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).
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Patent number: 9543566Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Hailiang Zhao, Christian S. Nielsen
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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: 9299962Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Hailiang Zhao, Steven J. May, Markus W. Reiterer, Bernard F. Heller
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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: 20150136840Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.Inventors: Hailiang Zhao, Erik J. Hovland
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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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Publication number: 20140123476Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2014Publication date: May 8, 2014Inventors: Hailiang Zhao, Christian S. Nielsen
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Publication number: 20130302665Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: November 14, 2013Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.Inventors: Hailiang Zhao, Steven J. May, Markus W. Reiterer, Bernard F. Heller
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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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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: 20120107672Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Inventors: Hailiang Zhao, Christian S. Nielsen
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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: 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: 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: 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: 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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Publication number: 20090246617Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2008Publication date: October 1, 2009Inventors: William G. Howard, Robert E. Kraska, Hailiang Zhao, Bruce T. Anderson
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Publication number: 20090197180Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Inventors: Joseph J. Viavattine, Kevin R. Aufderhar, Paul B. Aamodt, Hailiang Zhao
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Patent number: 7544220Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2005Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Hailiang Zhao, Kurt J. Casby
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Patent number: 7539007Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 29, 2005Date of Patent: May 26, 2009Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Hailiang Zhao, Steven J. May, Jeffrey S. Lund, Kurt J. Casby