Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing products such as liquid antimicrobials is described. The dispenser includes a bracket/actuator assembly and a container assembly. The dispenser includes a novel mechanism for attaching the container assembly to the bracket/actuator assembly and also includes a novel valve assembly.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 21, 1996
Date of Patent:
April 27, 1999
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Abstract: A test pack for evaluating an ethylene oxide sterilization process, comprising an open ended fiber board tubular member, an end cap enclosing each end of said tubular member, said end caps defining a test chamber within the tubular member, one of said end caps having an opening to permit the egress of ethylene oxide into the test chamber. A fiber ball is inserted into the test chamber at a location remote from the end cap having the opening therein, and a chemical type sterilization indicator is placed within the test chamber.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 28, 1997
Date of Patent:
April 20, 1999
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Abstract: A system is used for determining efficacy of a sterilization cycle. A biological sterility indicator exhibits fluorescence in response to biological activity which is indicative of bacterial growth in the biological sterility indicator. The biological sterility indicator is exposed to the sterilization cycle and is placed in a fluorescence reading apparatus. The fluorescence from the biological sterility indicator is read to obtain a first fluorescence reading. The fluorescence from the biological sterility indicator is re-read to obtain a second fluorescence reading. The efficacy of the sterilization cycle is determined based on the first and second fluorescence readings.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 30, 1997
Date of Patent:
January 26, 1999
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manfacturing Company
Abstract: An ear tip having a central portion and two end portions is described. The end portions each have ear contacting surfaces that are sized and shaped to contact the ear of the user. The ear tips are easily cleaned. The ear tips also contribute to user comfort and convenience.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 3, 1997
Date of Patent:
October 20, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Abstract: A drip resistant nozzle for a dispenser is described. The drip resistant nozzle includes a flexible, resilient member that moves between several positions during actuation of the dispenser.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 21, 1996
Date of Patent:
September 1, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Abstract: A cordless drive assembly for driving various orthopedic surgical instruments is described. The drive assembly is battery powered and includes tracks in the handle portion of its housing for receiving the battery. A latch locks the battery to the housing.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 24, 1996
Date of Patent:
August 11, 1998
Inventors:
James F. Pitzen, Jeffrey D. Smith, Charles E. Alexson
Abstract: A metered dose dispensing valve is described that is particularly suitable for dispensing metered volumes of a pressurised aerosol formulation. The valve comprises a chamber, and a valve stem extending into the chamber and movable relative to the chamber between non-dispensing and dispensing positions.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 8, 1996
Date of Patent:
June 30, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing
Inventors:
Andrew M. Bryant, Nicholas C. Miller, Peter D. Hodson
Abstract: An endoscopic instrument cleaning apparatus includes a syringe coupled to a flushing chamber by a form-fitting stopper. A distal, or instrument receiving end of the flushing chamber is inserted into a supply of cleaning fluid and the plunger of the syringe is drawn out to its fully retracted length, thereby filling the syringe and the flushing chamber with cleaning fluid. Then the distal end of an endoscopic instrument is inserted about through an aperture in a stopper having the shape of a conical frustum and is inserted into the flushing chamber to a depth of about 4 inches (10 cm) and the plunger of the syringe is thrust forward to inject pressurized cleaning solution through the endoscopic instrument. In another embodiment, the syringe receiving stopper is recessed within a proximal end of the flush chamber by about 3/8 inches (0.95-1.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 5, 1995
Date of Patent:
May 26, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Inventors:
Michael D. Bowman, Michael J. Armentrout, Drake L. Koch
Abstract: A remote sterilization indicator is described. The indicator allows a sterilization cycle to be monitored without the need to visually inspect the indicator.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 21, 1997
Date of Patent:
April 28, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Inventors:
Craig R. Hof, Gary Focarino, Samuel David Lannigan, Raymond A. Hof
Abstract: A one-piece edge protector for a roll of tape is described. The protector has a pair of sides and transverse, peripheral bridge portion which may receive a leading portion of a roll of tape to assist in dispensing the tape. The protector is particularly suitable to protect a roll of hand tearable medical tape.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 1, 1996
Date of Patent:
April 7, 1998
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Abstract: A metered dose dispensing valve for use with an aerosol container is disclosed. The valve comprises, as a single integral component, a rim gasket for sealing the valve to the aerosol container, a sealing flap for pressure filling the valve, and an insert which takes up dead volume within the valve.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 14, 1995
Date of Patent:
December 16, 1997
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Abstract: A two-piece edge protector for a roll of tape is described. The protector has a pair of sides and transverse, peripheral tape anchors which may receive a leading portion of a roll of tape to assist in dispensing the tape. The protector is particularly suitable to protect a roll of hand tearable medical tape.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 2, 1996
Date of Patent:
December 16, 1997
Assignee:
MinnesotaMining and Manufacturing Company
Abstract: The present invention comprises a module for a surgical driver of the type having a handle and a barrel with an axis. The module comprises a releasable attachment mechanism for releasably attaching the module to the surgical driver, a tool mounting mechanism for releasably receiving an orthopedic surgical tool, and a rotational orientation mechanism for orienting the tool mounting mechanism in a plurality of angular positions about an axis of the barrel. The device includes a releasable locking mechanism for releasably locking the rotational orientation mechanism in one of a plurality of discrete angular positions about the axis of the barrel. The releasable locking mechanism has a locking member movable between lock and release positions. A spring biases the locking mechanism toward the lock position. The novel locking mechanism of the present invention may also be used in non-modular devices.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 21, 1995
Date of Patent:
December 16, 1997
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for holding flexible cassettes such that the radiographic film loaded in the cassettes is in intimate contact with the intensifying screens in the cassettes, thereby improving the quality of radiographic images provided when using flexible cassettes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 23, 1995
Date of Patent:
November 4, 1997
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Inventors:
Therese K. Fick, John Fick, Bradley J. Hansen
Abstract: An aerosol generating device and a conduit for use with the aerosol generating device are disclosed. The conduit and aerosol generating device may be used in a method for administering an aerosol to a large animal, such as a horse.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 27, 1995
Date of Patent:
September 16, 1997
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company