Patents by Inventor Joseph F. Lessar
Joseph F. Lessar 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: 6042624Abstract: An implantable medical device such as a defibrillator is described. The device includes an hermetically sealed housing containing a flat electrolytic capacitor and an energy source such as a battery. The battery is connected to the capacitor and provides charge thereto. The capacitor stores the charge at a relatively high voltage. The charge stored in the capacitor is discharged through a defibrillation lead to a site on or in the heart when fibrillation of the heart is detected by the implantable medical device. Methods of making and using the implantable medical device, the capacitor, and their various components are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1998Date of Patent: March 28, 2000Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Mark D. Breyen, Anthony R. Rorvick, Paul Pignato, Joseph F. Lessar
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Patent number: 6032075Abstract: An implantable medical device such as a defibrillator is described. The device includes an hermetically sealed housing containing a flat electrolytic capacitor and an energy source such as a battery. The battery is connected to the capacitor and provides charge thereto. The capacitor stores the charge at a relatively high voltage. The charge stored in the capacitor is discharged through a defibrillation lead to a site on or in the heart when fibrillation of the heart is detected by the implantable medical device. Methods of making and using the implantable medical device, the capacitor, and their various components are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1998Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Paul A. Pignato, Eric W. Laveen, Joseph F. Lessar, Mark D. Breyen
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Patent number: 6009348Abstract: An implantable medical device such as a defibrillator is described. The device includes an hermetically sealed housing containing a flat electrolytic capacitor and an energy source such as a battery. The battery is connected to the capacitor and provides charge thereto. The capacitor stores the charge at a relatively high voltage. The charge stored in the capacitor is discharged through a defibrillation lead to a site on or in the heart when fibrillation of the heart is detected by the implantable medical device. Methods of making and using the implantable medical device, the capacitor, and their various components are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1998Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Anthony W. Rorvick, Mark D. Breyen, William L. Johnson, Paul Pignato, Joseph F. Lessar, Norma K. Bullock
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Patent number: 6006133Abstract: An implantable medical device such as a defibrillator is described. The device includes an hermetically sealed housing containing a flat electrolytic capacitor and an energy source such as a battery. The battery is connected to the capacitor and provides charge thereto. The capacitor stores the charge at a relatively high voltage. The charge stored in the capacitor is discharged through a defibrillation lead to a site on or in the heart when fibrillation of the heart is detected by the implantable medical device. Methods of making and using the implantable medical device, the capacitor, and their various components are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1998Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Joseph F. Lessar, Norma K. Bullock, Anthony W. Rorvick, Mark D. Breyen, William L. Johnson, Paul A. Pignato
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Patent number: 5902326Abstract: An optical window assembly for use in implantable medical devices includes a generally U-shaped ferrule having a strain relief channel to accommodate residual stresses remaining in the ferrule after welding the ferrule to the housing of an implantable medical device. The assembly may be used to transmit optical energy and/or electrically insulate a feedthrough. The assembly can be mounted in a window opening in a housing. The ferrule can include a ferrule body forming a lens opening, the ferrule body having a generally U-shaped cross-section with an inner leg, an outer leg, and a strain relief channel in the ferrule body between the inner leg and the outer leg. A lens is mounted in the lens opening of the ferrule. The ferrule can also include a lens flange on the inner leg of the ferrule body, a support flange on the outer leg of the ferrule body, and/or a braze stop to control flow of the braze. The ferrule and housing can be constructed of titanium.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 1997Date of Patent: May 11, 1999Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Joseph F. Lessar, Keith A. Miesel, Susan A. Tettemer, John C. Olson
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Patent number: 5871513Abstract: The present invention relates to centerless grinding methods and corresponding devices such as feedthroughs for implantable medical devices and for batteries for implantable medical devices. The present invention provides certain advantages, including the elimination of longitudinal anomalies in drawn wire and increasing the reliability of implantable medical devices. In a method of the present invention, the surface of an over-size medical grade wire having a known anomaly depth is centerless ground to a depth past which those anomalies disappear. Centerless grinding of the present invention may be accomplished using an abrasive wheel and suitable coolant.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1997Date of Patent: February 16, 1999Assignee: Medtronic Inc.Inventors: William J. Taylor, John D. Wright, Joseph F. Lessar, Gary F. LaBree
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Patent number: 5870272Abstract: A capacitive filter feedthrough assembly and method of making the same are disclosed for shielding an implantable medical device such as pacemaker or defibrillator from electromagnetic interference or noise. A ferrule is adapted for mounting onto a conductive device housing by welding, soldering, brazing or gluing, and supports a terminal pin for feedthrough passage to a housing interior. A capacitive filter is mounted at the inboard side of a device housing, with capacitive filter electrode plate sets coupled respectively to the housing and the terminal pin by an electrically conductive combination of solder and brazing. In one embodiment of the invention, multiple capacitive filters are provided in an array within a common base structure, where each capacitive filter is associated with a respective terminal pin.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1997Date of Patent: February 9, 1999Assignee: Medtronic Inc.Inventors: Lynn M. Seifried, Joseph F. Lessar, William D. Wolf, Mary A. Fraley, Kevin K. Tidemand, David B. Engmark, Ronald F. Hoch, Craig L. Wiklund
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Patent number: 5866851Abstract: A hermetically sealed implantable medical device is provided with a multi-pin arrangement including selected glass to metal or ceramic to metal seals for a feedthrough of the compression seal or matched seal type.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1997Date of Patent: February 2, 1999Assignee: Medtronic Inc.Inventors: William J. Taylor, Lynn M. Seifried, Douglas Weiss, Joseph F. Lessar
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Patent number: 5851222Abstract: The present invention relates to centerless grinding methods and corresponding devices such as feedthroughs for implantable medical devices and for batteries for implantable medical devices. The present invention provides certain advantages, including the elimination of longitudinal anomalies in drawn wire and increasing the reliability of implantable medical devices. In a method of the present invention, the surface of an over-size medical grade wire having a known anomaly depth is centerless ground to a depth past which those anomalies disappear. Centerless grinding of the present invention may be accomplished using an abrasive wheel and suitable coolant.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1998Date of Patent: December 22, 1998Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: William J. Taylor, John D. Wright, Joseph F. Lessar, Gary F. LaBree
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Patent number: 5821011Abstract: A body implanted device including a container having an opening through which extends an electrical feedthrough. The feedthrough includes a terminal of bio-stable material. A glass insulator is positioned around the terminal. The glass insulator is chosen from a CABAL-12 type composition or variation thereof. The terminal is comprised of a material which has thermal expansion characteristics compatible with the glass seal. For glass seals having a thermal expansion in the range of 6.8 to 8.0.times.10.sup.-6 in/in/.degree.C. the terminal is comprised of a thin layer of titanium metallurgically clad over niobium or tantalum. For glass seals having a thermal expansion in the range of 8.0 to 9.0.times.10.sup.-6 in/in/.degree.C. the terminal is comprised of platinum, platinum-iridium or alloys of either, or of pure titanium.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 1993Date of Patent: October 13, 1998Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: William J. Taylor, Joseph F. Lessar, Louis E. Halperin, Robert E. Kraska
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Patent number: 5817984Abstract: A hermetically sealed implantable medical device is provided with a multi-pin arrangement including selected glass to metal or ceramic to metal seals for a feedthrough of the compression seal or matched seal type.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 1995Date of Patent: October 6, 1998Inventors: William J. Taylor, Lynn M Seifried, Douglas Weiss, Joseph F. Lessar
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Patent number: 5800496Abstract: A medical lead which has a connector assembly coupled to an electrode by a lead body, the lead body is designed so as to have greater resistance to crush fatigue in the area which is located between the rib and clavicle when implanted. In particular the lead body of the present invention features an insulative sheath covering a coiled conductor. The coiled conductor has three sections, viz., proximal, intermediate and distal sections. The intermediate section has a different pitch as compared to proximal section and distal section. In the preferred embodiment, intermediate section has a pitch of approximately 0.100 while proximal section has a pitch of approximately 0.025 and distal section has a pitch of approximately 0.025. Moreover, intermediate section has a length of approximately 10.4 inches while proximal section has a length of approximately 5.1 inches and distal section has a length of approximately 7.2 inches.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1996Date of Patent: September 1, 1998Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: John M. Swoyer, Peter B. McIntyre, James E. Upton, Annette M. Hebzynski, Joseph F. Lessar
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Patent number: 5712462Abstract: A method of making a high reliability electrical connection in an implantable medical device. The electrical conductors may include metals such as niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, platinum, titanium, nickel and alloys thereof. The electrical conductors are resistance welded by establishing contact between the conductor pair, providing a protective atmosphere around the contacting pair, and applying electrical energy to the contacting pair to cause fusion while maintaining the protective atmosphere.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1995Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Fred J. Berkowitz, Mark D. Bryen, Joseph F. Lessar, Robert E. Kraska
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Patent number: 5549985Abstract: A lithium halide button cell formed of simplified sub-assemblies including one such subassembly in which molten cathode material is poured into a retaining ring and allowed to solidify therein before incorporation into the cell.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1995Date of Patent: August 27, 1996Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Bernard F. Heller, Craig L. Schmidt, Thomas M. Nutzman, Joseph F. Lessar
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Patent number: 5500026Abstract: A lithium halide button cell formed of simplified sub-assemblies including one such subassembly in which molten cathode material is poured into a retaining ring and allowed to solidify therein before incorporation into the cell.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 1995Date of Patent: March 19, 1996Inventors: Bernard F. Heller, Craig L. Schmidt, Thomas M. Nutzman, Joseph F. Lessar
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Patent number: 5433744Abstract: A medical electrical lead of the type which includes an electrode at a distal end of the lead a connector at a proximal end of the lead and an elongated electrical conductor extending between the electrode and the connector. The conductor is comprised of a wire wound in a coil configuration with the wire comprised of a super austenitic stainless steel having a composition of at least 22% nickel and 2% molybdenum. Material of such composition has been found to have suitable conductivity for use with implantable pulse generators and suitable fatigue strength when used in endocardial lead placement. Moreover, such material has been found to pass tests intended to detect metal ion oxidation (MIO) in polymeric materials.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1994Date of Patent: July 18, 1995Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Mark D. Breyen, Naim S. Istephanous, Robert E. Kraska, Joseph F. Lessar, Jennifer P. Miller
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Patent number: 5423881Abstract: A medical electrical lead of the type which includes an electrode at a distal end of the lead a connector at a proximal end of the lead and an elongated electrical conductor extending between the electrode and the connector. The conductor is comprised of a wire wound in a coil configuration with the wire comprised of a duplex titanium alloy. Materials of such composition have been found to have suitable conductivity for use with implantable pulse generators and suitable fatigue strength when used in endocardial lead placement. Moreover, such materials have been found to pass tests intended to detect metal ion oxidation (MIO) in susceptible polymeric materials.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1994Date of Patent: June 13, 1995Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Mark D. Breyen, Joseph F. Lessar, Kenneth B. Stokes, James E. Upton, Naim S. Istephanous, Jennifer P. Miller
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Patent number: 5411545Abstract: A medical electrical lead of the type which includes an electrode at a distal end of the lead a connector at a proximal end of the lead and an elongated electrical conductor extending between the electrode and the connector. The conductor is comprised of a wire wound in a coil configuration with the wire comprised of a duplex stainless steel having a composition of at least 22% chromium, 3% molybdenum and 5% nickel. Material of such composition has been found to have suitable conductivity for use with implantable pulse generators and suitable fatigue strength when used in endocardial lead placement. Moreover, such material has been found to pass tests intended to detect metal ion oxidation (MIO) in polymeric materials.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 1994Date of Patent: May 2, 1995Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Mark D. Breyen, Naim S. Istephanous, Robert E. Kraska, Joseph F. Lessar, Jennifer P. Miller
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Patent number: 5324321Abstract: An implantable lead including one or more sigmoidal or serpentine shaped conductors which are placed in one or more lumens formed in and extending along the length of the lead body. The conductor is shaped with its undulating curve lying generally in one plane. The lumen in cross section is greater in width than in height. The sigmoidal conductor extends along the length of the lead body and across the width of the lumen.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1992Date of Patent: June 28, 1994Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Peter J. Pohndorf, Joseph F. Lessar, James E. Upton, Kenneth E. Cobian
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Patent number: 5303704Abstract: An implantable multi-lumen, multi-conductor lead for use with an implantable medical device. The completed lead is an assembly of a polymeric lead body with several coiled conductors inserted into the lead body. The lead body includes several lumens having a generally rounded-corner triangular or "pie-shaped" cross-section. The conductors do not fill the lumens, and only contact the inner walls of the lumens at discrete points, rather than for extended sections of or all of the circumference of the conductors. Preferably the coils are sized so that they fit loosely within the lumens.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1992Date of Patent: April 19, 1994Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Richard L. Molacek, Allan H. Jevne, Peter J. Pohndorf, Kenneth E. Cobian, Joseph F. Lessar, James E. Upton