Patents by Inventor James M. Speckien

James M. Speckien 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).

  • Publication number: 20100168740
    Abstract: Steerable electrophysiology catheters for use in mapping and/or ablation of accessory pathways in myocardial tissue of the heart wall and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The catheter comprises a catheter body and handle, the catheter body having a proximal section and a distal section and manipulators that enable the deflection of a distal segment of the distal tip section with respect to the independently formed curvature of a proximal segment of the distal tip section through a bending or knuckle motion of an intermediate segment between the proximal and distal segments. A wide angular range of deflection within a very small curve or bend radius in the intermediate segment is obtained. At least one distal tip electrode is preferably confined to the distal segment which can have a straight axis extending distally from the intermediate segment. The curvature of the proximal segment and the bending angle of the intermediate segment are independently selectable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Mark T. Stewart, Johnson E. Goode, James M. Speckien, Mark A. Taube, Eduardo N. Warman
  • Patent number: 7706894
    Abstract: Steerable electrophysiology catheters for use in mapping and/or ablation of accessory pathways in myocardial tissue of the heart wall and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The catheter comprises a catheter body and handle, the catheter body having a proximal section and a distal section and manipulators that enable the deflection of a distal segment of the distal tip section with respect to the independently formed curvature of a proximal segment of the distal tip section through a bending or knuckle motion of an intermediate segment between the proximal and distal segments. A wide angular range of deflection within a very small curve or bend radius in the intermediate segment is obtained. At least one distal tip electrode is preferably confined to the distal segment which can have a straight axis extending distally from the intermediate segment. The curvature of the proximal segment and the bending angle of the intermediate segment are independently selectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Stewart, Johnson E. Goode, James M. Speckien, Mark A. Taube, Eduardo N. Warman
  • Patent number: 6926669
    Abstract: Steerable electrophysiology catheters for use in mapping and/or ablation of accessory pathways in myocardial tissue of the heart wall and methods of use thereof are disclosed. The catheter comprises a catheter body and handle, the catheter body having a proximal section and a distal section and manipulators that enable the deflection of a distal segment of the distal tip section with respect to the independently formed curvature of a proximal segment of the distal tip section through a bending or knuckle motion of an intermediate segment between the proximal and distal segments. A wide angular range of deflection within a very small curve or bend radius in the intermediate segment is obtained. At least one distal tip electrode is preferably confined to the distal segment which can have a straight axis extending distally from the intermediate segment. The curvature of the proximal segment and the bending angle of the intermediate segment are independently selectable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark T. Stewart, Johnson E. Goode, James M. Speckien, Mark A. Taube, Eduardo N. Warman
  • Patent number: 5849025
    Abstract: A hermetically sealed medical device such as a cardioverter is disclosed, where the device contains an electrochemical capacitor having at least one electrode formed from a particularly efficacious electrode material. In one embodiment of the present invention, the electrode material comprises electrically conductive carbon, a soluble salt, a non-aqueous liquid solvent and a gel-former. The electrode material of the present invention is especially well adapted for use in multi-layer capacitors in which very thin layers are desirable. The thin layers of the electrochemical capacitor of the present invention are characterized in having very low electrical resistance, and thus permit the capacitor to be discharged very rapidly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc
    Inventors: Boone B. Owens, James M. Speckien
  • Patent number: 5646815
    Abstract: An electrode material for an electrochemical capacitor and electrochemical capacitors utilizing the electrode material. The electrode material comprises electrically conductive carbon, a soluble salt, a non-aqueous liquid solvent, and a gel-former. Such a solid electrode material is especially well adapted for use in multi-layer capacitors in which such components can be made very thin, thereby providing a very low resistance for the device and permitting rapid discharge of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Boone B. Owens, James M. Speckien
  • Patent number: 5040544
    Abstract: A medical electrical lead having a polyurethane outer sheath and one or more coiled metal conductors. The metal conductors are optimized for use in conjunction with a polyurethane sheath and are provided with a barrier coating of a biocompatible metal. The conductors may additionally be provided with an outer, insulative coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Lessar, Duane L. Rosenberg, Robert E. Kraska, James M. Speckien, James E. Upton
  • Patent number: 4947866
    Abstract: A medical electrical lead having a polyurethane outer sheath and one or more coiled metal conductors. The metal conductors are optimized for use in conjunction with a polyurethane sheath and are provided with a barrier coating of a biocompatible metal. The conductors may additionally be provided with an outer, insulative coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Lessar, Duane L. Rosenberg, Robert E. Kraska, James M. Speckien, James E. Upton
  • Patent number: 4860446
    Abstract: A medical electrical lead having a polyurethane outer sheath and one or more coiled metal conductors. The metal conductors are optimized for use in conjunction with a polyurethane sheath and are provided with a barrier coating of a biocompatible metal. The conductors may additionally be provided with an outer, insulative coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph F. Lessar, Duane L. Rosenberg, Robert E. Kraska, James M. Speckien, James E. Upton