Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Robert Heller
Jeffrey Robert Heller 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).
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Patent number: 9241839Abstract: A wetness monitoring system is provided for an absorbent article, the wetness monitoring system including a signaling device including an alarm to indicate that the absorbent article has reached an insult limit. The signaling device operates with a sensor array which is disposed on the outermost surface of the absorbent article outer cover. The signaling device includes a detection circuit which measures changes in inductance or capacitance. The wetness monitoring system does not make direct contact with the absorbent structure located within an outer cover of the absorbent article.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2011Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Jose Kollakompil Abraham, Thomas Michael Ales, III, Sudhanshu Gakhar, Jeffrey Robert Heller, Davis Dang Hoang Nhan, Joseph Raymond Feldkamp, Sridhar Ranganathan
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Patent number: 8773117Abstract: A conductivity sensor is disclosed. The conductivity sensor includes an oscillator for providing an input signal and a reactive circuit having an induction coil, a capacitive element, and a resistive element connected in parallel. The induction coil is adapted to be placed adjacent to a specimen. The conductivity sensor further includes a control circuit for driving the reactive circuit to resonance when the induction coil is placed adjacent to the specimen. The reactive coil is configured to provide an output signal having a parameter representative of the conductivity of the specimen when the reactive circuit is at resonance. The induction coil may include a first conductive element that spirals outward to an external perimeter and a second conductive element operably connected to the first conductive element. The second conductive element spirals inward from the external perimeter staggered relative to the first conductive element.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2013Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Joseph R. Feldkamp, Jeffrey Robert Heller, Douglas Glen Laudenslager
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Patent number: 8452388Abstract: Apparatus and methods for utilizing conductivity measurements to assess vascular health or to diagnose vascular conditions are disclosed. An exemplary method includes performing a first conductivity measurement of an extremity at a first elevation; elevating the extremity to a second elevation; performing a second conductivity measurement at the second elevation; and comparing the first conductivity measurement and the second conductivity measurement to determine a conductivity displacement ??. Another exemplary method includes maintaining a conductivity sensor adjacent to an individual for a period of time; performing a series of conductivity measurements; using the series of conductivity measurements to determine the transient behavior of the conductivity over the period of time; and using the transient behavior of the conductivity to assess the vascular health of the individual. A conductivity sensor and platform unit for performing conductivity measurements are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2009Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Joseph R. Feldkamp, Jeffrey Robert Heller
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Patent number: 8384378Abstract: A conductivity sensor is disclosed. The conductivity sensor includes an oscillator for providing an input signal and a reactive circuit having an induction coil, a capacitive element, and a resistive element connected in parallel. The induction coil is adapted to be placed adjacent to a specimen. The conductivity sensor further includes a control circuit for driving the reactive circuit to resonance when the induction coil is placed adjacent to the specimen. The reactive coil is configured to provide an output signal having a parameter representative of the conductivity of the specimen when the reactive circuit is at resonance. The induction coil may include a first conductive element that spirals outward to an external perimeter and a second conductive element operably connected to the first conductive element. The second conductive element spirals inward from the external perimeter staggered relative to the first conductive element.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2009Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Joseph R. Feldkamp, Jeffrey Robert Heller, Douglas Glenn Laudenslager
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Publication number: 20130018340Abstract: A wetness monitoring system is provided for an absorbent article, the wetness monitoring system including a signaling device including an alarm to indicate that the absorbent article has reached an insult limit. The signaling device operates with a sensor array which is disposed on the outermost surface of the absorbent article outer cover. The signaling device includes a detection circuit which measures changes in inductance or capacitance. The wetness monitoring system does not make direct contact with the absorbent structure located within an outer cover of the absorbent article.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2011Publication date: January 17, 2013Inventors: Jose Kollakompil Abraham, Thomas Michael Ales, III, Sudhanshu Gakhar, Jeffrey Robert Heller, Davis Dang Hoang Nhan, Joseph Raymond Feldkamp, Sridhar Ranganathan
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Patent number: 8207394Abstract: A signaling device is provided for sensing and indicating the presence of a body exudate in an absorbent article, the device including a housing and a detection circuit disposed within the housing, the detection circuit including an induction coil and a marginal oscillator. A body exudate collection and detection system is also provided including an absorbent article and a signaling device adapted to be used in conjunction with the absorbent article, the signaling device including a housing and a detection circuit disposed within the housing, the detection circuit including an induction coil and a marginal oscillator. The signaling device can also include an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the housing to the absorbent article. The detection circuit can also include an electrical common and a conductor in electrical communication with the electrical common and with the body exudate.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2007Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Raymond Feldkamp, Jeffrey Robert Heller, Shawn Jeffery Sullivan, Sudhanshu Gakhar
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Publication number: 20100222696Abstract: Apparatus and methods for utilizing conductivity measurements to assess vascular health or to diagnose vascular conditions are disclosed. An exemplary method includes performing a first conductivity measurement of an extremity at a first elevation; elevating the extremity to a second elevation; performing a second conductivity measurement at the second elevation; and comparing the first conductivity measurement and the second conductivity measurement to determine a conductivity displacement ??. Another exemplary method includes maintaining a conductivity sensor adjacent to an individual for a period of time; performing a series of conductivity measurements; using the series of conductivity measurements to determine the transient behavior of the conductivity over the period of time; and using the transient behavior of the conductivity to assess the vascular health of the individual. A conductivity sensor and platform unit for performing conductivity measurements are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2009Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Joseph R. Feldkamp, Jeffrey Robert Heller
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Publication number: 20100219841Abstract: A conductivity sensor is disclosed. The conductivity sensor includes an oscillator for providing an input signal and a reactive circuit having an induction coil, a capacitive element, and a resistive element connected in parallel. The induction coil is adapted to be placed adjacent to a specimen. The conductivity sensor further includes a control circuit for driving the reactive circuit to resonance when the induction coil is placed adjacent to the specimen. The reactive coil is configured to provide an output signal having a parameter representative of the conductivity of the specimen when the reactive circuit is at resonance. The induction coil may include a first conductive element that spirals outward to an external perimeter and a second conductive element operably connected to the first conductive element. The second conductive element spirals inward from the external perimeter staggered relative to the first conductive element.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2009Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.Inventors: Joseph R. Feldkamp, Jeffrey Robert Heller, Douglas Glenn Laudenslager
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Publication number: 20090124990Abstract: A signaling device is provided for sensing and indicating the presence of a body exudate in an absorbent article, the device including a housing and a detection circuit disposed within the housing, the detection circuit including an induction coil and a marginal oscillator. A body exudate collection and detection system is also provided including an absorbent article and a signaling device adapted to be used in conjunction with the absorbent article, the signaling device including a housing and a detection circuit disposed within the housing, the detection circuit including an induction coil and a marginal oscillator. The signaling device can also include an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the housing to the absorbent article. The detection circuit can also include an electrical common and a conductor in electrical communication with the electrical common and with the body exudate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2007Publication date: May 14, 2009Inventors: Joseph Raymond Feldkamp, Jeffrey Robert Heller, Shawn Jeffery Sullivan, Sudhanshu Gakhar