| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20100059380 | APPARATUS FOR CONCURRENT ELECTROPHORESIS IN A PLURALITY OF GELS - Apparatus and methods for conducting electrophoretic separation concurrently in a plurality of gels with improved reproducibility among the gels. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100105576 | Three Frame cDNA Expression Libraries for Functional Screening of Proteins - Compositions and methods are provided for generating three frame cDNA expression libraries for functional screening of proteins. The invention includes sets of 5′ adapters for cloning cDNA molecules in which the sets include three adapters that can be used to clone a particular cDNA in all three reading frames. The libraries so generated have greater complexity of expressed open reading frames, and thus can improve the success of functional protein screens, such as two hybrid screens. The adapters also have recombination sites for efficient cloning and transfer between systems. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100179483 | MEDICAL ARTICLE SECUREMENT DEVICE - A securement device ( | 07-15-2010 |
| 20110089035 | GEL CASSETTE ADAPTOR - A gel cassette adaptor for use with an electrophoresis system gel cassette is disclosed herein. The gel cassette adaptor allows a single gel cassette to be compatible with more than one electrophoresis system. In one example embodiment, the gel cassette adaptor includes an open sided trough having an attachment perimeter and an attachment flange coupled to the attachment perimeter. The attachment flange is designed to be compatible for mating with a gel cassette that is compatible with a first electrophoresis system. After attachment of the gel cassette adaptor, the resulting gel cassette assembly is compatible with a second electrophoresis system. Also provided is a gel cassette that includes a stabilizer post that connects the cassette plates to maintain a constant gap width between the plates during electrophoresis. In reducing deformation of the gap space between plates during gel runs, the stabilizer post can improve electrophoresis results for wide format gels. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110264050 | MEDICAL ARTICLE SECUREMENT SYSTEM - A medical article securement device holds a medical article such as a catheter in position upon the body of a patient and at least inhibits longitudinal movement of the medical article. The securement device includes a retainer, a pair of hinged actuators, and a pair of engagement members coupled with the hinged actuators. Movement of the actuators causes the engagement members to grip at least a portion of a medical article placed within the retainer so as to inhibit longitudinal movement of the medical article with respect to the retainer. The shape of the retainer inhibits lateral and transverse movement of the medical article with respect to a patient's skin. | 10-27-2011 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20100000991 | THERMALLY ACTIVATED VARIABLE STIFFNESS COMPOSITES FOR AIRCRAFT SEALS - An apparatus has a first structure, a second structure, and an activated seal. The second structure has a first position adjacent to the first structure such that the first structure is not in contact with the second structure. The activated seal is attached to at least one of the first structure and the second structure. The activated seal has a variable stiffness that may be changed in response to a stimuli such that the activated seal is capable of being deformed when at least one of the first structure and the second structure are moved relative to each other. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20110101590 | RECONFIGURABLE FIXTURE DEVICE AND METHODS OF USE - A reconfigurable fixture device system, including: a base member; a reconfigurable pad disposed on the base member, wherein the reconfigurable pad comprises a shape memory material configured to selectively conform to a surface contour of a workpiece; an activation device in operative communication with the shape memory material; a controller in operable communication with at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the activation device, and the base member; a plurality of sensors for sensing a parameter associated with at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, the fixture device, and the workpiece, wherein the plurality of sensors is in operable communication with the controller; and an actuator in operable communication with the controller and the at least one of the reconfigurable pad, the base member, the fixture device, and the workpiece. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110114791 | Morphing Panel Structure - A panel structure includes a composite facesheet and a stiffening core having a plurality of core members in an intersecting web configuration provided on the composite facesheet. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110120111 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING A THERMAL ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEM - A method of controlling an energy harvesting system that converts excess thermal energy into mechanical energy and includes a Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) member, includes obtaining current operational parameters of the energy harvesting system, such as a maximum temperature, a minimum temperature and a cycle frequency of the SMA member. The current operational parameters are compared to a target operating condition of the energy harvesting system to determine if the current operational parameters are within a pre-defined range of the target operating condition. If the current operational parameters are not within the pre-defined range of the target operating condition, then a heat transfer rate to, a heat transfer rate from or a cycle frequency of the SMA member is adjusted to maintain operation of the energy harvesting system within the pre-defined range of the target operating condition to maximize efficiency of the energy harvesting system. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110120114 | VEHICLE ENERGY HARVESTING DEVICE HAVING A CONTINUOUS LOOP OF SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY - An energy harvesting system comprises a first region having a first temperature and a second region having a second temperature. A conduit is located at least partially within the first region. A heat engine configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a shape memory alloy forming at least one generally continuous loop. The shape memory alloy is disposed in heat exchange contact with the first region and the second region. A carrier surrounds the conduit such that the carrier is driven to rotate around the conduit by the shape memory alloy in response to the temperature difference between the first region and the second region. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110120115 | ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - An energy harvesting system includes a heat engine and a component configured to be driven by operation of the heat engine. The heat engine includes a first member, a second member, a shape memory alloy material, and a tensioner. The second member is spaced from the first member. The shape memory alloy material operatively interconnects the first member and the second member. The shape memory alloy material is configured to selectively change crystallographic phase from martensite to austenite and thereby contract in response to exposure to a first temperature. The shape memory alloy material is also configured to selectively change crystallographic phase from austenite to martensite and thereby expand in response to exposure to a second temperature. The tensioner is configured to apply tension to the shape memory alloy material as the shape memory alloy material selectively expands and contracts such that the shape memory alloy material is taut. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110120118 | EXHAUST SYSTEM - An exhaust system configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a source of thermal energy provided by a temperature difference between an exhaust gas having a first temperature and a heat sink having a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. The exhaust system also includes a conduit configured for conveying the exhaust gas, a heat engine disposed in thermal relationship with the conduit and configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy, and a member disposed in contact with the conduit and configured for conducting thermal energy from the conduit to the heat engine. The heat engine includes a first element formed from a first shape memory alloy having a crystallographic phase changeable between austenite and martensite at a first transformation temperature in response to the temperature difference between the exhaust gas and the heat sink. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110121582 | COOLING SYSTEM - A cooling system configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a source of thermal energy provided by a temperature difference between a heat source having a first temperature and a coolant having a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature. The cooling system includes a cooling circuit configured for conveying the coolant to and from the heat source. The cooling circuit includes a conduit and a pump in fluid communication with the conduit and configured for delivering the coolant to the heat source. The cooling system also includes a heat engine disposed in thermal relationship with the conduit and configured for converting thermal to mechanical energy. The heat engine includes a first element formed from a first shape memory alloy having a crystallographic phase changeable between austenite and martensite at a first transformation temperature in response to the temperature difference between the heat source and coolant. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110124451 | VEHICLE ENERGY HARVESTING DEVICE HAVING A CONTINUOUS LOOP OF SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY - An energy harvesting system comprises a first region having a first temperature and a second region. A conduit is located at least partially within the first region. A heat engine configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a shape memory alloy forming at least one generally continuous loop. The shape memory alloy is disposed in heat exchange contact with the first region and the second region. The shape memory alloy is driven to rotate around at least a portion of the conduit by the response of the shape memory alloy to the temperature difference between the first region and the second region. At least one pulley is driven by the rotation of the shape memory alloy, and the at least one pulley is operatively connected to a component to thereby drive the component. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110124452 | VEHICLE ENERGY HARVESTING DEVICE HAVING A CONTINUOUS LOOP OF SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY - An energy harvesting system comprises a first region and a second region having a temperature difference therebetween. A plurality of heat engines are located proximate to the conduit and configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy. The heat engines each include a shape memory alloy forming at least one generally continuous loop. The shape memory alloy driven to rotate by heat exchange contact with each of the first region and the second region. At least one pulley for each of the plurality of heat engines is driven by the rotation of the respective shape memory alloy, and each of the at least one pulleys is operatively connected to a component to thereby drive the component. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110163769 | METHODS OF DETERMINING MID-STROKE POSITIONS OF ACTIVE MATERIAL ACTUATED LOADS - Systems for and methods of determining at least one mid-stroke position of an active material actuated load by causing a stress induced rapid change in electrical resistance within the active material element, or modifying an ancillary circuit, when the load is at the mid-stroke position(s). | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110165981 | ENERGY HARVESTING SYSTEM FOR A VEHICLE - An energy harvesting system includes a heat engine and a component. The heat engine includes a belt, a first member, and a second member. The belt includes a strip of material and at least one wire at least partially embedded longitudinally in the strip of material. The wire includes a shape memory alloy material. A localized region of the at least one wire is configured to change crystallographic phase between martensite and austenite and either contract or expand longitudinally in response to exposure to a first temperature or a second temperature such that the strip of material corresponding to the localized region also contracts or expands. The first member is operatively connected to the belt and moves with the belt in response to the expansion or contraction of the belt. The component is operatively connected to the first member such that movement of the first member drives the component. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20120015149 | ACTIVELY CONTROLLED TEXTURING SYSTEMS - Actively controlled texturing systems for and methods of selectively and reversibly forming wrinkles, or modifying the amplitude, wavelength, or pattern of existing wrinkles upon a surface using active material actuation. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120091744 | ACTIVE MATERIAL BASED HOLDING FIXTURES - A holding fixture operable to secure differing pluralities of positioned objects having differing geometric shapes, sizes, and/or dimensions, including an active material element configured to selectively enable, cause, or retain the securing engagement and/or return the fixture to a ready state when not in use. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120109573 | METHOD OF DETERMINING A HEAT TRANSFER CONDITION FROM A RESISTANCE CHARACTERISTIC OF A SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ELEMENT - A method of sensing an ambient heat transfer condition surrounding a shape memory alloy element includes heating the shape memory alloy element, sensing the resistance of the shape memory alloy element, and measuring the period of time taken to heat the shape memory alloy element to a pre-determined level of a resistance characteristic. The ambient heat transfer condition surrounding the shape memory alloy element is calculated by referencing a relationship between the period of time taken to heat the shape memory alloy to the pre-determined level of the resistance characteristic and the ambient heat transfer condition. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120114778 | SURFACE TEXTURING USING FOLDABLE STRUCTURES AND ACTIVE MATERIAL ACTUATION - Active texturing systems adapted for selectively and reversibly modifying the texture of a surface utilizing a variably foldable structure in communication with the surface, and active material actuation to enable and/or cause folding. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120223727 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING ACTIVE MATERIAL ACTUATION UTILIZING AN OPERATIONAL ENVELOPE - A method of controlling and/or predicting the remaining useful life of an active material actuator, such as a shape memory alloy wire, includes obtaining historical actuation data of an inherent system variable, such as electrical resistance, over a secondary variable, such as time, determining a normal operating envelope having upper and lower bounds based on the data, determining a current profile for a given actuation cycle, and comparing the shape of the current profile to the envelope to determine an out-of-bounds event. | 09-06-2012 |
| 20120241312 | SURFACE TEXTURING USING ENGINEERED STRUCTURES - Active texturing systems adapted for selectively and reversibly modifying the texture of a surface utilizing a plurality of discrete mechanisms in communication with the reconfigurable structure. | 09-27-2012 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20080212144 | Methods and apparatus for secure facsimile transmissions to electronic storage destinations - A method for a computer includes determining a call-in fax telephone number called by a facsimile transmission device, receiving the facsimile transmission from a facsimile transmission device including a digitized representation of a transmission page including an optical representation of a e-mail address, determining the e-mail address optically, which is independent of the call-in number, determining a graphics template associated with the call-in number, combining a digitized representation of the transmission page with the graphics template to form a digitized representation of a composite page, formatting the digitized representation of the composite page into a second format, determining additional service provider data in response to the facsimile or the scanned image, and transmitting the additional service provider data and the digitized representation of the composite page in the second format to the electronic destination address. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20090034701 | Methods and apparatus for billing of facsimile transmissions to electronic storage destinations - A method for a computer includes determining a call-in fax telephone number called by a facsimile transmission device, receiving the facsimile transmission from a facsimile transmission device including a digitized representation of a transmission page including an optical representation of data associated with an e-mail address, determining the data optically, which is independent of the call-in number, determining a graphics template associated with the call-in number, combining a digitized representation of the transmission page with the graphics template to form a digitized representation of a composite page, formatting the digitized representation of the composite page into a second format, determining additional service provider data in response to the facsimile or the scanned image, and transmitting the additional service provider data and the digitized representation of the composite page in the second format to the electronic destination address. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090059271 | Methods and apparatus for web-based status of facsimile transmissions to electronic storage destinations - A method for a computer includes determining a call-in fax telephone number called by a facsimile transmission device, receiving the facsimile transmission from a facsimile transmission device including a digitized representation of a transmission page including an optical representation of data associated with an e-mail address, determining the data optically, which is independent of the call-in number, determining a graphics template associated with the call-in number, combining a digitized representation of the transmission page with the graphics template to form a digitized representation of a composite page, formatting the digitized representation of the composite page into a second format, determining additional service provider data in response to the facsimile or the scanned image, and transmitting the additional service provider data and the digitized representation of the composite page in the second format to the electronic destination address. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090059310 | Methods and apparatus for facsimile transmissions to electronic storage destinations including embedded barcode fonts - A method for a computer includes determining a call-in fax telephone number called by a facsimile transmission device, receiving the facsimile transmission from a facsimile transmission device including a digitized representation of a transmission page including an optical representation of data associated with an e-mail address, determining the data optically, which is independent of the call-in number, determining a graphics template associated with the call-in number, combining a digitized representation of the transmission page with the graphics template to form a digitized representation of a composite page, formatting the digitized representation of the composite page into a second format, determining additional service provider data in response to the facsimile or the scanned image, and transmitting the additional service provider data and the digitized representation of the composite page in the second format to the electronic destination address. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20100042523 | Sponsored Facsimile to E-Mail Transmission Methods and Apparatus - A method for sending an e-mail message comprises receiving a transmission instruction page, entering a plurality of text entries from a user on the transmission instruction page to form a filled-in transmission instruction page, wherein the plurality of text entries includes an e-mail address, and sending a facsimile to a facsimile server, wherein the facsimile includes the filled-in transmission instruction page and one or more pages of a document, wherein the facsimile server converts the facsimile into an e-mail attachment, wherein the facsimile server sends the e-mail message including a service provider indicator and the e-mail attachment to the e-mail address, wherein the facsimile server optically derives the e-mail address from the transmission instruction page of the facsimile, and wherein facsimile server need not know the e-mail address prior to receiving the facsimile. | 02-18-2010 |
| Patent application number | Description | Published |
| 20100204784 | MEDICAL DEVICES INCLUDING METALLIC FILMS - Medical devices, such as endoprostheses, and methods of making the devices are disclosed. The medical device can include a composite cover formed of a deposited metallic film and one or more polymer layers. The polymer layers contribute to mechanical or biological properties of the endoprosthesis. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100318171 | Multiple Stent Delivery System - A stent delivery system includes a delivery wire, a first stent, a second stent, and a sheath. The first stent may be disposed around a portion of a distal region of the delivery wire in a radially contracted configuration and the second stent may be disposed around a portion of the distal region of the delivery wire in a radially contracted configuration. In some cases, the first stent and the second stent may be disposed in a tandem arrangement with the first stent distal of the second stent. The sheath may be slidably disposed around the delivery wire, the first stent, and the second stent. The sheath may be retractable relative to the delivery wire to deploy the first stent and the second stent. In some embodiments, the first stent and the second stent may be sequentially deployed in an overlapping arrangement at the target site in the vessel. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20120226343 | STENT DELIVERY SYSTEM - A stent delivery system includes a delivery member, a frictional interfacing member disposed on a distal region of the delivery member, the frictional interfacing member comprising a plurality of perfusion channels, a self-expanding stent disposed over the respective frictional interfacing member and delivery member in a radially contracted configuration, and a sheath defining disposed over the respective self-expanding stent, frictional interfacing member, and delivery member, wherein the frictional interfacing member resists axial and/or rotational movement of the stent relative to the delivery member while the stent is in its radially contracted configuration, and wherein the perfusion channels permit fluid to flow from an interior region of the sheath proximal of the frictional interfacing member to an interior region of the sheath distal of the frictional interfacing member. | 09-06-2012 |