Patents by Inventor Guenter M. Zilligen

Guenter M. Zilligen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11525154
    Abstract: Devices for detecting microorganism strains or target cellular analytes are provided. The device includes a filter holder, the filter holder comprising a tip portion; a nonwoven article disposed on the tip portion of the filter holder; and an adaptor attacked to the filter holder, the adaptor defining an aperture. Methods of detecting microorganisms and/or cellular analytes in a fluid sample using the devices are also provided. The method includes obtaining the device; placing a lumened or cannulated device in fluid communication with the device; and passing a fluid sample suspected of containing at least one microorganism strain or target cellular analyte from the lumened or cannulated device through the device and contacting the nonwoven article. The method further includes contacting the nonwoven article with at least one detection reagent and detecting the presence of the at least one microorganism strain or target cellular analyte concentrated by the nonwoven article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Jobst T. Jaeger, Jeffrey D. Smith, Waleri Wischnepolski, Henning Reuter, Giuseppe M. Bommarito, Manjiri T. Kshirsagar, Scott D. Lehman, Edward I. Stamm, Jr., Guenter M. Zilligen
  • Publication number: 20220317158
    Abstract: Voltage sensor (1) comprising a voltage divider (40) for sensing an AC voltage of a HV/MV power conductor (10). For adjusting the common overall impedance of the low-voltage portion of the voltage divider towards a desired impedance, the low-voltage portion (60) comprises one or more low-voltage impedance elements (110), a plurality of adjustment impedance elements (80) and a plurality of switches. In its connect state, each switch electrically connects an adjustment impedance element in parallel to at least one of the one or more low-voltage impedance elements (110). The overall impedance of the high-voltage portion (50) and the overall impedance of the low-voltage portion (60) of the voltage divider (40) are adapted such that, by bringing one or more of the switches (90) into their connect state, the voltage divider (40) has, for an AC voltage of between 5 and 25 kV phase-to-ground and a frequency of between 40 and 70 Hertz, a dividing ratio of 3077, of 6154, of 6769 or of 10 000.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Gunther A. J. Stollwerck, Mark Gravermann, Bernd Schubert, Christine B. Bund, Mirco Gunjaca, Jens Weichold, Johannes Fink, Michael H. Stalder, Sebastian Eggert-Richter, Harald Westkamp, Willy A. Ahlmann, Guenter M. Zilligen
  • Publication number: 20200288951
    Abstract: Provided is an endoscope port stopper including a first plug comprising a first central axis and a second plug comprising a second central axis, where the first plug is configured to releasably seal a first endoscope port and the second plug is configured to releasably seal a second endoscope port. In some embodiments, port stoppers may further include a third plug and/or a fourth plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: GUENTER M. ZILLIGEN, HENNING REUTER, G. MARCO BOMMARITO
  • Publication number: 20200237203
    Abstract: An endoscope flushing assembly is provided. In some embodiments, the flushing assembly may include an adapter and a stand. In some embodiments, the flushing assembly may further comprise a stopper. In some embodiments, the flushing assembly may further comprise a sample fluid tube. In some embodiments, the flushing assembly may further comprise a fluid receptacle. Also provided are a flushing assembly kit and a method of using the endoscope flushing assembly to evaluate the cleanliness and/or disinfection of an endoscope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: GUENTER M. ZILLIGEN, HENNING REUTER, KARL-HEINZ RECHLITZ, MANUEL STEINBRINK, G. MARCO BOMMARITO
  • Patent number: 10482703
    Abstract: An earplug dispensing mechanism defining a longitudinal axis, and including separator and index assemblies. The separator assembly includes a platform, a guide wall and bores. The guide wall projects from the platform to define a well for receiving earplugs. The bores each extend from an entrance opening to an exit opening. The index assembly is rotatably coupled to the separator assembly, and includes a handle, a plate, and a mixing body. The plate is connected to the handle and defines a dispensing aperture. The mixing body has an upper end, a lower end, and an exterior surface defined by a cone portion and a paddle portion. The cone portion tapers in diameter. The paddle portion projects radially from the cone portion at the lower end. The exterior surface is asymmetrical to encourage earplug mixing within the well, and to impede earplugs from entering a bore open to the dispensing aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David M. Rudek, Ralf F. Korte, Guenter M. Zilligen
  • Publication number: 20180346230
    Abstract: A manually operable dispenser for dispensing earplugs is provided. An exemplary dispenser includes a first dispensing mechanism portion and a second dispensing mechanism portion that interacts with the first dispensing mechanism portion during rotation of the handle. Interaction between the first dispensing mechanism portion and the second dispensing mechanism affects a rotational resistance (?) at the handle such that rotational resistance (?) varies between a maximum rotational resistance (?max) and a minimum rotational resistance (?min) as the handle is rotated by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Guenter M. ZILLIGEN, Karl-Heinz RECHLITZ, David M. RUDEK
  • Publication number: 20180051312
    Abstract: Devices for detecting microorganism strains or target cellular analytes are provided. The device includes a filter holder, the filter holder comprising a tip portion; a nonwoven article disposed on the tip portion of the filter holder; and an adaptor attacked to the filter holder, the adaptor defining an aperture. Methods of detecting microorganisms and/or cellular analytes in a fluid sample using the devices are also provided. The method includes obtaining the device; placing a lumened or cannulated device in fluid communication with the device; and passing a fluid sample suspected of containing at least one microorganism strain or target cellular analyte from the lumened or cannulated device through the device and contacting the nonwoven article. The method further includes contacting the nonwoven article with at least one detection reagent and detecting the presence of the at least one microorganism strain or target cellular analyte concentrated by the nonwoven article.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Jobst T. Jaeger, Jeffrey D. Smith, Waleri Wischnepolski, Henning Reuter, Giuseppe M. Bommarito, Manjiri T. Kshirsagar, Scott D. Lehman, Edward I. Stamm, Jr., Guenter M. Zilligen
  • Publication number: 20170200340
    Abstract: An earplug dispensing mechanism defining a longitudinal axis, and including separator and index assemblies. The separator assembly includes a platform, a guide wall and bores. The guide wall projects from the platform to define a well for receiving earplugs. The bores each extend from an entrance opening to an exit opening. The index assembly is rotatably coupled to the separator assembly, and includes a handle, a plate, and a mixing body. The plate is connected to the handle and defines a dispensing aperture. The mixing body has an upper end, a lower end, and an exterior surface defined by a cone portion and a paddle portion. The cone portion tapers in diameter. The paddle portion projects radially from the cone portion at the lower end. The exterior surface is asymmetrical to encourage earplug mixing within the well, and to impede earplugs from entering a bore open to the dispensing aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: David M. Rudek, Ralf F. Korte, Guenter M. Zilligen
  • Publication number: 20170200339
    Abstract: An earplug dispensing mechanism defining a longitudinal axis, and including a separator assembly and an index assembly. The separator assembly includes a platform, a guide wall and bores. The guide wall projects from the platform to define a well for receiving earplugs from a container. Each bore is open to the well at an entrance opening. The guide wall forms a close, compound curve shape in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and surrounding the entrance openings. The index assembly is rotatably coupled to the separator assembly, and includes a handle, a plate, and a mixing body. The plate is connected to the handle and defines a dispensing aperture. The mixing body is connected to the plate opposite the handle. Rotation of the handle selectively aligns the dispensing aperture with individual ones of the bores, with the guide wall shape funneling earplugs in the well toward the bores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: David M. Rudek, Ralf F. Korte, Guenter M. Zilligen
  • Patent number: 9501890
    Abstract: A manually operable dispenser for dispensing disposable earplugs. The dispenser includes a housing, an index body, and a plate. The housing forms an opening for receiving earplugs from a container. The index body includes a handle and a hub. The hub forms an upper major face, a lower major face, and a plurality of circumferentially arranged bores. Each of the bores is open to the major faces and is defined by a wall surface extending through a thickness of the hub. At least a portion of the wall surface of each of the bores has an anti-bonding construction. The hub is rotatably mounted within the housing. The plate is connected to the housing, and forms a dispensing aperture. A manually-applied rotational force at the handle selectively aligns respective ones of the bores with the dispensing aperture. The anti-bonding construction promotes sliding, low friction interface with individual earplugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David M. Rudek, Guenter M. Zilligen, Joerg R. Purfuerst
  • Patent number: 9412216
    Abstract: A manually operable dispenser for dispensing disposable earplugs. The dispenser includes a housing, index body, and plate. The housing forms an opening for receiving earplugs from a container. The index body includes a handle, hub, guide cone and shield. The hub forms opposing major faces and a plurality of circumferentially arranged bores. The guide cone projects from the upper major face, tapering in diameter to a leading end. A base of the shield is disposed above the leading end opposite the upper major face. A wall of the shield projects radially outwardly to an edge having a diameter greater than a diameter of the leading end. The shield and the handle are rotationally affixed. The hub is rotatably mounted within the opening. The plate is connected to the housing and forms a dispensing aperture. A manually-applied rotational force at the handle selectively aligns individual ones of the bores with the dispensing aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David M. Rudek, Guenter M. Zilligen, Joerg R. Purfuerst
  • Publication number: 20150179018
    Abstract: A manually operable dispenser for dispensing disposable earplugs. The dispenser includes a housing, index body, and plate. The housing forms an opening for receiving earplugs from a container. The index body includes a handle, hub, guide cone and shield. The hub forms opposing major faces and a plurality of circumferentially arranged bores. The guide cone projects from the upper major face, tapering in diameter to a leading end. A base of the shield is disposed above the leading end opposite the upper major face. A wall of the shield projects radially outwardly to an edge having a diameter greater than a diameter of the leading end. The shield and the handle are rotationally affixed. The hub is rotatably mounted within the opening. The plate is connected to the housing and forms a dispensing aperture. A manually-applied rotational force at the handle selectively aligns individual ones of the bores with the dispensing aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: David M. Rudek, Guenter M. Zilligen, Joerg R. Purfuerst
  • Publication number: 20150179017
    Abstract: A manually operable dispenser for dispensing disposable earplugs. The dispenser includes a housing, an index body, and a plate. The housing forms an opening for receiving earplugs from a container. The index body includes a handle and a hub. The hub forms an upper major face, a lower major face, and a plurality of circumferentially arranged bores. Each of the bores is open to the major faces and is defined by a wall surface extending through a thickness of the hub. At least a portion of the wall surface of each of the bores has an anti-bonding construction. The hub is rotatably mounted within the housing. The plate is connected to the housing, and forms a dispensing aperture. A manually-applied rotational force at the handle selectively aligns respective ones of the bores with the dispensing aperture. The anti-bonding construction promotes sliding, low friction interface with individual earplugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: David M. Rudek, Guenter M. Zilligen, Joerg R. Purfuerst
  • Patent number: 8485850
    Abstract: A telecommunications connector (10) comprises an array of contacts (12) connectable to telecommunications wire pairs, the contacts being of a first type or a second type. The first type of contact is shaped so that its contact region (12B) extends in a first direction and the second type of contact is shaped so that its contact region extends in an opposing direction. In an embodiment in the form of an RJ45 jack, to introduce crosstalk compensation, the contacts “3” to “6” in the inner zone of the array are alternately of the first and second types; and the contacts “1”, “2” and “7”, “8” of each pair in the remainder of the array are respectively of the same type but different from the adjacent contact in the inner zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mathieu Nesme, Guenter M. Zilligen, Christian Weinmann
  • Publication number: 20120122353
    Abstract: A telecommunications connector (10) comprises an array of contacts (12) connectable to telecommunications wire pairs, the contacts being of a first type or a second type. The first type of contact is shaped so that its contact region (12B) extends in a first direction and the second type of contact is shaped so that its contact region extends in an opposing direction. In an embodiment in the form of an RJ45 jack, to introduce crosstalk compensation, the contacts “3” to “6” in the inner zone of the array are alternately of the first and second types; and the contacts “1”, “2” and “7”, “8” of each pair in the remainder of the array are respectively of the same type but different from the adjacent contact in the inner zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Mathieu Nesme, Guenter M. Zilligen, Christian Weinmann
  • Patent number: 7677780
    Abstract: A light guide assembly and method of forming the assembly. The light guide assembly includes an elongate light guide having an optically smooth surface for propagating light along its length and a light emitting region extending along at least a portion of the light guide length. The light emitting region has light extraction structures extending into the elongate light guide to extract or reflect light radially from the light guide. The assembly also includes a light source connector coupled to the light input end of the light guide. The light input end has primary encoding orientation geometry. The light source connector has a first end with secondary encoding orientation geometry, configured to mate with the primary encoding orientation geometry, and an opposing second end configured to accept a light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: David J. Lundin, Scott D. Gullicks, Joerg R. Purfuerst, Guenter M. Zilligen
  • Publication number: 20080198624
    Abstract: A light guide assembly and method of forming the assembly. The light guide assembly includes an elongate light guide having an optically smooth surface for propagating light along its length and a light emitting region extending along at least a portion of the light guide length. The light emitting region has light extraction structures extending into the elongate light guide to extract or reflect light radially from the light guide. The assembly also includes a light source connector coupled to the light input end of the light guide. The light input end has primary encoding orientation geometry. The light source connector has a first end with secondary encoding orientation geometry, configured to mate with the primary encoding orientation geometry, and an opposing second end configured to accept a light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: David J. Lundin, Scott D. Gullicks, Joerg Purfuerst, Guenter M. Zilligen