Patents by Inventor Brian Franz

Brian Franz 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).

  • Patent number: 9844661
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a neurostimulation lead for stimulating neural tissue of a patient, comprises: a lead body of insulative material; a plurality of electrodes; a plurality of terminals; a plurality of conductors, wherein the plurality of electrodes are electrically coupled to the plurality of terminals through the plurality of conductors; wherein the plurality of conductors are disposed in a helical manner in a repeating pattern of groups of conductors separated by gaps along a substantial length of the lead body, each gap being larger than an inter-conductor pitch within the groups of conductors; wherein the insulative material is a compliant material permitting elongation of the lead at low stretching forces and the insulative material of the lead body is fused through a substantial volume of the lead body and along a substantial length of the lead body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Franz, John Swanson, Jerome Boogaard, Terry D. Daglow, Tom Sosebee, Stephen L. Goldman, Rajasree (Sarah) Das, Michael DiGiacomo
  • Patent number: 8718788
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrode for use in electrostimulation is provided, where the electrode comprises a notch that operates to substantially eliminate gaseous material from being trapped about the electrode during a molding process of an electrostimulation lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Franz
  • Patent number: 8571685
    Abstract: A lead, method of manufacturing same, and system for stimulation is provided. The lead includes an insulative member or layer that masks a portion of the electrode(s) to effectively generate a directional lead that focuses or directs the stimulation to desired location(s). In another embodiment, the lead further includes a marking system to allow a clinician to orient the directional lead, as desired, while the lead is within a body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Daglow, Brian Franz, John H. Erickson, Sandy Hooper, Tim Jones
  • Patent number: 8532788
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a neurostimulation lead comprises an elongated body of insulative material, comprising a first end portion and a second end portion; a plurality of terminals longitudinally positioned along the first end portion; a plurality of electrodes longitudinally positioned along the second end portion; a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of terminals; a flexible metal longitudinal stiffener positioned within the elongated body wherein the stiffener has a plurality of longitudinal zones and each zone has a different column strength, the column strength of one or more zones of the plurality of longitudinal zones being defined by cuts or gaps in the stiffener, the stiffener causing the neurostimulation lead to exhibit a greatest amount of column strength adjacent to one end portion of the elongated body and to transition to a lower column strength toward a medial portion of the elongated body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Enri Zhulati, Terry D. Daglow, Brian Franz, Sojan Abraham
  • Publication number: 20130013039
    Abstract: A lead, method of manufacturing same, and system for stimulation is provided. The lead includes an insulative member or layer that masks a portion of the electrode(s) to effectively generate a directional lead that focuses or directs the stimulation to desired location(s). In another embodiment, the lead further includes a marking system to allow a clinician to orient the directional lead, as desired, while the lead is within a body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Inventors: Terry Daglow, Brian Franz, John H. Erickson, Sandy Hooper, Tim Jones
  • Publication number: 20120279063
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a neurostimulation lead comprises an elongated body of insulative material, comprising a first end portion and a second end portion; a plurality of terminals longitudinally positioned along the first end portion; a plurality of electrodes longitudinally positioned along the second end portion; a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of terminals; a flexible metal longitudinal stiffener positioned within the elongated body wherein the stiffener has a plurality of longitudinal zones and each zone has a different column strength, the column strength of one or more zones of the plurality of longitudinal zones being defined by cuts or gaps in the stiffener, the stiffener causing the neurostimulation lead to exhibit a greatest amount of column strength adjacent to one end portion of the elongated body and to transition to a lower column strength toward a medial portion of the elongated body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Enri Zhulati, Terry D. Daglow, Brian Franz, Sojan Abraham
  • Patent number: 8244372
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a neurostimulation lead comprises an elongated body of insulative material, comprising a first end portion and a second end portion; a plurality of terminals longitudinally positioned along the first end portion; a plurality of electrodes longitudinally positioned along the second end portion; a plurality of conductors electrically coupling the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of terminals; a flexible metal longitudinal stiffener positioned within the elongated body wherein the stiffener has a plurality of longitudinal zones and each zone has a different column strength, the column strength of one or more zones of the plurality of longitudinal zones being defined by cuts or gaps in the stiffener, the stiffener causing the neurostimulation lead to exhibit a greatest amount of column strength adjacent to one end portion of the elongated body and to transition to a lower column strength toward a medial portion of the elongated body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Enri Zhulati, Terry D. Daglow, Brian Franz, Sojan Abraham
  • Patent number: 8224456
    Abstract: A lead, method of manufacturing same, and system for stimulation is provided. The lead includes an insulative member or layer that masks a portion of the electrode(s) to effectively generate a directional lead that focuses or directs the stimulation to desired location(s). In another embodiment, the lead further includes a marking system to allow a clinician to orient the directional lead, as desired, while the lead is within a body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry Daglow, Brian Franz, John H. Erickson, Sandy Hooper, Tim Jones
  • Publication number: 20120110846
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a neurostimulation lead for stimulating neural tissue of a patient, comprises: a lead body of insulative material; a plurality of electrodes; a plurality of terminals; a plurality of conductors, wherein the plurality of electrodes are electrically coupled to the plurality of terminals through the plurality of conductors; wherein the plurality of conductors are disposed in a helical manner in a repeating pattern of groups of conductors separated by gaps along a substantial length of the lead body, each gap being larger than an inter-conductor pitch within the groups of conductors; wherein the insulative material is a compliant material permitting elongation of the lead at low stretching forces and the insulative material of the lead body is fused through a substantial volume of the lead body and along a substantial length of the lead body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Brian Franz, John Swanson, Jerome Boogaard, Terry D. Daglow, Tom Sosebee, Stephen L. Goldman, Rajasree Sarah Das, Michael DiGiancomo
  • Publication number: 20120010671
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrode for use in electrostimulation is provided, where the electrode comprises a notch that operates to substantially eliminate gaseous material from being trapped about the electrode during a molding process of an electrostimulation lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Applicant: ADVANCED NEUROMODULATION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Brian Franz
  • Patent number: 8036755
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrode for use in electrostimulation is provided, where the electrode comprises a notch that operates to substantially eliminate gaseous material from being trapped about the electrode during a molding process of an electrostimulation lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Franz
  • Publication number: 20090143845
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrode for use in electrostimulation is provided, where the electrode comprises a notch that operates to substantially eliminate gaseous material from being trapped about the electrode during a molding process of an electrostimulation lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2009
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: ADVANCED NEUROMODULATION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Brian Franz
  • Patent number: 7489971
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrode for use in electrostimulation is provided, where the electrode comprises a notch that operates to substantially eliminate gaseous material from being trapped about the electrode during a molding process of an electrostimulation lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Franz
  • Publication number: 20070282411
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a neurostimulation lead for stimulating neural tissue of a patient, comprises: a lead body of insulative material; a plurality of electrodes; a plurality of terminals; a plurality of conductors, wherein the plurality of electrodes are electrically coupled to the plurality of terminals through the plurality of conductors; wherein the plurality of conductors are disposed in a helical manner in a repeating pattern of groups of conductors separated by gaps along a substantial length of the lead body, each gap being larger than an inter-conductor pitch within the groups of conductors; wherein the insulative material is a compliant material permitting elongation of the lead at low stretching forces and the insulative material of the lead body is fused through a substantial volume of the lead body and along a substantial length of the lead body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventors: Brian Franz, John Swanson
  • Publication number: 20050171587
    Abstract: A lead, method of manufacturing same, and system for stimulation is provided. The lead includes an insulative member or layer that masks a portion of the electrode(s) to effectively generate a directional lead that focuses or directs the stimulation to desired location(s). In another embodiment, the lead further includes a marking system to allow a clinician to orient the directional lead, as desired, while the lead is within a body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Applicant: ADVANCED NEUROMODULATION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Terry Daglow, Brian Franz, John Erickson, Sandy Hooper, Tim Jones