US08947365B2
A region in a displayed image is scraped away in accordance with a trail of touch with a touch pen or the like and an object showing “shavings” corresponding to the scraped-away region is generated. A display position of each of particles generated in accordance with a user's operation with the touch pen 27 or the like varies over time, in line with physical motion in accordance with actual gravity. Namely, a speed of each of the particles successively varies in accordance with prescribed acceleration (comparable to gravity) and the display position thereof is successively updated in accordance with the successively varying speed.
US08947362B2
First detection information related to electrical connection between each row signal line and each column signal line is received from a key matrix circuit (S101). Based on the first detection information, it is determined whether a possibility exists that a user has pressed at least three key switches simultaneously and electrical connection between signal lines for a key switch that has not been pressed has been erroneously detected (S108). Information in accordance with key switches pressed by the user is output based on the first detection information when the determination is negative (S109), whereas output of information based on the first detection information is blocked when the determination is positive.
US08947358B2
The personal care appliance kit includes a display device; and a handle for an electric device. The display device includes a continuous front panel; a window area being a part of the front panel, which window area is transmissible with respect to an infrared signal radiation; a display area being a part of the front panel, which display area is less transmissible than the window area with respect to the infrared signal radiation; and a receiver unit placed on a backside of the window area and adapted for receiving the infrared signal radiation from a transmitter unit for emitting the infrared signal radiation of the handle for indicating a handle use status; wherein the front panel is a liquid crystal display panel having at least one polarization filter layer; and wherein the at least one polarization filter layer is provided with a cut-out in the window area.
US08947349B1
Described herein are systems and techniques for detecting a location of a medium and projecting content onto the medium at the detected location. These systems and techniques also track the changing location of the medium while continuing to project the content onto the medium as the location changes. A user consuming the content on the medium is able to move the display medium relative to a projection device that projects the content without interrupting the consumption of the content.
US08947340B2
A backlight unit includes a plurality of light sources, a boost circuit, a plurality of balance circuits, and a plurality of first resistors. The boost circuit boosts an input alternating current voltage and applies a driving alternating current voltage to the light sources. Each of the balance circuits includes a first capacitor and is disposed between an output terminal of the boost circuit and the light sources. Each of the first resistors connects two balance circuits among the balance circuits.
US08947337B2
An object is to provide a display device that performs accurate display. A circuit is formed using a transistor that includes an oxide semiconductor and has a low off-state current. A precharge circuit or an inspection circuit is formed in addition to a pixel circuit. The off-state current is low because the oxide semiconductor is used. Thus, it is not likely that a signal or voltage is leaked in the precharge circuit or the inspection circuit to cause defective display. As a result, a display device that performs accurate display can be provided.
US08947329B2
An organic light emitting display includes a scan driver for driving scan lines and emission control lines, a data driver for driving data lines, a display unit including pixels at crossing regions of scan lines and data lines, first power source lines coupled to a first power source configured to supply a first voltage and coupled to pixels in columns, horizontal power source lines extending in a direction parallel with scan lines and coupled to pixels in rows, and a second power source line coupled to the horizontal power source lines and to a second power source configured to supply the same voltage as the first power source, each of the pixels being configured to store a voltage corresponding to voltages of the second power source and a data signal and to control an amount of current that flows from the first power source in accordance with the stored voltage.
US08947324B2
A display apparatus, that can prevent thermal destruction and burning with a simple structure, has been disclosed. In the apparatus it is judged that there is possibility of a pattern, whose area with high brightness is small, being displayed frequently, when a state in which the total light emission pulse number remains large occurs with high frequency, and if such a state is detected, the total light emission pulse number (sustain frequency) is reduced to prevent the thermal destruction and burning.
US08947318B2
An antenna apparatus that includes a first antenna having a first feed point, a second antenna having a second feed point, and a first non-feed element grounded at a first ground point disposed at a first predetermined distance from the first feed point and the second feed point.
US08947316B2
Antenna arrangement for a multi-radiator base station antenna, the antenna having a feeding network based on air filled coaxial lines (1, 2, 3), wherein each coaxial line comprises an outer conductor (8) and an inner conductor (4, 5, 6), wherein an adjustable differential phase shifter including a dielectric part (9) is arranged in the antenna and said dielectric part being movable longitudinally in relation to at least one coaxial line 1, 2, 3).
US08947315B2
An antenna that resonates at each of at least operating two frequency bands includes a first LC parallel circuit having a first impedance between a feeding element and a feeding circuit, and a second LC parallel circuit having a second impedance between a parasitic element and ground. The feeding element and the parasitic element are configured such that multiple resonant frequencies are positioned between the two operating frequency bands in a case where the impedances of the first and second LC parallel circuits are set to 0, and the LC parallel circuits having the first and second impedances cause the multiple resonance frequencies to shift to an operating frequency band on the lower frequency side and to the higher frequency side, of the two operating frequency bands.
US08947305B2
An electronic device may have a housing in which an antenna is mounted. An antenna window may be mounted in the housing to allow radio-frequency signals to be transmitted from the antenna and to allow the antenna to receive radio-frequency signals. Near-field radiation limits may be satisfied by reducing transmit power when an external object is detected in the vicinity of the dielectric antenna window and the antenna. A capacitive proximity sensor may be used in detecting external objects in the vicinity of the antenna. The proximity sensor may have conductive layers separated by a dielectric. A capacitance-to-digital converter may be coupled to the proximity sensor by inductors. The capacitive proximity sensor may be interposed between an antenna resonating element and the antenna window. The capacitive proximity sensor may serve as a parasitic antenna resonating element and may be coupled to the housing by a capacitor.
US08947295B2
A bistatic radar measurement system is provided having a radar source configured to produce a radio frequency signal. A transmitting antenna is configured to transmit the radio frequency signal toward a target. A receiving antenna is configured to receive a reflected radio frequency signal from the target. A support system is configured to support the receiving antenna. The support system includes a plurality of low scattering dielectric strings configured to orient the receiving antenna.
US08947294B1
A system and method of providing to a beamformer a modified complex beam steering vector includes collecting subarray I/Q samples from a plurality of subarrays receiving clutter, performing coherent integration of the subarray I/Q samples to increase the CNR, adaptively modifying a complex beam steering vector to form a null in the direction of the received clutter, and outputting to a beamformer the modified complex beam steering vector. The beamformer receives complex I/Q data samples representing a radar signal containing near-horizon clutter and applies the modified beam steering vector to generate a beamformed signal having an elevated mainlobe and a spatial sidelobe null in the direction of the received clutter.
US08947287B2
An A-type converter circuit compares an input voltage with multiple threshold voltages, judges which segment it belongs to, and generates first and second voltages with the input voltage segment between them. The A-type converter circuit generates third and fourth voltages by amplifying the differences between the first and the input voltages and between the second and the input voltages. A B-type converter circuit divides the range between the third and fourth voltages into multiple segments, and judges which segment includes the common voltage. Subsequently, the B-type converter circuit generates fifth and sixth voltages with the common voltage segment between them. The B-type converter circuit generates a seventh (the next stage's third voltage) and an eighth voltage by amplifying the differences between the fifth and the common voltages and between the sixth and the common voltages.
US08947284B2
An A/D converter includes a plurality of AD converting sections that sequentially operate at predetermined intervals. The AD converting section has an ADC that converts an analog signal into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal, a memory that stores, as a specific polarity value, the polarity of a signal obtained by the ADC digitizing an analog signal at a reference voltage, an analog polarity converting circuit that inverts the polarity of the analog signal based on the specific polarity value and a set polarity value, which is previously set, and a digital polarity converting circuit that inverts the polarity of the digital signal based on the specific polarity value and the set polarity value.
US08947281B1
Apparatus and methods for digital-to-analog conversion are disclosed. In one embodiment, an electronic system includes a bias circuit and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) including an input that receives a digital input signal and an output that drives a transmission line. The digital input signal can be used to control a magnitude and polarity of an output current of the DAC. The DAC further includes one or more p-type metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS) termination transistors that receive a first bias voltage from the bias circuit and one or more n-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) termination transistors that receive a second bias voltage from the bias circuit. The bias circuit controls the voltage levels of the first and second bias voltages to control the termination transistors' small signal resistance to actively terminate the DAC's output.
US08947277B2
A sample-and-hold circuit including an operational amplifier configured to output a result signal to the ADC; a feedback capacitor connected between an input terminal and an output terminal of the operational amplifier to form a feedback path; a plurality of sampling capacitor blocks each connected to one of a plurality of channels and configured to sample and hold an analog signal input to each of the channels; a plurality of controllers each connected between one of the sampling capacitor blocks and the operational amplifier; and a reset unit connected between a reference voltage source and the input terminal of the operational amplifier to reset the operational amplifier when the operational amplifier does not perform a holding operation. The plurality of controllers configured to switch the sampled signal so that held signals for the respective channels are sequentially input to the operational amplifier.
US08947270B2
A processor is described that includes an instruction execution pipeline having an instruction fetch unit to fetch and decode an instruction. The processor also has an execution unit to execute the instruction. The execution unit has a state machine and content addressable memory (CAM) circuitry. The state machine is to receive a pointer to a stream of DEFLATE encoded information, fetch a section of the DEFLATE encoded information and apply the section of the DEFLATE encoded information to the CAM to obtain decoded DEFLATE information.
US08947266B2
A display module for displaying passenger-specific display information in an aircraft, comprising: a display, a control unit, a storage device, and a first interface, wherein the first interface is connected to the control unit, and wherein the control unit is designed, on the basis of a signal that is present at the first interface, to read out a storage device content stored in the storage device and associated with the signal in relation to display information, and on the basis of the read-out storage device content and of the signal present at the interface to control the display.
US08947264B2
A structure for a crosswalk providing both an advertising effect and pedestrian safety. A first support is erected vertically from a center of an entrance of a crosswalk. A second support is disposed parallel to and at a predetermined interval from the first support. The first and second supports have the same shape. A respective inner end of first steel members is fixed to an upper end of the first support, and outer ends of the first steel members extend perpendicularly to the direction of the crosswalk. Second steel members are disposed parallel to and at a predetermined interval from the first steel members. The first and second steel members have the same shape. A laser curtain beam radiating device is disposed on an underside of an outer end of one of the first and second steel members, and radiates a laser curtain beam in the direction of the crosswalk.
US08947260B2
A parking assistance system includes a usage status acquisition unit configured to acquire usage status information indicating a usage status at a plurality of parking positions in a parking lot, a moving vehicle information acquisition unit configured to acquire a position of a vehicle moving in the parking lot, a control unit configured to select a parking position for the vehicle in accordance with the usage status information and the position of the vehicle, and transmit guidance image information for guiding the vehicle to the selected parking position, and a projection unit configured to project a guidance image based on the guidance image information onto an inside of the parking lot to present the parking position to the vehicle.
US08947258B2
A system, method and computer program product provides for power line communications (PLC) over electric power lines includes a device mountable near an electrical distribution transformer (DT) to provide a high speed interface and communicates with one or multiple access devices, which provide low speed interfaces for analog signals or digital signals over RS 232, RS 485, optical, wireless and Ethernet. The device transmits data to/from these access devices over the electric lines to other repeaters over one or more wires of an electrical line or over multiple lines, and serves to strengthen and improve signal quality. Upon detecting a wire or line is having problems carrying data, the data is sent over other wires, and upon power line failures, wireless backup to mobile/GSM and WiMax networks is utilized. The device permits utilities and others to read electric meters, monitor the power quality of the distribution grid and detect power losses/failures/outages, and permits telecom service providers and others to provide a communications link to cell phone towers, WiFi Access Points and enable broadband Internet and telephony in rural, remote or sparely populated areas.
US08947248B2
Damaging a touch sensor is prevented by an input apparatus including a pressing load detection unit 102 for detecting a pressing load applied by a pressing object pressing a touch sensor, a contact area detection unit 103 for detecting a contact area of the object on the sensor, a memory unit 105 for storing a pressing load threshold for receiving an input and a damage threshold higher than the pressing load threshold and varies according to the contact area, a control unit 104 for obtaining the pressing load threshold and the damage threshold corresponding to the contact area from the memory unit, and receiving the input when the pressing load reaches the pressing load threshold, or generating a warning signal when the pressing load reaches the damage threshold, and a notification unit 106 for receiving the warning signal from the control unit and outputting a warning.
US08947235B2
An inventory and anti-theft alarm tag system that has (1) one or more RFID tags and (2) a master database. The RFID tags can include an RFID transmitter and an RFID inlay having a unique item number encoded therein. The RFID transmitter allows communication between the RFID tags and the master database. The master database can compare information from the RFID tags with information stored in the master database to determine if the RFID tags are authentic and have been opened or closed a defined number of times indicated in the master database, and if not, a message can be sent for investigation.
US08947218B2
An ECU of a driving support device predicts the risk of contact between a host vehicle and obstacles around the host vehicle when the host vehicle travels by a driving action related to at least one normative action candidate, which is a normative driving action candidate of the host vehicle for the surrounding conditions of the host vehicle. Therefore, it is possible to provide the normative action candidates considering the risk of contact between the host vehicle and the obstacles around the host vehicle.
US08947215B2
A system and method are provided for implementing an automated workstation elevation position tracking and control scheme. Software running on the user's computer generates reminders and/or to forces an individual to periodically readjust the height of the workstation in a manner that promotes standing while at work. A current position, and an elapsed time that the workstation has been at the current position, is detected with an objective of providing pre-programmed routine or random automated reminders to a user to change the current position of the workstation from one elevation state to the other. The software tracks the percent of time that a user is standing and optionally compares this with a pre-defined goal. Automatic control via the user workstation, of workstation elevator actuators is provided in a manner that makes it easier, or otherwise unavoidable, for the user to initiate repositioning from a sitting to a standing position.
US08947213B2
Present invention relates to method for confirming location of product using RFID. Method for confirming location of product on a shelf in a product location confirmation system including: a plurality of shelf areas; a location tag which is provided at each shelf and transmits an RFID signal; a reader which is provided at each shelf and reads the RFID signal; and a server for analyzing the information collected through the reader comprises the steps of: the reader confirming whether a location tag signal is received; the server determining the absence of the product on the corresponding shelf when the location tag signal is received; the reader confirming whether a product tag signal as the RFID signal transmitted from the product is received when the location tag signal is not received; and the server determining the presence of the product within the corresponding shelf when the product tag signal is received.
US08947203B2
An aftermarket, sound activated, wireless, vehicle door unlocking device comprising a sound sensor, processor, memory, and an RF transmitter, transponder, or transceiver capable of generating an unlocking signal, and method of using the device. The device may be easily installed by unskilled users without modifying the vehicle wires or structure. The operator of the device will program the device with an unlocking sound sequence, and the RF unlocking codes needed to unlock the vehicle door. The device continually monitors the sensor for unlocking sounds, and delivers a door unlocking signal when this sound is detected. Various embodiments, including embedded RF key embodiments, solar powered embodiments, and alternative ways of programming the device are also discussed.
US08947198B2
A plurality of access models comprise patterns of accesses to resources protected by an Access Control System (ACS). The access models are used to classify the accesses to the resources as either normal or anomalous. The system stores attributes for the individuals for whom the access models are available, receives attributes of an individual not associated with an access model, and compares the attributes of the individual not associated with an access model to the attributes of the individuals for whom access models are available. The system further selects an access model for the individual not associated with an access model based on the comparison, and uses the selected access model for the individual not associated with an access model to classify access to the one or more resources protected by the ACS by the individual not associated with an access model as either normal or anomalous.
US08947197B2
A method for verifying a person's identity is of the general type which comprises storing a personal pattern of a pre-determined number of locations on a grid in association with personal identification data, and subsequently using the pattern in a verification process. According to the invention, the subsequent verification process comprises the steps of: (a) presenting to the person a challenge grid of locations occupied by a pseudo-random set of symbols, and challenging the person to identify a response set of symbols occupying locations in the challenge grid corresponding to the stored personal pattern; (b) receiving from the person the response set; (c) generating from the challenge grid and the stored pattern a verification set of symbols occupying locations in the challenge grid corresponding to the stored personal pattern; (d) comparing the response set of symbols with the verification set of symbols; and (e) verifying the identity of the person if the response set is the same as the verification set.
US08947192B2
A fusible link unit includes a conductive bus-bar having a fusible portion, a resin housing molded integrally with the bus-bar and including a locking projection, and an exposing window portion for exposing the fusible portion, such that the resin cover is capable of being locked to the locking projection so as to cover the fusible portion, where a half-fitting prevention projection is provided at a periphery of the exposing window portion to prevent half-fitting while suppressing an increase in projection costs.
US08947179B2
The invention discloses a high-frequency filter in coaxial design which allows a simple option for tuning resonators contained in the high-frequency filter. In order to tune the resonator(s), a first tuning element is mechanically anchored in the second terminating wall such that the element is rotationally fixed and the axial length thereof cannot be varied, and a second tuning element, the position of which can be varied, is provided in the longitudinal opening of the inner conductor, wherein the second tuning element consists of a dielectric material, or comprises dielectric material, at least in the region facing the second outside wall, wherein the axial position of the second tuning element can be varied in the spacing area between the inside face of the inner conductor and the first tuning element. The second tuning element can be accessed and/or actuated from the outer side of the first terminating wall to effect a variation of the axial position.
US08947170B2
According to one embodiment, a spin-torque oscillator includes a non-magnetic unit, one or more first magnetic unit, and a second magnetic unit. The non-magnetic unit is formed of a non-magnetic body. The one or more first magnetic unit is connected to the non-magnetic unit and generates a pure spin current indicating the flow of the electron spin that does not accompany an electric charge current. The second magnetic unit is connected to the non-magnetic unit in a manner such that a distance between the second magnetic unit and the first magnetic unit is shorter than a spin diffusion length indicating a distance that an electronic spin polarization is maintained in the non-magnetic unit. The second magnetic unit oscillates by the pure spin current.
US08947167B2
Embodiments provide a reference-less frequency detector that overcomes the “dead zone” problem of conventional circuits. In particular, the frequency detector is able to accurately resolve the polarity of the frequency difference between the VCO clock signal and the data signal, irrespective of the magnitude of the frequency difference and the presence of VCO clock jitter and/or ISI on the data signal.
US08947163B2
Split capacitors scheme for suppressing overshoot voltage glitches in class D amplifier output stage
A class D power amplifier is provided. The class D power amplifier includes a class D driver circuit having a plurality of output transistors, at least one active clamp circuit coupled to at least one output transistor of the plurality of output transistors, and at least one filter bank circuit coupled to the at least one active clamp circuit for controlling a voltage of the at least one output transistor. Accordingly, a voltage across a drain node and source node (VDS), a voltage across a gate node and source node (VGS), and a voltage across the gate node and drain node (VGD) of the output transistors is reduced to increase reliability of the power amplifier while consuming less power and utilizing less die area.
US08947158B2
To reduce a variation in the electrical characteristics of a transistor. A potential generated by a voltage converter circuit is applied to a back gate of a transistor included in a voltage conversion block. Since the back gate of the transistor is not in a floating state, a current flowing through the back channel can be controlled so as to reduce a variation in the electrical characteristics of the transistor. Further, a transistor with low off-state current is used as the transistor included in the voltage conversion block, whereby storage of the output potential is controlled.
US08947157B2
DC to DC converter circuitry includes a dual phase charge pump and at least one pair of multiplier phase circuits. The dual phase charge pump is coupled to each one of the at least one pair of multiplier circuits and adapted to receive a DC input voltage and only four control signals, and produce a stepped-up output voltage. Each one of the at least one pair of multiplier phase circuits are adapted to receive the stepped-up output voltage, a cross-coupled control signal from the other multiplier phase circuit in the pair of multiplier phase circuits, and a different one of the control signals and further multiply the stepped-up output voltage to produce a multiplied stepped-up output voltage with a magnitude that is approximately three times that of the DC input voltage or greater.
US08947148B2
In one example, there is disclosed a hybrid analog-digital point-of-load controller (ADPOL) for use in a power supply. The ADPOL is configured to respond to transient current loads. In the presence of moderate current transients, power is clocked by a digital power core, which may be programmatically configured to adjust pulse width in response to the transient. In the presence of larger current transients, control may be passed to an analog transient compensator, which includes high-speed circuitry selecting between a very high-duty-cycle clock and a very low-duty-cycle clock, which will drive the transient back to the digital control domain.
US08947146B2
A pulse-based flip-flop that latches a data input signal to convert the data input signal into a data output signal in response to a first clock signal and the second clock signal. The pulse-based flip-flop includes a pulse generator and a data latch. The pulse generator includes a first inverter and a signal delay circuit to receive the first clock signal and generate the second clock signal; the data latch includes a delivery circuit, a latch circuit and a control circuit. The data latch is used to latch the data input signal and output the data output signal in response to the first and the second clock signals.
US08947145B2
A PWM signal generation circuit according to the present invention includes a duty setting unit (10) configured to generate a duty control signal designating a duty ratio corresponding to each period of a PWM signal on the basis of an initial duty setting signal, a target duty setting signal, a slope setting signal, and a clock signal, a period setting unit (20) configured to output a period setting value, and an output control unit (30) configured to generate the PWM signal having a period corresponding to the period setting value and having a duty ratio corresponding to a value of the duty control signal. The duty setting unit (10) increases the value of the initial duty ratio to the value of the target duty ratio each time the number of a clock pulse of the clock signal reaches the period setting value reaches the slope setting value.
US08947140B2
Circuits and methods for implementing a continuously adaptive timing calibration training function in an integrated circuit interface are disclosed. A mission data path is established where a data bit is sampled by a strobe. A similar reference data path is established for calibration purposes only. At an initialization time both paths are calibrated and a delta value between them is established. During operation of the mission path, the calibration path continuously performs calibration operations to determine if its optimal delay has changed by more than a threshold value. If so, the new delay setting for the reference path is used to change the delay setting for the mission path after adjustment by the delta value. Circuits and methods are also disclosed for performing multiple parallel calibrations for the reference path to speed up the training process.
US08947134B2
A decoupling circuit includes an inverter. The inverter includes i (i is an integer of 1 or more) PMOS transistors each having a first gate electrode, and j (j is an integer of 0 or more) PMOS transistors each having a second gate electrode. The inverter includes m (m is an integer of 1 or more) NMOS transistors each having a third gate electrode, and n (n is an integer of 0 or more) NMOS transistors each having a fourth gate electrode. The first to fourth gate electrodes are coupled to an input end of the inverter. A total area of the first and second gate electrodes is different from a total area of the third and fourth gate electrodes.
US08947132B2
A semiconductor device includes a normal code generation unit capable of generating a normal code, a test code output unit capable of storing a plurality of preliminary test codes to output a test code in response to a test control signal, and a reference voltage generation unit capable of generating a normal reference voltage in a normal operation mode and generating a test reference voltage in a test operation mode in response to the normal code and the test code.
US08947127B2
Disclosed is a discharge path circuit of input terminal for a driver IC (Integrated Chip), the circuit providing a discharge path to the input terminal of the driver IC including a power input port connected to a first input and an operation mode selection port connected to a second input, the discharge path circuit including an LC (Inductance Capacitance) filter interconnected between the first input and the power input port to filter noise on a power source, and a resistance element interconnected between the first input and a ground terminal, wherein the resistance element provides a discharge path for discharging power charged by the input terminal of the driver IC.
US08947121B2
A programmable logic device that verifies whether configuration data is stored correctly is provided. The programmable logic device includes a configuration memory storing configuration data input to a first wiring and a switch controlling conduction or non-conduction between a second wiring and a third wiring in accordance with the configuration data stored in the configuration memory. Further, whether the configuration data input to the first wiring agrees with configuration data actually stored in the configuration memory is verified by comparing the potential of the second wiring with the configuration data input to the first wiring.
US08947120B2
A circuit for implementing latch array functions on an integrated circuit. Portions of the logic devices included in the implementation of the latch array functions that are controlled by a common signal, may be arranged in a particular alignment. A single layer uni-directionally conductive material may connect the common signal to the logic devices.
US08947119B2
An impedance calibration circuit includes a first calibration voltage driver configured to operate in response to a first enable signal, compare a first calibration voltage signal with a first reference voltage signal, and drive the first calibration voltage signal, a first control code generator configured to operate in response to a second enable signal, compare the first calibration voltage signal with a first target voltage signal, and generate a first control code signal, and a first reference voltage generator configured to generate the first reference voltage signal in response to the first control code signal.
US08947115B2
A method for testing the sensitivity of electronic components and circuits against particle and photon beams using plasma acceleration, in which the flexibility of the multifaceted interaction can produce several types of radiation such as electron, proton, ion, neutron and photon radiation, and combinations of these types of radiation, in a wide range of parameters that are relevant to the use of electronic components in space, such as satellites, at high altitudes or in facilities that work with radioactive substances such as nuclear power plants. Relevant radiation parameter ranges are accessible by this method, which are hardly accessible with conventional accelerator technology. Because of the compactness of the procedure and its versatility, radiation testing can be performed in smaller laboratories at relatively low cost.
US08947106B2
Methods of detecting a plug insertion into a plug aperture of a communications connector are provided in which a control signal is received that is electromagnetically coupled across a plug aperture of the communications connector using a reactive coupling element. A determination may be made that a mating plug (e.g., an RJ-45 plug or a connector on a fiber optic jumper cable) has been inserted into the plug aperture based on this received control signal. Related connectors are also provided.
US08947105B2
In one embodiment, a system includes a touch sensor comprising a first set of electrodes and a first set of bond pads electrically coupled to the first set of electrodes. The system also includes a second set of bond pads capacitively coupled to the first set of bond pads. Each bond pad of the second set of bond pads is coincident with a bond pad of the first set of bond pads. The system also includes a circuit electrically coupled to the second set of bond pads such that signals may be communicated from the first set of bond pads to the circuit.
US08947099B2
An equivalent power method for reducing the effects of voltage variation during at least one active material actuation event, includes determining an applied real output based on the ideal voltage of a voltage source, the corresponding ideal output of a controller, and a measured real voltage, and for providing voltage out of bounds compensation, by further determining a difference based on the maximum available power output of the controller during said at least one event, and applying the difference to determine the applied real output during subsequent event(s).
US08947098B2
An ionization gauge that measures pressure has an electron source that emits electrons, and an anode that defines an ionization space. The gauge also includes a collector electrode to collect ions formed by an impact between the electrons and a gas and to measure pressure based on the collected ions. The electron source is dynamically varied in emission current between a plurality of emission levels dependent on pressure and a second parameter other than pressure. The ionization gauge may also vary various operating parameters of the gauge components according to parameters stored in a non-volatile memory and selected by a user.
US08947090B2
An electromagnet assembly comprises a first pair of substantially co-planar coils wound in opposite senses to each other. It further comprises a second pair of co-planar coils also wound in opposite senses to each other. The coil pairs are arranged substantially parallel to, and spaced apart from, each other. In use, the field shape and direction produced by the first coil pair are substantially mirrored by those produced by the second coil pair.
US08947083B2
In a current detecting apparatus, a container member which constitutes a insulating housing includes an element supporting portion, a connector supporting portion, and a substrate fixing portion. The element supporting portion is formed with a depression to which a magnetism detecting portion of a Hall element is fitted. The connector supporting portion achieves positioning of a body portion of the connector by a fitting structure in three-dimensional directions where a lead terminal of a connector extends in parallel with lead terminals of the Hall element. The substrate fixing portion is a portion where a circuit board is fixed at one point. The body portion of the connector is also fixed to the circuit board with a screw.
US08947075B2
A variable reluctance angle sensor includes a stator, a rotor, and a computation section. The stator includes a core member having teeth, which are arranged in a circumferential direction, and excitation coils, which are respectively wound about the teeth such that magnetic poles of the teeth have different polarities alternately in the circumferential direction. An input voltage is supplied to the excitation coils. The rotor radially faces the teeth of the stator. The rotor has a shape such that gap permeance with respect to the stator changes in a sinusoidal fashion in accordance with the rotational angle of the rotor. The computation section obtains output voltages of two or more phases having different phases based on the voltages of the excitation coils, and detects the rotational angle of the rotor based on the output voltages.
US08947073B2
A sensor arrangement and method for an inductively rotational sensor consisting of a remote clone coil connected to a processor. The clone coil is located between a proximity sensor including a sensor and a rotating target so that when in an input or interrogatory mode rotational speed of the targets on a rotatable body is detected by the clone coil as a base rotational speed. The processor and the clone coil in an injection or output mode presenting emulating pulses to the sensor to mask the normal sensor coil to target interaction so the sensor coil sees the emulating pulses as the indicator of rotational speed. The emulating pulses proportional to the base speed and adjustable to desired levels of variation from the base speed as a reference.
US08947071B2
A system and method for measuring frequency which reduces the impact of noise. The system and method includes the steps of sampling a signal train over a first signal portion of the signal train, determining a first average period for the first signal portion (t1) of the signal train, sampling the signal train over a second signal portion (t2) of the signal train, wherein, the second portion of the signal train overlaps with the first signal portion, determining a second average period for the second signal portion (t2) of the output signal train, and then determining the average of the determined average periods.
US08947054B2
A battery charger is disclosed for use with various batteries, such as automotive and marine-type batteries. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the charging current is alternated between non-zero DC charging current levels. By alternating the charging current between non-zero DC charging levels, the battery can be charged to a higher capacity (i.e., ampere hours) faster, thus reducing the charging time and at the same time allow the rating of the battery charger to be increased. In accordance with another important aspect of the invention, the technique for alternating the charging current can be implemented in both linear and switched-mode battery chargers.
US08947045B2
A method for controlling a power transmission in a wireless power transmission apparatus, and a power transmission apparatus thereof. The method includes detecting via an object detecting sensor whether a foreign object is placed on a charging position of the wireless power transmission apparatus during a wireless charging; calculating a power loss of the wireless charging by a controller of the wireless power transmission apparatus if the foreign object is detected by the object detecting sensor; and stopping the wireless charging if the power loss is over a reference value.
US08947044B2
The invention discloses a wireless charging system for transmitting data. The wireless charging system includes a charging device for wirelessly transmitting a source signal and adjusting a current corresponding to the source signal according to a transmitted datum, and a receiving device which includes a first coil for receiving the source signal according to the electromagnetic effect and generating a corresponding AC current signal, and an output module for obtaining the transmitted datum according to the AC current signal.
US08947041B2
Exemplary embodiments are directed to wireless power transfer. A wireless power transceiver and device comprise an antenna including a parallel resonator configured to resonate in response to a substantially unmodulated carrier frequency. The wireless power transceiver further comprises a bidirectional power conversion circuit coupled to the parallel resonator. The bidirectional power conversion circuit is reconfigurable to rectify an induced current received at the antenna into DC power and to induce resonance at the antenna in response to DC power.
US08947040B2
A universal charger includes a portable charger housing, an universal charging arrangement, and an energy input device. The universal charging arrangement includes a charging circuitry for managing electricity charging of the rechargeable battery, and a plurality of charging terminals movably provided in the battery compartment of the portable charging housing, wherein the charging terminals are adapted to move in the battery compartment to accurately and adjustably align with the battery terminals of the rechargeable battery. The energy input device is electrically connected with the charging circuitry, which is capable of charging a wide variety of electronic devices by acquiring power through a convention USB port.
US08947025B2
A regeneration control device of an electrically powered vehicle includes a motor generator which performs electric power regeneration by braking a driving wheel of the electrically powered vehicle, and a battery to which electric power regenerated by the motor generator is supplied. A monitoring unit includes at least one of a charging rate detection unit configured to detect a charging rate of the battery and a voltage value detection unit configured to detect a voltage value of the battery. A control unit controls the electric power regeneration of the motor generator according to at least one of the charging rate and the voltage value of the battery detected by the monitoring unit. The control unit is configured to decrease regenerative electric current of the motor generator as at least one of the charging rate and the voltage value is increased.
US08947022B2
A garbage container of the present invention includes a main body, a sensor, a pedal, a connecting member, a driving mechanism, and a lid. A receiving opening is formed on a top of the main body. The pedal contacts with the sensor. The lid connects with the connecting member. When the pedal is pressed or released, a resistance of the sensor changes, and then the sensor sends a signal to a controller. After receiving signals, the controller drives the connecting member to elevate or to descend via the driving mechanism. When the pedal is pressed, the connecting member is elevated, and the lid is lifted to enable the receiving opening to communicate with an external space. When the connecting member is descended, the lid covers the receiving opening to unenable the receiving opening to communicate with the external space.
US08947021B2
An accelerator includes an inflector through which a beam entering from an ion source passes and which introduces the beam to an acceleration orbit. The inflector includes a beam convergence unit that converges the beam passing through the inflector. A cyclotron, which accelerates a beam in a convoluted acceleration orbit, includes magnetic poles, D-electrodes, and an inflector. The magnetic poles generate a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the acceleration orbit. The D-electrodes generate a potential difference, which accelerates the beam, in the acceleration orbit. A beam, which enters in an incident direction perpendicular to the acceleration orbit, passes through the inflector, and the inflector bends the beam so as to introduce the beam to the acceleration orbit. The inflector includes a beam convergence unit that converges the beam passing through the inflector.
US08947018B2
A dimmable LED driver adapted to be operated with a dimmer that is configured to generate a predetermined conductive angle, wherein the dimmable LED driver comprises: a rectifier configured to convert an alternating current output by the dimmer to a direct current, a buck PFC block configured to adjust an output voltage of the direct current so as to obtain a stable output voltage, a second buck DC/DC block configured to realize output of a constant current after the stable output voltage is realized, a dimming block configured to, after realizing output of the constant current, accomplish a dimming function jointly with the second buck DC/DC block, and an MCU configured to control the buck PFC block, the second buck DC/DC block and the dimming block.
US08947008B2
A low output voltage driver circuit for a light-emitting device is provided according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Also, an offset voltage cancellation and/or level shifter is incorporated into the driver circuit to increase the accuracy of the driving current. In addition, an error detection circuit and method are employed in order to adaptively detect the minimum output voltage of the inventive driver circuit.
US08947002B2
A light-emitting diode (LED) bulb comprises a base and a shell connected to the base. A first set of LEDs is disposed within the shell and is configured to emit light at a first color corresponding to a first black-body color temperature. A second set of LEDs is also disposed within the shell and is configured to emit light at a second color corresponding to a second black-body color temperature that is different from the first black-body color temperature. A control circuit is configured to provide a transitional-power state to the first and second sets of LEDs to transition between an initial-power state and a reduced-power state by producing a shifting color output that corresponds to a predetermined light-output curve.
US08946991B2
An apparatus, system, and method for solid state lighting is envisioned which, according to aspects of the invention, provides primary event and/or utility lighting during normal power conditions, and which, during periods of interrupted power, provides uninterrupted event lighting for a desired duration, provides a gradual transition from event lighting levels to utility lighting levels, and provides a gradual transition from utility lighting levels to emergency lighting levels.
US08946982B2
The invention relates to coated phosphor particles comprising luminescent particles and at least one, preferably substantially transparent, metal, transition-metal or semimetal oxide coating, and to a process for the production thereof.
US08946978B2
A lighting device (2) comprises a light source (210) having a main forward emission direction (20), and an envelope (220) in which the light source (210) is arranged. The envelope (220) comprises an upper portion (225) having scattering properties and being arranged to reflect a part of the light from the light source (210) laterally and backwardly relative to the main forward emission direction (20) and transmit a part of the light from the light source (210). The light intensity distribution of the lighting device (2) is more uniform, as backward and lateral light intensity is increased while the light in the main forward emission direction (20) is still admitted.
US08946977B2
A spark plug includes a center electrode, a ground electrode, and a tip joined to the center electrode and forming a spark discharge gap with the ground electrode. The tip is joined to the center electrode via a fusion zone, which has an exposed surface exposed to the external environment. In a section containing an axis and the center of the exposed surface, C−B≧0.02 is satisfied, where C (mm) is the distance on the side surface of the tip between the fusion zone and the distal end of the tip, and B (mm) is the distance between a distal end surface of the tip and a portion of the fusion zone located closer to the axis than the side surface of the tip and located closest in the fusion zone to the distal end surface of the tip.
US08946967B2
A tooth portion of a stator is divided into first and second tooth portions and in a relatively movable manner between a first position in which a magnetic resistance between the tooth portions is small and a second position in which the magnetic resistance is relatively larger than in the first position. When the second tooth portion is in the first position, the following equation is satisfied: (total magnetic resistance of main magnetic circuit C1)<(total magnetic resistance of magnetic short-circuit C2)≦(total magnetic resistance of magnetic circuit between permanent magnets C3). When the second tooth portion is in the second position, it is satisfied: (total magnetic resistance of the magnetic short-circuit C2)<(total magnetic resistance of the main magnetic circuit C1), and (total magnetic resistance of the magnetic short-circuit C2)≦(total magnetic resistance of the magnetic circuit between permanent magnetics C3).
US08946964B1
The invention incorporates a modular winding system for an electrical machine that includes a plurality of readily assembled modular windings for engaging a plurality of stator teeth of the machine. Windings comprise a pair of opposed legs terminating in upper and lower flanges, and are readily secured together to make consistent electrical contact between adjacent windings.
US08946963B2
A polyphase stator for an internally ventilated rotating electrical machine comprises a body (14) provided with slots and carrying a coil (12) having at least one winding per phase. A plurality of pairs of lateral branches are mounted in a slot of the body (14). A plurality of connecting heads (50 to 55) extend outside the body (14) so as to form a first lead-out (42) and interconnect each pair of lateral branches. A plurality of coupling feet (150 to 155) are offset circumferentially with respect to the plurality of connecting heads and extend outside the body (14) so as to form a second lead-out (43) and interconnect each pair of lateral branches. One of the pluralities has a generally pointed shape and has an axial length of between 15 and 20 mm. The stator is used with an alternator or alternator-stator for a motor vehicle. An internally ventilated electrical machine is equipped with the stator.
US08946960B2
An axial flux electric motor is disclosed. The motor includes a rotor having a first rotor face, a second rotor face, a primary bearing locator on the first rotor face and one or more permanent magnets mounted to the first rotor face. Also included is a stator having a first stator face, a second stator face, a secondary bearing locator on the first stator face, a stator winding having one or more conductors and a connector for connection of the stator winding to a power source. A bearing assembly is also provided and positioned between the first face of the rotor and the first face of the stator for rotationally supporting movement of the rotor relative to the stator, the bearing assembly axially displacing the rotor from the stator to provide an air gap therebetween. The bearing assembly is engaged by the primary and secondary bearing locators to correctly position the bearing assembly.
US08946957B2
A cable arrangement system for one or more sets of cables to an electric machine is provided. The cable arrangement system includes a terminal box, a compression plate, multiple glands, and a multipoint connector. The terminal box is disposed on a housing of the electric machine and includes a first side having a first set of openings. The compression plate is releasably engaged with the first side and defines a second set of openings axially aligned with the first set of openings. The glands are configured to receive the first set of cables. Each of the glands includes a first and a second portion received in the first and the second set of openings respectively. The multipoint connector is disposed within the terminal box and includes a first and a second set of terminals configured to engage with lugs associated with the first and a second set of cables.
US08946956B2
A fixing structure of a radial lead of a rotating electrical machine connects slip rings provided to a rotation shaft of a rotor and axial leads disposed in a center hole of the rotation shaft and supplying a current to a rotor coil. A radial lead is inserted into a radial lead hole penetrating through the rotation shaft in a radial direction from the center hole and a tapered male screw formed at one end is threaded into a tapered female screw formed in the axial lead while the other end is electrically connected to the slip ring. A sealing member installed to a step portion of the radial lead hole is fastened, via a spacer, by a fastening nut threaded into a straight screw of the radial lead, so that a side of the center hole is maintained airtight from an outside.
US08946955B2
Control over an electric motor is especially critical in large drilling rigs and a means of accurately and quickly measuring the speed of the rotor of an electric motor and correlating that information with other real-time information has been hampered by the failure of the prior art to attach optical encoders to electric motors with precision. The present device attaches to arbor of a cap on the end of the rotor which provides a centralized and sealed shaft extending through a covering plate on the end of the motor and directly attaching to an optical encoder.
US08946954B2
An outer rotor motor is provided for use in a machine. The motor includes a rotor and a stator. A control board assembly configured to control at least one operational characteristic of the motor is mounted at least in part radially inside the stator.
US08946951B2
A fan (20) comprises a fan hub (22), fan blades (24) which are mounted on the fan hub (22), and a drive motor having an outer rotor (30), wherein the outer rotor (30) is arranged inside the fan hub (22). The outer rotor (30) is arranged in the fan hub (22) in such a way that the outer rotor (30) is supported in a radially outward direction on the radial outer wall (36) of the fan hub (22), by means of cooling fins (32) which are formed integrally with the fan hub (22).
US08946947B2
A linear stepper motor is used for the displacement of an armature parallel to a stator having N steps. The stator includes (N+2) stator pole pieces which are enclosed by a magnetic guiding element and are each approximately the same distance from neighboring stator pole pieces. Furthermore, at least one coil is located between two stator pole pieces. The armature is enclosed by the stator in the radial direction and has a permanent magnet magnetized parallel to the stator which is disposed between two armature pole pieces. As a result of the reluctance forces, the armature occupies stable idle positions inside the stator in which the stator pole pieces lie opposite the armature pole pieces. By energizing the coils with a short current pulse, the armature can be displaced inside the stator between the different stable idle positions.
US08946943B2
A semiconductor chip includes at least one power semiconductor switch configured to activate and deactivate current conduction from a first supply terminal, which is connected to a first supply line that provides an unstabilized first supply voltage, to the at least one output terminal in accordance with a respective control signal. In operation, the unstabilized first supply voltage is monitored and an under-voltage is signaled when the unstabilized first supply voltage falls below a first threshold value. The first supply terminal is short circuited with a third terminal when the an under-voltage is signaled.
US08946939B2
Embodiments are directed to detecting and limiting power transfer to communication device, such as NFC and RFID cards. A method may include detecting one or more communication devices positioned within a wireless power transfer region of a wireless power transmitter. The method may further include limiting an amount of power transmitted by a transmitter in response to the detection.
US08946921B2
This invention is directed to a system that generates a sufficient level of electricity through access to a municipal water supply line to run a furnace during below freezing temperatures. The system includes an inlet that draws water from a water supply line. A first conduit, in communication with the inlet, transports the water into a DC generator that includes an impeller to generate electricity. Water is then routed through a second conduit which then returns the water to the water supply line through an outlet. A solenoid valve may be positioned between the inlet and first conduit which remains closed when the electric grid runs normally but will open during a power outage to supply water to the DC generator. A lithium battery stores power created by the DC generator, which may include a voltage regulator and inverter to convert to DC.
US08946919B2
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.
US08946915B2
A method of determining an optimal operating speed of a variable speed genset is provided. The method may include determining whether an actual operating speed of the genset approximates a desired operating speed, the desired operating speed being predetermined based on a measured load value associated with the genset, the desired operating speed being associated with an applied offset value that is adjustable between a minimum offset value and a maximum offset value; incrementing the applied offset value of the desired operating speed to decrease the actual operating speed if the actual operating speed approximates the desired operating speed, and the applied offset value is less than the maximum offset value; and determining the desired operating speed as the optimal operating speed if the actual operating speed approximates the desired operating speed, and the applied offset value is equal to the maximum offset value.
US08946914B2
A method for forming CA power rails using a three mask decomposition process and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include forming a horizontal diffusion CA power rail in an active layer of a semiconductor substrate using a first color mask; forming a plurality of vertical CAs in the active layer using second and third color masks, the vertical CAs connecting the CA power rail to at least one diffusion region on the semiconductor substrate, spaced from the CA power rail, wherein each pair of CAs formed by one of the second and third color masks are separated by at least two pitches.
US08946908B2
Disclosed is a semiconductor structure which includes a semiconductor substrate and a wiring layer on the semiconductor substrate. The wiring layer includes a plurality of fin-like structures comprising a first metal; a first layer of a second metal on each of the plurality of fin-like structures wherein the first metal is different from the second metal, the first layer of the second metal having a height less than each of the plurality of fin-like structures; and an interlayer dielectric (ILD) covering the plurality of fin-like structures and the first layer of the second metal except for exposed edges of the plurality of fin-like structures at predetermined locations, and at locations other than the predetermined locations, the height of the plurality of fin-like structures has been reduced so as to be covered by the ILD.
US08946907B2
A method for creating structures in a semiconductor assembly is provided. The method includes etching apertures into a dielectric layer and applying a polymer layer over the dielectric layer. The polymer layer is applied uniformly and fills the apertures at different rates depending on the geometry of the apertures, or on the presence or absence of growth accelerating material. The polymer creates spacers for the etching of additional structure in between the spacers. The method is capable of achieving structures smaller than current lithography techniques.
US08946906B2
To provide a multilayer wiring substrate in which the connection reliability of via conductors is enhanced, via holes are formed in a resin interlayer insulation layer which isolates a lower conductor layer from an upper conductor layer, and via conductors are formed in the via holes for connecting the lower conductor layer and the upper conductor layer. The surface of the resin interlayer insulation layer is a rough surface, and the via holes open at the rough surface of the resin interlayer insulation layer. Stepped portions are formed in opening verge regions around the via holes such that the stepped portions are recessed from peripheral regions around the opening verge regions. The stepped portions are higher in surface roughness than the peripheral regions.
US08946903B2
Some embodiments include electrical interconnects. The interconnects may contain laminate structures having a graphene region sandwiched between non-graphene regions. In some embodiments the graphene and non-graphene regions may be nested within one another. In some embodiments an electrically insulative material may be over an upper surface of the laminate structure, and an opening may extend through the insulative material to a portion of the laminate structure. Electrically conductive material may be within the opening and in electrical contact with at least one of the non-graphene regions of the laminate structure. Some embodiments include methods of forming electrical interconnects in which non-graphene material and graphene are alternately formed within a trench to form nested non-graphene and graphene regions.
US08946899B2
An opening such as a small-diameter via is formed in a semiconductor substrate such as a monocrystalline silicon chip or wafer by a high etch rate process which leaves the opening with a rough interior surface. A smoothing layer such as a polysilicon layer is applied over the interior surfaces of the openings. The smoothing layer presents a surface smoother than the original interior surface. An insulating layer is formed over the smoothing layer or formed from the smoothing layer, and a conductive element such as a metal is formed in the opening. In a variant, a glass-forming material such as BPSG is applied in the opening. The glass-forming material is reflowed to form a glassy insulating layer which presents a smooth surface. The interface between the metal conductive element and the insulating or glassy layer is smooth, which improves mechanical and electrical properties.
US08946897B2
A semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate, an integrated circuit on the semiconductor substrate, an insulation layer covering the integrated circuit, and a plurality of metal line patterns on the insulation layer. First and second adjacent metal line patterns of the plurality of metal line patterns are spaced apart from each other by a space, and each of the first and second adjacent metal line patterns has at least one slit.
US08946896B2
A dielectric layer overlies a semiconductor substrate. The substrate has components and appropriate contacts formed therein. The dielectric layer electrically insulates the substrate and components from overlying conductive interconnect layers. A barrier layer is arranged over the dielectric layer to isolate the interconnect layers from other structures. A copper layer is then deposited over the barrier layer and thick interconnect lines having a first width and a first height are realized. Then, the barrier layer is etched using one of many alternative techniques. The barrier layer has a second width and a second height wherein the second width of the barrier liner is selected to be greater than the first width of the thick copper interconnect.
US08946894B2
Methods and apparatuses for forming a package for high-power semiconductor devices are disclosed herein. A package may include a plurality of distinct thermal spreader layers disposed between a die and a metal carrier. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08946893B2
Apparatus for performing dicing of die on wafer interposers. Apparatuses are disclosed for use with the methods of dicing an interposer having integrated circuit dies mounted thereon. An apparatus includes a wafer carrier mounted in a frame and having a size corresponding to a silicon interposer, a fixture mounted to the wafer carrier and comprising a layer of material to provide mechanical support to the die side of the silicon interposer, the fixture being patterned to fill spaces between integrated circuit dies mounted on an interposer; and an adhesive tape disposed on a surface of the fixture for adhering to the surface of a silicon interposer. Additional alternative apparatuses are disclosed.
US08946890B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip that comprises a base metal layer formed over a first semiconductor die and a first metal layer formed over the base metal layer. The first metal layer includes a plurality of islands configured to route at least one of (i) a ground signal or (ii) a power signal in the chip. The chip further comprises a second metal layer formed over the first metal layer. The second metal layer includes a plurality of islands configured to route at least one of (i) the ground signal or (ii) the power signal in the chip.
US08946888B2
A package on packaging structure provides for improved thermal conduction and mechanical strength by the introduction of a sold thermal coupler between the first and second packages. The first package has a first substrate and through vias through the first substrate. A first set of conductive elements is aligned with and coupled to the through vias of the first substrate. A solid thermal coupler is coupled to the first set of conductive elements and to a die of the second package. A second set of conductive elements is coupled to the die and a bottom substrate is coupled to the second set of conductive elements. The thermal coupler may be, e.g., an interposer, a heat spreader, or a thermal conductive layer.
US08946882B2
A semiconductor module includes at least one intermediate plate which has heat conductivity, power semiconductor elements which are provided for respective main surfaces of the intermediate plate, heat sinks which are arranged so that the power semiconductor elements are held between the heat sinks and the intermediate plate, and a mold part which seals the intermediate plate, the power semiconductor elements, and the heat sinks with mold resin. Surfaces of the heat sinks opposite to the side of the power semiconductor elements are exposed from the mold part. The intermediate plate has an intermediate radiator which projects in the direction parallel to the main surface from the mold part.
US08946877B2
A semiconductor package comprises: a substrate comprising a semiconductor device; a cap comprising a seal ring disposed over a surface of the cap; and a gap between the substrate and the surface of the cap. The seal ring comprises a tread comprising at least two columns.
US08946867B2
A semiconductor component includes a two-sided semiconductor body, an inner zone with a basic doping of a first conduction type, and two semiconductor zones. The first zone, disposed between the first side and inner zone, is of the first conduction type with a doping concentration higher than that of the inner zone. The second zone, disposed between the second side and inner zone, is of a second conduction type complementary to the first type with a doping concentration higher than that of the inner zone. At least one first edge chamfer extends at a first angle to the extension plane of the transition from the second zone to the inner zone at least along the edge of the second zone and inner zone.At least one buried zone of the second conduction type is provided between the first zone and inner zone, and extends substantially parallel to the first zone.
US08946857B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate, a heat generating device, and a heat radiating part. The heat generating device is provided on the semiconductor substrate, and the heat radiating part is provided above the heat generating device. The heat radiating part is thermally coupled with the semiconductor substrate through at least one contact part.
US08946849B2
A device includes a semiconductor substrate having a front side and a backside. A plurality of image sensors is disposed at the front side of the semiconductor substrate. A plurality of clear color-filters is disposed on the backside of the semiconductor substrate. A plurality of metal rings encircles the plurality of clear color-filters.
US08946848B2
A backside illuminated image sensor has a carbon nanotube transparent conductive coating formed on the backside of the image sensor. In one implementation the carbon nanotube transparent conductive coating acts as a wavelength selective filter to filter out infrared light. In one implementation the carbon nanotube transparent conductive coating has an optical transparency between 50% and 80% for blue and green color bands.
US08946840B2
A solid state imaging device having a light sensing section that performs photoelectric conversion of incident light includes: an insulating layer formed on a light receiving surface of the light sensing section; a layer having negative electric charges formed on the insulating layer; and a hole accumulation layer formed on the light receiving surface of the light sensing section.
US08946835B2
A planarization process may planarize a media disk that has data trenches between data features and larger servo trenches between servo features. A filler material layer is deposited on the media disk and provides step coverage of the trenches. The filler material has data recesses over the data trenches and servo recesses over the servo trenches that must be removed to produce a planar media surface. A first planarization process is used to remove the data recesses and a second planarization process is used to remove the servo recesses.
US08946834B2
High thermal stability free layer with high out-of-plane anisotropy for magnetic device applications
A CoFeB or CoFeNiB magnetic layer wherein the boron content is 25 to 40 atomic % and with a thickness <20 Angstroms is used to achieve high perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and enhanced thermal stability in magnetic devices. A dusting layer made of Co, Ni, Fe or alloy thereof is added to top and bottom surfaces of the CoFeB layer to increase magnetoresistance as well as improve Hc and Hk. Another embodiment includes a non-magnetic metal insertion in the CoFeB free layer. The CoFeB layer with elevated B content may be incorporated as a free layer, dipole layer, or reference layer in STT-MRAM memory elements or in spintronic devices including a spin transfer oscillator. Thermal stability is increased such that substantial Hk is retained after annealing to at least 400° C. for 1 hour. Ku enhancement is achieved and the retention time of a memory cell for STT-MRAM designs is increased.
US08946831B2
A microphone system includes a diaphragm suspended by springs and including a sealing layer that seals passageways which, if left open, would degrade the microphone's frequency response by allowing air to pass from one side of the diaphragm to the other when the diaphragm is responding to an incident acoustic signal. In some embodiments, the sealing layer may include an equalization aperture to allow pressure to equalize on both sides of the diaphragm.
US08946825B2
During various processing operations, ions from process plasma may be transfer to a deep n-well (DNW) formed under devices structures. A reverse-biased diode may be connected to the signal line to protect a gate dielectric formed outside the DNW and is connected to the drain of the transistor formed inside the DNW.
US08946822B2
Apparatus and methods for precision mixed-signal electronic circuit protection are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a p-well, an n-well, a poly-active diode structure, a p-type active region, and an n-type active region. The poly-active diode structure is formed over the n-well, the p-type active region is formed in the n-well on a first side of the poly-active diode structure, and the n-type active region is formed along a boundary of the p-well and the n-well on a second side of the poly-active diode structure. During a transient electrical event the apparatus is configured to provide conduction paths through and underneath the poly-active diode structure to facilitate injection of carriers in the n-type active region. The protection device can further include another poly-active diode structure formed over the p-well to further enhance carrier injection into the n-type active region.
US08946817B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body including an inner region, and an edge region, a first doped device region of a first doping type in the inner region and the edge region and coupled to a first terminal, and at least one second doped device region of a second doping type complementary to the first doping type in the inner region and coupled to a second terminal. Further, the semiconductor device includes a minority carrier converter structure in the edge region. The minority carrier converter structure includes a first trap region of the second doping type adjoining the first doped device region, and a conductor electrically coupling the first trap region to the first doped device region.
US08946809B2
According to one embodiment, a method is disclosed for manufacturing a semiconductor memory device. The method includes forming a first stopper film forming a lower gate layer, making a recess in the lower gate layer, filling a sacrificial film into the recess, forming a second stopper film, making an opening in the second stopper film, forming a stacked body. The stacked body includes electrode films and insulating films. The method includes, making a slit in the stacked body, making a hole in the stacked body, removing the sacrificial film via the hole, forming a memory film including a charge storage film. The method includes forming a channel body on a side wall of the memory film. An etching rate of the first stopper film and the second stopper film is lower than an etching rate of the electrode films and the insulating films.
US08946805B2
A single poly EEPROM cell in which the read transistor is integrated in either the control gate well or the erase gate well. The lateral separation of the control gate well from erase gate well may be reduced to the width of depletion regions encountered during program and erase operations. A method of forming a single poly EEPROM cell where the read transistor is integrated in either the control gate well or the erase gate well.
US08946802B2
The specification and drawings present a new method, device and computer/software related product (e.g., a computer readable memory) are presented for realizing eDRAM strap formation in Fin FET device structures. Semiconductor on insulator (SOI) substrate comprising at least an insulator layer between a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer is provided. The (metal) strap formation is accomplished by depositing conductive layer on fins portion of the second semiconductor layer (Si) and a semiconductor material (polysilicon) in each DT capacitor extending to the second semiconductor layer. The metal strap is sealed by a nitride spacer to prevent the shorts between PWL and DT capacitors.
US08946801B2
An improved field effect transistors (FETs) and methods of manufacturing the field effect transistors (FETs) are provided. The method of manufacturing a zero capacitance random access memory cell (ZRAM) includes comprises forming a finFET on a substrate and enhancing a storage capacitance of the finFET. The enhancement can be by either adding a storage capacity to the finFET or altering a portion of the finFET after formation of a fin body of the finFET.
US08946791B2
A gate dielectric and a gate electrode are formed over a plurality of semiconductor fins. An inner gate spacer is formed and source/drain extension regions are epitaxially formed on physically exposed surface of the semiconductor fins as discrete components that are not merged. An outer gate spacer is subsequently formed. A merged source region and a merged drain region are formed on the source extension regions and the drain extension regions, respectively. The increased lateral spacing between the merged source/drain regions and the gate electrode through the outer gate spacer reduces parasitic capacitance for the fin field effect transistor.
US08946788B2
A method of growing a III-nitride-based epitaxial structure includes providing a substrate in an epitaxial growth reactor and heating the substrate to a predetermined temperature. The method also includes flowing a gallium-containing gas into the epitaxial growth reactor and flowing a nitrogen-containing gas into the epitaxial growth reactor. The method further includes flowing a gettering gas into the epitaxial growth reactor. The predetermined temperature is greater than 1000° C.
US08946785B2
An ionic field effect transistor includes: a substrate; a polymer layer that is formed on the substrate and in which a first flow path and a second flow path that is separately disposed from the first flow path are formed; and a gate electrode that is formed between the substrate and the polymer layer and that contacts the first flow path and the second flow path, wherein a heterogeneous triangular nanochannel that connects the first flow path and the second flow path is formed between the gate electrode and the polymer layer.
US08946771B2
The present disclosure relates to an enhancement mode gallium nitride (GaN) transistor device. The GaN transistor device has an electron supply layer located on top of a GaN layer. An etch stop layer (e.g., AlN) is disposed above the electron supply layer. A gate structure is formed on top of the etch stop layer, such that the bottom surface of the gate structure is located vertically above the etch stop layer. The position of etch stop layer in the GaN transistor device stack allows it to both enhance gate definition during processing (e.g., selective etching of the gate structure located on top of the AlN layer) and to act as a gate insulator that reduces gate leakage of the GaN transistor device.
US08946765B2
Semiconductor structures comprising a III-nitride (e.g., gallium nitride) material region and methods associated with such structures are provided. In some embodiments, the structures include an electrically conductive material (e.g., gold) separated from certain other region(s) of the structure (e.g., a silicon substrate) by a barrier material in order to limit, or prevent, undesirable reactions between the electrically conductive material and the other component(s) which can impair device performance. In certain embodiments, the electrically conductive material may be formed in a via. For example, the via can extend from a topside of the device to a backside so that the electrically conductive material connects a topside contact to a backside contact. The structures described herein may form the basis of a number of semiconductor devices including transistors (e.g., FET), Schottky diodes, light-emitting diodes and laser diodes, amongst others.
US08946757B2
Heat spreading substrate with embedded interconnects. In an embodiment in accordance with the present invention, an apparatus includes a metal parallelepiped comprising a plurality of wires inside the metal parallelepiped. The plurality of wires have a different grain structure than the metal parallelepiped. The plurality of wires are electrically isolated from the metal parallelepiped. The plurality of wires may be electrically isolated from one another.
US08946753B2
A light emitting diode including a substrate, a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second semiconductor layer is provided. The first semiconductor layer includes a first surface and a second surface, and the first surface is connected to the substrate. The active layer and the second semiconductor layer are stacked on the second surface in that order, and a surface of the second semiconductor layer away from the active layer is configured as the light emitting surface. A first electrode electrically is connected with the first semiconductor layer. A second electrode is electrically connected with the second semiconductor layer. A number of first three-dimensional nano-structures are located on the surface of the first surface of the first semiconductor layer. A number of second three-dimensional nano-structures are located on the substrate, and a cross section of each of the three-dimensional nano-structures is M-shaped.
US08946751B2
A semiconductor light emitting device includes a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer sequentially stacked on a substrate. A first electrode is disposed on a portion of the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer. A current diffusion layer is disposed on the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer and includes an opening exposing a portion of the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer. A second electrode covers a portion of the current diffusion layer and the exposed portion of the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, wherein the portion of the current diffusion layer is near the opening.
US08946741B2
A light emitting device having a plurality of light extracting elements defined on an upper surface of a semiconductor layer of the device, wherein the light extracting elements are adapted to couple light out of the device and to modify the far field emission profile of the device. Each element comprises an elongate region having a length at least twice its width and also greater than the effective dominant wavelength of light generated in the device. The elongate region extends orthogonal to the upper surface but not into the light emitting region of the device and may be oriented at an angle of less than 45° relative to one of a pair of basis axis defining a plane parallel to the semiconductor layer. Each elongate region is spatially separated from neighboring elongate regions such that it perturbs light generated in the light emitting region independently of the neighboring regions.
US08946736B2
An optoelectronic device comprising, a substrate and a first transition stack formed on the substrate comprising a first transition layer formed on the substrate having a hollow component formed inside the first transition layer, a second transition layer formed on the first transition layer, and a reflector rod formed inside the second transition layer.
US08946732B2
A touch panel and fabricating method thereof are provided. The patterned transparent conductive layer, disposed on the substrate, includes first electrodes. The photo-sensing layers are disposed on the first electrodes. The first patterned conductive layer includes gate electrodes, scan lines and second electrodes. The gate electrodes and the scan lines are disposed on the substrate. The second electrodes are disposed on the photo-sensing layers. The first electrodes, the photo-sensing layers and the second electrodes constitute photo-sensors. The second patterned conductive layer includes source electrodes and drain electrodes, wherein the gate electrodes, the channel layers, the source electrodes and the drain electrodes constitute read-out transistors and each of the read-out transistors is electrically connected to the corresponding photo-sensor respectively.
US08946727B2
There is provided a zinc oxide based compound semiconductor device in which drive voltage is not raised, property of crystal is satisfactory and device characteristics is excellent, even when the semiconductor device is formed by forming a lamination portion having a hetero junction of the ZnO based compound semiconductor layers. The zinc oxide based compound semiconductor device includes a substrate (1) made of MgxZn1-xO (0≦x≦0.5), the principal plane of which is a plane A (11-20) or a plane M (10-10), and single crystal layers (2) to (6) made of zinc oxide based compound semiconductor, which are epitaxially grown on the principal plane of the substrate (1) in such orientation that a plane parallel to the principal plane is a plane {11-20} or a plane {10-10} and a plane perpendicular to the principal plane is a plane {0001}.
US08946711B2
An organic light-emitting display device including: a substrate; a plurality of pixels each including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic emission layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a black matrix-containing neutral density (ND) film formed in a direction in which light is emitted from the plurality of pixels.
US08946708B2
The band tail state and defects in the band gap are reduced as much as possible, whereby optical absorption of energy which is in the vicinity of the band gap or less than or equal to the band gap is reduced. In that case, not by merely optimizing conditions of manufacturing an oxide semiconductor film, but by making an oxide semiconductor to be a substantially intrinsic semiconductor or extremely close to an intrinsic semiconductor, defects on which irradiation light acts are reduced and the effect of light irradiation is reduced essentially. That is, even in the case where light with a wavelength of 350 nm is delivered at 1×1013 photons/cm2·sec, a channel region of a transistor is formed using an oxide semiconductor, in which the absolute value of the amount of the variation in the threshold voltage is less than or equal to 0.65 V.
US08946703B2
To provide a method by which a semiconductor device including a thin film transistor with excellent electric characteristics and high reliability is manufactured with a small number of steps. After a channel protective layer is formed over an oxide semiconductor film containing In, Ga, and Zn, a film having n-type conductivity and a conductive film are formed, and a resist mask is formed over the conductive film. The conductive film, the film having n-type conductivity, and the oxide semiconductor film containing In, Ga, and Zn are etched using the channel protective layer and gate insulating films as etching stoppers with the resist mask, so that source and drain electrode layers, a buffer layer, and a semiconductor layer are formed.
US08946701B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a thin film transistor, an array substrate and a display device. The thin film transistor comprises a gate layer, a first insulating layer, an active layer, an etch stop layer and a source/drain electrode layer, wherein the active layer is made of a metal oxide material, the first insulating layer, the active layer, the etch stop layer and the source/drain electrode layer are sequentially stacked from bottom to top, the source/drain electrode layer contains an interval separating a source electrode and a drain electrode therein, the etch stop layer is located below the interval, and the etch stop layer has a width greater than that of the interval, and the first insulating layer comprises a laminate of a first sub-insulation layer and a second sub-insulation layer, the second sub-insulation layer is in contact with the active layer and made of an oxygen-rich insulating material.
US08946700B2
An object is to provide a method for manufacturing a highly reliable semiconductor device including thin film transistors which have stable electric characteristics and are formed using an oxide semiconductor. A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming an oxide semiconductor film over a gate electrode with a gate insulating film interposed between the oxide semiconductor film and the gate electrode, over an insulating surface; forming a first conductive film including at least one of titanium, molybdenum, and tungsten, over the oxide semiconductor film; forming a second conductive film including a metal having lower electronegativity than hydrogen, over the first conductive film; forming a source electrode and a drain electrode by etching of the first conductive film and the second conductive film; and forming an insulating film in contact with the oxide semiconductor film, over the oxide semiconductor film, the source electrode, and the drain electrode.
US08946697B1
Novel iridium complexes containing phenylpyridine and pyridyl aza-benzo fused ligands are described. Iridium complexes containing aza-benzo fused ligands in which an aryl group is conjugated to the aza ring of the specific aza-dibenzofuran ring system results in the formation of yellow phosphorescent compounds with superior device stability and efficiency. These complexes are useful as light emitters when incorporated into OLEDs.
US08946695B2
The present invention provides a new compound which may significantly improve the service life, efficiency, electrochemical stability, and thermal stability of an organic light emitting device, and an organic light emitting device which comprises an organic material layer comprising the compound.
US08946682B2
The present invention relates to novel donor-acceptor fluorene compounds, which can be used as for the fabrication of electroluminescent devices, and a process of preparing said novel compounds. More particularly, the present invention relates to amine donor and nitrile/ester acceptor fluorenes, fluorenones their π-conjugated systems and related compounds, processes for preparing the said compounds including oxidation of fluorenes to corresponding fluorenones and their use in preparing organic electronic devices such as organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), photovoltaic/solar cell, Field effect transistors and other useful electroluminescent devices. The compounds are prepared by reacting 2H-pyran-2-ones in isolated or rigid conformations with cyclic ketones containing methylene carbonyl moiety in the presence of a base in an organic solvent. The present invention also relates to a new concept and approach to overcome the problem of ‘Green emission defect’ in 9-unsubstituted fluorene-based organic light emitting diodes which occurs due to the conversion of fluorenes to fluorenones that show emission mainly in green-yellow region. In the present invention we have placed donor-acceptor substituents in such a way that donor-acceptor fluorenones show emission in the blue region (instead of green-yellow region) thus improving the blue color purity and overcoming the problem of green emission defect.
US08946680B2
A tunnel field effect transistor (TFET) includes a source region, the source region comprising a first portion of a nanowire; a channel region, the channel region comprising a second portion of the nanowire; a drain region, the drain region comprising a portion of a silicon pad, the silicon pad being located adjacent to the channel region; and a gate configured such that the gate surrounds the channel region and at least a portion of the source region.
US08946674B2
A layered group III-nitride article includes a single crystal silicon substrate, and a highly textured group III-nitride layer, such as GaN, disposed on the silicon substrate. The highly textured group III-nitride layer is crack free and has a thickness of at least 10 μm. A method for forming highly textured group III-nitride layers includes the steps of providing a single crystal silicon comprising substrate, depositing a nanostructured InxGa1-xN (1≧x≧0) interlayer on the silicon substrate, and depositing a highly textured group III-nitride layer on the interlayer. The interlayer has a nano indentation hardness that is less than both the silicon substrate and the highly textured group III-nitride layer.
US08946672B2
A resistance changing element according to the present invention comprises a first electrode (101) and a second electrode (103); and an ion conducting layer (102) that is formed between the first electrode (101) and the second electrode (103) and that contains at least oxygen and carbon.
US08946648B2
A spectrometer (100) for detecting a source of radioactive emissions having a detector (120) that produces a detector signal (20), with an amplifier (30) followed by a single digitizer (40) followed by a digital signal processing unit (50), within which the signal processing implements two distinct pathways (51, 52), and associated firmware to utilize the two resulting sets of processed data in nuclear isotope identification.
US08946640B2
Various techniques are disclosed for providing reference signals to image detectors in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention. For example, in one or more embodiments, switched capacitors may be used to provide bias voltages to individual unit cells of a focal plane array such that the bias voltages are held by the unit cells over one or more integration periods while the unit cells are decoupled from an input line. As a result, the bias voltages may be free from noise incident on the input line and thus may more accurately bias the individual unit cells.
US08946639B2
In some embodiments, apparatus and systems, as well as methods, may operate to receive radiation at an active detector of a pair of radiation detectors to provide a first signal proportional to an intensity of the radiation, to receive none of the radiation at a blind detector of the pair of radiation detectors to provide a second signal proportional to the reception of no radiation, and to combine the first signal and the second signal to provide an output signal representing the difference between the first signal and the second signal. The pair of radiation detectors may comprise thermopile detectors. Combination may occur via differential amplification. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
US08946636B2
A method for generating an infrared (IR) beam for illuminating a scene to be imaged comprises providing at least two IR emitters, including a first IR emitter operable to emit a wide beam component of the IR beam, and a second IR emitter operable to emit a narrow beam component of the IR beam, wherein the wide beam component has a linear profile that has a lower standard deviation than a linear profile of the narrow beam component. The method also comprises selecting a desired linear profile for the IR beam, and selecting a power ratio of power directed to the first IR emitter and power directed to the second IR emitter that produces the IR beam with the desired linear profile when the narrow beam component and wide beam component are combined; and directing power to the first and second IR emitters at the selected power ratio to generate the wide and narrow beam components, and combining the generated wide and narrow beam components to produce the IR beam.
US08946634B2
A radiographic image capture device of the present invention includes: a radiation detection panel including a photoelectric conversion element that converts radiation into an electrical signal; a signal processing board that is disposed facing towards the radiation detection panel and that performs signal processing on electrical signals obtained by the radiation detection panel; a flexible substrate that includes wiring lines disposed on a base film provided between the radiation detection panel and the signal processing board and including a low wiring density region and a high wiring density region, and electronic component(s) that are electrically connected to the wiring lines; a reinforcement member that is provided at a low wiring density region and that raises the mechanical strength of the wiring lines.
US08946633B2
Terahertz wave detection device, terahertz wavelength filter, imaging device, and measurement device
A terahertz wave detection device includes a wavelength filter transmitting terahertz waves having a predetermined wavelength, and a detection portion detecting the terahertz waves having the predetermined wavelength that have passed through the wavelength filter by converting the terahertz waves into heat, wherein the wavelength filter includes a metal layer having a plurality of holes communicating with an incident surface onto which the terahertz waves are incident and an emission surface from which the terahertz waves having the predetermined wavelength are emitted, and a dielectric portion filling in the plurality of holes and made of a dielectric, wherein the plurality of holes are formed with a predetermined pitch along a direction that is perpendicular to a normal line of the incident surface.
US08946628B2
There is a limit in range and distance in which an electron beam can interfere and electron interference is implemented within a range of a coherence length. Therefore, interference images are consecutively recorded for each interference region width from an interference image of a reference wave and an observation region adjacent to the reference wave by considering that a phase distribution regenerated and observed by an interference microscopy is a differential between phase distributions of two waves used for interference and a differential image between phase distributions of a predetermined observation region and a predetermined reference wave is acquired by acquiring integrating phase distributions acquired by individually regenerating the interference images. This work enables a wide range of interference image which is more than a coherence length by arranging phase distribution images performed and acquired in the respective phase distributions in a predetermined order.
US08946625B2
In a mass spectrometer that uses a space-restricted magnetic field, such as an ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer, ions with a wide mass range generated in an ion supply located outside the magnetic field are transported in the direction of the magnetic field lines to an ion storage device located inside the magnetic field without losing ions by guiding the ions through the region in which the magnetic field strength increases with a special ion guide. This ion guide consists of an arrangement of coaxial ring diaphragms which are alternately supplied with the phases of an RF voltage. In an alternative embodiment, the ion guide uses two wires wound in a double helix where each wire is supplied with one phase of a two-phase RF voltage.
US08946610B2
The present invention provides a CMOS type semiconductor image sensor module in which the aperture ratio of the pixel is improved and at the same time chip use efficiency is attempted to be improved and furthermore, simultaneous shuttering of all the pixels is made possible, and a method of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor image sensor module of the present invention is constituted by laminating a first semiconductor chip including an image sensor in which a plurality of pixels, each constituted by a photoelectric conversion element and transistors, are arranged, and a second semiconductor chip including an A/D converter array. Preferably, a third semiconductor chip including a memory element array is further laminated. Also, a semiconductor image sensor module of the present invention is constituted by laminating a first semiconductor chip provided with the aforesaid image sensor and a fourth semiconductor chip provided with an analog type nonvolatile memory array.
US08946608B2
An automated method causes a terrestrial solar cell array to track the sun. The solar cell system includes motors that adjust a position of the array along different respective axes with respect to the sun, wherein a first motor adjusts the inclination angle of the array relative to the surface of the earth and a second motor rotates the array about an axis substantially perpendicular to that surface. The method includes (a) using a software algorithm to predict a position of the sun at a future time; (b) using a computer model to determine respective positions for the motors corresponding to the solar cell array being substantially aligned with the sun at the future time; and (c) activating and operating the motors at respective particular speeds so that at the future time the solar cell array is substantially aligned with the sun. The future time may correspond to any time during operation. An initial future time may correspond to a start up time after sunrise at which point the solar cell is to begin tracking the sun.
US08946607B2
Deployment and control actuation mechanisms are incorporated in unmanned aerial vehicles having folding wings and/or folding canards and/or a folding vertical stabilizer. The folding canards and folding vertical stabilizer can be deployed using respective four-bar over-center mechanisms. Elevators pivotably mounted to the folding canards and a rudder pivotably mounted to the folding vertical stabilizer can be controlled by means of respective twist link mechanisms. The folding wings have respective wing roots that are driven by respective gas springs to pivot on bearings about a wing root hub having control servo wire paths.
US08946605B2
Disclosed herein is a microwave heating device. A material conduit runs into and out of a microwave irradiation cavity through a cavity wall of the microwave irradiation cavity. A waveguide tube for guiding microwave is installed on the cavity wall. A heat exchange tube is disposed inside the material conduit and enters and leaves the material conduit from the nozzle or wall of the material conduit. The microwave heating device is used in chemical reactions. The microwave heating device may control the temperature of the material inside the material conduit under continuous irradiation of microwave.
US08946597B2
The subject of the invention is a method of obtaining a heated window, comprising depositing a continuous thin film of a transparent electronically conductive oxide, having a sheet resistance that is uniform over the entire area of the film, on a glass sheet; and subjecting the thin film to a plasma treatment in which a device that emits excited species of an oxygen plasma is placed facing a region of the thin film, and then a relative movement is created between the thin film and the device in order to treat differentially the various regions of the thin film, so that after the thin film has been treated it has regions with different sheet resistances.
US08946593B2
In a laser irradiation device, a patterning method and a method of fabricating an Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED) using the same. The laser irradiation device includes a light source, a mask, a projection lens, and a Fresnel lens formed at a predetermined portion of the mask to change an optical path. When an organic layer pattern is formed using the laser irradiation device, laser radiation is irradiated onto a region of an organic layer, which is to be cut, and the laser radiation is appropriately irradiated onto a region of the organic layer, which is to be separated from a donor substrate. The laser radiation irradiated onto an edge of the organic layer pattern has a laser energy density greater than that of the laser radiation irradiated onto other portions of the organic layer pattern. As a result, it is possible to form a uniform organic layer pattern and reduce damage of the organic layer.
US08946583B2
A method of controlling the position of a tilt/tilt style plasma arc torch relative to a workpiece for a bevel cutting operation is provided that includes: calculating a bevel pivot length, wherein the bevel pivot length is a function of a torch height; piercing the workpiece with the plasma arc torch; adjusting a position of the plasma arc torch by at least one linear offset value based on the bevel pivot length; rotating the plasma arc torch about its center of rotation to the desired cutting angle and maintaining a torch center point; and translating the plasma arc along its longitudinal axis to maintain a desired arc voltage between the plasma arc torch and the workpiece.
US08946577B2
In at least one embodiment, an auxiliary switch includes a rotation part and a switching lever assigned to a configuration of the auxiliary switch, the switching lever being embodied to detect a switching state of the electrical switch and transmit it to the rotation part. Further, different switching states of the auxiliary switch are set by different rotary positions of the rotation part, with the rotation part having at least two engagement points and with the switching lever assigned to a configuration engaging in the engagement point assigned to this configuration.
US08946576B2
The present invention is directed to a switch device that includes a first switch portion that is configured to rotate a first angular amount in a first direction about a first fixed axis of rotation and has a first pivot arm length. The first and second switch are coupled to the interface portion. The second switch portion rotates a second angular amount in a second direction and has a second pivot arm length. The second angular amount is greater than the first angular amount and a function of the first pivot arm length and the second pivot arm length. A set of switch contacts includes at least one fixed contact and a movable contact separated by a predetermined minimum distance that is a function of the first pivot arm length and the second pivot arm length.
US08946574B2
In one embodiment, an method apparatus includes an optically clear adhesive (OCA) layer between a cover sheet and a substrate. The substrate has drive or sense electrodes of a touch sensor disposed on a first surface and a second surface of the substrate. The first surface is opposite the second surface and the drive or sense electrodes are made of a conductive mesh of conductive material including metal.
US08946569B2
A multi-directional button assembly includes a first switch, a second switch, a support piece, a pressing slice, a center button body, and a directional button body. The first switch and the second switch respectively provide a first trigger point and a second trigger point to be pressed to generate a first trigger signal and a second trigger signal. The support piece is disposed above the first switch and includes an aperture corresponding to the first trigger point. The pressing slice extends from the support piece to a position above the second switch. The center button body includes an extension post and is pressed for driving the extension post to press the first trigger point via the aperture. The directional button body is disposed above the pressing slice and is pressed to bias the pressing slice to press the second trigger point without pressing the first trigger point.
US08946564B2
A packaging substrate having an embedded through-via interposer is provided, including an encapsulant layer, a through-via interposer embedded in the encapsulant layer and having a plurality of conductive through-vias therein, a redistribution layer embedded in the encapsulant layer and formed on the through-via interposer so as to electrically connect with first end surfaces of the conductive through-vias, and a built-up structure formed on the encapsulant layer and the through-via interposer for electrically connecting second end surfaces of the conductive through-vias. As such, the first end surfaces of the conductive through-vias are electrically connected to the redistribution layer to thereby be electrically connected to electrode pads of a semiconductor chip having smaller pitches, while the second end surfaces of the conductive through-vias electrically connect with conductive vias of the built-up structure having larger pitches, thereby allowing the packaging substrate to be coupled with the semiconductor chip.
US08946562B2
A printed circuit board includes a first layer stack and a second layer stack coupled to the first layer stack. The first layer stack includes a first electrically-insulating layer, a first electrically-conductive layer, and a cut-out area defining a void that extends therethrough. The first electrically-insulating layer includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first electrically-conductive layer is disposed on the first surface of the first electrically-insulating layer. The second layer stack includes a second electrically-insulating layer. The second electrically-insulating layer includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. One or more electrically-conductive traces are disposed on the first surface of the second electrically-insulating layer. The printed circuit board further includes a device at least partially disposed within the cut-out area. The device is electrically-coupled to one or more of the one or more electrically-conductive traces disposed on the first surface of the second electrically-insulating layer.
US08946553B2
A shield wire including a cylindrical braid defining a central passage, the cylindrical braid having an end portion folded into the central passage against itself to form an overlap portion. An electric wire extends through the central passage with an inner ring between the electric wire and the overlap portion. An outer ring surrounds the overlap portion and clamps to the inner ring to secure the overlap portion therebetween.
US08946546B2
Provided are methods of surface treatment of nanocrystal quantum dots after film deposition so as to exchange the native ligands of the quantum dots for exchange ligands that result in improvement in charge extraction from the nanocrystals.
US08946545B2
Disclosed is a photovoltaic device. The photovoltaic device includes: a substrate; a first electrode placed on the substrate; a second electrode which is placed opposite to the first electrode and which light is incident on; a first unit cell being placed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and including an intrinsic semiconductor layer including crystalline silicon grains making the surface of the intrinsic semiconductor layer toward the second electrode textured; and a second unit cell placed between the first unit cell and the second electrode.
US08946544B2
The present invention provides a photovoltaic device having an active face, an active area on the active face and an operating wavelength range; and a cover element attached to the photovoltaic device and disposed over the active area of the active face of the photovoltaic element, the cover element having an opacity of at least about 25%. The present invention also provides photovoltaic systems, arrays, roofs and methods using such photovoltaic devices. In one embodiment of the invention, the photovoltaic device is a photovoltaic roofing element in which a photovoltaic element is integrated with a roofing substrate.
US08946538B2
A method for converting heat to electric energy is described which involves thermally cycling an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes. The material is heated by extracting thermal energy from a gas to condense the gas into a liquid and transferring the thermal energy to the electrically polarizable material. An apparatus is also described which includes an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes and a heat exchanger for heating the material in thermal communication with a heat source, wherein the heat source is a condenser. An apparatus is also described which comprises a chamber, one or more conduits inside the chamber for conveying a cooling fluid and an electrically polarizable material sandwiched between electrodes on an outer surface of the conduit. A gas introduced into the chamber condenses on the conduits and thermal energy is thereby transferred from the gas to the electrically polarizable material.
US08946536B2
The present invention includes a method and apparatus for temporary dampening and temporary conversion of a wide range of an analog percussion surfaces into electronic percussive surfaces by means of a modular self-dampening trigger system attachable in an openly modular configuration to the underside of said analog percussive surfaces in a manner that allows physical variations to traverse different media and span distance and time and allowing for discrete detection and manipulation of said variations. A trigger system that is releasably attachable to an acoustic percussion element has a metal cover plate releasably affixable to an undersurface of the acoustic percussion element, the metal cover plate partially covering less than half of the undersurface. A plurality of piezo sensors are releasably affixable to the undersurface of the acoustic percussion element. A rubber dampening element with a footprint substantially similar to a footprint of the metal cover plate is formed from a flexible thin sheet of rubber with an opening corresponding to and aligned with each of the piezo sensors, the openings each sized slightly larger than the piezo sensor. The rubber dampening element is sandwiched between the undersurface of the cymbal and the metal cover plate.
US08946532B2
A protective apron that protects a soft-metal musical instrument, where in the apron may have one, two, or more layers. The outer layer prevents the soft-metal musical instrument from being scratched, dented, or tarnished while said instrument is being played. An inner layer may be used to inhibit moisture from the player from reaching the soft-metal musical instrument.
US08946528B2
Hybrids and derived cultivars of the rice cultivar designated ‘CL151’ are disclosed. The invention relates to hybrid rice seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar ‘CL151’ with another rice cultivar. The invention further relates to other derivatives of the rice cultivar ‘CL151.’
US08946525B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH164731. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH164731, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH164731 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH164731.
US08946514B2
Markers tightly associated with a sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) cms fertility restorer gene are identified, as well as genes containing the pentatrico peptide repeat (PPR) motif. Methods for marker assisted selection of restorer and non-restorer sorghum lines are provided. The markers can be used to facilitate development of the maintainer, restorer and cms sorghum lines used to make hybrids.
US08946513B2
A polyploid castor plant being at least as fertile as a diploid castor plant isogenic to the polyploid castor plant when grown under similar conditions.
US08946502B2
A sanitary napkin structure, particularly for a slight incontinence, said sanitary napkin structure comprising a first substantially permeable sheet, a second substantially impermeable sheet and an absorbing pad enclosed between said first and second sheets, characterized in that said absorbing pad comprises an absorbing pad layer including a flexible cotton fiber and a superabsorbing polymer matrix, wherein the cotton fibers in said matrix have a random orientation along three axes and do not have a preferential orientation in a X-Y plane.
US08946496B2
The invention relates to a process for preparing lower olefins from an oxygenate, the process comprising: subjecting C4 hydrocarbons obtained in an oxygenate-to-olefins conversion step to extractive distillation to an etherification step to convert isobutene into an alkyl tertiary butyl ether to obtain an isobutene-depleted C4 hydrocarbon stream and alkyl tertiary-butyl ether; subjecting the isobutene-depleted C4 hydrocarbon stream to extractive distillation to obtain a stream enriched in unsaturated C4 hydrocarbons and a stream enriched in saturated C4 hydrocarbons; and recycling at least part of the stream enriched in unsaturated C4 hydrocarbons and/or at least part of the alkyl tertiary-butyl ether to the oxygenate-to-olefins conversion step.
US08946495B2
A process is disclosed for making styrene and/or ethylbenzene by reacting toluene with a C1 source over a catalyst in at least one radial reactor to form a product stream comprising styrene and/or ethylbenzene.
US08946493B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropane, involving reacting gaseous phase 1,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropene with hydrogen in a superstoichimetric amount in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst in a reactor, and recirculating a part of the gaseous effluent from the reactor.
US08946490B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing fatty alcohols, in which a stream comprising at least one fatty acid triglyceride is provided and this stream is subjected to a hydrogenation in the presence of a heterogeneous copper catalyst.
US08946486B2
A method of forming an alkoxylated fluoroalcohol is accomplished by providing a boron compound having or providing at least one boron-oxygen bond and an iodine source. The boron compound and iodine source are combined with reactants of a fluoroalcohol and an alkylene oxide in the presence of a base. The reactants are allowed to react to form an alkoxylated fluoroalcohol reaction product.
US08946485B2
Disclosed is branched poly(trimethylene ether) polyols prepared from the acid catalyzed polycondensation reaction of 1,3-propanediol, and at least one triol comonomer selected from 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane and 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)propane. Also disclosed is a branched poly(trimethylene ether) polyol with an equivalent hydroxyl functionality of about 2.1 to about 3.2 and a Mn of about 200 to about 6000. The polyols are useful in the preparation of polyurethane rigid and flexible foams.
US08946476B2
The present patent application relates to an alternative process for the preparation of amino derivatives. In particular, the present application relates to an improved process for the manufacture of Lacosamide (LCM), (R)-2-acetamido-N-benzyl-3-methoxypropion-amide, which is useful as an anticonvulsive drug. In a particular aspect, the present invention relates to a process of manufacture of optically enriched (R)-2-acetamido-N-benzyl-3-methoxypropion-amide (I) comprising resolution of 2-acetamido-N-benzyl-3-methoxypropion-amide (II).
US08946472B2
Bio-based terephthalic acid (bio-TPA), bio-based dimethyl terephthalate (bio-DMT), and bio-based polyesters, which are produced from a biomass containing a terpene or terpenoid, such as limonene are described, as well as the process of making these products. The bio-based polyesters include poly(alkylene terephthalate)s such as bio-based poly(ethylene terephthalate) (bio-PET), bio-based poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (bio-PTT), bio-based poly(butylene terephthalate) (bio-PBT), and bio-based poly(cyclohexylene dimethyl terephthalate) (bio-PCT).
US08946464B2
A hydrosilylation method is provided. In this hydrosilylation method, silylation of the carbon atom other than the terminal carbon atom and generation of the by-product isomer by internal migration of the double bond are suppressed without sacrificing the hydrosilylation reactivity, even if an olefin compound having tertiary amine atom which can be a catalyst poison was used. In the hydrosilylation, an olefin compound having carbon-carbon unsaturated bond, and a compound having hydrogensilyl group are reacted in the presence of an acid amide compound, a nitrile compound and an aromatic hydroxyl compound, or an organoamine salt compound, by using catalytic action of platinum and/or its complex compound.
US08946462B2
The invention relates to a process for preparing formic acid by reaction of carbon dioxide with hydrogen in a hydrogenation reactor in the presence of a transition metal complex as a catalyst comprising at least one element from group 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic Table and at least one phosphine ligand with at least one organic radical having at least 13 carbon atoms, of a tertiary amine and of a polar solvent to form a formic acid-amine, adduct, which is subsequently dissociated thermally to formic acid and the corresponding tertiary amine. on unit.
US08946448B2
A semiconducting compound with the structure: where X1 and X2 are independently S, Se, SiR1R2, O, CR3R4, C2R5R6, N, NR7, where R1 to R7 independently comprise hydrogen, straight, branched or cyclic alkyl, akenyl or alkynyl groups, alkoxy, aryl, silyl or amino; where each of Ar1 to Ar4 is optional and independently comprises, if present, an aryl or heteroaryl group; and where Y1 to Y4 independently comprise hydrogen, reactive groups, optionally substituted straight, branched or cyclic alkyl, alkoxy, akenyl, alkynyl, amido or amino groups, optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl where at least one of Y1 to Y4 does not comprise hydrogen; and methods and devices related thereto.
US08946447B2
The invention relates to compounds of formula (I) where A1, A2, A3, A4, G, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in claim 1; or a salt or JV-oxide thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to processes and intermediates for preparing compounds of formula (I), to insecticidal, acaricidal, nematicidal and molluscicidal compositions comprising the compounds of formula (I) and to methods of using the compounds of formula (I) to control insect, acarine, nematode and mollusc pests.
US08946446B2
The invention provides modulators for the orphan nuclear receptor RORy and methods for treating RORy mediated diseases by administrating these novel RORy modulators to a human or a mammal in need thereof. Specifically, the present invention provides pyrrolo sulfonamide compounds of Formula (1) and the enantiomers, diastereomers, tautomers, solvates and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
US08946441B2
The present invention relates to crystalline form I of Febuxostat as well as to pharmaceutical compositions comprising crystalline form I as an active pharmaceutical ingredient. Furthermore the present invention relates to a further polymorphic form of Febuxostat designated as form II and to a novel solvate of Febuxostat. The present invention also relates to methods of making crystalline form I, form II and the novel solvate of Febuxostat.
US08946434B2
The present invention is directed to novel dihydropyridin-2(1H)-one compounds useful as S-nitrosoglutathione reductase (GSNOR) inhibitors and/or Neurokinin-3 (NK3) receptor antagonists, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and methods of making and using the same.
US08946432B2
Disclosed is a compound of formula (I): wherein ‘D’, ‘E’, ‘m’, ‘n’ and R1-R4 are as described herein, as a modulator of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors particularly the α7 subtype, in a subject in need thereof, as well as analogues, prodrugs, isotopically substituted analogs, metabolites, pharmaceutically acceptable salts, polymorphs, solvates, isomers, clathrates, and co-crystal thereof, for use either alone or in combinations with suitable other medicaments, and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and analogues. Also disclosed are a process of preparation of the compounds and the intended uses thereof in therapy, particularly in the prophylaxis and therapy of disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, senile dementia, and the like.
US08946429B2
While methodologies for the Kinetic Resolution of alcohols are well established, no analogous direct methods exist for the highly selective, direct catalytic Kinetic Resolution of thiols (i.e., R—SH). The present invention relates to a method for resolving stereoisomeric mixtures of thiols. In particular, the present invention relates to purely organocatalytic mediated resolution of enantiomeric mixtures of thiols without the need for enzymes. Also disclosed are some novel catalysts. Such catalysts may comprise a cinchona alkaloid-derived moiety.
US08946420B2
Provided herein are novel neuromodulatory compounds and compositions thereof. In other embodiments, provided herein are methods of treatment, prevention, or amelioration of a variety of medical disorders such as, for example, migraine and Parkinson's disease, using the compounds and compositions disclosed herein. In still other embodiments, provided herein are methods of agonizing receptors such as, for example, the 5-HT1D and/or the 5-HT1B receptor, without agonizing the 5-HT2B receptor using the compounds and compositions disclosed herein. In still other embodiments, provided herein are methods of antagonizing or inhibiting activity at receptors such as, for example, the adrenergic alpha2A and/or the alpha2B receptors using the compounds and compositions disclosed herein. In other embodiments, provided herein are methods of agonizing dopaminergic D2 receptors and/or antagonizing or inhibiting activity of receptors such as the 5-HT2 receptors using the compounds and compositions disclosed herein.
US08946415B2
Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-based compounds of the formula: are disclosed, wherein R1, R2 and R3 are defined herein. Compositions comprising the compounds and methods of their use to treat, manage and/or prevent diseases and disorders mediated by adaptor associated kinase 1 activity are also disclosed.
US08946414B2
The present invention relates to the active pharmaceutical ingredient dipyridamole. In particular, it relates to efficient processes for the preparation of dipyridamole which are amenable to large scale commercial production and provide the required product with improved yield and purity. The present invention also relates to a novel crystallization method for the purification of dipyridamole.
US08946400B2
The subject matters of this invention are a sequence of double-stranded RNA: ATN-RNA, intervention using interference RNA (iRNAi), use of a sequence of double-stranded RNA: ATN-RNA, a method of treating a brain tumor and a method of inhibiting a brain tumor cells which express tenascin, a kit for inhibiting cancer cell which expresses tenascin and a method for a kit preparation in a brain tumor therapy. Malignant gliomas preferentially express a number of surface markers that may be exploited as therapeutic targets, including tenascin-C, an extracellular matrix glycoprotein that is ubiquitously expressed by malignant gliomas and probably contributes to tumor cell adhesion, invasion, migration and proliferation. For tenascin-C inhibition, RNA interference intervention (iRNAi) approach have been applied.
US08946388B2
The present invention provides antibodies useful as therapeutics for treating and/or preventing diseases associated with cells expressing GT468, including tumor-related diseases such as breast Cancer, lung Cancer, gastric Cancer, ovarian Cancer, hepatocellular Cancer, colon Cancer, pancreatic Cancer, esophageal Cancer, head & neck Cancer, kidney Cancer, in particular renal cell Carcinoma, prostate Cancer, liver cancer, melanoma, sarcoma, myeloma, neuroblastoma, placental choriocarcinoma, cervical cancer, and thyroid Cancer, and the metastatic forms thereof. In one embodiment, the rumor disease is metastatic cancer in the lung.
US08946385B2
An objective of the present invention is to provide chimeric receptors containing a mouse Fcγ receptor extracellular domain and a human Fcγ receptor transmembrane domain, or chimeric receptors containing a mouse Fcγ receptor extracellular domain and a human γ chain transmembrane domain. Another objective of the present invention is to provide methods for measuring the ADCC activity of mouse antibodies and methods of screening for mouse antibodies having ADCC activity, using the chimeric receptors.To accomplish the above-mentioned objectives, the present inventors produced chimeric molecules by fusing the extracellular domain of mouse FcγR3 or mouse FcγR4 with the transmembrane domain/intracellular domain of human γ chain or human FcγR3, and expressed the chimeric molecules in human NK92 cells. It was revealed that the ADCC activity can be induced by the chimeric receptors produced by any combination of the domains, and that the ADCC activity of mouse antibodies can be measured using the chimeric receptors of the present invention.
US08946378B2
Conducting polymer systems for hole injection or transport layer applications including a composition comprising: a water soluble or water dispersible regioregular polythiophene comprising (i) at least one organic substituent, and (ii) at least one sulfonate substituent comprising sulfonate sulfur bonding directly to the polythiophene backbone. The polythiophene can be water soluble, water dispersible, or water swellable. They can be self-doped. The organic substituent can be an alkoxy substituent, or an alkyl substituent. OLED, PLED, SMOLED, PV, and ESD applications can be used.
US08946374B2
A polyurethane resin composition for optical applications can contain, as essential components, a polyisocyanate and a polyester-ether polyol obtained by polycondensation of a glycol component containing an alkylene oxide adduct of a bisphenol and an aromatic carboxylic acid component and particularly preferably having a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or lower. An optical material using the composition is also provided for.
US08946363B2
Solid, particulate catalysts comprising bridged bis indenyl π-ligands are disclosed, together with methods for the preparation and use thereof, for example, in olefin polymerization.
US08946360B2
The present invention relates to a process for continuously preparing polymer by RAFT solution polymerization, the process comprising: introducing into a flow reactor a reaction solution comprising one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers, RAFT agent, non-reactive solvent and free radical initiator; and promoting RAFT polymerization of the one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers within the reactor so as to form a polymer solution that flows out of the reactor.
US08946357B2
A solution is a liquid organosilicon compound represented by general formula (1) as described below: wherein, X is each independently a group represented by formula (I), formula (II) or formula (III) as described below, and when the number of the group represented by formula (I) per one molecule of the liquid organosilicon compound represented by general formula (1) is defined as a, the number of the group represented by formula (II) per one molecule thereof is defined as b, and the number of the group represented by formula (III) per one molecule thereof is defined as c, 0≦a≦3.5, 0≦b≦3.5, and 0≦c≦1 are obtained, and also a+b+2c=4 is obtained:
US08946356B2
A resin composition having a high thermal aging property and molding stability in mass production of molded articles while keeping molding fluidity and thermal creep resistance is provided. A resin composition, containing 100 parts by mass in total of a polypropylene resin (a) and a polyphenylene ether resin (b), and 1 to 20 parts by mass of a compatibilizer (c), wherein in the component (a), the proportion of the component having a molecular weight of 30,000 or less is from 3.0 to 5.1% of the entire component (a), and the proportion of the component having a molecular weight of 10,000,000 or more is from 1.0 to 1.6% of the entire component (a).
US08946350B2
Provided are a curable composition and its use. The curable composition can exhibit excellent processibility and workability. The curable composition exhibits excellent light extraction efficiency, hardness, thermal and shock resistance, moisture resistance, gas permeability and adhesiveness, after curing. In addition, the curable composition can provide a cured product that exhibits long-lasting durability and reliability even under harsh conditions, and that does not cause whitening and surface stickiness.
US08946348B2
Various processes and methods are disclosed for incorporating polyvinyl alcohol additives into products. In one embodiment, polyvinyl alcohol particles are dissolved in a solvent without the use of external heat to form a polyvinyl alcohol solution for incorporation into a product. In an alternative embodiment, polyvinyl alcohol particles are directly incorporated into a starch-based adhesive composition. Through the processes of the present disclosure, solid polyvinyl alcohol particles can be delivered directly to a manufacturing facility where the product that incorporates the polyvinyl alcohol additive is being made or formulated. In this manner, since the polyvinyl alcohol particles are not predissolved, the costs associated with shipping and transporting the polyvinyl alcohol product are greatly reduced.
US08946337B2
Provided are a thermoplastic resin composition including a thermoplastic resin and an amorphous sheet-shaped metal particle having a ratio of thickness relative to long diameter of about 1:20 to about 1:1, and a molded product using the same.
US08946329B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards coating compositions comprising from 50 to 85 percent of an aqueous dispersion based on a total weight of the coating composition; a stabilizing solvent composition comprising a first alcohol and a second alcohol, wherein each alkyl chain of the first alcohol and the second alcohol is one to three carbon atoms, with the proviso that neither the first alcohol nor the second alcohol is propylene glycol; a basic water composition; and a crosslinker.
US08946326B2
Bimodal high density polyethylene composition for producing molded articles comprising—an ethylene homopolymer or an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer which is a bimodal high density polymer (COMPONENT A) in combination with—an alphanucleating agent (COMPONENT B),—a slip agent being a primary fatty acid amide, (COMPONENT C) and—one or more additives selected from antioxidants, acid scavengers, pigments and UV-stabilizers (COMPONENT D), the composition showing an increased the crystallization temperature and a decreased coefficient of friction compared to a bimodal HDPE composition prepared with the sole use of nucleating agent and compared to the sole use of a slip agent; and its use for producing injection molded articles, especially caps and closures.
US08946321B2
Disclosed herein is a composition having a thermoset polymer and a plurality of hollow microsphere homogenously dispersed in the composition. The polymer is a cyanate ester thermoset, a phthalonitrile thermoset, a crosslinked acetylene thermoset, or a hydrosilation thermoset. Also disclosed herein is a method of: providing a thermosetting compound; adding microspheres to the thermosetting compound; and mixing the thermosetting compound while initiating crosslinking of the thermosetting compound.
US08946315B2
The invention relates to hydrophilic, aliphatic polyurethane foams, which are accessible by reacting hydrophilic polyisocyanates in the presence of water. Due to the absorption properties thereof, the polyurethane foams are in particular suited for producing wound dressings, cosmetic articles or incontinence products.
US08946310B2
Compositions suitable for producing polyurethane foams which include at least a polyol component, a catalyst catalyzing the formation of a urethane or isocyanurate bond, optionally a blowing agent, optionally further additives and optionally an isocyanate component, which are characterized in that they additionally include an admixture including at least one specific amide and at least one siloxane compound, wherein the mass ratio of siloxane compounds to compounds of formula (I) is above 1:10.
US08946308B2
The invention relates to a process for increasing the carbon monoxide content of a feed gas mixture comprising carbon dioxide, hydrogen and carbon monoxide via a catalytic reversed water gas shift reaction, comprising the steps of (1) heating the feed gas mixture having an initial feed temperature of at most 350° C. in a first zone to a temperature within a reaction temperature range in the presence of a first catalyst; and (2) contacting the heated feed gas in a second zone within the reaction temperature range with a second catalyst. This process shows relatively high conversion of carbon dioxide, and virtually no methane or coke is being formed, allowing stable operation.
US08946305B2
The disclosure provides a method for crosslinking a colloid, including: (a) providing a colloid solution; (b) adding a crosslinking agent and solid particles to the colloid solution, wherein the amount of solid particles added is enough to convert the colloid solution into a solid mixture, and wherein a crosslinking reaction proceeds in the solid mixture; and (c) removing the solid particles from the solid mixture.
US08946303B2
To maintain physical fitness and health of middle-aged and older persons living in the threshold of the aging society, the present invention provides a fatigue reducing agent which is highly effective for preventing and reducing fatigue, wherein the agent is made of a composition of substances that are very safe so that long-term administration is possible. A composition containing reduced coenzyme Q was found to be effective for preventing and reducing fatigue, including muscle fatigue. Since the fatigue reducing effect of the composition of the present invention is seen not only in young rats but also more pronounced in aged rats, the present invention can provide the fatigue reducing agent which is very useful, especially, for middle-aged and older persons as well as for young people.
US08946302B2
The invention provides compounds of the formulas described herein and compositions thereof. The invention further provides methods of using the compounds and compositions. The compounds of the invention can provide high affinity binding to sigma-1 receptors in a mammal. The compounds can exhibit selectivity for the sigma-1 receptor over the sigma-2 receptor. The compounds and compositions of the invention can also be used to treat conditions that involve the sigma-1 receptor, such as addiction, cardiovascular conditions, and cancer, for example, cancer of the breast, lung, prostate, ovarian, colorectal, or the CNS.
US08946299B2
A product comprising a calixarene for its use in the treatment of pathologies involving at least one bacterial strain having a resistance to at least one defined antibiotic, on patients undergoing simultaneous or sequential treatment with a given antibiotic to which said bacterial strain optionally has a resistance.
US08946292B2
The present invention is directed to a pharmaceutical composition containing a unit dose of a diclofenac compound effective to induce analgesia; and a beta-cyclodextrin compound; wherein the dose of the diclofenac compound is less than 75 mg, e.g., from about 18.75 mg to about 37.5 mg. The present invention is also directed to methods of treating a subject in need of analgesia with the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention.
US08946272B2
The invention relates to crystalline forms of 4-[3,5-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-[1,2,4]triazol-1-yl]benzoic acid and to its amorphous form, to processes for the preparation thereof, to compositions containing the same and their uses for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of the human body.
US08946267B2
A therapeutic agent or a prophylactic agent for neuropathic pain provides a synergistically-enhanced analgesic effect at a dose at which a calcium channel α2δ ligand does not produce any side effects as well as which agent does not produce any new side effects on the central nervous system. The therapeutic agent or a prophylactic agent for neuropathic pain includes as effective ingredients a cyclohexane derivative, represented by the following formula, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a prodrug thereof, and a calcium channel α2δ ligand.
US08946261B2
The present invention relates to novel substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-7-yl carbamates, their preparation, and use as therapeutic agents, particularly in the prevention or treatment of neurodegenerative or Alzheimer's disease, or senile dementia, or memory disturbances, and more particularly to the prevention, treatment and amelioration of Alzheimer's disease with the novel substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-7-yl carbamates, which act as inhibitors of central cholinesterase enzymes, particularly acetylcholinesterase (AChE) following the indirect cholinomimetic pathway. The present invention particularly relates to compounds of formula A: Formula A wherein R1=alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl; R2=H, methyl; R3=H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aralkyl, substituted aralkyl, aryl, heteroaryl.
US08946247B2
The invention provides novel quinazoline carboxamide azetidine compounds according to Formula (I) and use for the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases, such as cancer.
US08946244B2
The present invention relates to 2′-Fluoro-6′-methylene carbocyclic nucleosides, pharmaceutical compositions containing these nucleosides and their use in the treatment or prophylaxis of a number of viral infections and secondary disease states and conditions thereof, especially including Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and secondary disease states and conditions thereof (cirrhosis and liver cancer), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), Herpes Simplex virus I and II (HSV-1 and HSV-2), cytomegalovirus (CMV), Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) and secondary cancers which occur thereof (lymphoma, nasopharyngeal cancer, including drug resistant (especially including lamivudine and/or adefovir resistant) and other mutant forms of these viruses.
US08946240B2
Compounds are provided that act as potent antagonists of the CCR1 receptor, and have in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The compounds are 4-amino-3-imidazoyl-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives and are useful in pharmaceutical compositions, methods for the treatment of CCR1-mediated disease, and as controls in assays for the identification of competitive CCR1 antagonists.
US08946237B2
The invention encompasses pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives which selectively inhibit microtubule affinity regulating kinase (MARK) and are therefore useful for the treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are also included.
US08946235B2
The present invention relates to certain 2-(2,4,5-substituted-anilino)pyrimidine compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which may be useful in the treatment or prevention of a disease or medical condition mediated through certain mutated forms of epidermal growth factor receptor (for example the L858R activating mutant, the Exon19 deletion activating mutant and the T790M resistance mutant). Such compounds and salts thereof may be useful in the treatment or prevention of a number of different cancers. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds and salts thereof, especially useful polymorphic forms of these compounds and salts, intermediates useful in the manufacture of said compounds and to methods of treatment of diseases mediated by various different forms of EGFR using such compounds and salts thereof.
US08946233B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds having the formula: wherein: Ar, Z, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. These compounds have AT1 receptor antagonist activity and neprilysin inhibition activity. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and process and intermediates for preparing such compounds.
US08946232B2
The present disclosure relates to compounds effective as human protein tyrosine phosphatase beta (HPTP-β) inhibitors thereby regulating angiogenesis. The present disclosure further relates to compositions comprising said human protein tyrosine phosphatase beta (HPTP-β) inhibitors, and to methods for regulating angiogenesis.
US08946221B2
The present invention provides compounds of formula (I), their use as PARP inhibitors as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, L1, L2, X, Y, Q and Z have defined meanings.
US08946213B2
Alkylated piperazine compounds of Formula I are provided, including stereoisomers, tautomers, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, useful for inhibiting Btk kinase, and for treating cancer mediated by Btk kinase. Methods of using compounds of Formula I for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, and treatment of cancer in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.
US08946211B2
A compound represented by the general formula: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a solvate thereof, wherein Ring A is a C6-14 aryl group or the like, L is —NReCO— or the like (wherein Re is a hydrogen atom or the like), Ring B is a C6-14 aryl group or the like, X is a C1-3 alkylene group or the like, Y is a single bond or the like, Z is a C1-3 alkylene group or the like, R1 and R2 are each independently a hydrogen atom or the like, and R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or the like, has an Aβ production inhibitory effect or a BACE1 inhibitory effect and is useful as a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for a neurodegenerative disease caused by Aβ and typified by Alzheimer-type dementia.
US08946207B2
The present invention provides processes and intermediates for the preparation of 3-benzazepines and salts thereof which can be useful as serotonin (5-HT) receptor agonists for the treatment of, for example, central nervous system disorders such as obesity.
US08946206B2
Provided herein are methods, drug formulations, and dosing regimens for improving cognitive function in a normal or cognitively impaired subject. For instance, methods provided herein comprise administering a GABAA receptor antagonist so that peak concentration of the GABAA receptor antagonist occurs when the subject is asleep.
US08946201B2
The present invention provides methods for inhibiting or blocking TGF-β activity in cells and/or tissues expressing TGF-β comprising, contacting cells and/or tissues expressing TGF-β with an amount of cholesterol or cholesterol derivative effective to inhibit the activity of TGF-β. The present invention further provides a method for treating a condition associated with overactivity of TGF-β or negative regulation in normal physiology by TGF-β in a subject in need of treatment, comprising contacting cells and/or tissue overexpressing TGF-β in the subject with an amount of cholesterol or cholesterol derivative effective to inhibit activity of TGF-β thereby treating the condition. In a preferred embodiment, the cholesterol derivative is oxidized 7-DHC.
US08946198B2
The present invention provides an improved method to deliver estrogen to menopausal women comprising administering ultra-low dose estradiol alternating with standard-dose estradiol.
US08946197B2
Certain compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts are provided herein. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt therein and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. Methods of treating patients suffering from certain disease states responsive to the inhibition of transglutaminase TG2 activity are described. These disease states include neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington's disease. Also described are methods of treatment include administering at least one compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as a single active agent or administering at least one compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in combination with one or more other therapeutic agents.
US08946187B2
The present invention discloses the discovery that miR-21 targets and down-regulates the core mismatch repair (MMR) recognition protein complex hMSH2 and hMSH6. Anti-sense miR-21 is therefore proven as therapeutic herein. Therefore, compositions, kits, therapies and other methods, including methods of treatment/amelioration of symptoms, are disclosed in the present invention.
US08946186B2
The present invention provides methods for tumor treatment by administering an inhibitor of quiescin sulfhydryl oxidase 1 (QSOX1), compositions comprising such inhibitors, and methods for identifying such inhibitors.
US08946183B2
Disclosed herein are compounds, compositions and methods for modulating splicing of SMN2 mRNA in a cell, tissue or animal. Also provided are uses of disclosed compounds and compositions in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of diseases and disorders, including spinal muscular atrophy.
US08946182B2
The present invention relates to antisense oligonucleotides that modulate the expression of and/or function of RNase H1, in particular, by targeting natural antisense polynucleotides of RNase H1. The invention also relates to the identification of these antisense oligonucleotides and their use in treating diseases and disorders associated with the expression of RNASE H1.
US08946177B2
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for introducing miRNA activity or function into cells using synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Moreover, the present invention concerns methods and compositions for identifying miRNAs with specific cellular functions that are relevant to therapeutic, diagnostic, and prognostic applications wherein synthetic miRNAs and/or miRNA inhibitors are used in library screening assays.
US08946171B2
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition, comprising a cell cycle regulatory protein and/or an expressible nucleic acid coding for this in an amount suitable for immunization of an individual against carcinomas and the preliminary stages thereof and common auxiliary agents and/or to the use of a cell cycle regulatory protein and/or an expressible nucleic acid coding for this to immunize an individual against carcinomas and the preliminary stages thereof.
US08946158B2
The present invention provides peptides that are useful for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. The present invention also provides compositions and methods of treating gastrointestinal disorders and pharmaceutical compositions for accomplishing the same. In some embodiments, these pharmaceutical compositions include oral dosage forms.
US08946157B2
Provided are compositions comprising newly identified protein fragments of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, polynucleotides that encode them and complements thereof, related agents, and methods of use thereof in diagnostic, drug discovery, research, and therapeutic applications.
US08946152B2
A method of treating Parkinson's disease in humans is disclosed, wherein glial cell-line derive neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is chronically administered directly to one or both putamen of a human in need of treatment thereof via convection-enhanced infusion using at least one implantable pump and at least one catheter. In one aspect of the present invention the GDNF is infused directly into one or both putamen through one or more indwelling intraparenchymal mutitiport brain catheters connected to one or moreimplantable pumps wherein the flow rate is pulsed.
US08946148B2
Modified insulin polypeptides and their uses thereof are provided.
US08946141B2
The invention discloses compositions, methods and systems for generating alkalinity in situ. The compositions, methods and systems relate to the use of a manganese decomposition agent to catalyze the decomposition of a dilute peroxygen source providing highly alkaline cleaning compositions in situ. Methods of cleaning are also disclosed.
US08946139B2
The present invention concerns liquid laundry formulations incorporating a modified lignin polymer.
US08946135B2
The invention provides a lubricating composition containing an oil of lubricating viscosity and a nitrile compound. The invention further relates to a method of the lubricating an internal combustion engine with the lubricating composition.
US08946127B2
Use of the ssrA gene or tmRNA, an RNA transcript of the ssrA gene, or fragments thereof as target regions in a nucleic acid probe assay for the detection and identification of prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic organisms is described. Nucleotide sequence alignment of tmRNA sequences from various organisms can be used to identify regions of homology and non-homology within the sequences which in turn can be used to design both genus specific and species specific oligonucleotide probes. These newly identified regions of homology and non-homology provide the basis of identifying and detecting organisms at the molecular level. Oligonucleotide probes identified in this way can be used to detect tmRNA in samples thereby giving an indication of the viability of non-viral organisms present in various sample types.
US08946120B2
A method for preparing a boron fertilizer, including: (1) heating boric acid to a temperature of 180-200° C., maintaining the temperature for 20-30 min for dehydration of the boric acid to yield pyroboric acid; and (2) cooling down the pyroboric acid to a temperature of 40-60° C., crushing, and screening to yield a powdered, weakly acidic, high-content boron fertilizer. The method is energy-saving, environmentally friendly, and low in cost. The resulting boron fertilizer is weakly acidic, fast in dissolution rate, and has excellent in compounding performance
US08946108B2
A structurally promoted, precipitated, Fischer-Tropsch catalyst that exhibits an RCAI-10 of 0-2.8 and/or produces less than 6 wt % fines after 5 hours ASTM Air Jet Attrition testing, due to formation via: preparing a nitrate solution by forming at least one metal slurry and combining the at least one metal slurry with a nitric acid solution; combining the nitrate solution with a basic solution to form a precipitate; structurally promoting the precipitate with at least one source of silicon to form a promoted mixture, wherein promoting comprises combining the precipitate with (a) silicic acid and one or more component selected from the group consisting of non-crystalline silicas, crystalline silicas, and sources of kaolin or (b) a component selected from the group consisting of non-crystalline silicas and sources of kaolin, in the absence of silicic acid; and spray drying the promoted mixture to produce catalyst having a desired particle size.
US08946094B2
A method of fabricating a graphene electronic device includes (a) forming a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from each other, on a substrate; (b) forming supporting patterns on the first electrode and the second electrode; (c) coating the supporting patterns with graphene-oxide-containing solution to form composite patterns; and (d) separating the supporting patterns from the composite patterns. The step of forming supporting patterns may expose end portions of the first and second electrodes and the substrate between the end portions and be accomplished by providing a mask on the first and second electrodes; and electrospinning a polymer solution on the first and second electrodes with the mask. The supporting patterns may be composed of polymer fibers.
US08946092B2
An insulating film having features such as a low dielectric constant, a low etching rate and a high insulating property is formed. An oxycarbonitride film is formed on a substrate by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times, the cycle including: (a) supplying a gas containing an element to the substrate; (b) supplying a carbon-containing gas to the substrate; (c) supplying a nitrogen-containing gas to the substrate; and (d) supplying an oxygen-containing gas to the substrate.
US08946086B2
Some embodiments include methods of forming a pattern. First lines are formed over a first material, and second lines are formed over the first lines. The first and second lines form a crosshatch pattern. The first openings are extended through the first material. Portions of the first lines that are not covered by the second lines are removed to pattern the first lines into segments. The second lines are removed to uncover the segments. Masking material is formed between the segments. The segments are removed to form second openings that extend through the masking material to the first material. The second openings are extended through the first material. The masking material is removed to leave a patterned mask comprising the first material having the first and second openings therein. In some embodiments, spacers may be formed along the first and second lines to narrow the openings in the crosshatch pattern.
US08946083B2
A method includes forming an opening in a dielectric layer, and forming a silicon rich layer on a surface of the dielectric layer. A portion of the silicon rich layer extends into the opening and contacts the dielectric layer. A tantalum-containing layer is formed over and the contacting the silicon rich layer. An annealing is performed to react the tantalum-containing layer with the silicon rich layer, so that a tantalum-and-silicon containing layer is formed.
US08946079B2
A semiconductor construct includes a semiconductor substrate and connection pads provided on the semiconductor substrate. Some of the connection pads are connected to a common wiring and at least one of the remaining of the connection pads are connected to a wiring. The construct also includes a first columnar electrode provided to be connected to the common wiring and a second columnar electrode provided to be connected to a connection pad portion of the wiring.
US08946076B2
Methods of fabricating integrated structures, and methods of forming vertically-stacked memory cells
Some embodiments include methods of forming vertically-stacked memory cells. An opening is formed to extend partially through a stack of alternating electrically insulative levels and electrically conductive levels. A liner is formed along sidewalls of the opening, and then the stack is etched to extend the opening. The liner is at least partially consumed during the etch and forms passivation material. Three zones occur during the etch, with one of the zones being an upper zone of the opening protected by the liner, another of the zones being an intermediate zone of the opening protected by passivation material but not the liner, and another of the zones being a lower zone of the opening which is not protected by either passivation material or the liner. Cavities are formed to extend into the electrically conductive levels along sidewalls of the opening. Charge blocking dielectric and charge-storage structures are formed within the cavities.
US08946074B2
A method of forming a semiconductor device, comprising: providing a Si-containing layer; forming a barrier layer over said Si-containing layer, said barrier layer comprising a compound including a metallic element; forming a metallic nucleation_seed layer over said barrier layer, said nucleation_seed layer including said metallic element; and forming a metallic interconnect layer over said nucleation_seed layer, wherein said barrier layer and said nucleation_seed layer are formed without exposing said semiconductor device to the ambient atmosphere.
US08946062B2
Polycrystalline silicon thick films for photovoltaic devices or the like, and methods of making same
A method of manufacturing a polycrystalline silicon film includes: depositing a catalyst layer including nickel and depositing nickel nanoparticles on a substrate; exposing the catalyst layer and the nanoparticles to at least silane gas; and heat treating the substrate coated with the catalyst layer and the nanoparticles during at least part of the exposing to silane gas in growing a silicon based film on the substrate.
US08946053B2
A method for reducing irregularities at a surface of a layer transferred from a source substrate to a glass-based support substrate, by generating a weakening zone in the source substrate; contacting the source substrate and the glass-based support substrate; and splitting the source substrate at the weakening zone; wherein the glass-based substrate has a thickness of between 300 μm and 600 μm.
US08946048B2
High-density semiconductor memory is provided with enhancements to gate-coupling and electrical isolation between discrete devices in non-volatile memory. The intermediate dielectric between control gates and charge storage regions is varied in the row direction, with different dielectric constants for the varied materials to provide adequate inter-gate coupling while protecting from fringing fields and parasitic capacitances. Electrical isolation is further provided, at least in part, by air gaps that are formed in the column (bit line) direction and/or air gaps that are formed in the row (word line) direction.
US08946047B2
A method for fabricating a capacitor includes: forming a storage node contact plug over a substrate; forming an insulation layer having an opening exposing a surface of the storage node contact plug over the storage contact plug; forming a conductive layer for a storage node over the insulation layer and the exposed surface of the storage node contact plug through two steps performed at different temperatures; performing an isolation process to isolate parts of the conductive layer; and sequentially forming a dielectric layer and a plate electrode over the isolated conductive layer.
US08946046B1
A method of forming a non-volatile memory device, includes forming a first electrode above a substrate, forming a dielectric layer overlying the first electrode, forming an opening structure in a portion of the dielectric layer to expose a surface of the first electrode having an aspect ratio, forming a resistive switching material overlying the dielectric layer and filling at least a portion of the opening structure using a deposition process, the resistive switching material having a surface region characterized by a planar region and an indent structure, the indent structure overlying the first electrode, maintaining a first thickness of resistive switching material between the planar region and the first electrode, maintaining a second thickness of resistive switching material between the indent structure and the first electrode, wherein the first thickness is larger than the second thickness, and forming a second electrode overlying the resistive switching material including the indent structure.
US08946043B2
A method of forming capacitors includes forming support material over a substrate. A first capacitor electrode is formed within individual openings in the support material. A first etching is conducted only partially into the support material using a liquid etching fluid to expose an elevationally outer portion of sidewalls of individual of the first capacitor electrodes. A second etching is conducted into the support material using a dry etching fluid to expose an elevationally inner portion of the sidewalls of the individual first capacitor electrodes. A capacitor dielectric is formed over the outer and inner portions of the sidewalls of the first capacitor electrodes. A second capacitor electrode is formed over the capacitor dielectric.
US08946041B2
Embodiments for forming improved bipolar transistors are provided, manufacturable by a CMOS IC process. The improved transistor comprises an emitter having first and second portions of different depths, a base underlying the emitter having a central portion of a first base width underlying the first portion of the emitter, a peripheral portion having a second base width larger than the first base width partly underlying the second portion of the emitter, and a transition zone of a third base width and lateral extent lying laterally between the first and second portions of the base, and a collector underlying the base. The gain of the transistor is larger than a conventional bipolar transistor made using the same CMOS process. By adjusting the lateral extent of the transition zone, the properties of the improved transistor can be tailored to suit different applications without modifying the underlying CMOS IC process.
US08946037B2
A method for producing a tunnel field-effect transistor is disclosed. Connection regions of different doping types are produced by means of self-aligning implantation methods.
US08946035B2
A replacement channel and a method for forming the same in a semiconductor device are provided. A channel area is defined in a substrate which is a surface of a semiconductor wafer or a structure such as a fin formed over the wafer. Portions of the channel region are removed and are replaced with a replacement channel material formed by an epitaxial growth/deposition process to include a first dopant concentration level less than a first dopant concentration level. A subsequent doping operation or operations is then used to boost the average dopant concentration to a level greater than the first dopant concentration level. The replacement channel material is formed to include a gradient in which the upper portion of the replacement channel material has a greater dopant concentration than the lower portion of replacement channel material.
US08946028B2
FinFETs are merged together by a metal. The method of manufacturing the FinFETs include forming a plurality of fin bodies on a substrate and merging the fin bodies with a metal. The method further includes implanting source and drain regions through the metal.
US08946022B2
Nanostructure-based charge storage regions are included in non-volatile memory devices and integrated with the fabrication of select gates and peripheral circuitry. One or more nanostructure coatings are applied over a substrate at a memory array area and a peripheral circuitry area. Various processes for removing the nanostructure coating from undesired areas of the substrate, such as target areas for select gates and peripheral transistors, are provided. One or more nanostructure coatings are formed using self-assembly based processes to selectively form nanostructures over active areas of the substrate in one example. Self-assembly permits the formation of discrete lines of nanostructures that are electrically isolated from one another without requiring patterning or etching of the nanostructure coating.
US08946016B2
Some embodiments of the present invention include apparatuses and methods relating to NMOS and PMOS transistor strain.
US08946007B2
After formation of a gate electrode, a source trench and a drain trench are formed down to an upper portion of a bottom semiconductor layer having a first semiconductor material of a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. The source trench and the drain trench are filled with at least a second semiconductor material that is different from the first semiconductor material to form source and drain regions. A planarized dielectric layer is formed and a handle substrate is attached over the source and drain regions. The bottom semiconductor layer is removed selective to the second semiconductor material, the buried insulator layer, and a shallow trench isolation structure. The removal of the bottom semiconductor layer exposes a horizontal surface of the buried insulator layer present between source and drain regions on which a conductive material layer is formed as a back gate electrode.
US08946005B2
A thin-film transistor includes a semiconductor pattern, source and drain electrodes and a gate electrode, the semiconductor pattern is formed on a base substrate, and the semiconductor pattern includes metal oxide. The source and drain electrodes are formed on the semiconductor pattern such that the source and drain electrodes are spaced apart from each other and an outline of the source and drain electrodes is substantially same as an outline of the semiconductor pattern. The gate electrode is disposed in a region between the source and drain electrodes such that portions of the gate electrode are overlapped with the source and drain electrodes. Therefore, leakage current induced by light is minimized. As a result, characteristics of the thin-film transistor are enhanced, after-image is reduced to enhance display quality, and stability of manufacturing process is enhanced.
US08946000B2
A back-end-of-line thin ion beam deposited fuse (204) is deposited without etching to connect first and second last metal interconnect structures (110, 120) formed with last metal layers (LM) in a planar multi-layer interconnect stack to programmably connect separate first and second circuit connected to the first and second last metal interconnect structures.
US08945998B2
Various structures of a programmable semiconductor interposer for electronic packaging are described. An array of semiconductor devices having various values is formed in the interposer. A user can program the interposer and form a “virtual” device having a desired value by selectively connecting various one of the array of devices to contact pads formed on the surface of the interposer. An inventive electronic package structure includes a standard interposer having an array of unconnected devices of various values and a device selection unit, which selectively connects various one of the array of devices in the standard interposer to an integrated circuit die encapsulated in the electronic package. Methods of forming the programmable semiconductor interposer and the electronic package are also illustrated.
US08945991B2
There are disclosed herein various implementations of improved wafer level semiconductor packages. One exemplary implementation comprises forming a post-fabrication redistribution layer (post-Fab RDL) between first and second dielectric layers affixed over a surface of a wafer, and forming a window for receiving an electrical contact body in the second dielectric layer, the window exposing the post-Fab RDL. At least one of the first and second dielectric layers is a pre-formed dielectric layer, which may be affixed over the surface of the wafer using a lamination process. In one implementation, the window is formed using a direct laser ablation process.
US08945990B2
Embodiments provide a method of forming a chip package. The method may include attaching at least one chip on a carrier, the chip including a plurality of chip pads on a surface of the chip opposite to the carrier; depositing a first adhesion layer on the carrier and on the chip pads of the chip, the first adhesion layer including tin or indium; depositing a second adhesion layer on the first adhesion layer, the second adhesion layer including a silane organic material; and depositing a lamination layer or an encapsulation layer on the second adhesion layer and the chip.
US08945987B2
In a high volume method for manufacturing a microelectronic package, a spacer element and a first die, i.e., microelectronic element, can be attached face-down to a surface of a substrate, contacts on the first die facing a first through opening of the substrate. Then, a second die can be attached face-down atop the first die and the spacer element, contacts on the second die disposed beyond an edge of the first die and facing a second through opening in the substrate. Electrical connections can then be formed between each of the first and second dies and the substrate. The first and second dies can be transferred from positions of a single diced wafer which are selected to maximize compound speed bin yield of the microelectronic package.
US08945983B2
A method embodiment includes forming a packaging unit by attaching a die to a packaging substrate, applying plasma treatment to a first portion of the packaging substrate, wherein the first portion corresponds to a portion of the packaging substrate underneath the die, not applying plasma treatment to a second portion of the packaging substrate, wherein the second portion of the packaging substrate surrounds the first portion of the packaging substrate, and applying an underfill material over the first portion of the packaging substrate.
US08945980B2
A method is provided for forming an alkali metal-doped solution-processed metal chalcogenide. A first solution is formed that includes a first material group of metal salts, metal complexes, or combinations thereof, dissolved in a solvent. The first material group may include one or more of the following elements: copper (Cu), indium (In), and gallium (Ga). An alkali metal-containing material is added to the first solution, and the first solution is deposited on a conductive substrate. The alkali metal-containing material may be sodium (Na). An alkali metal-doped first intermediate film results, comprising metal precursors from corresponding members of the first material group. Then, thermally annealing is performed in an environment of selenium (Se), Se and hydrogen (H2), hydrogen selenide (H2Se), sulfur (S), S and H2, hydrogen sulfide (H2S), or combinations thereof. The metal precursors in the alkali metal-doped first intermediate film are transformed, and an alkali metal-doped chalcogenide layer is formed.
US08945976B2
A thin silicon solar cell is described. An example solar cell may be fabricated from a crystalline silicon wafer having a thickness of approximately 50 micrometers to 500 micrometers. The solar cell comprises a first region having a p-n homojunction, a second region that creates heterojunction surface passivation, and a third region that creates heterojunction surface passivation. Amorphous silicon layers are deposited on both sides of the silicon wafer. A final layer of transparent conductive oxide is formed on both sides. Metal contacts are applied to the transparent conductive oxide.
US08945975B2
In some embodiments of the invention, a device includes a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, a third semiconductor layer, and a semiconductor structure comprising a III-nitride light emitting layer disposed between an n-type region and a p-type region. The second semiconductor layer is disposed between the first semiconductor layer and the third semiconductor layer. The third semiconductor layer is disposed between the second semiconductor layer and the light emitting layer. A difference between the in-plane lattice constant of the first semiconductor layer and the bulk lattice constant of the third semiconductor layer is no more than 1%. A difference between the in-plane lattice constant of the first semiconductor layer and the bulk lattice constant of the second semiconductor layer is at least 1%. The third semiconductor layer is at least partially relaxed.
US08945967B2
A photosensitive imaging device and a method for forming a semiconductor device are provided. The method includes: providing a first device layer formed on a first substrate, wherein a conductive top bonding pad layer is formed on the first device layer; providing a continuous second device layer formed on a second substrate, wherein a continuous conductive adhesion layer is formed on the continuous second device layer; bonding the first device layer with the second device layer, where the top bonding pad layer on the first device layer is directly connected with the conductive continuous adhesion layer on the continuous second device layer; removing the second substrate; selectively etching the continuous second device and the continuous conductive adhesion layer to form a groove array; and filling up the groove array with an insulation material to form a plurality of second devices. Alignment accuracy may be improved.
US08945966B2
Methods for integrating wide-gap semiconductors with synthetic diamond substrates are disclosed. Diamond substrates are created by depositing synthetic diamond onto a nucleating layer deposited or formed on a layered structure including at least one layer of gallium nitride, aluminum nitride, silicon carbide, or zinc oxide. The resulting structure is a low stress process compatible with wide-gap semiconductor films, and may be processed into optical or high-power electronic devices. The diamond substrates serve as heat sinks or mechanical substrates.
US08945960B2
An optical device wafer has a plurality of optical devices formed on a front side and a plurality of crossing division lines for partitioning the optical devices. Each optical device has electrodes formed on the front side. A processing method includes: forming a groove on the front side of the wafer along each division line, the groove having a depth reaching a finished thickness; of forming a nonconductive reflective film on the front side of the wafer to thereby form the reflective film on at least the side surfaces of the groove; removing the reflective film formed on the electrodes to thereby expose the electrodes; and grinding a back side of the wafer to thereby reduce the thickness to the finished thickness until the groove is exposed to the back side of the wafer to divide the wafer into individual optical device chips.
US08945957B2
The method of manufacturing a liquid ejection head includes: forming a first protective layer on one surface of the substrate; forming the wiring layer on another surface of the substrate; forming the insulating layer on the wiring layer, and then partially removing the insulating layer to partially expose the wiring layer; forming the electrode pad on an exposed portion of the wiring layer; forming a flow path member on the another surface of the substrate; forming a second protective layer on the one surface of the substrate after the formation of the flow path member; and partially removing at least one of the first protective layer and the second protective layer, and then forming the supply port leading from the one surface of the substrate to the another surface of the substrate.
US08945956B2
Test dies having metrology test structures and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The method includes forming one or more metrology test structures in a test die that are identical to one or more structures formed in an adjacent product chip.
US08945947B2
A method for determining the binding constant of interacting molecular species comprises the use of flat surfaces comprising perfluorinated polymers and measurements of reflected light intensity. The surfaces comprise at least one molecule with the receptor function absorbed or immobilized on the surface and at least one ligand that interacts with the receptor.
US08945921B2
The present invention relates to a method of modulating production of neurons and/or oligodendrocytes from neural progenitor cells of human white matter and to a method of treating a subject for a condition modulated by underproduction of oligodendrocytes from human white matter. Both of these methods involve administering an agonist or antagonist of one or more molecules set forth in Tables 1 and/or 2 to the neural progenitor cells. Also disclosed is a method of using an inhibitor of sterol synthesis to differentiate oligodendrocyte progenitor cells to oligodendrocytes.
US08945918B2
The present teachings disclose nucleic acid cassettes for expressing in an insect cell a plurality of polypeptides encoded by a gene comprising overlapping open reading frames (ORFs). A cassette comprises, in 5′ to 3′ order, a) a first insect cell-operable promoter, b) a 5′ portion of a gene comprising a first ORF of the gene, c) an intron comprising a second insect cell-operable promoter, and d) a 3′ portion of the gene comprising at least one additional ORF. Vectors and insect cells comprising the cassettes are also disclosed, as well as methods for production of recombinant adeno-associated virus in insect cells using the cassettes.
US08945909B2
The invention relates to tunable elastomeric nanochannels for nanofluidic manipulation. In particular, the present invention relates to nanochannels for performing biological assays.
US08945907B2
The present invention relates to a microorganism having L-tryptophan productivity and a method for producing L-tryptophan using the same. More precisely, the present invention relates to the recombinant E. coli strain CJ600 (KCCM 10812P) having tryptophan productivity produced from the mutant form (KFCC 10066) of E. coli having L-phenylalanine productivity, wherein tryptophan auxotrophy is released, L-phenylalanine biosynthesis is blocked but tryptophan productivity is enhanced by reinforcing the gene involved in tryptophan biosynthesis, and a method of producing L-tryptophan using the same.
US08945906B2
A system and methods for removal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from an environment, where the system includes an inert and organic biofilm substrata as biofilm media for dual use: 1) inoculation of microorganisms to degrade POPs and 2) accumulation of POPs on the substrata, effective in maintaining bioavailable concentrations for sustaining microbial activity. Microorganisms capable of degrading or transforming POPs are actively associated with the substrata as a biofilm. Application of this delivery vehicle will enhance the microbial degradation of POPs, while simultaneously adsorbing hydrophobic POPs from the environment making them bioavailable for the microorganisms located in the formed biofilms and additionally lowering the aqueous concentration of POPs that have detrimental effects towards fish and mammals as they bioaccumulate through the food chain.
US08945901B1
Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) polypeptide variants of the presently-disclosed subject matter have enhanced catalytic efficiency for (−)-cocaine, as compared to wild-type BChE. Pharmaceutical compositions of the presently-disclosed subject matter include a BChE polypeptide variant having an enhanced catalytic efficiency for (−)-cocaine. A method of the presently-disclosed subject matter for treating a cocaine-induced condition includes administering to an individual an effective amount of a BChE polypeptide variant, as disclosed herein, to lower blood cocaine concentration.
US08945896B2
Ligand functionalized substrates, methods of making ligand functionalized substrates, and methods of using functionalized substrates are disclosed.
US08945884B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for recombinational cloning. The compositions include vectors having multiple recombination sites and/or multiple topoisomerase recognition sites. The methods permit the simultaneous cloning of two or more different nucleic acid molecules. In some embodiments the molecules are fused together while in other embodiments the molecules are inserted into distinct sites in a vector. The invention also generally provides for linking or joining through recombination a number of molecules and/or compounds (e.g., chemical compounds, drugs, proteins or peptides, lipids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, etc.) which may be the same or different. The invention also provides host cells comprising nucleic acid molecules of the invention or prepared according to the methods of the invention, and also provides kits comprising the compositions, host cells and nucleic acid molecules of the invention, which may be used to synthesize nucleic acid molecules according to the methods of the invention.
US08945875B2
Disclosed are nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for acetolactate synthase, acetolactate synthase regulatory regions, α-tubulin promoter, a promoter from a Thraustochytriales polyketide synthase (PKS) system, and fatty acid desaturase promoter, each from a Thraustochytriales microorganism. Also disclosed are recombinant vectors useful for transformation of Thraustochytriales microorganisms, as well as a method of transformation of Thraustochytriales microorganisms. The recombinant nucleic acid molecules of the present invention can be used for the expression of foreign nucleic acids in a Thraustochytriales microorganism as well as for the deletion, mutation, or inactivation of genes in Thraustochytriales microorganisms.
US08945858B2
The disclosure relates generally to neurodegenerative disorders and more specifically to a group of presenilin/G-protein/c-src binding polypeptides and methods of use for modulating signaling and progression of Alzheimer's disease.
US08945853B2
Methods and compositions are provided to measure the binding of a test compound to a target peptide by measuring the effect of the compound on the abundance of the target peptide inside a cell. The target peptide may bind the test compound at an active site or an allosteric site, and it has been found that such binding may stabilize the target peptide against cellular degradation. The target peptide will preferably comprise a destabilizing mutation which shortens the half life of the target peptide within the cell, typically a mammalian cell. Test compounds, including small molecules, have been found to stabilize target peptides. Also provided are systems and kits for use in practicing the methods.
US08945851B2
The present invention relates to a kit for detection of association of a peripheral cellular membrane binding protein with cellular membranes in living cells and methods thereof. The kit includes a first nucleic acid construct comprising a first nucleic acid molecule encoding a first fusion protein comprising a peripheral cellular membrane binding protein or membrane binding domain thereof operatively coupled to DNA binding and transactivation domains of a naturally occurring or chimeric transcription factor and a first promoter operatively associated with the first nucleic acid molecule. A second nucleic acid construct comprises a second nucleic acid molecule encoding a reporter protein and a second promoter responsive to the DNA binding and transactivation domains of the first fusion protein. The second promoter is operatively associated with the second nucleic acid molecule. Activation of the second promoter results in expression of the reporter protein. Also disclosed is a transgenic non-human animal.
US08945838B2
Methods, assays, and products for the detection of analytes in a sample are provided. In one aspect, for example, a device for detecting an analyte in a sample can include a fluid transfer membrane further including a sample input region operable to receive a liquid sample, a reagent region including a first split aptamer segment, a second split aptamer segment, and a detection marker, where the first and second split aptamers are operable to ligate in the presence of the analyte. The detection marker is operable to bind to the second split aptamer. The device can further include a test region having an immobilized binding reagent operable to bind to the first split aptamer segment such that the detection marker is held in the test region when the first split aptamer segment is ligated to the second split aptamer segment due to the analyte being present in the sample.
US08945827B2
A non-treponemal diagnostic test for syphilis infection includes initially dissolving cholesterol in an organic solvent and further diluting the dissolved cholesterol in an ethanol solution comprising cardiolipin and lecithin, permitting a volume of the antigen solution to evaporate in place within a container, rinsing the coated container with buffered saline, stabilizing the antigen coating by overcoating the antigen coating with an inert protein dissolved in buffered saline, decanting the overcoat solution, air-drying the container, and sealing the container in vapor-proof pouches with desiccant, providing an enzyme-labeled conjugate component of a syphilis infection test that is formulated to be compatible with a lipid nature of the cholesterol, the cardiolipin, and the lecithin VDRL antigens, providing a sample diluent that is formulated to be compatible with the lipid nature of the VDRL antigens, and providing a wash fluid that is formulated to be compatible with the lipid nature of the VDRL antigens.
US08945822B2
The present invention provides a resist pattern thickening material, which can utilize ArF excimer laser light; which, when applied over a resist pattern to be thickened, e.g., in form of lines and spaces pattern, can thicken the resist pattern to be thickened regardless of the size of the resist pattern to be thickened; and which is suited for forming a fine space pattern or the like, exceeding exposure limits. The present invention also provides a process for forming a resist pattern and a process for manufacturing a semiconductor device, wherein the resist pattern thickening material of the present invention is suitably utilized.
US08945821B2
The invention provides a method for patterning a flexible substrate. The method for patterning a flexible substrate includes providing a carrier substrate. A release layer is formed on the carrier substrate. A flexible substrate film is formed on the release layer. A plurality of UV blocking mask patterns is formed covering various portions of the flexible substrate film and the release layer. A UV lighting process is performed to expose the flexible substrate film and the release layer not covered by the UV blocking mask patterns, to a UV light. A debonding step is performed so that the various portions of the flexible substrate film directly above the various portions of the release layer, which were not exposed to the UV light, are separated from the carrier substrate.
US08945818B2
A method of manufacturing a liquid ejection head, and the method includes a process of providing a first photosensitive resin layer containing a photodegradable positive photosensitive resin and serving as a mold material of the channel on a substrate, a process of providing a gas barrier layer having a film density of 1 g/cm3 or more on the first photosensitive resin layer, a process of subjecting the first photosensitive resin layer and the gas barrier layer to pattern exposure, and then performing development to thereby form the mold material of a channel and also removing the gas barrier layer before or simultaneously with the development, a process of providing a second photosensitive resin layer on the mold material and the substrate, a process of subjecting the second photosensitive resin layer to pattern exposure, and then performing development, and a process of removing the mold material of the channel.
US08945790B2
In at least one embodiment, a microporous layer configured to be disposed between a catalyst layer and a gas diffusion layer of a fuel cell electrode assembly is provided. The microporous layer may have defined therein a plurality of hydrophilic pores, a plurality of hydrophobic pores with a diameter of 0.02 to 0.5 μm, and a plurality of bores with a diameter of 0.5 to 100 μm. The microporous layer structures and gas diffusion layer assemblies disclosed herein may be defined by a number of various designs and arrangements for use in proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems.
US08945789B2
The present invention provides a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) including a porous fuel electrode which allows reaction of a fuel gas to proceed and which is formed of Ni and YSZ, a porous air electrode which allows reaction of an oxygen-containing gas to proceed, and a dense solid electrolyte membrane which is provided between the fuel electrode and the air electrode and which has an interface with the fuel electrode. In the fuel electrode, Ni grains present in a region located within 3 μm from the interface (i.e., a “near-interface region”) have a mean size of 0.28 to 0.80 μm, YSZ grains present in the near-interface region have a mean size of 0.28 to 0.80 μm, and pores present in the near-interface region have a mean size of 0.10 to 0.87 μm. Thus, the fuel electrode of the SOFC exhibits low reaction resistance.
US08945785B2
A system and method for reducing the frequency of stack stand-by mode events, if necessary, as a fuel cell stack ages and experiences lower performance. The method determines an irreversible voltage loss of the fuel cell stack at predetermined time intervals and determines a stack voltage degradation variable based on the irreversible voltage loss. The method also determines if the stack voltage degradation variable indicates that the fuel cell stack will not meet predetermined stack end-of-life voltage requirements and calculates a maximum allowed voltage degradation rate of the fuel cell stack. The method calculates a maximum number of stand-by mode events per unit time that can be allowed to prevent the stack from exceeding the maximum allowed degradation rate and controls the number of stand-by mode events based on the calculated maximum number of stand-by mode events.
US08945778B2
The invention relates to conducting salts which contain lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB) and mixed lithium borate salts of the type of formula (I), wherein the portion of compound (I) in the conducting salt is 0.01 to 20 mole-% and X in formula (I) is a bridge linked with the boron via two oxygen atoms, selected from formula (II), wherein Y1 and Y2 together=O, m=1, n=0 and Y3 and Y4 independently represent H or an alkyl group with 1 to 5 C atoms, or Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4 independently represent OR (with R=alkyl group with to 5 C atoms), or H or an alkyl group with 1 to 5 C atoms, and wherein m=0 or 1, n=0 or 1, or Y2 and Y3 are members of a 5- or 6-membered aromatic or heteroaromatic ring (with N, O or S as the hetero element) which can be optionally substituted with alkyl, alkoxy, carboxy or nitrile, and if so, Y1 and Y4 are not applicable and n>0, m=0 or 1. The invention also relates to a method for producing the inventive conducting salts.
US08945776B2
An electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery and a rechargeable lithium battery including the same, the electrolyte including a lithium salt, a silylborate-based compound, an anhydride component, and a non-aqueous organic solvent.
US08945775B2
A main object of the present application is to provide a battery including an insulating member that insulates a battery case from an electrode body and is able to secure good injection performance of an electrolyte solution. The battery provided by the present application includes an electrode body provided with a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and a battery case that houses the electrode body together with an electrolyte solution. An insulating member that isolates the electrode body from the battery case is arranged between the electrode body and the battery case, and the insulating member is formed into a bag shape that encloses the electrode body and is made of a porous material having pores through which the electrolyte solution is able to flow.
US08945757B2
A battery pack including: a plurality of battery cells; conductive tabs, each of which has a first portion electrically connected to at least one of the battery cells, and a second portion extending from the first portion; conductive lines electrically connected to the second portions of the conductive tabs; and a protective circuit module electrically connected to the conductive lines. Each of the conductive tabs includes a conductive line holding portion formed at the second portion, to fix the corresponding conductive line. Due to this constitution of the battery pack, the conductive lines are prevented from entirely escaping from the area of solder joints with the conductive tabs, after being disconnected from the solder joints. Therefore, the conductive lines do not come into contact with the battery cells or circuits of the protective circuit module.
US08945750B2
An electronic apparatus using a fuel cell as at least one electric power source. The fuel cell has an electric power output unit for outputting an electric power through a chemical reaction between fuel gas and oxidant gas, a purge device for purging the electric power output unit and a purge control unit for issuing a purge instruction to the purge device. The electronic apparatus has a monitor unit for monitoring a consumption power, an operation state or a manipulated state of the electronic apparatus, and a purge permission unit for judging from an output of the monitor unit whether the purge control unit is permitted to issue the purge instruction, and outputting a judgment result to the purge control unit.
US08945747B2
In a longitudinal battery cell for a vehicle battery module, the battery cell includes a first end and an opposite second end with respect to a longitudinal axis of the battery cell, and a lateral surface extending from the first end to the second end. The battery cell includes an attachment structure extending in an outward direction from the lateral surface at the second end for coupling the battery cell to the battery module.
US08945744B2
There is provided an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a stack of unit cells respectively including at least one negative electrode and at least one positive electrode, alternately stacked, wherein at least one separator is placed on each of both sides of the electrodes, and at least one of the unit cells has an area different from that of an adjacent unit cell to form at least one stepped portion on the electrode assembly. In addition, there are also provided a battery cell, a battery pack, and a device that include the electrode assembly.
US08945731B2
A device that includes a near field transducer (NFT); at least one cladding layer adjacent the NFT; and a discontinuous metal layer positioned between the NFT and the at least one cladding layer.
US08945722B2
The present invention relates to organic light emitting devices (OLEDs), and more specifically to OLEDS that emit light using a combination of fluorescent emitters and phosphorescent emitters for the efficient utilization of all of the electrically generated excitons.
US08945717B2
The invention relates to a pressure-sensitive adhesive. It is envisaged that the pressure-sensitive adhesive comprises a first layer and a second layer,the first layer being a heat-activatable pressure-sensitive adhesive which has a static glass transition temperature Tg,a or a melting point Tm,a of at least +30° C.; andthe second layer being a polyacrylate pressure-sensitive adhesive which has a static glass transition temperature of not more than +15° C.
US08945715B2
The present invention relates to a low-V2O5-content and even V2O5-free porcelain enamel with improved dish-washer resistance, very good acid resistance and good adherence on various substrates. The invention moreover relates to a transparent low-V2O5-content and even V2O5-free porcelain enamel frit for application of enamel coatings with infinite color range on a substrate made of aluminum, cast aluminum, aluminum alloy, aluminum-magnesium alloy, cast aluminum alloy, copper, austenitic stainless steel and mild steel, presenting improved dish-washer resistance, good acid resistance and good adherence on the substrate.The composition of the porcelain enamel in question comprises about 30 wt-% to about 50 wt-% SiO2, about 30 wt-% to about 40 wt-% R2O, about 15 wt-% to about 25 wt-% TiO2, about 0 wt-% to about 5 wt-% RO, about 0 wt-% to about 4 wt-% V2O5, about 0.3 wt-% to about 7 wt-% Fe2O3, about 0 wt-% to about 3 wt-% Sb2O3, about 0 wt-% to about 3 wt-% SnO2, about 0 wt-% to about 2 wt-% B2O3, about 0 wt-% to about 3 wt-% Al2O3, about 0 wt-% to about 4 wt-% P2O5, about 0 wt-% to about 1 wt-% MoO3, about 0 wt-% to about 2 wt-% F2, about 0 wt-% to about 4 wt-% ZrO2, about 0 wt-% to about 4 wt-% ZnO, about 0 wt-% to about 6 wt-% NOx, R2O is a combination of alkaline oxides selected from the group of: Na2O 10-23 mol %, K2O 7-20 mol % and Li2O 1-6.5 mol %, wherein RO represent at least one earth alkali oxide and wherein the molar ratio of (Li2O+B2O3) to TiO2 amounts to 0.2 to 0.6.
US08945711B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a water-based composite resin composition which has an excellent long-term storage stability and which enables formation of a coating film having an excellent water resistance and solvent resistance. The present invention relates to a water-based composite resin composition and a coating agent; the water-based composite resin composition containing composite resin particles (A) and an aqueous medium (B), the composite resin particles (A) containing polyester resin (a1) particles having a sulfonate group and an epoxy resin (a2) of which some or all parts are encapsulated in the polyester resin (a1) particles, wherein a mass ratio [(a1)/(a2)] of the polyester resin (a1) to the epoxy resin (a2) in the composite resin particles (A) is in the range of 95/5 to 30/70.
US08945704B2
A multi-layer film which is excellent in transferability to a metal shape during thermoforming and hardly produces uneven thickness, wrinkles, whitening or cracks on the surface of the obtained molded article.The multi-layer film has a layer (layer A) containing a polycarbonate resin and a polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer and a layer (layer B) containing an acrylic resin, wherein the layer B is formed on at least one side of the layer A.
US08945692B2
A method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device with which response characteristics are able to be easily improved without using major equipment is provided. The method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display device includes steps of forming a first alignment film 22 including a polymer compound having a crosslinkable functional group as a side chain on one substrate of a pair of substrates 20 and 30; forming a second alignment film 32 on the other substrate of the pair of substrates 20 and 30; arranging the pair of substrates 20 and 30 so that the first alignment film 22 and the second alignment film 32 are opposed to each other, and sealing a liquid crystal layer 40 containing a liquid crystal molecule 41 having negative dielectric constant anisotropy between the first alignment film 22 and the second alignment film 32; and bridging the polymer compound to give pretilt to the liquid crystal molecule 41 after sealing the liquid crystal layer 40.
US08945688B2
A process of forming a material having nano-particles and a material having nano-particles are disclosed. The process includes arranging nano-particles in a predetermined pattern within a matrix material. The material includes arranged nano-particles forming a predetermined pattern in the matrix material.
US08945682B2
A deposition apparatus includes a first transporting unit configured to transport moving units, to which substrates may be detachably affixed, in a first direction; and a second transporting unit configured to transport empty moving units, from which the respective substrates have been detached, in a return direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the moving units are transported cyclically in reusing fashion.
US08945679B2
An apparatus for impregnating web material with thermally curable impregnating resin, The apparatus includes an impregnating trough in which the web material is brought into contact with the impregnating resin and an inlet line which leads to the impregnating trough and through which the impregnating resin is introduced into the impregnating trough. The apparatus also includes a heating device structured and arranged for heating the impregnating resin, wherein the heating device is associated with the inlet line and heats the impregnating resin in the inlet line.
US08945677B2
Materials and methods for manufacturing electronic devices and semiconductor components using low dielectric materials comprising polyimide based aerogels are described. Additional methods for manipulating the properties of the dielectric materials and affecting the overall dielectric property of the system are also provided.
US08945676B2
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for coating one or more objects (1) by exposing an object (1) to alternately repeating surface reactions of two or more gaseous precursors. The apparatus comprises a reaction chamber (2, 40), means for forming at least one distinct precursor region inside the reaction chamber, and means for causing translational, essentially mechanically unsupported and unsuspended, motion of an object (1) inside the reaction chamber, relative to the reaction chamber, for bringing the surface of the object (1) into contact with a gaseous precursor, the means for causing the translational motion comprising means for moving the object (1) essentially through the at least one distinct precursor region inside the reaction chamber.
US08945672B2
A process for preparing encapsulated pigment granules, including the steps of (1) loading iron oxide powder into a mixer; (2) rotating the mixer to cause the iron oxide powder to continuously cascade within the mixer, so as to form compacted pigment granules; and (3) spraying liquid encapsulation solution onto the cascading compacted pigment granules to cause the cascading compacted pigment granules to be encapsulated.
US08945667B2
A method of reducing dust generation from an aggregate surface is described. The method includes applying a dust suppression compound to the aggregate surface. The dust suppression compound may be made from an aqueous mixture of an alkylcellulose compound and a halogen containing salt.
US08945660B2
The present invention relates to an edible foam product that can advantageously be used in the treatment or prevention of obesity. More particularly, the present invention provides an edible foam product of pourable or spoonable consistency having an overrun of at least 100%, said foam product containing at least 60 wt. % of water, from 1 to 7 wt. % of protein and from 1 to 20 wt. % of carbohydrates, and further being characterized by a high in-mouth stability as evidenced by a reduction in overrun of less than 35% under in-mouth shear conditions and a high gastric stability as evidenced by a t½>30 minutes, t½representing the time needed to achieve a reduction in overrun of 50% under gastric conditions. Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of an edible foam product in the treatment or prevention of overweight or obesity, said edible foam product having a pourable or spoonable consistency, an overrun of at least 100% and a high gastric stability as evidenced by t½>30 minutes. Yet another aspect of the invention concerns a pressurized container holding an edible liquid composition and a propellant, which liquid composition can be released from the container by activating a valve to produce an edible foam product having a pourable or spoonable consistency, an overrun of at least 100% and a high gastric stability as evidenced by t½>30 minutes.
US08945654B1
A method of producing a food product such as a colored veined cheese product includes providing a cheese curd to which a flavorant is added. The cheese curd and the flavorant are worked into a homogenous mixture. A colored vein mimetic is added to the homogeneous mixture in an amount for a time sufficient to produce the colored veins within the cheese product such that the cheese product has a flavor and an appearance of a naturally veined cheese.
US08945647B2
A process of preparing a beverage from a beverage preparation chamber includes feeding water to the preparation chamber until a first pressure is reached, interrupting the flow of water to the preparation chamber, holding the preparation chamber in a closed condition for a first time interval, opening the outlet of the preparation chamber and delivering the thus prepared beverage.
US08945642B2
Provided is a nutritionally enhanced derivative (isolate) from Stabilized Rice Bran (SRB) with improved antioxidant, fat and protein levels enhancing both the nutritional and yield values over existing techniques. Also provided is an improved method that utilizes certain enzyme combinations under various time and temperature conditions for extracting these nutritionally enhanced isolates from SRB.
US08945641B2
The invention relates to the use of acacia gum (or gum Arabic) possibly in combination with sulphur-containing amino acids, for improving the growth and survival of bifidobacteria which are part of the manufacture of fermented food products, in particular, of fermented milk products.
US08945637B2
The present invention includes compositions and methods for cleaning, treating, protection and resolution of decubitus ulcers comprising: a first composition comprising a wound cleaning solution comprising aloe vera gel comprising at least 5,000 MPS, a balanced salt solution; and a second composition comprising a wound healing gel comprising aloe vera gel comprising at least 10,000 MPS, a thickening agent, and one or more preservatives and, optionally, a third composition comprising a moisture barrier cream comprising a vegetable-based emulsifier, a cosmetic ester for dry skin that has low occlusivity, an ester-based emollient that is oxidation stable and has low occlusivity; a beeswax; a hydrogenated oil, glycerin, a buffering agent, aloe vera gel comprising at least 2,000 MPS and water.
US08945632B2
The current invention provides therapeutic methods which include inhibition of nuclear factor κb pathway in a cell based on the discovery of an active fraction of a plant extract termed NUP or a composition which includes NUP. NUP is used in treating and managing different diseases such as cancer, inflammation, and virus infections.
US08945626B2
A process for the production of a composition comprising a water-insoluble paracetamol or NSAID which comprises the steps of: a) providing a mixture comprising: i) a water-insoluble paracetamol or NSAID, ii) a water soluble carrier, and iii) a solvent for each of the paracetamol or NSAID and the carrier, and b) spray-drying the mixture to remove the or each solvent and obtain a substantially solvent-free nano-dispersion of the paracetamol or NSAID in the carrier.
US08945625B2
The invention relates to a controlled release delivery compositions and methods of using them for pathologies associated with Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck. Specifically, the invention relates to regulating drug delivery by the use of chitosan based matrices together with chitosanases.
US08945619B2
Drugs are formulated as oral dosage forms for controlled release in which the release rate limiting portion is a shell surrounding the drug-containing core. The shell releases drug from the core by permitting diffusion of the drug from the core. The shell also motes gastric retention of the dosage form by swelling upon imbibition of gastric fluid to size that is retained in the stomach during the postprandial or fed mode.
US08945611B2
The invention relates to dispersions of artificial oxygen carriers, wherein the dispersions contain capsules with reversible oxygen storage capacity, the capsules comprising an oxygen-permeable capsule material, that contains and/or encloses fluorinated, particularly perfluorinated hydrocarbons, preferably perfluorocarbons. The dispersions are particularly suitable as a blood substitute, preferably for the purpose of transfusion, e.g. in states of blood loss of the human or animal body, in particular following surgical interventions, accidents, injuries etc, or for the prophylactic treatment and/or treatment by therapy of ischaemic states or states following a reperfusion.
US08945609B2
The aqueous thermosetting neutralized chitosan composition, forming a phosphate-free transparent hydrogel at a temperature higher than 5° C., comprises 0.1 to 5.0 w/w %, based on the total composition, of a reacetylated chitosan having a molecular weight of not smaller than 100 kDa and a deacetylation degree of 40 to 70%, neutralized with an hydroxylated base, and 1 to 30 w/w %, based on the total composition, of a complexing agent selected from polyoses and polyols derived from polyoses. Said composition is useful for the preparation of an injectable formulation.
US08945597B2
The invention generally relates to environmental friendly pesticide compounds, formulations, methods of preparation and application and utilities thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to pesticide compounds and formulations that include terpenes or terpenoids having chemical formula of (C5H8)n, and its derivatives and analogs thereof, as active insecticidal ingredients; certain botanical essential oils as synergists, and other select ingredients as additives.
US08945587B2
The present disclosure generally relates to genetic engineering of bacteria. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to genetic engineering of Gram-negative bacteria expressing different species of lipid A on their surface. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides for an engineered strain of E. coli according to Table 1. In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides for a lipopolysaccharide purified from an engineered strain of E. coli according to Table 1.
US08945585B2
The present invention discloses a multi-target recombination gene and the application of its protein to prevent and cure Helicobacter pylori. It includes a multi-target fusion polypeptide having amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:2, a multi-target recombination gene of encoding multi-target fusion polypeptide having nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1, and the application of the multi-target recombination gene or the multi-target fusion polypeptide or specific antibody of the multi-target fusion polypeptide as biological products for preventing and curing Helicobacter pylori. The present invention effectively combines the key target protein UreI for Hp gastric colonization, and antigen target of UreB to create the best drug target.
US08945583B2
The invention relates to the use of the ubiquitous vertebrate glucose transporter GLUT1, or of fragments or sequences derived thereof, for the in vitro diagnosis of cancers, when used as a tumor marker, or for the screening of compounds useful for the preparation of drugs for the prevention or the treatment of pathologies linked to an infection of an individual with a PTLV, or pathologies linked to an overexpression of GLUT1 on cell surfaces, or the in vitro detection of GLUT1 on cell surfaces. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing GLUT1, or fragments or sequences derived thereof, and to their uses such as in the frame of the prevention or the treatment of pathologies linked to an infection of an individual with a PTLV.
US08945581B2
The present invention relates to compositions and pharmaceutical compositions comprising poxviruses and more particularly extracellular enveloped viruses. The present invention also relates to a process for producing poxviruses and poxviruses obtained thereof. Moreover, the present invention also relates to the use of said poxvirus and said composition for the preparation of a medicament.
US08945576B2
This invention relates to a vaccine for preventing or treating tautopathy, comprising a vector, as an active ingredient, comprising a nucleic acid encoding a mutant tau protein linked to a secretion signal sequence, wherein the vaccine is capable of inducing an antibody against an (optionally phosphorylated) tau protein in a subject in a more sustained manner compared with a case where the mutant tau protein is administered directly.
US08945567B2
Amino acid sequences are provided that are directed against and/or that can specifically bind protein F of hRSV, as well as to compounds or constructs, and in particular proteins and polypeptides, that comprise or essentially consist of one or more such amino acid sequences. The amino acid sequences, polypeptides and therapeutic compounds and compositions provided by the invention show an improved stability, less immunogenicity and/or improved affinity and/or avidity for protein F of hRSV. The invention also relates to the uses of such amino acid sequences, polypeptides, compounds or constructs for prophylactic and/or therapeutic purposes.
US08945560B1
The invention relates to human targets of interest (TOI), anti-TOI ligands, kits compositions and method.
US08945559B2
The present invention provides pharmaceutical formulations comprising a human antibody that specifically binds to human interleukin-4 receptor (hIL-4R). The formulations may contain, in addition to an anti-hIL-4R antibody, at least one amino acid, at least one sugar, or at least one non-ionic surfactant. The pharmaceutical formulations of the present invention exhibit a substantial degree of antibody stability after storage for several months.
US08945558B2
The present inventors investigated the effects of anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies on improving the condition of infarcted areas in myocardial infarction, and on suppressing left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction. As a result, the administration of anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies significantly suppressed the increase of MPO activity in the infarcted area and suppressed myocardial MCP-1 expression in both the infarcted area and the non-infarcted area. Furthermore, echocardiography and histological examinations revealed that cardiac hypertrophy is also suppressed.
US08945549B2
The invention relates to methods for treating pain disorders including neuropathic and inflammatory pain and to methods to reduce or eliminate nociceptive tolerance induced by opiate analgesic use by administering an agent that suppresses or blocks S1P biological activity.
US08945547B2
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.
US08945535B2
For the repair of a cartilage defect in a human or animal patient use is made of an implant comprising an implant body including a natural cartilage matrix and being coated with cells having a chondrogenic potential. These cells are produced by in vitro cell proliferation starting from chondrocytes isolated from a cartilage biopsy. The chondrocytes which are de-differentiated during cell proliferation are re-differentiated during tissue culturing and are in particular suitable for producing and maintaining the cartilage matrix of the implant body. The cells adhering to the surface of the implant body are preferably also chondrocytes being de-differentiated by cell proliferation, but not re-differentiated, and are therefore particularly suitable for integrating the implant in the defect. Due to the cells adhering to the surface of the implant body, the implant is successfully integrated in the viable tissue surrounding the defect.
US08945532B2
A dietary supplement based on fucoidan, blue-green algae, phycocyanin and phenylethylamine is fortified with one or more of curcumin, silymarin, resveratrol, astragalus root extract, astragoloside IV, vitamin D3, vitamin C, anhydrous trimethylglycine and brewers yeast to stimulate stem cell production and reduce the rate of telomere reduction or shortening. This can result in the repair of existing body cells and enhance longevity by stimulating the production of new stem cells and maintaining the telomeres on new stem cells as well as existing cells. The dietary supplement supports an increased life span by enhancing metabolic function, activating SIRT-1 anti-aging genes, and encouraging the production of new cells with longer telomeres.
US08945522B2
The present invention relates to organosilicon polymers containing benzoic acid esters in form of particles, process for their preparation, cosmetic or dermatological composition comprising them, as well as their use for protecting a human or animal living body from UV radiation.
US08945515B2
The invention is directed to fluorophore-containing compositions and configurations wherein proximity between the fluorophore and one or more protective agents (PAs) modifies the lifetime of fluorescent and/or dark states, their frequency of occurrence, and the total lifetime of fluorescence in order to appropriately modify the photophysical characteristics of the fluorophore. The invention is also directed to methods that utilize these compositions and configurations.
US08945508B2
The present invention relates to novel dendrimer compounds and methods of synthesizing the same. In particular, the present invention is directed to novel polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers, novel dendrimer branching units, methods for synthesizing such novel PAMAM dendrimers and functionalized dendrimers, as well as systems and methods utilizing the dendrimers (e.g., in diagnostic and/or therapeutic settings (e.g., for the delivery of therapeutics, imaging, and/or targeting agents (e.g., in disease diagnosis and/or therapy, etc.))).
US08945499B2
A process for producing ammonium nitrate is disclosed, which process comprises exposing a gaseous oxidiser feed composed at least substantially of ammonia, steam and an oxidising gas to conditions whereby the ammonia is oxidised to produce a reaction mixture including nitrogen monoxide and water vapour. The reaction mixture is cooled in a heat exchanger whereby the nitrogen monoxide is oxidised, the water vapour is condensed and the products of the nitrogen monoxide oxidation react with and are absorbed by the condensed water to form a nitric acid stream, with substantially all of the nitrogen monoxide in the reaction mixture being converted to nitric acid. The nitric acid stream is reacted with a stream of ammonia to form the ammonium nitrate.
US08945496B2
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for treating carbon dioxide in an environmentally effective manner. Systems and methods include providing a carbon dioxide enriched stream having CO2 and at least one oxidizable sulfur compound and passing at least some of the carbon dioxide enriched stream to carbon dioxide storage, wherein the method further comprises passing at least some of the carbon dioxide enriched stream to selective sulfur removal during a period of system upset. Selective sulfur removal may comprise treatment with an solid or liquid capable of oxidizing the oxidizable sulfur compound.
US08945490B2
Provided are methods method of recovering metal from an aqueous solution, the method comprising contacting an aqueous solution containing at least two metals selected from molybdenum, cobalt, nickel, zinc and iron with an organic solvent and an oxime-containing reagent composition at a predetermined pH, the predetermined pH selected to provide a high first metal extraction and a low second metal extraction; and separating the first metal from the solution.
US08945482B2
The current invention provides devices, methods and systems involving application of energy and/or a liquefaction promoting medium to a tissue of interest to generate a liquefied sample comprising tissue constituents so as to provide for rapid tissue sampling, tissue decontamination as well as qualitative and/or quantitative detection of analytes that may be part of tissue constituents (e.g., several types of biomolecules, drugs, and microbes). In addition, the current invention provides specific compositions of the said liquefaction promoting medium so as to facilitate liquefaction, preserve liquefied tissue constituents, and enable delivery of molecules into tissues. Determination of tissue composition in the liquefied tissue sample can be used in a variety of applications, including diagnosis or prognosis of local as well as systemic diseases, evaluating bioavailability of therapeutics in different tissues following drug administration, forensic detection of drugs-of-abuse, evaluating changes in the tissue microenvironment following exposure to a harmful agent, and various other applications. The methods, devices and systems are used to deliver one or more drugs through or into the site of the tissue to be liquefied.
US08945480B2
The invention provides an apparatus and methodology to carry out biochemical testing on a centrifugal platform using flow splitting technique. In conventional biochemical testing, reagents need to be loaded individually into each reservoir. By using the flow splitting technique in this invention, one reagent only need to be loaded once, then, it can be evenly distributed into each reaction chambers in single or multiple layers format. The invention greatly reduces the required manpower when large numbers of assays are integrated on one platform. Because of the invention, many medical examinations can be performed efficiently, thus reduce the waste of manpower, time and cost.
US08945478B2
A microfabricated device or component thereof, such as microfluidics or nanofluidics device having a uniform non-wetting or non-absorbing polymeric coating or surface modification formed on a surface thereof by ionization or activation technology such as plasma processing, to produce a surface energy of less than 15 mNm−1. The treatment enhances the free-flowing properties of a liquid through the device during use.
US08945477B2
An apparatus (1) for sterilizing container closures comprises a conduit (2) defining a passage for the closure and having a wall (3) surrounding the passage, spraying means (4) for injecting inside the conduit (2) a sterilization fluid heated and vaporized, drying means for introducing hot air in the conduit (2) and means for heating the wall (3) of the conduit (2) operatively coupled thereto. A method for sterilizing container closures transported inside a conduit (2) having a wall (3) defining internally a passage for the closures comprises the steps of injecting inside the conduit (2) a sterilization fluid heated and vaporized, introducing hot air in the conduit (2) for drying the closures and heating the wall (3) of the conduit (2) by transferring heat directly to the conduit wall (3).
US08945476B2
A method, apparatus, and system for obtaining a solution from a solid product are disclosed. A solid product is housed in a dispenser. A liquid is introduced into the housing of the dispenser to interact with the solid product to form a solution. To control the concentration of the formed solution, the turbulence of the liquid introduced to the dispenser is controlled and adjusted either manually or on a real time basis to account for varying characteristics of either or both of the solid product and the liquid. The dispenser will adjust the turbulence based on the characteristics to maintain a formed solution within an acceptable range of concentration. The concentrated solution can then be discharged from the dispenser to an end use application.
US08945469B2
A magnetic immunoassay system with a mechanism for compensating the direct current residual magnetic field in the vicinity of the specimen measurement position, in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic marker direction of magnetization for the measurement target. This invention reduces the effects of the magnetic field emitted from the unbound magnetic marker due to the residual magnetic field in the specimen solution and detects with high sensitivity the signal of the bound target magnetic marker. The magnetic field at the measurement position is regulated so as to intersect the direction of magnetization of the magnetic marker for the measurement target, in order to make the magnetization direction of the magnetic marker that is unbound due to residual magnetism or remanence in the sample solution, intersect the magnetization direction of the magnetic marker for the measurement target. The signal of the bound target magnetic marker can be therefore measured with high sensitivity since it is isolated from the unbound magnetic marker signal.
US08945464B2
An apparatus for heating vessels, the vessels having enclosed spaces therein and controlling air ingress into the enclosed spaces through gaps. The method includes providing a lid structure for the vessel having the enclosed space, the lid structure having a burner assembly mounted therein. The burner is configured to provide a predetermined flame diameter. The vessel and lid structure are mated such that the gap is formed between the vessel and the lid structure. Fuel and oxidant are discharged from the burner assembly under conditions to provide the predetermined flame diameter and impart a flame velocity sufficiently large to create an outward gas flow from the enclosed space through the gap and control air ingress.
US08945463B2
Tuyere stock arrangement (10) of a blast furnace comprising a tuyere (14) having a tuyere body (20) configured for installation in a blast furnace wall (12); the tuyere body (20) having an outer wall (22), a front face (24) and a rear face (26), the tuyere body (20) further having a tuyere channel (28) extending from the rear face (26) to the front face (24), the tuyere channel (28) forming an inner wall (30) in the tuyere body (20). The tuyere stock arrangement (10) further comprises a blowpipe (34) connected between the rear face (26) of the tuyere body (20) and a gas feeding device (38), the blowpipe (34) being configured and arranged so as to feed hot gas, generally hot blast air, from the gas feeding device (38) to the tuyere channel (28) for injection into the blast furnace. The tuyere stock arrangement (10) also comprises an injection lance (40) for feeding a combustible, generally pulverized or granular coal, into the blast furnace at the tuyere level, the injection lance (40) being an coaxial lance comprising an outer pipe and an inner pipe, coaxially arranged within the outer pipe, the outer and inner pipes being arranged for separately conveying oxidizing gas and said combustible, the inner pipe forming a separation wall for separating said combustible from the oxidizing gas. According to an important aspect of the invention, the injection lance (40) is removably arranged in a lance passage (42) formed in the tuyere body (20), the lance passage (42) being arranged between the inner wall (30) and the outer wall (22) of the tuyere body (20) and extending from the rear face (26) to the front face (24), the lance passage (42) opening into a front lace (24) of the tuyere body (20).
US08945461B2
Provided is a production method of a β-sialon phosphor that europium ions are solid-solved in β-sialon, including a mixing process for mixing raw materials of the β-sialon phosphor; a burning process for burning the raw materials after the mixing process to form the β-sialon phosphor; a HIP treatment process in which the β-sialon phosphor after the burning process is subjected to a HIP treatment; an annealing process in which the β-sialon phosphor after the HIP treatment process is subjected to an annealing treatment; and an acid treatment process in which the β-sialon phosphor after the annealing process is subjected to an acid treatment. According to the production method of a β-sialon phosphor, a β-sialon phosphor excellent in luminescence intensity is obtained.
US08945460B2
A polypropylene composition comprising a random propylene copolymer, a high melt strength polypropylene having a branching index g′ of 0.9 or less, a polypropylene having a MFR2 (230° C.) of at least 400.0 g/10 min and a clarifier, wherein the polypropylene composition has a MFR2 (230° C.) of at least 2.0 g/10 min.
US08945457B2
A method for creating apertures with melted edges in a web shaped material including feeding a web-shaped material through a nip between a rotational ultrasonic horn and a rotational anvil roller, so as to create melted regions in the web-shaped material, while the web is residing on the anvil roller having a rotational speed. The method further includes controlling the rotational speed of the ultrasonic horn to a speed other than that of the anvil roller, such that a speed difference is created between the horn and the anvil roller. The speed difference is selected such that a stress created in the web acts to rupture the centers of the melted regions in the web-shaped material, whereby the apertures with melted edges are created.
US08945452B2
A method for producing a flexible sheet includes a stretching step in which a base sheet (10) is fed from between a pair of first drive rollers (42, 43) into the bite of a pair of intermeshing corrugated rollers (2, 3) and stretched in the machine direction between the corrugated rollers (2, 3). In the method, the peripheral velocity V1 of the first drive rollers (42, 43) and the peripheral velocity V2 of the corrugated rollers (2, 3) have a relation of V1>V2.
US08945450B2
In an apparatus for manufacturing a fiber reinforced plastic structure, a cavity is formed by a first mold and a film second mold covering the first mold, and plastic is impregnated to a fiber laminate provided in the cavity in a depressurized state. The apparatus includes: a mesh plastic flow medium that is disposed on the side of the second mold and increases the volume of the plastic to be impregnated to the fiber laminate; and a plastic flow suppressing member that is disposed on the side of the first mold of the plastic flow medium, and suppresses advance of a flow front of fluid plastic injected from a main plastic supplying unit (a first plastic supplying unit).
US08945444B2
Systems and methods for controlling velocity of a contact line and height profile between a template and a substrate during imprinting of polymerizable material are described.
US08945439B2
A method for manufacturing a lens having a refractive index distribution includes: a step of contacting a monomer with a structural member of a polymer, the monomer and a material obtained by polymerization of the monomer showing refractive indices which are different from the refractive index of the polymer; a step of diffusing the contacted monomer in the structural member; and a step of polymerizing the monomer. In the step of diffusing the contacted monomer in the structural member, the method further includes the steps of: irradiating light on at least 50% of one of the surfaces of the structural member which is parallel to the diffusion direction of the monomer, and measuring the intensity of the light passing through the structural member in a predetermined region, and when the measured intensity of the light reaches a predetermined value, the step of polymerizing the monomer is started.
US08945437B2
A fire suppression composition includes starch, a pseudo-plastic, high yield, suspending agent, and hydrophobic agglomerating material.
US08945435B2
The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character.
US08945420B2
The invention relates to an electro-optical liquid-crystal display which contains, as dielectric, a liquid-crystalline medium having negative dielectric anisotropy and includes a backlight which essentially only emits light having a wavelength of 400 nm or more or has, between the liquid-crystal layer and the backlight, a cut-off filter which essentially only allows light having a wavelength of 420 nm or more to pass through.In particular, the liquid-crystalline medium comprises a) a (first) dielectrically negative component (component A) which consists of one or more dielectrically negative compounds of the formula I in which the parameters have the meanings indicated in claim 2, and a further (second) dielectrically negative component (component B). Very particular preference is given to the use of the liquid-crystalline media in an electro-optical display, particularly in an active-matrix display based on the VA, ECB, PSVA, FFS or IPS effect and very particularly in displays which use an LED backlight.
US08945417B2
What is described is the use of alcohols, alcoholamines, diols, polyols or mixtures thereof in heat carrier media or as heat carrier media which are in contact with magnetocaloric materials.
US08945402B2
One embodiment of the invention disclosed is an apparatus for separating a solid material from a mixture containing oil, water, clay, sand, soil and drill cuttings. The apparatus comprise a series of processing cells and wash tanks. Hydrocyclonic devices are also used to further purify the solid mixture for disposal.
US08945395B2
A vessel for use in settling particulate matter from a fluid stream is provided. Fluid is introduced to the vessel through an angled inlet, with flow into the vessel both disrupted and deflected by an inlet baffle, to redirect the fluid stream parallel to a horizontal axis of the vessel. The velocity of the fluid stream is reduced within the vessel, allowing the particulate matter to settle along the bottom of the vessel.
US08945390B2
A carbon membrane formed by carbonizing a phenol resin having at least one kind of atomic groups among a methylene bond, a dimethylene ether bond, and a methylol group, wherein the total mole content of the atomic groups is 100 to 180% with respect to the phenolic nuclei. A pervaporation separation method using the carbon membrane is also disclosed.
US08945389B2
There is proposed a separation method for mixtures of materials, using a cellulose hydrate membrane having a porous double structure which consists of micropores having a diameter in the range from >100 nm to 20 μm and ultrapores which have a diameter of <100 nm and which are not accessible to Blue Dextran having an average molecular weight Mw of 2 000 000, wherein the fraction of the volume of the ultrapores is more than 15% of the entire pore volume accessible to water, and wherein, in a preferred embodiment, sulfonic acid ligands are bonded to the membrane.
US08945381B2
A water treatment composition capable of effectively adsorbing pollutants from water is described. The composition includes magnetic extractants, which comprise magnetite nanoparticles containing functional groups. The composition is used to remove from water and aqueous streams oils and other contaminants. A process for removing contaminants from water and apparatus used in the process are also described.
US08945371B2
Methods for monitoring scale deposition in a water-containing industrial process are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the water-containing industrial process is an aqueous cooling system. In certain embodiments, the methods incorporate fluorometric monitoring and control techniques along with a piezoelectric microbalance sensor. A particular embodiment of a piezoelectric microbalance sensor is additionally disclosed, along with at least one method for using the particular embodiment that is independent of whether fluorometric monitoring and control techniques are utilized.
US08945369B2
There is provided a biosensor measurement system which can output a highly-precise measurement result even when an impact such as falling of the sensor occurs or the biosensor is an exposed sensor. An abnormal waveform detection electrode is provided in addition to electrodes for quantitative determination of a target substance. Therefore, when an impact is caused by such as falling of the sensor in a halt period where no voltage is applied in a voltage application algorithm, the abnormal waveform detection electrode can detect the impact. Further, also an exposed sensor can be detected by the abnormal waveform which is detected by the abnormal waveform detection electrode.
US08945363B2
A metal implant for use in a surgical procedure is provided with a surface layer that is integral with the metal substrate, and which incorporates a biocidal material. The surface layer may be grown from the metal substrate, by anodizing, and the biocidal material incorporated in it by ion exchange. Alternatively the layer may be deposited by electroplating, followed by diffusion bonding so as to become integral with the metal substrate. In either case, silver is a suitable biocidal material; and both the release rate and the quantity of biocidal material should be low to avoid toxic effects on body cells. Electropolishing the surface before formation of the surface layer is also beneficial, and this may be achieved by electropolishing.
US08945352B2
Methods are provided for changing a molecular structure of a biomass feedstock. The methods include a screw extrusion process.
US08945350B2
A method of separating a high boiling component from a mixture containing organic and/or inorganic boiling components which method involves providing an induction heated screw conveyor having an auger and passing the mixture through the induction heated screw conveyor while inductively heating the auger so as to heat the mixture in the induction heated screw conveyor. The mixture is heated to a temperature that is sufficient to cause the boiling component(s) to separate from the mixture as a vapor and the boiling component is removed from the induction heated screw conveyor.
US08945348B2
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing charcoal. It is characterized in that: first hot gases are generated by at least one heating means; its first gases are mixed with second gases in order to form a gas mixture; this mixture is sent into a charge of wood in order to generate therein a pyrolysis front; an overpressure is created between the upstream end and the downstream end of the charge so as to force this front to pass through it in one direction, namely from the upstream end to the downstream end; and third gases are recovered downstream of the charge, at least a first portion of said third gases, in the form of a stream of said second gases, is conveyed by a conveying means. The invention also relates to a device for implementing this method.
US08945345B2
A method for preparing aqueous furnish to be used in paper or paper board manufacturing. Filler and/or fibers are treated with cationic polyelectrolyte and nanofibrillated cellulose. A furnish and a paper or a paper board.
US08945341B2
A method and device for wet treatment of a plate-like article comprises a spin chuck for holding and rotating the plate-like article. Gas supply nozzles open on a surface of the spin chuck facing a first side of the plate-like article. The spin chuck is configured to direct gas discharged from the gas supply nozzles radially outwardly through a gap defined between an upper surface of the spin chuck and a downwardly facing surface of a plate-like article positioned on the spin chuck. Liquid supply nozzles open on the surface of the spin chuck facing a first side of the plate-like article and positioned radially outwardly of the gas supply nozzles. The liquid supply nozzles are positioned beneath a peripheral region of a plate-like article positioned on the spin chuck.
US08945333B2
The invention relates to a method for applying edge strips (edge tape) onto narrow surfaces (narrow sides) of plate-shaped work pieces (material parts) by joining, wherein the edge strip is applied with a glue that can be activated by heat and is heated by plasma radiation. The invention further relates to the materials to which edge strips have been applied obtained in said way and to a device for carrying out said method.
US08945327B2
The present invention relates to a sandwich component, which comprises a honeycomb core (1) having a plurality of webs (1′) and at least one cover layer (2, 3), wherein the honeycomb core (1) is made of a cellulose-based material, in particular paper. The cover layer (2, 3) is formed from a fiber-reinforced semifinished product having a thermoplastic material matrix, wherein the webs (1′) of the honeycomb core (1) are partially received into the thermoplastic material matrix of the cover layer (2, 3) at connection points (A) to the cover layer (2, 3) so that the sandwich component is bonded. The invention further relates to production methods for the sandwich component.
US08945326B2
The present disclosure relates to methods for manufacturing absorbent articles, and in particular, methods for making pre-fastened refastenable pant diapers. Aspects of the methods according to the present disclosure relate to the fabrication of refastenable pant diapers wherein discrete chassis are advanced in a machine direction such that the lateral axis is parallel with the machine direction. First side panels are then refastenably connected with the first waist region, and second side panels are permanently connected the second waist regions of the discrete chassis. The chassis are connected with discrete lengths of side panel material and/or connection zone material. The chassis are then folded, and the first and second side panels are subsequently bonded together. The article is then subjected to knife cut at or adjacent the bonded regions to create discrete, pre-fastened refastenable pant diapers.
US08945325B2
A method and apparatus for fabricating a composite part, such as a fuselage or internal stiffener, with a shape memory polymer (SMP) apparatus usable as a rigid lay-up tool. The SMP apparatus may be heated until malleable, shaped, and then cooled in a desired rigid tool configuration. For example, cavities may be formed into the SMP apparatus for nesting components therein to co-bond or co-cure with the composite part. The composite material and/or nested components may be heated and compressed against the SMP apparatus. The SMP apparatus may be configured to remain rigid during the composite cure cycle. Once the composite material is cured, the SMP apparatus may be triggered to a malleable state and urged away from the cured composite material.
US08945304B2
A system and method A method of growing an elongate nanoelement from a growth surface includes: a) cleaning a growth surface on a base element; b) providing an ultrahigh vacuum reaction environment over the cleaned growth surface; c) generating a reactive gas of an atomic material to be used in forming the nanoelement; d) projecting a stream of the reactive gas at the growth surface within the reactive environment while maintaining a vacuum of at most 1×10−4 Pascal; e) growing the elongate nanoelement from the growth surface within the environment while maintaining the pressure of step c); f) after a desired length of nanoelement is attained within the environment, stopping direction of reactive gas into the environment; and g) returning the environment to an ultrahigh vacuum condition.
US08945300B2
A concrete mixture that includes aggregates, water and cement can include heavy oil ash instead of or in addition to a portion of the cement. In one embodiment, the heavy oil ash originates from heavy fuel oil burned in a power generation plant. The weight of the heavy oil ash used in the concrete mixture can be from greater than 0 to about 10% of the weight of the cement.
US08945295B2
An article of manufacture comprising a building panel such as ceiling tile for example includes, in addition to any by-product perlite fines, additional perlite fines in an amount sufficient to improve the fire resistance of the building panel over the fire resistance of the building panel without the additional perlite fines. In one aspect, the additional perlite fines can comprise at least approximately 3.5% perlite fines by weight. In another aspect, the additional perlite fines can have an average diameter of approximately 23 microns or less. Methods of manufacture related to the building panel also are disclosed.
US08945292B2
In one embodiment, a gas purification system is provided. The system includes a first section having a first solvent path and a first gas path. The first gas path is configured to flow a stripping gas to remove hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2) from the first solvent path in a first vessel to produce a first gas mixture. The system also includes a second section having a second solvent path. The second solvent path is configured to flow a second solvent mixture to remove H2S from the first gas mixture and CO2 from the second solvent mixture within a second vessel. The second solvent mixture has a solvent saturated in CO2 at a first pressure, the second vessel is operated at a second pressure, and the first and second pressures are within approximately 20% of one another.
US08945289B2
A separator with a helix assembly that includes a plurality of segments disposed end to end and forming an intermediate casing. Each of the segments has a tubular portion with a first circumferential edge and a second circumferential edge and a helical portion extending from the second circumferential edge. The tubular portions of the segments form an intermediate casing, while the helical portions of the segments form a spiral helix. The helix assembly further includes an inner casing concentrically disposed within the intermediate casing and coupled to the spiral helix.
US08945286B2
The invention relates to a device and method for treating a hot gas flow containing slag and to an entrained-bed gasifier system that comprises the device. The device comprises, in a housing, an inlet arranged at the top for the hot gas flow, an immersion pipe, which is arranged vertically and concentrically in the housing and into which the inlet opens, a coolant bath, into which a lower section of the immersion pipe is immersed, and at least one raw gas outlet opening for cooled raw gas that has been freed of slag. The lower section of the immersion pipe is designed as a radially expanded gas distributor bell in the coolant bath. Said gas distributor bell is formed by a substantially conical jacket surface having a cross-section that expands downward, wherein the jacket surface has a plurality of gas passage openings, which are distributed over the circumference of the gas distributor bell. The dimensions of the gas passage openings increase with the immersion depth in the coolant bath.
US08945285B2
A water separator reduces a water content of an air stream, which is used in an HVAC unit for a vehicle. The water separator includes a diverter wall and an adjacent wall spaced from the diverter wall to define an air passage. The diverter wall has a terminal end extending into the air passage for changing a direction of the air stream flowing through the air passage to separate water droplets from the air stream to reduce the water content of the air stream. A gutter is coupled to the terminal end of the diverter wall and extends into the air passage. The gutter defines a drainage channel configured to receive the water droplets that form on the diverter wall for preventing the water droplets from reentering the air stream flowing through the air stream passage.
US08945279B2
A system for carbon dioxide capture from flue gas and other industrial gas sources utilizes microcapsules with very thin polymer shells. The contents of the microcapsules can be liquids or mixtures of liquids and solids. The microcapsules are exposed to the flue gas and other industrial gas and take up carbon dioxide from the flue gas and other industrial gas and eventual precipitate solids in the capsule.
US08945265B2
A compressor compressing a fluid including lubricating oil includes, on the discharge side thereof, a first separation chamber for separating the lubricating oil by generating a swirling flow in the fluid. The first separation chamber includes: a circumferential wall; an inflow port that is formed in the circumferential wall and causes the fluid to flow into the first separation chamber; and a guiding plate extending from the circumferential wall. The guiding plate extends so as to face the inflow port in a direction where the fluid flows from the inflow port into the first separation chamber, and so as to deflect the fluid flow from the inflow port to guide it along an inner circumferential surface of the circumferential wall.
US08945263B2
A filter unit and method for removing grease, oil and other particulates from air, for example, in a kitchen environment. The filter unit includes a housing having an upstream side, an downstream side, and a cavity therebetween, a heat exchanger disposed within the cavity and comprising at least two parallel tubes, at least one entrance aperture disposed on the upstream side of the housing and defined by at least one fin, at least one baffle disposed on the downstream side of the housing so as to be oppositely disposed from the at least one entrance aperture, and at least one exit aperture disposed on the downstream side of the housing adjacent the at least one baffle. The baffle and fin define at least one S-shaped flow path through the housing, and the flow path routes air around a downstream side of a first of the at least two tubes and then around an upstream side of a second of the at least two tubes.
US08945261B2
Apparatus for centrifugal separation of solid and/or liquid particles from a flow of gas, wherein two or more rotors (12) provided with conical separation surface elements (16) are located in a surrounding stationary casing (14), which delimits a common chamber (15) for collecting particles separated in the rotors. Each rotor has a fan (26) rotating together therewith. The fans (26) of the rotors are located in a common fan housing (30) that is separate from and adjacent to the casing (14) defining the collection chamber (15).
US08945255B2
A deflector for a jet engine. The deflector may prevent the jet engine from ingesting birds during a bird strike scenario. The deflector may include a series of ribs, spokes, or vanes that may vary in width and/or thickness from fore to aft, and/or may be curvilinear in one or more planes of view, and/or may serve double duty as inlet vanes for redirecting inlet air.
US08945252B2
A coated abrasive laminate disc (100) has a backing (120) with glass (125) and woven fabrics (124) laminated with a thermoplastic adhesive (122) having a melting onset temperature in a range of from about 140° C. to 190° C. and comprising polyamide and/or polyurethane. Methods of making are the coated abrasive laminate discs (100) are also disclosed.
US08945250B2
A cutting tool insert for turning of hardened steels and tool steels includes a textured CVD α-Al2O3 coated cemented carbide body. The cemented carbide body has 4.0-7.0 wt-% Co and 0.25-0.50 wt-% Cr and an S-value of 0.68-0.88 and a coercivity (Hc) of 28-38 kA/m. The α-Al2O3 layer has a thickness ranging from 7 to 12 μm, is composed of columnar grains having a length/width ratio from 2 to 12 and is deposited on an MTCVD Ti(C,N) layer having a thickness from 4 to 12 μm. The alumina layer is characterised by a pronounced (006) growth texture.
US08945247B1
The inventive technology includes methods and apparatus for the generation and application of segregated catalytic additives for the pre-combustion treatment of carbonaceous fuel and/or feedstocks. The application of such segregated additives results in the reduction of environmentally harmful emissions during combustion as well as gasification processes. Specifically, pre-combustion treatment of carbonaceous materials with the inventive additives results in the reduction of NOx and/or mercury emissions by least 20% and 40% respectively.
US08945243B2
When processing cellulosic biomass, it may be desirable for a digestion unit to operate without being fully depressurized for process efficiency purposes. Methods for processing cellulosic biomass may comprise providing a biomass conversion system comprising a pressurization zone and a digestion unit that are operatively connected to one another; providing cellulosic biomass at a first pressure; introducing at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass into the pressurization zone and pressurizing the pressurization zone to a second pressure higher than the first pressure; after pressurizing the pressurization zone, transferring at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass from the pressurization zone to the digestion unit, which is at a third pressure that is less than or equal to the second pressure but higher than the first pressure; and digesting at least a portion of the cellulosic biomass in the digestion unit to produce a hydrolysate comprising soluble carbohydrates.
US08945233B2
The present invention relates to a method of treating a hip joint of a human patient by providing at least one hip joint surface, said hip joint comprising a caput femur and an acetabulum, said method comprising the steps of: cutting the skin of said human patient, dissecting an area of the pelvic bone on the opposite side from said acetabulum, creating a hole in said dissected area, said hole passing through said pelvic bone and into said hip joint of said human patient, and providing at least one hip joint surface to said hip joint, through said hole in said pelvic bone of said human patient. The method further relates to a laparoscopic/arthroscopic method of treating a hip joint of a human patient by providing at least one hip joint surface, said hip joint comprising a caput femur and an acetabulum, said method comprising the steps of: inserting a needle or a tube like instrument into the patient's body, using the needle or tube like instrument to fill a part of the patient's body with gas and thereby expanding a cavity within said body, placing at least two laparoscopic/arthroscopic trocars in said cavity, inserting a camera through one of the laparoscopic/arthroscopic trocars into said cavity, inserting at least one dissecting tool through one of said at least two laparoscopic/arthroscopic trocars, dissecting an area of the pelvic bone on the opposite side from said acetabulum, creating a hole in said dissected area, said hole passing through said pelvic bone and into said hip joint of said human patient, and providing at least one hip joint surface to said hip joint, through said hole in said pelvic bone of said human patient.
US08945232B2
A toe bone implant for correction of toe bone deformities is provided. The toe bone implant includes a first portion having a socket portion. The toe bone implant also includes a second portion having a ball portion operatively connected to the socket portion. The toe bone implant is implanted in a joint such that the ball portion is configured to rotate a predetermined amount respective to the socket portion.
US08945228B2
An endplate for a vertebral implant comprises a base portion connectable to one end of a support body and a bone contact portion. The bone contact portion including a plurality of bone contact sections, each of which has a bone contact surface and extends from the base portion in such a way that each of the bone contact sections is deflectable relative to the base portion independently of an adjacent one of the bone contact sections when a compressive load is applied to the bone contact surfaces of the bone contact sections.
US08945227B2
A system and method for substantially simultaneous co-insertion of an implant, such as a cage and plate. An inserter is secured to the cage and plate and is used to hold the components while implanting the components during a surgical procedure.
US08945220B2
An orthopedic tissue spacer comprising a body portion having first and second ends, an outer surface and a longitudinal axis, at least one of the ends configured to engage a first bone segment, wherein at least a portion of the body portion is flexible and the outer surface is configured to resist tissue adhesion thereto.
US08945219B1
A method of introducing an additive to a biological material using a supercritical fluid is disclosed. The method comprises placing the biological material in a processing chamber, adding an additive to the supercritical fluid to form a supercritical fluid-additive mixture, adding the supercritical fluid-additive mixture to the processing chamber, and pulsing the mixture in the processing chamber. A processing system for introducing an additive to a biological material using a supercritical fluid in accordance with the present invention comprises a processing chamber for housing the biological material, a vat for storing a processing fluid, a pump, a heating element, an inlet port, and a flow path.
US08945215B2
An accommodating intraocular lens for providing a range of accommodative vision contains an optic and a haptic. The haptic includes a plurality of arms coupled to a compressible inner structure. The compressible inner structure of the haptic is configured to exert a compressive force on the optic in response to an ocular force to provide accommodation. The compressible inner structure can include a plurality of arcuate segments that join to form a ring in the fully compressed state or a sinusoidal ring having a varying radial dimension.
US08945213B2
A sealing device for use inside a capsular bag after the natural lens has been removed has a plug part adapted to seal a rhexis in a capsular bag, thus preventing displacement through the rhexis of a lens-forming liquid material injected through the rhexis and adapted to replace the natural lens and form an intraocular lens implant. The plug part has a slightly larger area than the capsulorhexis and is made of a deformable polymer. The sealing device further has a removable adjuster connected to the plug part, the adjuster protruding anteriorly from an outer surface of the plug part and being capable of positioning the plug part to a desired location.
US08945207B2
A method and apparatus for a removable porous stent to be placed in tubular structures that is unsuitable for permanent stents. The walls of the stent are freely permeable to allow the blood flow. The stent can be used as a carrier of chemotherapy or radiation to be placed in tubular structures for local treatment of cancer. The stent is formed by at least one continuous thread arranged in interconnected loops and having a reversible bind-off at one end of the tubular body, mechanically securing each loop at said end of the tubular body apart from a single releasable loop. This loop is preferably extended beyond the tubular structure of the stent enabling an initiation of the removal at a distance from the treatment site.
US08945204B2
A stent graft (1) including a tubular wall (3) with at least one fenestration (40) including a peripheral (37) reinforcement around at least part of the fenestration. There can also be a tubular extension (15). The side arm includes a stent (19) and a cover (17) and extends from and is in fluid communication with the fenestration and the stent graft. The stent may be a self expanding stent. The ring and/or tubular extension provides better support and sealing for an extension arm. The fenestration (40) can be circular or if towards the ends of the stent graft may be in the form of a U-shape (50) with an open end.
US08945203B2
A multi-component stent-graft system (10) comprises first, second, and third generally tubular stent-grafts (20, 22, 24), which are configured to assume radially-expanded states. The first (20) is shaped so as to define a first lateral opening (34) when radially-expanded. The second (22) is shaped so as to define a second lateral opening (44) when radially-expanded. The first and second (20, 22) are configured such that the second (22) forms a blood-impervious seal with the first (20) around the first lateral opening (34) when the second stent-graft (22) is disposed therethrough, and the first and the second (20, 22) are radially-expanded. The second and the third (22, 24) are configured such that the third (24) forms a blood-impervious seal with the second (22) around the second lateral opening (44) when the third (24) is disposed therethrough, and the second and third (22, 24) are radially-expanded. Other embodiments also described.
US08945197B1
An improved prosthesis and method for stimulating vision nerves to obtain a vision sensation that is useful for the patient that has lost vision due to AMD, RP, and other diseases. The invention utilizes infrared light to cause action potentials in the retinal nerves similar to those which result from rods and cones stimulated by visible light in healthy retinas. In some embodiments, the invention provides a prosthesis that generates a stimulation pattern of infrared light from an external stimulator array through the eye and focusing the stimulation pattern of infrared light on the retina, especially the fovea. Some embodiments the invention provides improved resolution down to a group of nerves, or even the individual nerve level, with sufficient energy density so as to cause a desired action potential.
US08945194B2
A bone screw having a screw member possessing a threaded section and a head and a receiving part at the head end for receiving a rod to be connected to the bone screw is provided. The receiving part has on open first bore and a substantially U-shaped cross-section having two free legs provided with a thread. Furthermore, the receiving part has a second bore on the end opposite to the first bore whose diameter is greater than that of the threaded section and smaller than that of the head. On the bottom of the first bore a seat for the head is provided. In order that the screw member can be pivoted to at least one side by an enlarged angle, the edge bounding the free end of the second bore viewed relative to the axis of the first bore is of asymmetric construction.
US08945191B2
A spinal fixation device for securing to a spine includes a body having one or more longitudinal members extending between a pair of wedge members. Each wedge member defines one or more openings therethrough for the reception of a bone screw. The wedge members are disposed on opposite ends of the one or more longitudinal members. One of the wedge members is positionable within a first intervertebral space and the other wedge member is positionable within a second intervertebral space. The one or more longitudinal members define a length that spans one or more vertebrae. The one or more longitudinal members are positionable within the one or more vertebrae when the wedge members are positioned within the respective first and second intervertebral spaces to maintain the body in a minimal profile orientation relative to the spine.
US08945190B2
Disclosed is a fixation device for spinal fixation. The fixation device includes an elongated body comprising a bone anchor at a distal end. An axially moveable proximal anchor is carried by the proximal end of the fixation device. In one embodiment, the device is inserted through a first vertebra and the bone anchor is rotated into positioned within a second vertebra. The proximal anchor is distally advanced with respect to the bone anchor to provide compression across the first and second vertebra. In other embodiments, the device is used to secure stabilization devices across two or more vertebra.
US08945174B2
A medical instrument includes a unitary jaw structure having: a connector portion, a first jaw portion flexibly integral with the connector portion, a first arm portion integral with the first jaw portion, and an actuator portion flexibly integral with the first arm portion for causing rotating motion of the first jaw portion upon linear motion of the actuator portion.
US08945172B2
Devices for restoring blood flow to facilitate lysis of clots and/or enable capture of clots are disclosed. The devices can be configured to be disposed within a lumen of a microcatheter that is inserted within neurovasculature above a carotid siphon to a location of a clot. The devices can include an elongate pusher member and a self-expandable capturing member coupled to a distal end of the elongate pusher member. The capturing member can comprise a generally cylindrical body having an cell structure that is configured to compress the clot against an inner wall of the neurovasculature and capture the clot at least partially on a surface of the generally cylindrical body upon deployment of the capturing member from the microcatheter, thereby restoring blood flow to the neurovasculature downstream of the clot.
US08945170B2
An occluding device is provided for occluding fluid flow through a lumen of a body vessel. The occluding device includes an expandable tubular body having a tubular wall defining a lumen formed therethrough. The tubular wall has a proximal end extending to a distal end along a longitudinal axis of the tubular body. A plurality of longitudinal slits is formed through the tubular wall to define a plurality of flexible strips bound by a proximal non-slit portion and a distal non-slit portion. A plurality of barbs is disposed on the flexible strips. The tubular body is configured to open radially to engage the barbs with the vessel wall defining an expanded state and to collapse along the longitudinal axis to draw the vessel wall radially inward defining a collapsed state. Occluding material is housed within the lumen of the tubular body and the occluding material is configured to move between a collapsed state and an expanded state with the tubular body.
US08945166B2
A surgical tool includes a rocker assembly configured to cause rotation of a surgical blade to form an incision. The rocker assembly includes a gear. The surgical tool also includes a ratchet configured to rotate in a first direction and a second direction. The surgical tool further includes a linkage arm connecting the rocker assembly and the ratchet so that rotation of the ratchet causes rotation of the rocker assembly. In addition, the surgical tool includes a spring configured to be extended by the ratchet when the ratchet is rotated in the first direction. The spring is also configured to retract and cause the ratchet to rotate in the second direction.
US08945153B2
A hemostatic clip delivery system cooperable with an elevator of an endoscope and a method of treating a target with the system are disclosed. The system comprises a delivery apparatus comprising an operating wire, an outer sheath and a handle. The operating wire is cooperable with the elevator of the endoscope and slidably disposed within the outer sheath. The system further comprises a hemostatic clip cooperable with the delivery apparatus. The clip comprises a first retainer, a plurality of arms extending distally from the first retainer, and a sliding ring disposed about the plurality of arms. The arms are shaped so that the arms tend to be spaced apart from each other. The sliding ring is configured to close the arms together as the elevator engages and moves the sliding ring toward the arms by retraction of the operating wire.
US08945152B2
A single trigger system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for such purposes.
US08945150B2
Systems and methods for selecting follicular units in a distribution of follicular units are provided. A selection parameter, such as a distance-related parameter separating the follicular units to be selected, may be used to determine a desired quantity of follicular units to be selected, such as a desired percentage of follicular units to be selected, and to help provide a substantially uniform distribution of selected follicular units. In addition, a characteristic parameter, such as a characteristic distance or characteristic density, may be determined. The characteristic parameter may be used in determining the desired quantity of follicular units to be selected and or may be used for treatment purposes.
US08945137B1
A bone graft delivery system can include an elongate tube, a handle having a trigger, and a tip. The trigger is actuated to deliver bone graft material through the tube. The tip has one or more openings to deliver the bone graft material to a desired location and includes a surface suitable to act as a rasp for decorticating bone. A method for delivering bone graft material to a desired surgical location includes providing a bone graft delivery device, positioning the device adjacent the surgical location, decorticating bone, and delivering bone graft material to the surgical location.
US08945126B2
An endoscopic bipolar forceps includes a housing and a shaft, the shaft having an end effector assembly at its distal end. The end effector assembly includes two jaw members for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members are adapted to connect to an electrosurgical energy source which enable them to conduct energy through the tissue to create a tissue seal. A drive assembly is disposed within the housing which moves the jaw members. A switch is disposed within the housing which activates the electrosurgical energy. A knife assembly is included which is advanceable to cut tissue held between the jaw members. A movable handle is connected to the housing. Continual actuation of the movable handle engages the drive assembly to move the jaw members, engages the switch to activate the electrosurgical energy source to seal the tissue, and advances the knife assembly the cut the tissue disposed between the jaw members.
US08945125B2
The present disclosure relates to electrosurgical instruments for use in sealing various tissues. The instrument includes a housing having a shaft attached thereto and an end effector assembly attached to a distal end of the shaft, wherein the end effector assembly includes first and second jaw members attached thereto. The jaw members are movable relative to one another from a first position for approximating tissue to at least one additional position for grasping tissue therebetween. The jaw members have an elastomeric material disposed on an inner facing tissue contacting surface thereof with the elastomeric materials including an electrode disposed therein. The electrodes are offset a distance X relative to one another such that when the jaw members are closed about the tissue and when the electrodes are activated, electrosurgical energy flows through the tissue in a generally coplanar manner relative to the tissue contacting surfaces.
US08945124B2
An electrosurgical pencil is provided, which includes an elongated housing, an electrocautery electrode supported within the housing and extending distally from the housing. The electrocautery electrode is connected to a source of electrosurgical energy. The pencil also includes at least one voltage divider network supported on the housing and electrically connected to the source of electrosurgical energy for controlling intensity, frequency, and/or mode of electrosurgical energy being delivered to the electrocautery electrode.
US08945121B2
Devices, systems, and methods for degassing fluid prior to applying fluid to a treatment site during ablation therapy are provided. In one embodiment, an ablation system can include an elongate body, an ablation element, a heating assembly, and a fluid source. Fluid in the fluid source can be at least partially degassed prior to being provided as part of the system, or, in some embodiments, a degassing apparatus can be provided that can be configured to degas fluid within the system prior to applying the fluid to the treatment site. The degassing apparatus can include one or more gas-permeable and fluid-impermeable tubes disposed therein, which can allow gas to be removed from fluid passing through the apparatus. Other exemplary devices, systems, and methods are also provided.
US08945120B2
A catheter has a three-dimensional, hollow ablation assembly that carries at least one ribbon electrode for circumferential ablation. In one embodiment, the assembly has a free-form framework that is constructed of multiple tensile members or wires that are interwoven such that the length of the framework increases while the circumference of the framework decreases, and vice versa. The assembly can also have a self-expanding stent-type framework which is mounted on the expander. In another alternative embodiment, the framework is a tubular or cylindrical structure whose side wall has longitudinal slots between longitudinal slats for radial expansion to a greater circumference when the length is decreased. The flexible ribbon electrode on the assembly is elastic, or is pleated so that it folds when the framework is collapsed and unfolds when the framework is deployed.
US08945113B2
An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical device, one or more temperature sensors associated with the electrosurgical device, a fluid-flow path leading to the electrosurgical device, and a flow-control device disposed in fluid communication with the fluid-flow path. The electrosurgical device includes a probe for directing energy to tissue. The electrosurgical system includes circuitry for detecting bending of the probe. The circuitry alerts the user of excessive bending by activating an alarm, such as an audible alarm, lighting one or more LEDs or other light sources, tactile feedback, or any other means. The electrosurgical system further includes a processor unit communicatively-coupled to the one or more temperature sensors and communicatively-coupled to the flow-control device. The processor unit is configured to control the flow-control device based on determination of a desired fluid-flow rate using one or more electrical signals outputted from the one or more temperature sensors.
US08945101B2
An apparatus and a method are provided for treating a targeted area of ocular tissue in a tissue-sparing manner comprising use of two or more therapeutic modalities, including thermal radiation source (such as an CW infrared fiber laser), operative in a wavelength range that has a high absorption in water, and photochemical collagen cross-linking (CXL), together with one or more specific system improvements, such as peri-operative feedback measurements for tailoring of the therapeutic modalities, an ocular tissue surface thermal control/cooling mechanism and a source of deuterated water/riboflavin solution in a delivery system targeting ocular tissue in the presence of the ultraviolet radiation. Additional methods of rapid cross-linking (RXL), are provided that further enables cross-linking (CXL) therapy to be combined with thermal therapy.
US08945094B2
A method includes receiving measurements from a sensor associated with a patient at a portable medication delivery device. The method also includes controlling delivery of medication to the patient at the portable medication delivery device using a single input, single output (SISO) model predictive control technique. The SISO model predictive control technique includes predicting a characteristic of the patient using the measurements and a model associated with the patient. The SISO model predictive control technique also includes determining whether the characteristic of the patient is predicted to fall outside of a desired range. In addition, the SISO model predictive control technique includes, if the characteristic of the patient is predicted to fall outside of the desired range, determining an amount of medication to deliver to the patient and delivering the determined amount of medication to the patient.
US08945093B2
An embodiment includes a suction device handle for use with a vacuum supply conduit to suction a fluid or tissue, the handle comprising: a hand-grippable body defining a chamber; the hand-grippable body comprising a distal end configured to support a suction tip; the suction tip including a distal end of a vacuum supply conduit extending within an outer cannula, the vacuum supply conduit being offset from a distal end of the outer cannula by a predetermined distance; wherein the distal end of the hand grippable body is connected to a proximal end of the outer cannula and the chamber is connected in fluid communication with the suction pressure or vacuum generated at the distal end of the vacuum supply conduit. Additional embodiments are described herein.
US08945084B2
In certain embodiments, a vial adaptor for removing liquid contents from a vial comprises a housing and a bag. In some embodiments, an initial volume of a regulating fluid can be contained within the bag. In some embodiments, the regulating fluid flows into the vial as liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, thereby regulating pressure within the vial. In some embodiments, a vial adaptor is coupled with the vial in order to remove the liquid. In some embodiments, as the liquid is removed from the vial via the adaptor, the bag expands, and in other embodiments, the bag contracts.
US08945080B2
Each of first fastening tapes and second fastening tapes provided on both left and right sides of a disposable diaper has a first fastening part and a second fastening part which are away from each other. When putting the disposable diaper on a slender wearer, the second fastening tape is fastened on an attachment part of main body part so as to be laid over the first fastening tape. In the second fastening tape, since an intermediate area is provided between the first fastening part and the second fastening part, a total area of fastening parts can be reduced. Since a distance between an outer edge of the first fastening part and an inner edge of the second fastening part is made larger than a width of a tape base at the intermediate area in the first fastening tape, the second fastening tape can be easily fastened.
US08945069B2
An injection device (1) for administering a fixed dose of a medication is provided. The injection device (1) comprises a housing (2) wherein a drive mechanism comprising a drive member (3) is at least partially enclosed and a dosing element (34) which is fixed relative to the drive member (3). Here, a dose can be set by rotating the dosing element (34) relative to the housing (2) in a dose setting direction (s) and the dose can be dispensed by pushing the dosing element (34) towards the housing (2). Moreover, a method is provided for operating an injection device (1) for the administration of a fixed dose of a medication: A dose can be set by rotating a dosing element (34), a dose can be dispensed by pushing the dosing element (34) towards the housing (2) and a dose can be cancelled by rotating the dosing element (34) in a direction opposite to the dose setting direction (s).
US08945067B2
The autoinjector systems disclosed herein provide in part devices for allowing patients with reduced joint strength to more easily administer medicine. Certain exemplary syringe embodiments include a housing, a syringe assembly slidably mounted on the housing, and a needle cap releasably engaged to the housing, where the cap includes a protruding pocket for receiving a needle cap remover.
US08945061B2
The present invention relates to a formulation and method for treating an ear infection, especially otomycosis and otitis externa, by administering a one-time only treatment comprising an antibiotic, and antifungal, and an anti-inflammatory in a thick, otic carrier. In one embodiment, the formulation comprises a therapeutically effective amount of active ingredients including a fluoroquinolone, a triazole antifungal, a thiocarbamate antifungal, a corticosteroid and a polyene antifungal, as well as a thickener such that the formulation, upon applying to the infected ear canal, gels and remains in the ear canal, continuously releasing the active ingredients for several days, achieving consistent complete (98-100%) clinical resolution of otomycosis and otitis externa in a single application.
US08945053B2
An injection device having a distal end, and including a needle located inside the injection device in an initial position, wherein the needle is moveable to a puncturing position in which the needle projects from the distal end, an open region located distally relative to the needle in the initial position of the needle and having a dimension, and a reduction piece moveable relative to the opening region whereby the dimension may be reduced.
US08945048B2
A plunger, a needle assembly and a retractable syringe comprising same are provided. The plunger comprises a plunger member and a plunger outer having a lock spring that prevents or impedes movement of the plunger member after needle retraction. The plunger further comprises another locking member for engaging the barrel to prevent or impede further movement of the plunger outer after delivery of fluid contents. The plunger member has a plunger seal which engages a retractable needle of the needle assembly for retraction. The retractable needle comprises a cannula and needle body with a plurality of fluid channels that co-operate with a fluid conduit of the plunger seal to efficiently direct fluid to the cannula. A needle retainer comprises a plurality of barbed arms releasably coupled to the needle body, whereby an ejector with tabs facilitates release of the retractable needle from the needle retainer to allow compressed spring-driven retraction.
US08945046B2
A hands-free breast pump system is disclosed. A breast shield having an adhesive inner surface for adhering to a woman's breast is disclosed. The breast shield may be connected to an adapter for transferring a vacuum generated by a pump to the breast. The adapter also allows milk expressed from the breast to drain from the adapter to a container. In the alternative, the breast shield may form part of a breast shield adapter system which is connected to a conventional breast shield by a drain line so that a conventional breast pump system is used to supply a vacuum and to collect the milk.
US08945045B2
A needleless fluid injection system include a working shaft (14) with a proximal end and a distal end, an injection shaft with a proximal end and a distal end, and a tissue tensioning mechanism (40) positioned at the distal end of at least one of the working shaft and the injection shaft. Embodiments of the tissue tensioning mechanism can include one or more of multiple radially expanding arcuate members (44), a linearly compressible element (60) with first and second plates at opposite ends of the linearly compressible element, an arcuate member (70) having a first end engaged within the lumen of the injection shaft and a second end moveable relative to the first end, first and second wedges (90a, b) that are slideable relative to each other, an inflatable bladder (110) with a foam material within a body opening of the bladder, at least two electromagnetic coils (146,148), or an electroactive polymer portion (166).
US08945034B2
In an embodiment, an orthopedic device in the form of a lumbar support includes first and second elongate belt members, an anatomically shaped plate, and a closure system connecting the belt members to the plate. The closure system is arranged to move the belt members relative to the plate, and connects to the belt members via a flexible belt attachment which removably secures to the belt members. The closure system includes tensioning elements corresponding to the belt members, and a pulley system connecting to the tensioning elements. The closure system is slidably mounted to the plate and arranged to the belt members relative to the plate between opposed linear directions. The plate has various contours which provide pressure distribution over a lumbar region of a back. Anatomically shaped and resiliently formed handles secure to the tensioning elements and the belt members.
US08945027B2
A calf garment assembly having, a calf garment having an internal chamber and being substantially airtight and being in fluid communication with a pressurized air source, and a heating element working in conjunction with the calf garment to provide heated DVT therapy.
US08945026B2
An appliance (1) for tensioning ligaments, especially articular ligaments, of a human or animal body, having at least one handle (2), the or each handle (2) being in operative engagement with, in each case, a tensioning element (3) associated therewith, and with the or each handle (2) in each case a force indicator (4), which indicates a force exerted on a or each tensioning element (3) associated with the or each handle (2) on tensioning of one or more ligaments, and a displacement indicator (5), which indicates the excursion of the tensioning element (3) in question from a reference position, and with the or each force indicator (4) and/or with the or each displacement indicator (5) there is/are associated at least one marker (7A-7H), which is arranged to be detected without contact by a measurement value ascertainment system (20) associated with the appliance (1), and also a device (20), comprising the appliance (1), for ascertaining force-displacement characteristic curves of ligaments, and also a method of ascertaining them.
US08945017B2
A biometric monitoring device is used to determine a user's heart rate by using a heartbeat waveform sensor and a motion detecting sensor. In some embodiments, the device collects collecting concurrent output data from the heartbeat waveform sensor and output data from the motion detecting sensor, detects a periodic component of the output data from the motion detecting sensor, and uses the periodic component of the output data from the motion detecting sensor to remove a corresponding periodic component from the output data from the heartbeat waveform sensor. From this result, the device may determine and present the user's heart rate.
US08945012B2
A region-of-interest setting unit sets a region of interest to be included in an ultrasound image. A first movement-amount calculating unit sequentially calculates a movement amount of the set region of interest between reception data along the time sequence as a first movement amount. A transmitting-receiving delay-amount computing unit computes a delay amount for sequentially shifting a scan region of an ultrasonic beam based on the sequentially calculated first movement amount. A computation/control circuit performs control so as to generate a high voltage pulse based on the computed delay amount. A second movement-amount calculating unit sequentially calculates a movement amount of the region of interest between image data along the time sequence as a second movement amount. A display-position correcting unit performs a correction such that the region of interest included in the image data is to be displayed at the same display position, based on the second movement amount.
US08945010B2
A method for diagnosing constipation comprising the steps of providing an ingestible capsule (20) having a given density and a pH sensor (22) and a temperature sensor (24), having a subject ingest the capsule, recording pH measurements from the pH sensor as a function of time as the capsule moves through at least a portion of the gastrointestinal tract of the subject, transmitting the pH measurements to a processor (19) outside of the gastrointestinal tract of the subject, recording temperature measurements from the temperature sensor as a function of time as the capsule moves through at least a portion of the gastrointestinal tract of the subject, transmitting the temperature measurements to a processor (19) outside of the gastrointestinal tract of the subject, determining transit time of the capsule between a first location in the gastrointestinal tract of the subject and a second location in the gastrointestinal tract of the subject as a function of the pH measurements and the temperature measurements, providing a reference transit time that is a function of the density of the capsule, and comparing the determined transit time to the reference transit time to evaluate the subject for constipation.
US08945009B2
The invention relates generally to remote health monitoring systems, as applied to the field of public health surveillance. In particular, it relates to a multi-user remote health monitoring system that is capable of reliably identifying and collecting data from frontline healthcare providers, laboratory and hospital information systems, patients and healthy individuals in a number of ways, with a view to aid in the field of public health. The system can also be used to query and collect additional information regarding specifics pertaining to the health of the individuals, and for patient tracking, monitoring, and the collection of individual data.
US08945008B2
Changes of a user's emotion that occurs when content is reproduced and a user's surrounding environment that occurs when the content is reproduced are recorded as sensing meta data and content is reproduced in a reproducing mode corresponding to the recorded sensing meta data. Content supplied from a content providing section 11 is normally reproduced. A human body sensor 24 measures biological information of a user of content. An environmental sensor 25 measures a user's surrounding environment. A sensing meta data generating section 19 generates sensing meta data using information detected by at least one of the human body sensor 24 and the environmental sensor 25. A recording processing section 20 records the generated sensing meta data to a record medium 21. A reproducing processing section 23 reproduces sensing meta data. A reproducing control section 12 reproduces content in a reproducing mode that changes corresponding to the reproduced sensing meta data.
US08945004B2
A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
US08945003B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide a surgical retractor having two blade-supporting arms, which are mounted to be laterally slideable towards and apart from each other by a toothed rack. Each arm supports a respective retractor blade. In some embodiments, the retractor blades are curved in the same direction as each other so that the first blade is concave in the first direction, and a second blade is also concave in the same direction. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, a cushioned material or cushioned sleeve is present on the blades where the blades contact the anatomy. The cushioned material or sleeve may be made of a soft silicone. Further, the cushioned material or sleeve may be coated or molded onto the blade structure, or may be a removable sleeve that is manually slid onto or off of the blade structure. Also, alternatively or in addition in some embodiments, blade-mounted lighting may be provided.
US08944993B2
An apparatus and a system for treating a sexual dysfunctional male patient comprise an implanted at least one vibrator adapted to stimulate at least a part of the sexually responsive tissue of the penis of the patient by vibration of said vibrator and contact between said vibrator and at least one area of the sexually responsive tissue. There is also provided a surgical method comprising the apparatus and the system.
US08944992B2
A pelvic organ prolapse treatment device includes an implantable support configured to treat a prolapsed area of a patient such as urethrocele prolapse, cystocele prolapse, vault prolapse, uterine prolapse, enterocele prolapse, or rectocele prolapse. The support includes a body portion and an arm connected to the body portion, a knot connecting a suture to an end portion of the arm, and a tubular dilator disposed over and connected to the knot.
US08944991B2
The invention provides a surgical device for endoscopic surgery having the function of temporarily storing liquid (a first function), the function of keeping a physical space for surgery and a sufficient endoscopic field (a second function), and the function of protecting organs (a third function), and an insertion device for inserting the surgical device into a body.[Solving Means]The surgical device for endoscopic surgery is an inter-organ spacer (10) including liquid holding means (1) formed of a porous soft material having the ability to temporarily store liquid and the ability to retain its shape. The insertion device for inserting the inter-organ spacer into a body includes a tubular holder capable of holding the inter-organ spacer for endoscopic surgery.
US08944987B2
A cardiac assistance, device has a supporting component, which surrounds the heart and on the inside of which a plurality of adjacent inflatable and deflatable chambers are provided, via which an inside wall can be displaced inward. The chambers have a fluidic connection to at least one pump via lines. A plurality of supply valves on the supply side are arranged between the pump and the chambers. Some individual chambers or groups of chambers are assigned dedicated supply valves, in order to drive the chambers individually or in groups.
US08944963B2
According to one embodiment a removable assembly provides for mounting of a hangboard including a first unit and at least a first bracket for connecting the hangboard to the first unit. The first unit may include a first member configured to be placed over a door opening on a fist side of a wall and a second member which can be positioned across the opening and against a second side of the wall. A third member is configured for attachment to the second member such that when the first member is placed over the opening and the second member is positioned against the second side of the wall, at least a portion of the third member is positioned above the second member. A related method provides a removable assembly for mounting of a hangboard. Numerous other embodiments are disclosed.
US08944962B2
A gymnastic tool (1) is formed by at least two impermeable external walls (2, 3) which are each concave shaped and provided with respective edges (4,5). The at least two impermeable walls (2, 3) are mutually fixed together by a connector (6), the gymnastic tool having at least one inner cavity.
US08944959B2
A universal athleticism rating system and related athletic performance measuring systems for accurately detecting and recording athletic performance are disclosed. The athleticism rating system evaluates individual athletes against a common, standardized, set of athletic performance tests. Each athlete performs the athletic tests and his or her scores in the individual tests are entered into a standardized calculation to produce a single athletic performance score. The related performance measuring system is preferably a timing system that ensures quick, easy, and accurate collection of athletic event timing related data without the need for the athlete to wear any special detection devices or the like. In a preferred embodiment, the performance measuring system integrates with the rating system to provide seamless athletic data collection and rating of athletes.
US08944954B2
The gearing has an input element (8) which is connected in terms of drive to an output element (9) via gearing elements. One of the gearing elements is a regulating element (12) with which the rotational speed of the input element (8) can be changed for passing on to the output element (9). The rotational speed of the output element (9) is increased when the rotational speed of the regulating element (12) decreases. The torque present at the input element (8) is conducted on via the regulating element (12) to the output element (9) such that the input torque is present at the latter.
US08944953B2
The transmission has four planetary gear sets and shafts and shift elements. Sun gear of the planetary gearset (P1) couples shaft (5) which couples ring gear of gearset (P3) and is connectable, via clutch (58), to shaft (8), which couples carrier of gearset (P2) and is connectable, via clutch (89), to shaft (9), which couples sun gears of gearsets (P3, P4). Carrier of gearset (P1) couples drive shaft (1), which is connectable, via clutch (16), to shaft (6), which couples ring gear of gearset (P2). Sun gear of gearset (P2) couples shaft (3), which couples carrier of gearset (P3) and is connectable to the housing via brake (03). Ring gear of gearset (P4) couples shaft (4) which is connectable to the housing via brake (04). Output shaft (2) couples carrier of gearset (P4) and is connectable, via clutch (27), to shaft (7) which couples ring gear of gearset (P1).
US08944951B2
The present invention relates to a clutch device structured by a dual-drive electric machine being combined with an planetary gear set (DG101) and a controllable brake device, and through controlling the controllable brake device to perform brake locking or releasing, the operations of transmission function of connecting transmission or releasing between a rotation shaft (S101) at an output/input end, a rotation shaft (S102) at an output/input end and a sleeve type rotation shaft (AS101) at an output/input end of the planetary gear set (DG101) are enabled to be controlled, thereby to control the interactive operations between the dual-drive electric machine (EM100) and the output/input ends.
US08944933B2
A device that makes an imprint in a sand trap, providing a practicing golfer with visual indications of proper swing path, club face angle, club impact position, when making a basic sand shot.
US08944928B2
Virtual reality system for viewing current and previously stored or calculated motion data. System obtains data from motion capture elements, analyzes data and stores data in database for use in virtual reality applications and/or data mining, which may be charged for. Enables unique displays associated with the user, such as 3D overlays onto images of the user to visually depict the captured motion data. Ratings, compliance, ball flight path data can be calculated and displayed, for example on a map or timeline or both. Enables performance related equipment fitting and purchase. Includes active and passive identifier capabilities.
US08944922B2
A portable communication device is equipped to transfer gaming elements stored on the portable communication device to a target electronic device. The portable communication device transfers user-defined gaming element transfer query to an electronic device via a near-field communications (NFC) module. The target electronic device receives one or more gaming elements from the portable communication device via the NFC module or a data object via the NFC module that enables the target electronic device to acquire the one or more gaming elements from a remote storage (e.g., a gaming server).
US08944918B2
A method provides a player tracking system and system gaming apparatus for playing non-base games by funding the credit side of a gaming cycle. The system further includes at least one gaming device having a base game. The player tracking system and system gaming apparatus includes a player tracking user interface. The player tracking user interface provides a player with an opportunity to select and play a non-base game that may be promotional-funded or player-funded.
US08944912B2
An apparatus generally directed to a combination game controller and information input device. The combination preferably includes a tablet computer providing a plurality of sides, in which each of the sides are disposed between an electronic display screen and a back of the tablet computer. The combination further preferably includes an input device in electronic communication with the tablet computer, the input device providing side structures adjacent to and confining the tablet computer on at least two opposing sides of the tablet computer. The input device further preferably providing input module apertures, each input module aperture selectively accepts either a game control module or a removable keyboard module. The input module apertures are preferably adjacent each of the at least two opposing sides of the tablet computer, and a camera communicating with each the input device and the tablet computer, the camera selectively capturing either still or video images.
US08944901B2
Embodiments related to conducting a wagering game according to the rules of a base game includes defining a finite set of game indicia. In some embodiments the player plays multiple sequential game hand by placing a wager, receiving game indicia from the finite set cumulatively excluding any game indicia previously dealt, playing the game hand to completion, collecting the game indicia from the player and excluding the dealt game indicia from further play, and displaying at least the excluded game indicia or any winning combinations precluded by the excluded game indicia. In some embodiments the game hands continue in sequence until a restoration event, which may include a manually triggered restoration or an automatic restoration event, that restores the excluded game indicia. Other embodiments are also described.
US08944898B2
A grain bin located atop a harvester includes upstanding walls having a substantially continuous upper edge defining an opening. A grain bin extension is deployable between extended and retracted positions to expand the capacity of the grain bin. The extension includes extension panels and a cap overlaying the opening. The cap is supported by a cap frame that is also deployable between extended and retracted positions. An extension deployment apparatus raises and lowers the extension panels. Extension deployment mechanisms located at opposing corners of the grain bin control the deployment of adjacent extension panels. Each extension deployment mechanism has a first rack and a trunnion to drive extension panels in a vertical direction and pivot the panels in an outward direction and a second rack mounted to the trunnion to drive the cap frame in a vertical direction, and a drive gear between the first and second racks.
US08944895B2
A method for filling sausages with a paste-like substance by means of a filling machine and to a filling machine for performing this method, including a sensor unit capable of determining at least one parameter that varies differently for different paste-like substances as a function of time. Depending on the at least one determined parameter, a controller determines whether a measure to be implemented on one or more wearing parts is necessary, the wearing parts wearing out at different times depending on the different paste-like substances.
US08944891B2
In a machine for centerless cylindrical grinding, the workpiece is located in a grinding gap, which is formed by the regulating wheel, the grinding wheel and the support blade. The regulating wheel rotates about its axis of rotation with the direction of rotation, and thereby drives the workpiece to rotate in the direction of rotation. The grinding wheel is driven to rotate about its axis of rotation with the direction of rotation. The workpiece passes in the direction of its longitudinal axis through a number of sets of regulating wheels and grinding wheels, which are each themselves arranged coaxially one behind the other. The regulating wheels and grinding wheels have axial interspaces on their axes; the regulating wheels thereby engage in the interspaces between the grinding wheels, and vice versa, so as to form lateral regions of overlap between the wheels.
US08944889B2
In one aspect, the invention is directed to a sharpener for sharpening a snowice travel member such as a skate blade, a ski or a snowboard, which includes a sharpening surface that is movable lengthwise along an edge face of the item to be sharpened. The sharpening surface may be movable lengthwise by means of a motor and a reciprocating mechanism, or may be manually moved by a user.
US08944885B2
A device for phasing a threaded grinding stone is phased with respect to a workpiece or a disk dresser prior to the engagement of the threaded grinding stone with the workpiece or with the disk dresser during grinding or dressing. In performing this phasing, it is detected, by means of an AE fluid sensor provided to a grinding stone head which rotatably supports the threaded grinding stone, whether the threaded grinding stone has had contact with the workpiece or the disk dresser. Subsequently, on the basis of the phase of the threaded grinding stone at the time when contact was detected, the threaded grinding stone is positioned in a phase where the aforementioned engagement is feasible.
US08944879B1
A game call device includes a game caller having a game caller box with a sound chamber, a petrified wood strike plate carried by the game caller box and a striker adapted for scraping against the strike plate of the game caller to produce simulated game sounds.
US08944872B2
The present invention relates to a lifted fin apparatus comprising one or more lifted fin elements with foiled tin components for a reduction of pressure and drag and an increase in surfboard lift as well as a method of achieving surfboard lift through, the use of said apparatus. Generally, the lifted fin apparatus comprises two or more lifted fin elements exhibiting a foil design on one or more of the fin surfaces. The individual fin elements may comprise a substantially vertical fin attached to a first edge of a base member and oriented at a substantially 90° angle in relation to the bottom surface of the surfboard or to the first edge of the base member. The fin elements may further comprise an angular fin mounted to a second edge of the base member at one end and the lower portion of the first, fin at the other end. In said embodiment, a bend or elbow is formed between a first fin component of angular fin and base member proximate the point of attachment at second edge of base member. Alternatively, the base member may not have a defined second edge representing the intersection between base member and a first fin component of angular fin, but rather the base member and the angular fin may be manufactured as a unitary structure with a bend or elbow between base member and a first fin component as described below.
US08944871B2
A system for handling a transfer device (10) for transferring load from a storage facility, sub sea or integrated in the production facility (1) to a vessel on the sea surface (2) comprising: a pickup line (11) comprising a first end (11a) connected to the transfer device (10) and a second end (11b & 11c) available at the sea surface (2); a connection device (13) for connection of the transfer device (10) to the tension buoy (14); a swiveling device (20) for rotation of the connection device (13) in relation to the tension buoy (14); and a position limiting device (21) fixed to the connection device (13), for limiting the position of the pickup line (11) in relation to the tension buoy (14).
US08944858B2
The present invention relates to an electrical 90° power terminal, comprising an elongated wire connection member, and a terminal element. The wire connection member is provided with a wire fastening portion and a fastening portion for the terminal element comprising a circular opening, and the terminal element has an essentially cylindrical shape and comprises a terminal end and a connecting end adapted to be received in the circular opening of the fastening portion. When connected with each other, the terminal element and the elongated wire connection member are arranged essentially perpendicular to each other.
US08944856B2
A receptacle block defines one or more sockets at which plugs may be received. Each socket contains a first set of contacts and a second set of contacts. Each socket also includes a sensing contact that interacts with the second set of contacts to close an electrical switch. For example, the sensing contact can interact with an arm extending from one of the contacts of the second set. Closure of the switch can be detected and interpreted to indicate that a plug has been received at the respective socket.
US08944852B2
In one aspect, provided is an electrical connector that can improve reliability of signal connection by ensuring insulation between adjacent terminals. In one aspect, connector housing 2 has front housing 3 and rear housing 4 that are combined together during assembly and that have respective partition walls 10 and 11 to define terminal accommodation chambers 8 and 9, respectively, and wherein movable wall 15 is provided to extend from partition wall 11 of rear housing 4 to displace and connect to partition wall 10 of front housing 3 when both housings 3 and 4 are combined together.
US08944838B2
A connector is provided for mating with a mating connector. The connector includes a housing having an internal compartment and a locking segment. A contact is held within the internal compartment of the housing. A locking ring extends around the housing. The locking ring has a latch that is configured to cooperate with a latch member of the mating connector to lock the connector and the mating connector together. The connector includes a first actuator configured to compress the locking ring radially inward or expand the locking ring radially outward to release the latch of the locking ring from the latch member of the mating connector. The locking segment of the housing includes a second actuator that is configured to compress the locking ring radially inward or expand the locking ring radially outward to release the latch of the locking ring from the latch member of the mating connector.
US08944833B2
A card connector includes: a housing to receive a card; a sliding member to slide together with the card in a range including a first position, a second position and a third position, the sliding member being locked to the housing at the first position, the sliding member is unlocked from the housing at the second position, the card being removable at the third position; a rotary member, rotatably supported by the sliding member, to press the card in a card ejection direction; a lock mechanism to lock the sliding member in the first position to the housing and unlock the sliding member from the housing by sliding of the sliding member from the first position to the second position; a first biasing member to bias the sliding member in the card ejection direction; a second biasing member to bias the rotary member in the card ejection direction.
US08944830B2
A high speed card edge connector (20, 30) includes an insulative housing (21, 31), and a number of first, second, third, and fourth contacts (221-224) received in the insulative housing and arranged in a number of first columns (25) and a number of second columns (26). Each of the first columns includes one first, one second, and one third contacts. Each of the second columns includes one first, one fourth, and one third contacts. Each of the first to the fourth contacts includes a mounting portion (22b). The mounting portions of the second and the fourth contacts are designed as penetration type termination, and the mounting portions of the first and the third contacts are designed as surface mounted type termination. The mounting portions of the second and the fourth contacts are arranged in different rows.
US08944822B2
The present invention presents a flight training and synthetic visualization system, which comprises a fully mobile, self-contained data recording unit including a desktop graphics software engine for creating a virtual model of the flight capable of playing back the recorded trip, synchronized with a real-time video or imagery recording of the actual flight with a view from the cockpit of the aircraft as a pilot would actually view the flight, along with ambient audio of the cockpit. This allows for the user of the simulation to view both modeled data of the flight, as well as actual time-sequenced still images or video of the flight. The two sources of data are synched in time so that real video images of the aircraft as it is flying at a specific point in time is displayed in the simulation at the same moment as the rendered visualization of the flight.
US08944794B2
A device for forming plastic preforms into plastic containers with a mobile carrier on which is arranged a plurality of blowing stations, each comprising blow mold carrier parts to hold blow mold parts, wherein at least one of these blow mold carrier parts is mobile in relation to the other blow mold carrier part, and wherein the blowing stations each comprise a carrier element to carry at least one blow mold carrier part. The device includes a clean room within which the plastic preforms can be expanded into plastic containers. The blow mold carrier parts together with the carrier element form a unit which can be demounted as a whole from the carrier.
US08944793B2
An aircraft turbine engine Fuel Metering Unit (FMU) is provided including a main gear pump having a main drive gear and a main driven gear and a servo gear pump having a servo drive gear and a servo driven gear. The main drive gear and the servo drive gear are received on an input shaft. The main driven gear is mounted to a first shaft oriented parallel to and adjacent a first side of the input shaft. The main driven gear is in meshing engagement with the main drive gear. The servo drive gear is mounted to a second shaft arranged parallel to and adjacent a second, opposite side of the input shaft. The servo driven gear is in meshing engagement with the servo drive gear.
US08944780B2
A system for delivery of medical fluid to a patient which includes a pump system and a drive system. The pump system has at least three chambers, where each chamber includes an inlet for fluid intake and an outlet for fluid expulsion, a common outlet channel in fluid communication with the outlet of each chamber, and at least three pistons, where each piston is slidably disposed within one of the chambers. The drive system includes a cam shaft having at least three cam lobes, each having a profile, and at least three cam lobe followers, each in operative connection with one of the cam lobes and adapted to be placed in operative connection with a respective piston. The profile of each of the cam lobes is adapted to provide a transient increase or spike in calculated theoretical output of the pump system to reduce periodic variation in measured output thereof.
US08944768B2
A composite turbine blade and a method of manufacture thereof is disclosed. The composite turbine blade comprises a turbine blade portion comprising a first material and a first tip plate comprising a second material. The turbine blade portion has an exterior wall and an interior wall surrounding a hollow interior cavity, and a top surface extending from the exterior wall to the interior wall bounding an orifice that is fluidly connected to the hollow interior cavity. The first tip plate may be attached to the turbine blade along the top surface and extending from proximate the exterior wall of the turbine blade across the orifice to cover the orifice.
US08944765B2
The invention relates to a sealing device for the partition penetration of a connecting rod of a turboprop fan blade orientation control system. The device includes a bellows (60) of trunconical shape designed to allow passage of the connecting rod (50a) and having, at its wider end, means (62, 64) of attachment to the partition (58) to be sealed and, at its narrower end, an O-ring through which the connecting rod is free to slide.
US08944762B2
A spacer for a gas turbine engine includes a rotor ring defined along an axis of rotation and a plurality of core gas path seals which extend from the rotor ring, each of the plurality of core gas path seals extend from the rotor ring at an interface, the interface defined along a spoke.
US08944756B2
An example blade outer air seal assembly includes a blade outer air seal that is biased toward a second part. The blade outer air seal and the second part move together radially during operation. Radial inward movement of the blade outer air seal is limited exclusively by the second part during operation.
