Patents Assigned to Medtronic
  • Patent number: 8696656
    Abstract: A method of treating tissue is provided, including positioning a portion of a catheter in proximity to cardiac tissue; measuring an impedance value with the catheter; determining a respiratory rate based at least in part on the measured impedance value; and thermally treating the cardiac tissue with the catheter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Cryocath LP
    Inventors: Marwan Abboud, Johnny Al Asmar, Chadi Harmouche
  • Patent number: 8700154
    Abstract: Techniques for pacing the heart of a patient as a function of a pressure value make use of a pressure monitor that receives a signal from a pressure sensor in the heart. The pressure monitor measures a pressure value. The pressure monitor may, for example, estimate the pulmonary artery diastolic pressure if the pressure sensor is located in the right ventricle, or calculate the mean central venous pressure if pressure sensor is located in the right atrium. The energy level of the pacing pulses delivered to the patient's heart by a pacemaker is modulated as a function of the pressure value. Modulating the energy level of the pacing pulses modulates the cardiac output of the patient's heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Chester Struble
  • Patent number: 8700157
    Abstract: System, telemetry head and method for programming an implantable medical device adapted to provide a therapeutic output to a patient, the implantable medical device being programmable through a telemetry interface. A telemetry head is adapted for transcutaneous communication with the implantable medical device through the telemetry interface when the telemetry head is positioned with respect to the implantable medical device. A computing device has computing processing power and a user interface linked with the telemetry head. The computing device processes the computing instructions associated with the implantable medical device. The computing device supplies the user interface based, at least in part, on the computing instructions associated with the implantable medical device. The telemetry head receives programming instructions from the computing device and provides the programming instructions to the implantable medical device using the transcutaneous telemetry interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Goetz, Duane Bourget
  • Patent number: 8700143
    Abstract: Adaptations to the OptiVolâ„¢ alert algorithm are disclosed which may reduce the number of false positive alerts while retaining the desired sensitivity. Some embodiments monitor fluid levels in patients. Some embodiments reset a cumulative index when a short-term impedance value is greater than a baseline impedance value minus a predetermined positive hysteresis value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee Stylos
  • Patent number: 8696689
    Abstract: A suturing device for use with a delivery catheter in a transcatheter procedure, for closing an opening formed in the body. The suturing device includes: a spiral needle having a central core, a proximal end, and a distal end. The distal end terminates in a sharp point for cutting a spiral passageway through body tissue surrounding the opening that is to be closed. The device also includes a guide wire having a suture eye at one end thereof for receiving suture thread after the guide wire has been advanced through the hollow central core of the spiral needle. The device further includes driving means, for allowing advancing and retracting of the spiral needle and guide wire with respect to the catheter, and for allowing connecting between the suture thread and the suture eye of the guide wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic Ventor Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Yosi Tuval, Raphael Benary Benary
  • Patent number: 8700155
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) having a therapy circuit for delivering atrial pacing and a control circuit for detecting a return to sinus rhythm. The control circuit determines the duration of an atrial arrhythmia preceding the return to sinus rhythm, and controls the therapy circuit to deliver transient atrial pacing based on the atrial arrhythmia duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Hettrick, David E. Euler
  • Patent number: 8700114
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide analyte sensors having optimized elements and/or configurations of elements as well as methods for making and using such sensors. Typical embodiments of the invention include glucose sensors used in the management of diabetes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic MinMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Rebecca K. Gottlieb, Rajiv Shah, Eric Allan Larson, Chia Chiu
  • Patent number: 8696743
    Abstract: A multi-leaflet valve, which includes at least two leaflets, an outer tube, and a seam protector for each seam. Each seam protector is positioned to be in contact with a portion of the outer tube, with tube portions and leaflet ends being positioned between adjacent seam protection pieces. The seam protectors provide a lower stress surface about which the leaflets can bend or flex during their opening and closing. The seam protectors may include an enlarged end portion with an extending straight surface, an inverted U-shaped structure, or a sinusoidal-shaped structure, for example. The valve can further be provided with a seam cover or protector that is stitched onto the seam allowance of the layers of one or more of the seams. The seams can be provided with one or more inserts to fill spaces between adjacent tissue layers and create tension in certain material sheets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Arin N. Holecek, Carolyn Majkrzak, Carol E. Eberhardt, Billie J. Millwee, Thao M. Nguyen, Janice L. Shay, Cynthia H. Chiu, Tara S. Kupumbati
  • Patent number: 8700174
    Abstract: In general, the disclosure relates to implantable medical devices including rechargeable power sources. In one example, the disclosure relates to a device including a rechargeable power source, a recharge module configured to recharge the rechargeable power source via inductive energy transfer, a posture state sensor configured to generate posture sensor data; and a processor. The processor may be configured to determine recharge coupling efficiency during a recharge session, receive posture sensor data generated by the posture sensor during the recharge session, and associate the recharge coupling efficiency determined during the recharge session with the posture sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Skelton, Jon P. Davis, Rajeev M. Sahasrabudhe
  • Publication number: 20140100634
    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: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Hansen, Robert M. Ecker, Paul R. Solheim
  • Publication number: 20140100640
    Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a housing formed of a first material and a first electronic component provided within the housing. The implantable medical device also includes a second material provided in contact with at least a portion of the housing. At least one of the housing and the first electronic component has a magnetic permeability in a magnetic field that differs from the magnetic permeability of water. The second material is provided in an amount effective to reduce MRI image distortion caused by the implantable medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kast, Carl D. Wahlstrand, Mark J. Conroy, Erik R. Scott
  • Publication number: 20140100653
    Abstract: A stented valve including a stent structure having a generally tubular body portion, an interior area, a longitudinal axis, an first end, an second end, and an outer surface; at least one outflow barb extending from the outer surface of the stent adjacent to the first end of the stent structure and toward the second end of the stent structure; at least one inflow barb extending from the outer surface of the stent adjacent to the second end of the stent structure and toward the first end of the stent structure; and a valve structure attached within the interior area of the stent structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic Corevalve LLC
    Inventors: Padraig SAVAGE, Gianfranco Pellegrini, Finn Rinne, Matthew Rust, Michael Krivoruchko
  • Publication number: 20140099833
    Abstract: Implantable medical devices include headers having various features such as a modular design whereby the header is constructed from a series of stacked contact modules. Additional features include a feedthrough where pins exiting a housing of the implantable medical device extend into the header to make direct electrical connection to electrical contacts present within the header where those electrical contacts directly engage electrical connectors of leads inserted into the header. Other features include electrical contacts that are relatively thin conductors on the order of 0.040 inches or less and may include radial protrusions where the radial protrusions establish contact with the electrical connectors of the lead. Furthermore, electrical contacts may be mounted within the header in a floating manner so that radial movement of the electrical contact may occur during lead insertion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale F. Seeley, Michael T. Hegland
  • Publication number: 20140100652
    Abstract: Devices for attaching a first mass and a second mass and methods of making and using the same are disclosed. The devices can be made from an resilient, elastic or deformable materials. The devices can be used to attach a heart valve ring to a biological annulus. The devices can also be used for wound closure or a variety of other procedures such as anchoring a prosthesis to surrounding tissue or another prosthesis, tissue repair, such as in the closure of congenital defects such as septal heart defects, tissue or vessel anastomosis, fixation of tissue with or without a reinforcing mesh for hernia repair, orthopedic anchoring such as in bone fusing or tendon or muscle repair, ophthalmic indications, laparoscopic or endoscopic tissue repair or placement of prostheses, or use by robotic devices for procedures such as those above performed remotely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. DREWS, Donnell W. Gurskis, Steven R. Bacich
  • Patent number: 8694125
    Abstract: Medical leads have one or more openly coiled filars and a distal body coupled to the openly coiled filars. The openly coiled filars provide a lead with compliance and elasticity while the distal body provides the firmness needed for placement and support of the electrodes. The openly coiled filars transition to a linear distal portion that extends to the distal body, and the distal body has proximal tines that fold proximally to a collapsed state. The linear distal portions of the filars pass through the tines when entering the distal body. Placing tension on the linear distal portions causes the tines to be rotated proximally to the collapsed state. Such tension may be created by a stylet pressing distally against the distal body during implantation. Such tension may also be created by applying a force in the proximal direction to the coiled filars during explantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric H. Bonde
  • Patent number: 8694126
    Abstract: A medical electrical lead for spinal cord stimulation includes a first column of electrode surfaces and a second columns of electrode surfaces extending alongside and spaced apart from the first column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc
    Inventors: Michael E. Metzler, Jessica L. Tower, Mary L. Boatwright
  • Patent number: 8690859
    Abstract: A proximal terminal end of a proximal section of a catheter, preferably tapered, defines a perimeter of an opening into a lumen of the catheter and includes an exposed sealing area. A sealing assembly, that may be removed from the catheter, includes a relatively soft part and a relatively rigid part, wherein the exposed sealing area is formed by the soft part, and the relatively rigid part may include an attachment feature for removable connection of the assembly to the catheter. The lumen of the catheter, within the proximal section, may include a seal zone portion, which preferably includes a slit segment intersecting a funnel-like segment of a bore. The catheter proximal section may further include a feature for interlocking engagement with an accessory tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A Drake, Stanten C Spear, Lester O Stener, Gary R Fiedler, Scott W Hayden, Kendra Yasger
  • Patent number: 8694097
    Abstract: An implantable medical device uses an implantable sensor for acquiring a physiological signal that is received by a digital signal processor. The digital signal processor is a multi-channel signal processor including a first signal processing channel having a first sensitivity for sensing the physiological signal and a second signal processing channel having a second sensitivity different than the first sensitivity for sensing the physiological signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Cao, Jeffrey M. Gillberg
  • Patent number: 8691288
    Abstract: Chronic rhinosinusitis and other bacterial sinus conditions may be treated by applying a solvating system containing a surfactant to a bacterial biofilm in a nasal or sinus cavity, disrupting the biofilm, and applying a protective layer of a polymeric film-forming medical sealant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew F. Myntti
  • Patent number: D702355
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Brandon J. Laplante, Richard O. Berg, Yatheendhar D. Manicka