Patents by Inventor Brian T. Stolz
Brian T. Stolz 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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Publication number: 20190060636Abstract: A temporary medical electrical lead includes a connector pin and a single conductor coil. The coil being close-wound and having no turns of the coil distal portion being mechanically coupled together. The coil distal portion translates a force of no greater than 0.1 lbf (0.4 N) when strained 400%.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Thomas J. Steigauf, Eric H. Bonde, Phillip C. Falkner, Jeevan M. Prasannakumar, Brian T. Stolz, John Shishilla, Adam J. Rivard, Robert Sandgren, Seth Humphrys, Bernard Li
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Patent number: 10201700Abstract: A shield located within an implantable medical lead may be terminated in various ways at a metal connector. The shield may be terminated by various joints including butt, scarf, lap, or other joints between insulation layers surrounding the lead and an insulation extension. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection to a single metal connector. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection by passing between an overlapping pair of inner and outer metal connectors. The metal connectors may include features such as teeth or threads that penetrate the insulation layers of the lead. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection by exiting a jacket of a lead adjacent to a metal connector and lapping onto the metal connector.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2016Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.Inventors: Bruce R. Mehdizadeh, Brian T. Stolz, Michael Robert Klardie, James M. Olsen, Michael J. Kern, Richard T. Stone, Chad Q. Cai, Spencer M. Bondhus, Mark J. Conroy, Timothy R. Abraham
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Publication number: 20190030326Abstract: A shield located within an implantable medical lead may be terminated in various ways. The shield may be terminated by butt, scarf, lap, or other joints between insulation layers surrounding the lead and an insulation extension. For lap joints, a portion of an outer insulation layer may be removed and a replacement outer insulation layer is positioned in place of the removed outer insulation layer, where the replacement layer extends beyond an inner insulation layer and the shield. The replacement layer may also lap onto a portion of the insulation extension. The barbs may be located between the replacement layer and the inner insulation layer or the insulation extension. The shield wires have ends at the termination point that may be folded over individually or may be capped with a ring located within one of the insulation layers of the jacket.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: Michael J. Kern, James M. Olsen, Michael R. Klardie, Richard T. Stone, Chad Q. Cai, Spencer Fodness-Bondhus, Mark J. Conroy, Timothy R. Abraham, Brian T. Stolz
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Publication number: 20190022374Abstract: Medical leads have one or more openly coiled filars and a distal body coupled to the openly coiled filars. The openly coiled filars provide a lead with compliance and elasticity while the distal body provides the firmness needed for placement and support of the electrodes. The openly coiled filars may transition to a linear distal portion that extends to the distal body, and the distal body may have proximal tines that fold proximally to become adjacent to the linear distal portion of the filars. The openly coiled filars may instead extend to the distal body and the proximal tines may be laterally arced to then fold against the lateral surface of the coiled filars. The tines may fold distally during explantation to allow the distal body to release and exit the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Eric H. Bonde, Phillip C. Falkner, Michael T. Hegland, Brian T. Stolz, Patrick D. Wells
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Publication number: 20180289947Abstract: Conductors within an implantable medical lead that carry stimulation signal signals are at least partially embedded within a lead body of the medical lead over at least a portion of the length of the conductors while being surrounded by a radio frequency (RF) shield. A space between the shield and the conductors is filled by the presence of the lead body material such that body fluids that infiltrate the lead over time cannot pool in the space between the shield and the conductors. The dielectric properties of the lead body are retained and the capacitive coupling between the shield and the conductors continues to be inhibited such that current induced on the shield is inhibited from being channeled onto the conductors. Heating at the electrodes of the medical lead is prevented from becoming excessive.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2018Publication date: October 11, 2018Inventors: Jamu K. Alford, Spencer Fodness Bondhus, Michael Kalm, James M. Olsen, Brian T. Stolz, Richard T. Stone, Bryan D. Stem, John D. Welter
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Patent number: 10086191Abstract: Medical leads have one or more openly coiled filars and a distal body coupled to the openly coiled filars. The openly coiled filars provide a lead with compliance and elasticity while the distal body provides the firmness needed for placement and support of the electrodes. The openly coiled filars may transition to a linear distal portion that extends to the distal body, and the distal body may have proximal tines that fold proximally to become adjacent to the linear distal portion of the filars. The openly coiled filars may instead extend to the distal body and the proximal tines may be laterally arced to then fold against the lateral surface of the coiled filars. The tines may fold distally during explantation to allow the distal body to release and exit the body.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2013Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.Inventors: Eric H. Bonde, Phillip C. Falkner, Michael T. Hegland, Brian T. Stolz, Patrick D. Wells
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Patent number: 10086194Abstract: A shield located within an implantable medical lead may be terminated in various ways. The shield may be terminated by butt, scarf, lap, or other joints between insulation layers surrounding the lead and an insulation extension. For lap joints, a portion of an outer insulation layer may be removed and a replacement outer insulation layer is positioned in place of the removed outer insulation layer, where the replacement layer extends beyond an inner insulation layer and the shield. The replacement layer may also lap onto a portion of the insulation extension. Barbs may be located between the replacement layer and the inner insulation layer or the insulation extension. The shield wires have ends at the termination point that may be folded over individually or may be capped with a ring located within one of the insulation layers of the jacket.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2010Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.Inventors: Michael J. Kern, James M. Olsen, Michael R. Klardie, Richard T. Stone, Chad Q. Cai, Spencer M. Bondhus, Mark J. Conroy, Timothy R. Abraham, Brian T. Stolz
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Publication number: 20180256893Abstract: A shield located within an implantable medical lead may be terminated in various ways. The shield may be terminated by butt, scarf, lap, or other joints between insulation layers surrounding the lead and an insulation extension. For lap joints, a portion of an outer insulation layer may be removed and a replacement outer insulation layer is positioned in place of the removed outer insulation layer, where the replacement layer extends beyond an inner insulation layer and the shield. The replacement layer may also lap onto a portion of the insulation extension. Barbs may be located between the replacement layer and the inner insulation layer or the insulation extension. The shield wires have ends at the termination point that may be folded over individually or may be capped with a ring located within one of the insulation layers of the jacket.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2018Publication date: September 13, 2018Inventors: Michael J. Kern, James M. Olsen, Michael R. Klardie, Richard T. Stone, Chad Q. Cai, Spencer M. Bondhus, Mark J. Conroy, Timothy R. Abraham, Brian T. Stolz
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Patent number: 9993638Abstract: Conductors within an implantable medical lead that carry stimulation signal signals are at least partially embedded within a lead body of the medical lead over at least a portion of the length of the conductors while being surrounded by a radio frequency (RF) shield. A space between the shield and the conductors is filled by the presence of the lead body material such that body fluids that infiltrate the lead over time cannot pool in the space between the shield and the conductors. The dielectric properties of the lead body are retained and the capacitive coupling between the shield and the conductors continues to be inhibited such that current induced on the shield is inhibited from being channeled onto the conductors. Heating at the electrodes of the medical lead is prevented from becoming excessive.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2014Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.Inventors: Jamu K. Alford, Spencer M. Bondhus, Michael Kalm, James M. Olsen, Brian T. Stolz, Richard T. Stone, Bryan D. Stem, John D. Welter
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Publication number: 20180064925Abstract: Medical leads include a lumen body at an end of the lead, and the lumen body includes multiple filar lumens. The lumen body is joined to a lead body, and electrical connectors are longitudinally spaced along the lumen body. Filars within the filar lumens are directed through filar passageways within the lumen body to attach to the electrical connectors on the lumen body. The filar passageways may be aligned with the filar lumens, and slots within the electrical connectors may be aligned with the filar passageways to facilitate assembly. The lumen body may provide additional stiffness to the end of the lead where the lumen body is located to facilitate lead insertion into the medical device. The filar lumens of the lumen body may have a longitudinally straight configuration so that the portions of filars within the filar lumens are held in a longitudinally straight configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Inventors: Michael R. Klardie, Michael J. Kern, Brian T. Stolz, Marty D. Martens
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Patent number: 9808615Abstract: Medical leads include a lumen body at an end of the lead, and the lumen body includes multiple filar lumens. The lumen body is joined to a lead body, and electrical connectors are longitudinally spaced along the lumen body. Filars within the filar lumens are directed through filar passageways within the lumen body to attach to the electrical connectors on the lumen body. The filar passageways may be aligned with the filar lumens, and slots within the electrical connectors may be aligned with the filar passageways to facilitate assembly. The lumen body may provide additional stiffness to the end of the lead where the lumen body is located to facilitate lead insertion into the medical device. The filar lumens of the lumen body may have a longitudinally straight configuration so that the portions of filars within the filar lumens are held in a longitudinally straight configuration.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2017Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.Inventors: Michael R. Klardie, Michael J. Kern, Brian T. Stolz, Marty D. Martens
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Publication number: 20170128715Abstract: Medical leads include a lumen body at an end of the lead, and the lumen body includes multiple filar lumens. The lumen body is joined to a lead body, and electrical connectors are longitudinally spaced along the lumen body. Filars within the filar lumens are directed through filar passageways within the lumen body to attach to the electrical connectors on the lumen body. The filar passageways may be aligned with the filar lumens, and slots within the electrical connectors may be aligned with the filar passageways to facilitate assembly. The lumen body may provide additional stiffness to the end of the lead where the lumen body is located to facilitate lead insertion into the medical device. The filar lumens of the lumen body may have a longitudinally straight configuration so that the portions of filars within the filar lumens are held in a longitudinally straight configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2017Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: Michael R. Klardie, Michael J. Kern, Brian T. Stolz, Marty D. Martens
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Publication number: 20170079546Abstract: A flexible catheter includes an elongated body, and a sensor. The elongated body has proximal and distal end portions and defines a working channel therethrough. The sensor is disposed in the distal end portion of the elongated body and is adapted for detecting the position of a distal end of the elongated body within the anatomy of a patient. The sensor is formed from a wire that forms a first layer of wraps about the distal end portion of the elongated body and that includes first and second leads that form a twisted pair proximal to the first layer of wraps. The twisted pair of the first and second leads extends to the proximal end portion of the elongated body.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: DAVID M. COSTELLO, ALEX A. PETERSON, BENJAMIN GREENBURG, THOMAS D. MAGNUSON, BRIAN T. STOLZ
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Patent number: 9550056Abstract: Medical leads include a lumen body at an end of the lead, and the lumen body includes multiple filar lumens. The lumen body is joined to a lead body, and electrical connectors are longitudinally spaced along the lumen body. Filars within the filar lumens are directed through filar passageways within the lumen body to attach to the electrical connectors on the lumen body. The filar passageways may be aligned with the filar lumens, and slots within the electrical connectors may be aligned with the filar passageways to facilitate assembly. The lumen body may provide additional stiffness to the end of the lead where the lumen body is located to facilitate lead insertion into the medical device. The filar lumens of the lumen body may have a longitudinally straight configuration so that the portions of filars within the filar lumens are held in a longitudinally straight configuration.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2014Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.Inventors: Michael R. Klardie, Michael J. Kern, Brian T. Stolz, Marty D. Martens
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Patent number: 9550045Abstract: This disclosure includes an anchor configured to maintain a portion of a therapy delivery element within a desired location of a patient. The anchor comprises a body forming a lumen configured to compressibly engage the outer surface of the therapy delivery element to hold the anchor in place about the therapy delivery element. The anchor may be stretched such that the lumen becomes larger than the cross-section of the therapy delivery element to facilitate positioning the anchor about the therapy delivery element. The body forms two or more channels that facilitate radial stretching of the anchor using a pronged tool. Radially stretching the body via the channels using the pronged tool reduces a holding force of the anchor on the therapy delivery element to facilitate adjusting a position of the anchor relative to the therapy delivery element.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2012Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Baudino, Brian T. Stolz
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Publication number: 20170007827Abstract: A shield located within an implantable medical lead may be terminated in various ways at a metal connector. The shield may be terminated by various joints including butt, scarf, lap, or other joints between insulation layers surrounding the lead and an insulation extension. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection to a single metal connector. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection by passing between an overlapping pair of inner and outer metal connectors. The metal connectors may include features such as teeth or threads that penetrate the insulation layers of the lead. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection by exiting a jacket of a lead adjacent to a metal connector and lapping onto the metal connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2016Publication date: January 12, 2017Inventors: Bruce R. Mehdizadeh, Brian T. Stolz, Michael Robert Klardie, James M. Olsen, Michael J. Kern, Richard T. Stone, Chad Q. Cai, Spencer M. Bondhus, Mark J. Conroy, Timothy R. Abraham
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Patent number: 9452284Abstract: A shield located within an implantable medical lead may be terminated in various ways at a metal connector. The shield may be terminated by various joints including butt, scarf, lap, or other joints between insulation layers surrounding the lead and an insulation extension. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection to a single metal connector. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection by passing between an overlapping pair of inner and outer metal connectors. The metal connectors may include features such as teeth or threads that penetrate the insulation layers of the lead. The shield may terminate with a physical and electrical connection by exiting a jacket of a lead adjacent to a metal connector and lapping onto the metal connector.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2014Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.Inventors: Bruce R. Mehdizadeh, Brian T. Stolz, Michael Robert Klardie, James M. Olsen, Michael J. Kern, Richard T. Stone, Chad Q. Cai, Spencer M. Bondhus, Mark J. Conroy, Timothy R. Abraham
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Patent number: 9242089Abstract: Medical leads included coiled filars that have longitudinally straight ends. The coiled filars may be coiled at a constant pitch until reaching the point where the filars become longitudinally straight. The coiled filars may reside within a central lumen of the lead body, while the longitudinally straight portions may reside in a region where electrical connectors are present and where filar passageways provide a pathway for the filars to exit the central lumen and bond with the electrical connectors. The coiled filars may be created with longitudinally straight ends using a body that includes longitudinally straight holes that receive the filars and maintain the longitudinally straight configuration while the remaining portion of the filars is being coiled.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2014Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.Inventors: Michael R. Klardie, Michael J. Kern, Brian T. Stolz, Marty D. Martens
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Publication number: 20150170792Abstract: Conductors within an implantable medical lead that carry stimulation signal signals are at least partially embedded within a lead body of the medical lead over at least a portion of the length of the conductors while being surrounded by a radio frequency (RF) shield. A space between the shield and the conductors is filled by the presence of the lead body material such that body fluids that infiltrate the lead over time cannot pool in the space between the shield and the conductors. The dielectric properties of the lead body are retained and the capacitive coupling between the shield and the conductors continues to be inhibited such that current induced on the shield is inhibited from being channeled onto the conductors. Heating at the electrodes of the medical lead is prevented from becoming excessive.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2014Publication date: June 18, 2015Inventors: Jamu K. Alford, Spencer M. Bondhus, Michael Kalm, James M. Olsen, Brian T. Stolz, Richard T. Stone, Bryan D. Stem, John D. Welter
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Publication number: 20150133955Abstract: Medical leads have one or more openly coiled filars and a distal body coupled to the openly coiled filars. The openly coiled filars provide a lead with compliance and elasticity while the distal body provides the firmness needed for placement and support of the electrodes. The openly coiled filars may transition to a linear distal portion that extends to the distal body, and the distal body may have proximal tines that fold proximally to become adjacent to the linear distal portion of the filars. The openly coiled filars may instead extend to the distal body and the proximal tines may be laterally arced to then fold against the lateral surface of the coiled filars. The tines may fold distally during explantation to allow the distal body to release and exit the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Eric H. Bonde, Phillip C. Falkner, Michael T. Hegland, Brian T. Stolz, Patrick D. Wells