Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Eloise J. Maki
  • Patent number: 5985395
    Abstract: An incise drape suitable for use in surgical procedures. The drape comprises a substantially transparent flexible film that has at least a portion of one major surface coated or covered with a pressure sensitive adhesive, and a two liners removably covering the adhesive. Each liner has a handle spaced from the opposite side edges of the film, and a body portion attached to the handle. The body portion of each liner extends along the adhesive from handle in the direction away from the other liner. The drape is repeatedly folded over from the opposite side edges of the film toward the handles so that the drape may be unfolded and the adhesive exposed by pulling the handles apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kristen L. Comstock, Matthew T. Scholz, Gregg A. Patnode, Robert A. Asmus, Charles L. Newman, Nancy E. Stewart, Thomas L. Agrimson
  • Patent number: 5984088
    Abstract: The present invention provides kits of orthopedic casting materials comprising a sheet of curable casting material, a lubricant, and an air and water impermeable package comprising a laminate sheet material and a means for facilitating tearing of the sheet material when the outer surface of the pouch has been contacted with the lubricant. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the means for facilitating the tearing of the sheet comprises a matte-finish paper label material adhered to the outer surface of the package and crossing a cut. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention the means for facilitating the tearing of the sheet comprises a plurality of perforations through the sealed portion of the package adjacent a cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Peter T. Dietz, Gregory R. Lambach, Mark R. Montbriand
  • Patent number: 5983604
    Abstract: Multilayered barrier structures containing a gas barrier layer of a non-chlorine containing organic polymer which is substantially impermeable to oxygen gas and a moisture barrier layer of a mesophase propylene-based material are provided. These structures are environmentally compatible and radiation resistant, and exhibit one or more additional properties, including gas barrier properties, moisture barrier properties, toughness, heat sealability, softness, and quietness during wrinkling. Also provided are methods of preparing and using such multilayered barrier structures, and articles, such as films, pouches, and tubings, formed from these structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Debra L. Wilfong, Richard J. Rolando
  • Patent number: 5985990
    Abstract: Cross-linked, hydrophilic pressure sensitive adhesive compositions, (meth)acrylate-functional polar polymers which serve as precursors to them, and medical products using such adhesives are disclosed. The cross-linked polymer is prepared by free-radically cross-linking reactive polymers that are functionalized with pendant polymerizable moieties. Medical products that include such compositions are biomedical electrodes, pharmaceutical delivery devices, and medical skin coverings such as wound dressings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven S. Kantner, Wilhelm Kuester
  • Patent number: 5979450
    Abstract: A surgical incise drape including a flexible film having a leading edge and a trailing edge, and a film handle applied at the leading edge of the flexible film. A liner substantially covers the major portion of the flexible film, which is coated with an adhesive. The liner may include a liner handle at the leading edge, and one of the liner handle and film handle are of a size for wrapping about at least a portion of the drape when the drape is in a folded configuration. A tensioning strip may be applied to the liner at a position away from the leading edge of the liner to hold at least a portion of the flexible film lying between the film handle and the tensioning strip in a wrinkle-free state when the liner is being removed from the major portion of the flexible film. Further, the liner may be stiff relative to the flexible film such that the liner and the film handle hold the flexible film in a wrinkle-free state when the liner is being removed from the major portion of the flexible film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Dennis L. Baker, John E. Bruno, Patricia A. Eull, Dietmar Schlei, Matthew T. Scholz
  • Patent number: 5944758
    Abstract: A proximal humeral prosthesis that is particularly designed for treating a fractured humerus. The prosthesis comprises a head corresponding to the humeral head of a patient, and a stem having a proximal end to which the head is mounted. The prosthesis has a central plane coincident with the longitudinal axis of the stem about which it has a mirror axis of symmetry. One, or preferably pair of, projecting ribs are positioned at or near the proximal end of the stem adjacent the head. The projecting ribs are offset in opposite directions relative to the center plane at substantially identical offset angles (e.g., about 20.degree. to about 40.degree.) approximating the greater or lesser tuberosity of the humerus. Also disclosed is a method of treating a fractured humerus with this prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Michel Mansat, Otto Sneppen, Ian G. Kelly, Pierre Hoffmeyer
  • Patent number: 5945640
    Abstract: A stethoscope has a dual-sided stethoscope head. The stethoscope head includes a body member having first and second opposite sound collecting sides. Each of the first and second sound collecting sides has a suspended diaphragm member. Preferably, one side is specially adapted for use with adult patients while the other side is specially adapted for use with pediatric or thin patients where it is difficult to obtain good surface contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mary Jo Rossini, Thomas J. Packard
  • Patent number: 5931792
    Abstract: A stethoscope with a chestpiece which has two microphones oriented at a very obtuse angle to each other. The user of the stethoscope can switch from one microphone to the other with just a slight tilt of the hand. In preferred embodiments, no special action needs to be taken to activate the selected microphone as merely touching it to the patient's body selects it for activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Packard, Joy A. Packard
  • Patent number: 5921242
    Abstract: A sheet drape is folded first in one direction into a multilayer strip of material and then in the orthogonal direction into a stack with a first end of the multilayer length located on top of the stack and the second end located within the stack. The drape is unfolded by pulling the first end of the multilayer length in a first direction, to reveal the second end; pulling the second end in the second, opposite, direction (thereby returning to the form of the multilayer strip); and then opening the folds of the multilayer strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Charles L. Newman
  • Patent number: 5910557
    Abstract: The present invention relates to fluorochemical polyurethane compounds of the formula (I) according to claim 1, a method for their preparation and to compositions comprising that fluorochemical polyurethane compound. The compound and the composition comprising that compound are suitable to impart durable oil- and water-repellency and good laundry air-dry performance to substrates, such as fibers, woven or non-woven fabrics, carpets, leather and paper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Frans A. Audenaert, Kathy E.M.L.A. Allewaert, Gert Hooftman, Makoto Nagase, Hugo R. Lens
  • Patent number: 5882762
    Abstract: This invention relates to carpet yarn comprising a plurality of filaments of a thermoplastic polymer with a fluorochemical or non-fluorochemical hydrophilicity imparting compound dispersed within said filaments. In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of producing carpet yarn and to the use of the carpet yarn for the production of carpet having high soil resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Bart Goeman
  • Patent number: 5827812
    Abstract: The invention provides azeotrope-like compositions consisting essentially of R.sub.f OCH.sub.3, where R.sub.f is a branched or straight chain perfluoroalkyl group having 4 carbon atoms, and one or more organic solvent(s) selected from the group consisting of: straight chain, branched chain and cyclic alkanes containing 6 to 8 carbon atoms; cyclic and acyclic ethers containing 4 to 6 carbon atoms; ketones having 3 carbon atoms; chlorinated alkanes containing 1, 3 or 4 carbon atoms; chlorinated alkenes containing 2 carbon atoms, alcohols containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, partially fluorinated alcohols containing 2 to 3 carbon atoms, 1-bromopropane, acetonitrile, HCFC 225ca (1,1,-dichloro-2,2,3,3,3 pentafluoropropane and HCFC- 225cb (1,3-dichloro-1,1,2,2,3-pentafluoropropane).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Richard M. Flynn, Dean S. Milbrath, John G. Owens, Daniel R. Vitcak, Hideto Yanome
  • Patent number: 5814595
    Abstract: The invention provides azeotrope-like compositions consisting essentially of R.sub.f OC.sub.2 H.sub.5, where R.sub.f is a branched or straight chain perfluoroalkyl group having 4 carbon atoms, and an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of: straight chain, branched chain and cyclic alkanes having 6 to 8 carbon atoms; esters having 4 carbon atoms; ketones having 4 carbon atoms; disiloxanes having 6 carbon atoms; cyclic and acyclic ethers having 4 to 6 carbon atoms; chlorinated alkanes having 3 to 4 carbon atoms and chlorinated alkenes having 2 carbon atoms. The compositions are useful for cleaning, as solvents or carriers for coating and as heat transfer materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Richard M. Flynn, Dean S. Milbrath, John G. Owens, Daniel R. Vitcak, Hideto Yanome
  • Patent number: 5744436
    Abstract: An azeotropic composition includes a perfluorinated cycloaminoether and an organic solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Richard M. Flynn, Daniel R. Vitcak
  • Patent number: 5741997
    Abstract: Epichlorohydrin is polymerized in the presence of anhydrous stannic chloride catalyst and an alcohol initiator to produce a polyepichlorohydrin product comprising predominantly secondary hydroxyl-terminated polyepichlorohydrin polymer having low polydispersity, from which polyurethanes and azide derivatives can be made, polyurethanes prepared from such azide derivatives being useful as a binder for solid rocket propellants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Birger Johannessen
  • Patent number: 5675029
    Abstract: A process of making certain compounds using a phase transfer catalyst that permits the recovery and recycle of the phase transfer catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Kim L. Johnson
  • Patent number: D410546
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Companyy
    Inventors: Nancy P. Brogden, Wayne K. Dunshee, Bruce R. Miller, John Rutig, Barry G. Seelig
  • Patent number: D415836
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Wayne K. Dunshee, Donald G. Peterson
  • Patent number: D416582
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Wayne K. Dunshee, Joy A. Packard
  • Patent number: D417237
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joy A. Packard, Wayne K. Dunshee