Patents by Inventor Craig L. Schmidt

Craig L. Schmidt 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: 20160067507
    Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a low-power circuit and a multi-cell power source. The cells of the power source are coupled in a parallel configuration. The implantable medical device includes both a low power circuit that is selectively coupled between the first and second cells and a high power output circuit that is directly coupled to the first and second cells in a parallel configuration. An isolation circuit is coupled to the first cell, the second cell and the low power circuit to maintain a current isolation between the first cell and the second cell at least during delivery of current having a large magnitude to the high power output circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Lonny V. Cabelka, Mark R. Boone, Randolph E. Crutchfield, Kevin P. Kuehn, John T. Meador, John D. Norton, Craig L. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20160067513
    Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a low-power circuit and a multi-cell power source. The cells of the power source are coupled in a parallel configuration. The implantable medical device includes both a low power circuit that is selectively coupled between the first and second cells and a high power output circuit that is directly coupled to the first and second cells in a parallel configuration. An isolation circuit is coupled to the first cell, the second cell and the low power circuit to maintain a current isolation between the first cell and the second cell at least during delivery currents having a large magnitude that are delivered to the high power output circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Randolph E. Crutchfield, Mark R. Boone, Lonny V. Cabelka, Kevin P. Kuehn, John T. Meador, John D. Norton, Craig L. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20150243967
    Abstract: Implantable medical devices, implantable medical device systems that include such implantable medical devices, and implantable medical device batteries, as well as methods of making. Such devices can include a battery of relatively small volume but of relatively high power (reported as therapeutic power) and relatively high capacity (reported as capacity density).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Inventors: John D. Norton, Craig L. Schmidt, Kevin Wilmot Eberman, Lawrence Robert Heyn
  • Patent number: 9077022
    Abstract: A lithium-ion battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a battery case. The positive electrode includes a positive current collector, a first material of the form Li1?xMO2, where M is a metal, and a second material including carbon. The negative electrode includes a negative current collector, a third material including a lithium titanate material, and a fourth material including carbon. The battery case includes titanium and at least partially surrounds the positive and negative electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: William G. Howard, Craig L. Schmidt, Erik R. Scott
  • Patent number: 9077030
    Abstract: Implantable medical devices, implantable medical device systems that include such implantable medical devices, and implantable medical device batteries, as well as methods of making. Such devices can include a battery of relatively small volume but of relatively high power (reported as therapeutic power) and relatively high capacity (reported as capacity density).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Norton, Craig L. Schmidt, Kevin Wilmot Eberman, Lawrence Robert Heyn
  • Patent number: 9065145
    Abstract: A lithium-ion battery having a wound electrode configuration includes a wound cell element that includes a positive electrode and a negative electrode, the positive electrode including a current collector and a first active material and the negative electrode including a current collector and a second active material. The second active material has a potential that is greater than 0.2 volts versus a lithium reference electrode. The wound cell element includes a region where an edge of the positive electrode is provided proximate an edge of the negative electrode and the second active material near the edge of the negative electrode does not extend beyond the first active material near the edge of the positive electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig L. Schmidt, Erik R. Scott, William G. Howard, Gaurav Jain
  • Patent number: 8996113
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ries, Craig L. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8945753
    Abstract: The present teachings include an electrochemical cell including an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte, a separator disposed between the cathode and anode, and a housing containing the anode, cathode, electrolyte, and separator. The separator can include a first sheet consisting essentially of a single layer material and a second sheet distinct from the first sheet. The second sheet can include an inner microporous layer laminated between two more outer layers. In some cells, the inner layer can have a transition temperature between a porous configuration and a substantially non-porous configuration that is between about 80 degrees C. and 150 degrees C., and in which the two more outer layers maintain their structural integrity to at least about 10 degrees C. greater than the first layer transition temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kaimin Chen, Craig L. Schmidt, Paul M. Skarstad
  • Patent number: 8785046
    Abstract: A lithium-ion battery includes a positive electrode having a first active material and a second active material and a negative electrode including a third active material. The second active material includes a lithiated form of a material that does not include electrochemically cyclable lithium in the as-provided state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Howard, Craig L. Schmidt, Erik R. Scott
  • Patent number: 8774915
    Abstract: Capacitor packaging according to the disclosure provides advantages particularly in connection to compact and/or complex-shaped medical devices (e.g., having limited interior volume defined by domed and/or irregular exterior surfaces). In addition, capacitors of the type shown and described herein can be utilized in relatively compact external defibrillators, such as automatic external defibrillators or clinician-grade, automated or manually-operated external defibrillators. In one form a plurality of capacitors having substantially flat exterior surfaces are placed in an abutting relationship between at least a pair of major surfaces and the major surfaces are spaced from an opposing or adjacent surface in a non-parallel configuration. In other forms, one or more exterior surface portions have a common and/or complex radius dimension (i.e., the surfaces are curved).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig L. Schmidt, William L. Johnson, Steven Joseph May, Christian S. Nielsen, John Daniel Norton, Anthony W. Rorvick, Jeffrey A. Swanson, William K. Wenger
  • Publication number: 20140163646
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) has a housing enclosing an electronic circuit. The housing includes a first housing portion, a second housing portion and a joint coupling the first housing portion to the second housing portion. A polymer enclosure member surrounds the joint and circumscribes the housing in various embodiments. Other embodiments of an IMD housing are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad C. Tischendorf, John E. Kast, Thomas P. Miltich, Gordon O. Munns, Randy S. Roles, Craig L. Schmidt, Joseph J. Viavattine, Christian S. Nielsen, Prabhakar A. Tamirisa, Anthony M. Chasensky, Markus W. Reiterer, Chris J. Paidosh, Reginald D. Robinson, Bernard Q. Li, Erik R. Scott, Phillip C. Falkner, Xuan K. Wei, Eric H. Bonde
  • Patent number: 8639338
    Abstract: A power source longevity monitor is configured for an implantable medical device. An energy counter counts the amount of energy used by the implantable medical device. A voltage monitor monitors the voltage of the power source. A calculator predicts the power source longevity using the energy longevity estimate and the voltage longevity estimate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Rogers, Donald R. Merritt, Craig L. Schmidt, Mukul Jain
  • Patent number: 8612167
    Abstract: Methods for estimating a remaining service life of an implantable medical device (IMD) battery are presented. In one embodiment, a characteristic discharge model of the battery is employed. Systems employing the methods may include an external device coupled to the IMD, for example, via a telemetry communications link, wherein a first portion of a computer readable medium included in the IMD is programmed to provide instructions for the measurement, or tracking, of time and the measurement of battery voltage, and a second portion of the computer readable medium included in the external device is programmed to provide instructions for carrying out the calculations when the voltage and time data is transferred via telemetry from the IMD to the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic , Inc.
    Inventors: Craig L. Schmidt, John D. Wahlstrand, Ann M. Crespi, Gregory A. Younker, James W. Busacker
  • Publication number: 20130231881
    Abstract: A power source longevity monitor is configured for an implantable medical device. An energy counter counts the amount of energy used by the implantable medical device. A voltage monitor monitors the voltage of the power source. A calculator predicts the power source longevity using the energy longevity estimate and the voltage longevity estimate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Rogers, Donald R. Merritt, Craig L. Schmidt, Mukul Jain
  • 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: 8417338
    Abstract: Power source longevity monitor for an implantable medical device. An energy counter counts the amount of energy used by the implantable medical device. An energy converter converts the energy used into an estimate of remaining power source longevity and generating an energy longevity estimate. A voltage monitor monitors the voltage of the power source. A voltage converter converts the voltage monitored by the voltage monitor into an estimate of remaining longevity of the power source and generating a voltage longevity estimate. A calculator is operatively coupled to the energy converter and to the voltage converter and predicts the power source longevity using the energy longevity estimate early in the useful life of the power source and using the voltage longevity estimate later in the useful life of the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Rogers, Donald R. Merritt, Craig L. Schmidt, Mukul Jain
  • Patent number: 8383269
    Abstract: A rechargeable lithium-ion battery includes a positive electrode having a first capacity and a negative electrode having a second capacity that is less than the first capacity such that the battery has a negative-limited design. The negative electrode includes a lithium titanate active material. A liquid electrolyte that includes a lithium salt dissolved in at least one non-aqueous solvent a porous polymeric separator are located between the positive electrode and negative electrode. The separator is configured to allow lithium ions to flow through the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik R. Scott, Gaurav Jain, Kevin W. Eberman, Craig L. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20120130439
    Abstract: Power source longevity monitor for an implantable medical device. An energy counter counts the amount of energy used by the implantable medical device. An energy converter converts the energy used into an estimate of remaining power source longevity and generating an energy longevity estimate. A voltage monitor monitors the voltage of the power source. A voltage converter converts the voltage monitored by the voltage monitor into an estimate of remaining longevity of the power source and generating a voltage longevity estimate. A calculator is operatively coupled to the energy converter and to the voltage converter and predicts the power source longevity using the energy longevity estimate early in the useful life of the power source and using the voltage longevity estimate later in the useful life of the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventors: Charles R. Rogers, Donald R. Merritt, Craig L. Schmidt, Mukul Jain
  • Patent number: 8178242
    Abstract: A lithium-ion battery includes a positive electrode having a current collector and a first active material and a negative electrode comprising a current collector, a second active material, and a third active material. The second active material comprises a lithium titanate material and the third active material comprises V6O13. The third active material exhibits charging and discharging capacity below a corrosion potential of the current collector of the negative electrode and above a decomposition potential of the first active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: William G. Howard, Craig L. Schmidt, Erik R. Scott
  • Patent number: 8131367
    Abstract: Power source longevity monitor for an implantable medical device. An energy counter counts the amount of energy used by the implantable medical device. An energy converter converts the energy used into an estimate of remaining power source longevity and generating an energy longevity estimate. A voltage monitor monitors the voltage of the power source. A voltage converter converts the voltage monitored by the voltage monitor into an estimate of remaining longevity of the power source and generating a voltage longevity estimate. A calculator is operatively coupled to the energy converter and to the voltage converter and predicts the power source longevity using the energy longevity estimate early in the useful life of the power source and using the voltage longevity estimate later in the useful life of the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R. Rogers, Donald R. Merritt, Craig L. Schmidt, Mukul Jain