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U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in California (May 27)(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in California. *** Freedom Innovations Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Freedom Innovations, Irvine, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,444,704) developed by Michael L. Palmer, Ladera Ranch, Calif., and Charles R. Bisbee III, Mission Viejo, Calif., for "enhanced methods for mimicking human gait with prosthetic knee devices." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A prosthetic knee provides a single axis of rotation and includes a hydraulic damping cylinder, a microprocessor, and sensors. Based on input from the sensors, the microprocessor selects a flow path within the hydraulic cylinder in order to provide the proper amount of knee resistance to bending for a given situation. The resistance of each flow path within the hydraulic cylinder is manually preset. Changes in gait speed are accommodated by employing a hydraulic damper with intelligently designed position sensitive damping. Moreover, the knee need not be un-weighted to transition from the stance phase to the swing phase of gait. As a result, the knee safely provides a natural, energy efficient gait over a range of terrains and gait speeds and is simpler, less costly, and lighter weight than the prior art." The patent application was filed on Feb. 1, 2010 (12/697,969). 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=84,44,704.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,704&RS=PN/84,44,704 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** ThinSilicon Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- ThinSilicon, Mountain View, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,444,766) developed by Jason Michael Stephens, San Francisco, Bradley Owen Stimson, Monte Sereno, Calif., and Guleid Nur Abdi Hussen, San Francisco, for a "system and method for recycling a gas used to deposit a semiconductor layer." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system for recycling includes a processing chamber, a reclamation reservoir and a mixing reservoir. The processing chamber is configured to receive a deposition gas deposited onto a semiconductor layer. The processing chamber has an exhaust to discharge an unused portion of the deposition gas as an effluent gas. The reclamation reservoir is in fluid communication with the processing chamber. The reclamation reservoir is configured to receive and store the effluent gas from the processing chamber. The mixing reservoir is in fluid communication with the reclamation reservoir and the processing chamber. The mixing reservoir is configured to mix the effluent gas with a virgin gas to form a recycled deposition gas. The mixing reservoir supplies the recycled deposition gas to the processing chamber to deposit an additional portion of the semiconductor layer." The patent application was filed on Dec. 10, 2009 (12/635,509). 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=84,44,766.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,766&RS=PN/84,44,766 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Hamilton Sundstrand Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Hamilton Sundstrand, Windsor Locks, Conn., has been assigned a patent (8,444,751) developed by Melissa A. Bell, San Diego, and Christine Ingrid Schade, San Diego, for a "deaerator and conduit assembly." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An example deaerator assembly includes a housing having a housing inlet and a housing outlet. A conduit configured to communicate a deaerated coolant is located within the housing. A mixture of coolant and air is deaerated as the mixture is communicated from the housing inlet to the housing outlet within the housing and outside the conduit." The patent application was filed on June 17, 2011 (13/162,884). 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=84,44,751.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,751&RS=PN/84,44,751 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** California Institute of Technology Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,444,745) developed by four co-inventors for an "amorphous metal foam as a property-matched bone scaffold substitute." The co-inventors are Marios D. Demetriou, Los Angeles, John S. Harmon, San Mateo, Calif., William L. Johnson, Pasadena, Calif., and Chris Veazey, Pasadena, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Amorphous metal foams and methods of making the same are provided. The amorphous metal foams have properties matching those of natural bone, enabling their use as bone replacement scaffolds. In one embodiment, for example, an amorphous metal foam has a density-dependent stiffness (or Young's modulus, denoted E) ranging from about 640.rho..sup.3.75 .tau.o .alpha..beta.ou.tau. 2900.rho..sup.0.78, and a density dependent strength (.sigma..sub.y) greater than about 8.1.rho..sup.2.57, wherein .rho. (the density) is less than about 1.7 g/cc." The patent application was filed on Aug. 13, 2007 (11/891,992). 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=84,44,745.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,745&RS=PN/84,44,745 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Eastman Chemical Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Eastman Chemical, Kingsport, Tenn., has been assigned a patent (8,444,768) developed by five co-inventors for "compositions and methods for removing organic substances." The co-inventors are Michael Wayne Quillen, Kingsport, Tenn., Dale Edward O'Dell, Blountville, Tenn., Zachary Philip Lee, Conyers, Ga., John Cleaon Moore, Camarillo, Calif., and Edward Enns McEntire, Kingsport, Tenn. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Compositions and methods useful for the removal of organic substances from substrates, for example, electronic device substrates such as microelectronic wafers or flat panel displays, are provided. A method is presented which applies a minimum volume of the composition as a coating to the inorganic substrate whereby sufficient heat is added and immediately rinsed with water to achieve complete removal. These compositions and methods are particularly suitable for removing and completely dissolving photoresists of the positive and negative varieties as well as thermoset polymers from electronic devices." The patent application was filed on March 27, 2009 (12/413,085). 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=84,44,768.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,768&RS=PN/84,44,768 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Soraa Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Soraa, Fremont, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,444,765) developed by Mark P. D'Evelyn, Goleta, Calif., for a "process and apparatus for large-scale manufacturing of bulk monocrystalline gallium-containing nitride." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for large-scale manufacturing of gallium nitride includes a process for reducing and/or minimizing contamination in the crystals, for solvent addition to an autoclave, for improving or optimizing the solvent atmosphere composition, for removal of the solvent from the autoclave, and for recycling of the solvent. The method is scalable up to large volumes and is cost effective." The patent application was filed on Sept. 6, 2011 (13/226,249). 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=84,44,765.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,765&RS=PN/84,44,765 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Restoration Robotics Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Restoration Robotics, San Jose, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,444,656) developed by Brian E. Tippett, Morgan Hill, Calif., for "tools and methods for harvesting follicular units." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Tools and methods are provided for removing biological units from a body surface utilizing a removal tool. The tool is of a concentric tube configuration comprising first and second elongated bodies, in which the second elongated body can be retracted into the first elongated body. The tool may incorporate retention members and mechanisms configured to impede movement of the biological unit in the direction of a distal end of the tool and to improve retention of the biological unit in the tool. Distal fluid or gas delivery may supplement a vacuum in a luminal space to help extract biological units from surrounding tissue." The patent application was filed on Feb. 7, 2012 (13/368,012). 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=84,44,656.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,656&RS=PN/84,44,656 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Cardiva Medical Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Cardiva Medical, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,444,671) developed by Zia Yassinzadeh, San Jose, Calif., for a "hemostasis-enhancing device and method for its use." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention advantageously provides devices, systems, and methods for percutaneous access and closure of vascular puncture sites. In an embodiment, the device for enhancing the hemostasis of a puncture site in a body lumen or tract comprises a catheter having one tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end with one inner lumen extending between at least a longitudinal portion of the catheter tubular member. The one tubular member includes external and internal tubular bodies each having proximal and distal ends. At least one of the external and the internal tubular bodies is longitudinally movable with respect to the other. An expansible member with proximal and distal ends is disposed on the distal end of the one tubular member. The distal end of the expansible member is connected to the distal end of internal tubular body and with its proximal end connected to the distal end of external tubular body." The patent application was filed on Sept. 30, 2010 (12/895,205). 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=84,44,671.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,671&RS=PN/84,44,671 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** USGI Medical Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- USGI Medical, San Clemente, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,444,657) developed by Vahid Saadat, Saratoga, Calif., and Cang C. Lam, Irvine, Calif., for an "apparatus and methods for rapid deployment of tissue anchors." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Apparatus and methods for rapid deployment of tissue anchors are described herein. A tissue manipulation assembly is pivotably coupled to the distal end of a tubular member and has a lower jaw member and an upper jaw member pivotably coupled to the lower jaw member. A reconfigurable launch tube is pivotably coupled to the upper jaw member and is used to urge the jaw members from a low-profile configuration to an open configuration. A needle assembly can be advanced through the launch tube across tissue received between the jaw members of the tissue manipulation assembly. Tissue anchors can be advanced through the needle assembly for securing received tissue. The tissue anchors can be positioned within a reloadable chamber of a control handle disposed outside the patient, then advanced through the needle assembly." The patent application was filed on April 28, 2005 (11/118,876). 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=84,44,657.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,657&RS=PN/84,44,657 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Abbott Cardivascular Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Abbott Cardivascular Systems, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,444,608) developed by four co-inventors for robust catheter tubing. The co-inventors are Thomas Haslinger, Sun City, Calif., Jeong S. Lee, Diamond Bar, Calif., Neftali Fernandez, Moreno Valley, Calif., and John Simpson, Carlsbad, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A balloon catheter having a multilayer catheter shaft is formed to have an inner layer and an outer layer, where the inner layer and outer layer are selected from materials that enhance the pushability of the catheter while preserving the flexibility. Using a combination of a high Shore D duromater value material and a lower Shore D duromater value material, various combinations of multilayer catheter shafts are disclosed utilizing different glass transition temperatures and block copolyamides to obtain the desired characteristics." The patent application was filed on June 5, 2009 (12/478,929). 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=84,44,608.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,608&RS=PN/84,44,608 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Stryker Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Stryker, Kalamazoo, Mich., and Stryker NV Operations, Dublin, Ireland, have been assigned a patent (8,444,667) developed by Stephen Porter, Fremont, Calif., for a "device for closure of a vascular defect and method for treating the same." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A device for the non-invasive treatment of a vascular defect. The device includes at least one occlusive member having a first unexpanded configuration and a second expanded configuration and at least one securement member for securing the vaso-occlusive device to a support structure at the location of the vascular defect." The patent application was filed on July 20, 2005 (11/185,160). 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=84,44,667.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,667&RS=PN/84,44,667 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Medtronic Vascular Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Medtronic Vascular, Santa Rosa, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,444,598) developed by David Doty, Forestville, Calif., for an "intravascular therapeutic agent delivery." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Intravascular devices and a method of delivering at least one therapeutic agent. The device includes an elongate element with proximal and distal portions and at least first and second lumens provided therein. The first lumen is adapted for delivering at least one therapeutic agent. The second lumen is adapted for allowing fluid therethrough. An expandable member is disposed adjacent to the distal portion of the elongate element. At least one tip cut is provided in a distal tip portion of the elongate element. The at least one tip cut is adapted for providing flexibility to the elongate element. The method includes providing an elongate element. Spacing of at least one tip cut is varied during positioning of the elongate element within a vessel. The vessel is occluded with the elongate element. The at least one therapeutic agent is delivered to tissue adjacent the occluded vessel." The patent application was filed on Aug. 29, 2005 (11/215,590). 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=84,44,598.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,598&RS=PN/84,44,598 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Boston Scientific Scimed Assigned Patent for Filter Flush System and Methods of Use ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Boston Scientific Scimed, Maple Grove, Minn., has been assigned a patent (8,444,665) developed by Ross S. Tsugita, Mountain View, Calif., for a "filter flush system and methods of use." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A filter flush system for temporary placement of a filter in an artery or vein is disclosed. The system typically includes a guidewire insertable within a guiding catheter, which has an occlusion balloon disposed about its distal end. The guidewire has an expandable filter, which can be collapsed to pass through a lumen and distal port of the guiding catheter. The lumen is adapted to receive a variety of endovascular devices, including angioplasty, atherectomy, and stenting catheters. Fluid medium or blood can be infused through the lumen of the guiding catheter to flush embolic material or mobile plaque generated during the endovascular procedures toward the expanded filter deployed downstream from the region of interest. Methods of using the filter flush system to entrap and remove embolic material from the vessel are also disclosed." The patent application was filed on July 17, 2003 (10/621,972). 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=84,44,665.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,665&RS=PN/84,44,665 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Boston Scientific Scimed Assigned Patent for Embolic Filter Delivery System and Method ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Boston Scientific Scimed, Maple Grove, Minn., has been assigned a patent (8,444,669) developed by five co-inventors for an "embolic filter delivery system and method." The co-inventors are Peter Edelman, Maple Grove, Minn., Lawrence Wasicek, San Jose, Calif., Nayan Ashar, San Jose, Calif., Husnija Mujkanovic, Santa Clara, Calif., and Eddie Sucgang, South San Francisco, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The disclosure pertains to a medical device deployment system comprising a restraint member which holds the embolic protection filter in a restrained, or partially collapsed, state for insertion into a lumen and transit to a desired deployment site. The restraint member comprises two or more portions which differ in their mechanical ability to resist the radial forces exerted by various portions of the medical device when it is in a restrained, or partially collapsed, state. The restraint member is maintained in a restraint configuration by an actuation member which engages portions of the restraint member lying on opposite sides of a generally axial gap until deployment of the medical device is desired. Withdrawal of the actuation member allows the restraint member to release the medical device which may then return to a deployed state. The invention also provides a method for assembling a medical device deployment system." The patent application was filed on Sept. 21, 2009 (12/563,758). 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=84,44,669.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,669&RS=PN/84,44,669 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Lam Research Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Lam Research, Fremont, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,443,756) developed by Andreas Fischer, Castro Valley, Calif., and Rajinder Dhindsa, San Jose, Calif., for "showerhead electrodes and showerhead electrode assemblies having low-particle performance for semiconductor material processing apparatuses." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Showerhead electrodes for a semiconductor material processing apparatus are disclosed. An embodiment of the showerhead electrodes includes top and bottom electrodes bonded to each other. The top electrode includes one or more plenums. The bottom electrode includes a plasma-exposed bottom surface and a plurality of gas holes in fluid communication with the plenum. Showerhead electrode assemblies including a showerhead electrode flexibly suspended from a top plate are also disclosed. The showerhead electrode assemblies can be in fluid communication with temperature-control elements spatially separated from the showerhead electrode to control the showerhead electrode temperature. Methods of processing substrates in plasma processing chambers including the showerhead electrode assemblies are also disclosed." The patent application was filed on Oct. 28, 2011 (13/284,297). 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=84,43,756.PN.&OS=PN/84,43,756&RS=PN/84,43,756 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Medtronic MiniMed Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Medtronic MiniMed, Northridge, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,444,607) developed by twelve co-inventors for an "infusion medium delivery device and method with drive device for driving plunger in reservoir." The co-inventors are R. Paul Mounce, Burbank, Calif., Melissa D. Norton, Valencia, Calif., Robert M. Guezuraga, Westlake Village, Calif., Bradley J. Enegren, Moorpark, Calif., Paul F. Bente IV, Los Angeles, Ian B. Hanson, Northridge, Calif., Julian D. Kavazov, Arcadia, Calif., Christopher G. Griffin, Sylmar, Calif., Sheldon B. Moberg, Thousand Oaks, Calif., Mark D. Holt, Moorpark, Calif., Susie E. Maule, Redondo Beach, Calif., and Paul H. Kovelman, Simi Valley, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A delivery device includes first and second housing portions that selectively engage and disengage. A reservoir on one housing portion operatively engages a drive device and/or a needle inserting device on the other housing portion. Upon proper engagement of the housing portions, the reservoir operatively couples to the drive device and/or the needle inserting device. A first magnet on the first housing portion and a second magnet (or a magnetically-attractive material) on the second housing portion are positioned to magnetically interact with each other, upon operative engagement of the housing portions. A third magnet on the second housing portion may be opposed to the first magnet to help align the housing portions for connection. A magnet-responsive device may be on one or both housing portions to detect alignment and/or connection of the housing portions." The patent application was filed on Oct. 8, 2008 (12/247,945). 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=84,44,607.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,607&RS=PN/84,44,607 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** ArthroCare Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- ArthroCare, Austin, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,444,672) developed by Seth A. Foerster, San Clemente, Calif., for "methods and devices for attaching connective tissues to bone using a knotless suture anchoring device." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A device for attaching connective tissue to bone has a longitudinal axis and comprises an annular toggle member and a body member disposed distally of the toggle member, such that there is an axial space between the toggle member and the body member. The toggle member is movable between an undeployed position wherein the toggle member has a smaller profile in a direction transverse to the axis and a deployed position wherein the toggle member has a larger profile in the direction transverse to the axis. When installed in a desired procedural site, in suitable bone, suturing material extends axially through a center aperture in the annular toggle member, without being secured to or contacting the toggle member. This approach permits a suture attachment which lies entirely beneath the cortical bone surface, and which further permit the attachment of suture to the bone anchor without the necessity for tying knots, which is particularly arduous and technically demanding in the case of arthroscopic procedures." The patent application was filed on May 12, 2009 (12/464,217). 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=84,44,672.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,672&RS=PN/84,44,672 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Spiracur Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Spiracur, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,444,614) developed by Kenneth Wu, San Francisco, Dean Hu, San Leandro, Calif., and Sumona Nag, Los Angeles, for "methods and devices for applying closed incision negative pressure wound therapy." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Disclosed herein are devices, systems and methods for using such devices and systems for treating incisions and wounds. In an aspect, disclosed is a device having a generally planar tension relief module and a flexible sealant structure sized to cover the tension relief module, the flexible sealant structure comprising a lower adhesive surface. The tension relief module includes a conduit structure having a plurality of support structures on an upper surface of the conduit structure and at least one opening extending through the conduit structure from a lower surface to the upper surface. At least a portion of the conduit structure is adapted to be aligned with a longitudinal axis of the incision. The tension relief module also includes opposing adhesive structures coupled to the conduit structure. The lower adhesive surface of the flexible sealant structure and the upper surface of the conduit structure form a flow pathway." The patent application was filed on Sept. 24, 2010 (12/890,399). 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=84,44,614.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,614&RS=PN/84,44,614 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Stryker Assigned Patent for Unfolding Balloon Catheter for Proximal Embolus Protection ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Stryker, Kalamazoo, Mich., and Stryker N.V. Operations, Dublin, Ireland, have been assigned a patent (8,444,661) developed by five co-inventors for an "unfolding balloon catheter for proximal embolus protection." The co-inventors are Ajitkumar B. Nair, Fremont, Calif., Kamal Ramzipoor, Fremont, Calif., Tra Huong Ngo, San Jose, Calif., Hieu T. Nguyen, San Jose, Calif., and Maggie Le, San Jose, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Devices, systems and methods for removing foreign bodies within a body lumen are disclosed. An unfolding balloon catheter may include an elongated shaft having an intussuscepting balloon that can be actuated within a body lumen to capture and retrieve an intravascular device. The balloon may be configured to radially and/or axially expand when inflated, enveloping the intravascular device. In certain embodiments, the balloon may be formed by folding the ends of a distensible member inwardly, and then bonding the ends of the distensible member to the elongated shaft to form an expandable sleeve. An adhesive layer located along a portion of the elongated shaft may be used to temporarily secure the balloon to the elongated shaft." The patent application was filed on June 28, 2007 (11/770,023). 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=84,44,661.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,661&RS=PN/84,44,661 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Warsaw Orthopedic Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Warsaw Orthopedic, Warsaw, Ind., has been assigned a patent (8,444,692) developed by Gary K. Michelson, Venice, Calif., for an "instrumentation with inwardly moveable extensions for inserting an expandable interbody spinal fusion implant." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An implant holder for inserting an interbody spinal implant." The patent application was filed on Aug. 4, 2004 (10/911,919). 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=84,44,692.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,692&RS=PN/84,44,692 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Callaway Golf Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Callaway Golf, Carlsbad, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,444,499) developed by Joseph Balardeta, Encinitas, Calif., and Scott Denton, Carlsbad, Calif., for a "method and system for shot tracking." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system and method for shot tracking disclosed herein. The system preferably includes a golf club and a receiver. The golf club preferably includes an active RFID transponder, a power source, a switch and an accelerometer." The patent application was filed on March 23, 2012 (13/429,118). 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=8,444,499&OS=8,444,499&RS=8,444,499 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Renew Medical Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Renew Medical, Palo Alto, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,444,546) developed by Tidhar Shalon, Palo Alto, Calif., and Guy Kotlizky, Kfar-Shemaryahu, Israel, for a "fecal incontinence device, system and method." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A device for treating fecal incontinence in a subject is provided. The device includes a plug configured for positioning mostly within an anal canal of the subject." The patent application was filed on July 11, 2012 (13/546,879). 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=8,444,546&OS=8,444,546&RS=8,444,546 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Becton Dickinson Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Becton Dickinson, Franklin Lakes, N.J., has been assigned a patent (8,444,597) developed by seven co-inventors for a reconstituting infusion device. The co-inventors are Vincent J. Sullivan, Cary, N.C., Ge Jiang, Thousand Oaks, Calif., Matthew S. Ferriter, Chapel Hill, N.C., Kenneth G. Powell, Raleigh, N.C., P. Spencer Kinsey, Vernon, Conn., Carl R. Sahi, Coventry, Conn., and John M. Polidoro, Coventry, Conn. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A system and method for a patch-like, self-contained multi-component substance infusion device which provides one or more substantially hidden patient needles which can be placed in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir assembly that includes a rigid bladder portion used in conjunction with a non-distensible bladder film, such as a metallized film. The device can be attached to a skin surface via an adhesive contact and a pressurization system provides a pressure to the contents of a fluid reservoir assembly. Improvements to dry powdered formulations for reconstitution for preferred use in the device are also disclosed." The patent application was filed on June 27, 2011 (13/170,149). 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=8,444,597&OS=8,444,597&RS=8,444,597 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** SI-Bone Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- SI-Bone, San Jose, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,444,693) developed by Mark A. Reiley, San Jose, Calif., for an "apparatus, systems, and methods for achieving lumbar facet fusion." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Assemblies of one or more implant structures make possible the achievement of diverse interventions involving the fusion and/or stabilization of lumbar and sacral vertebra in a non-invasive manner, with minimal incision, and without the necessitating the removing the intervertebral disc. The representative lumbar spine interventions, which can be performed on adults or children, include, but are not limited to, lumbar interbody fusion; translaminar lumbar fusion; lumbar facet fusion; trans-iliac lumbar fusion; and the stabilization of a spondylolisthesis." The patent application was filed on Dec. 6, 2010 (12/960,811). 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=84,44,693.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,693&RS=PN/84,44,693 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** CareFusion 207 Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- CareFusion 207, San Diego, has been assigned a patent (8,443,801) developed by Ihab S. Soliman, Warren, Mich., and Steven Duquette, Laguna Niguel, Calif., for a "system and method for adaptive high frequency flow interrupter control in a patient respiratory ventilator." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and system for controlling fluid flow settings by receiving a precondition pressure wave function, representative of a precondition frequency, a precondition amplitude and a precondition pressure of the fluid flow in the system, establishing an operating pressure wave function, representative of an operating frequency, an operating amplitude and an operating pressure of the fluid flow desired in the system, determining cycle error between the precondition pressure wave function and the operating pressure wave function, converting the cycle error to flow adjustment, and updating an operating flow with the flow adjustment." The patent application was filed on June 7, 2006 (11/794,675). 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=84,43,801.PN.&OS=PN/84,43,801&RS=PN/84,43,801 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Hsu Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Ying W. Hsu, San Clemente, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,443,665) developed by Ying W. Hsu, for a "frequency modulated micro gyro." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A micro gyro consisting of a vibrating micro scale structure produces a signal whose characteristic frequency shifts in proportion to the applied angular velocity. The vibrating structure consists of a suspended proof mass resonator supported on springs and connected to at least one detector resonator. The structure can be made with multiple semiconductor materials such as silicon, poly-silicon, silicon dioxide, and silicon nitride, using one of many MEMS fabrication processes. The proof mass resonator is designed to have two closely coupled resonant frequencies, with one resonant mode for the drive motion and the second resonant mode for the sense motion. Detector resonators are connected to the vibrating structure such that when the proof mass resonator oscillates due to the Coriolis force in its sense mode, the connections to the detector resonators are stressed by the proof mass resonator, thus changing the resonant frequency of the detector resonators. By measuring the shift in the resonant frequency of the detectors, the applied angular rate can be determined." The patent application was filed on Oct. 16, 2009 (12/581,003). 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=84,43,665.PN.&OS=PN/84,43,665&RS=PN/84,43,665 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Taylor Made Golf Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Taylor Made Golf, Carlsbad, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,444,505) developed by Todd P. Beach, San Diego, and Joseph H. Hoffman, Carlsbad, Calif., for a "golf club head with repositionable weight." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A golf club head comprises a body, a track formed in or attached to the body and having a length and a weight and weight retainer. The weight is continuously repositionable such that it can be positioned at any selected point along the track between its ends. The weight has a major dimension, and the weight retainer comprises a fastening member having a diameter not greater than about one half of the major dimension of the weight." The patent application was filed on July 30, 2010 (12/847,187). 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=8,444,505&OS=8,444,505&RS=8,444,505 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Rescue Air Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Rescue Air Systems, San Carlos, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,443,800) developed by Anthony J. Turiello, Portola Valley, Calif., for a "method and system of safeguarding a filling process of a breathable air apparatus." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Several methods and a system for a method and system of safeguarding a filling process of a breathable air apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of safety of a building structure includes safeguarding a filling process of a breathable air apparatus by enclosing the breathable air apparatus in a secure chamber of a fill site of the emergency support system of the building structure to provide a safe placement to supply the breathable air to the breathable air apparatus. The method may include ensuring that a prescribed pressure of the emergency support system maintains within a threshold range of the prescribed pressure by including a valve of the emergency support system to prevent leakage of breathable air from the emergency support system." The patent application was filed on Nov. 11, 2009 (12/616,159). 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=84,43,800.PN.&OS=PN/84,43,800&RS=PN/84,43,800 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Warsaw Orthopedic Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Warsaw Orthopedic, Warsaw, Ind., has been assigned a patent (8,444,696) developed by Gary Karlin Michelson, Venice, Calif., for an "anatomic spinal implant having anatomic bearing surfaces." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present application is directed to an interbody spinal implant having a structural configuration that provides for maintaining the normal anatomic relationship of two adjacent vertebrae of the spine. The spinal implant is sized to fit within the disc space created by the removal of disc material between two adjacent vertebrae and conform wholly, or in part, to the disc space created. The spinal implant of the present invention has first and second sides with upper and lower bearing surfaces that form a support structure for bearing against the end plates of the adjacent vertebrae. The upper and lower bearing surfaces of the first and second sides are shaped to create an anatomic fit with the endplates of the adjacent vertebrae." The patent application was filed on Sept. 19, 2011 (13/235,998). 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=84,44,696.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,696&RS=PN/84,44,696 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Abbott Diabetes Care Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Abbott Diabetes Care, Alameda, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,444,560) developed by Gary Hayter, Oakland, Calif., and Geoffrey V. McGarraugh, Oakland, Calif., for a "method and apparatus for providing data processing and control in a medical communication system." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Methods and apparatus for providing data processing and control for use in a medical communication system are provided." The patent application was filed on May 14, 2008 (12/152,650). 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=8,444,560&OS=8,444,560&RS=8,444,560 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Lumedyne Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Lumedyne Technologies, San Diego, has been assigned a patent (8,443,673) developed by Brad Chisum, San Diego, Mark Fralick, San Diego, and Richard Waters, San Diego, for a high sensitivity geophone. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A geophone including a plurality of ferromagnetic masses (e.g., magnets) disposed to oscillate on one or more compliant elements (e.g., springs) in a manner that produces a steep flux gradient at one or more conductive coils is disclosed. The magnetic masses are positioned with like poles facing each other so as to compress the magnetic field gradient. The coils may be positioned in the flux gap either between the magnets, in close proximity to the magnets, or surrounding the magnets. Vibration measurements may then be detected from the movement of at least one of the magnetic masses." The patent application was filed on Aug. 3, 2009 (12/534,538). 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=84,43,673.PN.&OS=PN/84,43,673&RS=PN/84,43,673 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** University of California Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- The University of California, Oakland, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,443,667) developed by Alexander Trusov, Irvine, Calif., Adam Schofield, Irvine, Calif., and Andrei Shkel, Irvine, Calif., for a "temperature-robust MEMS gyroscope with 2-DOF sense-mode addressing the tradeoff between bandwith and gain." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The current invention is a novel gyroscope design, which yields devices robust to fabrication and environmental variations, allows flexible selection of operational parameters, and provides increased bandwidth with minimized sacrifice in gain regardless of the selected frequency of operation. The gyroscope has a single degree-of-freedom (DOF) drive-mode and a 2-DOF sense-mode. The drive-mode operational frequency and the sense-mode bandwidth can be selected arbitrarily in the proposed design, relaxing the tradeoff between the gain, die size, and detection capacitance. The symmetry of the structure ensures the optimal location of the drive-mode resonance relative to the sense-mode operational region, even in presence of fabrication imperfections." The patent application was filed on Feb. 12, 2009 (12/918,284). 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=84,43,667.PN.&OS=PN/84,43,667&RS=PN/84,43,667 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** BAM Labs Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- BAM Labs, Campbell, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,444,558) developed by Steven J. Young, Los Gatos, Calif., Richard V. Rifredi, Los Gatos, Calif., and Yuri Zhovnirovsky, Albany, Calif., for an "apparatus for monitoring vital signs having fluid bladder beneath padding." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A sleeping monitoring system includes a first padding layer. A fluid bladder is beneath the first padding layer. A sensor is in fluid communication with the fluid bladder. The sensor is configured to output a vital sign signal." The patent application was filed on Jan. 7, 2009 (12/349,667). 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=8,444,558&OS=8,444,558&RS=8,444,558 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** HSE Partners Assigned Patent for Flexible Level System for a Comb ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- HSE Partners, Aliso Viejo, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,443,814) developed by Jose Joaquin Regalado, San Clemente, Calif., and Fedrico Hormozi, Aliso Viejo, Calif., for a "flexible level system for a comb." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A comb system for creating or replicating a haircut. The comb system has a comb that measures different angles via level and measuring attachments that can be affixed or movable about the comb so user can select the desired angle for an accurate cut." The patent application was filed on Sept. 23, 2009 (12/565,456). 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=84,43,814.PN.&OS=PN/84,43,814&RS=PN/84,43,814 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Asthmatx Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Asthmatx, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,443,810) developed by six co-inventors for "methods of reducing mucus in airways." The co-inventors are Christopher James Danek, Santa Clara, Calif., Michael Biggs, San Francisco, Bryan Loomas, Los Gatos, Calif., Michael D. Laufer, Menlo Park, Calif., Gary Kaplan, San Francisco, and Kelly Shriner, Sunnyvale, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung." The patent application was filed on June 20, 2006 (11/425,345). 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=84,43,810.PN.&OS=PN/84,43,810&RS=PN/84,43,810 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Taylor Made Golf Assigned Patent for Golf Club Head ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Taylor Made Golf, Carlsbad, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,444,504) developed by Bing-Ling Chao, San Diego, John Francis Lorentzen, El Cajon, Calif., and Hsiang Lee, Carlsbad, Calif., for a golf club head. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A golf club head with a club head body having an external surface with a heel portion, a toe portion, a crown portion, a sole portion, and a front opening is described. A face insert support structure is located at the front opening. The support structure includes a peripheral member and a rear support member. The rear support member has a front surface and a rear surface. A face insert is attached at the front opening and closes the front opening of the body. An undercut fill structure is attached to a portion of the rear surface of the rear support member." The patent application was filed on June 21, 2010 (12/819,652). 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=8,444,504&OS=8,444,504&RS=8,444,504 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** HSE Partners Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- HSE Partners, Aliso Viejo, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,443,815) developed by Jose Joaquin Regalado, San Clemente, Calif., and Fedrico Hormozi, Aliso Viejo, Calif., for a "flexible level system for a comb." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A comb system for creating or replicating a haircut. The comb system has a comb with level attachments and measuring devices that measure different angles of the comb with respect to an object, such as a head. The level attachments and measuring devices are removable and adjustable, allowing for flexibility and customization. In one embodiment, the comb system can measure the comb's roll, pitch, and yaw angles for any given orientation of the comb." The patent application was filed on Sept. 23, 2010 (12/889,193). 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=84,43,815.PN.&OS=PN/84,43,815&RS=PN/84,43,815 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Litania Sports Group Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Litania Sports Group, Champaign, Ill., has been assigned a patent (8,444,531) developed by Jan E. Johnson, Atascadero, Calif., and Ashley M. Whittaker, Mahomet, Ill., for a "vault box safety collar." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A safety collar for a vault box reduces the risk of catastrophic injury if the pole vaulter lands directly onto the vault box, but does not make it more difficult for the pole vaulter to plant the pole into the vault box. The safety collar overlies the vault box and an area to the rear and the sides of the vault box. The collar has a front, a rear, a left side, a right side, and an opening extending from the front to the rear that overlies the recess of the vault box. The collar also has a left wing extending downwardly against the left wall of the vault box part way to the bottom surface and part way to the rear wall and a right wing extending downwardly against the right wall of the vault box part way to the bottom surface and part way to the rear wall." The patent application was filed on Oct. 1, 2010 (12/924,656). 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=8,444,531&OS=8,444,531&RS=8,444,531 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Animas Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Animas, West Chester, Pa., has been assigned a patent (8,444,595) developed by five co-inventors for "methods to pair a medical device and at least a remote controller for such medical device." The co-inventors are Krzysztof Z. Brukalo, Chambersburg, Pa., Manfred Ebner, Oberursel, Germany, Steven Getz, Malvern, Pa., David Hohl, Milpitas, Calif., and David Pohlman, Malvern, Pa. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A disease management system, methods, and devices are shown and described. In one embodiment, the system includes an infusion pump and a remote controller with the ability to be paired to each other. A method to verify a wireless connection between an infusion pump and a remote controller is shown and described herein. In a further embodiment, a method to verify a wireless connection between an infusion pump and a remote controller is provided. In addition, a method of operating a diabetes management system is provided in which the system includes an infusion pump and at least a remote controller." The patent application was filed on June 15, 2007 (11/764,081). 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=8,444,595&OS=8,444,595&RS=8,444,595 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** St. Jude Medical Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, Minn., has been assigned a patent (8,444,579) developed by John W. Sliwa, Los Altos Hills, Calif., for a "system for delivering acoustic energy in connection with therapeutic ultrasound systems and catheters." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The invention discloses a system for delivering acoustic energy to a subject in connection with high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) systems. In an embodiment, the system comprises an optionally disposable waveguide-attached ablation applicator coupled with an optionally re-usable waveguide, and an optional acoustic power source. The systems may comprise acoustic energy exit port intensity control, waveguide heat-sinking, and transducer operational adjustments that accommodate waveguide effects on the traversing acoustic power." The patent application was filed on Dec. 21, 2007 (11/963,784). 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=8,444,579&OS=8,444,579&RS=8,444,579 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Zynga Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Zynga, San Francisco, has been assigned a patent (8,444,491) developed by eight co-inventors for clan wars. The co-inventors are Erik Paul Bethke, Richmond, Calif., Michael Broom, San Francisco, Aaron Jones, San Francisco, Scott Koenigsberg, San Francisco, Amitt Mahajan, San Francisco, William Henry Kelly Mooney, San Francisco, Matthew Adam Ocko, San Francisco, and Ian Wang, San Francisco. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of implementing clan wars is disclosed. An incentive reward is generated that is to be provided to at least one member of a group of users of a game networking system based on the group exercising a level of influence over a location during a time period that is greater than a level of influence of an additional group of users over the location during the time period. It is determined that the group exercised the level of influence over the location during the time period. The incentive reward is provided to the at least one member of the group based on the determining that the level of influence exercised by the group is greater than the level of influence of the additional group over the location during the time period." The patent application was filed on Sept. 26, 2011 (13/244,926). 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=8,444,491&OS=8,444,491&RS=8,444,491 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** David Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Gregory Scott David, Lakewood, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,443,640) developed by Elton G. Davis, Redding, Calif., for a deadbolt locking device. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Deadbolt locking devices for preventing a deadbolt from being unlocked from the outside are provided. The deadbolt locking devices may include a connecting assembly, for engaging a door knob to provide leverage to resist turning of the handle of the deadbolt, and a housing member for engaging the handle of the deadbolt when in a locked position. The deadbolt locking devices can accommodate various configurations of door hardware without sacrificing convenience of use and without sacrificing confidence in its correct placement. Various configurations of door hardware can include the position of the deadbolt knob in relation to the door knob, the angular position of the handle of the deadbolt when it is in the locked position, whether the door is hinged on the left or right side and whether the deadbolt knob turns clockwise or counter-clockwise to lock the door." The patent application was filed on July 2, 2012 (13/539,502). 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=84,43,640.PN.&OS=PN/84,43,640&RS=PN/84,43,640 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Callaway Golf Assigned Patent for Golf Club Head with Composite Weight Port ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Callaway Golf, Carlsbad, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,444,506) developed by five co-inventors for a "golf club head with composite weight port." The co-inventors are William C. Watson, Temecula, Calif., Martin Peralta, Oceanside, Calif., Patrick Dawson, San Diego, Irina Ivanova, San Diego, and Bradley C. Rice, Carslbad, Calif. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A golf club head having a face component, a crown, and a composite sole with one or more weight ports for receiving one or more weight inserts is disclosed herein. At least part of each of the weight ports is integrally formed in the composite sole, and each of the weight ports include a weight receiving region for receiving a weight and a screw receiving region for receiving a screw that secures the weight in the weight port." The patent application was filed on Sept. 29, 2011 (13/248,855). 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=8,444,506&OS=8,444,506&RS=8,444,506 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** Device Evolutions Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Device Evolutions, Princeton, N.J., has been assigned a patent (8,444,642) developed by six co-inventors for a laparoscopic nephrectomy device. The co-inventors are Francisco Contijoch, Boca Raton, Fla., Michelle Harran, Neptune City, N.J., Carolyn Purington, Rutland, Mass., Tom Chen, Chino Hills, Calif., Smita Mohan, San Jose, Calif., and Aubri Gillespie, New Preston, Conn. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A laparoscopic nephrectomy device is disclosed. The device has an upper jaw and a lower jaw designed to clamp a portion of an organ, such as a kidney, so as to cut off blood flow locally to a portion of that organ. The upper jaw includes a mid-jaw piece and a top jaw piece, with each piece separately articulated. The mid-jaw piece is pivotably connected to the lower jaw. A top jaw piece is pivotably connected to the mid-jaw piece. The mid-jaw and top jaw pieces include a mechanism to fix the angular orientation of the mid-jaw and top jaw pieces with respect to one another, including a retractable slide piece that is carried by the mid-jaw piece and received in a slot in the top jaw piece. The jaws have insulated troughs that carry electrode structure for applying coagulative therapies." The patent application was filed on April 2, 2010 (12/753,308). 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=84,44,642.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,642&RS=PN/84,44,642 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Mass Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Mass Systems, A Unit of Ameron Global, Baldwin Park, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,443,650) developed by Abdul N. Sitabkhan, Arcadia, Calif., and Michael A. Mallari, Alta Loma, Calif., for a "temperature compensated pressure switch (TCPS)." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A temperature compensated pressure switch ("TCPS") with thermal lag compensation, trend indication, and forecast analysis. The TCPS has a first control unit, a pressure sensor connected to the first control unit outputting a first pressure data, a temperature sensor connected to the first control unit outputting a first temperature data, and a first storage unit connected to the first control unit storing: minimum and maximum pressure data corresponding to temperature data and rate of temperature change values. The first control unit can substitute a second temperature data, for the first temperature data for a period of time. The first control unit also outputs a first signal indicating the amount of material is acceptable when the first pressure data is above the minimum pressure data and outputs a second signal indicating the amount of material is unacceptable when the first pressure data is not above the minimum pressure data." The patent application was filed on Nov. 30, 2007 (11/948,842). 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=84,43,650.PN.&OS=PN/84,43,650&RS=PN/84,43,650 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** St. Jude Medical Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, Minn., has been assigned a patent (8,444,637) developed by Jonathan L. Podmore, San Carlos, Calif., Gregory J. Kampa, Castaic, Calif., and Andrew Radin, Palo Alto, Calif., for a steerable ablation device. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The invention relates to a flexible assembly for use in a region of a medical or surgical device. In preferred embodiments, the flexible region comprises a set of pull wires for controllably moving a treatment end of the device, and elements to separate the pull wires and maintain the integrity of the shaft of the flexible region in order to improve the operating aspects of the device. The devices and methods can be especially useful in ablation treatments, such as ablation at cardiac or epicardial tissues." The patent application was filed on Dec. 29, 2006 (11/647,315). 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=84,44,637.PN.&OS=PN/84,44,637&RS=PN/84,44,637 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Anand Kumar. *** Harmonix Music Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- Harmonix Music Systems, Cambridge, Mass., has been assigned a patent (8,444,486) developed by four co-inventors for "systems and methods for indicating input actions in a rhythm-action game." The co-inventors are Robert Kay, San Francisco, Greg LoPiccolo, Brookline, Mass., Daniel Schmidt, Somerville, Mass., and Alexander Rigopulos, Belmont, Mass. The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Systems and methods for displaying cues indicating input actions in a rhythm-action game may include: displaying, to a player of a rhythm-action game, a lane divided into at least two sub-lanes, each sub-lane containing cues indicating a drum input element; and displaying, to the player, an additional cue spanning a plurality of the sub-lanes, the additional cue indicating a foot pedal action. In some embodiments, the additional cue may span all the sub-lanes. In some embodiments, each sub-lane may contain cues indicating a drum input element of a set of linearly arranged drum input elements. In other embodiments, each sub-lanes may correspond to a fret button of a simulated guitar and the additional cue may correspond to an open strum." The patent application was filed on Oct. 20, 2009 (12/582,525). 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=8,444,486&OS=8,444,486&RS=8,444,486 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi. *** ICU Medical Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 27 -- ICU Medical, San Cle 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. -1126284 (c) 2013 Targeted News Service |