Patents Represented by Attorney Nancy M. Lambert
  • Patent number: 7771990
    Abstract: A bioluminescence monitor comprises a photodetector 19 for detecting the amount of light emitted by a sample vessel 11 in a chamber 13. A reflector in the chamber 13 comprises a pair of elongate concave surfaces 16A, 16B which reflect a large proportion of the emitted light towards the photodetector 19. The monitor is calibrated by an LED 20 directed at the photodetector 19 and driven by a pulsed drive signal to provide a light output similar to the light output of an actual sample. The LED 20 is not continuously driven over the calibration period and thus does not heat up significantly enough to effect the level of the light output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Gethin Rhys Jones
  • Patent number: 7758712
    Abstract: An elastic composite article and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The elastic composite article includes a pair of coverwebs, a plurality of elastic filaments located between the pair of coverwebs. One or both of the pair of coverwebs is a nonwoven fibrous coverweb with a tear pattern of weakened areas formed therein. The tear patterns are formed before the coverwebs are attached to each other to form the elastic composite article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert J. Maki, David P. Swanson
  • Patent number: 7566460
    Abstract: A hydroalcoholic lotion is disclosed which comprises (a) a lower alcohol and water in a weight ratio of about 35:65 to 100:0, and (b) between at least 0.5% and 8% by weight thickener system comprised of at least one emulsifier present in at least 0.05% by weight wherein the composition in a polymer free state has a viscosity of at least 4,000 centipoise at 23 degrees C. and wherein the emulsifier is comprised of at least one hydrophobic group and at least one hydrophilic group. The hydroalcoholic composition is useful as a hand preparation such as a lotion or as a presurgical scrub replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Asmus, Matthew T. Scholz, Jill R. Charpentier
  • Patent number: 7540681
    Abstract: Systems and methods for applying or dispensing fluids such as surgical prep solution. The applicator includes a distributor element and a container of surgical prep solution. The distributor element includes a projecting element that separates at least two orifices in the distributor element to provide uniform distribution of the surgical prep solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Claude E. Cybulski, Eric R. Cybulski, Brook F. Duerr, Kent E. Lageson, Steven E. Turch
  • Patent number: 7442849
    Abstract: A carrier delivered dressing is disclosed which has a conformable backing with a pressure sensitive adhesive coated on a bottom face and removable carrier attached to the top face of the backing. A bond block material is positioned between the backing and the carrier. A cut line traverses both the carrier and the bond block material to form a tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Steven B. Heinecke
  • Patent number: 7378451
    Abstract: Hydrophilic surfactant compositions are disclosed that include a surfactant component and a stabilizer component. The surfactant can be coated on a surface by depositing a surfactant solution on at least a portion of the surface, then drying the surfactant solution to form the dry coating. The surfactant compositions, when applied to a substrate, can provide a hydrophilic surface that retains its hydrophilic character over time, at elevated temperatures, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
    Inventors: Yolla B. Levitt, Matthew T. Scholz
  • Patent number: 7377710
    Abstract: Systems and methods for applying or dispensing surgical prep solution. The applicator system includes a spreader element and a container of surgical prep solution. The spreader element includes a body with an orifice covered by a pad. The orifice is in fluid communication with a passage through an elongated stem connected to the body. The container may be collapsible with only limited recovery. The spreader element may include a receptacle for receiving the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
    Inventors: Nicholas R. Baumann, Matthew T. Scholz, Robert P. Zaspel, Kent W. Lageson, Claude E. Cybulski
  • Patent number: 7371511
    Abstract: Polymer blend compositions that include diacetylene segments are provided. The polymers containing diacetylene segments are capable of a calorimetric indication in response to stimuli, such as heat, an analyte or exposure to certain environmental factors, despite being blended with other materials, such as polymers or additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven D. Koecher, Richard G. Hansen, Jeffrey J. Cernohous
  • Patent number: 7364918
    Abstract: Colorimetric sensors comprising a receptor incorporated within polydiacetylene assemblies to form a transducer capable of indicating a color change when contacted with an analyte are disclosed. Methods of using the colorimetric sensor and a kit for the colorimetric detection of an analyte are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ryan B. Prince, David S. Hays, Angela K. Dillow, Randall P. Brown, G. Marco Bommarito, John L. Battiste
  • Patent number: 7309519
    Abstract: Friction control articles for use in healthcare applications, the articles generally comprising a backing Layer having a first surface and a second surface, where projecting from the first surface of the backing layer is an array of stems, wherein at least a portion of the exterior surface of the stems comprises an elastomeric material. Also disclosed are friction control articles having a coefficient of friction when dry along at least a portion of the first surface of at least 0.6. Multilayered and dual-sided friction control articles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew T. Scholz, Margie A. Crone, Nicholas R. Baumann, Leon Levitt
  • Patent number: 7267681
    Abstract: Methods and systems for closing wounds using wound closures and a flowable adhesive skin paint are disclosed. The flowable adhesive does not adhere the wound closures to the skin over the wound to reduce irritation. In some embodiments, the skin paint may include 1-40% of a siloxane-containing polymer; 60-99% of an Alkane-Based Siloxane Polymer Reaction Solvent; and 0-15% of adjuvants. The wound closures used with such a skin paint may include a wound bridging portion of microporous polypropylene film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Wayne K. Dunshee
  • Patent number: 7264604
    Abstract: Custom footbed devices, methods of constructing the devices and kits for constructing custom footbeds are disclosed that may be particularly advantageous in the treatment of plantar ulcers. The devices offer the advantage of off-loading pressure from the plantar ulcers in a device that is easy to construct, reusable, lightweight, and custom-made to improve patient comfort. The footbeds are constructed using a curable substrate that is formed to the plantar surface of the foot except in the areas occupied by spacers designed to off-load wounds on the bottom of the foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Johannes Schuren, Kurt Allenberg, Andrew Joseph Callinan
  • Patent number: 7261701
    Abstract: Skin antiseptic composition dispensers and methods of use are disclosed. The skin antiseptic composition dispenser may include a container with one or more walls that are substantially impermeable to ethylene oxide gas during normal ethylene oxide sterilization processes. In some embodiments, the container may include flexible walls free of metallic foil barrier layers. The containers may also include one or more vents in addition to one or more openings used to dispense the skin antiseptic composition within the container. The dispenser may include an applicator with a hydrophilic foam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co.
    Inventors: Robert A. Davis, Matthew T. Scholz, Mark V. Johnson, Triet M. Lu, Robert A. Asmus, John D. Dell
  • Patent number: 7192560
    Abstract: Methods and devices for removing small negatively charged molecules from a biological sample mixture that uses an anion exchange material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Ranjani V. Parthasarathy, Raj Rajagopal, Erin E. Olson, Frank J. Beissel, IV, William Bedingham, Barry W. Robole
  • Patent number: 7189793
    Abstract: An iodine/iodide-containing hot melt coatable adhesive is provided. This adhesive is prepared by mixing iodine and an iodide salt, individually or in combination, with solubilizing liquids. The iodine and iodide salt are combined with a pre-adhesive composition in a hot melt mixer, with an iodine/iodide complexing agent being present in the mixture. The mixture is mixed at a temperature from about 130° C. to about 200° C. and sufficiently to form an iodine/iodide-containing hot melt coatable adhesive. Alternatively, the iodide may be generated in situ. The adhesive so prepared may be packaged for coating on a substrate at a later time, or may be immediately coated to form an adhesive composite. Adhesive composites, particularly surgical incise drapes, are provided incorporating this hot melt coatable adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Danli Wang, Stephen E. Krampe, Zhming Zhou, Matthew T. Scholz, Michael P. Daniels
  • Patent number: 7189842
    Abstract: High-density, miniaturized arrays including high surface areas. Arrays described include substrate with a coating of linking agents, as well as arrays with reactants affixed to the substrates. Methods of manufacturing high-density arrays of reactants. The methods include the use of oriented, heat shrink films and elastomeric materials. Methods of functionalizing a substrate with linking agents for subsequent affixation of reactants are also disclosed herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Kurt J. Halverson, Sanjay L. Patil, Jerald K. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 7164107
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for processing sample materials. The sample materials may be located in a plurality of process chambers in the device, which is rotated during heating of the sample materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William Bedingham, Barry W. Robole
  • Patent number: 7147873
    Abstract: Antiseptic compositions, as well as methods of making and using, wherein the compositions include: an antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of iodine (I2), an iodophor, and a combination thereof, wherein the antimicrobial agent is present in an amount sufficient to provide an available iodine concentration of at least about 0.25 wt-%; a hydroxycarboxylic acid buffer in an amount of at least about 5 wt-%; water; and an optionally substantive film-forming polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Matthew T. Scholz, Danli Wang, Triet M. Lu, Dong-Wei Zhu
  • Patent number: 7140774
    Abstract: A bearing assembly is disclosed, which comprises at least two slidable fasteners interengaged with at least two bearing pieces such that the slidable fasteners have substantially unrestricted biaxial motion relative to one another. The bearing pieces are comprised of self-closable fastener film comprising a base sheet and a multiplicity of ribs projecting from the base sheet, wherein the flat side of the first bearing piece is attached to the flat side of the second bearing piece such that the ribs of the first bearing piece are not parallel relative to the ribs of the second bearing piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert K. Galkiewicz, Stefan Dietrich
  • Patent number: D569669
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Marcia C. Nichols, Claude E. Cybulski, Eric R. Cybulski, Shaelyn D. Benson, Arthur V. Lang