Stinson Patent Attorneys Assist Client with Acoustically Transparent Face Mask

12.29.2021

Developing intellectual property strategies to encourage innovation and growth coupled with an objective to maximize value and opportunity for clients has been a longstanding goal for Stinson's IP attorneys, especially when responding to unique economic and healthcare challenges in recent years.

Recently, Patent Partners Jamaal Jordan and Paul Tietz and Associate Steven Levitt assisted client Saint Louis University (SLU) on the development and patenting of a new face mask design, "VocalEase."

Stephanie Tennill, a SLU assistant professor of music, started researching acoustically transparent materials and working with supplies around her house to find a structure that would support common jaw movements used by those who use their voices for a living – actors, singers, speakers, etc. – while ensuring safety at the same time.

VocalEase is a nylon, spandex and cotton mask that includes a foam filter similar to a microphone cover. The mask eliminates any muffle, allows all sound, including crisp consonants and resonating overtones, to pass through with total clarity and removes potential for vocal strain and/or mask removal in order to be heard clearly.

In addition to Jordan, Tietz and Levitt working on the VocalEase project, SLU biomedical engineer Andy Hall assisted in the development, The Collective Thread, a St. Louis nonprofit sewing collaborative, helped with production and JSI, a St. Louis sheltered workshop, assisted with the packaging.

Jordan is a registered patent attorney, with a background in biomedical engineering, who is well-versed in all aspects of intellectual property law. His IP experience and expertise relates to both the mechanical and electrical arts.

Tietz is a registered patent attorney, with a background in chemical engineering, and has extensive knowledge of patent law in major foreign jurisdictions. His patent experience covers a broad range of technologies in the chemical, materials and life science fields.

Levitt focuses his practice on mechanical, software and computer system patents. He helps clients evaluate the patentability of new inventions and prepares opinions on patent infringement and validity and has experience assessing clients' freedom to make, use and sell their products in view of issued patents asserted against them.