Patents by Inventor Erik J. Hovland

Erik J. Hovland 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: 11916256
    Abstract: In some examples, an assembly for a medical device. The assembly includes a first electrode comprising a first conductive tab, and a first current collector; a second electrode including a second conductive tab, a second current collector, a third current collector, and at least one connector connecting the second current collector to the third current collector, wherein the second current collector and the third current collector are folded over each other about the at least one connector, wherein the second conductive tab is coupled to the second current collector, and wherein the third current collector is electrically coupled to second conductive tab via the at least one connector and the second current collector; and a foil package being sealed over the first conductive tab and the second conductive tab to partially enclose the first electrode and second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph J. Viavattine, Erik J. Hovland
  • Publication number: 20230253686
    Abstract: Devices and methods disclosed herein relate to forming superior mechanical and electrical connections between stacks of foils such as those used in electrochemical cells. The connections described herein use multiple weld types and choice of materials to promote electrical and mechanical connectivity using separate weld types.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Hailiang ZHAO, David BUENDORF, Erik J. HOVLAND, Vadim A. YAKOLEV
  • Publication number: 20220255198
    Abstract: In some examples, an assembly for a medical device. The assembly includes a first electrode comprising a first conductive tab, and a first current collector; a second electrode including a second conductive tab, a second current collector, a third current collector, and at least one connector connecting the second current collector to the third current collector, wherein the second current collector and the third current collector are folded over each other about the at least one connector, wherein the second conductive tab is coupled to the second current collector, and wherein the third current collector is electrically coupled to second conductive tab via the at least one connector and the second current collector; and a foil package being sealed over the first conductive tab and the second conductive tab to partially enclose the first electrode and second electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: August 11, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph J. Viavattine, Erik J. Hovland
  • Patent number: 11344735
    Abstract: Medical devices include a separate enclosure that houses a battery and electrically isolates the battery from external conditions such as any metal enclosures and ultimately isolates the battery from body fluids. Thus, the separate enclosure attaches to a housing of a medical device and provides for modularity of the battery which allows, for instance, different size batteries to be used with the same medical device design. The separate enclosure further prevents stimulation current from leaking back to the battery housing by providing the electrical isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Erik J. Hovland, Rajesh V. Iyer, Steven J. May, Gordon O. Munns, Wesley A. Santa
  • Patent number: 11011805
    Abstract: Some examples include an electrode for an electrochemical cell including a plate portion and a tab portion. The plate portion includes a plate body, a perimeter body edge, and an inset area recessed into the plate body from the perimeter body edge. The inset area is defined by an inset edge. The tab portion extends from the plate portion. The tab portion includes a tab body and tab body edge. The inset edge extends between the perimeter body edge and the tab body edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik J. Hovland, Steve Bruesehoff
  • Publication number: 20200313143
    Abstract: Some examples include an electrode for an electrochemical cell including a plate portion and a tab portion. The plate portion includes a plate body, a perimeter body edge, and an inset area recessed into the plate body from the perimeter body edge. The inset area is defined by an inset edge. The tab portion extends from the plate portion. The tab portion includes a tab body and tab body edge. The inset edge extends between the perimeter body edge and the tab body edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Erik J. Hovland, Steve Bruesehoff
  • Patent number: 10700312
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a battery assembly include a first housing shell, a second housing shell, an insulator and battery components. The first housing shell has a first perimeter side wall, a first housing bottom, and a first contact area on the first housing bottom. The second housing shell has a second perimeter side wall, a second housing bottom, and a second contact area on the second housing bottom. The second housing shell is disposed in the first housing shell with the second contact area opposing the first contact area. The insulator is interposed between the first housing shell and the second housing shell to effect electrical insulation between the first housing shell and the second housing shell. The battery components include an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a separator interposed between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. The separator contains an electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Christian S. Nielsen, John K. Day, Erik J. Hovland, Jody J. Klaassen, Prabhakar Tamirisa, Collette M. Vanelzen
  • Patent number: 10615399
    Abstract: A battery terminal for an implantable battery is described. The battery terminal includes a foil stack, first and second side elements, and a weld joint coupling the foil stack and the side elements. The side elements define a varying height profile and a greatest height adjacent an inner surface of the side element in contact with the foil stack. Each element may define a height profile along the width that tapers toward an outer surface, biasing mass of the element close to the foil stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Medtronic Inc.
    Inventors: Hailiang Zhao, Erik J. Hovland
  • Publication number: 20190308023
    Abstract: Medical devices include a separate enclosure that houses a battery and electrically isolates the battery from external conditions such as any metal enclosures and ultimately isolates the battery from body fluids. Thus, the separate enclosure attaches to a housing of a medical device and provides for modularity of the battery which allows, for instance, different size batteries to be used with the same medical device design. The separate enclosure further prevents stimulation current from leaking back to the battery housing by providing the electrical isolation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Erik J. Hovland, Rajesh V. Iyer, Steven J. May, Gordon O. Munns, Wesley A. Santa
  • Patent number: 10328273
    Abstract: Medical devices include a separate enclosure that houses a battery and electrically isolates the battery from external conditions such as any metal enclosures and ultimately isolates the battery from body fluids. Thus, the separate enclosure attaches to a housing of a medical device and provides for modularity of the battery which allows, for instance, different size batteries to be used with the same medical device design. The separate enclosure further prevents stimulation current from leaking back to the battery housing by providing the electrical isolation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Erik J. Hovland, Rajesh V. Iyer, Steven J. May, Gordon O. Munns, Wesley A. Santa
  • Publication number: 20180219189
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a battery assembly include a first housing shell, a second housing shell, an insulator and battery components. The first housing shell has a first perimeter side wall, a first housing bottom, and a first contact area on the first housing bottom. The second housing shell has a second perimeter side wall, a second housing bottom, and a second contact area on the second housing bottom. The second housing shell is disposed in the first housing shell with the second contact area opposing the first contact area. The insulator is interposed between the first housing shell and the second housing shell to effect electrical insulation between the first housing shell and the second housing shell. The battery components include an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a separator interposed between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. The separator contains an electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian S. Nielsen, John K. Day, Erik J. Hovland, Jody J. Klaassen, Prabhakar Tamirisa, Collette M. Vanelzen
  • Patent number: 9985255
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a battery assembly include a first housing shell, a second housing shell, an insulator and battery components. The first housing shell has a first perimeter side wall, a first housing bottom, and a first contact area on the first housing bottom. The second housing shell has a second perimeter side wall, a second housing bottom, and a second contact area on the second housing bottom. The second housing shell is disposed in the first housing shell with the second contact area opposing the first contact area. The insulator is interposed between the first housing shell and the second housing shell to effect electrical insulation between the first housing shell and the second housing shell. The battery components include an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a separator interposed between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. The separator contains an electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian S. Nielsen, John K. Day, Erik J. Hovland, Jody J. Klaassen, Prabhakar A. Tamirisa, Collette M. Vanelzen
  • Publication number: 20170331099
    Abstract: A battery terminal for an implantable battery is described. The battery terminal includes a foil stack, first and second side elements, and a weld joint coupling the foil stack and the side elements. The side elements define a varying height profile and a greatest height adjacent an inner surface of the side element in contact with the foil stack. Each element may define a height profile along the width that tapers toward an outer surface, biasing mass of the element close to the foil stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Hailiang Zhao, Erik J. Hovland
  • Patent number: 9741993
    Abstract: A battery terminal for an implantable battery is described. The battery terminal includes a foil stack, first and second side elements, and a weld joint coupling the foil stack and the side elements. The side elements define a varying height profile and a greatest height adjacent an inner surface of the side element in contact with the foil stack. Each element may define a height profile along the width that tapers toward an outer surface, biasing mass of the element close to the foil stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Hailiang Zhao, Erik J. Hovland
  • Publication number: 20160260938
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a battery assembly include a first housing shell, a second housing shell, an insulator and battery components. The first housing shell has a first perimeter side wall, a first housing bottom, and a first contact area on the first housing bottom. The second housing shell has a second perimeter side wall, a second housing bottom, and a second contact area on the second housing bottom. The second housing shell is disposed in the first housing shell with the second contact area opposing the first contact area. The insulator is interposed between the first housing shell and the second housing shell to effect electrical insulation between the first housing shell and the second housing shell. The battery components include an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and a separator interposed between the cathode electrode and the anode electrode. The separator contains an electrolyte.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Christian S. NIELSEN, John K. DAY, Erik J. HOVLAND, Jody J. KLAASSEN, Prabhakar A. TAMIRISA, Collette M. VANELZEN
  • Publication number: 20160129264
    Abstract: Medical devices include a separate enclosure that houses a battery and electrically isolates the battery from external conditions such as any metal enclosures and ultimately isolates the battery from body fluids. Thus, the separate enclosure attaches to a housing of a medical device and provides for modularity of the battery which allows, for instance, different size batteries to be used with the same medical device design. The separate enclosure further prevents stimulation current from leaking back to the battery housing by providing the electrical isolation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Erik J. Hovland, Rajesh V. Iyer, Steven J. May, Gordon O. Munns, Wesley A. Santa
  • Publication number: 20150136840
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of welding a stack of metal foil layers together using a penetration weld. The methods include stacking of the metal foil layers, pressing or compressing the metal foil layers between end plates and welding the end plates and compressed metal foil layer stack together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Hailiang Zhao, Erik J. Hovland
  • Patent number: 7404324
    Abstract: An inertial measurement unit (IMU) is provided that includes a container that defines a cavity. A sensor suit or ISA having a housing is provided in the container of the IMU. A dampening material is provided between the housing of the ISA and the container of the IMU. The dampening material may be applied by coating, spraying, or dipping, or may be separately molded and then inserted, if desired. A sway space may also be provided between the ISA and the IMU container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Todd L. Braman, Owen Grossman, Erik J. Hovland