Patents Assigned to Medtronic
  • Publication number: 20040236388
    Abstract: Apparatus and techniques to address the problems associated with lead migration, patient movement or position, histological changes, neural plasticity or disease progression. Disclosed are techniques for implanting a lead having therapy delivery elements, such as electrodes or drug delivery ports, within a vertebral or cranial bone so as to maintain these elements in a fixed position relative to a desired treatment site. The therapy delivery elements may thereafter be adjusted in situ with a position control mechanism and/or a position controller to improve the desired treatment, such as_electrical stimulation and/or drug infusion to a precise target. The therapy delivery elements may be positioned laterally in any direction relative to the targeted treatment site or toward or away from the targeted treatment site. A control system maybe provided for open- or closed-loop feedback control of the position of the therapy delivery elements as well as other aspects of the treatment therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Frans Gielen, Gary W. King, Daryle Petersen, Mark T. Rise, Michael Schendel, Warren Starkebaum
  • Publication number: 20040236399
    Abstract: The stent with improved surface adhesion of the present invention increases adhesion between a stent and a coating by including a silane layer between the stent and the coating. The silane layer improves the wettability of the stent for application of a liquid coating and increases the coating adhesion. A coated stent can be manufactured by applying a silane solution to a stent by spraying or dipping the stent to form a silane layer on the stent surface, curing the resulting silane layer in an inert atmosphere, and applying a coating to the silane layer. In one embodiment, an amino silane can be used with a stainless steel stent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventor: Rangarajan Sundar
  • Patent number: 6823217
    Abstract: A medical instrument including a body extending between proximal and distal ends and enclosing an elongated, inelastic, pull wire extending between a pull wire proximal end affixed at a point at or near the proximal end and a pull wire distal end affixed at or near the distal end. The wire extends through a lumen off-set from the instrument axis and through a distal segment of the body that is to be curved for deflection at the distal end. A proximal segment of the instrument axially stretches when tension is applied to increase the length of the proximal segment from a relaxed length. A hand-held tool engages the proximal and distal ends of the proximal segment and manually applies a selective amount of tension that stretches the proximal segment from its relaxed length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean J. G. Rutten, Karel F. A. A. Smits
  • Patent number: 6821342
    Abstract: A method for forming a suspended microstructure is provided. The method includes providing a monocrystalline target substrate and subjecting the surface of the monocrystalline target substrate to ion implantation to form a microstructure layer at the surface of the monocrystalline target substrate. An epitaxial material layer is formed overlying the microstructure layer. A handle substrate is provided and a patterned interposed material layer is provided between the epitaxial material layer and the handle substrate. The epitaxial material layer, the patterned interposed material layer and the handle substrate are affixed. The method further includes thermally treating the monocrystalline target substrate to effect separation between the microstructure layer and a remainder of the monocrystalline target substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael F. Mattes, Ralph B. Danzl
  • Patent number: 6823213
    Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a sensor and a T-wave analyzer. The sensor is implantable within the body of a patient to sense electrical cardiac activity and provide an indication of T-wave alternans within the heart of the patient. The T-wave analyzer is responsive to the sensor, and evaluates cardiac risk based on comparison of the indication of T-wave alternans to a predetermined criterion. The T-wave analyzer may form part of a microprocessor, a digital signal processor, or combination of both. The device may include a pacing generator that applies increased rate pacing stimuli to the heart to facilitate sensing of the T-wave alternans by the sensor. The device also may incorporate a memory that stores the T-wave alternans indication provided by the sensor, e.g., over a number of heartbeats. In addition, the device may be equipped to provide an alert to the patient or a physician in the event the processor generates the indication of cardiac risk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Norris, Geeske Van Oort, Dave J. Munneke
  • Patent number: 6823209
    Abstract: The invention presents techniques for identifying signals detected by electrodes on the body of a patient as part of a reading of the patient's electrocardiogram. A signal processor digitally filters the signal from the body, resulting in an electrocardiogram signal and a signal that identifies the presence and timing of signals from a pacemaker in the body. Other signals, such as a signal that reflects the quality of the electrical connection of the electrode to the body, may also be obtained by digital filtering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic Physio-Control Corp.
    Inventors: Dana J. Olson, Scott O. Schweizer, Tyler R. Hart, David Van Ess
  • Publication number: 20040230267
    Abstract: An adaptor, including a housing and a flexible circuit, facilitates electrical connection between a connector of an implantable medical lead and an external medical device. The adaptor housing includes an inner surface forming a longitudinally extending connector receptacle and a first portion of the flexible circuit is adapted to be positioned within the connector receptacle, substantially conforming to the inner surface, such that at least one contact portion of the flexible circuit is directed inward and positioned in a location corresponding with at least one ring contact of the lead connector when the lead connector is engaged within the receptacle. A second portion of the flexible circuit is adapted to reside outside the housing such that at least one contact pad, coupled to the at least one contact portion via a conductive pathway, is accessible for coupling to at least one contact element of the external medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: William K. Wenger
  • Publication number: 20040230182
    Abstract: An implantable drug delivery device having a drug releaser that releases a drug from a capsule in the catheter. The drug delivery device includes a reservoir configured to store a drug capsule, a catheter, a pump configured to move the drug capsules into the catheter, and a drug releaser. The drug releaser is connected to the catheter for freeing at least a portion of the drug from one or more of the drug capsules while in the catheter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth T. Heruth, Mark S. Lent
  • Publication number: 20040230278
    Abstract: A bi-furcated medical electrical lead that is adapted to be implanted in the cardiac venous system is disclosed. The lead includes a bifurcated distal portion having first and second elongated members, or fingers. In one embodiment, the first elongated member, or thumb portion, is adapted to be positioned within the coronary sinus or great cardiac vein. The second elongated member, or finger portion, of the bifurcated distal tip, may be positioned within a branch vessel of the coronary sinus such as the posterior vein or middle cardiac vein. The thumb portion may carry at least one electrode for pacing and/or sensing, and may carry additional electrodes for multi-polar pacing applications, whereas the finger portion may carry a defibrillation electrode. Portions of the pacing/sensing electrodes may be insulated so that electrical stimulation is only delivered to myocardial tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Dahl, Elisabeth Lacy Belden
  • Publication number: 20040230298
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating a vascular condition, including a catheter; a stent with a stent framework that is coupled to the catheter; a polymeric coating of a blended matrix of a polysulfone and a styrenic block copolymer that is disposed on the stent framework, and a therapeutic agent in contact with the matrix. A drug-polymer coated stent, a method of manufacturing a drug-polymer coated stent, and method for treating a vascular condition are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Kishore Udipi, Peiwen Cheng, Kaushik A. Patel, Rangarajan Sundar
  • Publication number: 20040230236
    Abstract: A method for pacing a left ventricle of a heart includes delivering a pacing pulse via a first electrode to activate a first papillary muscle and another pacing pulse via a second electrode to activate a second papillary muscle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Chester L. Struble, Frits W. Prinzen, Pierre A. Grandjean
  • Publication number: 20040230268
    Abstract: A medical lead adapter assembly is provided for facilitating an electrical connection between an implantable medical lead connector and an external medical device. The adapter includes a housing, having a sidewall and a longitudinally extending connector receptacle, and at least one contact opening passing through the sidewall to the receptacle. The contact opening is positioned in a location corresponding with at least one ring contact of the lead connector, when the lead connector is engaged within the receptacle, and allows electrical connection between at least one contact element of the external medical device and the at least one ring contact of the lead connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. Huff, Andrew J. Ries, Frank L. Skubitz, Timothy W. Holleman, Timothy C. Aarons, Bruce R. Mehdizadeh
  • Publication number: 20040230283
    Abstract: A medical electrical trans-septal pacing lead includes a lead body, a tine-like structure terminating a distal end of the lead body and a distal electrode coupled to the lead body at a position proximal to and in close proximity to the structure. A method for delivering left ventricular pacing to a heart includes inserting the trans-septal pacing lead through an inter-ventricular septal wall of the heart, from a right ventricle to a left ventricle, and positioning the distal electrode in a left ventricular endocardial surface of the septal wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Frits W. Prinzen, Chester L. Struble
  • Publication number: 20040230269
    Abstract: An adaptor facilitating electrical connection between an implantable medical lead connector and an external medical device includes a longitudinally extending connector receptacle formed by a first and second housing portion flexibly joined together. An inner surface of the connector receptacle is opened, to facilitate insertion of the connector therein, by means of a first lever arm extending laterally from the first housing portion and a second lever arm extending laterally from the second housing portion. An electrical contact formed within the inner surface of the connector receptacle is adapted to electrically engage at least one ring contact of the connector when the connector is fully inserted within the connector receptacle. An external contact surface, formed upon the first lever arm and electrically coupled to the electrical contact via a conductive pathway, is adapted for coupling with a contact element of the external medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. Huff, Frank L. Skubitz, Timothy W. Holleman, Timothy C. Aarons, Mark Tobritzhofer
  • Publication number: 20040229017
    Abstract: A method for permanently marking a medical device substrate includes selecting the medical device substrate and forming one or more recesses on the device substrate. Each recess defines a cavity having a recess opening which defines an opening area and one or more walls. A marking material is applied to the one or more recesses and is cured. After curing, the marking material is mechanically and adhesively secured to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicants: Medtronic Midas Rex, SDGI Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: David Allen Goodrich
  • Publication number: 20040230176
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for treating a vascular condition that inhibits restenosis at the ends of a stent by delivering a therapeutic agent to the vessel wall at and beyond the stent ends. The system comprises a catheter, a stent, and a therapeutic agent. The catheter includes an inflatable balloon. The stent is operably coupled to the balloon. The therapeutic agent is disposed on at least a portion of the balloon and is delivered to a wall of a vessel at a proximal and a distal end of the stent when the balloon is inflated. The therapeutic agent may also be disposed on at least a portion of the stent. The system may further comprise a protective coating disposed under the therapeutic agent, over the therapeutic agent, or both under and over the therapeutic agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Shanahan, John E. Nolting, Kevin M. Mauch, Zachary J. Woodson
  • Publication number: 20040228902
    Abstract: The present invention provides curable materials, medical devices incorporating such materials, wherein the curable materials are capable of releasing hydrolyzable leaving agents upon hydrolysis that can form agents (e.g., pharmaceutically active agents), and methods of making and using such materials and devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Benz
  • Patent number: 6818006
    Abstract: The present invention is a temporary intraluminal filter guidewire for use during interventional procedures, such as angioplasty or stent deployment. A braided filter is mounted near the distal end of a steerable guidewire, which guides a therapeutic catheter. An actuator rod slides over the guidewire and is removably connected to the filter. The rod controls relative displacement of the filter ends, causing transformation of the filter between a deployed configuration and a collapsed configuration. In several embodiments, the guidewire distal to the filter has a fixed tip length. Other embodiments of the invention include a mechanism for damping longitudinal movement between the distal and proximal ends of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
    Inventors: Nareak Douk, Nasser Rafiee, David S. Brin, Peter G. Strickler, Jerry Brightbill, James F. Crittenden
  • Patent number: 6817990
    Abstract: An improved pump, reservoir and reservoir piston are provided for controlled delivery of fluids. A motor is operably coupled to a drive member, such as a drive screw, which is adapted to advance a plunger slide in response to operation of the motor. The plunger slide is removably coupled to the piston. The piston comprises a first member and a second member. The first member has an external proximate side and an external distal side. The external proximate side is adapted to contact the fluid and is made of a material having a first stiffness. The second member has a first side and a second side and is at least partially disposed within the first member. The first side of the second member is adjacent to the external proximate side of the first member and is made of a material having a stiffness which is greater than the first stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Y. K. Yap, Poonam Gulati, Paul H. Kovelman, William P. Van Antwerp, Bradley J. Enegren, Eric P. Geismar, Philip J. Hudak, Susan McConnell, Sheldon B. Moberg
  • Patent number: RE38654
    Abstract: An electro-stimulation device includes a pair of electrodes for connection to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat. The electro-stimulation device both electrically arrests the heartbeat and stimulates the heartbeat. A pair of electrodes are provided for connection to at least one location in the body that affects or regulates the heartbeat. The pair of electrodes may be connected to an intravenous catheter for transvenous stimulation of the appropriate nerve. A first switch is connected between a power supply and the electrodes for selectively supplying current from the power supply to the electrodes to augment any natural stimuli to the heart and thereby stop the heart from beating. A second switch is connected between the power supply and the electrodes for selectively supplying current from the power supply to the electrodes to provide an artificial stimulus to initiate heartbeating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. S. Hill, Kenneth R. Jonkman