[May 25, 2013] U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in California (May 25) Tweet (Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in California. *** California Institute of Technology Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,210) developed by Stephen R. Quake, Stanford, Calif., and Todd Thorsen, Pasadena, Calif., for a "microfabricated crossflow devices and methods." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A microfluidic device for analyzing and/or sorting biological materials (e.g., molecules such as polynucleotides and polypeptides, including proteins and enzymes; viruses and cells) and methods for its use are provided. The device and methods of the invention are useful for sorting particles, e.g. virions. The invention is also useful for high throughput screening, e.g. combinatorial screening. The microfluidic device comprises a main channel and an inlet region in communication with the main channel at a droplet extrusion region. Droplets of solution containing the biological material are deposited into the main channel through the droplet extrusion region. A fluid different from and incompatible with the solution containing the biological material flows through the main channel so that the droplets containing the biological material do not diffuse or mix. Biological material within the droplets can be analyzed and/or sorted by detecting a predetermined characteristic of the biological sample in each droplet and sorting the droplet accordingly." The patent application was filed on Dec. 15, 2010 (12/969,411). 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=8,445,210.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,210&RS=PN/8,445,210 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Roche Molecular Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Roche Molecular Systems, Pleasanton, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,204) developed by Russell Higuchi, Alameda, Calif., for "methods of identification of methylation of CpG." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention relates to the materials and methods for the identification of methylated nucleotides in samples of genomic DNA. The present invention also relates to methods of diagnosis of specific conditions by identification of specific methylated nucleotides." The patent application was filed on Feb. 3, 2011 (13/020,710). 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=8,445,204.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,204&RS=PN/8,445,204 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Callida Genomics Assigned Patent for Single Molecule Arrays for Genetic and Chemical Analysis ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Callida Genomics, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,196) developed by five co-inventors for a "single molecule arrays for genetic and chemical analysis." The co-inventors are Radoje T. Drmanac, Los Altos Hills, Calif., Matthew J. Callow, Redwood City, Calif., Snezana Drmanac, Los Altos Hills, Calif., Brian K. Hauser, Campbell, Calif., and George Yeung, Mountain View, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Random arrays of single molecules are provided for carrying out large scale analyses, particularly of biomolecules, such as genomic DNA, cDNAs, proteins, and the like. In one aspect, arrays of the invention comprise concatemers of DNA fragments that are randomly disposed on a regular array of discrete spaced apart regions, such that substantially all such regions contain no more than a single concatemer. Preferably, such regions have areas substantially less than 1 .mu.m.sup.2 and have nearest neighbor distances that permit optical resolution of on the order of 10.sup.9 single molecules per cm.sup.2. Many analytical chemistries can be applied to random arrays of the invention, including sequencing by hybridization chemistries, sequencing by synthesis chemistries, SNP detection chemistries, and the like, to greatly expand the scale and potential applications of such techniques." The patent application was filed on Oct. 31, 2007 (11/981,767). 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=8,445,196.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,196&RS=PN/8,445,196 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** University of California Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- The University of California, Oakland, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,200) developed by four co-inventors for a "genotoxicity as a biomarker for inflammation." The co-inventors are Aya M. Westbrook, Cypress, Calif., Robert H. Schiestl, Encino, Calif., Bo Wei, Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., and Jonathan Braun, Tarzana, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The invention provides a method for detection of inflammatory disease in a subject that comprises assaying a test sample of peripheral blood from the subject for a marker of DNA damage. An elevated amount of marker present in the test sample compared to control sample is indicative of inflammatory disease activity, including sub-clinical inflammation. The method can be adapted for quantitatively monitoring the efficacy of treatment of inflammatory disease in a subject. Markers of DNA damage include single- and/or double-stranded breaks in leukocytes, oxidative DNA damage in leukocytes, or a marker of nitric oxide oxidative activity (protein nitrosylation in leukocytes). The inflammatory disease can be inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease). The invention may also be used for detection of other types of inflammatory disease, such as non-immune intestinal inflammatory disease (diverticulitis, pseudomembranous colitis), autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, uveitis, vasculitis), or non-immune lung diseases (asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease, and interstitial pneumonitis). This unexpected discovery of markers of genotoxicity present in circulating leukocytes enables detection of inflammation occurring at a localized site with a relatively simple and minimally invasive assay using peripheral blood." The patent application was filed on April 15, 2010 (12/761,330). 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=8,445,200.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,200&RS=PN/8,445,200 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Callida Genomics Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Callida Genomics, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,197) developed by five co-inventors for a "single molecule arrays for genetic and chemical analysis." The co-inventors are Radoje Drmanac, Los Altos Hills, Calif., Matthew J. Callow, Redwood City, Calif., Snezana Drmanac, Los Altos Hills, Calif., Brian K. Hauser, Campbell, Calif., and George Yeung, Mountain View, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Random arrays of single molecules are provided for carrying out large scale analyses, particularly of biomolecules, such as genomic DNA, cDNAs, proteins, and the like. In one aspect, arrays of the invention comprise concatemers of DNA fragments that are randomly disposed on a regular array of discrete spaced apart regions, such that substantially all such regions contain no more than a single concatemer. Preferably, such regions have areas substantially less than 1 .mu.m.sup.2 and have nearest neighbor distances that permit optical resolution of on the order of 10.sup.9 single molecules per cm.sup.2. Many analytical chemistries can be applied to random arrays of the invention, including sequencing by hybridization chemistries, sequencing by synthesis chemistries, SNP detection chemistries, and the like, to greatly expand the scale and potential applications of such techniques." The patent application was filed on Oct. 31, 2007 (11/982,467). 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=8,445,197.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,197&RS=PN/8,445,197 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Affymetrix Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Affymetrix, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,201) developed by four co-inventors for a "hybridization device, methods, and system using mixing beads." The co-inventors are Bellon Laurent, San Mateo, Calif., Martin J. Goldberg, Saratoga, Calif., Robert J. Lipshutz, Palo Alto, Calif., and Kaliyur Narasimhan, Saratoga, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method, device and system for hybridizing a target oligonucleotide to at least one array comprising a plurality of mixing beads are provided. A target solution is mixed by agitating the mixing beads while the target oligonucleotides are hybridizing to the complementary probes on the array. In another embodiment, a permeable barrier contains the mixing beads, thereby preventing them from contacting the array surface." The patent application was filed on July 30, 2010 (12/847,570). 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=8,445,201.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,201&RS=PN/8,445,201 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Callida Genomics Assigned Patent for Single Molecule Arrays for Genetic and Chemical Analysis ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Callida Genomics, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,194) developed by five co-inventors for a "single molecule arrays for genetic and chemical analysis." The co-inventors are Radoje Drmanac, Los Altos Hills, Calif., Matthew J. Callow, Redwood City, Calif., Snezana Drmanac, Los Altos Hills, Calif., Brian K. Hauser, Campbell, Calif., and George Yeung, Mountain View, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Random arrays of single molecules are provided for carrying out large scale analyses, particularly of biomolecules, such as genomic DNA, cDNAs, proteins, and the like. In one aspect, arrays of the invention comprise concatemers of DNA fragments that are randomly disposed on a regular array of discrete spaced apart regions, such that substantially all such regions contain no more than a single concatemer. Preferably, such regions have areas substantially less than 1 .mu.m.sup.2 and have nearest neighbor distances that permit optical resolution of on the order of 10.sup.9 single molecules per cm.sup.2. Many analytical chemistries can be applied to random arrays of the invention, including sequencing by hybridization chemistries, sequencing by synthesis chemistries, SNP detection chemistries, and the like, to greatly expand the scale and potential applications of such techniques." The patent application was filed on June 13, 2006 (11/451,691). 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=8,445,194.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,194&RS=PN/8,445,194 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Carnegie Mellon University Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, has been assigned a patent (8,445,192) developed by Alberto Gandini, Emeryville, Calif., and James F. Antaki, Allison Park, Pa., for a "device and method for detection and identification of immunological proteins, pathogenic and microbial agents and cells." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention provides a method and device for detecting and quantifying the concentration of magnetic-responsive micro-beads dispersed in a liquid sample. Also provided is a method and microfluidic immunoassay pScreen.TM. device for detecting and quantifying the concentration of an analyte in a sample medium by using antigen-specific antibody-coated magnetic-responsive micro-beads. The methods and devices of the present invention have broad applications for point-of-care diagnostics by allowing quantification of a large variety of analytes, such as proteins, protein fragments, antigens, antibodies, antibody fragments, peptides, RNA, RNA fragments, functionalized magnetic micro-beads specific to CD.sup.4+, CD.sup.8+ cells, malaria-infected red blood cells, cancer cells, cancer biomarkers such as prostate specific antigen and other cancer biomarkers, viruses, bacteria, and other pathogenic agents, with the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of bench-top laboratory-based assays." The patent application was filed on Nov. 26, 2012 (13/684,618). 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=8,445,192.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,192&RS=PN/8,445,192 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Life Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Life Technologies, Carlsbad, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,209) developed by seven co-inventors for a "nucleic acid compositions and nucleic acid amplification based methods for detecting E. coli O157:H7." The co-inventors are Paolo Vatta, San Mateo, Calif., Olga Petrauskene, San Carlos, Calif., Manohar Furtado, San Ramon, Calif., Pius Brzoska, Woodside, Calif., Lily Wong, Oakland, Calif., Melissa Barker, Gilroy, Calif., and Craig A. Cummings, Pacifica, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Disclosed are primer and probe compositions, PCR assays, methods and kits for the specific detection of E. coli O157:H7 and not E. coli O55:H7 from a variety of samples. In some embodiments, methods for specifically detecting E. coli O157:H7 comprise: hybridizing at least a first pair of polynucleotide primers to at least a first target polynucleotide sequence, hybridizing at least a second pair of polynucleotide primers to at least a second target polynucleotide sequence, amplifying said at least first and said at least second target polynucleotide sequences, and detecting said at least first and said at least second amplified target polynucleotide sequence products, wherein the detection of both the first amplified target polynucleotide sequence product and the second amplified target polynucleotide sequence product is indicative of the presence of E. coli O157:H7 in a sample and not E. coli O55:H7." The patent application was filed on May 14, 2010 (12/780,707). 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=8,445,209.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,209&RS=PN/8,445,209 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Bloom Energy Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Bloom Energy, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,157) developed by six co-inventors for a "fuel cell stack components." The co-inventors are Dien Nguyen, San Jose, Calif., Ian Russell, Sunnyvale, Calif., Matthias Gottmann, Sunnyvale, Calif., Deepak Bose, Fremont, Calif., Darren Hickey, Mountain View, Calif., and Stephen Couse, Sunnyvale, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An interconnect for a fuel cell stack includes a first set of gas flow channels in a first portion of the interconnect, and a second set of gas flow channels in second portion of the interconnect. The channels of the first set have a larger cross sectional area than the channels of the second set." The patent application was filed on Aug. 22, 2012 (13/591,820). 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=8,445,157.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,157&RS=PN/8,445,157 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Advanced Micro Devices Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Advanced Micro Devices, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,182) developed by Ryoung-Han Kim, San Jose, Calif., and Jong-wook Kye, Pleasanton, Calif., for a "double exposure technology using high etching selectivity." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Ultrafine patterns with dimensions smaller than the chemical and optical limits of lithography are formed by superimposing two photoresist patterns using a double exposure technique. Embodiments include forming a first resist pattern over a target layer to be patterned, forming a protective cover layer over the first resist pattern, forming a second resist pattern on the cover layer superimposed over the first resist pattern while the cover layer protects the first resist pattern, selectively etching the cover layer with high selectivity with respect to the first and second resist patterns leaving an ultrafine target pattern defined by the first and second resist patterns, and etching the underlying target layer using the superimposed first and second resist patterns as a mask." The patent application was filed on April 19, 2010 (12/762,457). 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=8,445,182.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,182&RS=PN/8,445,182 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Quallion Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Quallion, Sylmar, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,137) developed by five co-inventors for a "primary battery having sloped voltage decay." The co-inventors are Taison Tan, Glendora, Calif., Phuong-Nghi Lam, Burbank, Calif., Hiroyuki Yumoto, Stevenson Ranch, Calif., Hisashi Tsukamoto, Santa Clarita, Calif., and Tsuneaki Koike, Valencia, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The battery includes a cathode and an anode. The anode has a first medium that includes a first active material. The anode also has a second medium including a concentration gradient of a second active material. The battery also includes an electrolytic solution in contact with the cathode and the anode. In some instances, the first medium is positioned so as to protect at least a portion of the second medium from the electrolytic solution. The first medium can also be selected so as to dissipate during discharge of the battery. The first medium can be configured to dissipate enough that one or more of the protected regions of the second medium become exposed to the electrolytic solution during the discharge of the battery." The patent application was filed on Nov. 20, 2003 (10/718,981). 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=8,445,137.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,137&RS=PN/8,445,137 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Bloom Energy Assigned Patent for Grid Frequency-responsive Solid Oxide Fuel Cell System ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Bloom Energy, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,150) developed by Arne Watson Ballantine, Palo Alto, Calif., for a "grid frequency-responsive solid oxide fuel cell system." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for operating a fuel cell system connected to a power grid includes determining a frequency of the power grid, and adjusting the operation of the fuel cell system based on the determined frequency." The patent application was filed on July 8, 2009 (12/458,342). 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=8,445,150.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,150&RS=PN/8,445,150 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Applied Materials Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Applied Materials, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,078) developed by four co-inventors for a "low temperature silicon oxide conversion." The co-inventors are Jingmei Liang, San Jose, Calif., Nitin K. Ingle, San Jose, Calif., Sukwon Hong, San Jose, Calif., and Anjana M. Patel, San Jose, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of forming a silicon oxide layer is described. The method first deposits a silicon-nitrogen-and-hydrogen-containing (polysilazane) film by radical-component chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The polysilazane film is converted to silicon oxide by exposing the polysilazane film to humidity at low substrate temperature. The polysilazane film may also be dipped in a liquid having both oxygen and hydrogen, such as water, hydrogen peroxide and or ammonium hydroxide. These conversion techniques may be used separately or in a sequential combination. Conversion techniques described herein hasten conversion, produce manufacturing-worthy films and remove the requirement of a high temperature oxidation treatment. An ozone treatment may precede the conversion technique(s)." The patent application was filed on Sept. 20, 2011 (13/237,131). 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=8,445,078.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,078&RS=PN/8,445,078 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, Canoga Park, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,115) developed by Clifford C. Bampton, Thousand Oaks, Calif., for a "brazed nano-grained aluminum structures." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of processing a brazed article includes forming a braze joint with an aluminum component comprising a nano-grained aluminum alloy." The patent application was filed on Jan. 23, 2008 (12/018,341). 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=8,445,115.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,115&RS=PN/8,445,115 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Bloom Energy Assigned Patent for High Temperature Fuel Cell System for Operation with Low Purity Ethanol ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Bloom Energy, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,146) developed by Matthias Gottmann, Sunnyvale, Calif., for a "high temperature fuel cell system for operation with low purity ethanol." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A fuel purification system includes a fuel cell stack and a fuel purification unit, such as a distillation unit. The fuel cell stack is adapted to provide heat to the fuel purification unit, and the fuel purification unit is adapted to provide a purified fuel to the fuel cell stack." The patent application was filed on Aug. 22, 2012 (13/591,934). 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=8,445,146.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,146&RS=PN/8,445,146 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** University of California Assigned Patent for Fouling and Scaling Resistant Nano-structured Reverse Osmosis Membranes ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- The University of California, Oakland, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,076) developed by four co-inventors for a "fouling and scaling resistant nano-structured reverse osmosis membranes." The co-inventors are Yoram Cohen, Los Angeles, Myung-Man Kim, Los Angeles, Gregory T. Lewis, Los Angeles, and Nancy Hsiao-Yu Lin, Los Angeles. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "In one embodiment, a method of modifying a surface of a membrane includes exposing the surface to an impinging atmospheric pressure plasma source to produce an activated surface, and exposing the activated surface to a solution including a vinyl monomer. In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a desalination membrane includes treating a surface of the membrane with an impinging atmospheric plasma source for an optimal period of time and rf power, and exposing the surface to an aqueous solution containing a vinyl monomer. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a membrane having a surface, and polymer chains terminally grafted onto the surface of the membrane." The patent application was filed on June 10, 2009 (12/482,264). 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=8,445,076.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,076&RS=PN/8,445,076 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Bloom Energy Assigned Patent for Multi-stream Heat Exchanger for a Fuel Cell System ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- May 24 -- Bloom Energy, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,156) developed by four co-inventors for a "multi-stream heat exchanger for a fuel cell system." The co-inventors are David Weingaertner, Sunnyvale, Calif., Martin Perry, Mountain View, Calif., Swaminathan Venkataraman, Cupertino, Calif., and Vlad Kalika, San Jose, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: " A multi-stream heat exchanger includes at least one air preheater section, at least one cathode recuperator section, and at least one anode recuperator section, wherein each section is a plate type heat exchanger having two major surfaces and a plurality of edge surfaces, a plurality of risers through at least some of the plates, and a plurality of flow paths located between plates. The cathode recuperator section is located adjacent to a first edge surface of the anode recuperator, and the air preheater section is located adjacent to a second edge surface of the anode recuperator section." The patent application was filed on Sept. 1, 2010 (12/873,935). 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=8,445,156.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,156&RS=PN/8,445,156 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Lawrence Livermore National Security Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Lawrence Livermore National Security, Livermore, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,148) developed by Jeffrey D. Morse, Martinez, Calif., and Alan F. Jankowski, Livermore, Calif., for a "method of forming a package for MEMS-based fuel cell." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A MEMS-based fuel cell package and method thereof is disclosed. The fuel cell package comprises seven layers: (1) a sub-package fuel reservoir interface layer, (2) an anode manifold support layer, (3) a fuel/anode manifold and resistive heater layer, (4) a Thick Film Microporous Flow Host Structure layer containing a fuel cell, (5) an air manifold layer, (6) a cathode manifold support structure layer, and (7) a cap. Fuel cell packages with more than one fuel cell are formed by positioning stacks of these layers in series and/or parallel. The fuel cell package materials such as a molded plastic or a ceramic green tape material can be patterned, aligned and stacked to form three dimensional microfluidic channels that provide electrical feedthroughs from various layers which are bonded together and mechanically support a MEMS-based miniature fuel cell. The package incorporates resistive heating elements to control the temperature of the fuel cell stack. The package is fired to form a bond between the layers and one or more microporous flow host structures containing fuel cells are inserted within the Thick Film Microporous Flow Host Structure layer of the package." The patent application was filed on Sept. 27, 2004 (10/952,260). 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=8,445,148.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,148&RS=PN/8,445,148 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** GM Global Technology Operations Assigned Patent for Stack Shutdown Purge Method ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- GM Global Technology Operations, Detroit, has been assigned a patent (8,445,145) developed by John P. Salvador, Penfield, N.Y., Craig S. Gittleman, Rochester, N.Y., and Gerald E. Voecks, La Crescenta, Calif., for a "stack shutdown purge method." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of purging residual hydrogen from a fuel cell stack is disclosed. The method includes providing an air stream, providing a temporary nitrogen stream by removing oxygen from the air stream with an adsorbent bed and passing the nitrogen stream through the fuel cell stack." The patent application was filed on Sept. 22, 2006 (11/534,272). 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=8,445,145.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,145&RS=PN/8,445,145 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Tesla Motors Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Tesla Motors, Palo Alto, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,126) developed by Weston Arthur Hermann, Palo Alto, Calif., for a "hazard mitigation within a battery pack using metal-air cells." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: " A system and method for mitigating the effects of a thermal event within a battery pack is provided in which the hot gas and material generated during the thermal runaway of at least one non-metal-air cell of a plurality of non-metal-air cells is directed through one or more metal-air cells, the metal-air cells absorbing at least a portion of the thermal energy generated during the event before it is released to the ambient environment. As a result, the risks to vehicle passengers, bystanders, first responders and property are limited." The patent application was filed on Feb. 14, 2011 (13/027,059). 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=8,445,126.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,126&RS=PN/8,445,126 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Applied Materials Assigned Patent for Method to Minimize Wet Etch Undercuts and Provide Pore Sealing of Extreme Low k (k<2.5) Dielectrics ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Applied Materials, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,075) developed by six co-inventors for a "method to minimize wet etch undercuts and provide pore sealing of extreme low k (k<2.5) dielectrics." The co-inventors are Huiwen Xu, Sunnyvale, Calif., Mei-Yee Shek, Mountain View, Calif., Li-Qun Xia, Santa Clara, Calif., Amir Al-Bayati, San Jose, Calif., Derek Witty, Fremont, Calif., and Hichem M'Saad, Santa Clara, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Methods of processing films on substrates are provided. In one aspect, the methods comprise treating a patterned low dielectric constant film after a photoresist is removed from the film by depositing a thin layer comprising silicon, carbon, and optionally oxygen and/or nitrogen on the film. The thin layer provides a carbon-rich, hydrophobic surface for the patterned low dielectric constant film. The thin layer also protects the low dielectric constant film from subsequent wet cleaning processes and penetration by precursors for layers that are subsequently deposited on the low dielectric constant film." The patent application was filed on Dec. 22, 2010 (12/975,833). 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=8,445,075.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,075&RS=PN/8,445,075 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** PolyPlus Battery Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- PolyPlus Battery, Berkeley, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,136) developed by five co-inventors for a "lithium/sulfur battery with hermetically sealed anodeS." The co-inventors are Steven J. Visco, Berkeley, Calif., Yevgeniy S. Nimon, Danville, Calif., Lutgard C. De Jonghe, Lafayette, Calif., Bruce D. Katz, Orinda, Calif., and Alexei Petrov, Walnut Creek, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Protected anode architectures for active metal anodes have a polymer adhesive seal that provides an hermetic enclosure for the active metal of the protected anode inside an anode compartment. The compartment is substantially impervious to ambient moisture and battery components such as catholyte (electrolyte about the cathode), and prevents volatile components of the protected anode, such as anolyte (electrolyte about the anode), from escaping. The architecture is formed by joining the protected anode to an anode container. The polymer adhesive seals provide an hermetic seal at the joint between a surface of the protected anode and the container." The patent application was filed on Dec. 21, 2011 (13/333,886). 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=8,445,136.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,136&RS=PN/8,445,136 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** University of California Assigned Patent for Sealed Joint Structure for Electrochemical Device ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- The University of California, Oakland, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,159) developed by four co-inventors for a "sealed joint structure for electrochemical device." The co-inventors are Michael C. Tucker, Oakland, Calif., Craig P. Jacobson, Moraga, Calif., Lutgard C. De Jonghe, Lafayette, Calif., and Steven J. Visco, Berkeley, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Several members make up a joint in a high-temperature electrochemical device, wherein the various members perform different functions. The joint is useful for joining multiple cells (generally tubular modules) of an electrochemical device to produce a multi-cell segment-in-series stack for a solid oxide fuel cell, for instance. The joint includes sections that bond the joining members to each other; one or more seal sections that provide gas-tightness, and sections providing electrical connection and/or electrical insulation between the various joining members. A suitable joint configuration for an electrochemical device has a metal joint housing, a first porous electrode, a second porous electrode, separated from the first porous electrode by a solid electrolyte, and an insulating member disposed between the metal joint housing and the electrolyte and second electrode. One or more brazes structurally and electrically connects the first electrode to the metal joint housing and forms a gas tight seal between the first electrode and the second electrode." The patent application was filed on Nov. 28, 2005 (11/791,270). 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=8,445,159.PN.&OS=PN/8,445,159&RS=PN/8,445,159 Written by Kusum Sangma; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Applied Materials Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Applied Materials, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,389) developed by Ali Zojaji, Santa Clara, Calif., and Arkadii V. Samoilov, Sunnyvale, Calif., for "etchant treatment processes for substrate surfaces and chamber surfaces." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Embodiments of the invention generally relate to methods for treating a silicon-containing material on a substrate surface and performing a chamber clean process. In one embodiment, a method includes positioning a substrate containing a silicon material having a contaminant thereon within a process chamber and exposing the substrate to an etching gas containing chlorine gas and a silicon source gas while removing the contaminant and maintaining a temperature of the substrate within a range from about 500.degree. C. to less than about 800.degree. C. during an etching process. The method further includes exposing the substrate to a deposition gas after the etching process during a deposition process and exposing the process chamber to a chamber clean gas containing chlorine gas and the silicon source gas after the deposition process during a chamber clean process. The chamber clean process limits the etching of quartz and metal surfaces within the process chamber." The patent application was filed on Jan. 9, 2012 (13/346,503). 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=8,445,389&OS=8,445,389&RS=8,445,389 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Illumina Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Illumina, San Diego, has been assigned a patent (8,445,412) developed by Bernard Hirschbein, Hayward, Calif., and Filiz Gorpe-Yasar, Hayward, Calif., for a "separation of pyrophosphate release and pyrophosphate detection." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present technology relates to methods and systems for detection of pyrophosphate. As such, disclosed herein are methods and systems that permit improved pyrophosphate detection. Also disclosed herein are methods and systems which utilize improved pyrophosphate detection for nucleotide sequencing." The patent application was filed on Feb. 24, 2010 (13/203,463). 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=8,445,412&OS=8,445,412&RS=8,445,412 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Alpha and Omega Semiconductor Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Alpha and Omega Semiconductor, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,370) developed by Sik K. Lui, Sunnyvale, Calif., and Anup Bhalla, Santa Clara, Calif., for a "trench junction barrier controlled Schottky." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for manufacturing a Schottky diode comprising steps of 1) providing a region with a dopant of a second conductivity type opposite to a first conductivity type to form a top doped region in a semiconductor substrate of said first conductivity type; 2) providing a trench through the top doped region to a predetermined depth and providing a dopant of the second conductivity type to form a bottom dopant region of the second conductivity type; and 3) lining a Schottky barrier metal layer on a sidewall of the trench at least extending from a bottom of the top doped region to a top of the bottom doped region." The patent application was filed on June 14, 2010 (12/802,790). 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=8,445,370&OS=8,445,370&RS=8,445,370 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Scripps Research Institute Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,446) developed by five co-inventors for "unnatural reactive amino acid genetic code additions." The co-inventors are Alexander Deiters, La Jolla, Calif., Ashton T. Cropp, Bethesda, Md., Jason W. Chin, Cambridge, United Kingdom, Christopher J. Anderson, San Francisco, and Peter G. Schultz, La Jolla, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "This invention provides compositions and methods for producing translational components that expand the number of genetically encoded amino acids in eukaryotic cells. The components include orthogonal tRNAs, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, pairs of tRNAs/synthetases and unnatural amino acids. Proteins and methods of producing proteins with unnatural amino acids in eukaryotic cells are also provided." The patent application was filed on June 23, 2011 (13/135,129). 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=8,445,446&OS=8,445,446&RS=8,445,446 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Cypress Semiconductor Assigned Patent for Oxide-nitride Stack Gate Dielectric ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Cypress Semiconductor, San Jose, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,381) developed by Krishnaswamy Ramkumar, San Jose, Calif., and Sundar Narayanan, Sunnyvale, Calif., for an "oxide-nitride stack gate dielectric." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of making a semiconductor structure comprises forming an oxide layer on a substrate; forming a silicon nitride layer on the oxide layer; annealing the layers in NO; and annealing the layers in ammonia. The equivalent oxide thickness of the oxide layer and the silicon nitride layer together is at most 25 Angstroms." The patent application was filed on Dec. 20, 2007 (11/961,750). 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=8,445,381&OS=8,445,381&RS=8,445,381 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Five Prime Therapeutics Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Five Prime Therapeutics, South San Francisco, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,445) developed by four co-inventors for a "method of promoting hair growth using FGFR4 extracellular domains." The co-inventors are Thomas Brennan, San Jose, Calif., Robert Dean, Alameda, Calif., W. Michael Kavanaugh, Orinda, Calif., and Janine Powers, Alameda, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention relates to a method of promoting hair growth comprising administering a fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) extracellular domain (ECD), including native FGFR4 ECDs, variants, fragments, and fusion molecules, to a subject in an amount sufficient to promote hair growth." The patent application was filed on Sept. 15, 2010 (13/496,182). 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=8,445,445&OS=8,445,445&RS=8,445,445 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Aculon Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Aculon, San Diego, has been assigned a patent (8,445,423) developed by Eric L. Bruner, San Diego, Eric L. Hanson, San Diego, and Gerald W. Gruber, Englewood, Fla., for chemical wipes. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Wipes treated with organometallic compounds used in combination with organic acids in kit form, particularly organophosphorus acid, are disclosed. The kits can be used to treat various surfaces to alter the physical properties of the surfaces." The patent application was filed on July 15, 2010 (12/804,166). 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=8,445,423&OS=8,445,423&RS=8,445,423 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Procter & Gamble Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati, has been assigned a patent (8,445,422) developed by Denis Alfred Gonzales, Brussels, Belgium, Christopher Charles Graham, Ellington, United Kingdom, and Colin Stephenson, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom, for a liquid cleaning composition. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention relates to a liquid, cleaning composition comprising abrasive cleaning particles." The patent application was filed on Sept. 20, 2011 (13/236,678). 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=8,445,422&OS=8,445,422&RS=8,445,422 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Qualcomm Mems Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Qualcomm Mems Technologies, San Diego, has been assigned a patent (8,445,390) developed by Teruo Sasagawa, San Jose, Calif., for "patterning of antistiction films for electromechanical systems devices." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A laser absorption layer is first selectively formed in a seal pattern region surrounding an array of electromechanical systems elements, followed by depositing an antistiction layer as a blanket layer over the substrate and the laser absorption layer. The antistiction layer is then selectively removed from the seal pattern using a laser. An epoxy sealing material is provided in the seal pattern where the antistiction layer was removed and a backplate is sealed to the substrate using epoxy." The patent application was filed on Nov. 10, 2011 (13/294,114). 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=8,445,390&OS=8,445,390&RS=8,445,390 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Perseid Therapeutics Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Perseid Therapeutics, Redwood City, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,230) developed by six co-inventors for "immunosuppressive polypeptides and nucleic acids." The co-inventors are Erik E. Karrer, Mountain View, Calif., Madan M. Paidhungat, San Francisco, Steven H. Bass, Hillsborough, Calif., Margaret Neighbors, San Jose, Calif., Juha Punnonen, Belmont, Calif., and Steven J. Chapin, San Francisco. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The invention provides immunosuppressive polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides. In one aspect, the invention provides mutant CTLA-4 polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding mutant CTLA-4 polypeptides. Compositions and methods for utilizing such polypeptides and nucleic acids are also provided." The patent application was filed on Jan. 21, 2011 (13/011,351). 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=8,445,230&OS=8,445,230&RS=8,445,230 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** ProZyme Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- ProZyme, Hayward, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,292) developed by Tomasz Baginski, Mountain View, Calif., for "compounds and methods for rapid labeling of N-glycans." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention provides compounds and methods for rapid labeling of N-glycans, for example, rapid fluorescent labeling of N-glycans. In one aspect, the present invention provides fluorescent carbamate or thiocarbamate compounds. Upon contacting with N-glycans, the compounds undergo facile reactions with N-glycans to form fluorescent-labeled N-glycans." The patent application was filed on Sept. 24, 2011 (13/244,454). 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=8,445,292&OS=8,445,292&RS=8,445,292 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Bio-Rad Laboratories Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Bio-Rad Laboratories, Hercules, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,249) developed by Yan Wang, San Francisco, for Sso7-polymerase conjugate proteins. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "This invention provides Sso7-polymerase conjugates that exhibit improved activity in a polymerase reaction." The patent application was filed on Feb. 12, 2010 (12/705,438). 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=8,445,249&OS=8,445,249&RS=8,445,249 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Achillion Pharmaceuticals Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Achillion Pharmaceuticals, New Haven, Conn., has been assigned a patent (8,445,430) developed by four co-inventors for "cyclic carboxamide compounds and analogues thereof as of hepatitis C virus." The co-inventors are Suoming Zhang, Palo Alto, Calif., Avinash Phadke, Branford, Conn., Milind Deshpande, Madison, Conn., and Venkat Gadhachanda, Hamden, Conn. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The invention provides cyclic carboxamide compounds and analogues thereof of Formula I ##STR00001## and the pharmaceutically salts and hydrates thereof. The variables R, R.sub.1, R.sub.6-R.sub.8, R.sub.16, R.sub.18, R.sub.19, M, n, T, Y, and Z are defined herein. Certain compounds of Formula I are useful as antiviral agents. Certain cyclic carboxamide compounds and cyclic carboxamide analogues disclosed herein are potent and/or selective inhibitors of viral replication, particularly Hepatitis C virus replication. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more cyclic carboxamide compounds or cyclic carboxamide analogues and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers. Such pharmaceutical compositions may contain a cyclic carboxamide compound or cyclic carboxamide analogue as the only active agent or may contain a combination of a cyclic carboxamide compound or cyclic carboxamide analogue and one or more other pharmaceutically active agents. The invention also provides methods for treating viral infections, including Hepatitis C infections." The patent application was filed on Nov. 20, 2009 (12/622,753). 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=8,445,430&OS=8,445,430&RS=8,445,430 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Research Development Foundation Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Research Development Foundation, Carson City, Nev., has been assigned a patent (8,445,425) developed by six co-inventors for an "urocortin-III and uses thereof." The co-inventors are Wylie W. Vale Jr., La Jolla, Calif., Kathy A. Lewis, San Diego, Marilyn H. Perrin, La Jolla, Calif., Koichi S. Kunitake, San Diego, and Jean E. Rivier, La Jolla, Calif., and Jozsef Gulyas, Julian, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A search of the public human genome database identified a human EST, GenBank accession number AW293249, which has high homology to known pufferfish urocortin sequences. The full length sequence was amplified from human genomic DNA and sequenced. Sequence homology comparisons of the novel sequence with human urocortin I and urocortin II revealed that the sequence encoded a novel human urocortin, which was designated urocortin III (UcnIII). While urocortin III does not have high affinity for either CRF-R1 or CRF-R2, the affinity for CRF-R2 is greater than the affinity for CRF-R1. Urocortin III is capable stimulating cyclic AMP production in cells expressing CRF-R2.alpha. or .beta.. Thus, the affinity is high enough that urocortin III could act as a native agonist of CRF-R2. However, it is also likely that urocortin III is a stronger agonist of a yet to be identified receptor." The patent application was filed on Dec. 16, 2011 (13/328,821). 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=8,445,425&OS=8,445,425&RS=8,445,425 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** WADA Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- WADA, Santa Barbara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,287) developed by Wallace E. Carroll, Santa Barbara, Calif., and R. David Jackson, Alexandria, Ind., for a "method and apparatus for determining anticoagulant therapy factors." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining new anticoagulant therapy factors for monitoring oral anticoagulant therapy to help prevent excessive bleeding or deleterious blood clots that might otherwise occur before, during or after surgery. The inventive methods and apparatus provide an International Normalization Ratio (INR) based on a coagulation reaction with a blood sample of a living being. Embodiments include methods and apparatus for determining an anticoagulant therapy factor without requiring use of a mean normal prothrombin time determination or an ISI, and may be carried out with the patient sample and a coagulation reagent, where the coagulation reagent may be selected from a number of coagulation reagents. One embodiment provides an INRs value which is determined from a prothrombin time (PT or T1) of a patient blood sample and a theoretical end of test time (TEOT), where a theoretical clotting area is used to determine the INRs value according to the expression, INRs=T1*TEOT*MUL, where MUL is a multiplier that takes into account pixel parity and sampling times. The INRs may be used to determine a course of treatment for a patient or other living being without regard to the specific coagulation regent used to generate the coagulation data (e.g., time and optical activity values)." The patent application was filed on March 7, 2011 (12/932,822). 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=8,445,287&OS=8,445,287&RS=8,445,287 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** SanDisk 3D Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- SanDisk 3D, Milpitas, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,385) developed by four co-inventors for "methods for etching carbon nano-tube films for use in non-volatile memories." The co-inventors are April D. Schricker, Palo Alto, Calif., Andy Fu, San Ramon, Calif., Michael Konevecki, San Jose, Calif., and Steven Maxwell, Sunnyvale, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Memory cells, and methods of forming such memory cells are provided that include a steering element coupled to a carbon-based reversible resistivity-switching material. In particular embodiments, methods in accordance with this invention etch a carbon nano-tube ("CNT") film formed over a substrate, the methods including coating the substrate with a masking layer, patterning the masking layer, and etching the CNT film through the patterned masking layer using a non-oxygen based chemistry. Other aspects are also described." The patent application was filed on April 10, 2009 (12/421,803). 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=8,445,385&OS=8,445,385&RS=8,445,385 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Kingston Technology Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Kingston Technology, Fountain Valley, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,297) developed by Wei Koh, Irvine, Calif., for a "method of fabricating a chip." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of fabricating a chip may include the step of providing a first electrical part. The method may also include the step of forming a shell with the first electrical part embedded in a first side portion of the shell and a cavity in a second side portion of the shell. The method may include the step of testing the embedded first electrical part to determine whether the first electrical part is defective or functional. The method may also include the steps of providing a second electrical part, inserting the second electrical part within the cavity of the shell second side portion, establishing electrical communication between the first and second electrical parts if a test result of the first electrical part indicates that the first electrical part is functional, and finishing the chip. Also, the method may include the step of rejecting the first electrical part if the test result of the first electrical part indicates that the first electrical part is defective." The patent application was filed on Sept. 28, 2009 (12/568,633). 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=8,445,297&OS=8,445,297&RS=8,445,297 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Future Light Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Future Light, Mountain View, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,303) developed by Yasuto Miyake, Hirakata, Japan, Ryoji Hiroyama, Kyo-tanabe, Japan, and Masayuki Hata, Kadoma, Japan, for a "method of manufacturing semiconductor device and semiconductor device." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes steps of forming a semiconductor device layer on an upper surface of a substrate including the upper surface, a lower surface and a dislocation concentrated region arranged so as to part a first side closer to the upper surface and a second side closer to the lower surface, exposing a portion where the dislocation concentrated region does not exist above on the lower surface by removing the substrate on the second side along with at least a part of the dislocation concentrated region, and forming an electrode on the portion." The patent application was filed on Feb. 6, 2012 (13/366,589). 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=8,445,303&OS=8,445,303&RS=8,445,303 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Synthetic Genomics Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Synthetic Genomics, La Jolla, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,257) developed by Paul Gordon Roessler, San Diego, Bo Liu, San Diego, and Jessica Roxane Kristof, San Diego, for "production of branched-chain alcohols by photosynthetic microorganisms." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention provides genes, polypeptides and expression constructs therefor, recombinant photosynthetic microorganisms, and method of use thereof, such as for the production of branched-chain alcohols (including 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and isobutanol) and derivatives thereof for a variety of uses." The patent application was filed on Dec. 28, 2011 (13/338,579). 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=8,445,257&OS=8,445,257&RS=8,445,257 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Genomatica Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Genomatica, San Diego, has been assigned a patent (8,445,244) developed by four co-inventors for "methods for increasing product yields." The co-inventors are Anthony P. Burgard, San Diego, Robin E. Osterhout, San Diego, Jun Sun, San Diego, and Priti Pharkya, San Diego. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A non-naturally occurring microbial organism includes a microbial organism having a reductive TCA or Wood-Ljungdahl pathway in which at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding these pathway enzymes is expressed in a sufficient amount to enhance carbon flux through acetyl-CoA. A method for enhancing carbon flux through acetyl-CoA includes culturing theses non-naturally occurring microbial organisms under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce a product having acetyl-CoA as a building block. Another non-naturally occurring microbial organism includes at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to enhance the availability of reducing equivalents in the presence of carbon monoxide or hydrogen, thereby increasing the yield of redox-limited products via carbohydrate-based carbon feedstock. A method for enhancing the availability of reducing equivalents in the presence of carbon monoxide or hydrogen includes culturing this organism for a sufficient period of time to produce a product." The patent application was filed on Jan. 21, 2011 (13/011,788). 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=8,445,244&OS=8,445,244&RS=8,445,244 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Novozymes Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Novozymes, Davis, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,283) developed by Mariah Connelly, Sacramento, Calif., and Howard Brody, Davis, Calif., for "methods for producing biological substances in enzyme-deficient mutants of Aspergillus niger." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention relates to methods of producing a heterologous biological substance, comprising: (a) cultivating a mutant of a parent Aspergillus niger strain in a medium suitable for the production of the heterologous biological substance, wherein (i) the mutant strain comprises a first nucleotide sequence encoding the heterologous biological substance and one or more second nucleotide sequences comprising a modification of glaA and at least one of the genes selected from the group consisting of asa, amyA, amyB, prtT, and oah, and (ii) the mutant strain is deficient in the production of glucoamylase and at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of acid stable alpha-amylase, neutral alpha-amylase A, and neutral alpha-amylase B, protease, and oxalic acid hydrolase compared to the parent Aspergillus niger strain when cultivated under identical conditions; and (b) recovering the heterologous biological substance from the cultivation medium. The present invention also relates to enzyme-deficient mutants of Aspergillus niger strains and methods for producing such mutants." The patent application was filed on June 24, 2010 (12/823,046). 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=8,445,283&OS=8,445,283&RS=8,445,283 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Scripps Research Institute Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,445,225) developed by four co-inventors for "methods for the detection of circulating tumor cells." The co-inventors are Peter Kuhn, Solana Beach, Calif., John Ho Griffin, Del Mar, Calif., Kelly Bethel, San Diego, and Dena Marrinucc 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. -1126205 (c) 2013 Targeted News Service [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]