Patents Issued in October 21, 2008
  • Patent number: 7438987
    Abstract: A system for preparing particulate carbon fuel and using the particulate carbon fuel in a fuel cell. Carbon particles are finely divided. The finely dividing carbon particles are introduced into the fuel cell. A gas containing oxygen is introduced into the fuel cell. The finely divided carbon particles are exposed to carbonate salts, or to molten NaOH or KOH or LiOH or mixtures of NaOH or KOH or LiOH, or to mixed hydroxides, or to alkali and alkaline earth nitrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: John F. Cooper, Nerine Cherepy
  • Patent number: 7438988
    Abstract: Secondary battery structure 100 has secondary batteries 110 equipped with metallic battery cases 111 , temperature detectors 120 for detecting temperature of the secondary batteries 110 , and supporting members 130 for supporting the temperature detectors 120 . Each of the temperature detectors 120 has a detector body 121 which detects surface temperature of the battery case 111 by contacting with a bottom surface 111c (temperature-detected surface) on the battery case 111, and a fixing portion 122 which engages with the supporting member 130 and fixes the temperature detector 120 to the secondary battery 110 while keeping the detector body 121 contact with the bottom surface 111c on the battery case 111.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Misu, Toyohiko Eto
  • Patent number: 7438989
    Abstract: A flat cell of the present invention has: a power-generating element which includes a positive plate, a negative plate, and a separator provided between the positive and negative plates; a sheath member which is composed of a upper sheath member and a lower sheath member and accommodates the power-generating element; and positive and negative terminals connected to the power-generating element through a plurality of collectors and extended from a outer periphery of the sheath member. The upper sheath member includes a flat wall in a portion accommodating the power-generating element and an inclined wall between the flat wall and the outer periphery of the sheath member. When the inside of the cell is evacuated, the inclined wall is curved toward the inside of the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kyouichi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7438990
    Abstract: An electrochemical device comprising an electrolyte and at least one electrode plate, the electrochemical device having a metal part constituting the electrode plate or being connected to the electrode plate; the electrolyte comprising a solute and a solvent dissolving the solute; the metal part having an insulating oxide layer for preventing the electrolyte from creeping on at least part of the surface of the metal part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuo Nanno, Yukihiro Okada, Yoichi Izumi
  • Patent number: 7438991
    Abstract: The invention provides a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell that has high capacity and excels in cycle characteristics. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell functions stably at a high potential of from 4.4 to 4.6 V with respect to lithium and inhibits the decomposition of the electrolytic solution at high potential. This is accomplished as follows. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell has a positive electrode having a positive electrode active material; a negative electrode having a negative electrode active material; and a non-aqueous electrolyte having a non-aqueous solvent and electrolytic salt. The positive electrode active material has: lithium cobalt compound oxide having added therein at least zirconium and magnesium; and lithium-nickel-manganese compound oxide having a layered structure. The positive electrode active material has a potential of from 4.4 to 4.6 V with respect to lithium. The non-aqueous solvent contains diethyl carbonate of 10 vol. % or higher at 25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobumichi Nishida, Hidetoshi Inoue
  • Patent number: 7438992
    Abstract: The invention provides novel lithium-mixed metal materials which, upon electrochemical interaction, release lithium ions, and are capable of reversibly cycling lithium ions. The invention provides a rechargeable lithium battery which comprises an electrode formed from the novel lithium-mixed metal materials. Methods for making the novel lithium-mixed metal materials and methods for using such lithium-mixed metal materials in electrochemical cells are also provided. The lithium-mixed metal materials comprise lithium and at least one other metal besides lithium. Preferred materials are lithium-mixed metal phosphates which contain lithium and two other metals besides lithium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Barker, M. Yazid Saidi
  • Patent number: 7438993
    Abstract: The electrolyte for a lithium battery includes a non-aqueous organic solvent, a lithium salt, and an additive of the following Formula 1: wherein, X and Y are the same or different from each other and selected from O, S, CR2, or NR, where here R is H, a halogen, or an alkyl having a carbon number of less than or equal to 8, or neighboring alkyl groups are combined to each other to form a cycle or hetero cycle, and both X and Y are not oxygen (O), Ra to Rd are the same or different from each other and selected from H, a halogen, an alkoxy group having a carbon number of less than or equal to 8, or an unsaturated or saturated alkyl group having a carbon number of less than or equal to 8, or neighboring alkyl groups are combined to each other to form a cycle or hetero cycle, and at least one of Ra to Rd is a halogen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Yup Shin, Dong-Hyun Jung, Soo-Jin Park, Kyoung-Han Yew, Hyun-Jeong Lim
  • Patent number: 7438994
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and a non-aqueous electrolyte solution. The positive electrode has a theoretical capacity per unit area from 3.0 to 4.5 mAh/cm2. The non-aqueous electrolyte solution contains ethylene carbonate (EC), ethylmethyl carbonate (EMC), and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) as solvents, and LiPF6 as an electrolyte, with volume ratios from 10 to 20% for EC, 10 to 20% for EMC, and 60 to 80% for DMC relative to all the solvents in the electrolyte solution. The concentration of the LiPF6 is from 1.30 to 1.50 mol/L.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Muraoka, Takuya Nakashima, Kiyomi Kouzuki, Masatoshi Nagayama
  • Patent number: 7438995
    Abstract: Disclosed are partially fluorinated and fully fluorinated polymers that are substantially transparent to ultraviolet radiation at wavelengths from approximately 150 nanometer to 260 nanometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Roger Harquail French, Robert Clayton Wheland, Weiming Qiu
  • Patent number: 7438996
    Abstract: There is provided a method for correcting a photo mask, which allows the difference between a test mask and a corrected mask with respect to an error of line width depending on coarse/dense pattern to be decreased when the photo masks are corrected by optical proximity effect correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Ken Ozawa
  • Patent number: 7438997
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for lithography. In one aspect, a method includes producing a microelectronic device by modulating an intensity and a phase of the zero diffraction order of a radiation with a device including subwavelength features having a pitch dimension smaller than one wavelength of the radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Edita Tejnil, Yan Borodovsky
  • Patent number: 7438998
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device including a wiring pattern in the form of a linear line having an intermediate portion with a locally different line width, the wiring pattern being formed by using a resist pattern, the resist pattern is formed through an exposure step using a mask pattern prepared by dividing the wiring pattern in a mask into a simple line portion and a rectangular pattern portion having a different line width, and interposing between the line portion and the rectangular pattern portion a slit having a predetermined separation width of not larger than 0.22×?/NA (? represents a wavelength of exposure light, and NA represents a numerical aperture of a projection lens).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Elpida Memory, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahito Hiroshima
  • Patent number: 7438999
    Abstract: A dispersant for an organic pigment contains a compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 may be the same or different and each independently represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, a primary, secondary or tertiary amino group, an alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or a substituted or unsubstituted phthalimidomethyl group, R3 and R4 may be the same or different and each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl group, and n means an average number of introduced sulfonic groups and stands for a number of from 0.5 to 3; or at least one salt selected from the group consisting of its metal salt, ammonium salt, organic amine salt, and organic quaternary ammonium salt. Also disclosed are a readily-dispersing pigment composition, a pigment dispersion, a colored coating fluid for color filters, a fabrication process of a color filter and a color filter, all of which make use of the dispersant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Dainichiseika Color & Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Saikatsu, Shigeru Sakamoto, Masanori Takakamo, Seishichi Sasaki, Hiromitsu Yanagimoto, Yoshimasa Tsuchiya, Tetsuo Fukuda, Akio Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7439000
    Abstract: Cholesteric liquid crystal compositions are disclosed that produce high clarity cholesteric liquid crystal films. The cholesteric liquid crystal compositions are a reaction product of a cholesteric liquid crystal compound of formula (I) R—R1—R2R3R4nR5—R6??(I) as defined herein, and a thiol compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Feng Bai, Marc D. Radcliffe, Aaron D. Montello, Jianhui Xia, Domasius Nwabunma
  • Patent number: 7439001
    Abstract: A method for optimizing imaging and process parameter settings in a lithographic pattern imaging and processing system is disclosed. The method includes correlating the dimensions of a first set of at least one control pattern printed in a lithographic resist layer, measured at three or more locations on or within the pattern which correspond to differing dose, defocus and blur sensitivity. The method then includes measuring the dimensions on subsequent sets of control patterns, printed in a lithographic resist layer, at three or more locations on or within each pattern, of which a minimum of three locations match those measured in the first set, and determining the effective dose, defocus and blur values associated with forming the subsequent sets of control patterns by comparing the dimensions at the matching locations with the correlated dependencies. A method for determining blur, focus and exposure dose error in lithographic imaging is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher P. Ausschnitt, Timothy A. Brunner, Shahid A. Butt, Daniel A. Corliss
  • Patent number: 7439002
    Abstract: A silicone overcoat (SOC) layer having a crosslinked polysiloxane composition comprising a perfluoropolyether segment are disclosed. The polysiloxane composition is the product of the hydrolysis and condensation of a SOC formulation comprising a perfluoropolyether compound, an aromatic silicon-containing compound, and a silicon-containing hole transport compound. An electrophotographic imaging member having such a SOC layer has improved properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Nan-Xing Hu, John Graham, Ah-Mee Hor, Yvan Gagnon, Cheng-Kuo Hsiao
  • Patent number: 7439003
    Abstract: A magnetic black toner for electrophotography comprising a binding resin, a magnetic substance, and a pigment, wherein the pigment is at least one of phthalocyanine pigment and Mn containing hematite, and the content ratio of the magnetic substance and the pigment in the toner satisfy the following formulae: 10?A?30, 0.1?B?3, 5?C?40, wherein A denotes the content ratio (mass %) of the magnetic substance in the toner, B denotes the content ratio (mass %) of the phthalocyanine pigment in the toner, and C denotes the content ratio (mass %) of the Mn containing hematite in the toner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seijirou Ishimaru, Sadaaki Yoshida, Yoshimichi Katagiri, Masahisa Ochiai
  • Patent number: 7439004
    Abstract: Methods include washing and de-watering toner particles using a horizontal filter press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Steven M Malachowski, Chieh-Min Cheng, David Kurceba, Tie Hwee Ng, Abdisamed Sheik-Qasim, Melanie Davis
  • Patent number: 7439005
    Abstract: There is disclosed a photosensitive resin composition for interlayer insulating films, surface protection films or the like, which exhibits excellent resolution and can be developed with an aqueous alkaline solution. The photosensitive resin composition is prepared using a polymer at least having a constitutional repeating unit represented by general formula II: wherein R1 represents hydrogen atom or methyl group; R2 to R9 independently represent hydrogen atom, halogen atom or alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; X represents —CH?N—, —CONH—, —(CH2)n—CH?N— or —(CH2)n—CONH— and the N atom in X is bonded to a carbon atom in the benzene ring having AO— at an o-position; A represents hydrogen atom or a group being decomposed by an acid; and n represents a positive integer of 1 to 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Katsumi Maeda, Kaichiro Nakano
  • Patent number: 7439006
    Abstract: A salt represented by the formula (I): wherein X represents a C1-C12 divalent linear or branched chain hydrocarbon group, Y represents a C1-C30 hydrocarbon group which may be substituted with at least one substituent, and at least one —CH2— in the C1-C30 hydrocarbon group may be substituted with —O— or —CO—, Q1 and Q2 each independently represent a fluorine atom or a C1-C6 perfluoroalkyl group, and A+ represents an organic counter ion. The present invention further provides a chemically amplified resist composition comprising the salt represented by the above-mentioned formula (I).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Isao Yoshida, Yukako Harada, Takayuki Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 7439007
    Abstract: A multilayer phase change information recording medium including plural information layers containing at least a first information layer and a last information layer, each of which includes a recording layer in which information is recorded utilizing a phase change between a crystalline phase and an amorphous phase. At least one of the plural information layers other than the last information layer includes a first lower protective layer, a first recording layer located overlying the lower protective layer, a first upper protective layer located overlying the first recording layer, a first reflective layer located overlying the first upper protective layer, and a heat diffusion layer located overlying the first reflective layer and which mainly contains In, Zn and O.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Iwasa, Michiaki Shinotsuka, Masaru Shinkai
  • Patent number: 7439008
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an optical recording medium in which a recording material of the optical recording medium has a high solubility in an organic solvent, so that the recording material can be shaped to film by a coating process and the recording material is excellent in light-resistance and stability during the preservation, so that the optical recording medium is applicable to the recordable DVD. For the object, the present invention provides the optical recording medium comprising a substrate and at least a recording medium disposed on the substrate, wherein the recording medium comprises at least one type of formazan-metal chelate dyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Tomura, Tsutomu Sato, Yasunobu Ueno, Soh Noguchi
  • Patent number: 7439009
    Abstract: A host matrix—normally a binder such as cellulose acetate propionate in a solvent such as acetone—contains a radiation-polymerizable photopolymer—normally a monomer like dipentaerythritol pentaacrylate in combination with a crosslinker like 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone, an initiator like N-phenyl glycine, and/or a photosensitizer like camphor quinine—that is initially uniformly doped with a stable dye—typically Rhodamine B and/or Bodipy Red—that photoinitiates photopolymerization. Upon selective exposure of certain regions of the matrix by radiation, most normally laser light radiation, the dye will initially migrate and redistribute itself to radiatively-exposed regions until, dye migration being substantially complete, photopolymerization will occur, locking the migrated dye in place at a relatively higher concentration at the selectively exposed regions. The dye therein stably located can be optically detected by, preferably, light-radiation-stimulated fluorescence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Mark Wang, Sadik Esener
  • Patent number: 7439010
    Abstract: A positive type resist composition having an alkali-soluble siloxane polymer expressed by the following Formula (1), a photosensitive compound, and a 1 ?m thick resist film formed of the positive type resist composition which has 5% to 60% of transmittance to i-line radiation; in the Formula (1), R1 and R2 express a monovalent organic group, and may be identical or different; “A” is a group expressed by the following Formula (2) having at least one phenolic hydroxyl group; and “a”, “b,” and “c” satisfy the following relation; a+b+c=1, in the Formula (2), R3, R4, and R5 express one of a hydrogen atom and a monovalent organic group, and may be identical or different, “m” expresses an integer, and “n” expresses an integer of 1 to 5. Preferably, 0.25?a?0.60, and 0?c?0.25. The composition is preferably used in a resist film undergoing oxygen plasma etching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Keiji Watanabe, Miwa Kozawa, Shoichi Suda, Fumi Yamaguchi, Isao Yahagi, Michitaka Morikawa
  • Patent number: 7439011
    Abstract: A photothermographic material including, on one side of a support, an image forming layer containing at least a photosensitive silver halide, a non-photosensitive organic silver salt, a reducing agent and a binder, and, on the other side of the support, a non-photosensitive back side layer. The total quantity of an alkaline earth metal contained in the non-photosensitive back side layer is 1×10?5 mol/m2 to 1×10?3 mol/m2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Rikio Inoue
  • Patent number: 7439012
    Abstract: A liquid plasma expander or resuscitation fluid composition for use in a subject in need thereof, comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of: (a) a keratin derivative (preferably alpha keratose, gamma keratose, or combinations thereof, and with basic alpha keratose preferred over acidic alpha keratose); and (b) an electrolyte solution, with the keratin derivative solubilized in the electrolyte solution to form a homogeneous liquid composition. Blood substitutes formed therefrom and methods of making and using the same are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Wake Forest University Health Sciences
    Inventor: Mark E. Van Dyke
  • Patent number: 7439013
    Abstract: It is intended to provide a polymer which is scarcely eluted, has a high biocompatibility and is useful in a filter for selectively eliminating leucocytes. It is also intended to provide a filter for selectively eliminating leucocytes, a filtration apparatus for selectively eliminating leucocytes and a system for selectively eliminating leucocytes, each having the above-described polymer. The above objects can be achieved by providing a polymer which comprises from 8% by mol to 45% by mol of a unit originating in a polymerizable monomer having a polyalkylene oxide chain, from 30% by mol to 90% by mol of a unit originating in a polymerizable monomer having a hydrophobic group, and from 2% by mol to 50% by mol of a unit originating in polymerizable monomer having a hydroxyl group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kuraray Medical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Kuno, Hirokazu Onodera, Masami Sakurai
  • Patent number: 7439014
    Abstract: The present invention relates to droplet-based surface modification and washing. According to one embodiment, a method of providing a droplet in contact with a surface with a reduced concentration of a substance is provided, wherein the method includes: (a) providing a droplet microactuator comprising a surface in contact with a droplet comprising a starting concentration and starting quantity of the substance and having a starting volume; (b) conducting one or more droplet operations to merge a wash droplet with the droplet provided in step (a) to yield a combined droplet; and (c) conducting one or more droplet operations to divide the combined droplet to yield a set of droplets comprising: (i) a droplet in contact with the surface having a decreased concentration of the substance relative to the starting concentration; and (ii) a droplet which is separated from the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignees: Advanced Liquid Logic, Inc., Duke University
    Inventors: Vamsee K. Pamula, Vijay Srinivasan, Allen E. Eckhardt, Michael G. Pollack, Richard B. Fair
  • Patent number: 7439015
    Abstract: A DNA virus in a sample is detected by contacting the sample with host cells that have been transiently transfected with a reporter sequence under the control of a virus-specific promoter, and then detecting the reporter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Loma Linda University
    Inventors: Penelope J. Duerksen-Hughes, Maria Filippova, Istvan Fodor
  • Patent number: 7439016
    Abstract: Target-specific hybrid capture (TSHC) provides a nucleic acid detection method that is not only rapid and sensitive, but is also highly specific and capable of discriminating highly homologous nucleic acid target sequences. The method produces DNA-RNA hybrids which can be detected by a variety of methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Digene Corporation
    Inventors: James Anthony, Attila Lorincz, John Troy, Yanglin Tan
  • Patent number: 7439017
    Abstract: The present invention provides processes for measuring DNA or RNA binding proteins, specific nucleic acids, as well as enzyme activities using labeled nucleic acids of labeled protein/peptide molecules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: BioVeris Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Heroux, Maura C. Kibbey, John H. Kenten
  • Patent number: 7439018
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods for identifying polynucleotide and polypeptide sequences which may be associated with commercially or aesthetically relevant traits in domesticated plants or animals. The methods employ comparison of homologous genes from the domesticated organism and its ancestor to identify evolutionarily significant changes and evolutionarily neutral changes. Sequences thus identified may be useful in enhancing commercially or aesthetically desirable traits in domesticated organisms or their wild ancestors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Evolutionary Genomics, Inc.
    Inventor: Walter Messier
  • Patent number: 7439019
    Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to perioperative bleeding and, in particular, to methods of identifying individuals at risk of perioperative bleeding. The present invention relates, in general, to perioperative renal dysfunction and, in particular, to methods of identifying individuals at risk of perioperative renal dysfunction. The present invention relates, in general, to perioperative stroke and, in particular, to methods of identifying individuals at risk of perioperative stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Debra A. Schwinn, Mihai V. Podgoreanu, Mark Stafford-Smith, Mark F. Newman
  • Patent number: 7439020
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of predicting a pre-disposition of HBV-infected individuals to develop hepatacellular carcinoma (HCC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignees: The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hospital Authority
    Inventors: Jao Yiu Joseph Sung, Lik Yuen Chan, Kwok Wing Stephen Tsui, Kwong Sak Leung, Shu Kam Tony Mok, Angeline Bartholomeusz, Wai Yee Nancy Leung, Kin Hong Lee
  • Patent number: 7439021
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved system for linking nucleic acids to one another. In particular, the present invention provides techniques for producing DNA product molecules that may be easily and directly ligated to recipient molecules. The product molecules need not be cleaved with restriction enzymes in order to undergo such ligation. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the DNA product molecules are produced through iterative DNA synthesis reactions, so that the product molecules are amplified products. The invention further provides methods for directed ligation of product molecules (i.e., for selective ligation of certain molecules within a collection of molecules), and also for methods of exon shuffling, in which multiple different product molecules are produced in a single ligation reaction. Preferred embodiments of the invention involve ligation of product molecules encoding functional protein domains, particularly domains naturally found in conserved gene families.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Kevin A. Jarrell, Vincent W. Coljee, William Donahue, Svetlana Mikheeva
  • Patent number: 7439022
    Abstract: Isolated nucleic acids and methods for detecting nucleic acid of Listeria in a test sample are provided. The isolated nucleic acids may be incorporated into polymerase chain reactions to provide for the rapid detection of Listeria in samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Kraft Foods Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: David K. Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7439023
    Abstract: Provided are a method of isolating a nucleic acid from a sample and a solid material for isolating the nucleic acid which can be used for the above method. The method includes contacting the sample with a bifunctional material containing an amino group and a carboxyl group at a first pH to bind the nucleic acid to the bifunctional material, the bifunctional material being positively charged at the first pH; and releasing the nucleic acid at a second pH which is higher than the first pH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyu-youn Hwang, Chang-eun Yoo
  • Patent number: 7439024
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions and methods for diagnosing, monitoring and/or treating an autoimmune or chronic inflammatory disease. In particular, the present invention provides methods for diagnosing, monitoring and treating an autoimmune disease (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis) or chronic inflammatory disease (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus) based on detecting or altering (e.g., altering expression or methylation status of) autoimmune or chronic inflammatory disease proteins (e.g., CD70 and CD40L). The present invention also provides kits for detecting methylation status of autoimmune or chronic inflammatory disease proteins (e.g., CD70 and CD40L) and for diagnosing, monitoring and/or treating autoimmune or chronic inflammatory diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Veterans Affairs
    Inventors: Bruce Richardson, Qianjin Lu
  • Patent number: 7439025
    Abstract: Antibodies are described, which are suitable for identification of ?-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla), said antibodies having an ability of identifying Gla residues in proteins and/or peptides, while not reacting with glutamic (Glu) residues in corresponding proteins and/or peptides. Methods for the preparation and identification of said antibodies as well as methods for detection of Gla in biological fluids, tissue extracts, tissue specimens, in which methods said antibodies are used, are also described. There is also described the use of said antibodies for immunopurification of Gla-containing proteins or peptides by, for instance, immunoprecipitation or immunoaffinity chromatography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Protease AB
    Inventors: Johan Stenflo, Loisa Mary Stenberg, Mark Alan Brown
  • Patent number: 7439026
    Abstract: Methods for detecting invasive trophoblast antigen (ITA) in biological samples comprise screening the samples for ITA using antibodies that bind to the ITA. The methods are useful to detect pregnancy, trophoblastic diseases, and Down's syndrome in fetuses of pregnant women. Some methods include screening the samples with a plurality of capture antibodies that specifically bind ITA. Chemiluminescent immunoassays are disclosed. The methods may be practiced with the diagnostic kits of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Murugan R. Pandian, Julie Y. Lu
  • Patent number: 7439027
    Abstract: Farnesyl pyrophosphate, the metabolically active form of farnesol, is a key precursor in the synthesis of cholesterol, carotenoids, steroid hormones, bile acids and other molecules involved in cellular growth and metabolism. A nuclear receptor has been identified that is transcriptionally activated by farnesol and related molecules. This novel signaling pathway can be modulated by the use of key metabolic intermediates (or analogs and/or derivatives thereof) as transcriptional regulatory signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignees: The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc., United States of America
    Inventors: Ronald M Evans, Barry M Forman, Cary A Weinberger
  • Patent number: 7439028
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for identifying a subject at increased risk of having prostate cancer by detecting an antibody that specifically binds a Trichomonas ?-actinin protein in a sample of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: John F. Alderete, Te-Hung Chang
  • Patent number: 7439029
    Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated PCIP nucleic acid molecules, which encode proteins that bind potassium channels and modulate potassium channel mediated activities. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing PCIP nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a PCIP gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated PCIP proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-PCIP antibodies. Diagnostic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignees: Wyeth, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Rhodes, Maria Betty, Huai-Ping Ling, Wenqian An
  • Patent number: 7439030
    Abstract: The present invention describes a method for producing membrane receptors based on a baculovirus/insect cell system. The invention further includes the receptors produced by the method described herein, a model for studying the properties of these membrane receptors and an assay to screen molecules that are active on these membrane receptors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignees: Valorisation-Recherche, Limited Partnership, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Michel Bouvier, Thomas Loisel, Stefano Marullo, Pierre Boulanger, Arthur Donny Strosberg
  • Patent number: 7439031
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of identifying and/or detecting anti-cancer agents. The present invention provides methods of identifying and/or detecting compounds that can activate PARP and/or induce necrosis. The present invention also provides for methods of treating cancer in an individual. The present invention also provides kits for identifying and/or detecting anti-cancer agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Craig B. Thompson, Wei-Xing Zong
  • Patent number: 7439032
    Abstract: Cdc25A is herein identified as a substrate for ?-TrCP1- or ?-TrCP2-mediated ubiquitination and subsequent degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. In particular, it has been found that interfering with ?-TrCP expression or function, or increasing ?-TrCP degradation, leads to accumulation of Cdc25A in a cell. Since degradation of Cdc25A is a key feature of the response to DNA damage, leading to a stall in the cell cycle during which the cell can repair the damage, Cdc25A accumulation can abolish this response, thereby sensitizing the cell to DNA damage. Described herein are assays for identifying ?-TrCP inhibitors, and method of using such inhibitors for modulating Cdc25A degradation, sensitization of tumor cells, and as adjuvants in cancer therapy based on DNA damaging agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: New York University
    Inventor: Michele Pagano
  • Patent number: 7439033
    Abstract: A reagent strip for measuring the concentration of glucose in whole blood has a polymer on at least one side thereof to increase the opacity thereof, thereby reducing the effect of hematocrit on the glucose determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Bayer HealthCare LLC
    Inventor: Karen L. Marfurt
  • Patent number: 7439034
    Abstract: The present invention relates to cell wall degradative systems, in particular to systems containing enzymes that bind to and/or depolymerize cellulose. These systems have a number of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: University of Maryland
    Inventors: Ronald M. Weiner, Steven W. Hutcheson, Ahmed Abdel-Wahab Abdel-Hafez, Michael Howard, Larry Edmund Taylor, II, Nathan A. Ekborg
  • Patent number: 7439035
    Abstract: The invention relates to a substrate and method for the assay of ribonuclease H activity. The substrate comprises a DNA/RNA heteroduplex molecule having fluorophore and quencher molecules in close proximity, which emit a background level of fluorescence in the absence of ribonuclease H activity due to quenching of the fluorophore as a result of fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Ribonuclease H cleavage of the heteroduplex results in an increase in fluorescence emission due to the destabilization and separation of the DNA and RNA molecules and their associated fluorophore and quencher molecules. The assay method of the present invention is suitable for use in screening (e.g. high throughput screening) for modulators, e.g. inhibitors, of the ribonuclease H activity associated with, for example, reverse transcriptase and ribonuclease H enzymes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: McGill University
    Inventors: Michael A. Parniak, Kyung-Lyum Min
  • Patent number: 7439036
    Abstract: To provide an enzymatic resolution process for efficiently producing an optically active N-protected-octahydro-1H-indole-2-carboxylic acid denoted by the formula (2): by using an enzyme capable of asymmetrically hydrolyzing the —CO2R1 group in the formula (1) wherein R1 indicates an alkyl group having a carbon number of 1 to 4, R2 indicates a protecting group of the imino group, and the carbon atoms marked with asterisks (*) indicate asymmetrical carbon atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventor: Norihiko Hirata