Patents by Inventor George M. Huepenbecker

George M. Huepenbecker 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: 8219211
    Abstract: A medical electrical lead that includes a lead body having a lead body lumen, an electrode head assembly fixedly engaged with the lead body and having an electrode head assembly lumen communicating with the lead body lumen, and a conductor extending within the lead body lumen and the electrode head assembly lumen. An insulating member extends through the electrode head assembly lumen and the lead body lumen to electrically isolate the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Bischoff, Kathryn R. Parsons, Marc R. Helmick, Bret R. Shobert, George M. Huepenbecker, Sandra F. Viktora, James J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 7660635
    Abstract: An implantable lead which has an increased resistance to fracture and has the capability of continued function after fracture of a conductor. The lead is provided with a coiled conductor which may be monofilar or multifilar and which extends along the length of the lead, running from an electrical connector at the proximal end of the lead to an electrode at or near the distal end of the lead. In addition, the lead is provided with a stranded conductor which is electrically coupled to the coiled conductor at point along the lead body located proximal to the point of expected breakage of the coiled conductor and at a point along the lead body located distal to the point of expected breakage. The proximal and distal ends of the stranded conductor in some embodiments are also mechanically coupled to the coiled conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Verness, George M. Huepenbecker, Dale A. Wahlstrom
  • Publication number: 20090240315
    Abstract: A medical electrical lead that includes a lead body having a lead body lumen, an electrode head assembly fixedly engaged with the lead body and having an electrode head assembly lumen communicating with the lead body lumen, and a conductor extending within the lead body lumen and the electrode head assembly lumen. An insulating member extends through the electrode head assembly lumen and the lead body lumen to electrically isolate the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Bischoff, Kathryn R. Parsons, Marc R. Helmick, Bret R. Shoberg, George M. Huepenbecker, Sandra F. Viktora, James J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 7546163
    Abstract: A medical electrical lead that includes a lead body having a lead body lumen, an electrode head assembly fixedly engaged with the lead body and having an electrode head assembly lumen communicating with the lead body lumen, and a conductor extending within the lead body lumen and the electrode head assembly lumen. An insulating member extends through the electrode head assembly lumen and the lead body lumen to electrically isolate the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Bischoff, Kathryn R. Parsons, Marc R. Helmick, Bret R. Shoberg, George M. Huepenbecker, Sandra F. Viktora, James J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 6813521
    Abstract: A medical electrical lead is provided that is readily manufactured using a minimal number of parts, has a reduced size and improved reliability during implantation and extraction. The lead includes a modular electrode head assembly that is joined to a lead body at a butt joint. The butt joint is stabilized in at least four possible ways: insulation tubing that spans the joint is bonded to the electrode head assembly; two cabled conductors extending the length of the lead body are coupled to the electrode head assembly; an electrode head alignment peg interlocks with and is bonded to the lead body; and a coil electrode is positioned across the butt joint on the outer diameter of the assembly and the lead body. The lead size is minimized by using a compact retraction stop mechanism, a low-friction, press-fit drive shaft seal, and a small diameter coiled conductor insulated by a thin-walled insulating tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas C. Bischoff, Marc R. Helmick, Kathryn R. Parsons, Bret R. Shoberg, George M. Huepenbecker, Sandra F. Viktora, James J. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20020193860
    Abstract: A medical electrical lead is provided that is readily manufactured using a minimal number of parts, has a reduced size and improved reliability during implantation and extraction. The lead includes a modular electrode head assembly that is joined to a lead body at a butt joint. The butt joint is stabilized in at least four possible ways: insulation tubing that spans the joint is bonded to the electrode head assembly; two cabled conductors extending the length of the lead body are coupled to the electrode head assembly; an electrode head alignment peg interlocks with and is bonded to the lead body; and a coil electrode is positioned across the butt joint on the outer diameter of the assembly and the lead body. The lead size is minimized by using a compact retraction stop mechanism, a low-friction, press-fit drive shaft seal, and a small diameter coiled conductor insulated by a thin-walled insulating tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas C. Bischoff, Marc R. Helmick, Kathryn R. Parsons, Bret R. Shoberg, George M. Huepenbecker, Sandra F. Viktora, James J. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20020188339
    Abstract: A medical electrical lead that includes a lead body having a lead body lumen, an electrode head assembly fixedly engaged with the lead body and having an electrode head assembly lumen communicating with the lead body lumen, and a conductor extending within the lead body lumen and the electrode head assembly lumen. An insulating member extends through the electrode head assembly lumen and the lead body lumen to electrically isolate the conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas C. Bischoff, Kathryn R. Parsons, Marc R. Helmick, Bret R. Shoberg, George M. Huepenbecker, Sandra F. Viktora, James J. Snyder
  • Patent number: 6289251
    Abstract: An implantable electrical lead having at least two mutually insulated electrical components that are separated by a portion of the lead's body fabricated of a plant, extensible biocompatible insulated material. An extensible conductor extends from the proximal end of the lead body to a first one of the electrical components, and a second, inextensible conductor extends from the proximal end of the lead body to a second one of the electrical components. An inextensible reinforcement member is coupled to the inextensible conductor and extends distally from the second electrical component to the first electrical component and is coupled mechanically to the first electrical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: George M. Huepenbecker, Timothy G. Laske
  • Patent number: 6285910
    Abstract: An implantable lead which has an increased resistance to fracture and has the capability of continued function after fracture of a conductor. The lead is provided with a coiled conductor which may be monofilar or multifilar and which extends along the length of the lead, running from an electrical connector at the proximal end of the lead to an electrode at or near the distal end of the lead. In addition, the lead is provided with a stranded conductor which is electrically coupled to the coiled conductor at point along the lead body located proximal to the point of expected breakage of the coiled conductor and at a point along the lead body located distal to the point of expected breakage. The proximal and distal ends of the stranded conductor in some embodiments are also mechanically coupled to the coiled conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Verness, George M. Huepenbecker, Dale A. Wahlstrom
  • Patent number: 6119042
    Abstract: An implantable lead which has an increased resistance to fracture and has the capability of continued function after fracture of a conductor. The lead is provided with a coiled conductor which may be monofilar or multifilar and which extends along the length of the lead, running from an electrical connector at the proximal end of the lead to an electrode at or near the distal end of the lead. In addition, the lead is provided with a stranded conductor which is electrically coupled to the coiled conductor at point along the lead body located proximal to the point of expected breakage of the coiled conductor and at a point along the lead body located distal to the point of expected breakage. The proximal and distal ends of the stranded conductor in some embodiments are also mechanically coupled to the coiled conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Verness, George M. Huepenbecker, Dale A. Wahlstrom
  • Patent number: 6061598
    Abstract: An implantable lead which has an increased resistance to fracture and has the capability of continued function after fracture of a conductor. The lead is provided with a coiled conductor which may be monofilar or multifilar and which extends along the length of the lead, running from an electrical connector at the proximal end of the lead to an electrode at or near the distal end of the lead. In addition, the lead is provided with a stranded conductor which is electrically coupled to the coiled conductor at point along the lead body located proximal to the point of expected breakage of the coiled conductor and at a point along the lead body located distal to the point of expected breakage. The proximal and distal ends of the stranded conductor in some embodiments are also mechanically coupled to the coiled conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Verness, George M. Huepenbecker, Dale A. Wahlstrom
  • Patent number: 6018683
    Abstract: An implantable lead which has an increased resistance to fracture and has the capability of continued function after fracture of a conductor. The lead is provided with a coiled conductor which may be monofilar or multifilar and which extends along the length of the lead, running from an electrical connector at the proximal end of the lead to an electrode at or near the distal end of the lead. In addition, the lead is provided with a stranded conductor which is electrically coupled to the coiled conductor at point along the lead body located proximal to the point of expected breakage of the coiled conductor and at a point along the lead body located distal to the point of expected breakage. The proximal and distal ends of the stranded conductor in some embodiments are also mechanically coupled to the coiled conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David D. Verness, George M. Huepenbecker, Dale A. Wahlstrom