Patents by Inventor Hoa Wilhelm

Hoa Wilhelm 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: 9031637
    Abstract: A system for targeting landmarks on devices such as surgical implants is disclosed. The system can include a field generator for generating one or more magnetic fields, an orthopaedic implant located within the magnetic fields, the implant having at least one landmark, a removable probe with a first magnetic sensor, a landmark identifier and a processor. The landmark identifier can contain a second sensor, or, alternatively, the field generator. The processor can utilize sensor data and, if desirable, field generator and other information, to generate and display the position and orientation of the sensor(s) in preferably six degrees of freedom, and thereby, to generate and display the position and orientation of the landmark(s). The system allows for blind targeting of one or more landmarks. The landmark identifier, field generator and/or drill motor may be disposed in an autoclavable housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Smith & Nephew, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Ritchey, Sied Janna, Charles C. Heotis, Hoa Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20100274121
    Abstract: A system for targeting landmarks on devices such as surgical implants is disclosed. The system can include a field generator for generating one or more magnetic fields, an orthopaedic implant located within the magnetic fields, the implant having at least one landmark, a removable probe with a first magnetic sensor, a landmark identifier and a processor. The landmark identifier can contain a second sensor, or, alternatively, the field generator. The processor can utilize sensor data and, if desirable, field generator and other information, to generate and display the position and orientation of the sensor(s) in preferably six degrees of freedom, and thereby, to generate and display the position and orientation of the landmark(s). The system allows for blind targeting of one or more landmarks. The landmark identifier, field generator and/or drill motor may be disposed in an autoclavable housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: SMITH & NEPHEW, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Ritchey, Sied W. Janna, Charles C. Heotis, Hoa Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20070083175
    Abstract: The present invention provides a translucent absorbent composite having a substrate with a light transmittance of at least about 60% and an absorbent material applied to the substrate. The absorbent layer contains an absorbent prepared from a water soluble ionic polymer having about 15 to about 99.9% by mass monoethylenically unsaturated polymer units having at least one functional group and about 0.1 to about 20% by mass ester units selected from the group consisting of acrylate and methacrylate ester units having an alkoxysilane functionality, wherein the absorbent composite has a light transmittance of at least 45%. Also provided are absorbent articles containing the absorbent composite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Timothy Van Himbergen, Renee Kole, Dave Soerens, David Fell, Ligia Rivera, Hoa Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20060069365
    Abstract: An absorbent composite has at least one first region and at least one second region. The first region includes an elastomeric polymer at a first concentration and at least one absorbent material, such as superabsorbent material, and the second region includes an elastomeric polymer at a second concentration. The absorbent composite can provide improved attachment within an absorbent article, such as a stretchable absorbent article, even after fluid loading, while maintaining suitable absorbent properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Inventors: Michael Sperl, Davis Hoang Nhan, Gabriel Adam, David Jackson, Barry Fitzsimons, Hoa Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20060030828
    Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed having a disposal member. The absorbent article includes a cover, a baffle and an absorbent positioned therebetween. The disposal member is configured as a pocket having a fixed portion and an open portion. The fixed portion is secured to at least one of the cover, absorbent or baffle. The disposal member is formed from a material having an odor control substance integrally formed therewith for limiting any malodors exiting the absorbent. The open portion of the pocket is capable of receiving and enclosing a substantial portion of the soiled absorbent article after it has been reduced in overall size for convenient disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventors: Hoa Wilhelm, Cindy Price
  • Publication number: 20050256468
    Abstract: An absorbent composition includes absorbent material, such as superabsorbent material, surface-treated with at least two different compatible agents. The superabsorbent material may be coated with multiple surface treatment agents in such a manner that each of the surface treatment agents is exposed on a surface of the superabsorbent material. For example, one surface treatment agent may be in a liquid coating form and another surface treatment agent may be in a powder form, each applied separately to the superabsorbent material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Inventors: Jian Qin, Hoa Wilhelm, Sheng-Hsin Hu
  • Publication number: 20050228350
    Abstract: An absorbent structure expands to a greater extent along one surface than along an opposite surface when in the presence of a liquid. The absorbent structure may include a single layer, or two or more layers intimately bonded to one another. When in the presence of a liquid, the more expandable surface causes an increase in concavity in the X-Y plane of the structure, with the concavity being in the direction of the less expandable surface. One or both surfaces can be treated to adjust the respective level of expandability. By inducing a formed shape upon hydration swelling, a trough shape can be generated to facilitate absorbent properties, containment, and fit. The invention includes absorbent articles having such an absorbent structure incorporated therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Sridhar Ranganathan, Fred Radwanski, Jenny Day, Jeffrey Krueger, Gregory Lefkowitz, Stanley Kellenberger, Hoa Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20050079637
    Abstract: A wearable article equipped with a multi-level alert system detects and emits signals corresponding to various abnormal levels of a substance in a mammalian extract. By providing different signals corresponding to multiple abnormal levels of the substance, the wearer is simultaneously alerted to the existence of an abnormality, and informed of the level of severity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 14, 2005
    Inventors: Hoa Wilhelm, Dave Soerens, Lee Wilhelm, James Wang
  • Publication number: 20050054784
    Abstract: Superabsorbent material treated to resist damage when subjected to an Absorbent Product Processing Simulation Test, which simulates the mechanical damage that occurs during current commercial diaper manufacturing processes. The treated superabsorbent material has a centrifuge retention capacity of about 15 grams or greater of 0.9 weight percent sodium chloride per gram of the superabsorbent material and a gel bed permeability (GBP) at 0 psi swell pressure on pre-screened particles of about 200 (×10?9 cm2) or greater. After subjecting the treated superabsorbent material to the Absorbent Product Processing Simulation Test, the treated superabsorbent may exhibit minimal reduction in GBP of pre-screened or un-screened particles at 0 psi or at 0.3 psi swell pressure, as well as possibly exhibiting minimal reduction in average particle size diameter (PSD).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Jian Qin, Kenneth Schueler, Hoa Wilhelm, Dave Soerens