Patents Issued in September 25, 2007
  • Patent number: 7273666
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium and a magnetic recording medium driving apparatus are disclosed. By providing a plurality of intermediate layers made of a CoCr alloy of which saturation magnetic flux densities are controlled within a predetermined range, the magnetic recording medium, and the magnetic recording medium driving apparatus, realize a high S/Nm and thermal stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Akiko Handa, Kazuhisa Shida, Noriyuki Asakura, Akira Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7273667
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium capable of attaining high in-plane recording density of 100 Mbits or more per 1 mm2 is provided. Magnetic recording medium is provided in which underlayers, a first magnetic layer, a first intermediate layer, a second magnetic layer, a second intermediate layer, a third magnetic layer, a protection layer and lubrication layer are formed in this order above a substrate. Each of the third magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer comprises a Co-based alloy containing at least Pt, Cr and B. The concentration of Pt contained in the second magnetic layer is not more than that in the third magnetic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands BV
    Inventors: Tatsuya Hinoue, Tetsuya Kanbe, Hiroyuki Suzuki, Tomoo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 7273668
    Abstract: The present invention provides a glass composition that has excellent heat resistance and ion exchange ability and can be provided with high strength by a chemical strengthening treatment through an ion exchange. This glass composition includes, in terms of mass %: 59 to 68% of SiO2; 9.5 to 15% of Al2O3; 0 to 1% of Li2O; 3 to 18% of Na2O; 0 to 3.5% of K2O; 0 to 15% of MgO; 1 to 15% of CaO; 0 to 4.5% of SrO; 0 to 1% of BaO; 0 to 2% of TiO2; and 1 to 10% of ZrO2. The glass composition of the present invention is suitable for a glass substrate for magnetic recording media and also can be formed as a chemically strengthened glass article through an ion-exchange treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Junji Kurachi, Akihiro Koyama
  • Patent number: 7273669
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for spray forming an article. The method includes spraying a plurality of metal streams upon a low-heat resistant model and thereby forming a spray formed article. Each of the plurality of metal streams is composed of moltenized droplets, and as between the plurality of metal streams, each is composed of different constituent elements. In the spray form process, conditions of the metal streams are controlled, particularly around the time that the droplets land, to prevent adverse affects such as melting or burning the master model. The spray conditions are controlled in such a manner that the individual metal droplets forming the metal streams remain substantially segregate. The segregated state is maintained through out solidification so that the resulting spray formed article is composed at least partially of psuedo-alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Grigoriy Grinberg, Matthew M. Shade, David Robert Collins, Richard L. Allor
  • Patent number: 7273670
    Abstract: The fuel cell power generation system of present invention can supply the air pole of a fuel cell with a clean air free from impurities, by providing at least one or more humidification filters kept in a wet state by a water supply means, disposed in an oxidant gas supply passage of the fuel cell body. As a result, the cell output properties can be improved by preventing the decrease of gas dissipation ability or the decrease of electric conductance of the solid polymer film provoked by impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuji Hatayama, Akira Hamada
  • Patent number: 7273671
    Abstract: In a fuel cell comprising a tubular casing, an electrolyte layer received in the tubular casing, and a pair of gas diffusion electrodes interposing the electrolyte layer and defining a fuel gas passage and an oxidizing gas passage, respectively, each gas diffusion electrode is formed by stacking a plurality of layers of material therefor, for instance in the axial direction of the casing. Because the gas diffusion layers are formed layer by layer, components can be formed in highly fine patterns so that a highly compact tubular fuel cell can be achieved. Similarly, the dimensions of the various elements of the fuel cell can be controlled in a highly accurate manner. Also, the geometric arrangement can be changed at will in intermediate parts of each gas passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Stanford University
    Inventors: Yuji Saito, Jun Sasahara, Nariaki Kuriyama, Tadahiro Kubota, Toshifumi Suzuki, Yuji Isogai, Friedrich B. Prinz, Sang-Joon John Lee, Suk Won Cha, Yaocheng Liu, Ryan O'Hayre
  • Patent number: 7273672
    Abstract: The present invention provides a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell comprising a fuel cell stack 21 formed by laminating a plurality of fuel cell units each of which includes a fuel electrode 23, an oxidant electrode 24, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22 interposed between the fuel and oxidant electrodes. The fuel cell unit is operable to generate an electric power through an electrochemical reaction between a first gas supplied to the side of the fuel electrode 23 and a second gas supplied to the side of the oxidant electrode 24. In this fuel cell, the first gas supplied to the side of the fuel electrode 23 and the second gas supplied to the side of the oxidant electrode 24 are adapted to flow generally in opposite directions in the fuel cell stack 21, so that a water created on the side of oxidant electrode 24 is reciprocally moved between the fuel electrode 23 and the oxidant electrode 24 to increase a water holding region in the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
    Inventors: Yoshitsugu Sone, Mitsushi Ueno, Saburou Kuwashima
  • Patent number: 7273673
    Abstract: A solid electrolyte type fuel cell which incorporates a metal separator comprising a base material of a metal other than silver or a silver alloy which is plated with silver or a silver alloy. The fuel cell can achieve improved efficiency for electricity generation with no increase of the resistance of the metal separator, even when it is operated at a low temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Akikusa, Koji Hoshino
  • Patent number: 7273674
    Abstract: A primary lithium electrochemical cell housed in a casing having a curved side wall intermediate opposed generally planar face walls is described. The cell comprises an anode and a cathode that each has a plurality of face portions joined together by connecting portions. The opposite polarity face portions and connecting portions are aligned with each other and then the electrodes are wound to provide an electrode assembly that fits in the casing. Regardless whether the cell is balanced as either an anode-limited or cathode-limited configuration, however, it is desirable to have the active material of one electrode face portion directly facing the electrode material of the counter electrode face portion. This means that the dimensional extent of the facing electrodes should be as close to each other in areas as possible to match the desired anode- or cathode-limited balance. The same is true for the connecting portions. The cell is of a high energy density for an implantable biomedical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Dominick Frustaci, Tina Urso, Paul Hallifax
  • Patent number: 7273675
    Abstract: The invention provides a battery including a power generating element container, a positive electrode mixture, and a hydrogen gas permeable sheet provided in an opening of the power generating element container, the hydrogen gas permeable sheet having a water repellence of 2 kPa or more and a He gas permeability at 30° C. in a range of 2×10?6 to 10000×10?6 (cm3 (STP) cm/sec·cm2·cmHg), wherein a distance between the positive electrode mixture and the hydrogen gas permeable sheet gradually decreases toward a side wall of the power generating element container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hidesato Saruwatari, Haruchika Ishii, Takahiro Hirai, Norio Takami
  • Patent number: 7273676
    Abstract: A battery pack 13 (FIG. 2) comprises an elongated cylindrical, metal casing 35, a plurality of cells 41, 43 in casing 35 and three coaxial pack terminals 46, 54, 61. For enhanced convenience, pack terminals 46, 54, 61 are electrically connectable in a cordless device 11 regardless of the angular orientation of the pack 13 about casing axis 33. To reduce cost and increase durability, pack 13 has no welded connections and will permit high current discharge rates. Cells 41, 43 are electrically connected but are mechanically disconnected. A spring 73 engages cell 41 and biases cells 41, 43 tightly together in compression to form good, low resistance electrical contact between cells 41, 43, casing base cap 45 and top 53. To provide a pack with two output voltages, the third pack terminal 61 has a polarity (relative to first pack terminal 46) the same as second pack terminal 54 and is electrically connected to the cell can terminal 43b of forward cell 43, thereby electrically by-passing cell 43.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Dale K. Wheeler, Robert G. Moores, Jr., Richard T. Walter
  • Patent number: 7273677
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cationic conductor comprising a block copolymer comprising: a polymer moiety having a structural unit represented by formula (1): wherein R represents an organic group obtained via polymerization of monomer compounds having polymerizable unsaturated linkages; Q represents an n+1-valence organic group bonded to R through a single bond; Z represents a functional group capable of forming an ionic bond to or having coordination ability to a cation; Mk+ represents a k-valence cation; and n and m are each independently an integer of 1 or larger, provided that Z forms an ionic or coordination bond to a cation; and a polymer moiety having addition polymerizable monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Satou, Shin Nishimura
  • Patent number: 7273678
    Abstract: A secondary cell comprises an electrode unit housed in a cell can comprising a cylinder having a bottom and a closed opening, and a current collector plate 50 is provided at one end of the electrode unit. The current collector plate 50 has a plurality of protrusions 52 extending radially thereof and joined to an edge of the electrode unit. The surface of the current collector plate 50 to be joined to the bottom wall of the cylinder has a flat region R extending on a predetermined closed-loop track on the surface, and the portions of the current collector plate 50 and the cylinder to be joined are subjected along the flat region R to laser welding from outside the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Akita, Kouichi Satoh, Toshiyuki Nohma, Ikuo Yonezu
  • Patent number: 7273679
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly having a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator, and a case containing the electrode assembly therein. A cap assembly is attached to the case and has a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal. The positive and the negative electrodes have non-active material portions with no active material, and the positive and the negative electrode terminals are respectively electrically connected to the non-active material portions of the positive and the negative electrodes. A width of the electrode assembly W1 is greater than a width of the positive and negative electrode non-active material portions W2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hye-Won Yoon, Sang-Eun Cheon, Jae-Kyung Kim, Seok-Yoon Yoo
  • Patent number: 7273680
    Abstract: A primary alkaline battery includes a cathode including a nickel oxyhydroxide and an anode including zinc or zinc alloy particles. Performance of the nickel oxyhydroxide alkaline cell is improved by adding zinc fines to the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Richard E. Durkot, Dean MacNeil, Paul A. Christian, Francis Wang, George Cintra, James R. Costanzo
  • Patent number: 7273681
    Abstract: Objects of the present invention is to provide a carbon material having a superior reversibility in lithium intercalation-deintercalation reaction, and a non-aqueous secondary battery using the carbon material as an active material for a negative electrode, which has a high energy density and an excellent rapid charging and discharging characteristics. Graphite powder having a maximum particle diameter of less than 100 ?m and an existing fraction of rhombohedral structure in the crystalline structure of less than 20% is used as an active material for the negative electrode of the non-aqueous secondary battery. The graphite powder can be obtained by pulverizing raw graphite with a jet mill, and subsequently treating the powder at a temperature equal to or higher than 900° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Honbo, Seiji Takeuchi, Hideto Momose, Tatsuo Horiba, Yasushi Muranaka, Yoshito Ishii
  • Patent number: 7273682
    Abstract: A solid electrolyte including a composition represented by Formula 1 below is provided: aLi2O-bB2O3-cM-dX (1) wherein M is at least one selected from the group consisting of TiO2, V2O5, WO3, and Ta2O5; X is at least one selected from LiCl and Li2SO4; 0.4<a<0.55; 0.4<b<0.55; 0.02<c<0.05; a+b+c=1, and 0?d<0.2. A method for preparing the solid electrolyte and a battery using the solid electrolyte are also provided. The solid electrolyte exhibits high ionic conductivity. Lithium and thin film batteries using the solid electrolyte are improved in charge/discharge rate, power output, and cycle life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-sin Park, Jong-heun Lee, Young-gu Jin, Seok-soo Lee
  • Patent number: 7273683
    Abstract: Fiber optic devices including volume Bragg grating (VBG) elements are disclosed. A fiber optic device may include one or more optical inputs, one or more VBG elements, and one or more optical receivers. Methods for manufacturing VBG elements and for controlling filter response are also disclosed. A VBG chip, and fiber optic devices using such a chip, are also provided. A VBG chip includes a monolithic glass structure onto which a plurality of VBGs have been recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: PD-LD, Inc.
    Inventors: Boris L. Volodin, Vladimir Sinisa Ban
  • Patent number: 7273684
    Abstract: A mask having transmissive elements and one or more sidelobe inhibitors for sidelobe suppression during a radiation-patterning process is provided. Sidelobe artifacts are mitigated by identifying elements as a function of the radiation wavelength for forming desired profiles on a semiconductor wafer. A diffraction rings is calculated around each of the elements to identify sidelobe interference zones and intersections of diffraction rings are located. When a guard ring around one of the intersections Sidelobe inhibitor is located at the a common sidelobe common overlap region of the guard rings. A method for forming a mask with the addition of sidelobe inhibitors as well as a method for determining the location of placement of sidelobe inhibitors is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Stanton, Husayn Alvarez-Gomariz
  • Patent number: 7273685
    Abstract: In order to realize individually and easily optimization of exposure conditions such as exposure dose and focus by photolithography in a production process of semiconductor devices, the present invention is such that: light is radiated onto a pattern on a semiconductor wafer; by an optical system that detects information on a pattern shape using scattered light by its reflection, waveforms of an FEM sample wafer having a plurality of shape deformation patterns prepared in advance are detected and stored; one or more characteristic points on a spectral waveform generated in association with a pattern change is recorded; and a variation model of the characteristic points is obtained. As to a pattern to be measured, a spectral waveform is detected in the same manner as that described above, and deviations (exposure dose deviation and focus deviation) of the formation conditions are estimated from a displacement of the characteristic points on the waveform using the variation model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Renesas Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Hideaki Sasazawa, Yasuhiro Yoshitake
  • Patent number: 7273686
    Abstract: In a toner comprising toner particles which comprise toner base particles containing at least a binder resin and a magnetic material, and inorganic fine particles, the toner base particles have been obtained through a pulverization step; and, the toner base particles having a circle-equivalent diameter of from 3 ?m or more to 400 ?m or less as measured with a flow type particle image analyzer have an average circularity of from 0.935 or more to less than 0.970; and the toner base particles have an average surface roughness of from 5.0 nm or more to less than 35.0 nm as measured with a scanning probe microscope. The toner can enjoy less toner consumption per sheet of images, can achieve a long lifetime in a smaller quantity of toner, and has superior developing performance in any environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsutomu Onuma, Nobuyuki Okubo, Hideto Iida, Takashige Kasuya, Koji Nishikawa, Shuhei Moribe
  • Patent number: 7273687
    Abstract: A toner fuser member has a substrate, on which is formed a toner release surface layer from a composition that includes: about 95 wt. % to about 99.9 wt. % of a cross-linked, glycidyl end-capped bisphenolic polymer having the formula where R1 and R2 are each independently H or an alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and R3 and R4 are each independently H, F, or an alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, Z is a carbonyl cross-linking group, and x is an integer from 1 to about 10; and about 0.01 wt. % to about 5 wt. % of a perfluoroalkylsubstituted glycidyl-reactive compound having the formula where R5 is H or F, Q is OH or SiR6R7R8, R6, R7, and R8 being independently selected from the group consisting of Cl, OH, an alkyl group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, an acyloxy group containing 2 to about 4 carbon atoms, and an amino group containing 0 to about 4 carbon atoms; and n is an integer from 1 to about 15.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Jiann-Hsing Chen, Joseph A. Pavlisko, Muhammed Aslam, Nataly Boulatnikov
  • Patent number: 7273688
    Abstract: An electrophotographic image forming apparatus capable of reliably forming an image with density gradation, one which does not have a low-quality appearance. The estimated average halftone granularity of the toner image after developing but before electrostatic transfer was set at 0.25 or less. The average halftone granularity was found by measuring the granularity of a toner image at locations of different average brightness by means of newly proposed formula, and averaging the measured values for which the average brightness is 40 to 80. The estimated average halftone granularity was obtained by estimating the average halftone granularity of the toner image on a photoreceptor by means of a newly proposed method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Suzuki, Mitsuo Aoki, Bing Shu, Yasushi Koichi, Setsuo Soga, Tadashi Kasai, Yutaka Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7273689
    Abstract: A method for eliminating unwanted ink-receptive sections in positive working printing plates resulting from shading of the surface layer during exposure by the clamps holding the plate on the exposure apparatus following development of an imagewise exposed precursor. Accordingly the areas that are shaded are identified prior to development and the surface layer is scored in those areas to a depth and density sufficient to result in the scored layer being removed during development but not deep enough to damage the underlying hydrophilic layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Kevin Wieland, Kevin Barry Ray, Ken-ichi Shimazu, Jianbing Huang
  • Patent number: 7273690
    Abstract: A positive resist composition for immersion exposure which comprises (A) a resin which enhances its solubility in an alkaline developer by the action of an acid and (B) at least one compound which generates an acid upon irradiation with an actinic ray or a radiation, the compound being selected from the following (Ba) to (Bc): (Ba) a sulfonium salt compound having a specific alkyl or cycloalkyl residue in the cation part, (Bb) a sulfonium salt compound having a specific alkyl or cycloalkyl residue in the cation part, and (Bc) a sulfonium salt compound having a specific alkyl or cycloalkyl residue in the anion part; and a method of pattern formation with the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihiko Kodama, Hiromi Kanda
  • Patent number: 7273691
    Abstract: A planographic printing plate precursor comprises a substrate having disposed thereon a hydrophilic layer which includes hydrophilic graft chains and a crosslinked structure formed through hydrolytic polycondensation of an alkoxide of an element selected from Si, Ti, Zr and Al. An aluminum substrate for a planographic printing plate includes a hydrophilic surface which is formed by a hydrophilic polymer including a functional group that chemically bonds to the aluminum substrate directly or is chemically bindable to the aluminum substrate via structural component having a crosslinking structure. A surface-hydrophilic member comprises a substrate having disposed thereon a hydrophilic layer, wherein the hydrophilic layer includes hydrophilic graft chains and a crosslinked structure formed through hydrolytic polycondensation of an alkoxide of an element selected from Si, Ti, Zr and Al.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Sumiaki Yamasaki, Koichi Kawamura
  • Patent number: 7273692
    Abstract: Disclosed are a planographic printing plate material and a planographic printing plate preparing process, the planographic printing plate material comprising a support and provided thereon, an image formation layer containing a colorant (a) having an absorption band in a wavelength region of from 700 to 1200 nm, a polymerization initiator (b) and a polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated compound (c), wherein the polymerization initiator (b) is a compound represented by the formula R1—CX2—(C?O)—R2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Konica Minolta Medical & Graphic, Inc.
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Matsumura
  • Patent number: 7273693
    Abstract: A micro electromechanical system (MEMS) mirror, comprising a displaceable hinged member, a mirror plate, and a plurality of mirror support elements. The mirror plate has a planar mirror face affixed thereto. The plurality of mirror support elements extend between the displaceable hinged member and the mirror plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Eric L. Nikkel, Michael G. Monroe, Mickey Szepesi
  • Patent number: 7273694
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for disinfection of biological samples, including semen and the like. In a first aspect of the present invention, a method for reducing pathogens in a biological sample includes passing the biological sample through a gradient including an enzyme suitable for removal of at least one pathogen from the sample. In an additional aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for removing pathogens from a biological sample includes a container including a gradient having at least one layer that is suitable for having the biological sample pass through the layer, the at least one layer including an enzyme suitable for removing at least one pathogen from the biological sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Safety Art, LLC
    Inventor: Naida M. Loskutoff
  • Patent number: 7273695
    Abstract: Polynucleotide sequences are provided for the diagnosis of the presence of retroviral infection in a human host associated with lymphadenopathy syndrome and/or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, for expression of polypeptides and use of the polypeptides to prepare antibodies, where both the polypeptides and antibodies may be employed as diagnostic reagents or in therapy, e.g., vaccines and passive immunization. The sequences provide detection of the viral infectious agents associated with the indicated syndromes and can be used for expression of antigenic polypeptides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Luciw, Dino Dina
  • Patent number: 7273696
    Abstract: The present invention relates to means for cleaving a nucleic acid cleavage structure in a site-specific manner. Enzymes, including 5? nucleases and 3? exonucleases, are used to detect and identify nucleic acids derived from microorganisms. Methods are provided which allow for the detection and identification of bacterial and viral pathogens in a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Third Wave Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Dahlberg, Mary Ann D. Brow, Victor I. Lyamichev
  • Patent number: 7273697
    Abstract: A method for identifying an unknown base sequence present in a target single-stranded nucleic acid utilizing a probe array in which single-stranded nucleic acid probes are arranged as isolated spots on a substrate, where each probe has a base sequence complementary to one of the plural base sequences expected to be the unknown base sequence, and a fluorescence pattern of a sample on the probe array is compared with template patterns to identify the base sequence of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuko Yamamoto, Tadashi Okamoto, Tomohiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7273698
    Abstract: The present invention relates to defects in periaxin (PRX) associated with myelinopathies, including Charcot-Marie-Tooth syndrome and/or Dejerine-Sottas syndrome. Unrelated individuals having a myelinopathy from Dejerine-Sottas syndrome have recessive PRX mutations. The PRX locus maps to a region associated with a severe autosomal recessive demyelinating neuropathy and is also syntenic to the Prx location on murine chromosome 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Baylor College of Medicine
    Inventors: James R. Lupski, Cornelius F. Boerkoel, III, Hiroshi Takashima
  • Patent number: 7273699
    Abstract: Sequence variations, such as polymorphisms, are detected by detecting differences between or among melting profiles of plural nucleic acids. Melting profiles are produced by observing the nucleic acids during a temperature change over a period of time. If the nucleic acids are diluted into solutions for analysis, the nucleic acid concentrations between or among the solutions can be substantially the same. The melting profiles and sequence variation can be used to identify changes in a wild-type nucleic acid sequence, such as a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), a small insertion or deletion, or a small inversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services
    Inventors: Robert H. Lipsky, Chiara Mazzanti, David Goldman
  • Patent number: 7273700
    Abstract: A novel nucleic acid probe for nucleic acid determination includes a single-stranded nucleic acid labeled with plural fluorescent dyes containing at least one pair of fluorescent dyes to induce FRET, the pair of fluorescent dyes including a fluorescent dye (a donor dye) capable of serving as a donor dye and a fluorescent dye (an acceptor dye) capable of serving as an acceptor dye, in which the nucleic acid probe has such a base sequence and is labeled with the fluorescent dyes so that the fluorescence intensity of the acceptor dye decreases upon hybridization with a target nucleic acid. A novel nucleic acid determination method uses the probe. The probe and method can determine one or more types of target nucleic acids in an assay system in parallel using a simple apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignees: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Kankyo Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichiro Kurane, Takahiro Kanagawa, Yoichi Kamagata, Masaki Torimura, Shinya Kurata, Kazutaka Yamada, Toyokazu Yokomaku
  • Patent number: 7273701
    Abstract: The subject invention relates to nucleic acid sequences for detection of mutations in a PKD-1 or PKD-2 gene, as well as biomarkers for ADPKD. The invention further relates to methods for diagnosing ADPKD in an individual, and kits for performing the methods of the invention. The invention also provides a method for determining in an individual the presence or absence of a mutant PKD gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Athena Diagnostics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey G. Jones, Aidan N. Hennigan, John A. Curran, Susan K. Allen, Normand J. Robichaud, Jing Wang, Kerry E. Flynn, Jorge A. Garcés, Christopher M. Palatucci, William K. Seltzer
  • Patent number: 7273702
    Abstract: A nucleic acid refining apparatus, being ease in automation thereof, keeping high in contacting frequency between nucleic acid within a sample and a solid phase during nucleic acid capture processing, thereby proving high capturing rate, comprises: means for separating a liquid containing the nucleic acid therein from said sample through centrifugal force; means for transferring a reagent through the centrifugal force; means for producing a mixture liquid of said reagent transferred through the centrifugal force and a solution containing said nucleic acid therein; a carrier for capturing said nucleic acid; means for transferring said mixture liquid to said carrier through the centrifugal force; heating means for heating said carrier; and a holding means for separating and holding the reagent containing said nucleic acid eluting from said carrier, separating from other reagent, through different centrifugal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Teruhisa Akashi, Yukiko Ikeda, Yoshihiro Nagaoka, Naruo Watanabe, Yuji Miyahara
  • Patent number: 7273703
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide which is a flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3), wherein said FMO3 is a polypeptide comprising at least a sequence having at least 85% identity with the polypeptide sequence SEQ ID NO: 15, in particular to a polypeptide which is a functionally altered mutant of flavin-containing mono oxygenase 3 (FMO3) leading to a buildup of trimethylamine in an animal. Further, the invention relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding said polypeptide, and to the complements of such nucleic acid sequences. Such nucleic acid sequences and fragments thereof may be useful e.g. as primers. The invention further relates to various methods for determining the presence in e.g. a nucleic acid sample of a nucleic acid sequence encoding a mutated FMO3 polypeptide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: FunboGen AB
    Inventors: Anne Lunden, Leif Andersson, Stefan Marklund
  • Patent number: 7273704
    Abstract: A nucleic acid contained in a sample is quantified with high accuracy. The procedure includes the step of allowing the sample containing a specific nucleic acid to interact with a DNA microarray provided with a plurality of nucleic acid probe parts having a nucleic acid probe capable of hybridizing to the specific nucleic acid; the step of monitoring outputs from each of the plurality of nucleic acid probe parts due to hybridization between the nucleic acid probe and the specific nucleic acid to determine normal distribution of time taken to reach a predetermined output value with respect to each of the plurality of nucleic acid probe parts; and the step of quantifying the specific nucleic acid contained in the sample based on a maximum value determined from the normal distribution obtained in the above step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Matsui, Yuji Miyahara, Kumiko Hattori
  • Patent number: 7273705
    Abstract: An RNA separation method includes injecting a reaction solution into a reaction region which contains a covalent linking of specific RNA probe for hybridizing with the reaction solution; adjusting a moderate hybridization temperature in the reaction region; moving the remainder of the reaction solution to a transition region by using a pneumatic actuator; adding a buffer solution to the reaction region, and heating the reaction region to a moderate denature temperature by a heating apparatus; moving a waste solution which is product produced from the reaction region after denature to a waste region by using the pneumatic actuator; and moving the remainder solution back to the reaction region by the pneumatic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventor: Yung-Chiang Chung
  • Patent number: 7273706
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel polynucleotides encoding BGS-42 polypeptides, fragments and homologues thereof. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant and synthetic methods for producing said polypeptides. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods for applying these novel BGS-42 polypeptides to the diagnosis, treatment, and/or prevention of various diseases and/or disorders related to these polypeptides. The invention further relates to screening methods for identifying agonists and antagonists of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
    Inventors: John N. Feder, Shujian Wu, Thomas C. Nelson, Liana M. Lee
  • Patent number: 7273707
    Abstract: The invention relates to compositions and methods comprising lymphotoxin-beta receptor (LT?R) modulators, which activate or inhibit LT?R signaling. LT?R modulators are useful for treating lymphocyte mediated immunological diseases and cancer, and more particularly, for regulating mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. This invention relates to soluble forms of the LT?R complex proteins that act as LT?R activating or inhibiting agents. This invention also relates to the use of soluble molecules, directed against either the LT?R, its ligands, LIGHT and LT?1?2, or its intracellular binding partners, that function to regulate LT?R signaling. A novel screening method for selecting soluble receptors, antibodies and other agents that modulate LT?R signaling is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Wyeth
    Inventors: Jun Kuai, Joseph L. Wooters, Elliott Nickbarg, Yongchang Qiu, Lih-Ling Lin
  • Patent number: 7273708
    Abstract: The present invention relates to assay methods used for detecting the presence of PIF, and to PIF peptides identified using this assay. In particular, the present invention relates to flow cytomery assays for detecting PIF. It is based, at least in part, on the observation that flow cytometry using fluorescently labeled antilymphocyte and anti-platelet antibodies demonstrated an increase in rosette formation in the presence of PIF. It is further based on the observation that flow cytometry demonstrated that monoclonal antibody binding to CD2 decreased in the presence of PIF. The present invention further relates to PIF peptides which, when added to Jurkat cell cultures, have been observed to either (I) decrease binding of anti-CD2 antibody to Jurkat cells; (ii) increase expression of CD2 in Jurkat cells; or (iii) decrease Jurkat cell viability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: BioIncept, LLC
    Inventors: Eytan R. Barnea, Reuben Renee Gonzales Perez, Paul C. Leavis
  • Patent number: 7273709
    Abstract: A gene encoding a 29 kilodalton protein found on the surface of merozoite stage S. neurona has been cloned and sequenced. The protein encoded by this gene, termed SnSAG-1, is an immunodominant antigen recognized on protein blots. Methods for using nucleic acids and polypeptides relating to SnSAG-1 in diagnostic tests and vaccine development are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Univeristy of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: John B. Dame, Siobhan P. Ellison, Charles A. Yowell
  • Patent number: 7273710
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a screening method for a compound or a salt thereof that alters the binding property of MCH or a salt thereof to SLT or a salt thereof, or a partial peptide thereof, an amide or an ester thereof, or a salt thereof, characterized by using MCH, a derivative or a salt thereof and SLT or a salt thereof, or a partial peptide thereof, an amide or an ester thereof, or a salt thereof. The screening method of the present invention is useful for screening an SLT agonist, which can be used as an agent for promoting appetite (eating), and an SLT antagonist, which can be used as a prophylactic and/or therapeutic agent for obesity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
    Inventors: Masaaki Mori, Yukio Shimomura, Mioko Harada, Tsukasa Sugo, Yasushi Shintani
  • Patent number: 7273711
    Abstract: This invention provides methods and kits for use in diagnosing genetically transmitted diseases that are associated with deficiencies in glycosylation of glycoconjugates such as glycoproteins, glycolipids, and proteoglycans. The methods and kits are also useful for monitoring the course of treatment of diseases that are associated with glycosylation disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignees: The Regents of the University of California, The Burnham Institute
    Inventors: Jamey D. Marth, Hudson H. Freeze
  • Patent number: 7273712
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for identification and development of compounds or therapeutic agents that treat pathophysiological conditions arising from inflammatory responses. In particular, the present invention is directed to methods for detecting compounds or therapeutic agents that inhibit or block glycated protein produced induction of the signaling-associated inflammatory response in cells. The present invention provides compositions for and methods of treatment of biological conditions including, but not limited to, vascular complications of type I and type II diabetic induced vasculopathies, other vasculopathies, microangiopathies, renal insufficiency, Alzheimer's syndrome, and inflammation-induced diseases such as atherosclerosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Reddy US Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Sivaram Pillarisetti, Shianlen Cahoon, Uday Saxena
  • Patent number: 7273713
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identifying agents that modulate a level or an activity of a mitochondrial NAD-dependent deacetylase polypeptide, as well as agents identified by the methods. The invention further provides methods of modulating mitochondrial NAD-dependent deacetylase activity in a cell. The invention further provides methods of modulating mitochondrial function by modulating the activity of mitochondrial NAD-dependent deacetylase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Eric M. Verdin, Brian J. North, Bjoern Schwer
  • Patent number: 7273714
    Abstract: This invention provides a method to determine alkylguanyltransferase activity in a sample, comprising steps of placing the sample in an appropriate condition so that the AGT is functional; contacting the sample with an AGT Detector under conditions permitting the binding of AGT and AGTD to produce a signal; and measuring the signal, thereby determining the AGT activity in said sample. This invention provides different uses of this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: VION Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Ivan C. King, Xu Lin
  • Patent number: 7273715
    Abstract: By the present invention, enzymes responsible for prodrug activation are identified and utilized for the identification of candidate compounds as prodrugs. The present invention includes methods for identifying a candidate compound as a suitable prodrug as well as methods of screening candidate compounds for suitability as therapeutic agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Gilead Sciences, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin McDermott