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).

  • Patent number: 10639481
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Younker, Karen J. Kleckner, Donald R. Merritt
  • Publication number: 20190209847
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Gregory A. Younker, Karen J. Kleckner, Donald R. Merritt
  • Patent number: 9362570
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lund, Steven J. May, Donald R. Merritt, Hailiang Zhao
  • Patent number: 9099720
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lund, Steven J. May, Donald R. Merritt, Hailiang Zhao
  • Publication number: 20150030916
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. LUND, Steven J. MAY, Donald R. MERRITT, Hailiang ZHAO
  • 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: 8541131
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lund, Steven J. May, Donald R. Merritt, Hailiang Zhao
  • 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
  • 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: 8359098
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lund, Steven J. May, Donald R. Merritt, Hailiang Zhao, Kenneth M. Anderson, George Patras, Glenn Milton Roline
  • 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: 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
  • Patent number: 7846575
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernard F. Heller, Jr., Donald R. Merritt, Joseph P. Hartwick
  • Publication number: 20100304209
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lund, Steven J. May, Donald R. Merritt, Hailiang Zhao
  • Publication number: 20100305629
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lund, Steven J. May, Donald R. Merritt, Hailiang Zhao
  • Publication number: 20100305636
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lund, Steven J. May, Donald R. Merritt, Hailiang Zhao
  • Publication number: 20100305653
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lund, Steven J. May, Donald R. Merritt, Hailiang Zhao, Kenneth M. Anderson, George Patras, Glenn Milton Roline
  • Publication number: 20100305628
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Lund, Steven J. May, Donald R. Merritt, Hailiang Zhao
  • Patent number: 7807300
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Merritt, Craig L. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20100136426
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Merritt, Craig L. Schmidt