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U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in California (Feb. 25)
[February 25, 2013]

U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in California (Feb. 25)


(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in California.

*** Monoarc Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Monoarc, Westminster, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,375,498) developed by Everett O. Fuller, Westminster, Calif., and Martyn L. Fuller, Murrieta, Calif., for "swimming pool and deck brush." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A transversely elongated mounting bar curved rearwardly from a centerline and mounting longitudinally projecting bristles on the front side thereof to terminate in free ends deposed in a working plane." The patent application was filed on Sept. 26, 2011 (13/245,543). 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=8,375,498&OS=8,375,498&RS=8,375,498 Written by Neha Bharti; edited by Jaya Anand.



*** Lift-U Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Lift-U, Escalon, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,375,496) developed by David Johnson, Modesto, Calif., and Donald Morris, Littleton, Colo., for a fold out ramp.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A ramp assembly provides a transition surface from a vehicle interior to an alighting surface. The ramp assembly includes a ramp portion that rotates between a stowed position and a deployed position. A panel is coupled to the ramp portion about a first axis. The ramp assembly further includes a linkage that is coupled to the ramp portion. An actuator is coupled to the linkage to move the ramp portion through a deployment motion. The deployment motion includes a first phase during which the linkage rotates the ramp portion about the first axis. During a second phase of the deployment motion, the linkage moves the first axis from a raised position to a lowered position." The patent application was filed on April 24, 2012 (13/454,858). 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=8,375,496&OS=8,375,496&RS=8,375,496 Written by Neha Bharti; edited by Jaya Anand.


*** Edwards Lifesciences Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,377,117) developed by five co-inventors for an "active holder for annuloplasty ring delivery." The co-inventors are Yaron Keidar, Haifa, Israel, Vaso Adzich, Santa Ana, Calif., Dan Rottenberg, Haifa, Israel, Boaz Manash, Givat Ada, Israel, and Alon Nahshon, Pardes Hanna, Israel.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An active annuloplasty ring holder having a template that can be folded or pivoted to the side allowing the template to align longitudinally with the handle and enter the patient's chest through a small incision. The holder may include a mechanism to remotely detach sutures fastening the ring to the holder, thereby detaching the ring while avoiding the risk associated with introducing a scalpel into the operating field. A detachment mechanism may include a movable pin actuated by a pull wire that releases a plurality of holding sutures, or a hot wire, knives, or pull wire that severs the sutures. The holder may have a built-in light source for better visualization of the ring inside the heart. The holder may also have an optical means of visualizing the inside of the heart from the proximal end of the handle." The patent application was filed on Sept. 8, 2008 (12/206,604). 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=8,377,117&OS=8,377,117&RS=8,377,117 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Medtronic Vascular Assigned Patent for Percutaneous Methods and Apparatus for Creating Native Tissue Venous Valves ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Medtronic Vascular, Santa Rosa, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,377,083) developed by Kevin Mauch, Windsor, Calif., and Douglas Green, Santa Rosa, Calif., for a "percutaneous methods and apparatus for creating native tissue venous valves." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Percutaneous methods and apparatus for forming a venous valve from autologous tissue by creating at least one subintimal longitudinal dissection that forms at least one flap of intimal tissue are disclosed. In one method, a balloon catheter having a dissecting blade mounted thereon is delivered to a target site where a new venous valve is to be created. The balloon is inflated to deploy the blade against the vein wall, and the catheter is longitudinally translated such that the blade dissects a subintimal layer of the vein wall. The balloon is subsequently deflated such that the blade pulls a flap of the dissected tissue towards the vein lumen, thereby creating a leaflet and corresponding pocket/sinus in the vein that collectively act as a monocuspid venous valve. Methods of forming new bicuspid and tricuspid venous valves utilizing two or three dissecting blades mounted on the balloon are also disclosed." The patent application was filed on April 27, 2010 (12/767,932). 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=8,377,083&OS=8,377,083&RS=8,377,083 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Apple Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 - Apple, Cupertino, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,376,789) developed by Eric S. Jol, San Jose, Calif., for "jack assemblies with cylindrical contacts." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Jack assemblies having cylindrical contacts are provided. For example, an enclosure may provide a cavity with a longitudinal axis for receiving an electrical plug. The jack assembly may also include at least one jack contact positioned in the cavity. The jack contact may include a first end region extending about at least a portion of the axis and a contact region extending from the first end region towards the axis. The first end region may extend completely about the axis or just about a portion of the axis. The contact region may deflect and contact a first conductive region of the plug in multiple contact areas when the plug is inserted into the cavity." The patent application was filed on Feb. 6, 2012 (13/366,469). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,376,789&OS=8,376,789&RS=8,376,789 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Direct Flow Medical Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Direct Flow Medical, Santa Rosa, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,377,118) developed by Randall T. Lashinski, Santa Rosa, Calif., and Gordon B. Bishop, Santa Rosa, Calif., for a "unstented heart valve with formed in place support structure." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An implantable prosthetic valve (100) has an in situ formable support structure. The valve comprises a prosthetic valve (104), having a base and at least one flow occluder. A first flexible component is incapable of retaining the valve at a functional site in the arterial vasculature. The first component (126) extends proximally of the base of the valve. A second flexible component (128) is incapable of retaining the valve at a functional site in the arterial vasculature. The second component extends distally of the base of the valve. At least one rigidity component (300) combines with at least one of the first and second flexible components to impart sufficient rigidity to the first or second components to retain the valve at the site." The patent application was filed on May 5, 2005 (11/579,723). 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=8,377,118&OS=8,377,118&RS=8,377,118 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Cardiokinetix Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Cardiokinetix, Menlo Park, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,377,114) developed by Alexander Khairkhahan, Palo Alto, Calif., Serjan D. Nikolic, Los Altos, Calif., and James R. Kermode, Los Altos, Calif., for "sealing and filling ventricular partitioning devices to improve cardiac function." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Described herein are partitioning devices for reducing ventricular volume that may be secured within a ventricle and separate it into a productive portion and a non-productive portion. The partitioning devices described herein may include a reinforced membrane and may be secured within the heart chamber by sealing them to the wall of the heart chamber, for example, by inflating an inflatable element on the periphery of the device. All or a region of the non-productive portion formed by these devices may be enclosed within a container or bag. The non-productive portion may be filled with a material, including occlusive materials (e.g., vasoclusive coils). Sealing and/or filling the non-productive portion formed by the devices described herein may help prevent leakage from the non-productive region. Also described herein are systems including these devices and methods of using them, which may be suitable for treating patients with heart disease, particularly congestive heart failure." The patent application was filed on April 10, 2009 (12/422,177). 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=8,377,114&OS=8,377,114&RS=8,377,114 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Physical Optics Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Physical Optics, Torrance, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,376,760) developed by six co-inventors for "avionics data storage device and transfer system with electro-opto-mechanical identification." The co-inventors are Andrew Kostrzewski, Garden Grove, Calif., Kang Lee, Woodland Hills, Calif., Sookwang Ro, Glendale, Calif., Thomas Forrester, Hacienda Heights, Calif., Tomasz Jannson, Torrance, Calif., and Michael Alan Thompson, Redondo Beach, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An avionics data storage device and data transfer system are provided. The data storage device, has a slanted, "shark-like" door, which provides an environmental seal when not installed in the data transfer system. The storage device and data transfer system maintain environmental seals at all times other than installation. The storage device and transfer system can implement a variety of identification and authentication methods, including electrical, physical, and optical authentication or identification." The patent application was filed on Feb. 2, 2011 (13/019,946). 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=8,376,760&OS=8,376,760&RS=8,376,760 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Medtronic Vascular Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Medtronic Vascular, Santa Rosa, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,377,115) developed by Dustin Thompson, Santa Rosa, Calif., for an "implantable valve prosthesis for treating venous valve insufficiency." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A valve prosthesis for percutaneous placement within a vein is disclosed that includes a valve scaffold and a backflow barrier. The valve scaffold is of a shape memory or resilient material and the backflow barrier is a flap of flexible material attached to the valve scaffold. The valve prosthesis is operable to alternate between open and closed configurations in response to changes in retrograde blood flow pressure. In the open configuration, the valve scaffold has a frustoconical coil shape of consecutive windings with open spaces therebetween and the backflow barrier allows antegrade blood flow through the open spaces. In the closed configuration, the consecutive windings of the valve scaffold are collapsed such that the valve scaffold has a substantially flat profile and the backflow barrier covers the opens spaces of the flattened valve scaffold to prevent retrograde blood flow from leaking there through." The patent application was filed on Nov. 16, 2009 (12/618,881). 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=8,377,115&OS=8,377,115&RS=8,377,115 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Mattel Assigned Patent for Motorized Toy Creature ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Mattel, El Segundo, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,376,804) developed by William Willett, Irvine, Calif., Chung Ming (Bryan) Cheng, Kowloon, China, and Chun Wing (Edward) Wong, Kowloon, China, for a motorized toy creature.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A multi-directional radio controlled toy, having a main vehicle with housing configured as a creature-like head containing propulsion and control components including two drive motors with controller, drive wheels coupled with the motors, power supply and wireless signal receiver coupled with the controller. An unpowered body portion trails the main vehicle and body members movably connected together by articulated couplings to permit body articulation throughout substantially the entire body portion of the creature-like device. A jaw moving mechanism in the main vehicle is powered by the motors to raise an upper jaw portion of the head until tripped by contact of a trigger at the front end of the main vehicle." The patent application was filed on Nov. 3, 2008 (12/263,945). 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=8,376,804&OS=8,376,804&RS=8,376,804 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Honeywell International Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Honeywell International, Morristown, N.J., has been assigned a patent (8,376,690) developed by Marshall Saville, Torrance, Calif., and David G. Elpern, Los Angeles, for a "three bearing flexible shaft for high speed turbomachinery." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A three journal bearing supported shaft with a link between two of the bearings may allow for longer spacing between the wheels supported by the shaft. The flexible shaft may move one bending critical speed below the minimum operating speed of the shaft and the next bending critical speed above the maximum operating speed of the shaft, thus extending the speed range significantly. A tie rod may be used as the link in the shaft." The patent application was filed on Dec. 8, 2009 (12/633,591). 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=8,376,690&OS=8,376,690&RS=8,376,690 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Servovita Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Servovita, Fremont, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,375,466) developed by Ayla Tasezen, Fremont, Calif., and Robert E. Schilling, Menlo Park, Calif., for suicide prevention clothing.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An article of clothing that can be worn by suicidal inmates and medical patients is provided. In one embodiment, the article of clothing is comprised of a high-strength fabric consisting of an outer layer of tear-proof material, an inner layer of soft material, and a third layer of insulating material between the outer and inner layers that provides warmth and bulk to the fabric. The three layers are joined together with a nylon thread. The article of clothing is further comprised of at least one sleeve section that is removably attached to at least in part to a torso section, wherein the at least one sleeve section detaches from the torso section to prevent a user from injuring or killing himself. In another embodiment, the article of clothing is comprised of a non-woven cellular material with very low tensile strength that cannot effectively be fashioned into a rope or noose." The patent application was filed on Feb. 20, 2008 (12/034,615). 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&00s1=8,375,466&OS=8,375,466&RS=8,375,466 Written by Neha Bharti; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Apple Assigned Patent for Active Electronic Media Device Packaging ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Apple, Cupertino, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,376,776) developed by Michael Rosenblatt, Cupertino, Calif., for an "active electronic media device packaging." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Active packaging for supplying power, data, or both power and data to an electronic media device while the device is housed within the active packaging is provided. The active packaging may include one or more electrical traces in-molded or printed onto the packaging that couple to a suitable connector on the device. Power may also be provided via one or more wireless power techniques. Multiple active packages may be conductively stacked to transmit power, data, or both power and data to a row or stack or devices. POM sensors integrated with or attached to the device (or the active packaging itself) may detect various movement events. Coordinated and synchronized display effects may be presented while the devices are housed within the active packaging." The patent application was filed on Dec. 12, 2011 (13/323,751). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,376,776&OS=8,376,776&RS=8,376,776 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Allergan Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Allergan, Irvine, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,377,128) developed by David J. Schuessler, Ventura, Calif., for a "flush patch for elastomeric implant shell." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An elastomeric fluid-filled prosthetic implant having a shell and a patch providing a reinforced access region on the shell for introduction of manufacturing implements, such as a gel-filling tool. The shell may cover the entire inner face of the patch, or a substantial part thereof, and a peripheral edge of the patch and the shell cooperate to form a flush interface with no sudden surface steps on both interior and exterior surfaces of the implant. The removal of any surface steps eliminates undesirable tactile discontinuities and stress points that may cause the shell wall to wear or may irritate the surrounding tissues. The prosthetic implant may be a breast implant formed of a silicone elastomer. The patch may be the same material or a liquid silicone rubber, but at least has similar material properties such as elastic modulus, durometer and elongation. The patch may include a channel, such as a self-sealing channel, used for introducing silicone to the mold to form the shell, for venting the mold cavity during the mold process, and/or for introducing the silicone gel into the hollow prosthesis. The patch may be combined with a fluid fill valve for manually adjusting the amount of a fluid such as saline within the shell after the mold process." The patent application was filed on April 27, 2010 (12/768,500). 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=8,377,128&OS=8,377,128&RS=8,377,128 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Visiogen Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Visiogen, Santa Ana, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,377,123) developed by Scott Evans, Santa Ana, Calif., Reza Zadno, Fremont, Calif., and Luis Vargas, Irvine, Calif., for a "method of implanting an intraocular lens." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method is provided for implanting an accommodating intraocular lens system in a capsular bag of an eye. The method includes providing the accommodating intraocular lens having an anterior viewing element and a posterior viewing element. The anterior viewing element has a width in a range between approximately 4.5 millimeters and approximately 6.5 millimeters. The method further includes forming an opening in an anterior portion of the capsular bag. The opening has a minimum width not less than approximately 4 millimeters and has a maximum width not greater than approximately 6.0 millimeters. The method further includes placing the accommodating intraocular lens system within the capsular bag. The capsular bag overlaps at least a portion of the anterior viewing element and defines an overlap region with a width in a range between approximately 0.1 millimeters and approximately 0.75 millimeters." The patent application was filed on Nov. 10, 2004 (10/985,854). 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=8,377,123&OS=8,377,123&RS=8,377,123 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Holland Electronics Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Holland Electronics, Ventura, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,376,769) developed by Michael Holland, Santa Barbara, Calif., and Kai-Chih Wei, Taipei, Taiwan, for a "coaxial connector with enhanced shielding." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A male F-Type coaxial cable connector has an improved RF shield including a bridge located between and electrically interconnecting a connector fastening nut and a connector body portion." The patent application was filed on Nov. 18, 2010 (12/949,334). 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=8,376,769&OS=8,376,769&RS=8,376,769 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Transcend Medical Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Transcend Medical, Menlo Park, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,377,122) developed by Thomas A. Silvestrini, Alamo, Calif., and Eugene de Juan Jr., San Francisco, for an "ocular implant with stiffness qualities, methods of implantation and system." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Described herein are devices and methods for treating eye conditions. Described is an ocular implant including an elongate member having an internal lumen forming a flow pathway, at least one inflow port communicating with the flow pathway, and at least one outflow port communicating with the flow pathway. The elongate member is adapted to be positioned in the eye such that at least one inflow port communicates with the anterior chamber, at least one outflow port communicates with the suprachoroidal space to provide a fluid pathway between the anterior chamber and the suprachoroidal space when the elongate member is implanted in the eye. The elongate member has a wall material imparting a stiffness to the elongate member. The stiffness is selected such that after implantation the elongate member deforms eye tissue surrounding the suprachoroidal space forming a tented volume." The patent application was filed on Jan. 27, 2010 (12/694,691). 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=8,377,122&OS=8,377,122&RS=8,377,122 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Gmedelaware 2 Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Gmedelaware 2, Audubon, Pa., has been assigned a patent (8,377,103) developed by Mark A. Reiley, Piedmont, Calif., for a "facet arthroplasty devices and methods." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Surgically installed prostheses replace either the caudal portion of a natural facet joint, the cephalad portion of a natural facet joint, or both. The prostheses are readily attached to the pedicles of a vertebral body and support at least one element that defines an artificial facet joint structure. The caudal facet joint structure is sized and located to articulate with the cephalad facet joint structure. Together, the prostheses form a total facet replacement system. The system is suitable for use in virtually all levels of the spine." The patent application was filed on Aug. 12, 2010 (12/806,410). 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=8,377,103&OS=8,377,103&RS=8,377,103 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Smith & Nephew Assigned Patent for Cartilage Treatment Probe ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Smith & Nephew, Memphis, Tenn., has been assigned a patent (8,377,058) developed by eight co-inventors for a "cartilage treatment probe." The co-inventors are Kobi Iki, San Carlos, Calif., William M. Ambrisco, Mountain View, Calif., Douglas M. Lorang, Ripon, Calif., Alan P. Gannon, Amesbury, Mass., Richard M. Ranalli, Berwick, Maine, Mathew E. Mitchell, Pelham, N.H., Mark Markel, Middleton, Wis., and Ryland B. Edwards III, Middleton, Wis.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An electrosurgical instrument for ablating cartilage while limiting collateral damage includes a non-conducting head with a small electrically conductive surface. The head of the instrument is coupled to a shaft by a flexible portion. The flexible portion biases the electrically conductive surface towards a tissue surface. The head is pivotably coupled to the shaft such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface as the head slides across the tissue surface. A method of performing electrosurgery includes positioning the electrically conductive surface adjacent to the tissue surface, and sliding the shaft across the tissue surface with the head pivoting such that the electrically conductive surface is oriented substantially parallel to the tissue surface." The patent application was filed on May 27, 2011 (13/117,800). 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=8,377,058&OS=8,377,058&RS=8,377,058 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Covidien Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Covidien, Mansfield, Mass., has been assigned a patent (8,377,055) developed by Jerome Jackson, Los Altos, Calif., Roger A. Stern, Cupertino, Calif., and David S. Utley, Redwood City, Calif., for "methods and systems for determining physiologic characteristics for treatment of the esophagus." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and apparatus for treating abnormal mucosa in the esophagus is disclosed, such that the depth of the treated tissue is controlled. The depth of ablation is controlled by monitoring the tissue impedance and/or the tissue temperature. A desired ablation depth is also achieved by controlling the energy density or power density, and the amount of time required for energy delivery. A method and apparatus is disclosed for measuring an inner diameter of a body lumen, where a balloon is inflated inside the body lumen at a fixed pressure." The patent application was filed on July 25, 2011 (13/189,793). 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=8,377,055&OS=8,377,055&RS=8,377,055 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Mattel Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Mattel, El Segundo, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,376,806) developed by Steed Sun, San Gabriel, Calif., Ruben Martinez, Whittier, Calif., and Peter Fan, Torrance, Calif., for "toys with view ports." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A toy including a housing and at least one view port disposed within the housing and adapted to permit a user to view objects through the at least one view port." The patent application was filed on Oct. 31, 2006 (11/555,091). 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=8,376,806&OS=8,376,806&RS=8,376,806 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Advanced Cardiovascular Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,377,107) developed by four co-inventors for a "poly(ester amide)-based drug delivery systems with controlled release rate and morphology." The co-inventors are Lothar Walter Kleiner, Los Altos, Calif., Jessica Renee DesNoyer, San Jose, Calif., Stephen Dirk Pacetti, San Jose, Calif., and Syed Faiyaz Ahmed Hossainy, Fremont, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of forming a coating on a medical device having a controlled morphology is described. A medical device having a controlled morphology is described." The patent application was filed on Feb. 28, 2011 (13/037,169). 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=8,377,107&OS=8,377,107&RS=8,377,107 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Warsaw Orthopedic Assigned Patent for Method for Preparing a Space in the Human Spine ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Warsaw Orthopedic, Warsaw, Ind., has been assigned a patent (8,377,063) developed by Gary K. Michelson, Venice, Calif., for a "method for preparing a space in the human spine." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for use in a vertebral spine to prepare a space between adjacent vertebral bodies to receive an implant. The method is performed using a bone removal device including a shaft and a mounting member at one end of the shaft. A working end is mounted on the mounting member and is coupled to a drive mechanism adjacent to the working end. The drive mechanism is operable to move the upper and lower cutters of the working end to create surfaces having predetermined contours in the end plate region of the adjacent vertebral bodies. A guard provides protected access to the disc space and the adjacent vertebral bodies for the working end of the bone removal device through a passageway." The patent application was filed on March 18, 2011 (13/051,956). 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=8,377,063&OS=8,377,063&RS=8,377,063 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** ConforMIS Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- ConforMIS, Bedford, Mass., has been assigned a patent (8,377,129) developed by five co-inventors for a "joint arthroplasty devices and surgical tools." The co-inventors are Wolfgang Fitz, Sherborn, Mass., Philipp Lang, Lexington, Mass., Daniel Steines, Lexington, Mass., Konstantinos Tsougarakis, Sunnyvale, Calif., and Rene Vargas-Voracek, Sunnyvale, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Disclosed herein are methods, compositions and tools for repairing articular surfaces repair materials and for repairing an articular surface. The articular surface repairs are customizable or highly selectable by patient and geared toward providing optimal fit and function. The surgical tools are designed to be customizable or highly selectable by patient to increase the speed, accuracy and simplicity of performing total or partial arthroplasty." The patent application was filed on Oct. 27, 2009 (12/606,830). 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=8,377,129&OS=8,377,129&RS=8,377,129 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Elite I.P. Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Elite I.P., Carlsbad, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,377,087) developed by Neville Alleyne, Oceanside, Calif., for a "method and apparatus for spinal osteoligamentous resection." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A device for osteoligamentous resection comprising a resector having a shaft with a resecting tip at its distal end, and a retractor at least partially surrounding the resector, and at least part of the retractor being moveable relative to the resector." The patent application was filed on Feb. 3, 2012 (13/365,941). 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=8,377,087&OS=8,377,087&RS=8,377,087 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Liquid Robotics Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Liquid Robotics, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,376,790) developed by six co-inventors for a wave power. The co-inventors are Roger G. Hine, Menlo Park, Calif., Derek L. Hine, Portola Valley, Calif., Joseph D. Rizzi, Los Altos, Calif., Kurt A.F. Kiesow, San Jose, Calif., Robert Burcham, Anchorage, Alaska, and William A. Stutz, San Jose, Calif The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A wave-powered water vehicle includes a surface float, a submerged swimmer, and a tether which connects the float and the swimmer, so that the swimmer moves up and down as a result of wave motion. The swimmer includes one or more fins which interact with the water as the swimmer moves up and down, and generate forces which propel the vehicle forward. The vehicle, which need not be manned, can carry communication and control equipment so that it can follow a course directed by signals sent to it, and so that it can record or transmit data from sensors on the vehicle." The patent application was filed on Sept. 6, 2011 (13/199,646). 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=8,376,790&OS=8,376,790&RS=8,376,790 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Bobrick Washroom Equipment Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Bobrick Washroom Equipment, North Hollywood, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,375,490) developed by Dikran Babikian, Glendale, Calif., and Branko Bem, Plano, Texas, for a baby changing station.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A baby supporting device is provided which includes a frame. The frame includes a first portion for mounting onto a wall and a second portion pivotally coupled to the first portion and rotatable between a first position and a second position. A first stop member extends from the first portion, and a second stop member extends from the second portion, such that when the second stop member engages the first stop member it stops the second portion at the second position. A first surface covers at least a portion of the first portion, and a second surface covers at least a portion of the second portion." The patent application was filed on Aug. 6, 2008 (12/221,918). 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=8,375,490&OS=8,375,490&RS=8,375,490 Written by Neha Bharti; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Night and Day Furniture Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Night and Day Furniture, Vancouver, Wash., has been assigned a patent (8,375,483) developed by Steven R. Ray, Benicia, Calif., Howard Porter, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Joel Grossman, Selangor, Malaysia, for "daybeds and methods for converting daybeds." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A daybed is disclosed that is convertible between a sitting configuration suitable for use, for example, as a sofa, and a lying configuration suitable for use, for example, as a bed. The daybed generally comprises a bed platform, a back panel connected to the bed platform, a mattress positioned at least partly on the bed platform, and a support member movable relative to the bed platform and back panel for use in at least partly helping convert the daybed. For example, in example embodiments the support member includes a storage container that may be positioned at least partly under the bed platform when the daybed is in the sitting configuration. And the storage container may be moved forward of the bed platform when the daybed is converted to the lying configuration so that at least part of the mattress may be also positioned on the storage container." The patent application was filed on July 27, 2007 (11/878,831). 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=8,375,483&OS=8,375,483&RS=8,375,483 Written by Neha Bharti; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Curaseal Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Curaseal, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,377,094) developed by eight co-inventors for an "enteric fistula treatment devices." The co-inventors are Akshay Mavani, Los Altos, Calif., Kenton Fong, Mountain View, Calif., Leif Erik Bansner, Berkeley, Calif., Nathan Christopher Maier, Hayward, Calif., Dean Hu, San Leandro, Calif., Moshe Pinto, Mountain View, Calif., Harold Francis Carrison, Pleasanton, Calif., and Eliot Kim, San Carlos, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Disclosed herein is an implantable fistula closure device. The device may include an expandable longitudinally segmented body including a proximal end and a distal end. The segmented body may further include a plurality of porous bodies and a connecting member operably joining together the plurality of porous bodies. The plurality of porous bodies includes a first porous body with a proximal end and a distal end and a second porous body with a proximal end and a distal end, and the connecting member operably connects the proximal end of the first porous body with the distal end of the second porous body." The patent application was filed on Sept. 26, 2011 (13/245,748). 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=8,377,094&OS=8,377,094&RS=8,377,094 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Boston Scientific Scimed Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Boston Scientific Scimed, Maple Grove, Minn., has been assigned a patent (8,377,112) developed by Stephen Griffin, Sunnyvale, Calif., and Brent C. Gerberding, Sunnyvale, Calif., for a "sacrificial anode stent system." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A sacrificial anode stent system comprises a stent having at least one sacrificial anode portion and a vaso-occlusive device. The vaso-occlusive device has at least one portion with a potential different from that of the sacrificial anode portion of the stent." The patent application was filed on Sept. 7, 2011 (13/227,202). 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=8,377,112&OS=8,377,112&RS=8,377,112 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** MicroVention Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- MicroVention, Tustin, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,377,091) developed by Gregory M. Cruise, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Michael Constant, Mission Viejo, Calif., and Terrance Tran, Westminster, Calif., for an "embolization device constructed from expansile polymer." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Devices for the occlusion of body cavities, such as the embolization of vascular aneurysms and the like, and methods for making and using such devices. The devices may be comprised of novel expansile materials, novel infrastructure design, or both. The devices provided are very flexible and enable deployment with reduced or no damage to bodily tissues, conduits, cavities, etceteras." The patent application was filed on June 15, 2007 (11/764,111). 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=8,377,091&OS=8,377,091&RS=8,377,091 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Applied Medical Resources Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Applied Medical Resources, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,377,090) developed by Scott V. Taylor, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., and Matthew A. Wixey, San Jose, Calif., for a blunt tip obturator.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A surgical access device comprises an elongate shaft with a bladeless tip at the distal end. The bladeless tip has an outer surface with a proximal portion, a distal portion, and an intermediate portion. In a cross section in the proximal portion, the outer surface defines a circle. In a cross section in the intermediate portion, the outer surface defines a shape having a length greater than a width. The outer surface has first and second opposing surface portions of the shape that are generally aligned with the length. In a cross section in the distal portion, the outer surface defines a circle. In progressive proximal cross sections in the distal portion, the circle expands. In progressive proximal cross sections in the intermediate portion, a ratio of the width of the shape to the length of the shape increases and the first and second opposing surface portions are more arcuate." The patent application was filed on Aug. 15, 2012 (13/586,825). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,377,090&OS=8,377,090&RS=8,377,090 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Keeper Sports Products Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Keeper Sports Products, Oceanside, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,376,800) developed by Aifu Shen, Ningbo, China, and Scott Burke, Oceanside, Calif., for a pool float.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A floating bed includes a body having four edges, including an upper edge, a lower edge, and two side edges. The body is optionally made from foam materials or foam rubber materials, such as polyethylene (PE) or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). The body has first and second surfaces that include a plurality of transverse concave and convex ridges that are optionally evenly distributed. Each concave ridge on the first surface optionally corresponds to a convex ridge on the second surface, and each convex ridge on the first surface optionally corresponds to a concave ridge on the second surface." The patent application was filed on July 30, 2010 (12/847,614). 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=8,376,800&OS=8,376,800&RS=8,376,800 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Medtronic Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Medtronic, Minneapolis, has been assigned a patent (8,377,119) developed by Michael J. Drews, Sacramento, Calif., Donnell W. Gurskis, Belmont, Calif., and Steven R. Bacich, Half Moon Bay, Calif., for a heart valve assemblies.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A heart valve assembly includes a base including a multi-lobular annular shape within a plane, a valve member or other annular body including a multi-lobular shape complementary to the shape of the base, and cooperating connectors on the base and the annular body for connecting the annular body to the base. The base includes an anchoring ring, and a flexible cuff for attaching the base to a biological annulus. The base and the annular body include guides for aligning their multi-lobular shapes, e.g., visual, tactile, or other markers, or tethers that extend from the base that are slidable through the annular body. During use, the base is attached to a biological annulus, the annular body is directed adjacent the annulus, oriented such that the multi-lobular shape of the annular body valve member is aligned with the base, and the annular body is attached to the base." The patent application was filed on Oct. 6, 2009 (12/574,611). 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=8,377,119&OS=8,377,119&RS=8,377,119 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Endologix Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Endologix, Irvine, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,377,110) developed by Myles S. Douglas, Gardnerville, Nev., Frank M. Zeng, Irvine, Calif., and Brian C. Gray, Orange, Calif., for an "endolumenal vascular prosthesis with neointima inhibiting polymeric sleeve." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention is related to a low profile endolumenal prosthesis. The prosthesis comprises a radially expandable tubular wire support and an expanded PTFE membrane. The density, wall thickness and intranodal distance of the ePTFE are selected to inhibit the formation and nourishment of a viable neointima on the inner surface of the prosthesis, through the ePTFE membrane." The patent application was filed on April 8, 2004 (10/820,455). 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=8,377,110&OS=8,377,110&RS=8,377,110 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** IDEO Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 - IDEO, Palo Alto, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,376,805) developed by seven co-inventors for a "printable pre-sewn stuffed toy composite sheets." The co-inventors are Vlasta Anastasia Komorous-Towey, Berkeley, Calif., Brian Benjamin Witlin, Mountain View, Calif., Joseph Berteel Wilcox, Menlo Park, Calif., Gina Lynn Romero, Soquel, Calif., Brendan John Boyle, Palo Alto, Calif., and James Adam Skaates, San Francisco.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Embodiments of the invention provide a composite sheet for creating a customized design. The composite sheet includes a first fabric portion, a second fabric portion, and a membrane portion disposed between the first fabric portion and the second fabric portion, where the first fabric portion is sewn with stitching to the second fabric portion. One advantage of the composite sheet and related systems and methods is that users can create customized designs conveniently on their own home printer." The patent application was filed on March 24, 2007 (12/410,295). 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=8,376,805&OS=8,376,805&RS=8,376,805 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Hansen Medical Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Hansen Medical, Mountain View, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,377,077) developed by Gene Reis, San Jose, Calif., for an "apparatus systems and methods for flushing gas from catheter of a robotic catheter system." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Apparatus, systems and methods for flushing a lumen of a catheter instrument to reduce or eliminate bubbles within the lumen. An interface valve is adapted for attachment to a proximal end of the catheter instrument and can receive a working instrument for insertion into the he catheter instrument lumen. A fluid supply line and purge lines are coupled to the interface valve and in fluid communication with at least a portion of the interface valve lumen. Flow of fluid (e.g. saline and a gas such as bubbles) through purge lines is controllable using clamps such that fluid flowing into the interface valve lumen can be manipulated to flow in different directions through different portions of the interface valve lumen for evacuation through different purge lines, thus allowing for purging of forward and backward flows to remove gas or bubbles from the catheter instrument lumen." The patent application was filed on March 2, 2011 (13/039,181). 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=8,377,077&OS=8,377,077&RS=8,377,077 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Applied Materials Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Applied Materials, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,376,813) developed by Doyle E. Bennett, Santa Clara, Calif., Andrew J. Nagengast, Sunnyvale, Calif., and Hung Chih Chen, Sunnyvale, Calif., for "retaining ring and articles for carrier head." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A carrier head for chemical mechanical polishing that has a base, a mounting assembly connected to the base having a surface for contacting a substrate, and a retaining ring secured to the base. The retaining ring can include perfluoroalkoxy, polyetherketoneketone, polybenzimidazole, a semi-crystalline thermoplastic polyester, or a long molecular chain molecule produced from poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide." The patent application was filed on Feb. 10, 2010 (12/703,591). 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=8,376,813&OS=8,376,813&RS=8,376,813 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Allergan Assigned Patent for Self-sealing Shell for Inflatable Prostheses ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Allergan, Irvine, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,377,127) developed by David J. Schuessler, Ventura, Calif., for a "self-sealing shell for inflatable prostheses." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A self-sealing shell useful as a component of a soft fluid-filled prosthetic implant is provided. The shell is at least partly constructed of a wall made of a colloid of an elastomeric polymer matrix and particles of a water-soluble material distributed therein." The patent application was filed on Aug. 19, 2009 (12/543,805). 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=8,377,127&OS=8,377,127&RS=8,377,127 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Abbott Cardiovascular Systems, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,377,116) developed by six co-inventors for an "implantable medical device coatings with improved mechanical stability." The co-inventors are Shaw Ling Hsu, Sunderland, Mass., Yiwen Tang, San Jose, Calif., Lothar W. Kleiner, Los Gatos, Calif., Fuh-Wei Tang, Temecula, Calif., Ni Ding, San Jose, Calif., and Syed Faiyaz Ahmed Hossainy, Fremont, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention provides an implantable medical device coating that has improved stability, a medical device coated with such coating, and a method of increasing the stability of an implantable medical device coating, wherein the coating comprises a stereocomplex f poly(D-lactic acid) and poly(L-lactice acid)." The patent application was filed on March 20, 2008 (12/052,452). 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=8,377,116&OS=8,377,116&RS=8,377,116 Written by Arpi Sharma; edited by Anand Kumar.

*** Traffix Devices Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Traffix Devices, San Clemente, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,376,651) developed by four co-inventors for "water-ballasted protection barriers and methods." The co-inventors are Jack H. Kulp, Dana Point, Calif., Felipe Almanza, Perris, Calif., Geoffrey B. Maus, Mission Viejo, Calif., and Paul Burlingham, Chino, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A water-ballasted molded plastic barrier system incorporates barrier segments wherein each segment employs a sawtooth reflective design, designed to prevent the tire of a vehicle, impacting the barrier, from climbing up the side of the barrier segment. Adjacent barrier segments are attached together using an interlocking knuckle design, having a lug pin connection system. Wire rope cable assemblies are internally molded into each barrier segment to create an impenetrable cable fence. The wire rope cable assemblies include steel bushings which are molded into the interlocking knuckles to further strengthen the barrier system." The patent application was filed on April 25, 2011 (13/093,555). 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=8,376,651&OS=8,376,651&RS=8,376,651 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Monsanto Technology Assigned Patent for Expression of Fatty Acid Desaturases in Corn ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Monsanto Technology, St. Louis, has been assigned a patent (8,378,186) developed by four co-inventors for an "expression of fatty acid desaturases in corn." The co-inventors are Virginia Ursin, Pawcatuck, Conn., Byron Froman, Davis, Calif., A. J. Nava, Woodland, Calif., and Jennifer Gonzales, Woodland, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The invention relates generally to the expression of desaturase enzymes in transgenic corn plants and compositions derived therefrom. In particular, the invention relates to the production of oils with improved omega-3 fatty acid profiles in corn plants and the seed oils produced thereby. Such oils may contain stearidonic acid, which is not naturally found in corn plants and has been shown to have beneficial effects on health." The patent application was filed on April 15, 2005 (11/578,447). 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=83,78,186.PN.&OS=PN/83,78,186&RS=PN/83,78,186 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Intematix Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Intematix, Fremont, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,376,580) developed by Yi-Qun Li, Danville, Calif., for a "light emitting diode (LED) based lighting systems." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A lighting system comprises at least one excitation source (5), preferably an LED, operable to generate and radiate excitation radiation of a first wavelength (.lamda..sub.1); a shade (4) configured to at least in part surround the at least one source (5) and remotely located thereto; and at least one phosphor (16) provided in or on at least a part of the shade (4), wherein the phosphor (16) emits radiation of a different wavelength in response to incident excitation radiation. The phosphor can be provided on a part of an outer or inner surface of the shade. Alternatively, or in addition, the phosphor is incorporated within the shade. The lighting system finds particular application as a hanging, a desk, a floor standing, a wall mountable, a spot, an outdoor or an accent lighting fixture." The patent application was filed on April 12, 2011 (13/085,173). 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=8,376,580&OS=8,376,580&RS=8,376,580 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Glo-Blades International Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Glo-Blades International, Rohnert Park, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,376,563) developed by Ralph Haney, Petaluma, Calif., for Glo-blades skates.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An illumination device for illuminating a surface being traversed by a skate. The skate is characterized as having a boot, a blade or inline wheels and multiple ribs attaching the boot to the blade or wheels. The device includes a light tube in the form of a plurality of lamps each in electrical contact with a power source. A switch is provided for selectively activating the lamps noting that the light tube is releaseably appended to the boot proximate the ribs whereby the plurality of lamps extend on at least one side of the multiple ribs positioned to illuminate the surface beneath the skate." The patent application was filed on March 15, 2010 (12/723,955). 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=8,376,563&OS=8,376,563&RS=8,376,563 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Fabworks Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Fabworks, Santa Ana, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,378,213) developed by Joseph R. Gerardo, Victorville, Calif., and Steven Lee Purves, Tigard, Ore., for "adjustable floor bracket articles and methods." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A support bracket article for enabling the adjustable positioning of an electrical box enclosure relative to the bottom of a framing member, and the supporting thereof in an interior wall section of a wall system under construction. The article is able to guide the adjustable positioning of the electrical box enclosure. It is also able to accommodate the supporting and adjustable positioning of the electrical box enclosure in a variety of framing studs and wall systems." The patent application was filed on Aug. 13, 2009 (12/540,969). 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=83,78,213.PN.&OS=PN/83,78,213&RS=PN/83,78,213 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Neokismet Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Neokismet, San Francisco, has been assigned a patent (8,378,207) developed by Anthony C. Zuppero, Pollock Pines, Calif., and Jawahar M. Gidwani, San Francisco, for a "system and method for using pre-equilibrium ballistic charge carrier refraction." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and system for using a method of pre-equilibrium ballistic charge carrier refraction comprises fabricating one or more solid-state electric generators. The solid-state electric generators include one or more of a chemically energized solid-state electric generator and a thermionic solid-state electric generator. A first material having a first charge carrier effective mass is used in a solid-state junction. A second material having a second charge carrier effective mass greater than the first charge carrier effective mass is used in the solid-state junction. A charge carrier effective mass ratio between the second effective mass and the first effective mass is greater than or equal to two." The patent application was filed on Dec. 31, 2009 (12/650,841). 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=83,78,207.PN.&OS=PN/83,78,207&RS=PN/83,78,207 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Loma Linda University Medical Center Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,376,613) developed by Michael F. Moyers, Colton, Calif., for a "method and device for delivering radiotherapy." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A device 10 for aligning a patient for delivering a plurality of radiation beams comprising a patient support surface 12, a coarse alignment subsystem 14 connected to the patient support surface, and a fine alignment subsystem connected to the patient support surface 16. A method of aligning a patient for delivering a plurality of radiation beams from a plurality of device positions comprising compensating for flexion of a radiation beam delivery device within a gantry during movement of the radiation beam delivery device from a first device position to a second device position by using a set of predetermined data describing the flexion behavior of the radiation beam delivery device so that the target tissue within the patient is placed at the beamline center for the radiation beam delivery device at the second device position." The patent application was filed on Oct. 28, 2011 (13/284,701). 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=8,376,613&OS=8,376,613&RS=8,376,613 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Xicato Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 25 -- Xicato, San Jose, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,376,577) developed by Gerard Harbers, Sunnyvale, Calif., and Mark A. Pugh, Los Gatos, Calif., for a "modular solid state lighting device." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An LED module includes an upper housing with in internal cavity and a lower housing. At least one light emitting diode is held in the LED module and emits light into the internal cavity, which is emitted through an output port in the upper housing. An optical structure, which may be disk or cylinder shaped may be mounted over the output port and light is emitted through the top surface and/or edge surface of the optical structure. The lower housing has a cylindrical external surface, which may be part of a fastener, suc 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.

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