Patents Assigned to Medtronic
  • Publication number: 20140163648
    Abstract: Medical device recharging systems include a controller and a separate recharge device that communicate wirelessly together to provide recharging to an implantable medical device. Either the controller or the recharge device may also communicate wirelessly with the implantable medical device to obtain recharge status and other information. There may be multiple recharge devices present within communication range of the controller, and the controller may determine which recharge device to activate depending upon proximity of each recharge device to the implantable medical device. The controller may allow the recharge device that is active at any given time to change so that the patient having the implantable medical device can move about in the area where the recharge devices are located while recharging continues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Olson, Nathan A. Torgerson
  • Publication number: 20140158538
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the potassium concentration of a dialysate fluid during hemodialysis therapy using cation exchange materials that do not release sodium ions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. COLLIER, Martin T. Gerber, David B. Lura, Thomas E. Meyer, Bryant J. Pudil
  • Publication number: 20140163672
    Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve comprises a biological tissue valve and a collapsible and expandable support frame having a longitudinal axis. The frame comprises an outflow circumferential structure defining an outflow end of the frame and consisting essentially row of diamond-shaded expandable cells. The frame also comprises three V-shaped structures spaced apart from the outflow circumferential structure and three struts longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the frame. The three struts are configured to facilitate mounting the biological tissue valve to the frame and interconnect the outflow circumferential structure to the three V-shaped structures. The frame also includes three undulating structures, each of the three undulating structures interconnecting respective adjacent V-shaped structures of the three V-shaped structures. The prosthetic heart valve is configured to be collapsed for introduction into a patient using; a catheter and to be expanded for deployment at an implantation site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic Corevalve LLC
    Inventors: Jacques SEGUIN, Georg BORTLEIN
  • Patent number: 8747463
    Abstract: Devices for fixturing a prosthesis to a first mass and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. Complementary fixturing devices and methods of making and using the same are also disclosed. The devices can be used to attach a heart valve gasket body to a biological annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Fogarty, Michael J. Drews, Ernest Lane, Neil Holmgren, Federico Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 8747458
    Abstract: A loading tool for withdrawing, crimping, and loading a stent-mounted valve into a delivery catheter, and for pushing the stent-mounted valve from the delivery catheter into a native heart valve orifice. The loading tool comprises at least one connector adapted for being removably connected to the stent of the stent-mounted valve. A crimping tool having a generally converging shape is adapted for use with the loading tool. Following connection of the loading tool to the stent-mounted valve, the loading tool operates to allow the stent-mounted valve to be drawn through the crimping tool, and loaded, in a crimped state, into a delivery catheter. Also disclosed is a kit of the of the various components for effecting the delivery of the stent-mounted valve and a method for withdrawing, crimping, and loading a stent-mounted valve from a storage container into a delivery catheter for the performance of a transcatheter valve implantation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Ventor Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosi Tuval, Yuri Sudin, Ido Kilemnik, Igor Kovalsky, Rafhael Benary, Guy Ezekiel
  • Patent number: 8751001
    Abstract: Techniques associated with a universal recharging device for recharging a power source of implantable medical devices (IMDs). The recharging device includes an interface to allow an antenna assembly to be removably coupled. The antenna assembly has a primary coil and a corresponding sense coil. The sense coil has a configuration that is selected based on the configuration of the primary coil. The sense coil is adapted to prevent voltage across the primary coil from exceeding a maximum voltage amplitude allowable with the recharging device. The maximum voltage amplitude may be selected based on a maximum magnetic field strength to which a patient is to be exposed. In one embodiment, the maximum voltage amplitude is programmable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Grevious, Todd A. Kallmyer
  • Patent number: 8750998
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to cardiac pacing methods and systems, and, more particularly, to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). In particular, the present disclosure pertains to determining the efficacy of CRT through use of an effective capture test (ECT). One or more embodiments comprises sensing a signal in response to a ventricular pacing stimulus. Through signal processing, a number of features are parsed from the signal. Exemplary features parsed from the signal include a maximum amplitude, a maximum time associated with the maximum amplitude, a minimum amplitude, and a minimum time associated with the minimum amplitude. The data is evaluated through use of the ECT. By employing the ECT, efficacy of CRT is easily and automatically evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Subham Ghosh, Robert W Stadler
  • Patent number: 8750961
    Abstract: The present invention provides a packaging technique and apparatus that incorporates a flexible substrate package with a three-axis magnetic sensor for three-axis sensing in an implantable medical device. The apparatus includes three single-axis magnetic sensor integrated circuits (ICs) that are mounted to a substrate and encapsulated with a polymer mold compound. The substrate is excised around each of the sensor ICs to form panels that are folded to align the three single-axis sensors in the x, y and z axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ries, Mark E. Henschel, Lawrence C. McClure, Mark S. Ricotta, Lejun Wang
  • Patent number: 8751011
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed towards posture-responsive therapy. To avoid interruptions in effective therapy, an implantable medical device may include a posture state module that detects the posture state of the patient and automatically adjusts therapy parameter values according to the detected posture state. A system may include an external programmer comprising a user interface that receives user input defining therapy parameter values for delivery of therapy to a patient, and user input associating one or more of the therapy parameter values with a plurality of posture states based on user input, a processor that automatically defines therapy parameter values for delivery of therapy to a patient when the patient occupies the posture states based on the association, and an implantable medical device that delivers the therapy to the patient in response to detection of the posture states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Skelton, Jon P. Davis, Joseph J. Nolan, Rajeev Sahasrabudhe, Shyam Gokaldas
  • Patent number: 8750994
    Abstract: Techniques for morphologic discrimination between beats of a tachyarrhythmia episode are described for selecting delivery of appropriate therapy. An exemplary method comprises nonordered binning of digitized amplitude values of signals associated with cardiac depolarizations. Monomorphic VT is discriminated from polymorphic VT without signal alignment. One exemplary method involves sensing electrical signals associated with depolarizations of a patient's heart during a tachyarrhythmia episode. The sensed electrical signals are converted to digital values and stored. The stored digital values are normalized and binned. At most, 5 pairs of beats or depolarizations are compared for morphologic similarity by determining the similarity between the binned values associated with each pair. The result of the comparison is used to select and deliver therapy to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Subham Ghosh, Jeffrey M. Gillberg
  • Patent number: 8747460
    Abstract: A method for implanting a valve prosthesis at a native cardiac valve complex of a subject comprises implanting a distal fixation member of the valve prosthesis downstream of a native valve of the native valve complex such that two or more engagement arms of the distal fixation member apply, to a downstream side of the native valve, a first axial force directed upstream. The method also comprises implanting a proximal fixation member of the valve prosthesis at least partially upstream of the native valve, such that the proximal fixation member applies, to an upstream side of the native valve, a second axial force directed downstream, such that application of the first and second forces couples the valve prosthesis to the native valve complex. The engagement arms and the proximal fixation member capture leaflets of the native valve therebetween without folding over leaflets of the native valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Ventor Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosi Tuval, Ido Kilemnik, Raphael Benary
  • Patent number: 8750999
    Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to cardiac pacing methods and systems, and, more particularly, to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). In particular, the present disclosure pertains to determining the efficacy of CRT through use of an effective capture test (ECT). One or more embodiments comprises sensing a signal in response to a ventricular pacing stimulus. Through signal processing, a number of features are parsed from the signal. Exemplary features parsed from the signal include a maximum amplitude, a maximum time associated with the maximum amplitude, a minimum amplitude, and a minimum time associated with the minimum amplitude. The data is evaluated through use of the ECT. By employing the ECT, efficacy of CRT is easily and automatically evaluated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Subham Ghosh, Robert W Stadler
  • Patent number: 8751002
    Abstract: A medical device lead connector includes two or more electrically conducting contact rings spaced apart by electrically insulating ceramic ring. An electrically insulating glass material fixes the two or more electrically conducting contact rings to the insulating ceramic ring in axial alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Kast, Darren A. Janzig, Christopher J. Paidosh, Andrew J. Thom, Brad C. Tischendorf, Gerald G. Lindner
  • Patent number: 8747448
    Abstract: A stent graft delivery system including a tip assembly, a middle member tube, a sheath assembly, and a unitary front grip. The sheath tube is axially slideable within the distal front grip lumen, the threaded assembly distal end is disposed in the proximal front grip lumen and fixed to the unitary front grip, and the first threaded tube portion and the second threaded tube portion are radially compressed together by the unitary front grip. The sheath handle engages the exterior thread of the threaded assembly in a first configuration to move the sheath tube axially relative to the middle member tube and tip tube through rotation of the sheath handle and disengages the exterior thread of the threaded assembly in a second configuration to move the sheath tube axially relative to the middle member tube and tip tube through axial motion of the sheath handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery Argentine
  • Patent number: 8747353
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a balloon catheter assembly includes forming a balloon from a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamide, polyether block amide, and polyethylene terephthalate, forming a plurality of pores in the polymer, and mounting the balloon onto a catheter shaft. The shaft is configured to supply a fluid to the balloon to inflate the balloon, and the pores are configured to prevent the fluid from passing through the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Krivoruchko
  • Patent number: 8750976
    Abstract: An implantable medical device acquires a first cardiac signal in a first heart chamber and a second cardiac signal in a second heart chamber. The device determines if the first signal is unreliable. In response to determining the first signal to be unreliable, the device switches from a first cardiac arrhythmia detection mode of operation to a second cardiac arrhythmia detection mode of operation, the first detection mode requiring the use of both the first cardiac signal and the second cardiac signal and the second detection mode requiring the use of the second cardiac signal and not requiring the use of the first cardiac signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Stadler, Mark L. Brown
  • Patent number: 8751009
    Abstract: A system may include a therapy delivery module configured to deliver electrical stimulation therapy to a tissue of a patient in accordance with a first stimulation therapy program. The first stimulation therapy program may define a first stimulation intensity below a perception threshold stimulation intensity of the patient. The therapy delivery module also may be configured to deliver electrical stimulation therapy to the tissue of the patient in accordance with a second stimulation therapy program. The second stimulation therapy program may define a second stimulation intensity at or above the perception threshold stimulation intensity. The system also may include a processor configured to determine stimulation parameter values for the first stimulation therapy program that result in a first volume of effect and determine stimulation parameter values for the second stimulation therapy program that result in a second volume of effect substantially the same as the first volume of effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul W. Wacnik
  • Patent number: 8751007
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for shifting between two electrode combinations. An amplitude of a first electrode combination is incrementally decreased while an amplitude of a second, or subsequent, electrode combination is concurrently incrementally increased. Alternatively, an amplitude of the first electrode combination is maintained at a target amplitude level while the amplitude of the second electrode combination is incrementally increased. The stimulation pulses of the electrode combinations are delivered to the patient interleaved in time. In this manner, the invention provides for a smooth, gradual shift from a first electrode combination to a second electrode combination, allowing the patient to maintain a continual perception of stimulation. The shifting techniques described herein may be used during programming to shift between different electrode combinations to find an efficacious electrode combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Goetz, Andrew H. Houchins, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Gary W. King, Kenneth T. Heruth, Roy L. Testerman, Michael T. Lee, Nathan A. Torgerson, Joseph J. Nolan
  • Patent number: 8746973
    Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining two-dimensional images of an object, such as a patient, in multiple projection planes. In one aspect, the invention advantageously permits quasi-simultaneous image acquisition from multiple projection planes using a single radiation source. An imaging apparatus comprises a gantry having a central opening for positioning an object to be imaged, a source of radiation that is rotatable around the interior of the gantry ring and which is adapted to project radiation onto said object from a plurality of different projection angles; and a detector system adapted to detect the radiation at each projection angle to acquire object images from multiple projection planes in a quasi-simultaneous manner. The gantry can be a substantially “O-shaped” ring, with the source rotatable 360 degrees around the interior of the ring. The source can be an x-ray source, and the imaging apparatus can be used for medical x-ray imaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Navigation, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene A. Gregerson, Richard K. Grant, Norbert Johnson
  • Patent number: 8751000
    Abstract: Techniques are described for detecting lead-related conditions for implantable electrical leads. In some of the described embodiments, an implantable electrical lead assembly is provided with a coupling member for connecting a conductor and associated insulator(s) to an electrode/sensing element. The implantable medical device controls and performs a measurement of an electrical property of the electrical lead during periods when the conductor is decoupled from the electrode/sensing element. An indication of a lead-related condition is derived based on the measured electrical property. The lead-related condition may be associated with an insulator of a lead body of the electrical lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick D. Miller, Thomas H. Spear, Nancy M. Germanson