Patents Assigned to 3M
  • Medical diagnosis derived from patient drug history data
    Patent number: 8814790
    Abstract: In general the invention is directed to systems, methods, and/or software modules which may analyze a patient's drug history, and optionally other data, and derive a probable diagnosis for the patient based on rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jon Eisenhandler, Richard F. Averill, Norbert I. Goldfield
  • Oxazolinyl-containing polymers and grafted compounds prepared from the oxazolinyl-containing polymers
    Patent number: 8816004
    Abstract: Oxazolinyl-containing compounds having a single oxazolinyl group plus a first polymeric group are described. Grafted compounds are also described that are the product of a reaction of an oxazolinyl-containing compound with a second compound that has one or more acidic groups to form a grafted compound. In some embodiments, the second compound is a polymeric material having at least one acidic group and the reaction product is a grafted copolymer. Blended compositions of the grafted copolymer with a polyamide are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jason D. Clapper, Kevin M. Lewandowski
  • Methods for making layered dental appliances
    Patent number: 8813364
    Abstract: Methods for making a layered dental appliance. Some methods can include providing a solid structure (e.g., a die or a dental core, such as a fully sintered ceramic dental core) having a desired outer shape, and applying a first slurry to the solid structure to form a first free form layer on the solid structure. The method can further include solidifying the first free form layer on the solid structure, and machining the solidified first free form layer to a desired shape to form a first article comprising the solid structure and a first shaped layer. The method can further include applying, solidifying, and machining a second layer in a similar way to form a second article comprising the solid structure, the first shaped layer, and a second shaped layer. In some methods, the free form layers are not exposed to a high temperature prior to being machined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Gallus Schechner, Michael Jahns
  • Particles comprising blocked isocyanate resin and method of modifying a wellbore using the same
    Patent number: 8813842
    Abstract: A plurality of solid particles including a thermoplastic composition having a softening temperature in a range from 50° C. to 180° C. and a blocked isocyanate resin; optionally at least some of the particles in the plurality of solid particles comprise both the thermoplastic composition and the blocked isocyanate resin. A composition comprising the plurality of particles dispersed in a fluid is also disclosed. A method of modifying a wellbore within a geological formation is also disclosed. The method includes introducing the fluid composition into the wellbore. A method of making a plurality of particles, for example, to use in the fluid composition, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Crandall, Ignatius A. Kadoma, Clara E. Mata, Yong K. Wu
  • Medicinal inhalation device
    Patent number: 8815325
    Abstract: A medical inhalation device or a component thereof having a diamond-like glass coating comprising hydrogen and on a hydrogen free basis about 20 to about 40 atomic percent of silicon, greater than 39 atomic percent of carbon, and less than 33 down to and including zero atomic percent of oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Moses M. David, Daniel R. Hanson, Philip A. Jinks, Christopher G. Blatchford, Vicki M. Lietzau, Jean A. Kelly, Suresh Iyer
  • Strain relief device
    Patent number: 8816222
    Abstract: A strain relief device is disclosed that allows the passage of at least one telecommunication cable therethrough. The exemplary strain relief device has a one-piece, rectangular tubular body, an external strength member securing section to secure strength members from the at least one telecommunication cable to the rectangular tubular body and a sealing member to provide an environmental seal between the at least one telecommunication cable and the strain relief device and between the strain relief device and a mounting structure into which the strain relief device is inserted. The rectangular tubular body has an outer surface and at least one cable channel extending between a first end of the rectangular tubular body and a second end rectangular tubular body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Nelson Goncalves Pimentel
  • Compositions and articles comprising polymerizable ionic liquid mixture, and methods of curing
    Patent number: 8816029
    Abstract: Presently described are curable compositions comprising a mixture of at least one (e.g. free-radically) polymerizable ionic liquid and at least one other ethylenically unsaturated monomer, oligomer, or polymer. The polymerizable ionic liquid is characterized as having an air to nitrogen curing exotherm ratio of at least 0.70. Also described are articles and methods of making articles from such curable compositions. A monofunctional polymerizable ionic liquid is also described comprising a non-polymerizable substituted imidazolium cationic group and a polymerizable sulfonate anion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Yizhong Wang, Joel D. Oxman, Larry R. Krepski, Peiwang Zhu, Kevin M. Lewandowski, Brian N. Holmes, Richard L. Severance, Joseph D. Rule, Thomas P. Klun
  • Optoelectronic methods and devices for detection of analytes
    Patent number: 8817265
    Abstract: Herein are disclosed optoelectronic methods and devices for detecting the presence of an analyte. Such methods and devices may comprise at least one sensing element that is responsive to the presence of an analyte of interest and that may be interrogated optically by the use of at least one light source and at least one light detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John C. Hulteen, Kiran S. Kanukurthy, Neal A. Rakow, Andrzej F. Rybacha, Richard L. Rylander, Arthur Scheffler, Zeljko Zupanc
  • Dose indicator
    Patent number: 8814035
    Abstract: A dose counter is described. The dose counter may be used, for instance, in a medical inhaler device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Adam J. Stuart
  • METHOD OF PRODUCING A COMPONENT OF A DEVICE, AND THE RESULTING COMPONENTS AND DEVICES
    Publication number: 20140230846
    Abstract: The present method comprises providing a flexible web substrate (e.g., polymeric flexible web substrates) that forms at least part of a component of a device, coating so as to wet-out on and cover all or a substantial portion of a major surface on one side or both sides of the flexible web substrate with flowable polymeric material, while the flexible web substrate is moving in a down-web direction, and solidifying the polymeric material so as to form one cleaning layer on the major surface of one side or both sides of the flexible web substrate. The present invention can be utilized in a continuous in-line manufacturing process. In applications of the present invention where the flexible web substrate will not form a component of a device, the present invention broadly provides a method for cleaning particles from a flexible web of indefinite length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: William R. Dudley, William Blake Kolb, Michael A. Johnson, Stephen A. Johnson, Chris J. Tanley
  • HIGH CAPACITY LITHIUM-ION ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME
    Publication number: 20140234719
    Abstract: High capacity lithium-ion electrochemical cells and methods of making the same are provided that include a positive electrode that includes a lithium mixed metal oxide having a first irreversible capacity and a negative electrode that includes an alloy anode material having a first irreversible capacity when the anode is delithiated to 0.9 V vs. Li/Li+. The lithium mixed metal oxide includes at least one of nickel, cobalt, and manganese. The alloy anode compound includes at least one of silicon and tin. The first cycle irreversible capacity of the positive electrode is greater than or equal to the first cycle irreversible capacity loss of the negative electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Leif Christensen
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAKING PLEATED FILTER MEDIA
    Publication number: 20140235419
    Abstract: Systems and methods for automated fabrication of pleated filters that promote user-selected adjustment of the pleat spacing generated by the system. A lower conveyor of a pleat spacing station is operated at a selected conveyor rate. A gathered pleated segment of filter material is received at the pleat spacing station. The pleat spacing station expands a pleat spacing of the gathered pleated segment in forming a pleated filter segment. Expansion of the pleats at the pleat spacing station is accomplished by initially engaging the filter material along the lower conveyor, with the conveyor rate being alterable by a user, including on the fly alteration, to establish a desired pleat spacing and thus pleat density in the pleated filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Lise, Joel R. Slamkowski, Nader J. Barjesteh
  • HIGH CAPACITY POSITIVE ELECTRODES FOR USE IN LITHIUM-ION ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS AND METHODS OF MAKING SAME
    Publication number: 20140234717
    Abstract: Positive electrode for lithium-ion electrochemical cells are provided that have capacity retentions of greater than about 95% after 50 charge-discharge cycles when comparing the capacity after cycle 52 with the capacity after cycle 2 when cycled between 2.5 V and 4.7 V vs. Li/Li+ at 30° C. Compositions useful in the provided positive electrodes can have the formula, Li1+x(NiaMnbCoc)1?x O2, wherein 0.05?x?0.10, a+b+c=1, 0.6?b/a?1.1, c/(a+b)<0.25, and a, b, and c are all greater than zero. The process of making these positive electrodes includes firing the compositions at 850° C. to 925° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Leif Christensen, Jerome E. Scanlan, Anthony P. Lindert
  • THREE-DIMENSIONAL POLYMERIC STRAND NETTING, DIES, AND METHODS OF MAKING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20140234605
    Abstract: Method and extrusion die (1030) for producing a three-dimensional polymeric strand netting, wherein a plurality of the polymeric strands (1070a, 1070b, 1070c) are periodically joined together in a regular pattern at bond regions throughout the array, wherein a majority of the polymeric strands (1070a, 1070b, 1070c) are periodically bonded to at least two (three, four, five, six, or more) adjacent polymeric strands, and wherein no polymeric strands are continuously bonded to a polymeric strand. Three-dimensional polymeric strand netting described herein have a variety of uses, including wound care, tapes, filtration, absorbent articles, pest control articles, geotextile applications, water/vapor management in clothing, reinforcement for nonwoven articles, self bulking articles, floor coverings, grip supports, athletic articles, and pattern coated adhesives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Ronald W. Ausen, Timothy J. Diekmann, Thomas P. Hanschen, William J. Kopecky, Shou-Lu Wang
  • EARPLUG WITH TIP CAVITY AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20140230830
    Abstract: Hearing protection devices, e.g., push-to-fit earplugs, having a tip cavity in the sound attenuating body and methods of manufacturing the hearing protection devices are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Hamer, Kenneth F. Teeters, Ravi Thomas
  • INTEGRATED MICRONEEDLE ARRAY DELIVERY SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20140236090
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides low-profile systems and methods for delivering a microneedle array. A delivery system includes a housing that may be secured to and temporarily worn on a patient's skin. A carrier assembly coupled to a microneedle array is received in the housing proximate a stored energy device. The stored energy device can be designed to store a predetermined amount of potential energy that is greater or substantially greater than the energy necessary to release said energy. As the stored energy device is potentially capable of releasing substantially more energy than is required to cause the release, the amount of normal force applied to the skin can be minimized while sufficient application velocity is still generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: David J. Colburn, Erik J. Johnson, David H. Brandwein, Jerome E. Gysbers, Patrick J. Young, Adam S. Cantor
  • FUNCTIONALIZED ADHESIVE COATED ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCES
    Publication number: 20140234528
    Abstract: Provided are methods for making adhesive coated orthodontic appliances having a silane treated metallic bonding surface, and related assemblies. Exemplary methods of making an adhesive coated orthodontic appliance include providing a metallic bonding surface on the orthodontic appliance for attachment to a tooth surface, sand blasting the bonding surface with a silica-based media, functionalizing the bonding surface in the presence of a pH-modified coupling agent solution, and applying an adhesive onto at least a portion of the bonding surface, where the adhesive is a hydrophilic adhesive having a water uptake of at least 0.5 percent of its original weight after hardening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Bradley D. Craig, Tsi-Zong Tzou, Afshin Falsafi
  • CONFORMABLE COATING AND COMPOSITION
    Publication number: 20140235712
    Abstract: The disclosed conformable coating provides a highly durable and resilient film useful for protecting and repairing surfaces such as skin and mucous membranes. A conformable coating composition comprises an elastomer, a volatile liquid, wherein the volatile liquid is at least 40% wt. of the total composition and the composition has a viscosity less than 1,000 cps. Disclosed is a conformable film that comprises an elastomer on a substrate, wherein the coating weight is from 1 to 30 mg/in2, and wherein the film has less than 75% failure at 100% elongation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert A. Asmus, Hae-Seung Lee, John D. Dell, Deena M. Conrad-Vlasak
  • CONTENT DEVELOPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION USING COGNITIVE SCIENCES DATABASE
    Publication number: 20140237331
    Abstract: Computer implemented methods and systems facilitate development and distribution of content for presentation on a display or a multiplicity of networked displays, the content including content elements. The content elements may include graphics, text, video clips, still images, audio clips or web pages. The development of the content is facilitated using a database comprising design rules based on principles of cognitive and vision sciences. The database may include design rules based on visual attention, memory, and/or text recognition, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventor: Brian E. Brooks
  • EDGE PROTECTED BARRIER ASSEMBLIES
    Publication number: 20140230892
    Abstract: The present application is directed to an assembly comprising an electronic device, and a multilayer film. The multilayer film comprises a substrate adjacent the electronic device, a barrier stack adjacent the substrate opposite the electronic device, and a weatherable sheet adjacent the barrier stack opposite the substrate. The multilayer film has been fused.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark D. Weigel, Samuel Kidane