Patents by Inventor Donald R. Merritt
Donald R. Merritt 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).
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Patent number: 10639481Abstract: In some examples, determining an estimated remaining longevity of a power source of an implantable medical device comprises determining values of one or more parameters of the power source and one or more operational parameters of the implantable medical device; calculating, based on at least some of the determined parameter values, a first estimated duration until one of the determined parameters of the power source reaches a pre-recommended replacement time (pre-RRT) threshold and adding a timer duration to determine a first estimated longevity value; calculating, based on at least some of the determined parameter values, a second estimated duration until one of the determined parameters of the power source reaches a recommended replacement time (RRT) backup threshold as a second estimated longevity value; determining the estimated remaining longevity based on the two estimated longevity values; and indicating the determined estimated remaining longevity.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2018Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Gregory A. Younker, Karen J. Kleckner, Donald R. Merritt
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Publication number: 20190209847Abstract: In some examples, determining an estimated remaining longevity of a power source of an implantable medical device comprises determining values of one or more parameters of the power source and one or more operational parameters of the implantable medical device; calculating, based on at least some of the determined parameter values, a first estimated duration until one of the determined parameters of the power source reaches a pre-recommended replacement time (pre-RRT) threshold and adding a timer duration to determine a first estimated longevity value; calculating, based on at least some of the determined parameter values, a second estimated duration until one of the determined parameters of the power source reaches a recommended replacement time (RRT) backup threshold as a second estimated longevity value; determining the estimated remaining longevity based on the two estimated longevity values; and indicating the determined estimated remaining longevity.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2018Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Gregory A. Younker, Karen J. Kleckner, Donald R. Merritt
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Patent number: 9362570Abstract: A battery assembly for a medical device includes an elongate cathode, an elongate anode, an electrolyte, and an elongate housing assembly encapsulating the cathode, the anode, and the electrolyte. The battery assembly also includes a first electrode exposed from and electrically insulated from the housing assembly. One of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the first electrode, and the other of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the housing assembly. Respective axes of the cathode and the anode are substantially parallel to an axis of the housing assembly, and the cathode and anode each include a flat portion that face each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lund, Steven J. May, Donald R. Merritt, Hailiang Zhao
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Patent number: 9099720Abstract: A battery assembly for a medical device includes an elongate cathode, an elongate anode, an electrolyte, and an elongate housing assembly encapsulating the cathode, the anode, and the electrolyte. The battery assembly also includes a first electrode exposed from and electrically insulated from the housing assembly. One of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the first electrode, and the other of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the housing assembly. Respective axes of the cathode and the anode are substantially parallel to an axis of the housing assembly, and the cathode and anode each include a flat portion that face each other.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2009Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lund, Steven J. May, Donald R. Merritt, Hailiang Zhao
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Publication number: 20150030916Abstract: A battery assembly for a medical device includes an elongate cathode, an elongate anode, an electrolyte, and an elongate housing assembly encapsulating the cathode, the anode, and the electrolyte. The battery assembly also includes a first electrode exposed from and electrically insulated from the housing assembly. One of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the first electrode, and the other of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the housing assembly. Respective axes of the cathode and the anode are substantially parallel to an axis of the housing assembly, and the cathode and anode each include a flat portion that face each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Inventors: Jeffrey S. LUND, Steven J. MAY, Donald R. MERRITT, Hailiang ZHAO
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Patent number: 8639338Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 2, 2013Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Charles R. Rogers, Donald R. Merritt, Craig L. Schmidt, Mukul Jain
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Patent number: 8541131Abstract: A battery assembly for a medical device includes an elongate cathode, an elongate anode, an electrolyte, and an elongate housing assembly encapsulating the cathode, the anode, and the electrolyte. The battery assembly also includes a first electrode that is exposed from and electrically insulated from the housing assembly. One of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the first electrode, and the other of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the housing assembly. One of the cathode and the anode includes a first portion and a second portion disposed in spaced relationship from the first portion. The other of the cathode and the anode is disposed between the first and second portions.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2009Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lund, Steven J. May, Donald R. Merritt, Hailiang Zhao
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Publication number: 20130231881Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Charles R. Rogers, Donald R. Merritt, Craig L. Schmidt, Mukul Jain
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Patent number: 8417338Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 1, 2012Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Charles R. Rogers, Donald R. Merritt, Craig L. Schmidt, Mukul Jain
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Patent number: 8359098Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an energy storage device with an internal component and an outer case that encloses the internal component. The outer case is electrically connected to the internal component. The energy storage device includes a first electrode that is electrically connected to the internal component. Furthermore, the device includes a control assembly with a control component and a control case that encloses the control component. The control case is coupled to and electrically connected to the outer case. The control component is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the outer case to be powered by the internal component of the energy storage device. The control component controls transmission of an electrical signal between the implantable medical device and biological tissue. Also, an outer surface of the outer case and the outer surface of the control case are exposed to the biological material.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2009Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lund, Steven J. May, Donald R. Merritt, Hailiang Zhao, Kenneth M. Anderson, George Patras, Glenn Milton Roline
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Publication number: 20120130439Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2012Publication date: May 24, 2012Inventors: Charles R. Rogers, Donald R. Merritt, Craig L. Schmidt, Mukul Jain
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Patent number: 8131367Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 30, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Charles R. Rogers, Donald R. Merritt, Craig L. Schmidt, Mukul Jain
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Patent number: 7846575Abstract: Lithium is a soft malleable metal and sticks to most materials when a fresh surface is exposed. Currently lithium anodes are pressed in a die with temporary polymer components protecting the pressing die. During anode pressing, the lithium anode sticks to these temporary components. They facilitate easy release of the lithium anode from the die via operator intervention. The pressed anode is then manually wrapped with a micro-porous polymeric separator material and built into the battery. This process is labor intensive and would be difficult to automate. By utilizing a formed polymer cup on the anode, both the anode pressing process and separator sealing process would be simplified and have potential options for automation. The cup would allow easy release from the anode pressing die and provide some of the insulation of the anode from regions of opposite polarity.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2004Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Bernard F. Heller, Jr., Donald R. Merritt, Joseph P. Hartwick
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Publication number: 20100304209Abstract: A battery assembly for a medical device having an axis. The battery assembly includes an elongate cathode, an elongate anode, an electrolyte, and an elongate housing assembly encapsulating the cathode, the anode, and the electrolyte. The housing assembly is substantially coaxial with the cathode and the anode. The battery assembly also includes a first electrode that is exposed from and electrically insulated from the housing assembly and disposed in the open end. One of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the other is electrically coupled to the housing assembly. The cathode and the anode are coaxial and spaced apart in a direction substantially parallel to the axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2009Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lund, Steven J. May, Donald R. Merritt, Hailiang Zhao
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Publication number: 20100305629Abstract: A battery assembly for a medical device includes an elongate cathode, an elongate anode, an electrolyte, and an elongate housing assembly encapsulating the cathode, the anode, and the electrolyte. The battery assembly also includes a first electrode exposed from and electrically insulated from the housing assembly. One of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the first electrode, and the other of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the housing assembly. Respective axes of the cathode and the anode are substantially parallel to an axis of the housing assembly, and the cathode and anode each include a flat portion that face each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2009Publication date: December 2, 2010Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lund, Steven J. May, Donald R. Merritt, Hailiang Zhao
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Publication number: 20100305636Abstract: A battery assembly for a medical device includes an elongate cathode, an elongate anode, an electrolyte, and an elongate housing assembly encapsulating the cathode, the anode, and the electrolyte. The battery assembly also includes a first electrode that is exposed from and electrically insulated from the housing assembly. One of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the first electrode, and the other of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the housing assembly. One of the cathode and the anode includes a first portion and a second portion disposed in spaced relationship from the first portion. The other of the cathode and the anode is disposed between the first and second portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2009Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lund, Steven J. May, Donald R. Merritt, Hailiang Zhao
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Publication number: 20100305653Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an energy storage device with an internal component and an outer case that encloses the internal component. The outer case is electrically connected to the internal component. The energy storage device includes a first electrode that is electrically connected to the internal component. Furthermore, the device includes a control assembly with a control component and a control case that encloses the control component. The control case is coupled to and electrically connected to the outer case. The control component is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the outer case to be powered by the internal component of the energy storage device. The control component controls transmission of an electrical signal between the implantable medical device and biological tissue. Also, an outer surface of the outer case and the outer surface of the control case are exposed to the biological material.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2009Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lund, Steven J. May, Donald R. Merritt, Hailiang Zhao, Kenneth M. Anderson, George Patras, Glenn Milton Roline
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Publication number: 20100305628Abstract: A battery assembly for a medical device includes an elongate cathode, an elongate anode, an electrolyte, and an elongate housing assembly encapsulating the cathode, the anode, and the electrolyte. The battery assembly also includes a first electrode that is exposed from and electrically insulated from the housing assembly. One of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the first electrode and the other of the anode and the cathode is electrically coupled to the housing assembly. Also, one of the cathode and the anode is enclosed by the other of the cathode and the anode.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2009Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lund, Steven J. May, Donald R. Merritt, Hailiang Zhao
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Patent number: 7807300Abstract: A resistance-stabilizing additive to an electrolyte for a battery cell in an implantable medical device is presented. At least one resistance-stabilizing additive is selected from a group comprising an electron withdrawing group, an aromatic diacid salt, an inorganic salt, an aliphatic organic acid, an aromatic diacid, and an aromatic monoacid.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2006Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Merritt, Craig L. Schmidt
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Publication number: 20100136426Abstract: A resistance-stabilizing additive to an electrolyte for a battery cell in an implantable medical device is presented. At least one resistance-stabilizing additive is selected from a group comprising an electron withdrawing group, an aromatic diacid salt, an inorganic salt, an aliphatic organic acid, an aromatic diacid, and an aromatic monoacid.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2010Publication date: June 3, 2010Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Donald R. Merritt, Craig L. Schmidt