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U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in California (Aug. 8)(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in California. *** Honeywell International Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Honeywell International, Morristown, N.J., has been assigned a patent (7,988,426) developed by David G. Elpern, Los Angeles, Niall McCabe, Torrance, Calif., and Mark Gee, South Pasadena, Calif., for a "compressor ported shroud for foil bearing cooling." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A compressor ported shroud takes compressed air from the shroud of the compressor before it is completely compressed and delivers it to foil bearings. The compressed air has a lower pressure and temperature than compressed outlet air. The lower temperature of the air means that less air needs to be bled off from the compressor to cool the foil bearings. This increases the overall system efficiency due to the reduced mass flow requirements of the lower temperature air. By taking the air at a lower pressure, less work is lost compressing the bearing cooling air." The patent application was filed on Jan. 10, 2005 (11/032,418). 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=79,88,426.PN.&OS=PN/79,88,426&RS=PN/79,88,426 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** California Inventor Develops Patent for Mechanical Fastener System for High-temperature Structural Assemblies ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Wayne S. Steffier, Huntington Beach, Calif., has developed a patent (7,988,395) for a "mechanical fastener system for high-temperature structural assemblies." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A relatively low cost, lightweight and thermal stress-free mechanical fastener system having particular application for reliably joining together high temperature structural members (e.g., a pair of flat fiber-reinforced ceramic composite plates). The mechanical fastener system includes a ceramic composite fastener having a semi-circular head at one end to be countersunk in the structural members to be joined together and a dove tail retention feature formed in the shank or root at the opposite end. The composite fastener has a 2-dimensional (i.e., flat) profile that facilitates an economic manufacture thereof from densified ceramic composite material. A matched pair of thread forms having external threads and an internal dove tail relief to match the dove tail retention feature at the root of the composite fastener is held in face-to-face mating engagement with one another so as to establish a mechanical interlock around the root of the composite fastener. A 2-dimensional ceramic backing washer has a rectangular center hole dimensioned to receive the root of the composite fastener therethrough. A nut having internal threads that correspond to the external threads of the pair of thread forms is rotated into surrounding engagement with the thread forms to prevent a removal of the composite fastener and a separation of the structural members." The patent application was filed on Jan. 23, 2009 (12/321,638). 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=79,88,395.PN.&OS=PN/79,88,395&RS=PN/79,88,395 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** California Inventor Develops Patent for Axial Piston Machine ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- John P. MacHarg, Ventura, Calif., has developed a patent (7,988,428) for an axial piston machine. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A pressure pump in a primary liquid flow is combined with a pressure exchanger for energy recovery from a secondary liquid flow. A motor-driven rotor portion, including two (primary and secondary) rotatable drum-type cylinder assemblies, is disposed between end blocks configured with input/output ports and cavities forming sliding synchronous reversing valves. Interconnected piston assemblies, including at least one primary piston and one secondary piston, are reciprocated axially by a central angled swash-plate in a progressive sequential manner by rotation of the rotor portion. The combination machine can be optimized for beneficial deployment in a reverse osmosis seawater desalination system to provide unusual simplicity, high efficiency energy recovery from the brine discharge flow and low overall operating cost." The patent application was filed on Sept. 21, 2006 (11/523,937). 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=79,88,428.PN.&OS=PN/79,88,428&RS=PN/79,88,428 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Complete Genomics Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Complete Genomics, Mountain View, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,988,918) developed by Andres Fernandez, San Francisco, for "structures for enhanced detection of fluorescence." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Substrates are provided for use in the detection, identification and analysis of biologic or chemical samples that are labeled with a fluorescent label, in which the plane of maximum fluorescence is displaced from a reflective substrate surface so that the intensity maximum of the standing wave interference pattern of incident and reflected probe radiation is enhanced. The format of the substrates includes substantially planar surfaces as well as substrates with introduced variations to the substrate surface, e.g., depressions, wells, pedestals and the like, disposed in arrays or other similar structures such that one or more fluorophore-comprising objects can be attached thereto." The patent application was filed on Oct. 30, 2008 (12/261,447). 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=7988918.PN.&OS=PN/7988918&RS=PN/7988918 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** GP Medical, National Tsing Hua University Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- GP Medical, Newport Beach, Calif., and National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, have been assigned a patent (7,988,949) developed by Hsing-Wen Sung, Hsinchu, Taiwan, and Hosheng Tu, Newport Beach, Calif., for "nanoparticles for protein drug delivery." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The invention discloses the nanoparticles composed of chitosan, poly-glutamic acid, and at least one antibiotics or equivalent bioactive agent characterized with a positive surface charge and their enhanced permeability in oral drug delivery." The patent application was filed on Jan. 27, 2011 (12/931,251). 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=7988949.PN.&OS=PN/7988949&RS=PN/7988949 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** U.S. Army Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- The U.S. Army has been assigned a patent (7,988,930) developed by nine co-inventors for a portable chemical sterilizer. The co-inventors are Christopher Doona, Oxford, Mass., Maria Curtin, Easton, Mass., Florence Feeherry, Wellesley, Mass., Satish Kandlikar, Rochester, N.Y., David Baer, San Antonio, Kenneth Kustin, San Diego, Irwin A. Taub, Framingham, Mass., Barbara Taub, legal representative, Framingham, Mass., and Albert T. McManus, Floresville, Texas. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A portable, lightweight, easy-to-carry, reusable, durable, and environmentally-friendly assembly for sterilizing contaminated equipment using conditions of a chemical sterilant, heat, and humidity generated in situ without requiring external electricity, fuels, or other exogenous energy sources for operation. The carry assembly includes a plastic carry-case or insulated aluminum pressure vessel having an inner chamber for accepting microbiologically contaminated objects, a vessel disposed in the chamber for serving as a reaction chamber and/or boiler, a chemical combination which upon mixing generates at least minimally sufficient conditions of the sterilant, heat, and humidity to effect sterilization of the objects, and outlet valves mounted on the carry-case for controllably venting pressures above ambient air pressure." The patent application was filed on June 4, 2009 (12/478,155). 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=7988930.PN.&OS=PN/7988930&RS=PN/7988930 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Alexza Pharmaceuticals Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Alexza Pharmaceuticals, Mountain View, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,988,952) developed by Joshua D. Rabinowitz, Princeton, N.J., and Alejandro C. Zaffaroni, Atherton, Calif., for a "delivery of drug esters through an inhalation route." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention relates to the delivery of drug esters through an inhalation route. Specifically, it relates to aerosols containing drug esters that are used in inhalation therapy. In a method aspect of the present invention, a drug ester is delivered to a patient through an inhalation route. The method comprises: a) heating a composition, wherein the composition comprises a drug ester, to form a vapor; and, b) allowing the vapor to cool, thereby forming a condensation aerosol comprising particles with less than 5% drug ester degradation product. In a kit aspect of the present invention, a kit for delivering a drug ester through an inhalation route is provided which comprises: a) a thin coating of a drug ester composition and b) a device for dispensing said thin coating as a condensation aerosol." The patent application was filed on March 27, 2008 (12/057,330). 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=7988952.PN.&OS=PN/7988952&RS=PN/7988952 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** MicroFluidic Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- MicroFluidic Systems, Fremont, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,988,935) developed by Bob Yuan, Belmont, Calif., and Nima Aflaatooni, Berkeley, Calif., for a "handheld and portable microfluidic device to automatically prepare nucleic acids for analysis." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A handheld and portable extraction device is directed to a microfluidic-based system to be used in the field to extract and purify an analyte, preferably a nucleic acid, from a fluid-based sample. Preferably, the fluid-based sample is water-based. The fluid-based sample can also be a biological fluid sample. The handheld and portable extraction device includes a syringe-like device coupled to a purification chip. The purification chip is preferably included within a chip block which is removable from the remaining portion of the handheld and portable extraction device. The analyte collected within the purification chip can be later removed and collected for analysis." The patent application was filed on Sept. 9, 2005 (11/223,095). 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=7988935.PN.&OS=PN/7988935&RS=PN/7988935 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** MEC Dynamics Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- MEC Dynamics, San Jose, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,988,932) developed by Emmanuel C. Mpock, Salida, Calif., for a "micro mechanical methods and systems for performing assays." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention provides a micro mechanical system for performing assays for determining the presence of one or more selected analytes in a sample. The device comprises of a base and a disposable strip with at least one reaction well and at least one moveable member capable of moving fluids and parts through the fluids in a defined reaction well. Reagents in the reaction chambers and or the moveable members, react with the sample to yield a physically detectable change. The moveable parts are capable of executing motions that either mix, move reaction components, exchange or systematically deliver reagents to targets in the cartridge. Sensors in the base are configured to detect and or quantify the presence of a sample in the reaction well and of analytes in the sample. The signal is converted to an output on a visual display window on the external part of the base." The patent application was filed on March 11, 2010 (12/722,469). 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=7988932.PN.&OS=PN/7988932&RS=PN/7988932 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Medtronic Minimed Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Medtronic Minimed, Northridge, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,985,330) developed by five co-inventors for a "method and system for detecting age, hydration, and functional states of sensors using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy." The co-inventors are Lu Wang, Pasadena, Calif., Rajiv Shah, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., Kenneth W. Cooper, Valencia, Calif., Richard K. Yoon, Northridge, Calif., and Helen Lee, San Gabriel, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and program prevents a user from bypassing a limit placed on a specified operating life of a sensor by disconnecting and reconnecting the sensor. The present invention checks a characteristic of the sensor to see if the sensor is used prior to the connection of the sensor, and rejects the sensor if the sensor is determined to have been used before. The process of checking the characteristic of the sensor involves performing an Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) procedure and calculating an impedance value. The impedance value can be compared to various threshold values for a variety of purposes including the determination of age, condition, hydration, and stabilization of the sensor." The patent application was filed on Dec. 29, 2006 (11/618,183). 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=79,85,330.PN.&OS=PN/79,85,330&RS=PN/79,85,330 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Kristar Enterprises Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Kristar Enterprises, Santa Rosa, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,985,335) developed by Douglas Allard, Occidental, Calif., for a "low profile catch basin filter." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A catch basin configured to filter water by way of a matrix filter and a filter pouch. If the matrix filter should become clogged, a bypass weir provides means of bypassing the matrix filter to prevent the catch basin from clogging." The patent application was filed on March 9, 2009 (12/382,135). 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=79,85,335.PN.&OS=PN/79,85,335&RS=PN/79,85,335 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** California Inventor Develops Patent for Method of Making an All-weather Grip ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Ben Huang, Huntington Beach, Calif., has developed a patent (7,985,314) for a "method of making an all-weather grip." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A slip-resistant shock absorbing golf club grip that includes a felt layer, a fabric mesh formed of fibers and a polyurethane coating covering the mesh and felt, the fibers of the mesh defining grooves in the surface of the slip-resistant polyurethane which are engaged by a users' hands, with the polyurethane coating being buffed to partially expose the fibers." The patent application was filed on May 19, 2008 (12/123,384). 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=79,85,314.PN.&OS=PN/79,85,314&RS=PN/79,85,314 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Ivera Medical Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Ivera Medical, San Diego, has been assigned a patent (7,985,302) developed by Bobby E. Rogers, San Diego, and Paul Diperna, San Diego, for a "medical implement cleaning device." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A cleaning device for a medical implement is disclosed. The cleaning device includes a cap having an opening to an inner cavity, the opening being adapted to receive a site of the medical implement. The cleaning device further includes a compressible cleaning material that contains a cleaning agent prior to receipt of the site of the medical implement, i.e. the cleaning material is pre-loaded with the cleaning agent. The compressible cleaning material is at least partially secured in the inner cavity and adapted to swab and clean the site with the cleaning agent." The patent application was filed on Aug. 20, 2010 (12/860,825). 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=79,85,302.PN.&OS=PN/79,85,302&RS=PN/79,85,302 Written by Ruby Maibam; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Medtronic MiniMed Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Medtronic MiniMed, Northridge, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,988,683) developed by Randy W. Adair, Valencia, Calif., Sheldon B. Moberg, Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Chalirmkiert Srisathapat, Sun Valley, Calif., for a reservoir connector. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and apparatus for a connection interface between a reservoir or syringe, infusion set tubing, and an infusion pump is provided. The elements of the apparatus are organized so that it is capable of being inserted and secured in an infusion pump housing." The patent application was filed on Jan. 25, 2010 (12/693,232). 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=79,88,683&OS=79,88,683&RS=79,88,683 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Venetec International Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Venetec International, Covington, Ga., has been assigned a patent (7,988,673) developed by Clifford A. Wright, San Diego, and Gene Stewart, San Marcos, Calif., for a "protective dressing and methods of use thereof." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A protective device having a substantially rigid casing for placement on a patient's skin, wherein the casing has a hollow interior facing the patient's skin and a lip. The casing can be spanned across its hollow interior by a membrane. The casing can have a first adhesive seal attached to a bottom surface of the lip of the casing, and a second adhesive seal attached to the top surface of the lip of the casing." The patent application was filed on July 14, 2005 (11/183,165). 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=79,88,673&OS=79,88,673&RS=79,88,673 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Pelikan Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Pelikan Technologies, Palo Alto, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,988,645) developed by Dominique Freeman, La Honda, Calif., and Don Alden, Sunnyvale, Calif., for a "self optimizing lancing device with adaptation means to temporal variations in cutaneous properties." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A lancing device, an embodiment of which controls the advancement and retraction of a lancet by monitoring the position of the lancet in conjunction with a lancet controller which incorporates a feedback loop for modulating the lancet driver to follow a predetermined tissue lancing profile." The patent application was filed on May 3, 2007 (11/744,063). 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=79,88,645&OS=79,88,645&RS=79,88,645 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Masimo Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Masimo, Irvine, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,988,637) developed by Mohamed K. Diab, Mission Viejo, Calif., for a "plethysmograph pulse recognition processor." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A time domain rule-based processor provides recognition of individual pulses in a pulse oximeter-derived waveform." The patent application was filed on May 3, 2006 (11/418,328). 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=79,88,637&OS=79,88,637&RS=79,88,637 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** California Inventor Develops Patent for Extragastric Minimally Invasive Methods and Devices to Treat Obesity ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Michael Gertner, Menlo Park, Calif., has developed a patent (7,988,617) for an "extragastric minimally invasive methods and devices to treat obesity." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Disclosed are methods and apparatus for implantation into the walls of an organ such as the stomach. Deformable or inflatable anchors with a connector between are used to pull the walls of the organ together, or to implant devices in the wall of the organ. Also disclosed are surgical instruments useful in practicing the disclosed methods." The patent application was filed on March 31, 2006 (11/396,160). 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=79,88,617&OS=79,88,617&RS=79,88,617 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Suros Surgical Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Suros Surgical Systems, Indianapolis, has been assigned a patent (7,988,642) developed by five co-inventors for a "vacuum assisted biopsy device." The co-inventors are Terry D. Hardin, Irvine, Calif., Joseph L. Mark, Indianapolis, William O. Hodge, Greenfield, Ind., Zachary R. Nicoson, Indianapolis, and Michael E. Miller, Trafalgar, Ind. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A biopsy device is disclosed that comprises a cutting element mounted to a handpiece and a vacuum chamber. The cutting element comprises a stylet assembly and an outer cannula assembly. The stylet assembly includes a stylet that includes an open proximal end and a tissue opening at a distal end thereof. The tissue receiving opening is in communication with a lumen extending through the stylet. The outer cannula assembly includes an outer cannula that is slidably mounted over the stylet and has an open distal end with a cutting edge formed thereon. The vacuum chamber is in communication with the lumen of the stylet. The stylet is selectively advanced distally outwardly with respect to outer cannula to expose the tissue opening to targeted tissue. The outer cannula is selectively advanced over the tissue opening to sever tissue, while vacuum is generated in the vacuum chamber and delivered to the tissue opening through the lumen. The vacuum causes tissue to be drawn into and maintained in the tissue opening while the outer cannula severs tissue to obtain a biopsy core." The patent application was filed on Feb. 28, 2008 (12/039,364). 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=79,88,642&OS=79,88,642&RS=79,88,642 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Pacesetter Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Pacesetter, Sylmar, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,988,634) developed by Steve Koh, South Pasadena, Calif., for an "adaptive cancellation of a signal component." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A cardiac-related signal such as a cardiogenic impedance signal is derived to obtain cardiac information such as stroke volume information that may be used to evaluate cardiac performance and/or other medical conditions. In some aspects detection of the cardiogenic impedance signal involves adaptively cancelling an unwanted component of a sensed signal. For example, in some embodiments a sensed respiratory signal may be subtracted from a thoracic impedance signal to reduce a respiratory component of the thoracic impedance signal. In this way, a more accurate cardiogenic impedance signal may be derived from the resulting signal." The patent application was filed on Jan. 10, 2007 (11/621,944). 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=79,88,634&OS=79,88,634&RS=79,88,634 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Assigned Patent for Method for Fabricating Carbon Nanotube Yarn ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Tsinghua University, Beijing, and Hon Hai Precision Industry, Tu-Cheng, New Taipei, Taiwan, have been assigned a patent (7,988,893) developed by six co-inventors for a "method for fabricating carbon nanotube yarn." The co-inventors are Yun-Hsin Kevin Liao, Santa-Clara, Calif., Kai-Li Jiang, Beijing, Shou-Shan Fan, Beijing, Yuan Yao, Beijing, Chang-Shen Chang, Taipei, Taiwan, and Hsien-Sheng Pei, Taipei, Taiwan. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for fabricating a carbon nanotube yarn includes providing a plurality of carbon nanotube arrays; pulling out, by using a tool, a first carbon nanotube structure from one of the carbon nanotube arrays; pulling out a subsequent carbon nanotube structure from another one of the carbon nanotube arrays; joining a leading end of the subsequent carbon nanotube structure to a trailing portion of the carbon nanotube structure already formed by contacting the leading end of the subsequent carbon nanotube structure with the trailing portion of the already-formed carbon nanotube structure, with the contact occurring along a common lengthwise direction of the two carbon nanotube structures, thereby forming a lengthened carbon nanotube structure; repeating the pulling and the joining until the lengthened carbon nanotube structure has a desired length; and treating the lengthened carbon nanotube structure with an organic solvent." The patent application was filed on Sept. 18, 2008 (12/284,084). 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=7988893.PN.&OS=PN/7988893&RS=PN/7988893 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Volcano Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Volcano, Rancho Cordova, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,988,633) developed by 13 co-inventors for an "apparatus and method for use of RFID catheter intelligence." The co-inventors are Norman Hugh Hossack, Folsom, Calif., Stephen C. Davies, Folsom, Calif., Donald Mamayek, Mountain View, Calif., Richard Scott Huennekens, San Diego, Stephen Fry, El Dorado Hills, Calif., Eric V. Mott, Rancho Cordova, Calif., Peter Smith, Sacramento, Calif., Scott Brownlie, Carmichael, Calif., Jon D. Klingensmith, El Dorado Hills, Calif., Richard Klosinski, Carmichael, Calif., Ed Oliver, Folsom, Calif., Masood Ahmed, Rocklin, Calif., and Gerald Lea Litzza, Sacramento, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and system is provided for using backscattered data and known parameters to characterize vascular tissue. Specifically, methods and devices for identifying information about the imaging element used to gather the backscattered data are provided in order to permit an operation console having a plurality of Virtual Histology classification trees to select the appropriate VH classification tree for analyzing data gathered using that imaging element. In order to select the appropriate VH database for analyzing data from a specific imaging catheter, it is advantageous to know information regarding the function and performance of the catheter, such as the operating frequency of the catheter and whether it is a rotational or phased-array catheter. The present invention provides a device and method for storing this information on the imaging catheter and communicating the information to the operation console. In addition, information related to additional functions of the catheter may also be stored on the catheter and used to further optimize catheter performance and/or select the appropriate Virtual Histology classification tree for analyzing data from the catheter imaging element." The patent application was filed on Oct. 12, 2005 (11/250,159). 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=79,88,633&OS=79,88,633&RS=79,88,633 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Breg Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Breg, Vista, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,988,653) developed by James M. Fout, Oceanside, Calif., and James D. Burke, Encinitas, Calif., for an "orthopedic elbow brace having a length-adjustable support assembly." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An adjustable support assembly for an orthopedic brace has a support bar, a housing and a locking mechanism. The housing includes a travel track which receives the support bar. The locking mechanism includes a lock stop and a lock peg array having at least one column and a plurality of rows. The lock stop is perpendicularly positioned between two lock pegs in adjacent rows to prevent displacement of the support bar in the travel track when the length locking mechanism is in the closed position and the lock stop is parallely positioned to enable displacement of the support bar in the travel track when the length locking mechanism is in the open position." The patent application was filed on Jan. 8, 2009 (12/350,403). 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=79,88,653&OS=79,88,653&RS=79,88,653 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Applied Materials Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Applied Materials, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,988,875) developed by Soo Young Choi, Fremont, Calif., and Gaku Furuta, Sunnyvale, Calif., for a "differential etch rate control of layers deposited by chemical vapor deposition." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and apparatus is provided for controlling the etch profile of a multilayer layer stack by depositing a first and second material layer with differential etch rates in the same or different processing chamber. In one embodiment of the invention, a process for etching substrate material is provided including depositing a first silicon-containing material layer having a first etch rate on the substrate surface from a nitrogen-containing precursor at a first flow rate and a silicon-containing precursor, depositing a second silicon-containing material layer having a second etch rate different than the first etch rate on the first silicon-containing material layer from the nitrogen-containing precursor at a second flow rate different than the first flow rate and the silicon-containing precursor, etching the first silicon-containing material layer and the second silicon-containing material layer, and forming a taper etch profile in the first silicon-containing material layer and the second silicon-containing material layer." The patent application was filed on Feb. 7, 2008 (12/027,964). 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=7988875.PN.&OS=PN/7988875&RS=PN/7988875 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Applied Materials, Advanced Thermal Sciences Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Applied Materials, Santa Clara, Calif., and Advanced Thermal Sciences, Anaheim, Calif., have been assigned a patent (7,988,872) developed by ten co-inventors for a "method of operating a capacitively coupled plasma reactor with dual temperature control loops." The co-inventors are Paul Lukas Brillhart, Pleasanton, Calif., Richard Fovell, San Jose, Calif., Douglas A. Buchberger Jr., Livermore, Calif., Douglas H. Burns, Saratoaga, Calif., Kallol Bera, San Jose, Calif., Daniel J. Hoffman, Saratoga, Calif., Kenneth W. Cowans, Fullerton, Calif., William W. Cowans, Fullerton, Calif., Glenn W. Zubillaga, Canyon Lake, Calif., and Isaac Millan, Anaheim, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "In a plasma reactor having an electrostatic chuck with an electrostatic chuck top surface for supporting a workpiece, thermal transfer medium flow channels in the interior of the electrostatic chuck, a method for controlling temperature of the workpiece during plasma processing includes circulating thermal transfer medium through the thermal transfer medium flow passages and supplying a thermally conductive gas between the workpiece and the electrostatic chuck top surface, and changing thermal transfer medium thermal conditions of thermal transfer medium flowing in the thermal transfer medium flow channels so as to change the temperature of the electrostatic chuck at a first rate limited by the thermal mass of the electrostatic chuck. The method further includes changing the backside gas pressure of the thermally conductive gas so as to change the temperature of the workpiece at a second rate faster than the first rate." The patent application was filed on April 24, 2006 (11/410,859). 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=7988872.PN.&OS=PN/7988872&RS=PN/7988872 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Hoist Fitness Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Hoist Fitness Systems, San Diego, has been assigned a patent (7,988,603) developed by four co-inventors for a "leg press exercise machine with self-aligning pivoting seat." The co-inventors are Randall T. Webber, La Jolla, Calif., Christopher E. Brennan, Santee, Calif., Bruce Hockridge, San Diego, and Jeffrey O. Meredith, San Diego. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A leg press machine has a floor engaging main frame, a user support pivotally mounted relative to the main frame and having primary and secondary support portions which support spaced locations on a user's body throughout an exercise, and a leg press exercise arm rotatably mounted relative to the main frame. The exercise arm has a first pivot connection which pivotally links the exercise arm to the user support and a second pivot connection which is associated with the main frame to link movement of the exercise arm to movement of the user support. A load resists movement of at least one of the moving parts." The patent application was filed on Aug. 31, 2010 (12/872,816). 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=79,88,603&OS=79,88,603&RS=79,88,603 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** VQ Actioncare Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- VQ Actioncare, Irvine, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,988,601) developed by John Bowser, Las Vegas, for a "seated row exercise system." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A seated row exercise system including an exercise cycle assembly that detachably connects to a chair frame of a chair; and, an elongated support assembly. The exercise cycle assembly includes a main frame having a first end portion detachably connectable to a frame element of a chair frame, the main frame including a plurality of support legs for supporting the exercise cycle assembly relative to the floor; and, a pedal assembly securely connected to the main frame. The elongated support assembly includes a substantially vertical support member secured to the main frame; and, a pulley housing assembly attached to the vertical support member for supporting a cable assembly." The patent application was filed on April 30, 2010 (12/772,011). 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=79,88,601&OS=79,88,601&RS=79,88,601 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** California Inventor Develops Patent for Watershed Runoff Treatment Device & Method ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- David Belasco, Garden Grove, Calif., has developed a patent (7,988,870) for a "watershed runoff treatment device & method." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A watershed runoff treatment device is adapted to be used to convert a single-stage drain inlet vault (catch basin) into a two-stage clarifier in which treatment can be accomplished before discharging the water to further on-site treatment or detention or to storm drain. It includes a flow control box member to be mounted on the interior of the vault covering the discharge pipe(s) so that substantially all water runoff entering the vault must flow therethrough prior to exiting the vault. Floating, disposable hydrocarbon collection pads are deployed inside an open mesh container removably attached and covering the upstream face of the flow control box, as well as below the horizontal filter array described next. A horizontal filter array with removable, cleanable filter media is deployed below the flow control box for collection of suspended solids gravity-settling within the vault space, and enabling standing water in the vault interior to gravity flow through the permeable filter and suspended solids and automatically discharge from the vault, thus providing mosquito control and de-watering of solids for easy removal." The patent application was filed on June 5, 2008 (12/156,814). 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=7988870.PN.&OS=PN/7988870&RS=PN/7988870 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** California Inventor Develops Patent for Cellular Tire Liner and Air Chamber System for Pneumatic Tires ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Douglas Joseph Shoner, Hawthorne, Calif., has developed a patent (7,984,736) for a "cellular tire liner and air chamber system for pneumatic tires." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A cellular tire liner and air chamber system for pneumatic tires comprising a cellular tire liner interposed between the interior surface of a tire and an air chamber with an annular interface that extends from the air chamber to the interior surface of the tire, in the tread area of the tire and disconnects the sidewall portions of the tire liner from each other." The patent application was filed on March 1, 2003 (10/377,984). 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=79,84,736&OS=79,84,736&RS=79,84,736 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** California Inventors Develop Patent for Bayonet Connector ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Christopher Michael Hankins, Santa Rosa, Calif., and Mark Kelly Mezey, Santa Rosa, Calif., have developed a patent (7,988,479) for a bayonet connector. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An apparatus for detachably-attaching a first half of an electrical connector to a second half includes an exterior first half housing as part of the first half that rotates about a split ring with respect to a remaining interior portion of the first half. The interior portion does not rotate. The first half housing rotates during connection as the interior portion is urged longitudinally. Electrical sockets and electrical contact pins are provided in the first half and the second half. The first half housing includes inward-protruding pins that engage with outward facing slots of the second half and follow the contour of the slots as the first half housing is rotated causing a longitudinal displacement of the first half with respect to the second half. The slots and housing structure prevent flame propagation by providing complete electrical disconnection before a final mechanical release of the bayonet connection occurs." The patent application was filed on April 22, 2009 (12/386,831). 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=7,988,479.PN.&OS=PN/7,988,479&RS=PN/7,988,479 Written by Shabnam Sheikh; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Chien-Cheng Wu Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Chien-Cheng Wu, Berkeley, Calif., has developed a patent (7,984,585) for "methods and devices for plant weaving." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "methods and devices for rapidly weaving three-dimensional plant shapes. The plant-weaving device comprises an outer receptacle that is capable of receiving a frame support that supports a variety of three-dimensional frames. Plants with long stems are prepared and inserted in the plant-weaving device, and are woven around and secured to the frame. After weaving, the plants may be stored or transported." The patent application was filed on Jan. 28, 2009 (12/321,999). 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=7984585.PN.&OS=PN/7984585&RS=PN/7984585 Written by Ankresh Ranjan; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Applied Medical Resources Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Applied Medical Resources, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,988,671) developed by six co-inventors for a pleated trocar shield. The co-inventors are Jeremy J. Albrecht, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Gary M. Johnson, Mission Viejo, Calif., Donald L. Gadberry, Capistrano Beach, Calif., Henry Kahle, Trabuco Canyon, Calif., Scott V. Taylor, Mission Viejo, Calif., and Kimball B. McGinley, Laguna Niguel, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A surgical access device or trocar defines an access channel for instruments extending from a proximal end to the distal end thereof. The trocar comprises a cannula and a seal assembly disposed at the proximal end of the cannula. The seal assembly comprises a first or zero seal, a second or instrument seal, and a trocar shield disposed proximally of the first seal and the second seal. The first seal seals the access channel in the absence of an instrument extending therethrough. The second seal seals the access channel in the presence of an instrument extending therethrough. The trocar shield protects the first seal and second seal from damage as an instrument is advanced through the access channel. The trocar shield comprises an open proximal end and a tapered distal end comprising a plurality of longitudinal pleats, converging in an opening." The patent application was filed on Jan. 11, 2010 (12/685,541). 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=79,88,671&OS=79,88,671&RS=79,88,671 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** IDEAL Industries Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- IDEAL Industries, Sycamore, Ill., has been assigned a patent (7,988,481) developed by Gary C. Bethurum, Murrieta, Calif., and Benjamin D. Swedberg, Sycamore, Ill., for an "electrical disconnect with push-in connectors." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A wire connector has an enclosure including a housing and a cap and one or more contacts supported in the enclosure. The contacts each have outer ends opposite wire ports in the cap to receive a stripped end of a wire in a push-in engagement. One set of contacts has a male blade and the other set of contacts has a female socket at the inner or forward ends thereof. The housings are arranged so that two housings are releasably engagable with one another. When two housings are engaged the male contacts electrically engages the female contacts of the other housing. The female contacts include a sacrificial tine that is always first to make and last to break engagement with the male contact so that any degradation due to arcing always occurs at the sacrificial tine." The patent application was filed on June 21, 2006 (11/425,440). 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=7,988,481.PN.&OS=PN/7,988,481&RS=PN/7,988,481 Written by Shabnam Sheikh; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Pelikan Technologies Assigned Patent for Method and Apparatus for a Multi-use Body Fluid Sampling Device with Sterility Barrier Release ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Pelikan Technologies, Palo Alto, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,988,644) developed by six co-inventors for a "method and apparatus for a multi-use body fluid sampling device with sterility barrier release." The co-inventors are Dominique Freeman, La Honda, Calif., Don Alden, Sunnyvale, Calif., Dirk Boecker, Palo Alto, Calif., Michael Cane, Cambridge, United Kingdom, Matt Schumann, Cambridge, United Kingdom, and Michael Beadman, Cambridge, United Kingdom. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A device for use with a gripper is provided. A cartridge is provided that defines a plurality of cavities. A plurality of penetrating members are at least partially contained in the cavities of the cartridge. The penetrating members are slidably movable to extend outward from the cartridge to penetrate tissue. Each cavity has a longitudinal opening that provides access to an elongate portion of the penetrating member. A sterility barrier is coupled to the cartridge. The sterility barrier covers a plurality of the longitudinal openings. The sterility barrier is configured to be moved so that the elongate portion is accessed by the gripper without touching the barrier." The patent application was filed on March 21, 2007 (11/688,927). 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=79,88,644&OS=79,88,644&RS=79,88,644 Written by Rajat Puri; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Boeing Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Boeing, Chicago, has been assigned a patent (7,988,447) developed by four co-inventors for a "formed sheet heat exchanger." The co-inventors are Scott W. Fowser, Chatsworth, Calif., Mark D. Horn, Granada Hills, Calif., Andreas C. Straub, Costa Mesa, Calif., and Jon C. Wagner, Thousand Oaks, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A formed sheet heat exchanger is provided for exchanging heat between fluids is provided. The apparatus includes flow divider sheets that are positioned in a stacked configuration and extend in a longitudinal direction so that adjacent pairs of the sheets define flow passages therebetween for receiving first and second fluids. Each of the sheets is nonuniform in the longitudinal direction, having a manifold portion and a corrugated portion. The corrugated portions of each adjacent pair of sheets define a plurality of fluid channels therebetween that are connected to the portion of the flow passage defined between the manifold portions. The fluid channels are configured to receive the first or second fluids and transfer thermal energy therebetween through the flow divider sheets." The patent application was filed on Oct. 29, 2007 (11/926,555). 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=7,988,447.PN.&OS=PN/7,988,447&RS=PN/7,988,447 Written by Shabnam Sheikh; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Second Sight Medical Products Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Second Sight Medical Products, Sylmar, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,989,080) developed by Robert J. Greenberg, Los Angeles, and Jerry Ok, Canyon Country, Calif., for a "method and apparatus for providing hermetic electrical feedthrough." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and apparatus suitable for forming hermetic electrical feedthroughs in a ceramic sheet having a thickness of .ltoreq.40 mils. More particularly, the method yields an apparatus including a hermetic electrical feedthrough which is both biocompatible and electrochemically stable and suitable for implantation in a patient's body. The method involves: (a) providing an unfired, ceramic sheet having a thickness of .ltoreq.40 mils and preferably comprising .gtoreq.99% aluminum oxide; (b) forming multiple blind holes in said sheet; (c) inserting solid wires, preferably of platinum, in said holes; (d) firing the assembly of sheet and wires to a temperature sufficient to sinter the sheet material but insufficient to melt the wires; and (e) removing sufficient material from the sheet lower surface so that the lower ends of said wires are flush with the finished sheet lower surface." The patent application was filed on July 25, 2006 (11/493,469). 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=7,989,080&OS=7,989,080&RS=7,989,080 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Princeton University, University of Southern California, University of Michigan Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Princeton University, Princeton, N.J., the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich., have been assigned a patent (7,989,090) developed by seven co-inventors for "near infrared emitting organic compounds and organic devices using the same." The co-inventors are Mark E. Thompson, Anaheim, Calif., Carsten Borek, Pasadena, Calif., Kenneth Hanson, Los Angeles, Peter Djurovich, Long Beach, Calif., Yiru Sun, Princeton, N.J., Stephen Forrest, Ann Arbor, Mich., and Arnold Tamayo, Glendale, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Certain iridium compounds which may comprise an iridium(III)-ligand complex having the general formula: (C^N).sub.2--Ir--(N^N). (C^N) and (N^N) may each represent a ligand coordinated to an iridium atom. The iridium compounds may have a primary phosphorescent photoluminescence peak wavelength in the near-infrared (IR) range. Also, organic devices that use certain iridium compounds. The organic device may comprise an organic layer and the organic layer may comprise any of the iridium compounds disclosed herein. Also, organic devices that use certain metalloporphyrin compounds. The metalloporphyrin compounds may comprise a core porphyrin structure with four pyrrole rings. The metalloporphyrin compounds may have a primary phosphorescent photoluminescence peak wavelength in the near-IR range." The patent application was filed on Aug. 25, 2009 (12/546,829). 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=7,989,090&OS=7,989,090&RS=7,989,090 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Netherlands, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, has been assigned a patent (7,989,152) developed by Vladimir Nikitin, Campbell, Calif., for a magneto-optical photoresist. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for a magneto-optical photoresist. The method includes applying a magneto-optical photoresist to a surface, and patterning the magneto-optical photoresist by using a magnetic alignment. The magneto-optical photoresist is also patterned by using a photo exposure, wherein the magnetic alignment provides a photo exposure alignment for the photo exposure." The patent application was filed on Dec. 21, 2006 (11/644,927). 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=7,989,152&OS=7,989,152&RS=7,989,152 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Hitachi Global Storage Technologies, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, has been assigned a patent (7,989,096) developed by four co-inventors for a "perpendicular recording media having an exchange-spring structure." The co-inventors are Andreas Berger, San Jose, Calif., Eric Edward Fullerton, Morgan Hill, Calif., Hoa Van Do, Freemont, Calif., and Natacha Supper, Campbell, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A recording medium providing improved writeability in perpendicular recording applications includes a magnetic recording layer having an axis of magnetic anisotropy substantially perpendicular to the surface thereof, an exchange-spring layer ferromagnetically exchange coupled to the magnetic recording layer and having a coercivity less than the magnetic recording layer coercivity, and a coupling layer between the magnetic recording layer and the exchange-spring layer. The coupling layer regulates the ferromagnetic exchange coupling between the magnetic recording layer and the exchange-spring layer." The patent application was filed on Jan. 21, 2010 (12/691,603). 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=7,989,096&OS=7,989,096&RS=7,989,096 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Medtronic Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Medtronic, Fidley, Minn., has been assigned a patent (7,989,157) developed by Crystal M. Cunanan, Mission Viejo, Calif., Alexandro Ochoa, Mission Viejo, Calif., and Ronald E. Cambron, Laguna Hills, Calif., for a "solution for storing bioprosthetic tissue used in a biological prosthesis." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for processing biological tissue used in biological prostheses includes providing a tissue procurement solution formed from a phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution and a chelating agent. The tissue is transferred from the tissue procurement solution and undergoes chemical fixation. The fixed tissue is then immersed in a series of fresh bioburden reduction process (BRP) solutions to extract phospholipids. The tissue procurement solution reduces the bioburden on the stored tissue and preserves tissue architecture by minimizing tissue swelling. The tissue procurement solution further reduces calcium from the incoming water and/or tissue, and inhibits enzymes that digest the collagen matrix. The serial immersion of the tissue in the fresh bioburden solutions ensures optimal extraction of phospholipids thereby mitigating subsequent calcification of the tissue." The patent application was filed on Jan. 11, 2005 (11/032,923). 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=7,989,157&OS=7,989,157&RS=7,989,157 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Farasis Energy Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Farasis Energy, Hayward, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,989,103) developed by Keith Douglas Kepler, Belmont, Calif., and Yu Wang, Foster City, Calif., for a "composite battery separator film and method of making same." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A microporous separator film for electrochemical cells and a method of making such films is disclosed. The microporous separator film includes an intimate mixture of an electrically insulating matrix phase and a self-switching voltage activated conductive phase, wherein the voltage activated conductive phase provides a plurality of conductive paths from a first face of the microporous separator film to a second face of the microporous separator film. The method for making the composite microporous separator film includes the steps of forming an intimate mixture of at least an insulating matrix phase and a self-switching voltage activated phase, forming a film from the mixture, and generating pores within the film." The patent application was filed on July 20, 2006 (11/491,218). 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=7,989,103&OS=7,989,103&RS=7,989,103 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** SRI International Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- SRI International, Menlo Park, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,985,385) developed by Patrick Denis Lincoln, Woodside, Calif., for a "nanoscale array biomolecular bond enhancer device." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The invention teaches the use of an addressable nanoscale device to create a programmable substrate useful in selectively attracting proteins, nucleating protein crystals and growing protein crystals of a size amenable to diffraction analysis. Further taught is the use of nanoscale assemblies to create charge patterns, where such charge patterns are useful in purifying, nucleating or crystallizing protein molecules. Charge extension moieties, including water, are taught. The invention provides rapid and efficient identification, purification and detection of proteins and protein-related complexes." The patent application was filed on June 26, 2008 (12/215,238). 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=7,985,385.PN.&OS=PN/7,985,385&RS=PN/7,985,385 Written by Shabnam Sheikh; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Phillip Phung-I HO Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Phillip Phung-I HO, Santa Barbara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,988,450) developed by Phillip Phung-I Ho, Santa Barbara, Calif., and Chung-Chieh Lee, Banciao, Taiwan, for a "dental impression tray and method of using the same." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A dental impression tray has a base and a relator. The base has a biting portion and a handle. The biting portion is curved. The handle is formed on the biting portion and has an arc hole that is defined through the handle to receive impression material. The relator has a vertical bar and a horizontal bar. The relator is mounted in the arc hole and is fastened in the arc hole by impression material. The horizontal bar connects perpendicularly to the vertical bar. Therefore, the impression of the teeth to be crowned or veneered as well as the relation between the impression and the patient's face are obtained simultaneously." The patent application was filed on Sept. 25, 2008 (12/237,543). 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=7,988,450.PN.&OS=PN/7,988,450&RS=PN/7,988,450 Written by Shabnam Sheikh; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Applied Materials Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Applied Materials, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,988,470) developed by Yan Ye, Saratoga, Calif., for "methods of fabricating metal oxide or metal oxynitride TFTs using wet process for source-drain metal etch." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention generally relates to thin film transistors (TFTs) and methods of making TFTs. The active channel of the TFT may comprise one or more metals selected from the group consisting of zinc, gallium, tin, indium, and cadmium. The active channel may also comprise nitrogen and oxygen. To protect the active channel during source-drain electrode patterning, an etch stop layer may be deposited over the active layer. The etch stop layer prevents the active channel from being exposed to the plasma used to define the source and drain electrodes. The etch stop layer and the source and drain electrodes may be used as a mask when wet etching the active material layer that is used for the active channel." The patent application was filed on Sept. 17, 2010 (12/884,572). 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=7,988,470.PN.&OS=PN/7,988,470&RS=PN/7,988,470 Written by Shabnam Sheikh; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Applied Materials Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Aug. 8 -- Applied Materials, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (7,985,379) developed by six co-inventors for a "reactor design to reduce particle deposition during process abatement." The co-inventors are Ho-Man Rodney Chiu, San Jose, Calif., Daniel O. Clark, Pleasanton, Calif., Shaun W. Crawford, San Ramon, Calif., Jay J. Jung, Sunnyvale, Calif., Leonard B. Todd, Napa, Calif., and Robbert Vermeulen, Pleasant Hill, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention relates to systems and methods for controlled combustion and decomposition of gaseous pollutants while reducing deposition of unwanted reaction products from within the treatment systems. The systems include a novel thermal reaction chamber design having stacked reticulated ceramic rings through which fluid, e.g., gases, may be directed to form a boundary layer along the interior wall of the thermal reaction chamber, thereby reducing particulate matter buildup thereon. The systems further include the introduction of fluids from the c 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. -1056953 (c) 2011 Targeted News Service |