Patents Assigned to Medtronic
  • Patent number: 8862245
    Abstract: An implantable electrode for electrical stimulation of a body, for example, being a component of an implantable medical electrical lead, is preferably in the form of a coiled conductor wire, wherein the wire is formed by a tantalum (Ta) core directly overlaid with a platinum-iridium (Pt—Ir) cladding. When a maximum thickness of the Pt—Ir cladding defines a cladded zone between an outer, exposed surface of the electrode and the Ta core, a surface of the Ta core encroaches into the cladded zone by no more than approximately 50 micro-inches. The tantalum core may be cold worked to improve surface quality or formed from a sintered and, preferably, grain stabilized tantalum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory A Boser
  • Patent number: 8858619
    Abstract: A system for percutaneously inserting a prosthesis containing a biological replacement for a defective valve into an implantation site through a body lumen. The system contains a balloon catheter upon which a collapsable stent containing a venous valvular replacement is mounted. A protective shield is slidably mounted upon the catheter that is movable between a closed position over the balloon and an open position wherein the balloon can be inflated to expand the stent. A central lumen runs through the catheter that is formed of stainless steel. The central lumen provides a one to one torque ratio between the proximal end of the catheter and the distal end to enhance the steerability of the catheter. The vein of the replacement is reduced in thickness between 50% and 90% of its original size thereby considerably reducing the size of the replacement package when the stem is collapsed upon the balloon of the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Allen J. Tower, Philipp Bonhoeffer, Michael L. Martin
  • Patent number: 8858559
    Abstract: A surgical system for cutting tissue of a patient includes an outer housing and a reciprocating assembly structurally configured to carry a cutting tool in a reciprocating motion. An actuator knob is manually accessible to the user and may be fixed axially to the outer housing. The reciprocating assembly may reciprocate relative to the actuator knob. The actuator knob may be configured for rotational movement between a lock position and an unlock position. The system may also include a locking mechanism configured to retain a cutting tool within the reciprocating assembly. The locking mechanism may be responsive to movement of the actuator knob to maintain the tool within the output shaft when the actuator knob is in the lock position and permit removal of the tool when the actuator knob is in the unlock position. Surgical cutting tools, such as blades include thickness enhancing features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Thaddeus Scott Milburn, Bret Randal Hauser, R. Mitchell Sherry, S. Shane Dexter
  • Publication number: 20140303618
    Abstract: Multi-directional deflectable catheter apparatuses, systems, and methods for achieving renal neuromodulation by intravascular access are disclosed herein. One aspect of the present application, for example, is directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods that incorporate a catheter treatment device comprising an elongated shaft. The elongated shaft is sized and configured to deliver a thermal element to a renal artery via an intravascular path. Thermally or electrical renal neuromodulation may be achieved via direct and/or via indirect application of thermal and/or electrical energy to heat or cool, or otherwise electrically modulate, neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic Ardian Luxembourg S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Andrew Wu, Benjamin J. Clark, Denise Zarins, Erik Thai, Kenneth J. Michlitsch, Mark S. Leung
  • Patent number: 8855780
    Abstract: In the present disclosure, conservation of an implantable medical device power supply of is facilitated by controlling the power consumption of the device's processing component. The power supplied to the processing component is controlled to enable processing of received events as a function of predetermined criteria rather than the actual occurrence of the events which is frequent, but irregular. Accordingly, the need for the processing component to start and stop (and thereby be fully powered on each start) with receipt of each event is obviated thereby maintaining the power consumption of the processing component and increasing longevity of the device. Event data associated with received events is stored in an event queue and subsequently retrieved and transmitted for processing based on predetermined criteria. The power supplied during an idle state of the processing component may be reduced in relation to the power supplied during a wake up state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Hansen, Robert M. Ecker, Paul R. Solheim
  • Patent number: 8852620
    Abstract: Disclosed are drug delivery systems comprising drugs admixed with polymers having drug solubility gradients and methods of making the polymers. Also disclosed are medical devices having coatings thereon comprising the drug solubility gradient-containing polymers and at least one drug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Mingfei Chen, Peiwen Cheng, Kishore Udipi
  • Patent number: 8855777
    Abstract: A therapy program for peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) may be selected based on user input indicating a desired therapeutic effect for a user-specified region in which a patient feels pain. In other examples, PNFS may be programmed based on input from a user selecting at least one region from among a plurality of regions in which the patient experiences pain. In addition, the PNFS may be programmed based on user input defining an aspect of PNFS for the selected region, such as a relative intensity of PNFS delivered to at least two selected regions, a balance of PNFS between at least two regions, a desired shift in PNFS from a first region to a second region, or an extent to which a first stimulation field within a first region overlaps with a second stimulation field in a second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. King, Steven M. Goetz, Andrew H. Houchins, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Jordan J. Greenberg
  • Patent number: 8852173
    Abstract: Methods and systems for transvenously accessing the pericardial space via the vascular system and atrial wall, particularly through the superior vena cava and right atrial wall, to deliver a pharmacologic agent, particularly a NO-donor drug, to the heart are disclosed. A proximal connector of an infusion catheter is coupled to an infusion pump, and a distal catheter segment having a distal infusion catheter lumen end opening is disposed in the pericardial space. The implantable infusion pump is operable in conjunction with an implantable ischemia monitor to monitor the ischemic state and trigger delivery or regulate the periodic delivery of the pharmacologic agent to optimally treat ischemia. The patient may operate a patient activator that the patient when feeling ischemia symptoms to transmit a signal that is received by the implantable infusion pump and triggers delivery of a bolus and/or continuous infusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel C. Sigg, Michael R. Ujhelyi, Mary M. Morris
  • Patent number: 8855755
    Abstract: Techniques are described for distinguishing between treatable and non-treatable heart rhythms. A medical device that operates in accordance with the techniques analyzes characteristics over several cardiac event intervals to detect initiation of a sudden rate onset. After detection of the initiation of the sudden rate onset, the IMD analyzes a morphology of an EGM associated with a selected cardiac event within the first several beats after the initiation of sudden rate onset. In one example, the IMD analyzes the morphology of the EGM associated with the first cardiac event immediately subsequent to the initiation of the sudden rate onset. If the morphology of the EGM of the selected cardiac event is abnormal compared to template EGM, the rhythm is classified as treatable. Otherwise, the rhythm is classified as non-treatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Xusheng Zhang, Robert W. Stadler, Jeffrey M. Gillberg
  • Patent number: 8852163
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for renal neuromodulation using a pulsed electric field to effectuate electroporation or electrofusion. It is expected that renal neuromodulation (e.g., denervation) may, among other things, reduce expansion of an acute myocardial infarction, reduce or prevent the onset of morphological changes that are affiliated with congestive heart failure, and/or be efficacious in the treatment of end stage renal disease. Embodiments of the present invention are configured for percutaneous intravascular delivery of pulsed electric fields to achieve such neuromodulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Ardian Luxembourg S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Mark E. Deem, Hanson Gifford, III, Denise Zarins, Douglas Sutton, Erik Thai, Mark Gelfand, Howard R. Levin
  • Patent number: 8852079
    Abstract: A device includes a conduit utilized for vacuum flow and a valve assembly fluidly coupled with the conduit. The valve assembly includes a valve body defining an opening, a valve member moveable with respect to the valve body, and a shape memory member, wherein the shape memory member operates to actuate the valve member to close the opening upon the shape memory member reaching a transition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Sandstrom
  • Patent number: 8855765
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to methods, devices and systems for detection of a lead-related condition in a medical electrical lead. In accordance with the disclosure, a physiological waveform interpreter module embedded within the lead functions to sense the occurrence of a cardiac event and to generate a minimal impact signal. In an example implementation, the physiological waveform interpreter module is disposed proximate to the sensing site or vicinity of cardiac signals. The physiological waveform interpreter module transmits the minimal impact signal that may include one or more predetermined properties to a remotely located lead monitoring module upon sensing a cardiac event. The lead monitoring module receives and processes the minimal impact signal to determine whether a cardiac depolarization has occurred and simultaneously verify the integrity of the transmission medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Spear, Nancy M. Germanson, Patrick D. Miller
  • Patent number: 8852221
    Abstract: A blade coupling mechanism for a hand-held surgical cutting instrument includes a first coupling member including a first blade-contacting surface and a first outer perimeter sidewall adjacent the first blade contacting surface. It also includes a second coupling member including a second blade-contacting surface facing the first blade-contacting surface of the first coupling member. The second coupling member includes a second outer perimeter sidewall adjacent the second blade contacting surface. The second blade-contacting surface and the second outer perimeter sidewall meet to define an outer edge. The second coupling member including a bore through the second blade contacting surface. The bore and the second blade contacting surface meeting to define an inner edge. Blade-engaging protrusions project from at least one of the first and second blade-contacting surfaces. The protrusions are spaced closer to the outer edge than the inner edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic PS Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Boykin, Durrell Tidwell
  • Patent number: 8850687
    Abstract: A thin film sensor, such as a glucose sensor, is provided for transcutaneous placement at a selected site within the body of a patient. The sensor includes several sensor layers that include conductive layers and includes a proximal segment defining conductive contacts adapted for electrical connection to a suitable monitor, and a distal segment with sensor electrodes for transcutaneous placement. The sensor electrode layers are disposed generally above each other, for example with the reference electrode above the working electrode and the working electrode above the counter electrode. The electrode layers are separated by dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Shah, Rebecca K. Gottlieb
  • Patent number: 8855591
    Abstract: A wireless telemetry module and associated method reject interference in a received signal. The wireless telemetry module includes an antenna receives a communication signal transmitted at a desired channel frequency and having a channel bandwidth. A transceiver is controlled to operate in receiving and transmitting modes by a processor. An interference rejection module receives control signals from the processor corresponding to the desired channel frequency and is coupled between the antenna and the transceiver when the transceiver is operating in the receiving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Nowak, William D. Verhoef, Eric D. Corndorf
  • Patent number: 8850688
    Abstract: A thin film sensor, such as a glucose sensor, is provided for transcutaneous placement at a selected site within the body of a patient. The sensor includes several sensor layers that include conductive layers and includes a proximal segment defining conductive contacts adapted for electrical connection to a suitable monitor, and a distal segment with sensor electrodes for transcutaneous placement. The sensor electrode layers are disposed generally above each other, for example with the reference electrode above the working electrode and the working electrode above the counter electrode. The electrode layers are separated by dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajiv Shah, Rebecca K. Gottlieb
  • Patent number: 8852225
    Abstract: A device including a stent structure or frame to which a sheet is attached for use in minimizing or preventing emboli, particles. and/or air bubbles from migrating into certain areas of the anatomy. The device can be placed in the blood stream in an area of the heart, such as the aortic arch, to direct particles toward the descending aorta rather than toward the brain. The sheet of the device can be a thin film material, which may include multiple fenestrations that are smaller in size than the particles that are to be filtered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Paul Tabor, Angela Shu
  • Patent number: 8852271
    Abstract: A delivery system for percutaneously delivering and deploying a stented prosthetic heart valve. The delivery device includes a delivery sheath slidably disposed over an inner shaft, and a capture assembly. The capture assembly includes a spindle and a biasing member. The spindle is attached to the inner shaft and defines slot. The biasing member is disposed within the slot and self-transitions from a deflected condition to a normal condition. In a delivery state, the delivery sheath retains the prosthesis over the inner shaft and coupled to the spindle via the capture slot, including a portion of the prosthetic valve being engaged within the slot and the biasing member forced to the deflected condition. In a deployment state, the delivery sheath is proximally withdrawn and the biasing member self-transitions toward the normal condition to eject the prosthetic valve from the capture slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Murray, III, Jason Kolden, Jeffery Argentine
  • Patent number: D714944
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. Gerber, David B. Lura, Bryant J. Pudil, Thomas E. Meyer, Brian Mullins
  • Patent number: D714945
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin T. Gerber, David B. Lura, Bryant J. Pudil, Thomas E. Meyer, Brian Mullins