Patents by Inventor Chris C. Christiansen

Chris C. Christiansen 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: 8473057
    Abstract: Techniques for minimizing interference between first and second medical devices of a therapy system may include providing an outer housing for at least one of the medical devices that comprises an electrically insulative layer formed over at least the electrically conductive portions (e.g., an electrically conductive layer) of the housing, or providing an electrically insulative pouch around an electrically conductive housing of at least the first medical device. The electrically insulative layer or electrically insulative pouch may reduce or even eliminate shunt-current that flows into the medical device via the housing. The shunt-current may be generated by the delivery of electrical stimulation by the second medical device. In some examples, the techniques may also include shunt-current mitigation circuitry that helps minimize or even eliminate shunt-current that feeds into the first medical device via one or more electrodes electrically connected to the first medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Donofrio, William J. Havel, Chris C. Christiansen, Paul G. Krause
  • Publication number: 20100114205
    Abstract: Techniques for minimizing interference between first and second medical devices of a therapy system may include providing an outer housing for at least one of the medical devices that comprises an electrically insulative layer formed over at least the electrically conductive portions (e.g., an electrically conductive layer) of the housing, or providing an electrically insulative pouch around an electrically conductive housing of at least the first medical device. The electrically insulative layer or electrically insulative pouch may reduce or even eliminate shunt-current that flows into the medical device via the housing. The shunt-current may be generated by the delivery of electrical stimulation by the second medical device. In some examples, the techniques may also include shunt-current mitigation circuitry that helps minimize or even eliminate shunt-current that feeds into the first medical device via one or more electrodes electrically connected to the first medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Donofrio, William J. Havel, Chris C. Christiansen, Paul G. Krause
  • Patent number: 6685452
    Abstract: A human body implantable drug delivery pump has a housing including at least a first shield and a second shield. The housing defines an interior within the shields. The pump further includes a fluid reservoir within the housing, a fluid conduit also within the housing from the reservoir, an outlet from the fluid conduit to the exterior of the housing, and a pump member in the housing adapted to move fluid through the fluid conduit to the outlet. The fluid in the reservoir and fluid conduit is isolated from the pump interior. The pump further has a desiccant in the pump interior, the desiccant absorbent of moisture in the pump interior, and preferably absorbent of substantially all the moisture in the pump interior. The desiccant also preferably has a moisture absorbent property dependent on temperature, being lessened at higher temperatures, the desiccant being pre-baked to improve its moisture absorbent property before being placed in the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventors: Chris C. Christiansen, James M. Olsen
  • Patent number: 6663609
    Abstract: A device and method configured for placement into the catheter access port to prevent insertion of a needle into the catheter access port. The device a prong to engage the housing and lock itself in the catheter access port, an annular surface having geometry complimentary to the catheter access port to seal the denial device, and a face configured to deny needle access to the catheter access port. The device is also self sealing to substantial prevent deposition between itself and the catheter access port, is configured to be inserted without the need for tools, and is manufactured from biocompatible material. The method for inserting this device consists of aligning the device with the catheter access port, inserting the device, confirming it is in place, and sealing it into the catheter access port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Shobha Devi Williamson, Chris C. Christiansen, Laura Sue McWilliam
  • Patent number: 6635049
    Abstract: An bolus delivery system includes an implantable pump, a sensor for sensing an adverse patient condition, such as atrial fibrillation, and a catheter for delivery of a bolus of drug to a target area of a living body. The pump is provided with a bolus metering assembly which includes, in a preferred embodiment, an auxiliary bellows defining a bolus reservoir in addition to the main reservoir of the pump. The auxiliary bellows is selectively placed in fluid communication with the pressurized main supply of drug via an inlet valve to refill the bolus reservoir. An outlet valve is provided to permit egress of the bolus to the catheter from the bolus reservoir. A drive train including a stepper motor and a face cam selectively opens and closes the inlet and outlet valves to effect accumulation or metering and delivery of the bolus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Reginald D. Robinson, Mark Lent, Chris C. Christiansen
  • Publication number: 20030078550
    Abstract: A device and method configured for placement into the catheter access port to prevent insertion of a needle into the catheter access port. The device is comprised of a prong to engage the housing and lock itself in the catheter access port, an annular surface having geometry complimentary to the catheter access port to seal the denial device, and a face configured to deny needle access to the catheter access port. The device is also self sealing to substantial prevent deposition between itself and the catheter access port, is configured to be inserted without the need for tools, and is manufactured from biocompatible material. The method for inserting this device consists of aligning the device with the catheter access port, inserting the device, confirming it is in place, and sealing it into the catheter access port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Shobha Devi Williamson, Chris C. Christiansen, Laura Sue McWilliam
  • Publication number: 20020161354
    Abstract: A human body implantable drug delivery pump comprises a housing including at least a first shield and a second shield. The housing defines an interior within the shields. The pump further includes a fluid reservoir within the housing, a fluid conduit also within the housing from the reservoir, an outlet from the fluid conduit to the exterior of the housing, and a pump member in the housing adapted to move fluid through the fluid conduit to the outlet. The fluid in the reservoir and fluid conduit is isolated from the pump interior. The pump further comprises a desiccant in the pump interior, the desiccant absorbent of moisture in the pump interior, and preferably absorbent of substantially all the moisture in the pump interior. The desiccant also preferably has a moisture absorbent property dependent on temperature, being lessened at higher temperatures, the desiccant being pre-baked to improve its moisture absorbent property before being placed in the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Chris C. Christiansen, James M. Olsen
  • Patent number: 6238367
    Abstract: An implantable drug infusion device includes a bulkhead having a chamber and a shield for the bulkhead. A transducer is secured to the shield. An electronic module is located in the bulkhead for controlling operation of a pump assembly. A biasing member is in electrical contact with the electronic module and the transducer such that current transmitted from the electronic module to the transducer through the biasing member actuates the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris C. Christiansen, James M. Olsen
  • Patent number: 5551849
    Abstract: A medication delivery device having a reduced weight due to the configuration of the end terminal of the pleated bellows reservoir. The end terminal includes an indented portion which is sized such that when the reservoir is in the compressed/empty position there is substantially no separation between the indented portion and the base portion of the reservoir. This construction allows the reservoir to be almost completely emptied of medication when the reservoir is collapsed but does so in a manner which does not add to the weight of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Chris C. Christiansen
  • Patent number: 5443450
    Abstract: A medication delivery device having a particularly compact size due to the bulged configuration of the cover. The device includes a housing having a base and a cover. The cover includes a side portion and a substantially planer surface joined by a curved portion. The curved portion is bulged outwardly in a manner such that the area of the internal cavity bounded by the side portion, the substantially planer surface and the base includes substantially all of the area which would be formed if the side portion and the substantially planer surface were extended and joined in the absence of the curved portion. This enables the entire vertical space of the internal cavity to be utilized and allows the thickness of the device to be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1995
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul S. Kratoska, Chris C. Christiansen