Patents by Inventor Nicolaas M. Lokhoff
Nicolaas M. Lokhoff 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).
-
Patent number: 8744548Abstract: A lead including one or more electrodes having circuitry associated therewith. Each such electrode includes a circuit extending along and conforming to at least a portion of an inner surface of the electrode. The circuit includes an isolation substrate contacting at least a portion of the inner surface of the cylindrical electrode portion, a first contact electrically isolated from the electrode portion by the isolation substrate and an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the first contact and the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Rogier Receveur, Jean Joseph Gerardus Rutten, Karel F. A. A. Smits, Nicolaas M Lokhoff, Sylvia Weijzen-Engels, Didier Billy, Tim Dirk Jan Jongen, Lilian Kornet
-
Patent number: 8412351Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) can include a cardiac pacemaker or an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD). Various portions of the IMD, such as a case or device body, the lead body, or the lead tip, can be provided to reduce or dissipate a heat production due to a current induced by various external environmental factors. According to various embodiments, features or portions can be incorporated into the lead body, the lead tip, or the IMD body to reduce the creation of an induced current, or dissipate or increase the area of dissipation of thermal energy created due to an induced current in the lead.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2008Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Volkert A. Zeijlemaker, Nicolaas M. Lokhoff
-
Patent number: 8043126Abstract: An improved medical lead assembly and method of use is provided. The lead assembly includes a lead body, and a spring member positioned adjacent to the lead body. The spring member may be deployed a selectable amount to maintain the lead body in a fixed location within a patient's body. The spring member may be an expandable coil, a mesh structure that is similar to a stent, or any other similar device that may be positioned in a low-profile state during a lead implant procedure. After the lead is positioned at a target destination, the spring member may be deployed an amount that is selected based on the characteristics of the surrounding tissue, including vessel size. According to one aspect of the invention, the lead assembly may provide means for facilitating chronic lead extraction.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2010Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Vicki L. Bjorklund, John L. Sommer, Douglas S. Hine, Charles J. Love, Douglas N. Hess, Nicolaas M. Lokhoff
-
Publication number: 20110024186Abstract: A lead including one or more electrodes (e.g., electrodes, such as those having circuitry associated therewith).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Rogier Receveur, Jean Joseph Gerardus Rutten, Karel F.A.A. Smits, Nicolaas M. Lokhoff, Sylvia Weijzen-Engels, Didier Billy, Tim Dirk Jan Jongen, Lilian Kornet
-
Publication number: 20100256719Abstract: An improved medical lead assembly and method of use is provided. The lead assembly includes a lead body, and a spring member positioned adjacent to the lead body. The spring member may be deployed a selectable amount to maintain the lead body in a fixed location within a patient's body. The spring member may be an expandable coil, a mesh structure that is similar to a stent, or any other similar device that may be positioned in a low-profile state during a lead implant procedure. After the lead is positioned at a target destination, the spring member may be deployed an amount that is selected based on the characteristics of the surrounding tissue, including vessel size. According to one aspect of the invention, the lead assembly may provide means for facilitating chronic lead extraction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Vicki L. Bjorklund, John L. Sommer, Douglas S. Hine, Charles J. Love, Douglas N. Hess, Nicolaas M. Lokhoff
-
Patent number: 7736198Abstract: An improved medical lead assembly and method of use is provided. The lead assembly includes a lead body, and a spring member positioned adjacent to the lead body. The spring member may be deployed a selectable amount to maintain the lead body in a fixed location within a patient's body. The spring member may be an expandable coil, a mesh structure that is similar to a stent, or any other similar device that may be positioned in a low-profile state during a lead implant procedure. After the lead is positioned at a target destination, the spring member may be deployed an amount that is selected based on the characteristics of the surrounding tissue, including vessel size. According to one aspect of the invention, the lead assembly may provide means for facilitating chronic lead extraction.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Vicki L. Bjorklund, John L. Sommer, Douglas S. Hine, Charles J. Love, Douglas N. Hess, Nicolaas M. Lokhoff
-
Publication number: 20090240296Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) can include a cardiac pacemaker or an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD). Various portions of the IMD, such as a case or device body, the lead body, or the lead tip, can be provided to reduce or dissipate a heat production due to a current induced by various external environmental factors. According to various embodiments, features or portions can be incorporated into the lead body, the lead tip, or the IMD body to reduce the creation of an induced current, or dissipate or increase the area of dissipation of thermal energy created due to an induced current in the lead.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2008Publication date: September 24, 2009Inventors: VOLKERT A. ZEIJLEMAKER, Nicolaas M. Lokhoff
-
Patent number: 7546166Abstract: The invention is directed to medical lead designs that facilitate implantation of the leads through tissue. For example, the leads can implanted though tissue for placement of distal tips of the leads in locations on the opposing side of the tissue. The leads include fixation elements, such as flexible tines, that facilitate fixation to the tissue. The fixation elements can protrude from lead at a location more than 5 millimeters from the distal-tip of the lead such that when the distal tip has passed through the tissue, the fixation elements anchor in the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2003Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Koen Michels, Nicolaas M. Lokhoff
-
Patent number: 7251532Abstract: A distal tip coupled to a body of an implantable medical device includes a canted passageway extending distally from a lumen of the body and an opening terminating the passageway and positioned in proximity to a distal end of the distal tip; a helical fixation element coupled to an elongated member extending within the lumen of the body is adapted to deflect along the canted passageway of the distal tip. The elongated member is adapted to move the helical member through the passageway of the distal tip and out from the opening and to rotate the helical element thereby affixing the helical element into an implant site.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2003Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Douglas N. Hess, Nicolaas M. Lokhoff, Michael A. Ruff, Richard D. Sandstrom, Timothy G. Laske
-
Patent number: 7107105Abstract: An improved medical lead assembly and method of use is provided. The lead assembly includes a lead body, and a spring member positioned adjacent to the lead body. The spring member may be deployed a selectable amount to maintain the lead body in a fixed location within a patient's body. The spring member may be an expandable coil, a mesh structure that is similar to a stent, or any other similar device that may be positioned in a low-profile state during a lead implant procedure. After the lead is positioned at a target destination, the spring member may be deployed an amount that is selected based on the characteristics of the surrounding tissue, including vessel size. According to one aspect of the invention, the lead assembly may provide means for facilitating chronic lead extraction.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2002Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Vicki L. Bjorklund, John L Sommer, Douglas S. Hine, Charles J. Love, Douglas N. Hess, Nicolaas M. Lokhoff
-
Patent number: 6909920Abstract: A transvenous implantable medical device adapted for implantation in a body, and which is particularly adapted for use in a vessel such as the coronary sinus or cardiac great vein. The implantable medical device may take the form of a lead or catheter, and includes an extendable distal fixation member such as a helix. In one embodiment, the fixation member is a helix constructed of a shape memory metal or other super-elastic material. Upon deployment, the helix assumes a predetermined helix shape larger than the diameter of the lead body diameter. The helix functions to wedge or fix the lead within the vessel in a manner that does not impede the flow of blood through the vessel. The helix may be retracted for ease of repositioning and/or removal. In one embodiment of the invention, the fixation member may be advanced using a stiffening member such as a stylet. In another embodiment, the helix is coupled to a coiled conductor such that rotation of the conductor extends or retracts the helix.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2001Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Nicolaas M. Lokhoff, David L. Thompson
-
Publication number: 20040215301Abstract: The invention is directed to a medical lead that includes a pivot element. The pivot element is disposed between a distal electrode and the body of the lead so that the distal electrode can move laterally relative to the lead body. In various embodiments, the pivot element can comprise a hinge element, a double-hinge element, a ball joint element, or the like. The distal electrode may comprise a helical element that can be implanted in tissue. Following implantation of the electrode, the pivot element can reduce stress on tissue surrounding the implantation site, and can decrease the chance of dislodgement of the electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2003Publication date: October 28, 2004Inventors: Nicolaas M. Lokhoff, Paulus G. Adams, Ron Van Der Kruk, Koen Michels, Jean J.Q. Rutten
-
Publication number: 20040215307Abstract: The invention is directed to medical lead designs that facilitate implantation of the leads through tissue. For example, the leads can implanted though tissue for placement of distal tips of the leads in locations on the opposing side of the tissue. The leads include fixation elements, such as flexible tines, that facilitate fixation to the tissue. The fixation elements can protrude from lead at a location more than 5 millimeters from the distal-tip of the lead such that when the distal tip has passed through the tissue, the fixation elements anchor in the tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2003Publication date: October 28, 2004Inventors: Koen Michels, Nicolaas M. Lokhoff
-
Publication number: 20040059404Abstract: An improved medical lead assembly and method of use is provided. The lead assembly includes a lead body, and a spring member positioned adjacent to the lead body. The spring member may be deployed a selectable amount to maintain the lead body in a fixed location within a patient's body. The spring member may be an expandable coil, a mesh structure that is similar to a stent, or any other similar device that may be positioned in a low-profile state during a lead implant procedure. After the lead is positioned at a target destination, the spring member may be deployed an amount that is selected based on the characteristics of the surrounding tissue, including vessel size. According to one aspect of the invention, the lead assembly may provide means for facilitating chronic lead extraction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2002Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventors: Vicki L. Bjorklund, John L. Sommer, Douglas S. Hine, Charles J. Love, Douglas N. Hess, Nicolaas M. Lokhoff
-
Publication number: 20030199961Abstract: A method and apparatus for dynamically fixating and removing a lead in a vasculature of a body. At least one segmenting means such as a collar is disposed at a distal end of the lead forming a deployable actuable segment adapted to dynamically assume an engaging and retracted position. In an engaging position, the actuable segment dynamically and varyingly adapts into a shape or shapes to engage a vessel. In a retracted position the shape or shapes collapse thus maintaining the original geometry of the lead in the vasculature. The actuable segment assumes a deployed or retracted position based on the flexural condition of the segment, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2002Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventors: Vicki L. Bjorklund, Douglas S. Hine, John L. Sommer, Douglas N. Hess, Richard D. Sandstrom, Wayne R. Bass, Mary M. Morris, Nicolaas M. Lokhoff
-
Publication number: 20020161423Abstract: A transvenous implantable medical device adapted for implantation in a body, and which is particularly adapted for use in a vessel such as the coronary sinus or cardiac great vein. The implantable medical device may take the form of a lead or catheter, and includes an extendable distal fixation member such as a helix. In one embodiment, the fixation member is a helix constructed of a shape memory metal or other super-elastic material. Upon deployment, the helix assumes a predetermined helix shape larger than the diameter of the lead body diameter. The helix functions to wedge or fix the lead within the vessel in a manner that does not impede the flow of blood through the vessel. The helix may be retracted for ease of repositioning and/or removal. In one embodiment of the invention, the fixation member may be advanced using a stiffening member such as a stylet. In another embodiment, the helix is coupled to a coiled conductor such that rotation of the conductor extends or retracts the helix.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2001Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventors: Nicolaas M. Lokhoff, David L. Thompson