3m Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Anton Kuepper

Christian Weinmann

Peter D Hodson

Knut Schumacher

Eric A Baum

David K Smith

Matthew J Wilby

Robbert-Jan Hermsen

Stefan Schoene

Gerardus A C A Nuiten

Karl-Heinz Romann

Brian Kirk

Sterilant challenge device for use in steam sterilizers are described, including devices suitable for determining the efficacy of the non-condensable gas removal stage of a sterilization cycle and/or the quality of steam sterilant in relation to its content of non-condensable gas(es) are disclosed. Sterilant challenge devices having a metal tube having a defining a free space which is open at one end for the entry of sterilant and closed at the other end and at least one thermal load located around the tube are also described.

Sterilant challenge device

The invention provides a material for packaging of electronic components comprising a structured layer, wherein said structured layer comprises a mesh of cells, each cell comprising an electrically conductive rim and an electrically non conductive interior, said cells being interconnected so that any two adjacent cells share at least a portion of their respective rims.

Material for packaging electronic components

A telecommunications jackis described that comprises a housingdefining a port for receiving a plug; contactsfor making an electrical connection with wires of a cable; interface contactsfor making an electrical connection with contacts of the plug; and a multilayer printed circuit board (PCB)for electrically connecting the contactsand the interface contacts. The multilayer PCB comprises a free-floating ground plane structure formed from two outer layers of the multilayer PCB and a plurality of internal layersB,C,D,E having a plurality of electronic devicesdisposed thereon. The two outer layersof the multilayer PCB include a continuous coatingof electrically conductive material covering at least those parts of the PCB that include the electronic devices and wherein the two outer layers of the PCB are electrically connected with each other and are electrically isolated from the internal layers of the PCB.

Telecommunications jack with a multilayer PCB

An electronic device is proposed for accompanying a perishable good during one period to monitor the exposure of the good to an environmental parameter, such as temperature. The device includes a data interface for receiving data representing the exposure of the good to the environmental parameter during an immediately preceding period. It further includes a sensor for measuring the environmental parameter. Also, the device includes a processor for using a relationship specific to the good (such an Arrhenius equation for that good) to compute a characteristic of the good at the end of the one period using the received data and the output of the sensor. The device further includes a memory for recording the output of the sensor. To economise on memory usage, data is stored at a faster rate during periods when the data is of most significant (e.g. it indicates a high temperature). A switch is provided for indicating that data should not be taken into account in the computation, during a short interval, in which for example the device may be being handled.

Environmental parameter indicator for perishable goods

A sterilant challenge device, for use in testing the efficiency of the removal stage of a sterilization cycle in a sterilizer. In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a tube that is closed at one end and open at the other for the entry of sterilant, a plurality of thermally-conductive masses the tube, and at least one temperature sensor. When the challenge device is located in a sterilizer, the penetration of sterilant along the bore of the tube during a sterilization cycle, is inhibited by the accumulation of air and/or non-condensable gas within the bore resulting from the condensation of moisture on the walls of the bore. By measuring the temperature inside the device adjacent the closed end of the tube, the efficiency of the sterilization cycle can be determined.

Sterilizer testing systems

Breath actuated inhaler having an electromechanical priming mechanism

Growing community of inventors

Kaarst, Germany

Anton Kuepper