Patents Assigned to Medtronic
  • Patent number: 9566441
    Abstract: In general, the disclosure relates to medical devices and systems for detecting the posture state of patient. For example, a medical system may detect a posture state of a patient and deliver therapy based at least in part on the detected patient posture state. In some examples, the system may comprise a posture sensor that generates posture sensor data when a patient is in a posture state, and a processor that receives the first posture sensor data, compares the first posture state data to reference posture sensor data, and detects the presence of at least one of sensor signal drift or sensor signal shift for the posture sensor based at least in part on the comparison. In some examples, the processor may be configured to determine one or more offset correction values to apply to posture sensor data generated by the posture sensor when the at least one of sensor signal drift or sensor signal shift is determined to be present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis M. Skelton
  • Patent number: 9561316
    Abstract: Methods for monitoring patient parameters and blood fluid removal system parameters include identifying those system parameters that result in improved patient parameters or in worsened patent parameters. By comparing the patient's current parameters to past parameters in response to system parameters or changes in system parameters, a blood fluid removal system may be able to avoid future use of parameters that may harm the patient and may be able to learn which parameters are likely to be most effective in treating the patient in a blood fluid removal session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Gerber, Suping Lyu, Bryant Pudil
  • Patent number: 9561377
    Abstract: A method for delivering therapy in a medical device includes a two-tiered approach of determining the presence of a lead-related condition, and determining, in response to a lead-related condition being present, the presence of oversensing. Delivery of therapy by the medical device is controlled in response to determining that both the lead-related condition and oversensing are present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce D. Gunderson
  • Patent number: 9560980
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) is implanted in a patient. The IMD uses a plurality of electrode vectors to generate intrathoracic impedance measurements. The intrathoracic impedance measurements can be indicative of amounts of intrathoracic fluid in the patient. An accumulation of intrathoracic fluid may indicate that the patient is at an increased risk of experiencing a heart failure event in the near future. The IMD performs a vector selection operation on a recurring basis. When the IMD performs the vector selection operation, the IMD uses impedance measurements to select one of the electrode vectors. The IMD can perform a risk assessment operation on another recurring basis. During performance of the risk assessment operation, the IMD uses impedance measurements of the selected electrode vector and/or other patient characteristics stored within the IMD to determine whether the patient is at an increased risk of experiencing a heart failure event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandra B. Charlton, James J. Sims
  • Patent number: 9561369
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to extra, intra, and transvascular medical lead placement techniques for arranging medical leads and electrical stimulation and/or sensing electrodes proximate nerve tissue within a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John E Burnes, Mary M Morris, Matthew David Bonner, Michael R. S. Hill, Avram Scheiner, Ruth N Klepfer
  • Patent number: 9561248
    Abstract: Tissue and other body structures may be protected using a hydrated composition made from free-flowing substantially collagen-free rehydratable polysaccharide particles and rehydratable polysaccharide sponges. Rehydration of the particles without clumping may be carried out be dispersing the particles in a biocompatible water-miscible polar dispersant such as ethanol and combining the dispersion with sufficient aqueous solvent for the particles to convert them to a cohesive hydrogel. The hydrated composition may assist in returning an injured, inflamed or surgically repaired surface to a normal state, e.g., through one or more healing mechanisms such as modulation of an inflammatory response, phagocytosis, mucosal remodeling, reciliation or other full or partial restoration of normal function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew F. Myntti, Dana A. Oliver, Brian J. Vaccaro
  • Patent number: 9561005
    Abstract: Techniques are described for generating beat templates and utilizing those beat templates to detect a cardiac event, e.g., a tachyarrhythmia. In particular, example methods and devices for acquiring qualified beats for template generation are described. Additionally, techniques are described for selecting subsets of the qualified beats to actually use in generating a beat template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Xusheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 9561119
    Abstract: A single piece stent construction having a plurality of commissure posts, each of which extends upwardly from a solid ring along a bend line and generally along a central longitudinal axis of the stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Carol E. Eberhardt, Faisal Kalam
  • Patent number: 9561102
    Abstract: A delivery system for use with a prosthetic heart valve having a stent frame to which a valve structure is attached, includes a shaft assembly including a distal end and a coupling structure disposed near the distal end and configured to be coupled to a distal end of the prosthetic heart valve. The system includes a sheath assembly defining a lumen sized to slidably receive the shaft assembly. The delivery system is configured to transition from a loaded state in which the sheath assembly encompasses the prosthetic heart valve to a deployed state in which the sheath assembly is withdrawn from the prosthetic heart valve. The coupling structure is configured to provide a controlled expansion or contraction of the distal end of the prosthetic heart valve based on longitudinal movement of the distal end of the shaft assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Rust, Savage Padraig, Gianfranco Pellegrini, Finn Rinne
  • Patent number: 9561366
    Abstract: In general, the disclosure describes techniques for providing conditional electrical stimulation to a patient for pelvic health. An implantable medical device (IMD) may adjust the delivery cycle of the electrical stimulation applied to a patient in response to receiving a delivery cycle parameter associated with one or more of the following: a time in a time schedule, a control device output from a control device, and physiological information from a physiological information sensing device. As an example, the IMD may monitor a status of one or more inputs of the IMD and adjust the delivery cycle of the electrical stimulation applied to the patient based on the status of the input(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Xuan K. Wei, Eric H. Bonde
  • Patent number: 9560990
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method and system for obtaining baseline patient information. In some examples, a method may include acquiring first patient data, wherein the first patient data comprises at least one of first posture state data indicative of a plurality of posture states of a patient during a first time period or first therapy adjustment data indicative of a plurality of patient therapy adjustments made during the first time period; generating baseline patient information based at least in part on the first patient data; and comparing the baseline patient information to patient information generated based on second patient data. Therapy is not delivered to the patient according to a detected posture state of the patient during the first time period, and therapy is delivered to the patient according to the detected posture state of the patient during the second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Skelton, Jon P. Davis, Dennis Bourget
  • Patent number: 9561053
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an implant tool used to facilitate the implantation of a medical device into a patient. The implant tool includes a housing that is held by a user and a needle attached to the housing. The needle is configured so that a cannula may be positioned over the needle and delivered to the target tissue. The implant tool also includes a release mechanism that pushes the cannula off of the needle. The release mechanism may help the user to keep the cannula at the desired location while removing the needle from the cannula. The implant tool may also include a flange that extends from the housing adjacent to a side of the needle such that the user may provide force against the needle during advancement of the needle into the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric H. Bonde, Martin T. Gerber
  • Patent number: 9555234
    Abstract: An assembly for a medical lead includes an elongated lead body, and a conductive element located at a distal portion of the lead body. The conductive element substantial!)? encircles a longitudinal axis of the lead body. The assembly further includes a plurality of insulated conductors extending within the lead body, each of the insulated conductors being in electrical contact with the conductive element and extending to a proximal end of the lead body. Each of the insulated conductors contacts a different circumferential portion of the conductive element. The conductive element is configured to facilitate mechanical and electrical separation of different circumferential portions of the conductive element to form two or more electrode segments for the medical lead from the conductive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Duijsens, Paulus C. van Venrooij
  • Patent number: 9555190
    Abstract: A method of seating a fluid reservoir in a housing of a fluid infusion device is presented here. The method is performed prior to establishing an outgoing fluid flow path from the fluid reservoir. The method begins by detecting insertion of the fluid reservoir into the housing of the fluid infusion device. In response to detecting the insertion, the method determines whether the fluid reservoir is in need of depressurization. When the fluid reservoir is in need of depressurization, the drive motor assembly of the fluid infusion device is rewound to depressurize the fluid reservoir. After depressurizing the fluid reservoir, an equalization state for the fluid reservoir is achieved. After achieving the equilibrium state, the drive motor assembly is advanced to obtain an initial seated state for the fluid reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan M. Alderete, Jr., Salman Monirabbasi
  • Patent number: 9554848
    Abstract: An ablation catheter assembly including an elongate catheter body having a proximal portion, a distal portion and a lumen therethrough. A helical structure associated with the catheter distal portion carries a plurality of independently operable electrodes and is transformable between a low-profile configuration wherein a straightening element is positioned in the lumen and an expanded configuration wherein the straightening element is at least partially retracted from the spiral structure. When the helical structure is in the expanded configuration, a laterally offset tip portion extends distally therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Stewart, David Francischelli, Rahul Mehra, James Skarda
  • Patent number: 9560787
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques for managing heat generated in coils for wireless energy transmission are disclosed. Inductive coupling between two coils (e.g., a primary coil and a secondary coil) may be used to recharge the power source of an implantable medical device. A phase change material may be thermally coupled to the primary coil to absorb heat generated during the inductive coupling and reduce temperature increases of the primary coil. In one example, the phase change material may be configured to absorb heat from an energy transfer coil. A housing may be configured to contain the phase change material and a coupling mechanism may be configured to removably attach the housing to the energy transfer coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Kallmyer, John E. Kast, David P. Olson, Randy S. Roles, Venkat R. Gaddam
  • Patent number: 9554904
    Abstract: A catheter assembly according to the present invention includes a handle assembly, an introducer sheath, and a distal tip assembly. The distal tip assembly can include first and second retaining sleeves and a slotted tip with a non-traumatic tip guard positioned at the proximal end of the slotted tip. The handle assembly can include a fixed main handle and two or more rotating handles that allow a user to control the distal tip assembly of the catheter. Each control knob on the handle assembly controls a portion of the components on the distal by of the catheter by allowing for precise manipulation of various delivery shafts. Each delivery shaft extends from the handle assembly to respective positions towards the distal end of the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic CV Luxembourg S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: John Gallagher
  • Patent number: 9554725
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method of monitoring physiological parameters of a patient with renal dysfunction. The method includes electrically connecting one or more medical device electrodes with a measurement site of a patient, generating one or more first stimulation signals sufficient to provide input physiological parameters specific to the patient, measuring one or more first bioimpedance values from the generated signals, analyzing at least one of the input physiological parameters within the one or more first bioimpedance values and generating a personalized dialysis program. The systems and methods can further provide essentially real-time data of patient undergoing treatment and control of treatment to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic Monitoring, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodolphe Katra, Niranjan Chakravarthy, Imad Libbus
  • Patent number: 9555528
    Abstract: A delivery device for a stented heart valve includes a handle, an elongate shaft extending from a distal end of the handle, and a conical housing having a proximal end coupled to the elongate shaft and an open distal end, the conical housing having a conical lumen therein with a first internal diameter adjacent to the proximal end of the conical housing and a larger second internal diameter adjacent to the open distal end of the conical housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic 3F THerapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrzej M. Malewicz, David Elizondo, Matthew W. Weston
  • Patent number: 9559353
    Abstract: Implantable medical devices, implantable medical device systems that include such implantable medical devices, and implantable medical device batteries, as well as methods of making. Such devices can include a battery of relatively small volume but of relatively high power (reported as therapeutic power) and relatively high capacity (reported as capacity density).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Norton, Craig L. Schmidt, Kevin Wilmot Eberman, Lawrence Robert Heyn