emitting from the optical resonator and, consequently, from the light-emitting diode. In order to be able to create a variety of colors, there must be different optical path lengths between the two reflecting surfaces. The correspondingly different distances can be produced in only one work step, in contrast to the prior art, by a photolithographic method. The result is an organic light-emitting diode having a lossy optical resonator, having an emitter layer (5) and a layer (4) that can be photolithographically structured. Said layer (4) is comprised of photochemically curable materials. Organic light-emitting diodes according to the invention can be used in light sources, lighting, sensors or spectrometers.
US08878162B2
A method for depositing one or more organic layers onto a substrate, which includes: transferring the one or more layers from a depositing surface of a stamp to the substrate by bringing the layer coated depositing surface of the stamp into contact with the substrate, and the use of either or both of the steps of: (i) contacting the polymer with a plasticizer; and (ii) heating the substrate and/or stamp, in order to create favorable conditions for conformal contact and uniform layer transfer.
US08878153B2
A structure for a variable-resistance element using an electrochemical reaction. The structure limits a position at which metal cross-linking breaks to a position most preferred for cross-linking break: namely, a part of an ion conduction layer closest to a first electrode. Also provided is a method for manufacturing the variable-resistance element, which has a first electrode serving as a source for a metal ion(s), a second electrode which is less ionizable (i.e. has a higher redox potential) than the first electrode, and an ion conduction layer which is interposed between the first and second electrodes and can conduct the metal ion(s). There is a first region in the ion conduction layer, adjacent to the first electrode, having a diffusion coefficient that increases continuously towards the first electrode right upto contacting the first electrode.
US08878146B2
Provided herein is methods of treating a medical implant and methods of using the same.
US08878143B2
A high-accuracy and high-speed lithographic pattern is acquired by forming a square lattice matrix beam group with an interval which is an integral multiple of a beam size in a two-dimensional plane, switching on and off the mesh of a device to be drawn by a bitmap signal, forming a desired beam shape, deflecting the beam to a necessary position, and radiating a beam with a whole blanker being opened after the beam state is stabilized. On and off signals and a vector scan signal of each beam are provided, and the whole blanker is released after the beam is stabilized, and thus high-accuracy and high-speed lithography is performed with a small amount of data. When the total number of shots exceeds a constant value, the pattern data are modified and high-speed lithography is achieved. A semiconductor reversed bias p-n junction technique is preferably used for an individual blanker electrode.
US08878134B2
A photoconductive antenna is adapted to generate terahertz waves when irradiated by pulsed light. The photoconductive antenna includes a first conductive region, a second conductive region, and a semiconductor region. The second conductive region is spaced apart from the first conductive region to form a gap therebetween in a top plan view of the photoconductive antenna. The semiconductor region is positioned in the gap between the first conductive region and the second conductive region in the top plan view. An interfacial surface of the semiconductor region positioned in the gap is flush with first interfacial surfaces of the first and second conductive regions. Second interfacial surfaces of the first and second conductive regions positioned on an opposite side from the first interfacial surfaces are positioned on the same side with respect to the interfacial surface of the semiconductor region positioned in the gap.
US08878108B2
An induction heating cooker in which a size of heating coils can be freely set without being restricted by a size of an opening of a cabinet of a kitchen unit. The induction heating cooker has an outer casing including a flange extending in an outward direction from a top portion of a container receptacle, with a heating coil container space being provided between the flange and a plate, such that one portion of each of the heating coils is disposed in the heating coil container space.
US08878106B2
A countertop multi-function oven. The oven, comprising: an internal compartment; a door for the compartment; at least five heating elements; the fifth heating element being located between two top heating elements; a controller coupled to the heating elements for providing a variable wattage; a user interface coupled to the controller, wherein upon user operation of the interface an oven mode is selected from one or more predetermined oven modes.
US08878097B2
Wire feeder with curved force generating element(s) for better positioning of an adjusting mechanism
An apparatus for feeding a wire. The apparatus includes at least one pair of rotatable rollers and at least one curved or curvable force-generating element. The at least one curved or curvable force-generating element is capable of applying a force via a proximal end of the at least one curved or curvable force-generating element to displace a first roller of the at least one pair of rotatable rollers towards a second roller of the at least one pair of the rotatable rollers to engage a wire there between. The apparatus further includes an adjustment mechanism operationally connected at a distal end of the at least one curved or curvable force-generating element to allow adjustment of the applied force.
US08878091B2
A switch device includes first and second contacting portions including first and fixed contacting portions and first and second movable contacting portions, respectively, the first fixed contacting portion and the second fixed contacting portion being configured to be electrically connected to one of a power source and an electronic device while the first movable contacting portion and the second movable contacting portion are configured to be electrically connected to the other of the power source and the electronic device; and first and second electric arc voltage suppression units configured to be electrically connected to the first and second fixed contacting portions and the first and second movable contacting portions for suppressing generation of electric arcs there between, respectively.
US08878089B2
A switch includes a printed circuit board and a contact piece with first and second contacts. The printed circuit board has a power input contact, a power output contact, a noncontact area, and a plurality of signal contacts that are disposed at a plurality of predetermined positions. The power input contact and the plurality of signal contacts are disposed on the printed circuit board such that, upon movement of the first contact from the noncontact area to a signal contact, the second contact will align with the power input contact prior to the first contact aligning with the signal contact.
US08878087B2
The instant disclosure is a resilient pressing member structure having a pressing unit disposed on top of a translucent insulated layer, an upper cover, a light-emitting unit, two conductive layers and a spacer. The pressing unit includes a plurality of pressing members while the cover is formed with a cavity filled with a fluid to achieve the effect of pressure dispersion. A light guiding structure and a light reflecting structure are disposed on the topside and the backside of the insulated layer, respectively. The insulated layer is formed by at least one light unit opening which extends through the insulated layer. The light-emitting unit is hosted inside the light unit opening. Light from the light-emitting unit penetrates the insulated layer and reaches the pressing member. Then the guiding structure directs light while the reflecting structure reflects light towards the pressing member, thus illuminates the pressing member.
US08878079B2
Compact, high-speed data cable structures that include shielding to protect from electro-magnetic interference (EMI) are disclosed. The cable structures can include the conductors necessary to communicate signals that comply with the HDMI™ standard. The cable structures are formed for use with portable electronic devices and may include specific connectors, such as the 30 pin connector found on many products, such as the iPhone™ from Apple Inc. The cable structures include a micro crimp that enables the cable to be smaller than traditional high-speed data cables. The cable structures also include a shield body housing formed from a pair of virtually identical halves that are mated together to form the housing.
US08878074B2
The invention relates to a multi-level circuit board for high-frequency applications with at least one first carrier substrate (PCB1) made of a first material suitable for high frequencies and with at least one second carrier substrate (PCB2,3) made of a second material, which second material has higher dielectric losses than the first material.At least one signal line structure (S1, C1) is provided on the first carrier substrate (PCB1), and at least one ground layer (M2) connected to electric ground potential is provided on a side of at least one second carrier substrate (PCB2, PCB3), and electrical vias (V) extending through the carrier substrates (PCB1,2,3) are provided.A capacitance for removing high-frequency power to ground potential is formed through the at least one second carrier substrate (PCB2, PCB3) toward the ground layer (M2, M4), preferably through two carrier substrates made of the second material toward a metallization surface lying therebetween, in that a metallization surface (C3) having a size corresponding to the desired capacitance is formed on that side of the second carrier substrate (PCB2,4) which is opposite the ground layer (M2, M4) and the metallization surface (C3) is connected to the signal line structure (C1) by means of a via (V(C1-C3)).
US08878073B2
A printed circuit board is provided. The printed circuit board includes a base having a top and a bottom. The top has a first circuit area, a second circuit area and a slotted area disposed between the first circuit area and the second circuit area. The slotted area includes a first row of a plurality of first slots, each first slot of the plurality of first slots has a first length and is separated from an adjacent first slot by a first space. The slotted area includes a second row of a plurality of second slots that is positioned parallel with respect to the first row. Each second slot of the plurality of second slots has a second length that is different than the first length and is separated from an adjacent second slot by a second space. The second space includes a different length than the first space.
US08878071B2
An integrated device includes at least one heat generating component which generates heat when operated, at least one temperature-sensitive component, and one or more hollow insulation regions arranged between the at least one heat generating component and the at least one temperature-sensitive component. The hollow insulation region may be provided as a vacuum gap.
US08878070B2
A wiring board of this invention includes a product formation area in which are arranged a plurality of product formation sections on which a semiconductor chip is mounted; a molding area that is provided on an outer circumferential side of the product formation area, and with which a seal portion that covers the semiconductor chips mounted on the product formation sections makes contact; a clamp area that is provided on an outer circumferential side of the molding area, and that is held by a molding die that forms the seal portion; wiring that is provided in the product formation area, and that is electrically connected to the semiconductor chips; a first solid pattern that is provided in the molding area, and in which a plurality of dots are arranged; and a second solid pattern that is provided in the clamp area, and in which a plurality of dots that are larger than the dots of the first solid pattern are arranged.
US08878066B2
A power transmission cable includes at least one power conductor, an insulating layer surrounding the conductor to form at least one insulated conductor, a flame-retardant halogen free protective sheath provided in a radially external position with respect to the insulated conductor, wherein the sheath has an inner and an outer layer in contact with each other, the inner layer having a thickness at least equal to a thickness of the outer layer, the inner layer including a polymer material having a glass transition temperature equal to or lower than −30° C., and the outer layer including a mud resistant polymer material.
US08878061B2
In a positioner according to the present invention, the rotating table and a hollow shaft is rotated by a motor via a speed reduction gear. In such a configuration, an air tube and a cable which supplies the air or electric power used to operate a jib on the rotating table are provided via the rotary joint arranged at one end of the shaft. A communication device may be provided on the rotating table by detaching the rotary joint and arranging a composite curl cord. The communication device may be provided by the rotary joint and a wireless communication device without using the composite curl cord.
US08878059B2
The waterproof box includes a body case and a cover mounted to the body case by making a hook portion at one end of the cover engaged with a projection at one end of the body case and rotatably moving the cover around the hook portion. The one end of the respective body case and the cover has a double-walled structure having an outer wall and an inner wall. With the cover mounted to the body case, the outer wall of the body case is located inside the outer wall of the cover, the inner wall of the cover is located inside the outer wall of the body case, the inner wall of the body case is located inside the inner wall of the cover, and the outer wall of the body case and the inner wall of the cover are arranged with a space between each other.
US08878058B2
An electrical box assembly includes an electrical box and a plurality of partition plates to divide the electrical box into separate compartments to accommodate high voltage wiring device and low voltage wiring devices. The partition plates generally have an angled portion so that compartments can access a knockout in the bottom wall of the electrical box. A plurality of device frames are positioned above the partition plates and coupled to a central support member in the electrical box and a side wall of the electrical box to support an electrical wiring device in the compartments. A cover plate having a configuration corresponding substantially to the shape of the device frame is attached to the device frame and side wall. The cover plate has an opening adapted to receive the wiring device.
US08878054B2
The invention relates to a multilayer film of A/B/C structure comprising: a first layer of composition A, comprising a fluoropolymer; a second layer of composition B, comprising a filled fluoropolymer; and a third layer of composition C, comprising a fluoropolymer, characterized in that the first and third layers have a melting point above 150° C., measured by DSC, and in that the transmittance in visible light is less than 30% for a multilayer film thickness of 25 μm. The invention also relates to the use of a fluoropolymer-based film preferably for a photovoltaic cell back panel, a high-performance textile or a metal, the film adhering to the substrate by means of an adhesive layer placed between the substrate and the film.
US08878050B2
Proposed is a composite photovoltaic device with parabolic collector and different solar cells, wherein the high photoelectric conversion efficiency is achieved along with significant material cost reduction. The device comprises two or three solar cells formed on opposite sides of a transparent substrate, and a parabolic collector attached to the back side of the substrate. First thin film solar cell formed on the front side receives and converts to electricity a short-wavelength portion of the incoming Sun radiation, and transmits the long-wavelength portion. A second solar cell receives and converts to electricity a concentrated long-wavelength portion of the Sun radiation, which is re-directed toward a focal point by the parabolic collector. In one embodiment a third solar cell is included for converting an IR portion of the radiation. Thus, each solar cell utilizes a favorable part of the Sun spectrum, which allows for an enhancement of photoelectric efficiency and significant material cost reduction.
US08878048B2
A solar cell structure including a silicon carrier defining a front side and a back side, and including an N-type portion having an exposed portion on the front side of the carrier and a P-type portion having an exposed portion on the front side of the carrier, the N-type portion and the P-type portion defining a P-N junction, and a solar cell defining a front side and a back side, wherein the solar cell is connected to the front side of the carrier such that the back side of the solar cell is electrically coupled to the exposed portion of the N-type portion, and wherein the front side of the solar cell is electrically coupled to the exposed portion of the P-type portion.
US08878044B2
An electronic musical instrument is capable of generating tones in correspondence with individual ones of a plurality of sound generation parts and allocating desired sound colors and pitch ranges to the individual sound generation parts. A display area for displaying information related to the plurality of sound generation parts is presented on a display device. The individual sound generation parts are set either in a sound generating state or in a non-sound-generating state. The display area is divided in order to set sub display areas corresponding to one or more of the sound generation parts having been set in the sound generating state. The information related to the sound generation parts, having been set in the sound generating state, is displayed in the corresponding sub display areas.
US08878038B1
A device for mounting a percussion instrument with a strap handle including a bracket mounted on a horizontal support bar, where the bracket has a pinion parallel to the support bar at and held at a fixed radial angle relative to the support bar, and an option pivot over the pinion to fit inside the handle of the instrument, such that the strap handle fits over the pinion and the instrument dangles from the pinion and is thus free to swing in the direction away from the bar but is blocked by the bar or the bracket from swinging in the direction of the bar.
US08878037B2
A mechanically activated musical instrument mainly for public use is preferably installed in open areas such as parks, plazas, cultural centers and the like. The mechanically activated musical instrument has similarities with a carillon, but having a mechanical activation system handled directly by one or more persons. The mechanically activated musical instrument has a sustentation structure (2), multiple sound tubes (3), multiple support structures (4) and multiple actuation mechanisms (5). The mechanically activated musical instrument (1) has a configuration in which the multiple sound tubes (3), the multiple support structures (4) and the multiple actuation mechanisms (5) are arranged on one face of the sustentation structure with the multiple sound tubes (3) disposed parallel to the face of the sustentation structure (2).
US08878036B2
The present application is directed to a muting device for muting the sound of musical instruments such as wind instruments, and more particularly, flutes. The muting device is configured to mute the sound of a wind instrument by restricting the airflow through the blowhole of the wind instrument without changing the pitch of the sound produced by the wind instrument. The muting device may restrict the airflow through the blowhole of the wind instrument by means of a woven or knitted mesh fabric placed over the blowhole of the wind instrument.
US08878031B1
A novel maize variety designated X03B503 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 X03B503 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X03B503 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X03B503, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X03B503. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X03B503.
US08878030B2
The invention provides seed and plants of sweet corn hybrid QHY6RH1077 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of sweet corn hybrid QHY6RH1077 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a sweet corn plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another sweet corn plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the parts of such plants.
US08878029B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH504577. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH504577, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH504577 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH504577.
US08878028B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH273465. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH273465, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH273465 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH273465.
US08878017B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1026611. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1026611. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1026611 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1026611 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08878012B2
The present invention relates to a plant of a cucumber breeding line having an introgression from cucumber accession PI 169383, a representative sample of seed of which has been deposited with the NCIMB, Aberdeen, Scotland under accession number NCIMB 41532 and depositors reference PI169383, wherein said introgression is an introgression on linkage group 4 associated with increased yield of said plants, wherein said plant exhibits an increased yield relative a plant of said cucumber breeding line lacking said introgression, and wherein said increased yield refers to a higher total fruit weight per plant.
US08878009B2
In an embodiment, the invention relates to the seeds, plants, and plant parts of canola line SCV318181 and to methods for producing a canola plant produced by crossing canola line SCV318181 with itself or with another canola line. The invention also relates to methods for producing a canola plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic canola plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to canola lines or breeding lines and plant parts derived from canola line SCV318181, to methods for producing other canola lines, lines or plant parts derived from canola line SCV318181 and to the canola plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid canola seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the line SCV318181 with another canola line.
US08878007B2
The invention provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding polypeptides having pesticidal activity against insect pests, including Lepidoptera. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins, pesticidal compositions, DNA constructs, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the embodiments. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.
US08878000B2
An absorbent article having a front end region, a rear end region, a central region disposed between the front and rear end regions, a fluids source area, and a transverse axis and a longitudinal axis. The absorbent article includes a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet, and a reinforcing structure disposed within the central region. In one aspect of the invention, the reinforcing structure includes a pair of traverse reinforcing elements each of which is formed by two traverse channels. The two traverse channels may be disposed generally parallel to the transverse axis with a reinforcement distance such that the absorbent core has an average density of in the range of about 5% to about 500% higher at the traverse reinforcing element than the fluids source area.
US08877999B2
A disposable absorbent product includes a backsheet, a topsheet overlaying the backsheet, and a core disposed between the backsheet and topsheet for retaining fluid secreted by a wearer of the absorbent product. The core has a length dimension, a width dimension, and a thickness dimension orthogonal to the length and width dimensions. The core includes first and second fluid storage structures, with the first fluid storage structure at least partially surrounding the second fluid storage structure in the thickness dimension. The second fluid storage structure extends along a longitudinal axis and has a head portion, as well as a pair of leg portions, with the leg portions being longitudinally opposed the head portion. Each of the leg portions extends along a minor axis that defines, with the longitudinal axis, an acute included angle.
US08877986B2
Recovery of an alcohol such as ethanol from a crude alcohol product, preferably obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising ethyl acetate and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid, and water. The ethanol product is recovered in a second column as an ethanol side stream.
US08877985B2
Methods and systems for co-producing higher hydrocarbons and glycols from bio-based feedstocks containing carbohydrates are disclosed.
US08877978B2
The present invention discloses the method for producing a tertiary amine, using the column reactor packed with catalyst layers, containing supplying a liquid and a gaseous raw materials from the bottom of the column, reacting these raw materials in the column, and discharging the product from the top of the column, wherein the column reactor includes two or more honeycomb catalyst layers as the catalyst layers, one or more spaces between each honeycomb catalyst layer, and one or more rectifying sections that prevents a partial or whole back flow of the raw materials, arranged in each space without contacting with the honeycomb catalyst layer.
US08877974B2
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of (1R,2R)-3-dimethylamino-1-ethyl-2-methyl-propyl)-phenol.
US08877973B2
A method to synthesize choline salts to be used as inexpensive ingredients for application in ionic liquids or other applications is disclosed.
US08877968B2
Melanocortin receptor modulators, processes for preparing them and use thereof in human medicine and cosmetics are described. Melanocortin receptor modulators corresponding to formula (I): compositions containing them, processes for their preparation and their use in pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions are also described.
US08877963B2
The present invention is to a process for producing acetic acid comprising the step of reacting a carbon monoxide feed and methanol and/or a methanol derivative in a first reactor to produce a crude acetic acid product. The carbon monoxide may comprise less than 99.5 mol % carbon monoxide. The process further comprises the step of purging a carbon monoxide purge stream comprising a first amount of residual carbon monoxide and one or more impurities. Preferably, the first amount is greater than 20 mol %. The process further comprises the step of separating the crude acetic acid product into at least one derivative stream comprising a second amount of residual carbon monoxide. The process further comprises the step of reacting at least a portion of the second amount of residual carbon monoxide and methanol and/or a methanol derivative in a second reactor to produce additional acetic acid.
US08877959B2
A method for preparing a pyruvate ester is disclosed. In the method of the present invention, a lactate ester is oxidized by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a Ti—Si molecular sieve catalyst. In the present invention, the Ti—Si molecular sieve catalyst is easily filtered and recycled, the reaction conditions are mild due to the usage of hydrogen peroxide, the process is simple and easily performed, the conversion rate of the lactate ester is high, and the selectivity of the pyruvate ester is high.
US08877958B2
The invention pertains to a new route to prepare β-functionalized carboxylic acid esters in a one-pot reaction, by reacting an olefinic acid ester in the presence of a catalyst system, comprising a Rh(I)-complex, together with an aryl boron or a diamine as nucleophilic compounds, and under oxygen-free conditions and elevated temperatures.
US08877946B2
Compounds of general formula I: wherein R1a, R1b, R2, R3a, R3b and X are as defined herein are tyrosine kinase inhibitors and are useful for the treatment of various diseases and conditions, for example cancer.
US08877942B2
The present invention relates to 2,2′-di-substituted dipyrrins. The invention also relates to methods for the preparation of 2,2′-disubstituted dipyrrins, and to the use of 2,2′-disubstituted dipyrrins in, for example, sensing, imaging and laser applications.
US08877934B2
This invention relates to certain N-heteroaryl compounds that are generally useful as medicaments, more specifically as medicaments for animals. The medicament can preferably be used for the treatment of helminth infections and the treatment of parasitosis, such as caused by helminth infections. This invention also relates to uses of the compounds to make medicaments and treatments comprising the administration of the compounds to animals in need of the treatments. This invention also relates to novel N-heteroaryl compounds and the preparation of said compounds. Moreover this invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions and kits comprising the compounds.
US08877932B2
Anhydrous polymorphic form-I of anti cancer drug, Lenalidomide whose chemical name is 3-(4-amino-1-oxo-1, 3-dihydro-isoindole-2-yl)-piperidine-2,6-dione, is disclosed. Alternate methods for making anhydrous polymorphic form-I of Lenalidomide are also disclosed.
US08877918B2
There is provided a nucleic acid extraction method applicable to microbes in a relatively wide range, and capable of rapidly extracting nucleic acid. The nucleic acid extraction method comprises the steps of introducing a cell suspension into a vessel, sealing the vessel, and preheating a heater up to a set temperature not lower than 100° C. Further, the method comprises the step of bringing the vessel into contact with the heater heated up to the set temperature, thereby heating the cell suspension housed in the vessel up to a prescribed highest temperature at not lower than 100° C. with the vessel held in a sealed state.
US08877917B2
The present invention relates to agents, compositions and methods for inhibiting the expression of a target gene, comprising an RNAi agent bearing at least one galactosyl moiety. These are useful for delivering the gene expression inhibiting activity to cells, particularly hepatocytes, and more particularly in therapeutic applications.
US08877915B2
Disclosed are: transcription regulatory factors capable of regulating the transcription or expression of genes for mannanases or cellulases, as mentioned below; and others. Specifically disclosed is a protein selected from the following proteins (a), (b) and (c): (a) a protein comprising the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2; (b) a protein which comprises an amino acid sequence produced by deleting, substituting or adding one or several amino acid residues (e.g., 1 to 5 amino acid residues) in the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2 and which is capable of regulating the transcription of genes for mannanases or cellulases; and (c) a protein which comprises an amino acid sequence having a 70% or higher sequence identity to the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2 and which is capable of regulating the transcription of genes for mannanases or cellulases, or a partial fragment of the protein. Also specifically disclosed are a gene encoding the protein, and others.
US08877912B2
The present invention is related to a fungal serine protease enzyme, which comprises an amino acid sequence the mature Fa_RF7182 enzyme having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 18. The serine protease is obtainable from Fusarium acuminatum, more preferably from the deposited strain CBS 124084. Also disclosed are nucleic acid sequences encoding said protease, such as plasmid pALK2530 comprising the nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO:12 deposited in Escherichia coli RF7803 under accession number DSM 22208 and plasmid pALK2531 comprising the full-length gene SEQ ID NO: 13 deposited in E. coli RF7879 under accession number DSM 22209, as well as fungal hosts, such as Trichoderm. Said protease is useful as an enzyme preparation applicable in detergent compositions and for treating fibers, for treating wool, for treating hair, for treating leather, for treating food or feed, or for any applications involving modification, degradation or removal of proteinaceous material.
US08877904B2
Methods, kits and apparatuses for chromatography purification of antibodies are provided. In some embodiments, antibodies are purified by mixed mode chromatography that does not comprise hydroxyapatite (HT) or fluorapatite (FT). The mixed mode chromatography step is then followed by a HT/FT chromatography step.
US08877900B2
Antagonists of human proprotein convertase subtilisin-kexin type 9 (“PCSK9”) are disclosed. The disclosed antagonists are effective in the inhibition of PCSK9 function and, accordingly, present desirable antagonists for use in the treatment of conditions associated with PCSK9 activity. The present invention also discloses nucleic acid encoding said antagonists, vectors, host cells, and compositions comprising the antagonists. Methods of making PCSK9-specific antagonists as well as methods of using the antagonists for inhibiting or antagonizing PCSK9 function are also disclosed and form important additional aspects of the present disclosure.
US08877896B2
Systems, compositions, methods, and kits for identifying potential therapeutic agents for treatment of complement based ocular diseases are provided herein. The methods and kits include a complement component 3 (C3) protein or derivative that is contacted to ocular cells or tissue. Another embodiment of the invention herein provides for diagnosis and/or prognosis of a complement-associated ocular disease. Compositions, methods and kits for regulating or treating a complement-related condition using at least one of CD46 protein, CD55 protein, and a recombinant chimeric soluble terminator of activated complement (STAC) protein or source of the STAC protein. The STAC protein includes an amino acid sequence including at least two of an amino acid sequence of a CD59 protein, an amino acid sequence derived from a CD46 protein, and an amino acid sequence derived from a CD55 protein, optionally further comprising a linker to connect amino acid sequences.
US08877892B2
We describe methods that allow either carbodiimides or other carboxyl-reactive substances to be mixed with solutions of carboxylic acids or phosphates or amines or combinations thereof, so as to form a homogeneous mixture which is then dried, preferably in a freeze drying process. The mixture is then contacted with an entity, which preferably involves the dissolution of the mixture with a buffered solution of the entity, so as to initiate a conjugation reaction between the entity and a component in the mixture.
US08877886B2
To provide a method of producing a polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane composition that is free of acid-mediated carbon-oxygen bond and silicon-oxygen bond cleavage, that is substantially deodorized and also does not generate odor with elapsed time, and that is therefore well suited for use in cosmetic applications, e.g., for hair cosmetics, skin cosmetics, and so forth. A production method of this invention is characterized by removing the odor-causing substance from a polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane composition that has been synthesized by a hydrosilylation reaction, by subjecting the polyoxyalkylene-modified polysiloxane composition to a hydrolysis treatment in the presence of an acidic inorganic salt that is a solid at 25° C. and gives a specific pH at 25° C. in aqueous solution; for example, potassium hydrogensulfate.
US08877883B2
A polarizing plate and an optical member, the polarizing plate including an adhesive layer, the adhesive layer being prepared from an adhesive composition including a (meth)acrylic copolymer, a crosslinking agent, and a tackifier, the tackifier including an acrylic modified petroleum resin represented by Formula 1: R′—CO—O—R [Formula 1] wherein R′ is a petroleum resin and R is a C1-C20 alkyl group or a C6-C50 aryl group.
US08877880B2
The invention relates to a method for controlling properties of a polyolefin. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for controlling certain properties of an ethylene-butene copolymer and compositions thereof using isobutylene and/or other C4 components.
US08877878B2
A sulfonium borate complex that is capable of reducing the amount of fluorine ions generated during thermal cationic polymerization, and is capable of providing a thermal cationic polymerizable adhesive with low-temperature fast curing properties is represented by a structure represented by the formula (1). In the formula (1), R1 is an aralkyl group, R2 is a lower alkyl group, and R3 is a lower alkoxycarbonyl group. X is a halogen atom, and n is an integer of from 1 to 3.
US08877874B2
A powder mixture is described, which is suitable for a layer-wise manufacturing of a three-dimensional object by solidifying a building material in powder form. The powder mixture consists of a mixture of a first polyamide 12 powder and a second polyamide 12 powder, wherein the first polyamide 12 powder is characterized by an increase of its viscosity number determined in accordance with ISO 307 that is less than 10%, when the powder is exposed for 20 hours to a temperature that lies 10° C. below its melting temperature under nitrogen atmosphere, and the second polyamide 12 powder is characterized by an increase of its viscosity number, determined in accordance with ISO 307, by 15% or more, when the powder is exposed for 20 hours to a temperature that lies 10° C. below its melting temperature under nitrogen atmosphere.
US08877867B2
A process for preparing modified thermoplastic vulcanizate compositions, the process comprising the steps of introducing molten thermoplastic vulcanizate and a free-radical source, where the thermoplastic vulcanizate includes cured rubber dispersed within a thermoplastic matrix.
US08877861B2
The present invention relates to a one-pot synthetic method for synthesizing silver-containing waterborne polyurethane (WBPU). The method includes the steps of adding a silver ion-containing solution, such as silver nitrate solution, into WBPU emulsion to form a silver-containing PU emulsion by stirring, and dehydrating the silver-containing PU emulsion so as to obtain a WBPU containing nano-scaled silver particles having a uniform particle size and good dispersibility. The present invention provides a method that can be easily and speedily operated, and the silver-containing WBPU prepared according to the method of the present invention exhibits excellent antibacterial, bactericidal and deodorant effects but using a small amount of silver.
US08877858B2
A method for preparing a colloid solution of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in a solution of acrylic resin in organic solvent includes mixing titanium dioxide nanoparticles with a solution of acrylic resin in organic solvent, so as to obtain the colloid solution. The colloid solution is subjected to a stabilization treatment suitable for preventing or reducing nanoparticle aggregation, the treatment includes irradiating the colloid solution with pulsed coherent light having a wavelength substantially comprised in the ultraviolet absorption band of the titanium dioxide nanoparticles.
US08877855B2
A thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) composition is provided which contains a blend of a hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (SBC) having a number average molecular weight (Mn) greater than about 200,000 Daltons (Da), a polypropylene, a mineral oil, and at least one filler. The composition has a hardness less than about 80 Shore A and is resealable. An article produced from such a TPE composition reseals itself so as to exhibit no leakage after puncture. A method for preventing leakage in an elastomeric article involves providing an elastomeric article formed from the TPE composition, puncturing the elastomeric article by inserting a sharp object, and removing the sharp object; the article reseals itself such that no leakage occurs from the punctured article after removal of the sharp object.
US08877854B2
The present invention relates to a reinforced thermoplastic resin composition having excellent moldability, processability, and mechanical strengths, as well as being capable of improving the drop impact resistance (surface impact strength determined by a falling ball test). The reinforced thermoplastic resin composition of the present invention includes 10 to 60% by mass of a graft copolymer (A) having a graft chain (A2) grafted to a rubber polymer (A1); 40 to 90% by mass of a matrix polymer (B) which includes one or more types of polymers selected from the group consisting of a vinyl-based copolymer (B-1), a polycarbonate resin (B-2), and a polyester resin (B-3); 0.1 to 50 parts by mass of an inorganic filler (D); and 0.5 to 20 parts by mass of a glycidyl ether unit-containing polymer (E) having a mass average molecular weight of 3,000 to 200,000.
US08877847B2
Paper coating compositions contain specific polyethers which are obtained by reacting a diglycidyl ether with a water soluble polyol containing at least one polyoxyethylene chain acting as deflocculants, water retention agents and gloss enhancers.
US08877845B2
The invention relates to a composition containing a particulate solid, a plastic material and a compound obtained/obtainable by a process comprising (i) reacting at a temperature of 12O° C. or less, or 100° C. or less a hydroxycarboxylic acid and a lactone; and (ii) optionally reacting the product of (i) with a C1-50 carboxylic acid. The invention further relates to novel compounds, and the use of the compound as a dispersant in a plastic material.
US08877841B2
The present invention relates to a molding material comprising an unsaturated polyester resin and microfibrillated plant fibers, the microfibrillated plant fibers comprising cellulose and hemicellulose, and having a specific surface area of 5 to 20 m2/g; a method of producing the molding material; a molded article obtained by curing the molding material; and a method of producing an unsaturated polyester resin molded article comprising microfibrillated plant fibers.
US08877840B2
A self-priming spackling compound includes between about 35% by weight and about 65% by weight acrylic latex resin, between about 20% by weight and about 50% by weight filler material, and between about 1% by weight and about 20% by weight water. In certain aspects, the latex resin may have an average latex particle size of less than about 0.18 microns, a minimum film formation temperature of less than about 15 degrees Celsius, and/or a glass transition temperature (Tg) of less than about 25 degrees Celsius. To further enhance the self-priming performance of the spackling compound, the formulation may further comprise a colorant such as titanium dioxide.
US08877833B2
The present invention relates to an acidic, aqueous, particulate composition having a high stability with respect to agglomeration for autophoretic deposition of organic-inorganic hybrid layers on metal surfaces, comprising, in addition to iron(III) ions, fluoride ions and at least one dispersed organic binder (B), pigment-binder particles comprising a pigment portion and a binder portion (B), such that the binder (B) comprises a polymer of at least one monomer having acid groups and at least one polymerizable double bond. Likewise, the invention relates to the use of an aqueous dispersion comprising pigment-binder particles comprising a pigment portion and a binder portion (B) for the production of a self-depositing composition as well as a method for autophoretic deposition on metal surfaces.
US08877832B2
The present invention provides a process for producing a conjugated diene-based polymer comprising polymerizing a monomer component comprising a conjugated diene compound and a silicon-containing vinyl compound using the following compounds (I) and (II), as a polymerization initiator component, (I) an organic alkali metal compound (II) a compound represented by the following formula (I) wherein R11 and R12 represent a hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms optionally having a substituent.
US08877827B2
The active ray-curable inkjet ink comprises a gelling agent, photopolymerizable compounds and a photoinitiator, and reversibly transitions into a sol-gel phase according to the temperature. Therein: (1) a (meth)acrylate compound having a molecular weight of 300-1,500 and having 3-14 (—CH2—CH2—O—) structural units within a molecule is included as the first photopolymerizable compound at a proportion of 30-70 mass % relative to the total mass of the ink; (2) a (meth)acrylate compound having a molecular weight of 300-1,500 and a C log P value of 4.0-7.0 is included as the second photopolymerizable compound at a proportion of 10-40 mass % relative to the total mass of the ink; and (3) the gelling agent has a total of at least 12 carbon atoms, and has a straight or branched alkyl chain including at least three carbon atoms.
US08877826B2
Systems and methods for the electrochemical polymerization process for preparation of cross-linked gel. The process includes mixing a hydroxylated benzene and aldehyde in an aqueous media in an inert container to form a hydroxylated benzene and aldehyde mixture. Furthermore, the process includes introducing electrodes into the inert container. Further, the electrochemical polymerization process includes supplying electric current to the hydroxylated benzene and aldehyde mixtures in the inert container through the electrodes. The resultant products of electrochemical polymerization process either gels or activated carbon gels have unique characteristics.
US08877822B2
Provided are porogen compositions and methods of using such porogen compositions in the manufacture of porous materials, for example, porous silicone elastomers. The porogens generally include comprising a core material and shell material different from the core material. The porogens can be used to form a scaffold for making a resulting porous elastomer when the scaffold is removed.
US08877820B2
A composition including a retinoid, an NFκB-inhibitor, and a cosmetically-acceptable topical carrier is provided. Methods of treating the skin are also provided.
US08877816B2
Compounds of the formula: are disclosed. The compounds act as phosphodiesterase-4 modulators, and useful for treating stroke, myocardial infarct, and cardiovascular inflammatory conditions. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08877811B1
The present invention is directed to novel diacid derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the diacid derivatives and methods for the treatment of insulin and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and related disorders comprising administering to a subject in need thereof, the compounds of the present invention.
US08877809B2
Methods of retarding formation of a lipofuscin pigment in the retina and of treating or ameliorating the effects of a disease characterized by an accumulation of a lipofuscin pigment in a retina are provided. These methods include the step of administering to a patient in need thereof a substituted C20-retinoid in an amount sufficient to reduce accumulation of a lipofuscin pigment in the retina. Further provided are methods of retarding formation of A2E and/or ATR-dimer by replacing an all-frans-retinal (ATR) substrate with a C20-D3-retinal substrate under conditions sufficient to impede the formation of A2E. Compositions for retarding formation of a lipofuscin pigment in the retina containing a substituted C20-retinoid and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier are also provided.
US08877804B2
The present invention relates to novel sulfur derivatives, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of chemokine receptors.
US08877802B2
A method of treating a subject for Parkinson's disease comprises administering said subject a phenylisopropylamine in an amount effective to treat said Parkinson's disease. In some embodiments the method is used to treat at least a motor symptom of Parkinson's disease; in some embodiments the method is used to treat at least a non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease.
US08877799B2
The present invention relates to the use of novel vildagliptin complexes for the manufacture of high purity vildagliptin of Formula I and/or pharmaceutical acceptable salts thereof. Further objects of the present invention are pharmaceutically acceptable complexes of vildagliptin and/or amorphous and crystalline forms, anhydrous forms, amorphous and crystalline hydrates, amorphous and crystalline solvates of the complexes and a process for the preparation thereof. Another object of the present invention is the high purity vildagliptin and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof prepared form the vildagliptin complexes of the present invention, a process for the preparation thereof and pharmaceutical compositions containing vildagliptin base, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and/or complexes and use thereof for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (NIDDM). The present invention provides pharmaceutically advantageous high purity vildagliptin complexes.
US08877791B2
The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and methods of treating cancer, diabetes, obesity, autoimmune disease, and benign prostatic hyperplasia using compounds that selectively inhibit pyruvate kinase M2 and an assay measuring chemical modulation of pyruvate kinase activity.
US08877785B2
This invention relates to enhancing sensitivity of cytotoxic drugs by targeting their interfering mechanisms induced in the tumor microenvironment which lead to drug resistance, using combinatorial therapy with carboxyamidotriazole orotate. Specific doses of cytotoxic drugs are titrated with carboxyamidotriazole orotate to improve the sensitivity and anticancer activity of cytotoxic drugs.
US08877777B2
A method for purifying a cyclic lipopeptide or a salt thereof is provided. The method comprises the steps: (1) extracting a fermentation broth containing a compound of formula I or a salt thereof, to obtain an extract 1 after filtration or centrifugation; (2) diluting or concentrating the extract 1 under vacuum to decrease the content of the organic solvent, to obtain an extract 2; (3) loading the extract 2 onto a macroporous absorption resin; (4) washing the macroporous adsorption resin with water, an organic solvent, or a mixture of water and an organic solvent as a washing solution; and (5) eluting the compound of formula I off from the macroporous adsorption resin with water, an organic solvent, or a mixture of water and an organic solvent as a washing solution as an eluant. Compared with the prior art, the purification method has the advantages that fewer organic solvent is used, no silica gel is used, the harm to the environment is less, and the purity of the collected compound of formula I is improved.
US08877776B2
Disclosed are malate salts of N-(4-{[6,7-bis(methyloxy)-quinolin-4-yl]oxy}phenyl)-N′-(4-fluorophenyl)cyclopropane -1,1-dicarboxamide, including a (L)-malate salt, a (D)-malate salt, a (DL) malate salt, and mixtures thereof; and crystalline and amorphous forms of the malate salts. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one malate salts of N-(4-{[6,7-bis(methyloxy)quinolin-4-yl]oxy}phenyl)-N′-(4-fluorophenyl)-cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxamide; and methods of treating cancer comprising administering at least one malate salt of N-(4-{[6,7-bis(methyloxy)quinolin-4-yl]oxy}phenyl)-N′-(4-ffuorophenyl)cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxamide.
US08877766B2
The neuroprotective multifunctional antioxidants are compounds that contain a 2-diacetylamino-5-hydroxypyrimidine moiety, having the structural formula: wherein R1 is CH2 or C2H4; R2 is H or —OR4 where R4 is H or aryl; and R3a and R3b are independently selected from the group consisting of H and —O-alkyl. The antioxidants are orally bioavailable metal-attenuating multifunctional antioxidants that can independently attenuate transition metals, as well as scavenger free radicals. The multifunctional antioxidant compounds, by their ability to independently chelate metals, such as Fe, Cu or Zn, and scavenge free radicals generated from different sources, are neuroprotective and are beneficial for the treatment of various neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ALS, traumatic brain injury, ocular disorders, such as cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and other retinal degeneration, as well as for reducing the progression of diabetic complications.
US08877761B2
The present invention relates to compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of Formulas A and B: wherein A, B, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 are as defined above. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and to methods of treating diabetes mellitus and its complications, cancer, ischemia, inflammation, central nervous system disorders, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease and dermatological disase pression, virus diseases, inflammatory disorders, or diseases in which the liver is a target organ.
US08877755B2
The present invention generally relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a dopamine agonist and sedative agent. In a preferred embodiment, the dopamine agonist is optically pure (S)-didesmethylsibutramine. In a preferred embodiment, the sedative agent is optically pure (S)-zopiclone or optically pure (S)—N-desmethylzopiclone. In a preferred embodiment, the dopamine agonist is optically pure (S)-didesmethylsibutramine; and the sedative agent is optically pure (S)-zopiclone or optically pure (S)—N-desmethylzopiclone. The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are useful in the treatment of restless-leg syndrome and periodic-limb-movement disorder, as well as various sleep disorders. In addition, the present invention relates to a method of treating a patient suffering from restless-leg syndrome, periodic-limb-movement disorder, a sleep abnormality, or insomnia, comprising coadministering a therapeutically effective amount of a dopamine agonist and a therapeutically effective amount of a sedative agent. In a preferred embodiment, the dopamine agonist is optically pure (S)-didesmethylsibutramine. In a preferred embodiment, the sedative agent is optically pure (S)-zopiclone or optically pure (S)—N-desmethylzopiclone. In a preferred embodiment, the dopamine agonist is optically pure (S)-didesmethylsibutramine; and the sedative agent is optically pure (S)-zopiclone or optically pure (S)—N-desmethylzopiclone.
US08877748B2
A heterocyclic fused anthraquinone derivative, which is represented by a formula (I): wherein R1 is a substituent being one selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, halogens, aminoalkyl group, sulfoalkyl group, haloalkyl group, piperazino group, sulfonyl group, morpholino group, alkali group or one substituent represented by a formula (II): wherein R2 is amino group, oxyl group or a thiol group. In the meantime, a method for manufacturing the above-mentioned heterocyclic fused anthraquinone derivatives and a pharmaceutical composition using thereof are also disclosed here.
US08877744B2
The present invention relates to 1,4 Oxazepines of formula I having BACE1 and/or BACE2 inhibitory activity, their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as therapeutically active substances. The active compounds of the present invention are useful in the therapeutic and/or prophylactic treatment of e.g. Alzheimer's disease and type 2 diabetes.
US08877743B2
A compound of formula (I): wherein: M is hydrogen or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt-forming cation; and R1 and M are as defined herein. Also, methods of treating bacterial infection, pharmaceutical compositions, molecular complexes and processes for preparing compounds.
US08877740B2
A compound composition for inhalation comprising β2 receptor agonist and corticosteriod is provided in the present invention. The composition is used as a reliever for a patient with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or a controller in eccentric way, and can reduce drug acute resistance of β2 receptor agonist.
US08877732B2
The present invention is directed to a combination or a kit comprising a prostaglandin analog and an adenosine receptor A1 agonist and to a method of reducing intraocular pressure (IOP) in a subject using such combination or kit. In one embodiment, the prostaglandin analog is latanoprost and the adenosine receptor A1 agonist is Compound A, ((2R,3S,4R,5R)-5-(6-(cyclopentylamino)-9H-purin-9-yl)-3,4-dihydroxytetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methyl nitrate, having the structure,
US08877718B2
The present invention relates to naphthoquinone derivatives isolated from solid callus cultures from two species of the palaeotropical plant families Dioncophyllaceae and Ancistrocladaceae. It further relates to methods of their production as well as to their use as antiinfective and antitumoral pharmaceuticals.
US08877714B2
The present invention relates generally to receptor-selective variants of the low-density lipoprotein receptor-associated protein (RAP) and compositions thereof, methods of generating such variants and methods of using such receptor-selective RAP variant compositions for therapeutic purposes. The invention also relates to antibodies that bind to one or a small subset of CR-containing proteins.
US08877705B2
The disclosure relates to a biomaterial that comprises an aqueous phase, polymer network, a second polymer included in said disclosure invention more particularly relates to a biomaterial including an aqueous phase and a first polymer network made of a first proteic or saccharidic polymer or a mixture of first proteic and saccharidic polymers, wherein the first polymer network and the aqueous phase define a first gel (A), the biomaterial including: a second proteic or saccharidic polymer or a mixture of the second proteic and saccharidic polymers, either in solution in the aqueous phase of the gel (A) or in the form of a gel (B), and a first enzyme for degrading said second polymer or second polymer network. The disclosure also relates to a method for making biomaterials, and to the uses of the biomaterial particularly for releasing active substances, and to a device for the controlled release of active substances that include the biomaterial. The disclosure can particularly be used in the field of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
US08877695B2
Provided herein are compositions containing at least one estolide compound and at least one ene and/or Diels Alder compound. In certain embodiments, the addition of at least one ene and/or Diels Alder compound to an estolide-containing composition may improve the cold temperature, viscometric, and/or anti-wear properties of the composition.
US08877692B2
A well treatment composition comprises: a water-soluble, organic liquid, wherein the organic liquid: (A) comprises the continuous phase of the well treatment composition; and (B) comprises a polyglycol or a derivative of polyglycol; a fluid loss additive, wherein the fluid loss additive: (A) is insoluble in the organic liquid; and (B) comprises a high molecular weight, water-swellable polymer; and a suspending agent, wherein the suspending agent comprises an organophilic clay, wherein the well treatment composition has an activity of at least 15%. A method of cementing in a subterranean formation comprises: introducing a cement composition into the subterranean formation, the cement composition comprising: (i) cement; (ii) water; and (iii) the well treatment composition; and allowing the cement composition to set after introduction into the subterranean formation.
US08877691B2
Methods of decreasing the viscosity of a treatment fluid through contact with a cyclodextrin modifier. Such methods include providing a cyclodextrin modifier; providing a treatment fluid that comprises a base fluid and a viscosifying agent wherein the viscosifying agent is selected from the group consisting of a hydrophobically modified polymer, a viscoelastic surfactant, a phosphonate surfactant, or a combination thereof; and, introducing the cyclodextrin modifier and the treatment fluid into a well bore penetrating a subterranean formation wherein the viscosity of the treatment fluid is decreased due to the combination of the hydrophobically modified polymer and the cyclodextrin modifier.
US08877690B2
A method of treating a wastewater is provided and can be used, for example, to treat a gas well production wastewater to form a wastewater brine. The method can involve crystallizing sodium chloride by evaporation of the wastewater brine with concurrent production of a liquor comprising calcium chloride solution. Bromine and lithium can also be recovered from the liquor in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Various metal sulfates, such as barium sulfate, can be removed from the wastewater in the production of the wastewater brine. Sources of wastewater can include gas well production wastewater and hydrofracture flowback wastewater.
US08877684B2
A composition comprising at least a compound (a) of general formula (I): and an insecticide compound (b) in a (a)/(b) weight ratio of from 1/1 to 1/1013. A composition further comprising an additional fungicidal compound. A method for preventively or curatively combating the pests and diseases of crops and increasing their yield by using this composition.
US08877670B2
Catalysts are disclosed comprising fibrous substrates having silica-containing fibers with diameters generally from about 1 to about 50 microns, which act effectively as “micro cylinders.” Such catalysts can dramatically improve physical surface area, for example per unit length of a reactor or reaction zone. At least a portion of the silica, originally present in the silica-containing fibers of a fibrous material used to form the fibrous substrate, is converted to a zeolite (e.g., having a SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of at least about 150) that remains deposited on these fibers. The fibrous substrates possess important properties, for example in terms of acidity, which are useful in hydroprocessing (e.g., hydrotreating or hydrocracking) applications.
US08877667B2
The invention relates to a process for regenerating catalysts containing mixed oxides from the group of alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal oxides, aluminium oxide and silicon oxide, characterized in that the regeneration comprises the following features: i) treatment of the catalyst in situ, ii) contacting of the catalyst with water, iii) treatment of the catalyst within a temperature range from 100 to 400° C., iv) treatment of the catalyst within a pressure range from 0.1 to 2 MPa, v) treatment of the catalyst over a period of 0.1 to 24 h, vi) treatment of the catalyst with a specific catalyst hourly space velocity of 0.1 to 100 h−1.
US08877659B2
A method for repairing and lowering the dielectric constant of low-k dielectric layers used in semiconductor fabrication is provided. In one implementation, a method of repairing a damaged low-k dielectric layer comprising exposing the porous low-k dielectric layer to a vinyl silane containing compound and optionally exposing the porous low-k dielectric layer to an ultraviolet (UV) cure process.
US08877658B2
Methods for performing directed self-assembly (DSA) of block copolymer (BCP) material on a substrate are disclosed. The BCP is disposed over a patterned neutral layer made from a random copolymer. The BCP is annealed with a laser to induce the directed self-assembly. The scan type may include single scan, multiple scan, or multiple scan with overlap. A variety of power settings and dwell times may be used within a single wafer to achieve multiple heating conditions within a single wafer.
US08877653B2
A solvent vapor containing a solvent material capable of dissolving hydrogen fluoride is supplied to a surface of a substrate, thereby covering the surface of the substrate with a liquid film containing solvent material. Thereafter an etching vapor containing a hydrogen fluoride is supplied to the surface of the substrate covered by the liquid film containing the solvent material, thereby etching the surface of the substrate.
US08877650B2
Methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices and methods of optical proximity correction methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes determining an amount of reactive ion etch (RIE) lag of a RIE process for a material layer of the semiconductor device, and adjusting a size of at least one pattern for a feature of the material layer by an adjustment amount to partially compensate for the amount of RIE lag determined.
US08877645B2
Methods of forming an integrated circuit structure utilizing a selectively formed and at least partially oxidized metal cap over a gate, and associated structures. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a precursor structure including a transistor having a metal gate; forming an etch stop layer over an exposed portion of the metal gate; at least partially oxidizing the etch stop layer; and forming a dielectric layer over the at least partially oxidized etch stop layer.
US08877635B2
A method for fabricating metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a semiconductor substrate having a silicide thereon; performing a first rapid thermal process to drive-in platinum from a surface of the silicide into the silicide; and removing un-reacted platinum in the first rapid thermal process.
US08877634B2
The inventive concept provides methods of manufacturing semiconductor devices having a fine pattern. In some embodiments, the methods comprise forming an etch-target film on a substrate, forming a first mask pattern on the etch-target film, forming a second mask pattern by performing an ion implantation process in the first mask pattern, and etching the etch-target film using the second mask pattern.
US08877631B2
An interconnect arrangement and fabrication method are described. The interconnect arrangement includes an electrically conductive mount substrate, a dielectric layer formed on the mount substrate, and an electrically conductive interconnect formed on the dielectric layer. At least a portion of the dielectric layer under the interconnect contains a cavity. To fabricate the interconnect arrangement, a sacrificial layer is formed on the mount substrate and the interconnect layer is formed on the sacrificial layer. The interconnect layer and the sacrificial layer are structured to produce a structured interconnect on the structured sacrificial layer. A porous dielectric layer is formed on a surface of the mount substrate and of the structured interconnect as well as the sacrificial layer. The sacrificial layer is then removed to form the cavity under the interconnect.
US08877630B1
The present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor structure. The method includes forming a conductive pad on a semiconductor die; forming a seed layer over the conductive pad; defining a first mask layer over the seed layer; and forming a silver alloy bump body in the first mask layer. The forming a silver alloy bump body in the first mask layer includes operations of preparing a first cyanide-based bath; controlling a pH value of the first cyanide-based bath to be within a range of from about 6 to about 8; immersing the semiconductor die into the first cyanide-based bath; and applying an electroplating current density of from about 0.1 ASD to about 0.5 ASD to the semiconductor die.
US08877628B2
Electrical contacts may be formed by forming dielectric liners along sidewalls of a dielectric structure, forming sacrificial liners over and transverse to the dielectric liners along sidewalls of a sacrificial structure, selectively removing portions of the dielectric liners at intersections of the dielectric liners and sacrificial liners to form pores, and at least partially filling the pores with a conductive material. Nano-scale pores may be formed by similar methods. Bottom electrodes may be formed and electrical contacts may be structurally and electrically coupled to the bottom electrodes to form memory devices. Nano-scale electrical contacts may have a rectangular cross-section of a first width and a second width, each width less than about 20 nm. Memory devices may include bottom electrodes, electrical contacts having a cross-sectional area less than about 150 nm2 over and electrically coupled to the bottom electrodes, and a cell material over the electrical contacts.
US08877627B2
Non-volatile storage elements having a PN floating gate are disclosed herein. The floating gate may have a P− region near the tunnel oxide, and may have an N+ region near the control gate. In some embodiments, a P− region near the tunnel oxide helps provide good data retention. In some embodiments, an N+ region near the control gate helps to achieve a good coupling ratio between the control gate and floating gate. Therefore, programming of non-volatile storage elements is efficient. Also erasing the non-volatile storage elements may be efficient. In some embodiments, having a P− region near the tunnel oxide (as opposed to a strongly doped p-type semiconductor) may improve erase efficiency relative to P+.
US08877626B2
A nonvolatile memory device includes a substrate, a channel layer protruding from the substrate, a gate conductive layer surrounding the channel layer, a gate insulating layer disposed between the channel layer and the gate conductive layer, and a first insulating layer spaced apart from the channel layer and disposed on the top and bottom of the gate conductive layer. The gate insulating layer extends between the gate conductive layer and the first insulating layer.
US08877622B2
A process for producing an integrated circuit on the surface of a substrate, the process including: producing a first layer, including active zones and insulating zones, on the surface of the substrate; producing gate zones on the surface of the first layer, the gate zones each being surrounded by insulating spacers; producing source/drain electrodes; producing a dielectric layer between the insulating spacers, the dielectric layer having an upper surface level with the upper surfaces of the gate zones; partially etching each gate zone so as to lower the upper surface of a first part of each gate zone; and depositing an insulating dielectric layer on the first parts of the gate zones.
US08877617B2
A method for forming of a thin film on a substrate is disclosed. The method includes cleaning a process chamber by flowing a first gas having fluorine. The method also includes coating the process chamber with a first encapsulating layer including amorphous silicon (A-Si) by flowing a second gas for a first duration, where the first encapsulating layer protects against fluorine contamination. The method further includes loading a substrate into the process chamber, depositing a thin film on the substrate by flowing a third gas into the process chamber and unloading the substrate from the process chamber. The thin film can include silicon nitride (SiN), the first gas can include nitrogen triflouride (NF3) gas and second gas can include silane (SiH4) gas. The thin film can be formed using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The substrate can be a solar cell or a liquid crystal display (LCD).
US08877611B2
An apparatus that comprises a device on a substrate and a crack stop in the substrate. Methods of forming a device are also disclosed. The methods may include providing a device, such as a semiconductor device, on a substrate having a first thickness, reducing the thickness of the substrate to a second thickness, and providing a crack stop in the substrate. Reducing the thickness of the substrate may include mounting the substrate to a carrier substrate for support and then removing the carrier substrate. The crack stop may prevent a crack from reaching the device.
US08877606B2
A semiconductor substrate structure for manufacturing integrated circuit devices includes a bulk substrate; a lower insulating layer formed on the bulk substrate, the lower insulating layer formed from a pair of separate insulation layers having a bonding interface therebetween; an electrically conductive layer formed on the lower insulating layer; an insulator with etch stop characteristics formed on the electrically conductive layer; an upper insulating layer formed on the etch stop layer; and a semiconductor layer formed on the upper insulating layer. A scheme of subsequently building a dual-depth shallow trench isolation with the deeper STI in the back gate layer self-aligned to the shallower STI in the active region in such a semiconductor substrate is also disclosed.
US08877603B2
Semiconductor-on-oxide structures and related methods of forming such structures are disclosed. In one case, a method includes: forming a first dielectric layer over a substrate; forming a first conductive layer over the first dielectric layer, the first conductive layer including one of a metal or a silicide; forming a second dielectric layer over the first conductive layer; bonding a donor wafer to the second dielectric layer, the donor wafer including a donor dielectric and a semiconductor layer; cleaving the donor wafer to remove a portion of the donor semiconductor layer; forming at least one semiconductor isolation region from an unremoved portion of the donor semiconductor layer; and forming a contact to the first conductive layer through donor dielectric and the second dielectric layer.
US08877600B2
A method for manufacturing a hybrid SOI/bulk substrate, including the steps of starting from an SOI wafer comprising a single-crystal semiconductor layer called SOI layer, on an insulating layer, on a single-crystal semiconductor substrate; depositing on the SOI layer at least one masking layer and forming openings crossing the masking layer, the SOI layer, and the insulating layer, to reach the substrate; growing by a repeated alternation of selective epitaxy and partial etching steps a semiconductor material; and etching insulating trenches surrounding said openings filled with semiconductor material, while encroaching inwards over the periphery of the openings.
US08877598B2
A method of forming a integrated circuit pattern. The method includes forming gate stacks on a substrate, two adjacent gate stacks of the gate stacks being spaced away by a dimension G; forming a nitrogen-containing layer on the gate stacks and the substrate; forming a dielectric material layer on the nitrogen-containing layer, the dielectric material layer having a thickness T substantially less than G/2; coating a photoresist layer on the dielectric material layer; and patterning the photoresist layer by a lithography process.
US08877596B2
a method comprises forming a hardmask over one or more gate structures. The method further comprises forming a photoresist over the hardmask. The method further comprises forming an opening in the photoresist over at least one of the gate structures. The method further comprises stripping the hardmask that is exposed in the opening and which is over the at least one of the gate structures. The method further comprises removing the photoresist. The method further comprises providing a halo implant on a side of the at least one of the gate structures.
US08877593B2
A semiconductor device (e.g., field effect transistor (FET)) having an asymmetric feature, includes a first gate formed on a substrate, first and second diffusion regions formed in the substrate on a side of the first gate, and first and second contacts which contact the first and second diffusion regions, respectively, the first contact being asymmetric with respect to the second contact.
US08877592B2
Embodiments of mechanisms for epitaxially growing one or more doped silicon-containing materials to form source and drain regions of finFET devices are provided in this disclosure. The dopants in the one or more doped silicon-containing materials can be driven into the neighboring lightly-doped-drain (LDD) regions by thermal anneal to dope the regions. The epitaxially growing process uses a cyclical deposition/deposition/etch (CDDE) process. In each cycle of the CDDE process, a first and a second doped materials are formed and a following etch removes most of the second doped material. The first doped material has a higher dopant concentration than the second material and is protected from the etching process by the second doped material. The CDDE process enables forming a highly doped silicon-containing material.
US08877584B2
A method of manufacturing an interconnection member includes forming on a substrate a wettability changing layer containing a material in which critical surface tension is changed by giving energy; forming a depression part in the wettability changing layer by a laser ablation method using a laser of an ultraviolet region; and coating the depression part with an electrically conductive ink to form an electrically conductive part. At the same time when a pattern of the depression part is formed in the wettability changing layer, a pattern of a high surface energy area is formed as a result of the critical surface tension being changed.
US08877578B2
A method for producing a semiconductor device includes a step of forming a first insulating film around a fin-shaped silicon layer and forming a pillar-shaped silicon layer in an upper portion of the fin-shaped silicon layer; a step of implanting an impurity into upper portions of the pillar-shaped silicon layer and fin-shaped silicon layer and a lower portion of the pillar-shaped silicon layer to form diffusion layers; and a step of forming a polysilicon gate electrode, a polysilicon gate line, and a polysilicon gate pad. The polysilicon gate electrode and the polysilicon gate pad have a larger width than the polysilicon gate line. After these steps follow a step of depositing an interlayer insulating film, exposing and etching the polysilicon gate electrode and the polysilicon gate line, and depositing a metal layer to form a metal gate electrode and a metal gate line, and a step of forming a contact.
US08877577B2
A semiconductor device and method for manufacturing the same are provided. A substrate with an active area and a first interlayer dielectric formed over the substrate is provided. The first interlayer dielectric has a first opening exposing a portion of a surface of the active area, the first opening being filled with a fill material. A second interlayer dielectric is formed over the first interlayer dielectric with a second opening substantially exposing an upper portion of the fill material in the corresponding first opening. The fill material is then removed and the first opening and the second opening are filled with a conductive material to form a contact.
US08877575B2
The disclosure relates to a complementary junction field effect transistor (c-JFET) and its gate-last fabrication method. The method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes: forming a dummy gate on a first conductivity type wafer, forming sidewall spacers on opposite sides of the dummy gate, forming a source and a drain regions on the opposite sides of the dummy gate, removing the dummy gate, forming a first semiconductor region of a second conductivity type in an opening exposed through the removing the dummy gate, and forming a gate electrode in the opening.
US08877574B1
Portions of a top compound semiconductor layer are recessed employing a gate electrode as an etch mask to form a source trench and a drain trench. A low temperature epitaxy process is employed to deposit a semiconductor material including at least one elemental semiconductor material in the source trench and the drain trench. Metallization is performed on physically exposed surfaces of the elemental semiconductor material portions in the source trench and the drain trench by depositing a metal and inducing interaction with the metal and the at least one elemental semiconductor material. A metal semiconductor alloy of the metal and the at least one elemental semiconductor material can be performed at a temperature lower than 600° C. to provide a high electron mobility transistor with a well-defined device profile and reliable metallization contacts.
US08877571B2
Methods of anodizing aluminum using a hard mask and related embodiments of semiconductor devices are disclosed herein. Other methods and related embodiments are also disclosed herein.
US08877566B2
A heat spreader or lid for a microelectronic package, in which the heat spreader has an underside surface that includes at least one curvilinear contour, in which the curvilinear contour is selected from at least one positive or protruding curvilinear feature, at least one negative or recessed curvilinear feature, and a combination thereof. A microelectronic package that includes the heat spreader/lid, in which there is improved heat dissipation or reduced mechanical stress in an interface between the heat spreader/lid and a circuit chip.
US08877559B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a novel process integration for air gap formation at the sidewalls for a Through Silicon Via (TSV) structure. The sidewall air gap formation scheme for the TSV structure of disclosed embodiments reduces parasitic capacitance and depletion regions in between the substrate silicon and TSV conductor, and serves to also reduce mechanical stress in silicon substrate surrounding the TSV conductor.
US08877555B2
Preparation methods of forming packaged semiconductor device, specifically for flip-chip vertical power device, are disclosed. In these methods, a vertical semiconductor chip is flip-chip attached to a lead frame and then encapsulated with plastic packing materials. Encapsulated chip is then thinned to a predetermined thickness. Contact terminals connecting the chip with external circuit are formed by etching at least a bottom portion of the lead frame connected.
US08877551B2
In a method of manufacturing a thin film transistor, a gate electrode is formed on a first surface of a base substrate, a oxide semiconductor layer, insulation layer and photo resist layer are formed an the fast surface of the base substrate having the gate electrode. The insulation layer and the oxide semiconductor layer are patterned using a first photo resist pattern to form an etch-stopper and an active pattern. A source and a drain electrode are formed on the base substrate having the active pattern and the etch-stopper, the source electrode and the drain electrode are overlapped with both ends of the etch-stopper and spaced apart from each other. Therefore, a manufacturing cost may be decreased by omitting a mask when forming the active pattern and the etch-stopper.
US08877541B2
Nanostructures and photovoltaic structures are disclosed. A nanostructure according to one embodiment includes an array of nanocables extending from a substrate, the nanocables in the array being characterized as having a spacing and surface texture defined by inner surfaces of voids of a template; an electrically insulating layer extending along the substrate; and at least one layer overlaying the nanocables. A nanostructure according to another embodiment includes a substrate; a portion of a template extending along the substrate, the template being electrically insulative; an array of nanocables extending from the template, portions of the nanocables protruding from the template being characterized as having a spacing, shape, and surface texture defined by previously-present inner surface of voids of the template; and at least one layer overlaying the nanocables.
US08877540B2
A solar cell module includes a structure in which a back surface material, a back-surface-side sealing resin, a solar cell, a light-receiving-surface-side sealing resin, and a front surface material are laminated in sequential order, in which a melting point of a portion, which is in contact with the solar cell, of at least one of the light-receiving-surface-side sealing resin and the back-surface-side sealing resin is lower than a melting point of a portion, which is in contact with the back surface material, of the back-surface-side sealing resin.
US08877535B2
The present invention provides a vertical type sensor, including a substrate; a first electrode formed on the substrate; a sensing layer formed on the first electrode layer and reactive to a target substance, wherein the first electrode layer is interposed between the substrate and the sensing layer; and a second electrode layer formed on the sensing layer and having a plurality of openings, wherein the sensing layer is interposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, and the target substance contacts the sensing layer via the plurality of openings. The vertical type sensor of the present invention provides instant, sensitive and rapid detection.
US08877527B2
A white LED lighting device driven by a pulse current is provided, which consists of blue, violet or ultraviolet LED chips, blue afterglow luminescence materials A and yellow luminescence materials B. Wherein the weight ratio of the blue afterglow luminescence materials A to the yellow luminescence materials B is 10-70 wt %:30-90 wt %. The white LED lighting device drives the LED chips with a pulse current having a frequency of not less than 50 Hz. Because of using the afterglow luminescence materials, the light can be sustained when an excitation light source disappears, thereby eliminating the influence of LED light output fluctuation caused by current variation on the illumination. At the same time, the pulse current can keep the LED chips being at an intermittent work state, so as to overcome the problem of chip heating.
US08877523B2
A method for making a packaged integrated circuit is provided. The method includes making a first panel of encapsulated die. In some embodiments, if a threshold number of die are not positioned in proper positions in the first panel, the die are separated from the first panel. The separated die are subsequently encapsulated in other panels of encapsulated die. Conductive interconnects can be formed over the other panels. The other panels are then separated into integrated circuit packages.
US08877514B2
The present invention refers to an aqueous solution for use as medium for the specific binding reaction of a binding pair, wherein a first binding member recognizes its complementary second binding member. The solution contains a) a buffer to control pH; b) a compound A selected from a compound defined by the general formula I R1—[[CR2R3]P—O]q—R4, wherein R1 is hydrogen or hydroxy group, R2 for each unit independently is hydrogen or hydroxy group, R3 is hydrogen, methyl group, or ethyl group, R4 is hydrogen or alkyl group, p is an integer of from 2 to 10 and q is an integer of from 1 to 100, with the proviso that the compound at least carries two hydroxy groups; a polyol; or saccharide; and c) a non-ionic detergent.
US08877493B2
The present invention provides a culture substrate which enables maintenance culture of human pluripotent stem cells in a pluripotent state under a feeder-free culture environment, and a culture method of human pluripotent stem cells using the culture substrate. By seeding human pluripotent stem cells dissociated into single cells at a cell density of 4×104 to 10×104 cells/cm2 onto a culture substrate coated with human laminin α5β1γ1 E8 fragment or human laminin α3β3γ2 E8 fragment preferably at a concentration of 0.5 to 25 μg/cm2, the human pluripotent stem cells can be rapidly expanded in a pluripotent state.
US08877481B2
The present invention relates to a method for enhancing growth of plants which comprises contacting a Trichoderma strain with the plant or a plant seed under conditions effective for the Trichoderma strain to colonize the roots of the plant or a plant grown from the plant seed, thereby creating a plant-Trichoderma system. The plant or plant seed is grown under conditions effective to sustain the plant-Trichoderma system in a planting medium and to enhance plant growth, where the Trichoderma strain is selected from the group consisting of Trichoderma atroviride strain WW10TC4 (ATCC accession number PTA 9707), Trichoderma harzianum strain RR17Bc (ATCC accession number PTA 9708), Trichoderma harzianum strain F11Bab (ATCC accession number PTA 9709), and combinations thereof. Also, disclosed are methods of enhancing resistance of plants to abiotic stress, increasing nitrogen use efficacy in plants, reducing nitrous oxide emissions in air, reducing leaching of nitrates into soil and water, and enhancing sequestration of carbon from air.
US08877476B2
A soluble and stable form of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) has been made, 5-Lox is the enzyme which initiates leukotriene biosynthesis by catalyzing the two-step transformation of arachidomc acid to leukotriene A4 (LTA4). The soluble and stable 5-LOX is suitable for a number of applications, including, but not limited to, high throughput screening of 5-LOX inhibitors, structural analysis of the enzyme's active site, designing inhibitors based on the three-dimensional structure of the enzyme's active site, and synthesis of LTA4. Using Stable-5-LOX, the crystal structure for 5-LOX has been resolved and the amino acids defining the active site determined.
US08877469B2
A method for producing foams containing biological materials is described. A solid or semi-solid paste is formed by combining biologically active material with a protecting agent in an aqueous solvent. The paste formed is allowed to set, and may optionally then be apportioned into the desired shape. The paste may be frozen to allow formation of ice crystals to act as porogens. Subsequently, the paste is exposed to travelling wave radiant energy under vacuum (t-REV) for drying. This causes the solvent to boil off, leaving dried material containing the biologically active material, the protecting agent, and a relatively low water content. Biologically active materials which can be used include cells, microbial cultures, live attenuated microbes, probiotics, yeasts, enzymes, vaccines, proteins, and any heat-sensitive biological material. By directing energy via a travelling wave through a sample, good control of temperature and process conditions can be achieved. The method provides an alternative to the conventional methods of particulate leaching or freeze drying.
US08877456B2
The invention relates to a method for determining the quantity of pre-synaptic neuromuscular blocking substance (notably botulinum toxin) contained in a sample. In one aspects, the method comprises the following steps: (i) determining the minimum voltage Vm needed to induce the contraction of muscle tissue, said muscle tissue being connected to an electrical stimulator through a motor nerve and preferably immersed in an oxygenated physiological buffer containing glucose; (ii) adding the sample containing the pre-synaptic neuromuscular blocking substance; (iii) electrically stimulating, at a voltage at least equal to Vm, the muscle tissue at certain time intervals; (iv) comparing the effect induced by the sample to the effect induced by a reference substance and thereby determining the quantity of the pre-synaptic neuromuscular blocking substance in the sample.
US08877454B2
To provide an autoanalyzer for analyzing a sugar chain contained in a biological sample, in particular, serum. Namely, it is intended to provide a method of analyzing a sugar chain in a sample, which comprises the following steps: A) the sugar chain-releasing step of releasing the sugar chain in the sample; B) the detection sample-preparing step of preparing the released sugar chain for detection; and, in the case of conducting mass spectrometry using a plate, C) the step of forming a plate for the mass spectrometry having the captured sugar chain dotted thereon which comprises the step of providing the tagged sugar chain sample solution obtained in the step B) on a collection plate; and, if required, the step of conducting an operation in a solid phase support-enclosed plate to form the plate for mass spectrometry; and D) the step of analyzing the sugar chain to be assayed.
US08877450B2
Systems include test cells with sorbent material in a T-shape and defining a first flow path for a solution and a second flow path for a sample, and a test line or test site with immobilized antigens or antibodies or other ligand binding molecules located at the junction of the T. A housing houses the sorbent material and defines a first hole adjacent an end of the first flow path for receiving the solution and a second hole adjacent an end of the second flow path for receiving the sample.
US08877446B2
The present invention relates to a method for detecting protein-protein interactions in living cells, and more particularly, to a method for providing cells comprising a first construct and a second construct, wherein the first construct comprises a polynucleotide encoding a first fusion protein which comprises a bait protein, a first fluorescent protein and a CBD (cellulose-binding domain) protein, and wherein the second construct comprises a polynucleotide encoding a second fusion protein which comprises a prey protein and a second fluorescent protein so as to allow formation of inclusion bodies, and detecting interactions between the bait protein and the prey protein that are displayed by inclusion bodies, a method for isolating the prey protein bound to the bait protein using the cells comprising the constructs, the cells, and a kit for detecting protein-protein interactions, comprising the constructs.
US08877445B2
The disclosure relates to methods for identifying a tumor as an E2F-responsive gene over-expressing (ERGO) tumor, methods of determining the likelihood that an ERGO tumor patient will survive to a future date, methods of treating an ERGO tumor in a patient, and methods of selecting patients diagnosed as ERGO tumor prostate cancer patients for aggressive clinical treatment. The methods of the disclosure are applicable to ERGO tumors present in different human organs and tissues such as breast, lung, thyroid, ovary, and prostate.
US08877442B2
The present invention provides a method, device and a computer program for haplotyping single cells, such that a sample taken from a pregnant female, without directly sampling the fetus, provides the ability to non-invasively determine the fetal genome. The method can be performed by determining the parental and inherited haplotypes, or can be performed merely on the basis of the mother's genetic information, obtained preferably in a blood or serum sample. The novel device allows for sequence analysis of single chromosomes from a single cell, preferably by partitioning single chromosomes from a metaphase cell into long, thin channels where a sequence analysis can be performed.
US08877439B2
Method for rapidly evaluating performance of short interfering RNA with novel chemical modifications
It is an object of the instant invention to provide a method for the rapid evaluation of novel sugar modifications to be used in siRNA synthesis including the rapid evaluation of chemical modification patterns within the siRNA to effectuate increased stability and ultimately increased efficacy of a siRNA therapeutic. It is a further object of the instant invention to provide novel nucleosides useful for siRNA therapy.
US08877437B1
Methods of using dyes and associated technology are provided. A dye, such as a monomeric dye or a dimeric dye, may be used in a nucleic acid gel staining application and/or a nucleic acid detection application. A dimeric dye, such as a dimeric dye capable of forming a hairpin-like structure, may be used to stain and/or detect nucleic acids via a release-on-demand mechanism. A dimeric dye having low background fluorescence in the absence of nucleic acids and high fluorescence in the presence of nucleic acids, upon binding therewith, may be used to stain and/or detect nucleic acids. Buffers comprising a weak acid and a salt of the weak acid, such as a lithium salt, are also provided to allow for effective prestaining of nucleic acids.
US08877431B2
A process for producing a liquid ejection head by providing, in one chip, a liquid ejection head having a portion for ejection in which an ejection orifice array is arranged and a side portion having no ejection orifice array, these portions being provided with a member of a photosensitive material, arranging the chip on a common substrate in such a chip array that these two portions are alternately arranged, and separating each chip from the substrate, the process including the steps of relatively moving a reticle of an aligner along the chip array for a photosensitive material on the substrate to expose each chip, and developing the material to obtain the member. A first reticle for forming the portion for ejection and a second reticle for forming only the side portion are used. The exposure includes a first and a second exposure treatment respectively by the first and second reticles.
US08877430B2
Methods of forming microelectronic structures using multilayer processes are disclosed. The methods comprise the use of a developer-soluble protective layer adjacent the substrate surface in a multilayer stack to protect the substrate during pattern transfer. After etching, the pattern is transferred into the developer-soluble protective layer using a developer instead of etching required by previous methods. Conventional developer-soluble anti-reflective coatings and gap-fill materials can be used to form the protective layer. Custom layers with developer solubility can also be prepared. Microelectronic structures formed by the above processes are also disclosed.
US08877427B2
A photosensitive resin composition contains a component (A) and at least one of a component (B) and a component (C). In addition, in the circuit board with metal support including: a metal support; a base insulating layer; a conductive layer formed of a wiring circuit pattern; and a cover insulating layer, at least one of the above-mentioned base insulating layer and cover insulating layer is made of the above-mentioned photosensitive resin composition. (A) a 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative represented by the following general formula (1) where R1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and R2 and R3 each represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms and may be identical to or different from each other; (B) the following (x) and (y): (x) a carboxyl group-containing linear polymer; and (y) an epoxy resin (c) a linear polymer having a carboxyl group and an epoxy group.
US08877423B2
An actinic ray-sensitive or radiation-sensitive resin composition including: (A) a resin that contains a repeating unit represented by formula (I) as defined in the specification, a repeating unit represented by formula (II) as defined in the specification and a repeating unit represented by formula (III-a) or (III-b) as defined in the specification; (B) a compound capable of generating an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation; and (C) a solvent, wherein the solvent (C) contains ethyl lactate, and a film and a pattern forming method using the composition are provided.
US08877418B2
The developing method includes developing an electrostatic latent image on an image bearing member with a two-component developer including a toner and a carrier and born on at least one developer bearing member, whose surface moves at a linear speed of from 300 mm/sec to 2,000 mm/sec. The carrier includes a particulate core material; and a cover layer located on a surface of the core material and including a crosslinked material obtained by crosslinking a resin including a first unit having a specific tris(trialkylsiloxy) silyl group and a second unit having a specific alkoxysilyl group having a crosslinking ability. Each of the first unit and the second unit is included in the resin in a molar ratio of from 0.1 to 0.9 based on all the units included in the resin.
US08877414B2
An electrostatic image developing toner including: a toner matrix particle having an adhering particle adhered onto the surface of a central particle, wherein a volume average value of a ratio X of a peripheral length PM to a circle-corresponding diameter D is from 3.6 to 5.0.
US08877410B2
The present disclosure provides a dithering method of increasing wafer throughput by an electron beam lithography system. The dithering method generates an edge map from a vertex map. The vertex map is generated from an integrated circuit design layout (such as an original pattern bitmap). A gray map (also referred to as a pattern gray map) is also generated from the integrated circuit design layout. By combining the edge map with the gray map, a modified integrated circuit design layout (modified pattern bitmap) is generated for use by the electron beam lithography system.
US08877394B2
The fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a fuel supply supplying a fuel to the fuel cell stack, and an oxidizing agent supply supplying an oxidizing agent to the fuel cell stack. The fuel cell stack includes a first end plate, a moisture exchanger, an electrical generator, and a second end plate. The moisture exchanger includes a first area where a dried supply oxidizing agent flows, a second area where a humid emission fuel flows, and a third area where a humid emission oxidizing agent flows, and the first area exchanges moisture with the second and third areas using a moisture exchange layer.
US08877393B2
A fuel cell is disclosed comprising: a power generation layer including an electrolyte membrane, and an anode and a cathode provided on respective surfaces of the electrolyte membrane; a fuel gas flow path layer located on a side of the anode of the power generation layer to supply a fuel gas to the anode while flowing the fuel gas along a flow direction of the fuel gas approximately orthogonal to a stacking direction in which respective layers of the fuel cell are stacked; and an oxidizing gas flow path layer located on a side of the cathode of the power generation layer to supply an oxidizing gas to the cathode while flowing the oxidizing gas along a flow direction of the oxidizing gas opposed to the flow direction of the fuel gas. A power generation area of the fuel cell, in which electric power is generated, has an upstream region including a most upstream position along the flow direction of the fuel gas and a downstream region including a most downstream position along the flow direction of the fuel gas. A midstream region, which is a remaining region of the power generation area other than the upstream region and the downstream region, has higher water vapor transfer resistance between the anode side and the cathode side than the upstream region and the downstream region.
US08877373B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides an electrode for a rechargeable lithium battery, including: a current collector; and an active material layer on the current collector, wherein the active material layer includes an active material adapted to reversibly intercalate and deintercalate lithium ions, a binder, and a pore-forming polymer.
US08877372B2
An alkaline secondary battery includes a positive electrode having active material particles principally made of nickel hydroxide, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte solution. The positive active material particle has a core layer containing nickel hydroxide and a conductive auxiliary layer which coats the surface of the core layer. The conductive auxiliary layer contains a cobalt oxyhydroxide phase and a cerium dioxide phase. The electrolyte solution is principally made of an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution.
US08877370B2
A battery having a can containing an electrode assembly and an electrolyte and a cap assembly with a cap plate having an electrolyte injection unit, the cap plate is coupled to the can and an upper cover is coupled to the cap plate. The battery further includes a gas sensor located within the cap assembly to detect leakage of the electrolyte into the cap assembly and a protective circuit module mounted to the upper cover and electrically coupled to the gas sensor, the protective circuit module is adapted to stop a charge/discharge operation of the battery and discharge the battery upon receipt of a signal from the gas sensor indicating detection of leakage of the electrolyte into the cap assembly.
US08877366B2
A cooling plate for a battery pack with a plurality of battery cells is provided. The cooling plate includes a cooling fin with a substantially planar surface and a perimeter. The cooling plate includes a frame abutting the cooling fin and forming a seal with the cooling fin adjacent the perimeter of the same. The frame and the cooling fin define at least one fluid inlet, at least one fluid outlet, and a flow channel therebetween. The at least one fluid inlet and the at least one fluid outlet are disposed through the seal and are in fluid communication with the flow channel. The flow channel is disposed adjacent the perimeter and in heat transfer communication with the substantially planar surface of the cooling fin. A battery pack with the cooling plate, and a method for controlling a temperature of the battery pack, are also provided.
US08877364B2
A battery pack including: a box main body housing a battery therein and having a box shape with an upper side opening; and a lid covering the upper side opening of the box main body. The box main body has a first seal flange formed along an outer peripheral portion of the box main body, and the lid has a second seal flange formed along an outer peripheral portion of the lid. The first and second seal flanges are in contact with each other and seal the battery pack. The first and second seal flanges are curved with a predetermined curvature.
US08877354B2
An organic light-emitting device includes an anode, a cathode, and an organic compound layer interposed between the anode and the cathode. The organic compound layer contains a heterocyclic compound represented by general formula [1]: (wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having three or less rings, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group having three or less rings; R1 and R2 may be the same as or different from each other; R3 and R4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having three or less rings, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group having three or less rings; one of R3 and R4 represents a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having three or less rings or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group having three or less rings; and R3 and R4 may be the same as or different from each other).
US08877352B2
A biscarbazole derivative of the invention is represented by a formula (1A) or (1B) below. In the formula (1A) or (1B): A1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group having 1 to 30 ring carbon atoms; A2 represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 30 ring carbon atoms, or substituted or unsubstituted nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group having 1 to 30 ring carbon atoms; X1 and X2 each are a linking group; Y1 to Y4 each represent a substituent; p and q represent an integer of 1 to 4; and r and s represent an integer of 1 to 3.
US08877349B2
Provided are an organometallic complex providing highly efficient phosphorescence and an organic electroluminescence device using the same. The organometallic complex can be used to form an organic layer of the organic electroluminescence device, efficiently emits light of a wavelength corresponding to red light, and has high brightness and low operating voltage. The organometallic complex is represented by Formula (1)
US08877348B2
It is an object to provide a surface-treated steel sheet which contains no Cr, which is excellent in wet resin adhesion, and which can be used as an alternative to a conventional tin-free steel sheet and to provide a resin-coated steel sheet produced by coating the surface-treated steel sheet with resin. A surface-treated steel sheet including an adhesive layer which is disposed on at least one surface of the steel sheet and which contains Ti and at least one selected from the group consisting of Co, Fe, Ni, V, Cu, Mn, and Zn, the ratio of the total amount of Co, Fe, Ni, V, Cu, Mn, and Zn to the amount of Ti contained therein being 0.01 to ten on a mass basis, and a method for producing the surface-treated steel sheet.
US08877332B2
The use of a mixture with spherical metal particles and metal flakes as a laser marking or laser weldability agent in a plastic, wherein the particle size distribution of the spherical metal particles and metal flakes, as determined with laser granulometry, in the form of the volume-averaged cumulative undersize particle size distribution, has a Dmixture, 90 value of <100 μm and a Dmixture, 50 <60 μm. Further, a masterbatch comprising a mixture with spherical metal particles and metal flakes also can be used. Additionally, the present subject matter may further relate to a laser markable and/or a laser weldable plastic comprising a mixture with spherical metal particles and metal flakes.
US08877317B2
A foam filled panel with decorative thread stitching is provided. In addition, the stitching can be sealed to prevent leakage of foam when it is injected between a substrate and a skin layer to provide a foam filled panel. The decorative thread stitching can be sewn into the skin layer of the foam filled panel before the panel is assembled and filled with injectable foam. In addition, the skin can be made via slush molding, which allows various features and details to be molded into the skin. In some instances, the stitching can be sealed by adhesively attaching an impermeable membrane along a length of the stitching, thereby covering all the openings. In other instances, the stitching is sealed by using an expandable thread. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing a foam filled panel with decorative thread stitching.
US08877312B2
A flying splices tape comprising a tape body which is used in bonding two laminate sheets and further comprises a first viscose layer, a carrier layer, a split layer based on starch, and a second viscose layer sequentially stacked. As such, the present invention of a flying splices tape which depends on water-soluble viscose layers as environment-friendly media features simplified structure and truly stable effect, facilitating manufacture conforming to economic efficiency, making sure of quality, and promoting market competitiveness.
US08877305B2
High temperature performance hot melt adhesives are formulated for application at low temperature, i.e., below 300° F. Hot melt adhesive formed with metallocene polymer together with a maleated polyethylene wax show an excellent balance of high and low temperature performance and are particularly useful as packaging case and carton adhesive.
US08877295B2
A process for the production of base coat/clear coat multi-layer coatings in an A′ color shade wherein the base coat layer is applied in a first layer from a water-borne base coat AB and in a second layer from a water-borne base coat A with low hiding power and having a color shade A′, wherein the water-borne base coat AB is a mixture of the water-borne base coat A and a water-borne base coat B with sufficient hiding power.
US08877290B2
A method for producing a liquid-ejection head includes forming molds on or above the substrate, the molds being used as mold members for forming the plurality of liquid chambers; forming the flow-passage-forming member by depositing an inorganic material on or above the substrate and the molds by chemical vapor deposition, the flow-passage-forming member having depressed portions each formed in an area between an adjacent pair of the liquid-chamber side walls in which the molds are not formed; forming a water-repellent layer on the orifice plate; forming filling members in the depressed portions by applying a filling material to the flow-passage-forming member having the water-repellent layer formed thereon to fill the depressed portions with the filling material; forming the ejection ports in the flow-passage-forming member; and removing the molds after forming the ejection ports.
US08877288B2
A process for coating a front and back surface of an industrial textile to increase its abrasion resistance is disclosed. The coating process comprises the steps of coating the textile with a coating compound, heating coated textile at a temperature of 120 degree Celsius and drying the coated textile for 60 seconds. Two passes of coating is applied for the process wherein the viscosity for first pass of coating is 21000 centipoise and the viscosity for second pass of coating is 12000 centipoise. On completion of the coating process, the coated textile is treated with a water repellent agent. The coating compounds used for the process are comprised of formulations including two polyurethane compositions, which are mixed with a methyl ethyl ketone solvent, and the water repellent agent is silicone. The overall process requires a curing time of 2 minutes with a curing agent.
US08877287B2
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an anti-reflective coating film. The method for manufacturing an anti-reflective coating film is used to form an anti-reflective coating film exhibiting more improved interface adhesion and scratch resistance and excellent anti-reflective effect by a simple process.
US08877279B2
An improved dough-rolling product and method for rolling sheeted dough. The proposed invention comprises a dough-rolling method having a dough sheeter that cuts a dough sheet into preforms having a concave leading edge and convex trailing edge. A rolling curtain creates a rolled preform with the leading edge on the inside and the trailing edge on the outside. The rolled preform is cooked to produce a rolled snack product with consistent thickness throughout its length and a round outer flap.
US08877278B2
A composition and method for providing a strong dough having a substantial quantity of fresh potatoes. Fresh potatoes are made into a mash and centrifuged to reduce the water content to about 70% by weight. Such potato mash can comprise over 50% by weight of the final dough. This dough can be used to make sheeted or extruded products. Such dough results in improved, more naturally-flavored products compared to products made entirely from dehydrated or partially-dehydrated potato derivatives. The method comprises finely slicing potatoes to form a potato slurry or mash; decanting excess water from the potato slurry; heating the potato slurry to a temperature no greater than about 190 degrees Fahrenheit; cooling the slurry to under 140 degrees Fahrenheit; and imparting a low amount of work input to a mixture of the slurry and other ingredients to form a shapeable dough.
US08877271B2
Disclosed are packaging systems and methods useful in extending the storage-life of foodstuff such as fresh fish. The packaging systems and methods can be used to transport or store the foodstuff for an extended period of time. The packaging systems preferably use a fuel cell to maintain a reduced oxygen level in the environment surrounding the foodstuff.
US08877265B2
The present invention provides: an Aloe vera extract that can be safely ingested, can be used as a material of food for preventing lifestyle diseases, contains an extremely low level of an anthraquinone (anthraquinone-based compound), and can be added to foods; and a method of producing the Aloe vera extract. A supercritical fluid extraction method can produce an Aloe vera extract containing a mixture that consists of a cyclolanostane compound and a lophenol compound in an amount of 1.0% by mass or more and having the following properties (1) and/or (2): (1) the mass mixing ratio of the cyclolanostane compound and lophenol compound is as follows: cyclolanostane compound:lophenol compound=6.3:2.7 to 5.1:4.9; and/or (2) the content of an anthraquinone-based compound is 0.001% by mass or less.
US08877262B2
A method for treatment of acute and/or chronic tissue lesions disorder is disclosed. A resin extract from Ficus pertusa L. f and/or Ficus eximia Schott is administered to a patient in need thereof as an active principle for producing a pharmacologically active product for the treatment of acute and/or chronic tissue lesions, both of bone tissue and of soft tissue.
US08877261B2
The present application relates to a cosmetic method for preventing and/or treating skin redness, characterized in that a composition comprising arabinogalactan is administered to a person who may form or who is displaying redness. This cosmetic composition can be administered topically or orally.
US08877257B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating and preventing conditions characterized by infection and/or inflammation, especially of the eyes, ears, nose, and/or throat. The methods of the invention involve administering hypohalous acid to the patient, such as in the form of a composition described herein.
US08877256B2
The invention is an antimicrobial photo-stable coating composition that deters photo-induced discoloration, does not stain tissue and can be applied to the surface of a variety of medical materials. The composition comprises in an aspect silver-PCA complex and dye.
US08877255B2
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 ZS-9 exhibiting an enhanced level of potassium exchange capacity. These compositions are particularly useful in the therapeutic treatment of hyperkalemia.
US08877246B2
The present invention provides for a composition, for augmentation and regeneration of living tissue in a subject, comprising a population of porous microparticles of a biodegradable polymer, one or more mammalian cell populations, and optionally, a biocompatible adhesive.
US08877241B2
A composition for controlled release of an opioid from a pharmaceutical composition, the method comprises controlling the release of at least one opioid into an aqueous medium by erosion of at least one surface of a pharmaceutical composition comprising I) a matrix composition comprising a) polymer or a mixture of polymers, b) an opioid and, optionally, c) one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, and (i) a coating. The matrix composition has a conus-like shape so the surface area exposed to the aqueous medium increases at least during initial erosion of the matrix composition, and the dissolution of the opioid—when tested in a Dissolution Test as described herein with or without application of sinkers-results in a zero order release of at least 80% of the opioid contained in the composition. Such compositions are especially suitable for controlled release of an opioid to obtain a delayed peak concentration and a prolonged therapeutically effective plasma concentration upon oral administration. Once or twice daily administration is possible. The matrix typically comprises PEO and the active substance is typically an opioid such as morphine or a glucuronide thereof.
US08877237B2
The present invention relates to reverse micelle system based on sterols, acylglycerols, phospholipids or sphingolipids and nucleic acids. The reverse micelle system of the invention is able to cross mucosa and cellular membranes. It thus allows vectorization of nucleic acids to target sites. It is advantageously useful in the pharmaceutical and dietetic fields.
US08877222B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an antibacterial medical equipment which has sufficient antibacterial activity in vivo and is excellent in compatibility with living tissues, and also can maintain antibacterial activity over a long period and has high safety.An antibacterial medical equipment characterized in that inositol phosphate is bonded to a Ca compound of a medical equipment whose surface is at least coated with a layer of the Ca compound, or a medical equipment comprising the Ca compound. The antibacterial medical equipment as described above, wherein silver ions are bonded to the inositol phosphate. A method for producing an antibacterial medical equipment, which comprises bringing a medical equipment whose surface is at least coated with a layer of a Ca compound, or a medical equipment comprising a Ca compound into contact with an aqueous solution of inositol phosphate to obtain an antibacterial medical equipment in which inositol phosphate is bonded to the Ca compound. The method for producing an antibacterial medical equipment, wherein inositol phosphate is bonded to the Ca compound and then the Ca compound is brought into contact with an aqueous solution containing silver ions to obtain an antibacterial medical equipment in which silver ions are bonded to the inositol phosphate.
US08877215B2
Compositions and methods for modifying one or more biologic targets are provided. Suitable targets include cells, DNA, proteins, enzymes, and/or a subject in need thereof. The compositions may exist as a monomer or multimer and are active in a biologic environment with enhanced activity in hypoxic environments and, thus, exhibit improved specificity for hypoxic biologic targets (e.g., tumorigenic cells and those undergoing uncontrolled cell growth). A composition typically comprises a complex with an overall charge of 2+ or greater having at least one ruthenium atom attached to a redox active ligand. The redox active ligand helps maintain separation of more than one ruthenium atom. Suitable compositions may further include a terminal ligand comprising a heterocyclic aromatic compound. When provided to a biologic target, the composition modifies the biologic target and no additional compounds need be provided. Suitable compositions are typically catalytic and regenerative in the presence of a reducing agent.
US08877214B2
A pharmaceutical composition for modified release comprising (R)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-4′-[2-[(2-hydroxy-2-phenylethyl)amino]ethyl]acetic acid anilide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a carrier for a sustained release pharmaceutical composition, wherein a dissolution rate of the drug from the composition is less than 85% after 30 minutes from the beginning of a dissolution test, is disclosed.
US08877211B2
A BHV-1 mutant virus has been made that incorporates into a single virus two or more deletions in one or more of three genes—glycoprotein N, glycoprotein E and Us9. Specifically, a BHV-1 UL49.5Δ30-32 CT-null virus was made and tested. This mutant virus was then used to incorporate additional changes, e.g., the glycoprotein E cytoplasmic-tail deletion, the Us9 deletion, or both. This triple mutant BHV-1 UL49.5Δ30-32 CT-null/gE CTΔ/Us9Δ virus will be superior to the current BHV-1 mutants because the mutant virus will not be shed following reactivation, will be a DIVA based on gE CT-specific serum antibodies, and will induce better protective response by inducing higher SN titers and better cellular immune response. This new virus will have sufficient viral replication in the nasal epithelium and will be a good vaccine for protection of cattle from BHV-1. The new mutant viruses can also be used as vectors for exogenous genes.
US08877206B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for stimulating an immune response using cationic lipids alone or in combination with antigens.
US08877198B2
It is disclosed here a method for reducing phosphate absorption in a human or non-human animal subject wherein the subject consumes a diet containing phytic acid or phytate and either has or is at risk of developing hyperphosphatemia. The method includes the step of administering orally to the subject an anti-intestinal alkaline phosphatase antibody in an amount effective to reduce or maintain the serum phosphate concentration in the subject.
US08877187B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for the treatment and prevention of a transmittable disease in a subject, such as avians and mammals. The methods and compositions of the invention specifically make use of avian antibodies to the disease to be treated or prevented. Administration of such avian antibodies to a subject has been shown effective for reducing mortality in a population of subjects that are infected, or become infected, with the disease. The invention also provides kits useful for detecting the presence of transmittable diseases in subjects.
US08877186B2
The invention relates to anti-VEGF polypeptides and antibody single variable domains (dAbs) that are resistant to degradation by a protease, as well as antagonists comprising these. The polypeptides, dAbs and antagonists are useful for pulmonary administration, oral administration, delivery to the lung and delivery to the GI tract of a patient, as well as for treating cancer and inflammatory disease, such as arthritis.
US08877183B2
Methods and therapeutic treatments of ocular diseases are provided including applying peg-Arginase I to affected eyes. Methods are provided that simultaneously treat inflammation and neovascularization of eyes while promoting healing. Methods are provided to treat lesions or infections of an eye.
US08877178B2
According to the present invention there are provided methods of use in companion animals of probiotic bacteria of the genus Bifidobacteria.
US08877176B2
The present invention provides methods for promoting wound healing and treating muscle atrophy in a mammal in need. The method comprises administering to the mammal a Nell1 protein or a Nell1 nucleic acid molecule.
US08877169B2
A method of preparing hydrogel structure, wherein the hydrogel structure comprises: (a) a one way penetrating polyurethane film layer, (b) a hydrophobic pressure sensitive adhesive layer, (c) a multi-directional elastic meltblown nonwoven, (d) an interpenetrating polymer network, and (e) a hydrophilic hydrogel; and the method comprises: (i) coating the hydrogel in a form of solution on the meltblown non-woven to form a product 1, (ii) UV curing the product 1 in step (i), forming a composite comprising a hydrogel layer on the top, an interpenetrating polymer network in the middle, and a meltblown non-woven layer on the bottom, wherein the interpenetrating polymer network is a mixture of the hydrogel and the meltblown non-woven, (iii) providing polyurethane film layer coated with pressure sensitive adhesive layer, and (iv) laminating part of exposed fibers of meltblown non-woven with the pressure sensitive adhesive layer, forming a hydrogel structure.
US08877167B2
The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of polysiloxane/polyurea copolymer and a silane, and to a cosmetic treatment process using said composition.
US08877166B2
The present application relates to a facial and/or body wash composition that after rinsing provides a sun protection factor of at least about 6 comprising (i) red petrolatum; (ii) at least one surface-treated metal oxide pigment that blocks ultraviolet radiation in the wavelength range of from about 290 nm to about 400 nm; (iii) at least one organic sunscreen agent having a log P of greater than about 4.0 that blocks or absorbs ultraviolet radiation in the wavelength range of from about 290 nm to about 400 nm; (iv) at least one lathering anionic surfactant; (v) at least one lathering non-ionic surfactant; (vi) an alkyl silicone; and (vii) a volatile cyclic silicone.
US08877163B2
A cycloalkyl triamine pentacarboxylate compound coordinating to a metal ion to form a high stability metal complex in serum is provided. The metal complex of the present invention can be used as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
US08877160B2
The present invention provides methods for treating, detecting and locating recurrence of cancer, radiation and chemo insensitive cancer or metastasis of cancer selected from the group consisting of Lung cancer, Adrenal cancer, Melanoma, Colon cancer, Colorectal cancer, Ovarian cancer, Prostate cancer, Liver cancer, Subcutaneous cancer, Squamous cell cancer, Intestinal cancer, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Retinoblastoma, Cervical cancer, Glioma, Breast cancer and Pancreatic cancer in subject using phospholipid ether analogs.
US08877152B2
Methods and systems for the removal of SO2 from waste combustion flue gas are described herein. One such system for removing SO2 from waste combustion flue gas containing SO2 uses a semi-dry desulfurization system for contacting the flue gas with a solvent moistened absorption material. Thereafter, a recirculated water quench is used for contacting the flue gas with recirculated water at a relatively low pH, followed by a condenser used for contacting the flue gas with a water spray. Additionally, a NaOH supply for supplying NaOH to the condenser and an oxidizing catalyst supply for supplying an oxidizing catalyst to the condenser, are likewise used to produce cleaned flue gas for release to the atmosphere.
US08877150B1
A method for the removal of CO2, SOx and NOx in a single-step process is described herein. A gas mixture is directed to a carbonator. A carbonaceous material and calcium sorbent is then injected into the carbonator to remove the CO2, SOx and NOx. A calciner is provided to regenerate the calcium sorbent. The unreacted carbonaceous material is used to fuel the calciner.
US08877149B2
Combustion flue gas containing NOX and SOX is treated to remove NOX in a multistep system in which NOX is reduced in the flue gas stream via selective catalytic reduction or selective non-catalytic reduction with ammonia or an ammonia-forming compound, followed treatment with hydrogen peroxide to remove residual ammonia and, optionally, treatment with an alkali reagent to reduce residual NOX in the flue gas stream. The NOX-depleted flue gas stream may also be subjected to a desulfurization treatment for removal of SOX.
US08877143B2
A microfluidic system comprising a plurality of photochemical reaction stages, the microfluidic system comprising a computational processor, a plurality of electrically-controllable photochemical reaction stages, and a series of controllable interconnections for connecting the photochemical reaction stages. In an implementation, the computational processor controls the electrically-controllable photochemical and other chemical reaction stages together with controllable interconnections so as to implement multi-step chemical processes. The microfluidic system can be configured to selectively drive a plurality of photochemical reactions within a mixture of chemical compounds via controlled emission of light of a plurality of wavelengths. The microfluidic system can be configured to comprise various interconnections and combinations of parallel and series chemical reaction stages, and can include a multichannel microfluidic chemical transfer bus. The microfluidic system can be configured to handle and process liquid, gasses, solids, and mixtures of these, and can used to implement anion relay chemistry, combinational chemistry, and synthon-based synthesis.
US08877142B2
There is provided an assay device comprising a lid and a base, said base comprising, a sample addition zone, a reaction zone and an absorbing zone, said components being in fluid connection and being part of a fluid passage leading from the sample addition zone to the absorbing zone, wherein: (a) a sample addition well is integrated in the lid, (b) the absorbing zone consists of an area on an non-porous substrate, having substantially perpendicular projections, said projections defining a volume, which together with the volume of the fluid passage defines the sample volume subjected to the assay, and (c) at least one filter is between the sample addition well and the sample addition zone. There is further provided methods for handling samples.
US08877134B2
The present invention, aiming at providing an exhaust gas treating system capable of increasing the exhaust gas treating volume, through increase of the diameter of the reaction tube, stabilizing the state of generation of plasma without requiring any water membrane, and improving the harmful matters removing performance by extending the plasma length, comprises a reaction tube 1 for introducing exhaust gas G, an upper electrode 2 disposed in the air on the top side of the reaction tube 1, a lower electrode 3 disposed on the bottom side of the reaction tube 1, and a spray nozzle 4 for spraying an electrolytic solution D between the upper electrode 2 and the lower electrode 3, so as to form a path of electric current between the electrodes 2, 3 and generate plasma P in the reaction tube 1, by spraying an electrolytic solution D between the upper electrode 2 and the lower electrode 3.
US08877130B2
A partition wall is provided between a display section and a sensor mount inside a main case. A control board housing chamber is disposed on the display unit side of the partition wall, and a measurement board housing chamber is disposed on the sensor mount side of the partition wall. A control board is housed in the control board housing chamber, and a measurement board and a temperature sensor are housed in the measurement board housing chamber.
US08877123B2
The invention relates to an age-hardenable aluminium alloy product for structural members having a chemical composition including, in wt. %: Cu about 3.6 to 6.0%, Mg about 0.15 to 1.2%, Ge about 0.15 to 1.1%, Si about 0.1 to 0.8%, Fe<0.25%, balance aluminium and normal and/or inevitable elements and impurities. Zn, Ag and/or Ni may or may not be present. A typical range for Zn is <0.3 or, in a further embodiment about 0.3 to 1.3%. A typical range for Ag is <0.1 or, in a further embodiment about 0.1 to 1.0%. Products made from this aluminium alloy product are very suitable for aerospace applications. The alloy can be processed to various product forms, e.g. sheet, thin plate, thick plate, extruded or forged products. Products made from this alloy can be used also as a cast product, ideally as die-cast product.
US08877122B2
A Ni-based single crystal superalloy which has the following composition: Co: 0.0 wt % or more to 15.0 wt % or less, Cr: 4.1 to 8.0 wt %, Mo: 2.1 to 4.5 wt %, W: 0.0 to 3.9 wt %, Ta: 4.0 to 10.0 wt %, Al: 4.5 to 6.5 wt %, Ti: 0.0 to 1.0 wt %, Hf: 0.00 to 0.5 wt %, Nb: 0.0 to 3.0 wt %, Re: 8.1 to 9.9 wt % and Ru: 0.5 to 6.5 wt % with the remainder including Ni and unavoidable impurities. As a result, the Ni-based single crystal superalloy which includes more than 8 wt % of Re in the composition ratio and has excellent specific creep strength and the turbine blade incorporating the Ni-based single crystal superalloy may be made.
US08877109B1
Crimp-imbalanced fabric systems are accomplished by varying the levels of yarn crimp within a single fabric layer and across layers of a multi-layer fabric system. The method includes developing a crimp in the yarn (utilized for producing a fabric layer) by optionally pulling the yarn through a solution that substantially coats the yarn. The optionally removable coating has a thickness that ensures a proper amount of crimp in the yarn. The tension in the yarn is controlled; the yarn is weaved; and a crimp is applied in the yarn. Once the crimp is applied, families of the crimped yarn are utilized as a single layer or multiple layer system to increase performance attributes including enhanced energy absorption.
US08877108B2
A system and method for making a golf ball having a patterned surface is disclosed. The pattern may be made by a method including machining a pattern of feed marks on the surface of a golf ball mold and using the golf ball mold to mold a golf ball cover layer. The pattern may be configured to create capillary action to substantially counteract gravity and/or other forces acting on a substantially liquid coating material applied to the cover layer of the golf ball.
US08877106B2
There are provided a forming device capable of drying at a high speed and of manufacturing a thermosetting resin foam plate more efficiently and stably without multilayering any unnecessary surface material, and a method of efficiently manufacturing a thermosetting resin foam plate therefor. A thermosetting resin foam plate is manufactured by: mixing a resin composition containing at least a thermosetting resin, a foaming agent and a curing agent in a mixer; continuously discharging the resin composition on a traveling air-permeable and flexible surface material, and at the same time covering the upper surface of the resin composition with an air-permeable and flexible surface material; and passing the covered resin composition through a forming device equipped with conveyors having apertures having an aperture area ratio of 15% or more and 80% or less to form and cure the resin composition.
US08877097B2
With a method for the generation of synthesis gas by means of gasification of solid or liquid carbonaceous fuels with an oxidation agent containing oxygen, in a reactor, wherein the synthesis gas is passed out of the reactor overhead, and the mineral ash/slag droplets that occur during the reaction are passed out of the reactor downward, in the direction of gravity, it is supposed to be made possible to use a flue-tube boiler, which is clearly less expensive, for heat removal in place of radiant boilers. This is achieved in that the synthesis gas is passed over a hot-gas filter (2), without being cooled, and subsequently passed through a flue-tube boiler (3), for cooling, wherein ash/slag particles precipitated on the hot-gas filter (2) are passed back into the gasification reactor (1), in the direction of gravity.
US08877096B2
Phosphors based on transition metal-activated gallates, particularly Cr3+- and Ni2+-activated zinc germanium gallates, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments such phosphors can exhibit persistent infrared phosphorescence for as long as 400 hours. Such phosphors can be used, for example, as components of a luminescent paint.
US08877095B2
The embodiment provides a process for production of an oxynitride fluorescent substance. In the process, a compound represented by the formula: (Sr,Eu)2Si5N8, silicon nitride and aluminum nitride are mixed and then fired in a nitrogen atmosphere under high pressure.
US08877089B2
A treatment for soils and road base materials including applying to the soil or road base materials an organosilicon waterproofing agent, and applying to the soil or road base material a soil stabilizer binder including an acrylate ester polymer emulsion.
US08877085B2
A piezoelectric and/or pyroelectric composite solid hybrid material, includes: a solid dielectric matrix, a filler of at least one inorganic piezoelectric and/or pyroelectric material, wherein the filler includes filiform nanoparticles distributed throughout the volume of the solid dielectric matrix with an amount by volume of less than 50%, and in that the main directions of elongation of the filiform nanoparticles of the inorganic filler distributed in the dielectric matrix have a substantially isotropic distribution in the solid dielectric matrix. Also described is method for manufacturing and using such a hybrid material for producing structural parts and supported films deposited on the surface of such a substrate for: detecting mechanical stress by direct piezoelectric effect; detecting temperature variations by direct pyroelectric effect; creating a mechanical wave by reverse piezoelectric effect in a flexible audio device, in a de-icing device or in a mechanical anti-fouling device; and manufacturing a soundproof material.
US08877073B2
Systems, methods, and processes for forming imprint lithography templates from a multi-layer substrate are described. The multi-layer substrate may include a block copolymer layer positioned on a substrate layer. The block copolymer layer may include two or more domains. At least one domain may have a different composition sensitivity than another domain such that the domains have different reactions to a specific process. Reaction of the domains to the specific process may provide a pattern in the block copolymer layer. The pattern may be transferred into the substrate layer to form the imprint lithography template.
US08877068B2
A pre-treatment method injecting sulfur dioxide into waters containing suspended solids to undergo ultra violet disinfection to form sulfurous acid (H2SO3) to self-agglomerate and precipitate solids from the wastewater for settling or filtration removal and provide acid to reduce bicarbonate and mineral scaling and microbial buildup on ultraviolet light tubes to improve their performance.
US08877065B2
A skim tank includes a flow-control structure that forces a solid-depleted phase of a mixed-phase feed into a toroidal motion within the container to thereby provide an up-flow movement within the structure. Most preferably, at least a portion of the solid-depleted phase is recirculated to further increase up-flow movement within the structure.
US08877063B2
A blood circuit capable of automatically performing priming for safe treatments. The blood circuit includes: a hemofilter (56) purifying blood; a blood removal line that has an end connected to an inlet of the hemofilter (56) and that includes a first blood removal line (84), a second blood removal line (88), and a third blood removal line (89); a blood return line that has an end connected to an outlet of the hemofilter (56) and that includes the first blood return line (92) and the second blood return line (94); and an anticoagulant (bypass) line (90) reducing a difference between (a) a pressure of a priming fluid flowing in the blood removal line and (b) a pressure of the priming fluid flowing in the blood return line.
US08877062B2
The invention relates to extracorporeal blood circuits, and components thereof (e.g., hollow fiber membranes, potted bundles, and blood tubing), including 0.005% to 10% (w/w) surface modifying macromolecule. The extracorporeal blood circuits have an antithrombogenic surface and can be used in hemofiltration, hemodialysis, hemodiafiltration, hemoconcentration, blood oxygenation, and related uses.
US08877061B2
An apparatus for purifying body fluid with solution including a casing having first and second input and output ports and dual safety or check valves monolithically formed with the casing that operate in conjunction with a dialysis machine or other apparatus used in hemodialysis is disclosed. The dual safety valves are configured at the input and output ports of a dialyzer such that the apparatus allows body fluid to move in one direction. This configuration prevents the reverse flow of body fluid back into the apparatus. A method for purifying body fluid with solution using an apparatus is further disclosed.
US08877055B2
A filter with a drain valve is provided. The drain valve mounts within an opening of a housing of the filter. The drain valve has a knob mounted to a valve member thereof. At least one locking structure is disposed between the knob and the valve member to mechanically lock the knob to the valve member. Such a configuration reduces the likelihood that the knob will become inadvertently dislodged during operation.
US08877051B2
A system and process for chromatography that uses a chromatography column to separate components from a sample received into the column in a mobile phase flowstream and places a second chromatography column between a detector and a collection system that compensates the timing of fraction collection for a delay caused by processing the collection signals generated by the detector. The device and process of the preferred and alternative embodiments add a delay into the flowstream of a chromatographic system, such as LC, HPLC, and SFC. Sample fractions are collected from sample component concentration peaks based upon the chromatographic elution of the sample components.
US08877048B1
A series of cascading basins is excavated along a sloped floodway typically established between adjoining agricultural fields. These basins address problems of stormwater runoff from agricultural lands and certain urban areas where runoff carries sediment, nitrogen, phosphorous and other pollutants into nearby streams, rivers and tidal waters, The cascading basin series begins with basin placement at a higher topographical elevation, followed by basin positioning downwardly along a natural or excavated floodway slope simulating a terraced effect. As upper basins are filled they spill over into basins therebelow. Angular features of basin exit grade and stormwater escape slopes retard egress of stormwater. A lowermost terminal basin includes sand berm, boulders, rip rap and other barriers to retain the polluted runoff. Basins may include vegetation, slag stone layers, and other pollutant treatment elements.
US08877041B2
An aspect of at least one embodiment of the present invention is a device for cracking heavy hydrocarbons. A linear applicator is positioned within heavy oil containing aromatic molecules. A radio frequency electrical current source is electrically connected to the applicator at a first connection point and a second connection point to create a closed electrical loop. The radio frequency source is configured to apply a signal to the applicator that is sufficient to create a magnetic field and an electric field relative to the axis of the linear applicator. The device also includes a chamber positioned around the applicator generally between the first connection point and the second connection point to concentrate the magnetic field within a region surrounding the applicator and containing the heavy hydrocarbons.
US08877039B2
One exemplary embodiment can be a process for hydrocarbon conversion. The process can include providing a feed to a slurry hydrocracking zone, obtaining a hydrocarbon stream including one or more C16-C45 hydrocarbons from the at least one separator, providing another feed to a hydrocracking zone, and providing hydrogen from a three-stage compressor to the slurry hydrocracking zone and the hydrocracking zone. Moreover, the slurry hydrocracking zone may include a slurry hydrocracking reactor and at least one separator.
US08877035B2
A sensor system, device, and methods for determining the concentration of an analyte in a sample is described. Gated amperometric pulse sequences including multiple duty cycles of sequential excitations and relaxations may provide a shorter analysis time and/or improve the accuracy and/or precision of the analysis. The disclosed gated amperometric pulse sequences may reduce analysis errors arising from the hematocrit effect, variance in cap-gap volumes, non-steady-state conditions, mediator background, under-fill, temperature changes in the sample, and a single set of calibration constants.
US08877031B2
The electrolysis solution for electrolytic ceramic coating includes water, a water-soluble zirconium compound, a complexing agent, carbonate ion, and at least one member selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal ion, ammonium ion and an organic alkali. Te zirconium compound is included at a concentration (X) in terms of zirconium of 0.0001 to 1 mol/L, the complexing agent is included at a concentration (Y) of 0.0001 to 0.3 mol/L, the carbonate ion is included at a concentration (Z) of 0.0002 to 4 mol/L, a ratio of the concentration (Y) of the complexing agent to the concentration (X) in terms of zirconium (Y/X) is at least 0.01, a ratio of the concentration (Z) of the carbonate ion to the concentration (X) in terms of zirconium (Z/X) is at least 2.5, and the electrolysis solution has an electrical conductivity of 0.2 to 20 S/m.
US08877029B2
A process for applying a coating on aluminum substrates by anionic or cationic electrodeposition of an electrodeposition coating including an aqueous dispersion of one or more lanthanide series elements having a +3/+4 oxidation state and phosphated epoxy resin made by phosphating a polyepoxide with both phosphoric acid and an organophosphonic acid and/or an organophosphinic acid. The coating has a reduced tendency to form pinholes.
US08877022B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure set forth a biosensor for detecting a target. One example sensor includes a first electrode. The first electrode includes a first electron conducting molecule and a first probe. The first probe includes a second electron conducting molecule. The first probe is configured to bind to the target of interest in solution. The first and second electron conducting molecules are different.
US08877014B2
Split-shell fractionation columns and associated processes for separating aromatic hydrocarbons. A split-shell fractionation column includes a housing shell having a first height and a partition having a second height and disposed within the housing shell. The partition includes first and second vertically oriented baffles separated by a gap region, a seal plate connecting top ends of the baffles, a first input port formed to extend through the partition for the introduction of a gas into the gap region, and a first output port formed to extend outwardly from a bottom of the gap region and through the housing shell. The partition defines a first distillation zone and a second distillation zone within the housing shell.
US08877013B2
A reaction system and method for removing heteroatoms from oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon streams and products derived therefrom are disclosed. An oxidized-heteroatom-containing hydrocarbon feed is reacted in a reaction system thereby forming non-ionic hydrocarbon products. The products derived therefrom are useful as transportation fuels, lubricants, refinery intermediates, or refinery feeds.
US08877012B2
An apparatus, for the steam explosion treatment of biomass, having a pressurized reactor vessel to receive a biomass material and steam, discharge lines connecting the pressurized reactor vessel to the separation device, the lines sized and positioned to allow for the steam explosion of biomass material. At the outlet end of the discharge lines is a collection-expansion manifold to connect the outlet end of each of the discharge lines to a collection line, wherein the collection line provides a passage for biomass material and steam flowing from the discharge lines. The collection line passage has a substantially larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of a single discharge line. The collection line is coupled to a separation device such that the separation device receives the biomass material and steam from the collection line.
US08877009B2
A pulp making process in which fibrous cellulosic material is pulped to form an aqueous suspension of cellulosic material, the suspension is drained through a screen to form a pulp sheet and that the pulp sheet is dried to form a dry market pulp, in which a water soluble cationic polymer is added to the suspension as the sole drainage aid wherein the water-soluble cationic polymer is either, i) a copolymer comprising (a) between 1 and 70 mole % (meth)acrylamide and (b) between 30 and 99 mole % (meth)acryloyloxyethyl-trimethyl ammonium chloride with an intrinsic viscosity between 5 and 9 dl/g; or ii) a hydrolysed homopolymer of vinylformamide comprising between 1 and 100 mole % vinyl amine units and having a K value of between 45 and 240. The process of the invention provides improved drainage time and solids content of the dewatered pulp.
US08877006B2
A method and an apparatus for peeling a donor film from a substrate are disclosed. In one embodiment, the donor film peeling apparatus includes i) a first roller disposed on a side of the donor film, ii) a second roller disposed on a side of the support at a position corresponding to the first roller and iii) first and second grippers configured to withdraw the donor film and support, respectively. The apparatus may further include i) first and second peeling rollers engaged with the first and second rollers with the donor film and support withdrawn by the first and second grippers being interposed therebetween to support the withdrawn donor film and support, respectively, and ii) an insertion mechanism disposed in at least one of the first and second peeling rollers and inserted between the bonded donor film and support.
US08876999B2
Techniques and apparatus for providing a flexible shape low volume autoclave are disclosed. In one embodiment, an autoclave includes an elongated pressure vessel that is sealed on both ends and has a circumferential joint between a first portion and a second portion. The autoclave further includes the portions defining an interior configured for accepting an elongated part, the joint being configured to create an angle between the portions and further creating an opening with a seal, the opening facilitating an insertion of the part into the interior, and the seal enabling pressurization of the interior.
US08876997B2
In the field of tire building, underbelt inserts are applied to an expandable support associated with an auxiliary drum on which the belt structure is made, simultaneously with manufacture of a carcass structure on a primary drum. Following expansion of the expandable support, the underbelt inserts are applied to the belt structure that can be directly made on the support itself in an expanded condition. The belt structure together with the underbelt inserts and a tread band are then transferred onto the carcass structure formed on the primary drum to complete building of the tire following shaping of the carcass into a toroidal conformation.
US08876989B2
Low rhenium nickel base superalloy compositions and articles formed from the superalloy composition are provided. The nickel base superalloy composition includes in percentages by weight: about 5-8 Cr; about 6.5-9 Co; about 1.3-2.5 Mo; about 4.8-6.8 W; about 6.0-7.0 Ta; if present, up to about 0.5 Ti; about 6.0-6.4 Al; about 1-2.3 Re; if present, up to about 0.6 Hf; if present, up to 1.5 C; if present, up to about 0.015 B; the balance being nickel and incidental impurities. Exemplary compositions are characterized by an Re ratio defined as the weight % of Re relative to the total of the weight % of W and the wt % of Mo, of less than about 0.3. Exemplary articles include airfoils for gas turbine engine blades or vanes, nozzles, shrouds, and splash plates.
US08876988B2
The present invention provides a steel for nitriding with a composition including, by mass %: C: 0.10% to 0.20%; Si: 0.01% to 0.7%; Mn: 0.2% to 2.0%; Cr: 0.2% to 2.5%; Al: 0.01% to less than 0.19%; V: over 0.2% to 1.0%; Mo: 0% to 0.54%; N: 0.001% to 0.01%; P limited to not more than 0.05%; S limited to not less than 0.2%; and a balance including Fe and inevitable impurities, the composition satisfying 2≦[V]/[C]≦10, where [V] is an amount of V by mass % and [C] is an amount of C by mass %, in which the steel for nitriding has a microstructure containing bainite of 50% or more in terms of an area percentage.
US08876987B2
A high strength pressed member has excellent ductility and stretch flangeability and tensile strength of 780-1400 MPa, with a predetermined steel composition and steel microstructure relative to the entire microstructure of steel sheet, where area ratio of martensite 5-70%, area ratio of retained austenite 5-40%, area ratio of bainitic ferrite in upper bainite 5% or more, and total thereof is 40% or more, 25% or more of martensite is tempered martensite, polygonal ferrite area ratio is above 10% and below 50% to the entire microstructure of steel sheet, and average grain size is 8 μm or less, average diameter of a group of polygonal ferrite grains is 15 μm or less, the group of polygonal ferrite grains represented by a group of ferrite grains of adjacent polygonal ferrite grains, and average carbon content in retained austenite is 0.70 mass % or more and tensile strength is 780 MPa or more.
US08876981B2
A method of collecting cut hair is disclosed. The steps include providing a vacuum source and a filter assembly having a top piece, a bottom piece, and a filter member. The assembly has a generally circular perimeter. A vacuum is applied to the assembly interior, and the cut hairs are moved through the aperture and into the assembly. The cut hairs are circulated in a collecting vortex and collected on the filter member.
US08876977B2
A method for cleaning the U-tube of the measurement cell of a densimeter, the measurement cell including an isothermic enclosure defining a measurement chamber closed by a stopper surrounded by a resilient seal, a U-tube extending inside the measurement chamber for containing a sample, the U-tube secured to the stopper at a base of the U-tube which includes free ends projecting outwardly from the measurement chamber to permit injection of the sample via an injection opening and evacuation of the sample via an evacuation opening, and means for causing the U-tube to vibrate. The method comprises, following a step of analyzing a sample, injecting a rinsing solvent into the injection opening of the U-tube, and subjecting the stopper to ultrasonic waves.
US08876973B2
There is provided an n type (100) oriented single crystal diamond semiconductor film into which phosphorous atoms have been doped and a method of producing the same. The n type (100) oriented single crystal diamond semiconductor film, characterized in that (100) oriented diamond is epitaxially grown on a substrate under such conditions that; the diamond substrate is (100) oriented diamond, a means for chemical vapor deposition provides hydrogen, hydrocarbon and a phosphorous compound in the plasma vapor phase, the ratio of phosphorous atoms to carbon atoms in the plasma vapor phase is no less than 0.1%, and the ratio of carbon atoms to hydrogen atoms is no less than 0.05%, and the method of producing the same.
US08876968B2
The present invention relates to a current composition for cementing oil or gas wells. The composition comprises calcium aluminate cement in which the proportion of HC203 is at least 50% by weight, dispersant, microsilica, mineral particles, water and optionally a retarder.
US08876965B2
A composite comprising a silicate material, such as, a sodium aluminosilicate, and titanium dioxide disposed on the surface thereof is disclosed, together with formulations comprising the composite and methods for preparing the same.
US08876962B2
Provided is an aqueous ink capable of recording an image achieving a high level of both of color developability and lightfastness. The aqueous ink includes a first pigment and a second pigment. The first pigment is C.I. Pigment Yellow 213, and the second pigment is at least one selected from the group consisting of C.I. Pigment Yellows 93, 128, 138, 151, 155, 180, and 215. The content A (% by mass) of the first pigment and the content B (% by mass) of the second pigment based on a total mass of the ink satisfy a relationship of 0.1≦A/(A+B)≦0.9. The ink further includes a water-soluble organic solvent having an SP value (unit: (cal/cm3)1/2) determined by Fedors' method of 11.0 or more and 16.0 or less.
US08876959B2
A device for at least one self-heated and dense ceramic tube for gas separation. The device includes at least one dense ceramic tube in an environment accessible to a mixture of gases, the at least one tube acting as a diffusion membrane for separating at least one gas from the mixture of gases. Two electrical contacts are provided which allow connecting a power supply to the ceramic tube and driving an electric current through the ceramic tube. The contacts can be in the farm of short coils wrapped around the ceramic tube at difference places. When a voltage is applied to the contacts, an electrical current flows from one contact to the other through the ceramic tube. The current in the ceramic tube heats the tube. Thus, the tubes heat themselves. The hot tube allows separating a gas from the mixture of gases. The driving force for the diffusion is achieved by a pressure difference generated by pumping at the side of the separated gas and pressing at the side of the mixture of gases.
US08876958B2
A process for removing mercury from a gas or liquid phase, wherein the gas or liquid phase containing mercury is placed in contact with a composition comprising a precipitated metal sulfide. The precipitated metal sulfide may be made by the process of combining a metal source, sulfide source, and modifier to form the precipitated metal sulfide. The metal source may comprise iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, zirconium, molybdenum, silver, or gold salts. The metal salt may be selected from metal nitrate, metal sulfate, metal phosphate, metal acetate, metal carbonate, metal hydroxide, metal ammonium carbonate, and metal hydroxycarbonate. The sulfide source is selected from hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbonyl sulfide (COS), salts of sulfide (S2−), salts of hydrosulfide (HS−), and salts of polysulfide (Sn2−). The modifier may be selected from alumina, silica, aluminosilicate, clay, zeolites, carbon, cement, titania, zirconia.
US08876957B2
An adsorption rotor has a surface layer which can be detached and replaced when performance degrades. A metal aggregate is extended in the width direction of the rotor element so that attachment-and-detachment adsorption rotor elements can be attached thereto using bolts and a perimeter griddle fixing bracket, thus resulting in protecting an upper part of the integral-type adsorption rotor element. In this way, the weight of the attachment-and-detachment adsorption rotor elements can be made light, resulting in them being fixable only using bolts, without special tools or skilled technicians. Moreover, because the detachment-and-replacement procedures can be performed from a rotor spindle side, thus from inside of a chamber, a heavy industrial machine is not required.
US08876945B2
In accordance with at least selected embodiments of the present invention, an improved liquid degassing membrane contactor or module includes a high pressure housing and at least one degassing cartridge therein. It may be preferred that the high pressure housing is a standard, ASME certified, reverse osmosis (RO) or water purification pressure housing or vessel (made of, for example, polypropylene, polycarbonate, stainless steel, corrosion resistant filament wound fiberglass reinforced epoxy tubing, with pressure ratings of for example, 150, 250, 300, 400, or 600 psi, and with, for example 4 or 6 ports, and an end cap at each end) and that the degassing cartridge is a self-contained, hollow-fiber membrane cartridge adapted to fit in the RO high pressure housing.
US08876940B2
The present invention provides an air cleansing system that removes the polluted air and controls the air temperature. This system may by optionally integrated with other systems including security, surveillance, smoke alarms and the like.
US08876938B2
The present invention provides a process for producing sponge titanium, which includes the following steps: Step A: placing aluminum into a resistance furnace, vacuum pumping, introducing inert gas, heating to molten aluminum; Step B: opening a reactor cover, adding a proper amount of potassium fluotitanate to a reactor, leakage detecting after closing the reactor cover, slowly raising the temperature to 150° C., vacuum pumping, and continuously heating to 250° C.; Step C: introducing inert gas into the reactor, continuously raising the temperature to 750° C., stirring uniformly; Step D: opening a valve to adjust the stirring speed, adding molten aluminum drops, and controlling the reaction temperature to 750° C. to 850° C.; Step E: opening the reactor cover, removing a stirring device, eliminating the upper layer of KAlF4 to obtain sponge titanium. The present invention has the beneficial effects of short process flow, low cost, environmental protection and harmlessness.
US08876928B2
A powder processing system having a processing vessel into which powder is pneumatically supplied and an exhaust plenum that communicates with the processing vessel through an exhaust port. A filter is located at the exhaust port for filtering air borne powder from the air flow exiting the processing vessel, and a reverse pulse air filtering device is provided for selectively removing accumulated powder from the filter. The cleaning device includes a nozzle having a first portion within the air plenum and a second portion within the air filter, and a plunger is mounted on the first filter portion for movement to an exhaust port closing position as an incident to the direction of pressurized air through the first portion of the nozzle for enabling pressurized air from the second portion of the nozzle to thereupon be directed through the filter without hindrance of air exiting the processing vessel.
US08876924B2
Gasoline blends and methods for producing gasoline blends containing high concentrations of a butanol isomer and having good cold start and warm-up driveability characteristics are disclosed.
US08876913B2
A prosthetic foot includes a heel member having a heel member shaft extending upwardly from a heel end thereof and a forefoot member having a forefoot member shaft extending upwardly from a toe end thereof. An ankle member receives the heel member shaft and forefoot member shaft so as to allow the heel member shaft and forefoot member shaft to translate in a direction of a wearer's leg in response to an upward force thereon. At least one compressible member is coupled to the ankle member and is in compressible contact with the heel member shaft and/or forefoot member shaft so as to compress in response to the translation thereof.
US08876902B2
Methods of utilizing implant devices for the repair of articular cartilage defects are provided herein. The implant devices have circular, or oblong, articular ends. The articular ends have a convex upper face and a concave lower face, the convex upper face blending to the concave lower face, and the concave lower face having a curvature less than the curvature of the convex upper face. The implant devices further have a stem extending from the concave lower face away from the upper face, the stem having a maximum radius at the convex lower face and tapering to lesser radius along the length of the stem.
US08876899B2
A medical implant assembly and method having a medical implant, e.g. a breast prostheses, attached to a biological interface. The biological interface is comprised of a dermal material with capsular contracture inhibiting properties so that once the medical assembly is inserted into the host, the biological interface, which is intimately coupled to the implant, prevents/reduces capsular contracture formation around the implant. The biological interface comprises a plurality of apertures along its periphery, and attaches to the medical implant by receiving a plurality of attachment flaps or appendages located on the exterior surface of the medical implant within or through the apertures. The attachment of the biological interface is such that the assembly remains intact even where the attachment flaps loosen upon expansion of the implant after insertion into a host, as where the implant is therein injected to a desired dimension.
US08876898B2
Devices, methods and kits are described for reducing intraocular pressure. The devices include a support that is implantable within Schlemm's canal and that may restore or maintain at least partial patency of the canal without substantially interfering with transmural or transluminal fluid flow across the canal. The devices utilize the natural drainage process of the eye and may be implanted with minimal trauma to the eye. Kits may include a support and an introducer for implanting the support within Schlemm's canal. Methods may include implanting a support within Schlemm's canal, where the support is capable of restoring or maintaining at least partial patency of the canal without substantial interference with transmural or transluminal fluid flow across the canal.
US08876897B2
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a prosthetic valve is provided. The prosthetic valve includes an annulus, a pair of leaflets, and a pair of support elements. The annulus has a generally saddle-shape formed by a movable pair of first portions separated from each other by a movable pair of second portions. The pair of leaflets extend from the annulus and are separated from each other by the pair of support elements. The first portions of the annulus and the second portions of the annulus are configured to move back and forth from being generally concave to being generally convex such that any movement of the first portions of the annulus occurs at generally the same time as any movement of the second portions of the annulus.
US08876895B2
Apparatus is provided including a prosthesis for implantation at a native semilunar valve of a native valve complex of a subject, the native valve complex having semilunar sinuses, the prosthesis including a valve prosthesis support, which includes a support structure including at least two engagement arms. Upon implantation of the prosthesis, each of the engagement arms is at least partially disposed within a respective one of the semilunar sinuses. A shape of at least one of the engagement arms is generally characterized by a function z″(r)>=0, where z is a height of any given point on the at least one engagement arm measured along a longitudinal axis of the prosthesis, and r is a distance from the longitudinal axis to the given point. Other embodiments are also described.
US08876894B2
A prosthesis is provided for implantation at a native semilunar valve of a native valve complex. The prosthesis includes a distal fixation member, configured to be positioned in a downstream artery, and to apply a first axial force directed toward a ventricle. The prosthesis further includes a proximal fixation member coupled to the distal fixation member, the proximal fixation member configured to be positioned at least partially on a ventricular side of the native valve complex, and to apply a second axial force directed toward the downstream artery, such that application of the first and second forces couples the prosthesis to the native valve complex by axially sandwiching the native valve complex from a downstream side and the ventricular side thereof. The prosthesis is configured, upon implantation thereof, to embrace, without squeezing, leaflets of the native semilunar valve. Other embodiments are also described.
US08876881B2
Devices and methods for stent advancement, including methods for instructing another or others how to advance a stent into an anatomical structure or into a testing/demonstration synthetic structure, such as a polymer tube. The advancement may be achieved by at least two periods of stent engagement that drive a stent distally from a sheath separated by a period of non-engagement.
US08876864B2
Materials and methods for immobilizing bioactive molecules, stem and other precursor cells, and other agents of therapeutic value in surgical sutures and other tissue scaffold devices are described herein. Broadly drawn to the integration and incorporation of bioactive materials into suture constructs, tissue scaffolds and medical devices, the present invention has particular utility in the development of novel systems that enable medical personnel performing surgical and other medical procedures to utilize and subsequently reintroduce bioactive materials extracted from a patient (or their allogenic equivalents) to a wound or target surgical site.
US08876862B2
A hemostatic device is provided for sealing a puncture of a vessel. The hemostatic device includes a locator device and an injection tube coupled to the locator device. The locator device includes a device valve that is actuatable to selectively restrict access to a portion of the locator device. The hemostatic device is advanced into the vessel until a first fluid is channeled through the locator device. The device valve is actuated to selectively restrict the first fluid from being channeled through the locator device. A second fluid is injected through the injection tube to facilitate sealing a puncture of the vessel. The hemostatic device is withdrawn from the vessel.
US08876859B2
A blepharoplasty device includes a handle member, an elongate, curved first jaw member coupled to the handle member and having a first tissue contacting surface, and an elongate, curved second jaw member coupled to the handle member and having a second tissue contacting surface. The first and second jaw members are moveable relative to one another between a closed position and an open position to capture eyelid tissue and facilitate the cutting and subsequent reattachment of the eyelid tissue.
US08876856B2
A human skin treatment arrangement configured to treat surface conditions of human skin, especially the wrinkle, fine lines or scar appeared on the surface of human face. In a treatment mode, the arrangement is configured for attaching to a portion of human skin such that the area of the human skin under treatment is maintained in a stretched position to enhance the treatment effect. In a further embodiment, the arrangement comprises a wrinkle relief agent or a scar relief agent to treat the surface of the skin.
US08876842B2
A meniscal repair device includes a handle with a thumbslide and a needle cartridge extending therefrom, the needle cartridge having distal tips having a specific directional orientation suited for a particular procedure. The meniscal repair device includes a needle rack and an obturator rack. A quantity of suture material is included in the meniscal repair device. The distal ends of the needle cartridge are adapted for penetrating soft tissue.
US08876840B2
A suture tool for fixing the gastric wall to the abdominal wall includes a first puncture needle for insertion, a suture thread, a second puncture needle for removing the suture thread, a linear grasping member and one or more anchor member. The tip end portion of the suture thread is inserted into the first puncture needle and a hook of the linear grasping member is inserted into the second puncture needle for removing the suture thread inserted into the first puncture needle for securing the gastric wall to the abdominal wall.
US08876838B2
An apparatus for use in dislodging a particle from a choking person's airway. The apparatus including a venturi vacuum pump, a source of compressed fluid and a mask. The apparatus operating such that after the mask is placed over the choking person's nose and mouth, compressed fluid flowing through the venturi vacuum pump generates a low pressure region in the mask and correspondingly the person's airway which dislodges the particle.
US08876835B2
Equipment for placing an implant comprising an instrument for gripping the implant comprising two portions able to adopt a position of holding the implant and an open position allowing gripping or release of the implant once the latter is implanted, and an element for locking the portions in the holding position, the locking element comprising an attachment device arranged to come into engagement with a complementary attachment device provided in a reception housing formed by the portions in the implant-holding position, the attachment device and the complementary attachment device forming a sliding connection.
US08876833B2
A device for delivering material to multiple surgical target locations includes a pressure reservoir selectably coupled to two or more outlets. Coupling the pressure reservoir to a given one of the outlets and pressurizing the pressure reservoir causes flowable material (e.g., bone filler material) to be dispensed from that outlet. A diverter for selectably coupling the pressure reservoir one of the outlets can be configured to trigger a pressure release valve for the pressure reservoir upon switching, thereby preventing unexpected or uncontrolled material delivery from the new outlet in response to sudden high pressure exposure.
US08876831B2
A combination of a first assembly for guiding resection of a femur and tibia of a knee joint and a second assembly including femoral and tibial knee components. The combination of the first assembly and the second assembly provides optimal placement and positioning of the femoral and tibial knee components to achieve near-normal knee kinematics and tension. The preparation for and placement of the prosthetic knee components provides medial-pivoting kinematics mimicking that of the natural knee thereby promoting improved outcome for the patient.
US08876828B2
An instrument for preparing a surface of a vertebra, such as a vertebral endplate, for receipt of a spinal disc implant. The instrument includes a working tool with implements on one or more surfaces of the working tool that act on the vertebral surface. The instrument includes a rotary-to-linear translation system to cause the working tool to move; for example, from side-to-side, top-to-bottom, or along a path that includes side-to-side and top-to-bottom aspects. The rotary-to-linear translation system may include a drive shaft having a cam pin at a distal end, and a cam follower slot at an anterior end of the working tool.
US08876827B2
The present invention provides surgical drilling devices and methods. An exemplary surgical drilling device in accordance with the present invention comprises a housing, a retractable guide tube assembly, and a flexible cable drill. The retractable guide tube assembly includes an arcuate guide tube having a first portion that is slidingly positioned in an arcuate portion of the housing. A second portion comprising an actuating tube is slidingly positioned in a linear portion of the housing. The arcuate guide tube is controllably advancable from the housing and retractable into the housing. The flexible cable drill comprises a first portion slidingly positioned in the arcuate guide tube and a second portion slidingly positioned in the actuating tube.
US08876822B2
The disclosed device solves the problem of fixation of a fractured humerus, or other long bone, by allowing a surgeon to first fix the proximal end of the implant and set the fracture, followed by fixation of the distal end without the use of screws.
US08876821B2
The present invention describes an intramedullary nail for use in orthopedic surgery for the fixation of bone fractures and fusion sites. The nail employs one or more internal loaded springs, biocompatible elastic or rubber bands, or other mechanism that provides continuous dynamic compression across the healing site throughout the healing process. By altering the size, tension and/or number of the internal compression devices, the amount of compression may be customized on a case-by-case basis. Further, the slots within the nail for its attachment can be utilized to create a torsional force when desired. The nail can have a cross-sectional shape that prevents its rotation. A system and method of use is also described.
US08876820B2
A surgical clamp including a pair of jaws, which may be used to ablate or create lesions in tissue. In an exemplary embodiment, the jaws are movable between an articulated position in which the jaws are separated and not parallel to one another, an opened position in which the jaws are separated and substantially parallel to one another, and a closed position in which the jaws are adjacent and substantially parallel to one another.
US08876804B2
An ablation device comprises a balloon having an open proximal end and a closed distal end. A cylindrical tube extends into the balloon through the proximal end. An end support member is positioned at the distal end of the balloon. The end support member comprises a cylindrical portion facing the proximal end of the balloon. The cylindrical portion is received within a bore at the distal end of the tube. A seal is formed between the proximal end of the balloon and the cylindrical tube.
US08876799B1
A surgical procedure for performing liposculpture on the human body comprising defining a surgical site where the liposculpture is to be performed including substantially 360 degrees about at least the torso portion of the body and/or the limbs. The surgical site is infiltrated with a predetermined quantity of solution and multi-layer emulsification of fat deposits about the surgical site is subsequently performed utilizing technology comprising “vibration amplification of sound energy at resonance” or (VASER), wherein the multi-layer emulsification includes at least a superficial layer emulsification of fat deposits and a deep layer emulsification of fat deposits. Subsequently, a multi-layer liposuction extraction of the emulsified fat deposits is performed, wherein the multi-layer liposuction extraction comprises a deep layer liposuction; a superficial layer liposuction and an intermediate layer liposuction.
US08876798B2
A clam shell shaped adapter for retaining a catheter to establish a fluid path between the catheter and a fluid device or line has first and second shells integrally connected by a living hinge. The first shell has a luer end and a catheter end. A flexible tubing at an inner surface of the first shell connects the luer end to the catheter end. The catheter is inserted through the catheter end to extend along the flexible tubing. A retainer structure is provided at an inner surface of the second shell so that when the first and second shells close upon each other, the retainer structure presses against the flexible tubing to fixedly retain the catheter in a fluidly sealing manner. Respective latch mechanisms provided at the shells lockingly couple the first and second shells to each other.
US08876797B2
The present invention provides catheter compositions that provide anti-thrombogenic properties while not adversely impacting mechanical properties. All embodiments of the present invention comprise a catheter that comprises a fluoropolymer additive with specific compositions and/or purity levels.
US08876796B2
Single filter and multi-filter endolumenal methods and systems for filtering fluids within the body. In some embodiments a blood filtering system captures and removes particulates dislodged or generated during a surgical procedure and circulating in a patient's vasculature. In some embodiments a filter system protects the cerebral vasculature during a cardiac valve repair or replacement procedure.
US08876793B2
A method and medical pump to perform a flushing procedure are provided. The medical pump is configured to execute the flushing procedure subsequent to an infusion procedure, the flushing procedure and infusion procedure lacking a specified relationship between each other until after performance of the infusion procedure. The method comprises performing an infusion procedure of a medicament with the medical pump and automatically querying in human detectable form whether to execute a flushing procedure in response to conclusion of the infusion procedure.
US08876792B2
An endoluminal medical access device (1) is disclosed that is devised for endoluminal delivery to an extravascular target site (5) at a vasculature site of a human or animal body vasculature, such as the microvasculature. The device (1) comprises a hollow body (112) arranged around a continuous channel (113) that ends in a distal end (100) and comprises a distal penetration portion (102) that is devised to extend across a tissue wall of said microvasculature said microvasculature site (4) at an extravascular target site in said body to provide communication with said extravascular target site through said channel (113) and devised for at least partly apposition to said tissue wall, and a proximal connection section (101), which proximally adjoins said penetration portion (102), and optionally comprises an intrusion depth limit unit (116, 118) and/or a hollow separation section (115) devised to provide a controllable separation of the penetration portion (102) from a connected proximal portion (110) of the hollow body.
US08876791B2
A method and system for increasing the flow resistance of collateral pathways in the lung by employing aspiration to establish an artificial convective flow current between compartments in the lung in order to entrain and deliver a clogging agent preferentially to the collateral pathways. The method may sometimes be performed after lung has been assessed for the presence of collateral pathways.
US08876787B2
An anti-free-flow mechanism includes an occluder mechanism which is disposed along a segment of tubing and a mounting structure. The occluder mechanism is normally in a biased closed position, but may be moved into an open position by placement in the mounting structure. However, unless force is applied to keep the occluder mechanism in the mounting structure, the occluder will move relative to the mounting structure and return to the first, closed position.
US08876781B2
The present invention relates to a safety pen needle device comprising a first needle shield (60) and a second back-end needle shield (90). During the injection the first needle shield (60) is moved to en retracted position this movement causes a actuation sleeve (31) to rotate. Said rotation causes a holding member (96, 98) provided on the second needle shield (90) to be released. When the first needle shield (60) is moved from the retracted position to a extended position the actuation sleeve (31) is rotated further so that a first guide member (74) on the first needle shield (60) abuts a first stop member (34) arranged on said actuation sleeve (31). After an performed injection both shields are moved to extended positions by the rotation of an actuation sleeve (31). After the injection the shield are locked it their extended position.
US08876780B2
An attachable needle storage device is provided with a main body and a rotatable sleeve and a plurality of new needles stored within the sleeve, a leaf spring to direct each needle into a circumferential position of the pen body when rotated, and a ramp to move the needle into an axial position of the pen body when retracted or pulled rearward by the user. The attachable needle storage device is configured to attach to a pen device in a manner substantially the same as a conventional needle hub. In doing so, the rotation of the sleeve can be used to rotate a new needle onto a shuttle, and the retraction of the device can be used to cause a ramp to engage the needle and needle hub, moving the needle toward the axial position of the pen body and the septum. Once under the septum, the user continues pulling the device rearward, such that the needle is then moved rearward, pierces the septum of the medicament cartridge and exposes the distal end of the needle for injection. After use, a needle shield is used to unlock a compressed spring, which is configured to pull the needle from the septum, and return the device to the transport state, after which the previous steps can be repeated.
US08876769B2
A medical infusion system with pulse width modulation and a safety circuit and a method thereof are disclosed. Embodiments of the system include a switching device and a pump motor, wherein the pump motor and the switching device are connected in series and constitute a power supply circuit to be connected to a power supply. Embodiments of the system further includes a control signal generator configured to generate a control signal e.g. PWM, and which is connected to input of the safety circuit. Output of the safety circuit is connected to a control input of the switching device such that the pump motor will not operate if there is no control signal applied to the input of the safety circuit.
US08876760B2
A breast pump apparatus, including a vacuum pump and a variable-volume buffer volume coupled together in fluid communication, also includes a breast-receiving portion coupled to the vacuum pump and the buffer volume such that the vacuum pump is operable to generate negative pressure at the breast-receiving portion to stimulate milk expression, and the negative pressure generated at the breast-receiving portion can be controlled by controlling the buffer volume.
US08876758B2
Formulations are described that are viscous and will benefit from needle-free delivery at high driving pressures. Conventional delivery of these viscous formulations by hypodermic syringes is inconvenient as well as painful. Formulations include those which have a viscosity of about 5 cS or more at about 20° C. and which can have 0.5 ml or more administered by a needle-free injector in about 0.1 second±0.02 seconds.
US08876735B2
The present invention provides an apparatus for performing a measurement inside a living body. The apparatus includes a first sensing element, a manipulating device and an analyzing device. The first sensing element performs the measurement. The manipulating device is coupled to the first sensing element, and manipulates the first sensing element. The analyzing device is for analyzing the measurement.
US08876730B2
Apparatus (20) is provided for use in a gastrointestinal tract (40) of a patient, including an inflatable device (22) configured to be moved through the gastrointestinal tract (40) to a treatment site in response to a difference between fluid pressure proximal to the inflatable device (22) and fluid pressure distal to the inflatable device (22). An optical system (24) coupled to the inflatable device (22) configured to image the gastrointestinal tract (40). A working channel (32) coupled to the inflatable device (22) and shaped to define a channel lumen therein to provide access from outside of the patient to the treatment site. A tool (34) configured to be passed through the channel lumen and to emerge from a distal end of the working channel (32). The tool (34) comprises a tool steering mechanism (44) to facilitate steering of the tool (34) from outside of the patient. Other embodiments are also described.
US08876724B2
Contact pressure sensing apparatus for use with exercise equipment sensors are described. An example apparatus includes a sensor to detect a physiological condition of a user of an exercise device through physical contact with the user and a pressure sensor to detect a contact pressure applied by the user to the sensor.
US08876713B2
A surgical retractor that comprises an integrated light source for creating a working space for the access of dissecting instruments employed during an open surgical procedure is described. The retractor is of the type that comprises two elongated arms mechanically connected by a pivot that allows the retractor to move between a closed and an open configuration. The described retractors further comprise adjustable paddle assemblies located at the distal end of the elongated arms and a unique locking mechanism that allows for the relative separation of the paddle assemblies to be set at any position between the closed and open configuration of the retractor. The design of the retractor provides them with increased functionality while allowing them to be cost effectively produced so that they can simply be disposed of after use.
US08876706B2
According to an aspect of the invention, an endoscopic apparatus outputs illuminating light from a tip of an endoscope inserting module to a subject and detects a reflected light from the subject to obtain an image signal of the subject. The endoscopic apparatus includes a first light source, a second light source, a target light intensity setting module, a light intensity ratio setting module, an information storing module, an amplitude value setting module, a driving signal generating module, a signal supplying module.
US08876703B2
A rotary self-propelled endoscope, including: a tubular outer shaft having an elongated insertion section main body with a distal end portion which is rotatable around a longitudinal axis and has at least partially a surface formed to have a helical configuration; an inner shaft which is rotatably inserted through the outer shaft and is coupled to the distal end portion of the insertion section main body; and a motor unit which causes the inner shaft to rotate around the longitudinal axis from the proximal end side.
US08876702B2
An electronic endoscope includes a distal end portion of an insertion portion which incorporates electronic components, a metal frame which holds an observation window, an earth member which is connected to a patient-side ground of an external device, and a static-protective member which is disposed in the distal end portion to have a predetermined clearance from the metal frame and is electrically connected to the earth member to let static electricity applied to the distal end portion flow to the earth member. With the configuration, the electronic endoscope prevents occurrence of trouble, a fault, and the like in an electronic component incorporated in the distal end portion due to applied static electricity.
US08876698B2
An endoscopic treatment system 1 of the present invention includes an overtube 2 that is inserted into the body of a patient. An endoscope 7 and a suturing device 8 are inserted into the overtube 2. The overtube 2 has a long and flexible tube main body 3, and a chamber 4 is provided at the distal end of the tube main body 3. The chamber 4 has a lateral hole 10 formed on the lateral surface thereof. The width of the lateral hole 10 is set such that a lesion can be drawn into the lateral hole 10 while preventing other organs on the periphery of the lesion from being drawn into the lateral hole 10.
US08876697B2
A device for maintaining an erection has tubes connected to C-shaped balloons disposed at the base and neck of the penis. The air pressure inside the tubes helps to maintain the erection, while the C-shaped balloons help to retain the blood inside Corpora Cavernosa due to the choke-like grip around the base and neck of the penis. The air pressure is supplied by a pump actuated by movements of a pubic bone during sexual activity.
US08876695B2
A foot-sleeve dildo harness uses any of a variety of dildo devices secured in position on a bottom or heel of the foot and extending perpendicularly therefrom. The dildos provide vaginal or anal hands-free stimulation performed on a wearer or on a sexual partner.
US08876683B2
A blood processing centrifuge comprising: a rotor having an axis of rotation and being controllably spun around the axis, a mechanism for processing whole blood within the rotor while spinning, a computer controlling blood processing operations, the computer being mounted to the rotor and spinning therewith.
US08876677B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus, method and system for a human individual to exercise his body in a novel manner wherein the user, when he is in the prone position, is able to move his arms, while holding the instant apparatus placed on a relatively flat surface, in all three planes of human motion simultaneously; i.e. saggital, frontal and transverse planes.
US08876674B2
A weight stack for an exercise machine may include one or more primary and secondary load elements that are selectively joined to a weight carriage. The load elements may be supported from below by one or more support beams and positioned at spaced apart locations on the support beam when the weight carriage is located at its rest position or when the load elements are not joined to the weight carriage during an exercise. The load elements may include engagement surfaces that engage the beam either directly by contacting the beam or indirectly via a divider structure positioned between the load elements and the beam. For some load elements, the engagement surfaces define a portion of a slot in the load element. The exercise machine may further include a single guide pole that constrains the weight carriage to move substantially linearly and vertically relative to the exercise machine's support frame.
US08876671B1
A punching bag assembly is provided for facilitating simultaneous practice of body punching and uppercut punching. The assembly includes a first punching bag having an upper end and a lower end. At least one first bag chain is coupled to the first punching bag whereby the first punching bag is configured for being coupled to a support structure positioned above the first punching bag. A second punching bag has a central opening. The upper end of the first punching bag is inserted through the central opening such that the first punching bag extends through the second punching bag and the second punching bag is positioned proximate the upper end of the first punching bag.
US08876665B1
A neck exercise machine is provided for standing use. The machine has a head pad which can be vertically adjusted to accommodate different user heights. The head pad is mounted on an arm, which is pivotally connected to the machine frame for movement about a first horizontal axis, so that the arm and head pad can be raised and lowered, and then locked in place for use. The head pad is connected to a cam for rotation about a second horizontal axis in use, with selected resistance.
US08876664B2
A weight-lifting exercise machine enables an athlete to lift a mass from an initial resting position. After the athlete releases the mass, the machine cushions the fall of the mass, such that the mass returns to its resting position without assistance from the athlete. The movements of the athlete and the mass can be tracked, preferably by wireless accelerometers attached respectively to the athlete and the mass, and data on such movements can be stored and analyzed. The machine provides a monitor to enable the athlete to track the progress of the exercise, and to determine whether the exercise is being performed correctly.
US08876661B2
A multi-functional exercise machine, whose console has a transformation bearing and can be converted between a central control panel and an exercise workstation, so that the exercise machine can be used not only for intensive exercise but also for moderate exercise while working or entertaining at the same time. The exercise workstation has an arm support and a computer desk for a user to efficiently work with a personal computer free of distractions while doing exercise. The arm support is specially designed to minimize upper body movements. A supporting assembly for the console is specially designed to minimize vibration and shaking during exercise. The equipment can further comprise a force adjustable body support to decrease load by supporting predetermined amount of weight, so that a user can do exercise longer while working with a computer.
US08876653B2
A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission includes: a first torque-receiving shaft; a second shaft parallel with the first shaft; a first planetary gear set on the first shaft having a first, second and third rotation elements operated as a fixed or output element, directly connected to the first shaft and operated as an input element, and operated as a selective output element, respectively; a compound planetary gear set including a second planetary gear set and a third planetary gear set, and having a fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rotation elements, selectively connected to the second and third rotation elements, connected to an output gear, selectively connected to the first rotation element, and selectively connected to the third rotation element, respectively; three transfer gears forming externally-meshed gears; and frictional elements selectively interconnecting the rotation elements or selectively connecting the rotation elements to a transmission housing.
US08876652B2
A transmission has an input member, an output member, at least four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes actuatable in combinations of three to establish a plurality of forward gear ratios and at least one reverse gear ratio.
US08876648B2
A planetary belt transmission has a motor drive having a motor drive shaft, a distributing pulley attached to the motor drive shaft and a collecting pulley attached to an output shaft. Two or more distributing belts are coupled to the distributing pulley and two or more collecting belts are coupled to the collecting pulley from mutually opposite radial directions. Four or more transmitting pulleys are arranged in two or more concentric pairs around the distributing pulley and the collecting pulley and are coupled to the distributing pulley and the collecting pulley via the distributing belts and the collecting belts, respectively. Two or more peripheral shafts support the transmitting pulleys, while allowing movement in a radial direction only relative to the output shaft and being preloaded so as to apply a net zero radial force on the distributing pulleys and the collecting pulleys in a plane perpendicular to respective axes thereof.
US08876645B2
A coupling plate of a detent lever is assembled to an oil-pressure control device, wherein a transmission casing is a base for an assembling process. A slider of a range sensor coupled to the coupling plate is assembled to the transmission casing via a sensor body. A spool of a manual valve coupled to the coupling plate is assembled to the transmission casing via a valve body fixed to the sensor body. The coupling plate, the slider and the spool are assembled together, wherein the transmission casing is used as the base for the assembling process. It is not necessary to relatively position the slider and the spool to each other during the assembling process for an oil-pressure control device.
US08876643B2
A device for driving a vehicle includes a housing, an electric motor, a differential gear unit, and a planetary gear unit. The planetary gear unit includes a sun gear connected to the electric motor, a ring gear coupleable via a first coupling to the housing, a plurality of planetary gears disposed between the ring gear and the sun gear and mounted on a planet carrier coupled to the differential gear unit, the planet carrier coupleable to the ring gear by a second coupling, the second coupling being disposed in a plane with the first coupling parallel to the electric motor.
US08876642B2
One exemplary embodiment includes a U-shaped chain guide bracket including a base wall extending in a longitudinal direction from an upstream end to a downstream end of the base wall, and a pair of laterally opposed side walls extending away from the base wall and having laterally opposed mounting pads and apertures. The base wall and opposed side walls establish an upstream end, a downstream end, a central portion between the upstream and downstream ends, and a general U-shaped cross-section at least at each of the upstream and downstream ends and at the central portion. The bracket is formed from sheet metal.
US08876630B2
A golf club head of an iron type includes a face plate part for hitting a ball, which has a cavity part on the back side thereof; a sole part; a hosel part for connecting the head to a shaft; a viscoelastic body made to adhere to the back face of the face plate part, the viscoelastic body including a board-shaped part located on the back face of a central portion of the face plate part and extending parts extending from the board-shaped part to the toe side and the heel side of the head; and a cover plate lapping over the viscoelastic body, the cover plate including a concavity for accommodating the board-shaped part of the viscoelastic body and concave lines for accommodating the extending parts of the viscoelastic body. The cover plate has an opening, and a part of the viscoelastic body is exposed through the opening.
US08876628B2
A golf club shaft extending from a tip end to a butt end and made of fiber reinforced resin, comprises a weight being in a range of from 30 to 55 g, a whole length LS between the tip end and the butt end, a center of gravity of the shaft located with a distance LG from the tip end, a ratio of the distance LG to the whole length LS being in a range of from 0.54 to 0.65, a butt end portion which has a length of 300 mm from the butt end toward the tip end, the butt end portion including fibers including a low elastic fiber having an elastic modulus in a range of from 5 to 20 t/mm2, and a high elastic fiber having an elastic modulus greater than 20 t/mm2 and not more than 50 t/mm2.
US08876626B2
Disclosed is a golf club having a structure with which optional angle adjustment can be easily and firmly performed by a user himself/herself without changing the direction of a shaft along the circumference thereof with respect to a head. To this end, the distal end portion of the shaft to which a plug member is fixed is fitted into a shaft insertion hole of a hosel portion from above, an angle adjusting member is fitted from below, and a fixing bolt is fitted into a bolt insertion hole of the angle adjusting member and screwed into an internal thread portion of the plug member. A radial clearance is left between the outer circumferential surface of a lower end portion of the plug member fitted into the shaft insertion hole and the inner circumferential surface of the shaft insertion hole corresponding to the outer circumferential surface, and a spacer portion partially formed on the angle adjusting member along the circumference of the angle adjusting member is fitted into a part of the radial clearance along the circumference of the radial clearance. The fixing angle of the head body with respect to the shaft can be adjusted by the circumferential position of the spacer portion fitted into the radial clearance.
US08876621B2
A swing analyzing device includes at least an angular velocity sensor, a data acquiring unit, and a motion detecting unit. The angular velocity sensor detects angular velocities generated about a plurality of axes by a swing. The data acquiring unit acquires detection data of the angular velocity sensor. The motion detecting unit detects at least one of motions of the swing. Particularly, the motion detecting unit includes an angular velocity calculating unit which calculates the sum of the magnitudes of the angular velocities generated about the plurality of respective axes using the acquired detection data.
US08876609B2
A game execution method and system of a mobile terminal includes an Internet-based device synchronized with at least one mobile terminal through a game server and receiving a specific game screen that is requested from the mobile terminal from the game server to display. The game server synchronizes the Internet-based device with the at least one mobile terminal and transmits return data with respect to an input signal of manipulating the specific game to the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal downloads and executes game data, transmitting to the game server the input signal of manipulating the specific game, and executes an effect function corresponding to the return data.
US08876606B2
Systems and methods for providing a digital identity or profile in a gaming console that communicates to a remote service. A “Gamer Profile” is created that serves as a building block for services and applications that aim to create a social community of gamers and grow relationships among players. In accordance with the present invention, the Gamer Profile is the entirety of information (e.g., metadata) related to a specific user. The Gamer Profile is developed from a set of services that collect and expose this information in a meaningful way to the community. Feedback information may be included that is provided by other users to further enhance the profile. The Gamer Profile also provides for personalization such that users can customize their gaming experience.
US08876604B2
An electronic handheld gesture game device includes a game housing with a speaker and a plurality of lights to provide commands, feedback, and other information to a player. In one type of game play experience, the game device issues one or more commands that indicate a desired movement or gesture to perform, and the player must respond by moving the game housing to simulate the desired movement or gesture. The game device is self-contained and does not require outside computing devices or visual displays to perform the game play experiences.
US08876589B2
A wagering game and wagering apparatus has a processor and display system. The processor recognizes two wager segments to play a single round of the wagering game. The processor credits one wager segment to a first game and the processor credits a second wager segment to a second game. The processor resolves the first wager segment with respect to the random symbols used in the first game. The processor terminating the single round of play of the wagering game by resolving no additional wagering activity if the symbols provided in the first game do not trigger a bonus event for application to the second game in the two games further resolving the bonus event applied to the second game if the symbols provided in the first game do trigger a bonus event for application to the second game.
US08876587B2
A gaming system and a method provide primary and secondary games to players using a plurality of linked gaming machines. Each gaming machine includes a display. For each gaming machine, an associated player is allowed to make a wager on a primary game, an outcome of the primary game is randomly selected, and if the outcome of the primary game is a winning outcome, awarding the associated player a primary award as a function of the outcome, the wager made by the player, and a predetermined paytable. If a triggering conditioning occurred in one of the primary games and a secondary game is initiated. The secondary game is a video slot game including a plurality of video reels. Each video reel is displayed on a respective display of one of the gaming machines.
US08876583B2
An agricultural combine having an adjustable spreader assembly is provided that includes a spreader with one or a pair of regulators. The spreader includes a discharge opening about its lateral side. The regulator is pivotably connected to the lateral side of the spreader such that the regulator is in fluid communication with the discharge opening. The regulator can be configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position or to vary the direction of discharge of crop residue. The spreader can be a vertical spreader, a horizontal spreader, or a spread board.
US08876582B2
A ventilation device comprises: a body, a fan disposed In the body, and an adapter connected with an air outlet of the body. Two or more pipe coupling parts are disposed in sequence from a side of an air Inlet of the adapter to a side of an air outlet of the adapter, and each pipe coupling part is provided with a protruding circular ring with a diameter larger than that of the respective pipe coupling part at a root thereof. An air guide structure Is disposed in the adapter, a pipe is fitted over the pipe coupling part and Is abutted against the protruding circular ring located at the root to be fixed, and the air guide structure Is engaged to an inside of the protruding circular ring of the adapter.
US08876576B2
The present disclosure is related to a method for sharpening the tip of a microprobe, in particular a neural probe or an array of neuroprobes having a common base portion. The probes have a constant thickness and a chisel-shaped tip portion. The probes are attached to the slanted side of a wedge-shaped carrier, with the probe tips placed in close proximity to the edge of the carrier, for example extending over said edge. The base of the carrier is then subjected to a grinding step, possibly followed by a polishing step, so that the probe tips of the probes are ground to form a sharp pointed tip shape.
US08876574B2
A device for scattering confetti. The device may include a body, a container, coupled to the body, and having confetti disposed therein, and at least one retaining structure for maintaining the device in a hand of a person. A portion of the body may be disposed in the palm of the hand, while one or both of the body and the container may further include at least one component for releasing confetti from the container.
US08876573B2
A reconfigurable structure for use with toy vehicles is provided, the structure having a first tower structure having a plurality of floors each having an entrance and an exit; a lift movably secured to the first tower, the lift being positionable at any entrance of the plurality of floors of the first tower; a ramp movably secured to the first tower, the ramp being positionable at any exit of the plurality of floors of the first tower; a second tower structure having a plurality of floors each having an entrance and an exit; a lift movably secured to the second tower, the lift being positionable at any entrance of the plurality of floors of the second tower; a ramp movably secured to the second tower, the ramp being positionable at any exit of the plurality of floors of the second tower; and wherein the reconfigurable structure is capable of having a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the ramp of the first tower is configured to releasably engage the lift of the second tower when the reconfigurable structure is in the deployed configuration.
US08876563B2
A conductor crimp portion (11) before being crimped to a conductor (Wa) of an electric wire includes, in an inner surface (11R) of the conductor crimp portion (11), circular recesses (20) as serrations of the conductor crimp portion (11) scattered to be spaced from each other. The recesses (20) each has an inner bottom surface (20A) in a form of a hemispherical surface.
