Patents Assigned to Medtronic
  • Implantable medical devices having hollow cap cofire ceramic structures and methods of fabricating the same
    Patent number: 9387331
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) antenna and methods of fabricating the same are provided. An IMD can include a ceramic structure having at least one wall defining a hollow cavity. The ceramic structure can include a first end and a second end distal from the first end, the first end being open to provide access to the hollow cavity and the second end being closed. The IMD also includes an antenna cofire-integrated into the at least one wall of the ceramic structure and a housing adjoined to the ceramic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Yanzhu Zhao, Nicholas C. Wine, Joyce K. Yamamoto
  • Systems and methods for detecting channel faults in energy delivery systems
    Patent number: 9387032
    Abstract: A method of detecting a thermocouple short circuit in a medical device, including obtaining a first temperature measurement from a thermocouple of the medical device; obtaining a second temperature measurement from the thermocouple; calculating a rate of change over time between the first and second temperature measurements; comparing the calculated rate of change over time to a predefined rate of change over time threshold; and generating an indication of a thermocouple short circuit based at least in part on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC
    Inventors: Gregory James Martin, Duane Ellis Tumlinson
  • Implantable blood pressure monitor
    Patent number: 9386927
    Abstract: A method for monitoring blood pressure includes sensing and storing sympathetic nerve activity data of a patient via a recording lead of an implantable medical device. Changes in sympathetic nerve activity from the nerve activity data are determined. Corresponding changes in blood pressure are determined from the changes in sympathetic nerve activity. An alert signal and/or modification of therapy can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Kaiser
  • Bi-modal catheter steering mechanism
    Patent number: 9387035
    Abstract: Medical devices, systems, and methods for treating patients with tissue ablation include catheter systems having bi-modal steering mechanisms, which are capable of both linear and loop ablation. In other words, the catheter system may have two different steering modes: two-dimensional and three-dimensional. In the first and second steering modes, the steering actuator may cause one or more portions of the catheter shaft to bend in different planes. A steerable ablation catheter may include treatment elements such as electrodes at its distal end and along the catheter shaft, each of which may map, pace, and ablate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic Ablation Frontiers LLC
    Inventors: Randell Werneth, Ricardo Roman, Timothy J. Corvi, Betty Hu
  • Wound heat exchanger
    Patent number: 9389023
    Abstract: A capillary tube bundle sub-assembly for use in an extracorporeal heat exchanger includes a continuous capillary tubing wound about a core to define a plurality of capillary layers each including a plurality of capillary segments. The capillary segments each define opposing terminal ends adjacent opposing ends of the core. The capillary segments of each layer are circumferentially aligned relative to an axis of the core, with each successive layer being radially outward of an immediately preceding layer. The capillary segments are non-parallel with the axis, spiraling partially about the axis in extension between the opposing terminal ends. Each capillary segment forms less than one complete revolution (i.e., winds less than 360°). The segments within each layer are substantially parallel with one another; however, an orientation of the segments differs from layer-to-layer such as by pitch or angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Cloutier, Robert Olsen, Stephen Roller, Chris Plott, Al McLevish, Ming Li, Michael Laxen, John Knoll, Gregory Hake
  • Implantable medical devices having hollow sleeve cofire ceramic structures and methods of fabricating the same
    Patent number: 9387332
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) antenna and methods of fabricating the same are provided. An IMD can include a ceramic structure having at least one wall defining a hollow cavity. The ceramic structure can include a first end and a second end distal from the first end, the first and second ends being open to provide access to the hollow cavity. The IMD also includes an antenna cofire-integrated into the at least one wall of the ceramic structure and a housing adjoined to the ceramic structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Yanzhu Zhao, Nicholas C. Wine, Joyce K. Yamamoto
  • Catheter assembly with prosthesis crimping and prosthesis retaining accessories
    Patent number: 9387077
    Abstract: A prosthesis retaining assembly for securing an implantable prosthesis to a catheter assembly can include a first member including a prosthesis retaining slot configured to retain a portion of the prosthesis. The retaining slot can have a first portion with a first width and a second portion with a second width. The first portion can be distal to the second portion. The second width can be larger than the first width, and the retaining slot can have an opening at a first surface of the first member. The prosthesis retaining assembly can also include a second member configured to be move relative to the first member. The second member can be configured to move to a position that obstructs a portion of the opening of the retaining slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular Galway
    Inventor: Noam Miller
  • Medical device delivery systems and methods
    Patent number: 9387074
    Abstract: A delivery system for deploying a medical device includes a first attachment member configured to selectively couple to and radially constrain a first end portion of the medical device. The delivery system also includes a second attachment member configured to selectively couple to and radially constrain a second end portion of the medical device. The first attachment member is configured to move relative to the second attachment member such that the first attachment member applies a first tensile force to the first end portion of a medical device in a first direction and the second attachment member applies a second tensile force to the second end portion of a medical device in a second direction substantially opposite from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular Galway
    Inventor: Declan Costello
  • Tissue stimulation method and apparatus
    Patent number: 9387318
    Abstract: A stimulation apparatus includes a stimulation lead (102), a multiplexer (114), a stimulation signal generator (116), and a signal detector (120). The stimulation lead (102) includes a plurality of stimulation electrodes (112) disposed in an array about a distal portion of the lead body (110). The arrangement of the electrodes (112) facilitates the controlled steering of stimulating electrical field (118) in three dimensions. Four dimensional field steering may also be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic Bakken Research Center B.V
    Inventors: Hubert Cecile Francois Martens, Michel Marcel Jose Decre, Eugenio Cantatore
  • Cardiac resynchronization therapy optimization based on intracardiac impedance and heart sounds
    Patent number: 9387330
    Abstract: Methods and/or devices used in delivering cardiac resynchronization therapy based on a plurality of device parameters (e.g., A-V delay, V-V delay, etc.) are optimized by setting a device parameter based on selection data. The selection data may be acquired by acquiring temporal fiducial points (e.g., heart sounds) associated with at least a part of a systolic portion of at least one cardiac cycle and/or temporal fiducial points associated with at least a part of a diastolic portion of the at least one cardiac cycle for each of a plurality of electrode vector configurations, and extracting measurements from the intracardiac impedance signal acquired for each of a plurality of electrode vector configurations based on the temporal fiducial points. The acquired selection data may be scored and used to optimize the device parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd M. Zielinski, Yong Kyun Cho, Douglas Hettrick, Xusheng Zhang
  • Annuloplasty device for tricuspid valve repair
    Patent number: 9381084
    Abstract: Annuloplasty device for implantation adjacent an annulus of a tricuspid valve, the annulus comprising anterior, posterior and septal aspects adjacent anterior, posterior and septal leaflets, respectively, of the tricuspid valve, the device comprising: a ring body comprising: an anterior portion, a posterior portion and a septal portion shaped to conform to, and for implantation adjacent, the anterior, posterior and septal aspects of the annulus, respectively; and first and second end portions that are more flexible than a remainder of the ring body to provide a gradual transition from the remainder of the ring body to tissue of the tricuspid valve annulus; wherein the ring body is curvilinear, with substantially no flat portions, and forming a shape. Related devices, kits and sizer devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy R. Ryan, Alexander J. Hill, Jason L. Quill, Jerald L. Redmond, Stephen Kuehn, Eugene Grossi, Aubrey Galloway, Hugo Vanermen, Rudiger Lange
  • Modifying atrioventricular delay based on activation times
    Patent number: 9381362
    Abstract: Methods and/or devices may be configured to monitor ventricular activation times and modify an atrioventricular delay (AV delay) based on the monitored ventricular activation times. Further, the methods and/or devices may determine whether the AV delay should be modified based on the measured activation times before modifying the AV delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Subham Ghosh, Robert W Stadler
  • Medical lead fastener including integrated clamp
    Patent number: 9381367
    Abstract: This disclosure includes techniques for securing the proximal ends of a medical lead to the connector block of an IMD with a fastener device that incorporates a flexible clamp. A fastener device for a medical device comprising a flexible clamp forming a clamp aperture, wherein the flexible clamp includes a clamp protrusion configured to facilitate actuation of the flexible clamp, a rigid body, wherein the rigid body connects to and surrounds the flexible clamp, and an actuator configured to actuate on the clamp protrusion to change a perimeter of the clamp aperture, wherein the change of the perimeter of the clamp aperture by the actuator is configured to apply a compressive force about a perimeter of an electrical contact of a medical lead in the clamp aperture to electrically and mechanically connect the medical lead to the fastener device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Darren A. Janzig
  • Filling methods and apparatus for implanted medical therapy delivery devices
    Patent number: 9381039
    Abstract: Transdermal insertion of a transcutaneous filling apparatus, for the purpose of filling a fill chamber of an implanted therapy delivery device, is monitored by measuring each impedance between pairs of electrodes of a needle of the apparatus, and comparing each to a threshold impedance; the electrodes, preferably at least three in number, are isolated and spaced apart from one another along a length of the needle. A confirmation signal is generated when at least one of the measured impedances is greater than the threshold impedance, and another is less than the threshold, the condition indicating that one of the electrodes is located within a non-conductive septum, through which the apparatus must pass to access the fill chamber. A detection circuit, which may be located in a housing of the apparatus that is attached to a proximal end of the needle, measures and compares the impedances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Miesel, Scott A. Sarkinen, Emem D. Akpan, Douglas E. Hentges, Mark E. Dunlap, Darrin Schauble, Cindy Konen, Mark R. Bilitz
  • Methods and apparatus for improved IPG rate response using subcutaneous electrodes directly coupled to an implantable medical device (IMD)
    Patent number: 9381366
    Abstract: Per the disclosure subcutaneously implantable medical devices (IMDs) with rate responsive implantable pulse generator (IPG) capability that also include dual patient activity sensors are adaptively controlled. One of the activity sensors uses multiple electrodes adapted to acquire electrocardiographic signals and signals from non-cardiac muscle tissue (myopotentially-based signals). The signals from the electrode-based activity sensor are used to confirm and/or override the patient-activity sensor signals from the other non-myopotentially-based patient activity sensor. The electrodes are directly mechanically coupled to the housing of the IMD and electrically coupled to circuitry that filters, processes, and interprets both the patient activity sensor signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher C. Stancer
  • Profile altering tip for a delivery system
    Patent number: 9381083
    Abstract: A profile altering tip is provided for a delivery system. The tip defines a first profile with a generally conical shape and a second profile with a generally round shape. During use of the delivery system, a tip profile control assembly can alter the tip from the first profile to the second profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular Galway
    Inventor: Declan Costello
  • Method and apparatus for determining parameters for oversensing in an implantable medical device
    Patent number: 9381370
    Abstract: A method and medical device for determining oversensing that includes sensing cardiac signals from a first sensing channel, determining whether oversensing of the cardiac signal is occurring in response the cardiac signals sensed from the first sensing channel, determining a sensing parameter adjustment and initiating sensing of cardiac signals from a second sensing channel having the adjusted sensing parameter in response to oversensing being determined to occur, determining an oversensing value in response to the sensing in the second sensing channel, and storing the determined oversensing value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Bruce D Gunderson
  • SELF EXPANDING ELECTRODE CUFF
    Publication number: 20160184581
    Abstract: An electrode lead assembly is described. The lead assembly includes an expandable cuff electrode that includes a series of spaced apart electrode elements and a substantially re-closable opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric H. Bonde, Roy L. Testerman, Timothy P. Herbert, Mark A. Christopherson, Jesse D. Geroy
  • ADJUSTMENT FOR HYDROCEPHALUS SHUNT VALVE
    Publication number: 20160184563
    Abstract: An implantable medical device is disclosed that includes a valve seat and a valve member movable with respect to the valve seat. An adjustment circuit assembly includes a resistive element that is coupled to the valve member and operable to position the valve member relative to the valve seat so as to alter the pressure setting in response to a current applied to the resistive element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: William Jeffrey Bertrand, Robert K. Vaccaro, Chun Man Alan Leung, Michael Ayoub, Pierre Jaquier, Laetitia Mayor, Thomas Junker, Guillaume Schmit
  • Medical system lead adapter providing for customized stimulation pattern for a secondary lead
    Patent number: 9375583
    Abstract: Medical system lead adapters distribute stimulation signals from a port of a medical device to both a primary medical lead and a secondary medical lead. The lead adapters provide for the selectable bridging of secondary lead contacts to thereby provide for customized stimulation patterns. The lead adapters may include a primary lead connector, a secondary lead connector, and a pin connector. A pin is selected to provide a particular stimulation pattern for the secondary lead and is inserted into the pin connector to thereby bridge together contacts of the pin connector that are also connected to contacts of the secondary lead connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Holle