US08947412B2
A display driving system includes a timing control section having an LVDS receiving unit for receiving data signals, a data processing unit for temporarily storing the data signals, processing the data signals and outputting processed data signals, a timing generation unit for generating clock signals and timing control signals, and a transmission unit for transmitting the data signals; and a panel driving section having row driving units for sequentially emitting gate signals toward a display panel and column driving units for receiving the signals transmitted through signal lines from the transmission unit and supplying the received signals to the display panel. In the timing control section, the transmission unit has driving parts which embed the clock signals between the data signals at the same level and generate and output single level transmission data.
US08947407B2
A distributed system for driving strings of series-connected LEDs for backlighting, display and lighting applications includes multiple intelligent satellite LED driver ICs connected to a an interface IC via serial bus. The interface IC translates information obtained from a host microcontroller into instructions for the satellite LED driver ICs pertaining to such parameters as duty factor, current levels, phase delay and fault settings. Fault conditions in the LED driver ICs can be transmitted back to the interface IC. An analog current sense feedback system which also links the LED driver ICs determines the supply voltage for the LED strings.
US08947406B2
A display method suitable for an image provided by a digital data file and/or a display method of a display device in which the image quality and power consumption are adjusted in accordance with the state of the display device or at user's request to display an image. The image is displayed on the display device in which a plurality of pixels having a pixel electrode connected to a switching element whose off-state current is reduced, using the image provided by the digital data file and data which is provided by the digital data file and is correlated to an operation of the display device.
US08947403B2
An image sensing module utilizes an image sensor to sense objects and a mirror image of the objects in a mirror through a plurality of first light filtering components with a first transmission spectrum and a plurality of second light filtering components with a second transmission spectrum for generating an image. A light filtering module substantially having the first transmission spectrum is disposed in front of the mirror. The image includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a first sub data and a second sub data. The image sensing module utilizes an image sensing controller to detect real images corresponding to the objects and virtual images correspond to the mirror image of the objects from the image according to the first sub data and the second sub data of the plurality of pixels.
US08947393B2
A resistive touch screen panel includes: a first substrate having a first side; a second substrate opposing the first substrate, the second substrate having a first side facing the first side of the first substrate; a plurality of detecting electrodes arranged in a first direction on the first side of the first substrate; a plurality of power electrodes arranged in a second direction that crosses the first direction on the first side of the second substrate; a power supply unit for supplying power to the power electrodes and the detecting electrodes; and a plurality of resistors between the power supply unit and the power electrodes, in which the resistors have resistances determined by 2nC (n is a nonnegative integer and C is a constant) and the resistances corresponding to different ones of the power electrodes are different.
US08947366B2
A capacitive touch panel including a substrate, a plurality of first touch pads, a plurality of first dummy pads, an insulator layer, a plurality of second touch pads, and a plurality of second dummy pads is provided. The first touch pads arranged along a first direction are electrically connected. Each first touch pad has at least a first opening. The insulator layer covers the first touch pads and the first dummy pads insulated therefrom. The second touch pads arranged along a second direction are electrically connected and each second touch pad has at least a second opening. The size of the second opening is substantially larger than that of each first dummy pad. The second dummy pads insulated from the second touch pads are disposed on the insulator layer above the first opening, wherein the size of the first opening is substantially larger than that of each second dummy pad.
US08947335B2
In method of driving a bistable nematic dot-matrix liquid crystal display panel, a first pulse voltage is applied to nematic liquid crystal molecules to raise the nematic liquid crystal molecules in the longitudinal direction. After application of the first pulse voltage, a second pulse voltage is applied to the nematic liquid crystal molecules for selecting one of two stable orientation states of the nematic liquid crystal molecules. Immediately after the application of the second pulse voltage, an AC pulse waveform of a voltage lower than a last pulse of the second pulse voltage is applied to thereby remove residual electric charges remaining in the bistable nematic dot-matrix liquid crystal display panel.
US08947328B2
The present invention specifies the characteristic of a driving transistor provided in a pixel and corrects a video signal to be inputted to the pixel based on the specification. As a result, a light emitting device and its driving method in which influence of fluctuation in characteristic among transistors is removed to obtain clear multi-gray scale are provided. The present invention can also provide a light emitting device and its driving method in which a change with age in amount of current flowing between two electrodes of a light emitting element is reduced to obtain clear multi-gray scale display.
US08947326B2
A pixel structure, driving method thereof and self-emitting display using the same is disclosed. The pixel structure includes four transistors and two capacitors to compensate illuminating effect in both of a non-synchronous display mode and a synchronous display mode.
US08947325B2
A display device having a first pixel electrode and a second pixel electrode whose areas are different from each other is provided. In the display device, the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode are electrically connected to a first transistor and a second transistor, respectively. Gates of the first transistor and the second transistor are electrically connected to each other. A potential is supplied to the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode through a wiring electrically connected to the first transistor and the second transistor.
US08947320B2
In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving a user input at a first display surface of an electronic device to move a graphical user interface element displayed at the first display surface. The electronic device includes a second display surface separated from the first display surface by a gap. The method also includes determining that at least a portion of the graphical user interface element is to be moved beyond an edge of the first display surface into the gap such that the at least a portion of the graphical user element will not be displayed at the first display surface. The method further includes displaying the at least a portion of the graphical user interface element at the second display surface based on a location and a direction of movement of the graphical user interface element at the first display surface.
US08947314B2
A mobile communication device includes an antenna structure having a dielectric substrate and an antenna. The dielectric substrate includes a ground portion, a first non-ground portion, and a second non-ground portion. The ground portion further includes a main ground and a protruded ground electrically connected to the main ground and extending between the first non-ground portion and the second non-ground portion. The first non-ground portion and the second non-ground portion are separated by the protruded ground. One edge of the protruded ground aligns with one edge of the dielectric substrate. The antenna includes a feeding portion located in the first non-ground portion and a radiating portion extending over the protruded ground and having a first end located in the first non-ground portion and electrically connected to the main ground and a second end of the radiating portion is located in the second non-ground portion and electrically connected to the main ground. There is a coupling gap between the radiating portion and the feeding portion in the first non-ground portion, and the radiating portion is excited by the capacitive coupling effect from the feeding portion.
US08947311B2
An antenna is realized by a simple mechanism without use of a dedicated antenna element. An antenna includes a first conductor 2b (2d) that has a first line length from a start point 4 to a folded point 3; and a second conductor 2b (2d) that has a second line length in a direction from the folded point 3 to the start point 4 and is electrically connected to the first conductor at the folded point 3. A first received signal with a first frequency is received with a first antenna length including both the first line length and the second line length. A second received signal with a second frequency is received with a second antenna length including only one of the first line length and the second line length.
US08947310B2
A dual-band antenna utilized in a wireless communication device for receiving or transmitting wireless signals of a first frequency band and a second frequency band includes a rectangular metal plane formed with a slot structure substantially extending from a first side to a second side of the rectangular metal plane, a feeding terminal formed on the rectangular metal plane, and a grounding element, disposed on a third side or a fourth side of the rectangular metal plane, for electrically connecting the rectangular metal plane and a system ground of the wireless communication device, wherein the first side is substantially parallel to the second side, the third side is substantially parallel to the fourth side, and the first side is substantially perpendicular to the third side or the fourth side.
US08947309B2
An antenna device, in which a dipole antenna (110), a first monopole antenna, and a second monopole antenna are disposed on an insulating board (140), wherein the dipole antenna (110) includes left and right elements connected to a power feeding section (150), and the left and right elements have: first portions extended from the power feeding section in a state of facing each other; and second portions extended from the first portions separately to left and right sides, and the first monopole antenna (120) connects to the power feeding section and extends toward the second portion of the left element in the dipole antenna (110), and the second monopole antenna (130) connects to the power feeding section (150) and extended toward the second portion of the right element of the dipole antenna (110).
US08947303B2
An electronic device such as a handheld device may have a rectangular housing with a rectangular periphery. A conductive peripheral housing member may run along the rectangular periphery and may surround the rectangular housing. Radio-frequency transceiver circuitry within the electronic device may be coupled to antenna structures for transmitting and receiving radio-frequency signals. The conductive peripheral housing member may form part of the antenna structures. A gap in the conductive peripheral housing member may be filled with dielectric. The conductive peripheral housing member may be configured to form a recess. The recess may have the shape of a rectangle, oval, diamond, or other shape that overlaps and is bisected by the gap. The recess may also have the shape of a groove that extends around the entire periphery of the housing. The dielectric in the recess may include one or more different materials such as clear and opaque polymers.
US08947300B2
Control and feature systems for processing signals from a satellite positioning system include an expert system receiver manager; a joint detection, carrier centering and bit sync acquisition subsystem; peak detection; a multi-dimensional measurement interpolation subsystem; a system for mode switching between a navigational signal; and power control module for receiver.
US08947299B2
Measuring a location of a communication terminal using a wireless local area network access point based on location coordinates of the access points and global positioning system (GPS) location information of the communication terminal.
US08947298B2
A GNSS receiver includes: a first correlation peak detecting unit (1102) that detects a peak of a correlation value between a positioning signal and a C/A code replica signal; a second correlation peak detecting unit (1104) that detects a peak of the correlation value through a multipath error reduction technique; a signal intensity detecting unit (110, 112) that detects a signal intensity of the positioning signal; a switching unit (108) that inputs the positioning signal to the second correlation peak detecting unit (1104) when the signal intensity is higher than or equal to a threshold, and inputs the positioning signal to the first correlation peak detecting unit (1102) when the signal intensity is lower than the threshold; a pseudo-range calculation unit (114) that calculates a pseudo-range based on the detected correlation peak; and a positioning calculation unit (116) that calculates a location of the GNSS receiver based on the pseudo-range.
US08947286B2
An analog/digital converter includes: a first analog/digital conversion unit that performs digital conversion on received first analog input voltage in a first time period; a second analog/digital conversion unit that performs digital conversion on received second analog input voltage in a second time period that is different from the first time period; and a first coupling capacitor that connects the first analog/digital conversion unit and the second analog/digital conversion unit, and wherein the second analog/digital conversion unit receives, through the first coupling capacitor, first residual voltage that is remaining voltage of the first analog input voltage on which digital conversion is performed in the first analog/digital conversion unit, as the second analog input voltage.
US08947269B2
A digital processor having a key input unit and a key input method are disclosed. The key unit includes: a base that is fixed at the central position of the key unit; a slider that horizontally moves in parallel to the horizontal plane of the base by the user's operation; a frame that supports the slider so as to horizontally move; and a restoration unit that gives a resistive force against the horizontal movement of the slider and restores the horizontally-moved slider to an original position. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the number of keys by increasing the number of information to be input by the use of a single key.
US08947267B2
A method for displaying information by means of a dual-view-display in a passenger-cabin of an air-/spacecraft, comprising the following steps: providing the dual-view-display on a predetermined portion of the passenger-cabin; providing first information by means of the dual-view-display, in such a way that said information can be perceived from a gangway between rows of seats of the passenger cabin; and simultaneously providing second information, different from the first information, by means of the dual-view-display, in such a way that said information can be perceived from one of the rows of seats. A display device for displaying information in a passenger-cabin of an air-/spacecraft, comprising a dual-view-display which is arranged on a predetermined portion of the passenger-cabin, the dual-view-display being configured to provide first and second information in the above described ways. A passenger-cabin for an air-/spacecraft comprising said display-device. An air-/spacecraft comprising said display-device or said passenger-cabin.
US08947265B2
A signal or lighting system synchronizes the flashing of multiple signal or lighting assemblies. When one of the assemblies is triggered, it broadcasts a temporally staggered sequence of signals, each signal instructing the receiving assemblies to initiate flashing of their beacons a given countdown time after that particular signal is transmitted. The countdown times of the various signals all count down to the same flashing start time so that the originating and receiving beacons all being flashing at the same time. The temporal diversity of the signals enhances the ability to overcome potential interference as at least one of the signals in the sequence is likely to be received by the destination assemblies.
US08947259B2
A vehicle wrong-way travel detection device includes a map information storage unit where map information is stored, a decision-making point setting unit that sets, based upon the map information stored in the map information storage unit, the connecting point located ahead along a subject vehicle traveling direction as a decision-making point, a wrong-way travel decision-making area setting unit that sets wrong-way travel decision-making areas for at least one of a plurality of roads connected to the decision-making point, and a wrong-way travel decision-making unit that makes a decision, based upon the direction of traffic flow set for a unidirectional traffic road connected to the decision-making point and the subject vehicle traveling direction, as to whether or not the subject vehicle is traveling against the flow of traffic on the unidirectional traffic road.
US08947257B2
Systems, methods, and apparatuses for reducing network congestion in a smart utility meter system are provided. The systems, methods, and apparatuses may include providing, for a utility meter, a first communications interface for communicating with a first network; providing, for the utility meter, a second communications interface for communicating with a second network different from the first network; receiving or generating, by the utility meter, information having a destination; selecting either the first communications interface or the second communications interface; and delivering the information to the destination via the selected communications interface.
US08947252B2
A device, system, and associated methods for the management of firearms for locating, tracking, monitoring, indentifying discharge, and related management tasks are disclosed. In one embodiment, a firearm is disclosed having a processor adapted for storing information and receiving and acting upon command and a location monitor adapted to provide specific geographic location information. The processor and location monitor can be integrally formed in a single electronic device. The firearm also includes a connectivity port and a connectivity cable. The system can also include a monitoring station and a configuration computer. In at least one embodiment, a firearm utilizes a processor and a GPS monitor for locating, tracking, monitoring, indentifying discharge, and related management tasks.
US08947251B2
A lifting apparatus for lifting and lowering loads, having a lifting arrangement, on which a load-bearing member is arrangeable, having a drive arrangement which moves the load-bearing member up and down, having a control arrangement which activates the drive arrangement and one or more lighting arrangements, wherein each lighting arrangement has a working-area lighting and an operating-state-display lighting for displaying at least one operating state, and in that each lighting arrangement is activated by the control arrangement in a working-area lighting mode or an operating-state display lighting mode or in both modes.
US08947250B2
An alert method in a portable terminal which includes: examining an output of a terminal condition detection unit, detecting a condition in which the portable terminal is tiled when an event to examine a designated condition is received or generated, obtaining the alert information from a memory which stores alert information of the designated condition and default alert information, and producing an alert by displaying information of the designated condition if the portable terminal is in the designated condition.
US08947244B2
In accordance with certain embodiments, a smoke detector utilizes broadband light with a plurality of wavelengths to determine the presence of smoke.
US08947242B2
This disclosure relates generally to valves, and more particularly, to gas valve assemblies. In one example, a valve leakage test may be performed on a valve assembly including a valve body with a first valve and a second valve, where the valves may be positioned across a fluid path in the valve body with an intermediate volume between the valves. A pressure sensor may be in fluid communication with the intermediate volume and may sense a measure that is related to the pressure in the intermediate volume. The pressure sensor may communicate with a controller to determine a measure that is related to a pressure change in the intermediate volume and compare the measure that is related to a pressure change to a first and/or second threshold value. The controller may output a signal if the measure meets and/or exceeds the first and/or second threshold value.
US08947241B2
An animal tracking apparatus includes a location determining component; a sensor operable to sense a condition of the animal; memory; and a processor. The processor is operable to automatically store location information corresponding to the current geographic location of the apparatus in response to a sensed condition of the animal. The processor is also operable to monitor the sensor to identify a desired response to a received command and to store response information corresponding to the response.
US08947236B2
An RFID device for sensing the properties of a material in proximity to a UHF tag. The RFID device includes a microchip, an antenna operatively coupled to the microchip, and an impedance transforming section operatively coupled to the microchip and to the antenna. Changing an electrical characteristic of at least one component of the RFID device results in a complex reflected signal at a reader device representing a sensed state of a material in proximity to the RFID device.
US08947232B2
An intrusion detection system for monitoring a premises includes at least one optical cable that houses at least one optical fiber and extends about the premises. Optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) means is operably coupled to opposite first and second ends of the at least one optical fiber. The OTDR means includes first signal processing circuitry that analyzes the backscatter signal received via the first end of the at least one optical fiber in order to detect an intrusion of the premises, and second signal processing circuitry that analyzes the backscatter signal received via the second end of the at least one optical fiber in order to detect an intrusion of the premises. The redundancy of intrusions decisions made by the first and second signal processing circuitry can be verified. The system preferably further includes means for detecting a break in the at least one fiber, for identifying location of the break, for outputting to a user the location of the break, and for raising an alarm indicating the break.
US08947230B1
An environmental monitoring device that includes an acoustic sensor is described. During operation of the environmental monitoring device, the acoustic sensor provides acoustic data based on measurements of sound in an external environment that includes the environmental monitoring device. Based on the acoustic data, a control mechanism determines if an alarm device, which is separate from the environmental monitoring device, is activated. For example, the environmental monitoring device may determine if a smoke detector is activated based on measurements of sound, such as a temporal 3 acoustic pattern. In addition, a sensor mechanism in the environmental monitoring device may provide sensor data based on measurements of an environmental condition in the external environment. The control mechanism may use the sensor data to assess a degree of threat in the external environment, and the environmental monitoring device may output different audible sounds as the degree of threat changes.
US08947220B2
Speech recognition in a vehicle through an extrinsic device includes detecting, via the vehicle, a presence of a mobile communications device that is configured with a speech recognition component. A vehicle processor encodes data lists stored in the vehicle and transmits the data lists and a vehicle identifier to the mobile communications device. In response to receiving a request to initiate a voice recognition session, the vehicle transmits the request and the vehicle identifier to the mobile communications device that causes activation of the speech recognition component. The mobile communications device retrieves the data lists via the identifier. In response to a voice command received by the speech recognition component, the speech recognition component interprets the voice command, determines an action by evaluating the voice command in view of the data lists, and transmits an instruction to the vehicle processor directing the vehicle to implement the action.
US08947219B2
A warning system for a motor vehicle includes a head up display. The warning system detects a remote vehicle that presents a potential hazard to a host vehicle, determines if the remote vehicle is visible to the driver and displays an image onto a combiner of the heads up display corresponding to a current location of the remote vehicle or a future location where the remote vehicle will appear on the combiner. In some cases, the combiner is a windshield or window of the motor vehicle.
US08947216B2
A system is provided that encodes one or more dynamic haptic effects. The system defines a dynamic haptic effect as including a plurality of key frames, where each key frame includes an interpolant value and a corresponding haptic effect. An interpolant value is a value that specifies where an interpolation occurs. The system generates a haptic effect file, and stores the dynamic haptic effect within the haptic effect file.
US08947214B2
The anti-identity theft and information security system process includes storing secure information in association with an electronic device having a communication circuit for sending and receiving data. Biometric information is read with a scanner so that the identity of a user can be authenticating in connection with the supplied biometric information. Once approved, a data communication line is established with a remote device and access to the secure information is unlocked. Thereafter, the secure information may be transmitted between the electronic device and the remote device.
US08947212B2
An active electronic tag and a signal modulation method are provided herein. The active electronic tag includes an antenna, a first amplifier, an automatic gain control circuit, a phase synchronization locking circuit, a control unit, a tag unit and a second amplifier. The antenna receives a detecting signal transmitted from a reader, in which the detecting signal is carried on a first carrier. The phase synchronization locking circuit generates a second carrier. The control unit generates a response signal, in which the response signal is carried on the second carrier. By utilizing a phase difference of the first carrier and the second carrier, the response signal cancels the first carrier on the reader so as to transmit the information stored in the active electronic tag.
US08947211B2
A communication data protection method based on symmetric key encryption, and an apparatus for enabling the method are provided. A communication data protection method using a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) reader, the method including: receiving, from a tag, tag information including security parameter information and an encrypted Unique Item Identifier (UII); extracting the UII based on the security parameter information; transmitting, to the tag, a request message including a challenge value for replay prevention; and performing a tag authentication by receiving, from the tag, a response message including a handle and the challenge value.
US08947209B2
A radio frequency identification (RFID) system employs multiple band transmission to prevent signal collision. The system includes a plurality of RFID tag groups and at least one RFID reader. Each RFID tag group includes at least one RFID tag. The RFID tags of the same RFID tag group are operated for radio frequency transmission in the same transmission frequency band, and those of different RFID tag groups are operated for radio frequency transmission in different transmission frequency bands. When the RFID reader simultaneously receives radio frequency signals issued from RFID tags of different RFID tag groups, since they are transmitted in different transmission frequency bands, signal collision among the RFID tags of the RFID tag groups can be avoided.
US08947196B2
The invention relates to a method for evaluating the authenticity of peripheral devices of a self-service machine having an operating system that provides at least one global mutex, having software layers, that are arranged on the operating system, having processes that run on the self-service machine and that access the operating system and/or the software layers, comprising the steps of: evaluating of authenticity of a connected peripheral device by a first process; if it was determined during the evaluation that the peripheral device could not be authenticated, setting of the mutex; evaluating the mutex by a second process based on an event and, if the mutex is set, switching the self-service machine to an error state.
US08947191B2
A small reactor capable of appropriately measuring the temperature of a coil is provided. The reactor includes a coil 2 including a pair of coil elements 2a and 2b and a magnetic core including a pair of inner core portions 31 disposed in the respective coil elements 2a and 2b and outer core portions that connect the inner core portions 31 to form a closed magnetic circuit. Each of the coil elements 2a and 2b has an end face shape having a rounded corner portion 21, which is a corner portion of a rectangle that is rounded. A temperature sensor 7 is disposed in a trapezoidal space between the rounded corner portions 21 of the coil elements 2a and 2b that face each other. The temperature sensor 7 is pressed so as to contact the rounded corner portions 21 by the sensor holder portion 54 provided on an insulator, and is capable of appropriately measuring the temperature of the coil 2. When the temperature sensor 7 is disposed in a region in which the inner core portions 31 are not disposed in the respective coil elements 2a and 2b, the coil elements 2a and 2b can be positioned near each other and the size of the reactor can be reduced.
US08947187B2
The invention comprises an electrical apparatus and method of manufacture. The apparatus includes a substantially annular inductor comprising an inductor core composed of at least a distributed gap material. The distributed gap material includes particles of alternating layers of magnetic and non-magnetic materials separated by a gap material. The particles comprise an average layer thickness of less than about one hundred micrometers, where a majority of said layered particles comprise an average cross sectional size of less than about one millimeter. The inductor is cooled using at least one of: a thermally conductive potting material, a liquid coolant in direct contact with the inductor, a cooling line through the potting material or liquid coolant, and a chill coil in a container about the potting material and/or the liquid coolant.
US08947186B2
Described herein are improved configurations for a wireless power transfer. Described are methods and designs to reduce and manage heating and heat dissipation in resonator structures. Configuration and orientation of magnetic material as well as heat sinking material with respect to the dipole moment of the resonator is used to reduce and control thermal properties of the resonator structure and reduce the effects of heating on the performance of wireless power transfer.
US08947183B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a contact switching device that does not require proficiency for brazing a metal component to a through-hole of a sealed container made of ceramic, and is excellent in impact resistance. For this, there is provided a contact switching device that drives a contact mechanical portion arranged inside a sealed space to switch contacts, based on excitation and degauss of an electromagnet portion arranged outside the sealed space. Particularly, a ceramic plate (131) holding a fixed contact terminal (133) of the contact mechanical portion, and a first metal component are bonded and integrated to form the sealed space, and an outer circumferential portion of a vent pipe (134) is brazed through a metal ring portion (172a) arranged along an opening edge portion of a through-hole (131b) provided in the ceramic plate (131).
US08947176B2
An electromechanical resonator produced on a substrate, and a method of producing thereof, including: a suspended structure produced at least partly from the substrate, configured to have a vibration imparted to it such that it resonates at least one natural resonance frequency of the suspended structure; an anchor structure to anchor the suspended structure, by at least one area of its periphery, to the remainder of the substrate, and dimensioned to resonate at the resonance frequency; a mechanism to excite the suspended structure, to cause it to vibrate at the resonance frequency; and a mechanism to detect the vibration frequency of the suspended structure.
US08947154B1
An electronic circuit comprising a driver and a main transistor are provided. The driver may include a bias voltage generator, a supplementary transistor, and an output driver. The bias voltage generator may be configured to receive a voltage input and generate a biased voltage output based on the voltage input. The supplementary transistor may have a gate coupled to the biased voltage output of the bias voltage generator, and a source of the supplementary transistor providing a current to the bias voltage generator. The output driver may be configured to receive the biased voltage output from the bias voltage generator and the voltage input, receive the voltage input, and output a drive voltage. The main transistor of the electronic circuit may have a gate, a coupled to the drive voltage, and a drain coupled to a drain of the supplementary transistor.
US08947153B2
An object is to provide a semiconductor device that can realize a function of a thyristor without complication of the process. A semiconductor device including a memory circuit that stores a predetermined potential by reset operation and initialization operation is provided with a circuit that rewrite data in the memory circuit in accordance with supply of a trigger signal. The semiconductor device has a structure in which a current flowing through the semiconductor device is supplied to a load by rewriting data in the memory circuit, and thus can function as a thyristor.
US08947151B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a frequency mixing circuit and a method for suppressing local oscillation leakage in the frequency mixing circuit, where a mixed input signal and a local oscillation signal are involved, and local oscillation leakage can be effectively reduced by using a frequency mixing circuit whose structure is simpler and is easier to be implemented. The frequency mixing circuit includes a direct current bias circuit, where the direct current bias circuit includes a direct current bias voltage source used for reducing a local oscillation current. The frequency mixing circuit is mainly applied to frequency mixing, and especially to a case where an intermediate frequency signal is mixed with a local oscillation signal to output a radio frequency signal.
US08947149B1
Embodiments of a clock distribution device and a method of clock distribution are described. In one embodiment, a clock distribution device includes a stacked clock driver circuit configured to perform clock signal charge recycling on input clock signals that swing between different voltage ranges and a load circuit. The stacked clock driver circuit includes stacked driver circuits configured to generate output clock signals that swing between the different voltage ranges. The load circuit includes load networks of different semiconductor types. Each of the load networks are configured to be driven by one of the output clock signals. Other embodiments are also described.
US08947144B2
Apparatuses and methods for duty cycle adjustment are disclosed herein. An example apparatus may include a node, a phase mixer, and a duty cycle adjuster circuit. The phase mixer may have a first step duty cycle response and may be configured to provide a first output signal to the node in accordance with the first step duty cycle response. The duty cycle adjuster circuit may have a second step duty cycle response complementary to the first step duty cycle response and may be configured to provide a second signal to the node in accordance with the second step duty cycle response.
US08947142B2
A resistive divider circuit may be operatively coupled with a modulated resistor circuit, wherein the resistive divider circuit and the modulated resistor circuit for an effective resistor circuit providing an effective attenuation. A variable duty cycle signal modulates the modulated resistor circuit to control the effective attenuation.
US08947136B2
System and method for signal synchronization. The system includes a first selection component, a first signal generator, a second signal generator and a first gate drive component. The first selection component is configured to receive a first mode signal and generate a first selection signal based on at least information associated with the first mode signal. The first signal generator is configured to, if the first selection signal satisfies one or more first conditions, receive a first input signal and generate at least a first clock signal based on at least information associated with the first input signal. Furthermore, the first gate drive component is configured to, if the first selection signal satisfies the one or more first conditions, receive at least the first clock signal and output a first drive signal to a first switch.
US08947125B2
A comparator circuit comprising an operational amplifier configured to compare a difference between a switching voltage and a reference voltage, and a dynamically adjustable bias current generator coupled to the operational amplifier. A method of conserving power in a comparator circuit includes estimating a switching regulator load current value, communicating the value to a current bias generator, enabling the bias generator with a signal from a switching regulator PFM logic circuit, and establishing a bias current at an operational amplifier of the comparator circuit on the basis of the enabling.
US08947124B2
An integrated circuit device comprising first circuitry including first logic devices and a clock tree for distributing a clock signal to the first logic devices and second circuitry comprising second logic devices, a first clock gater and a second clock gater. The first and second clock gaters comprise a programmable delay circuit.
US08947123B2
Wave Dynamic Differential Logic (WDDL) is provided, wherein a differential logic stage is pre-charged or pre-discharged by a previous logic stage, such as, for example, a previous SDDL stage, a WDDL stage, etc. In one embodiment, a Divided Wave Dynamic Differential Logic (DWDDL) is provided wherein a WDDL circuit is conveniently implemented as dual logic trees.
US08947122B2
A latch circuit and method includes providing a first tri-gate non-volatile device, providing a second tri-gate non-volatile device, coupling the first tri-gate non-volatile device to the second tri-gate non-volatile device, erasing the first tri-gate non-volatile device, programming the second tri-gate non-volatile device, and latching an output node of the latch device to a logic state determined by respective thresholds of the first and second tri-gate non-volatile devices. Coupling the first tri-gate non-volatile device to the second tri-gate non-volatile device can include direct coupling, or indirect coupling through a cross-coupled circuit.
US08947117B2
Disclosed is a signal transmission circuit device (200) including a feedback signal transmission unit (210) that feeds back a control output signal (Sout) as a feedback signal (Sf) to an input side circuit (200A). A logical comparison circuit (212) detects “mismatch” between input and output by performing logical comparison between a control input signal (Sin) and the feedback signal (Sf). When a state of “mismatch” between input and output occurs, a first pulse generating circuit (202) or a second pulse generating circuit (204) outputs a first correction signal (Sa1) or a second correction signal (Sa2) corresponding to a potential (high level or low level) of the control input signal (Sin), and corrects the control output signal (Sout) to the same potential (high level or low level) as the control input signal (Sin). With such configuration, the mismatch between input and output can be automatically corrected.
US08947111B2
A multi-functional precious stone testing apparatus includes a portable housing, a testing unit, and an indication unit. The portable housing includes a hand-held casing and a probe casing extended from a front end of the hand-held casing. The testing unit includes a conductive probe having a testing end portion extended out of a tip end of the probe casing for contacting a testing object to determine a conductivity of the testing object. The indication unit includes a LED light unit received in the hand-held casing for illuminating the testing end portion of the conductive probe during testing, wherein the LED light unit is positioned away from the tip end of the probe casing for preventing heat generated from the LED light unit being transmitted toward the conductive probe to affect an accurate measurement for the conductivity of the testing object.
US08947102B1
Soil water content and bulk electrical conductivity may be determined by time domain reflectometry at multiple depths in the soil such that the entire soil profile from the surface to a user-selected depth may be characterized. A short rise-time pulse is passed into an electrode and the reflected pulse is captured at multiple times. A waveform of reflection coefficient versus time is determined, which may be used to determine the pulse travel time, effective frequency and reflection coefficients at times necessary for the determination of the soil water content and bulk electrical conductivity.
US08947092B2
A method for analyzing a subterranean formation porosity is disclosed. The apparent dielectric constant of the subterranean formation and an apparent resistivity of the subterranean formation are measured. The measured values are used to determine a measured formation loss tangent. The formation water loss tangent can be expressed by the water dielectric constant and the water resistivity. The measured formation loss tangent and the formation water loss tangent are then used to determine at least one of an actual dielectric constant of the subterranean formation water and an actual resistivity of the subterranean formation water. The actual formation porosity may be obtained using the estimated water resistivity and water dielectric constant.
US08947089B2
A measured error magnetic field distribution is divided into eigen-mode components obtained by a singular decomposition and iron piece arrangements corresponding to respective modes are combined and arranged on a shim-tray. An eigen-mode to be corrected is selected in accordance with an attainable magnetic field accuracy (homogeneity) and appropriateness of arranged volume of the iron pieces. Because the adjustment can be made with the attainable magnetic field accuracy (homogeneity) being known, an erroneous adjustment can also be known, and the adjustment is automatically done during repeated adjustments. As a result, an apparatus with a high accuracy can be provided. In addition, there is an advantageous effect of being able to detect a poor magnet earlier by checking the attainable homogeneity.
US08947087B2
A magnetic resonance apparatus for examination in THE teeth and/or jaw region of a patient has at least one basic magnet to generate a constant basic magnetic field. The basic magnet is formed at least in part from at least one magnetic coil pair with at least two magnetic coils, and the at least one magnetic coil pair generates the basic magnetic field with a homogeneous magnetic field region between the at least two magnetic coils thereof.
US08947074B1
An inductive position sensor uses three independent inductors inductively coupled by a common medium such as air. First and second inductors are separated by a fixed distance with the first inductor's axial core and second inductor's axial core maintained parallel to one another. A third inductor is disposed between the first and second inductors with the third inductor's axial core being maintained parallel to those of the first and second inductors. The combination of the first and second inductors are configured for relative movement with the third inductor's axial core remaining parallel to those of the first and second inductors as distance changes from the third inductor to each of the first inductor and second inductor. An oscillating current can be supplied to at least one of the three inductors, while voltage induced in at least one of the three inductors not supplied with the oscillating current is measured.
US08947072B2
Provided is a technique for mass-producing a conductor to which is fixed a current detection head that detects the value of current flowing in the conductor, and in which the relationship between the detection value and the current value is stabilized. The head comprises a lens, a magneto-optical element, a conductor, and a fixing member, and the lens, the magneto-optical element, and the conductor are respectively fixed to the fixing member. An optical system is formed using the current detection head such that light is guided through the lens to the magneto-optical element, and light affected by a magneto-optical effect due to the magneto-optical element is guided to the lens. All of the members contributing to current detection are fixed to the fixing member, and therefore the relative positional relationships of all the members contributing to current detection are uniquely determined, enabling conductors with little variation in current detection characteristics to be mass-produced. A shape for determining the positional relationship between the fixing member and the conductor may be formed therebetween in advance, and the positioned current detection head and conductor may be fixed to obtain the conductor.
US08947065B2
A DC-DC controller and a control method thereof are provided. The DC-DC controller is coupled to an output stage. The output stage receives an input voltage and provides an output voltage. The DC-DC controller includes a transient boost circuit, a ramp oscillator, a combination logic circuit, a first comparator and a pulse width modulation (PWM) generator. The transient boost circuit generates an adjusting signal according to a variation of the output voltage. The combination logic circuit controls the ramp oscillator to generate a ramp signal according to the adjusting signal. The first comparator generates a first signal according to the ramp signal and an outputted feedback voltage related to the output voltage. The PWM generator generates a PWM signal according to the first signal, so as to control the operations of the output stage.
US08947060B2
An embodiment of the invention relates to a power converter formed with an error amplifier and a related method. In an embodiment, a first switch is coupled in series with an error amplifier compensation capacitor. Upon detection of a current level greater than a threshold level, the compensation capacitor is decoupled from the error amplifier by opening the first switch. In an embodiment, a second switch is coupled in parallel with the compensation capacitor, and the current-sensing circuit enables conductivity of the second switch to discharge the compensation capacitor upon detection of the current level greater than the threshold level. The second switch is opened upon detection of the current level less than the threshold level. In an embodiment, the current-sensing circuit controls an output current of the power converter at a current-limit level upon detection of the internal current level greater than the threshold level.
US08947057B2
The disclosed methodology for buck-boost inverted voltage conversion uses a boost stage coupled to a charge pump stage at a switch node controlled by a transistor switch coupled between the switch node and ground. The boost stage includes a boost inductor coupled between an input supply voltage and the switch node, and the charge pump stage includes a charge pump capacitor coupled between the switch node and a pump node which is coupled to the load and an output capacitor in parallel with the load. The regulated inverted output voltage is supplied to the output capacitor and the load by: (a) in a first phase, switching the transistor switch to conducting to couple the switch node to ground, and thereby (i) transferring energy from a source of input voltage source to the boost inductor, and (ii) transferring energy from a charge pump capacitor to the output node, and (b) in the second phase, switching the transistor switch to non-conducting and clamping the charge pump capacitor at a positive reference voltage, and thereby transferring energy from the boost inductor to the charge pump capacitor. In one embodiment, the positive reference voltage is the input voltage (i.e., during the second phase, the charge pump capacitor is clamped to the input voltage).
US08947051B2
A storage capacity management system includes an upper limit terminal voltage inducing part for inducing an upper limit terminal voltage, a lower limit terminal voltage inducing part for inducing a lower limit terminal voltage, an upper and lower limit voltage width calculating part for calculating an upper and lower limit voltage width, an intermediate voltage difference calculating part for calculating an intermediate voltage difference, an upper and lower limit voltage ratio calculating part for calculating an upper and lower limit voltage difference, an intermediate determination voltage ratio inducing part, a voltage ratio comparing part, and an intermediate storage capacity inducing part for inducing an intermediate storage capacity based on the upper limit storage capacity, the lower limit storage capacity and the intermediate determination voltage ratio when the results of the comparison by the voltage ratio comparing part satisfy a predetermined condition.
US08947048B2
A power supply system includes a first charge storage. A series circuit with a plurality of n charge storage modules is connected between load terminals. A second charge storage includes load terminals. A charge transfer arrangement includes at least one charge transfer unit coupled between one of the charge storage modules and the load terminals of the second charge storage. The charge transfer arrangement is configured to transfer upon request electrical charge from the one charge storage module to the second charge storage.
US08947047B2
A system and method for improved efficiency and flexibility in inductive charging. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a base unit having one or more primary coils, wherein each primary coil is configured so that when a current is passed through it, a magnetic field is generated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the primary coil; one or more secondary coils or receivers associated with one or more mobile device; and one or more components within the base unit and/or the mobile device, for improving efficiency and/or flexibility in inductive charging. When the one or more mobile device is placed in proximity to the base unit, the perpendicular magnetic field is used to inductively generate a current in the one or more secondary coils or receivers associated therewith, to charge or power the device.
US08947039B2
A solar powered hybrid power system including a solar charge collector; a charge storage system comprising at least a first charge storage device adapted to receive and store charge from said solar charge collector; wherein said charge storage system further comprises a power electronic circuit selectively connectable to at least a second charge storage device, said power electronic circuit adapted to transfer said stored charge to said at least a second charge storage device at a selectable voltage level.
US08947035B2
A rotation speed control circuit is disclosed. The rotation speed control circuit includes a temperature-controlled voltage duty generator, a pulse-width signal duty generator, a multiplier and a rotation speed signal generator. The temperature-controlled voltage duty generator converts temperature-controlled voltage to digital temperature-controlled voltage and executes linear interpolation operation according to a first setting data so as to output temperature-controlled voltage duty signal. The pulse-width signal duty generator coverts pulse-width input signal to a digital pulse-width input signal and executes linear interpolation operation according to a second setting data so as to output a pulse-width duty signal. The temperature-controlled voltage duty signal and the pulse-width duty signal are executed for multiplication by the multiplier so as to output mixing-duty signal. The rotation speed generator receives the mixing-duty signal and a third setting data, and executes a minimum output duty operation so as to output a pulse-width output signal.
US08947031B1
A method for operating a direct current (DC) motor is shown and described. The method includes using pulse width modulated (PWM) DC output to control the speed of the DC motor. The method further includes sensing current output to the motor. When the sensed current exceeds a threshold, the method holds the PWM DC output off.
US08947023B2
In a memory, the surface temperature and the internal resistance of an assembled battery detected under the condition where a difference between the surface and the internal temperature is within a predetermined value are stored, and an internal temperature diagnosis unit that diagnoses whether or not the internal temperature estimated by an internal temperature estimation unit is correct, detects the internal resistance with an internal resistance calculation unit when the internal temperature estimation unit estimates the internal temperature, searches for an internal resistance corresponding to the surface temperature equal to the estimated internal temperature value from among the stored internal resistances, and diagnoses the estimated internal temperature value based upon the result of comparison of a search result of the internal resistance and the internal resistance detected during internal temperature estimation.
US08947020B1
A light fixture includes a ballast and a plurality of lamps connected to the ballast in parallel. The ballast provides an output signal to the plurality of lamps as a function of a 1st steady state condition. When the ballast senses an end-of-life condition for a lamp of the plurality of lamps, the ballast increases the frequency of the output signal provided to the plurality of lamps until the lamp ceases to conduct current. When the lamp ceases to conduct current, the ballast decreases the frequency of the output signal to a frequency determined as a function of a 2nd steady state condition different from the 1st steady state condition. A total current of the 2nd steady state condition is proportional to a total current of the 1st steady state condition as a function of the number of lamps exhibiting an end-of-life condition.
US08947017B2
A circuit for lighting a semiconductor light source is provided. The circuit includes: a switching regulator including a switching element and configured to generate a drive current for the semiconductor light source using the switching element; and a control circuit configured to control on-off of the switching element such that the magnitude of the drive current comes close to a targeted value. The control circuit includes: a comparator configured to compare the magnitude of the drive current with the targeted value; an up/down counter configured to count a digital value in a counting-up direction or counting-down direction, based on a comparison result of the comparator; a digital-to-analog converter configured to convert the counted digital value into an analog signal; and a drive circuit configured to control on/off of the switching element based on the analog signal.
US08947015B1
A ballast includes a rectifier, DC to DC converter, a dimming sensor, and a light source driver circuit. The rectifier provides rectified power from an AC power source modified by a chopper dimmer. The converter includes a boost inductor having a primary winding and a detection winding. The converter receives the rectified power from the rectifier and provides a DC power rail. The dimming sensor monitors a voltage of the detection winding of the boost inductor and provides a dimming signal as a function of the monitored voltage. The light source driver circuit receives the dimming signal, receives the DC power rail, and provides power from the DC power rail to the light source as a function of the dimming signal. An amount of power provided to the light source by the light source driver circuit corresponds to a dimming level indicated by the dimming signal.
US08947012B2
Systems and methods are provided for regulating a string current flowing through a string of one or more light emitting diodes. A system controller includes a first controller terminal, a second controller terminal and a third controller terminal. The first controller terminal is coupled to a base terminal of a bipolar junction transistor, the bipolar junction transistor further including an emitter terminal and a collector terminal, the collector terminal being connected to the string of one or more light emitting diodes. The second controller terminal is coupled to the emitter terminal of the bipolar junction transistor and to a first resistor terminal of a resistor associated with a resistance. The third controller terminal is coupled to a second resistor terminal of the resistor. In addition, the system controller is configured to receive a reference voltage, receive an emitter voltage, and output a base current.
US08947004B2
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a plurality of load units, a plurality of serial-parallel switch units and a control module. The control module switches the serial-parallel switch units to a first state or a second state according to a level variation of an input voltage. Connection relations of the load units are correspondingly changed according to the level variation of the input voltage. In this way, the electronic device can be driven by an alternating-current voltage.
US08947003B2
Described herein is a circuit and method for independent control of series connected light emitting diodes (LEDs). The circuit includes a first light emitting diode (LED) connected in series with a second LED. A current source is connected in series with the first LED and the second LED and a shunt circuit is connected in parallel with the first LED and the second LED. The shunt circuit includes a pair of serially connected resistors. The shunt circuit prevents inadvertent excitement of the LEDs due to leakage currents but minimally affect illumination characteristics of the LEDs. A pair of transistors is connected to the first LED and the second LED, respectively, and is biased using a set of bias resistors. A tri-state control signal switches on and off the pair of transistors and enables excitation of the first LED, the second LED or both via the current source.
US08946993B2
Excimers are formed in a high pressure gas by applying a potential between a first electrode (14, 214) and a counter electrode (25, 226) so as to impose an electric field within the gas, or by introducing high energy electrons into the gas using an electron beam. A phosphor for converting the wavelength of radiation emitted from the formed excimers is disposed within the gas and outside a region (62, 162) where the excimers are expected to be formed, so as to avoid degradation of the phosphor.
US08946990B1
A vehicle headlight detection system includes a vehicle sensor, a light sensor, and a controller. The vehicle sensor is configured to detect a remote vehicle approaching the vehicle sensor. The light sensor is configured to detect a light output of the remote vehicle. The controller is programmed to determine, based on the light output detected by the light sensor, whether the light output of the remote vehicle meets a predetermined minimum condition when the vehicle sensor detects the remote vehicle, and programmed to communicate with an indicator to notify a driver of the remote vehicle when the light output of the remote vehicle does not meet the predetermined minimum condition.
US08946985B2
A flexible touch screen panel includes a substrate having flexibility, sensing electrodes on at least one surface of the substrate, and implemented using an opaque conductive metal, and a polarizing plate on the substrate having the sensing electrodes formed thereon. The sensing electrodes may be implemented in a mesh shape having a plurality of openings.
US08946983B2
A phosphor-containing sheet having a storage modulus of 0.1 MPa or more at 25° C. and a storage modulus of less than 0.1 MPa at 100° C., wherein a resin main component of the phosphor-containing sheet is a crosslinked product formed by subjecting a crosslinkable silicone composition containing a specific composition to a hydrosilylation reaction. This phosphor-containing sheet provides a phosphor sheet having good shapability and high adhesive power as a phosphor sheet bonded to an LED chip as a wavelength conversion layer.
US08946979B2
A high-pressure discharge lamp comprising a lamp base (3), a discharge vessel, and components of an ignition device for igniting the gas discharge in the discharge vessel of the high-pressure discharge lamp (1), wherein the lamp base (3) comprises an interior in which the components of the ignition device are disposed, wherein at least the high-voltage components (500, 510, 520) of the ignition device form an assembly (5) disposed in the interior of the lamp base and having a dedicated housing (50).
US08946975B2
A piezoelectric vibrating piece includes an excitation unit in a rectangular shape, a framing portion, and a connecting portion. The excitation unit includes two principal surfaces, a pair of excitation electrodes on the principal surfaces, a first side extending in a first direction, and a second side extending in a second direction. The second side is longer than the first side, and is perpendicular to the first direction. The framing portion surrounds the excitation unit. The connecting portion connects the excitation unit to the framing portion. The connecting portion has a third side which is connected to the first side and extends in the first direction and a fourth side which is connected to the framing portion and extends in the first direction. A thickness of the connecting portion is thinner than that of the framing portion. The third side has a different length from that of the fourth side.
US08946974B2
Piezoelectric fibers include a polypeptide wherein molecules of the polypeptide have electric dipole moments that are aligned such that the piezoelectric fiber provides a piezoelectric effect at an operating temperature. A piezoelectric component provides a plurality of piezoelectric fibers, each comprising an organic polymer. A method of producing piezoelectric fibers includes electrospinning a polymer solution to form a fiber and winding the fiber onto a rotating target in which the rotating target is electrically grounded. An acoustic sensor includes a plurality acoustic transducers, wherein the plurality of acoustic transducers are structured and arranged to detect a corresponding plurality of vector components of an acoustic signal, and at least one of the plurality of acoustic transducers comprises a piezoelectric fiber.
US08946948B2
A motor includes a cover made of a resin material. The cover includes a first annular portion arranged to extend in an annular shape above coils, a side wall portion arranged to extend downward from an outer circumferential portion of the first annular portion, and a second annular portion arranged to extend radially outward or radially inward from a lower end portion of the side wall portion along an upper surface of a circuit board. The side wall portion is arranged to extend in an axial direction while filling in gaps between teeth on a radially inner side of radially outer end surfaces of the teeth. The coils are covered by the cover to be protected from dust, water droplets, etc. The radially outer end surfaces of the teeth are exposed from the cover, and are thus arranged to be in radial proximity to a rotor magnet.
US08946945B2
A fabric product with a low powered activation device and a conductive arrangement, which includes a body having an outer covering which is soft and flexible to providing an outer skin surface and an inner skin surface, and defines a body receiving cavity. The low powered activation device is an electronic unit received inside the body receiving cavity which comprises a casing, a power source, an activation circuit, and an operator which is activated through the activation circuit. The conductive arrangement electrically connects between the electronic unit and the outer skin surface, which includes one or more conductive threads affixed on the inner skin surface, each having one end portion defining an activation control which penetrates through the inner skin surface to the outer skin surface, thereby when the activation control is contacted by a user, the activation circuit is activated to activate the operator of the electronic unit.
US08946936B2
An electromagnetic coupling device electromagnetically connects a door handle side circuit of a door handle with a door main body side circuit of a door main body. This electromagnetic coupling device includes a door handle side coupling unit, a door main body side coupling unit, a door handle side coupling unit, a handle side support unit that supports the door handle, and a connector body that supports the door main body side coupling unit in a vehicle door main body. The door handle side coupling unit is electromagnetically coupled with the door main body side coupling unit without making contact therewith. At least one of the handle side support unit and the connector body restricts the relative movement, caused by rotation of the door handle, of the door handle side coupling unit and the door main body side coupling unit.
US08946933B2
A power management apparatus and a method of operating the same are disclosed. The power management apparatus includes a power conversion unit, a first sensing unit, a second sensing unit, a switch unit, and a control unit. The power conversion unit converts output power generated from at least one renewable energy generation apparatus. The first sensing unit is provided to sense a first current and a first voltage and the second sensing unit is provided to sense a second current and a second voltage. The control unit acquires an output power generated from the renewable energy generation apparatus and acquires a feedback power to an AC utility according to the currents and the voltages when the control unit turns on the switch unit.
US08946932B2
The present invention provides a configurable dc-dc power converter module and method of manufacture for such module. The power converter module comprises an isolated subassembly with a capacitor bank, control circuits and an isolated power train that converts an input voltage to an intermediate bus voltage. The power module further comprises multiple non-isolated power trains electrically coupled to the isolated subassembly that are powered by the intermediate bus voltage to produce output voltages. The number of output voltages is determined by the number of populated non-isolated power trains, which may include all of the non-isolated power trains in the power module or a subset thereof. In one embodiment of the invention the non-isolated power trains are located on a carrier PWB that is electrically coupled to the bus PWB.
US08946931B2
A power converter includes a power conversion circuit switchably coupled to a first power input and a second power input. The power conversion circuit is operable to generate positive and negative DC output voltages and is configured such that, in a backup mode of operation, the negative DC output voltage is generated using backup power through a first current path of the power conversion circuit that includes a first diode coupled between the second power input and a second DC bus, and, in a line mode of operation, the negative DC output voltage is generated using AC input power through a second current path of the power conversion circuit that bypasses the first diode and includes a second diode coupled between the first power input and the second DC bus.
US08946923B2
A turbine system for wind and/or water power is characterized in that two radial turbines (1, 2) aligned next to each other and in parallel are arranged having a vertical axis of rotation, said radial turbines being connected to each other and being pivotable about a pivot axis (3) parallel to the turbine axes (18), wherein the pivot axis and a V-shaped wind distributor (3) are located outside the connecting line between the turbine axes and both on the same side of the connecting line.
US08946920B2
Various embodiments of linear electric generators and arrangements thereof are disclosed. One such generator includes a permanent magnetic array with magnets that are oriented such that like poles of the magnets are disposed adjacently to concentrate a magnetic field through a coil array. To enhance the magnetic field distribution, the magnets are affixed under a compressive strain due to repulsive forces resulting from proximity of the like poles. According to another aspect, a plurality of vibrational linear electric generators (VLEGs) can be arranged so that magnets of different VLEGs are oriented so that poles of opposite polarity are disposed adjacently to further enhance magnetic field concentration through coil arrays. In addition, a plurality of wave energy converters can be arranged in very close proximity, at most 8 times a height of a buoyant portion of the converters, to act as a seawall and thereby protect various structures from ocean waves.
US08946912B2
A semiconductor structure comprises a top metal layer, a bond pad formed on the top metal layer, a conductor formed below the top metal layer, and an insulation layer separating the conductor from the top metal layer. The top metal layer includes a sub-layer of relatively stiff material compared to the remaining portion of the top metal layer. The sub-layer of relatively stiff material is configured to distribute stresses over the insulation layer to reduce cracking in the insulation layer.
US08946904B2
A substrate comprising a plurality of layers, a first side and a second side; and a via extending through the substrate from the first side to the second side. The via comprises:a first substrate via extending through a first layer of the plurality of layers, the first substrate via having a first cross-sectional area; a first capture pad disposed under the first substrate via, wherein the first capture pad physically contacts the first substrate via; a second substrate via extending through a second layer of the plurality of layers, the second substrate via physically contacting the first capture pad, the second substrate via having a second cross-sectional area that is greater than the first cross-sectional area; and a second thermal and electrical contact pad disposed under the second dielectric layer, wherein the second contact pad physically contacts the second substrate via.
US08946900B2
X-line routing arrangements for dense multi-chip-package interconnects are described. In an example, an electronic signal routing structure includes a substrate. A plurality of layers of conductive traces is disposed above the substrate. A first pair of ground traces is disposed in a first of the plurality of layers of conductive traces. A signal trace is disposed in a second of the plurality of layers of conductive traces, below the first layer. A second pair of ground traces is disposed in a third of the plurality of layers of conductive traces, below the first layer. The first and second pairs of ground traces and the signal trace provide an X-pattern routing from a cross-sectional perspective.
US08946898B2
A semiconductor device including a first material layer adjacent to a second material layer, a first via passing through the first material layer and extending into the second material layer, and a second via extending into the first material layer, where along a common cross section parallel to an interface between the two material layers, the first via has a cross section larger than that of the second via.
US08946895B2
A semiconductor device having Cu wiring including a basic crystal structure which can reduce surface voids, and an inspecting technique for the semiconductor device. In the semiconductor device, surface voids can be reduced down to 1/10 or less of a current practical level by specifying a barrier layer and a seed layer and setting a proportion (frequency) of occupation of a coincidence site lattice (CSL) boundary having a grain boundary Sigma value 27 or less to all crystal grain boundaries of a Cu wiring to 60% or higher. Alternatively, a similar effect of surface void reduction can be obtained by specifying a barrier layer and a seed layer and setting a proportion (frequency) of occupation of a coincidence site lattice (CSL) boundary having a grain boundary Sigma value 3 to all crystal grain boundaries of a Cu wiring to 40% or higher.
US08946887B1
A package includes a first die and a second die underlying the first die and in a same first die stack as the first die. The second die includes a first portion overlapped by the first die, and a second portion not overlapped by the first die. A first Thermal Interface Material (TIM) is over and contacting a top surface of the first die. A heat dissipating lid has a first bottom surface contacting the first TIM. A second TIM is over and contacting the second portion of the second die. A heat dissipating ring is over and contacting the second TIM.
US08946884B2
A substrate-less interposer for a stacked silicon interconnect technology (SSIT) product, includes: a plurality of metallization layers, at least a bottom most layer of the metallization layers comprising a plurality of metal segments, wherein each of the plurality of metal segments is formed between a top surface and a bottom surface of the bottom most layer of the metallization layers, and the metal segments are separated by dielectric material in the bottom most layer; and a dielectric layer formed on the bottom surface of the bottom most layer, wherein the dielectric layer includes one or more openings for providing contact to the plurality of metal segments in the bottom most layer.
US08946883B2
A wafer level fan-out package with a fiducial die is disclosed and may include a semiconductor die and a transparent fiducial die both encapsulated in a molding compound resin, passivation layers on an upper surface and a lower surface of the molding compound resin except where redistribution layers are formed on upper and lower surfaces of the molding compound resin, and a metal pattern on a lower surface of the transparent fiducial die that is visible through an exposed upper surface of the transparent fiducial die. The pattern may comprise a standard coordinate for forming a through mold via utilizing laser drilling.
US08946880B2
A semiconductor system (100) has a first planar leadframe (101) with first leads (102) and pads (103) having attached electronic components (120), the first leadframe including a set of elongated leads (104) bent at an angle away from the plane of the first leadframe; a second planar leadframe (110) with second leads (112) and pads (113) having attached electronic components (114); the bent leads of the first leadframe conductively connected to the second leadframe, forming a conductively linked 3-dimensional network between components and leads in two planes; and packaging material (140) encapsulating the 3-dimensional network.
US08946879B2
Packages and methods for 3D integration are disclosed. In various embodiments, a first integrated device die having a hole is attached to a package substrate. A second integrated device die can be stacked on top of the first integrated device die. At least a portion of the second integrated device die can extend into the hole of the first integrated device die. By stacking the two dies such that the portion of the second integrated device die extends into the hole, the overall package height can advantageously be reduced.
US08946860B2
Semiconductor device structures and related fabrication methods are provided. An exemplary semiconductor device structure includes a collector region of semiconductor material having a first conductivity type, a base region of semiconductor material within the collector region, the base region having a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type, and a doped region of semiconductor material having the second conductivity type, wherein the doped region is electrically connected to the base region and the collector region resides between the base region and the doped region. In exemplary embodiments, the dopant concentration of the doped region is greater than a dopant concentration of the collector region to deplete the collector region as the electrical potential of the base region exceeds that of the collector region.
US08946855B2
A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes adjacent storage node contact plugs having different heights, and lower-electrode bowing profiles having different heights, such that a spatial margin between the lower electrodes is assured and a bridge fail is prevented, resulting in improved device operation characteristics. The semiconductor device includes a first storage node contact plug and a second storage node contact plug formed over a semiconductor substrate, wherein the second storage node contact plug is arranged at a height different from that of the first storage node contact plug, and a lower electrode formed over the first storage node contact plug and the second storage node contact plug.
US08946850B2
In one embodiment of an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit includes a power transistor with a power control terminal, a first power load terminal and a second power load terminal. The integrated circuit further includes an auxiliary transistor with an auxiliary control terminal, a first auxiliary load terminal and a second auxiliary load terminal. The first auxiliary load terminal is electrically coupled to the power control terminal. The integrated circuit further includes a capacitor with a first capacitor electrode, a second capacitor electrode and a capacitor dielectric layer. The capacitor dielectric layer includes at least one of a ferroelectric material and a paraelectric material. The first capacitor electrode is electrically coupled to the auxiliary control terminal.
US08946846B2
Conductive layer(s) in a thin film photovoltaic (TFPV) panel are divided by first scribe curves into photovoltaic cells connected in series. At least one of the layers is scribed to isolate a shunt defect in a cell from parts of that cell away from the defect. The isolation scribes can substantially follow or parallel current-flow lines established by the design of the panel. A TFPV panel can be altered by, using a controller, automatically locating a shunt defect and scribing at least one of the conductive layers along two spaced-apart second scribe curves. Each second scribe curve can intersect the two first scribe curves that bound the cell with the defect. The two second scribe curves can be on opposite sides of the defect.
US08946843B2
A solid-state image sensing device includes light-receiving regions and a color filter which transmits red light, a color filter which transmits blue light, and a color filter which transmits green light is provided. The color filters are arranged on a one-to-one basis above the light-receiving regions. Above the light-receiving region where the color filter which transmits red or blue light is arranged, a light-transmitting film, an antireflection film, a light-transmitting film, an antireflection film, and a light-transmitting film are arranged, in this order from the light-receiving region, between the light-receiving region and the color filter. Above the light-receiving region where the color filter which transmits green light is arranged, a light-transmitting film, an antireflection film, and a light-transmitting film are arranged, in this order from the light-receiving region, between the light-receiving region and the color filter. The antireflection films are higher in refractive index than the light-transmitting films.
US08946838B2
A radiation converter includes a directly converting semiconductor layer having grains whose interfaces predominantly run parallel to a drift direction—constrained by an electric field—of electrons liberated in the semiconductor layer. Charge carriers liberated by incident radiation quanta are accelerated in the electric field in the direction of the radiation incidence direction and on account of the columnar or pillar-like texture of the semiconductor layer, in comparison with the known radiation detectors, cross significantly fewer interfaces of the grains that are occupied by defect sites. This increases the charge carrier lifetime/mobility product in the direction of charge carrier transport. Consequently, it is possible to realize significantly thicker semiconductor layers for the counting and/or energy-selective detection of radiation quanta. This increases the absorptivity of the radiation converter which in turn makes it possible to reduce a radiation dose applied to the patient.
US08946837B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor storage device is disclosed. The device includes first magnetic layer, second magnetic layer, first nonmagnetic layer between them. The first magnetic layer includes a structure in which first magnetic material film, second magnetic material film, and nonmagnetic material film between the first and second magnetic material films are stacked. The first magnetic material film is nearest to the first nonmagnetic layer in the first magnetic layer. The nonmagnetic material film includes at least one of Ta, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Ti, V, Cr, W, Hf. The second magnetic material film includes stacked materials, including first magnetic material nearest to the first nonmagnetic layer among the stacked materials, and second magnetic material which is same magnetic material as the first magnetic material and has smaller thickness than the first magnetic material.
US08946833B2
A pressure sensor includes a first housing having a cavity. The pressure sensor further includes a pressure sensing device attached to a bottom of the cavity. The pressure sensor further includes a layer of gel over the pressure sensing device. The pressure sensor further includes a baffle in contact with the gel to reduce movement of the gel.
US08946832B2
A representative filter comprises a silicon-on-insulator substrate having a top surface, a metal shielding positioned above the top surface of the silicon-on-insulator substrate, and a band-pass filter device positioned above the metal shielding. The band-pass filter device includes a first port, a second port, and a coupling metal positioned between the first and second ports.
US08946824B2
A standard cell has gate patterns extending in Y direction and arranged at an equal pitch in X direction. End portions of the gate patterns are located at the same position in Y direction, and have an equal width in X direction. A diode cell is located next to the standard cell in Y direction, and includes a plurality of opposite end portions formed of gate patterns that are opposed to the end portions, in addition to a diffusion layer which functions as a diode.
US08946821B2
SRAM integrated circuits are provided having pull up and pull down transistors of an SRAM cell fabricated in and on a silicon substrate. A layer of insulating material overlies the pull up and pull down transistors. Pass gate transistors of the SRAM cell are fabricated in a semiconducting layer overlying the layer of insulating material.
US08946819B2
Silicon-on-insulator integrated circuits with local oxidation of silicon and methods for fabricating the same are provided. An integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of shallow trench isolation (STI) regions, each extending at least a first depth below an upper surface of the semiconductor substrate. The STI regions electrically isolate devices fabricated in the semiconductor substrate. The integrated circuit further includes a transistor that includes source and drain regions located in the semiconductor substrate, a gate dielectric layer located between the source and drain regions, and a local oxide layer located in a second portion of the semiconductor substrate and extending a second depth below the upper surface of the semiconductor substrate. The first depth is greater than the second depth. Still further, the integrated circuit includes a first gate electrode that extends over the gate dielectric layer and the local oxide layer.
US08946798B2
A backside illumination type solid-state imaging device includes stacked semiconductor chips which are formed such that two or more semiconductor chip units are bonded to each other, at least a first semiconductor chip unit is formed with a pixel array and a first multi-layered wiring layer, and a second semiconductor chip unit is formed with a logic circuit and a second multi-layered wiring layer, a connection wire which connects the first semiconductor chip unit and the second semiconductor chip unit, and a first shield wire which shields adjacent connection wires in one direction therebetween.
US08946795B2
Embodiments of a pixel including a photosensitive region formed in a surface of a substrate and an overflow drain formed in the surface of the substrate at a distance from the photosensitive area, an electrical bias of the overflow drain being variable and controllable. Embodiments of a pixel including a photosensitive region formed in a surface of a substrate, a source-follower transistor coupled to the photosensitive region, the source-follower transistor including a drain, and a doped bridge coupling the photosensitive region to the drain of the source-follower transistor.
US08946794B2
An image sensor includes a first device isolation layer separating a plurality of pixels from one another, and a second device isolation layer disposed along inner side surfaces of parts of the first device isolation layer that extend around the pixels. The second device isolation layer delimits an active region of the semiconductor substrate. Each pixel includes a photoelectric converter, a floating diffusion region, a ground region, and a gate of a transfer transistor. The gate extends into the active region of the semiconductor substrate. The ground region is electrically connected to a ground voltage terminal.
US08946787B2
Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide a reduced charge transistor arrangement. The capacitance and/or charge of a transistor structure may be reduced by minimizing an overlap of a top gate with respect to a drain of the transistor.
US08946786B2
A semiconductor substrate of a semiconductor device has a sensor region and an integrated circuit region, and a cavity is formed immediately under a surface layer portion of the sensor region. A capacitive acceleration sensor is formed on the sensor region by working a surface layer portion of the semiconductor substrate opposed to the cavity. The capacitive acceleration sensor includes an interdigital fixed electrode and an interdigital movable electrode. A CMIS transistor is formed on the integrated circuit region. The CMIS transistor includes a P-type well region and an N-type well region formed on the surface layer portion of the semiconductor substrate. A gate electrode is opposed to the respective ones of the P-type well region and the N-type well region through a gate insulating film formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate.
US08946784B2
A backside illuminated image sensor having a photodiode and a first transistor in a sensor region and located in a first substrate, with the first transistor electrically coupled to the photodiode. The image sensor has logic circuits formed in a second substrate. The second substrate is stacked on the first substrate and the logic circuits are coupled to the first transistor through bonding pads, the bonding pads disposed outside of the sensor region.
US08946783B2
An image sensor including a semiconductor layer including a plurality of unit pixels each including a photoelectric conversion device and read devices; and an insulating layer including a light-shielding pattern defining a light-receiving region and a light-shielding region of the semiconductor layer, the insulating layer covering one surface of the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer further includes a potential drain region formed adjacent to an interface between the semiconductor layer and an insulating layer in the light-shielding region, wherein electrons generated due to defects occurring at the interface are accumulated in the potential drain region. At least one of the unit pixels in the light-shielding region provides a drain path for draining the electrons accumulated in the potential drain region.
US08946782B2
A method of fabricating a FET device is provided that includes the following steps. A wafer is provided. At least one active area is formed in the wafer. A plurality of dummy gates is formed over the active area. Spaces between the dummy gates are filled with a dielectric gap fill material such that one or more keyholes are formed in the dielectric gap fill material between the dummy gates. The dummy gates are removed to reveal a plurality of gate canyons in the dielectric gap fill material. A mask is formed that divides at least one of the gate canyons, blocks off one or more of the keyholes and leaves one or more of the keyholes un-blocked. At least one gate stack material is deposited onto the wafer filling the gate canyons and the un-blocked keyholes. A FET device is also provided.
US08946780B2
A semiconductor device includes a first layer and a second layer over the first layer. The first and second layers are configured to form an electron gas layer at an interface of the first and second layers. The semiconductor device also includes an Ohmic contact and multiple conductive vias through the second layer. The conductive vias are configured to electrically couple the Ohmic contact to the electron gas layer. The conductive vias could have substantially vertical sidewalls or substantially sloped sidewalls, or the conductive vias could form a nano-textured surface on the Ohmic contact. The first layer could include Group III-nitride nucleation, buffer, and channel layers, and the second layer could include a Group III-nitride barrier layer.
US08946769B2
A lateral device includes a gate region connected to a drain region by a drift layer. An insulation region adjoins the drift layer between the gate region and the drain region. Permanent charges are embedded in the insulation region, sufficient to cause inversion in the insulation region.
US08946760B2
A semiconductor light emitting device includes a substrate having first and second electrode patterns on at least one surface thereof, a light emitting structure on a surface of the substrate, a first electrode structure, a second electrode structure, an insulating layer, a first connection portion connecting the first electrode structure and the first electrode pattern, and a second connection portion connecting the second electrode structure extending outwardly from the light emitting structure and the second electrode pattern.
US08946756B2
An optoelectronic semiconductor component (100) is specified, with a support (1) which has a mounting surface (11) and at least one penetration (3), where the penetration (3) extends from the mounting surface (11) to a bottom surface (12) of the support (1) that lies opposite the mounting surface (11); at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip (2), which is mounted on the mounting surface (11); a radiation-transparent casting body (5), which surrounds the at least one optoelectronic semiconductor chip (2) at least in places, where the casting body (5) is arranged at least in places in the penetration (3) of the support (1).
US08946743B2
Disclosed is a light emitting apparatus. The light emitting apparatus includes a package body; first and second electrodes; a light emitting device electrically connected to the first and second electrodes and including a first conductive semiconductor layer, a second conductive semiconductor layer, and an active layer between the first and second conductive semiconductor layers; and a lens supported on the package body and at least a part of the lens including a reflective structure. The package body includes a first cavity, one ends of the first and second electrodes are exposed in the first cavity and other ends of the first and second electrodes are exposed at lateral sides of the package body, and a second cavity is formed at a predetermined portion of the first electrode exposed in the first cavity.
US08946739B2
A device for medium wavelength infrared emission and a method for the manufacture thereof is provided. The device has a semiconductor substrate; a passive hermetic barrier disposed upon the substrate, and an emitter element disposed within said hermetic barrier; and a mirror.
US08946738B2
According to one embodiment, a light emitting device includes a semiconductor layer, a p-side electrode, an n-side electrode, a first insulating layer, a p-side interconnect layer, an n-side interconnect layer, and a second insulating layer. The portion of the second p-side interconnect layer has the L-shaped cross section being configured to include a p-side external terminal exposed from the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer at a third surface having a plane orientation different from the first surface and the second surface. The portion of the second n-side interconnect layer has the L-shaped cross section being configured to include an n-side external terminal exposed from the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer at the third surface.
US08946734B2
A method for making a light emitting module includes: a. providing a flexible substrate; b. forming a plurality of rigid portions in the flexible substrate; c. forming an electrically conductive layer on the rigid portions, the electrically conductive layer having several electrodes apart from each other; d. arranging a plurality of LED dies on the electrically conductive layer with each LED die striding over and electrically connected to two neighboring electrodes; e. forming an encapsulating layer to cover the LED dies; and f. cutting through the flexible substrate. At least one of above steps b, c, d, e is performed by a roll applying process.
US08946725B2
A semiconductor structure includes a GaN substrate with a first surface and a second surface. The GaN substrate is characterized by a first conductivity type and a first dopant concentration. A first electrode is electrically coupled to the second surface of the GaN substrate. The semiconductor structure further includes a first GaN epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type coupled to the first surface of the GaN substrate and a second GaN layer of a second conductivity type coupled to the first GaN epitaxial layer. The first GaN epitaxial layer comprises a channel region. The second GaN epitaxial layer comprises a gate region and an edge termination structure. A second electrode coupled to the gate region and a third electrode coupled to the channel region are both disposed within the edge termination structure.
US08946716B2
A capacitor structure of gate driver in panel (GIP) includes a first metal layer, a first dielectric layer, a second metal layer, a second dielectric layer, a first and second transparent capacitor electrode layers. The first dielectric layer covers the first metal layer. The second metal layer is disposed on the first dielectric layer and coupled to the first metal layer. The second dielectric layer covers the second metal layer. The first transparent capacitor electrode layer is disposed on the first dielectric layer and connected to the second metal layer. The second transparent capacitor electrode layer is disposed on the second dielectric layer and coupled to the first metal layer, in which the second and first transparent capacitor electrode layers are arranged to be stacked in a thickness direction and mutually opposed across the second dielectric layer therebetween.
US08946706B2
A test pattern of a semiconductor device includes a plurality of active regions defined in a semiconductor substrate and arranged in parallel with each other, a plurality of gate patterns formed over the plurality of active regions, a plurality of gate contacts formed over the plurality of gate patterns, first junction contacts formed over respective end portions of odd-numbered active regions among the plurality of active regions, second junction contacts formed over respective end portions of even-numbered active regions among the plurality of active regions, and a contact pad configured to couple the first junction contacts and the plurality of gate contacts.
US08946702B2
A transistor includes oxide semiconductor stacked layers between a first gate electrode layer and a second gate electrode layer through an insulating layer interposed between the first gate electrode layer and the oxide semiconductor stacked layers and an insulating layer interposed between the second gate electrode layer and the oxide semiconductor stacked layers. The thickness of a channel formation region is smaller than the other regions in the oxide semiconductor stacked layers. Further in this transistor, one of the gate electrode layers is provided as what is called a back gate for controlling the threshold voltage. Controlling the potential applied to the back gate enables control of the threshold voltage of the transistor, which makes it easy to maintain the normally-off characteristics of the transistor.
US08946698B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a light emitting element that realizes a high contrast. It is another object of the present invention to provide a light emitting device that realizes a high contrast by using the light emitting element with an excellent contrast. The light emitting element has a layer containing a light emitting substance interposed between a first electrode and a second electrode, and the layer containing the light emitting substance includes a light emitting layer, a layer containing a first organic compound, and a layer containing a second organic compound. The first electrode has a light-transmitting property, and the layer containing the first organic compound and the layer containing the second organic compound are interposed between the second electrode and the light emitting layer. Furthermore, color of the first organic compound and color of the second organic compound are complementary.
US08946696B2
An organic light emitting display includes a thin film transistor substrate, and an organic light emitting device on the thin film transistor substrate, the organic light emitting device including a first electrode on the thin film transistor substrate, the first electrode being configured to reflect light, an organic layer on the first electrode and including at least an emitting layer, a transflective second electrode on the organic layer, and a color filter between the first electrode and the transflective second electrode.
US08946692B2
Disclosed is a substrate-mediated assembly for graphene structures. According to an embodiment, long-range ordered, multilayer BN(111) films can be formed by atomic layer deposition (ALD) onto a substrate. The subject BN(111) films can then be used to order carbon atoms into a graphene sheet during a carbon deposition process.
US08946690B2
Disclosed are a touch screen integrated organic light emitting display device which has a thin profile and is implemented in a flexible type and a method for fabricating the same. The touch screen integrated organic light emitting display device includes a film substrate, a first etch stopper layer and a first buffer layer sequentially formed on the film substrate, a thin film transistor array including thin film transistors formed on the first buffer layer, organic light emitting diodes connected to the thin film transistors, a passivation layer covering the thin film transistor array and the organic light emitting diodes, a touch electrode layer contacting the passivation layer, a second buffer layer and a second etch stopper layer sequentially formed on the touch electrode layer, and a polarizing plate formed on the second etch stopper layer.
US08946689B2
Various methods and systems are provided for related to organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) having a microcavity In one embodiment, a white-light source includes a first microcavity organic light emitting diode (OLED) configured to emit a narrow spectrum of blue light, a second microcavity OLED configured to emit a narrow spectrum of green light, and a third microcavity OLED configured to emit a narrow spectrum of red light In another embodiment, a light source includes a plurality of OLEDs disposed on a glass substrate Each of the OLEDs is configured to emit light in substantially orthogonal to the glass substrate in a predefined spectrum Each of the OLEDs includes a semi-reflecting mirror, and an emitting layer, where the emitting layer in each OLED corresponds to a respective color of light emitted by the OLED.
US08946684B2
A light-emitting device includes: an organic layer which is interposed between a first electrode and a second electrode and in which a first light-emitting layer and a second light-emitting layer emitting light of single colors or two or more different colors in a visible wavelength region are sequentially included at mutually separated positions in that order in a direction from the first electrode to the second electrode; a first reflective interface which is provided on the side of the first electrode so as to reflect light emitted from the first light-emitting layer and the second light-emitting layer to be emitted from the side of the second electrode; and a second reflective interface and a third reflective interface which are sequentially provided on the side of the second electrode at mutually separated positions in that order in a direction from the first electrode to the second electrode.
US08946673B1
A non-volatile memory device structure includes a first conductor extending in a first direction, a second conductor extending in a second direction approximately orthogonal to the first direction, an amorphous silicon material disposed in an intersection between the first and second conductors characterized by a first resistance upon application of a first voltage, wherein the first resistance is dependent on a conductor structure comprising material from the second conductor formed in a portion of the resistive switching material, and a layer of material configured in between the second conductor and the amorphous silicon material, wherein the layer maintains at least a portion the conductor structure in the amorphous silicon material, and wherein the layer inhibits conductor species from the portion of the conductor structure from migrating away from the second conductor when a second voltage having an amplitude less than the first voltage is applied.
US08946667B1
A method for forming a resistive switching device. The method includes providing a substrate having a surface region and forming a first dielectric material overlying the surface region of the substrate. A first wiring structure overlies the first dielectric material. The method forms a first electrode material overlying the first wiring structure and a resistive switching material comprising overlying the first electrode material. An active metal material is formed overlying the resistive switching material. The active metal material is configured to form an active metal region in the resistive switching material upon application of a thermal energy characterized by a temperature no less than about 100 Degree Celsius. In a specific embodiment, the method forms a blocking material interposing the active metal material and the resistive switching material to inhibit formation of the active metal region in the resistive switching material during the subsequent processing steps.
US08946665B2
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of first insulating layers and a plurality of second layers alternately and vertically stacked on a substrate. Each of the plurality of second layers includes a horizontal electrode horizontally separated by a second insulating layer. A contact plug penetrates the plurality of first insulating layers and the second insulating layer of the plurality of second layers.
US08946660B2
Light sources are provided with enhanced low-frequency (e.g., near infrared) emission. Some disclosed embodiments include a filament and at least one re-radiator element. The filament heats the re-radiator element to a steady-state temperature that is at least one quarter of the filament's absolute temperature. As disclosed herein, the increased surface area provided by the re-radiator element provides enhanced IR radiation from the light source. Patterning or texturing of the surface can further increase the re-radiator element's surface area. Various shapes such as disks, collars, tubes are illustrated and can be combined to customize the spectral emission profile of the light source. Some specific embodiments employ a coating on the bulb as the re-radiator element. The coating can be positioned to occlude light from the filament or to augment light from the filament, depending on the particular application. The various re-radiator elements can be positioned inside or outside the bulb.
US08946632B2
An interferometric and synthetic aperture THz incoherent imaging system is provided, in which a high-power electronic source such as a 0.094 THz Gunn Oscillator is integrated with a continuous-wave (CW) terahertz detection system in order to achieve a high signal-to-noise ratio. THz imaging of a point source located 10 m away from the detector array is presented. A 2-D THz reflective image is reconstructed with only four detectors using rotational synthesis.
US08946624B2
A mass spectrometer system is disclosed. The mass spectrometer includes a vacuum chamber defining an enclosed evacuated space and an ion trap disposed in the enclosed space. The ion trap is configured to trap an ionized sample. The mass spectrometer further includes an ion detector coupled to the chamber at a location external to the chamber such that sample ions may exit the evacuated space and into the externally-coupled detector without loss of vacuum pressure.
US08946621B2
An invisible, light-transmissive display system with a light resistant material is provided. The light resistant material has a first side and a second side. Substantially invisible holes penetrate between the first surface and the second surface in a predetermined light-transmissive display pattern. The second surface is exposed to a side curing light that is substantially parallel to the second surface at the invisible holes thereadjacent. A light-conducting curable filler is applied into the invisible holes from the first surface. Surfaces of the light-conducting curable filler are cured in the invisible holes at the second surface with the side curing light. The remaining curable filler in the invisible holes is cured.
US08946620B2
A proximity sensor device, which may detect the presence of external objects at close proximity is disclosed. The proximity sensor device may comprise an emitter, a detector, a separation wall and an internal channeling section. In one embodiment, the internal channeling section may be configured to direct light from the emitter to the detector when the external object is present at close proximity. In other embodiments, a proximity sensor assembly, an optical structure and an electronic device having similar internal channeling section are disclosed.
US08946617B2
A photodiode comprises a semiconductor material having a p-n junction, the p-n junction being located between a first doping region of a first doping type and a second doping region of a second doping type, the second doping region comprising a highly doped layer and a lightly doped layer. A photodiode further comprises a voltage source being capable to apply a variable voltage between the first doping region and the lightly doped layer of the second doping region in order to vary the expansion of a space charge zone of the p-n junction.
US08946616B2
An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) within an image sensor includes a comparator comparing a ramp signal with an image signal, and a counter generating a count result in response to the comparison by counting a clock during a counting interval. The ADC determines whether a first counting interval for the counter is less than a reference interval, and if the first counting interval is less than the reference interval the counting interval is a first counting interval, else the counting interval is a second counting interval.
US08946613B2
A method to read out pixels includes reading a first pixel by resetting a first photodetector, integrating the first photodetector after resetting the first photodetector, resetting a first floating diffusion node coupled to the first photodetector and a second floating diffusion node coupled to a second photodetector, transferring charge from the first photodetector to the first floating diffusion node, comparing a first signal at the first floating diffusion node and a second signal at the second floating diffusion node and generating a first signal to latch a first counter value when the first signal is less than the second signal, incrementing the first signal and decrementing the second signal, and comparing the first signal and the second signal and generating a second signal to latch a second counter value when the first signal is greater than the second signal, wherein the difference between the second counter value and the first counter value indicates a first pixel level.
US08946604B2
The present invention relates to a cooking oven with at least one convection heating device (20). The convection heating device (20) is arranged in a rear wall (16) of the oven cavity (10). The convection heating device (20) includes at least two fans (26) and at least one ring element (28). The fans (22) are arranged side-by-side at the rear wall (16). A steam generator is provided for generating steam. At least two steam injectors (30) are provided, wherein each steam injector (30) corresponds with at least one fan (26). The steam injector (30) is directed along the radial axis of the corresponding fan (26), so that the steam is injected along the radial axis of said fan (26).
US08946596B2
Welding systems are presented, in which a single power source provides a first DC output to a plurality of digital waveform controlled chopper modules. Welding modules are also disclosed for converting an input DC signal to a welding signal, which are comprised of a down-chopper for providing a welding signal waveform according to a pulse width modulated switching signal, along with a digital waveform controller providing the switching signal according to a desired waveform.
US08946589B2
A laser beam machining method and a laser beam machining device capable of cutting a work without producing a fusing and a cracking out of a predetermined cutting line on the surface of the work, wherein a pulse laser beam is radiated on the predetermined cut line on the surface of the work under the conditions causing a multiple photon absorption and with a condensed point aligned to the inside of the work, and a modified area is formed inside the work along the predetermined determined cut line by moving the condensed point along the predetermined cut line, whereby the work can be cut with a rather small force by cracking the work along the predetermined cut line starting from the modified area and, because the pulse laser beam radiated is not almost absorbed onto the surface of the work, the surface is not fused even if the modified area is formed.
US08946587B2
A laser machining apparatus is provided with: a workpiece support unit; a machining head; and a machining head moving unit. The workpiece support unit includes: an end support part that supports a width end of a workpiece; and an inside support part that supports an inside portion of the workpiece in a width direction. The end support part is movable in a longitudinal direction independently from the inside support part in response to a movement of the machining head.
US08946584B2
A method of controlling a position of a plasma arc torch relative to a workpiece for a bevel cutting operation is provided that includes: calculating a bevel pivot length, which is a function of a torch height; piercing the workpiece with the plasma arc torch; rotating the plasma arc torch about its center of rotation to a desired cutting angle; translating the plasma arc torch along at least one of X, Y, and Z axes to maintain a torch center point; and translating the plasma arc torch along at least one of the X, Y and Z axes to achieve a resultant displacement along a longitudinal axis of the plasma arc torch to maintain a desired torch height.
US08946580B2
The present invention relates to contactors for unidirectional DC operation with permanent magnetic arc extinguishing. In addition to the blow magnets, the contactors are equipped with compensatory permanent magnets for compensating the magnetic field in the vicinity of the contact bridge in order to prevent contact levitation, i.e., an uncontrolled opening of the contacts that is due to a magnetic force generated by a strong current flowing through the contact bridge. To this end, the compensatory permanent magnets are arranged in the vicinity of the contact bridge and polarized in the opposite direction of the blow magnets. The magnetic field of the compensatory magnets and the current flowing through the contact bridge are generating a magnetic force that acts on the contact bridge and tends to keep the electrical contacts closed.
US08946570B2
A keyboard apparatus is provided. The apparatus can include a rigid member comprising a plurality of keycaps and a proximity sensing member comprising a plurality of proximity sensors and a plurality of illuminators disposed proximate the rigid keycap member. The apparatus can also include a backing member comprising a switch disposed proximate the proximity sensing member. A displacement of the rigid member and the proximity sensing member can activate the switch.
US08946560B2
A electric wire includes a central conductor 1 made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, a cover layer 2 made of copper and covering the central conductor 1, and a ferromagnetic layer 3 covering the cover layer 2 and blocking the external magnetic field. The thickness of the ferromagnetic layer 3 is in a range from 0.04 μm to 14 μm, the total diameter of the central conductor 1 and the cover layer 2 is in a range from 0.05 mm to 0.4 mm, and the cross-sectional area of the central conductor 1 is in a range from 85% to 95% of the total cross-sectional area of the central conductor 1 and the cover layer 2.
US08946555B2
Methods and apparatus directed towards communication cables and barrier tapes for use in communication cables are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the present invention employs conductive segments within the communication cables and/or on the barrier tape.
US08946554B1
A cable-end water sealing device includes a water-blocking compound, a receptacle and a sleeve. The receptacle defines an interior cavity for receiving an end portion of a non-water-blocked electrical, optical, or electrical/optical (i.e., hybrid) cable. The receptacle includes a stop member for limiting the insertion depth of the cable, an adjoining interior cavity for receiving and transitioning the cable subcomponents and one or more optional overall EMI shield(s) to the outside of the receptacle, and an injection port for injecting the water-blocking compound into both interior cavities of the receptacle to prevent water from migrating from the end of the cable. One or more of the cable subcomponents may include one or more individual EMI shields. Individual insulating sleeves can be provided to electrically isolate the cable subcomponent EMI shield(s) from the receptacle and overall EMI shield(s). A heat recoverable sleeve can be provided for enclosing the receptacle and overall EMI shield(s) after injection of the water-blocking compound.
US08946552B2
A direct current cable termination apparatus for terminating a high voltage direct current cable, the apparatus includes a current-carrying device comprising a terminal portion of the direct current cable, the cable includes an electrical conductor, a circumferential electrically insulating layer located outside of the electrical conductor, and a circumferential conductive shield located outside of the insulating layer and the electrical conductor. The apparatus includes a housing having an outer shell, and the current-carrying device is adapted to extend in the axial direction of the outer shell. Along at least a part of the axial extension of the current-carrying device the outer shell extends axially with a space between its inner periphery and the current-carrying device.
US08946549B2
A Metal-Clad cable that includes at least two conductor assemblies within a metal armored sheath. Each conductor assembly has an electrical conductor, an insulation layer extending around and along the length of each of the electrical conductors, a jacket layer disposed around the insulating layer and a polymeric protective layer disposed around the jacket layer along the length of each of the electrical conductors. A grounding/bonding strip is disposed within the cable and is in intimate contact with an interior surface of the metal sheath. If a grounding conductor is used, it is either in cabled relationship with the two conductor assemblies or is disposed along the length of the electrical conductors and the metal sheath is disposed over the at least two conductor assemblies and the grounding conductor.
US08946548B2
The present invention relates to prohibiting water ingress in enclosures designed to protect electronics or other stored objects from damage that would occur if the protected stored objects were submerged in water or other liquids. More particularly the present invention, a water ingress prevention enclosure eliminates the need for watertight doors and other sealing gaskets by utilizing an opening in the lowest portion of the enclosure to allow rising water to pressurize the ambient gas trapped in the enclosure thus forming a pressurized chamber to which liquid cannot rise. Embodiments of the invention include a system, apparatus, method and computer implemented code to enable monitoring and storage of one or more stored objects in a liquid-free environment.
US08946542B1
A pan structure for bonding solar modules installed on a target position is provided. The pan structure includes a plate member configured to be disposed across a spacing between two rail structures for mounting one or more solar modules. Additionally, the pan structure includes a pair of edge members configured to couple the plate member respectively with the two rail structures. Each of the pair of edge members has a first ledge characterized to be electrically conductive and configured to be supported by one of the two rail structures and a second ledge connected the first ledge to the plate member to keep the plate member a distance below the first ledge. Moreover, the pan structure includes a plurality of contact elements spatially distributed along the first ledge for bonding both the one or more solar modules and the rail structures for electric grounding.
US08946537B2
Devices and methods for transducing vibrations of a ferromagnetic string in a musical stringed instrument are provided. Specifically, including those for modulating the timbre of a stringed musical instrument with an electromagnetic pickup independent of loudness, sensitivity and dynamic range.
US08946534B2
An accompaniment data generating apparatus has a storage device 15 for storing a set of phrase waveform data having a plurality of constituent notes which form a chord, and a CPU 9. The CPU 9 carries out a process for separating the set of phrase waveform data having a plurality of constituent notes which form a chord into a plurality of sets of phrase waveform data each having different one of the chord constituent notes, an obtaining process for obtaining chord information by which a chord type and a chord root are identified, and a chord note phrase generating process for pitch-shifting one or more of the separated phrase waveform data sets in accordance with chord type and combining the separated phrase waveform data sets including the pitch-shifted phrase waveform data to generate waveform data indicative of a chord note phrase as accompaniment data.
US08946522B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP20002 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP20002, cells from soybean variety XBP20002, plants of soybean XBP20002, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP20002. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP20002 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP20002, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP20002, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP20002. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP20002 are further provided.
US08946512B2
The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and concerns a method for enhancing yield-related traits in plants by modulating expression in a plant of one or more nucleic acid(s) encoding at least two iSYT (interactor of SYT-synovial sarcoma translocation-) polypeptides. The present invention also concerns plants having modulated expression of a nucleic acid encoding at least two iSYT polypeptides, which plants have enhanced yield-related traits relative to corresponding wild type plants or other control plants. The invention also provides hitherto unknown nucleic acids encoding at least two iSYT polypeptides, and constructs comprising the same, useful in performing the methods of the invention. The invention also provides constructs useful in the methods of the invention. Furthermore the present invention also relates to an iSYT-based protein complex. It further relates to the use of the complex to promote plant growth, and to a method for stimulating the complex formation, by overexpressing at least two members of the complex.
US08946511B2
This invention discloses novel microRNAs and their precursors, and recombinant DNA constructs including such novel miRNAs, miRNA precursors, miRNA promoters, and miRNA recognition sites corresponding to the miRNAs. Included are novel miRNA and miRNA precursors that exhibit nutrient-responsive expression. Also disclosed are miRNA decoy sequences. Further provided are non-natural transgenic plant cells, plants, and seeds containing in their genome a recombinant DNA construct of this invention and methods of controlling gene expression using recombinant DNA constructs of this invention.
US08946508B1
A novel maize variety designated X050050 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 X050050 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X050050 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X050050, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X050050. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X050050.
US08946504B2
Targeting constructs and methods of using them are provided for differentiation-dependent modification of nucleic acid sequences in cells and in non-human animals. Targeting constructs comprising a promoter operably linked to a recombinase are provided, wherein the promoter drives transcription of the recombinase in an differentiated cell but not an undifferentiated cell. Promoters include Blimp1, Prm1, Gata6, Gata4, Igf2, Lhx2, Lhx5, and Pax3. Targeting constructs with a cassette flanked on both sides by recombinase sites can be removed using a recombinase gene operably linked to a 3′-UTR that comprises a recognition site for an miRNA that is transcribed in undifferentiated cells but not in differentiated cells. The constructs may be included in targeting vectors, and can be used to automatically modify or excise a selection cassette from an ES cell, a non-human embryo, or a non-human animal.
US08946481B2
The invention relates to a process for producing a compound according to formula (i) or salt thereof, wherein R1 and R1′ are independently hydrogen or an amine protecting group and R2 is a carboxyl group or an ester group, comprising reacting a compound according to formula (ii) or salt thereof, wherein R1, R1′ and R2 are defined as above, with hydrogen in the presence of a transition metal catalyst and a chiral ligand, wherein the transition metal is selected from group 7, 8 or 9 of the periodic table. Furthermore, the invention relates to products obtainable by said process and to their use in the production of NEP inhibitors. Moreover, the invention relates to the use of transition metal catalyst in the preparation of NEP inhibitors or prodrugs thereof.
US08946480B2
A liquid crystalline compound and an electrolyte material in which the conductivity switches between ion conductivity and non-ion conductivity depending on changes in temperature, and thus a switching function can be obtained are proposed. The liquid crystalline compound has a columnar liquid crystal phase in which an ammonium group is linked with an alkoxyphenyl group. A structural change thereof occurs depending on changes in temperature, and the conductivity switches between ion-conducting and non-ion-conducting, and thus the switching function can be obtained.
US08946477B2
The invention relates to solid forms of the anti-epileptic agent lacosamide (I). The invention also relates to mixtures of solid forms of lacosamide. The invention further relates to mixtures of lacosamide enantiomers crystallized in a conglomerate Form and the use thereof in providing enantiomerically enriched lacosamide, preferably lacosamide enriched with the (R)-enantiomer of lacosamide.
US08946474B2
The present invention relates to the crystalline, polymorphic Form X of the calcimimetic compound {4-[(1R,3S)-3-((R)-1-Naphthalen-1-yl-ethylamino)-cyclopentyl]-phenoxy}-acetic acid, to methods of preparation thereof, to methods of characterization thereof by single crystal X-Ray crystallography (XRC), X-Ray Powder diffractometry, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, Solid State NMR spectroscopy and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and to its use. The invention also relates to the preparation of Form X by crystallization from a saturated solution of {4-[(1R,3S)-3-((R)-1-Naphthalen-1-yl-ethylamino)-cyclopentyl]-phenoxy}-acetic acid in a C1-C6 alkyl alcohol, or alternatively by precipitation from a neutralized saponification reaction mixture following the alkaline hydrolysis of a C1-C6 alkyl ester of {4-[(1R,3S)-3-((R)-1-Naphthalen-1-yl-ethylamino)-cyclopentyl]-phenoxy}-acetic acid.
US08946470B2
A one-pot method for the oxidative cleavage of unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds to provide a carboxylic acid or a ketone-containing compound is disclosed. The method comprises contacting an alkene or an alkyne with hydrogen peroxide and a manganese transition metal catalyst having a ligand of formula (I):
US08946460B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing ethyl esters of polyunsaturated fatty acids, comprising transesterifying triacylglycerols in extracted plant lipid.
US08946458B2
The present invention provides catalysts, methods, and reactor systems for converting oxygenated hydrocarbons to oxygenated compounds. The invention includes methods for producing cyclic ethers, monooxygenates, dioxygenates, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, and alcohols from oxygenated hydrocarbons, such as carbohydrates, sugars, sugar alcohols, sugar degradation products, and the like, using catalysts containing palladium, molybdenum, tin, and tungsten. The oxygenated compounds produced are useful in the production of liquid fuels, chemicals, and other products.
US08946454B2
The disclosure provides metal organic frameworks useful for sensing, gas sorption, microelectronics and switches.
US08946450B2
The present invention relates to substituted pterin compounds, their synthesis and use. In particular, the present invention relates to a new precursor compound and its analogs for synthesizing a new substituted pterin compound and its analogs. These new compounds are particularly suitable for treating molybdenum cofactor deficiency.
US08946445B2
The present document describes novel compounds which may inhibit the activity of anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2 family protein members, compositions containing the compounds and methods of treating diseases involving a defect in apoptosis, such as, for example, in the treatment of cancer.
US08946442B2
Foams of ionic compounds are described. Methods of making the foams are also provided. The foams are ionic and can be used for catalysis, separations, gas storage, biosensors, electronics, and electrochemical applications.
US08946440B2
A compound having a hypoglycemic effect is provided. The compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are useful for the treatment or prevention of diabetes, obesity, and the like. The compound is represented by the general formula (1): (wherein R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an amino group, a hydroxyl group, a hydroxyamino group, a nitro group, a cyano group, a sulfamoyl group, a C1 to C6 alkyl group, a C1 to C6 alkoxy group, a C1 to C6 alkylsulfanyl group, a C1 to C6 alkylsulfinyl group, a C1 to C6 alkylsulfonyl group, or a C1 to C6 alkoxy-C1 to C6 alkylsulfonyl group, and A is a substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl group).
US08946438B2
Heteroaryloxy-substituted benzoic acid amides of general formula I wherein the groups R1 to R7 as well as X and Y are defined according to claim 1, including the tautomers, the stereoisomers, the mixtures and the salts thereof. The compounds according to the invention are suitable for the treatment of respiratory complaints, particularly COPD and asthma.
US08946435B2
The present invention provides novel methods for synthesizing PPARγ sparing compounds, e.g., thiazolidinediones, that are useful for preventing and/or treating metabolic disorders such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and inflammatory diseases.
US08946433B2
The present disclosure generally related to an improved process for the preparation of various piperidine derivatives. More particularly, the present disclosure related to an improved process for preparing sufentanil base (1) and related compounds, which advantageously utilizes more cost effective and/or less hazardous reagents, including a dispersion comprising between about 50% and about 70% by weight (based on the total weight of the dispersion) of an alkali metal hydride, such as sodium hydride, as well as eliminates the need for expensive and/or time consuming purification techniques.
US08946431B2
Provided is a 2-(substituted ethynyl)quinoline derivative having an mGluR5 antagonistic activity and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compound of the present invention can be useful as a medicament for treating and preventing mGluR5 receptor-mediated diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, senile dementia, Parkinson's disease, L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia, Huntington's chorea, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, anxiety disorder, depression, neuropathic pain, drug dependence, fragile X syndrome, autism, migraine and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
US08946430B2
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I): as defined in the specification and compositions comprising any of such novel compounds. These compounds are endothelial lipase inhibitors which may be used as medicaments.
US08946419B2
The present invention provides (+)-morphinanium compounds comprising substituted 6-hydroxy or 6-amine groups. The invention also provides methods for inhibiting microglial activation by administering the compounds of the invention.
US08946418B1
The invention relates to a series of novel chiral nitrogen-phosphorus ligands of formulae (Ia) and (Ib): wherein R1-R3 and X are as defined herein. The invention also relates to chiral metal complexes prepared with these chiral nitrogen-phosphorus ligands. The chiral metal complexes are useful as catalysts for carrying out asymmetric hydrogenation.
US08946417B2
Platinum complexes that exhibit photoabsorption and photoemission, methods of making such complexes, and applications thereof are disclosed, including optical devices comprising the complexes.
US08946410B2
The present invention provides a method to obtain radiofluorinated compounds useful for in vivo imaging GABAA receptors. The method of the invention is high-yielding and may conveniently be carried out on an automated synthesizer such as Fastlab™. A further aspect of the invention is a cassette suitable for carrying out the automated method of synthesis of the invention. Novel precursor compounds useful in the method of the invention are also provided, as are a number of novel compounds obtained by the method of the invention.
US08946404B2
The present invention provides a family of dark quenchers, termed Black Hole Quenchers (“BHQs”), that are efficient quenchers of excited state energy but which are themselves substantially non-fluorescent. Also provided are methods of using the BHQs, probes incorporating the BHQs and methods of using the probes.
US08946399B2
The invention relates to a pathogen-inducible synthetic promoter which is suitable for regulating the transcription of a nucleic acid, and includes a minimal promoter, characterized in that the minimal promoter includes a sequence motif a) dbrmwa or b) twcccmt which is disposed downstream from a TATA region and in front of a transcription starting point which is located on the minimal promoter and at which transcription of the nucleic acid to be regulated starts.
US08946396B2
An agglomerated particulate lignosulfonate material may be made by introducing or forming lignosulfonate microparticles in a fluidized bed agglomerator, and introducing sufficient heated gas and lignosulfonate liquid in the agglomerator to convert the microparticles to lignosulfonate granules of enlarged size. The granules may have an average size of at least 0.1 mm, and may be used to make a dry-blended cement additive or oil well cement that may be dustless, easily poured and stored, and rapidly dissolved in water.
US08946393B2
A method for diagnosing Lyme disease status in a mammal is provided. The method entails, in a biological sample obtained or derived from a mammal, determining antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi) outer surface proteins (Osp) OspA, OspC, and OspF. Based upon determining the OspA, OspC, and OspF antibodies, the mammal can be diagnosed as vaccinated, not vaccinated, infected or not infected with B. burgdorferi. Mammals that have early, intermediate or chronic B. burgdorferi infection can also be identified. The method is particularly suited for use with horses and dogs. Isolated or recombinant B. burgdorferi antigens and compositions that contain them are also provided.
US08946392B2
The present invention comprises novel conjugates and immunogens derived from gemcitabine and unique antibodies generated by using gemcitabine linked immunogens, which conjugates immunogens and antibodies, are useful in immunoassays for the quantification and monitoring of gemcitabine in biological fluids.
US08946391B2
The present invention provides for a practical, universal and efficient method to ligate two large macromolecules (e.g., proteins) using the alkyne-azide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction to produce a conjugated macromolecule, such as a multivalent scFv. The present invention also provides for conjugate macromolecules comprising a plurality of macromolecule components cross-linked through at least one linking group comprising at least one 1,2,3-triazole moiety, wherein at least 50 percent of the macromolecule components in the conjugate macromolecule has only one site available for cross-linking.
US08946390B2
The present invention provides a novel cancer-associated antigen that can be used in the treatment and diagnosis of cancer. Further, the invention provides amino acid and nucleic acid sequence of the novel antigen, binding proteins, and immunoconjugates. The invention also relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods and kits.
US08946382B2
The present disclosure concerns the use of biologically active apelin peptides and compositions that are processed from larger precursor proteins and further post-translationally modified to influence cell growth. Particular methods are useful for promoting cell growth, while others are particularly useful for inhibiting cell growth.
US08946381B2
The present invention provides a topical composition comprising (i) an amount of an AP-1 signaling inhibitor sufficient to reduce, delay or prevent apoptosis and/or necrosis induced by dermal wounding and/or to induce and/or enhance proliferation of a cell; and (ii) a suitable carrier or excipient e.g., a topical carrier or excipient or other carrier or excipient for dermal application. For example, the AP-1 signaling inhibitor is a peptide analog comprising the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 104. The present invention also provides a method of treating a dermal wound comprising topically administering said topical composition to a subject suffering from a dermal wound.
US08946372B2
The present invention relates to the use of specific inorganic Sn(IV) for the production of polyisocyanate polyaddition products from a) at least one aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, araliphatic and/or aromatic polyisocyanate, b) at least one NCO-reactive compound, c) at least one thermolatent inorganic tin-containing catalyst, d) optionally further catalysts and/or activators other than c), e) optionally fillers, pigments, additives, thickeners, antifoams and/or other auxiliary substances and additives, wherein the ratio of the weight of the tin from component c) and the weight of component a) is less than 3000 ppm when component a) is an aliphatic polyisocyanate and less than 95 ppm when component a) is an aromatic polyisocyanate, wherein as thermolatent catalysts cyclic tin compounds of formula I, II or III: wherein n>1, are used.
US08946368B2
The present invention relates to a multi-component catalytic system that can be used for the cis-1,4 stereospecific polymerization of conjugated dienes. The system is based on: (i) a rare-earth complex of Formula (II) Ln(A)3(B)n, Ln being a rare-earth metal, A a ligand, B a Lewis base or a solvent molecule and n a number from 0 to 3; (ii) an alkylating agent; (iii) a compound based on an aromatic ring and having at least two heteroatoms chosen from the elements O, N, S, P, and corresponding to the Formula (III): in which the R groups each denote hydrogen, an alkyl radical optionally comprising one or more heteroatoms (N, O, P, S, Si) or one or more halogen atoms, a halogen atom, a group based on one or more heteroatoms (N, O, P, S, Si); x and y are integers from 0 to 6; D is a group having a chemical function, one of the atoms of which has a non-bonding pair; L being an atom from column 1 of the Periodic Table.
US08946366B2
Disclosed herein are a cyclic olefin compound, a photoreactive polymer, and an alignment layer comprising the photoreactive polymer, where the cyclic olefin compound can be used to provide the photoreactive polymer having not only excellences in liquid crystal alignment and alignment rate but also readiness for change in the alignment direction depending on the polarization direction.
US08946361B2
A method of making a polyisobutylene polymer in a recirculating loop reactor with one or more reaction tubes in contact with a heat transfer medium includes controlling the delta P and polymerization reaction to provide a linear velocity of the reaction mixture of at least 11 ft/sec in the one or more tubes of the loop reactor and/or controlling the delta P and polymerization reaction of steps (b) and (c) to provide a recirculation ratio of the recirculation rate to the feed rate of at least 30:1. Typically, the process utilizes a recirculating pump operating at a at a pressure differential of from 35 psi to 70 psi.
US08946353B2
A hydrosilylation reaction-curable organopolysiloxane composition comprising (A) a methylpheny-lalkenylpolysiloxane that has at least two alkenyl groups wherein diphenylsiloxane units are no more than 5 mole % and at least 20 mole % is comprised of phenyl groups, (B) a methylphenylhydrogenpolysiloxane that has at least two Si-bonded hydrogen atoms wherein diphenylsiloxane units are no more than 5 mole % and at least 20 mole % is comprised of phenyl groups, and (C) a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst. An optical semiconductor element sealant comprising this composition. An optical semiconductor device sealed with this optical semiconductor element sealant.
US08946351B2
An environmental friendly poly(ether-fattyamide) coating composition for mild steel plates or the like comprises and/or consists of a condensation polymerization product of a fatty diol and an aromatic/cyclic diol and wherein the fattyamide diol is synthesized using rapeseed oil and further cured with an aminoplast resin and a catalyst. The rapeseed oil is combined with a crosslinker such as hexa methoxy melamine formaldehyde, butylated melamine formaldehyde, urea formaldehyde of hydroxyl values of 220-240 mg KOH/gm of resin and curing catalysts. The curing catalyst may be para toluene sulphonic acids, dodecyl sulphonic acids, orthro phosphoric acid in a solvent such as xylene, ethyl methyl ketone, ethylene glycol mono methyl ether and aromatic hydrocarbons. Additional agents such as surfactants, stabilizers, wetting agents, flow modifiers, dispersing agents, adhesion promoters and UV absorbers may be added.
US08946346B2
A polymer is provided that preferably includes at least one unsaturated cycloaliphatic group. In one embodiment, the polymer is combined with an optional crosslinker and an optional carrier to form a coating composition suitable for use in coating articles such as packaging articles. In one embodiment, the polymer has at least one unsaturated cycloaliphatic group that is at least bicyclic.
US08946340B2
A glass flake filler of the present invention is composed of glass flakes. The average thickness of the glass flakes is at least 0.1 μm but less than 0.5 μm, and the glass flakes include glass flakes having a thickness of at least 0.01 μm but not more than 2.0 μm in an amount of at least 90% by mass. A resin composition of the present invention is a resin composition including a thermoplastic resin and a glass flake filler. This glass flake filler is composed of glass flakes, the average thickness of the glass flakes is at least 0.1 μm but less than 0.5 μm, and the glass flakes include glass flakes having a thickness of at least 0.01 μm but not more than 2.0 μm in an amount of at least 90% by mass.
US08946334B2
A rubber composition for tires, which includes a rubber component containing a natural rubber component consisting of at least either a natural rubber or an epoxidized natural rubber, and an inorganic filler containing silica, and a pneumatic tire using such a rubber composition for tires are provided. The rubber composition can be used as a rubber composition for clinch apex, and in this case, the rubber component preferably consists of the natural rubber component, with the inorganic filler being contained in a range of 50 to 80 parts by mass and carbon black being contained in a range of 2 to 5 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component. The rubber composition for tires can be used as a rubber composition for a bead apex, and in this case, the inorganic filler contains silica and clay, and the compounding amount of the clay is set in a range of 5 to 40 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component, with the total compounding amount of the silica and clay being set to 65 parts by mass or more relative to 100 parts by mass of the rubber component.
US08946333B2
A thermally conductive filler composition and a resin composition comprising such filler compositions. The filler composition comprises a blend of a boron nitride, a metal oxide, and a silane. The filler composition can further comprise other filler components including, for example, glass fiber or glass flake. The filler compositions can be added to a resin composition to provide a thermally conductive resin such as, for example, a thermally conductive plastic.
US08946325B2
A method for manufacturing a tire member, containing a step (A) for producing a mixture containing a diene rubber component, an inorganic filler, a peptizer and a thiosulfuric acid compound containing an amino group, and a step (B) for mixing the mixture, a sulfur component and a vulcanization accelerator, wherein a tire member having improved abrasion resistance, tear strength and flex fatigue resistance is obtained, and the tire member are provided. A premix containing 100 parts by mass of the diene rubber component, from 0.1 to 0.5 parts by mass of the peptizer and 0.2 parts by mass or more of the thiosulfuric acid compound containing an amino group, obtained under a condition in which a temperature during mixing is maintained within a range of from 145 to 170° C. for 20 seconds or more and a temperature at completion of the mixing is 170° C. or lower.
US08946320B2
An ink-jet ink composition includes a jettable vehicle, a plurality of pigment solids dispersed in the jettable vehicle, and a half-ester of styrene maleic anhydride (SMA) dispersed in the jettable vehicle.
US08946319B2
The invention relates to the use of butyl ionomers or partially halogenated butyl ionomers in reducing a population of and/or preventing accumulation of organisms. The organisms may be bacteria, algae, fungi, mollusca or arthropoda. The invention also relates to coatings for shaped articles comprising the butyl ionomers.
US08946316B2
A polymer and coating composition containing the polymer are provided that are useful in coating applications such as, for example, food or beverage packaging containers. The polymer preferably includes a backbone having one or more polycyclic groups. In one embodiment, the polymer is a polyester and, more preferably, a polyester-urethane polymer. In one embodiment, the one or more polycyclic groups is a tricyclic or higher group.
US08946312B2
An azeotrope-like mixture consisting essentially of chlorotrifluoropropene and at least one component selected from the group consisting of a C1-C3 alcohol, a C5-C6 hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, methylal, methyl acetone, water, nitromethane, and combinations thereof.
US08946311B2
The object of the invention is a method for producing polyurethane and/or polyisocyanurate insulating foam based on foaming reaction mixtures containing polyisocyanates, compounds having reactive hydrogen atoms, propellants, stabilizers, nucleation agents, and optionally further additives, which is characterized in that porous solids, in particular silicates having a zeolite structure, are used as the nucleation agents.
US08946301B2
Methods and therapeutic compositions are disclosed for treating neurodegenerative disorders and, in particular Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, using sphingosine1-phosphate receptor modulators, such as fingolimod or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, or solvate thereof.
US08946298B2
The present invention provides a composition having an excellent controlling activity on plant disease. The composition comprising the compound represented by the formula (1) and one or more guanidine fungicidal compound selected from the group (A) shows an excellent controlling activity on a plant disease. group (A): a group consisting of dodine, iminoctadine trialbesilate, iminoctadine triacetate, and guazatine
US08946297B2
To provide an anthranilamide formulation compound for improving pest controlling effects.A solid composition for pest control which comprises an amorphous anthranilamide compound or its salt as a pesticidal active ingredient, a nonionic surfactant and/or an anionic surfactant and a mineral carrier.
US08946295B2
A method for promoting wound healing and preventing scar formation in a variety of wounds in skin, mucosa, and cornea. The method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a histone deacetylase inhibitor or a hyperacetylating agent. The histone deacetylase inhibitor or hyperacetylating agent is capable of stimulating multiple cytokines/growth factors in the early phase of wound healing, and suppressing fibrogenic cytokines/growth factors in the late phase of tissue remodeling in the wound site, and is useful in promoting epithelial cell re-growth and reducing excessive collagen accumulation, which results in rapid wound closure with reduced scaring.
US08946291B2
A method of treating melanoma in a subject comprising administering an amount of SOX9 sufficient to treat melanoma is disclosed. A method of treating a hyperpigmentary condition in a subject comprising administering an amount of inhibitor of SOX9 activity sufficient to treat the condition is disclosed. A method of treating melanoma in a subject comprising administering an amount of SOX9 sufficient to treat melanoma is disclosed. A method of treating melanoma in a subject comprising increasing the amounts of retinoic acid and SOX9 in the subject by amounts sufficient to treat melanoma. A method of treating melanoma in a subject comprising administering an amount of prostaglandin D2 and retinoic acid sufficient to treat cancer is disclosed. A method of sensitizing a melanoma cell to RA comprising administering an amount of SOX9 sufficient to decrease PRAME expression is disclosed.
US08946286B2
A novel organic amine salt or salt with quaternary ammonium ion of 3-{[((2E)-2-{1-[5-(4-t-butylphenyl)-4-hydroxy-3-thienyl]ethylidene}hydrazino)carbonothioyl]amino}benzoic acid having useful properties as a drug is provided.A novel organic amine or salt with quaternary ammonium ion of 3-{[((2E)-2-{1-[5-(4-t-butylphenyl)-4-hydroxy-3-thienyl]ethylidene}hydrazino)carbonothioyl]amino}benzoic acid, a method for producing the organic amine salt or the salt with quaternary ammonium ion and a platelet increasing agent.
US08946273B2
A series of S-triazolyl α-mercaptoacetanilides having general structure (1) are provided, where Q is CO2H, CONR2, SO3H, or SO2NR2. The compounds inhibit several variants of the reverse transcriptase of HIV, and are useful in the treatment of HIV infections.
US08946271B2
Water soluble compounds having a furoxan structure which are capable of inhibiting metabolic pathways involved in the development of the tumours are provided. The use of such compounds as a medicament in the therapy of the tumours and as an adjuvant in the immunotherapy protocols against neoplasms is also described.
US08946253B2
Disclosed in certain embodiments is a method of treating or preventing an opioid-induced adverse pharmacodynamic response comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of buprenorphine.
US08946251B2
The present invention relates to a method for treating a patient suffering from a thermoregulatory dysfunction, especially hot flashes and flushes associated with hormonal changes due to naturally occurring menopause (whether male or female) or due to chemically or surgically induced menopause. The method is also applicable to treating the hot flashes, hot flushes, or night sweats associated with disease states that disrupt normal hormonal regulation of body temperature.
US08946239B2
The present invention provides substituted pyrrolo-, furano-, and cyclopentylpyrimidine bicyclic compounds of formula III, and 5,6-saturated and unsaturated and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, prodrugs, solvates, and hydrates thereof, having antimitotic activity, anti-multidrug resistance activity, such as for example P-glycoprotein inhibition, and antitumor activity, and which inhibit paclitaxel sensitive and resistant tumor cells. Also provided are methods of utilizing these compounds for treating tumor cells and inhibiting mitosis of cancerous cells.
US08946229B2
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration of active compounds.
US08946225B2
The present invention concerns compounds of general formula (I) characterized in that (formula 1) wherein, in particular: —R1 represents one or more groups such as: trifluoromethyl, halogen such as F, Cl, —when n=m=1, W represents CH then Y represents oxygen, —U represents: •either —(C═O)CH2NH— and is branched at position 4 of pyridazinone, then R2 represents H, •or —(C═O)NH— and U is branched at positions (4), (5) or (6) of pyridazinone, then R2 represents H, —R3 represents a hydrogen or methyl and the addition salts with pharmaceutically acceptable bases and acids and the different isomers, and their mixtures in any proportion for use as SCD-1 enzyme inhibitors for the treatment of obesity, type-2 diabetes and lipid disorders.
US08946222B2
Phenoxymethyl compounds that inhibit at least one phosphodiesterase 10 are described as are pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds an methods for treating various CNS disorders by administering such compounds to a patient in need thereof.
US08946220B2
Hydrazinopyridazines, fused hydrazinopyridazines, phenylethylhydrazines, or combinations thereof, compositions comprising hydrazinopyridazines, fused hydrazinopyridazines, phenylethylhydrazines, or combinations thereof, and methods for using them for the treatment of pain are described.
US08946195B2
The present invention relates to novel bicyclic methyl amine derivatives, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors.
US08946191B2
Biologically compatible polymers carry an imide and can be used as an adhesive, a hydrogel or both. A second biologically compatible polymer reactive with the imidated polymer can be used therewith to seal openings.
US08946190B2
The present invention relates to the use of medium-chain length fatty acids of formula I, triglycerides of formula 2 (wherein n=6-10), salts thereof, or mixtures thereof, in combination with gemcitabine and optionally erlotinib in the treatment of pancreatic cancer in human patients. Exemplary medium-chain length fatty acid/triglyceride compounds include capric acid, sodium caprate, tricaprin, lauric acid, sodium laurate, and trilaurin.
US08946184B2
The invention provides nucleic acid therapeutics and methods for using these nucleic acid therapeutics in the treatment of complement-related disorders.
US08946178B2
The present invention relates methods of treating pouchitis by administering a pharmaceutical formulation suitable for rectal use, such as an enema or suppository, comprising an antisense oligonucleotide targeted to ICAM-1 to an individual
US08946172B2
This invention provides a method for reducing hypertropic scarring resulting from dermal wound healing in a subject in need which comprises administering to the subject an antisense oligonucleotide which inhibits expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in an amount effective to inhibit expression of CTGF and thereby reduce hypertrophic scarring.
US08946162B2
The invention provides for innovative improvements in tumor therapy, particularly therapies which are conducted using endogenous substances and which have no or only mild side-effects. Accordingly the present invention relates to methods of treating or preventing tumor diseases other than lung cancer comprising administering a polypeptide with an angiotensin-converting-enzyme-2 (ACE2) activity.
US08946160B2
Use of nitric oxide amino acid esters for improving vascular circulation, and prophylaxis or treatment of a condition associated with impaired blood circulation, such as peripheral vascular disease. The nitric oxide amino acid esters may be co-administered with an antimicrobial in topical or transdermal compositions for improving vascular circulation, and prophylaxis or treatment of a condition associated with impaired blood circulation.
US08946153B2
The subject invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprising an open matrix network carrying a pharmaceutically active ingredient, wherein the open matrix network comprises levan.
US08946147B2
Prodrug formulations of insulin and insulin analogs are provided wherein the insulin peptide has been modified by an amide bond linkage of a dipeptide prodrug element. The prodrugs disclosed herein have extended half lives of at least 10 hours, and more typically greater than 2 hours, 20 hours and less than 70 hours, and are converted to the active form at physiological conditions through a non-enzymatic reaction driven by chemical instability.
US08946137B2
To provide a skin washing agent which is excellent in the foaming speed and the foam creaminess in washing therewith, and which, after washing therewith, is excellent in the moist feeling and the absence of pulling feeling of the skin and does not change the moisture content of skin. A foamable skin washing agent comprising (a) a fatty acid salt, (b) one or more selected from a homopolymer, a dipolymer and a terpolymer derived from a specific cationated monomer (e.g., dimethyldiallylammonium chloride), (c) a polyglyceryl monoalkyl ether, and (d) one or more selected from an acylmethyltaurine salt and a hydroxy ether carboxylate salt.
US08946136B2
Hydrofluoro alcohols of formula (I): A-(Rf)a—CFX—O—RhO—(CFX—(Rf)a*—CFX—O—RhO—)nH in which: Rh is a hydrocarbon-based chain; X is F or a C1-C6 (per)fluoroalkyl; a or a* is 0 or 1; Rf is a (per)fluoro(poly)oxyalkylene chain or a (per)fluoroalkyl chain; A is selected from the group consisting of —F, —Cl, and —H (possible only when a=1) or is HO—Rh—O—CFX—; n is an integer from 0 to 200, with the condition that n=0 when A is selected from the group consisting of —F, —Cl, and —H.
US08946133B2
A composition made of fibers and a material able to exhibit reverse solubility has utility for treating subterranean wells. The composition may used to cure lost circulation. The composition may be added to drilling fluids, spacer fluids or cement slurries. As the fluid temperature increases in a well, the reverse solubility material may precipitate and migrate to the fibers, causing the fibers to stick to each other and form a network, thereby forming a barrier that reduces further egress of treatment fluid from the wellbore.
US08946130B2
Methods are disclosed for improved sand control, fines control, load recovery and well productivity, where the compositions comprise reaction products of an amine and a phosphate-containing compound.
US08946128B2
The present invention provides an alternative scaffold for peptides displayed on filamentous phages through novel fusion proteins primarily originating from pIX. Libraries of filamentous phages can be created from fusion proteins, and a phage display system comprising a phagemid and a helper phage is a part of the invention. An aspect of the invention is a kit containing a phage display system comprising a phagemid that contains a nucleic acid encoding the fusion protein of the invention and a helper phage.
US08946123B2
Described herein are compositions including an herbicide, a capsaicinoid, and an acrylic for controlling the direction of growth of plants with rootlets. Also described herein are methods for making and using the compositions.
US08946121B2
The present invention relates to new antifungal compositions and their use in the treatment of agricultural products.
US08946119B2
Disclosed are methods of enhancing growth of soybean plants, comprising treating soybean seed or the soybean plant that germinates from the seed with an effective amount of at least one chitooligosaccharide, wherein upon harvesting the soybean plant exhibits at least one of increased plant yield measured in terms of bushels/acre, increased root number, increased root length, increased root mass, increased root volume and increased leaf area, compared to untreated soybean plants or soybean plants harvested from untreated soybean seed.
US08946110B2
The invention relates to a method of preparing a catalytic composition comprising at least one non-noble metal from group VIII and at least one metal from group VIB of the periodic table. The invention also relates to the catalytic composition thus produced, which has a high specific activity in reactions involving the hydroprocessing of light and intermediate fractions, preferably in reactions involving the hydrotreatment of hydrocarbon streams, including hydrodesulphurization (HDS), hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) and hydro-dearomatization (HDA).
US08946107B2
A process for producing aromatic hydrocarbons which comprises (a) contacting ethane with a dehydroaromatization aromatic catalyst which is comprised of 0.005 to 0.1% wt platinum, an amount of iron which is equal to or greater than the amount of the platinum, from 10 to 99.9% wt of an aluminosilicate, and a binder, and (b) separating methane, hydrogen, and C2-5 hydrocarbons from the reaction products of step (a) to produce aromatic reaction products including benzene.
US08946103B2
An ion exchangeable glass having a high degree of resistance to damage caused by abrasion, scratching, indentation, and the like. The glass comprises alumina, B2O3, and alkali metal oxides, and contains boron cations having three-fold coordination. The glass, when ion exchanged, has a Vickers crack initiation threshold of at least 10 kilogram force (kgf).
US08946096B2
The present invention relates to novel 4B group metalorganic compounds represented by following formula I and the preparation thereof. Specifically, the present invention relates to a thermally and chemically stable 4B group organo-metallic compound utilized in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) or atomic layer deposition (ALD), and the preparation thereof. A 4B group metalorganic compound prepared according to the present invention volatiles easily and is stable at high temperature, and can be used effectively in manufacturing 4B group metal oxide thin films. wherein M represents Ti, Zr or Hf, R1 represents C1˜C4 alkyl, R2 and R3 represent independently C1˜C6 alkyl.
US08946093B2
In an imprint method of an embodiment, in the imprinting of an imprint shot including an outermost peripheral region of a substrate where resist is not desired to be entered at the time of imprinting, light curing the resist is applied to a light irradiation region with a predetermined width including a boundary between the outermost peripheral region and a pattern formation region more inside than the outermost peripheral region, whereby the resist which is to enter inside the outermost peripheral region is cured. Then, light curing the resist filled in a template pattern is applied onto a template.
US08946090B2
A method for selective etching of an SiGe mixed semiconductor layer on a silicon semiconductor substrate by dry chemical etching of the SiGe mixed semiconductor layer with the aid of an etching gas selected from the group including ClF3 and/or ClF5, a gas selected from the group including Cl2 and/or HCl being added to the etching gas.
US08946089B2
Methods of forming contact holes include forming a first guide pattern over an etching target layer. The first guide pattern has first openings each extending in a first direction and each first opening arranged in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. A first BCP structure is formed in each first opening. The first BCP structure includes first material layers in the first direction at a first pitch in each of the first openings, and second material layers filling a remaining portion of each first opening. First holes are formed by removing the first material layers. A second guide pattern is formed over the first guide pattern and the second material layers, and the above processes are performed on the second guide pattern to form second holes. Portions of the etching target layer overlapped by the first holes or the second holes are removed to form a desired pattern.
US08946088B2
A method of forming a metal layer on an electrically insulating substrate comprises depositing a photocatalyst layer onto the substrate and depositing a mask layer comprising voids on the substrate, such as a layer of latex microparticles with voids between them, to give an open pore structure to the mask. An electroless plating solution is then provided on the photocatalyst layer, and the photocatalyst layer and electroless plating solution are illuminated with actinic radiation whereby deposition of metal from the electroless plating solution to form a metal layer on the photocatalyst layer is initiated whereby the metal deposits in the voids of the mask layer. The mask layer is subsequently removed to leave a porous metal layer on the substrate. The method allows for deposition of porous metal films with controlled thickness and excellent adhesion onto electrically insulating substrates. The method is suitable for providing metal layers with controlled, regular porosity.
US08946072B2
Mechanisms of forming a package on package (PoP) package by using an interposer and an no-reflow underfill (NUF) layer are provided. The interposer frame improves the form factor of the package, enables the reduction in the pitch of the bonding structures. The NUF layer enables a semiconductor die and an interposer frame be bonded to a substrate by utilizing the heat on the connectors of the semiconductor die and on the connectors of the interposer frame for bonding. The heat provided by the semiconductor die and the interposer frame also transforms the NUF layer into an underfill. PoP structures formed by using the interposer frame and the NUF layer improve yield and have better reliability performance.
US08946069B2
Fabricating method of semiconductor device and semiconductor device fabricated using the same method
A fabricating method of a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate having a first region and a second region, forming a plurality of first gates in the first region of the substrate, such that the first gates are spaced apart from each other at a first pitch, forming a plurality of second gates in the second region of the substrate, such that the second gates are spaced apart from each other at a second pitch different from the first pitch, implanting an etch rate adjusting dopant into the second region to form implanted regions, while blocking the first region, forming a first trench by etching the first region between the plurality of first gates, and forming a second trench by etching the second region between the plurality of second gates.
US08946066B2
A highly reliable transistor which includes an oxide semiconductor and has high field-effect mobility and in which a variation in threshold voltage is small is provided. By using the transistor, a high-performance semiconductor device, which has been difficult to realize, is provided. The transistor includes an oxide semiconductor film which contains two or more kinds, preferably three or more kinds of elements selected from indium, tin, zinc, and aluminum. The oxide semiconductor film is formed in a state where a substrate is heated. Further, oxygen is supplied to the oxide semiconductor film with an adjacent insulating film and/or by ion implantation in a manufacturing process of the transistor, so that oxygen deficiency which generates a carrier is reduced as much as possible. In addition, the oxide semiconductor film is highly purified in the manufacturing process of the transistor, so that the concentration of hydrogen is made extremely low.
US08946064B2
A method of forming a semiconductor device that includes providing a substrate including a semiconductor layer on a germanium-containing silicon layer and forming a gate structure on a surface of a channel portion of the semiconductor layer. Well trenches are etched into the semiconductor layer on opposing sides of the gate structure. The etch process for forming the well trenches forms an undercut region extending under the gate structure and is selective to the germanium-containing silicon layer. Stress inducing semiconductor material is epitaxially grown to fill at least a portion of the well trench to provide at least one of a stress inducing source region and a stress inducing drain region having a planar base.
US08946051B2
It is an object to provide a method for manufacturing an SOI substrate in which crystal defects of a single crystal semiconductor layer are reduced even when a single crystal semiconductor substrate in which crystal defects exist is used. Such an SOI substrate can be manufactured through the steps of forming a single crystal semiconductor layer which has an extremely small number of defects over a single crystal semiconductor substrate by an epitaxial growth method; forming an oxide film on the single crystal semiconductor substrate by thermal oxidation treatment; introducing ions into the single crystal semiconductor substrate through the oxide film; bonding the single crystal semiconductor substrate into which the ions are introduced and a semiconductor substrate to each other; causing separation by heat treatment; and performing planarization treatment on the single crystal semiconductor layer provided over the semiconductor substrate.
US08946034B2
In a method for forming a semiconductor device, a gate electrode is formed over a semiconductor body (e.g., bulk silicon substrate or SOI layer). The gate electrode is electrically insulated from the semiconductor body. A first sidewall spacer is formed along a sidewall of the gate electrode. A sacrificial sidewall spacer is formed adjacent the first sidewall spacer. The sacrificial sidewall spacer and the first sidewall spacer overlying the semiconductor body. A planarization layer is formed over the semiconductor body such that a portion of the planarization layer is adjacent the sacrificial sidewall spacer. The sacrificial sidewall spacer can then be removed and a recess etched in the semiconductor body. The recess is substantially aligned between the first sidewall spacer and the portion of the planarization layer. A semiconductor material (e.g., SiGe or SiC) can then be formed in the recess.
US08946031B2
A method for fabricating a MOS device is described. A first hard mask layer is formed over a substrate. The first hard mask layer is patterned and a portion of the substrate removed to form a first patterned hard mask, and a fin structure surrounded by a trench and extending in a first direction. An insulating layer is formed at the trench bottom. A gate conductive layer is formed on the insulating layer, extending in a second direction. A first implant process is performed using the first patterned hard mask as a mask to form first S/D extension regions in the sidewalls of the fin structure. The first patterned hard mask is removed to expose the top of the fin structure, and then a second implant process is performed to form second S/D extension region therein.
US08946030B2
Disclosed is a method of forming a dummy gate in manufacturing a field effect transistor. The method includes a first process of exposing a workpiece having a polycrystalline silicon layer to plasma of HBr gas, and a second process of further exposing the workpiece to the plasma of HBr gas after the first process. The first process includes etching the polycrystalline silicon layer to form a dummy semiconductor part having a pair of side surfaces from the polycrystalline silicon layer, and forming a protection film based on a by-product of etching on the pair of side surfaces in such a manner that the thickness of the protection film becomes smaller toward a lower end of the dummy semiconductor part.
US08946023B2
A method of making a vertical NAND device includes forming a lower portion of a memory stack over a substrate, forming a lower portion of memory openings in the lower portion of the memory stack, and at least partially filling the lower portion of the memory openings with a sacrificial material. The method also includes forming an upper portion of the memory stack over the lower portion of the memory stack and over the sacrificial material, forming an upper portion of the memory openings in the upper portion of the memory stack to expose the sacrificial material in the lower portion of the memory openings, removing the sacrificial material to connect the lower portion of the memory openings with a respective upper portion of the memory openings to form continuous memory openings, and forming a semiconductor channel in each continuous memory opening.
US08946021B2
On a silicon substrate is formed a stacked body by alternately stacking a plurality of silicon oxide films and silicon films, a trench is formed in the stacked body, an alumina film, a silicon nitride film and a silicon oxide film are formed in this order on an inner surface of the trench, and a channel silicon crystalline film is formed on the silicon oxide film. Next, a silicon oxide layer is formed at an interface between the silicon oxide film and the channel silicon crystalline film by performing thermal treatment in an oxygen gas atmosphere.
US08946018B2
Some embodiments include methods of forming semiconductor constructions. A heavily-doped region is formed within a first semiconductor material, and a second semiconductor material is epitaxially grown over the first semiconductor material. The second semiconductor material is patterned to form circuit components, and the heavily-doped region is patterned to form spaced-apart buried lines electrically coupling pluralities of the circuit components to one another. At least some of the patterning of the heavily-doped region occurs simultaneously with at least some of the patterning of the second semiconductor material.
US08946017B2
Numerous other aspects are provided a method for making a nonvolatile memory cell. The method includes forming a non-planar dielectric structure, and conformally depositing a semiconductor layer over the dielectric structure. A portion of the semiconductor layer serves as a channel region for a transistor, and the channel region is non-planar in shape.
US08946012B2
A method of forming a semiconductor structure having a substrate is disclosed. The semiconductor structure includes a first layer formed in contact with the substrate. The first layer made of a first III-V semiconductor material selected from GaN, GaAs and InP. A second layer is formed on the first layer. The second layer made of a second III-V semiconductor material selected from AlGaN, AlGaAs and AlInP. An interface is between the first layer and the second layer forms a carrier channel. An insulating layer is formed on the second layer. Portions of the insulating layer and the second layer are removed to expose a top surface of the first layer. A metal feature is formed in contact with the carrier channel and the metal feature is annealed to form a corresponding intermetallic compound.
US08946010B2
A method of manufacturing a three dimensional FET device structure includes: providing a substrate having a semiconductor layer on an insulator layer; forming three dimensional fins in the semiconductor layer; applying a masking material to a first fin while exposing a second fin; applying a hydrogen atmosphere to the substrate and exposed second fin, the hydrogen atmosphere causing the exposed second fin to reflow and change shape; removing the masking material from the first fin; and forming a gate to wrap around each of the first and second fins. The first and second fins are formed having a device width such that the first fin having a first device width and a second fin having a second device width with the first device width being different than the second device width.
US08946008B2
A thin film transistor array panel includes a substrate, a semiconductor that is positioned on the substrate and that has a source area, a drain area, and a channel area, a gate insulating layer that is positioned on the semiconductor, a gate electrode that is positioned on the gate insulating layer and that overlaps the channel area, a first interlayer insulating layer that is positioned on the gate electrode and that has contact holes that expose the source area and the drain area, respectively, of which the source area and the drain area have a same plane pattern as that of the contact holes, and a source electrode and a drain electrode that are positioned on the first interlayer insulating layer and that are connected to the source area and the drain area, through the contact holes, respectively.
US08945996B2
A method of forming circuitry components includes forming a stack of horizontally extending and vertically overlapping features. The stack has a primary portion and an end portion. At least some of the features extend farther in the horizontal direction in the end portion moving deeper into the stack in the end portion. Operative structures are formed vertically through the features in the primary portion and dummy structures are formed vertically through the features in the end portion. Horizontally elongated openings are formed through the features to form horizontally elongated and vertically overlapping lines from material of the features. The lines individually extend from the primary portion into the end portion, and individually laterally about sides of vertically extending portions of both the operative structures and the dummy structures. Sacrificial material that is elevationally between the lines is at least partially removed in the primary and end portions laterally between the horizontally elongated openings. Other aspects and implementations are disclosed.
US08945988B2
There is provided a method of fabricating a semiconductor device, method including: a) forming semiconductor elements in plural element regions surrounded by assumed dicing lines on a first principal surface of a semiconductor wafer; b) grinding the second principal surface in such a way that an outer peripheral portion of a second principal surface on the opposite side of the first principal surface of the semiconductor wafer becomes thicker than an inner peripheral portion of the second principal surface; c) forming a metal film, in such a way as to avoid sections corresponding to the dicing lines, on the second principal surface that has been ground in the grinding step; and d) cutting the semiconductor wafer from the second principal surface side along portions where the metal film is not formed on the dicing lines.
US08945986B2
One method of making an electronic assembly includes mounting one electrical substrate on another electrical substrate with a face surface on the one substrate oriented transversely of a face surface of the other substrate. The method also includes inkjet printing on the face surfaces a conductive trace that connects an electrical contact on the one substrate with an electrical connector on the other substrate. An electronic assembly may include a first substrate having a generally flat surface with a first plurality of electrical contacts thereon; a second substrate having a generally flat surface with a second plurality of electrical contacts thereon, the surface of the second substrate extending transversely of the surface of said first substrate; and at least one continuous conductive ink trace electrically connecting at least one of the first plurality of electrical contacts with at least one of the second plurality of electrical contacts.
US08945984B2
A method and structure for bump-on-trace bonding is provided. In an embodiment traces to be used for bump-on-trace (BOT) bonding are protected during a pre-solder treatment. The pre-solder treatment improves the adhesion between the exposed traces (e.g., the non-BOT traces) and a solder resist layer.
US08945979B2
An organic layer deposition apparatus, a method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting display apparatus by using the same, and an organic light-emitting display apparatus manufactured by the method, and more particularly, an organic layer deposition apparatus that is suitable for use in the mass production of a large substrate, that enables high-definition patterning, and that is capable of controlling a distance between a patterning slit sheet and a substrate that moves, a method of manufacturing an organic light-emitting display apparatus by using the organic layer deposition apparatus, and an organic light-emitting display apparatus manufactured by the method.
US08945973B2
A backside-illuminated active pixel sensor array in which crosstalk between adjacent pixels is prevented, a method of manufacturing the backside-illuminated active pixel sensor array, and a backside-illuminated image sensor including the backside-illuminated active pixel sensor array are provided. The backside-illuminated active pixel sensor array includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductive type that comprises a front surface and a rear surface, light-receiving devices for generating charges in response to light incident via the rear surface, and one or more pixel isolating layers for forming boundaries between pixels by being disposed between the adjacent light-receiving devices, a wiring layer disposed on the front surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a light filter layer disposed on the rear surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein a thickness of the one or more pixel isolating layers decreases from a point in the semiconductor substrate toward the rear surface.
US08945971B2
The present disclosure relates a method to mitigate wafer warpage in advanced technology manufacturing processes due to crystallization of one or more amorphous layers with asymmetrical front-surface and back-surface layer thicknesses. After deposition of one or more layers of amorphous material on a front-surface and a back-surface of the wafer in a furnace tool, the front-surface layers are patterned which thins a front layer thickness. Downstream thermal processing performed at a temperature which exceeds a crystallization threshold of the amorphous material will result in asymmetric stress between the front and back surfaces due to the asymmetrical layer thicknesses. To mitigate this effect, the amount of warpage as a function of the difference in asymmetrical layer thickness may be determined such that a front-surface deposition tool may be utilized in conjunction with the furnace tool to reduce the difference in front-surface and back-surface layer thicknesses. Other methods are also disclosed.
US08945965B2
The present invention provides a Group III nitride semiconductor light-emitting device exhibiting improved light extraction performance. In the production method, a p cladding layer of p-AlGaN is formed by the MOCVD method on a light-emitting layer at a pressure of 30 kPa and with an Mg concentration of 1.5×1020/cm3. A plurality of regions with a nitrogen polarity is formed in the crystals with a Group III element polarity, and thus the p cladding layer has a hexagonal columnar concave and convex configuration on the surface thereof. Subsequently, a p contact layer of GaN is formed by the MOCVD method, in a film along the concave and convex configuration on the p cladding layer.
US08945942B2
The present invention relates to the use of preparations for stabilizing isolated proteins. In particular, the use of such a preparation for stabilizing receptors in biochemical sensors is disclosed. The invention in addition relates to biochemical sensors containing such preparations.
US08945929B2
Provided are a marker for determining sensitivity to an anticancer agent capable of distinguishing a therapeutic response of an individual patient and a novel means for a cancer therapy using the marker. The marker for determining sensitivity to an anticancer agent contains a substance in a metabolic pathway in which L-phenylalanine and/or N,N-dimethyl glycine are/is involved.
US08945924B2
A targeted cultivation phase adjustment is provided in a process for the cultivation of cells in which biological cells are cultivated on at least one boundary surface between different, non-solid cultivation phases so that pre-determined cultivation conditions are given. A cultivation apparatus (100) for biological cells is also provided that includes a culture container (10) with different, non-solid cultivation phases (20) between which at least one boundary surface is formed.
US08945923B2
The present invention provides recombinant proteins comprising the amino acid sequence of an intracellular segment of CD40 and an amino acid sequence mediating the association of the recombinant protein with the constant region of an immunoglobulin heavy chain. The recombinant proteins according to the present invention are useful for inducing clonal expansion of a B cell having a predetermined antigen-specificity without the need for T cell or CD40L mediated co-stimulation. Thus, the present invention provides tools for clonal expansion of B cells specific for an antigen of interest and the production of B cells secreting antibodies specific for an antigen of interest. The recombinant proteins of the present invention may also be used for generating fully human monoclonal antibodies with a predetermined antigen-specificity from the B cell repertoire of a human subject.
US08945922B2
Provided are an iPS cell derived from a somatic cell such as an NKT cell, having the α-chain region of the T cell antigen receptor gene rearranged to uniform Vα-Jα in an NKT cell receptor-specific way, NKT cells differentiated from the iPS cell, a method of creating the same, and an immune cell therapy agent prepared using cells differentiated from the iPS cell. Also provided are an iPS cell having TCRα rearranged to NKT-TCR (NKT-iPS cell), obtained by contacting a somatic cell, such as an NKT cell, having the α-chain region of the T cell antigen receptor gene rearranged to uniform Vα-Jα in an NKT cell receptor-specific way, with nuclear reprogramming factors, isolated NKT cells obtained by differentiating the iPS cell ex vivo (iPS-NKT cell), a method of generating CD4/CD8-double positive NKT cells (DP-NKT cells) and mature NKT cells from NKT-iPS cells by altering the combination of feeder cells and/or cytokines, a method of expanding the iPS-NKT cells, and an NKT cell cytotherapy agent comprising NKT cells activated with α-galactosyl ceramide (α-GalCer), or iPS-NKT cells, and α-GalCer in combination.
US08945903B2
The present invention relates to cellobiohydrolase variants having improved thermostability in comparison to wild-type CBH2a.
US08945893B2
The present invention provides methods for producing derivatives from cultured cells. In addition, the present invention provides methods for conversion of prenyl derivatives, obtained from biological or petrochemical sources, to isoprene by employing chemical or biological catalysts. The present invention also provides compositions that include the cultured cells or isoprene or prenyl derivatives produced there from.
US08945892B2
A method for the continuous liquefying of organic solids in a fermenter, wherein an outwardly directed flow of solids is produced in a dammed-up liquid, the solids are added in the lower region of the fermenter and the solid fermentation residues are essentially collected and removed below the level of the dammed-up liquid.
US08945883B2
The present invention pertains to methods related to cloning nucleic acids from biological samples, particularly pathological tissue samples. This method includes hybridizing a population of oligonucleotide sequence probes comprising degenerate sequence tags to a fixed tissue, isolating the hybridized oligonucleotide sequence probes and amplifying the sequence tags in the hybridized oligonucleotide sequence probes. This method can be utilized to identify genes associated with disease and to quantitate the expression of disease-related transcripts. The method can also be used to identify truncated mRNAs.
US08945874B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing, diagnosing, and treating cancer. In particular the invention provides the means and methods for the diagnosis, characterization, prognosis and treatment of cancer and specifically targeting cancer stem cells. The present invention provides an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding membrane proximal region of the extracellular domain of a human Notch receptor and inhibits tumor growth. The present invention further provides a method of treating cancer, the method comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody that specifically binds to a non-ligand binding membrane proximal region of the extracellular domain of a human Notch receptor protein and inhibits tumor growth.
US08945866B2
Methods and devices for cutting and collecting dissected specimens are described herein. In one embodiment, the method for dissecting and collecting specimens includes the following steps: placing a sample onto a slide of a laser dissection microscope, the slide being translatable in its plane of extension, lowering an adherent collection device centered on the optical axis onto the probe, wherein the adherent collection device, in its lowered state, adheres to the sample, is freely translatable with the slide and decoupled from the optical axis of the microscope, and, in its raised state, is fixed relative to the optical axis, dissecting one or more specimens from the sample, wherein the following steps are performed if the next specimen to be dissected is located outside of a predetermined collection radius of the adherent collection device: raising the adherent collection device, translating the slide to a given position relative to the optical axis of the microscope in order to decenter the center of the specimen to be dissected from the optical axis of the microscope, lowering the adherent collection device onto the sample, and dissecting one or more subsequent specimens, wherein, after each step of raising the adherent collection device, the predetermined position is spaced apart from all previously determined positions by at least one predetermined distance.
US08945864B2
The object of the present invention is to provide a method of determining 1,5-anhydroglucitol, including using (a) a protein which consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; (b) a protein which consists of an amino acid sequence having deletion, substitution and/or addition of one or more amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 and which has sorbose dehydrogenase activity; or (c) a protein which consists of an amino acid sequence having a homology of at least 60% with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 and which has sorbose dehydrogenase activity.
US08945859B2
Methods for the fermentative production of four carbon alcohols is provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably isobutanol is produced by the fermentative growth of a recombinant bacterium expressing an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway.
US08945856B2
A method of biochemical identification by: providing a plurality of capture species bound to one or more substrates and suspected of having one or more biological targets affinity bound to at least one capture species; detecting which capture species contain bound biological targets to generate a binding pattern; and identifying the biological target based on the binding pattern. The capture species are independently selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial peptides, cytotoxic peptides, antibiotics, and combinations thereof. A device having the capture species bound to the substrates. At least two of the capture species are capable of multi-specific binding to one or more biological targets and may have overlapping but not identical affinity properties.
US08945855B2
Provided are methods for protein engineering, such as engineering proteases or kinases. The methods may utilize yeast display and/or ER sequestration of proteins or substrates. In some aspects, TEV proteases with altered substrate specificity, potency, and/or efficiency are provided.
US08945849B2
This invention relates to a composition, kit, or DNA chip for use in diagnosis of esophageal cancer, which comprises a plurality of polynucleotides selected from the group consisting of polynucleotides whose expression levels are varied in esophageal cancer tissues obtained from esophageal cancer patients when compared with cancer-free esophageal tissues obtained from esophageal cancer patients, mutants thereof, and fragments thereof, and to a method for detecting esophageal cancer using the composition, kit, or DNA chip.
US08945829B2
The application describes methods for accurately evaluating whether thyroid test samples, especially indeterminate thyroid samples, are benign or malignant.
US08945826B2
The present invention relates to use of Caminibacter carbonic anhydrase in CO2 extraction, e.g., from flue gas, natural gas, biogas or ambient air. The Caminibacter carbonic anhydrases are especially well suited for these purpose due to their extreme thermostability.
US08945824B2
A method of determining hypoxia in fetal scalp blood sampled during labor comprises the determination of total lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in plasma obtained from the sample. The method can comprise the additional determination of K, Mg, Ca, AST, ALT, lactate in the plasma and/or blood. Increased values of one or more of LDH, Mg, Ca, AST, ALT, lactate are indicative of hypoxia in the fetus. Also disclosed is the use of a plasma separation apparatus in the method.
US08945816B2
A method for producing a semiconductor device includes forming a resist pattern by coating a resist pattern thickening material to cover the surface of the resist pattern, baking the resist pattern thickening material, and developing and separating the resist pattern thickening material, wherein at least one of the coating, the baking and the developing is carried out plural times.
US08945814B2
Acid generator compounds are provided that are particularly useful as photoresist composition components. Preferred acid generators include cyclic sulfonium compounds that comprise a covalently linked acid-labile group.
US08945811B2
A system and method for forming encoded microparticles is described. One embodiment includes an encoded microparticle, the microparticle comprising a plurality of segments aligned along an axis, wherein the plurality of segments define a code for the microparticle; and an outer cuboid encapsulating the plurality of segments, wherein the plurality of segments are detectable through the outer cuboid.
US08945807B2
Disclosed are compositions of mixed fullerene derivatives with utility in organic semiconductors, and methods of making and using such compositions. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to compositions of mixed fullerene derivatives further comprising one or more additional fullerene-based components within specified ranges. In certain other embodiments, the invention relates to methods of producing mixed fullerene derivatives of a specific composition from mixed fullerene starting materials, or pure fullerene derivatives of a specific composition from mixed fullerene derivatives. In yet other embodiments, the invention relates to semiconductors and devices comprising a composition of the invention.
US08945800B2
In a multiple patterning techniques, where two or more exposures are used to form a single layer of a device, the splitting of features in a single layer between the multiple exposures is carried out additionally with reference to features of another associated layer and the splitting of that layer into two or more sets of features for separate exposure. The multiple exposure process can be a process involving repeated litho-etch steps desirably, the alignment scheme utilized during exposure of the split layers is optimized with reference to the splitting approach.
US08945799B2
A pellicle which has a mask adhesive layer that can be plastic-deformed readily particularly at a temperature at which exposure to light is carried out, rarely provides a residue of an adhesive agent upon the removal of the mask adhesive layer from a mask and has good handling properties, and which can prevent the position gap of a pattern. The pellicle comprises a pellicle frame, a pellicle membrane and a mask adhesive layer containing a mask adhesive agent. The mask adhesive agent comprises 100 parts by mass of a thermoplastic elastomer (A) having a tan δ peak temperature of −20 to 30 DEG C and 20 to 150 parts by mass of an adhesiveness-imparting resin (B).
US08945794B2
A process is provided for etching a silicon-containing substrate. In the process, the surface of the substrate is cleaned. A film of alumina is deposited on the cleaned substrate surface. A silver film is deposited above the film of alumina. An etchant comprising HF is contacted with the silver film.
US08945787B2
An electromagnetic main stop valve which is opened by an electromagnetic force of a solenoid with energization of a valve body in a valve-closing direction by energizing unit is provided in a hydrogen tank. A current sensor and the accelerator opening-degree sensor for detecting a use gas flow rate in a fuel cell stack are provided. A pressure sensor for detecting a pressure in the hydrogen tank is provided. The control device sequentially sets the electromagnetic force of the solenoid so that a valve-opening amount is such an amount as to supply a use gas flow rate to the fuel cell stack based on detection values of the current sensor or the accelerator opening-degree sensor, and the pressure sensor. When the flow rate of hydrogen gas flowing into a gas supply path increases due to a hydrogen gas leak, the main stop valve is automatically closed.
US08945780B2
A nonaqueous electrolyte includes: a nonaqueous solvent containing 0.1% by volume or more and not more than 50% by volume of at least one member selected from the group consisting of a halogen element-containing chain carbonate represented by the following formula (1) and a halogen element-containing cyclic carbonate represented by the following formula (2); and an electrolyte salt containing a compound represented by the following formula (3) in an amount of 0.001 moles/L or more and not more than 0.5 moles/L relative to the nonaqueous solvent
US08945771B2
A negative-electrode active material includes a compound that has a pseudobrookite structure.
US08945769B2
An electricity storage device including a positive electrode 31, a negative electrode 32, and an electrolytic solution 29 located between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. At least one of the positive electrode 31 and the negative electrode 32 contains an electricity storage material containing a polymerization product having a tetrachalcogenofulvalene structure in a repeat unit of a main chain.
US08945762B2
A negative lower gasket has a rib disposed along the outer periphery of a flat portion having a base of a negative current collector disposed thereat. The height of the rib is set to be more than a thickness of the negative lower gasket. The rib may be disposed only at a portion corresponding to a position where legs project from the base of the negative current collector at the outer periphery of the flat portion.
US08945760B2
A storage element includes: an external terminal having an exposed surface which is exposed to the outside from an envelope, a current collector which is contained inside of the envelope and is connected to the external terminal, and a power generating element which is contained inside of the envelope and is connected to the current collector. The external terminal includes: a flat portion exposed to the outside; and a shaft projecting from the flat portion to the inside of the envelope and being connected to the current collector.
US08945759B2
A battery including an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator therebetween; a case housing the electrode assembly; a cap plate coupled to the case; a collector plate coupled to the electrode assembly; and a terminal coupled to the collector plate and passing through the cap plate, wherein the terminal includes a terminal protrusion and a bottom protrusion, the collector plate includes an electrode region coupled to the electrode assembly and a terminal region coupled to the terminal, the terminal region including a combining hole passing therethrough, the combining hole having a noncircular shape, and the bottom protrusion of the terminal has an interengaging, matching shape relative to the combining hole, passes through the combining hole of the collector plate, and is welded to a lower surface of the collector plate.
US08945756B2
An anode electrode for an energy storage device includes both an ion intercalation material and a pseudocapacitive material. The ion intercalation material may be a NASICON material, such as NaTi2(PO4)3 and the pseudocapacitive material may be an activated carbon material. The energy storage device also includes a cathode, an electrolyte and a separator.
US08945755B2
The disclosure discusses a secondary battery with superior durability and a vehicle configured to mount the same. The secondary battery comprises an electrode structure wherein a cathode is formed at one side of a base material layer having electrical insulating property and an anode is formed at another side of the base material layer. A plurality of electrode structures are stacked with an electrolyte layer interposed therebetween such that the cathode and anode of adjacent electrode structures are on opposite sides of the electrolyte layer.
US08945746B2
Provided is a battery pack with improved heat dissipation efficiency. The battery pack includes a holder case, and a plurality of batteries disposed inside the holder case. The holder case includes a plurality of ribs disposed inside the holder case. Each of the ribs has a column extending in a direction substantially parallel to a side surface of the holder case, and each of the batteries is accommodated between the columns of the ribs. The column has a heat dissipation hole therein extending along the extension direction of the column. An air flow is formed through the heat dissipation hole, and heat generated during a charge and/or discharge operation dissipates through the air flow in the heat dissipation hole. A portion of the columns are separated from each other forming a gap. The heat generated from the batteries also dissipates through this gap.
US08945745B2
Disclosed is a battery device including a battery enclosure incorporating a battery cell. The battery device further includes an output terminal that outputs power of the battery cell. The battery enclosure includes a first surface, a second surface, a first step surface, a second step surface, a first engaging portion, a second engaging portion, a first groove, and a second groove formed in the second step surface and the second engaging portion, and a recess is provided in at least one of the first step surface and the second step surface.
US08945733B2
A magnetic recording medium in which information can be recorded using a heat-assisted magnetic recording method comprises a recording layer formed on a substrate. The recording layer has a plurality of magnetic recording bit regions and a plurality of high thermal conductors each extending inside a corresponding one of the bit regions. The high thermal conductors have a thermal conductivity higher than that of the recording layer and assist in dissipating heat energy imparted to the bit regions during the recording of information.
US08945732B1
A recording medium comprising a magnetic recording layer having an axis of magnetic anisotropy substantially perpendicular to the surface thereof, a soft magnetic underlayer disposed under the magnetic recording layer and physically coupled to the magnetic recording layer through one or more intermediate layers magnetically decoupling the soft magnetic underlayer from the magnetic recording layer, and an orientation initialization layer disposed between the magnetic recording layer and the soft magnetic underlayer.
US08945729B1
Embodiments disclosed herein include compositions that serve, among other things, the dual function of a thermal barrier and an RF absorber. The compositions can be applied as a single layer to an aircraft engine component, thus reducing the weight of the aircraft and eliminating an extra coating step in the manufacturing process. The coating materials are designed to protect the metal underneath from the high temperatures generated during engine operation, and also to absorb or scatter radiation which may incumbent on the metal during operation. In some implementations, the compositions comprise a two phase mixture of perovskite and magnetoplumbite.
US08945723B2
An organometallic complex that increases an energy band gap between HOMO and triplet MLCT states, and enables highly efficient phospholuminescence and can be used for an organic electroluminescent device. The organometallic complex, which is suitably used for forming an organic layer of the organic electroluminescent device, provides a luminescence maximum emission in the wavelength range of 400-650 nm, and induces white electroluminescence when combined with green or red luminescent materials.
US08945720B2
A hardmetal composite used as wear-resistant surfaces and inlays in earth-engaging equipment includes more than one hardphase. At least one hardphase has a high average particle size, for example, from 100 μm to 2000 μm. The hardphases vary in terms of particle size, hardness, and binder content, and at least one hardphase includes a particulate constituent capable of plastic deformation that comprises at least 1% residual porosity.
US08945714B2
Example embodiments of this invention relate to a coated article including an infrared (IR) reflecting layer of a material such as silver or the like, for use in an insulating glass (IG) window unit for example. In certain example embodiments, the coating is a single-silver type coating, and includes an overcoat including an uppermost layer of or including silicon nitride and a layer of or including tin oxide immediately under and contacting the silicon nitride based overcoat. In certain example embodiments, the thicknesses of the silicon nitride based overcoat and the tin oxide based layer are balanced (e.g., substantially equal, or equal plus/minus about 10%). It has surprisingly been found that such balancing results in an improvement in thermal cycling performance and improved mechanical durability. In certain example embodiments, the coating may realize surprisingly good substantially neutral film side reflective coloration, and may achieve an improved visible transmission, SHGC ratio and low U-values. Moreover, in certain example embodiments, stress in the overcoat of the coating may be reduced by reducing nitrogen gas flow (N2 ml/kW) and cathode power during a sputter-deposition process, thereby further improving thermal cycling performance.
US08945713B2
Disclosed is a glass material for press forming providing an optical element having a sufficient optical performance without surface cracks, cloudiness, scratches, and the like even when the glass material contains an easily reducible component. Also disclosed are an optical element having a sufficient optical performance without surface cracks, cloudiness, scratches, and the like and a method for manufacturing the same. Specifically disclosed are a glass material for press forming and a glass optical element each of which comprises a core portion composed of multiple component optical glass and a composite surface layer covering at least a region serving as an optical functional surface of the core portion. The core portion is composed of optical glass that contains an easily reducible component and does not contain Pb. The composite surface layer includes a first surface layer that covers the core portion and a second surface layer that covers the first surface layer. The first surface layer is composed of a component that does not react with the glass of the core portion at the press forming temperature and does not diffuse in the glass of the core portion. The second surface layer is composed of a component that improves formability during the press forming. Also specifically disclosed is a method for manufacturing the optical element.
US08945712B2
A polymeric or oligomeric composition comprising at least one first divalent unit represented by formula: and at least one of a second divalent unit comprising a pendant phosphonate group —P(O)(OY)2 or a monovalent unit comprising a thioether linkage and a terminal Z group, wherein each Z group is independently —P(O)(OY)2 or —O—P(O)(OY)2. Rf is a perfluoropolyether group. Q is a bond, —C(O)—N(R1)—, or —C(O)—O—. R″, R′″, R and R1 are each independently hydrogen and alkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. X is alkylene, arylalkylene, and alkylarylene, wherein alkylene, arylalkylene, and alkylarylene are each optionally interrupted by at least one ether linkage. Y is hydrogen, alkyl, trialkylsilyl, and a counter cation. Methods of treating a surface using these compositions and articles with a surface in contact with these compositions are provided. Methods of making these compositions are also provided.
US08945708B1
Decorative ionomeric surfaced film and sheet (e.g., multilayer co-extruded polymer) and articles made therefrom (e.g., automotive panels and parts) exhibiting good weatherability, mar resistance, and surface appearance of a high quality automotive finish (including color, haze, gloss, and DOI) and economical process for making (e.g., co-extrusion) and using (e.g., thermoforming and injection backfilling) the same.
US08945706B2
A polymer composition suitable for wood treatment or binding comprises a reaction product of at least a polyol and at least a crosslinking agent. The crosslinking agent has at least 2 carboxylic acid groups per molecule. A wood product comprising a wood substrate and a polymer composition as well as a wood treatment process are also disclosed.
US08945698B2
A honeycomb structure includes porous partition walls via which a plurality of cells constituting through channels for a fluid are partitioned; and an outer peripheral wall positioned in the outermost periphery of the structure. Open frontal areas of predetermined cells in an end face of the structure on a fluid inlet side thereof and open frontal areas of remaining cells an end face of the structure on a fluid outlet side thereof are provided with plugged portions. Bubbles are formed in the plurality of plugged portions, and the center of each of the bubbles is positioned in a predetermined region of each of the plugged portions along the central axis direction thereof.
US08945696B2
An apparatus for Round Paper Product and Napkin product is to provide to provide a more practical, attractive, and environmentally sound alternative to standard, square shaped paper towels and napkins featuring a distinct circular shape for easy placement in microwaves. ea
US08945691B2
A fluffy nano-material and method of manufacture are described. At 2000× magnification the fluffy nanomaterial has the appearance of raw, uncarded wool, with individual fiber lengths ranging from approximately four microns to twenty microns. Powder-based nanocatalysts are dispersed in the fluffy nanomaterial. The production of fluffy nanomaterial typically involves flowing about 125 cc/min of organic vapor at a pressure of about 400 torr over powder-based nano-catalysts for a period of time that may range from approximately thirty minutes to twenty-four hours.
US08945689B2
A method of preparing hydrotalcite for a PVC stabilizer, which comprises: forming crystals of hydrotalcite represented by a formula of M(II)XM(III)Y(OH)N(Am—)Z. nH2O, wherein M(II) is a divalent metal selected from Mg2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+; M(III) is a trivalent metal selected from Al3+, Fe3+, Cr3+ and Co3+; and Am— is an anion selected from CO32-, OH—, NO3-, SO42- and halides; and depositing zinc (Zn) onto the hydrotalcite by using any one method of electrode-position, chloride ion deposition, and plasma deposition to provide zinc-deposited hydrotalcite.
US08945687B2
Disclosed are a heat transfer medium and a heat transfer method that uses the heat transfer medium. The heat transfer medium comprises a light-transparent substrate coated with a plurality of nano particles. The nano particles absorb light incident thereon to thereby produce heat, which is transferred to a target object to be heated. Nano particles can be applied onto a target object. After heating, the particles are removed by etching. Nano particles can be selectively applied to the light-transparent substrate or directly to a target object to be heat so as to localize heat-production and thus heat selective portions of the target object.
US08945686B2
A method for producing an electrically conductive thin film on a substrate is disclosed. Initially, a reducible metal compound and a reducing agent are dispersed in a liquid. The dispersion is then deposited on a substrate as a thin film. The thin film along with the substrate is subsequently exposed to a pulsed electromagnetic emission to chemically react with the reducible metal compound and the reducing agent such that the thin film becomes electrically conductive.
US08945680B2
The present invention relates to a method for the establishment of a crack resistant epoxy paint coat and paint compositions suitable for said method. The method is developed for use in ballast tanks e.g. a ballast tank of a vessel. The method involves the steps: (i) applying a paint composition comprising an epoxy-based binder system onto the surface thereby forming a curable paint film on the surface, and (ii) allowing the curable paint film to cure thereby forming the epoxy paint coat. The paint composition has a viscosity of at the most 140 KU, when ready to be applied. The paint composition comprises 35-80% by solids volume of the paint of an epoxy-based binder system having a ratio between the hydrogen equivalents and the epoxy equivalents in the range of 20:100 to 120:100. The paint composition furthermore comprises 0.5-30% by solids volume of the paint of one or more fibers. The fibers have an average length, of at the most 250 μm.
US08945675B2
The present disclosure relates to the deposition of conductive titanium oxide films by atomic layer deposition processes. Amorphous doped titanium oxide films are deposited by ALD processes comprising titanium oxide deposition cycles and dopant oxide deposition cycles and are subsequently annealed to produce a conductive crystalline anatase film. Doped titanium oxide films may also be deposited by first depositing a doped titanium nitride thin film by ALD processes comprising titanium nitride deposition cycles and dopant nitride deposition cycles and subsequently oxidizing the nitride film to form a doped titanium oxide film. The doped titanium oxide films may be used, for example, in capacitor structures.
US08945673B2
An apparatus for producing grafted Group IV nanoparticles is provided and includes a source of Group IV nanoparticles. A chamber is configured to carry the nanoparticles in a gas phase and has an inlet and an exit. The inlet configured to couple to an organic molecule source which is configured to provide organic molecules to the chamber. A plasma source is arranged to generate a plasma. The plasma causes the organic molecules to break down and/or activate in the chamber and bond to the nanoparticles. A method of producing grafted Group IV nanoparticles is also provided and includes receiving Group IV nanoparticles in a gas phase, creating a plasma with the nanoparticles, and allowing the organic molecules to break down and/or become activated in the plasma and bond with the nanoparticles.
US08945666B2
Systems and methods for adjusting a moisture concentration of veneer are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the method for adjusting a moisture concentration of a veneer can include estimating a moisture concentration of a veneer surface at one or more locations thereon. The method can also include comparing the one or more estimated locations to a minimum moisture concentration level. The method can also include moisturizing at least a portion of the one or more estimated locations that are below the minimum moisture concentration level to increase the moisture concentration thereof.
US08945662B2
A slide stainer and a method for operating the slide carrier is disclosed. The slide stainer includes a slide carrier that carries one or more laboratory slides; a vessel that is capable of carrying fluid for staining the laboratory slides and that is sized to accommodate the laboratory slides; a slide transporter that moves the slide carrier into and out of the vessel; and a spring loaded pin that engages with a surface of the slide stainer to limit free-fall translation of the slide carrier in an event of a power loss. Additionally, during an agitation phase of a slide staining process, the slide transporter is configured to translate the slide carrier in an upward direction to a pre-determined height that is set by a user of the slide stainer, and the slide transporter translates the slide carrier in a downward direction back into the vessel.
US08945656B2
This invention is related to a shelf stable jamun juice composition comprising of jamun pulp, water and juice concentrate, wherein the juice concentrate is deionized fruit juice concentrate. This invention is also related to a process of preparation of the said composition. This invention also relates to a process of preparation of jamun pulp. The composition wherein, it is without added sugar and preservative is more delectable.
US08945655B2
Stable and consumable compositions are described. The stable and consumable compositions can be green tea beverages that have added acidic stabilizer, like gallic acid, to stabilize elevated levels of antioxidants such as catechins formulated in the beverage.
US08945648B2
A method and system for producing fried food pieces with reduced oil content is disclosed. The food pieces are immersion fried in hot oil at a first temperature to an intermediate moisture content, and finish fried at a second, higher oil temperature to a final moisture content.
US08945643B2
Food products and the processes for forming/manufacturing the food products are disclosed. An exemplary food product comprises one or more extruded components (e.g., vegetable, fruit, dairy, meat, flavoring, spice, coloring, particulate, or combinations thereof); and one or more extruded collagen layers substantially encasing the extruded component(s). Another exemplary food product is disclosed as comprising an extruded component; and a carrier co-extruded with the first extruded component, the carrier comprising a matrix adhered to the first extruded component and an additive suspended in the matrix.
US08945636B2
A stabilized formulation for skin care, wound care and/or other tissue healing applications and methods for making the same is described. The stabilized formulation stabilizes omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and is constituted of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in combination with tocopherol (Vitamin E), ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), herb extract, and a fat-soluble antioxidant. Methods for making and using the stabilized formulation are also described.
US08945634B2
A method of producing a product to correct hypercholesterolemia including pulping fruits of Emblica officinalis with demineralized water to create a slurry. The slurry is treated with pectinase. The pectinase-treated slurry is filtered to create a solution. The solution is concentrated to create a product. A product having an extract of Emblica officinalis for prophylactic and for therapeutic treatment of coronary diseases, atherosclerosis, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
US08945633B2
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for treating and preventing inflammatory diseases comprising an ethyl acetate fraction of dried extract of Trachelospermi caulis as an active ingredient and a method for producing the fraction. More particularly, the present invention relates to a composition for preventing and treating inflammatory diseases comprising an ethyl acetate fraction of dried extract of Trachelospermi caulis as an active ingredient, in which the extract of Trachelospermi caulis is refined and concentrated to contain 0.05˜12% by weight of arctigenin as an index material, and a method for producing the fraction.
US08945621B2
The present disclosure is directed to a method for treating a disease or disorder in a patient at risk of developing an NSAID-associated ulcer by administering to said patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition in unit dose form comprising naproxen, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and esomeprazole, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to said at risk patient and thereby decreasing the patient's risk of developing an ulcer.
US08945620B2
A solid pharmaceutical composition containing pregabalin is described. The composition includes a matrix forming agent and a swelling agent and is suitable for once daily oral administration. Exemplary matrix forming agents include mixtures of polyvinyl acetate and polyvinylpyrrolidone, and exemplary swelling agents include cross-linked polymers of polyvinylpyrrolidone.
US08945600B2
Provided are methods of delivering at least one pharmaceutical agent to the central nervous system (CNS) of a subject, methods of treating a neurological disorder or pain in a subject that include administering at least one pharmaceutical agent onto a SEM graft in the skull base of the subject. Also provided are methods of treating a neurological disorder or pain in a subject that include forming a SEM graft in the skull base of the subject and administering at least one pharmaceutical agent onto the SEM graft in the skull base of the subject. Also provided are methods of forming a SEM graft in the skull base of a subject, compositions for administration onto a SEM graft in the skull base or into an endonasal reservoir or endonasal reservoir device in a subject, and devices for administering such compositions onto a SEM graft in the skull base of a subject.
US08945598B2
The present invention relates to a process for reducing solvent contents in drug-containing polymeric compositions. Specifically, the solvent contents in the drug-containing polymeric compositions are first reduced by one or more conventional drying methods, to a range from about 0.5 wt % to about 10 wt % of the total weight of the polymeric composition. Subsequently, the drug-containing polymeric compositions are further treated by one or more low temperature (i.e., having processing temperatures of less than 60° C.) drying methods for further reduction of the solvent content to less than 10,000 ppm.
US08945594B2
A formulation for topical use having a filmogenic (peel-off) action for professional and home use, containing high concentrations of Retinoic acid, the method of production and use thereof in the treatment of acne, wrinkles, hyperpigmentations, psoriasis and all imperfections linked to keratinization disorders. The composition also comprises octyldodecyl octyldodecanoate, and polyvinyl alcohol. The composition is in the form of a face mask (pack).
US08945590B2
This invention relates to a method for vaccination which is effective for eliciting an enhanced antigen-specific immune response in a mammal, fish or bird. The method is particularly effective for protecting a mammal, fish or bird from a disease including cancer, a disease associated with allergic inflammation, or an infectious disease. Also disclosed are therapeutic compositions useful in such a method.
US08945589B2
This application relates to Group B Streptococcus (“GBS”) vaccines comprising combinations of GBS polypeptide antigens where the polypeptides contribute to the immunological response in a recipient. Preferably, the compositions of the invention comprise a combination of two or more GBS antigens, wherein said combination includes GBS 80 or a fragment thereof. In one embodiment, the combination may consist of two to thirteen GBS antigens selected from an antigen group consisting of GBS 80, GBS 91, GBS 104, GBS 184, GBS 276, GBS 305, GBS 322, GBS 330, GBS 338, GBS 361, GBS 404, GBS 690, and GBS 691.
US08945588B2
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for treating or preventing a bacterial infection, particularly infection by a Staphylococcus bacterium. The invention provides methods and compositions for stimulating an immune response against the bacteria. In certain embodiments, the methods and compositions involve an Ebh antigen.
US08945579B2
Methods that stimulate a protective immune response in a subject include a portion of a protein from a naturally occurring viral hemagglutinin, wherein the protein portion includes at least a portion of a globular head and at least a portion of at least one secondary structure that causes the globular head to essentially retain its tertiary structure, and wherein the protein portion lacks a transmembrane domain, a cytoplasmic domain and an HA2 subunit. Compositions administered to the subject can further include a carrier and can be administered in single or multiple doses.
US08945575B2
The methods and compositions described herein are based, in part, on the discovery of a polypeptide of soluble CD23 (sCD23) that binds and sequesters IgE. Thus, the sCD23 peptides, polypeptides and derivatives described herein are useful for treating conditions or disorders involving increased IgE levels such as e.g., allergy, anaphylaxis, inflammation, lymphoma, and certain cancers.
US08945574B2
The invention provides hypoallergenic variants of Bet v 1 major allergen from Betula verrucosa plant pollen and the use thereof for the preventive or therapeutic treatment of allergic diseases.
US08945572B2
Methods and compositions are provided for the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancers associated with amplification or overexpression of the FGFR2 gene.
US08945566B2
The invention provides a method for increasing the bioactivity (e.g. the biosafety and efficacy) of a therapeutic IgE antibody of the invention in the treatment of a patient. Methods of the invention include: i) administering to the patient a therapeutic IgE antibody in combination with at least one bioactivity-enhancing agent, ii) strategic treatment regimens and protocols for the dosing and administration of a therapeutic IgE antibody of the invention, and iii) the use of a therapeutic IgE antibody having a variable region comprising at least one antigen binding region specific for binding an epitope of an antigen wherein the epitope is not highly repetitive or is non-repetitive.
US08945564B2
Stable liquid pharmaceutical compositions comprising an antagonist anti-CD40 antibody as a therapeutically or prophylactically active component and methods useful in their preparation are provided. These compositions comprise the antagonist anti-CD40 antibody, a buffering agent to maintain the pH of the composition between about pH 5.0 and about pH 7.0, and an amount of arginine-HCl sufficient to render the liquid composition near isotonic. The stable liquid antagonist anti-CD40 antibody-containing pharmaceutical compositions of the invention find use in methods for treating proliferative diseases and diseases having an autoimmune and/or inflammatory component.
US08945563B2
The present invention concerns an antibody specific for human ALK (Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase), in particular a scFv, a nucleic acid sequence encoding it, its production and its use as a pharmaceutical or for diagnostic purposes. Said antibody is suitable for the local treatment of tumors, in particular glioblastoma.
US08945557B2
The present invention relates to use of an antagonist of BIR1 (B cell immunoglobulin receptor 1) related to the present invention, a method for screening the antagonist, in addition to subtype polypeptides of BIR1, the polynucleotide encoding them and antibodies for the polypeptides.BIR1 functions as an immunosuppressive receptor, and the antagonist of BIR1 has immunopotentive activity, which is able to use for preventing and/or treating a cancer, an immunodeficiency disease or an infectious disease.
US08945556B2
The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for cancer diagnosis, research and therapy, including but not limited to, cancer markers. In particular, the present disclosure relates to RAF gene fusions as diagnostic markers and clinical targets for cancer.
US08945553B2
The present invention relates to antagonizing the activity of IL-17A, IL-17F and IL-23 using bispecific antibodies that comprise a binding entity that is cross-reactive for IL-17A and IL-17F and a binding entity that binds IL-23p19. The present invention relates to novel bispecific antibody formats and methods of using the same.
US08945551B2
The invention relates to biopolymer-gel based depot systems for prolonged and/or controlled release delivery of biologically active agents, methods for the manufacture of the biopolymer based gel-depots which include a biologically active agent, and uses of such biopolymer gel-depots in therapy. The biopolymer-gel based depot systems comprise a biocompatible polyaminosaccharide and/or protein; a biocompatible phosphate and/or sulphonamide compound; a biologically active agent; an aqueous insoluble alkaline earth metal phosphate; and a biocompatible glycan and/or proteoglycan.
US08945548B2
The present invention relates to antibodies that specifically bind to IL12Rβ1, the non-signal transducing chain of both the heterodimeric IL12 and IL23 receptors. The invention more specifically relates to specific antibodies that are IL12 and IL23 receptor antagonists capable of inhibiting IL12/IL18 induced IFNγ production of blood cells and compositions and methods of use for said antibodies to treat pathological disorders that can be treated by inhibiting IFNγ production, IL12 and/IL23 signaling, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis or inflammatory bowel diseases or other autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.
US08945546B2
The present invention provides isolated monoclonal antibodies, particularly human antibodies, that bind to IP-10 with high affinity, inhibit the binding of IP-10 to its receptor, inhibit IP-10-induced calcium flux and inhibit IP-10-induced cell migration. Nucleic acid molecules encoding the antibodies of the invention, expression vectors, host cells and methods for expressing the antibodies of the invention are also provided. Immunoconjugates, bispecific molecules and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the antibodies of the invention are also provided. The invention also provides methods for inhibiting IP-10 activity using the antibodies of the invention, including methods for treating various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
US08945542B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for effective treatment of a lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LALD) disease, in particular, Wolman's disease and Cholesteryl Ester Storage Disease (CESD). Among other things, the present invention provides a method of treating developmental impairment or malnutrition in an individual suffering from a lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LALD) disease, comprising administering to the individual a therapeutic effective amount of a lysosomal acid lipase.
US08945533B2
The object of the present invention is to provide an oral cavity composition which is nontoxic, excellent in plaque control, can prevent or treat onset of caries and periodontal disease caused by oral pathogens as well as can prevent or eliminate bad breath. The invention provides an oral cavity composition containing a lactic acid bacterium, Streptococcus faecalis as an active ingredient, the oral cavity composition wherein the lactic acid bacterium, Streptococcus faecalis is Streptococcus faecalis WB2000 strain and the oral cavity composition which is a non-aqueous oral cavity composition.
US08945531B2
A recombinant herpes virus showing high antitumor activity is provided. In particular, a recombinant herpes simplex virus that expresses an ICP6 gene under control of a tumor-specific promoter or tissue-specific promoter on the genome of the virus is provided.
US08945528B2
This invention relates to a use of IL-22 in the treatment of viral hepatitis. As illustrated in the examples of this invention, IL-22 can significantly reduce liver damage caused by hepatitis virus, and can significantly reduce the increase of transaminase ALT/AST induced by hepatitis virus. In addition, the IL-22 dimer of this invention can effectively treat viral hepatitis.
US08945527B2
The present invention provides compounds that will degrade under specified conditions, methods of using such compounds, and compositions comprising such compounds. The degradable compounds of the invention may be characterized by the labile —Si-A-C— groups present in the compounds (A representing an atom, such as O, N, or S, or a group, such as C═O). The compounds may be incorporated into a composition that further may include a polymeric matrix and/or a cargo component. A wide variety of cargo components may also be used in the present invention. In particular embodiments, the cargo component comprises a drug or other therapeutic agent. Accordingly, the invention particularly provides pharmaceutical formulations and methods of delivering a drug or other therapeutic material.
US08945526B2
The present invention provides a novel amphiphilic substance, a nanoparticle using the novel amphiphilic substance, which can be used as a nanocarrier having high biocompatibility, a drug delivery system and a probe useful for the system, and, a molecular imaging system and a probe useful for the system. An amphiphilic block polymer comprising a hydrophilic block; and a hydrophobic block, wherein the hydrophilic block is a hydrophilic polypeptide chain having 10 or more sarcosine units, and the hydrophobic block is a hydrophobic molecular chain comprising units selected from the group consisting of amino acid units and hydroxyl acid units as essential structural units, and having 5 or more of the essential structural units.
US08945510B2
Radiolabeled glutaminylcyclase (QC) inhibitors as imaging agents, in particular, but not exclusively, as medical imaging agents for the detection of neurological disorders; and pharmaceutical compositions, methods and kits for detecting neurological disorders, using the radiolabeled inhibitors.
US08945507B2
Systems and methods for operating a gasifier are provided. The method can include combusting a first start-up fuel to produce a first combustion gas. A temperature within the gasifier can be increased from a starting temperature to at least an auto-ignition temperature of a second start-up fuel by introducing the first combustion gas to the gasifier. A second start-up fuel can be introduced directly to the gasifier after the temperature within the gasifier is at least the auto-ignition temperature of the second start-up fuel. At least a portion of the second start-up fuel can be combusted within the gasifier to produce a second combustion gas. The second combustion gas can produce sufficient heat to increase the temperature within the gasifier to a hydrocarbon feedstock gasification temperature. A hydrocarbon feedstock can be introduced to the gasifier. At least a portion of the hydrocarbon feedstock can be gasified within the gasifier to produce a syngas.
US08945497B2
The invention concerns a process for the oxidation of organic compounds contained in a gas stream and comprises the step of introducing the gas stream containing the organic compounds together with sufficient oxygen to effect the desired amount of oxidation into an oxidation reactor containing an oxidation catalyst and maintaining the temperature of said gas stream at a temperature sufficient to effect oxidation, characterised in that the oxidation catalyst contains at least 0.01% by weight of ruthenium, cobalt or manganese.
US08945489B2
A process for recovering a metal chloride or mixed metal chloride from a solid waste material comprising recoverable metal containing constituents produced by lead, copper or zinc smelting and refining processes, said process comprising the steps of: (i) heating the solid waste material; (ii) treating the heated material of step (i) with a gaseous chloride to form a gaseous metal chloride containing product; and (iii) treating the gaseous metal chloride containing product of step (ii) to recover the metal chloride or mixed metal chloride. The metal chloride may be further treated to extract the metal itself.
US08945486B2
A microwell device is provided. The device includes a plate having a upper surface. The upper surface has first and second recesses formed therein. Each recess has an outer periphery. First and second portions of microwells are formed in upper surface of the plate. The first portion of microwells are spaced about the outer periphery of the first recess and the second portion of microwells spaced about the outer periphery of the first recess. A first barrier is about a first portions of the microwells for fluidicly isolating the first portion of the microwells and a second barrier about a second portions of microwells for fluidicly isolating the second portion of the microwells.
US08945472B2
The present invention provides a biosensor system comprising a light source, a cartridge adapted to be illuminated by said light source, a light detector adapted for detecting a signal originating from the cartridge, an illumination control means adapted to vary the illumination of the cartridge between at least two different states, a means for generating a first oscillation with a first frequency, and a means for generating a second oscillation with a second frequency, wherein the frame rate of the light detector is triggered by the first oscillation and the illumination control means is triggered by the second oscillation.
US08945467B2
A method and apparatus for sterilizing an article. The method comprises placing an article in a sterilization container, generating oxidizing plasma radicals at atmospheric pressure, and providing the oxidizing plasma radicals to the sterilization container to sterilize the article in the container.
US08945465B2
Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a compressive rod assembly for applying force to a refractory vessel positioned within an outer metal casing. The assembly includes a rigid elongated rod having first and second opposed ends, a threaded bolt adjacent to the first opposed end of the elongated rod, and a compressive structure positioned operationally between the elongated rod and the bolt. Compressive force applied by the bolt to the elongated rod passes through the compressive structure which allows limited longitudinal movements of the elongated rod to be accommodated by the compressive structure without requiring corresponding longitudinal movements of the bolt. Exemplary embodiments also relate to rod structure forming a component of the assembly, and to a metal containment structure having a vessel supported and compressed by at least one such assembly.
US08945456B2
The invention is a stereolithography machine (1) comprising the following: a support plate (2) provided with a hole (2a); a container (3) associated with the support plate (2) and comprising a transparent bottom (3a); a radiation source (4) arranged below the support plate (2) and suited to convey a radiation beam towards the transparent bottom (3a) through the hole (2a); a temperature control unit (5) suited to maintain the support plate (2) at a predetermined temperature.
US08945441B2
A laminate nanomold includes a layer of perfluoropolyether defining a cavity that has a predetermined shape and a support layer coupled with the layer of perfluoropolyether. The laminate can also include a tie-layer coupling the layer of perfluoropolyether with the support layer. The tie-layer can also include a photocurable component and a thermal curable component. The cavity can have a broadest dimension of less than 500 nanometers.
US08945431B2
The invention relates to a process for producing an electrically conductive, porous, silicon- and/or tin-containing carbon material which is suitable in particular for the production of an anode material, preferably for lithium ion batteries; in a first step of the process, preferably crystalline silicon nanoparticles and/or tin nanoparticles and/or silicon/tin nanoparticles are introduced into a matrix based on at least one organic polymer, being more particular dispersed therein, and subsequently, in a second step of the process, the resultant polymer matrix containing the silicon, tin and/or silicon/tin nanoparticles is carbonized to form carbon.
US08945428B2
A device for washing, sanitizing, and/or sterilizing an item is disclosed. The device may comprise a solution applicator for coating a surface of said item with a washing, sanitizing and/or sterilizing solution. The device may also comprise a heating unit for heating the solution coated on the surface of said item to a working temperature. The device may further comprise a control unit for keeping the temperature of the treating substance at the working temperature for a predetermined amount of time.
US08945422B2
A catalytic reactor including: a reaction container filled with a catalyst having ruthenium; and an introduction part for introducing a material fluid to the reaction container. The reaction container is supplied with a mixed gas as material fluid to produce synthetic gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of the catalyst. The introduction part is connected to the reaction container in a horizontal direction or a direction inclined downward from above a horizontal plane, and a height of the catalyst filled in the reaction container is adjusted above a height at which the material fluid is fed from the introduction part to the reaction container. Also, a method of using the catalytic reactor including monitoring a molar ratio of carbon and oxygen contained in the material fluid and stopping the supply of an oxygen-containing gas to the reaction container before the molar ratio becomes excessively low.
US08945421B2
A surface-modified silicate luminophore includes a silicate luminophore and a coating includes at least one of (a) a fluorinated coating including a fluorinated inorganic agent, a fluorinated organic agent, or a combination of fluorinated inorganic and organic agents, the fluorinated coating generating hydrophobic surface sites and (b) a combination of the fluorinated coating and at least one moisture barrier layer. The moisture barrier layer includes MgO, Al2O3, Y2O3, La2O3, Gd2O3, Lu2O3, and SiO2 or the corresponding precursors, and the coating is disposed on the surface of the silicate luminophore.
US08945419B2
Superabsorbent material, comprising first superabsorbent polymers, coated with second clay-crosslinked superabsorbent polymers, said second clay-crosslinked superabsorbent polymers being obtainable by the step of polymerization of a solution/dispersion of polymerizable compounds and clay particles, to obtain said second superabsorbent polymers, crosslinked by said clay particles, of a weight average largest particle dimension of less than 800 nm.
US08945412B2
A substrate cleaning apparatus is capable of cleaning an entire periphery of a substrate end portion at a time by simple control without polishing the end portion and without generating plasma. The substrate cleaning apparatus has a mounting table 204 on which a wafer W is placed, a heating unit 210 for heating a wafer end portion, ultraviolet application unit 220 for applying ultraviolet to the wafer end portion, and a gas flow forming unit 230 for forming a gas flow on the surface of the wafer end portion. The heating unit, the ultraviolet application unit, and the gas flow forming unit are disposed near the wafer end portion so as to surround the wafer.
US08945411B2
The present invention is to achieve a reduction both in size of a plasma processing apparatus and an installation area thereof. A dry etching apparatus includes a stock unit that includes a cassette storing a tray that can be conveyed and that stores substrates. In a conveying unit storing a conveying apparatus of the tray, a rotary stage is provided. Rotational angular position adjustment of the tray is performed by rotating the rotary stage placed on the tray before being subjected to dry etching and detecting a notch by a notch detecting sensor.
US08945410B2
Disclosed is a fuel cell with enhanced mass transfer characteristics in which a highly hydrophobic porous medium, which is prepared by forming a micro-nano dual structure in which nanometer-scale protrusions with a high aspect ratio are formed on the surface of a porous medium with a micrometer-scale roughness by plasma etching and then by depositing a hydrophobic thin film thereon, is used as a gas diffusion layer, thereby increasing hydrophobicity due to the micro-nano dual structure and the hydrophobic thin film. When this highly hydrophobic porous medium is used as a gas diffusion layer for a fuel cell, it is possible to reduce water flooding by efficiently discharging water produced by an electrochemical reaction of the fuel cell and to improve the performance of the fuel cell by facilitating the supply of reactant gases such as hydrogen and air (oxygen) to a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA).
US08945407B2
A gas bearing seal using porous materials for distribution of gas flow can provide site isolation during wet processing. In some embodiments, a flow cell comprises a porous media gas bearing surrounding a periphery of the flow cell, isolating the liquid inside the flow cell from the ambient air outside the flow cell. In some embodiments, a protective chuck comprises a porous media gas bearing disposed in a middle of the protective chuck, isolating the liquid outside the protective chuck with the gaseous ambient generated by the porous media gas bearing.
US08945406B2
A method for manufacturing a symbol on an exterior of an electronic device is provided. The method includes preparing a support layer, preparing a nanograting layer on the support layer, the nanograting layer including a first nanograting area corresponding to a preset symbol and a second nanograting area corresponding to an area other than the preset symbol, wherein each of the first nanograting area and the second nanograting area includes three-dimensional (3D) nanostructures and a pitch between the 3D nanostructures arranged in the first nanograting area is different from a pitch between the 3D nanostructures arranged in the second nanograting area.
US08945405B2
A magneto-resistive reader includes a first magnetic shield element, a second magnetic shield element and a magneto-resistive sensor stack separating the first magnetic shield element from the second magnetic shield element. The first shield element includes two ferromagnetic anisotropic layers separated by a grain growth suppression layer.
US08945401B2
The disclosed method and apparatus separates solid impurities from a fluid containing solid impurities. The method and apparatus allow the introduction of influent comprising a fluid containing solid impurities into a plurality of channels and allowing at least a portion of the solid impurities initially present in the influent to settle on upward-facing surfaces of a plurality of plates forming the channels or slide down the upward-facing surfaces, while permitting fluid, which has been depleted of at least a portion of solid impurities, to flow upward toward the top edges of the plurality of plates. The influent is introduced into the plurality of channels in a manner that inhibits a disrupting or disturbing of the solid impurities, which have separated from the influent.
US08945396B2
The present invention relates to a delamination method for recovering constituents of a paper-based multi layered laminated packaged waste. The method comprises using of a mixture of inorganic bases to separate the constituents of the packaged waste and recover paper, plastic and/or aluminium components separately. The paper can be recovered as pulp, the plastic can be recovered as is, and the aluminium can be recovered as a water soluble salt. The delamination method of the present invention is also effective on cardboard-based multi layered laminated packaged waste.
US08945394B2
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for removing fine particulate matter from a fluid, comprising a separator that separates an inflow fluid stream into an overflow fluid path and an underflow fluid path, where the underflow fluid path is treated with a tethering material that attaches to the coarse particulate matter to form tether-bearing anchor particles and where the overflow fluid path is treated with an activating material so that the activating material interacts with the fine particulate matter to form activated particles. After these treatments, the underflow fluid path containing the tether-bearing anchor particles is commingled with the overflow fluid path containing the activated particles, so that a removable complex is produced that can be removed in a settling facility, thereby removing the fine particulate matter from the fluid. The systems and methods are particularly advantageous for removing particulate matter from a fluid waste stream following mining or ore processing operations, such as oil sands mining or processing.
US08945387B2
A hollow fiber membrane element may be used in a pressure vessel similar to those used with spiral wound elements, optionally as a replacement for a spiral wound element. A connecting sleeve is used to connect the insides of adjacent elements to each other or to one or more fittings in communication with the outside of the pressure vessel. The element has hollow fiber membranes suspended between two potting heads spaced apart by a cross flow tube that is open at the outside faces of both potting heads. The potting heads are each adapted to slide into an end of a connecting sleeve. A module has one or more hollow fiber elements located inside of a pressure vessel. At least one port is provided in communication between the outsides of the one or more elements and the outside of the vessel. An aerator may be provided on the bottom of the vessel. In an outside-in flow process, feed water enters through the port and flows to the outside of one or more elements while permeate is removed through a fitting at one or both ends of the module. In an inside-out process, feed water enters through a fitting and permeate is removed through a port.
US08945380B1
Systems for treating biomass for the production of ethanol are disclosed. The systems are configured to treat a liquid component separated from biomass to yield sugars available to be fermented into a fermentation product. The systems comprise a filter configured to remove particulate matter to provide a filtered component and an apparatus configured to remove inhibitors from the filtered liquid component provide a treated liquid component comprising sugars available for fermentation. Methods for treating for treating biomass useful in the production of a fermentation product are also disclosed. The methods include the steps of filtering a liquid component to remove particulate matter thereby yielding a filtered liquid component, and treating the filtered liquid component to remove inhibitors thereby yielding a treated liquid component comprising sugars available to be fermented into a fermentation product.
US08945374B2
A device and mechanism for recommending a water filter in a beverage dispenser is described. A sensor senses qualities of unfiltered water. Another sensor senses qualities of a flavorant container, such as the flavorant contained within the container. Based on the quality of the unfiltered water and the particular flavored beverage desired, the device will recommend a water filter to optimize the flavor of the beverage.
US08945370B2
An electrochemical method for capsaicinoid and/or related compound detection in a sample by way of a screen printed electrode having a working electrode, a reference electrode, and a counter electrode. The working electrode can be screen-printed using conductive carbon ink; the reference electrode can be screen printed using conductive carbon ink; and the counter electrode can be screen printed using silver/silver chloride. The method includes contacting the electrode with the sample in the presence of electrolyte solution, and determining whether a change in redox potential occurs by way of differential pulse voltammetry, wherein a modulation amplitude is between approximately 0.1 volt/min and approximately 2.0 volt/min, a step potential is between approximately 0.0005 volt and approximately 0.01 volt, a modulation time is 0.05 seconds, and a corresponding interval time is approximately 0.5 second.
US08945368B2
Apparatus for separating CO2 from an electrolyte solution are provided. Example apparatus can include: a vessel defining an interior volume and configured to house an electrolyte solution; an input conduit in fluid communication with the interior volume; an output conduit in fluid communication with the interior volume; an exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the interior volume; and an anode located within the interior volume. Other example apparatus can include: an elongated vessel having two regions; an input conduit extending outwardly from the one region; an output conduit extending outwardly from the other region; an exhaust conduit in fluid communication with the one region; and an anode located within the one region. Methods for separating CO2 from an electrolyte solution are provided. Example methods can include: providing a CO2 rich electrolyte solution to a vessel containing an anode; and distributing hydrogen from the anode to acidify the electrolyte solution.
US08945367B2
An electrolytic cell and system used for making nitrogen trifluoride consisting of a computer and an electrolytic cell having a body, an electrolyte, at least one anode chamber that produces an anode product gas, at least one cathode chamber, and one or more fluorine adjustment means to maintain fluorine or hydrogen in the anode product gas within a target amount by adjusting the concentration of fluorine in said anode product gas, and the process that controls the system.
US08945359B2
The invention provides a flavin-binding glucose dehydrogenase exhibiting reduced fluctuation of activity depending on temperature environment, and a method for measuring glucose concentration using the flavin-binding glucose dehydrogenase. The flavin-binding glucose dehydrogenase has the following properties (1) to (3): (1) activity: which exhibits glucose dehydrogenase activity in the presence of an electron acceptor; (2) substrate specificity: which exhibits an activity of 10% or less against maltose, D-galactose, D-fructose, sorbitol, lactose and sucrose when the activity against D-glucose is defined as 100%; and (3) temperature characteristics: which exhibits lower fluctuation of activity in a wide temperature range of 10 to 50° C.
US08945322B2
A method of producing a pneumatic tire with a surface fastener including filling an uncured rubber between engagement elements of a surface fastener to form a protective rubber layer in which the engagement elements are buried; placing the surface fastener having the protective rubber layer on an uncured tire in a manner that a surface of the surface fastener opposite a surface having the engagement elements is in intimate contact with an inner surface of the tire; and curing the uncured tire having the surface fastener by use of a curing machine equipped with a bladder.
US08945319B2
Provided is a manufacturing method of a hot-rolled steel sheet which enables manufacturing of a hot-rolled steel sheet having excellent surface properties and a fine structure. The manufacturing method of a hot-rolled steel sheet uses a heating device, descaling device, row of finishing mills, cooling device disposed in the row of finishing mills, and rapid cooling device disposed immediately after the row of finishing mills, and the operations of the heating device, cooling device and rapid cooling device are controlled, thereby controlling a temperature T1 of the material to be rolled on an entry side of the row of finishing mills, a temperature T2 of the material to be rolled on an entry side of a final stand in the row of finishing mills, and a temperature T3 of the material to be rolled on an exit side of the rapid cooling device.
US08945318B2
In an R—Fe—B based rare-earth sintered magnet according to the present invention, at a depth of 20 μm under the surface of its magnet body, crystal grains of an R2Fe14B type compound have an (RL1-xRHx)2Fe14B (where 0.2≦x≦0.75) layer with a thickness of 1 nm to 2 μm in their outer periphery. In this case, the light rare-earth element RL is at least one of Nd and Pr, and the heavy rare-earth element RH is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Dy, Ho and Tb.
US08945313B2
A vacuum exhaust method of a substrate processing apparatus, after opening to the atmosphere, depressurizes a vacuum processing chamber having therein a mounting table for mounting a target substrate thereon. The vacuum exhaust method includes covering a surface of the mounting table with a protection member; sealing the vacuum processing chamber; vacuum evacuating the sealed vacuum processing chamber; and adsorbing at least one of foreign substances and out-gases by the protection member.
US08945309B2
A catalyst for cellulose hydrolysis and/or the reduction of hydrolysis products, in which a transition metal of group 8 to 11 is supported on a solid support. A method of producing sugar alcohols comprising: hydrolyzing cellulose in the presence of the catalyst in a hydrogen-containing atmosphere with pressurization; and reducing the hydrolysis product of cellulose. Provided are a catalyst for use in the production of sugar alcohols by the hydrolysis and hydrogenation of cellulose that affords easy separation of catalyst and product, and that does not require pH adjustment, acid or alkali neutralization, or activation of the catalyst during reuse, and a method of producing sugar alcohols from cellulose employing this catalyst.
US08945302B2
Method for crystal growth from a surfactant of a metal-nonmetal (MN) compound, including the procedures of providing a seed crystal, introducing atoms of a first metal to the seed crystal thus forming a thin liquid metal wetting layer on a surface of the seed crystal, setting a temperature of the seed crystal below a minimal temperature required for dissolving MN molecules in the wetting layer and above a melting point of the first metal, each one of the MN molecules being formed from an atom of a second metal and an atom of a first nonmetal, introducing the MN molecules which form an MN surfactant monolayer, thereby facilitating a formation of the wetting layer between the MN surfactant monolayer and the surface of the seed crystal, and regulating a thickness of the wetting layer, thereby growing an epitaxial layer of the MN compound on the seed crystal.
US08945301B2
A method for producing a diamond material by contacting a fluorinated precursor with a hydrocarbon in a reactor and forming a combination in the absence of a metal catalyst; increasing the pressure of the reactor to a first pressure; heating the combination under pressure to form a material precursor; cooling the material precursor; and forming a diamond material.
US08945294B2
An ink composition having organic pigment particles, a hydrosoluble solvent; a dispersing agent, and water, wherein each of the organic pigment particles has a circularity of 2 nm or less, which is defined as a difference between radii of concentric circumscribing and inscribed circles of a contour of an image of each of the organic pigment particles taken by a transmission electron microscope when a gap between the concentric circumscribing circle and the inscribed circle is least, wherein the inscribed circle has a diameter of from 5 nm to less than 50 nm.
US08945293B2
A silicon oxide removal apparatus for removing silicon oxide contained in an inert gas discharged from a silicon single crystal manufacturing apparatus, including at least: a contact means for bringing the inert gas discharged from the silicon single crystal manufacturing apparatus into contact with a strongly alkaline solution; and a neutralizing means for neutralizing an alkaline material contained in the inert gas brought into contact with the strongly alkaline solution. As a result, there is provided a silicon oxide removal apparatus and a facility for recycling an inert gas for use in a silicon single crystal manufacturing apparatus that can more effectively remove the silicon oxide contained in the inert gas discharged from the silicon single crystal manufacturing apparatus at low cost and enable recycle of the inert gas in which the silicon oxide has been effectively removed.
US08945288B2
A device for separating overspray from the cabin exhaust air of painting systems includes at least one separating surface, on which the exhaust air is guided and which is connected to a pole of a high voltage source. An electrode device arranged in the air stream is associated with the separating surface and connected to the other pole of the high voltage source. The separated paint overspray is transported away from the separating surface with a separating fluid, which flows over the separating surface-from top to bottom. A discharge device having a channel open at the top is present, from which the separating fluid exits along the longitudinal extension of the discharge device when the level of the separating fluid in the channel exceeds an exit level, and reaches the separating surface such that the separating fluid flows downward on the separating surface as a substantially adhering layer.
US08945281B1
The present disclosure describes an apparatus and a method for generating IPA vapor for condensation on a substrate in order to provide a vapor that is substantially free of particulate and molecular contaminants. The apparatus includes an inlet for liquid to enter, and a plurality of heated sloped surfaces to create thin sheets of flowing liquid on the surfaces from which the liquid can vaporize to form vapor. The liquid flows from one surface to another, vaporizing the liquid.
US08945280B2
An amine solvent solution that is useful in absorbing acid gases from a liquid or gas feed stream may have an amine additive added thereto. Additionally or alternatively, the amine additive may be added to a liquid or gas feed stream. The addition of the amine additive decreases the presence of amine-derived contaminants and/or degradation of amine in the amine solvent solution. As such, the amine solvent solution is available for effective reuse in treating the liquid or gas feed stream and there may be a decrease in the corrosion within an amine treating system.
US08945274B2
A coke layer and an ore layer are formed in a blast furnace. The coke layer is formed of conventional coke and the ore layer is formed of carbon iron composite, conventional coke, and ore. The mixing percentage of the conventional coke in the ore layer with respect to the ore is 0.5 mass % or more. Slowing of the gasification reaction of carbon iron composite in the cohesive zone can be suppressed.
US08945267B2
Collapsible extended surface filter and air cleaner system using collapsible extended surface filter
A collapsible air cleaner filter is provided. The filter includes a pleated media filter having a first end, a second end, and a filter media extending between the first and second ends, wherein the filter media includes a first plurality of flexible end portions and a second plurality of flexible end portions, the first and second plurality of flexible end portions are separated by a plurality of pleats, and the filter media extends a first length between the first and second plurality of flexible end portions, and an end member coupled to the first end of the pleated media filter, the end member extending a second length parallel to the first length, the first length being greater than the second length.
US08945262B2
The present invention relates to a separator and more specifically, but not exclusively, to a centrifugal separator for the cleaning of a gaseous fluid. A centrifugal separator is provided as comprising a housing defining an inner space, and a rotor assembly for imparting a rotary motion onto a mixture of substances to be separated. The rotor assembly is located in said inner space and is rotatable about an axis relative to the housing. The rotor assembly comprises an inlet for receiving said mixture of substances, an outlet from which said substances are ejected from the rotor assembly during use, and a flow path for providing fluid communication between the inlet and outlet, wherein the outlet is positioned more radially outward from said axis than the inlet.
US08945259B2
In a construction machine, an equipment room cover is formed with a maintenance hole, which has such a shape as to allow an air filter to pass, at a position on a rear side of the air filter mounted to a filter mounting portion of an air intake duct. A locking device of the filter mounting portion has a movable member movable between a locking position and a lock-releasing position. In the locking position, the movable member contacts with a rear surface of the air filter in a state that a front surface of the air filter is contacted with a contact member so that the air filter is sandwiched and held between the movable member and the contact member. In the lock-releasing position, the movable member is moved away from the rear surface of the air filter for allowing movement of the air filter toward the rear side.
US08945258B2
A vacuum cleaner comprising: a motor coupled to a fan for generating air flow; an elongate body with a handle at longitudinal end and a cleaner head arranged at an opposite longitudinal end; a dirt separation means located in a path of the air flow generated by the fan; and at least one support wheel for supporting the vacuum cleaner upon a floor, wherein the dirt separation means comprises: a hollow substantially cylindrical dirt container with a longitudinal central axis arranged transverse to the elongate body; and an air inlet port to the dirt container, wherein the air inlet port is in communication with the cleaner head located in the path of the air flow upstream of the dirt separation means and wherein the at least one support wheel rotates about the dirt container.
US08945256B2
A desanding system has an elongated vessel that is tilted at a non-zero inclination angle. A fluid inlet at the vessel's upper end discharges a gas stream having entrained liquids and particulates and a fluid outlet into a freeboard portion formed adjacent an upper portion of the vessel above a gas/liquid interface formed below the fluid outlet. A belly storage portion is formed below the interface. The freeboard portion of the vessel has a freeboard cross-sectional area that diminishes along the interface from the fluid inlet to a fluid outlet spaced away from and lower than the fluid inlet. The cross-sectional are of the freeboard portion causes precipitation of the entrained liquids and particulates therefrom and collect in the belly portion of the vessel. A desanded gas stream, being free of a substantial portion of the particulates is removed from the vessel through the fluid outlet.
US08945249B1
Embodiments of methods for measuring one or more magnetic characteristics of a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) element and use of those results to adjust one or more process parameters for fabricating a PCD element and/or for quality control are disclosed. Measurements of one or more magnetic characteristics may be used to adjust process parameters for fabrication of a PCD element to, for example, control catalyst concentration and/or the extent of diamond-to-diamond bonding in the PCD element.
US08945248B2
Biomass gasification systems including a biofilter assembly adapted to be disposed within a filter unit of a biomass gasification system are provided. The biofilter assemblies may be adapted to filter particulate matter from a producer gas flowing through the filter unit while allowing a remainder of the producer gas to pass through the biofilter assembly. The biofilter assembly may include a support structure and a biofilter disposed on the support structure and including a biomaterial adapted to be gasified in a biomass gasification reactor of the biomass gasification system.
US08945246B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a liquefied fuel oil using biomass as a feedstock, in which a relatively inexpensive liquefaction apparatus is used; a good balance is maintained between the liquefaction of water-insoluble lignin and the liquefaction of water-soluble cellulose to achieve a high yield of the liquefied fuel oil based on the biomass solids content; and the amount of ash derived from an alkali catalyst and the like is low. The method for producing a liquefied fuel oil using biomass as a feedstock is characterized by adding, to biomass comprising lignocellulose, a solvent comprising an organic solvent and having a moisture content adjusted to 10 to 25 wt %, including moisture contained in the biomass, and liquefying the biomass at a temperature of 250 to 350° C.
US08945242B2
A positive electrode plate 5, a separator 7, and a negative electrode plate 6 are prepared. The positive electrode plate 5, the separator 7, and the negative electrode plate 6 are combined so as to form a spirally-wound electrode assembly 4. A winding end portion 9 of the electrode assembly 4 is fixed with a heat-sensitive adhesive (preferably, a heat-sensitive adhesive tape 10) whose adhesive force can be reduced by heating or cooling. The electrode assembly 4 is placed in an outer casing 1, and then the ambient temperature of the electrode assembly 4 is adjusted so that the electrode assembly 4 is loosened due to reduction in the adhesive force of the heat-sensitive adhesive. An electrolyte solution is injected into the outer casing 1.
US08945239B2
The invention relates to novel inorganic brighteners, a process for their preparation and their use for brightening substrates. More specifically, the novel inorganic brighteners are phosphors characterized in that they have (i) an absorption maximum in the range of from 350 to 375 nm; (ii) a steep decrease of the absorption band near 400 nm; (iii) a quantum yield of the phosphorescence of at least 0.8; and (iv) a phosphorescence maximum in the range between 415 and 445 nm.
US08945238B2
An artificial foot having a longitudinal axis extending from a heel area to a toe area, a length, a width and a height is provided. The artificial foot includes a connection to a lower leg part, an upper supporting structure in the direction of height, an elastic sole structure extending from the heel area to the toe area, an elastic connecting element arranged between the upper supporting structure and the sole structure, and a coupling system. The upper supporting structure is connected to the sole structure approximately in a middle of the foot with respect to its length by means of the coupling system. The coupling system allows a relative tilting motion between the upper supporting structure and the sole structure while keeping a distance between the upper supporting structure and the sole structure in a middle of the coupling system constant, at least while a patient places weight on it when standing.
US08945234B2
The present invention is directed to a prosthesis for an arthroplasty in a long bone and a methods for achieving a press fit of the metaphyseal element of the prosthesis into a metaphysis of the long bone and the extraction of the prosthesis when indicated. The prosthesis includes a metaphyseal element attached at a proximal end of a stem, the metaphyseal element of the prosthesis is configured to optimize placement of bone marrow about, and in some embodiments, within the metaphyseal element to achieve a press-fit in the metaphysis of the long bone. The prosthesis also includes one or more apertures formed in the joint base member of the prosthesis. Preferably each slot includes a frangible wall which is readily penetrated to accommodate passage of an osteotome of other tool to break the metaphyseal element free from bony in-growth that occurs against the metaphyseal element.
US08945231B2
A composite trial prosthesis comprises a first component (2) and a shim (4). The first component (2) has a first surface (8) corresponding to a surface of a prosthetic component and a reverse surface (10). The shim (4) is arranged to couple to the reverse surface (10). The first component (2) further comprises a first marking (24) which is arranged to be visible when the first component (2) is coupled directly to a bone or a further prosthetic component. Part of the shim (26) is arranged to obscure the first marking (24) when the shim (4) is coupled to the reverse surface (10), the shim (4) further comprising a second marking (28) which is visible when the shim (4) is coupled to a bone or a further prosthetic component. A set of composite trial prostheses and a method of selecting a required surgical prosthesis are also disclosed.
US08945229B2
A reverse shoulder orthopaedic implant includes a glenosphere component having a lateral bearing surface configured to articulate with a humeral cup of a humeral prosthesis. A metaglene component includes a platform configured to receive glenosphere component.
US08945225B2
A prosthetic spinal disc system is provided. The prosthetic disc system has a nucleus component having an upper surface configured to engage a superior vertebra and a lower surface configured to engage an inferior vertebra, an anchor configured to affix to an anterior surface of at least one of the superior vertebra or the inferior vertebra, and a tether tying the nucleus component to the anchor. In such embodiments, the nucleus component further has a perimeter situated substantially between the upper surface and the lower surface of the nucleus component and the tether is at least partially situated on the perimeter of the nucleus component. In certain embodiments, the upper surface and the lower surface of the nucleus component are configured to allow for implantation of the disc system such that after a discectomy, no preparation of at least one of the superior and inferior vertebrae is necessary.
US08945223B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a curable nucleus pulposus implant having water absorption and swelling capabilities, compositions for producing the curable nucleus pulposus implants, and methods of using the curable nucleus pulposus implants. The curable nucleus pulposus implant can be created from a polymer blend composition comprising a ratio of a curable material and at least one hydrophilic polymer. The resulting polymer blend composition may be used to generate curable nucleus pulposus implants to treat a number of disease and/or disorders, such as herniated discs. The curable nucleus pulposus implants may further contain polyelectrolytes and elastomer compounds, as well as pharmacological and biological agents.
US08945209B2
The present disclosure concerns embodiments of implantable prosthetic devices, and in particular, implantable prosthetic valves, and methods for making such devices. In one aspect, a prosthetic device includes encapsulating layers that extend over a fabric layer and secure the fabric layer to another component of the device. In particular embodiments, the prosthetic device comprises a prosthetic heart valve, and can be configured to be implanted in any of the native heart valves. In addition, the prosthetic heart valve can be, for example, a transcatheter heart valve, a surgical heart valve, or a minimally-invasive heart valve.
US08945206B2
A coated implantable medical device 10 includes a structure 12 adapted for introduction into the vascular system, esophagus, trachea, colon, biliary tract, or urinary tract; at least one coating layer 16 posited on one surface of the structure; and at least one layer 18 of a bioactive material posited on at least a portion of the coating layer 16, wherein the coating layer 16 provides for the controlled release of the bioactive material from the coating layer. In addition, at least one porous layer 20 can be posited over the bioactive material layer 18, wherein the porous layer includes a polymer and provides for the controlled release of the bioactive material therethrough. Preferably, the structure 12 is a coronary stent. The porous layer 20 includes a polymer applied preferably by vapor or plasma deposition and provides for a controlled release of the bioactive material. It is particularly preferred that the polymer is a polyamide, parylene or a parylene derivative, which is deposited without solvents, heat or catalysts, and merely by condensation of a monomer vapor.
US08945200B1
Devices and methods for the endovascular repair of aneurysms approximate to side branch vessels and more particularly to devices and methods for placing an acutely angled bifurcated stent graft.
US08945196B2
An exemplary method includes selecting at least one light source configured to generate light at a particular wavelength and applying the light to tissue following an ischemic event. Applying the light to the tissue inhibits cytochrome c oxidase activity. Another exemplary method includes selecting at least one light source configured to generate light at a particular wavelength and applying the light to tissue following an ischemic event and prior to either reoxygenation of the tissue or clinical intervention to reduce cell damage. An exemplary light therapy device includes at least one light source configured to generate light having a wavelength of at least one of approximately 730-770 nm, 850-890 nm, 880-920 nm, and 930-970 nm.
US08945185B2
An interspinous spacer device for the treatment of high-grade spinal disorders is disclosed herein. The interspinous spacer device includes a sliding rod and a base that contains a curved internal track that limits the range of motion and center of rotation of the spinal segments stabilized using the device to the physiological levels of a nondegraded spinal segment.
US08945179B2
Described are method and device for closing a passageway in a body, for example a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in a heart, and related methods of using such closure devices for closing the passageway. The method includes locating a distal end of a closure device adjacent to the passageway. The closure device may include a closure line with proximal and distal ends, an expandable tissue anchor located along the distal end of the closure line, and an expandable occluder member located along the proximal end of the closure line. The expandable tissue anchor is deployed into tissue adjacent to the passageway. The expandable occluder member is deployed adjacent to the passageway such that the expandable occluder member substantially covers the second opening to the passageway.
US08945173B2
Dorsal forearm plate having a three-dimensional concave shape adapted to the shape of the dorsal forearm such that the dorsal forearm may rest on the forearm plate, the dorsal forearm plate has an essentially rectangular extension having opposing long sides and opposing short sides and has a substantially rigid unitary body adapted to underlie the posterior of the patient's hand, wrist and forearm, the plate is provided with two attachment bands, a distal and a proximal attachment band, adapted to attach the plate at the dorsal forearm of a patient. The shape of the side of the plate adapted to face the forearm during use, is adapted to the anatomy of the forearm in that it comprises two elongated depressions running in the longitudinal direction of the plate such that, during use of the plate, the ulnar bone and radius bone of the patient rest in the respective depression and that an elongated ridge, formed between the depressions, is adapted to extend into the softer tissue between the bones in order to orient and stabilize the forearm when attached to the plate. The invention also relates to a radial artery compression system comprising a dorsal forearm plate and a compression unit.
US08945171B2
Medical devices and systems for treating a vascular condition are described. One such device includes a sheath, an elongate delivery member, and a lock. The sheath has a wall that includes an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface defines a lumen along the sheath. An access opening is in a proximal portion of the wall and is in fluid communication with the lumen. The delivery member is at least partially disposed within the lumen. The delivery member passes through the access opening. The lock is slidably disposed on an outer periphery of the wall. The lock slidably moves from a first position to a second position along a longitudinal axis of the sheath. The lock positioned in the first position restricts movement of the delivery member.
US08945164B2
A guard for use with a surgical cutting system. The guard includes a housing and wiring. The housing defines a longitudinal passageway, and is configured for releasable attachment to an instrument handpiece. The wiring is coupled to the housing and includes an electrically conductive wire and an insulative material. The wire defines opposing, first and second ends, with the first end being positioned within the passageway. The insulative material covers the wire apart from the first end such that the first end of the wire is exposed within the passageway. The first end of the wire establishes an electrical connection with a cutting tool shank upon placement within the passageway.
US08945161B2
The invention relates to a device for opening occluded blood vessels, comprising a braided structure (2) on a guide wire (1), said braided structure (2) being securely and permanently attached to the guide wire and consisting of a plurality of filaments (4) arranged in a helical manner and at least at the proximal end combined into a bundle, with the braided structure (2) assuming an elongated form of smaller diameter when subjected to external force while when in unstressed state defining a tubular element of larger diameter closed at least at its proximal end, with the device being provided with restraining/bracing fiber elements (9).
US08945158B2
A delivery/recovery system to allow an operator to deploy and recover a medical implant, such as an occluder for closing a patent foramen ovale (PFO). In one embodiment, the system includes a delivery mandrel for preventing the occluder from moving in the proximal direction, a delivery wire for securing the occluder to the delivery mandrel and preventing unwanted movement in the distal direction, and a sheath for enveloping the delivery wire, mandrel and occluder. By moving the sheath relative to the occluder in a series of steps, the occluder opens first on a distal side and then on a proximal side, in a manner that holds the occluder in place.
US08945157B2
Devices for approximating multiple tissue edges internal to a body are disclosed.
US08945156B2
Methods and apparatuses are provided for tissue fixation. In some aspects, an apparatus includes: a carrier member having a first part, a second part, and a junction therebetween; first attachment members protruding at a first angle from the first part toward the junction, where the first attachment members are configured to engage a first portion of connective tissue for attaching the first part to the first portion; and second attachment members protruding from the second part, where the second attachment members are configured to engage a second portion of connective tissue for attaching the second part to the second portion. When the first part is attached to the first portion and the second part is attached to the second portion, the first portion and the second portion are limited in being pulled apart from one another during physiological use of the connective tissue.
US08945151B2
Apparatus and methods for delivering a surgical clip to a patient during a minimally invasive surgical procedure are disclosed herein. An exemplary apparatus for isolating an atrial appendage of a patient includes a surgical clip that locks onto the atrial appendage of the patient, and a surgical clip applicator that releasably engages the surgical clip. The surgical clip can include a top portion and a bottom portion. The surgical clip applicator can include a first flexible flap and a second flexible flap. The first and second flexible flaps can be sufficiently rigid to prevent the surgical clip from falling off of the surgical clip applicator when the surgical clip is engaged to the surgical applicator and the surgical clip applicator is in a relaxed state, and sufficiently flexible to facilitate separation of the surgical clip from the surgical clip applicator when the surgical clip is locked onto the atrial appendage.
US08945117B2
Disclosed herein is a catheter device sized and shaped for vascular access that has an elongate body extending between a proximal end and a distal end. Further, the elongate body has at least one inner lumen configured to receive a fluid. The catheter also has an ablation electrode configured to provide ablative energy, wherein the electrode is located distally along the elongate body and includes a passageway fluidly connected to the lumen of the elongate body. Also, the catheter has a sensor configured to provide a signal representative of temperature, and an insulating chamber extending at least partially about the ablation electrode and configured to at least partially insulate the sensor.
US08945116B2
An apparatus for mapping and/or ablating tissue includes a braided conductive member that may be inverted to provide a ring-shaped surface. When a distal tip of the braided conductive member is retracted within the braided conductive member, the lack of a protrusion allows the ring-shaped surface to contact a tissue wall such as a cardiac wall. In an alternative configuration, the braided conductive member may be configured with the distal portion forming a proboscis that can be used to stably position the braided conductive member relative to a blood vessel, such as a ventricular outflow tract. The braided conductive member has a plurality of electronically active sites that may be accessed individually for stable mapping over a broad area for stable mapping or ablation to form broad and deep lesions.
US08945107B2
Neuromodulation cryotherapeutic devices and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A cryotherapeutic device configured in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present technology can include an elongated shaft having distal portion and a supply lumen along at least a portion of the shaft. The shaft can be configured to locate the distal portion intravascularly at a treatment site proximate a renal artery or renal ostium. The supply lumen can be configured to receive a liquid refrigerant. The cryotherapeutic device can further include a cooling assembly at the distal portion of the shaft. The cooling assembly can include an applicator in fluid communication with the supply lumen and configured to deliver cryotherapeutic cooling to nerves proximate the target site when the cooling assembly is in a deployed state.
US08945102B2
A method for performing wavefront-guided laser surgery on a cornea includes the step of calculating a corneal flap configuration based upon collected anatomical information on an eye and wavefront data on a cornea of the eye. Such data may be collected by, for example, an aberrometer, although this is not intended as a limitation. The calculated configuration is transmitted to a processor in controlling relation to a corneal flap-cutting device. The flap-cutting device is used to create a corneal flap based upon the calculated configuration. A system for performing wavefront-guided laser surgery on a cornea includes a processor for receiving the anatomical information and wavefront data. A software package is adapted to calculate the corneal flap configuration and to control a corneal flap-cutting device to cut a corneal flap commensurate with the calculated corneal flap configuration.
US08945100B2
A stiffenable structure is made of longitudinal beams that are positioned around a longitudinal axis. In one state, the longitudinal beams are bendable so that the structure is bendable. As the structure bends, the longitudinal beams slide longitudinally with reference to one another. In a second state, the beams are clamped in a fixed position relative to one another so that the structure is stiffened. In some aspects the longitudinal beams are made of two or more longitudinal laminar elements. As each beam bends, the laminar elements slide longitudinally with reference to one another. Each beam, and accordingly the structure, is stiffened by preventing the laminar elements from sliding longitudinally relative to one another.
US08945090B2
Specified information can be provided to a user, to a machine, or to an automated process using a specified configuration of a plurality of radiopaque rings about at least a portion of an implantable lead.
US08945088B2
Sinusitis and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches with flexible or rigid instruments. Various methods and devices are used for remodeling or changing the shape, size or configuration of a sinus ostium or duct or other anatomical structure in the ear, nose or throat; implanting a device, cells or tissues; removing matter from the ear, nose or throat; delivering diagnostic or therapeutic substances or performing other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Introducing devices (e.g., guide catheters, tubes, guidewires, elongate probes, other elongate members) may be used to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g. catheters e.g. balloon catheters, guidewires, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, devices for implanting elements like stents, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for delivering diagnostic or therapeutic agents, substance delivery implants, scopes etc.) into the paranasal sinuses or other structures in the ear, nose or throat.
US08945079B2
A disposable wearable absorbent article comprising an absorbent core area, a side, and an anchoring subsystem. The anchoring subsystem includes exactly one side anchoring member. The side anchoring member has a pathway with a front end, a back end, and a middle. The front end, the back end, or both ends are disposed outside of the absorbent core area. The front end is disposed at a front end longitudinally outboard distance. The back end is disposed at a back end longitudinally outboard distance. The middle is disposed at a middle longitudinally outboard distance. The back end longitudinally outboard distance is less than the front end longitudinally outboard distance. The front end longitudinally outboard distance is about equal to the middle longitudinally outboard distance.
US08945075B2
An ostomy device (1) has an implant (10) arranged, in use, to be located inside the body of person near the site of a stoma (S). A discharge device (20) is arranged, in use, to provide means for intestinal waste to exit to the exterior of the body of the person. In addition, there is means, in use, to be operatively associated with the implant (10) and removably locate the discharge device (20) at the site of the stoma (S). The discharge device (20) is retained at the site of the stoma (S) by magnetic attraction between the implant (10) and the discharge device (20).
US08945064B2
An infusion device for continuous infusion of medication is disclosed, in which infusion is controlled over two separate fluid communications. The infusion is in each fluid communication controlled by restricting means and valve means, and one of the fluid communications further contains a holding device for bolus rate of infusion. The device comprises a flow regulating device comprising a passage defined by at least a first element and a second element, wherein at least one of the first and second element is a primary deformable element adapted to be elastically deformed so as to change the cross sectional area of the passage. Furthermore the device comprises a container for storage and supply of a medication in fluid form, said container comprising a first and a second chamber being arranged relatively to each other so that when volume of the first chamber increases the volume of the second chamber decreases.
US08945056B2
An injection device with a puncture function includes, in a single casing, a cylindrical cartridge in which insulin is enclosed, a cartridge holder to which the cartridge is inserted, a needle inserted at a front end of the cartridge, a reciprocation unit for reciprocating the cartridge toward the needle, and an extrusion member for extruding the insulin from a rear end of the cartridge toward the needle, and the motion speed and the motion amount of the reciprocation unit are made variable.
US08945047B2
Balloon catheters and methods of making and using the same. A balloon catheter may include a catheter shaft and a balloon coupled thereto. A traction member may be coupled to the balloon catheter adjacent the balloon and may extend along a portion or all of the length of the balloon. The traction member can improve traction between the balloon and a target site.
US08945042B2
A medical fluid system including: fluid containers and a tube extending from same, each tube including a cap; a pumping cassette including port spikes; a medical fluid machine including: occluders; a shuttle configured to receive the tubes, wherein each tube is associated with one of the occluders; a driving mechanism translating the shuttle; a cap removal device between the cassette and the shuttle; and a control unit programmed to cause: (i) the occluders to pinch their tubes, (ii) cause the driving mechanism to translate the shuttle towards the fluid pumping cassette, the cap removal device engaging the tube caps, (iii) the driving mechanism to translate the shuttle away from the fluid pumping cassette and cap removal device, pulling the tube caps off of the tubes, and (iv) the driving mechanism to translate the shuttle back towards the fluid pumping cassette for the port spikes to spike the occluded tubes.
US08945038B2
A surgical technique and device wherein an indwelling tube is placed in the eye of a patient having glaucoma. The tube diverts aqueous humor from the anterior chamber to the suprachoroidal space from which it is removed by blood flowing in the choroidal and uveal tissues. This decreases the intraocular pressure.
US08945036B2
The present invention includes a comprehensive replacement fluid system and method for the delivery of regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) to extracorporeal blood circuits, wherein the system may include an online clearance monitor (OCM) and a circuit effluent online sensor system (OSS) for the continuous determination of patient plasma content of ultrafilterable solutes.
US08945033B1
A segmented lumbosacral orthosis with two side members conjoined by a cord threaded through an array of seamless tubes that are independently mounted and swivel from an axis point proximal to the end points of each tube. Each tube array is housed in a mounting bracket made from a continuous piece of material folded over to form a gap in between two sides. Each mounting bracket is attached to a side member by sliding a pin along the folded edge of the bracket through knuckles (or loops) attached to the side member similar to a hinge. A removable posterior member is connected to each posterior end of the side members using an elastic material that expands and contracts in parity with the mechanical advantage closure system. The removable posterior panel is designed to hold a rigid or semi-rigid insert stored in three separate sections: one in a center compartment juxtaposed by one on each side that sway along a vertical axis.
US08945025B2
A medical device is provided comprising a shaft comprising a first segment and a second segment. The first segment is configured to buckle upon application of a first critical force. The second segment includes an outer surface and an inner surface and is configured to buckle upon application of a second critical force. The second critical force is lower than the first critical force. The medical device further comprises a coil disposed radially inwardly of the inner surface of the second segment.
US08945024B2
Disclosed herein is a medical wire with an intracorporeally indwelling member connected to the leading end part of a conductive wire through a thermally-fusible connecting member, wherein the contact of the leading end part of the conductive wire with the intracorporeally indwelling member can be surely prevented even when the connecting member is deformed.The medical wire comprises a conductive wire and an intracorporeally indwelling member connected to the leading end part of the conductive wire through a thermally-fusible connecting member, in which the connecting member is heated and fused by a high-frequency current supplied through the conductive wire, thereby releasing the intracorporeally indwelling member, wherein a non-conductive spacer for preventing the contact of the intracorporeally indwelling member with the conductive wire is provided between them.
US08944996B2
An electronic endoscope system includes a light source device for sequentially emitting plural kinds of light having different wavelength bands, an electronic endoscope for outputting image data of acquired images corresponding to the plural kinds of light sequentially illuminated to a subject tissue containing blood vessels, a setter for setting a blood vessel characteristics amount from the image data, a setter for setting a region of interest in the acquired image based on the amount, an image producer for producing a first oxygen saturation level image representing a distribution of an oxygen saturation level in the blood vessel from the image data, and an image display for displaying in simulated color a second oxygen saturation level image in which the oxygen saturation level within the region of interest is selectively enhanced.
US08944995B2
An insertion device and an endoscope which are inserted and extracted through a small incision and have multiple functions. A device body has grip forceps as a treatment means. A first folding back section and a second folding back section are provided at a distal portion of the device body such that the first and second folding back sections are aligned in a row in the longitudinal direction of the device body. The first folding back section and the second folding back section respectively have image obtaining means. An operation means can move the first folding back section to a folded back position in which the first folding back section is folded back relative to the second folding back section, and can also move the second folding back section to a position in which the second folding back section is folded back relative to the device body.
US08944990B2
Various surgical introducer needle and anchor systems are provided. The systems can include an introducer needle and a tissue support implant or sling device. The implant device can include one or more anchoring devices. The introducer needle device can include a handle assembly and a needle assembly. The needle assembly can include a generally hollow needle, and a wire traversable therein. The wire can include a distal tip adapted to selectively retract or withdraw from the engaged anchoring device upon deployment of the anchor and/or implant.
US08944985B2
An implant for deep brain stimulation (DBS) has an array of electromagnetic microcoils dispersed over the length of the implant. The microcoils produce magnetic fields that are directed into, and induce current in, the adjacent brain tissue. The microcoils may be selectively operated to direct and focus electrical stimulation to targeted areas of the brain. The implant is useful in studying or treating neurophysiological conditions associated with the deep regions of the brain such as Parkinson's disease, drug addiction, and depression.
US08944983B2
An apparatus for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into components, comprising a valve design that facilitates loading and unloading of sets of blood bags. The valves comprise a jaw mounted on a shaft, the jaw being adapted to apply radio frequency energy to seal a tube, a stepper motor section, and at least two position sensors. The valve sections are mounted on an upper plate, and the stepper motor sections are mounted on a lower plate. A main radio frequency coil is selectively electrically coupled to each of the valves through a multiplexing switch.
US08944974B2
A motion resistance suit provides adjustable musculoskeletal compression and increasing resistance over a user's full range of motion. The suit provides increasing resistance over the range of user movements through the use of a porous elastic material that allows for the body to dissipate heat and perspiration. The suit utilizes pockets located in strategic areas for the addition of weights, thereby controlling the amount of resistance felt during use. The pockets are located to allow full range of motion. Cinches are used to control the amount of compression and to create a snug fit which minimizes unwanted movement of the suit and weights. The suit consists of a shirt portion, detachable sleeves, a pants portion, and detachable pant extensions. The user is able to quickly and easily change the amount of weight and the amount of compression based on the exercises being performed and the desired effect.
US08944973B2
A lower body exerciser mainly comprises: a central base; two support brackets located at each side of the central base respectively; two slide tracks connecting the central base with each of the two support brackets respectively; two foot pedals mounted on each of the two slide tracks respectively; a connecting base being fixed under each foot pedal, matched with the slide track, and used for rotating around and sliding along the longitudinal direction of the arc-shaped slide track. A plurality of O-Ring elastic bands are mounted around the pulley sets to generate tension for exercise. The two slide tracks are hinged at each side of the central base respectively, so the exerciser is foldable for convenient carry and storage. This lower body exerciser could help to strengthen and define thighs, legs, buns and hips muscles with minimizing time and maximizing positive results.
US08944961B2
A system and method manage distribution of fitness equipment units based upon automatically collected usage information for the fitness equipment units.
US08944957B2
A method of controlling shifts in a multi-speed transmission includes beginning an initial shift, which changes the transmission from a starting gear to an initial target gear, and executing an adjusted shift, which changes the transmission to an adjusted target gear having higher speed ratio than the initial target gear, when transition conditions are satisfied. The transition conditions include a threshold increase in torque request, which is sufficient to require the transmission to be placed into the adjusted target gear. The transition conditions also include a common controlling clutch, which is an off-going clutch to place the transmission in the adjusted target gear. Executing the adjusted shift does not include placing the transmission in a neutral mode. Furthermore, executing the adjusted shift does not include completing the initial shift.
US08944955B2
A friction gearing has housing and a unit housed in the housing, the unit including a first roller, a second roller and rotatable support plates. The first roller and the second roller are in frictional engagement with each other under a radial pressing force. The radial pressing force is variable in response to a change in the radial distance between the first and the second roller. The rotatable support plates support the first and the second rollers and receive a resisting force that is generated when the first and the second rollers come in contact under the pressing force. The unit is received in the housing with the axis of rotation of the first roller radially fixed while the first roller is rotatably supported by the housing.
US08944945B2
A roller-chain tensioning assembly includes a resilient bow-shaped structure to which are mounted first, second and third guide wheels. These guide wheels are mounted in such manner that a roller chain can be threaded around said first guide wheel on side facing away from said bow, around said second guide wheel on side facing said bow, and around said third guide wheel on side facing away from said bow.
US08944943B2
A knob simulating device that can be affixed to a sporting good, such as a baseball bat. The knob simulating device encircles the shaft of the baseball bat and is made up of a plurality of components that mate together to surround and encase the entire periphery of the bat shaft. Each of the component parts has a hard exterior portion and a resilient interior portion for contacting and conforming to the circular outer surface of the baseball bat. The resilient interior portion is generally cylindrical and may have one or more deformable projections that retain the device along the circular outer surface of the baseball bat. There may be a plurality of deformable projections in the form of annular rings that can be angled so as to securely retain the knob simulating device in the desired location along the shaft of the baseball bat.
US08944938B2
A rebound resilient golf ball having one or more core layers, a cover surrounding the core layer or layers, and optionally a mantle layer positioned between the cover and the core layer or layers. At least one of the layers of the golf ball includes a material whose resilience increases as the hardness of the material increases.
US08944935B2
A high performance golf ball includes a resin inner core, a rubber outer core, and a cover. The resin inner core is made of a blend of highly neutralized polymers and a low flexural modulus ionomer, and may include a blend of different highly neutralized polymers. The inner core has a specified relationship of coefficients of restitution of the various layers of the ball. The cover is a single layer ionomer cover, and may be made from a blend of different grades of the ionomer. The ball as a whole has properties to maximize performance and aesthetic properties, such as backspin off the irons, feel, and sound.
US08944929B1
A golf grip pressure training device provides feedback based on grip pressure exerted on a golf club grip. The device includes a grip having a top end, a bottom end, and a perimeter wall coupled to and extending from the top end to the bottom end. The bottom end is open wherein the grip is configured for being coupled to a golf club by inserting the golf club into the bottom end of the grip. A plurality of pressure sensors is positioned in the grip. A plurality of indicators are also coupled to the grip. Each indicator is communicatively coupled to an associated one of the sensors wherein the indicator is actuated upon the associated pressure sensor detecting pressure on the grip. Each pressure sensor detects a unique amount of pressure on the grip wherein the indicators are sequentially actuated as pressure on the grip is increased.
US08944921B2
An automated, replicable, process-based original concept that provides a self-validating, defined quantification of the relevance of a series of plays or physical and/or mental efforts of competing, simultaneously occurring diametrically opposed strategy and tactics of two or more different teams or individuals engaged in a contest or exhibition of athleticism and skill resulting in a traditionally defined winner and loser, or ranking of participants based on their performance relative to one another.
US08944908B1
This disclosure relates to a system and methodology for dynamically adjusting the difficulty of a game based on upon the specific hardware configuration and/or network connectivity capabilities available to specific users in connection with the interaction of those users with the game. In exemplary implementations, dynamically adjusting the difficulty of playing a game based on hardware and network connectivity capabilities may be performed by processors executing computer program modules.
US08944902B2
A methodology for playing a card game on a table or an electronic device. The methodology includes a dealer using a standard deck of 52 cards and three additional jokers. Each player in the card game places a bet and if the player loses his bet during the game they are allowed to immediately place a new bet and reenter the same game. If a player wins and his bet is paid he may make the same initial bet amount. The game ends when three jokers are played or if a joker is the first card out of the deck.
US08944900B2
A game providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes one or more processors capable of executing a game program. In one embodiment, the game program includes a conversion rate presentation module configured to present a conversion rate between a first basic point and a first varying point to a player. When a first basic object associated with the first basic point is selected, an acquired point of the player is determined on the basis of the first basic point. When a first varying object associated with the first varying point is selected, the acquired point is determined on the basis of the first varying point.
US08944897B2
A ventilation system and a controlling method of such a ventilation system are provided. The ventilation system may exhaust internal air from and draw fresh external air into a designated space. When an outdoor temperature is below a freezing point, some of the internal components of the ventilation system may be damaged due to the low external air temperature. This ventilation system controls operation of a supply fan and/or an exhaust fan based on the temperature of supplied and/or exhausted air to prevent such damage.
US08944894B2
An adjustable manual abrasive sharpener having a pair of sharpening slots formed in a frame with opposing abrasive arms being pivotally mounted in each of the sharpening slots. A rod is mounted on the frame for rotatable motion and for linear motion long its axis of rotation from a position at which the rod is locked against rotation to a depressed position whereby the rod may be rotated. The bottom end portion of the rod includes a pinion gear which engages a pair of gear racks which are mounted for movement laterally relative to the axis of rotation of the rod. The pair of gear racks respectively engage slots formed on the bottom of the abrasive arms in each sharpening slot. Rotation of the rod causes movement of the gear racks to adjust each pair of abrasive arms with respect to each other to vary the sharpening angle of the abrasive elements.
US08944893B2
A dressable bonded abrasive article has a body that includes a bond material comprising an organic material and a blend of abrasive particles. The particles include a first type of abrasive particle comprising an oxide and having a first hardness and a first toughness; a second type of abrasive particle comprising an oxide and having a second hardness greater than the first hardness, and the second type of abrasive particle has a second toughness less than the first toughness; and a third type of abrasive particle comprising an oxide and having a third hardness greater than the first hardness and less than the second hardness, and the third type of abrasive particle has a third toughness less than the first toughness.
US08944886B2
An abrasive polishing slurry including abrasive particles in a carrier fluid and micro-nano members. A system and method for making an abrasive article using the polishing slurry is also disclosed. The system includes a gimballed dressing bar adapted to provide a compressive force sufficient to embed the abrasive particles into the substrate, wherein the members set a height the embedded abrasive particles protrude above the substrate.
US08944876B2
One example includes a body formed of body fabric, the body defining a body pocket opening, a body pocket disposed in an interior of the body and coupled to the body pocket opening and body plush disposed in the interior of the body, between the body pocket and the body fabric. The example includes a head formed of head fabric, the head having a posterior portion of the head coupled to the body at an anterior portion of the body, the head defining a head pocket opening disposed on an anterior portion of the head, a head pocket disposed in an interior of the head and coupled to the head pocket opening and head plush disposed in the interior of the head, between the head pocket and the head fabric. The example includes at least one pair of legs formed of leg fabric and fastened to the body.
US08944875B2
A method for manufacturing a display device includes forming a releasing layer including graphene on a support substrate, forming a thin film substrate on the releasing layer, forming pixels and an encapsulation member on the thin film substrate, and separating the releasing layer and the support substrate from the thin film substrate.
US08944866B2
An Endurance Extension Module (EXM) for powering an Unmanned Underwater Vehicle. The EXM converts wave motion to locomotive thrust, towing the UUV from point to point or keeping it in place against an opposing current. The EXM may also supply the UUV with electricity for driving an electric motor or powering on-board electronics. The EXM can be refracted onto the UUV when not in use to minimize drag, or it can release the UUV as prologue to a subsequent rendezvous. The EXM-UUV combinations of this invention allow extended autonomous missions over wider territory for purposes such as surveying, monitoring conditions, or delivering cargo.
US08944860B2
An electrical female terminal, manufactured from a single metal sheet, comprising a crimping portion and a contact portion adapted to mate with a corresponding male terminal to be inserted therein, the contact portion comprising an outer frame having a top wall, a bottom wall parallel and opposed to the top wall, and two side walls, an inner frame encased in the outer frame, a first elastic contact member extending from the inner frame, and bearing on an inner portion of the bottom wall, a second elastic contact member extending from the inner frame and bearing on an inner portion of the top wall. The first and second elastic contact members have a convex shape oriented toward one another.
US08944859B2
A wire clamp is presented including a body having a face surface and an opposing back surface; a front end, a back end, and side ends; at least one tab positioned on an edge of the back end and an opening disposed substantially centrally on the body, the opening extending from the face surface to the back surface. The wire clamp also includes a plurality of gripping members positioned on edges of the side ends and a raised ridge extending a width of the clamp, the raised ridge adapted to grip a wire.
US08944854B2
An electrical connector for use with an electronic package, includes a base plate and a top housing. The base plate has a number of contacts with mating portions extending upward beyond a top surface of base plate. The top housing has a plurality of through holes corresponding to the contacts and receives the mating portions. The top housing defines a pair of channels to allow the electronic package moving relative to the top housing in a horizontal direction, and then the top housing with the electronic package move relative to the base plate in a vertical direction such that the mating portions protrude from a top surface of the top housing and contact with the electronic package.
