Patents by Inventor Andrew J. Ries

Andrew J. Ries has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20130238071
    Abstract: A complex connector and component within an implantable medical device in which the complex connector is positioned within the spacing footprint of the component to optimize packaging within the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Angela Rodgers, Andrew J. Ries, Kurt J. Casby, John D. Norton, Mark D. Breyen, Dan D. Erklouts, Brian J. Ross, Timothy T. Bomstad, Wayne L. Appleseth, Michael E. Clarke, Jeffrey L. Kehn, Scott J. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8473056
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) having a hermetic housing formed from a case and a cover each having an exterior surface and an interior surface. An IMD component is mounted to the interior surface of the cover and has an electrical contact. A hybrid circuit is assembled in the case. The IMD component electrical contact is electrically coupled to the to the hybrid circuit assembled in the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Engmark, Gary M. Grose, Todd H. Schaefer, Thomas I. Ceballos, Andrew J. Ries
  • Publication number: 20130138166
    Abstract: Systems and techniques that enable a user to selectively extend the time prior to providing an indication of power source depletion, e.g., allow an extended the recommended replacement time (RRT) prior to providing an elective replacement indication (ERI), are described. The user provides input, which may indicate an acceptable level of implantable medical device performance, e.g., that lesser performance for a period between a default RRT and an extended RRT is acceptable. In response to the input, the time until providing an RRT/ERI notification, or some other indication of depletion of the implantable medical device power source, may be extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ries, Craig L. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8412330
    Abstract: A device connector assembly includes a plurality of electrical contacts and a sealing member including a corresponding plurality of apertures; each electrical contact extends within a corresponding aperture of the plurality of apertures such that each contact is accessible for coupling with a corresponding connector element of a lead connector. The lead connector elements protrude from a first side of an insulative substrate of the lead connector, and may be coupled to the contacts of the device connector assembly by aligning each connector element with the corresponding aperture of the sealing member, and applying a force to a second side of the insulative substrate, opposite the first side, in order to press each connector element into engagement with the corresponding contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Kast, Charles E. Peters, Michael J. Baade, James A. Alexander, Andrew J. Ries
  • Publication number: 20130079600
    Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a housing forming an internal cavity, the housing defining a profile with a height and a width and further defining a thickness perpendicular to its profile. The thickness of the housing is shorter than both the height and the width of the profile of the housing. The implantable medical device further includes at least one battery within the internal cavity, at least one capacitor adjacent the battery within the internal cavity, the capacitor and the battery being located along a common plane within the internal cavity, and circuitry within the internal cavity. The circuitry extends over both the battery and the capacitor within the internal cavity such that the circuitry is in a stacked arrangement relative to the battery and the capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: David B. Engmark, Andrew J. Ries, Todd H. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 8389155
    Abstract: A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing provides a cover and a shallow case a preferably planar, major bottom portion, an open top to receive the cover opposing the bottom portion, and a plurality of sides being radiused at intersections with each other and with the bottom to allow for the close abutting of other components located within the implantable device while also providing for efficient location of the battery within an arcuate edge of the device. The cover and the shallow case being substantially hermetically sealed by a laser weld technique and an insulator member disposed within the case to provide a barrier to incident laser radiation so that during welding radiation does not impinge upon radiation sensitive component(s) disposed within the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Franise D. Bartley, Steve M. Bruesehoff, Kurt J. Casby, David P. Haas, Karl E. Hokanson, Thomas M. Nutzman, Andrew J. Ries, Scott J. Robinson, Randy S. Roles, Sonja K. Somdahl, Walter C. Sunderland, Jason T. Papenfuss, William J. Farrell, Kimberly A. Chaffin
  • Patent number: 8386044
    Abstract: A complex connector and component within an implantable medical device in which the complex connector is positioned within the spacing footprint of the component to optimize packaging within the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Angela Rodgers, Andrew J. Ries, Kurt J. Casby, John D. Norton, Mark D. Breyen, Dan D. Erklouts, Brian J. Ross, Timothy T. Bomstad, Wayne L. Appleseth, Michael E. Clarke, Jeffrey L. Kehn, Scott J. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8290593
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) may include at least two separate lead connection assemblies, each with electrical connectors for connecting implantable leads to the IMD. In some examples, a IMD may include a first therapy module configured to generate a first electrical stimulation therapy and a second therapy module configured to generate a second electrical stimulation therapy for delivery to the patient. The IMD may include a first lead connection assembly including a first electrical connector electrically coupled to the first therapy module and a second lead connection assembly including a second electrical connector electrically coupled to the second therapy module. In some examples, the first and second lead connection assemblies are distributed around the outer perimeter of the IMD housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Libbey, William T. Donofrio, John E. Burnes, Paul G. Krause, Michael K. Berquist, Olivier Blandin, Michael Hudziak, William L. Johnson, John E. Nicholson, George Patras, Andrew J. Ries, Jeffrey Swanson, Paul Vahle, Thomas J. Olson, William K. Wenger, Michael R. Klardie, Samira Tahvildari
  • Patent number: 8276487
    Abstract: A torque wrench for implantable medical devices is disclosed. The torque wrench comprises a first and a second component. The first component has first and second ends with a bore extending between the first and second ends of the first component. The first component includes a plurality of anti-rotation members extending from an inner surface of the bore at the second end of the first component. A second component includes a middle portion having a first and second ends. A drive shaft extends from the first end and a plurality of fingers extends from an exterior surface of the second end. The second component is received in the bore of the first component such that the fingers are interdigitate with the anti-rotation members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric John Wengreen, Andrew J. Ries, John Eric Lovins
  • Patent number: 8275435
    Abstract: An implantable medical device having an optical sensor selects the function of modular opto-electronic assemblies included in the optical sensor. Each assembly is provided with at least one light emitting device and at least one light detecting device. A device controller coupled to the optical sensor controls the function of each the assemblies. The controller executes a sensor performance test and selects at least one of the plurality of assemblies to operate as a light emitting assembly in response to a result of the performance test. The controller selects at least one other of the plurality of optical sensor assemblies to operate as a light detecting assembly in response to a result of the performance test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan L. Kuhn, Jonathan P. Roberts, Andrew J. Ries, James D. Reinke, Jeffrey M. Jelen, Robert M. Ecker, Timothy J. Davis, Can Cinbis, Thomas A. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20120215296
    Abstract: This application discusses, among other things, a header assembly for coupling a medical electrical lead to a medical stimulating device including a header having a capture mechanism within a bore of a lead retention device. In an example, when the lead retention device is retracted from the bore, the capture mechanism prevents the device from falling out. In another example, the header assembly has a vent disposed within the bore of the lead retention device that permits unrestricted flow of air when the lead retention device is retracted from an engagement surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ries, Eric J. Wengreen, Michael R. Klardie, Jennifer J. Zhao, Richard A. Bruchmann, Kathleen P. Macke, John E. Lovins, Randy S. Roles
  • Patent number: 8249710
    Abstract: At least one storage component, for example a capacitor or a battery, of an implantable medical device includes two perimeter surfaces. Linear extensions of the two perimeter surfaces define a zone. An electrical connector, which is coupled to the storage component and includes at least one connection point for electrically connecting the storage component with at least one other component within the medical device, is contained within the zone defined by the linear extensions of the two perimeter surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Angela Rodgers, Andrew J. Ries, Kurt J. Casby, John D. Norton, Mark D. Breyen, Dan D. Erklouts, Brian J. Ross, Timothy T. Bomstad, Wayne L. Appleseth, Michael E. Clarke, Jeffrey L. Kehn, Scott J. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8216134
    Abstract: An implantable medical device is manufactured with a hermetically sealed housing and a modular assembly enclosed within the housing. The modular assembly includes a circuit board, an electronic component mounted on a top surface of the circuit board, and a wall formed having an outer surface and an inner surface separated by a top edge and a bottom edge, the wall bottom edge positioned against the circuit board such that the wall encircles the electronic component coupled to the circuit board. The wall top edge is coupled to the housing a ferrule in one embodiment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ries, Jeffrey O. York, Stephen R. Belcher, Jeffrey M. Jelen
  • Patent number: 8206180
    Abstract: A connector assembly of a medical electrical device includes a plurality of electrical contacts and an insulative base that supports the plurality of electrical contacts and extends between the plurality of electrical contacts and a housing of the device, and, wherein at least one contact of the plurality includes an elongate electrical coupling receptacle in which a first part of a feedthrough member extends, being fixedly coupled thereto. The feedthrough member further includes a second part and a bend, which is located between the first and second parts. The second part of the feedthrough member extends away from the contact and through a port formed in the insulative base adjacent to the contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Kast, Charles E. Peters, Michael J. Baade, James A. Alexander, Andrew J. Ries
  • Publication number: 20120149254
    Abstract: A connector assembly of a medical electrical device includes a plurality of electrical contacts and an insulative base that supports the plurality of electrical contacts and extends between the plurality of electrical contacts and a housing of the device, and, wherein at least one contact of the plurality includes an elongate electrical coupling receptacle in which a first part of a feedthrough member extends, being fixedly coupled thereto. The feedthrough member further includes a second part and a bend, which is located between the first and second parts. The second part of the feedthrough member extends away from the contact and through a port formed in the insulative base adjacent to the contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc
    Inventors: John E. Kast, Charles E. Peters, Michael J. Baade, James A. Alexander, Andrew J. Ries
  • Patent number: 8190260
    Abstract: This application discusses, among other things, a header assembly for coupling a medical electrical lead to a medical stimulating device including a header having a capture mechanism within a bore of a lead retention device. In an example, when the lead retention device is retracted from the bore, the capture mechanism prevents the device from falling out. In another example, the header assembly has a vent disposed within the bore of the lead retention device that permits unrestricted flow of air when the lead retention device is retracted from an engagement surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ries, Eric J. Wengreen, Michael R. Klardie, Jennifer J. Zhao, Richard A. Bruchmann, Kathleen P. Macke, John E. Lovins, Randy S. Roles
  • Patent number: 8131369
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for an electrical device that employs a feedthrough including a hermetic seal that seals an interior region of the electrical device. The electrical device includes an electrical contact disposed within the interior region of the electrical device, and a wire terminal that includes an encircled portion that is encircled by the feedthrough, and a first end that electrically connects with said electrical contact. When the electrical device is constructed, the first end of the wire terminal is coated with a conductive metal that is more resistant to oxidation than the wire terminal. The first end of the wire terminal is secured to the electrical contact using a mechanical device such as a crimping connector or a spring connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Taylor, Lynn M. Seifried, William D. Wolf, Andrew J. Ries, John E. Kast
  • Patent number: 8123567
    Abstract: A connector assembly of a medical electrical device includes a plurality of electrical contacts, wherein at least one contact of the plurality of electrical contacts includes an electrical coupling receptacle. The electrical coupling receptacle of the at least one contact includes a first portion, which is adapted to receive a connector element of a medical electrical lead, and a second portion, in which a part of a feedthrough member extends, and to which the part of the feedthrough member is fixedly coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Kast, Charles E. Peters, Michael J. Baade, James A. Alexander, Andrew J. Ries
  • Patent number: 8112152
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for an electrical device that employs a feedthrough including a hermetic seal that seals an interior region of the electrical device. The electrical device includes an electrical contact disposed within the interior region of the electrical device, and a wire terminal that includes an encircled portion that is encircled by the feedthrough, and a first end that electrically connects with said electrical contact. When the electrical device is constructed, the first end of the wire terminal is coated with a conductive metal that is more resistant to oxidation than the wire terminal. The first end of the wire terminal is secured to the electrical contact using a mechanical device such as a crimping connector or a spring connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Taylor, Lynn M. Seifried, William D. Wolf, Andrew J. Ries, John E. Kast
  • Publication number: 20110318635
    Abstract: A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing provides a cover and a shallow case a preferably planar, major bottom portion, an open top to receive the cover opposing the bottom portion, and a plurality of sides being radiused at intersections with each other and with the bottom to allow for the close abutting of other components located within the implantable device while also providing for efficient location of the battery within an arcuate edge of the device. The cover and the shallow case being substantially hermetically sealed by a laser weld technique and an insulator member disposed within the case to provide a barrier to incident laser radiation so that during welding radiation does not impinge upon radiation sensitive component(s) disposed within the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Frannise D. Bartley, Steve M. Bruesehoff, Kurt J. Casby, David P. Haas, Karl E. Hokanson, Thomas M. Nutzman, Andrew J. Ries, Scott J. Robinson, Randy S. Roles, Sonja K. Somdahl, Walter C. Sunderland, Jason T. Papenfuss, William J. Farrell, Kimberly A. Chaffin