Patents Represented by Attorney Evans M. Mburu
  • Patent number: 8352008
    Abstract: A medical device system and associated method are used for monitoring tissue oxygenation. An optical sensor produces a signal corresponding to tissue light attenuation. A processor receives the optical sensor signal and computes a first measure of light attenuation at a first light wavelength and a second measure of light attenuation at a second light wavelength. In one embodiment, noise cancellation circuitry receives the first measure and the second measure and generates a guessed ratio of the first and second measures. Using the first measure, the second measure and the guessed ratio, the noise cancellation circuitry provides a peak output power when the guessed ratio corresponds to an actual ratio of the first and second measures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Kuhn, David A. Anderson, Can Cinbis
  • Patent number: 8346332
    Abstract: A medical device for monitoring a patient condition includes a first combination of a light source and a light detector to emit light into a volume of tissue, detect light scattered by the volume of tissue, and provide a first output signal corresponding to an intensity of the detected light. A control module is coupled to the light source to control the light source to emit light at least four spaced-apart light wavelengths, and a monitoring module is coupled to the light detector to receive the output signal, compute a measure of tissue oxygenation in response to the light detector output signal, and detect tissue hypoxia using the measure of tissue oxygenation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Kuhn, David A. Anderson, Can Cinbis, Richard J. O'Brien, Yong K. Cho, Thomas J. Mullen, Avram Scheiner, Rodolphe P. Katra
  • Patent number: 8340750
    Abstract: The implantable medical device (IMD) system disclosed here utilizes one or more cardiac sensors that measure mechanical characteristics of the heart, such as left ventricular acceleration or right ventricular pressure. The raw sensor data is collected and processed by the IMD, which derives one or more mechanical event marker signals from features, traits, and characteristics of the sensor data waveforms. The mechanical event marker signals are wirelessly transmitted to an external monitor device for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajan Prakash, Sameh Sowelam, Thomas J. Mullen
  • Patent number: 8340769
    Abstract: A sensor is disposed within a pin portion of a feedthrough assembly. The feedthrough assembly provides a hermetically sealed enclosure that protects the sensor. In one embodiment, the sensor is a temperature sensor and the feedthrough assembly thermally isolates the sensor from the surrounding housing or enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Rogier Receveur, Vincent Larik
  • Patent number: 8320984
    Abstract: An optical sensor for a medical device includes a fixed lens spacing between emit and receive modules to achieve target sensor sensitivity, while varying other sensor parameters in order to increase signal amplitude without increasing power demand. The size of at least one of emit and receive module lenses of an optical sensor, and the offset between the opto-electronic component and the respective lens of at least one of emit and receive modules is decreased to increase amplitude of the signal received by the receive module from the emit module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Kuhn, Thomas A. Anderson, Can Cinbis, Jeffrey M. Jelen, Timothy Davis, James K. Carney
  • Patent number: 8290557
    Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a hermetically sealed housing and a first light emitting diode (LED) enclosed within the housing configured to detect light corresponding to a selected light wavelength. A conductive element extends from the LED for carrying a current signal corresponding to the light detected by the LED, the intensity of the detected light being correlated to a change in a physiological condition in a body fluid volume or a tissue volume proximate the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Davis, Jonathan P. Roberts, James D. Reinke, Jonathan L. Kuhn, Shawn D. Knowles
  • Patent number: 8290583
    Abstract: Delivering electrical stimulation to a body tissue by a circuit. The circuit includes a first and second terminal electrically coupled to body tissue. A sole capacitor has a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is coupled to the first terminal. The second electrode is coupled to a power source through a switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Vernon, Larry E. Tyler
  • Patent number: 8275432
    Abstract: An implantable optical sensor and associated manufacturing method include a sensor housing having an inner surface and an outer surface and a window formed in the housing extending between the housing inner surface and the housing outer surface. An opto-electronic device enclosed within the housing and having a photonic surface is operatively positioned proximate the window for emitting light through the window or detecting light through the window. An optical coupling member is positioned between the opto-electronic device and the window for reducing light reflection at a surface within the implantable optical sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Kuhn, Timothy J. Davis, Can Cinbis, Robert M. Ecker, Shawn D. Knowles, Thomas A. Anderson, Jeffrey M. Jelen
  • Patent number: 8263436
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to protect circuitry from moisture ingress, e.g., using a metallic structure as part of a moisture ingress barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler Mueller, Geoffrey Batchelder, Ralph B. Danzl, Paul F. Gerrish, Anna J. Malin, Trevor D. Marrott, Michael F. Mattes