Patents Represented by Attorney Knobbe, Martens, Olson and Bear, LLP
  • Patent number: 8340615
    Abstract: A voltage-controlled capacitor and methods for forming the same are described. A mechanical conductor membrane of the voltage-controlled capacitor is movable to and from a first position and a second position. An amount of capacitance can vary with the movement of the mechanical conductor membrane. A microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) voltage-controlled capacitor can be used in a variety of applications, such as, but not limited to, RF switches and RF attenuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: QUALCOMM MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip D. Floyd
  • Patent number: 8338402
    Abstract: The present invention relates to scaffolds which can be used as medical devices for guided tissue regeneration and repair, in particular the invention is directed to a scaffold comprising fibers having a mean fiber diameter of between from about 1.2 to 4.0 microns, wherein the fibers comprise a glycolide. The invention further relates to the use of the scaffolds for the selective capture of cell populations for a cell source material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew PLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Fry, Anthony Dagger, David Morsley, Helene Lecomte, Roy Trayhern, Mark Howard, Sarah Freestone, Brian Thomson, Mark Smith, Rebecca Crallan
  • Patent number: 8338154
    Abstract: To obtain a mutant protein of an asparagine-linked glycoprotein, which has no N-linked sugar chain under ordinary circumstance, and remains a physiological activity of the glycoprotein before the mutation was introduced, at least one of the amino acids contained in the amino acid sequence motif (I) and/or (II) in the polypeptide of the asparagine-linked glycoprotein is substituted into another amino acid: (I) Asn Xa1 Xa2 (II) Xa3 Val Gly Asn Xa1 Xa2. In amino acid sequence motif (I) and (II), Xa1 represents an amino acid other than Pro, Xa2 represents Thr or Ser and Xa3 represents His or Asp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Seikagaku Corporation
    Inventors: Jin-ichi Inokuchi, Satoshi Uemura
  • Patent number: 8336683
    Abstract: A damper for a bicycle having a primary unit and a remote unit that, in some arrangements, is substantially entirely outside of the primary unit. The primary unit includes a damper tube, a spring chamber, and a piston rod that supports a main piston. The main piston is movable within the damper chamber of the primary unit. The main piston and the damper tube at least partially define a compression chamber. The remote unit comprises a remote fluid chamber and, in some arrangements, an inertial valve within the remote unit. The inertial valve is preferably responsive to terrain-induced forces and preferably not responsive to rider-induced forces when the shock absorber is assembled to the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael McAndrews, Anthony Trujillo
  • Patent number: 8338403
    Abstract: A compound having a hyperglycemia improving effect and a hemoglobin A1c lowering action such as 4-methylcholest-7-en-3-ol, 4-methylergost-7-en-3-ol and 4-methylstigmast-7-en-3-ol is used as an active ingredient of a drug or food or drink for improving hyperglycemia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuuichi Higuchi, Masanori Inagaki, Hirotoshi Hayasawa, Muneo Yamada, Miyuki Tanaka, Eriko Misawa, Noriko Wakimoto, Yousuke Itou
  • Patent number: 8336220
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a coordinate measurement apparatus includes an articulated arm having a first end and a second end with at least a first arm segment and a second arm segment therebetween. Further, the apparatus can comprise at least one ball and socket joint connecting the first arm segment to the second arm segment, with the ball and socket joint including a ball member and a socket member, and a measurement probe attached to the first end of said articulated arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hexagon Metrology AB
    Inventors: Homer L Eaton, Paul A Ferrari
  • Patent number: 8337513
    Abstract: An instrument and technique for the removal of epidermal layers in a controlled manner utilizing a hand-held instrument with a working end that (i) a vacuum aspiration system, (ii) a source for delivery of a sterile fluids or pharmacological agents to the skin; and (iii) a skin interface surface in the working end that has specially shape structure for abrading surface layers of the patient's epidermis as the working end is moved over the patient's skin while at the same time causing rapid penetration of the fluids into the skin for therapeutic purposes. Movement of the working end across the skin causes abrasion of the surface layers in a path over the patient's skin. The method of the invention may be used in a periodic treatment for the removal of superficial skin layers that enhances the synthesis of dermal collagen aggregates by inducing the body's natural wound healing response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Axia MedSciences, LLC
    Inventor: John H. Shadduck
  • Patent number: 8339239
    Abstract: An embodiment of an electronic access control system includes an electronic key, an electronic lock, and an access control administration program. The electronic key can include program code for switching between a lock mode and a computer mode. In some embodiments, the lock mode and computer mode allow for simplified administration and operation of the access control system. Some embodiments of the electronic key include a rechargeable battery. In some embodiments, the access control system includes a hybrid power supply system having a rechargeable battery and a generator. In some embodiments, the electronic lock includes a piezoelectric latch. In some embodiments, the electronic key is configured to act as a storage device for a computer system. Some embodiments provide an electronic access control system with a streamlined user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Gregory Paul Kirkjan
  • Patent number: 8338075
    Abstract: A positive resist composition including: a base component (A) which exhibits increased solubility in an alkali developing solution under the action of acid; and an acid-generator component (B) which generates acid upon exposure; dissolved in an organic solvent (S), the organic solvent (S) including an alcohol-based organic solvent having a boiling point of at least 150° C.; and a method of forming a resist pattern including: applying the positive resist composition on a substrate on which a first resist pattern is formed to form a second resist film; and subjecting the second resist film to selective exposure and alkali developing to form a resist pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Tokyo Ohka Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Takeshita, Shinji Kumada, Yasuhiro Yoshii, Takeshi Iwai, Tsuyoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8339523
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a television apparatus includes a housing, a vibration module attached to the housing, a supporting portion which is secured to the housing and supports the vibration module for vibration, and an oscillation unit which causes the vibration module to vibrate. In addition, the television apparatus includes a plurality of first projections protruding from one of the vibration module and the housing toward the other, a sheet spanning between respective distal end portions of the first projections, and a plurality of second projections provided on the other of the vibration module and the housing and abutting the sheet at positions between the first projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tomoko Kitamura, Satoshi Yokote, Masataka Tokoro, Kohei Wada, Ryosuke Kasaya, Tetsuo Okazaki
  • Patent number: 8339424
    Abstract: An organic light emitting display which prevents unnecessary illumination of the organic light emitting diodes is disclosed. The display has an emission driver which globally turns off all of the pixels during an initialization period, and allows normal operation during other times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seon-I Jeong, Mi-Hae Kim, Ki-Myeong Eom, Jin-Tae Jeong
  • Patent number: 8336695
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus can include a clutch housing rotatable together with an input member and supporting a plurality of driving clutch plates. A clutch member can support a plurality of driven clutch plates alternately arranged between the driving clutch plates via spline fitting and connected to an output member. A pressure member can be mounted on the clutch member and axially movably therealong for carrying out the pressure-contact or release between the driving clutch plates and the driven clutch plates. Back-torque limiting cams can be configured to release the connection between the driving clutch plates and the driven clutch plates when the rotation speed of the output member has exceeded that of the input member. A rotational force input to the input member can be transmitted to or cut-off from the output member by carrying out the pressure-contact or release between the driving clutch plates and the driven clutch plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha F.C.C.
    Inventors: Makoto Kataoka, Shunichi Itou, Katsu Yoshimoto
  • Patent number: 8338991
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to wireless power. A wireless power receiver includes a receive antenna for coupling with near field radiation in a coupling-mode region generated by a transmit antenna operating at a resonant frequency. The receive antenna generates an RF signal when coupled to the near field radiation and a rectifier converts the RF signal to a DC input signal. A direct current-to-direct current (DC-to-DC) converter coupled to the DC input signal generates a DC output signal. A pulse modulator generates a pulse-width modulation signal to the DC-to-DC converter to adjust a DC impedance of the wireless power receiver by modifying a duty cycle of the pulse-width modulation signal responsive to at least one of a voltage of the DC input signal, a current of the DC input signal, a voltage of the DC output signal, and a current of the DC output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: William H Von Novak, Charles E Wheatley, III, Stanley S Toncich, Ernest T Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8339261
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a pharmaceutical cabinet comprises sensors positioned within the frame and door of the cabinet, and the sensors are arranged in a predetermined orientation when the door is closed and a lock is actuated. The sensors are configured to communicate with one another when brought into the predetermined orientation to confirm that the door is closed and the lock is actuated. One or both of the sensors may transmit an identifier to the other sensor, and the communication between the sensors may be encoded. The cabinet also includes a sensor on the lock that indicates if the lock is engaged. The cabinet may generate a record of the times the sensors are moved into or out of communication and the times that the lock is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Knox Associates
    Inventor: Keith T. Wolski
  • Patent number: 8337754
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for the developing of immuno-stained biological samples. The systems disclosed herein are automated and are configured to control one or more steps of the developing procedure. Reagents may be added using automatic syringe dispensing. Reagent temperature, reagent stirring, and wash procedures are programmable and can be separately controlled for separate immuno-staining procedures that are performed at the same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael P. Emery, Matthew C. Wallace, James E. Sinclair, Raymond J. Gonzales, Brian Grot, Sanjay S. Magavi
  • Patent number: 8341359
    Abstract: A method of dynamically sharing a media volume in a network includes associating a first media management module with a first media volume of a first storage device, associating a second media management module with the first media volume, the second media management module mounting the media volume and creating an access path to the media volume, and delegating management of the created access path to the second media management module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: CommVault Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Kottomtharayil, Parag Gokhale, Anand Prahlad, Manoj Retnamma, David Ngo, Varghese Devassy
  • Patent number: 8338381
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein relate to compositions comprising carnosine and N-acetyl-histitidine in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Other embodiments disclosed herein relate to preventing and/or ameliorating one or more symptoms associated with an eye disease such as dry eye syndrome, cataracts of the eye and nuclear sclerosis of the eye lens. Kits for preventing and/or ameliorating one or more symptoms associated with an eye disease by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising N-acetyl-histidine are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: ADER Enterprise, Inc.
    Inventor: Emilio Robledo
  • Patent number: 8336547
    Abstract: A breathing mask is disclosed, as well as a valve and a diverter that can be used within a breathing mask. The breathing mask can include a body, a respiratory interface, a balanced exhaust valve, and an inlet valve. The body can include an inlet and an exhaust. The respiratory interface can be configured to provide fluid communication between each of the inlet and the exhaust, and a user's respiratory system. The balanced exhaust valve can be configured to selectively flow fluid between the exhaust and the respiratory interface. The inlet valve can be configured to selectively flow fluid between the inlet and the respiratory interface. The valve can be a balanced exhaust valve with a fixed balance chamber. The diverter can include a tubular diverter body, a breathing port, an exhaust port, a demand port, and a diverter wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Amron International, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Craig Ritchie, Christopher Eames Woolley
  • Patent number: 8337541
    Abstract: A medical treatment system and method of treatment is described having an implant that can be positioned and deployed, then undeployed to allow repositioning of the implant. The system includes a self-expanding medical implant that longitudinally foreshortens upon radially expanding from a radially compacted state, a distal interface configured to attach the implant to a distal mount of a delivery device, and a proximal interface configured to attach the implant to a proximal mount of the delivery device. Moving the distal mount longitudinally away from the proximal mount applies a longitudinal tension to the implant causing the implant to expand longitudinally and contract radially, and moving the distal mount toward the proximal mount reduces a longitudinal tension in the implant allowing the implant to expand radially toward a fully expanded state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: CardiAQ Valve Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Arshad Quadri, J. Brent Ratz
  • Patent number: D672942
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Tod's S.p.A.
    Inventors: Diego Della Valle, Andrea Vico