Patents Assigned to Medtronic
  • Assessment of cardiac wall motion using impedance measurements
    Patent number: 9555249
    Abstract: In accordance with the techniques for heart monitoring described in this disclosure, an implantable medical device (IMD) may assess cardiac wall motion using impedance measurements through cardiac leads. As an example, the IMD may calculate an amount or rate of change in impedance due to the motion of a wall of the heart during at least a portion of one cardiac cycle, e.g., systole, in order to assess the strength of systolic contraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore Chow
  • Implantable medical device with communication by way of physical connector, system and method therefore
    Patent number: 9555254
    Abstract: System, implantable medical device and method for communicating between an implantable medical device and an external communication device. The implantable medical device has a physical connector, a medical module and a communication module. The medical module is configured to at least one of deliver a therapeutic output by way of the physical connector and/or sense data indicative of a physiologic condition of a patient by way of the physical connector. The external communication device is configured to communicate with the communication module by way of the physical connector. In an embodiment, electronic communication may be by way of a differential pair of connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter E. Benecke, Lonny Cabelka, Mark A. Maass, Melvin P. Roberts
  • Phospholipid reduction in biological tissue
    Patent number: 9555162
    Abstract: A method of reducing phospholipid concentration in biological tissue. The biological tissue is immersed in an isopropyl alcohol solution for an effective period of time. After the effective period of time, the biological tissue has a phospholipid concentration that is at least 10 percent by weight less than an initial phospholipid concentration of the biological tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Laura McKinley, Monique Poon, Will Wei Wang, Benjamin Wong
  • Implantable infusion device having voltage boost circuit and selection circuit to alternately connect battery with charging circuit
    Patent number: 9555188
    Abstract: An implantable infusion device includes a pump, a charge storage unit, and a charging circuit configured to supply current to the charge storage unit from a battery in preparation for actuating the pump. The implantable infusion device also includes a pump actuator circuit configured to actuate the pump using energy from the charge storage unit, and a voltage boost circuit configured to provide a boosted battery voltage generated from the battery. The charging circuit is configured to supply current to the charge storage unit from the voltage boost circuit instead of directly from the battery in response to (i) a comparison of a voltage of the battery with a predetermined threshold and (ii) a comparison of a voltage of the charge storage unit with the voltage of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Sarkinen, Christopher Ambri, Charles Randall Rogers, Naveed Alam
  • Overvoltage protection circuitry
    Patent number: 9555237
    Abstract: Overvoltage protection circuitry configured to protect internal integrated circuits within an implantable device in the presence of a high voltage event such as defibrillation or electrocautery. The circuitry allows for an internal node to rise above the voltage level of the high voltage event to insure that an overvoltage protection element is triggered, even if the voltage level of the high voltage event is below the voltage trigger level of the overvoltage protection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Shane A. Self
  • Implantable infusion device having selective voltage boost circuit with charge pump circuit for generating control signals using first and second profiles
    Patent number: 9556860
    Abstract: An implantable infusion device includes a voltage boost circuit configured to selectively generate an output voltage from a first voltage provided by a battery. The voltage boost circuit includes a signal generation circuit configured to generate control signals and a charge pump circuit configured to generate the output voltage in response to the control signals. In response to a request for a predetermined voltage, the signal generation circuit generates the control signals using a first profile for a first period of time, and generates the control signals using a second profile for a second period of time subsequent to the first period. The charge pump circuit increases the output voltage to (i) an intermediate voltage less than the predetermined voltage in response to the first profile of the control signals, and (ii) the predetermined voltage in response to the second profile of the control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Randall Rogers, Christopher Ambri
  • Method and apparatus for inflating and deflating balloon catheters
    Patent number: 9555223
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the inflation, ablation, and deflation of a balloon catheter. The system includes a balloon catheter, a console, a pressurized gas or liquid inflation source, and an umbilical system to deliver pressurized coolant to the balloon catheter. The system may include controller that monitors the amount of pressure and volume within the balloon catheter. During inflation, the pressure and/or volume of fluid within the balloon is maintained at a target amount in order to provide sufficient mechanized pressure against the desired target region. The system limits the inflation pressure such that a safe quantity of gas would be released should a leak occur. If the amount falls below a certain threshold level, gas or fluid egress is presumed and the inflation process is halted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP
    Inventors: Marwan Abboud, Rachid Mahrouche
  • Automated phrenic nerve stimulation and pacing capture threshold test
    Patent number: 9555250
    Abstract: A medical device system and method for determining pacing threshold data that includes a cardiac capture sensor, a phrenic nerve stimulation sensor, a pulse generator selectively coupled to a plurality of electrode vectors to deliver a phrenic nerve stimulation pulse, and a processor coupled to the cardiac capture sensor, the phrenic nerve stimulation sensor and the pulse generator and configured to deliver the phrenic nerve stimulation pulse along the plurality of electrode vectors, determine, for each vector of the plurality of vectors, whether phrenic nerve stimulation is detected in response to the delivered phrenic nerve stimulation, deliver a pacing pulse along only the vectors of the plurality of vectors that phrenic nerve stimulation is determined not to be detected, and determine pacing capture thresholds in response to the delivered pacing pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Wade M Demmer, Karen J Kleckner
  • FLUID CONNECTORS AND FLUID FLOW PATHS FOR AN INFUSATE CADDY
    Publication number: 20170021076
    Abstract: The invention relates to fluid flow paths and fluid connectors for use with detachable containers that can be seated in an infusate caddy for use in a dialysis machine. The detachable containers can contain infusates or other solutes or materials such as disinfectants or cleaners, and can be conveniently seated in the infusate caddy. The detachable containers can be removed from the infusate caddy for restocking, cleaning, or resupply, as needed. The infusate caddy can be positioned or seated in a receiving compartment of a dialysis machine, and can also be removed, as needed. The fluid path and fluid connectors of the present invention provide the required fluid fittings, valve arrangements, pumps, and paddle assemblies for using the infusate caddy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. LURA, Christopher M. HOBOT, Martin T. GERBER, Thomas E. MEYER
  • INFUSATE CADDY FOR A DIALYSIS SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170021079
    Abstract: The invention relates to an infusate caddy for carrying, organizing, and operating infusate containers containing solutes for preparing dialysate and related fluids for use in dialysis. The infusate containers can be seated in the infusate caddy, and the infusate containers removed from the infusate caddy for restocking, cleaning, or resupply, as needed. The infusate caddy can be positioned or seated in a receiving compartment of a dialysis machine, and can also be removed, as needed, from the dialysis machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Medtronic, Inc.
  • DIALYSIS PRIMING STEPS USING AN INFUSATE CADDY
    Publication number: 20170021086
    Abstract: The invention relates to devices, systems, and methods for priming, disinfecting, and preparing dialysate and related fluids for use in dialysis. The dialysate and related fluids can be prepared from solutes obtained from infusate containers seated in an infusate caddy. The infusate caddy can be removably positioned in a receiving compartment of a dialysis machine. Similarly, the infusate containers containing the necessary solutes for preparing the dialysate and related fluids can also be removably positioned in the infusate caddy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. LURA, Christopher M. HOBOT, Martin T. GERBER, Thomas E. MEYER
  • Implantable medical device detection
    Patent number: 9549688
    Abstract: A detection unit and a method for detecting an implanted medical device in an MRI environment employ a telemetry transmission from the implanted medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Volkert A. Zeijlemaker
  • Apparatus and methods for filling a drug eluting medical device via capillary action
    Patent number: 9549832
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for filling a therapeutic substance or drug within a hollow wire that forms a stent. The stent is placed within a chamber housing a fluid drug formulation. During filling, the chamber is maintained at or near the vapor-liquid equilibrium of the solvent of the fluid drug formulation. To fill the stent, a portion of the stent is placed into contact with the fluid drug formulation until a lumenal space defined by the hollow wire is filled with the fluid drug formulation via capillary action. After filling is complete, the stent is retracted such that the stent is no longer in contact with the fluid drug formulation. The solvent vapor pressure within the chamber is reduced to evaporate a solvent of the fluid drug formulation. A wicking means may control transfer of the fluid drug formulation into the stent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Peterson, James Mitchell, Abby Schlichting, Nate Glucklich, Joseph Berglund, Ya Guo
  • Repositionable therapy delivery element anchor
    Patent number: 9550045
    Abstract: This disclosure includes an anchor configured to maintain a portion of a therapy delivery element within a desired location of a patient. The anchor comprises a body forming a lumen configured to compressibly engage the outer surface of the therapy delivery element to hold the anchor in place about the therapy delivery element. The anchor may be stretched such that the lumen becomes larger than the cross-section of the therapy delivery element to facilitate positioning the anchor about the therapy delivery element. The body forms two or more channels that facilitate radial stretching of the anchor using a pronged tool. Radially stretching the body via the channels using the pronged tool reduces a holding force of the anchor on the therapy delivery element to facilitate adjusting a position of the anchor relative to the therapy delivery element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Baudino, Brian T. Stolz
  • Eversible branch stent-graft and deployment method
    Patent number: 9549830
    Abstract: A method of deploying an eversible branch stent-graft includes deploying the eversible branch stent-graft into a main vessel such that a collateral opening in a main stent-graft of the eversible branch stent-graft is aligned with an ostium of a branch vessel emanating from the main vessel. A branch stent ring suture threaded though outer exposed crowns of an outer stent ring of the branch stent-graft is grasped and pulled through the collateral opening to evert the branch stent-graft into the branch vessel as a branch anchor suture is removed to release a protruding end of a branch stent-graft from a proximal end of the main stent-graft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Bruszewski, Masoumeh Mafi, Shyam Nagasrinivasa, Maria Acosta de Acevedo
  • Selection of spinal cord stimulation electrodes for use in cardiac therapy
    Patent number: 9550065
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and/or devices for selecting spinal cord stimulation (SCS) electrode array configurations to provide effective cardiac therapy. Physiological parameters related to the heart may be monitored and analyzed during the delivery of SCS using various SCS electrode array configurations to determine an effect SCS electrode array configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Lilian Kornet, Tim D. J. Jongen, Raphael A. Schneider, Pascalle H. C. M. Reiters
  • Extracorporeal blood circuit reservoir with angled venous inlet luer port
    Patent number: 9545472
    Abstract: An extracorporeal reservoir device including a housing, a venous inlet sub-assembly, and a venous filter. The venous sub-assembly is mounted to the housing and includes a downtube and a luer port connector body. The connector body extends from the downtube and forms a passageway open to a lumen of the downtube. The connector body is arranged such that fluid flow from the passageway merges with a flow path of fluid along the primary lumen at an angle of less than 90°. Secondary blood flow through the port connector body is less likely to induce turbulent flow into venous blood flow within the downtube, and is thus less likely to break up any bubbles carried by the venous blood. For example, at port flow rates of less than 500 mL/minute, fluid flow from the port connector body does not induce turbulent flow into fluid flowing through the primary lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Gloss, Eric Boone, Neil Nye, Hanam Pham
  • Apparatus and method for detecting cardiac events
    Patent number: 9545215
    Abstract: A method and system which includes a minimally invasive, implantable device with a sensor configured for collecting electrical data associated with cardiac performance, a sensor configured for collecting mechanical data associated with cardiac performance, a sensor for collecting optical data associated with cardiac performance, a sensor for collecting biochemical data associated with cardiac performance, and a processor for deriving cardiac conditions and actuating an alarm upon identifying a cardiac event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Randal C. Schulhauser, John K. Day, Scott Wayne Haskin, Tho V. Huynh, Todd A. Kallmyer, Brian Bruce Lee, Jeffrey O. York, William Cope
  • Capacitor electrolyte
    Patent number: 9548166
    Abstract: A capacitor for an implantable medical device is presented. The capacitor includes an anode, a cathode, a separator therebetween, and an electrolyte over the anode, cathode, and separator. The electrolyte includes ingredients comprising acetic acid, ammonium acetate, phosphoric acid, and tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether. The capacitor has an operating voltage ninety percent or greater of its formation voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Viste, John D. Norton, Joachim Hossick-Schott, Anthony W. Rorvick
  • Portable dialysis cabinet
    Patent number: D777932
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Lura, Martin T. Gerber, Philip J D'Almada Remedios, Bartosz Marek Korec