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U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in Massachusetts (June 13)(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in Massachusetts. *** Wyeth Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 12 -- Wyeth, Wilmington, Del., has been assigned a patent (7,956,038) developed by Jennifer J. Hill, Somerville, Mass., and Neil M. Wolfman, Dover, Mass., for a "GASP1: a follistatin domain containing protein." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention relates to the use of a protein, GASP1, comprising at least one follistatin domain to modulate the level or activity of growth and differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8). More particularly, the invention relates to the use of GASP1 for treating disorders that are related to modulation of the level or activity of GDF-8. The invention is useful for treating muscular diseases and disorders, particularly those in which an increase in muscle tissue would be therapeutically beneficial. The invention is also useful for treating diseases and disorders related to metabolism, adipose tissue, and bone degeneration." The patent application was filed on Aug. 13, 2009 (12/540,606). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7,956,038.PN.&OS=PN/7,956,038&RS=PN/7,956,038 Written by Shabnam Sheikh; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Merck Serono Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- Merck Serono, Vaud, Switzerland, has been assigned a patent (7,956,034) developed by Marco Muda, Cambridge, Mass., Xuliang Jiang, Braintree, Mass., and Sean D. McKenna, Duxbury, Mass., for a "FSH glycosylation variant D3N." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "FSH mutant with increased glycosylation and longer half-life is described. The use of this FSH mutant for inducing folliculogenesis in human patients is also described." The patent application was filed on Jan. 16, 2007 (12/158,539). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7,956,034.PN.&OS=PN/7,956,034&RS=PN/7,956,034 Written by Shabnam Sheikh; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Acushnet Assigned Patent for Multi-layer Core Golf Ball ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- Acushnet, Fairhaven, Mass., has been assigned a patent (7,955,191) developed by four co-inventors for a "multi-layer core golf ball." The co-inventors are Michael J. Sullivan, Barrington, R.I., Derek A. Ladd, Acushnet, Mass., Brian Comeau, Berkley, Mass., and Douglas S. Goguen, New Bedford, Mass. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a thermoset rubber inner core, a thermoset rubber first intermediate core layer, a thermoplastic second intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer. The inner core is preferably formed from a softer rubber than the first intermediate core layer." The patent application was filed on April 15, 2009 (12/423,901). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,955,191.PN.&OS=PN/7,955,191&RS=PN/7,955,191 Written by Anjali Jha; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Acushnet Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- Acushnet, Fairhaven, Mass., has been assigned a patent (7,955,192) developed by four co-inventors for a "multi-layer core golf ball." The co-inventors are Michael J. Sullivan, Barrington, R.I., Derek A. Ladd, Acushnet, Mass., Brian Comeau, Berkley, Mass., and Douglas S. Goguen, New Bedford, Mass. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Golf balls comprising a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a thermoset rubber inner core, a thermoset rubber first intermediate core layer, a thermoplastic second intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer. The inner core is preferably formed from a harder rubber than the first intermediate core layer." The patent application was filed on April 15, 2009 (12/423,925). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,955,192.PN.&OS=PN/7,955,192&RS=PN/7,955,192 Written by Anjali Jha; edited by Jaya Anand. *** DePuy Spine Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- DePuy Spine, Raynham, Mass., has been assigned a patent (7,955,257) developed by William J. Frasier, New Bedford, Mass., Timothy Beardsley, Kingston, Mass., and Connie P. Marchek, Foxboro, Mass., for a non-rigid surgical retractor. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention provides a non-rigid retractor for providing access to a surgical site, such as a patient's spine, during a surgical process. When used in spinal surgery, the non-rigid retractor allows a surgeon to operate on one or more spinal levels. The non-rigid retractor includes at least one flexible strap anchored at a first end to the spine or other internal body part at the surgical site. The body of the at least one flexible strap extends from a skin incision and is anchored at a second location external to the body to retract skin and muscle from the surgical site, allowing adequate visualization of the surgical site and providing access for implants and surgical instruments to pass through the retractor and into the surgical site." The patent application was filed on Sept. 29, 2006 (11/540,780). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=79,55,257.PN.&OS=PN/79,55,257&RS=PN/79,55,257 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Boston Scientific Scimed Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- Boston Scientific Scimed, Maple Grove, Minn., has been assigned a patent (7,955,255) developed by eight co-inventors for an "imaging assembly with transparent distal cap." The co-inventors are Dennis R. Boulais, Danielson, Conn., Michael S. Banik, Bolton, Mass., William Lucas Churchill, Bolton, Mass., Sergey S. Grigoryants, Medford, Mass., Louis J. Barbato, Franklin, Mass., Daniel G. Orband, Boxford, Mass., Luis J. Maseda, Natick, Mass., and Stephen D. Fantone, Lynnfield, Mass. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An imaging assembly for use in a medical imaging device such as an endoscope or the like. In one embodiment, the imaging assembly includes a transparent distal cap that is shaped to receive an image sensor insert. The image sensor insert has a cooling channel that supplies a cooling liquid or gas to one or more illumination sources." The patent application was filed on April 20, 2006 (11/407,700). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=79,55,255.PN.&OS=PN/79,55,255&RS=PN/79,55,255 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** General Hospital Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- General Hospital, Boston, Mass., has been assigned a patent (7,955,247) developed by four co-inventors for "systems for and methods of repair of atrioventricular valve regurgitation and reversing ventricular remodelling." The co-inventors are Robert A. Levine, Brookline, Mass., Judy W. Hung, Newtonville, Mass., J. Luis Guerrero, Norton, Mass., and Gus J. Vlahakes, Weston, Mass. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Methods of and devices for restoring the normal geometry of a heart, including but not limited to the structures supporting the atrioventricular valves. The techniques and devices described herein operate on the principle of displacement, both active and passive, to reverse cardiac remodeling and limit ischemic atrioventricular valve regurgitation." The patent application was filed on June 27, 2003 (10/519,585). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=79,55,247.PN.&OS=PN/79,55,247&RS=PN/79,55,247 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Waters Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- Waters Technologies, Milford, Mass., has been assigned a patent (7,955,059) developed by nine co-inventors for a "fluid control device for a high pressure analytical instrument." The co-inventors are Theodore D. Ciolkosz, Milton, Mass., Peter Kirby, Derry, N.H., Mark W. Moeller, Kingston, Mass., Russell Keene, Sudbury, Mass., Daniel J. McCormick, Westford, Mass., Charles Murphy, Uxbridge, Mass., Joseph A. Luongo, Walpole, Mass., David R. Friswell, Upton, Mass., and Theodore Dourdeville, Marion, Mass. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "In various embodiments a fluid control device suitable for high pressure analytical instruments includes a housing having an interior surface with an end wall. The interior surface defines a chamber. A valve assembly disposed in the chamber controls the flow of fluid through the chamber. An end cap is disposed in the housing opposite the end wall to enclose the chamber. The end wall and end cap each have an opening to pass a fluid to the chamber or to remove a fluid from the chamber. The housing and end cap each has an abutment surface to receive the other abutment surface. At least one of the abutment surfaces has a plastic seal coating. A means of compression, such as a compression housing and compression sleeve, is included to engage the end cap to deform the plastic seal coating between the abutment surfaces and thereby seal the chamber." The patent application was filed on March 2, 2005 (10/598,031). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7,955,059.PN.&OS=PN/7,955,059&RS=PN/7,955,059 Written by Shabnam Sheikh; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Arthroscopic Innovations Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- Arthroscopic Innovations, Weymouth, Mass., has been assigned a patent (7,955,341) developed by Daniel Cerundolo, Hingham, Mass., for a "method and apparatus for providing suture in a passageway." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A surgical apparatus may include a guide apparatus to be used in an arthroscopic procedure and to interact with a passageway through a body portion formed by intersecting first and second holes that may lead into the body portion from different positions, e.g., from two different locations on a bone. The guide apparatus may include first and second guide members having first and second passages, respectively, that communicate with the first and second holes. The surgical apparatus may also include a suture retriever arranged to retrieve, from the second passage, a suture fed into the first passage. A method may include forming a passageway including first and second intersecting holes. First and second guide tubes may be positioned relative to the first and second holes, a suture or suture-like material may be provided into the first guide tube, and the suture or suture-like material may be retrieved from the second guide tube." The patent application was filed on May 3, 2007 (11/799,972). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,955,341&OS=7,955,341&RS=7,955,341 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** SRI International, University of Colorado Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- SRI International, Menlo Park, Calif., and the University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo., have been assigned a patent (7,955,551) developed by six co-inventors for an "alkali metal dispenser and uses for same." The co-inventors are Sterling Eduardo McBride, Princeton, N.J., Steven Alan Lipp, West Windsor, N.J., Joey John Michalchuk, Lambertville, N.J., Dana Z. Anderson, Boulder, Colo., William Frederick Holmgren, Tucson, Ariz., and Matthew B. Squires, Tewksbury, Mass. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention provides an improved alkali metal dispenser which is pure and free of contaminant gases, and provides for controlled releasing, delivery and recycling of the alkali metal in multiple stages in a controlled manner. The present invention also provides an alkali metal pump or getter." The patent application was filed on May 15, 2008 (12/121,068). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7955551.PN.&OS=PN/7955551&RS=PN/7955551 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Han Sen Medical Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- Han Sen Medical, Moutain View, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,955,316) developed by Barry Weitzner, Acton, Mass., Gary S. Rogers, Wenham, Mass., and Albert Solbjor, Waltham, Mass., for a coaxial catheter system. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A robotic medical system for use with an intravascular catheter that delivers fluid within an anatomical vessel is provided. The robotic medical system comprises a user interface configured for receiving at least one command, an electromechanical driver configured for being coupled to the catheter, a fluid delivery controller coupled to the catheter, and an electric controller configured for directing the electromechanical driver to mechanically move the catheter within at least one degree-of-freedom and for directing the fluid delivery controller to deliver fluid to the catheter in response to the at least one command. The robotic medical system may further comprise a source of fluid and a fluid line configured for coupling the source of fluid to the catheter, and a manifold configured for fluidly interfacing with the catheter, in which case, the manifold has a fluid inlet port coupled to the fluid line." The patent application was filed on June 13, 2007 (11/762,751). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,955,316.PN.&OS=PN/7,955,316&RS=PN/7,955,316 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Nova Biomedical Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- Nova Biomedical, Waltham, Mass., has been assigned a patent (7,955,484) developed by four co-inventors for a "glucose biosensor and method." The co-inventors are Xiaohua Cai, Needham, Mass., Chung Chang Young, Weston, Mass., Jianhong Pei, Boxborough, Mass., and Andy Vo, Sommerville, Mass. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system for more accurately measuring glucose in a sample includes a first glucose-sensing electrode incorporating a quantity of glucose oxidase, a second glucose-sensing electrode incorporating a quantity of PQQ-glucose dehydrogenase, a reference electrode, and means for selecting between a first glucose measurement made with the first glucose-sensing electrode and a second glucose measurement made with the second glucose-sensing electrode." The patent application was filed on Dec. 14, 2005 (11/306,005). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7955484.PN.&OS=PN/7955484&RS=PN/7955484 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Hamilton Sundstrand Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- Hamilton Sundstrand, Windsor Locks, Conn., has been assigned a patent (7,955,751) developed by Andrei Leonida, West Hartford, Conn., Robert J. Roy, West Springfield, Mass., and Kurt Matthew Critz, Enfield, Conn., for a "hardware system for high pressure electrochemical cell." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An electrochemical cell has an anode cavity and a cathode cavity. The anode cavity and the cathode cavity sandwich an electrochemically conductive medium. The anode cavity and/or the cathode cavity have electrically conductive plates assembled using a solid bonding material. Each plate has nesting volumes and protrusions provided in the perimeter seal area. The protrusions of one plate fit into the volumes of an adjacent plate to eliminate the offset introduced by the bonding material thickness." The patent application was filed on March 31, 2004 (10/814,019). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,955,751&OS=7,955,751&RS=7,955,751 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Hsin-Chu, Taiwan, has been assigned a patent (7,955,435) developed by five co-inventors for a "method of producing high quality relaxed silicon germanium layers." The co-inventors are Eugene Fitzgerald, Windham, N.H., Richard Westhoff, Hudson, N.H., Matthew T. Currie, Windham, N.H., Christopher J. Vineis, Watertown, Mass., and Thomas A. Langdo, Cambridge, Mass. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for minimizing particle generation during deposition of a graded Si.sub.1-xGe.sub.x layer on a semiconductor material includes providing a substrate in an atmosphere including a Si precursor and a Ge precursor, wherein the Ge precursor has a decomposition temperature greater than germane, and depositing the graded Si.sub.1-xGe.sub.x layer having a final Ge content of greater than about 0.15 and a particle density of less than about 0.3 particles/cm.sup.2 on the substrate." The patent application was filed on Feb. 24, 2010 (12/711,560). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,955,435.PN.&OS=PN/7,955,435&RS=PN/7,955,435 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Bio-Rad Laboratories Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,955,573) developed by Sunand Banerji, Stoneham, Mass., for a "low-mass sample block with rapid response to temperature change." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A sample block for use in the polymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing, and other procedures that involve the performance of simultaneous reactions in multiple samples with temperature control by heating or cooling elements contacting the bottom surface of the block is improved by the inclusion of hollows in the block that are positioned to decrease the mass of the block in the immediate vicinity of the wells." The patent application was filed on Nov. 10, 2009 (12/615,419). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,955,573&OS=7,955,573&RS=7,955,573 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Boston Scientific Scimed Assigned Patent for Endoluminal Device, System and Method for Detecting a Change in Pressure Differential Across an Endoluminal Device ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- Boston Scientific Scimed, Maple Grove, Minn., has been assigned a patent (7,955,378) developed by John K. Smith, Medford, Mass., for an "endoluminal device and system and method for detecting a change in pressure differential across an endoluminal device." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An endoluminal device for deployment in a body lumen includes a radially expandable stent, a graft attached to the stent, and a plurality of indicator members affixed to the graft and adapted to form a normal pattern in response to a normal pressure differential and an abnormal pattern in response to an abnormal pressure differential across the graft. By forming different patterns at different pressure differentials, the indicator members enable the detection of a change in pressure which could be evidence of a leak. A system for detecting a change in pressure differential includes the endoluminal device and an imaging system for displaying the indicator members. A method for detecting a change in pressure includes the steps of identifying the normal pattern, implanting the device, imaging the indicator members, and comparing the imaged pattern with the normal pattern to determine whether the normal pressure or an abnormal pressure differential exists." The patent application was filed on Dec. 29, 2006 (11/647,681). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,955,378.PN.&OS=PN/7,955,378&RS=PN/7,955,378 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Tyco Healthcare Group Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- Tyco Healthcare Group, Mansfield, Mass., has been assigned a patent (7,955,369) developed by four co-inventors for "systems and methods for treating a hollow anatomical structure." The co-inventors are Russell Blake Thompson, Los Altos, Calif., Fiona Maria Sander, Los Altos Hills, Calif., Vijay Kumar Dhaka, Boston, and Brady David Esch, San Jose, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A catheter includes multiple primary leads to deliver energy for ligating a hollow anatomical structure. Each of the primary leads includes a resistive element located at the working end of the catheter. Separation is maintained between the leads such that each lead can individually receive power. The catheter can include a lumen to accommodate a guide wire or to allow fluid delivery. Energy is applied until the diameter of the hollow anatomical structure is reduced to the point where occlusion is achieved. In one embodiment, a balloon is inflated to place the resistive elements into apposition with a hollow anatomical structure and to occlude the structure before the application of energy. The inflated balloon impairs blood flow and facilitates the infusion of saline, or medication, to the hollow anatomical structure in order to reduce the occurrence of coagulation and to improve the heating of the structure by the catheter." The patent application was filed on Sept. 8, 2008 (12/206,649). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,955,369.PN.&OS=PN/7,955,369&RS=PN/7,955,369 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Gustavsson Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- Morgan Gustavsson, Newport Beach, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,955,367) developed by Morgan Lars Ake Gustavsson, Newton, Mass., for a fluorescent handpiece. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A handpiece can treat biological tissue using electromagnetic radiation, which can be substantially fluorescent light. The handpiece includes a source of electromagnetic radiation and a nonlinear waveguide. The nonlinear waveguide is adjacent the source, receives electromagnetic radiation from the source, and delivers the electromagnetic radiation to the biological tissue. The handpiece also includes a system for circulating a fluorescent substance through the nonlinear waveguide. The fluorescent substance is capable of modulating at least one property of the electromagnetic radiation." The patent application was filed on Jan. 16, 2008 (12/014,989). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,955,367.PN.&OS=PN/7,955,367&RS=PN/7,955,367 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Medtronic Vascular Assigned Patent for Coronary Sinus Approach for Repair of Mitral Valve Regurgitation ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- Medtronic Vascular, Santa Rosa, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,955,384) developed by Nasser Rafiee, Andover, Mass., Nareak Douk, Lowell, Mass., and James F. Crittenden, Hollis, N.H., for a "coronary sinus approach for repair of mitral valve regurgitation." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A device and method for treating cardiac valve regurgitation. The device includes a tubular member including a lumen there through and a locking mechanism and a compression device carried on the tubular member. The compression device is transformable to a compression configuration in response to axial displacement and is locked in the compression configuration by the locking mechanism. The method includes positioning the compression device adjacent a cardiac valve and applying an axial displacement to the compression device to transform the compression device into a compression configuration and locking the compression device in the compression configuration to apply a compressive force to the cardiac valve." The patent application was filed on Nov. 11, 2004 (10/531,833). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,955,384.PN.&OS=PN/7,955,384&RS=PN/7,955,384 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Merck Paten Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- Merck Paten, Darmstadt, Germany, has been assigned a patent (7,955,590) developed by Stephen D. Gillies, Carlisle, Mass., Kin-Ming Lo, Lexington, Mass., and John S. Wesolowski Jr., Weymouth, Mass., for "FC fusion proteins for enhancing the immunogenicity of protein and peptide antigens." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Disclosed herein are methods and compositions for enhancing the immunogenicity of a preselected protein or peptide antigen in a mammal. Immunogenicity is enhanced by fusing the preselected antigen to an immunoglobulin heavy chain constant region to produce an Fc-antigen fusion protein. The Fc-antigen fusion proteins bind Fc receptors on the surface of antigen presenting cells, thereby targeting the antigen to the antigen presenting cells in the mammal. In addition, disclosed is a family of adjuvants, for example, an Fc-adjuvant fusion protein, for use in combination with the Fc-antigen fusion proteins to enhance or modulate a particular immune response against the preselected antigen." The patent application was filed on March 24, 2005 (11/089,426). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,955,590&OS=7,955,590&RS=7,955,590 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Abbott Diabetes Care Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- Abbott Diabetes Care, Alameda, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,955,348) developed by six co-inventors for a "lancing devices and methods." The co-inventors are John Andrew Trissel, Canton, Ga., Ray Adams Lathrop, Atlanta, Stephen J. Flynn, Peachtree City, Ga., Samuel Mason Curry, San Francisco, Jonathan M. Wyler, Cambridge, Mass., and Bradley Koeppel, Smyrna, Ga. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Lancing devices for use with removable lancets having sharp tips are provided. Embodiments include an interlock within the housing that blocks insertion of the lancet when the device is already cocked." The patent application was filed on May 30, 2007 (11/755,420). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=7,955,348.PN.&OS=PN/7,955,348&RS=PN/7,955,34896 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Massachusetts Inventor Develops Patent for Yoga Mat with Intuitive Tactile Feedback for Visually Impaired ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- Tracy Lynn Curley, Nantucket, Mass., has developed a patent (7,955,224) for a "yoga mat with intuitive tactile feedback for visually impaired." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The invention includes an exercise mat that provides intuitive tactile feedback allowing a user to determine body placement using the sense of touch. The invention enables visually impaired users to determine location and/or direction on the mat. The invention includes devices to assist a user in correct foot and hand placements during a yoga posture sequence, an exercise program, a dance routine, and so forth. Tactile markers for hand and foot placement enable discerning a reference marker as either intended for hand or foot, right side or left side, and forward or backward. The invention makes yoga more accessible to the visually impaired and enables a user to participate in mainstream yoga communities. The invention can be used for the practice of yoga in a class setting in schools for the blind, in public or private studios, or at home. The mat can be used in a yoga class to follow instructions with more ease and independence. The pliable nature of the mat allows it to be easily portable to schools, studios, and storage at home." The patent application was filed on Aug. 28, 2007 (11/846,185). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7,955,224.PN.&OS=PN/7,955,224&RS=PN/7,955,224 Written by Ankita Das; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Acushnet Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- Acushnet, Fairhaven, Mass., has been assigned a patent (7,955,193) developed by four co-inventors for a "multi-layer core golf ball." The co-inventors are Michael J. Sullivan, Barrington, R.I., Derek A. Ladd, Acushnet, Mass., Brian Comeau, Berkley, Mass., and Douglas S. Goguen, New Bedford, Mass. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core comprises a thermoset rubber center, a thermoplastic intermediate core layer, and a thermoset rubber outer core layer." The patent application was filed on May 10, 2010 (12/776,692). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=7,955,193.PN.&OS=PN/7,955,193&RS=PN/7,955,193 Written by Ankita Das; edited by Jaya Anand. For more information about Targeted News Service products and services, please contact: Myron Struck, editor, Targeted News Service LLC, Springfield, Va., 703/304-1897; [email protected]; http://targetednews.com. -1050879 (c) 2011 Targeted News Service |