US09447483B2

The present disclosure relates to a process and system for recovery of one or more metal values using solution extraction techniques and to a system for metal value recovery. In an exemplary embodiment, the solution extraction system comprises a first solution extraction circuit and a second solution extraction circuit. A first metal-bearing solution is provided to the first and second circuit, and a second metal-bearing solution is provided to the first circuit. The first circuit produces a first rich electrolyte solution, which can be forwarded to primary metal value recovery, and a low-grade raffinate, which is forwarded to secondary metal value recovery. The second circuit produces a second rich electrolyte solution, which is also forwarded to primary metal value recovery. The first and second solution extraction circuits have independent organic phases and each circuit can operate independently of the other circuit.
US09447475B2

Provided is a method of detecting or quantifying a wheat species-specific DNA in a test sample by polymerase chain reaction. The method comprises a step of amplifying a nucleic acid molecule having at partial sequence of a nucleotide sequence identified as SEQ ID NO: 1 using a nucleic acid molecule in the test sample or a nucleic acid molecule extracted from the test sample as the template and using a primer pair capable of amplifying the partial sequence and a step of detecting or quantifying the amplified nucleic acid molecule.
US09447474B2

Provided is a method for determining the presence or absence of an individual's DNA in a sample containing DNA from two or more contributors. A panel of a plurality of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is used. For each SNP in the panel, it is determined whether the minor allele of the SNP is present in the sample, and whether the minor allele is present in the individual's DNA. If the number of minor alleles that are present in the individual's DNA that are also present in the DNA sample is above a predetermined threshold, the individual's DNA is concluded to be present in the sample. Also provided is an array of DNA molecules for use in the method, as well as a method for estimating the number of individuals contributing to a DNA containing sample.
US09447464B2

Methods, Compositions, and Systems are provided for nucleic acid sequencing where the sequential incorporation of nucleotides uses two distinct chemical steps. A plurality of nucleotide analogs, each having a labeled leaving group at its 3′ hydroxyl can be sequentially added to a growing strand in the presence of a selective cleaving activity that cleaves the 3′ hydroxyl leaving group preferentially after it has been incorporated. The selective cleaving agent can comprise an exonuclease activity, and the exonuclease activity can be a polymerase-associated exonuclease activity. Nucleotide analogs having labels on both a cleavable polyphosphate portion and on a 3′ hydroxyl leaving group can provide signals characteristic of nucleotide analog incorporation. Systems having illumination optics, collection optics, and substrates observe signals from the labels as they are being incorporated into a growing nucleic acid strand, allowing for the sequencing of template nucleic acids.
US09447450B2

Novel red-shifted luciferin derivatives and uses of those compounds are provided.
US09447441B2

A polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer of 3HB (3-hydroxybutyrate), 3HP (3-hydroxypropionate) and 5HV (5 -hydroxyvalerate) disclosed. The polyhydroxyalkanoate can be used for bioplastic or biomaterial. A method for producing the polyhydroxyalkanoate comprises culturing a microorganism belonging to Ralstonia genus in a culture medium that comprises lactone and/or hydroxy acid or salt of hydroxy acid as a carbon source.
US09447432B2

An object of the present invention is to provide methods for producing iPS cells with low invasivity and high efficiency. The iPS cells can be produced with high efficiency using a method comprising the steps of culturing mononuclear cells derived from peripheral blood for 3 to 14 days in the presence of anti-CD3 antibody, and subjecting the cultured mononuclear cells to dedifferentiation.
US09447427B2

The present invention relates to a method for increasing the tolerance of a plant to water deficit, which method comprises the overexpression in said plant of a FatA TE (acyl-ACP thioesterase) protein.
US09447424B2

The invention relates to gene expression regulatory sequences from soybean, specifically to the promoter of a soybean ATP sulfurylase (ATPS) and fragments thereof and theft use in promoting the expression of one or more heterologous nucleic acid fragments in a tissue-independent or constitutive manner in plants. The invention further discloses compositions, polynucleotide constructs, transformed host cells, transgenic plants and seeds containing the recombinant construct with the promoter, and methods for preparing and using the same.
US09447420B2

The present invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods for the study, diagnosis, and treatment of traits, diseases and conditions that respond to the modulation of CTNNB1 gene expression and/or activity, and/or modulate a beta-catenin gene expression pathway. Specifically, the invention relates to double-stranded nucleic acid molecules including small nucleic acid molecules, such as short interfering nucleic acid (siNA), short interfering RNA (siRNA), double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), micro-RNA (miRNA), and short hairpin RNA (shRNA) molecules that are capable of mediating or that mediate RNA interference (RNAi) against CTNNB1 gene expression.
US09447419B2

RNA interference is provided for inhibition of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) by silencing TNFα cell surface receptor TNF receptor-1 (TNFR1) mRNA expression, or by silencing TNFα converting enzyme (TACE/ADAM17) mRNA expression. Silencing such TNFα targets, in particular, is useful for treating patients having a TNFα-related condition or at risk of developing a TNFα-related condition such as the ocular conditions dry eye, allergic conjunctivitis, or ocular inflammation, or such as dermatitis, rhinitis, or asthma, for example.
US09447415B2

An antisense molecule capable of binding to a selected target site to induce exon skipping in the dystrophin gene, as set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1 to 202.
US09447412B2

Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression and function of small non-coding RNAs. The compositions comprise oligomeric compounds, targeted to small non-coding RNAs. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of small non-coding RNAs as well as downstream targets of these RNAs and for diagnosis and treatment of disease associated with small non-coding RNAs are also provided.
US09447410B2

A proteinaceous particle, for example a bacteriophage, ribosome or cell, displaying on its surface a T-cell receptor (TCR). The displayed TCR is preferably a heterodimer having a non-native disulfide bond between constant domain residues. Such display particles may be used for the creation of diverse TCR libraries for the identification of high affinity TCRs. Several high affinities are disclosed.
US09447406B2

The invention provides reagents and methods for enzyme replacement therapy using chemically modified species of human cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) to treat homocystinuria and other related diseases and disorders.
US09447397B2

The present invention relates to variants of a parent glucoamylase having altered properties (e.g., improved thermostability and/or specific activity). In particular, the present invention provides compositions comprising the variant glucoamylases, including starch hydrolyzing compositions, animal feed compositions and cleaning compositions. The invention also relates to DNA constructs encoding the variants and methods of producing the glucoamylase variants in host cells.
US09447396B2

According to the present invention, a method for stably accumulating a target protein in plant cells or a plant body, and a transgenic plant in which protein has accumulated, are provided. The method of the present invention is a method for accumulating protein in plant cells, comprising accumulating a target protein or a protein deficient in an N-terminal region of the target protein in vacuoles of myrosin cells present in a multiple mutant, in which myrosin cells deficient in intravacuolar protein are also present in a plant body at locations other than around vascular bundles, by expressing a gene that encodes a target protein having an intracellular membrane system localization signal on the N-terminal and a vacuole localization signal on the C-terminal in the multiple mutant.
US09447394B2

The present invention provides chimeric polypeptides comprising myotubularin 1 (MTMI) polypeptides and an internalizing moiety, wherein, the moiety can be an antibody, and is preferably monoclonal antibody 3E10, a functional variant or a fragment thereof. One aspect of the present invention provides compositions comprising these chimeric polypeptides together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and optionally, a further therapeutic agent. Another aspect of the present invention provides methods of treating Myotubular Myopathy comprising administering the polypeptides or compositions comprising the polypeptides to a subject in need.
US09447387B2

Pseudomonas exotoxin A or “PE” is a 66kD, highly potent, cytotoxic protein secreted by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Various forms of PE have been coupled to other proteins, such as antibodies, to generate therapeutically useful cytotoxin conjugates that selectively target cells of a desired phenotype (such as tumor cells). In the present invention, peptides spanning the sequence of an approximately 38kD form of Pseudomonas exotoxin A protein were analyzed for the presence of immunogenic CD4+ T cell epitopes. Six immunogenic T cell epitopes were identified. Residues were identified within each epitope for introduction of targeted amino acid substitutions to reduce or prevent immunogenic T-cell responses in PE molecules which may be administered to a heterologous host.
US09447384B2

The present invention provides an arsenite oxidase enzyme modified to prevent translocation by modification of a translocation signal sequence. A microorganism modified to express the heterologous arsenite oxidase enzyme is also provided by the invention, together with a device for detecting the presence of arsenite in a sample.
US09447368B1

A detergent composition comprising ethylene oxide/propyleneoxide (EO/PO), sodium-2-ethylhexyliminodipropionate, potassium hydroxide, hydroxyethylene diphosphonic acid (HEDP), and diethylenetriamine-penta(methylene phosphonic acid) (DTPMP) for removing contaminants from the surface of a hard disk.
US09447363B2

The present invention relates to compositions comprising polyaspartic acid (PAS) derivatives and the use of said compositions in washing processes, especially in automatic dishwashing.
US09447359B2

The invention provides a lubricating oil composition comprising: a lubricating base oil having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 1-10 mm2/s, a % Cp of 70 or greater and a % CA of not greater than 2; a first viscosity index improver of 0.01-10% by mass, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein the first viscosity index improver is a poly(meth)acrylate having a weight-average molecular weight of not greater than 100,000; and a second viscosity index improver of 0.01-50% by mass, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein the second viscosity index improver is a polymer having a weight-average molecular weight of 100,000 or greater and containing a structural unit represented by the following formula (1) in a proportion of 0.5-70 mol %, the composition having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 4-12 mm2/s and a viscosity index of 140-300. wherein R1 represents hydrogen or a methyl group and R2 represents a C16 or greater straight-chain or branched hydrocarbon, or an oxygen- and/or nitrogen-containing C16 or greater straight-chain or branched organic group.
US09447352B2

Motor fuel compositions containing ethanol, also known as gasohol, are disclosed, wherein the motor fuel is substantially in one phase and contains, 1 to 50, preferable 2 to 30 weight % of ethanol and an amount of water between 1 and 10 wt. % on the basis of the weight of the ethanol. Such motor fuel compositions can be produced by blending gasoline with hydrous ethanol, thus evading the necessity to use anhydrous ethanol as feedstock. Furthermore such motor fuel compositions may be produced by blending gasoline with hydrous ethanol and anhydrous ethanol, thus evading the necessity to use anhydrous ethanol as the sole feedstock. These motor fuel compositions may contain a second liquid phase that does not form a separate layer, and where no separate liquid phase can be detected by vision, and so meets with the specification that has become known as “clear and bright”.
US09447350B2

A process and system for separating a light fraction, a bio-distillate fraction, and a heavy fraction from a bio-oil, and for producing a renewable distillate including at least in part the bio-distillate fraction and a stabilizing additive, is provided. In addition, a process and system is provided for upgrading a bio-oil by use of a diluent and/or a recycle stream from the upgrading process to reduce fouling in upgrading equipment, such as a preheater and a hydrodeoxygenation unit.
US09447346B2

A two-step process for the oligomerization and hydration of a mixed butenes feed is provided and is implemented in a two-stage system. The two-step process yields a product consisting of diisobutenes (DIBs) and mixed butanols. The DIBs are produced via the selective oligomerization of isobutene in a first stage and the mixed butanols are produced via the hydration, in a second stage, of mixed butenes that remain unreacted in the first stage.
US09447341B2

A process and apparatus provides for blending a heavy naphtha stream with a diesel stream to increase the yield of diesel. The diesel stream is recovered separately from a kerosene stream to leave the kerosene stream undiminished. The blended diesel provides a valuable composition.
US09447340B2

The present invention relates to a fuel additive formulation that is designed to inhibit and/or reverse phase separation in Ethanol Blended Fuels (EBFs). The additive may further have the characteristics of reducing friction, corrosion, and wear in internal combustion engines that run on EBFs. The fuel additive in accordance with the present invention is a formulation of hexylene glycol and boric acid. Minimization of phase separation and reduction of engine wear and degradation due to friction and deposit formation is expected to result in increased engine efficiency, extension of engine life, and reduction in repair and maintenance costs.
US09447339B2

A method for producing diesel fuel from biocomponent feeds includes hydrotreating the feed followed by catalytic dewaxing with a ZSM-48 containing catalyst. The hydrotreated feed may be cascaded directly to the dewaxing step, or the hydrotreated feed can undergo intermediate separation. The diesel fuel resulting from processing of the biocomponent feed exhibits superior cetane values.
US09447331B2

Methods, systems and units for liquefaction of combustible material are provided. After separating the combustible material from waste rock gravitationally in an aqueous salt solution selected to have a density which is intermediate between a density of the combustible material and a density of the waste rock and after heating and grinding the separated combustible material to yield a paste of purified combustible material, the paste is fluidizing and hydrogenated underground in a hydrogenation chamber including a Segner turbine. The described processes significantly reduce the energy consumption of the process, remove environmental hazards and result in more efficient liquefaction with respect to existing technologies.
US09447327B2

Provided is a process for increasing the softening temperature of asphalts by use of liquid jet ejector with a diptube connected to the discharge connection of the liquid jet ejector for ejecting an air/asphalt mixture below a liquid level in an oxidizer vessel. The liquid jet ejector is used as both an air compressor and an air/oil mixer. The liquid jet ejector motive fluid is hot asphalt and the entrained vapor is air. The combined liquid jet ejector with a diptube process provides for an improvement in asphalt air blowing efficiency by requiring less cumulative air to produce a given asphalt softening temperature.
US09447322B2

A composition with one or more tetrahydrobenzotriazoles and one or more one or more tetrahydrobenzotriazole activating solvents, wherein the tetrahydrobenzotriazoles are solubilized in the activating solvents in an amount effective to inhibit corrosion of a metal or metal alloy which is corrodible in the presence of copper or copper corroding agents. Also, a method of using this composition to inhibit corrosion of a metal component which has a metal or metal alloy which is corrodible in the presence of copper or copper corroding agents.
US09447315B2

An electrophilic acid gas-reactive fracturing and recovery fluid, proppant, and process are detailed. The fluid expands in volume to provide rapid and controlled increases in pressure that enhances fracturing in subterranean bedrock for recovery of energy-producing materials. Proppants stabilize openings in fractures and fissures following fracturing.
US09447311B2

Shaped abrasive particles comprising alpha alumina and having a first side, a second side, a maximum length along a longitudinal axis and a maximum width transverse to the longitudinal axis. The first side comprising a quadrilateral having four edges and four vertices with the quadrilateral selected from the group consisting of a rhombus, a rhomboid, a kite, or a superellipse. The shaped abrasive particles having an aspect ratio of the maximum length divided by the maximum width of 1.3 or greater.
US09447309B2

This disclosure provides novel adhesive compositions comprising a highly crosslinked and plasticized low Tg (meth)acrylic copolymer that are self-wetting when applied to a substrate, and peelable therefrom.
US09447307B2

Extendable self-supporting materials, for example, adhesive tapes, papers, and adhesive sheets, and the manufacture of adhesive tapes and papers, wherein a length of tape or other material extends rigidly a certain distance and does not coil or curl onto itself, or curl or coil prematurely onto the receiving substrate. Yet, the material maintains flexibility to be pliable and generally to conform to a surface to which it may be applied. The material is available in sheet form or as rolled goods.
US09447306B2

A CMP polishing liquid comprises water and an abrasive particle, wherein the abrasive particle comprises a composite particle having a core including a first particle, and a second particle provided on the core, the first particle contains silica, the second particle contains cerium hydroxide, and the pH of the CMP polishing liquid is equal to or lower than 9.5.
US09447303B2

A composition for forming a resist underlayer film includes (A) a compound. The compound (A) includes a group represented by formula (1). R represents a monovalent organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms. The monovalent organic group represented by R does not include an oxygen atom at an end of the side adjacent the sulfur atom. * represents a bonding hand. The compound (A) preferably includes a ring which is an aromatic ring, a heteroaromatic ring, or a combination thereof. The bonding hand denoted by * in the group represented by the formula (1) is preferably linked directly or via an oxygen atom to the ring.
US09447298B2

The present invention relates to [1] a pigment-containing water-based ink for ink-jet printing which is free of turbidity and excellent in capability of suppressing occurrence of image unevenness (MOTTLING) when printed on a low-water absorbing recording medium, said ink including at least one acetylene glycol (A) selected from the group consisting of 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol and the like, and a nonionic surfactant (B), a content of the component (A) in the water-based ink being not less than 1.0% by mass and not more than 3.0% by mass, and a mass ratio of the component (B) to the component (A) [(B)/(A)] being not less than 1 and not more than 3; and [2] an ink-jet printing method for printing images or characters on a low-water absorbing recording medium using said water-based ink for ink-jet printing.
US09447297B2

A phase change ink composition comprising an amorphous amide compound, a crystalline compound; an optional synergist; an optional dispersant; and an optional colorant; wherein the amorphous amide compound is of the formula wherein R is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkylaryl group, an arylalkyl group, and combinations thereof, or wherein the amorphous amide compound is of the formula wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of an alkylene group, an arylene group, an alkylarylene group, an arylalkylene group, and combinations thereof.
US09447291B2

The invention relates to a composition that can be used as a coating and that can protect a substrate coated with this composition from high heat. The composition comprises: -a polysulfide, -an epoxy resin, -a compound selected from compounds having a secondary and/or a tertiary amine group, and compounds having an amide group, -a phosphonate, -fibres and -less than 1 wt. % of a polysiloxane, wherein the wt. % is relative to the weight of the composition after evaporation of any solvent that is present in the composition.
US09447286B2

[Problem to be Solved]To provide a ZnO coating having low friction not only in a vacuum but in a liquid such as oil.[Solution]The low-friction ZnO coating, comprising (002) and (103) planes, and further comprising (100), (101), (102), and (104) planes in lower proportions than those of the (002) and (103) planes, has been prepared by sputtering using a zinc target in a sputter gas environment, wherein the sputter gas comprises an inert gas and oxygen gas, and the oxygen gas ratio is controlled. This coating has a specifically good low friction coefficient due to the piezoelectric effect, and this friction reduction mechanism is maintained even in oil such as n-hexadecane. Thus, this coating has been found to have excellent low-friction properties.
US09447279B2

The invention relates to waxy oxidation products of rice bran, which are characterized by an acid number measured according to DIN ISO 2114 of at least 70 mg KOH/g, preferably at least 100 mg KOH/g, most preferably at least 140 mg KOH/g, and their use for producing synthetic ester waxes by esterification with one or more mono- or polyvalent alcohols.
US09447275B2

A molded article for an automobile is formed using a thermoplastic resin composition including (A) about 1 to about 20 wt % of a first rubber-modified acrylic-based graft copolymer having an average particle diameter of greater than or equal to about 100 nm and less than about 200 nm, (B) about 1 to about 20 wt % of a second rubber-modified acrylic-based graft copolymer having an average particle diameter of greater than or equal to about 200 nm and less than or equal to about 400 nm, (C) about 5 to about 40 wt % of a first vinyl-based copolymer of an alkyl(meth)acrylate monomer, an aromatic vinyl monomer, and an unsaturated nitrile monomer wherein the alkyl(meth)acrylate monomer is included in an amount of greater than or equal to about 50 wt %, and (D) about 50 to about 85 wt % of a polycarbonate resin, wherein the molded article is a radiator grill or an outside mirror housing.
US09447271B2

Curable rubber compositions and cured articles are based on the use of zinc activator compositions for the sulfur cure. Activator compositions contain zinc and a polymeric component having a plurality of COOH groups, at least some of which are neutralized with the zinc. With polymeric zinc activators, sulfur cure can be activated at levels of zinc below those used in conventional systems.
US09447268B2

A resin composition which overcomes the defects of needle-like basic magnesium sulfate and has good balance among mechanical strength, molding productivity and the appearance of a molded article. The resin composition comprises (i) 100 parts by weight of a resin (component A), (ii) plate-like magnesium hydroxide having a crystal thickness (y) of 0.2 μm or less, a crystal width (x) of 3.5 to 10 μm and an aspect ratio of 20 to 100 (component B) and (iii) needle-like basic magnesium sulfate (component C), wherein the total content of the components B and C is 1 to 100 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the resin, and the weight ratio of the component B to the component C is 0.1 to 0.9:0.9 to 0.1.
US09447264B2

A reactor system including an enclosed pressure relief system and/or a control system. The enclosed pressure relief system including a slurry separation system communicatively coupled with a pressure relief valve coupled to a loop reactor such that activation of the pressure relief valve results in discharge of a slurry from the loop reactor to the slurry separation system, wherein the slurry separation system is capable of separating solid and liquid components from gas components of the slurry and transmitting the gas components to a flare via a flare header.
US09447244B2

Methods of forming blocked-mercapto alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes are provided. The blocked-mercapto alkoxy-modified silsesquioxane compounds contain an alkoxysilane group that participates in an alkoxysilane-silica reaction as a silica dispersing agent in rubber, with the release of zero to about 0.1% by weight of the rubber as alcohol (a volatile organic compound (VOC)), during compounding and further processing. The blocked-mercapto alkoxy-modified silsesquioxane compounds also contain a blocked mercapto group which, when de-blocked, allows the mercapto group to interact with the polymer(s) in a rubber composition. Further described are rubber compounds containing the blocked-mercapto alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes.
US09447242B2

A polybenzimidazole solution comprises a polybenzimidazole dissolved in an ionic liquid excluding 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydroxide, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate.
US09447239B2

A thermosensitive copolymer may include a first repeating unit having a temperature-sensitive oligomer and a second repeating unit having an ionic moiety and a counter ion to the ionic moiety. The temperature-sensitive oligomer may be an oligomer including a repeating unit derived from a unsaturated monomer with a moiety represented by Chemical Formula 1 or Chemical Formula 2, or an oligomer including a repeating unit derived from a heterocyclic compound having C, N, O, and a C═N bond in its ring. *—C(═O)N(R2)(R3)  [Chemical Formula 1] R2 and R3 may each independently be hydrogen or a linear or branched C1 to C6 alkyl group, a C3 to C7 cycloalkyl group, or a C6 to C10 aryl group, R2 and R3 may not both be hydrogen, and R2 and R3 may be combined to form a nitrogen containing heterocycle. R4 may be a C2 to C5 alkylene group.
US09447232B2

A process for producing carrier polymer particles comprising covering the surface of organic polymer particles having a particle diameter of 0.1 to 20 micrometers with a saccharide by chemically bonding the organic polymers and the saccharide.
US09447225B2

Polyester polyols containing adducts formed from Diels-Alder and Ene reactions are disclosed. Processes for making the polyester polyols and uses of the polyester polyols as polyurethane coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers, and foams are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the polyester polyols contain biorenewable adducts based on maleic anhydride and farnesene and have particular application in making rigid and flexible polyurethane or polyisocyanurate foams.
US09447223B2

Polyurethane foam compositions and processes to make flexible polyurethane foams are disclosed. Polyurethane foam is produced in the presence of additives comprising guanidine derivatives. Improvements in physical properties such as air flow, dimensional stability, tensile, tear, elongation and foam hardness is observed when these additives are present in polyurethane formulations. In addition, these additives can minimize polymer degradation under humid ageing conditions resulting in foam products with better mechanical properties.
US09447219B2

The ductility/stiffness balance of a rubber-modified monovinylidene aromatic polymer, e.g., HIPS, is increased without increasing the rubber content of the polymer and/or changing the size of the average rubber particle by a process comprising the step of crosslinking the rubber such that the rubber-modified polymer has an optical crosslink index (OCLI) of <0.5 and an injection molded/compression molded (IM/CM) modulus ratio ≧1.3.
US09447207B2

Catalyst and solid component of catalyst for the (co)polymerization of ethylene, comprising titanium, magnesium, chlorine, a protic organo-oxygenated compound Dp and a neutral aprotic electron-donor compound D, in the following molar ranges: Mg/Ti=1.0-50; D/Ti=1.0-15; Cl/Ti=6.0-100; Dp/D=0.05-3; and a process for obtaining said component.
US09447206B2

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of ethylene polymers using a number of reactors arranged in series comprising the steps in which a) ethylene, a diluent, a catalyst, a co-catalyst and optionally comonomers and hydrogen are introduced into a first reactor, b) polymerization of ethylene and optionally comonomers is carried out in the reaction mixture of said first reactor to make ethylene polymers, c) reaction mixture is discharged from said first reactor, d) said reaction mixture and fresh ethylene and optionally comonomers and hydrogen are introduced into the consecutive reactor to make additional ethylene polymers, e) said reaction mixture is discharged from said consecutive reactor and introduced into the further consecutive reactor, if any, with fresh ethylene and optionally comonomers and hydrogen to make additional ethylene polymers, steps c) and d) are repeated until the last reactor of the series, f) reaction mixture is discharged from last reactor of the series and ethylene polymers are recovered, wherein, additional co-catalyst is injected in at least a subsequent reactor of the series. Advantage of the process of the present invention is mainly to decrease catalyst consumption for the same polyethylene production, in other words to increase the productivity. In a most preferred embodiment the process of the present invention is carried out in two loop reactors under slurry conditions.
US09447203B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing water absorbent resin powder in which permeability potential (SFC) is improved while a water absorbing rate (FSR) is being kept. The method is a method for producing water absorbent polyacrylic acid (salt) resin powder including the steps of: (i) polymerizing an acrylic acid (salt) monomer aqueous solution; (ii) during or after the step of (i), performing gel grinding of a hydrogel crosslinked polymer obtained by the polymerization, wherein the hydrogel crosslinked polymer has resin solid content of 10 wt % to 80 wt %, and the gel grinding is carried out with gel grinding energy (GGE) of 18 [J/g] to 60 [J/g]; (iii) drying a particulate hydrogel crosslinked polymer obtained by the gel grinding, wherein the drying is performed at 150° C. to 250° C.; and (iv) carrying out a surface treatment to the particulate hydrogel crosslinked polymer thus dried.
US09447200B2

Provided is a method of producing a stabilized polymer in which inhibition of polymerization of a monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated bond is suppressed even when a specific phenolic antioxidant is added before or during the polymerization of the monomer.The method of producing a stabilized polymer is characterized by comprising the step of adding at least one phenolic antioxidant which is represented by the following Formula (I), (II) or (III) and masked with an organic aluminum to a catalyst system or a polymerization system before or during polymerization of a monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated bond:
US09447193B2

A method for treating cancer includes administering to a subject in need thereof an antibody against a transmembrane and coiled-coil domains protein 3 (TMCC3), wherein the antibody binds to an epitope in an extracellular domain of TMCC3. The antibody binds to an epitope in an intercoil domain of TMCC3. A method of diagnosing or assessing a cancer condition includes assessing a level of expression or activity of a transmembrane and coiled-coil domains protein 3 (TMCC3) in a sample, wherein an increase in the level of expression of activity of TMCC3 as compared to a standard indicates the presence of cancer stem cells in the sample.
US09447191B2

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an osteogenesis promoter for directly promoting osteogenesis by osteoblasts, and an agent for preventing and treating bone disease. The present invention is characterized in that a binding inhibitor substance of semaphorin 4D and plexin B1 is used. For the binding inhibitor substance, suitable examples include anti-semaphorin 4D antibody, anti-plexin B1 antibody, and protein comprising the extracellular domain of plexin B1.
US09447187B2

The present disclosure provides methods useful for prolonging the survival of an allograft organ in a recipient mammal. The methods include administration of an anti-CD200 antibody or a CD200-binding fragment of the antibody. The disclosure also provides biomarkers, a change in one or more of which indicates that an anti-CD200 antibody has produced a desired immunomodulatory effect in a mammal. Also featured are pharmaceutical compositions, kits, and solutions that contain at least one anti-CD200 antibody and are useful in the methods described herein.
US09447185B2

The present invention relates to methods of treating proliferative disorders, particularly immunoproliferative and autoimmune disorders, and methods of producing antibodies which bind NK cell receptors for use in therapeutic strategies for treating such disorders, particularly to deplete cells involved in the immunoproliferative pathology.
US09447184B2

Proteins that bind IL-1α and IL-1β are described along with their use in compositions and methods for treating, preventing, and diagnosing IL-1-related disorders and for detecting IL-1α and IL-1β in cells, tissues, samples, and compositions.
US09447177B2

The invention discloses methods for the generation of chimaeric human—non-human antibodies and chimaeric antibody chains, antibodies and antibody chains so produced, and derivatives thereof including fully humanized antibodies; compositions comprising said antibodies, antibody chains and derivatives, as well as cells, non-human mammals and vectors, suitable for use in said methods.
US09447164B2

Provided are compositions and methods for delivering biological moieties such as modified nucleic acids into cells to modulate protein expression. Such compositions and methods include the use of modified messenger RNAs, and are useful to treat or prevent diseases, disorders or conditions, or to improve a subject's heath or wellbeing.
US09447163B2

The present application discloses a chromatographic process for separating protein components of a protein-containing solution, the solution comprising an insulin peptide and one or more di- or polyvalent metal ions, the insulin peptide being capable of self-association and/or structural change in the presence of di- or polyvalent metal ions, the process comprising the steps of: a) applying the protein-containing solution to a column of a chromatographic solid phase material, wherein the loading of the insulin peptide is at least 6.0 g per liter of column volume (g/LCV); and b) eluting the insulin peptide from the solid phase material using an eluent having a pH of at the most 8.5; and collecting a pool of the insulin peptide corresponding to at least 75% by weight of the insulin peptide applied to the column in step (a).
US09447160B2

The present invention is directed to fusion proteins having an IL-21 cytokine portion and an anti-CD20 antibody portion, and methods of using such fusion proteins. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions and kits utilizing the IL-21-anti-CD20 fusion proteins. In particular, the methods, kits and compositions of the invention are useful in the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases.
US09447157B2

Nitration shielding peptides that reduce or prevent nitration of a protein of interest are disclosed. The peptide can serve as molecular sink for nitrating agents, block access of the nitrating agents to the target tyrosine on the protein of interest, serve as substrate for the nitrating agent (i.e., provide an alternative nitratable tyrosine residue), provide a nitrating agent neutralizing moiety such as antioxidant, or a combination thereof. The nitration shielding peptide can be a fusion protein that includes one or more additional domains such a protein transduction domain, a targeting signal, a purification tag, or any combination thereof. Exemplary nitration shielding peptides for reducing nitration of RhoA and PKG-1α, and methods of use thereof for treating pathologies, disease, and disorders associated with nitration of RhoA and PKG-1α, respectively are also provided.
US09447150B2

Described herein are small peptide domains and consensus sequences that bind small target molecules of industrial importance, e.g., metals such as nickel, β carotene, and isoflavones such as genistein. Also described are fusion proteins containing such binding domains fused to proteins or to peptide domains like GST or CBD that bind other ligands and can be used to immobilize the target binding domain on a support. One class of fusion proteins that is useful in industrial settings are fusions that contain concatemers of target binding domains, which increases the binding equivalents per molecule.
US09447146B2

Guanylin cyclase C compound of the inventions are disclosed. Conjugated compounds comprising guanylin cyclase C compound of the inventions conjugated to detectable or therapeutic moieties are disclosed. Methods of detecting, imaging and treating cancer and treating diarrhea are disclosed.
US09447143B2

Short biologically active tetrapeptides are disclosed that are comprised of the sequences GxxG and PxxP where G (glycine) and P (proline) are maintained and x is a variable amino acid. The peptides can be used singly or in combination to stimulate production of extracellular matrix proteins in skin. A rapid, low-cost method of producing heterogenous formulations of tetrapeptides is disclosed.
US09447125B2

Disclosed herein are cobalt complexes containing terdentate pyridine di-imine ligands and their use as efficient, reusable, and selective dehydrogenative silylation, crosslinking, and tandem dehydrogenative silylation-hydrogenation catalysts.
US09447121B2

Compounds according to Formula I and Formula II are potent inhibitors of PSMA. Pharmaceutical compositions may include a complex of a radionuclide and a Formula I compound or a Formula II compound. Methods include using the radionuclide complex of a Formula I compound or a Formula II compound for treating or diagnosis of a disease or a condition associated with PSMA activity.
US09447115B2

The present invention provides an organic dye, a process for producing the same and the use thereof. The organic dye has the structure of formula (I) or formula (II). The regulation of the molecular energy levels and three-dimensional structures are achieved by ring-merging phenanthrocarbazole and an electron-rich thiophene unit as well as by selecting appropriate substituents. Thereby, when the organic dye of the present invention is applied to a dye-sensitized solar cell, the power conversion efficiency of the dye-sensitized solar cell is greatly improved. Meanwhile, the raw materials for the process according to the present invention have plenty of sources with low costs, so that a commercial production can be effected.
US09447110B2

The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I): or stereoisomers, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein all of the variables are as defined herein. These compounds are inhibitors of factor XIa and/or plasma kallikrein which may be used as medicaments.
US09447109B2

Disclosed is asenapine phosphate of formula (I) and its enantiomer (I) which can be used to prepare asenapine maleate. Further disclosed is a monoclinic crystalline form of asenapine maleate.
US09447108B2

The invention relates to new morphine derivatives deuterated at the 7,8-position of the morphine ring, furthermore to a process for the preparation thereof, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them. The new deuterated morphine derivatives show high and selective μ-opioid receptor binding activity leading to the benefit of higher analgesic activity at lower dosages inducing thereby reduced adverse effects compared to the hydrogenated derivatives. The compounds of the invention are useful for example in the treatment of pain or can be used as antitussive agents with a reduced risk of the possibility of drug abuse.
US09447105B2

The present invention discloses triazine compounds of Formula II and a process to synthesize these compounds. Particularly, the invention provides one pot method to synthesize triazines nucleus, wherein the method comprises amination followed by using Leuckart reaction conditions of pyrrole/indole-2-carboxylates of Formula I to obtain corresponding triazine compounds of Formula II.
US09447101B2

The present invention relates to a pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine compound, an isomer thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or hydrate thereof, and a preparation method and application thereof. The pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine compound has a structure expressed in general formula (I). The pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine compound expressed in general formula (I) can inhibit a phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) signal pathway, thereby being used to prepare medicine for treating phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase related diseases such as cancer.
US09447100B2

There is provided a calcium receptor modulator comprising a compound of the formula (I): wherein ring A is an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring; ring B is an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered heterocyclic ring; X1 is CR1, CR1R2, N or NR13; X2 is N or NR3; Y is C, CR4 or N, Z is CR5, CR5R6, N or NR7; Ar is an optionally substituted cyclic group; R is H, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, etc.; and is a single bond or a double bond; R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R13 are independently H, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group; or a salt thereof or a prodrug thereof. Compounds of the formula (II) and (III): wherein ring A is an optionally substituted 5- to 7-membered ring; Q is C, CR5 or N; R8, R9, R10, R11 and R12 are independently, H, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon group, etc., or a salt thereof are also provided. Also specify X1, R3, R1, Y and X3 in formula (II) and (III) as before.
US09447095B2

The present invention relates to novel pyrimidine derivatives of formula (I) as inhibitors of the enzyme phosphodiesterase 10 (PDE-10), pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of these compounds and the use of the compounds for manufacturing a medicament for the treatment of pathological conditions or diseases that can improve by inhibition of the enzyme Phosphodiesterase 10 such as neurological, psychiatric, respiratory or metabolic diseases.
US09447084B2

The present invention relates to novel and inventive isoxazoline of formula (I) and salts thereof: wherein variables D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, R1, B1, B2, B3, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, Y, Z, L, a and b are described herein are as defined in the description. The invention also relates to parasiticidal and pesticidal compositions comprising the isoxazoline compounds of formula (I), processes for their preparation and their uses to prevent or treat parasitic infections or infestations in animals and as pesticides.
US09447082B2

The invention discloses optically active compounds of Formula (1a) or Formula (1b), wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a halogen selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine; and wherein (a) R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and an alkyl group having a linear or branched chain having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or (b) R3 and R4 together form a cycloalkyl ring having 3 to 10 carbon atoms fused to the thiophene ring; and wherein R5 is CN or COOR′, where R′ is methyl or ethyl. The compounds of Formula (1a) or Formula (1b) may be used in pharmaceutical compositions for treating fungal infections.
US09447080B2

The present invention relates to viral polymerase inhibitors of formula (I) or salts, N-oxides, solvates, hydrates, racemates, enantiomers or isomers thereof, processes for their preparation and their use in the treatment of Flaviviridae viral infections such as Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections.
US09447070B2

This invention relates to 5-substituted isoindoline compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, stereoisomers, and prodrugs thereof. Methods of use, and pharmaceutical compositions of these compounds are disclosed.
US09447061B2

The present invention pertains to a process for preparing a product rich in epichlorohydrin, comprising the steps of: a) reacting a mixture of dichlorohydrin and a base at a temperature in the range of 0-40° C. during a period of time in the range from 1 second to 180 minutes, wherein the base is present in a less than stoichiometric amount, to obtain a reaction mixture comprising epichlorohydrin and brine; b) subjecting at least part of the reaction mixture to a separation step to form a product fraction which is rich in epichlorohydrin and a brine fraction which is lean in epichlorohydrin; c) subjecting at least part of the brine fraction to a purification step to yield a purified brine. It has been found that the process according to the invention allows the manufacture of epichlorohydrin from dichlorohydrin on an industrial scale at high yield, while at the same time providing a brine with a low total organic carbon content without extensive separation being necessary.
US09447049B2

The present invention relates to novel compounds having anti-cancer activity, methods of making these compounds, and their use for treating cancer and drug-resistant tumors, e.g. melanoma, metastatic melanoma, drug resistant melanoma, prostate cancer and drug resistant prostate cancer.
US09447036B2

The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of optionally substituted aryl and pyridyl pyrrolidines which are useful intermediates for the preparation of certain biologically active compounds.
US09447026B2

Analgesic compounds for treatment of pain or fever that include a bicyclopentane moiety linked to an amine, combinations of the compounds with opioid analgesic drugs, and methods for treating pain or fever by administering a compound described herein.
US09447024B1

A novel process for the preparation of (R)-2-acetamido-N-benzyl-3-methoxypropionamide (Lacosamide) is described. It comprises reacting N-acetyl-D-serine methyl ester with benzylamine catalyzed by a non-nucleophilic base to obtain (R)-2-acetamido-2-N-benzyl-3-hydroxy propionamide followed by its methylation.
US09447021B2

The present invention relates to a process for the purification of aniline which originates from gas phase hydrogenations. In this process, only a minimum proportion of the aniline has to be evaporated and condensed again. The process is highly efficient in removing compounds which have phenolic hydroxyl groups and results in minimal losses of aniline. This process also reduces the unwanted coupling mechanisms in the division of the overall crude product in the fraction condensation into individual substreams and the subsequent workup of these.
US09447018B2

A method of purifying an ethyl acetate stream comprises contacting an inlet stream with a solvent, transferring at least a portion of the impurity compound from the inlet stream into the solvent to form an extract and a purified product, separating the extract from the purified product, separating the portion of the impurity compound from the extract, forming an impurities stream and a regenerated solvent, and recycling at least a portion of the regenerated solvent to contact the inlet stream. The inlet stream comprises ethyl acetate and an impurity compound, and the extract comprises the solvent and the portion of the impurity compound transferred from the inlet stream.
US09447013B2

Provided is a method of oxidizing a substrate with excellent oxidizing power to yield a corresponding oxide. The method can employ a commercially available imide compound as intact as a catalyst and can produce the oxide in a high yield under mild conditions.A method for producing an oxide according to the present invention includes performing oxidation of a substrate in the presence of oxygen and ozone under catalysis of an imide compound to yield a corresponding oxide. The imide compound has a cyclic imide skeleton represented by Formula (I). In the formula, n is selected from 0 and 1; and X is selected from an oxygen atom and an —OR group, where R is selected from hydrogen and a hydroxy-protecting group.
US09447004B2

The present process relates to a process comprising: contacting a mixture comprising 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene and at least one halogenated ethylene impurity with at least one adsorbent or at least one chemisorption catalyst to reduce the concentration of said at least one halogenated ethylene impurity.
US09446997B2

Provided is a method for producing aromatic hydrocarbons, by which a feedstock containing a hydrogenation-treated oil of a thermally cracked heavy oil obtainable from an ethylene production apparatus is brought into contact with a catalyst for monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon production containing a crystalline aluminosilicate, and thereby aromatic hydrocarbons are produced. A raw material having an end point of the distillation characteristics of 400° C. or lower is used as the feedstock. The contact between the feedstock and the catalyst for monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbon production is carried out at a pressure of 0.1 MPaG to 1.5 MPaG.
US09446993B2

Provided is a method for preparing slow release fertilizer with a coated surface. Furthermore, a formulation of the coating layer 1 comprises lignin, alkenylsuccinic anhydride, stearic acid, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-2000 and kaolin.
US09446990B2

Disclosed are compositions, such as inkjet inks or glazes, for jetting onto a ceramic substrate, and associated methods and systems. The compositions are configured to produce a blister relief effect, wherein the incorporation of inkjet technology provides precise control over the location and degree of blistering. The enhanced compositions are configured to form gas bubbles when exposed to the elevated temperatures of a firing cycle, wherein the formed gas is trapped within the glaze, causing an expansion or blistering of the glaze, which results in a raised relief.
US09446989B2

A method of fabricating a carbon fiber-reinforced article includes providing carbon fibers that have surfaces that include an initial interfacial bonding strength capacity with respect to bonding with boron nitride. The surfaces are then modified to reduce the initial interfacial bonding strength capacity. A layer of boron nitride is then deposited on the modified surfaces and the carbon fibers are then embedded in a ceramic matrix. A carbon fiber-reinforced article includes the carbon fibers, the layer of boron nitride on the surfaces of the carbon fibers, and the ceramic matrix. The article exhibits non-brittle fracture.
US09446977B2

A glass sheet is formed on a mold into a glass article having a three-dimensional shape. The mold, with the glass article thereon, is arranged within an interior space of a radiation shield such that the mold is between a leading end barrier and a trailing end barrier of the radiation shield. The mold, glass article, and radiation shield are translated through a sequence of cooling stations while maintaining the mold between the leading and trailing end barriers, wherein the leading and trailing end barriers inhibit radiation heat transfer at leading and trailing ends of the mold.
US09446976B2

A method for producing a molten glass conveying equipment element. The molten glass conveying equipment element has a conduit structure for molten glass containing at least one conduit comprising platinum or a platinum alloy, a first ceramic structure provided around the conduit and a second ceramic structure located around the first ceramic structure. The method includes filling a gap between the conduit and the second ceramic structure with a slurry body, and sintering the slurry body at a temperature of 1,300 to 1,550° C., thereby forming the first ceramic structure. The slurry body is prepared by blending specific first particles, specific second particles and specific third particles with specific mass ratios.
US09446974B2

Methods and systems for treatment of wastewater. In some embodiments, the system may comprise one or more modules such as an electrochemical module, an electrocoagulation module, a flotation module, an evaporation module, and an ultrafiltration module. One or more detection modules may also be provided to analyze the concentration of one or more wastewater components in the wastewater. Data from such modules may be used to adjust one or more operational parameters or conditions in the treatment system. The system may also comprise one or more features designed to minimize adverse effects on the environment, such as avoiding adding chemicals to the stream, extracting salt or other chemicals for re-use, and/or use of carbon dioxide gas from on-site combustion processes.
US09446969B1

A system and method of water purification and transport driven by solar energy. The system includes an absorbent tank containing an adsorbent. The adsorbent absorbs water vapor from raw water at night. A heat exchanger cools the adsorbent. During the day, solar energy is focused at a cylindrical or oval shaped vessel of the adsorbent tank. As the temperature of the adsorbent increases, its capacity decreases, causing it to release purified water. The purified water is transferred to a storage tank. A transmission pipe containing adsorbent granules or capillaries transports the purified water into a product tank.
US09446954B2

The invention relates to a process for preparing trisilylamine and polysilazanes in the liquid phase, in which ammonia is introduced in a superstoichiometric amount relative to 5 monochlorosilane which is present in an inert solvent. Here, a reaction in which trisilylamine and polysilazanes are formed proceeds. TSA is subsequently separated off in gaseous form from the product mixture. The TSA obtained is purified by filtration and distillation and obtained in high or very high purity. The bottom product mixture is conveyed from the reactor through a filter unit in which solid ammonium chloride is separated off to give a liquid mixture of polysilazanes and solvent. This is fed to a further distillation to recover solvent. As a result of the NH3 being introduced in a superstoichiometric amount relative to monochlorosilane, monochlorosilane is completely reacted in the reactor. This completely prevents the reaction of monochlorosilane with additional disilylamine formed in small amounts to form solid ammonium chloride in the downstream plant parts for purification of the TSA. The solutions filtered downstream of the reactor are accordingly completely free of solids.
US09446949B2

The present invention provides vicinal surfaces of polycrystalline materials and a method for their preparation. The method includes the deposition of a polycrystalline material on a substrate followed by removing the material from the substrate so as to expose a vicinal surface having stepped terraces. The step of removing the material from the substrate may be preceded by annealing. The vicinal surfaces are useful for a variety of applications.
US09446944B2

In various embodiments, a sensor apparatus is provided. The sensor apparatus includes a sensor device having a plurality of electrical contacts; a housing having a plurality of sidewalls; and a metal carrier structure, which extends into the housing in a manner passing through two mutually opposite sidewalls from the plurality of sidewalls. The metal carrier structure is embodied in a resilient fashion at least in the direction of a sidewall through which the metal carrier structure extends. The sensor device having the plurality of electrical contacts is mounted in a resilient fashion on the metal carrier structure and is electrically conductively connected to the metal carrier structure by the plurality of contacts.
US09446935B2

The invention relates to a method for monitoring the crane safety of a crane with a variable support base and with a monitoring unit, wherein several safety criteria are monitored during crane operation, in that, for each criterion which is dependent on at least one parameter relating to the crane configuration and/or crane movement during crane operation, an admissible specific limit value is calculated during crane operation, and monitored for compliance. In addition, the invention relates to a method for operating a crane with a monitoring unit which calculates an admissible bearing load dependent on one or more modifiable parameters, during the operation of the crane, and a sensor system which detects the current modifiable parameters during crane operation, and makes them available to the monitoring unit, wherein one or more sensor values are modified before the calculation of the admissible bearing load, in order to determine the admissible bearing load for one or more future parameters.
US09446930B2

Disclosed is an emergency stop device with an attached hand brake system. The emergency stop device with the attached hand brake system comprises: brake units which are equipped on both sides of a car and control the movements of the car by selectively interfering with guide rails; an operation unit which is connected with the brake units and manually grants braking power to the braking units; and an interlocking unit which interlocks the brake units.
US09446929B2

Provided is a steel strip stabilizing apparatus which dampens vibrations of a plated steel strip in a non-contact manner or corrects the shape of the plated steel strip. The steel strip stabilizing apparatus comprises: a plurality of steel strip damping means arranged on at least one side of a steel strip undergoing processing in a direction there towards so as to damp vibrations in the steel strip; and a damping means moving unit connected to the steel strip damping means to move at least a portion of each of the steel strip damping means in a widthwise direction with regard to the steel strip corresponding to the width of the steel strip. According to the present invention, (unit) damping means are movable in the widthwise direction with regard to the steel strip, thus improving the vibration damping properties, the steel strip curvature correcting properties and the plated quality of the steel strip.
US09446917B2

A palletizing device (10) comprising a lower plane (15) able to supportingly receive a pallet (5) and a loading device (100) vertically mobile above the lower plane (15) and comprising an upper platform (110), superposed in plan view on the lower plane (15) and provided with variable-configuration support means (112) and activating means able to cyclically move the support means (112) between a closed configuration, in which the define a support for a first layer of products (4) to be palletized, and an open configuration, in which they remove the support in order to release the first layer of products (4) downwards, in which the loading device (100) comprises a storing platform (120) defining a support for a second layer of products (4) to be palletized and flanked to the upper platform (110).
US09446904B2

An interchangeable flighting insert is disclosed to maximize the efficiency of singularly delivering objects, such as products, to a user through a product dispensation device. The flighting insert can be removably coupled to an auger of the product dispensation device, thereby allowing variation of the flighting characteristics based on the object to be dispensed. The same auger can therefore use a first flighting for certain products, and a second flighting for different products.
US09446902B2

The conveying device for conveying products comprises a plurality of slides individually movable with respect to each other to hold the products and a guide rail, on which the slides are guided. A linear motor drive unit serves to drive the slides, wherein each of the slides comprises permanent magnets, which interact with the coils of the linear motor drive unit. Each slide comprises a horseshoe-shaped or U-shaped base carrier with two legs, which enclose the guide rail from opposite sides. The base carrier is divided into at least two interconnected subsections, each of which comprises a leg. The subsections are movable relative to each other, as a result of which the gap width between the legs can be adjusted.
US09446894B2

A valve for dispensing a flowable product from a container includes a mounting cup. The mounting cup includes a bottom wall having a central portion defining a seal-mounting opening through which a seal and a stem extend. An external seal bead of the seal overlies an upper end of the central portion. The upper end of the central portion is disposed at or below a plane extending transverse to a central axis of the mounting cup and defined by a juncture of a sidewall and an annular sidewall-bottom transition portion of the mounting cup.
US09446888B2

Disclosed is a multi-compartmented storage container for storing two or more flowable materials in separate compartments so that the materials may be poured from the container individually or combined.
US09446884B2

A container or pitcher having a flexible side wall portion and rim portion of the container which can conform to the shape of an object to which the pitcher is applied to thereby direct fluid flow from the pitcher over a broader area and to prevent fluid from flowing from the pitcher and underneath the rim of the pitcher and onto portions of the object to which it is not desirable to apply the fluid.
US09446882B2

A portable milk warmer that is suitable for use with vessels, such as ampules, bags or bottles, enclosing chilled or frozen liquids, such as breast milk. The portable milk warmer includes separate chambers in a single container that separates the vessel from a warming (or cooling) medium. The milk warmer includes a feature for filling an outer chamber with a warming or cooling medium.
US09446876B2

Disclosed are a cooking material dispensing system and dispensing method. The dispensing method comprises the following steps: setting a material bag (9) clamping station in a position near a cooking pot opening but outside the range of the pot opening, and clamping the material bag (9) containing a cooking material at the material bag (9) clamping station; confining the material bag (9), such that the material bag (9) is kept in a clamped state to control the deformation thereof during the dispensing procedure; flipping and/or tipping the material bag (9), and when in a position near the cooking pot opening, dispensing the cooking material in the material bag (9) into the cooking pot; and once the cooking material has been dispensed, shifting the material bag (9) from the range of the cooking pot opening and releasing the clamping of the material bag (9). The cooking material dispensing system comprises a dispensing device capable of clamping, confining, and transferring the material bag (9) and flipping the opened material bag and/or tipping the cooking material into the cooking pot. The dispensing system and dispensing method take a material packaged in the material bag (9) and can accurately move the material bag (9) into the dispensing position, making the cooking process convenient, fast and simple, and the entire process will not be contaminated.
US09446873B2

An improved loader is described. The loader includes a frame having an upper surface, a pair of horns adjustably connected to the upper surface, each horn comprising an upper shoulder, a lower shoulder, and an air duct between the upper shoulder and the lower shoulder, a pair of air hoses connecting each air duet to a controller, the controller being connected to a pressurized air supply, and an alignment mechanism mounted, the alignment mechanism including an axle mounted to the frame, a first arm connected to a first panel, the first arm rotatably connected to the axle, a second arm connected to a second panel, the second arm rotatably connected to the axle, a gear mechanism connected to the axle and to the first arm and the second arm, the gear mechanism configured to rotate the second arm in a direction opposite to a direction of rotation of the first arm, and a dual-action cylinder connected to at least one of the first arm and the second arm.
US09446870B1

An automatic silverware wrapping system uses a series of utensil holding magazines that dispense their wares down a chute and onto a napkin holding carrier platen that advances through the system. Once the silverware is on the napkin, an intermediate fold is imparted onto one of the corners of the napkin and then end folds are imparted onto two other corners. Thereafter, the partially folded napkin and its utensils drop down to a pair of roller bearing rails that counter rotate relative to each other in order to roll the napkin up around the silverware.
US09446869B2

A packaging band includes side edges, a divider fold line, a front panel extending in a first direction away from the divider fold line, and a rear panel extending in a second direction away from the divider fold line. The packaging band includes a front securement tab and a rear securement tab. The front securement tab is formed in the front panel and flexes relative to the front panel about a front panel fold line. The rear securement tab is formed in the rear panel and flexes relative to the rear panel about a rear panel fold line. The front securement tab and the rear securement tab each rotate about a corresponding one of the front panel fold line and the rear panel fold line to open toward a same one of the first direction and the second direction when the packaging band is laid substantially flat.
US09446866B2

The invention relates to a machine formed by a grain-holding box containing a combination of two transverse plates, namely a front vertical plate that closes the box and another plate which is solidly connected to the front plate halfway along the length thereof, inclined at 45 degrees, projected forward and integrally welded to the structure of the machine. In addition, the running gear includes a back axle provided with a single shaft connected at the ends thereof to a pair of wheels, plus at least one crown wheel, and said at least one crown wheel is in turn linked by means of a transmission chain to at least one gear mounted on the ends of a control rod of an integral clutch device linked by another transmission chain to a hydraulic motor, with the actuation and control means thereof.
US09446859B2

The present disclosure includes methods for servicing shock struts. Such shock struts may be “air over oil” type, having a gas portion and a liquid portion of a sealed fluid chamber. Methods in accordance with the disclosure include pressurizing the gas portion to a first pressure, then pressurizing the liquid portion until a final pressure is achieved in the gas portion.
US09446841B2

A tunable vibration isolator having a housing, fluid chamber, and at least one tuning passage. A piston assembly is resiliently disposed within the housing. A vibration isolation fluid is allowed to flow from the fluid chambers through the tuning passage. A metering valve is actuated up and down in order to change the effective diameter of the tuning passage, resulting in a change to the isolation frequency.
US09446838B2

Aircraft, control-by-wire systems, and controllers are provided. The aircraft includes a flight control surface and a control-by-wire system. The control-by-wire system includes an input device and a controller. The input device is configured to control the flight control surface. The controller is communicatively coupled with the input device and configured to automatically offset a neutral force position of the input device based on a deviation of the aircraft from a reference condition while the aircraft is operated in a manual flight mode.
US09446828B1

An apparatus is for mounting a marine drive to a hull of a marine vessel. An outer clamping plate faces an outside surface of the hull and an inner clamping plate faces an opposing inside surface of the hull. A marine drive housing extends through the hull. The marine drive housing is held in place with respect to the hull by at least one vibration dampening sealing member that is disposed between the inner and outer clamping plates. A first connector clamps the outer clamping plate to the outside surface of the hull and a second connector clamps the inner clamping plate to the outer clamping plate. The inner and outer clamping plates are held at a fixed distance from each other so that a consistent compression force is applied to the vibration dampening sealing member.
US09446823B2

A recreational sport boat includes a hull, having starboard and port sides and a transom, and a pair of wake-modifying devices positioned aft of the transom. One of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a port side of the boat's centerline and another of the wake-modifying devices is positioned on a starboard side of the boat's centerline. Each wake-modifying device includes a plate-like member and at least one downturned surface at a trailing portion of the plate-like member. Each wake-modifying device is pivotable between a non-deployed position and a deployed position about a pivot axis that is horizontal or inclined no more than about 35° from horizontal. When a wake-modifying device is in the deployed position, the downturned surface is lower than it is in the non-deployed position so as to be able to modify the boat's wake.
US09446821B1

The system for sealing subsea equipment includes a port tube, having a test port hole and a curved slot, a test port plug mounted in the test port hole, an insert body having an insertion tip portion, a middle sealing portion, and a base portion, an insert stem engaged to the base portion, a top cap engaged to the insert body, and a sealing device mounted around the insert body and in sealing engagement with the port tube. A locked configuration corresponds to a locking arm of the top cap at a terminal end of the curved slot. A set configuration corresponds to compression of the sealing device by actuation of the insert body by the plug stem. The sealing device aligns with the test port plug in the set configuration so as to allow verification of sealing engagement of each seal ring and the port tube.
US09446818B2

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the improved secondary navigation station of the invention comprises a horizontal surface which is suspended above the watercraft by a structural system usually comprised of aluminum tubing or equivalent, which horizontal surface may further comprise a navigation station, a seat structure, and a horizontally sliding cover, which, when it is closed position, operates in concert with said horizontal surface to create a solid weatherproof surface, but when open, allows the user or operator of the watercraft to mount a series of steps such that the user or operator of the watercraft is able to navigate the craft from an elevated position from a standing, leaning, or sitting position. The invention allows for an elevated navigation station and elevated positioning for sighting use for fishing and navigation while maintaining a low center of gravity of the watercraft.
US09446807B2

A bicycle seat post assembly includes a seat post that has a barrel, a cradle assembly, and a tilt mechanism. The cradle assembly is received in the barrel to secure a saddle to the seat post. The tilt mechanism is received in the barrel for setting saddle tilt. The tilt mechanism has at least one expander configured to at least expand. The expander is positioned in the barrel to exert a torque on the cradle assembly during expansion that causes the cradle assembly to rotate.
US09446805B2

A crawler shoe is disclosed for use with a mobile machine having a track assembly with a sprocket. The crawler shoe may have a ground engaging surface, and laterally spaced-apart links connected at a side opposite the ground engaging surface. The laterally spaced-apart links may each have an arcuate wear surface configured to provide hub support against bearing forces of the sprocket, and at least one bore configured to receive a pin that transfers tractive forces from the sprocket to the plate.
US09446803B2

A method of repairing an equalizer bar including removing a portion of the end of the equalizer bar which may create an elongated member. The elongated member may include an attachment surface at one end. The method may include positioning an equalizer bar end to the elongated member. The equalizer bar end may include a hole and a mating surface configured to attach to the attachment surface of the elongated member. The method may include aligning the hole with a hole terminal end in the elongated member, and securing a fastener into the hole and hole terminal end.
US09446802B2

The present invention relates to a track pad for a chain of a chain wheel drive, the track pad having a bearing surface provided with at least one grouser (1, 2), extending in the lateral direction of the bearing surface, wherein at least one flat part (4, 5) is provided next to at least one grouser part (1, 2) in the lateral direction of the bearing surface. Further, the invention comprises a track pad for a chain of a chain wheel drive, the track pad having a bearing surface provided with at least one grouser (32, 33) protruding from a base plate (40), the grouser (32, 33) extending in the lateral direction of the bearing surface, wherein the bearing surface of the base plate has a profile in the lateral direction.
US09446797B2

There are provided a cowl panel provided above a dash panel partitioning an engine room from a vehicle compartment and extending in a vehicle width direction, a suspension tower protruding toward an inside of the engine room and supporting a front suspension, and a connecting bracket connecting the suspension tower and the cowl panel and configured to slant rearward and upward, wherein the connecting bracket comprises a front-end flange portion and a rear-end flange portion, the front-end flange portion is joined to a slant portion formed at a rear portion of a top of the suspension tower which is configured to slant rearward and downward, and the rear-end flange portion is configured to rise upward via a bending portion and joined to a vertical wall portion of the cowl panel.
US09446796B2

A utility vehicle including: a chassis; an engine provided on the chassis; an engine room accommodating the engine; a storage box provided next to the engine room and accommodating an air cleaner or a battery; a partition member dividing the engine room and the storage box; and a rivet configured to detachably attach at least part of the partition member to the chassis.
US09446795B2

A structure includes a front side member which may be disposed at left and right sides, respectively and includes a front end positioned at a vehicle front end, a fender apron member which includes a front end positioned at the vehicle front end based on the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a fender apron front lower reinforcing member which connects and reinforces the front end of the front side member and the front end of the fender apron member, a sub-frame which is engaged to the front side member at its lower side, and a connection member of which a first end may be engaged to the fender apron front lower reinforcing member and of which a second end may be engaged to an connecting portion between the sub-frame and the front side member and the sub-frame to be movable when the connecting portion and the sub-frame receive an impact.
US09446792B2

A steering control device includes a steering reaction force control unit that applies a steering reaction force to a steering unit in accordance with a steering reaction force characteristic that is based on steering torque and steering angle of the steering unit in which the steering torque increases as the steering angle increases. A curvature detection unit detects a curvature of a white line. An offset unit calculates an offset amount that increases as the detected curvature increases and that offsets the steering reaction force characteristic such that a neutral point of the steering is moved in a curve direction according to a magnitude of the detected curvature. A curve direction steering torque detection unit programmed to detect a steering torque in a curve direction. An offset suppression unit suppresses a change in the offset amount more as a detected steering torque in the curve direction increases.
US09446786B2

Disclosed is an arm stopper mechanism mounting apparatus including: an output shaft; a housing that is provided with a hole for inspecting the sealability of the interior thereof; a sealing member that seals the hole, and can be detached from the hole when the sealability is inspected; and an arm stopper mechanism that has a steering arm and a stopper. The steering arm includes an output shaft hole into which the output shaft is fitted; two tie rod holes to which the tie rods are respectively attached; and two striking surfaces which strike against the stopper. The stopper includes two contact surfaces. An angle made by the two contact surfaces of the stopper is greater than an angle made by the two striking surfaces of the steering arm, and is 90° or greater.
US09446784B2

A supporting apparatus for a steering bracket includes a capsule support portion of a steering bracket supporting a steering column, a separation capsule to fix a vehicle body-side member to the steering bracket, a resin member, a shear pin, and an inertial action body including a weight portion moving to a front side of a vehicle by inertia due to a primary collision and pulling out the shear pin from a second bracket-side hole with the movement.
US09446779B2

A stroller is provided, which includes a frame and a drive mechanism coupled to the frame and configured to transition the frame between an open position and a closed position. The drive mechanism includes: a cable drive; at least one spool rotated by the cable drive; at least one cable received by the at least one spool and connected to the frame; and at least one biasing member connected to the at least one cable for removing slack from the at least one cable. The stroller is configured such that rotation of the at least one spool by the cable drive causes the cable to exert a force against the frame to transition the frame between the open position and the closed position or between the closed position and the open position.
US09446772B2

An exemplary method includes changing a scheduled preconditioning cycle of an electrified vehicle in response to a period without a key cycle of the electrified vehicle. Another exemplary method includes communicating an alert to an operator of an electrified vehicle in response to at least one preconditioning cycle of the electrified vehicle without a key cycle of the electrified vehicle.
US09446770B2

A vehicle including a passenger compartment having a rear seating area is described. A method for monitoring the rear seating area of the passenger compartment includes monitoring a vehicle operating state comprising one of a key-on state and a key-off state and monitoring the rear seating area. A presence or absence of a passenger in the rear seating area is detected based upon the monitoring, and a control routine is executed based upon the vehicle operating state and the presence or absence of a passenger in the rear seating area.
US09446769B2

According to the present disclosure, there is provided a system for providing information about fuel efficiency of construction machinery, including: a TMS controller obtaining information about reference fuel efficiency through a communication network from a server, and providing the information about the reference fuel efficiency as display information; and an equipment controller calculating information about current fuel efficiency by analyzing operations of constituent elements of the construction machinery.
US09446767B2

A running control device of a vehicle includes an engine with a plurality of cylinders, and a clutch connecting/disconnecting a power transmission path between the engine and wheels, the running control device of a vehicle performing during an inertia running mode a neutral inertia running mode performed with the power transmission path between the engine and the wheels disconnected while the engine is kept operated, and a cylinder resting inertia running mode performed by resting at least a part of the cylinders of the engine while the power transmission path between the engine and the wheels is connected, the running control device of a vehicle increasing an operation region of performing the neutral inertia running mode in an operation region of performing the inertia running mode when idle learning performed in an idle operation state of the engine is incomplete, as compared to after completion of the idle learning.
US09446764B2

A system and a method for controlling an engine clutch of a hybrid vehicle are provided which maintain the acceleration of the vehicle substantially constant before and after release of an engine clutch to prevent a driver from feeling a sense of difference due to a change in inertia when the engine clutch is released. When an engine clutch is released to transfer the driving mode of the vehicle from a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) mode to an electric vehicle (EV) mode, the acceleration of the vehicle before and after release of an engine clutch is maintained substantially constant by adjusting motor torque to be decreased and gently adjusting the motor torque to be suitable for a driver request torque in the EV mode.
US09446757B2

A hybrid electric vehicle includes an engine and an electric motor both configured to generate a vehicle powertrain torque and a controller programmed to control the powertrain torque for a limited duration in anticipation of a powertrain torque variation scenario using a damping function, wherein the damping function adjusts the vehicle powertrain torque based on a difference between a measured motor speed and a desired motor speed using the electric motor to counteract a powertrain speed oscillation.
US09446753B2

A brake actuating unit (1, 1′) for a brake-by-wire motor vehicle brake system having a housing (10), a first hydraulic cylinder/piston arrangement (3) to which a plurality of wheel brakes connectable. The piston being operable by a push rod (2) transmitting an actuating force, an electrically controllable pressure supplying device (6) in the form of a second hydraulic cylinder/piston arrangement (12), actuated by an electric motor (7). A number of valves (41, 42, 43) for setting wheel-individual brake pressures and for disconnecting or connecting the wheel brakes with the first or the second cylinder/piston arrangement (3, 12). The valves and the second cylinder/piston arrangement are arranged at least partially inside the housing (10), the axis of the electric motor (7) being arranged substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (30) of the first cylinder/piston arrangement (3).
US09446739B2

A method for controlling an adjusting movement of a power-operated adjustable vehicle closing element, via which a body opening of a vehicle can be closed and which can automatically be adjusted for clearing the body opening in the presence of an operating event is provided.
US09446738B2

A motorcycle immobilizer amplifier mount structure that allows arrangement in the front portion of a motorcycle body to be simplified while reducing the size of an ignition switch, and prevents an immobilizer amplifier from being exposed to a high temperature of a combustion engine. In the immobilizer amplifier mount structure, immobilization signal output section is incorporated in an ignition switch unit, and the immobilizer amplifier amplifies an immobilization signal from the immobilization signal output section, and is mounted rearward of a cylinder head of the combustion engine on an inner surface of an intermediate portion, in a longitudinal direction, in a pair of left and right frame pieces forming a part of a motorcycle frame structure.
US09446735B1

A vehicle includes an instrument panel, a front airbag, a first side curtain airbag, and a second side curtain airbag and two front seats. The front seats are disposed between the first side curtain airbag and the second side curtain airbag. The vehicle includes a roof, and the front airbag is supported by the roof. The front airbag extends from the first side curtain airbag to the second side curtain airbag between the instrument panel and the front seats to absorb energy from occupants during an impact event to reduce the likelihood of head injury and to urge the occupants to remain seated in an upright position to reduce chest loading by seat belts. The front airbag may protect an unbelted occupant ejecting out of the vehicle through a windshield in a crash event.
US09446731B1

A vehicle console includes a frame and an impact absorbing device supported on the frame. The impact absorbing device includes a bladder connected to the frame and a panel connected to the bladder. The bladder and the panel define an inflation chamber between the bladder and the panel. The panel is rigid relative to the bladder. An inflator is in communication with the inflation chamber.
US09446726B2

A method and apparatus for controlling a deployable pedestrian protection leg stiffener of a motor vehicle based upon the vehicle braking status and longitudinal acceleration.
US09446725B2

A structure for vehicle body front portion includes: a front side member; an apron member including an end positioned at a front side of a vehicle with respect to an end of the front side member; a bumper reinforcement including a vehicle width direction outside portion with a first and a second coupling portions; a coupling member that couples the front end of the front side member and the front end of the apron member; an inner energy absorbing portion disposed at the front end of the front side member at a front side of the vehicle; the inner energy absorbing portion coupling the coupling member and the first coupling portion; and an outer energy absorbing portion disposed at the front end of the apron member at a front side of the vehicle; and the outer energy absorbing portion coupling the coupling member and the second coupling portion.
US09446716B2

A method adjusts a mirror for a motor vehicle. A viewing direction of a driver is detected by at least one viewing detection device. It is checked whether the viewing direction of the driver is directed to the mirror. The mirror located in the viewing direction of the driver is adjusted. The adjustment of the mirror located in the viewing direction of the driver only takes place if an actuation of an operating element for adjusting the mirror is also detected. A device adjusts a mirror for a motor vehicle.
US09446711B2

Provided is a driving assist device 10 that recognizes an object in the vicinity of a moving body, and assists a driver in driving the moving body, the apparatus including: an object detecting unit 12 that detects the object in the vicinity of the moving body; a three dimensional object detecting unit 13 that detects a three dimensional object in the vicinity of the moving body; and an object recognition unit 18 that recognizes the object at a predetermined detection position as a non-obstacle when the object information storing unit 16 stores the position of the object, and the three dimensional object information storing unit 17 does not store the position of the three dimensional object at the predetermined position in which detection is performed by both of the object detecting unit 12 and the three dimensional object detecting unit 13.
US09446708B2

A distribution pattern of the vehicle headlight is transitioned according to a vehicle speed, between three light distribution patterns. The patterns are a normal mode corresponding to a light distribution variable control state, an OFF mode corresponding to a low-beam state, and a residential mode corresponding to a high-beam light distribution that does not give a glare to pedestrians. It is determined whether or not a detected vehicle speed is within a predetermined range that enables transition of the light distribution pattern to the residential mode, and it is determined whether or not an immediately-preceding execution state of the light distribution pattern has been the normal mode. Transition between modes of the light distribution pattern is prohibited when a detected vehicle speed is determined to be within a predetermined range, and the immediately-preceding execution state is determined to have been the normal mode.
US09446707B2

Disclosed herein is an apparatus and a method for controlling a headlamp, and more particularly, an apparatus and a method for controlling a headlamp to perform a flashing function more efficiently while a vehicle is being driven. The apparatus includes, a rotating shield including a first shield protrusion portion which includes a plurality of protrusions formed in a direction of a rotation axis of a rotatable body and a second shield protrusion portion disposed on a side of the first shield protrusion portion; a sensor detecting a light distribution pattern of a vehicle based on a rotation angle of the rotating shield; and a rotating unit rotating the rotating shield at a predetermined angle toward the first or second shield protrusion portion, which forms the detected light distribution pattern, in order to perform a flashing function.
US09446705B2

A start fault indicator system for outdoor power equipment may include an illuminating element and circuitry to perform start condition checks to determine if a start fault has occurred. The illuminating element may be configured to illuminate a first predetermined color in response to detection of a start fault occurring, and illuminate a second predetermined color in response to determining that no start fault is outstanding, where the first and second predetermined colors are different colors.
US09446692B2

The present disclosure relates to bearings, guide sleeves and head restraint assemblies for automobiles.
US09446688B2

A vehicle seat has a backrest part which is provided on a seat part such that the former can be rotated by a backrest adjuster. The backrest adjuster has a shaft which preferably transmits a torque to the backrest adjuster. And axial securing mechanism is provided on the shaft at both ends.
US09446682B2

A method of thermally pre-conditioning a vehicle's battery pack prior to vehicle departure is provided. The system, after determining that the vehicle is off and/or the driver has left the car, monitors a variety of conditions corresponding to both the vehicle and the driver in order to determine the probability of the driver requiring near-term use of the car. Typical monitored conditions may include driver and vehicle location, driver proximity, time of day, day of week, driver's upcoming appointments, and a historical data base that tracks driver behavior. Once the probability that the car will be needed within a preset time period exceeds a preset level, the system determines whether the battery pack should be heated or cooled based on the current battery pack temperature, and then activates an appropriate thermal management system.
US09446671B2

An electrical storage system includes an electrical storage device, a motor, a system main relay, a first charging line, a charger, a first charging relay, a second charging line, an inlet, a second charging relay and a controller. The controller is configured to control a energizing state and a non-energizing state of the system main relay, the first charging relay and the second charging relay. The controller is configured to cause the first charging relay to the non-energizing state when the second charging relay in the energizing state is subjected to adhesion.
US09446662B2

An auxiliary drive system including a transmission which is connectable to a prime mover and produces an output torque for driving a driveshaft, the transmission having at least first and second power takeoffs, a pump in fluid communication with a hydraulic motor, the hydraulic motor operably connected to the second power takeoff and in fluid communication with the hydraulic pump, a control valve to vary flow rate to the hydraulic motor, the second power takeoff driving a driveshaft operably connected to the transmission.
US09446661B2

To enable the effective supply of fuel in a low remaining fuel condition, even in a saddle-ride vehicle with a requirement for an increased fuel tank capacity being provided within a limited amount of space. The saddle-ride vehicle includes an engine having a cylinder disposed on a crankcase; an intake system component disposed at the rear of the cylinder for sucking air into the engine; and a fuel tank disposed above the engine for storing fuel. The saddle-ride type vehicle includes a fuel suction port in a side bottom plate portion of the fuel tank for feeding fuel to the intake system component. The saddle-ride vehicle has a sub-chamber having a wall that surrounds the fuel suction port and the sub-chamber includes a fuel flow opening toward the vehicle rear.
US09446655B2

The invention is directed to a pick-up truck having a movable cover thereon. The side wall of the cover having rails at the bottom to accommodate a sliding motion. A hydraulic system is incorporated in the bed of the pick-up truck. The hydraulic system consists of a first hydraulic cylinder being mounted at a top of one of the sidewalls and covering half of the distance of the bed of the truck. A piston of the cylinder is separably connected to a rail on one side of the cover. The piston, when actuated, will move the cover half way along the cover. A second cylider is mounted at a half way mark of the first cylinder but on the opposite side of the other side wall of the truck. The piston of the second cylinder, when activated, will move the cover to its end position at the tailgate of the pick-up truck.
US09446640B1

Improvements in a suspension arm for a land vehicle. The suspension arm is an A-Frame box suspension arm to be essentially fabricated from sheet metal. The sheet metal members are fabricated to the desired shape and then some members are bent. The top and bottom plate members to be keyed. The keyed members both position the components and minimize or eliminate the need for a fixture that holds the parts while they are being welded together. The driver and passenger suspension arms flipper or mirror images. This allows both the left and right sides of the vehicle to utilize the same suspension arm. The box structure transfers loads along the multiple wall structures of the suspension arm when loads are encountered by the wheels and then transferred into the frame. The suspension arms are used in off-road and on-road vehicles for transportation.
US09446635B2

A tire pressure sensor for motor vehicles, includes a housing, which accommodates an integrated circuit (sensor IC), having a microcontroller and a pressure sensor. The microcontroller transfers pressure measurement values to a separate receiver device by wireless communication. The sensor IC has an internal memory, in which executable instructions and data can be stored, which, when executed, result in the acquisition and transference of the pressure measurement data. A power supply is disposed in the housing, and coupled to the sensor IC which is coupled to an auxiliary memory module disposed in the housing. Numerous different data packets, with respective instructions or data, are stored in the memory module. The auxiliary memory module can be activated via the microcontroller, in order to copy a selected data packet into the internal memory. The auxiliary memory module is coupled to the microcontroller of the sensor IC by a serial data interface.
US09446629B2

A pneumatic tire is disclosed, adapted to highly effectively combine on-ice and on-snow performances. The pneumatic tire includes block groups (G) formed by polygonal blocks (10), which are arranged closely in a tread portion (1). The polygonal blocks (10) are formed by grooves (9) including first groove (9a) with a groove width (W9a) between the polygonal blocks 10 neighboring with each other in the tire circumferential direction. The groove width (W9a) of the first grooves (9a) is larger than a groove width (W9b) of second grooves (9b) between the polygonal blocks 10 neighboring with each other with a zigzag pattern.
US09446627B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a rubber composition for a sidewall having excellent conductivity, anti-spew cutting property and extrusion processability in good balance and assuring low production cost. The present invention provides a rubber composition for a sidewall comprising 2 to 15 parts by mass of a wet processed silica having a BET specific surface area of 70 to 250 m2/g and 40 to 62 parts by mass of a carbon black having a BET specific surface area of 37 to 125 m2/g based on 100 parts by mass of a diene rubber component, wherein the rubber composition does not contain a silane coupling agent, and has a volume resistivity of not more than 1×108 Ω·cm.
US09446625B2

There is provided a combination of a center cap and a hub centering ring for wheel rims with a center bore. The combination comprises a wheel center cap having a body portion with a front side and a rear side and a plurality of flexibly resilient fingers extending substantially orthogonal from the rear side of the body portion, where each or at least part of the fingers having a free end with a flange or stepped portion. The combination further comprises a hub centering ring with a rear end, a front end, an interior surface and an outer surface. A radially outwardly turned retainer or retainer flange is provided at the rear end for retaining the ring in axial spaced relationship relative to the center bore of a wheel rim, and a recessed groove is provided at the interior or outer surface at a distance from the front end. The recessed groove is dimensioned and arranged for receipt of the flange or stepped portion of the fingers of the center cap to thereby retain the center cap in concentric relationship with the centering ring. In one embodiment, the flange or stepped portion of the fingers of the wheel center cap is radially outwardly turned, and the recessed groove is provided at the interior surface of the hub centering ring. In another embodiment, the flange or stepped portion of the fingers of the wheel center cap is radially inwardly turned, and the recessed groove is provided at the outer surface of the hub centering ring.
US09446621B1

A glove or mitten, worn on the non-writing hand, in which a set of erasers is disposed on the palm and fingers of the glove and one or more writing instruments (e.g., whiteboard markers) are disposed on the back of the hand. Instead of continuously holding onto an eraser while writing, the set of erasers allow the user to easily erase markings on the board. The glove can hold a number, e.g., four, markers on the back the hand. The user can easily retrieve the markers while writing on the dry erase surface.
US09446617B2

A stamp die assembly for a self inking stamp in which the die plate having printing indicia thereon is easily removable from the die frame. There are at least two locking bars on the die frame that engage in locking relationship at least two positioning tabs on the die plate. Locking tabs on the positioning tabs engage in a locking relationship the locking bars to securely attach the die plate to the die frame. The locking tabs are flexible so that when a force is applied to them they can be flexed to an unlocking position thereby releasing the die plate from the die frame.
US09446613B2

A medium supporting device includes a flexible medium supporting section that supports a medium, a supporting base that supports the medium supporting section in contact with a first contact section and a second contact section, and a tension applying section that applies tension to the medium supporting section between the first contact section and the second contact section. The first contact section and the second contact section extend in a cross direction, intersecting with the tension applying direction.
US09446604B2

A white pre-treatment composition and printing method using such pre-treatment composition are disclosed. Said white pre-treatment composition encompasses a liquid vehicle, a polyvalent metal salt, a latex resin and, at least, 8 wt % of a titanium dioxide particles dispersion. Also disclosed is an ink-set containing said white pre-treatment composition and, at least, an ink composition comprising a liquid vehicle and a colorant.
US09446598B2

Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for controlling light emission of an ink cartridge. The method includes: an ink cartridge control unit (304), configured to receive a light emitting control instruction from an imaging device main body and identifying the instruction; the ink cartridge control unit (304), configured to control light emission of a light emitting unit (303) of the ink cartridge (10) according to the identified light emitting control instruction and preset control information corresponding to the light emitting control instruction so that the light emitting unit (303) does not emit light at an adjacent position light detection stage but emits light at an facing position light detection stage.
US09446590B2

In one example, a method for making diagonal openings in photodefinable glass includes exposing part of a body of photodefinable glass to a beam of light oriented diagonally to a surface of the body at an angle of 5° or greater measured with respect to a normal to the surface of the body and removing some or all of the part of the body exposed to the light beam to form a diagonal opening in the body.
US09446586B2

Included are embodiments for image distortion reduction in web printing. Some embodiments are configured for determining an ink drop speed of ink from a printer and determining a web travel speed of a web of material, where the web of material engages with a folding board during printing that manipulates a plane of the web of material such that a projection of the web width is effectively reduced. Some embodiments may be configured for determining an altered web geometry of the web of material while engaging with the folding board, receiving a desired image for printing on the web of material, and calculating a pixel displacement of the plurality of pixels. Some embodiments may be configured for creating an altered image that utilizes the pixel displacement from the desired image and sending data related to the altered image for printing on the web of material.
US09446579B2

The present provides a method for producing a patterned steel plate by using roller-coating printing and screen printing, and a ground color pattern produced can be more accurate and a thicker and solider printing layer with a stronger stereo perception can also be obtained by using the roller-coating printing and screen printing, meanwhile in roller coating section, a servo control system is further comprised to control the rotate speed of each roller of the roller coating equipment and the preset time, thus ensuring that the actual roller surface linear velocity is consistent with the process rotation speed, so there is no need to stop the line for adjusting in the production process, thus increasing the production efficiency.
US09446578B2

A method of flexographically printing a uniform pattern on a substrate where the ink deposited on the substrate is deposited in the intended location and not in unintended locations. A flexo-master comprises a pattern formed by a plurality of lines including at least one junction, and printing the pattern including the at least one junction in ink on a substrate forming a printed pattern, wherein the printed junction has a different shape than the at least one junction on the flexo-master. In addition to the junction formation, a discontinuous line on the flexo-master may be used to print a continuous line, a single line may be used to print two lines, and two or more lines may be used to print a single line. The flexo-master pattern lines may additionally have a fill pattern comprising various geometries that are used to uniformly print the pattern on the substrate.
US09446574B2

The invention relates to the field of chemistry and concerns a method suitable for example for use in the automotive industry or in aircraft construction. The object of the present invention is to provide a method by which a bonding of the regions of the plastics that are in direct contact is accomplished. The object is achieved by a method for bonding plastics in which materials which contain at least one electrically conductive material and only partially cover the plastics are applied to at least one of the plastics to be bonded, then the plastics are brought into contact with one another, at least in the region with the materials, and after that at least this region is exposed at least once to an alternating electromagnetic field.
US09446566B2

Provided is a laminate (1) obtained by integrally laminating glass sheets (4) on both surfaces of a resin sheet (2). The glass sheets (4) have a thickness of 300 μm or less and end surfaces (4a) of the glass sheets (4) are chamfered.
US09446562B2

In an embodiment, a coated thermoplastic film, comprises a polymeric film substrate; and a coating formed from a coating composition comprising a urethane acrylate having a functionality of 2.0 to 6.0 acrylate functional groups; an acrylate monomer having a functional group; and an epoxy acrylate oligomer; and an additive comprising at least one of a silicone based additive, palmitic acid, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing. In an embodiment, a method of molding an article comprises decorating and forming the coated thermoplastic film to form a shaped film, and placing the shaped film into a mold, and injecting a resin into the mold cavity space behind the shaped film, wherein the shaped film and the injection molded resin form a single molded part.
US09446558B2

A three-dimensional (3-D) printing apparatus including a base, a printing head module and a control unit is provided. The base has a carrying surface. The printing head module is disposed above the base. The printing head module includes a body and a discharge outlet switching component. The body includes a material supplying channel. The discharge outlet switching component is movably disposed at the body. The discharge outlet switching component includes a plurality of discharge outlets. Diameters of the discharge outlets are different from each other. The control unit is configured to choose one of the discharge outlets according to the diameters and connect the chosen discharge outlet to the body, such that the material supplying channel is connected to the corresponding discharge outlet.
US09446548B2

A device for suctioning of waste products of a production machine, particularly a sheet extruder, with a suction chamber. At least one suction element extends into a suction space located outside the suction chamber in order to convey waste products in the suction chamber. A suction unit develops a negative pressure in the suction chamber. A sealing means abuts the suction element and locks the suction chamber in a way such that the suction element is movable along the sealing means. The position of the suction element at the suction chamber is variably adjustable.
US09446543B2

To simplify the cleaning of hot runner feed lines, and consequently to reduce the downtimes, an injection mold with at least one central feed line and a number of plates arranged one above the other is proposed. The injection mold has at least one hot runner feed line with one or more branching points, at which the hot runner feed line changes direction and/or is divided. In each plate, the hot runner feed line runs in a straight line from the upper surface of a plate to the lower surface of the plate. These hot runner feed lines run straight and at an angle within the plate. At least on one side, the hot runner feed lines open out into exchangeable inserts. For cleaning the injection mold, the exchangeable inserts can be removed from the plates and cleaned separately, while the straight-running hot runner feed lines can be mechanically cleaned in a conventional way.
US09446541B2

The method is for protecting the end of a cable made of a plurality of parallel tendons (10) anchored using a block (15) having a front side, a rear side and channels (16) extending between the front and rear sides. Each tendon of the cable is held in a respective channel of the anchor block with a blocking member (19). The method comprises performing a first phase of injecting protective material (100) into at least some of the channels of the anchor block. A chamber (30) is formed on at least one side of the anchor block (15) so as to contain portions of the plurality of tendons. A second phase of injecting protective material (200) into the chamber (30) is then performed.
US09446540B2

A vehicular instrument panel including a substrate having a first plurality of chopped carbon fibers within a first nylon resin and an expanded reinforcement coupled to the substrate having a second plurality of chopped carbon fibers within a second nylon resin. The first plurality of chopped carbon fibers and the first plurality of glass fibers in the substrate are segregated such that the carbon fibers and the glass fibers are each substantially concentrated within respective driver-side and passenger-side portions of the substrate. An expanded, structural duct has a second plurality of chopped glass fibers within a third nylon resin. The duct, reinforcement and substrate are coupled to form a hollow tube.
US09446527B1

One feature pertains to cutters that include a top lever having a first end that includes a first handle, and a bottom lever having a first end that includes a second handle. The bottom lever includes a bottom edge. The cutters also include a cutting lever having a top edge, a first member rotatably coupling the cutting lever to the bottom lever, and a second member coupling the top lever to the cutting lever. The top lever may move the second member when the first handle is moved relative to the second handle. Moving the second member causes the cutting lever to rotate about the first member to move the top edge toward or away from the bottom edge. The top edge and the bottom edge extend from the first member in a substantially same direction as the first and second handles.
US09446521B2

A robot obstacle detection system including a robot housing which navigates with respect to a surface and a sensor subsystem aimed at the surface for detecting the surface. The sensor subsystem includes an emitter which emits a signal having a field of emission and a photon detector having a field of view which intersects the field of emission at a region. The subsystem detects the presence of an object proximate the mobile robot and determines a value of a signal corresponding to the object. It compares the value to a predetermined value, moves the mobile robot in response to the comparison, and updates the predetermined value upon the occurrence of an event.
US09446514B2

Provided is a lower limb structure for a legged robot with which a load on an actuator for driving a knee joint can be reduced. The lower limb structure for the legged robot comprises: a hip joint main body (18); a thigh portion (12a); a hip joint coupling (22) for connecting the thigh portion (12a) to the hip joint main body (18); and a knee joint main body (19) joined to the thigh portion (12a). The lower limb structure for the legged robot provides a thigh portion auxiliary link (31) having one end portion joined to the hip joint main body (18) or the hip joint coupling (22) to be rotatable about one pitch axis and the other end portion joined to the knee joint main body (19) to be rotatable about another pitch axis. A knee joint actuator (4) increases and decreases a length from the one end portion to the other end portion of the thigh portion auxiliary link (31).
US09446512B1

The present invention provides a swarm of robots and a related method of operating the swarm. The robots are programmed to start at a nest and to select a dispersal direction from a uniform random distribution. The robots travel along the dispersal direction until transitioning to a search mode upon reaching a search site, where the robot performs a correlated random walk with fixed step size and direction and using a standard deviation to determine how correlated the direction of the next step of the robot is with the direction of the previous step. If no resource is found within predetermined time t independently determined by each of said robots, the robot returns to the nest and repeats the above steps.
US09446510B2

A mobile robot guest for interacting with a human resident performs a room-traversing search procedure prior to interacting with the resident, and may verbally query whether the resident being sought is present. Upon finding the resident, the mobile robot may facilitate a teleconferencing session with a remote third party, or interact with the resident in a number of ways. For example, the robot may carry on a dialogue with the resident, reinforce compliance with medication or other schedules, etc. In addition, the robot incorporates safety features for preventing collisions with the resident; and the robot may audibly announce and/or visibly indicate its presence in order to avoid becoming a dangerous obstacle. Furthermore, the mobile robot behaves in accordance with an integral privacy policy, such that any sensor recording or transmission must be approved by the resident.
US09446506B2

The present invention relates to a tool having dual flex heads. The tool may have a flex head having a ratchet head and a flex head having a bit driver head. The flex heads may include a locking mechanism.
US09446503B2

Implementations of the present invention include a binder with high hardness and tensile strength that allows for the creation of drilling tools with increased wear resistance. In particular, one or more implementations include a binder having about 5 to about 50 weight % of nickel, about 35 to about 60 weight % of zinc, and about 0.5 to about 35 weight % of tin. Implementations of the present invention also include drilling tools, such as reamers and drill bits, formed from such binders.
US09446490B2

To provide a method of friction welding and an apparatus of friction welding in which a length of time for manufacturing one product is reduced as much as possible regardless of the dimension errors of works. The fast forwarding distance Lx1 is calculated for the fast forwarding by using the results of measuring the dimensions of works W1, W2 under the condition of the constant slowly forwarding distance Lx2, Thereby, for the work of a legitimate dimension and even for the work having a dimension smaller than the legitimate dimension, the elongation of the slowly forwarding distance is prevented compared with the work having the longer dimension than the legitimate dimension, and the relative proportion of the fast forwarding distance Lx1 is increased by making shorter the specified slowly forwarding distance.
US09446482B2

A laser system includes one or more lasers and one or more laser processing units each connected to a respective one of the one or more lasers by a laser light cable and a data line associated uniquely with the laser light cable. Each laser processing unit includes a safety device for monitoring the laser processing unit and an interface for the data line. The laser system also includes a central safety control operably associated with the one or more laser processing units and configured to monitor the safety devices of multiple laser processing units of the laser system. The interface of each of the one or more laser processing units is connected to the central safety control and via the data line to the respective one of the one or more lasers.
US09446480B2

A method for forming a reinforced cladding on a superalloy substrate. The method includes forming a melt pool including a superalloy material and a plurality of discrete carbon reinforcing structures on the superalloy substrate via application of energy from an energy source. The method further includes cooling the melt pool to form a reinforced cladding including the superalloy material and the carbon reinforcing structures on the substrate.
US09446471B2

Systems and methods for reading data from and/or writing data to various components of a welding installation are provided. The data is exchanged between devices using near field communication.
US09446468B2

A system for performing exothermic operations or oxygen delivery uses a rod and handle configuration to create a flowpath of oxygen. The rod includes cables having stainless steel fibers that burn using the oxygen within a hollow center area. While burning, the rod cuts through material. A sheath covers the covers to contain the gases and prevent unraveling of the cables. The handle attaches to the rod and provides control of the flow of oxygen to the rod. A manifold fixing in place bottles of oxygen connects to the handle and can be fixed to provide different mixtures from different bottles. The rod is disconnected when needed to fix a mask thereto for delivering breathable oxygen to a patient.
US09446466B2

A wire electrical discharge machine is provided with a rotating shaft for rotating a workpiece. In wire electrical discharge machining according to a machining program, a current average rotation radius at a current workpiece machining point is calculated for each predetermined period, based on average rotation radii at respective end points of a block to be executed and a directly preceding block and an amount of movement of the rotating shaft. Based on the calculated current average rotation radius, control is performed such that the speed of movement of the wire electrode relative to the workpiece machining point agrees with a command speed acquired from a machining power supply.
US09446465B2

A control unit controls an on/off operation of a switching unit such that a first DC pulse voltage is applied across an electrode gap from a pulse-voltage generation unit adjusted to a first impedance, and when a detection unit detects a preliminary discharge, a second DC pulse voltage is applied across the electrode gap from the pulse-voltage generation unit adjusted to a second impedance, which is lower than the first impedance, so as to generate a main discharge in the electrode gap, and during an idle time since the main discharge is completed until the next preliminary discharge is started, a third DC pulse voltage that is equal to or higher than a discharge arc voltage is applied across the electrode gap from the pulse-voltage generation unit adjusted to a third impedance, which is higher than the first impedance.
US09446460B2

A cutting insert for milling operations, such as, face milling, slot milling, plunge milling, and ramping operations. The cutting insert exhibits a combination of favorable cutting edge strength, and unique cutting edge geometry, thus, allowing milling operations at relatively high feed rates. The cutting insert includes at least four cutting edges, wherein at least one of the cutting edges is a convex cutting edge. Certain embodiments of square cutting inserts will have four convex cutting edges which may be connected by nose corners. The convex cutting edge may comprise at least one of a circular arc, a portion of an ellipse, a portion of a parabola, a multi-segment spline curve, a straight line, or combinations of these. Wherein the convex cutting edge comprises a circular arc, the circular arc may have a radius greater than or equal to two times a radius of the largest circle that may be inscribed on the top surface.
US09446458B2

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an acoustic absorbent panel, comprising the following steps: provision of a sheet of plastic material, formation of a plurality of through-slots in the sheet by milling using at least one milling tool. The invention makes it possible to manufacture an acoustic absorbent panel quickly and inexpensively.
US09446442B2

Machine tools for processing plate-like workpieces by punching include a punching tool including a punch and a punching die, a drive unit for moving the punch and the punching die relative to each other along a stroke axis for cutting a workpiece part free from a plate-like workpiece, a hold-down device that is movable along the stroke axis and that includes a stripper that contacts an upper surface of the plate-like workpiece while the plate-like workpiece is punched through by the punch, a detection device for detecting a reference position of the hold-down device along the stroke axis, wherein the stripper contacts the upper surface of the workpiece at the reference position, and a numerical control unit for positioning the stripper at a particular distance from the reference position such that a workpiece part that has been cut off can be moved away from a processing region.
US09446433B2

An article carrier (100) has a mounting portion (1) adapted for connection to a conveyor. A connecting member (4) is rotatably connected to the mounting portion (1) and is rotatable relative to the mounting portion (1) about a first axis of rotation (R1). A carrier portion (3) is rotatably connected to the connecting member (4) and is rotatable relative to the connecting member (4) about a second axis of rotation (R2), wherein the first axis of rotation (R1) is spaced apart from the second axis of rotation (R2). A releasably lockable carrier support means (5) is provided to support the carrier portion (3) in a carriage position when in a locked state, and to allow rotation of the carrier portion (3) to a discharge position when in an unlocked state.
US09446421B1

An irrigation sprinkler can include a riser and a nozzle turret rotatably mounted at an upper end of the riser. A drive assembly supported in the riser can be coupled to the nozzle turret for rotating the nozzle turret. The drive assembly can have a reversing gear drive, a reversing mechanism, and a manually adjustable arc setting mechanism including a pair of arc tabs. A position of one of the arc tabs is adjustable through the arc setting mechanism to change a size of an angle through which the nozzle turret oscillates back and forth. The manually adjustable arc setting mechanism is further adjustable to allow the nozzle turret to continuously rotate.
US09446419B2

The present invention discloses a rotary switch outlet mechanism, it comprises a fixed unit, a switch unit and two outlet terminals, the fixed unit is provided with an inlet that is communicated with the water resource ever-lasting and a second outlet, the first outlet terminal is connected to the fixed unit in a rotating manner and is provided with a first outlet, and the second outlet terminal is communicated with the second outlet, and the first outlet terminal is linked to the switch unit and is provided with two locating position with the fixed unit, water comes out of the first outlet terminal when it is at the first position, water comes out of the second outlet terminal when it is at the second position. The present rotary switch outlet mechanism achieves simple structure, bigger operating surface, easier assembly, multiple functions and more convenient and faster switching process.
US09446418B2

An analytical laboratory system and method for processing samples is disclosed. A sample container is transported from an input area to a distribution area by a gripper comprising a means for inspecting a tube. An image is captured of the sample container. The image is analyzed to determine a sample container identification. A liquid level of the sample in the sample container is determined. A scheduling system determines a priority for processing the sample container based on the sample container identification. The sample container is transported from the distribution area to a subsequent processing module by the gripper.
US09446417B2

Centrifuges have been designed in the past for centrifuging multi-welled containers, but they are limited in centripetal acceleration or have a large footprint. The invention provides a centrifuge with a high centripetal acceleration and imbalance tolerance while maintaining a small footprint and being able to integrate with laboratory automation equipment. Methods and apparatuses for centrifugation include a rotor assembly positioned within a shield assembly suspended in a centrifuge. The rotor assembly is operably connected to the motor for rotating payloads (e.g., multi-welled containers) around an axis. The shield assembly is positioned such that the center of mass is aligned with the axis of rotation of the rotor assembly and the plane containing the rotational imbalance force vector. This alignment allows rotation of the container with an acceleration of at least 2000 g (or at least 3000 g, 4000 g, 5000 g, etc.).
US09446415B1

Portable flexible sluice box with airfoil-shaped flare is a flexible sluice box. The entire portable flexible sluice box with airfoil-shaped flare can be rolled up into a compact cylindrical roll. Portable flexible sluice box with airfoil-shaped flare comprises a flexible airfoil-shaped flare attached to a flexible riffle sheet. Flexible airfoil-shaped flare is a tube of flexible material partially filled with particulate matter to yield a flexible tube member with an airfoil-shaped cross section when laid out laid out flat on a horizontal surface. Flexible riffle sheet is a rectangular-shaped flexible sheet of material with a plurality of parallel ridges protruding from its upper surface. Portable flexible sluice box with airfoil-shaped flare may further comprise a set of two wall insert pockets and a set of two rigid inserts. This optional structure essentially adds a wall to the left and right edges of flexible riffle sheet.
US09446414B2

A control system for a waste processing machine includes an actuator and a timer operatively connected to one another, wherein at least one of the actuator and the timer are in communication with and adapted to control at least one of the feed system, the cutting system, and the power system of the waste processing machine in response to the position of the actuator and a time frame or interval.
US09446411B2

A sample presentation apparatus comprises a round support movable in an optical assembly and having a flange region and an elevated gear shaped region having indexing gear cogs at intermediate radius locations of the support; a sample carrier slide holder removably supported on and movable with the support, the slide holder having at least one arm extending radially from a central hub of the sample carrier slide holder and being aligned between a first pair of indexing gear cogs; and at least one sample carrier slide removably supported on the support and aligned by the first pair of indexing gear cogs. In another embodiment of the invention, a self-aligning movable platform and support apparatus in an optical assembly comprises coarse and fine alignment mechanisms.
US09446401B2

A container for ensuring the transport and the aseptic transfer of a biopharmaceutical product from or to a closed chamber provided with a leaktight joining device, includes: an annular flange delimiting an opening, a removable cover, built-in elements for locking/unlocking the removable cover and a peripheral envelope. The built-in locking/unlocking elements include a built-in functional locking/unlocking arrangement formed by a through-housing formed in the annular flange and a blind housing formed in the removable cover, and by a pin at an inner radial position and a pin at an outer radial position. The container is capable of being in an initial locking position, in an intermediate unlocking position and in a final locking position owing to the displacements of the pin at an inner radial position and the pin at an outer radial position in the blind hole of the removable cover and in the through-housing of the annular flange.
US09446397B2

Methods for isolation and/or purification of nanomaterials, such as nanowires, are provided. The disclosed methods include isolation of nanomaterials via a filter press and are amenable to large-scale production of nanomaterials. Related methods for isolation, purification and/or doping of nanomaterials are also provided.
US09446389B2

A method for forming a catalyst can comprise: heating a Ge-ZSM-5 zeolite powder at a temperature of 400 to 600° C.; ion-exchanging the heat-treated zeolite powder with an alkali metal and impregnating the heat-treated zeolite powder with noble metal; heating the ion-exchanged, impregnated zeolite powder to a temperature of 250 to 350° C.; mixing the second heat-treated zeolite powder with a solid silica binder and a colloidal silica binder to form a mixture, wherein if the solid silica has a purity of less than or equal to 66 wt % of silica oxide based on the total weight of the solid silica, then the mixture is free of an extrusion aide and the colloidal silica has a particle size of less than 20 nm as measured along a major axis; forming the mixture into a shaped body; and heating the shaped body to 100 to 350° C. to result in the catalyst.
US09446385B2

This invention relates to the cleaning of flue gas released from various combustion processes, particularly a surface deposition NH3—SCR honeycomb catalyst and its preparation method. The catalyst is composed of framework material, TiO2, V2O5 and WO3, wherein the framework material is composed of clay, coal ash, mineral waste residue or their mixture. The mass fractions for framework material, TiO2, V2O5, and WO3 are 60 wt. % to 80 wt. %, 13 wt. % to 33 wt. %, 1 wt. % to 5 wt. %, and 0.1 wt. % to 2 wt. %, respectively. The nano V2O5—WO3—TiO2 particles were deposited on the surface of particle pore or honeycomb, and the performance of the catalyst could be greatly improved.
US09446382B2

The present invention provides a porous cellulose gel having a high mechanical strength capable of being operated at a higher flow rate, and a method for producing the same. To a suspension liquid of cellulose particles, a crosslinking agent in an amount of from 4 to 12 times the amount of the cellulose monomer in terms of moles and an alkali in an amount of from 0.1 to 1.5 times the amount of the crosslinking agent in terms of moles are added continuously dropwise or added dividedly over a prescribed period of time, whereby flow rate characteristics of a resulting porous cellulose gel can be enhanced. According to the invention, the production efficiency of a polymer substance, such as a nucleic acid and a protein can be enhanced.
US09446380B2

Provided are a water-blocking filler, the swelling properties of which do not decrease easily even when in contact with water containing calcium ions, and a filler for engineered multi-barriers with said water-blocking filler as the engineered multi-barrier filler. A water-blocking filler mainly comprising sodium bentonite obtained by mixing 30 weight % or less, in terms of inner percentage, of a pozzolan substance such as fly ash or silica fume with said bentonite, and a filler using said water-blocking filler that is used for engineered multi-barriers in radioactive waste disposal facilities.
US09446379B2

An improved scintillation detector capable of withstanding harsh operating environments includes a scintillator in a sealed casing having an atmosphere with an oxygen content not greater than about 100 ppb and an oxygen scavenger in the atmosphere within the sealed casing. The scintillator can include a material that may be damaged by exposure to oxygen. The oxygen scavenger can include an oxidizable compound.
US09446370B2

The invention relates to a reactor system, comprising a heat-exchange unit and a reaction unit that are assembled together into a structure. The heat-exchange unit has a plurality of plate or corrugated-plate heat exchangers, and is formed so as to attachable/detachable to/from the reaction unit and insertable into the latter. Accordingly, a catalyst may be attached to a heat-transfer surface of a heat exchanger by a washcoat method or the like, thus maximizing heat-transfer efficiency and enabling the easy removal or reattachment of the catalyst when the enabling the easy removal or reattachment of the catalyst at the end of the lifespan of the catalyst.
US09446369B2

Apparatuses and processes are provided for stripping gaseous hydrocarbons from particulate material. One process comprises the step of contacting particles containing hydrocarbons with a stripping vapor in countercurrent flow to remove at least a portion of the hydrocarbons with the stripping vapor to form stripped particles. Contacting the particles includes advancing the particles down a sloping element of a structured packing toward a reinforcing rod that is disposed along a lower channel portion of the sloping element. The particles are advanced over the reinforcing rod. The particles are contacted with the stripping vapor that is rising up adjacent to the lower channel portion.
US09446367B2

Segmented silicon carbide liners for use in a fluidized bed reactor for production of polysilicon-coated granulate material are disclosed, as well as methods of making and using the segmented silicon carbide liners. Non-contaminating bonding materials for joining silicon carbide segments also are disclosed. One or more of the silicon carbide segments may be constructed of reaction-bonded silicon carbide.
US09446366B2

A modular flow reactor is formed of a plurality of modules, wherein each module comprises a body having at least one conduit passing therethrough, and wherein a plurality of said modules are aligned along a longitudinal axis such that said conduits of said modules are aligned to form a passage for fluid, wherein each module has a length along said longitudinal axis which is less than the length of the module perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The modules are “slices” rather than “tubes” and a plurality of said modules can be aligned linearly so that the conduits form a tube.
US09446365B2

A Sabatier process involving contacting carbon dioxide and hydrogen in a first reaction zone with a first catalyst bed at a temperature greater than a first designated temperature; feeding the effluent from the first reaction zone into a second reaction zone, and contacting the effluent with a second catalyst bed at a temperature equal to or less than a second designated temperature, so as to produce a product stream comprising water and methane. The first and second catalyst beds each individually comprise an ultra-short-channel-length metal substrate. An apparatus for controlling temperature in an exothermic reaction, such as the Sabatier reaction, is disclosed.
US09446360B2

A method and chip for fusing droplets in a chip comprising (i) providing a first set of droplets which are partially or not stabilized by surfactant, (ii) providing a second set of droplets which are stabilized by surfactant, (iii) contacting each droplet of the first set with single or multiple droplets of the second set in a pairing module and (iv) fusing droplets of the first set with droplets of the second set through a droplet fusion module in which the droplets experience at least one acceleration and/or deceleration and/or reorientation and/or rearrangement in space and time.
US09446358B2

This invention relates to a process and an apparatus for mixing a fluid or a liquid within a vessel or a tank. The invention includes an apparatus with an inlet device and a mixer. The invention mixes crude oils and/or other hydrocarbon materials to a homogenous state with surprising and unexpected high efficiency. The invention includes methods of using the apparatus to mix the contents of the vessel and/or two stratified materials. The invention includes the ability to mix materials having disparities in density and/or viscosity.
US09446357B2

An aeration apparatus includes an injection nozzle provided at one of the open ends of a main body formed in the shape of a cylinder. When the injection nozzle is immersed in a liquid, the main body stands upright such that the injection nozzle is on a lower side, and gas is injected inside the main body from the injection nozzle to disperse the gas. The injection nozzle is disposed such that a center line of an injection port formed at the tip of the injection nozzle intersects the inner flow channel surface at a position lower than a blade member disposed in the lowest stage, and such that the angle formed between the center line and the vertical direction is not greater than 45 degrees.
US09446355B2

Membranes comprising first and second surfaces, the first surface comprising a patterned surface comprising peaks and valleys, first region surfaces comprising peaks, and second region surfaces comprising valleys; a porous bulk between the surfaces, the bulk comprising first region bulks and second region bulks; the region bulks extending from their respective region surfaces, the first region bulks comprising a first set of pores having outer rims, and a second set of pores connecting the outer rims of the first set of pores, and a first polymer matrix supporting the first set of pores; the second region bulks comprising a third set of pores having outer rims, and a fourth set of pores connecting the outer rims of the third set of pores, and a second polymer matrix supporting the third set of pores; filters including the membranes, and methods of making and using the membranes, are disclosed.
US09446345B2

Provided are a downward-inclined-flow passage to which flows flue gas from the flue path connecting a boiler with a stack, a sprayer arranged upstream in the downward-inclined-flow passage to inject absorbing liquid absorptive of sulfur oxides in a direction same as that of flue gas flow, an upward-inclined-flow passage to guide flue gas from the downward-inclined-flow passage to the flue path, a reservoir arranged between lower ends of the flow passages, an auxiliary sprayer arranged in the downward-inclined-flow passage downstream of the sprayer to inject absorbing liquid for uniformization thereof in the downward-inclined-flow passage and a baffle plate arranged in the downward-inclined-flow passage downstream of the auxiliary sprayer and in an upper zone of the flow passage to throttle the flow-passage inner diameter.
US09446343B2

A system and method for separating and/or purification of CO2 gas from a CO2 feed stream is described. The system and method include a plurality of fixed sorbent beds, adsorption zones and desorption zones, where the sorbent beds are connected via valve and lines to create a simulated moving bed system, where the sorbent beds move from one adsorption position to another adsorption position, and then into one regeneration position to another regeneration position, and optionally back to an adsorption position. The system and method operate by concentration swing adsorption/desorption and by adsorptive/desorptive displacement.
US09446337B2

A filter media is generally described including an upstream layer of a nonwoven fiber having a denier between about 5.0 and 7.0 and a weight of between about 3.0 and 5.0 opsy, optionally a scrim, and a cap layer of a fiber having a denier between about 0.1 and 5.0, and a weight between about 2.0 and 4.0 opsy carried by the upstream layer and disposed downstream from the upstream layer. The upstream layer, scrim and cap layer can have a weight of about 4.0 opsy, 2.0 opsy and 3.0 opsy respectively. A downstream layer can be disposed between the upstream layer and the cap layer.
US09446318B2

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving a first group of gaming results associated with a first gamer, receiving a second group of gaming results associated with a second gamer, presenting renditions of first and second peripherals, where the first peripheral represents a first gaming accessory for use by the first gamer to generate a first group of stimulus signals, and where the second peripheral represents a second gaming accessory for use by the second gamer to generate a second group of stimulus signals, and presenting competitive information of the first and second gamers determined from at least a portion of the first and second group of gaming results, the first and second group of stimulus signals, or combinations thereof. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US09446317B2

A server system refers to the login history of a registered friend player within a given period when an authenticated player has been subjected to a login process. The server system gives a bonus that corresponds to the number (login friend count) of friend users who have logged in within the given period to the authenticated player when the authenticated player has logged in.
US09446316B2

The invention disclosed herein relates to a video game system comprising a video game console and an object or toy used in connection with the video game console, wherein the object or toy has a rewritable data storage device, and wherein the video game console stores information in the rewritable data storage device in response to game play events occurring in a first gaming session. The stored information is subsequently retrieved by the video game console in a second gaming session, and the retrieved information is used to conduct the game play of the second gaming session.
US09446315B2

Data characterizing a quantifiable outcome for each of a plurality of game trials can be accessed. Each game trial can be associated with one of a plurality of players and a game. The game can be a digital game played on a computing platform. Using the accessed data, a first variance measure of the quantifiable outcome for all game trials associated with the plurality of players can be computed. For one or more of the plurality of players and using the accessed data, a second variance measure of the quantifiable outcome for the game trials associated with the one or more of the plurality of players can be computed. Based on at least the first variance measure and the second variance measure, a skill factor for the game can be computed. Data characterizing the skill factor can be provided. Related apparatus, systems, techniques, and articles are also described.
US09446308B2

A method of gaming is generally described which includes detecting motions associated with the user by a feedback sensor device and providing motion information from the feedback sensor device to the game device. The method also includes providing a vestibular stimulation signal to a user, by a vestibular stimulation device in communication with a game device in response to the motion information and the game content.
US09446304B2

To provide an image processing device and the like capable of improving visibility of images in a game and so on with respect to a user. A player object operated by the user and plural objects different from the player object are generated in a three dimensional virtual space, and an object existing within a given range including the player object in these plural objects is selected as an object to be imaged, and a position of a virtual camera is determined so that the player object and the object to be imaged are captured into the two dimensional image.
US09446301B2

Reactive targets and target frames are provided that react to being impacted by a projectile in such a manner as to cause longitudinal movement and/or rotation of the target frame. The movement, in turn, exposes different primary targets and/or a secondary target(s) to the participant. Participants can take either offensive shots against the competitor's targets or defensive shots to protect their targets from being impacted by the competitor.
US09446300B2

The present invention relates to a gaming wheel (100) adapted to be used in a gaming device for playing a game, wherein the gaming wheel (100) comprises a first section (112) having a predetermined number of slots (110) for receiving a gaming element (102) and a second section (106) arranged to provide gaming information for the predetermined number of slots (110) of the first section (112). The second section (106) is arranged such that computer generated gaming information is controllably provided for the predetermined number of slots (110) of the first section (112).
US09446291B2

Apparatus and methods are described herein to provide a golf club, such as, for example, a putter, with a select loft angle and/or a select lie angle. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a golf club having a golf club head, a hosel, and a hosel shim. The golf club head has a hosel shank and the hosel is configured to be coupled to the hosel shank. The hosel shim is configured to be coupled to the hosel to position the hosel at a select angle relative to the golf club head such that the golf club has a select lie angle. The hosel shim is further configured to limit rotational movement of the hosel relative to the golf club head such that the select lie angle is maintained when the hosel is coupled to the golf club head.
US09446278B2

An exercise assembly useful in training a bicyclist for increased speed includes a pair of elastic straps adjustable in their length to stretch between the rear axle of the bicycle and the bicyclist's respective thighs. The strap attachment to the thighs is effected by a corresponding pair of adjustable elastic hoops that are limited in their elastic expansion by fabric strips attached to each of the hoops at loosely spaced intervals. A set of elastomeric wraps may be further interposed between the thighs and the hoops to expand the contact area and therefore the shear load capacity of the engagement to limit any axial translation of the engagement along the thigh. When not in use the straps can be attached to the bicycle frame both when implemented as a stationary bicycle or when on the road.
US09446276B2

An exercise apparatus that lies flat on the floor having a back rest rises up when supported by two springs. The lower part of the back and buttocks lie horizontal while the upper part of the back is inclined at an angle to the horizontal. When not in use, the upper back rest folds down flat so that the device can be stored under a bed. The two springs provide back support when the individual is in the reclining position. However, as a person goes from a sitting position to a reclining position, when his or her shoulders contact the back rest, the springs compress and then expand to assist the individual in rising up. The device has two specially designed positionable foot rests with straps to provide a place for the individual to place his or her feet.
US09446274B1

A trampoline has an upper frame having a first upper frame member and a second upper frame member. The trampoline bed is held in tension between and extended between the first upper frame member and the second upper frame member. The first upper frame member is a different height than the second upper frame member. Trampoline bed springs connect between the upper frame and the trampoline bed. A pulldown spring is mounted between the trampoline bed and a lower frame. The pulldown spring is held in tension at a trampoline bed reinforcement panel. The pulldown spring biases the trampoline bed reinforcement panel toward the lower frame. A folding angle is formed on the trampoline bed.
US09446270B2

Disclosed herein are flame suppression compounds and methods of use thereof. The compounds include unsaturated fluorocarbons appropriate for use in fire protection applications.
US09446266B2

This invention details a method for providing thermal protection to human hair by applying an aerosolized polymer system to the hair before heat treatment. It has been found that acrylate polymers provide good protection from the damaging affects of curling irons and straightening irons and afford improvements in the look and feel of the treated hair.
US09446260B2

A multi-function, adjustable chiropractic table comprises a body section fixed to a table frame. A cervical section is pivotally attached to the table frame and securable at a desired angle. The cervical section comprises a padded head support, forehead strap, and neck bolsters. The head support is slidably mounted in a tray and translatable therein using a scissors mechanism, for linear axial traction. Pivotally mounting the tray to the cervical section permits lateral traction. A four-bar linkage, including a base frame, permits raising/lowering of the table using an actuator activated by a foot triggered wave switch comprising proximity sensors. The body section comprises a chest, lumbar, and leg sections. The chest section is replaceable with a treatment module comprising hot and cold compresses, or a laser enhanced spinal decompression therapy apparatus comprising a laser driven by two linear actuators to emit light according to one or more treatment protocols.
US09446258B1

Devices and methods for contactless skin treatment use feedback power control for non-invasive treatment of skin and human tissue. Electromagnetic energy heats skin or tissue. A feedback system measures an output physical quantity before the output of electromagnetic waves from the device into the patient. Alternatively the feedback system scans values of a physical quantity on or near the patient. The devices and methods allow for delivering the optimum amount of energy to the patient while reducing the thermal load of the device.
US09446251B1

A handheld treatment device can include a handheld housing; a transmitting antenna located in the handheld housing and configured to accept one or more input signals and to transmit one or more electromagnetic signals to a neural stimulator that is implanted in the patient's body; and control circuitry located in the handheld housing and configured to provide the one or more input signals to the transmitting antenna.
US09446250B2

A combination charging and telemetry circuit for use within an implantable device, such as a microstimulator, uses a single coil for both charging and telemetry. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, one or more capacitors are used to tune the single coil to different frequencies, wherein the coil is used for multiple purposes, e.g., for receiving power from an external source and also for the telemetry of information to and from an external source.
US09446249B2

A system and method for locating an implantable tissue stimulation lead within a patient. A measurement indicative of a coupling efficiency between the tissue stimulation lead and tissue at a location is taken. The location of the tissue stimulation lead relative to the tissue is tracked. Coupling efficiency information based on the measurement from the monitoring device is generated, tracking information based on the tissue stimulation lead location is generated, and the coupling efficiency information and tracking information is concurrently conveyed to the user.
US09446247B2

A rules engine acquires sensor data from sensors applied to the heart and determines whether an electrical waveform should be applied to the heart and, if so, the type of electrical waveform. A multiphase cardiac stimulus generator generates waveforms in response to the rules engine. The electrical waveform is applied to one or more electrodes implanted in or on the heart.
US09446242B2

A multi-channel neurostimulation system comprises a plurality of electrical terminals configured for being respectively coupled to a plurality of electrodes, stimulation output circuitry including electrical source circuitry of the same polarity configured for generating a plurality of pulsed electrical waveforms in a plurality of timing channels, and control circuitry configured for instructing the stimulation output circuitry to serially couple the electrical source circuitry to different sets of the electrodes when pulses of the respective pulsed electrical waveforms do not temporally overlap each other, and for instructing the stimulation output circuitry to couple the electrical source circuitry to a union of the different electrode sets when pulses of the respective pulsed electrical waveforms temporally overlap each other.
US09446240B2

A method of treating autonomic imbalance in a patient includes energizing a first therapeutic element disposed to deliver therapy to a parasympathetic nerve fiber (e.g. vagus nerve), and energizing a second therapeutic element to deliver therapy to a sympathetic cardiac nerve fiber. At least one of the therapeutic elements is disposed in the vasculature superior to the heart. The therapy decreases the patient's heart rate and elevates or maintains the blood pressure of the patient.
US09446238B2

In one embodiment, a method of treating an eating disorder in a patient, comprises: diagnosing the eating disorder in the patient; and electrically stimulating a subgenual cingulate cortex site or a ventral medial prefrontal cortex site in the patient using electrodes of an implanted stimulation lead.
US09446234B2

The disclosure is directed to gastric stimulation programmers, stimulators and methods for controlling delivery of gastric stimulation therapy to maintain the efficacy of the therapy over time. Maintaining the efficacy of gastric stimulation therapy may be possible by implementing one or more anti-desensitization features in a gastric stimulation controller or stimulator. As electrical stimulation therapy is continuously delivered to a patient, the stimulated tissue may become desensitized to the electrical stimulation therapy such that the beneficial effect of the electrical stimulation is diminished. Once desensitization occurs, the affected tissue may not respond favorably to electrical stimulation therapy. Application of one or more anti-desensitization features to control gastric stimulation therapy may reduce or prevent desensitization and effectively extend the efficacy of the therapy over time.
US09446223B2

A catheter includes a balloon and a shaft having a coaxial portion including an outer tubular member having a bore, a transition neck, an access fitting adjacent the proximate end of the catheter shaft for directing a guidewire into the catheter shaft, an inflation port, a guidewire tubular member disposed coaxially in the outer tubular member, the outer tubular member and guidewire tubular member defining a first, annular inflation/deflation lumen fluid communication with the inflation port, at least one second inflation/deflation lumen separate from and non-coaxial with the guidewire tubular member and having a cross-sectional area less than the cross-sectional area of the first inflation/deflation lumen and opening at a proximate end into the first inflation/deflation lumen and at the distal end of the transition neck.
US09446222B2

Catheter assemblies include a stabilization mechanism disposed at a distal end of the catheter assembly for stabilizing the catheter assembly within a subintimal space. The stabilization mechanism includes a self-expanding support structure that is slidably positionable within an inflatable balloon. The catheter assemblies include an outer shaft which has the balloon at a distal end thereof and an inner shaft which has the support structure mounted on a distal end thereof. The inner shaft is slidably disposed within a lumen of the outer shaft and has a first configuration in which the support structure is held in a compressed state within the outer shaft and a second configuration in which the support structure is permitted to return to an expanded state within the inflatable balloon. In the expanded state, the stabilization mechanism has a flattened laterally-extending profile.
US09446221B2

A non-compliant medical balloon may be changed from a deflated state to an inflated state by increasing pressure within the balloon. The non-compliant medical balloon is composed of a woven fabric layer composed of at least two woven fabric fibers forming an angle. The angle remains substantially unchanged when the balloon changes from a deflated state to an inflated state.
US09446220B2

Guide wire devices fabricated from a linear pseudo-elastic Ni—Ti alloy and methods for their manufacture. The Ni—Ti alloy that includes nickel, titanium, and about 3 atomic % (at %) to about 30 at % niobium (Nb). Cold working the Ni—Ti alloy stabilizes the alloy's martensitic phase and yields a linear pseudo-elastic microstructure where reversion to the austenite phase is retarded or altogether blocked. The martensitic phase of cold worked, linear pseudo-elastic Ni—Ti—Nb alloy has an elastic modulus that is considerably higher than the comparable cold worked, linear pseudoelastic binary Ni—Ti alloy. This yields a guide wire device that has better torque response and steerability as compared to cold worked, linear pseudoelastic binary Ni—Ti alloy or superelastic binary Ni—Ti alloy.
US09446218B2

The present invention is directed to a dilator having a stiffened shaft for use as part of an introducer sheath assembly. The dilator includes a stiffener tube and a tip of the dilator which extends distally to the dilator stiffener tube. The transition between the stiffener tube and the tip of the dilator is positioned such that when the dilator is positioned within the catheter sheath, the transition is also positioned within the catheter sheath. By positioning the transition between the stiffener tube of the dilator and the tip of the dilator inside the catheter sheath, the catheter sheath can provide strain relief subsequent to lateral movement of the tip of the dilator in a manner that can prevent kinking of the dilator tip at the transition between the stiffener tip and the tip of the dilator.
US09446215B2

A device for humidifying breathing air for artificial respiration of mammals, in particular human beings, includes at least one essentially closed container for receiving water, a first opening for letting in the non-humidified air and a second opening for letting out humidified air, and an inlet for supplying the water to the container. The inlet is located in the upper part of the container, which is adjoined by a tube essentially crossing through the container interior, and on the free end of the tube, a valve is disposed, which limits the level of the water supplied via the tube in such a way that the container bottom in the container interior is essentially covered with water.
US09446207B2

A nozzle unit for discharge of a pharmaceutical medium and a dispenser equipped therewith. The nozzle unit includes a common supply channel for supply of the medium and first and second discharge nozzles each having a discharge orifice for discharge of the medium supplied through the common supply channel. The nozzle unit is configured for atomized delivery of the medium and includes a first vortex chamber assigned to the first discharge nozzle and a second vortex chamber assigned to the second discharge nozzle for the purpose of atomizing.
US09446200B2

A drug delivery device includes a cartridge (211) for storing a medicament and a needle (203) communicating with the cartridge (211) for injecting a medicament dose. A rack (241) is movably disposed in the cartridge (211) and is engageable with a stopper (213) for expelling the medicament dose from the cartridge (211). A lever assembly (231) has a lever arm (233) connected to a lever gear (230). The lever gear (232) is engaged with the rack (241) such that rotation of the lever arm (233) rotates the lever gear (232) during injection of the medicament dose, thereby moving the rack (241) and stopper (213) through the cartridge (211) to deliver the medicament dose.
US09446196B2

An auto-injector comprises a chassis to contain a syringe with a, needle and a stopper, a needle shroud slideable within the chassis and adapted to rest on the skin of a patient, a plunger adapted to translate the stopper to expel medicament, a coupling shroud slideable within the chassis and releasably coupled to the plunger and a drive means, the drive means driving the coupling shroud proximally from a first position Proximal movement of the coupling shroud translates the syringe exposing the needle, depresses the plunger to expel medicament and advances the needle shroud to a safe position to surround the needle. The needle shroud arranged to prevent decoupling of plunger and coupling shroud when the needle shroud is in a retracted position, whereas the needle shroud is arranged to allow decoupling of plunger and coupling shroud when the needle shroud is moved towards the safe position.
US09446194B2

Methods and systems for encouraging interactions with a glucose monitoring system include incrementing a score and/or providing a reward based on a variety of different interactions with the glucose monitoring system. The interactions which improve the score may include initiating or changing displays, downloading data, setting operational parameters and other interactions that are independent of a user's glucose measurements. Encouraging these interactions can enhance success in maintaining healthy glucose concentrations.
US09446190B2

A needle assembly for a hypodermic syringe is disclosed herein. In various aspects, the needle assembly includes a hub and a needle. A bond secures the needle to the hub, and the bond is configured to break allowing the needle to be withdrawn entirely from the hub upon application of a selected axial force to the needle, in various aspects. The axial force may be less than the tensile strength of the needle. Related methods of use of the needle assembly apparatus are disclosed herein.This Abstract is presented to meet requirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) only. This Abstract is not intended to identify key elements of the apparatus and the related methods disclosed herein or to delineate the scope thereof.
US09446189B2

Devices and methods for tissue transfer are described where a cannula may be inserted into the breast of a subject at one of several points of entry. Insertion of the cannula into the breast may be accomplished by using a guidance system to distinguish between tissue types. Once desirably positioned, the cannula may be withdrawn from the breast while automatically (or manually) injecting the fat in multiple deposits of adipose tissue or fat such that the deposited fat remains within the tract formed by the withdrawn cannula. Multiple tracts of the deposited fat may be injected within the breast until the breast has been desirably remodeled and/or augmented.
US09446179B2

In various embodiments, a catheter pump is disclosed herein. The catheter pump can include an elongated catheter body having a distal portion including an expandable cannula having an inlet and an outlet. The expandable cannula can have a delivery profile and an operational profile larger than the delivery profile. An impeller assembly can include an impeller shaft, and an impeller body can include one or more blades. The impeller blades can draw blood into the cannula when rotated. Further, an expandable support can have a mounting portion disposed on the impeller shaft distal of the impeller body and a cannula contact portion for reducing a change in tip gap due to bending of the cannula. The cannula contact portion can be disposed distal of the mounting portion.
US09446173B2

A block copolymer comprising a fluorinated block and a non-fluorinated block and method of making the block copolymer are provided. Also provided herein are a coating on an implantable device comprising the block copolymer and method of using the implantable device.
US09446168B2

A system is provided, including a plurality of donor cells and a first alginate structure that encapsulates the plurality of donor cells. The first alginate structure has a guluronic acid concentration of between 64% and 74%. The system additionally includes a second alginate structure that surrounds the first alginate structure, the second alginate structure having a mannuronic acid concentration of between 52% and 60%. A selectively-permeable membrane is coupled at least in part to the second alginate structure. Other embodiments are also described.
US09446164B2

Materials and methods for immobilizing bioactive molecules, stem and other precursor cells, and other agents of therapeutic value in surgical sutures and other tissue scaffold devices are described herein. Broadly drawn to the integration and incorporation of bioactive materials into suture constructs, tissue scaffolds and medical devices, the present invention has particular utility in the development of novel systems that enable medical personnel performing surgical and other medical procedures to utilize and subsequently reintroduce bioactive materials extracted from a patient (or their allogenic equivalents) to a wound or target surgical site.
US09446157B2

Compounds as defined herein are provided which are useful in (1) diagnostic methods for detecting and/or identifying cells presenting PSMA; (2) compositions comprising a compound of the invention together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent; and (3) methods for imaging prostate cancer cells.
US09446156B2

Image enhancing contrast agents for use in diagnostic and/or therapeutic methods, particularly in the form of gas-filled microvesicles, with enhanced stability. The gas-filled microvesicles are stabilized by a layer of amphiphilic material and comprise from 0.15% to 1.0% by moles of a lipid bearing a hydrophilic polymer. The lipid bearing a hydrophilic polymer is preferably a phospholipid linked to polyethyleneglycol.
US09446153B2

In a composition aspect of the invention, a nanoparticle coating comprises repeating polyacrylic acid monomers covalently bound together in an aliphatic chain having a plurality of carboxylic acid functional groups and modified carboxylic acid functional groups extending therefrom. A first portion of the modified carboxylic acid functional groups are modified by a PEG oligomer having a terminal methoxy functional group and a second portion of the modified carboxylic acid functional groups are modified by a PEG oligomer having at least one terminal catechol group.
US09446150B2

The invention encompasses particles comprising metal atoms, methods of making the particles, and methods for using the particles. In particular, the particles may be used to image biological tissues or to deliver a bioactive agent.
US09446146B2

Disclosed are immunoconjugates having specificity for CD138 that diminish adhesion of CD138 expressing tumor cells to stroma cells and methods of using the same. This diminished adhesion renders the tumor cells not only susceptible to the immunoconjugate, but also to other agents, in particular cytotoxic agents.
US09446144B2

A glycolipopeptide comprising a carbohydrate component, a peptide component and a lipid component, for use as a therapeutic or prophylactic vaccine. Also provided are monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies that recognize the glycolipopeptide of the invention, as well as uses thereof.
US09446133B2

A breath-powered, dry powder inhaler, a cartridge, and a pulmonary drug delivery system are provided. The dry powder inhaler can be provided with or without a unit dose cartridge for using with the inhaler. The inhaler and/or cartridge can be provided with a drug delivery formulation comprising, for example, a diketopiperazine and an active ingredient, including, peptides and proteins such as insulin and glucagon-like peptide 1 for the treatment of diabetes and/or obesity. The dry powder inhaler is compact; can be provided in various shapes and sizes, colors, and comprises a housing, a mouthpiece, a cartridge placement area, and a mechanism for opening and closing the medicament cartridge. The device is easy to manufacture, provides a pre-metered single unit dose, it is relatively easy to use, and can be reusable or disposable.
US09446119B2

This document provides methods and materials related to polypeptides present in a vaccinia virus (e.g., membrane proteins such as vaccinia virus B5R, L1R, A33R, or A27L polypeptides). For example, methods for generating a vaccine comprising one or more of vaccinia virus polypeptides disclosed herein for preventing or treating Orthopoxvirus infection are provided. In addition, kits related to the use of vaccinia polypeptides are provided.
US09446117B2

The present invention provides Rotavirus antigenic polypeptides or antigens that elicit an immune response in animal or human against rotavirus, compositions comprising said rotavirus polypeptides, methods of vaccination against rotavirus, and kits for use with such methods and compositions. The invention further provide novel expression vectors for producing the vaccine antigenic polypeptides.
US09446114B2

The invention relates to DNA vaccines that target multiple arenavirus agents singly or simultaneously.
US09446113B2

Bacterial live vector vaccines represent a vaccine development strategy that offers exceptional flexibility. In the present invention, genes encoding protective antigens of unrelated bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungal pathogens are expressed in an attenuated bacterial vaccine strain that delivers these foreign antigens to the immune system, thereby eliciting relevant immune responses. Rather than expressing these antigens using only low copy expression plasmids, expression of foreign proteins is accomplished using both low copy expression plasmids in conjunction with chromosomal integrations within the same live vector. This strategy compensates for the inherent disadvantage of loss of gene dosage (versus exclusive plasmid-based expression) by integrating antigen expression cassettes into multiple chromosomal sites already inactivated in an attenuated vector.
US09446109B2

A conjugate molecule comprising an oligo- or polysaccharide covalently bound to a carrier and its use as potential vaccine against infection by S. Flexneri.
US09446107B2

A device that includes a scaffold composition and a bioactive composition with the bioactive composition being incorporated into or coated onto the scaffold composition such that the scaffold composition and/or a bioactive composition controls egress of a resident cell or progeny thereof. The devices mediate active recruitment, modification, and release of host cells from the material.
US09446096B2

Provided herein are methods for increasing insulin sensitivity in a subject. A method may comprise administering to a subject in need of increased insulin sensitivity a therapeutically effective amount of a glypican-4 agent. Also provided herein are methods for determining whether a subject is or is likely to become insulin resistant. A method may comprise determining the level of glypican-4 in a subject, wherein an elevated level of glypican-4 indicates that a subject is or is likely to become insulin resistant.
US09446094B2

Composition and method for processing prolamin-containing feed source into a low-vitreous gelatinous feedstuff. The feedstuff is fed to ruminant animals for the purpose of potentiating either milk production and/or conception. The feed source can be corn and the ruminant animal can be a bovine, and might be a cow. The method includes processing, by extrusion, a prolamin-containing feed source having a starch-protein matrix within which the included protein is composed of at least 3% percent prolamin. This processing produces a hydrophilic gelatinous feedstuff that has starch and protein content. The hydrophilic low-vitreous gelatinous feedstuff is fed to a ruminant animal. A rumen-retained portion of the fed feedstuff is retained within the rumen of the animal for at least a twenty-four hour period, and during the first twenty-four hours of that period, at least seventy-five percent of the starch content of the rumen-retained portion of the fed feedstuff is digested.
US09446084B2

One or more free radical scavengers are used as prophylactically or therapeutically effective substances amd microparticles having an average particle size ranging from 5 to 200 μm for the preaparation of a topuical pharmaceutical compostion for the protection or treatment of skin or hair damages caused buy chemotherapeutic treatment. The invention also concerns a method for the protextion or treatmnent of skin or hair damages of a mammal caused by chemotherapy. A kit for the protextion or treatment of hair damages caused by chemotherapeutic treatment consists of a topical composition including microparticles together with the free radical scavengers and a shampoo for an effective hair cleaning and supporting the hair treatment. A kit for the protection or treatment of skin damages caused by chemotherapy consists of a topical composition including microparticles together with free radical scavengers and a cleansing milk for an effective skin cleaning and supporting the skin treatment.
US09446081B2

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention and treatment of diabetic complications comprising the extract of Homonoia riparia Lour. or the fraction thereof as an active ingredient. More particularly, the extract of Homonoia riparia Lour. or the fractions thereof of the present invention can inhibit the activity of aldose reductase and the generation of the advanced glycation endproducts, the index of diabetic complications, and have powerful activity of inhibiting diabetic complications with brining the anti-cataract, anti-retinopathy, and anti-neuropathy effect, and have the activity of anti-oxidation as well, so that they can be effectively used as an active ingredient of a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention and treatment of diabetic complications.
US09446077B2

Embodiments of the present invention encompass fascia, fat, and dermis fibrous compositions, and methods for their manufacture and use. In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention encompass methods for obtaining a fascia fiber for use in producing a biotextile. Exemplary methods may include treating a cadaveric fascia tissue with acetone, and obtaining the fascia fibers from the treated fascia tissue. In some cases, methods may include processing the fascia fibers to produce the fibrous fascia biotextile.
US09446066B2

Dextran sulfate is used in order to reduce pulmonary uptake of intravenously injected Dextran sulfate is capable of reducing the pulmonary uptake of the intravenously injected cells to the levels obtained for intraarterial injection of the cells but without the accompanying risks and side effects of using intraarterial cell injection. The dextran sulfate can therefore be used in a composition together with tumor infiltrating T-lymphocytes to treat metastatic cancer in a subject.
US09446064B2

The present invention relates to compositions comprising inhibitors of human histone methyltransferase DOT1L and one or more therapeutic agents, particularly anticancer agents, and methods of combination therapy for administering to subjects in need thereof for the treatment of cancer.
US09446060B2

The present invention relates to a therapeutic agent, wherein the therapeutic agent is D-Boramine. The therapeutic agent is prepared by mixing L-carnitine tartrate, pyridoxal 5′ phosphate and fumaric acid. D-Boramine, when administered orally or parenterally in therapeutic quantities, is effective for use in the prevention of cancer that arises from mutations to the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, i.e., breast and ovarian and the treatment of several types of human diseases including, but not limited to, Antiphospholipid Syndrome, Disseminate Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), infections arising from viruses (including strains of Human Papillomavirus, Herpes Simplex Virus and Simian Virus), tuberculosis (including XDR Tuberculosis) and mycoplasma, Hepatitis A, B and C, MTHFR genetic mutations.
US09446058B2

The invention relates to medicine, hepatology and pharmacology and can be used for producing and using a pharmaceutical composition based on a hepatoprotector and a prebiotic for treating and preventing liver diseases which are caused by lipid-cholesterol exchange and selected from the following group: cholelitiasis mainly with cholesterol stones, alcoholic and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, biliary cirrhosis, cholesterol imbibition gallbladder and drug-induced and toxic liver damage. The pharmaceutical composition is administered by mouth and contains a hepatoprotector and a prebiotic taken, as an active agent, in therapeutically effective doses. The invention contributes to the liver's functional recovery in a short time and prevents disease recidivation owing to the recovery of cholesterol exchange and intestinal biocenosis as a result of the synergistic interaction of a hepatoprotector and a prebiotic, thereby also preventing hepatoprotector side effects.
US09446054B2

This invention relates to pharmaceutical products and compositions for use in the treatment of asthma and related disorders, and especially but not exclusively for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). More particularly, the invention provides pharmaceutical products and compositions comprising specific anticholinergic agents, β-2 agonists and corticosteroids.
US09446053B2

The present invention provides a method for enhancing the secretion of GLP-1 of the intestinal endocrine L-cells using a bitter compound, wherein the bitter compound is a cucurbitane-triterpenoid or allyl isothiocyanate. The bitter compound can regulate the secretion of GLP-1, thus is potentially reliable for the development of medicament or healthy victual.
US09446042B2

This invention relates generally to stimulating neurogenesis (e.g., post-natal neurogenesis, e.g., post-natal hippocampal neurogenesis) and protecting from neuron cell death.
US09446031B2

The invention is directed to a method of inducing angiogenesis at a site in an individual in need thereof comprising administering locally to the site an effective amount of one or more agents that induce hypoxia induced factor 1α (HIF-1α). In another aspect, the invention is directed to a method of inducing angiogenesis at a site in an individual in need thereof comprising administering locally to the site an effective amount of one or more agents that induce hypoxia induced factor 1α (HIF-1α) and one or more lysophospholipids. In addition, the invention is directed to methods of generating prevascularized tissue, methods of generating a vascular network in a device and compositions thereof.
US09446030B2

The present invention is focused primarily toward pro re nata (“as needed”) treatments for a psychiatric condition or disorder or the symptoms thereof, including the symptoms of acute anxiety and panic in living animals, including humans. The present invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions as combination therapies containing at least one beta adrenergic receptor antagonist and at least one muscarinic receptor antagonist. The invention provides methods for treating psychiatric condition or disorder or the symptoms thereof, including acute anxiety and panic comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition consisting essentially of a beta adrenergic receptor antagonist drug and an antiemetic muscarinic receptor antagonist drug in a therapeutically effective amount to stop or reduce the symptoms of anxiety and/or panic. The pharmaceutical compositions are administered as treatments immediately in advance of, at the onset of, or during an acute anxiety and/or panic episode.
US09446028B2

Methods of increasing tonic inhibition in a subject in need thereof, for example a subject with Fragile X syndrome or Angelman syndrome are disclosed. Methods of treating secondary insomnia in a subject with a neurodegenerative disease or disorder are also disclosed. The methods can include administering the subject an effective amount of 4,5,6,7-tetrahydroisoxazolo(5,4-c)pyridin-3-ol (THIP) or a derivative thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, increase tonic inhibition in neurons of the subject; to increase slow wave sleep (SWS) and/or slow wave activity (SWA), normalize sleep architecture, reduce secondary insomnia, increase non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, increase sleep continuity, enhance delta activity within NREM, increase or improve total sleep time (TST), increase or improve sleep efficiency, reduce total time awake (TAA), reduce number of awakenings (NWA), reduce latency to persistent sleep (LPS), or to reduce wake after sleep onset (WASO), in the subject, or any combination thereof.
US09446021B2

Chemical agents, such as disulfonamide derivatives of fluorene, anthracene, xanthene, dibenzosuberone and acridine, and similar heterocyclic ring structures, including salts thereof, that act as anti-cancer and anti-tumor agents, especially where such agents modulate the activity of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and serve to reduce β-catenin levels present in cells, such as cancer cells, or where the agents modulate levels of gene expression in cellular systems, including cancer cells, are disclosed, along with methods for preparing such agents, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing such agents as active ingredients and methods of using these as therapeutic agents.
US09446018B2

The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment and prophylaxis of angina and myocardial infarction, wherein a combination of a tea extract (catechins) and an antianginal drug are proved therapeutically potent in treating angina and mycocardial infarction induced from myocardial ischemia. The present invention also provides a use of a tea extract (catechins) in treating and preventing angina.
US09446012B2

This invention relates to novel substituted nitrocatechol derivatives, their use in the treatment of some central and peripheral nervous system disorders and pharmaceutical compositions containing them.
US09446006B2

Hydroxytyrosol or olive juice containing hydroxytyrosol in combination with at least one of the compounds selected from the group consisting of: creatine, coenzyme Q10, resveratrol, caffeine, carnitine, B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and/or B12) and ginseng (preferably: root) extract.can be used to maintain or increase mitochondrial biogenesis in cardiac muscle, skeletal muscles, and liver tissue.
US09446003B2

The present invention provides prion-free compositions comprising nanoparticles comprising albumin and substantially water insoluble drugs. Also provided are methods of making prion-free compositions and methods of removing prion proteins from the nanoparticle compositions. Methods of using the compositions, as well as kits useful for carrying out the methods are also provided.
US09445997B2

The invention relates to microcapsule comprising at least one fat-soluble active substance selected from provitamins, vitamins and esters thereof, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA's), carotenoids and benzoquinones embedded in a matrix comprising a hydrocolloid and optionally one or more other matrix components, wherein the content of active substance(s) is from 30 to 60% of total weight of the microcapsule, and wherein the ratio between said fat-soluble active substance(s) and said hydrocolloid is at least 4:1, as well as a process for preparing such microcapsules.The microcapsules of the invention may be used for the preparation of tablets, food products and other products including an active substance.
US09445991B2

Methods and compositions for preventing and treating the damaged and/or degenerating CNS experiencing loss or death of CNS cells. Various embodiments of the invention transport a therapeutically effective amount of, inter alia at least one therapeutic cell to the CNS by intranasal application to the upper-third of the nasal cavity, thereby bypassing the blood-brain barrier. A pharmaceutical composition according to the invention may comprise at least one therapeutic cell, at least one delivery-enhancement agent, at least one antibiotic, at least one regulatory factor and/or at least one immunosuppressive agent, wherein the composition is delivered to the upper-third of the nasal cavity. The therapeutic cells, once delivered to the CNS, migrate preferentially to the area of damage or degeneration or injury.
US09445985B2

A subject matter of the present invention is a composition for topical application comprising hydrophobic silica aerogel particles and at least one emulsifying silicone elastomer. Another subject matter of the invention is a method for the cosmetic treatment of keratinous substances which consists in applying, to the keratinous substances, a composition as defined above, and also the use of this composition in the cosmetic or dermatological field and in particular for caring for, protecting and/or making up the skin of the body or face or for caring for the hair. The composition of the invention makes it possible to improve the sensory properties of cosmetic compositions provided in the anhydrous or emulsified form by making possible more complete absorption, without a greasy or unpleasant residual film on the skin.
US09445971B2

In one aspect, the present invention features a method of manufacturing a solid dosage form, the method including the steps of: (a) measuring an amount of a first powder blend within a dosing nozzle, wherein the first powder blend includes a pharmaceutically active agent; (b) discharging the measured amount of a first powder blend from the dosing nozzle into a forming cavity within a die block, the forming cavity having an inner wall, a first opening at the surface of one side of the die block, and a second opening at the surface on the opposite side of the die block; (c) moving a first forming tool into the forming cavity through the first opening of the forming cavity such that the first powder blend is formed into the shape of the dosage form within the forming cavity between the inner wall, the first forming tool and a second forming tool within or adjacent to the cavity; (d) applying RF energy between a first electrode and a second electrode such that the energy heats the first powder blend within the forming cavity to form the dosage form; and (e) removing the dosage form from the forming cavity.
US09445970B2

A daily blister card housing a unit dose includes a back side and a front side opposite the back side. The front side includes a manufacturer indicator visible on the front side. A face has an outer periphery and a total planar area bounded by the outer periphery. One or more blisters extend outwardly at the face that contains at least three unit doses that are visible from outside the one or more blisters. Each of the one or more blisters includes a shoulder contacting a cavity backing surface and a projected cavity area bounded by the shoulder that is projected onto the cavity backing surface. A total projected cavity area of the one or more blisters is no more than about 45 percent of the total planar area bounded by the outer periphery.
US09445967B2

This invention relates to an automated cardiopulmonary resuscitation device for cyclically compressing a patient's chest. The CPR device comprises a front structure with a first and a second movable unit arranged to move back and forth along said front structure; a back support for positioning behind the patient's back arranged to keep the front structure in a fixed position relative to the patient's back; a chest pad; two arms each rotatably coupled to the chest pad with one end and each being rotatably coupled to a respective one of the first and the second movable units; and a motor arranged for, when in operation, driving the first and the second movable units back and forth such that the chest pad cyclically compresses the patient's chest.
US09445965B2

A method of treating spine pathologies and related outcomes in a subject in need thereof is provided. The method includes placement of at least two calibrated, differential disturbances or protuberances under the subject's feet.
US09445964B1

This design for a modular casket uses a tension cable system to function as the weight bearing floor for the interior. The cable weaves through eyepieces mounted to either stanchions or side panels to form a zigzag webbing along the bottom of the casket and tension is applied to the cable using a ratchet. The interior flooring is completed by laying a sheet of foam over the cable webbing on top of which the casket's mattress is laid. Both the lid and the base are comprised of four partitions that are either flexibly attached to one another to enable a compact accordion like fold or are separate pieces which easily align. In both the wood and steel versions of this design, the caskets are fully assembled without the use of tools.
US09445961B2

A wheelchair table includes: an attachment part configured to be attached to a side part of a wheelchair; an arm supported by the attachment part; and a table body provided at a tip part of the arm. The arm is supported so as to be movable upward and downward relative to the attachment part such that the table body can be lowered from an in-use position located above a user's knees to a not in-use position located in front of and below the knees while the user sits in the wheelchair. With this wheelchair table, operability and safety during wheelchair travel can be enhanced while favorably maintaining the function as a table.
US09445954B2

An absorbent article having improved handling of body exudates can include a fluid-entangled body facing material including a support layer and a projection layer. The fluid-entangled body facing material can include a plurality of hollow projections formed from a first plurality of fibers in the projection layer. The hollow projections can extend from the outer surface of the projection layer in a direction away from the support layer. The absorbent article can minimize the amount of body exudates in contact with a wearer's skin and can minimize the incidence of leakage of body exudates from the absorbent article.
US09445952B2

An absorbent article having improved handling of body exudates can include a fluid-entangled body facing material including a support layer and a projection layer. The fluid-entangled body facing material can include a plurality of hollow projections formed from a first plurality of fibers in the projection layer. The hollow projections can extend from the outer surface of the projection layer in a direction away from the support layer. The absorbent article can minimize the amount of body exudates in contact with a wearer's skin and can minimize the incidence of leakage of body exudates from the absorbent article.
US09445943B2

A method of irrigating a surgical site and aspirating fluid from the surgical site. The method includes directing a fluid through an aspiration conduit in a phacoemulsification hand piece using a vacuum pressure created from a pump in the hand piece interfacing with the aspiration conduit and directing an irrigation fluid through an irrigation conduit in the hand piece using a pressure created from the pump interfacing with the irrigation conduit. The method also includes increasing an irrigation fluid flow through the irrigation conduit by activating the pump in the hand piece, detecting a pressure associated with a surgical site using a sensor, and controlling intraocular pressure (IOP) by adjusting the pump speed based on the detected pressure.
US09445939B2

A method of providing moisture therapy to a subject by applying a moist therapy compress against a treated body portion. The moist therapy compress includes a fluid-permeable shell, a flexible backing fastened to the shell to define an enclosure, and a hydrophilic zeolite fill granules loosely contained within the enclosure. The therapy compress is exposed to a source of moisture to cause absorption of water into the a hydrophilic zeolite, and the moisture is delivered from the hydrophilic zeolite through the fluid permeable shell to the treated body portion.
US09445936B2

A method, system and device for addressing the reduction of snoring includes a removable or dissolvable strip of material that adhere to mucosal tissue of a person's soft palate to provide stiffening support therefore, thus reducing the occurrence of vibration of such tissue during sleep. Preferred embodiments include of a specially textured surface, either one both or at least the outer side of an adhesive strip (the side facing away from the mucosal tissue to which it is attached) that has anti-microbial characteristics, bioluminescent expressions, etc. and a surface topography that resists bioadhesion of undesired bacteria that are typically present in a human's mouth.
US09445933B2

A vacuum splint for maintaining a person in an immobilized state includes a flexible airtight casing upon which a patient is placed. The casing has an internal chamber that contains a large number of beads. Valves are provided to develop a vacuum within the chamber to convert the casing from a relatively soft, flexible state to a rigid, evacuated state. A semi-rigid member spans the length of the vacuum splint that resists longitudinal compression when air is evacuated from the chamber. The semi-rigid member also retains sufficient longitudinal and lateral flexibility such that it allows the vacuum splint to be molded to various patient positions and folded or rolled up when not in an evacuated state. The head end of the vacuum splint includes two protrusions that extend upward. When in an evacuated state, these protrusions extend over either side of a patient's head thereby providing support and protection.
US09445932B2

An orthopedic garment includes a garment body made of stretchable fabric and configured to be worn in a form-fitting manner on the upper body of a wearer. The garment body has a front body portion, a rear body portion joined to the front body portion, and right and left sleeve portions attached to the front and rear body portions. Also provided is at least one tensor band laid out along one of the front and rear body portions in a manner intended to substantially correspond to at least one of the fascial lines extending along the upper body of the wearer. When the garment is worn by the wearer, the at least one tensor band may be placed in tension so as to provide proprioceptive feedback to the wearer during movement.
US09445930B2

Upon filling multiple inflatable chambers of a gastric balloon structure in a patient's stomach, the gastric balloon structure assumes a natural three-dimensional kidney shape of the gastric cavity. A flexible central spine may span a gap between two inflatable chambers and may include lumens for inflation of one or both chambers. The plurality of compartments, when in an inflated state, may form a cavity therebetween through which food may pass and may leave in a stomach a residual volume of 10 ml to 100 ml.
US09445929B2

A delivery device can provide sequential delivery of a plurality of intraluminal devices or tacks held in a compressed state on the delivery device. Delivery platforms on the delivery device can hold a tack in a compressed position and have a unique shape, such as a non-constant outer diameter, an hourglass shape, a tapered proximal half, ridges, dimples, etc. This unique shape can be positioned between annular pusher bands that may also be radiopaque markers. In some embodiments, the unique shape is provided by a sleeve of flexible material with the unique shape surrounding a harder inner shaft. Further, the annular pusher bands can be made of wire or sections of material to increase flexibility while remaining radiopacity. A tack deployment method can include alignment of radiopaque markers on the outer sheath and the tack to be deployed prior to deployment.
US09445924B2

For welding a polished component of one metal to a polished prosthesis of another metal, ramp surfaces are used, to compensate for loss of precise dimensions of the two components at the surfaces that face each other at the weld interface, during the respective polishing procedures for the two metals.
US09445923B2

Provided are systems and methods for precise intra-operative placement and positioning of components of hip prostheses, particularly with respect to avoiding acetabular prosthetic implant malpositioning in the human hip. In one embodiment the system includes at least a pair of electronic sensors as tilt and direction sensors, which are positioned on the patient's native bone structure and the prosthesis, plus at least one of an electronic angle sensor and an electronic leg length measurement unit, plus a computer processor running application software that is capable of receiving and using information from the various electronic sensors to calculate relevant angular relationships and, optionally, distance relationships. The system electronically measures a living subject's pelvic tilt and position while lying in the lateral decubitus position during the surgery. The systems and methods provide accurate and precise measurements of the subject's pelvic tilt, angle of inclination, and angle of forward flexion to the surgeon during the procedure by which the hip prosthesis is surgically implanted into the subject.
US09445920B2

A spinal fusion device that is expandable. The device features a top and bottom surface for engaging adjacent vertebrae, a hollow center for stacking of bone or bone growth material, and a slidable mechanism with grooves for expanding or unexpanding the device.
US09445918B1

A system for performing interbody fusion surgery including an expandable intervertebral spacer and specialized instruments for choosing the correct size of implant, implanting the device within the intervertebral space, and for delivery of bone graft or bone substitute to the interior of the implant.
US09445909B2

An implant providing for both short and long term stability and fixation is disclosed. The implant includes a plurality of projections extending from a bone contacting surface, and a porous material covering at least portions of the surface and projections. The orientation of the projections and the porous material provide for the stability and fixation. Methods of forming and utilizing the implant are also disclosed.
US09445899B2

A method for mitral valve annuloplasty includes inserting a catheter apparatus across an aortic valve, the catheter apparatus including a tissue penetration member having a distal fixation end. The method further includes penetrating an aortomitral continuity and tissue of a fibrous trigone with the catheter apparatus from a left ventricular outflow tract beneath the aortic valve, and advancing the catheter apparatus along annular tissue of a mitral valve annulus. The distal fixation end is deployed to engage the annular tissue, the tissue penetration member is retracted within the catheter apparatus to compress the annular tissue a desired distance for reduction of the annular tissue, and the retracted tissue penetration member is secured to anchor the annular tissue reduction.
US09445897B2

A delivery system and a method for deploying a cardiovascular prosthetic implant using a minimally invasive procedure are disclosed. The delivery system comprises an introducer catheter, a delivery catheter having a proximal end and a distal end, and a seal assembly, wherein an outer diameter of the distal end of the delivery catheter is greater than an inner diameter of the distal end of the introducer catheter.
US09445888B2

An implant suitable for being anchored with the aid of mechanical vibration in an opening provided in bone tissue. The implant is compressible in the direction of a compression axis under local enlargement of a distance between a peripheral implant surface and the compression axis. The implant includes a coupling-in face which serves for coupling a compressing force and the mechanical vibrations into the implant, which coupling-in face is not parallel to the compression axis. The implant also includes a thermoplastic material which, in areas of the local distance enlargement, forms at least a part of the peripheral surface of the implant.
US09445886B2

A vascular prosthesis configured for direct connection to an artery. The vascular prosthesis may include a tube of material other than autologous vascular tissue, having an end formation, which is configured for surgical connection to an opening formed in the artery, and a narrower portion prior to commencement of the end formation. The end formation may have an enlarged chamber adapted to induce a concave section in the blood vessel upon attachment thereto.
US09445882B2

The present invention refers to a vaginal device of an elastic material, the vaginal device comprising a longitudinal portion having a geometrical center line, an upper end and a lower end and which vaginal device is intended to be inserted securely fixated inside of a vagina, the upper end being the innermost of the vaginal device in the vagina during use, to support against the urethra, through the vaginal wall, to prevent urinary stress incontinence in a woman, wherein the vaginal device comprises at least one supporting portion protruding from the longitudinal portion and a reference member protruding from the longitudinal portion at the lower end, which reference member during use is fixated against the vaginal introitus, holding the vaginal device securely fixated inside of the vagina and ensuring the at least one supporting portion to support against the urethra.
US09445877B2

A toothbrush has a frame, a bristle holder movably mounted to a distal end of the frame, and a power transmission assembly operatively connectable to a drive motor and operatively connected to the bristle holder so as to move bristle tips on the bristle holder along an oval path relative to the frame. In a single cycle of movement along the oval path, the bristles shift away from the frame and towards the teeth, then along and in contact with the teeth in a direction away from the gum line, then back towards the frame and away from the teeth, and subsequently along the frame and out of contact with the teeth.
US09445870B2

Methods and devices for delivering therapeutic or diagnostic energy (e.g., light, ultrasound, ionizing radiation (e.g., x-ray), vibration, heat energy, etc.) into the eye. An energy emitting device is positioned on the eye and used to deliver energy into the eye. The device may be constructed to allow the subject's eyelids to open and close while the device is positioned on the eye. The device is useable for various energy based or energy-mediated therapies, including crosslinking of corneal collagen, light therapy, photodynamic therapy, photo-activation of drugs, etc.
US09445865B2

An electrosurgical instrument includes a housing, an elongated shaft, and an end-effector assembly. The proximal end of the shaft is operably associated with the housing. The end-effector assembly is operably coupled to the distal end of the shaft and includes first and second jaw members. Each of the first and second jaw members includes a sealing plate and a bipolar electrode. Either one or both of the first and second jaw members is movable from a position in spaced relation relative to the other jaw member to at least one subsequent position wherein the sealing plates cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. The electrosurgical instrument includes a semiconductor switch operably coupled to at least one of the sealing plates and at least one of the bipolar electrodes. The semiconductor switch is configured to enable user selection between energizing the at least one sealing plate or the at least one bipolar electrode.
US09445856B2

A device is disclosed for reducing a vertebral compression fracture, comprising a superior end plate and an inferior end plate disposed along a vertical axis. The superior end plate and the inferior end plate are slidably separable in a vertical direction along the vertical axis. An interior chamber is provided in fluid communication with a port extending from an exterior to the interior chamber. The device is deployable within a vertebral body and expandable within the vertebral body by injecting a flowable material into the interior chamber thereby displacing the superior and inferior end plates along the vertical axis.
US09445849B2

Embodiments disclosed herein provide compression/distraction methods and tools useful for fitting a spinal stabilization system in a patient through minimally invasive surgery. The spinal stabilization system may comprise screws anchored in vertebrae. The vertebrae may need to be compressed or distracted. One embodiment of an instrument disclosed herein may comprise a shaft for engaging one of the screws through an extender sleeve. A driver may engage another screw through an opening of the instrument. Through this engagement, a surgeon may use the rack and pinion of the instrument to compress or distract one or more levels of the vertebrae in a parallel motion, which can be advantageous clinically in certain situations.
US09445843B2

Devices, systems and methods for dynamically stabilizing the spine are provided. The devices include an expandable spacer having an undeployed configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the spacer has axial and radial dimensions for positioning between the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae. The systems include one or more spacers and a mechanical actuation means for delivering and deploying the spacer. The methods involve the implantation of one or more spacers within the interspinous space.
US09445842B2

A facet screw system for surgical implantation into bone tissue having a shaft, a compression member and a washer. The shaft includes a shaft having a bone engaging portion and a compression member engaging portion. The compression member includes a spherical head portion having a recess for engaging with a driving instrument, and an elongated coupling portion having internal threads for coupling with the compression member engaging portion of the shaft and a washer coupled to the spherical head portion of the compression member and having a plurality of bone engaging protrusions. The washer is adapted to be polyaxially rotatable with respect to the compression member.
US09445833B2

An ultrasonic probe includes a probe bend portion bending relative to a probe main body portion in a first bend direction and a second bend direction with a center of gravity being located on a first bend direction side with respect to a longitudinal axis. In the probe bend portion, a cross-sectional shape in a cross section perpendicular to a first perpendicular direction and a second perpendicular direction varies continuously along the first perpendicular direction and the second perpendicular direction with a cross-sectional center of gravity in the cross section perpendicular to the first perpendicular direction and the second perpendicular direction lying toward the second bend direction, as it is from the first perpendicular direction toward the second perpendicular direction.
US09445831B2

An aspiration control device may include a conduit having a distal end and a proximal end. The conduit may define a conduit lumen and an aperture vent open to the conduit lumen. A coupling may be configured to couple the proximal end of the conduit with a vacuum source and an inner cannula of a tissue cutting device. The inner cannula may define an inner cannula lumen wherein the vacuum source is configured to supply a vacuum to each of the coupling lumen and the inner cannula lumen. A sleeve may be movably disposed about the conduit, and a device motor may be in communication with the sleeve and be configured to move the sleeve to a predefined position relative to the vent in response to an input single from a user interface. The predefined position of the sleeve may correspond to a predefined level of vacuum to be supplied to the inner cannula lumen.
US09445829B2

A clot retrieval device 1 for removing occlusive clot from a blood vessel, the device comprises an inner elongate body 3 having a collapsed delivery configuration and an expanded deployed configuration and an outer elongate body 2 at least partially overlying the inner elongate body 2. The outer elongate body 2 is expandable to a radial extent which is greater than the radial extent of the inner body 3 in the deployed configuration to define a clot reception space 11. The outer elongate body 2 comprises a distal end portion 24,49 and the inner elongate body 3 comprises a main body portion 10 and a distal portion which extends in the deployed configuration towards the outer elongate body 2 to a greater extent than the main body portion. The distal portion 10 of the inner elongate member 3 and the distal end portion 24,49 of the outer elongate body 2 together define a three dimensional protective structure to substantially prevent distal egress of clot or clot fragments from the device.
US09445819B2

A venous nitinol embolization insert for restricting blood flow includes a tubular member and an embolization material attached to the tubular member. The embolization insert provides a predetermined blood flow rate based on experimental data. A method of controlling restriction of blood flow to a targeted vascular site within a patient's body includes selecting an insert that provides a predetermined blood flow rate corresponding to a desired blood flow rate. The embolization insert is selected from a plurality of embolization inserts that provide varied blood flow rates.
US09445814B2

A surgical fastener is provided for various surgical fastening applications, including attaching an implantable prosthesis, such as a soft tissue repair fabric, to tissue and/or muscle. The surgical fastener may include a coil body and a separate head that is attached to the coil body. The head may include two or more radial wings extending in an outward radial direction from the head body. Each wing may include an external thread to engage with a corresponding internal thread of a delivery device. Each wing may be spaced from an adjacent wing by an opening therebetween to receive a drive member for driving the surgical fastener. The coil body may be attached to the center of the head. A proximal-most coil of the coil body may be spaced from a distal face of the head to form a gap therebetween.
US09445812B2

A buttressed anvil assembly is provided for use with a surgical stapling instrument. The buttressed anvil assembly generally includes an anvil member having a strip of buttress material attached thereto by a pair of sutures. A tensioning mechanism is provided to secure or tension the buttress material to the anvil member prior to use and allow for release of the buttress material after stapling of tissue. The tensioning mechanism includes a cinch track engageable with one of the pair of sutures.
US09445811B2

A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue includes a handle assembly, an elongate member extending distally from the handle assembly, an end effector disposed adjacent a distal portion of the elongate member, and an actuation assembly operatively associated with the handle assembly. The actuation mechanism includes a thrust bar disposed at least partially within the elongate member and a distal slide member. The thrust bar has a proximal portion, a distal portion, a first lateral side and a second lateral side and is configured to move between proximal and distal positions with respect to the handle assembly. The distal slide member is positioned adjacent the first lateral side of the thrust bar and is adjacent the distal portion of the thrust bar. The proximal portion of the distal slide member is adapted to slide relative to the thrust bar when thrust bar moves in a curvilinear direction.
US09445808B2

An apparatus is provided for operating on tissue. The apparatus includes an end effector having an upper jaw and lower jaw. The upper and lower jaws each include an electrode surface. The apparatus also includes a tissue tacking cartridge coupled to one of either the upper jaw or the lower jaw. The tissue tacking cartridge includes at least one fastener positioned outside of the electrode surfaces. The fastener is operable to be deployed from the tissue tacking cartridge. A tack loading cartridge may also be operable to load the end effector with at least one fastener.
US09445800B2

An inflatable retractor for use in laparoscopic surgery of a patient's body includes an inflatable element disposed at a distal end of a retractor shaft. The retractor shaft includes a port for receiving insufflating fluid. The inflatable element is designed so that different parts of the inflatable element may be filled to different pressure levels. The inflatable element may include separately inflatable chambers. In this way, the rigidity and shape of the inflatable element is controlled by the surgeon, allowing for flexibility and ease of use.
US09445799B2

A collapsible medical device and associated methods of occluding an abnormal opening in, for example, a body organ, wherein the medical device is shaped from plural layers of a heat-treatable metal fabric. Each of the fabric layers is formed from a plurality of metal strands and the assembly is heat-treated within a mold in order to substantially set a desired shape of the device. By incorporating plural layers in the thus-formed medical device, the ability of the device to rapidly occlude an abnormal opening in a body organ is significantly improved.
US09445798B2

A collapsible medical device and associated methods of occluding an abnormal opening in, for example, a body organ, wherein the medical device is shaped from plural layers of a heat-treatable metal fabric. Each of the fabric layers is formed from a plurality of metal strands and the assembly is heat-treated within a mold in order to substantially set a desired shape of the device. By incorporating plural layers in the thus-formed medical device, the ability of the device to rapidly occlude an abnormal opening in a body organ is significantly improved.
US09445797B2

Medical devices for closing anatomical apertures, such as atrial or ventricular septal defects, are disclosed. The medical devices can include a plug body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. The plug body can include an exterior surface, an interior surface defining an interior lumen, and a seal which can be located within the interior lumen. The medical devices can also include at least one arm member extending through the plug body between the exterior surface and the interior surface of the plug body. In certain embodiments, the medical device can include a distal loop and a proximal loop extending through the plug body. In certain embodiments, the proximal loop can be smaller than the distal loop, such that a top end and a bottom end of the proximal loop can fit within a top end and a bottom end of the distal loop.
US09445796B2

Embodiments are described for closing vascular access ports, such as arteriotomies, which involve placement and deployment of an expandable device configured to prevent blood flow across a subject arteriotomy while also keeping disturbance of intravascular flow to a minimum. Suitable prostheses may comprise one or more frames constructed from lengths of flexible materials, such as shape memory alloys or polymers. Such frames may be coupled to sheetlike or tube-like structures configured to spread loads, minimize thrombosis which may be related to intravascular flow, and maintain hemostasis.
US09445787B2

An ultrasonic imaging system comprises a processing system and an ultrasound imaging probe that is configured to transmit ultrasound energy into a selected portion of a subject and to receive echoes therefrom and to transmit data signals representative thereof to the processing system. The system further comprises a blood pressure sensor that is configured to measure the blood pressure of the subject and to transmit data signals representative thereof to the processing system. The processing system can processes the received ultrasound data signals to generate an ultrasound image and the received blood pressure data signals to generate a blood pressure trace. The processing system can also display the ultrasound image and blood pressure trace in a display image in which portions of the ultrasound image are displayed in temporal synchrony with portions of the blood pressure trace.
US09445768B2

Techniques for providing a personal biosensor accessory attachment are disclosed. In some embodiments, a personal biosensor accessory attachment system is disclosed. In some embodiments, a personal biosensor accessory attachment system includes a biosensor for detecting a bio-signal; and a personal biosensor device that is adapted to securely hold the biosensor, in which the personal biosensor device can be adapted to be mechanically secured to a plurality of computing devices.
US09445761B2

A lancing device includes an advance-and-eject mechanism with a positioning member for manipulating a series of interconnected lancets. The advance-and-eject mechanism includes an actuator, a control channel, a cam-and-follower mechanism, one or more axial-contact members, and one or more angular-contact members. Actuating the actuator relative to the control channel imparts rotational and axial forces on the positioning member, and the cam-and-follower mechanism selectively restricts rotational and/or axial motion of the positioning member to induce first-stage rotation, second-stage translation, third-stage rotation, and fourth-stage translation. The first-stage rotation rotates the axial-contact members into an interference position, the second-stage translation advances the axial-contact members and the lancet, the third-stage rotation rotates the angular-contact members and the lancet to sever its rearside connection, and the fourth-stage translation advances the axial-contact members and the lancet to a position free of the serial-interconnected lancets thereby ejecting it from the lancing device.
US09445760B2

An automatically locking safety device, e.g., for use in a blood collection procedure, can include a housing, first and second needle covers that are at least partly received in the housing, and a needle that is at least partly received in at least one of the first and second needle covers. The needle can include a proximal tip configured for placement into a patient and a distal tip configured for placement into a blood collection vial. In some embodiments, the first and second needle covers are biased by a biasing member. In some cases, one or both of the first and second needle covers can be locked to prevent axial movement thereof after the blood collection procedure. In certain embodiments, a distal end of the device is configured to connect with a medical connector, such as a needleless IV access device.
US09445759B1

A blood glucose calibration system has a noninvasive sensor that attaches to a person's tissue site so as to generate multi-stream physiological data responsive to that person's blood constituents. Composite parameters, each in the form of a mathematical combination of invasive blood panel parameters, are derived from a general population and are responsive to the multi-stream physiological data. A population-based, blood glucose estimate for that person is derived from a weighted and scaled combination of these composite parameters. An individualized blood glucose estimate is then derived from the population-based blood glucose estimate and intermittent invasive test strip measurements of that particular individual.
US09445750B2

The invention relates to a heart rate measuring apparatus and a method, adapted for measuring a subject's (6) heart rate and/or heart rate variation. The heart rate measuring apparatus (1) comprises a holder (2) adapted for carrying a portion of a body part of the subject (6) lying on or resting against the holder (2), a motion sensor (4) operatively connected to the holder (2), wherein the holder (2) is adapted for being at least partly moveable in a horizontal direction relative to the ground (7), the motion sensor (4) being adapted for measuring a signal generated by a movement of the subject (6) at least partly in the horizontal direction. In this way, a reliable signal is obtained adapted for measuring the heart rate and/or heart rate variation of a subject while keeping the implementation costs low.
US09445745B2

A medical tool includes a location sensor at a distal end. While the tool is being maneuvered to a desired region of interest, a control unit records a first location reading obtained according to an output from the sensor when requested by a user, indicative of when a patient's anatomy constrains free movement of the tool in at least one degree of freedom. Once the tool has reached the region of interest, the control unit records a second location reading according to the sensor output indicative of a current location. A relaxation shape of the tool forms a shape constraint on the tool shape reconstruction. The control unit determines a reconstruction representing the current shape of the tool based on the positional constraints and the shape constraint. The reconstruction is graphically superimposed on an image of the region of interest.
US09445738B2

In a cardiographic apparatus (10), a plurality of electrodes (16) are configured for operative connection with a subject (14). A cardiograph (12, 12′, 12′) is connected with the plurality of electrodes to acquire cardiographic data. A respiratory gate (20, 22, 26, 36, 46, 50, 52, 54) is configured to identify end expiration periods or other quiescent respiratory periods so as to generate a cardiographic dataset (30) limited to the identified end-expiration periods from cardiographic data acquired by the cardiograph at least during the identified end expiration periods.
US09445733B2

An electronic device is an electronic device that measures biological information. The electronic device includes a biological-information sensor section configured to measure the biological information and an armor case configured to house the biological-information sensor section. The armor case includes a case main body section and a rear lid section. One surface of the case main body section is integrally molded with a windshield and the other surface of the case main body section is formed of a transparent member in which an opening section is formed. The rear lid section is attached to the case main body section to close the opening section and at least a part of the rear lid section is formed of a transparent member.
US09445731B2

According to one embodiment, a pulse wave velocity measuring device includes a first sensor, a second sensor, a base body and a calculation unit. The first sensor is configured to sense a pulse wave propagating through an interior of a vessel. The second sensor is separated from the first sensor and is configured to sense the pulse wave. The base body is configured to hold the first sensor and the second sensor and regulate a distance between the first sensor and the second sensor. The calculation unit is configured to derive a difference between a time of the sensing of the pulse wave by the first sensor and a time of the sensing of the pulse wave by the second sensor.
US09445723B2

Devices, systems, and methods for reconditioning an intravascular device for reuse are provided. The method includes reading first security data from a memory of the intravascular device; determining if the intravascular device is authentic; generating second security data, when the intravascular device is authentic; and writing the second security data to the memory of the intravascular device. Devices, systems, and methods for authenticating an intravascular device for use are also provided. The method includes bringing an intravascular device into communication with a computing device, the intravascular device including a memory; determining if first security data is authentic; determining, when the first security data is authentic, if the intravascular device has been reconditioned; determining, when the intravascular device has been reconditioned, if the second security data is authentic base; and permitting, when second security data is authentic, use of the intravascular device in the clinical procedure.
US09445722B2

A method is disclosed for performing a combined magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography scan of an examination object in an MR/PET system. An embodiment of the method entails acquiring first magnetic resonance data using a first readout gradient field. The first readout gradient field is chosen such that, at a location of the field of view of the magnetic resonance system, a distortion caused by a nonlinearity of the first readout gradient field and a distortion caused by a B0 field inhomogeneity substantially cancel each other out. First magnetic resonance images for planning the combined magnetic resonance/positron emission tomography session and determining an attenuation correction map for a positron emission tomography scan are determined on the basis of the first magnetic resonance data. Positron emission data and second magnetic resonance data are acquired using a second readout gradient field.
US09445712B2

A portable medical illuminator is configured for attachment to a medical device wherein the illuminator includes an illuminator housing and a light source disposed in relation to the housing. A portable rechargeable power supply is connected to the light source, and an inductive charging coil is disposed within the illuminator housing to enable contactless charging of the contained portable power supply.
US09445706B2

A dishwasher for treating dishes includes a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber, a spraying system having a distribution header and at least one aperture provided on the distribution header for spraying wash liquid into the treating chamber, and a recirculation system for recirculating liquid sprayed in the treating chamber to the spraying system. A light assembly is provided on the distribution header, and includes a light source that emits light to a light guide, which in turn distributes light to the treating chamber.
US09445692B2

A bathing facility cushion device protects a person from impact damage in the event of an accident incident to bathing. The device includes an elongated resilient retainer and an elongated pad. An inner section and an outer section of the retainer define a channel therebetween. The channel tapers extending away from a medial section of the retainer. A first section and a second section of the pad define a passage therebetween. The pad is enageable to the retainer wherein the retainer is configured for securing the pad over a top surface of a side wall of a bathtub such that the first section and the second section extend downwardly along the side wall of the bathtub.
US09445680B2

A portable device that facilitates and aids in self-dressing lower as well as upper body with single and or multiple articles of clothing with minimal physical motion, and coordination (e.g., exertion, bending, squeezing, gripping, twisting etc.). The portable device includes a base that supports and provides stability for maintaining the portable device in an upright position, and defines a workspace for positioning articles of clothing. Further included is a first retainer associated with the base, a second retainer associated with a handle, and a first and second side posts adjustably and moveably associated with the base.
US09445679B2

A hanger comprising a hanger body and a hook assembly. An attachment assembly is configured to allow for the coupling of the hanger body and the hook assembly in selectively rotatable engagement. The attachment assembly includes a first coupling component and a second coupling component, the first coupling component positioned on the hook assembly and the second coupling component positioned on the hanger body. A releasable locking component releasably locks the first coupling component and the second coupling component in at least a collapsed configuration and an articulated configuration.
US09445674B2

The present disclosure provides a shelving display system comprising substantially horizontal shelves, multi-chute gravity feed units and advertising panels. The horizontal shelves may be arranged in any number of configurations to display and dispense consumer goods. In a particularly preferred embodiment a horizontal shelf defines the lower portion of the shelving display system. Generally the horizontal shelves are spaced and arranged so as to display and dispense products, such as bundled consumer goods, and more preferably bundles of paper towels, facial and bath tissue.
US09445673B2

A bed assembly for providing a place of entertainment and a place to sleep for people of all ages, primarily children. The bed assembly is functional, ornamental, and entertaining. The assembly provides for a frame, body, and wheels. The interior frame and under-carriage assembly is a structure of vertical, horizontal, angled, and transverse support members elevated by columns and truss oriented support members that may be assembled by the consumer. The body of the bed is primarily for ornamental design and is to give shape and dimension to the frame by using a plurality of detachable body panels. A tire/wheel assembly consists of a rim/wheel to provide for ornamental design, seating, and entertainment by the consumer, as it attaches and detaches as part of its function. The assembly includes two locations for storing mattresses for use in sleeping, an upper and lower location.
US09445671B2

A locking regulating device for drawer slide rail, comprising a slide rail component and a drawer, wherein the drawer is fixedly connected with the movable rail on the slide rail component, characterized in that, a locking regulating device fixed on the drawer is also included, the drawer is designed to latch the square hole on the movable rail through the locking regulating device to realize mutual connection; the locking regulating device comprises a locking mechanism and a regulating mechanism; the locking mechanism is composed of a handle and a lock catch through mutual transmission; through the lock catch, the regulating device is self-locked on the movable rail and acts on the handle to complete unlocking of the lock catch; the regulating mechanism is designed to respectively make three-dimensional regulation to the drawer from up/down, left/right and front/back directions. The present utility model realizes locking and three-dimensional regulation through the locking mechanism and the regulating mechanism. The locking mechanism is designed to realize self-locking by locking the movable rail through lock catch and perform unlocking through handle transmission to lock catch, so as to conveniently realize the unlocking and separation between drawer and movable rail. The regulating mechanism is designed to respectively make regulation to the drawer in the up/down, left/right and front/back direction, thus contributes to the coordination between drawer and movable rail and meets the demand of different consumers.
US09445666B2

A shelf with interlayers may include a shelf made by a plurality of connectors and panels, wherein both sides of the panel has at least one connecting portion and connecting unit, and connecting unit has a connecting groove corresponding to the panel, and the connecting groove is configured to engage with auxiliary panels to increase the variability of using an inner space of the shelf.
US09445665B2

Autonomous trolleys include an integrated power source, which energy can be utilized for integrated trolley systems such as a wheel assist module, heating module, and cooling module. The power source may include a fuel cell system or a rechargeable electrical energy storage device or a combination thereof. The rechargeable electrical energy storage device can be charged by any other power source, including a fuel cell system. The trolley can also be equipped with a fuel tank for easy and safe refueling of a fuel cell system.
US09445659B1

An embodiment personal item management apparatus includes a wearable band having a fixed circumference that defines a first outer diameter; and a clasp coupled to the wearable band, the clasp having a second outer diameter that is less than the first outer diameter and being adapted to couple a personal item to the wearable band. In an exemplary embodiment, the ratio of the second outer diameter to the first outer diameter is about 0.4.
US09445656B2

The present invention provides a hair accessory characteristic of Shore Hardness between 41 D and 60 D and made from a polymerized plastic mixture including acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) resin, thermoplastic rubber (TPR), defoamer, lubricant and optical brightener. The hair accessory which is bent and deformed under effect of a tensional stress does not induce white crease marks, cracks or complete breaks and is able to rebounds and returns to initial status after releasing of the tensional stress. The hair accessory with advantages including flexibility, rebound elasticity and plasticity does not compress or hurt a user's scalp and contributes to safety use when the user takes the hair accessory to comb her hairs.
US09445653B2

A Bluetooth audio that can be selectively installed on an umbrella shaft of an umbrella includes an audio body, a coupling shell and a clamp device. The audio body includes an installation recess which has an installation space for installing the umbrella shaft. The installation recess has a closed end corresponding to the substantial center of the audio body and an open end located on an edge of the audio body and corresponding to the closed end. The coupling shell can be selectively placed in the installation space through the open end and installed in the installation recess to close the open end and confine the umbrella shaft at the closed end. The clamp device is located in the audio body corresponding to the closed end and operable by a user's hand to clamp the umbrella shaft.
US09445651B2

A wearable device is provided with a wearable device structure. The wearable device has a first end and a second end, each with a plurality of magnets. The first and second ends are coupled by overlapping at least a portion of the first end magnets to at least a portion of the second end magnets. A distance between the overlapped magnets on the first end to magnets of the second end is 0.1 to 10 mm. ID circuitry is provided at a surface or an interior of the wearable device.
US09445650B2

Various embodiments include a male surface fastener member configured for being molded onto a surface of a foaming resin mold body. The male surface fastener member includes a plurality of male surface fastener strips connected with each other in an end-to-end relationship via a connecting portion that is integrally formed with at least the end portions of each male surface fastener strips. Each male surface fastener strip includes a base material having a first surface from which a plurality of engaging elements extend upwardly and first and second substantially lateral resin intrusion prevention walls that upwardly from the first surface along a width direction of the base material between the first and second longitudinal resin intrusion prevention walls. Each of the lateral resin intrusion prevention walls comprises a plurality of engaging elements that are arranged in series in a width direction of the first surface.
US09445641B1

Multi-pin LEDs are secured to a ribbon assembly with substantially watertight mountings through use of glue while an LED embedded wire is created by electrically connecting together the axial leads of a plurality of axial LEDs with two conductive wires that are wound around the axial leads and then the resultant subassembly is protected and encased by two pieces of tape. Light effect material is spaced apart from LEDs to create a visually interesting light effect through use of microscopic sized structural components that disperse light and create a noticeable optical effect.
US09445638B2

A novel assembly for a hat comprised of removably coupled socks, fabric panels, gloves, and/or mittens. The present disclosure relates generally to a hat comprised of fully intact, yet selectively removable, socks, fabric panels, gloves, and/or mittens that are connected together by various disclosed methods. The socks, fabric panels, gloves, and/or mittens may be comprised of a variety of materials and styles, and can be coupled together through a number of disclosed combinations to form a winter hat that can be converted to one or more pairs of socks, fabric panels, gloves, and/or mittens.
US09445633B2

In various embodiments, an affixing structure of a connector is configured to attach to an affixing structure interface of a portable electronic device that is configured to also couple to an attachment member. A connector plug including conductors coupled to an electrical conduit is coupled to the affixing structure. The conductors are configured to electrically connect to one or more electric components of the portable electronic device and the electrical conduit is configured to electrically connect to one or more diagnostic devices. In some embodiments, an attachment member may include one or more electronic components and spring pins or other conductors connectable to a wearable device. The attachment member additionally includes a connector operable to connect the wearable device to another electronic device.
US09445624B2

The present invention provides a composition of a plant material with anti-fatigue activity, its preparation method, usage and related products. The said composition is manufactured from the following plant materials: 20-80% from the genus Rhodiola; 10-60% Gynostemma; 10-60% Lycium. The said composition can be used to manufacture health product, food or anti-fatigue medicine which is able to significantly reduce the fatigue symptoms of those people suffering from fatigue, improve sleeping quality with no impact on normal body physiology. It is shown that the medicine derived from the present is invention exerts its anti-fatigue effect through improving the functions of erythrocytes and thrombocytes to enhance the body's ability of supplying oxygen. The medicinal composition of the present invention is characterized by the small effective dose and good water solubility and thus suitable to be made into a variety of dosage forms for use.
US09445611B2

Provided are: tofu-like food and soy milk containing fibrous material, each of which has good texture and flavor and enables simultaneous intake of almost all of nutritional components in soybeans, such as proteins, lipids, glucides, fibrous material, minerals, vitamin components, and isoflavone compounds. Also provided is a process for producing soy milk containing fibrous material, which comprises the steps of: (A) dissolving and dispersing dehulled soybean powdery material having a nitrogen solubility index of 75 to 90, a lipoxygenase value of 30 to 120, an n-hexanal content of 0.5 ppm to 2 ppm, and a peroxide value of 0.2 meq/kg to 3.0 meq/kg in water to obtain dispersion; (B) subjecting the dispersion to heat treatment at 120° C. to 160° C. for 1 to 600 seconds; and (C) after the step (B), cooling the dispersion to 100° C. or lower and subjecting the resultant dispersion to emulsification and dispersion treatment under a pressure of 25 MPa to 200 MPa to produce soy milk containing fibrous material.
US09445609B2

A device for adjusting the form of suspension of sausages from a stick includes: a pressing member for pressing against the stick two sausages which are at an uppermost position of a sausage loop suspended from the stick; and a moving mechanism for supporting the pressing member at a position where the pressing member is capable of pressing the two sausages and for causing the pressing member to be movable in a longitudinal direction of the stick. The pressing member has two pressing surfaces for downwardly pressing the two sausages which are positioned on both sides in the horizontal direction with respect to a center of the stick, the pressing being effected at positions which are spaced apart from an outer peripheral surface of the stick and are on both sides of the stick in a horizontal direction.
US09445608B2

The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for making dough-based bakery foods, such as bread having extended mold-free shelf-lives, using new antimicrobial powders comprising an antimicrobial agent dispersed in a carrier. The invention is also directed to methods and compositions for preparing dough-based bakery products, such as bread, having long mold-free shelf-lives, by treating the surface of the dough with the antimicrobial powder. Further, the invention is concerned with bakery products having long, mold-free and anti-staling shelf-lives.
US09445603B2

Compositions and methods for efficiently producing and delivering double stranded RNA (dsRNA) are provided. Vector constructs useful for in vitro and in vivo expression of dsRNA are described. Also described are cell expression systems for efficient and cost-effective production of dsRNA in living cells and methods and compositions for providing the expressed dsRNA to target organisms. The described compositions and methods can be used to produce RNA molecules for screening or other uses, and to amplify RNA sequences for analysis.
US09445597B2

A pesticidal composition comprises one or more of the following compounds: 3-(thiazol-2-yl)pyridine 1-oxide compound of formula I or II, or N-(4-chloro-2-(pyridin-3-yl)thiazol-5-yl)-3-(methylthio)propanamide compound (C3), or any agriculturally acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, and Q, are as described herein. A method of controlling pests comprises applying the pesticidal composition near a population of pests.
US09445595B2

What are described are compositions comprising one or more compounds of the formula (I) and one or more compounds of the formula (II) in which R, Ra and Rb each independently of one another are straight-chain or branched saturated alkyl groups having 5 to 11 carbon atoms or straight-chain or branched mono- or polyunsaturated alkenyl groups having 5 to 11 carbon atoms, wherein the total amount of the compounds of the formulae (I) and (II), based on the total weight of the compositions, is at least 60% by weight. In an advantageous manner, the compositions are suitable for producing cosmetic, dermatological or pharmaceutical compositions, crop protection formulations, washing or cleaning compositions or paints or coatings.
US09445594B2

This disclosure relates to the field of molecules having pesticidal utility against pests in Phyla Nematoda, Arthropoda, and/or Mollusca, processes to produce such molecules and intermediates used in such processes, compositions containing such molecules, and processes of using such molecules against such pests. These molecules may be used, for example, as nematicides, acaricides, insecticides, miticides, and/or molluscicides. This document discloses molecules having the following formula (“Formula One”).
US09445592B2

The present invention is directed to the discovery, isolation, identification and methods of synthesis of a novel chemical complex that can be used to stabilize mixtures of different chemical compounds, and in particular mixtures of different herbicidal compounds.
US09445591B2

The present disclosure concerns improved solid herbicidal compositions, such as granules and powders, containing built-in adjuvant, which have improved stability and exhibit acceptable herbicidal efficacy when used to control weeds in flooded rice paddies or fields, or cereal crop fields.
US09445590B2

A composition comprising at least a pyridylethylbenzamide derivative of general formula (I)(a) and a compound capable of inhibiting the transport of electrons of the respiratory chain in phytopathogenic fungal organisms (b) in an (a)/(b) weight ratio of from 0.01 to 20. A composition further comprising an additional fungicidal compound. A method for preventively or curatively combating the phytopathogenic fungi of crops by using this composition.
US09445588B2

The present invention is directed to methods of using aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), or a salt thereof, on oil palm before harvest to increase oil production.
US09445581B2

The invention discloses methods for the generation of chimaeric human—non-human antibodies and chimaeric antibody chains, antibodies and antibody chains so produced, and derivatives thereof including fully humanized antibodies; compositions comprising the disclosed antibodies, antibody chains and derivatives, as well as cells, non-human mammals and vectors, suitable for use in the disclosed methods.
US09445577B2

Disclosed is a self-supporting elevated feeding tray apparatus including a tray, a tray riser and a base, where the tray is watertight and the tray, tray riser, and base are integrally formed from the same material. Fill level indicia or marks allow a precise amount of food to be placed in the tray. Also disclosed is a blank for forming the elevated feeding tray apparatus including the panels that form the tray as well as a tray riser and a base. Also disclosed is a method of forming an elevated feeding tray apparatus including the steps of preparing a blank, bending the blank, forming an indentation in at least one bend, and making the seams between the side walls of the tray and at least one tray bottom panel watertight.
US09445576B2

The present invention relates to a device and method for delivering drugs or sending or receiving information to or from a lab test animal over a long period of time without having the cords attached to the animal tangle as it moves around in its enclosure.
US09445571B1

A novel maize variety designated X08F091 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof are produced by crossing inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant by crossing hybrid maize variety X08F091 with another maize plant are disclosed. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X08F091 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X08F091, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X08F091. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X08F091.
US09445570B1

A novel maize variety designated PH1MRP and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1MRP with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1MRP through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1MRP or a locus conversion of PH1MRP with another maize variety.
US09445569B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated 01046426. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety 01046426. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety 01046426 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety 01046426 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US09445565B1

A novel maize variety designated X03D552XR and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X03D552XR with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X03D552XR through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X03D552XR, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X03D552XR. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X03D552XR.
US09445557B2

The unit arranges plants around a media-cylinder in a vertical hydroponic configuration. The unit passes room-air over the roots of the plants, and significantly cleanses the air in a large room of contaminants. The unit is placed to receive light from e.g a window of the room. The unit includes provision for rotating the media-cylinder about a vertical axis, to ensure even illumination of all the plants around the media-cylinder.
US09445556B2

Some embodiments provide systems and methods of controlling irrigation, comprising: communicating an assumption broadcast from a first irrigation controller to each of a plurality of other irrigation controllers defining assumed states of control elements, wherein the control elements are shared with one or more of the first irrigation controller and the other irrigation controllers; determining whether a reply is received from one or more of the other irrigation controllers in reply to the assumption broadcast; identifying, from the reply, a correction to a state corresponding to a first control element; updating state information corresponding to the first control element in response to the identifying the correction; and communicating a subsequent notification from the first irrigation controller to each of the plurality of other irrigation controllers of the irrigation system, where the subsequent notification comprises the updated state information corresponding to the first control element.
US09445550B2

A garden module for a vertical garden system, the module comprising: a body having a back portion providing a mounting arrangement in the form of one or more vertically extending recessed portions. A vertical garden system comprising: a plurality of garden modules; at least one upright; each garden module having a back portion providing a mounting arrangement in the form of one or more vertically extending recessed portions for accommodating a respective one of the at least one upright.
US09445544B2

An apparatus for mowing around an obstacle. A mower arm is pivotally connected to a supporting member supportively connect to a supporting vehicle. A pivotal arm is pivotally connected to the mower arm. A cutter head is connected to the pivotal arm, the cutter head comprising a first cutter and a second cutter. A release mechanism comprising a holding plate is located on the pivotal arm and an actuator is located on the mower arm, the holding plate comprising at least one hole, the actuator engaging the at least one hole in the holding plate to hold the pivotal arm in a first position such that the first cutter is in a relatively leading position to the second cutter.
US09445541B2

Riding lawn mowers may utilize friction drives configured with a variable normal force between frictional components. In a riding lawn mower, an internal combustion engine may be coupled to a differential via a friction drive, wherein the friction drive is configured with a variable normal force in order to provide improved power transfer and/or shifting performance.
US09451736B2

The present invention relates to a high load and high precision polygonal guide, and to a picker actuator using same, wherein the polygonal guide includes: an integrated ball cage designed and formed in a polygon and having a plurality of ball receiving holes formed on each side of the polygonal ball cage for receiving balls; a housing having a polygonal through hole for rolling motion such that, after the balls are inserted into the ball receiving holes formed on each side of the polygonal ball cage, the balls cannot escape from the ball receiving holes; and a guide post inserted and fitted inside the polygonal ball cage into which the balls are inserted and fitted, whereby the guide post or the housing reciprocates in a straight line by the rolling motion of the balls.
US09451721B1

A modular redundant power supply includes a casing, a power integration panel, a plurality of power supply modules and a power regulation module. The casing has an installation space defined into a first installation zone and a second installation zone. The power integration panel is located in the installation space. The power supply modules are installed on the first installation zone and connected to the power integration panel. Each power supply module outputs a duty power to the power integration panel after being started. The power regulation module gets the duty power from the power integration panel and regulates thereof to generate an auxiliary duty power output to the power integration panel so that the power integration panel can supply the duty power and the auxiliary duty power to an external device.
US09451719B2

A method and apparatus provides an Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) with new hardware modules. Hardware modules are provided that are configured for electrically connecting with connections of a first IED housing that has a first form factor. A second IED housing is provided having a second form factor that is different from the first form factor. The hardware modules are mounted in the second housing. Adaptor structure is employed to electrically connect the hardware modules with connections of the second housing. The second housing is mounted into an existing wiring and second form factor environment.
US09451715B1

A electrical box including a top wall, a side wall connected to the top wall, a cavity formed by the top wall and the side wall, at least one mounting flange on the side wall having a mounting hole therein, at least one mounting fastener in communication with the at least one mounting flange, and wherein the mounting fastener is slidably engaged with the at least one mounting flange.
US09451713B2

Disclosed is a data card, comprising a casing, a PCB and a main antenna arranged in the internal cavity of the casing, and an adapter fixedly connected to the casing. The data card also comprises a metal rotating shaft for an adapter which is arranged in the casing and electrically connected to the adapter. The metal rotating shaft for an adapter and the adapter form a diversity an antenna of the data card. Also disclosed is a data interaction system comprising a data card and a user terminal. By means of the solution disclosed in the present invention, since a diversity antenna need not be independently arranged, the overall dimensions of a data card are reduced, and the appearance of the data card is ensured, thereby reducing the production cost of the data card.
US09451705B2

A touch panel that includes a substrate, a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and FPCs including a first FPC and a second FPC, the first FPC is connected to the first conductive layer, the second FPC is connected to the second conductive layer; the first conductive layer includes n rows of first conductive patterns, one end of each row is connected to one end of a first metal wire, the other end of the first metal wire is connected to the first FPC; the second conductive layer includes m columns of second conductive patterns, one end of each column is connected to one end of a second metal wire, the other end of the second metal wire is connected to the second FPC.
US09451703B2

This invention provides an electro-optical module with reduced noise in driving voltage. The invention can include a power supply substrate that is arranged separately from the flexible substrate having a driver, so that the noise of the driving voltage supplied from the power supply substrate is reduced.
US09451696B2

Electronic assemblies and methods for their manufacture are described, including those related to the formation of an assembly including a carrier and a resin coated copper layer positioned on the carrier. The resin coated copper layer includes a first layer comprising a resin and a second layer comprising copper, with the first layer bonded to the second layer. The first layer of the resin coated copper is positioned between the carrier and the second layer of the resin coated copper. An opening is formed in the second layer of the resin coated copper. A die is positioned in the opening. A plurality of dielectric layers and metal pathways are positioned on the second layer and on the die. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US09451692B2

A method of manufacturing a print element substrate, comprising preparing a substrate, including a first region and a second region, in which a printing portion is formed on the first region, and a wiring pattern connected to the printing portion is formed on the first region and the second region, forming an insulating film covering the printing portion and the wiring pattern, and forming a conductive cavitation-resistant film on the insulating film, wherein in the forming the insulating film, the insulating film is formed such that a side surface of a portion of the insulating film, which is formed on the second region, includes an inclined face.
US09451684B2

An extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation source pellet includes at least one metal particle embedded within a heavy noble gas cluster contained within a noble gas shell cluster. The EUV radiation source assembly can be activated by a sequential irradiation of at least one first laser pulse and at least one second laser pulse. Each first laser pulse generates plasma by detaching outer orbital electrons from the at least one metal particle and releasing the electrons into the heavy noble gas cluster. Each second laser pulse amplifies the plasma embedded in the heavy noble gas cluster triggering a laser-driven self-amplifying process. The amplified plasma induces inter-orbital electron transitions in heavy noble gas and other constitute atoms leading to emission of EUV radiation. The laser pulsing units can be combined with a source pellet generation unit to form an integrated EUV source system.
US09451678B2

A system and methods for automatically commissioning electrical fixtures using sound are disclosed. Electrical fixtures (140-149) detect sounds produced by a sound generator moved along a path (300) through installed fixtures according to a building plan (100). Each electrical fixture may be associated with a mapped fixture location in the building plan by correlating the detected sound with the location of the sound generator along the path.
US09451675B2

The invention relates to a mobile device (10) for the configuration of at least one operating device (20) for operating a lighting means (22) and/or a luminaire, wherein the mobile device (10) comprises at least one optical sensor (12) provided for detecting technical lighting parameters, e.g. by way of device-internal image processing, and/or at least one localizing unit (110) provided for detecting absolute and/or relative position parameters of the mobile device, and wherein the mobile device (10) comprises an interface (11) for communication with the at least one operating device, and more particularly is designed to exchange configuration parameters with the operating device (20) via the interface (11) and, on the basis of the detected technical lighting parameters and/or position parameters, to alter at least one configuration parameter that influences the light rendering of the lighting means (22) in the operating device (20).
US09451669B2

Various embodiments relate to a light emitting diode protection circuit, including: a plurality of diodes connected in series; an input connected to a first diode of the plurality of diodes; an output; a first resistor connected between the plurality of diodes and the output; a transistor with a gate connected to a junction between the first resistor and the plurality of diodes and a source connected to the output; a second resistor connected between the input and drain of the transistor; and a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) with an anode connected to the input, a base connected to the drain of the transistor, and a cathode connected to the output.
US09451663B2

The present invention relates to an apparatus for driving a light emitting diode. The apparatus for driving the light emitting diode according to the present invention comprises a rectifier circuit for accessing an Alternating Current (AC) voltage source to rectify an AC voltage of the AC voltage source, a light emitting diode array connected to an output side of the rectifier circuit and including a plurality of light emitting diode array blocks, and a charging/discharging circuit configured to be charged by a voltage output from the rectifier circuit, wherein the apparatus for driving the light emitting diode comprises a discharging switch, a block switch circuit, and a controller. The apparatus for driving the light emitting diode according to the present invention can apply a voltage equal to or larger than a driving voltage to intervals around a phase of 180 degrees in which the light emitting diode cannot be driven since a size of the voltage applied by the AC voltage source is smaller than or equal to the driving voltage, by using the charging/discharging circuit and the switch.
US09451659B2

A frangible laminate includes first, second and third webs, and the second web is positioned between the first and third webs. The forming of the frangible laminate includes adhesively bonding a first plurality of sections of the second web to the first web, applying release material in order to inhibit at least some of any bonding between the first plurality of sections of the second web and the third web, and adhesively bonding a second plurality of sections of the second web to the third web. The frangible laminate is separated into a first laminate and a second laminate, so that the first laminate includes the first web and the first plurality of sections of the second web, and the second laminate includes the third web and the second plurality of sections of the second web.
US09451653B2

The present invention relates to a method for operating a network comprising a primary station communicating with a plurality of secondary stations, the method comprising the primary station communicating with a secondary station in a discontinuous mode; the secondary station transmitting to the primary station a control message based on the current status of the secondary station, the primary station changing a parameter of the discontinuous mode based on the control message. a change in physical location, a change in a velocity, a change in an acceleration, a change in a motion, a change in a context, a change in connectivity in the network, a change in connectivity outside the network, a handover to a different cell RAT, a change in power, a change in quality of service (QoS), a time of day and an expiration of a timer.
US09451642B2

A method for securing wireless communication between an in-vehicle system and multiple portable devices brought into a vehicle. The method can include receiving a communication request from a portable device, and determining whether a primary device has authorized wireless communication between the in-vehicle system and the portable device requesting communication, where such authorization can be provided via near field communication (NFC). The method can further include establishing wireless communication between the in-vehicle system and the portable device requesting communication when the portable device requesting communication is the primary device, and when the portable device requesting communication is a secondary device and the primary device has authorized wireless communication via NFC.
US09451635B2

In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer program product, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a first base station. The first base station transmits an information block to a UE while the UE is camped on a second base station. The information block includes an indication of a random access configuration for performing at least a part of a random access procedure. The first station performs, with the UE, at least a part of a random access procedure based on the indicated random access configuration.
US09451627B1

A wireless communication system may include a plurality of nodes that use a medium access control (MAC) protocol to communicate over a shared medium or a primary channel. The MAC protocol may include a non-transmitting state during which one or more nodes are silent in the primary channel while two nodes in the wireless communication system are in communicating over the primary channel. Systems and methods described herein use medium access protocol (MAC) underlay signaling, which may include measuring or sensing availability for spectrum or transmitting data without the loss of network throughput over a secondary channel in a wireless communications system. In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein use dynamic spectrum access (DSA) protocols to switch the channel of communication in the wireless communication system.
US09451623B2

A method is provided in a small cell base station comprising multiple antennas of controlling reception pattern by selecting a subset of the antennas for use. The method comprises determining a ranking value for each of subsets of the antennas dependent upon measurements of received signal quality, and choosing the subset of the antennas for use that provides the highest ranking value.
US09451615B2

A wireless communication system includes APs 1 and 2 that perform communications using different frequency channels, and slave units 3 to 5 that connect with either one of the APs 1 and 2 to perform wireless communications. When detecting a radar wave which is a wireless signal of another wireless system, and stopping the communications which have been performed till then via a frequency channel, the AP1 commands the slave units 3 to 5 that have been performing wireless communications by using this frequency channel to switch their connection destinations to the AP 2 that performs communications using a different frequency channel, and the slave units 3 to 5 switch their connection destinations to the AP 2 according to the command from the AP 1.
US09451606B2

The present invention relates to the field of communications. Disclosed are a method and a device for feedback information transmission based on an enhanced PHICH. The method comprises transmitting ACK/NACK feedback information to a terminal through E-PHICH sources configured in a PDSCH area; therefore, on one hand, the problem that the PHICH cannot be transmitted in some scenarios, such as an ABS sub-frame of eICIC and a subsequent possibly-defined extended carrier, is solved; and on the other hand, the signaling overhead can be saved, so that the utilization rate of resources is improved, for example, the scheduling of retransmission of a PUSCH is prevented from being carried out by a system though a DCI format 0, therefore, the effects of improving the capacity of the PHICH and solving the problem of legacy PHICH resource contention are achieved.
US09451598B2

Provided is a channel status information (CSI) transmission method performed by a user equipment in a carrier aggregation system. The method includes: allocating a plurality of serving cells; configuring a subframe predetermined to transmit CSI for a single serving cell among the allocated plurality of serving cells; and if uplink data transmission via a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) region exists in the configured subframe and if the single serving cell is deactivated, transmitting deactivation confirmation information for indicating that the single serving cell is deactivated via the PUSCH region together with the uplink data.
US09451591B2

The method providing by a plurality of eNodeB wireless mobile connectivity to a plurality of User Equipment (UE) and aggregating by means of a node running in non-3GPP network, backhaul load information related to the access line of said plurality of eNodeB or any other remote equipment. The method also, retrieving by a Proxy Serving Gateway (Proxy S-GW) located in said non-3GPP node, said backhaul load information from said non-3GPP node of said plurality of eNodeB; then, communicating said Proxy S-GW with a Service Gateway (S-GW) pertaining to a 3GPP network by means of a standard S1 interface; and finally sending to said S-GW said backhaul load information through said standard S1 interface in order to assign radio resources to said plurality of eNodeB.The system is adapted for implementing the method of the invention.
US09451589B2

A terminal which is capable of selecting appropriate transmission points while reducing the overhead for channel state information (CSI) reporting is provided. A measuring unit (303) uses a plurality of reference signals from a plurality of transmission points to measure a first reception quality with respect to each of the plurality of reference signals. A receiving unit (301) receives a first piece of information concerning at least one specific reference signal among the plurality of reference signals, and the measuring unit (303) uses the specific reference signal to measure a second reception quality on the basis of the first piece of information. A transmitting unit (304) reports the first reception quality, which satisfies a predetermined condition, and the second reception quality.
US09451584B1

The present disclosure includes a system and method for delaying, suppressing, or canceling the output of notifications in an electronic device. Notifications may be delayed, suppressed, or canceled based on the urgency of the notification, whether an application is actively executing and controlling certain aspects of the output device, whether an application actively executing and controlling certain aspects of the output device can be interrupted, and/or the operating environment of the electronic device.
US09451578B2

Apparatus, systems, and/or methods to temporally and spatially bound personal information. A pseudo random number corresponding to time based on a random number time seed and generate a pseudo random number corresponding to location based on a random number location seed may be generated. In addition, the pseudo random number corresponding to time may be mixed with the pseudo random number corresponding to location to generate a combined pseudo random number corresponding to a specific user at a specific location at a specific time. The combined pseudo random number may be used to store and/or read personal information in an anonymous manner.
US09451575B2

A method, performed in a positioning node, for performing uplink positioning comprises receiving (210) of a request for uplink positioning of a user equipment. Information about carrier capabilities for uplink positioning measurements for carriers used in a serving cell of the user equipment is obtained (220). The method further comprises deciding (230) of which carrier to be used for uplink positioning measurements, based at least on the information about carrier capabilities. An uplink positioning measurement request for the user equipment using the carrier decided to be used for uplink positioning measurements is transmitted (250). Data representing said requested uplink positioning measurements is received (252). Complementing methods of cooperating network nodes are also disclosed as well as arrangements of the nodes.
US09451574B2

A method of managing a queuing operation corresponding to a cell update procedure for a user equipment of a wireless communications system includes initiating the cell update procedure, entering a waiting state of the queuing operation according to a received response message corresponding to the cell update procedure, and re-initiating the cell update procedure during a waiting state of the queuing operation when an event triggering the cell update procedure occurs.
US09451572B2

Disclosed is a method for adjusting a transmission time point of at least one second terminal in a wireless network by a first terminal. In the method for adjusting a transmission time point of a terminal, a transmission time point of the second terminal is set, a first frame including information regarding the transmission time point is transmitted to the second terminal, a first response frame transmitted according to the transmission time point from the second terminal is received, and the transmission time point is adjusted according to an arrival time of the first response frame.
US09451565B2

A wireless communication apparatus including a first sensor and a second sensor, the apparatus includes: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, configured to: input a detection value of the first sensor and a detection value of the second sensor; determine whether or not an object that is located at the wireless communication apparatus exists, based on the detection value of the first sensor; determine a gradient of the wireless communication apparatus, based on the detection value of the second sensor; and regulate transmit power of a radio wave, based on the determination by the first sensor.
US09451564B2

An improved method and an apparatus for reporting Power Headroom (PH) of a UE are provided. The Power Headroom Report (PHR) method of the present invention includes determining whether to trigger PHR based on a change of Power Management Maximum Power Reduction (P-MPR) between two time points, generating, if PHR is determined to be triggered, Power Headroom, and reporting the Power Headroom information to a base station.
US09451563B2

Methods, systems, and devices are described for improve network performance, such as throughput and PER, by allowing nodes to adjust energy detection (ED) threshold levels. For example, a method for Wi-Fi wireless communication includes determining, by a first node, an ED threshold level for a second node of a wireless network based at least in part on a metric for the first node. The method may also include signaling, from the first node to the second node, an ED level set element that indicates the determined ED threshold level. In another example, a method includes signaling, by a first node, an ED level adjustment capability of the first node to one or more nodes in a wireless network.
US09451549B2

A method for controlling a Bluetooth connection includes turning off an ignition of a vehicle. It is determined whether a terminal connected to a Bluetooth system provided in the vehicle exists or not. When it is determined that the connected terminal exists as a result of determining, a disconnection command for the Bluetooth connection is transmitted from the vehicle to the terminal. The Bluetooth system waits for a time predetermined by the Bluetooth system, after transmitting the disconnection command. After waiting for the predetermined time, it is determined whether a disconnection confirmation message responding to the disconnection command is received from the terminal or not. When it is determined that the disconnection message is received as a result of determining whether the disconnection message is received or not, the Bluetooth system is caused to enter into a sleep mode.
US09451543B2

A method and system for wireless communication are provided. The method for wireless communication comprises following steps. The master device encodes an information code sequence including a communication demand into a wake-up sequence and transmits the wake-up sequence to each slave device continuously within a preset time period. The slave device receives the wake-up sequence in the detecting period, decodes the wake-up sequence, judges the correlation between the at least two parts, determines whether to be waken-up according to a judging result and performs corresponding response according to the decoding information. When implementing the technical solution in this invention, the power consumption in the wireless communication is reduced, the encoding efficiency is enhanced and the communication process is simpler.
US09451539B2

In one embodiment, a method for generating a recommended change to a communication behavior of a first user of a network includes identifying a communication pattern in accordance with data extracted from communications collected in the network, wherein the data is associated with at least one of the first user and an endpoint other than the first user, and generating the recommended change based on the communication pattern, where the recommended change is to the communication behavior of the first user.
US09451533B2

The present disclosure provides a method of performing a small cell detection, a small cell base station using the same method, and a mobile electronic device using the same method. The method and the device would perform functions including a user equipment (UE) detecting a discovery signal from a small cell base station (BS) over a schedulable resource in a Macro cell frequency, the user equipment transmitting a detection report to a Macro cell BS in response to detecting the discovery signal, the UE receiving a measurement command to measure a small cell BS in the small cell frequency, and generating and transmitting the measurement report after measuring the small cell BS in the small cell frequency.
US09451530B2

The present disclosure relates to a base station in a cellular communication network and methods of operation thereof. In one embodiment, a base station determines that the base station is transitioning to an unavailable state. The base station then notifies one or more radio network nodes with which the base station conducts base-station-to-node communication that the base station is unavailable. Thereafter, in one embodiment, the one or more radio network nodes cease communication attempts with the base station. In this manner, the radio network nodes can avoid spending additional resources on attempts to re-establish communication connections to base stations that tend to be offline more often (e.g., low-power base stations (LP-BSs)).
US09451525B2

A method, a device and a system for enabling a routing function and transmitting data, which relate to the field of communications, and are capable of sharing a single session task through a plurality of access points, thereby ensuring data transmission quality. When a station uses an external network identifiable address, and performs data transmission of a single session task through a first access point, an address of a club routing function (CR) router connected to the first access point is determined; at least one second access point connected to the same CR router with the first access point is determined.
US09451518B2

A multi-channel wireless device for participating on a plurality of networks. The wireless device switches from a first channel associated with a first network to a second channel associated with a second network if the wireless device has a channel dwell time on the first channel equal to or greater than a maximum channel allowance time interval for the first channel, wherein the maximum channel allowance time interval for the first channel is given by a channel switching time subtracted from a Beacon interval associated with the first network divided by the total number of networks that the wireless device is participating with.
US09451512B2

Aspects relate to automatically establishing neighbor relations for adjacent sectors based on one or more network events. The neighbor relations can be established between sectors that can be identified as inter-frequency neighbors or intra-frequency neighbors. In an aspect, the network events can be active call data events received from one or more mobile devices. The active call data events can be radio access bearer establishments and internal system releases. In another aspect, the network events can be idle call data events received from one or more mobile devices. If a first event ended on a first sector and a second event started on a second sector before expiration of an interval that started when the first event ended, the first sector and second sector can be defined as neighbors.
US09451508B2

A method and apparatus for transmitting mobile relay node (MRN) cell information in a wireless communication system is provided. A source donor eNodeB (DeNB) receives MRN cell information of an MRN cell from an MRN, and forwards the MRN cell information to a target DeNB when a handover procedure for the MRN is performed.
US09451507B2

When a mobile telephony device is conducting a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) telephone call via a data network, and the mobile telephone device transitions from a first wireless data connection to a second wireless data connection, signaling between the mobile telephone device and a media relay inform the media relay how to address data packets bearing the media of the call after the transition has occurred. In some embodiments, the mobile telephone device establishes multiple simultaneous wireless data connections, and the mobile telephony device switches the media of the call between the wireless data connections depending on the quality of the wireless data connections.
US09451489B2

A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus determines an observed bit rate based on uplink transmissions of the UE, estimates an available link capacity for the UE, selects an estimate factor, and estimates available uplink throughput for future uplink transmissions of the UE as a function of the observed bit rate, the estimated available link capacity, and the estimate factor.
US09451479B2

The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for updating system information in a wireless LAN system. A method for a station (STA) to update system information in a wireless communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: if the value of a change sequence field received by the STA from an access point (AP) is different from the value of the change sequence field stored in the STA, transmitting, to the AP, a probe request frame including the change sequence field set to the value of the change sequence field stored in the STA; and a step of receiving, from the AP, a probe response frame responding to the probe request frame including the change sequence field.
US09451476B2

A hierarchical cellular network administration system operative to administrate for a hierarchical cellular network having a core, the hierarchical cellular network administration system comprising a link establishment initiator operative to generate link establishment commands; and relay manager functionality operative to establish at least one link between at least one relay in the hierarchical cellular network and all nodes in said cellular network desired to be served by said at least one relay, as per said link establishment commands generated by the link establishment initiator; and to control operation of links thus established.
US09451467B1

A method and system for fractional frequency reuse in a communication network. A plurality of fractional frequency reuse modes for wireless communication are defined in which each of the modes are associated with a corresponding group of wireless communication tones assigned to one of a plurality of power levels. Communication with at least one mobile terminal in a first region is established using a fractional frequency reuse mode from the plurality of fractional frequency reuse modes. A coverage problem with communication with at least one of the mobile terminal in the first sector is detected. A base station associated with a second region is notified to change communication within the second region to a different fractional frequency reuse mode from the plurality of fractional frequency reuse modes.
US09451460B2

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for associating a station (STA) with an access point (AP). The method for associating a first AP with an STA in a wireless LAN includes the steps of: a first AP receiving an association request frame from the STA; the first AP requesting authentication information on the STA from a second AP with which the STA was previously associated; the first AP receiving authentication information on the STA from the second AP, wherein the first and second AP's are linked by a distribution system, the association request frame includes identification information on the second AP, and the authentication information on the STA can include at least one of a paired main key (PMK) and a recertification main session key (rMSK). Accordingly, fast association between the STA and the AP can be achieved by a simplified authentication procedure without repeating a full authentication procedure.
US09451455B2

In some implementations, a method includes receiving, by user equipment (UE), an authentication request from a public land mobile network (PLMN). The request identifies an authentication application. The authentication application is executed to determine an authentication response based on the request. The authentication response is transmitted to the PLMN.
US09451445B2

Embodiments are described for identifying and accessing an electronic subscriber identity module (eSIM) and associated content of the eSIM in a multiple eSIM configuration. An embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card (eUICC) can include multiple eSIMs, where each eSIM can include its own file structures and applications. Some embodiments include a processor of a mobile device transmitting a special command to the eUICC, including an identification that uniquely identifies an eSIM in the eUICC. After selecting the eSIM, the processor can access file structures and applications of the selected eSIM. The processor can then use existing commands to access content in the selected eSIM. The special command can direct the eUICC to activate or deactivate content associated with the selected eSIM. Other embodiments include an eUICC platform operating system interacting with eSIMs associated with logical channels to facilitate identification and access to file structures and applications of the eSIMs.
US09451443B1

Methods and systems for providing a service are provided. A request is received to provide the service to a device. A location of the device, or a network interface through which the device is coupled, is determined. Finally, the delivery of the service is authorized based on the determined location of the device, or the determined network interface.
US09451440B2

A method for operating a seeker device includes generating a first seeker truncated hash output from a sought service name, and generating a second seeker truncated hash output from the sought service name, wherein the first seeker truncated hash output and the second seeker truncated hash output are uncorrelated. The method also includes transmitting a first request message including the first seeker truncated hash output, and receiving a first response message from an advertiser device, the first response message including a second advertiser truncated hash output generated from an advertised service name, wherein the first seeker truncated hash output matches a first advertiser truncated hash output generated from the advertised service name.
US09451439B2

A device discovery method includes: enabling, by a first device, a device-to-device monitoring and broadcasting function; after the first device detects broadcast information of a second device, reporting the broadcast information of the second device and a user identifier of a target user to a network side, requesting that the network side obtains, according to the broadcast information of the second device, an identifier of a user that logs in to the second device, and determines whether the identifier of the user that logs in to the second device is the user identifier of the target user; and receiving a result of the determining returned by the network side, and confirming, by the first device according to the result of the determining, whether a device to which the target user logs in falls within a preset distance from the first device.
US09451437B2

A vehicle communication methods and device for changing a user terminal setting by using a push message is provided. The vehicle communication device includes a storage unit configured to map at least one vehicle mode information to terminal identification information of the user terminal, to which a message is transmitted, and each vehicle information, including vehicle state information or operation information, and store the mapped information; a vehicle information collector configured to collect vehicle information; a message generator configured to generate a transmission message including at least one vehicle mode information mapped to the collected vehicle information and the stored terminal identification information; and a message transmitter configured to transmit the generated transmission message to the user terminal through a push message server.
US09451429B2

Disclosed are a message processing method with respect to a terminal having multiple External Identifiers (EIDs) and a network side device, and the method includes: a network side device transmits an SMS message carrying a triggering message to a terminal, upon a triggering request from an MTC server, wherein the SMS message contains a TPDU, in which a TP-DA parameter is written as an LID of an EID or a triggering-specific identifier configured for the terminal; the network side device receives a triggering response from the terminal; the EID corresponding to the terminal is retrieved according to the LID or triggering-specific identifier carried in the triggering response; and the triggering request from the MTC server is responded according to the retrieved EID. The disclosure makes it possible for a network side to correctly respond to a triggering request from an MTC server while the security of the terminal is ensured.
US09451427B1

The message server system receives a data message transferred by a sending communication system for delivery to a receiving communication system. The data message has a first messaging format with disposition notification codes. The messaging server system converts the data message from the first messaging format to a second messaging format and transfers the data message for delivery to a receiving communication system over a particular communication network. The messaging server system processes the disposition notification codes and responsively transfers a disposition notification for delivery to the sending communication system, indicating that the data message was converted from the first messaging format into the second messaging format, and was transferred over the particular communication network for delivery to the receiving communication system.
US09451425B2

A unified message delivery between multiple devices is disclosed. Sending messages through a local communications link, such as but not limited to at least one of a Bluetooth connection and a peer-to-peer WiFi connection, can lead to faster transmission times and reduced server load. When the local communications link is unavailable or not suitable, the messages can be sent through a network and a push server. In some examples, messages can be sent through both the local communications link and through the network and the push server. Duplicates of a received message can be avoided by utilizing indicators. In some examples, one or more devices can include queue(s) to ensure ordered delivery of a plurality of messages when a local communications link and network connection become unavailable.
US09451423B2

A method and apparatus for recording information during a call are described. The method includes receiving and recording information input through a text input window during the call and establishing an association relation between the information and an identifier of the call. In an implementation, receiving and recording the information input through the text input window during the call may include receiving a text input request message during the call, activating the text input window, receiving and recording the information input through the text input window, receiving a text input end message, and closing the text input window.
US09451417B2

A system and method for reliable multicast communications is disclosed herein. In one aspect, a first station may receive a first multicast frame having a first modulation and coding scheme and a first sequence number. The station may then receive a subsequent negative acknowledgement request having a second modulation and coding scheme and a indicating a second sequence number for previously transmitted multicast frame, with the second modulation and coding scheme having a lower data rate than the first modulation and coding scheme. The station may then selectively acknowledge the negative acknowledgement request based on a comparison of first sequence number and the second sequence number. In another aspect, the station transmits a negative acknowledgement if the second sequence number does not match the first sequence number and may further receive acknowledgement frame from an access point.
US09451413B1

Providing assistance data to a mobile device may include receiving from the mobile device one or more messages indicative of its condition. According to an implementation a heatmap is generated based, at least in part, on the condition of the mobile device. The heatmap includes a plurality of expected signature values of wireless signals mapped along a plurality of path segments corresponding to navigable spaces of a floor plan of a venue. The heatmap excludes expected signature values at locations in the venue other than the plurality of path segments. The heatmap is transmitted to the mobile device.
US09451395B2

The present invention relates to a method in which a first station receives position information using a second station positioned in the vicinity of the first station. The method includes the steps of: receiving a station identifier (STID) and at least one fake identifier (ID) from a base station; obtaining a fake ID of the second station; requesting position information on the second station from the base station using the fake ID of the obtained second station; and receiving the position information on the second station of the base station, wherein the fake ID is an identifier used for position measurement and is mapped to the STID.
US09451393B1

Methods and apparatus for automated multi-party cloud connectivity provisioning are disclosed. A system includes resources of a provider network, and a connectivity coordinator. The coordinator collects network service offering metadata of a plurality of connectivity providers using a first set of programmatic interfaces. In response to a connectivity query specifying connectivity parameters, the coordinator identifies, using at least a portion of the metadata, a collection of one or more connectivity providers of the plurality of connectivity providers capable of providing connectivity between a client network and a provider network endpoint in accordance with the connectivity parameters. In response to a connectivity establishment request, the coordinator initiates, using another programmatic interface, an activation of a network connection between the client network and a selected provider network endpoint.
US09451387B2

A method, a machine to machine (M2M) terminal, an access point (AP), and a system for achieving a machine to machine service are provided. The method includes: determining an AP that supports the M2M service; establishing a communication connection to the AP; receiving service configuration information sent by the AP; and sending a service data report message to the AP according to the service configuration information, where the service data report message includes service data corresponding to the M2M service. The M2M terminal includes a determining module, a connection module, a first receiving module, and a first sending module. The AP includes a first determining module, a connection module, a first sending module, and a first receiving module. The system includes the M2M terminal, the AP, and the M2M server according to embodiments of the present invention.
US09451385B2

A mobile telephone obtains (or is supplied) advertising content from a remote server and locally stores that advertising content. The advertising content is then automatically shown in association with a running, in use (e.g. in foreground) application that generates a screen that an end-user interacts with (‘an end-user application’). The content is shown ‘automatically’ in the sense that the advertising content is displayed without the end-user explicitly requesting any specific item of content, (although he may opt-in to the general approach of having advertising content displayed on his mobile telephone). The telephone itself determines which adverts etc. it should display, depending on which application is currently being used (i.e. is currently displayed on screen).
US09451383B2

An approach is provided for establishing one or more communication sessions in a cloud computing environment and maintaining the establishment of the one or more communication sessions while managing system resource and power resource consumption. The approach involves causing, at least in part, an establishment of one or more communication sessions between at least one device and one or more other devices, wherein the communication sessions convey, at least in part, one or more notification messages. The approach also involves processing and/or facilitating a processing of device resource information, device capability information, network resource information, or a combination thereof to determine one or more parameters for generating one or more heartbeat signals to maintain the one or more communication sessions.
US09451373B2

Hearing aid fixture adapted to remain firmly and completely within an external ear canal of a user allowing for an acoustically active part of a hearing aid to be releasably fastened thereto.
US09451370B2

A method for operating a hearing device worn by a hearing device user. The method includes picking up an audio signal (a) by an input transducer of the hearing device. The audio signal (a) includes a source signal (s) of a sound source (SS) and a disturbing signal (d) of a disturbing source (DS). The method also includes receiving a transmission signal (d_AIS) via an interface unit of the hearing device. The transmission signal (d_AIS) includes the disturbing signal (d) or at least characteristic features of the disturbing signal (d). The method also includes at least partially eliminating the disturbing signal (d) from the audio signal (a) by using the disturbing signal (d) transmitted by the transmission signal (d_AIS) or by using the characteristic features of the disturbing signal (d) transmitted by the transmission signal (d_AIS) for obtaining an adjusted audio signal (a*), and processing the adjusted audio signal (a*).
US09451354B2

A device having one or more an acoustic modules. The acoustic module includes an acoustic element and a cavity that is acoustically coupled to the acoustic element. The module also includes a first conductive element that is configured to generate a first surface charge on a first region of an interior surface of the cavity. A second conductive element is configured to generate a second surface charge on a second region of the interior surface of the cavity. The first and second charge on the first and second regions of the interior surfaces of the cavity may be selectively applied to facilitate movement of a liquid held within the cavity.
US09451351B2

A headphone device includes a housing having a leakage hole to reduce pressure between a user's ear and the housing, a speaker positioned within the housing, and an audio processing module. The audio processing module is configured to receive an audio signal from an audio device, determine whether the audio signal includes at least a predetermined level of audio having a frequency in a first range of frequencies, transmit a first leakage control signal to a leakage hole valve when it is determined that the audio includes at least the predetermined level of low frequency audio; and transmit a second leakage control signal to the leakage hole valve when it is determined that the audio does not include at least the predetermined level of low frequency audio. The leakage hole valve is configured to close the leakage hole upon receipt of the first leakage control signal and open the leakage hole upon receipt of the second leakage control signal.
US09451345B2

Embodiments are provided for configurations of a loudspeaker and assembly of the loudspeaker. The loudspeaker may include a frame; a voice coil; a magnetic structure having a magnetic gap; a surround; a spider; and a staggered circumferential spacer element. The staggered circumferential spacer element may include an upper tier attached to an outer rim of the surround; and a lower tier attached to an outer rim of the spider. The staggered circumferential spacer may be coupled to the frame such that the voice coil is suspended at least partially within the magnetic gap.
US09451344B2

A speaker device includes a voice coil, a lead wire configured to be pulled out of the voice coil, a vibrating body connecting to the voice coil, a magnetic circuit comprising a yoke, and a frame that supports the vibrating body. The yoke includes a bottom portion including a plurality of corners and a side portion extending toward the vibrating body from one side of the bottom portion. The lead wire is configured to pass through a space that is outside of and next to the side portion of the yoke and between the frame and the vibrating body. The lead wire is configured to pass above a cutout of the yoke and bend toward and through the space.
US09451343B2

A method for bandwidth management in an optical broadcast network includes signaling, for a new optical broadcast service, from an originating node to all nodes in the optical broadcast network, wherein the signaling identifies a wavelength or portion of spectrum associated with the new optical broadcast service; at each of the nodes, checking for contention by the new optical broadcast service; responsive to identifying contention at one of the nodes, signaling the identified contention back to the originating node; and responsive to no contention at any of the nodes, processing the signaling, storing an update of the new optical broadcast service, and either forwarding the signaling to peer nodes or terminating the signaling.
US09451332B2

A method of communicating control information in a satellite broadcast communication system is presented. In the method, at least one copy of a control message set is transmitted from a control system by way of a satellite to a broadcast receiver. The control message set includes at least one control message. At least one copy of each of the control messages of the control message set is received at the broadcast receiver. A feedback message is transmitted from the broadcast receiver by way of a terrestrial communication link to the control system. The feedback message includes an indication that all of control messages of the control message set were received at the broadcast receiver. The feedback message is received at the control system. In response to receiving the feedback message, transmission of subsequent copies of the control message set is terminated at the control system.
US09451323B2

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to measure an audience of an online media service. An example method includes requesting an access history associated with a subscriber of an online media service using a programming interface for the online media service; and determining ratings information using the access history and demographic information corresponding to the subscriber.
US09451309B2

Methods and systems for presentation of content to provide personalized video feeds to a user. A plurality of service feeds comprising a plurality of feed items are acquired by an aggregation system. The aggregation system identifies a first server to provide a first advertisement and a second server to provide a second advertisement, based on a first feed item and a second feed item of the plurality of feed items. The first advertisement and the second advertisement are presented to the user with the first feed item and the second feed item.
US09451297B2

An apparatus and method for creating channels dedicated to a particular type of content. The method includes acquiring seed content and using the seed content in the creation or updating of a content list. Additional content for the channel is acquired based on the common features of the content list.
US09451296B2

A video processing method includes receiving a multimedia file including a first video file encrypted with a first compression algorithm and converting the first video file to a second video file, which is encrypted with a second compression algorithm. The method includes extracting, from the second file, video data indicative of at least one video characteristic of the second file and displaying the video data on a display screen or forwarding the video data to a content insertion server. The first video compression algorithm may be a MPEG-2 video compression algorithm and the second video compression algorithm may be an H.264 algorithm and/o an H.265 algorithm. The video data may include run time data indicative of a run time of the second video file, frame rate data indicative of a frame rate of the second video file, and pixel data indicative of a resolution of the second video file.
US09451280B2

A method and apparatus are provided for encoding an image sequence. The method includes the following steps, for at least one group of blocks of an image: determining, for each block, at least one parameter characteristic of said block; forming at least one cluster including the blocks having at least one similar characteristic parameter; encoding the blocks of said cluster, the similar characteristic parameter(s) associated with said cluster being encoded only once; encoding the blocks that do not belong to any cluster, the characteristic parameter(s) associated with each of said blocks not being encoded; generating a data stream; and inserting into said stream, at least one piece of information on the partitioning of the group(s), in order to identify the outer block(s) within a group.
US09451277B2

A computing device determines whether a prediction unit (PU) in a B slice is restricted to uni-directional inter prediction. In addition, the computing device generates a merge candidate list for the PU and determines a selected merge candidate in the merge candidate list. If the PU is restricted to uni-directional inter prediction, the computing device generates a predictive video block for the PU based on no more than one reference block associated with motion information specified by the selected merge candidate. If the PU is not restricted to uni-directional inter prediction, the computing device generates the predictive video block for the PU based on one or more reference blocks associated with the motion information specified by the selected merge candidate.
US09451273B2

A method and apparatus for decoding video and a method and apparatus for encoding video are provided. The method for decoding video includes: receiving and parsing a bitstream of encoded video; extracting, from the bitstream, encoded image data of a current picture assigned to a maximum coding unit of the current picture, information regarding a coded depth of the maximum coding unit, information regarding an encoding mode, and coding unit pattern information indicating whether texture information of the maximum coding units has been encoded; and decoding the encoded image data for the maximum coding unit, based on the information regarding the coded depth of the maximum coding unit, the information regarding the encoding mode, and the coding unit pattern information.
US09451270B2

A video decoding apparatus includes: a decoder to reconstruct a syntax corresponding to at least one of a first block, a second block and a third block, the first block being generated by dividing a frame for decoding, the second block corresponding to a unit of a prediction and is generated by dividing the first block, and the third block corresponding to a unit of transformation and is generated by dividing the first block in a tree structure; and a predictor to reconstruct a prediction block corresponding to at least one of the first block, the second block and the third block.
US09451267B2

Encoding and decoding a motion vector using a motion vector of a current block of a current picture, which indicates a region corresponding to the current block in a first reference picture and one of generating a motion vector predictor from a motion vector of the adjacent block having a motion vector referring to the first reference picture among adjacent blocks encoded before the current block and a motion vector of an adjacent block referring to a second reference picture other than the first reference picture.
US09451266B2

Simplified selection of optimal intra prediction in block-based video coding based on texture gradient distribution and minimal activity direction. The minimal activity direction is defined by a vector (α(B, W), β(B, W)) indicating minimal variation of a discrete function P(x, y) inside a spatial aria of block B with weights W.
US09451261B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for dividing a display area having rendered data thereon into a plurality of tiles and determining an update frequency for each tile. A determination is then made as to whether the update frequency of each tile exceeds a threshold. For each tile whose update frequency exceeds the threshold, that tile is marked as a candidate tile. Each of the adjacent candidate tiles are then associated to form a heat map. The heat map is then analyzed to determine whether to encode the rendered data associated with the heat map.
US09451259B2

An image quantization parameter encoder includes: a prediction unit 11 for generating a predicted quantization parameter from a past reconstructed quantization parameter; a computing unit 12 for generating a delta quantization parameter from a quantization parameter and the predicted quantization parameter; and a quantization parameter encoding unit 13 for binary arithmetic encoding a first bin indicating whether or not the delta quantization parameter is significant, one or more other bins indicating an absolute value of the delta quantization parameter and made non-redundant, and a bin indicating whether the delta quantization parameter is positive or negative, in the case where the delta quantization parameter is significant.
US09451256B2

In one example, a device includes a video coder (e.g., a video encoder or a video decoder) configured to code parameter set information for a video bitstream, code video data of a base layer of the video bitstream using the parameter set information, and code video data of an enhancement layer of the video bitstream using at least a portion of the parameter set information. The parameter set information may include, for example, profile and level information and/or hypothetical reference decoder (HRD) parameters. For example, the video coder may code a sequence parameter set (SPS) for a video bitstream, code video data of a base layer of the video bitstream using the SPS, and code video data of an enhancement layer of the video bitstream using at least a portion of the SPS, without using any other SPS for the enhancement layer.
US09451253B2

A method and device for encoding video including determining objects within a frame at least partially based on movement characteristics of underlying pixels and partitioning the frame into blocks by considering a plurality of partitioning options, such partitioning favoring options that result in different objects being placed in different blocks.
US09451244B2

A projection-type display system includes: a projection-type display apparatus that alternately switches images for the left eye and images for the right eye and projects the images onto an object; and an opening and closing control device that receives a control signal based on the display states of the images projected onto the object by the projection-type display apparatus and controls switching apertures of stereoscopic image viewing glasses corresponding to left and right eyes, wherein the projection-type display apparatus is connected to one end of a LAN cable and the opening and closing control device is connected to the other end of the LAN cable.
US09451230B1

An adjustment module analyzes user adjustments in a playback attribute (e.g., volume) of a media item (e.g., a video) that occur when the user transitions from one media item to another. By analyzing these adjustments, the adjustment module determines an adjustment amount to apply to the playback attribute of a media item to cause the media item to appear equivalent to users with respect to the playback attribute when compared with the media item that was previously played.
US09451227B2

A signal synthesis circuit synthesizes luma signals and chroma signals output by a video signal source, to output composite video broadcast signals (CVBS). The signal synthesis circuit includes a first gain adjusting unit, a delay unit, and a second gain adjusting unit. The first gain adjusting unit receives and adjusts the gain of the luma signals from the video signal source, and the delay unit delays phases of the luma signals output by the first gain adjusting unit. The second gain adjusting unit receives and adjusts the gain of the chroma signals from the video signal source so that the luma signals output by the delay unit and the chroma signals output by the second gain adjusting unit can be synthesized into the CVBS.
US09451223B2

A system and method for multiplexing multiple images of different colors using only a single spatial light modulator (SLM) are disclosed. In the disclosed system, a first dichroic beam splitter receives an image light of first and second wavelengths from the SLM, and reflects the image light of the first wavelength towards a first mirror and an image light of the second wavelength towards a second mirror. The first mirror reflects the image light of the first wavelength at a first angle, and the second mirror reflects the image light of the second wavelength at a second angle. Further, the system includes a second dichroic beam splitter that receives the image light of the first wavelength from the first mirror and the image light of the second wavelength from the second mirror, and recombines the image light of the first and second wavelengths to produce an overlap image.
US09451211B1

A system and method for producing a publically viewable video-based group conversation for viewing over a network. The system is configured to generate a display at a first user computer which includes a plurality of sections in a single screen display, including at least a preview section configured for displaying an indicator for each of one or more viewers who are viewing the video-based conversation, and a media player section configured for displaying a video signal including at least some of the video feeds. The creator of the publically viewable video-based group conversation controls which users can participate in the publically viewable video-based group conversation by enabling video streams provided by those users to be displayed on the screen and viewable to other users who access the group conversation.
US09451200B2

A technique processes captured data on a device, wherein selected captured data of a given quality resolution is transferred via a communication link to a separate storage location for future availability. A storage protocol may include different storage organization categories. A possible aspect includes an identifier record to enable future accessibility to selected captured data by one or more authorized parties or approved devices.
US09451199B2

A remote control device used by a viewer to control content being displayed on a separate display device outputs content in response to instructing the device providing content to the separate display device to begin fast forwarding. The viewer of the separate display device may then be exposed to the content being output by the remote control device while the content to the separate display device is fast forwarding. Thus, the viewer may better perceive the content being output by the remote control device than the content being fast forwarded on the separate display device. The outputting of content may be by the remote control device providing video, a static display, and/or audio. Upon the remote control device instructing the fast forwarding at the display device to stop and return to a play mode, the remote control device terminates the outputting of the content from the remote control device.
US09451195B2

Tags in a video area are established by displaying the tags with a visual association to an item in the video. Thereafter, the tags move to a tag menu area that is outside of the video area. Tags are selectable, such as by clicking on the tag, to cause additional actions such as displaying a web page related to the tag. Tags move and disappear/appear in conjunction with the video as the video action progresses. In one embodiment, the tag menu area is obtained when a video with a first aspect ratio is displayed in a display area that has a different aspect ratio. The difference in aspect ratios leaves a portion in the display area that is not used for the video that can be used for the tag menu area.
US09451192B2

One or more techniques or systems for bias control are provided herein. In some embodiments, the bias control relates to biasing of a column of one or more pixels for an image sensor. In some embodiments, an associated circuit includes a reset transistor, a source-follower transistor, a first transfer transistor, a first bias transistor, a second bias transistor, and a switch connected to the second bias transistor. In some embodiments, the first bias transistor and the second bias transistor bias a column of pixels at a first time. In some embodiments, the second bias transistor is turned off, thus removing a second bias at a second time. In this way, performance of the image sensor is improved, at least because the second bias transistor enables faster settling time when active, and a wide pixel operation range when switched off.
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