Patents by Inventor Michael A. Barker

Michael A. Barker 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).

  • Publication number: 20150300780
    Abstract: A flight vehicle includes a nose portion, a fuselage retaining structure aft of the nose portion, and an axial motor for expelling axial thrust along a longitudinal axis of the flight vehicle. Radial motors are coupled to the retaining structure and axisymmetrically arranged about the axial motor. Each radial motor is configured to expel radial thrust radially outwardly in respect to the flight vehicle. Roll thrusters are operatively coupled with the radial motors and coupled to the fuselage retaining structure. The roll thrusters are configured to provide a roll moment of the flight vehicle about a central longitudinal axis of the flight vehicle. Ejectors are operatively coupled to the radial motors, and a controller is operatively coupled to the radial motors and the ejectors. The controller is configured to selectively fire and selectively eject the radial motors to maintain relative centering of a center of gravity of the flight vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Andrew B. Facciano, William G. Graves, Michael A. Barker, Michael S. Alkema, Jeffrey S. Larson
  • Patent number: 9144675
    Abstract: An electrical stimulation lead includes a plurality of conductive contacts disposed at a distal end and a proximal end of a lead body. The plurality of conductive contacts includes a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of terminals. At least one of the conductive contacts is a first conductive contact that includes at least one adhesive aperture defined between an inner surface and an outer surface of the at least one conductive contact. A plurality of conductors each electrically couple at least one of the electrodes to at least one of the terminals. Each first conductive contact has a conductor associated with, and electrically coupled to that first conductive contact. The adhesive is disposed in proximity to the at least one adhesive aperture of at least one first conductive contact to adhesively couple that first conductive contact to the at least one associated conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: John Michael Barker
  • Publication number: 20150250999
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lead includes pre-forming at least one relief section along a length of an elongated conductor having a first end and an opposing second end. The conductor with the pre-formed relief section is inserted into a conductor lumen defined along a length of an elongated lead body. The lead body has a first end and an opposing second end. An electrode is disposed at the first end of the lead body. The first end of the conductor is electrically coupled to the electrode. A terminal is disposed at the second end of the lead body. The second end of the conductor is electrically coupled to the terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Andrew DiGiore, John Michael Barker, Anne Margaret Pianca, Michael Adam Moffitt, Matthew Lee McDonald, Joshua Dale Howard
  • Publication number: 20150246216
    Abstract: An implantable lead anchor includes a first anchor housing, a second anchor housing, an armature, a spindle, and a locking arrangement. The first and second anchor housing each includes at least one channel to hold a portion of a lead. The armature is coupled to the first and the second anchor housings and holds the first and second anchor housings in a spaced-apart arrangement. A spindle is rotatably disposed on the armature and between the first and second anchor housing. In addition, the spindle includes a third channel to receive and hold a portion of a lead. The locking arrangement is formed on the spindle and at least one of the first or second anchor housing. The locking arrangement maintains the spindle in a rotated position relative to the first and second anchor housing when the locking arrangement is activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventor: John Michael Barker
  • Publication number: 20150231388
    Abstract: A multi-needle paddle lead introducer includes a needle assembly, a hub assembly, and a sheath. The needle assembly includes at least one primary needle and at least one secondary needle. The secondary needle is coupled to the primary needle along a portion of the longitudinal length of the needle assembly such that the primary needle and the secondary needle are arranged in a side-by-side configuration. The secondary needle is configured and arranged to move relative to the primary needle along the longitudinal length of the needle assembly. The hub assembly includes a primary needle hub coupled to a proximal end portion of the primary needle and a secondary needle hub coupled to a proximal end portion of the primary needle. The sheath is configured and arranged for disposing over a portion of an outer surface of the needle assembly and for sliding along the longitudinal length of the needle assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Inventor: John Michael Barker
  • Patent number: 9101775
    Abstract: An operating room cable for electrically coupling a lead to a trial stimulator includes a trial stimulator connector electrically coupleable with the trial stimulator and a lead connector for receiving the lead. The lead connector includes a housing. A first lead aperture is defined in a second end of the housing in proximity to a first side of the housing. A first inner passage extends along an interior of the housing from the first lead aperture to the second end of the housing. A first stylet slit is defined along the first side of the housing and extends from a first end of the housing to the second end of the housing. The first stylet slit is formed between upper and lower casings of the housing. The first stylet slit is continuous with the first lead aperture and the first inner passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corportion
    Inventor: John Michael Barker
  • Patent number: 9079013
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a lead includes pre-forming at least one relief section along a length of an elongated conductor having a first end and an opposing second end. The conductor with the pre-formed relief section is inserted into a conductor lumen defined along a length of an elongated lead body. The lead body has a first end and an opposing second end. An electrode is disposed at the first end of the lead body. The first end of the conductor is electrically coupled to the electrode. A terminal is disposed at the second end of the lead body. The second end of the conductor is electrically coupled to the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew DiGiore, John Michael Barker, Anne Margaret Pianca, Michael Adam Moffitt, Matthew Lee McDonald, Joshua Dale Howard
  • Patent number: 9043000
    Abstract: The burr hole plug comprises a plug base configured for being mounted around a burr hole, and having an aperture through which an elongated medical device exiting the burr hole may pass. The burr hole plug further comprises a retainer configured for being mounted within the plug base aperture. The retainer includes a retainer support, a slot formed in the retainer support for receiving the medical device, and a clamping mechanism having a clamping bar and a flange slidably engaged with the retainer support to laterally slide the clamping bar to secure the medical device. A method comprises introducing the medical device through the burr hole, mounting the plug base around the burr hole, mounting the retainer within the plug base aperture, receiving the medical device into the slot, and sliding the slidable flange relative to the retainer support to laterally slide to secure the medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Courtney Lane, Jesse Geroy, James C. Makous, Todd Whitehurst, Matthew Flowers, John Michael Barker, Terry Ferrell, John Swoyer, Brett Schleicher, Jeff Gagnon, Andrew DiGiore, Ellis Garai, Kristen Jaax, Rafael Carbunaru
  • Publication number: 20150134040
    Abstract: A lead assembly includes a lead with a distal end and a proximal end. The lead includes a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end and a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end. The lead also defines at least one central lumen and a plurality of outer lumens. The central and outer lumens extend from the proximal end to the distal end such that the plurality of outer lumens extend laterally from the at least one central lumen. The lead further includes a plurality of conductive wires. Each conductive wire couples at least one of the plurality of electrodes electrically to at least one of the plurality of terminals. At least two conductive wires are disposed in each of the plurality of outer lumens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: John Michael Barker
  • Patent number: 8983625
    Abstract: An implantable lead assembly for providing electrical stimulation to a patient includes a lead body; a terminal disposed along a proximal end of the lead body; and an orthopedic implant coupled to a distal end of the lead body. The orthopedic implant is configured and arranged for anchoring to a bony structure. At least one mounting region is disposed along the orthopedic implant. The at least one mounting region is configured and arranged for anchoring the orthopedic implant to the at least one bony structure. An electrode is disposed along a stimulation region of the orthopedic implant. A conductor electrically couples the terminal to the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: John Michael Barker
  • Publication number: 20150073431
    Abstract: A lead introducer includes an outer needle with a sharpened distal tip and an open channel extending along an entire length of the outer needle. An inner needle slides along the open channel of the outer needle. The inner needle includes a blunt distal tip. A biasing element is coupled to the inner needle and facilitates transition of the inner-needle distal tip between a distally-biased position, where the inner-needle distal tip obstructs the sharpened outer-needle distal tip, and a retracted position, where the inner-needle distal tip exposes the sharpened outer-needle distal tip. A splittable member is disposable over the outer needle when the inner needle is disposed in the open channel of the outer needle. The splittable member is separatable from the inner and outer needles along at least one perforated region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: John Michael Barker
  • Publication number: 20150073432
    Abstract: A lead introducer includes an outer needle with an outer-needle body. The outer-needle body includes a bend of at least 5° permanently formed along a distal end portion of the outer-needle body. The bend facilitates insertion of the lead introducer into an epidural space of a patient. The outer-needle body defines an open channel extending, along an entire length of the outer-needle body. An inner needle is slidable along the open channel of the outer needle. The inner needle includes an inner-needle body that defines a lumen extending along an entire length of the inner-needle body. A splittable member is disposable over the outer needle when the inner needle is disposed in the open channel of the outer needle. The splittable member is separatable from the inner and outer needles along at least one perforated region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: John Michael Barker
  • Patent number: 8966745
    Abstract: A lead assembly includes a lead with a distal end and a proximal end. The lead includes a plurality of electrodes disposed at the distal end and a plurality of terminals disposed at the proximal end. The lead also defines at least one central lumen and a plurality of outer lumens. The central and outer lumens extend from the proximal end to the distal end such that the plurality of outer lumens extend laterally from the at least one central lumen. The lead further includes a plurality of conductive wires. Each conductive wire couples at least one of the plurality of electrodes electrically to at least one of the plurality of terminals. At least two conductive wires are disposed in each of the plurality of outer lumens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: John Michael Barker
  • Patent number: 8965515
    Abstract: A lead extension for an electrical stimulation system includes a connector disposed on a first end of a body. The connector includes a housing defining at least one port. Each of the at least one ports is configured to receive a proximal end of a lead. A plurality of connector contacts are disposed in each of the at least one ports. The connector contacts are configured to electrically couple to terminals of a lead when the lead is received by the housing. A first connector flange extends outwardly from a first side of the housing. A plurality of conductors extend along a length of the lead extension and electrically couple at least one of the connector contacts to at least one terminal disposed on a second end of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Adam Moffitt, Courtney Lane, John Michael Barker
  • Publication number: 20150000124
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a device for brain stimulation includes forming a lead body having a distal end section and coupling at least one pre-electrode to the distal end section of the lead body. The pre-electrode defines a divider with a plurality of partitioning arms, and has a plurality of fixing lumens. A portion of the pre-electrode aligned with the portioning arms is removed to divide the pre-electrode into a plurality of segmented electrodes. Each of the plurality of segmented electrodes defines at least one of the plurality of fixing, lumens at least partially disposed through the segmented electrode. A material is introduced through the at least one fixing lumen to couple the plurality of segmented electrodes to the lead body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: John Michael Barker, Aditya Vasudeo Pandit, Anne Margaret Pianca
  • Publication number: 20140360157
    Abstract: A rocket vehicle includes a controller that integrates operation of a variable-vector main thruster and attitude control thrusters. When the main thruster is firing and roll is commanded, the controller can provide roll moment by firing only a single attitude control thruster, while changing the thrust vector of the main thruster to offset any pitch/yaw moments induced by the firing of the single attitude control thruster. The single attitude control thruster may be a thruster on the leeward side of the rocket vehicle. Since there is a lower wall pressure on the leeward side of the rocket vehicle, the thruster efficiency is improved by accomplishing roll by use of a single thruster (which may be one of a pair of thrusters used to achieve roll in one direction). A significant reduction in fuel use may be accomplished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Michael A. Barker, Dean W. Smith, Edward J. Marquart, Joseph R. Corrado
  • Patent number: 8868206
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a device for brain stimulation includes forming a lead body having a distal end section and coupling at least one pre-electrode to the distal end section of the lead body. The pre-electrode defines a divider with a plurality of partitioning arms, and has a plurality of fixing lumens. A portion of the pre-electrode aligned with the portioning arms is removed to divide the pre-electrode into a plurality of segmented electrodes. Each of the plurality of segmented electrodes defines at least one of the plurality of fixing lumens at least partially disposed through the segmented electrode. A material is introduced through the at least one fixing lumen to couple the plurality of segmented electrodes to the lead body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: John Michael Barker, Aditya Vasudeo Pandit, Anne Margaret Pianca
  • Publication number: 20140277314
    Abstract: An insertion kit for an electrical stimulation system includes a lead with a lead body and a jacket disposed over at least a portion of the lead body. Apertures are defined along an outer surface of the lead body with each of the apertures extending completely through the jacket to an inner surface. The apertures include at least one first aperture. Conductors electrically couple electrodes and terminals disposed along the lead. Conductor insulation is disposed over each of the conductors. At least a portion of the conductor insulation is in fluid communication with the local environment external to the lead via the apertures. A fluid-insertion assembly is configured and arranged for inputting fluid into the lead, via the at least one first aperture, prior to implantation of the lead into the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC NEUROMODULATION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Govea, Matthew Lee McDonald, John Michael Barker
  • Publication number: 20140276927
    Abstract: A lead introducer includes an insertion-needle assembly configured for receiving an electrical stimulation lead, and a splitable member that defines a lumen configured for receiving a portion of the insertion-needle assembly. The splitable member includes at least two pull-apart tabs disposed on a proximal hub of the splitable member and at least one splitable region extending along at least a portion of a longitudinal length of the splitable member from between the pull-apart tabs. The at least one splitable region is configured for separating when the pull-apart tabs are pulled apart from one another in directions approximately orthogonal to the splitable member. A lead-stabilization feature is configured for receiving, and temporarily retaining, a portion of an electrical stimulation lead extending outward from the splitable member such that the electrical stimulation lead does not move relative to the splitable member when the electrical stimulation lead is received by the lead-stabilization feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC NEUROMODULATION CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Michael Barker
  • Publication number: 20140257447
    Abstract: An implantable lead assembly for providing electrical stimulation to a patient includes a lead body; a terminal disposed along a proximal end of the lead body; and an orthopedic implant coupled to a distal end of the lead body. The orthopedic implant is configured and arranged for anchoring to a bony structure. At least one mounting region is disposed along the orthopedic implant. The at least one mounting region is configured and arranged for anchoring the orthopedic implant to the at least one bony structure. An electrode is disposed along a stimulation region of the orthopedic implant. A conductor electrically couples the terminal to the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC NEUROMODULATION CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Michael Barker