Patents by Inventor John E. Kast

John E. Kast 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: 9826963
    Abstract: An external medical device generates a drive signal inductively coupled to an implantable coil from an external coil. A regulator module coupled to the implantable coil generates an output signal in response to the inductively coupled signal and a feedback signal correlated to an amplitude of the inductively coupled signal. A signal generator receives the output signal for generating a therapeutic electrical stimulation signal. The control module adjusts the drive signal in response to the feedback signal to control the electrical stimulation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik R. Scott, John E. Kast, Xuan K. Wei, Todd V. Smith, Joel A. Anderson, Forrest C. M. Pape, Duane L. Bourget, Timothy J. Denison, David A. Dinsmoor, Randy S. Roles, Stephen J. Roddy
  • Publication number: 20170296831
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) has a housing enclosing an electronic circuit. The housing includes a shield member defining a first portion of an interior cavity of the implantable medical device and a skirted feedthrough assembly. The feedthrough assembly includes a shield extender having a top face and a sidewall that extends from the top face so that the top face and the sidewall are a single continuous component. At least one feedthrough aperture extends through the top face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: John E. Kast, Linda M. Johnson-Morke, Chris J. Paidosh, Randy S. Roles
  • Publication number: 20170136244
    Abstract: In some examples, an implantable medical device includes an implantable housing, a neurostimulator within the housing, a plurality of electrodes, an implantable lead coupled to the housing, and an actuator formed with the housing. The implantable lead includes at least one electrode of the plurality of electrodes and one or more conductors coupling the at least one electrode to the neurostimulator. The actuator is configured to cause at least a portion of the implantable lead to deflect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Eric H. Bonde, John E. Kast, Erik R. Scott, Xuan K. Wei
  • Patent number: 9629996
    Abstract: An implantable medical lead includes a lead body having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The lead also includes first and second contacts located at the proximal portion of the lead body, and includes first and second electrodes located at the distal portion of the lead body. The first electrode is electrically coupled to the first contact and the second electrode is electrically coupled to the second contact. The first contact has a proximal end and a distal end and the second contact has proximal end and a distal end. The second contact is radially spaced apart from the first contact. The contacts do not extend around the lead body. This disclosure also relates to an implantable lead extension and to an implantable signal generator having connectors configured to receive the present lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Kast, James A. Zimmerman, Craig S. Pilarski, William C. Phillips, Thomas I. Miller, Mary L. Boatright
  • Patent number: 9610453
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) has a housing enclosing an electronic circuit. The housing includes a shield member defining a first portion of an interior cavity of the implantable medical device and a skirted feedthrough assembly. The feedthrough assembly includes a shield extender having a top face and a sidewall that extends from the top face so that the top face and the sidewall are a single continuous component. At least one feedthrough aperture extends through the top face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: John E. Kast, Linda M. Johnson-Morke, Chris J. Paidosh, Randy S. Roles
  • Publication number: 20170079683
    Abstract: An introducer for a medical lead, the introducer having an arcuate component for creating an arcuate path in a patient. When used to percutaneously implant a medical device such as a medical lead with electrodes, the implanted lead has an arcuate configuration. The implanted lead can be used to at least partially encircle or bracket a region of chronic pain and provide therapeutic electrical signals to the region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Carl D. Wahlstrand, John E. Kast, Gabriela C. Molnar, Glenna L. Case, Lisa M. Johanek, Phillip C. Falkner
  • Patent number: 9560787
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques for managing heat generated in coils for wireless energy transmission are disclosed. Inductive coupling between two coils (e.g., a primary coil and a secondary coil) may be used to recharge the power source of an implantable medical device. A phase change material may be thermally coupled to the primary coil to absorb heat generated during the inductive coupling and reduce temperature increases of the primary coil. In one example, the phase change material may be configured to absorb heat from an energy transfer coil. A housing may be configured to contain the phase change material and a coupling mechanism may be configured to removably attach the housing to the energy transfer coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Kallmyer, John E. Kast, David P. Olson, Randy S. Roles, Venkat R. Gaddam
  • Patent number: 9517352
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to be placed about an implantable medical device having a face with a geometric center offset from a center of a recharge coil of the device includes first and second opposing major exterior surfaces, and a continuous exterior side surface joining the first and second opposing major exterior surfaces. A cavity is defined between, and an opening is formed by, the first and second major surfaces and the continuous side surface. The opening is in communication with the cavity and is configured to allow the device to access the cavity. An asymmetric region, adjacent to the cavity, is formed between a portion of the first and second major surfaces and the continuous side surface. The asymmetric region is configured to shift the geometric center of the combined apparatus and device, when the device is received in the cavity, towards the center of the recharge coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Kast, Steve T. Deininger, Raymond F. McMullen
  • Patent number: 9511217
    Abstract: An introducer for a medical lead, the introducer having an arcuate component for creating an arcuate path in a patient. When used to percutaneously implant a medical device such as a medical lead with electrodes, the implanted lead has an arcuate configuration. The implanted lead can be used to at least partially encircle or bracket a region of chronic pain and provide therapeutic electrical signals to the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl D. Wahlstrand, John E. Kast, Gabriela C. Molnar, Glenna L. Case, Lisa M. Johanek, Phillip C. Falkner
  • Publication number: 20160331978
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) has a housing enclosing an electronic circuit. The housing includes a first housing portion, a second housing portion and a joint coupling the first housing portion to the second housing portion. A polymer seal is positioned in the joint in various embodiments. Other embodiments of an IMD housing are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Brad C. Tischendorf, John E. Kast, Thomas P. Miltich, Gordon O. Munns, Randy S. Roles, Craig L. Schmidt, Joseph J. Viavattine, Christian S. Nielsen, Prabhakar A. Tamirisa, Anthony M. Chasensky, Markus W. Reiterer, Chris J. Paidosh, Reginald D. Robinson, Bernard Q. Li, Erik R. Scott, Phillip C. Falkner, Xuan K. Wei, Eric H. Bonde
  • Patent number: 9427572
    Abstract: An implantable medical device comprises one or more electrical stimulation generators, and a housing that contains the one or more electrical stimulation generators. The implantable medical device includes a first connector block that electrically connects the first medical lead to at least one of the one or more electrical stimulation generators, and a second connector block that electrically connects the second medical lead to at least one of the one or more electrical stimulation generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Kast, William Witt
  • Patent number: 9403022
    Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a housing; at least one module enclosed within the housing and configured to at least one of generate an electrical stimulation therapy for delivery to a patient or monitor a physiological parameter of the patient; one or more feedthroughs extending through the housing; a header assembly including one or more electrical connectors electrically coupled to the module via the feedthroughs; and a preformed gasket compressed between the housing and the header assembly forming a seal to electrically isolate the feedthroughs from an external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Ries, David B. Engmark, John E. Kast, Jean-Francois Fischer
  • Patent number: 9398901
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) has a housing enclosing an electronic circuit. The housing includes a first housing portion, a second housing portion and a joint coupling the first housing portion to the second housing portion. A polymer enclosure member surrounds the joint and circumscribes the housing in various embodiments. Other embodiments of an IMD housing are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad C. Tischendorf, John E. Kast, Thomas P. Miltich, Gordon O. Munns, Randy S. Roles, Craig L. Schmidt, Joseph J. Viavattine, Christian S. Nielsen, Prabhakar A. Tamirisa, Anthony M. Chasensky, Markus W. Reiterer, Chris J. Paidosh, Reginald D. Robinson, Bernard Q. Li, Erik R. Scott, Phillip C. Falkner, Xuan K. Wei, Eric H. Bonde
  • Publication number: 20160121125
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) has a housing enclosing an electronic circuit. The housing includes a shield member defining a first portion of an interior cavity of the implantable medical device and a skirted feedthrough assembly. The feedthrough assembly includes a shield extender having a top face and a sidewall that extends from the top face so that the top face and the sidewall are a single continuous component. At least one feedthrough aperture extends through the top face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: John E. Kast, Linda M. Johnson-Morke, Chris J. Paidosh, Randy S. Roles
  • Patent number: 9278223
    Abstract: A medical device lead connector includes two or more electrically conducting contact rings spaced apart by electrically insulating ceramic ring. An electrically insulating glass material fixes the two or more electrically conducting contact rings to the insulating ceramic ring in axial alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Kast, Darren A. Janzig, Christopher J. Paidosh, Andrew J. Thom, Brad C. Tischendorf, Gerald G. Lindner
  • Patent number: 9216297
    Abstract: Techniques adapted for use with recharging a rechargeable power source of an implantable device. One aspect relates to providing a flexible primary coil that can be transcutaneously coupled to a secondary coil of the implantable device. Multiple adjacent turns of the coil are grouped via lacing to form bundles. The bundles have at least one dimension that is selected to be a same size as a predetermined thickness of the coil. In one embodiment, the dimension is a diameter of the bundle. In another embodiment, the dimension is at least one of a length or width of the bundle. Insulating overmolding may be provided over the coil. In one embodiment, the resulting antenna structure is bidirectional such that substantially the same performance characteristics are obtained during recharge regardless of which of two major surfaces of the antenna is placed in proximity to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: John E. Kast, Randy S. Roles, Bruce D. Fishbeck, Thipphaphone Lougiu, Todd A. Kallmyer, Jay T. Eisch, David P. Olson, William C. Phillips, Matthew C. Lukasek, Lonnie B. Gades
  • Publication number: 20150209578
    Abstract: An implantable medical device comprises one or more electrical stimulation generators, and a housing that contains the one or more electrical stimulation generators. The implantable medical device includes a first connector block that electrically connects the first medical lead to at least one of the one or more electrical stimulation generators, and a second connector block that electrically connects the second medical lead to at least one of the one or more electrical stimulation generators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: John E. Kast, William Witt
  • Patent number: 9008782
    Abstract: An implantable medical device comprises one or more electrical stimulation generators, and a housing that contains the one or more electrical stimulation generators. The implantable medical device also includes a first medical lead no greater than about 6 inches in length, and a second medical lead no greater than about 6 inches in length. The housing includes a first connector block that electrically connects the first medical lead to at least one of the one or more electrical stimulation generators, and a second connector block that electrically connects the second medical lead to at least one of the one or more electrical stimulation generators. The implantable medical device may be part of an electrical stimulation system implanted beneath the skin and inferior to the inion of a patient to deliver stimulation therapy to at least one of an occipital nerve and a branch of the occipital nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Kast, William Witt
  • Publication number: 20150073509
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques for managing heat generated in coils for wireless energy transmission are disclosed. Inductive coupling between two coils (e.g., a primary coil and a secondary coil) may be used to recharge the power source of an implantable medical device. A phase change material may be thermally coupled to the primary coil to absorb heat generated during the inductive coupling and reduce temperature increases of the primary coil. In one example, the phase change material may be configured to absorb heat from an energy transfer coil. A housing may be configured to contain the phase change material and a coupling mechanism may be configured to removably attach the housing to the energy transfer coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Todd A. Kallmyer, John E. Kast, David P. Olson, Randy S. Roles, Venkat R. Gaddam
  • Patent number: 8929993
    Abstract: A medical lead includes a plurality of electrodes on an annular distal end portion of the lead. The electrodes may be arranged along a circle concentric with the center of a void defined by the annular portion. The annular medical lead design is well suited for application of electrical signal therapy to the suborbital nerve at its point of exit from the inferior orbital foramen in the skull.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl D. Wahlstrand, Dale F. Seeley, Lisa M. Johanek, John E. Kast, Phillip C. Falkner, Louis P. Vera-Portocarrero