U.S. Patents Awarded to Inventors in California (Jan. 12)

(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Targeted News Service Targeted News Service ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- The following federal patents were awarded to inventors in California.

*** Applied Materials Assigned Patent for Microelectronic Structure Including a Low K Dielectric and a Method of Controlling Carbon Distribution in the Structure ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Applied Materials, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,746) developed by five co-inventors for a "microelectronic structure including a low k dielectric and a method of controlling carbon distribution in the structure." The co-inventors are Bo Xie, Sunnyvale, Calif., Alexandros T. Demos, Fremont, Calif., Daemian Raj, San Jose, Calif., Sure Ngo, Dublin, Calif., and Kang Sub Yim, Santa Clara, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Embodiments of the present invention pertain to the formation of microelectronic structures. Low k dielectric materials need to exhibit a dielectric constant of less than about 2.6 for the next technology node of 32 nm. The present invention enables the formation of semiconductor devices which make use of such low k dielectric materials while providing an improved flexural and shear strength integrity of the microelectronic structure as a whole." The patent application was filed on Feb. 23, 2010 (12/660,294). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,746&OS=8,349,746&RS=8,349,746 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Applied Materials Assigned Patent for Amorphous Carbon Deposition Method for Improved Stack Defectivity ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Applied Materials, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,741) developed by 10 co-inventors for an "amorphous carbon deposition method for improved stack defectivity." The co-inventors are Hang Yu, Woodland, Calif., Deenesh Padhi, Sunnyvale, Calif., Man-Ping Cai, Saratoga, Calif., Naomi Yoshida, Sunnyvale, Calif., Li Yan Miao, San Francisco, Siu F. Cheng, Los Angeles, Shahid Shaikh, Santa Clara, Calif., Sohyun Park, Fremont, Calif., Heung Lak Park, Santa Clara, Calif., and Bok Hoen Kim, San Jose, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Embodiments described herein relate to materials and processes for patterning and etching features in a semiconductor substrate. In one embodiment, a method of forming a composite amorphous carbon layer is provided. The method comprises positioning a substrate in a process chamber, introducing a hydrocarbon source gas into the process chamber, introducing a diluent source gas into the process chamber, introducing a plasma-initiating gas into the process chamber, generating a plasma in the process chamber, forming an amorphous carbon initiation layer on the substrate, wherein the hydrocarbon source gas has a volumetric flow rate to diluent source gas flow rate ratio of 1:12 or less, and forming a bulk amorphous carbon layer on the amorphous carbon initiation layer, wherein a hydrocarbon source gas used to form the bulk amorphous carbon layer has a volumetric flow rate to a diluent source gas flow rate of 1:6 or greater." The patent application was filed on April 25, 2012 (13/455,916). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,741&OS=8,349,741&RS=8,349,741 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Chevron Oronite Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Chevron Oronite, San Ramon, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,777) developed by Patrick J. McDougall, Berkeley, Calif., for "lubricating composition containing 1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol compounds as antiwear additives." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Disclosed are lubricating oil compositions comprising a major amount of an oil of lubricating viscosity; and from 0.05 to 10 weight % based upon the total lubricating oil composition of a 1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol compound of the formula I: ##STR00001## wherein: R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl or alkenyl, wherein the sum of carbon atoms for R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is 6 carbon atoms or less." The patent application was filed on Nov. 22, 2010 (12/951,829). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,777&OS=8,349,777&RS=8,349,777 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Chevron Oronite Assigned Patent for Trunk Piston Engine Lubricating Oil Compositions ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Chevron Oronite, San Ramon, Calif., and Chevron Oronite Technology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, have been assigned a patent (8,349,776) developed by Wilhelmus Petrus Antonie Van Houten, Prinsenbeek, The Netherlands, and Jeffrey James Toman, Oakland, Calif., for "trunk piston engine lubricating oil compositions." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A trunk piston engine lubricating oil composition is disclosed. The trunk piston engine lubricating oil composition includes at least (a) a major amount of a basestock selected from the group consisting of at least one Group III basestock, at least one Group IV basestock and mixtures thereof; (b) at least one detergent additive; and (c) at least one dispersant additive; wherein the concentration of the at least one dispersant additive in the trunk piston engine lubricating oil composition is at least about 0.1 wt. % on an actives basis, based on the total weight of the lubricating oil composition." The patent application was filed on Sept. 29, 2009 (12/586,866). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,776&OS=8,349,776&RS=8,349,776 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Applied Materials Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Applied Materials, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,724) developed by Xinyu Fu, Pleasanton, Calif., and Jick M. Yu, San Jose, Calif., for a "method for improving electromigration lifetime of copper interconnection by extended post anneal." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Methods for improving electromigration of copper interconnection structures are provided. In one embodiment, a method of annealing a microelectronic device including forming microelectronic features on a substrate, forming a contact structure over the microelectronic features, and forming a copper interconnection structure over the contact structure. A passivation layer is deposited over the copper interconnection structure and the substrate is subjected to a first anneal at a temperature of about 350.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. for a time duration between about 30 minutes to about 1 hour. The substrate is subjected to a second anneal at a temperature of about 150.degree. C. to 300.degree. C. for a time duration between about 24 to about 400 hours." The patent application was filed on Dec. 10, 2009 (12/635,528). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,724&OS=8,349,724&RS=8,349,724 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Silicon Laboratories Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Silicon Laboratories, Austin, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,349,635) developed by Qing Gan, Fremont, Calif., and Emmanuel P. Quevy, El Cerrito, Calif., for "encapsulated MEMS device and method to form the same." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An encapsulated MEMS device and a method to form an encapsulated MEMS device are described. An apparatus includes a first substrate having a silicon-germanium seal ring disposed thereon and a second substrate having a metal seal ring disposed thereon. The metal seal ring is aligned with and bonded to the silicon-germanium seal ring to provide a sealed cavity. A MEMS device is housed in the sealed cavity. A method includes forming a silicon-germanium seal ring on a first substrate and forming a metal seal ring on a second substrate. The metal seal ring is bonded to the silicon-germanium seal ring to provide a sealed cavity that houses a MEMS device." The patent application was filed on May 20, 2008 (12/124,043). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,635&OS=8,349,635&RS=8,349,635 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** GTAT Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- GTAT, Nashua, N.H., has been assigned a patent (8,349,626) developed by four co-inventors for a "creation of low-relief texture for a photovoltaic cell." The co-inventors are Zhiyong Li, Los Altos, Calif., David Tanner, San Jose, Calif., Gopalakrishna Prabhu, San Jose, Calif., and Mohamed H. Hilali, Sunnyvale, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A novel method is described to create low-relief texture at a light-facing surface or a back surface of a photovoltaic cell. The peak-to-valley height and average peak-to-peak distance of the textured surface is less than about 1 microns, for example less than about 0.8 micron, for example about 0.5 microns or less. In a completed photovoltaic device, average reflectance for light having wavelength between 375 and 1010 nm at a light-facing surface with this texture is 6 percent or less, for example about 5 percent or less, in some instances about 3.5 percent. This texture is produced by forming an optional oxide layer at the surface, lightly buffing the surface, and etching with a crystallographically selective etch. Excellent texture may be produced by etching for as little as twelve minutes or less. Very little silicon, for example about 0.3 mg/cm.sup.2 or less, is lost at the textured surface during this etch." The patent application was filed on March 23, 2010 (12/729,878). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,626&OS=8,349,626&RS=8,349,626 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Scientek Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Scientek, Phillipsburg, Kan., has been assigned a patent (8,349,591) developed by five co-inventors for a "method and apparatus for producing alcohol or sugar using a commercial-scale bioreactor." The co-inventors are Andrew Desbarats, Aurora, Calif., Michael Erhart, Phillipsburg, Kan., Joe Kreutzer, Phillipsburg, Kan., Kevin Morgan, Phillipsburg, Kan., and Vince Yacyshyn, Calgary, Canada.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Provided is a method of producing alcohol or sugar in a commercial-scale bioreactor using a reformulated commercial enzyme preparation. Also provided is a bioreactor modified to practice the method." The patent application was filed on Oct. 13, 2009 (13/119,727). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,591&OS=8,349,591&RS=8,349,591 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Xenogen Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Xenogen, Alameda, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,602) developed by Pamela R. Contag, San Jose, Calif., David A. Benaron, Portola Valley, Calif., and Christopher H. Contag, San Jose, Calif., for "biodetectors targeted to specific ligands." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention relates to biodetectors for detecting and quantifying molecules in liquid, gas, or matrices. More specifically, the present invention relates to biodetectors comprising a molecular switching mechanism to express a reporter gene upon interaction with target substances. The invention further relates to methods using such biodetectors for detecting and quantifying selected substances with high specificity and high sensitivity." The patent application was filed on April 18, 1997 (08/844,336). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,602&OS=8,349,602&RS=8,349,602 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Applied Biosystems Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Applied Biosystems, Carlsbad, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,600) developed by Patrick K. Martin, Redwood City, Calif., and David A. Simpson, Redwood City, Calif., for "polypeptides having nucleic acid binding activity." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Polypeptides having nucleic acid binding activity are provided. Methods of stabilizing a nucleic acid duplex are provided. Methods of promoting the annealing of complementary nucleic acid strands are provided. Methods of increasing the processivity of a DNA polymerase are provided. Methods of enhancing the activity of a nucleic acid modification enzyme are provided. Fusion proteins are provided. Methods of using fusion proteins are provided. Kits are provided." The patent application was filed on Jan. 6, 2006 (11/327,195). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,600&OS=8,349,600&RS=8,349,600 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** SanDisk Technologies Assigned Patent for Method of Fabricating a Two-sided Die in a Four-sided Leadframe Based Package ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- SanDisk Technologies, Plano, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,349,655) developed by Cheeman Yu, Madison, Wis., Vani Verma, Sunnyvale, Calif., and Hem Takiar, Fremont, Calif., for a "method of fabricating a two-sided die in a four-sided leadframe based package." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of fabricating a leadframe-based semiconductor package, and a semiconductor package formed thereby, are disclosed. In embodiments, a semiconductor die having die bond pads along two adjacent edges may be electrically coupled to four sides of a four-sided leadframe. Embodiments relate to lead and no-lead type leadframe." The patent application was filed on June 21, 2010 (12/819,818). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,655&OS=8,349,655&RS=8,349,655 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Life Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Life Technologies, Carlsbad, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,563) developed by Kai Lao, Pleasanton, Calif., Neil Straus, Emeryville, Calif., and Nanlan Xu, San Mateo, Calif., for "sequence amplification with target primers." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present disclosure relates to the amplification of target nucleic acid sequences for various sequencing and/or identification techniques. This can be accomplished via the use of target primers. The use of these target primers, as described herein, allows for the reduction in the amplification of undesired hybridization events (such as primer dimerization) while allowing for the amplification of the target nucleic acid sequences." The patent application was filed on Oct. 16, 2009 (12/581,095). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,563&OS=8,349,563&RS=8,349,563 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Gen-Probe Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Gen-Probe, San Diego, has been assigned a patent (8,349,564) developed by nine co-inventors for a "method for continuous mode processing of the contents of multiple reaction receptacles in a real-time amplification assay." The co-inventors are Jerzy A. Macioszek, San Diego, Christopher B. Davis, San Diego, Gary D. Lair, San Diego, Thanh N. Nguyen, Liguna Niguel, Calif., Haitao Li, San Diego, Florence F. Li, San Diego, Byron J. Knight, San Diego, Robert F. Scalese, Escondido, Calif., and Robert E. Heinz, San Diego.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in sample vessels. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a sample, incubating the sample, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, ascertaining the presence of a target analyte, and analyzing the amount of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the sample vessels from one station to the next. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte, and, in one embodiment, a method for real-time monitoring of the amplification process." The patent application was filed on Nov. 4, 2010 (12/939,420). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8349564&OS=8349564&RS=8349564 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** GM Global Technology Operations Assigned Patent for Method of Coating a Surface of a Fuel Cell Plate ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- GM Global Technology Operations, Detroit, has been assigned a patent (8,349,517) developed by five co-inventors for a "method of coating a surface of a fuel cell plate." The co-inventors are Wen Li, El Segundo, Calif., Ping Liu, Irvine, Calif., Jennifer J. Zinck, Calabasas, Calif., Tina T. Salguero, Encino, Calif., and Richard H. Blunk, Macomb Township, Mich.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method of coating a surface of a fuel cell plate is disclosed herein, and involves forming a sol gel mixture by mixing a weak acid and a composition including at least two metal oxide precursors. One of the metal oxide precursors is configured to be hydrolyzed by the weak acid to form a mixed metal oxide framework with an other of the metal oxide precursors having at least one organic functional group that is not hydrolyzed by the weak acid. The mixture is applied to the surface, and is condensed by exposure to air at least one predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time. The sol gel mixture is immersed in water at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time to form a porous, hydrophilic, and conductive film on the surface." The patent application was filed on April 23, 2009 (12/429,161). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,517&OS=8,349,517&RS=8,349,517 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** e-Cube Energy Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- e-Cube Energy Technologies, Saratoga, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,644) developed by Wei Shan, Fremont, Calif., and Xiao-Dong Xiang, Danville, Calif., for a mono-silicon solar cells.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method for producing a backside contact of a single p-n junction photovoltaic solar cell is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a p-type substrate having a back surface; providing a plurality of p+ diffusion regions at the back surface of the substrate; providing a plurality of n+ diffusion regions at the back surface of the substrate in an alternate pattern with the p+ diffusion regions; providing an oxide layer over the p+ and n+ regions; providing an insulating layer over the back surface of the substrate; providing at least one first metal contact at the back surface for the p+ diffusion regions; and providing at least one second metal contact at the back surface for the n+ diffusion regions." The patent application was filed on Oct. 20, 2008 (12/254,316). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,644&OS=8,349,644&RS=8,349,644 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Danisco US Assigned Patent for Trichoderma Reesei Glucoamylase And Homologs ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Danisco US, Palo Alto, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,601) developed by five co-inventors for "trichoderma reesei glucoamylase and homologs thereof." The co-inventors are Nigel Dunn-Coleman, Palo Alto, Calif., Paulien Neefe-Kruithof, Leiden, The Netherlands, Craig E. Pilgrim, Beloit, Wis., Piet van Solingen, Leiden, The Netherlands, and Donald E. Ward, Palo Alto, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention is related to glucoamylases having at least 80% sequence identity to a Trichoderma glucoamylase having the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4 and biologically functional fragments thereof. The invention is also related to DNA sequences coding for the glucoamylases, vectors and host cells incorporating the DNA sequences, enzyme compositions and methods of using the glucoamylases in various applications." The patent application was filed on March 16, 2010 (12/725,216). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,601&OS=8,349,601&RS=8,349,601 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Sequenom Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Sequenom, San Diego, has been assigned a patent (8,349,566) developed by Martin Beaulieu, San Diego, and Dirk Johannes Van Den Boom, La Jolla, Calif., for "methods for high level multiplexed polymerase chain reactions and homogenous mass extension reactions." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Provided herein are optimized methods for performing multiplexed detection of a plurality of sequence variations. Also provided are methods for performing multiplexed amplification of target nucleic acid." The patent application was filed on July 28, 2011 (13/193,390). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,566&OS=8,349,566&RS=8,349,566 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** SanDisk Technologies Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- SanDisk Technologies, Plano, Texas, has been assigned a patent (8,349,681) developed by Johann Alsmeier, San Jose, Calif., and George Samachisa, San Jose, Calif., for an "ultrahigh density monolithic, three dimensional vertical NAND memory device." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Monolithic, three dimensional NAND strings include a semiconductor channel, at least one end portion of the semiconductor channel extending substantially perpendicular to a major surface of a substrate, a plurality of control gate electrodes having a strip shape extending substantially parallel to the major surface of the substrate, the blocking dielectric comprising a plurality of blocking dielectric segments, a plurality of discrete charge storage segments, and a tunnel dielectric located between each one of the plurality of the discrete charge storage segments and the semiconductor channel." The patent application was filed on June 30, 2010 (12/827,761). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,681&OS=8,349,681&RS=8,349,681 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Cantimer Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Cantimer, Menlo Park, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,610) developed by four co-inventors for "methods, systems and devices for analyzing a surfactant-treated biological fluid sample." The co-inventors are Ray F. Stewart, Belmont, Calif., Kathryn M. Morton, Palo Alto, Calif., Aaron Dickerman-Stewart, Redwood City, Calif., and Nathan Mak, San Francisco.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Devices, methods and systems effective to evaluate a physical or chemical property of a surfactant-treated biological fluid sample are provided." The patent application was filed on May 20, 2009 (12/736,888). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,610&OS=8,349,610&RS=8,349,610 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Glinsky Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Gennadi V. Glinsky, La Jolla, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,555) developed by Gennadi V. Glinskii, for "methods and compositions for predicting death from cancer and prostate cancer survival using gene expression signatures." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The emerging concept of cancer stem cells suggests that activation in transformed cells of "stemness" genetic pathways (e.g., normal stem cells' self-renewal pathways) may contribute to the survival life cycle of cancer stem cells, and to tumor progression and metastasis of the malignancy. Thus, activation of "stemness" genes in cancer cells may be associated with aggressive clinical behavior and increased likelihood of therapy failure. General methods and kits associated with prediction of clinical outcome for a disease state of a subject based on gene expression analysis are described. The invention includes determining expression of at least three genes selected from the group consisting of GBX2, MKI67, CCNB1, BUB1, KNTC2, USP22, HCFC1, RNF2, ANK3, FGFR2, and CES1, and mouse homologs thereof." The patent application was filed on March 16, 2006 (11/908,775). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,555&OS=8,349,555&RS=8,349,555 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Synopsys Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Synopsys, Mountain View, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,676) developed by Cong Khieu, San Jose, Calif., Yanjun Ma, Bellvue, Wash., and Jaideep Mavoori, Bellevue, Wash., for "electrostatic discharge management apparatus, systems, and methods." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Apparatus, systems, and methods may include managing electrostatic discharge events by using a semiconductor device having a non-aligned gate to implement a snap-back voltage protection mechanism. Such devices may be formed by doping a semiconductor substrate to form a first conductive region as a well, forming one of a source region and a drain region in the well, depositing a layer of polysilicon on the substrate to establish a gating area that does not overlap the one of the source region and the drain region, and forming an integrated circuit supported by the substrate to couple to the one of the source region and the drain region to provide snap-back voltage operation at a node between the integrated circuit and the source or drain region. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed." The patent application was filed on Aug. 19, 2011 (13/214,044). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,676&OS=8,349,676&RS=8,349,676 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** HRL Laboratories Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- HRL Laboratories, Malibu, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,650) developed by Peter D. Brewer, Westlake Village, Calif., Keith V. Guinn, Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Jonathan J. Lynch, Oxnard, Calif., for a "multi-layered integrated circuit and apparatus with thermal management and method." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A multi-layered semiconductor apparatus capable of producing at least 500 W of continuous power includes at least two device substrates arranged in a stack. Each of the at least two device substrates has a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, and each of the at least two device substrates is configured to produce an average power density higher than 100 W/cm.sup.2. A plurality of active devices are provided on the first side of each of the at least two device substrates. The plurality of active devices are radiatively coupled among the at least two device substrates. At least one of the at least two device substrates is structured to provide a plurality of cavities on its second side to receive corresponding ones of the plurality of active devices on the first side of an adjacent one of the at least two device substrates." The patent application was filed on March 1, 2011 (13/038,244). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,650&OS=8,349,650&RS=8,349,650 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Tessera Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Tessera, San Jose, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,654) developed by Belgacem Haba, Saratoga, Calif., for a "method of fabricating stacked packages with bridging traces." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A microelectronic assembly that includes a first microelectronic element having a first rear surface. The assembly further includes a second microelectronic element having a second rear surface. The second microelectronic element is attached to the first microelectronic element so as to form a stacked package. A bridging element electrically connects the first microelectronic element and the second microelectronic element. The first rear surface of the first microelectronic element faces toward the second rear surface of the second microelectronic element." The patent application was filed on May 25, 2011 (13/115,318). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,654&OS=8,349,654&RS=8,349,654 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Spansion Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Spansion, Sunnyvale, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,685) developed by Angela T. Hui, Fremont, Calif., and Shenqing Fang, Fremont, Calif., for a "dual spacer formation in flash memory." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A method and manufacture for memory device fabrication is provided. In one embodiment, at least one oxide-nitride spacer is formed as follows. An oxide layer is deposited over a flash memory device such that the deposited oxide layer is at least 250 Angstroms thick. The flash memory device includes a substrate and dense array of word line gates with gaps between each of the word lines gate in the dense array. Also, the deposited oxide layer is deposited such that it completely gap-fills the gaps between the word line gates of the dense array of word line gates. Next, a nitride layer is depositing over the oxide layer. Then, the nitride layer is etched until the at least a portion of the oxide layer is exposed. Next, the oxide layer is etched until at least a portion of the substrate is exposed." The patent application was filed on Dec. 3, 2010 (12/960,437). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,685&OS=8,349,685&RS=8,349,685 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Applied Materials Assigned Patent for Thin Film Transistors Using Multiple Active Channel Layers ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Applied Materials, Santa Clara, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,669) developed by Yan Ye, Saratoga, Calif., for a "thin film transistors using multiple active channel layers." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to TFTs and methods of fabricating the TFTs. In TFTs, the active channel carries the current between the source and drain electrodes. By tailoring the composition of the active channel, the current can be controlled. The active channel may be divided into three layers, a gate control layer, a bulk layer, and an interface control layer. The separate layers may have different compositions. Each of the gate control, bulk and interface control layers may additionally comprise multiple layers that may have different compositions. The composition of the various layers of the active channel comprise oxygen, nitrogen, and one or more elements selected from the group consisting of zinc, indium, cadmium, tin, gallium and combinations thereof. By varying the composition among the layers, the mobility, carrier concentration and conductivity of the various layers may be controlled to produce a TFT having desired properties." The patent application was filed on July 24, 2012 (13/556,380). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,669&OS=8,349,669&RS=8,349,669 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Synopsys Assigned Patent for Stress-enhanced Performance of a FinFET Using Surface/channel Orientations and Strained Capping Layers ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Synopsys, Mountain View, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,668) developed by Victor Moroz, San Jose, Calif., and Tsu-Jae King Liu, Fremont, Calif., for a "stress-enhanced performance of a FinFET using surface/channel orientations and strained capping layers." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Different approaches for FinFET performance enhancement based on surface/channel direction and type of strained capping layer are provided. In one relatively simple and inexpensive approach providing a performance boost, a single surface/channel direction orientation and a single strained capping layer can be used for both n-channel FinFETs (nFinFETs) and p-channel FinFETs (pFinFETs). In another approach including more process steps (thereby increasing manufacturing cost) but providing a significantly higher performance boost, different surface/channel direction orientations and different strained capping layers can be used for nFinFETs and pFinFETs." The patent application was filed on May 9, 2011 (13/103,677). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,668&OS=8,349,668&RS=8,349,668 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** SanDisk 3D Assigned Patent for Nonvolatile Memory Cell Comprising a Diode and a Resistance-switching Material ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- SanDisk 3D, Milpitas, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,664) developed by Scott Brad Herner, San Jose, Calif., Christopher J. Petti, Mountain View, Calif., and Tanmay Kumar, Pleasanton, Calif., for a "nonvolatile memory cell comprising a diode and a resistance-switching material." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "In a novel nonvolatile memory cell formed above a substrate, a diode is paired with a reversible resistance-switching material, preferably a metal oxide or nitride such as, for example, Ni.sub.xO.sub.y, Nb.sub.xO.sub.y, Ti.sub.xO.sub.y, Hf.sub.xO.sub.y, Al.sub.xO.sub.y, Mg.sub.xO.sub.y, Co.sub.xO.sub.y, Cr.sub.xO.sub.y, V.sub.xO.sub.y, Zn.sub.xO.sub.y, Zr.sub.xO.sub.y, B.sub.xN.sub.y, and Al.sub.xN.sub.y. In preferred embodiments, the diode is formed as a vertical pillar disposed between conductors. Multiple memory levels can be stacked to form a monolithic three dimensional memory array. In some embodiments, the diode comprises germanium or a germanium alloy, which can be deposited and crystallized at relatively low temperatures, allowing use of aluminum or copper in the conductors. The memory cell of the present invention can be used as a rewriteable memory cell or a one-time-programmable memory cell, and can store two or more data states." The patent application was filed on Aug. 12, 2010 (12/855,462). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,664&OS=8,349,664&RS=8,349,664 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, has been assigned a patent (8,349,554) developed by S. Bahram Bahrami, Emeryville, Calif., Mandana Veiseh, Emeryville, Calif., and James Olson, Seattle, for a "needle array assembly and method for delivering therapeutic agents." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A fluid delivery device includes an array of needles, each in fluid communication with a respective reservoir. Respective actuators are coupled so as to be operable to drive fluid from the reservoirs via needle ports. Each needle can have a plurality of ports, and the ports can be arranged to deliver a substantially equal amount of fluid at any given location along its length. A driver is coupled to the actuators to selectively control the rate, volume, and direction of flow of fluid through the needles. The device can simultaneously deliver a plurality of fluid agents along respective axes in solid tissue in vivo. If thereafter resected, the tissue can be sectioned for evaluation of an effect of each agent on the tissue, and based on the evaluation, candidate agents selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapy, and subjects selected or deselected for clinical trials or therapeutic treatment." The patent application was filed on Aug. 14, 2008 (12/674,146). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,554&OS=8,349,554&RS=8,349,554 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** SanDisk 3D Assigned Patent for Vertical Diode Based Memory Cells Having a Lowered Programming Voltage and Methods of Forming the Same ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- SanDisk 3D, Milpitas, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,663) developed by S. Brad Herner, San Jose, Calif., and Tanmay Kumar, Pleasanton, Calif., for a "vertical diode based memory cells having a lowered programming voltage and methods of forming the same." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "In a first aspect, a method for forming a non-volatile memory cell is provided. The method includes (1) forming a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) antifuse stack including (a) a first metal layer; (b) a silicon dioxide, oxynitride or silicon nitride antifuse layer formed above the first metal layer; and (c) a second metal layer formed above the antifuse layer. The method also includes (2) forming a contiguous p-i-n diode above the MIM antifuse stack, the contiguous p-i-n diode comprising deposited semiconductor material; (3) forming a layer of a silicide, silicide-germanide, or germanide in contact with the deposited semiconductor material; and (4) crystallizing the deposited semiconductor material in contact with the layer of silicide, silicide-germanide, or germanide. The memory cell comprises the contiguous p-i-n diode and the MIM antifuse stack. Other aspects are provided." The patent application was filed on Sept. 28, 2007 (11/864,848). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,663&OS=8,349,663&RS=8,349,663 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Micron Technology Assigned Patent for Integrated Circuit Having Memory Cell Array, and Method of Manufacturing Same ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Micron Technology, Boise, Idaho, has been assigned a patent (8,349,662) developed by Danngis Liu, Sunnyvale, Calif., for an "integrated circuit having memory cell array, and method of manufacturing same." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An integrated circuit device (e.g., a logic device or a memory device) having (i) a memory cell array which includes a plurality of memory cells (for example, memory cells having electrically floating body transistors) arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, wherein each memory cell includes at least one transistor having a gate, gate dielectric and first, second and body regions, wherein: (i) the gate and gate dielectric are disposed on or above the first semiconductor layer that is disposed on or above an insulating layer or region, (ii) the body region of each transistor is electrically floating, (iii) the transistors of adjacent memory cells include a layout that provides a common first region, and (iv) the first regions of the transistors are comprised of a semiconductor material which is different from the material of the first semiconductor layer. Also disclosed are inventive methods of manufacturing, for example, such integrated circuit devices." The patent application was filed on Dec. 11, 2008 (12/332,413). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,662&OS=8,349,662&RS=8,349,662 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Intermolecular Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Intermolecular, San Jose, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,696) developed by Hanhong Chen, San Jose, Calif., and Hiroyuki Ode, Higashihiroshima, Japan, for an "asymmetric MIM capacitor for DRAM devices." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A bilayer second electrode for a MIM DRAM capacitor is formed wherein the layer of the electrode that is in contact with the dielectric layer (i.e. bottom layer) has a composition that is resistant to oxidation during subsequent anneal steps and have rutile templating capability. Examples include SnO.sub.2 and RuO.sub.2. The capacitor stack including the bottom layer is subjected to a PMA treatment to reduce the oxygen vacancies in the dielectric layer and reduce the interface states at the dielectric/second electrode interface. The other component of the bilayer (i.e. top layer) is a high work function, high conductivity metal or conductive metal compound." The patent application was filed on Aug. 1, 2011 (13/195,528). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,696&OS=8,349,696&RS=8,349,696 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** ImmuneTech Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- ImmuneTech, Foster City, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,620) developed by Christopher R. Brown, San Mateo, Calif., and James T. Murai, San Bruno, Calif., for "highly sensitive immunoassay systems for detecting multiple allergens." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A homogeneous immunoassay method and system for quantitative determination of total immunoglobulin E and specific antibody levels to a plurality of allergens, in which a relatively small sampling of blood is required. The method utilizes relatively small microparticles in aqueous suspension. The immunoassay procedure is an immunometric sandwich procedure preferably utilizing biotin-streptavidin signal amplification techniques and R-phycoerytherin fluorescent labels." The patent application was filed on Dec. 6, 2011 (13/312,977). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,620&OS=8,349,620&RS=8,349,620 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Danisco US Assigned Patent for Multimeric Oxidoreductases ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Danisco US, Palo Alto, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,599) developed by Robert M. Caldwell, Belmont, Calif., M. Harunur Rashid, Sunnyvale, Calif., and Fernando Valle, Burlingame, Calif., for multimeric oxidoreductases.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Described are multimeric oxidoreductase complexes which function in the enzymatic conversion of a carbon substrate. The complexes having a dehydrogenase subunit and a cytochrome C subunit. Also described are polynucleotides coding for the multimeric complexes and methods of use thereof." The patent application was filed on Sept. 9, 2011 (13/228,758). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,599&OS=8,349,599&RS=8,349,599 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Bunge Oils Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Bunge Oils, St. Louis, has been assigned a patent (8,349,578) developed by six co-inventors for a "hydrolases, nucleic acids encoding them and methods for biocatalytic synthesis of structured lipids." The co-inventors are Christopher L.G. Dayton, Bourbonnais, Ill., Tim Hitchman, Encinitas, Calif., Katie Kline, San Diego, Jonathan Lyon, San Diego, Mark A. Wall, San Diego, and Nelson R. Barton, San Diego.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Provided are hydrolases, including lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases, and polynucleotides encoding them, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. Further provided are polypeptides, e.g., enzymes, having a hydrolase activity, e.g., lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases and methods for preparing low saturate or low trans fat oils, such as low saturate or low trans fat animal or vegetable oils, e.g., soy or canola oils." The patent application was filed on April 8, 2011 (13/083,484). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,578&OS=8,349,578&RS=8,349,578 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Maxim Integrated Products Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Maxim Integrated Products, San Jose, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,653) developed by Pirooz Parvarandeh, Los Altos Hills, Calif., for an "use of device assembly for a generalization of three-dimensional metal interconnect technologies." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An assembly process properly positions and align a plurality of first die within a carrier substrate. The first die are positioned within cavities formed in the carrier substrate. The carrier substrate is then aligned with a second substrate having a plurality of second die fabricated therein. The first die and the second die are fabricated using different technologies. Aligning the carrier substrate and the second substrate aligns the first die with the second die. One or more first die can be aligned with each second die. Once aligned, a wafer bonding process is performed to bond the first die to the second die. In some cases, the carrier substrate is removed, leaving behind the first die bonded to the second die of the second substrate. In other cases, the carrier substrate is left in place as a cap. The second substrate is then cut to form die stacks." The patent application was filed on June 2, 2010 (12/792,565). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,653&OS=8,349,653&RS=8,349,653 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Roche Diagnostics Operations Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Roche Diagnostics Operations, Indianapolis, has been assigned a patent (8,349,612) developed by Christopher Wiegel, Sunnyvale, Calif., Colleen Csavas, Burgdorf, Switzerland, and Ulrich Porsch, Weinheim, Germany, for a "guided structured testing kit." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A guided structured testing kit which may include a test strip container, a test strip meter, a testing protocol advisor, and at least one of diagnostic test strip is presented. The diagnostic test strip includes a support element, a glucose reagent provided on the support element, and a glycemic context code provided on the support element. The glycemic context code can be machine-readable. The glycemic context code signals a glycemic context to a test strip meter, either upon insertion of the diagnostic test strip or by a user manually inputting the glycemic context into the test strip meter. A method for performing a guided structured test is also provided." The patent application was filed on Nov. 15, 2010 (12/946,356). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,612&OS=8,349,612&RS=8,349,612 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings, Burlington, N.C., has been assigned a patent (8,349,574) developed by eight co-inventors for "methods of determining patient response by measurement of Her-3." The co-inventors are Michael Bates, San Carlos, Calif., Ali Mukherjee, Millbrae, Calif., Gordon Parry, Oakland, Calif., Jeff Sperinde, El Granada, Calif., Jennifer W. Cook, San Mateo, Calif., Gundo Diedrich, Potomac, Md., Laurie Goodman, El Granada, Calif., and Stephen J. Williams, San Carlos, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The invention provides methods of measuring and/or quantifying the presence and/or amount of Her-3 and/or Her-3 in a complex in a sample. The invention also provides antibodies specific for Her-3." The patent application was filed on Jan. 15, 2010 (12/688,798). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,574&OS=8,349,574&RS=8,349,574 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Roche Palo Alto Assigned Patent for Stable Cell Lines Expressing hERG ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Roche Palo Alto, Palo Alto, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,572) developed by four co-inventors for "stable cell lines expressing hERG." The co-inventors are Paul Shartzer Dietrich, Palo Alto, Calif., Bruce Koch, Sunnyvale, Calif., Heather Guthrie, Bloomfield, N.J., and Ulrich Andreas Gubler, Glen Ridge, N.J.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A stable eukaryotic cell line that expresses hERG and exhibits a stable current under electrophysiological test conditions is provided." The patent application was filed on June 22, 2010 (12/820,358). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,572&OS=8,349,572&RS=8,349,572 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Disney Enterprises Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Disney Enterprises, Burbank, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,348,776) developed by David W. Crawford, Long Beach, Calif., and Edward A. Nemeth, Hermosa Beach, Calif., for an intersecting path ride.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "An intersecting path ride providing close vehicle interaction without risk of collision. The ride includes a track assembly defining first and second linear, open channels bisecting at a vehicle path intersection point. The ride includes first and second vehicle guides movable within the channels. The ride includes first and second vehicle subassemblies supported by the guides, and the vehicle subassemblies move or reciprocate with the guides along linear paths defined by the channels. The ride includes a vehicle positioning assembly that concurrently reciprocates the guides back and forth along the linear channels through the intersection point. The vehicle positioning assembly includes a connection link pivotally coupled to the guides, a drive motor with an output shaft, and a crank arm rigidly coupled to the output shaft at one end and pivotally coupled to the connection link at another end moving the midpoint of the link through a circular drive path." The patent application was filed on July 8, 2010 (12/832,296). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=83,48,776.PN.&OS=PN/83,48,776&RS=PN/83,48,776 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Lee Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Po-Yi Lee, West Covina, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,348,791) developed by Po-Yi Lee, for a tensioner.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A tensioner includes a base, a piston, a rack, a stopping device, a first and a second flexible device. The surface of the base includes a first, a second, a third, and a fourth recess portion vertically connecting the third with the second recess portion. The rack disposed in the second recess portion has one ending outside the base to extend and connect to one ending of the piston. The stopping device axially disposed in the fourth recess portion has a work surface and a first connecting surface disposed on sides of two endings thereof. Two sticking portions are disposed on opposite edges of the first connecting surface. A turning mechanism is disposed on the ending of stopping device, which has the sticking portions. The second flexible device disposed in the third recess portion contacts the ending of stopping device, where the work surface is disposed." The patent application was filed on July 30, 2009 (12/512,035). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=83,48,791.PN.&OS=PN/83,48,791&RS=PN/83,48,791 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Clorox Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Clorox, Oakland, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,449) developed by Marc Privitera, Walnut Creek, Calif., David Jackson Lestage, Livermore, Calif., and Edward Jason White, Pleasanton, Calif., for "polymer active complex fibers." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The invention covers a method of forming functionally active fibers and substrates including functionally active fibers. The method includes forming a mixture of at least one poly vinyl polymer and at least one bleaching active. The mixture is then injected at a controlled flow rate into an electric field to cause the mixture to at least partially form fine fibers that have an average diameter of less than about 1000 nanometers." The patent application was filed on May 15, 2008 (12/120,898). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,449&OS=8,349,449&RS=8,349,449 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** Biosense Webster Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Biosense Webster, Diamond Bar, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,348,888) developed by Thomas V. Selkee, Claremont, Calif., for a "steering mechanism for bi-directional catheter." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "The present invention provides a bi-directional catheter with nearly double the throw in its catheter tip deflection. In particular, the travel path of each the puller wire includes a U-turn or doubling-back around a pulley which minimizes the offset angle between the puller wire and the longitudinal axis of the control handle while maximizing the travel distance of that puller wire for any given distance traveled by the pulley drawing the puller wire. In one embodiment, the catheter has an elongated catheter body, a catheter tip section with first and second diametrically-opposed off-axis lumens, and a control handle which includes a steering assembly having a lever structure carrying a pair of pulleys for simultaneously drawing and releasing corresponding puller wires to deflect the tip section of the catheter." The patent application was filed on May 27, 2008 (12/127,704). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=83,48,888.PN.&OS=PN/83,48,888&RS=PN/83,48,888 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Saint-Gobain ADFORS America Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Saint-Gobain ADFORS America, Grand Island, N.Y., has been assigned a patent (8,349,431) developed by Sugjoon Lee, Westborough, Mass., Jon Woolstencroft, St. Catharines, Calif., and Kerry Hook, East Amherst, N.Y., for a "composite grid with tack film for asphaltic paving, method of paving, and process for making a composite grid with tack film for asphaltic paving." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A composite material comprises: an open grid comprising at least two sets of strands. Each set of strands has openings between adjacent strands. The sets are oriented at a substantial angle to one another. A tack film is laminated to the open grid. The tack film has first and second major surfaces, such that a material of the tack film at its first and second major surfaces includes about 50% or more of resinous non-asphaltic component and about 50% or less of asphaltic component." The patent application was filed on Aug. 5, 2008 (12/186,247). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,431&OS=8,349,431&RS=8,349,431 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** University of California Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- The University of California, Oakland, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,348,921) developed by Antoni Ivorra, Berkeley, Calif., and Boris Rubinsky, El Cerrito, Calif., for "gels with predetermined conductivity used in electroporation of tissue." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Gel compositions with adjusted conductivity are disclosed which compositions are used for directing reversible electroporation and irreversible electroporation of cells and tissue. The gel compositions are also used in a similar manner in order to carry out thermotherapy on cells and tissues." The patent application was filed on March 22, 2012 (13/427,027). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=83,48,921.PN.&OS=PN/83,48,921&RS=PN/83,48,921 Written by Amal Ahmed; edited by Jaya Anand.

*** Deeya Energy Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- Deeya Energy, Fremont, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,349,477) developed by Gopalakrishnan R. Parakulam, Cupertino, Calif., Saroj Kumar Sahu, Mountain House, Calif., and Rick Winter, Orinda, Calif., for an "optical leak detection sensor." The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "A leak detection sensor for detecting a leakage of an electrolyte solution in a flow battery system is provided. The sensor includes a sensor housing, the sensor housing being at least partially surrounded by a fluid and having mounted therein at least one light source. The device also includes at least one light detector, wherein light emitted from at least one light source is incident on a portion of the housing in contact with a fluid and is at least partially refracted by an amount which is dependent on a refractive index of the refractor lens and the surrounding fluid, such that the amount of refraction at the refractor lens and the surrounding fluid causes a loss in a power of light detected by the at least one light detector, the light detector determines the intensity of the detected light, determines the composition of fluid surrounding the device housing based on the based on the difference between the measured light intensity and the intensity of light produced by the light source, and determines a leak if the composition of fluid is determined to be an electrolyte solution." The patent application was filed on May 8, 2010 (12/790,749). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PTXT&s1=8,349,477&OS=8,349,477&RS=8,349,477 Written by Satyaban Rath; edited by Hemanta Panigrahi.

*** iScience Surgical Assigned Patent ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 12 -- iScience Surgical, Menlo Park, Calif., has been assigned a patent (8,348,924) developed by four co-inventors for a composite ophthalmic microcannula. The co-inventors are Jeffrey J. Christian, Morgan Hill, Calif., Stanley R. Conston, San Carlos, Calif., David J. Kupiecki, San Francisco, and John McKenzie, San Carlos, Calif.

The abstract of the patent published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office states: "Microcannulae are constructed with multiple components in a composite design, allowing the microcannulae to have varying mechanical and delivery properties that will enable ophthalmic treatments by minimally invasive means. The microcannula includes at least one flexible, tubular communicating element with an outer diameter of 350 microns or less, a proximal connector for introduction of materials, energy or tools. It may also include a reinforcing member attached to the communicating element, which may be designed to create variable stiffness along the length of the microcannula. The microcannula may also include other features such as a signal beacon near the distal tip." The patent application was filed on May 27, 2010 (12/789,231). The full-text of the patent can be found at http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph- For more information about Targeted News Service products and services, please contact: Myron Struck, editor, Targeted News Service LLC, Springfield, Va., 703/304-1897; editor@targetednews.com; http://targetednews.com.

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