Patents by Inventor William L. Sondermann

William L. Sondermann 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: 5418686
    Abstract: Apparatus and electrical circuitry are provided for electrical devices in order to provide electrical isolation of exposed electrical contacts on at least one of multiple modules of the electrical device. The apparatus includes at least one actuating component in one module and at least one sensor component within a second module in electrical communication with electrical circuitry, whereby electrical isolation of the exposed electrical contacts ceases when the sensor apparatus senses a desired location of the module. Placement of the apparatus and electrical circuitry to reside within the modules promotes electrical safety while minimizing tampering with safety aspects of the device. The apparatus and circuitry are useful for medical devices such as handheld diagnostic devices and consumer devices such as telephones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Alan P. Dieken, David J. Fischer, Jonathan C. Platt, William L. Sondermann
  • Patent number: 5411534
    Abstract: Apparatus and electrical circuitry are provided for electrical devices in order to provide electrical isolation of exposed electrical contacts on at least one of multiple modules of the electrical device. The apparatus includes at least one actuating component in one module and at least one sensor component within a second module in electrical communication with electrical circuitry, whereby electrical isolation of the exposed electrical contacts ceases when the sensor apparatus senses a desired location of the module. Placement of the apparatus and electrical circuitry to reside within the modules promotes electrical safety while minimizing tampering with safety aspects of the device. The apparatus and circuitry are useful for medical devices such as handheld diagnostic devices and consumer devices such as telephones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Alan P. Dieken, David J. Fischer, Jonathan C. Platt, William L. Sondermann
  • Patent number: 5334223
    Abstract: Apparatus and electrical circuitry are provided for electrical devices in order to provide electrical isolation of exposed electrical contacts on at least one of multiple modules of the electrical device. The apparatus includes at least one actuating component in one module and at least one sensor component within a second module in electrical communication with electrical circuitry, whereby electrical isolation of the exposed electrical contacts ceases when the sensor apparatus senses a desired location of the module. Placement of the apparatus and electrical circuitry to reside within the modules promotes electrical safety while minimizing tampering with safety aspects of the device. The apparatus and circuitry are useful for medical devices such as handheld diagnostic devices and consumer devices such as telephones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Alan P. Dieken, David J. Fischer, Jonathan C. Platt, William L. Sondermann
  • Patent number: 4917093
    Abstract: A biological tissue stimulator is disclosed having an adjustable high voltage power supply. The high voltage power supply is coupled to a battery producing a high voltage signal to be supplied to an output circuit for supplying an electrical stimulation signal of a predetermined current amplitude. An electrode is coupled to the electrical stimulation pulse and is adapted to be coupled to the biological tissue to deliver the electrical stimulation signal to the biological tissue. An adjustment mechanism is coupled to the output stage and to the adjustable high voltage power supply for comparing the amplitude of the high voltage signal to the amplitude of the voltage drop across the biological load and adjusting the amplitude of the high voltage signal dependent upon the result of that comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Joel R. Dufresne, William L. Sondermann