Patents by Inventor Hailiang Zhao

Hailiang Zhao 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: 9543566
    Abstract: Miniature electrodes and electrochemical cells are disclosed. Such electrodes are made from forming an electrode mixture onto a current collector and distal end of a feedthrough pin such that the current collector and distal end of the feedthrough pin is encapsulated. The methods and electrode assemblies disclosed herein allow such electrode assemblies to be made free from the step of directly attaching a formed electrode to a feedthrough pin and thus simplifying assembly and decreasing size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Hailiang Zhao, Christian S. Nielsen
  • 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: 9299962
    Abstract: An encasement for an electrochemical cell and method of making such encasement is discloses. The design of the encasement results in an encasement having an area of high stress located away from the weld zone area of the encasement, where the cover and the case are welded together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Hailiang Zhao, Steven J. May, Markus W. Reiterer, Bernard F. Heller
  • 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: 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20140123476
    Abstract: Miniature electrodes and electrochemical cells are disclosed. Such electrodes are made from forming an electrode mixture onto a current collector and distal end of a feedthrough pin such that the current collector and distal end of the feedthrough pin is encapsulated. The methods and electrode assemblies disclosed herein allow such electrode assemblies to be made free from the step of directly attaching a formed electrode to a feedthrough pin and thus simplifying assembly and decreasing size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventors: Hailiang Zhao, Christian S. Nielsen
  • Publication number: 20130302665
    Abstract: An encasement for an electrochemical cell and method of making such encasement is discloses. The design of the encasement results in an encasement having an area of high stress located away from the weld zone area of the encasement, where the cover and the case are welded together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Hailiang Zhao, Steven J. May, Markus W. Reiterer, Bernard F. Heller
  • 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
  • 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: 20120107672
    Abstract: Miniature electrodes and electrochemical cells are disclosed. Such electrodes are made from forming an electrode mixture onto a current collector and distal end of a feedthrough pin such that the current collector and distal end of the feedthrough pin is encapsulated. The methods and electrode assemblies disclosed herein allow such electrode assemblies to be made free from the step of directly attaching a formed electrode to a feedthrough pin and thus simplifying assembly and decreasing size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Hailiang Zhao, Christian S. Nielsen
  • 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: 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: 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: 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20090246617
    Abstract: One embodiment of an electrochemical cell for an implantable medical device is presented. The electrochemical cell includes a first electrode. The first electrode includes at least one current collector with a tab extending therefrom. The at least one tab comprises one of vanadium and vanadium alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: William G. Howard, Robert E. Kraska, Hailiang Zhao, Bruce T. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20090197180
    Abstract: A battery (or cell) in an implantable medical device is presented. The cell includes a first electrode element with a first tab extending therefrom and a second electrode element with a second tab extending therefrom. A spacer is coupled to the first and second tabs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph J. Viavattine, Kevin R. Aufderhar, Paul B. Aamodt, Hailiang Zhao
  • Patent number: 7544220
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an electrochemical cell including an electrode assembly having one or more of the electrodes being coupled to a feedthrough assembly. The one or more electrodes each include a connection tab. The connection tab extends a distance from separation material between the one or more electrodes (e.g., anode and cathode). The connection tab is provided to contact (e.g., electrically connected) a feedthrough pin of the feedthrough assembly by laser welding. The feedthrough pin with respect to the connection tab is oriented in at least one position lying within a 90 degree orientation on the connection tab. The feedthrough pin is coupled to the connection tab by laser welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Hailiang Zhao, Kurt J. Casby
  • Patent number: 7539007
    Abstract: Methods and structures are provided for electrically coupling a conductor and a conductive element containing a dissimilar material. A method for electrically coupling a first element containing a first conductive material to a conductor formed of a dissimilar second material includes cladding a second conductive element with the conductor. The second element contains a facilitator material that facilitates the melting of the dissimilar material. A third element containing a third conductive material that is metallurgically compatible with the facilitator material is cladded with a fourth element containing a fourth conductive material that is metallurgically compatible with the first conductive material to form a connector. The fourth element is welded to the first element and the second element is welded to the third element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Hailiang Zhao, Steven J. May, Jeffrey S. Lund, Kurt J. Casby