Patents by Inventor Andrew Ries

Andrew 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: 20050131481
    Abstract: Improvements in connector headers of implantable medical devices (IMDS) for making electrical and mechanical connections with a connector element of a proximal connector assembly of an electrical medical lead and components thereof are disclosed. A connector block disposed within a header body of the connector header has a threaded bore aligned with a header grommet aperture and a connector block bore aligned with a header connector bore. A penetrable grommet is disposed within the header grommet aperture, and a setscrew is threaded into the threaded bore having a setscrew socket disposed to be engaged by the tool inserted through the penetrable grommet within the header grommet aperture to enable rotation of the setscrew within the threaded bore to tighten the setscrew against or to loosen the setscrew from a lead connector element received in the header connector bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Andrew Ries, Kevin Tidemand, Jennifer Zhao, David Rice, Hui Jin
  • Publication number: 20050131483
    Abstract: Improvements in connector headers of implantable medical devices (IMDS) for making electrical and mechanical connections with a connector element of a proximal connector assembly of an electrical medical lead and components thereof are disclosed. A connector block disposed within a header body of the connector header has a threaded bore aligned with a header grommet aperture and a connector block bore aligned with a header connector bore. A penetrable grommet is disposed within the header grommet aperture, and a setscrew is threaded into the threaded bore having a setscrew socket disposed to be engaged by the tool inserted through the penetrable grommet within the header grommet aperture to enable rotation of the setscrew within the threaded bore to tighten the setscrew against or to loosen the setscrew from a lead connector element received in the header connector bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2003
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Jennifer Zhao, Kevin Tidemand, Andrew Ries, James Christenson, Loc Vo
  • Publication number: 20050065570
    Abstract: A lead connector arrangement includes a non-cylindrically shaped connector pin coupled to a lead conductor and a connector sleeve assembly for receiving the non-cylindrically shaped connector pin. The connector sleeve assembly includes an insert with an axial bore formed therein that complements the shape of the non-cylindrical connector pin. According to one embodiment, the non-cylindrical connector pin may be provided in the form of a triangular, square, rectangular, or hexagonal shape. The axial bore has a complimentary shape to receive the connector pin. When the connector pin is threaded through the connector sleeve assembly using a pull-wire device, the pull-wire device may be unscrewed from the connector pin without causing axial rotation of the lead conductor when the connector pin is fully inserted within the axial bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventors: Paul Stein, Timothy Holleman, Andrew Ries, Harry Schroder, Jordon Honeck, John Sommer, Vicki Bjorklund
  • Publication number: 20050060003
    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: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Inventors: William Taylor, Lynn Seifried, William Wolf, Andrew Ries, John Kast
  • Publication number: 20050033138
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an electrical connector assembly for facilitating electrical connection between a medical lead and circuitry of an implantable medical device (IMD). The electrical connector assembly integrates a conductive element with a elastomeric seal in order to achieve a simplified structure for electrically coupling of a lead to circuitry of the IMD and also providing a hermetic seal. The invention facilitates simplified and improved electrical coupling of a medical lead to circuitry of the IMD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: February 10, 2005
    Inventors: Andrew Ries, Jay Lahti
  • Publication number: 20050027327
    Abstract: A connector assembly for detachably connecting an electrical lead to an implantable medical device for emitting electrical pulses is provided. One or more deflectable connector clips are positioned inside or partially inside a compact housing that is designed to deflect the connector clips in a partially loaded state so that insertion of the terminal pin of an electrical lead causes a minor deflection of the spring clip, but results in high retention force. The positioning of the connector clip in the housing in a partially loaded state results in a relatively flat force deflection curve. The one or more connector clips are preferably electrically conducting metal and may be formed into a U-shape. The connector clips are generally positioned to provide multiple contact points with an inserted terminal pin of a lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Andrew Ries, Jay Lahti
  • Publication number: 20050027325
    Abstract: A connector assembly for detachably connecting a lead to an implantable medical device and an implantable medical device capable of being detachably connected to a lead that include one or more deflectable connector clip and a housing. The connector clip includes a first arm, a second arm, and a top portion extending between the first arm and the second arm, and is capable of being deflected from a first position, corresponding to a first relative position of the first arm and the second arm, to a second position corresponding to a second relative position of the first arm and the second arm. The housing includes a first member and a second member, the first member formed to be fixedly engaged with the second member to enclose the connector clip within the housing with the one or more connector clip being positioned within one of the first member and the second member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Jay Lahti, Andrew Ries, Scott Forsythe
  • Publication number: 20050027326
    Abstract: A connector assembly for detachably coupling a proximal end of a lead and an implantable medical device. The connector assembly includes a deflectable connector clip having a first arm, a second arm and a top portion extending between the first arm and the second arm. The first arm and the second arm detachably position the proximal end of the lead within the implantable medical device. A housing portion has a first deflection portion that deflects the connector clip from a first position corresponding to a first distance between the first arm and the second arm, to a second position corresponding to a second distance between the first arm and the second arm. Subsequent advancement of the lead through the first and second arms further deflects the connector clip from the second position to a third position, which transfers all of the spring force of the connector clip to the lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventors: Andrew Ries, Robert Olson, John Kast, Jeffrey Clayton, Randy Roles