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U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in Texas (April 27)(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in Texas. *** University of Texas System Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- The University of Texas System, Austin, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,426,188) developed by Scott C. Weaver, Galveston, Texas, Ilya V. Frolov, Birmingham, Ala., and Elena Frolova, Birmingham, Ala., for an "attenuated recombinant alphaviruses incapable of replicating in mosquitoes and uses thereof." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention discloses an attenuated recombinant alphavirus that is incapable of replicating in mosquito cells and of transmission by mosquito vectors. These attenuated alphavirus may include but is not limited to Western Equine Encephalitis virus, Eastern equine encephalitis virus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus or Chikungunya virus. The present invention also discloses the method of generating such alphaviruses and their use as immunogenic compositions." The patent application was filed on July 23, 2010 (12/804,535). 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=8,426,188&OS=8,426,188&RS=8,426,188 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Research Development Foundation Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Research Development Foundation, Carson City, Nev., has been assigned a patent (8,426,187) developed by George Georgiou, Austin, Texas, and Yariv Mazor, Austin, Texas, for an immunoglobulin libraries. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Methods and compositions for the screening and isolation of ligand-binding polypeptides, such as antibodies. In some aspects, methods of the invention enable the isolation of intact soluble antibodies comprising a constant domain. Screening methods that employ genetic packages such as bacteria and bacteriophages enable high through-put identification of ligand binding molecules." The patent application was filed on Nov. 3, 2011 (13/288,767). 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=8,426,187&OS=8,426,187&RS=8,426,187 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** International Business Machines Assigned Patent for Dynamically Adjusting Simulation Fidelity Based on Checkpointed Fidelity State ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- International Business Machines, Armonk, N.Y., has been assigned a patent (8,428,921) developed by six co-inventors for a "dynamically adjusting simulation fidelity based on checkpointed fidelity state." The co-inventors are Thomas W. Aarts, Mantorville, Minn., Ched D. Hays, Austin, Texas, Michael C. Hollinger, Round Rock, Texas, Jason S. Ma, Austin, Texas, Jose L. Ortiz, Austin, Texas, and Gundam Raghuswamyreddy, Austin, Texas. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Mechanisms are provided for controlling a fidelity of a simulation of a system. A model of the system is received, the model of the system having a plurality of individual components of the system. Fidelity values are assigned to models of the individual components of the system. A simulation of the system is executed using the model of the system and the models of the individual components of the system. The fidelity values of one or more of the models of the individual components of the system are dynamically adjusted during the execution of the simulation by creating a checkpoint of a state of the simulation and modifying one or more fidelity values of one or more of the models of the individual components after generating the checkpoint, thereby generating a modified fidelity value state." The patent application was filed on Aug. 12, 2010 (12/855,014). 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=8,428,921&OS=8,428,921&RS=8,428,921 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** ExxonMobil Upstream Research Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- ExxonMobil Upstream Research, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,428,925) developed by eight co-inventors for an "iterative inversion of data from simultaneous geophysical sources." The co-inventors are Jerome R. Krebs, Houston, John E. Anderson, Houston, Ramesh Neelamani, Houston, Charlie Jing, Houston, David Hinkley, Spring, Texas, Thomas A. Dickens, Houston, Christine E. Krohn, Houston, Texas, and Peter Traynin, Cypress, Texas. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Method for reducing the time needed to perform geophysical inversion by using simultaneous encoded sources in the simulation steps of the inversion process. The geophysical survey data are prepared by encoding (3) a group of source gathers (1), using for each gather a different encoding signature selected from a set (2) of non-equivalent encoding signatures. Then, the encoded gathers are summed (4) by summing all traces corresponding to the same receiver from each gather, resulting in a simultaneous encoded gather. (Alternatively, the geophysical data are acquired from simultaneously encoded sources.) The simulation steps needed for inversion are then calculated using a particular assumed velocity (or other physical property) model (5) and simultaneously activated encoded sources using the same encoding scheme used on the measured data. The result is an updated physical properties model (6) that may be further updated (7) by additional iterations." The patent application was filed on Jan. 6, 2012 (13/345,314). 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=8,428,925&OS=8,428,925&RS=8,428,925 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Freescale Semiconductor Assigned Patent for Method of Forming a Shared Contact in a Semiconductor Device ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Freescale Semiconductor, Austin, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,426,310) developed by Olubunmi O. Adetutu, Austin, Texas, Ted R. White, Austin, Texas, and Mark D. Hall, Austin, Texas, for a "method of forming a shared contact in a semiconductor device." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for forming a shared contact in a semiconductor device having a gate electrode corresponding to a first transistor and a source/drain region corresponding to a second transistor is provided. The method includes forming a first opening in a dielectric layer overlying the gate electrode and the source/drain region, wherein the first opening extends substantially to the gate electrode corresponding to the first transistor. The method further includes after forming the first opening, forming a second opening, contiguous with the first opening, in the overlying dielectric layer, wherein the second opening extends substantially to the source/drain region corresponding to the second transistor. The method further includes forming the shared contact between the gate electrode corresponding to the first transistor and the source/drain region corresponding to the second transistor by filling the first opening and the second opening with a conductive material." The patent application was filed on May 25, 2010 (12/787,296). 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=8,426,310&OS=8,426,310&RS=8,426,310 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Phillips 66 Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Phillips 66, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,426,498) developed by six co-inventors for "drag reduction of asphaltenic crude oils." The co-inventors are Stuart N. Milligan, Ponca City, Okla., Ray L. Johnston, Ponca City, Okla., Timothy L. Burden, Ponca City, Okla., Wayne R. Dreher, College Station, Texas, Kenneth W. Smith, Tonkawa, Okla., and William F. Harris, Palm Harbor, Fla. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of introducing a drag reducing polymer into a pipeline such that the friction loss associated with the turbulent flow though the pipeline is reduced by suppressing the growth of turbulent eddies. The drag reducing polymer is introduced into a liquid hydrocarbon having an asphaltene content of at least 3 weight percent and/or an API gravity of less than about 26.degree. to thereby produce a treated liquid hydrocarbon. The treated liquid hydrocarbon does not have a viscosity less than the viscosity of the liquid hydrocarbon prior to treatment with the drag reducing polymer. Additionally, the drag reducing polymer is added to the liquid hydrocarbon in the range from about 0.1 to about 500 ppmw." The patent application was filed on Aug. 11, 2011 (13/208,139). 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=8,426,498&OS=8,426,498&RS=8,426,498 Written by Neha Bharti; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Sergeant's Pet Care Products Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Sergeant's Pet Care Products, Omaha, Neb., has been assigned a patent (8,426,464) developed by Donald W. Kelley, Athens, Texas, for a "liquid pest control formulation." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention relates to a liquid pest control system that includes a synthetic pyrethroid as a pest control active ingredient and an agent selected from the group consisting of purified diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, tocopherol nicotinate and tocopherol succinate, and combinations thereof, to reduce or eliminate paresthesia of the synthetic pyrethroid. The system releases the synthetic pyrethroid efficiently and uniformly. The pest control system is less irritating to the animal's skin as compared to prior art systems, particularly to small breeds of dogs. The system is useful for making liquid spot-on treatments, sprays and the like." The patent application was filed on Oct. 18, 2011 (13/275,725). 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=8,426,464&OS=8,426,464&RS=8,426,464 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Repros Therapeutics Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Repros Therapeutics, The Woodlands, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,426,394) developed by Joseph S. Podolski, The Woodlands, Texas, for "progesterone antagonists such as CDB-4124 in the treatment of endometriosis, uterine fibroids, dysmenorrhea, breast cancer, etc." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention relates to methods of administering compositions comprising a progesterone receptor antagonist for use in treating estrogen-dependent conditions. The invention is also directed to methods for treating pain associated with endometriosis. The compositions may be administered to females with endometriosis as well as to females undergoing estrogen and/or selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) therapy. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a method for suppressing endometrial proliferation." The patent application was filed on April 27, 2009 (12/990,203). 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=8,426,394&OS=8,426,394&RS=8,426,394 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Stanford University Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,426,145) developed by Chaitan Khosla, Palo Alto, Calif., and Lu Shan, Houston, for a "diagnostic method for celiac sprue." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Detection of toxic gluten oligopeptides refractory to digestion and antibodies and T cells responsive thereto can be used to diagnose Celiac Sprue." The patent application was filed on Nov. 4, 2011 (13/289,905). 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=8,426,145&OS=8,426,145&RS=8,426,145 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- ExxonMobil Chemical Patents, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,426,529) developed by 11 co-inventors for "ethylene/dicyclopentadiene copolymers and functionalized derivatives thereof." The co-inventors are Lisa Saunders Baugh, Ringoes, N.J., Abhimanyu Onkar Patil, Westfield, N.J., Christian Peter Mehnert, Houston, Kevin R. Squire, Kingwood, Texas, Kenneth A. Cook, La Marque, Texas, Caiguo Gong, Pearland, Texas, Enock Berluche, Phillipsburg, N.J., Karla Schall Colle, Houston, Alan J. Oshinski, Friendswood, Texas, Stephen Zushma, Clinton, N.J., and Beverly J. Poole, Houston. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Disclosed is a selected type of copolymer composition comprising copolymers having units derived from ethylene and dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) co-monomers. Such copolymer compositions: a) have a DCPD-derived comonomer unit content of from about 25 mole % to about 45 mole %; b) have a Weight Average Molecular Weight, M.sub.w, of greater than about 170,000; c) comprise amorphous material and have glass transition temperatures, T.sub.g, of from about 8.degree. C. to about 129.degree. C., which also fit the equation T.sub.g (in .degree. C.).gtoreq.[(mole % DCPD.times.3.142)-4.67]; and d) comprise no significant amount of crystalline polyethylene homopolymer or crystallizable polyethylene segments within the ethylene-dicyclopentadiene copolymers. Such copolymers can be readily derivatized by hydrogenation and/or epoxidation to provide polymeric materials suitable for use as engineering thermoplastics. Also disclosed are processes for preparing and optionally further derivatizing ethylene/dicyclopentadiene copolymers having the characteristics hereinbefore described." The patent application was filed on May 10, 2007 (11/801,633). 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=8,426,529&OS=8,426,529&RS=8,426,529 Written by Neha Bharti; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Texas Instruments Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Texas Instruments, Dallas, has been assigned a patent (8,426,281) developed by Marie Denison, Plano, Texas, Seetharaman Sridhar, Richardson, Texas, and Sameer Pendharkar, Allen, Texas, for a "lateral metal oxide semiconductor drain extension design." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A semiconductor device 100 comprising source and drain regions 105, 107, and insulating region 115 and a plate structure 140. The source and drain regions are on or in a semiconductor substrate 110. The insulating region is on or in the semiconductor substrate and located between the source and drain regions. The insulating region has a thin layer 120 and a thick layer 122. The thick layer includes a plurality of insulating stripes 132 that are separated from each other and that extend across a length 135 between the source and the drain regions. The plate structure is located between the source and the drain regions, wherein the plate structure is located on the thin layer and portions of the thick layer, the plate structure having one or more conductive bands 143 that are directly over individual ones of the plurality of insulating stripes." The patent application was filed on Dec. 7, 2010 (12/961,885). 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=8,426,281&OS=8,426,281&RS=8,426,281 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Kline Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- C. Robert Kline, has been assigned a patent (8,426,328) developed by C.Robert Kline, Austin, Texas, for "surface-etched etched alumina/SiC mini-whisker composite material and uses thereof." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A composition of matter comprising 0.01 to 35% by weight of Al.sub.2O.sub.3, having a length of 10-20 .mu.m and a surface altered by wet etching, 0.01 to 98% by weight of SiC, having a length of 10-20 .mu.m and a surface altered by dry etching; and 0.01-15% by weight of kaolin, altered by treatment with Na.sub.2SiF.sub.6, with the above constituents being blended into a SiC/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 composite. Alternative embodiments are methods of producing the compositions described above. Further embodiments include products made by the process described above." The patent application was filed on Sept. 24, 2010 (13/395,843). 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=8,426,328&OS=8,426,328&RS=8,426,328 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Envirochem Solutions Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Envirochem Solutions, Montgomery, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,426,347) developed by six co-inventors for a "process for preparing high concentrations of magnesium and boron combination materials." The co-inventors are Mark D. Hughes, Montgomery, Texas, Leslie J. Flinn, Trinity, Texas, Daniel T. Smith, Montgomery, Texas, Nathaniel J. Smoter, Cypress, Texas, Theo Eliades, Toronto, and Kenneth W. Koch Sr., Manchester, Mo. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention describes a nanoparticle size composition comprising at least one overbase complex of a magnesium salt and an associated organic boron complex. The present compound is an improvement over previous processes due to less complicated processing requirements and the high concentration of both magnesium and boron that results." The patent application was filed on Nov. 28, 2009 (12/626,887). 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=8,426,347&OS=8,426,347&RS=8,426,347 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Freescale Semiconductor Assigned Patent for Patterning a Gate Stack of a Non-volatile Memory (NVM) with Formation of a Metal-oxide-semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Freescale Semiconductor, Austin, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,426,263) developed by Bradley P. Smith, Austin, Texas, and James W. Miller, Austin, Texas, for "patterning a gate stack of a non-volatile memory (NVM) with formation of a metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET)." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A first dielectric layer is formed on a substrate in a transistor region and an NVM region, a first conductive layer is formed on the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer is formed on the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer is formed over the second dielectric layer. A patterned etch is performed to remove at least a portion of the second conductive layer in the transistor region and to expose an extension portion of the first conductive layer. A first mask is formed over the transistor region having a first pattern, wherein the first pattern is of a gate stack of the MOSFET and an extension in the extension portion extending from the gate stack, and a second mask over the NVM region having a second pattern, wherein the second pattern is of a gate stack of the NVM cell. A patterned etch is then performed." The patent application was filed on March 31, 2011 (13/077,569). 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=8,426,263&OS=8,426,263&RS=8,426,263 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** National Oilwell Varco Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- National Oilwell Varco, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,424,616) developed by Adrian Marica, Cypress, Texas, and Ionescu Mihai, Houston, for a track guiding system. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A track guiding system includes a track comprising a linear beam and a linear plate operatively coupled to the linear beam. The linear plate has opposing first and second surfaces separated by a first distance and opposing first and second edges separated by a second distance. A first compound edge roller and a second compound edge roller are disposed adjacent to the first and second edges of the linear plate, respectively, for travel along the first and second edges of the linear plate. Each of the first and second compound edge rollers include a first roller element adjacent to the first surface of the linear plate and a second roller element adjacent to the second surface of the linear plate. A carriage is coupled to the first and second compound edge rollers." The patent application was filed on Feb. 23, 2010 (12/710,634). 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=84,24,616.PN.&OS=PN/84,24,616&RS=PN/84,24,616 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Moximed Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Moximed, Hayward, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,425,616) developed by four co-inventors for a "surgical implantation method and devices for an extra-articular mechanical energy absorbing apparatus." The co-inventors are Anton G. Clifford, Mountain View, Calif., Mary O'Connell, Menlo Park, Calif., Michael E. Landry, Austin, Texas, and Paul Tornetta III, Chestnut Hill, Mass. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A surgical implantation approach for preparing a patient and precisely and effectively placing an energy absorbing apparatus relative to the patient's anatomy. Various surgical implantation apparatus and methods for achieving proper device-to-anatomy juxtapositional relationships are employed in the implantation approach." The patent application was filed on April 30, 2008 (12/113,162). 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=84,25,616.PN.&OS=PN/84,25,616&RS=PN/84,25,616 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Amicus Design Group Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Amicus Design Group, Grand Prairie, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,425,528) developed by five co-inventors for an "insertion tool for inter-body vertebral prosthetic device with self-deploying screws." The co-inventors are Bret M. Berry, Tallahassee, Fla., Richard D. Guyer, Dallas, Jack E. Zigler, Dallas, Adam A. Pike, Bountiful, Utah, and Randall F. Lee, Arlington, Texas. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An apparatus for inserting an intervertebral prosthesis within a spine of a mammal includes: a handle disposed at a proximal end of the tool and including a drive nut operating to produce rotational torque in response to user-input about a central axis; a first drive shaft including proximal and distal ends; the proximal end in communication with the drive nut, receiving rotational torque therefrom, and imparting rotational torque to the first drive shaft about a first axis, which is laterally offset from the central axis; and the distal end of the first drive shaft including a first drive head; and a chuck disposed at a distal end of the tool and being sized and shaped to engage the intervertebral prosthesis during implantation, wherein the first drive shaft extends through the chuck and the first drive head engages a first gear of the intervertebral prosthesis, such that rotation of the first gear causes rotation and deployment of a first anchoring element of the intervertebral prosthesis." The patent application was filed on Sept. 3, 2009 (12/553,740). 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=84,25,528.PN.&OS=PN/84,25,528&RS=PN/84,25,528 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Willfire HC Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Willfire HC, Mansfield, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,424,612) developed by Dwight P. Williams, Vidor, Texas, for "methods for treating "plunge zone" issues when extinguishing full surface liquid tank fires." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for extinguishing a full surface liquid tank fire including addressing plunge zone issues, the attack including throwing at least one primary stream over a tank wall, the stream landing with a force of impact in, and defining, a plunge zone; the method including achieving flame collapse leaving a plunge zone flame and subsequently, at least for a period of time, diminishing force of impact per unit area of a primary stream upon said plunge zone flame; alternately the method includes achieving a partial flame collapse including collapse against back tank wall portions and subsequently diminishing stream impact force upon a plunge zone including moving a plunge zone forward in the tank; the method also includes extinguishing a full surface heavy liquid tank fire by teasing the fire prior to employing a non-feathered stream to create a foam blanket." The patent application was filed on Aug. 4, 2005 (11/196,882). 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=84,24,612.PN.&OS=PN/84,24,612&RS=PN/84,24,612 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Baker Hughes Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Baker Hughes, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,425,628) developed by Viet Q. Hoang, Houston, Philip L. Leung, Houston, and Gordon T. Rivers, Houston, for a "no-sulfur fuel lubricity additive." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Reacting an alkylene carbonate, such as ethylene carbonate, with dimer acid in the presence of a catalyst, such as a tertiary amine catalyst, gives a dimer acid diester having essentially no sulfur, and thus may be added to ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel downstream of a refinery. The diester enhances the lubricity properties of hydrocarbon fuels, increases their service life and fuel efficiency. The manufacturing process time may be decreased significantly compared with a process using ethylene glycol instead of ethylene carbonate, and much less ethylene glycol by-product results." The patent application was filed on Aug. 29, 2012 (13/597,367). 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=84,25,628.PN.&OS=PN/84,25,628&RS=PN/84,25,628 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Baker Hughes Assigned Patent for Flow Control Arrangement and Method ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Baker Hughes, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,424,609) developed by Darin H. Duphorne, Houston, and Eddie G. Bowen, Porter, Texas, for a "flow control arrangement and method." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "In one aspect, a passive flow control device for controlling flow of a fluid is provided, which device in one configuration include a longitudinal member configured to receive fluid radially along a selected length of the longitudinal member, the longitudinal member including flow restrictions configured to cause a pressure drop across the radial direction of the longitudinal member. In another aspect, a method of completing a wellbore is provided, which method in one embodiment may include providing a flow control device that includes a tubular with a first set of fluid flow passages and at least one member with a second set of fluid passages placed outside the tubular, wherein the first and second set of passages are offset along a longitudinal direction and the member is configured to receive a fluid along the radial direction; placing the flow control device at a selected location a wellbore; and allowing a fluid flow between the formation and the flow control device." The patent application was filed on March 16, 2010 (12/725,273). 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=84,24,609.PN.&OS=PN/84,24,609&RS=PN/84,24,609 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Schlumberger Technology Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Schlumberger Technology, Sugar Land, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,424,606) developed by six co-inventors for a "method and apparatus for perforating with reduced debris in wellbore." The co-inventors are Lang Zhan, Pearland, Texas, Jean-Luc Lafontan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Harvey Williams, Houston, Jeremy P. Harvey, Houston, Brenden Grove, Missouri City, Texas, and Lawrence A. Behrmann, Houston. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A perforating system having a perforating gun with a tubular gun housing defining an inner volume and extending in an axial direction. A shaped charge is held in a loading tube. The loading tube is located in the gun housing. The loading tube extends along the axial direction. The shaped charge faces in a firing direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction. A portion of the gun housing adjacent to the shaped charge in the firing direction is a perforating portion for removal upon firing of the shaped charge. An eccentralizer member extends from the perforating gun in a second direction that is substantially opposite and parallel with the firing direction. A first retainer part extends from an outer surface of the gun housing adjacent to the perforating portion. A second retainer part extends from the outside of the gun housing adjacent to the perforating portion." The patent application was filed on June 26, 2009 (12/492,310). 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=84,24,606.PN.&OS=PN/84,24,606&RS=PN/84,24,606 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Jacobson Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Jacobson Technologies, San Antonio, has been assigned a patent (8,425,469) developed by four co-inventors for "systems and methods for controlled substance delivery network." The co-inventors are Andrew D. Jacobson, San Antonio, Jeff Sommers, San Antonio, Rasmus T. Kolln, Kiel, Germany, and Kenneth R. Rose, San Antonio. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "In various embodiments, multiple pumps may be used to deliver substances to multiple respective animals. A computer system may send/receive information to/from the pumps (e.g., to control and monitor various aspects of the pumps and/or store information associated with the pump). In some embodiments, the computer system may determine respective controlled delivery rates for the pumps (e.g., based in part on a weight of an animal receiving the substance from the respective pump) and send the determined controlled delivery rates to the respective pumps. The computer system may also receive user identifications from operators controlling a pump (e.g., in response to a pump alarm) and documentation indicators entered by the operator and/or pump to use in documenting pump activity." The patent application was filed on April 22, 2008 (12/107,470). 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=84,25,469.PN.&OS=PN/84,25,469&RS=PN/84,25,469 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Trendsetter Engineering Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Trendsetter Engineering, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,424,608) developed by Mario R. Lugo, Houston, Randolph G. Smith, Houston, and Scott A. Sorensen, Houston, for a "system and method for remediating hydrates." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system for remediating hydrates has a heat storage box with an interior volume, a heater for heating fluid flowing into the hot fluid inlet of the heat storage box, a heat exchanger positioned in the interior volume of the heat storage box so as to be in heat exchange relationship with heated water from the interior volume of the heat storage box, and a line connected to a heated water outlet of the heat exchanger so as to be manipulated toward a location of the hydrates for the purpose of delivering the heated water toward the hydrates. The heat exchanger is piping extends in a serpentine pattern within an upper portion of the heat storage box. The line can be connected to a hot stab suitable for a manipulation by an ROV." The patent application was filed on Aug. 5, 2010 (12/851,125). 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=84,24,608.PN.&OS=PN/84,24,608&RS=PN/84,24,608 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** General Electric Assigned Patent for Gasification Plant with Total Zero Discharge of Plant Process Waters ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- General Electric, Schenectady, N.Y., has been assigned a patent (8,425,636) developed by five co-inventors for a "gasification plant with total zero discharge of plant process waters." The co-inventors are Sampath K. Bommareddy, Houston, Dinh-Cuong Vuong, Houston, James Scott Kain, Houston, Anil Dhansukh Amlani, Houston, and Robert Henry Weed, North Wales, Pa. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "In certain embodiments, a system includes a gasification system configured to output grey water. The system also includes a grey water zero liquid discharge (ZLD) system configured to receive the grey water and to generate a first stream of distillate. The grey water ZLD system comprises an ammonia stripping system. An amount of water into and out of the grey water ZLD system is approximately equal." The patent application was filed on Nov. 12, 2009 (12/617,621). 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=84,25,636.PN.&OS=PN/84,25,636&RS=PN/84,25,636 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** AMEI Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- AMEI Technologies, Wilmington, Del., has been assigned a patent (8,425,512) developed by Paul Vasta, McKinney, Texas, Miguel Franco, Addison, Texas, and Michael Thomas, Van Alstyne, Texas, for a "fixation device and multiple-axis joint for a fixation device." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A fixator system includes an active strut that that can be gradually or acutely adjusted. Adjustments can be made in six degrees of freedom. Embodiments of the active strut can provide for two of the six degrees of freedom being about a first common point of rotation, and another two of the six degrees of freedom being about a second common point of rotation. Embodiments of the fixator can include one or more active struts in combination with one or more passive struts. The passive struts can be rigidly locked or can be unlocked so as to be freely and acutely adjustable while gradual or acute adjustments are made using the one or more active struts." The patent application was filed on Aug. 3, 2012 (13/566,758). 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=84,25,512.PN.&OS=PN/84,25,512&RS=PN/84,25,512 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Weatherford/Lamb Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Weatherford/Lamb, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,424,611) developed by Roddie R. Smith, Cypress, Texas, Michael J. Foster, Westhill, United Kingdom, and Eric Johnson, Sugar Land, Texas, for a "downhole safety valve having flapper and protected opening procedure." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A downhole valve has a closure device (e.g., one or more flappers) for closing off the valve. A no-go actuation mechanism protects the flappers from damage. When the flappers are closed, the mechanism prevents a tool from passing into the valve and causing damage to the flappers. Yet, the mechanism may open the valve's flappers when the tool string is forced into the valve. When the valve has successfully opened, then the mechanism moves out of the way of the toolstring so it can pass through the valve. For the mechanically operated valves, operators use a shifting profile in the valve only in the upward direction to return the valve to the closed position. For hydraulic actuated valves, hydraulic pressure may be used or exhausted, depending on the design, to allow the flappers to go closed. Once the flappers have closed, the no-go mechanism is once again realized." The patent application was filed on Aug. 27, 2009 (12/548,853). 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=84,24,611.PN.&OS=PN/84,24,611&RS=PN/84,24,611 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Thru Tubing Solutions Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Thru Tubing Solutions, Oklahoma City, has been assigned a patent (8,424,605) developed by Roger L. Schultz, Ninnekah, Okla., Chad A. Johnson, Tyler, Texas, and Andrew M. Ferguson, Oklahoma City, for "methods and devices for casing and cementing well bores." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A casing string is augmented with one or more variable flow resistance devices or "vibrating tools" to facilitate advancement of the casing and distribution of the cement in the annulus once the casing is properly positioned. The method includes vibrating the casing string while advancing the casing down the wellbore or while the cement is pumped into the annulus, or both. After the cementing operation is completed, the devices may be drilled out to open the casing string for further operations. The casing string assembly may include a vibrating tool at the end in place of a conventional float shoe or float collar. Multiple vibrating tools can be employed in the casing string, and they may be combined with conventional float shoes and collars. Additionally, vibrating tools in the form of plugs can be pumped down and landed inside the casing string." The patent application was filed on April 25, 2012 (13/455,554). 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=84,24,605.PN.&OS=PN/84,24,605&RS=PN/84,24,605 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** National Oilwell Varco Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- National Oilwell Varco, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,424,607) developed by five co-inventors for a "system and method for severing a tubular." The co-inventors are Frank Benjamin Springett, Spring, Texas, Christopher Dale Johnson, Cypress, Texas, Shern Eugene Peters, Houston, Eric Trevor Ensley, Cypress, Texas, and James Brugman, Spring, Texas. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The invention relates to techniques for severing a tubular. A blowout preventer is provided with a housing having a bore therethrough for receiving the tubular, an actuator positionable in the housing, and a plurality of cutting tools positionable in the housing and selectively movable into an actuated position with the actuator. Each of the cutting tools have a base supportable by the actuator and selectively movable thereby, and a cutting head supported by the base. The cutting head comprising a tip having a piecing point at an end thereof and at least one cutting surface. The piercing point pierces the tubular and the cutting surfaces taper away from the piercing point for cutting through the tubular whereby the cutting head passes through tubular." The patent application was filed on May 27, 2011 (13/118,200). 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=84,24,607.PN.&OS=PN/84,24,607&RS=PN/84,24,607 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Baker Hughes Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Baker Hughes, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,424,610) developed by Daniel Newton, Jakarta, Idaho, and Yang Xu, Houston, for a "flow control arrangement and method." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A flow control arrangement includes a housing defining one or more openings therein. A valve structure is alignable and misalignable with the one or more openings in the housing. Further included in the flow control arrangement is one or more plugs, one each in each of the one or more openings. Each plug is reducible by one or more of exposure to downhole fluids and applied dissolution fluids. A method for carrying out a series of downhole operations includes running the flow control arrangement to a target depth, carrying out a downhole operation requiring the housing to be radially permeability fluid restricted, reducing the plug, carrying out a downhole operation requiring fluid pressure communication through the one or more openings, and mechanically intervening to close the valve structure thereby rendering the one or more openings of the arrangement radially impermeable." The patent application was filed on March 5, 2010 (12/718,510). 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=84,24,610.PN.&OS=PN/84,24,610&RS=PN/84,24,610 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Chatsworth Products Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Chatsworth Products, Westlake Village, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,424,691) developed by William McMillan III, Austin, Texas, Ben John Sy, Austin, Texas, and Andrew Ungho Pae, Simi Valley, Calif., for a "seismically hardened two-post electronic equipment rack." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A two-post mounting rack includes a frame bottom, a frame top, a pair of frame uprights interconnected between the frame bottom and the frame top, and a base assembly for supporting the frame bottom on a surface. One or more of the frame bottom, the frame top, the pair of frame uprights, and the base assembly are seismically hardened. Each frame upright has a closed cross-sectional shape. Each frame upright includes a flange with apertures adapted to provide a mounting location for cable management projections. The base assembly includes two separate end gusset members. Each end gusset member includes two corner gussets. Each corner gusset includes a floor plate and a riser plate. The two corner gussets in each end gusset member are connected by a bridge member. The frame top includes an upper cross-member and two lateral reinforcement plates." The patent application was filed on Feb. 23, 2012 (13/403,404). 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=84,24,691.PN.&OS=PN/84,24,691&RS=PN/84,24,691 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** ThermoTek Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- ThermoTek, Flower Mound, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,425,580) developed by Tony Quisenberry, Highland Village, Texas, and Niran Balachandran, Lewisville, Texas, for a "method of and system for thermally augmented wound care oxygenation." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An oxygenation and temperature thermal therapy and oxygenation treatment pad with a plurality of air chambers is disclosed for treatment of skin wound tissues. The air chambers are filled and released by a valve assembly that may be separate from or integrated within the blanket. The thermal therapy and oxygenation treatment pad includes a fluid bladder for delivering hot and/or cold therapy to a patient in conjunction with oxygenation. The temperature therapy blanket may also include an air bladder for providing compression. Oxygenation is provided subsequent to initial heating in order to promote oxygen absorption by the wound tissues prior to the cooling thereof which facilitates pulling oxygen into the wound tissues. This Abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an Abstract that allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain subject matter of the technical disclosure. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b)." The patent application was filed on May 13, 2011 (13/107,264). 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=84,25,580.PN.&OS=PN/84,25,580&RS=PN/84,25,580 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Joyant Pharmaceuticals Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Joyant Pharmaceuticals, Dallas, has been assigned a patent (8,426,136) developed by Lai Wang, Dallas, and Brandon L. Probst, Wylie, Texas, for an "epigenetic modifications at TNF.alpha. as biomarkers for sensitivity to Smac mimetic-induced apoptosis." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The invention provides a method for determining sensitivity of a cell population to apoptosis induced by Smac mimetics as a single agent or in combination with other chemodrugs, which method comprises assaying for an epigenetic modification at the TNF.alpha. locus in the cell population as compared to the TNF.alpha. locus in a cell population not sensitive to apoptosis induced by Smac mimetics as a single agent or in combination with other chemodrugs, wherein the presence of the epigenetic modification indicates that the cell population is sensitive to apoptosis induced by Smac mimetics as a single agent or in combination with other chemodrugs." The patent application was filed on March 31, 2010 (12/751,976). 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=8,426,136.PN.&OS=PN/8,426,136&RS=PN/8,426,136 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** KCI Licensing Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- KCI Licensing, San Antonio, has been assigned a patent (8,425,478) developed by Jonathan Scott Olson, Houston, for "multi-layer dressings, systems, and methods for applying reduced pressure at a tissue site." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The illustrative systems, methods, and dressings for applying reduced pressure to a tissue site are presented that involve quickly removing fluids from the tissue site to reduce or avoid maceration of the epidermis. One dressing includes a dressing material for transferring the reduced pressure to the tissue site and a drape covering at least a portion of the dressing material. The dressing material includes a hydrophobic tissue-interface layer adapted to contact the tissue site. The dressing material also includes a manifold adapted to distribute reduced pressure. The manifold may be a hydrophobic layer. The dressing material also includes one or more absorbent layers adapted to absorb liquid from the tissue site via the tissue-interface layer and the manifold. Other aspects are disclosed." The patent application was filed on Sept. 16, 2009 (12/560,777). 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=84,25,478.PN.&OS=PN/84,25,478&RS=PN/84,25,478 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Relievant Medsystems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Relievant Medsystems, Redwood City, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,425,507) developed by five co-inventors for a basivertebral nerve denervation. The co-inventors are Richard Pellegrino, Half Moon Bay, Calif., Paula Papineau, West Bridgewater, Mass., John S. Crombie, East Hanover, N.J., Samit Patel, San Francisco, and Thomas Ryan, Austin, Texas. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "System and methods for channeling a path into bone include a trocar having a proximal end, distal end and a central channel disposed along a central axis of the trocar. The trocar includes a radial opening at or near the distal end of the trocar. The system includes a curveable cannula sized to be received in the central channel, the curveable cannula comprising a curveable distal end configured to be extended laterally outward from the radial opening in a curved path extending away from the trocar. The curveable cannula has a central passageway having a diameter configured allow a probe to be delivered through the central passageway to a location beyond the curved path." The patent application was filed on Sept. 12, 2012 (13/612,561). 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=84,25,507.PN.&OS=PN/84,25,507&RS=PN/84,25,507 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Codman & Shurtleff Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Codman & Shurtleff, Raynham, Mass., has been assigned a patent (8,425,537) developed by four co-inventors for a "method of using interventional medical device system having an elongation retarding portion." The co-inventors are Vladimir Mitelberg, Austin, Texas, John H. Thinnes Jr., Miami Beach, Fla., Keith Balgobin, Pembroke Pines, Fla., and William W. Sowers, Pembroke Pines, Fla. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Use of an interventional medical device system operable while within a body vessel is provided with a generally hollow tubular proximal portion, distal portion, and intermediate portion. The proximal portion and at least part of the distal portion remains outside of the body in use, with the remainder of the distal portion positioned within the body. The intermediate portion includes a spiral ribbon having adjacent turns, with at least one frangible bridge member between two adjacent turns. The proximal and distal portions are movable away from each other by elongating the spiral ribbon and, eventually, breaking the frangible bridge member. According to the method of using such a system to deploy an implantable medical device, such as an embolic coil, an actuation member is moved proximally with the proximal portion to disengage a bond or joint between the actuation member and the implantable medical device." The patent application was filed on Sept. 10, 2012 (13/608,532). 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=84,25,537.PN.&OS=PN/84,25,537&RS=PN/84,25,537 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research, Santa Clarita, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,425,493) developed by five co-inventors for an "implantable medication delivery device." The co-inventors are Peter C. Lord, Valencia, Calif., Clyde K. Nason, Wasco, Calif., Darren Y. K. Yap, Valencia, Calif., Stephen D. Das, The Woodlands, Texas, and Ronald J. Lebel, Sherman Oaks, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An implantable medication delivery device that is highly space efficient and can reliably and safely deliver controlled medication doses to a target site. The system includes a variable volume medication reservoir that is exposed to an ambient pressure equal to the ambient pressure at a system outlet port. A pump/valve subassembly is provided to draw medication from the reservoir and force a medication dose along a fluid transfer passageway to the outlet port. The pump/valve subassembly incorporates a safety mechanism, e.g., a balanced valve, which normally blocks medication flow to the outlet port and opens only in response to a pump induced unbalancing force. A protective shell is also disclosed for protecting the ambient reservoir." The patent application was filed on May 20, 2003 (10/515,152). 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=84,25,493.PN.&OS=PN/84,25,493&RS=PN/84,25,493 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand. *** ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- ExxonMobil Research and Engineering, Annandale, N.J., has been assigned a patent (8,426,033) developed by six co-inventors for a "high strength nickel alloy welds through precipitation hardening." The co-inventors are Raghavan Ayer, Basking Ridge, N.J., Neeraj Srinivas Thirumalai, Easton, Pa., Hyun-Woo Jin, Easton, Pa., Daniel B. Lillig, Sugar Land, Texas, Douglas Paul Fairchild, Sugar Land, Texas, and Steven Jeffrey Ford, Missouri City, Texas. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Provided are precipitation hardened high strength nickel based alloy welds that yield improved properties and performance in joining high strength metals. The advantageous weldments include two or more segments of ferrous or non-ferrous components, and fusion welds, friction stir welds, electron beam welds, laser beam welds, or a combination thereof bonding adjacent segments of the components together, wherein the welds comprise a precipitation hardened nickel based alloy weld metal composition including greater than or equal to 1.4 wt % of combined aluminum and titanium based on the total weight of the nickel based alloy weld metal composition. Also provided are methods for forming the welds from the nickel based alloy weld compositions, wherein the precipitation hardening occurs in the as-welded condition. The nickel based welds do not require a separate heat treatment step after welding to produce advantageous strength properties." The patent application was filed on Dec. 16, 2008 (12/316,710). 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=8,426,033.PN.&OS=PN/8,426,033&RS=PN/8,426,033 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Praxair Technology Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Praxair Technology, Danbury, Conn., has been assigned a patent (8,425,870) developed by four co-inventors for a "reduction of CO and NO.sub.x in full burn regenerator flue gas." The co-inventors are Kuang-Tsai Wu, Williamsville, N.Y., Lee Rosen, Buffalo, N.Y., David Lenhert, Grand Island, N.Y., and Christopher Leger, Houston. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A hot oxygen stream containing radicals is fed into a gas stream, such as a catalyst regenerator flue gas stream, that contains carbon monoxide to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide." The patent application was filed on May 6, 2011 (13/102,340). 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=8,425,870.PN.&OS=PN/8,425,870&RS=PN/8,425,870 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Chevron USA Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Chevron USA, San Ramon, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,425,854) developed by four co-inventors for a "process for providing hydrogen to a synthesis gas conversion reaction." The co-inventors are Shabbir Husain, Emeryville, Calif., Charles Kibby, Benicia, Calif., Lixin You, Sugar Land, Texas, and Babak Fayyaz-Najafi, Danville, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A synthesis gas conversion process for carrying out the process is disclosed. A hydrogen-containing sweep gas is caused to flow across a water permselective membrane adjacent a synthesis gas conversion reaction zone in which synthesis gas is contacted with a catalyst and converted to effluent including water. Water is removed from the reaction zone through the membrane. The sweep gas has sufficient hydrogen partial pressure to cause hydrogen to pass through the membrane into the reaction zone." The patent application was filed on Oct. 7, 2011 (13/224,600). 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=8,425,854.PN.&OS=PN/8,425,854&RS=PN/8,425,854 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Texaco Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 - Texaco, San Ramon, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,426,071) developed by four co-inventors for a "method and apparatus for separating liquid from a gas stream." The co-inventors are William Spencer Wheat, Missouri City, Texas, David Wayne Harrison Sr., Houston, Daniel G. Casey, Kingwood, Texas, and Kerry Kennedy Spilker, Houston. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An apparatus for separating liquid from a gas stream. The apparatus includes an elongated housing having a cylindrical inner surface and a gas stream inlet that is tangential to the side wall of the housing so as to cause the entering gas stream to swirl within the housing. A gas stream outlet is located at the top of the housing and a liquid outlet at the bottom. The gas stream outlet can include an elongated tubular member that extends into the housing and has an opening that is located below the housing gas stream inlet. Liquid components of the gas stream separate from the stream under the influence of centrifugal forces that are created by the swirling flow path of the stream within the housing. A liquid outlet and liquid outlet valve are provided for maintaining a minimum level of liquid within the housing so as to maintain a liquid seal within the housing. A level indicator may optionally be provided to monitor the liquid level within the housing. A power generation apparatus having two or more of the separators for separating liquid from fuel cell and fuel processor streams. Methods for manufacturing an apparatus for removing liquid from a gas stream and methods for separating liquid from a gas stream are also provided." The patent application was filed on May 23, 2007 (11/752,758). 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=8,426,071.PN.&OS=PN/8,426,071&RS=PN/8,426,071 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** URS Corp. Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- URS Corp., Austin, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,425,868) developed by five co-inventors for a "method for preventing re-emission of mercury from a flue gas desulfurization system." The co-inventors are William A. Steen, Austin, Texas, John E. Currie, Round Rock, Texas, Gary M. Blythe, Austin, Texas, Jennifer L. Paradis, Austin, Texas, and David W. DeBerry, Austin, Texas. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An improvement in the method for preventing re-emissions of mercury from a wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) system by addition of an additive to the FGD scrubber liquor which interacts in the system scrubber with mercury present in the flue gas to curtail the mercury re-emissions; the mercury re-emissions are reduced to substantially zero by use of an additive selected from one or more members of the group consisting of a dithiol, a dithiolane, and a thiol having a single thiol group and either an oxygen or a hydroxyl group." The patent application was filed on Aug. 30, 2012 (13/599,227). 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=8,425,868.PN.&OS=PN/8,425,868&RS=PN/8,425,868 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Applied Biosystems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- Applied Biosystems, Carlsbad, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,426,126) developed by six co-inventors for a "modified surfaces as solid supports for nucleic acid purification." The co-inventors are Gary J. Latham, Austin, Texas, Xingwang Fang, Austin, Texas, Richard C. Conrad, Austin, Texas, Jon A. Kemppainen, Austin, Texas, Robert A. Setterquist, Austin, Texas, and Brittan L. Pasloske, Austin, Texas. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The invention relates to methods of separating polynucleotides, such as DNA, RNA and PNA, from solutions containing polynucleotides by reversibly binding the polynucleotides to a solid surface, such as a magnetic microparticle." The patent application was filed on Sept. 30, 2004 (10/955,974). 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=8,426,126.PN.&OS=PN/8,426,126&RS=PN/8,426,126 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 27 -- ExxonMobil Chemical Patents, Houston, has been assigned a patent (8,425,847) developed by Bruce C. Devoy, Livingston, Texas, Vetkav R. Eswaran, Houston, and Chris B. Friedersdorf, Kingwood, Texas, for "processes and apparatus for continuous solution polymerization." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The disclosure provides a plant for the continuous solution polymerization of a feed comprising one or more olefin monomers in a solvent, e.g., hydrocarbon solvent, in which the plant comprises means for separating solvent from the polymer including a flash tank and a vacuum devolatilizer. The plant also includes in a first aspect stabilizer addition means for adding a stabilizer to the concentrated polymer fines at a location downstream of the flash and upstream of the vacuum devolatilizer. In another aspect the plant comprises means to add a molten stabilizer to the polymer at a location downstream of the reactors." The patent application was filed on Dec. 17, 2010 (12/972,223). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1& 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. -1122982 (c) 2013 Targeted News Service |