Patents Issued in August 31, 2004
  • Patent number: 6783897
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a crosslinking agent comprising methyl siloxane polymer of a backbone having a polyalkylene oxide group as a branch group and acryl groups at both ends, and a crosslinkable solid polymer electrolyte composition comprising a crosslinking agent, a lithium salt, an organic solvent, and a curing initiator mixed in a certain ratio. The crosslinkable solid polymer electrolyte composition has a high ionic conductivity at room temperature and can be readily formed into a film and is thus suitable for use in large-size lithium-polymer secondary batteries applicable to electric cars, power storage devices for power leveling and the like, as well as in small-size lithium-polymer secondary batteries applicable to video cameras, portable data terminals such as cellular phones and notebook computers, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology
    Inventors: Yongku Kang, Changjin Lee, Won Sil Lee, Kun Ae Noh
  • Patent number: 6783898
    Abstract: The invention includes methods of making lithography photomask blanks. The invention also includes lithography photomask blanks and preforms for producing lithography photomask. The method of making a lithography photomask blank includes providing a soot deposition surface, producing SiO2 soot particles and projecting the SiO2 soot particles toward the soot deposition surface. The method includes successively depositing layers of the SiO2 soot particle on the deposition surface to form a coherent SiO2 porous glass preform body comprised of successive layers of the SiO2 soot particles and dehydrating the coherent SiO2 glass preform body to remove OH from the preform body. The SiO2 is exposed to and reacted with a fluorine containing compound and consolidated into a nonporous silicon oxyfluoride glass body with parallel layers of striae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: George Edward Berkey, Lisa Anne Moore, Charles Chunzhe Yu
  • Patent number: 6783900
    Abstract: A color filter array pattern for use in a solid-state imager comprising red sensitive elements located at every other array position, with alternating blue sensitive and green sensitive elements located at the remaining array positions, is disclosed. Since red color is sampled most frequently, the color filter may be part of an in vivo camera system for imaging internal human body organs and tissues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Kartik Venkataraman
  • Patent number: 6783901
    Abstract: A plastics film is provided which is filled with a filler, has diffuse reflective properties and is coated with a coating containing a photosensitive organic compound. The film is useful in the production of information storage devices by combining it with a perforated mask disposed on the side of the film which bears the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: CPFilms, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hawkins, David Michael Newbitt
  • Patent number: 6783902
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for thermal development having a receiver for receiving an imagewise exposed thermal film, an accumulator for gathering the film, a drive for advancing the film from the receiver to the accumulator, a heater located between the receiver and the accumulator for developing the film, a compound image scanner for scanning the film after it has been thermally developed, the scanner having a first light source and a first sensor placed for forming a first electronic record of the image formed on the developed film by reflection, a second light source and a second sensor placed for forming a second electronic record of the image by an opposing reflection, and a third sensor and a third light source placed for forming a third electronic record of the image formed by transmission, and a lighttight container for the receiver and the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Richard P. Szajewski, Mark E. Irving
  • Patent number: 6783903
    Abstract: A semiconductor design patternable on a semiconductor wafer for improved detection of out-of-focus conditions during lithographic processing is disclosed. The semiconductor design includes a central main body, and at least one arm extending from sides of the central main body. Each arm has a first one or more at least substantially triangular shapes, and a disconnected second one or more at least substantially triangular shapes. A tip of the first shapes is positioned opposite a tip of the second shapes, such that a gap there between is formed. The gap is sensitive to out-of-focus conditions during lithographic processing, where the gap increases as defocus increases. Increasing of the gap as defocus increases is preferably automatically detectable by semiconductor test equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Willys Choi
  • Patent number: 6783904
    Abstract: A method (10) for correcting lithography error includes generating (18) data that defines relationships between at least one predetermined design layout parameter and a known minimum required lithographic process capability (e.g. minimum feature spacing), and then using the data to upsize (30) predetermined isolated features or portions of predetermined isolated or semi-isolated features. In some embodiments, the resulting wafer circuit pattern (70) has isolated features (71, 72, 74) that are all larger than a predetermined minimum width. The upsized features are larger in the wafer circuit pattern (70) than they are drawn in a designed database. The method for correcting the lithography error, in some embodiments, is stored on a computer readable storage medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Kirk J. Strozewski, Kevin D. Lucas, Marc J. Olivares, Chi-Min Yuan
  • Patent number: 6783905
    Abstract: An electron beam exposure method is disclosed. First, An exposure region is divided into a plurality of grating regions. A pattern density is obtained for one of the plurality of grating regions. A backward scattering coefficient is determined in accordance with the pattern density for the one of the plurality of grating regions. An exposure dose amount is calculated from the backward scattering coefficient. The one of the plurality of grating regions is exposed with the calculated exposure dose amount. The backward scattering coefficient is provided with a variable function proportional to the pattern density. The backward scattering coefficient &eegr; is provided with a variable value depending on the pattern density and location of the one of the plurality of grating regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-hune Yang
  • Patent number: 6783906
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a tandem system configuration, includes: a multiple number of photoreceptors which each form an electrostatic latent image; and a multiple number of developing devices each holding a different color toner from the others for development of the corresponding static latent image, and is constructed so that the plural toners at least include a black toner, and the abrading force of the black toner or its carrier therein acting on the photoreceptor surface is adjusted so as to be smaller than that of the other developing toners or their carrier therein. Since, in a tandem type color image forming apparatus, the developing devices, photoreceptors and toners for all colors will reach the end of their life at the same time, the image forming apparatus can be operated at low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihisa Ishida, Masanori Matsumoto, Tadayuki Sawai, Kouji Kida, Yuko Takeda
  • Patent number: 6783908
    Abstract: An electrostatographic toner composition consists essentially of noncrosslinked linear polymeric toner particles, about 0.7 wt. % to about 4 wt. % of hydrophobic silica particles disposed on the surface of the toner particles, and about 0.1 wt. % to about 2 wt. % of particles of a fatty acid metal salt disposed on the surface of the toner particles, wherein the weight percentages of the hydrophobic silica particles and the particles of a fatty acid metal salt are based on the weight of the polymeric toner particles. An electrostatographic developer is formed by mixing the toner composition so prepared with hard magnetic carrier particles. A process for forming an electrostatographic toner composition comprises: providing noncrosslinked polymeric toner particles of a selected particle size, and dry blending the polymeric toner particles with a mixture consisting essentially of about 0.7 wt. % to about 4 wt. % of hydrophobic silica particles and about 0.1 wt. % to about 2 wt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: NexPress Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Satyanarayan Ayangar Srinivasan, Dinesh Tyagi
  • Patent number: 6783909
    Abstract: Electrostatic image developing toner includes fixing resin; and wax. The wax is hydrocarbon-based wax. The wax is containing, as its constitutional components, first wax and second wax. The first wax is higher than 1.5 in ratio of weight average molecular weight (Mw) to number average molecular weight (Mn), lower than 10 mPa·s in melt viscosity at 140° C. and higher than 75% and not higher than 85% in degree of crystallinity. The second wax is not higher than 1.5 in ratio of weight average molecular weight (Mw) to number average molecular weight (Mn), lower than 10 mPa·s in melt viscosity at 140° C. and higher than 85% and not higher than 95% in degree of crystallinity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi Printing Solutions, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuneaki Kawanishi, Ryuuichi Shimizu, Shigenori Yaguchi, Junji Kobayashi, Tadahiro Kaneko, Nobuyoshi Hoshi
  • Patent number: 6783910
    Abstract: A toner for electrostatic imaging has a vinyl resin binder with an acid value of 2.5-70 mgKOH/g and (i) a long-chain alcohol with an OH value of 10-120 mg/KOH/g or (ii) a long-chain alkyl carboxylic acid with an acid value of 5-120 mg/KOH/g, wherein the acid value of the resin binder+either (i) OH value of the alcohol or (ii) acid value of the acid>(¼)×OH value of the binder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaaki Kohtaki, Makoto Unno, Yushi Mikuriya, Tadashi Doujo
  • Patent number: 6783911
    Abstract: The present invention provides a positive working imageable composition, which includes a hydroxyfunctional resin comprising a covalently bound radiation sensitive group capable of increasing the solubility of the imageable composition in an alkaline developer upon exposure to radiation; and an isocyanate crosslinking agent. The present invention further provides an imageable element, which includes a substrate and an imageable composition according to the present invention coated on a surface of the substrate and a method of producing an imaged element according to the present invention. Also provided is a radiation sensitive hydroxyfunctional resin including a covalently bound radiation sensitive group capable of increasing solubility in an alkaline developer of an imageable composition derived therefrom upon exposure of the imageable composition to radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventor: James Mulligan
  • Patent number: 6783912
    Abstract: New photoacid generator compounds (“PAGs”) are provided and photoresist compositions that comprise such compounds. In particular, non-ionic substituted disulfone compounds PAGS are provided, including disulfone PAGs that contain a diazo, substituted methylene or hydrazine moiety interposed between substituted sulfone groups. Also provided are positive- and negative-acting chemically amplified resists that contain such PAGs and that are preferably imaged with sub-300 nm or sub-200 nm radiation such as 248 nm, 193 nm, or 157 nm radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Shipley Company, L.L.C.
    Inventors: James F. Cameron, Gerhard Pohlers
  • Patent number: 6783913
    Abstract: Polymeric acetal resins useful in lithographic printing are disclosed. The polymeric acetal resin contains units (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E). Unit (A) is a vinyl alcohol unit. Unit; (B) is a polyvinyl acetal unit containing an R group, where R is hydrogen, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, or an arylaliphatic group. Unit (C) is a vinyl carboxylate unit. Unit (D) is an acidic vinyl acetal unit and/or a residue of an acidic vinyl monomer. Unit (E) is a free radical polymerization-inhibiting vinyl acetal unit and/or a free radical polymerization-inhibiting vinyl alcohol ester unit. The resin comprises about 10 to about 60 mol % of unit (A), about 5 to about 60 mol % of unit (B), about 0.3 to about 30 mol % of unit (C), about 1 to about 40 mol % of unit (D), and about 0.01 to about 2 mol % of unit (E).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC
    Inventors: Hans-Horst Glatt, Udo Dwars, Harald Baumann, Ingrid Glatt
  • Patent number: 6783914
    Abstract: The present invention describes encapsulated inorganic resists which are compatible with conventional resist processing such as spin casting from organic solvents and development with aqueous 2.38% TMAH developers. The resist includes encapsulated inorganic materials as resist components, a fact that significantly increases the plasma etch selectivity of the resists compared to conventional polymeric resists. In effect, these resist systems act as a photoimagable single layer hard mask, although use as the top layer in a bilayer resist scheme is contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Theodore H. Fedynyshyn
  • Patent number: 6783915
    Abstract: A black matrix can be formed by thermal transfer on a receptor substrate for use, for example, in a display application. This black matrix can be used, for example, as a color filter black matrix or a TFT (thin film transistor) black matrix to provide contrast and/or to separate adjacent electrically-conducting components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Pokorny, Raghunath Padiyath, Kazuki Noda
  • Patent number: 6783916
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a thermally curable polymer composition, and a photolithographic substrate coated therewith, the composition comprising a hydroxyl-containing polymer, an amino cross-linking agent and a thermal acid generator. The thermally curable polymer composition may be dissolved in a solvent and used as an undercoat layer in deep UV lithography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Arch Specialty Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Foster, Sydney George Slater, Thomas Steinhäusler, Andrew J. Blakeney, John Joseph Biafore
  • Patent number: 6783917
    Abstract: A photoresist composition comprising at least one acetal polymer having a silicon substituent; provided that the silicon substituent is not directly attached to the acetal functionality, thereby providing high resolution, improved DOF, and improved dimensional stability under metrology conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Arch Specialty Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Blakeney, Sanjay Malik, Stephanie Dilocker, John Ferri, Jeffery Eisele
  • Patent number: 6783918
    Abstract: A radiation curable resin formulation suitable for planarizing an ink jet heater chip. The resin formulation includes a multifunctional epoxy component, a difunctional epoxy component, a silane coupling agent, an aryl sulfonium salt photoinitiator, and a non-photoreactive solvent. The resin formulation is substantially devoid of acrylate polymer components. Radiation curable resins according to the invention exhibit enhanced adhesion with the nozzle plate adhesive thereby reducing the incidence of delamination between the nozzle plate and a semiconductor chip containing the resin layer. Another advantage is that the resin layer, according to the invention, reduces pigment flocculation on the surface of the resin layer when using pigment-based ink jet inks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Girish S. Patil, Brian C. Hart
  • Patent number: 6783919
    Abstract: The invention relates to a TFT-LCD high-performance stripper composition for a photoresist, and more particularly to a stripper composition for a photoresist comprising: 20-60 wt % of monoethanolamine, 15-50 wt % of N,N-dimethylacetamide, 15-50 wt % of carbitol, and 0.1-10 wt % of gallic acid. The invention also provides a stripper composition for a photoresist comprising: 20-60 wt % of monoethanolamine, 15-50 wt % of N,N-dimethylacetamide, and 15-50 wt % of carbitol. The stripper composition for a photoresist of the invention significantly reduces stripping time when applied to the TFT-LCD manufacturing process and leaves no impurity particles. By allowing the hard baking and ashing processes to be omitted, the gate process line can be simplified, which enables cost reduction. In addition, when it is applied to a process wherein silver (Ag) is used as reflective/transflective layer, it offers stripping ability and corrosion resistance of the pure Ag layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hong-Sik Park, Sung-Chul Kang, Hong-Je Cho, An-Na Park
  • Patent number: 6783920
    Abstract: The direct-write pulsed UV laser technique combined with the variable laser exposure fabrication method entails the precise variation of the laser irradiance during pattern formation in the photostructurable glass for variable laser exposing processing. The variable laser exposure patterning utilizes the dependence of the chemical etching rate on the controlled laser exposure dose for forming variable laser irradiated and crystallized regions of the exposed glass, that have variable etch rates that are dependent on the laser irradiance, resulting in the formation of high and low aspect ratio features in a common substrate that are realized during a single, maskless etch step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Frank E. Livingston, Henry Helvajian
  • Patent number: 6783921
    Abstract: Disclosed is an etching method of a laminated assembly having a metal layer and a non-thermoplastic polyimide layer bonded together via thermoplastic polyimide, which comprises using an etchant at least containing an alkali metal hydroxide, water and oxyalkylamine, wherein the concentrations of the alkali metal hydroxide (X weight %) and of the water (Y weight %) have relationships represented by coordinate points present within a region (inclusive of boundary lines) defined by the following expressions [1] and [2]: Y=(½)X (provided that 7≦X≦45)  [1] Y=({fraction (5/20)})X+17.5 (provided that 7≦X≦45)  [2] provided that X and Y are defined based on the total weight of the alkali metal hydroxide, water and oxyalkylamine expressed as 100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Fuchigami Micro Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shingo Kaimori, Tsuyoshi Nonaka, Satoshi Koshimuta, Masato Tsurugasaki
  • Patent number: 6783922
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a photographic material, comprising a photographic support and color sensitive recording layers on top of said support, said recording layers being separated from each other by interlayers, wherein the interlayers are characterized by the interlayer design parameter {[SC]*d2} (wherein [SC] is the concentration scavenger moieties bound to the water soluble polymer applied in the interlayer per gram total interlayer polymer and the dry thickness of the interlayer) having a value larger than 2.0*10−15 mmol m2/g and a maximum concentration [SC] of 0.5 mmol/g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film, B.V.
    Inventors: Sebastianus Gerardus J. M. Kluijtmans, Jan Bastiaan Bouwstra, Yuzo Toda
  • Patent number: 6783923
    Abstract: A silver halide color photosensitive material comprising at least one red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, at least one green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer and at least one blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, on a support. The photosensitive material has an indicated speed of 800 or higher, and an ISO speed of 1.25 times the indicated speed or higher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeichi Tatsuta, Yoichi Suga, Kohzaburoh Yamada
  • Patent number: 6783924
    Abstract: A color photographic silver halide material comprising a substrate, at least one red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing at least one cyan coupler, at least one green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing at least one magenta coupler and at least one blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer containing at least one yellow coupler, characterised in that the silver halide crystals of the red-sensitive layer have a chloride content of at least 95 mol %, the cyan coupler corresponding to formula wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, R2 represents an alkyl, aryl or hetaryl group R3 represents an alkyl or aryl group, R4 represents an alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, acyloxy, acylamino, sulphonyloxy, sulphamoylamino, sulphonamido, ureido, hydroxycarbonyl, hydroxycarbonylamino, carbamoyl, alkylthio, arylthio, alkylamino or arylamino group or a hydrogen atom and Z represents a hydrogen atom or a group which may be split off under the conditions of c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Agfa-Gevaert
    Inventors: Ralf Weimann, Markus Geiger, Cuong Ly, Klaus Sinzger, Beate Weber, Heinz Wiesen
  • Patent number: 6783925
    Abstract: A thermally processed image forming material containing elsewhere on a support a reducing agent, a binder and non-photosensitive fatty silver salt grains was disclosed, in which (1) the non-photosensitive fatty acid silver salt grains are prepared by mixing and reacting a silver ion-containing solution, the solvent of which being water or a mixture of water and an organic solvent, with a solution of a fatty acid alkali metal salt, the solvent of which being water, an organic solvent, or a mixture of water and an organic solvent, in a closed mixing means, or (2) the non-photosensitive fatty acid silver salt grains are prepared by micro-dispersing the reaction mixture at an operating pressure of 1,800 kg/cm2 or above using a ultrahigh pressure dispersion apparatus. Such thermally processed image forming material is excellent in the coated surface quality, and can afford an image which is low in fog and high in Dmax (maximum density).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., LTD
    Inventor: Shoji Yasuda
  • Patent number: 6783926
    Abstract: A device for establishing electrical connection between at least one contact pad on an integrated circuit (IC) card and corresponding conductive elements of a printed circuit board (PCB) having a plurality of evenly aligned brush contacts comprised in the PCB. An optional housing is adapted to apply pressure to the inserted card to press the contact pad of said card against the contacts comprised in the PCB. Each contact comprised in the PCB comprises a contact leg and a contact head that is attached to an open end of said contact leg. The contact legs are created and made flexible by removing unwanted parts of the PCB thus creating desired gaps between said contact legs. The contact head is created by attaching a conductor to the open end of a contact leg. The housing and the PCB together define a card insertion plane therebetween having a card insertion ingress at a front boundary thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth Reece
  • Patent number: 6783927
    Abstract: A photothermographic material is described which comprises a support having provided on one surface thereof at least one kind of a light-sensitive silver halide, a light-insensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent for silver ions, and a binder, wherein the photothermographic material comprises the surface active agent represented by the following formula (F): wherein Rf represents a perfluoroalkyl group, Rc represents an alkylene group, Z represents a group having an anionic group, a cationic group, a betaine-series group, or a nonionic polar group necessary for imparting a surface activity, n represents an integer of 0 or 1, and m represents an integer of 1, 2 or 3. The photothermographic material can remarkably prevent attaching of dust, etc., which become the case of forming white spots after heat development.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 6783928
    Abstract: The invention relates to microscale cell handling apparatus which exhibit bulk fluid flow properties superior to prior art microscale cell handling devices. The microscale cell handling apparatus described herein comprises at least two flow paths, each of which extend between an inlet region and an outlet region of a void that can be filled with fluid. The apparatus includes a microscale flow path (i.e., a flow path having a cross-sectional area of about 1 to 1000 square micrometers at its narrowest point) and a non-microscale flow path (i.e., a flow path having a cross-sectional area greater than 1000 square micrometers at its narrowest point). The apparatus can have multiple microscale and non-microscale flow paths. The void can be enclosed within a cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventors: Georgi Hvichia, Paolo Gasparini
  • Patent number: 6783929
    Abstract: Provided are affinity support materials having intermediate binding affinity for biological samples. Among the materials provided by the present invention are hydrophilic solid supports composed of hydrophilic ligands coupled to hydrophilic matrixes which are compatible with biological samples, for example, a cell line, a biological fluid such as blood, or a tissue cell lysate. The ligands may include affinity property groups and hydrophilic groups pendent from a backbone, and be configured to at least partially resolve components of a biological sample. Affinity supports in accordance with the present invention may be used in a variety of techniques and apparatuses to achieve improved separations of complex biological samples and thereby enhance the results of biological sample component fractionations, enrichments, purifications, expression product determinations and comparisons, and other biological sample processing techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Chiron Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald N. Zuckermann, Eric Beausoleil, Matthew Wachowicz, Srinivas Kothakota
  • Patent number: 6783930
    Abstract: A method for identifying suitable targets for antibacterial agents based on identifying targets of bacteriophage-encoded proteins is described. Also described are compositions useful in the identification methods and in inhibiting bacterial growth, and methods for preparing and using such compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Inventors: Jerry Pelletier, Philippe Gros, Michael DuBow
  • Patent number: 6783931
    Abstract: Nucleosides and oligonucleosides functionalized to include alkylamino functionality, and derivatives thereof. In certain embodiments, the compounds of the invention further include steriods, reporter molecules, reporter enzymes, lipophilic molecules, peptides or proteins attached to the nucleosided through the alkylamino group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: ISIS Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Phillip Dan Cook, Muthiah Manoharan, Charles J. Guinosso
  • Patent number: 6783932
    Abstract: The stability of a triplex in solution is enhanced by adding to the solution, either before or after formation of the triplex, an effective amount of either of the following: (a) a water structure-making substance, at an appropriately high concentration, other than an alkali or alkaline earth metal cation, a tetramethylammonium cation, or a polyamine; or (b) a combination of said water structure-making substance and an alkali or alkaline earth cation or a tetramethylammonium cation or a polyamine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Princeton University
    Inventors: Jacques R. Fresco, John Laurence Richard Lavelle
  • Patent number: 6783933
    Abstract: A novel T-type calcium channel (CACNA1G) is provided, as are polynucleotides encoding the same. CACNA1G has been implicated in cellular proliferative disorders. More specifically, it has been observed that the methylation state of specific regions within CpG island associated with the CACNA1G gene correlates with a number of cancerous phenotypes involving a variety of tissue and cell types. Also provided are methods for detecting cellular proliferative disorders by determining the methylation state of genes or regulatory regions associated therewith, including CACNA1G, as well as kits containing reagents for performing invention methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Issa
  • Patent number: 6783934
    Abstract: A method for determining a threshold cycle number or time value in a nucleic acid amplification reaction comprising the steps of amplifying a nucleic acid sequence in a reaction mixture; at a plurality of different times during the amplification reaction, measuring at least one signal whose intensity is related to the quantity of the nucleic acid sequence in the reaction mixture; and storing signal values defining a growth curve for the nucleic acid sequence. A derivative of the growth curve is determined and the threshold cycle number or time value is calculated as a cycle number or time value corresponding to a characteristic (e.g., maximum, minimum, or zero-crossing) of the derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Cepheid, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. McMillan, Lee A. Christel, David A. Borkholder, Steven J. Young
  • Patent number: 6783935
    Abstract: The present invention provides polynucleotides having base sequences of sequence Nos. 1 to 4, as polynucleotides having polymorphism sites capable of being useful indicators for prediction of validity of interferon therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Minako Hijikata, Shunji Mishiro, Yasuhiko Oota, Koji Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6783936
    Abstract: This invention provides novel peptide epitopes recognized by the non-Hodgkin's B cell lymphoma reactive Lym-1 antibody. These novel peptide epitopes are capable of generating antibodies directed against Lym-1 peptide epitope expressing B-NHL cells. This invention is also directed to the treatment of B-NHL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Larry M. Rose, Claude F. Meares, Robert T. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 6783937
    Abstract: The present invention provides, in certain embodiments, a negatively charged microporous membrane comprising a porous substrate and a crosslinked coating having fixed negative charges. The crosslinked coating can be prepared, e.g., from a polymerized composition comprising an unsaturated monomer having an anionic group, an N-(hydroxymethyl)- and/or N-(alkoxymethyl)-acrylamide, a hydrophilic unsaturated monomer, and an initiator. The present invention further provides, in some embodiments, a negatively charged microporous membrane comprising a porous substrate and a crosslinked coating prepared from a polymerized composition comprising an unsaturated monomer having an anionic group, an N-(hydroxymethyl)- or N-(alkoxymethyl)-acrylamide, a polysaccharide, and an initiator. The membranes of the present invention are suitable for use in ion exchange chromatography, for example, in the separation and purification of positively charged species such as proteins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Pall Corporation
    Inventors: Chung-Jen Hou, Peter Konstantin, Yujing Yang
  • Patent number: 6783938
    Abstract: An optical device for determining the presence of a first nucleic acid in a sample comprising a second nucleic acid complementary to the first nucleic acid and able to hybridize with the first nucleic acid under hybridizing conditions, the second nucleic acid being bonded to a solid support, wherein the solid support is formed as a light reflecting surface having a first thickness when bonded to the second nucleic acid, and wherein the light reflecting surface has a second thickness, wherein the first and second nucleic acids are hybridized, and the first and second thicknesses can be distinguished by their effect on the light reflecting properties of said light reflecting surface independent of any label present on the first nucleic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Biostar, Inc.
    Inventors: Hakan Nygren, Manne Johan E. Stenberg
  • Patent number: 6783939
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions comprising a population of alphavirus replicon particles comprising two or more isolated nucleic acids selected from 1) an isolated nucleic acid encoding an env gene product or an immunogenic fragment thereof of a human immunodeficiency virus, 2) an isolated nucleic acid encoding a g&agr;g gene product or an immunogenic fragment thereof of a human immunodeficiency virus, wherein the g&agr;g gene product or immunogenic fragment thereof is modified to inhibit formation of virus-like particles containing the g&agr;g gene product or the immunogenic fragment thereof and their release from a cell, and 3) an isolated nucleic acid encoding a pol gene product or an immunogenic fragment thereof of a human immunodeficiency virus, wherein the pol gene product or immunogenic fragment thereof is modified to inhibit protease, integrase, RNase H and/or reverse transcriptase activity, and wherein the nucleic acids are each contained within a separate alphavirus replicon
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignees: Alphavax, Inc., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
    Inventors: Robert Olmsted, Paula Keith, Sergey Dryga, Ian Caley, Maureen Maughan, Robert Johnston, Nancy Davis, Ronald Swanstrom
  • Patent number: 6783940
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for reducing non-specific amplification DNA in a polymerase chain reaction comprising providing a sample comprising a target DNA sequence of interest; contacting the sample with at least one enzyme having nucleic acid polymerase activity; and incubating the sample with said enzyme for a time and under conditions sufficient to amplify the target DNA sequence, forming amplified target sequence; wherein the incubation is performed in the presence of an amount of sorbitol, or sorbitol and DMSO effective to reduce the non-specific amplification relative to the amount of non-specific amplification observed in the absence of sorbitol, or sorbitol and DMSO. The methods are suitable for amplification of ribosomal DNA, particularly from clinical samples. Compositions and kits containing sorbitol, or sorbitol and DMSO for reducing non-specific amplification are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Applera Corporation
    Inventors: Ian J. McLaughlin, Sulekha Rao Coticone, Will Bloch
  • Patent number: 6783941
    Abstract: A method for making polynucleotide libraries that comprise new recombined polynucleotides by using mismatch repair enzymes or proteins to shuffle at least two variants of the same polynucleotide or at least two homologous polynucleotides through a Recombinatorial Chain Reaction, RCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Novozymes A/S
    Inventor: Jesper Vind
  • Patent number: 6783942
    Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polynucleotides that include sequences from a region of human chromosome 20q between D20S119 and D20S195. The polynucleotides include polymorphisms associated with Type II diabetes and are useful as probes in screening for Type II diabetes. The invention further provides vectors and isolated host cells comprising the isolated polynucleotides. The invention further provides methods of detecting polymorphisms on chromosome 20q between D20S119 and D20S195, and methods of detecting a propensity to develop Type II diabetes, using the isolated polynucleotides of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: UAB Research Foundation
    Inventor: Susan M. Sell
  • Patent number: 6783943
    Abstract: Rolling circle amplification (RCA) has been useful for detecting point mutations in isolated nucleic acids, but its application in cytological preparations has been problematic. By pretreating cells with a combination of restriction enzymes and exonucleases, we demonstrate RCA in solution and in situ to detect gene copy number and single base mutations. It can also detect and quantify transcribed RNA in individual cells, making it a versatile tool for cell-based assays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Allen T. Christian, Melissa S. Pattee, Cristina M. Attix, James D. Tucker
  • Patent number: 6783944
    Abstract: The invention provides methods of distinguishing benign growths arising from congenital melanocytic nevi from malignant melanoma. The methods comprise detecting a change in chromosome number that is specifically associated with benign growths. These changes include a gain of chromosome 10, a gain of chromosome 11, and a loss of chromosome 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Boris C. Bastian
  • Patent number: 6783945
    Abstract: This invention provides an isolated vertebrate nucleic acid molecule the bcl-6 locus. This invention also provides an isolated human nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6 locus. This invention further provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid molecule of at least 15 nucleotides capable of specifically hybridizing with a sequence included within the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6 locus. This invention provides an isolated vertebrate nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6 operatively linked to a promoter of RNA transcription. This invention provides a vector which comprises the nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6 locus. This invention provides a host vector system for the production of a polypeptide encoded by bcl-6 locus, which comprises the vector of bcl-6 locus in a suitable host. This invention provides a polypeptide encoded by the isolated vertebrate nucleic acid molecule of bcl-6 locus. This invention provides an antibody capable of binding to polypeptide encoded by bcl-6 locus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignees: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York, Sloan-Kettering Institute for Cancer Research
    Inventors: Raju S. K. Chaganti, Riccardo Dalla-Favera
  • Patent number: 6783946
    Abstract: This invention relates to positively charged non-natural amino acids, methods of making thereof, and utilization thereof in peptides. In one embodiment, the invention relates to non-natural amino acids that closely replicate the natural amino acids lysine and arginine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Medical University of South Carolina
    Inventor: Thomas A. Dix
  • Patent number: 6783947
    Abstract: Alpha-haloketones are useful alkylating agents for coupling to sulfhydryl-containing biomolecules. However, they react spontaneously with water, alkali and organic bases and therefore cannot be stored for extended periods of time in aqueous solutions, particularly in the presence of proteins at physiological pH. The present invention provides novel solutions to these problems, however, as novel compounds and compositions comprising protected haloketones are disclosed herein. Methods of preparing and using protected haloketones which are useful in a variety of applications—e.g., in assays and conjugation reactions—are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Dade Behring Marburg GmbH
    Inventors: Steve de Keczer, Yen Ping Liu, Dariush Davalian, Nurith Kurn, Edwin F. Ullman
  • Patent number: 6783948
    Abstract: A chemiluminescent substrate of hydrolytic enzyme having the following general Formula I, as follows: Lumi-M-P  Formula I where “Lumi” is a chemiluminescent moiety capable of producing light (a) by itself, (b) with MP attached and (c) with M attached. Examples of Lumi include chemiluminescent acridinium compounds, benzacridinium compounds, quinolinium compounds, isoquinolinium compounds, phenanthridinium compounds, and lucigenin compounds, spiroacridan compounds, luminol compounds and isoluminol compounds. M is a multivalent heteroatom having at least one lone pair of electrons selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur, directly attached to the light emitting moiety of Lumi at one end and to P at the other end. P it a group that can be readily removed by hydrolytic enzymes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Qingping Jiang, Anand Natrajan, David J. Sharpe, Wen-Jee Wong, Say-Jong Law