Patents by Inventor Linda L. Franke

Linda L. Franke 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: 20220313310
    Abstract: A tethering assembly for securing a medical device includes a shaft and a wire that extends in sliding engagement within a proximal lumen, a channel, and a distal receptacle of the shaft. A retainer zone of the shaft, through which the channel extends, stops a transition segment of the wire, which extends between a proximal and a distal segment of the wire, from moving into the shaft receptacle, thereby restraining a distal-most tip of the wire from moving through a distal-most opening of the receptacle. When a projecting member of the device has entered a secure zone of the receptacle, via movement through the distal-most opening and a tapering passageway thereof, the distal-most tip of the wire, which may be spring-biased, can move distally into the passageway so that the tip blocks the projecting member from moving distally, back through the passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin R. Seifert, Vania Lee, Linda L. Franke, Lonnie D. Ronning, Dina L. Williams, Michael D. Eggen, Carla C. Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 11376039
    Abstract: A tethering assembly for securing a medical device includes a shaft and a wire that extends in sliding engagement within a proximal lumen, a channel, and a distal receptacle of the shaft. A retainer zone of the shaft, through which the channel extends, stops a transition segment of the wire, which extends between a proximal and a distal segment of the wire, from moving into the shaft receptacle, thereby restraining a distal-most tip of the wire from moving through a distal-most opening of the receptacle. When a projecting member of the device has entered a secure zone of the receptacle, via movement through the distal-most opening and a tapering passageway thereof, the distal-most tip of the wire, which may be spring-biased, can move distally into the passageway so that the tip blocks the projecting member from moving distally, back through the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin R. Seifert, Vania Lee, Linda L. Franke, Lonnie D. Ronning, Dina L. Williams, Michael D. Eggen, Carla C. Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 11020587
    Abstract: A distal electrode of an electrode assembly, for example, employed by an implantable medical electrical lead device, extends distally from a distal terminal end of a sleeve of the assembly; and the sleeve, which defines a longitudinal axis of the assembly, includes a plurality of channels that provide fluid communication between a steroid eluting component, which is seated in an external groove of the sleeve, and an area distal to the distal terminal end of the sleeve. Floors of some or all of the sleeve channels may angle toward the longitudinal axis of the assembly, being closer to the axis at the distal terminal end of the sleeve. The assembly may further include a proximal electrode secured to a proximal end of the sleeve, wherein the proximal electrode may be mounted around an outer surface of the sleeve or coupled to the sleeve by means of a coupling component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Clemens, Linda L. Franke, Mark T. Marshall, Timothy M. Ramos, Vania Lee
  • Patent number: 10532206
    Abstract: The present invention may comprise an improvement to the prior art leads as disclosed above. In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises an intravenous medical electrical lead that includes an elongated lead body. The elongated lead body comprises a length between a proximal end and a curved distal end, the lead body defining a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the curved distal end. The lead body having an outer circumference and provided with a set of electrodes circumferentially spaced apart. Each electrode includes an electrically active portion and an insulated portion at an outer circumference of the electrode. The lead body is further configured to move through a coronary vein while substantially retaining its curved distal end. The lead body may freely move longitudinally within a delivery catheter that guides the lead to myocardial tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John L Sommer, William J Clemens, Linda L Franke
  • Publication number: 20190290899
    Abstract: A distal electrode of an electrode assembly, for example, employed by an implantable medical electrical lead device, extends distally from a distal terminal end of a sleeve of the assembly; and the sleeve, which defines a longitudinal axis of the assembly, includes a plurality of channels that provide fluid communication between a steroid eluting component, which is seated in an external groove of the sleeve, and an area distal to the distal terminal end of the sleeve. Floors of some or all of the sleeve channels may angle toward the longitudinal axis of the assembly, being closer to the axis at the distal terminal end of the sleeve. The assembly may further include a proximal electrode secured to a proximal end of the sleeve, wherein the proximal electrode may be mounted around an outer surface of the sleeve or coupled to the sleeve by means of a coupling component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: William J. Clemens, Linda L. Franke, Mark T. Marshall, Timothy M. Ramos, Vania Lee
  • Patent number: 10315028
    Abstract: A medical electrical lead and a method of its use. The lead has an elongated lead body having an outer circumference and provided with an electrode. A push tube is mounted circumferentially around the lead body and the lead body is longitudinally movable with respect thereto. A fixation helix is mounted to the push tube, extending along a generally helical axis around the outer circumference of the lead body. The lead may be employed by advancing the lead to a desired location for the fixation helix and then rotating the push tube to secure the helix to tissue. The lead body may then be moved longitudinally with respect to the push tube to place the electrode in a desirable location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John L Sommer, Linda L Franke
  • Patent number: 10092744
    Abstract: A medical electrical lead and a method of its use. The lead has an elongated lead body having an outer circumference and provided with an electrode. A push tube is mounted circumferentially around the lead body and the lead body is longitudinally movable with respect thereto. A fixation helix is mounted to the push tube, extending along a generally helical axis around the outer circumference of the lead body. The lead may be employed by advancing the lead to a desired location for the fixation helix and then rotating the push tube to secure the helix to tissue. The lead body may then be moved longitudinally with respect to the push tube to place the electrode in a desirable location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Sommer, Linda L. Franke
  • Publication number: 20180280057
    Abstract: A tethering assembly for securing a medical device includes a shaft and a wire that extends in sliding engagement within a proximal lumen, a channel, and a distal receptacle of the shaft. A retainer zone of the shaft, through which the channel extends, stops a transition segment of the wire, which extends between a proximal and a distal segment of the wire, from moving into the shaft receptacle, thereby restraining a distal-most tip of the wire from moving through a distal-most opening of the receptacle. When a projecting member of the device has entered a secure zone of the receptacle, via movement through the distal-most opening and a tapering passageway thereof, the distal-most tip of the wire, which may be spring-biased, can move distally into the passageway so that the tip blocks the projecting member from moving distally, back through the passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Kevin R. SEIFERT, Vania LEE, Linda L. FRANKE, Lonnie D. RONNING, Dina L. WILLIAMS, Michael D. EGGEN, Carla C. PFEIFFER
  • Patent number: 10016591
    Abstract: The present disclosure may comprise an improvement to the prior art leads as disclosed above. One embodiment is directed to an intravenous medical electrical lead that includes an elongated lead body. The elongated lead body comprises a length between proximal and distal ends with a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The distal end of the lead body includes a plurality of electrodes forming first and second pairs of electrodes. The first pair of electrodes comprises one electrode electrically connected to another electrode circumferentially and diagonally spaced apart along the longitudinal axis. The second pair of electrodes comprising one electrode electrically connected to another electrode circumferentially and diagonally spaced apart along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John L Sommer, William J Clemens, Linda L Franke
  • Patent number: 9901732
    Abstract: The present disclosure may comprise an improvement to the prior art leads as disclosed above. One embodiment is directed to an intravenous medical electrical lead that includes an elongated lead body. The elongated lead body comprises a length between proximal and distal ends with a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The distal end of the lead body includes a plurality of electrodes forming first and second pairs of electrodes. The first pair of electrodes comprises one electrode electrically connected to another electrode circumferentially and diagonally spaced apart along the longitudinal axis. The second pair of electrodes comprising one electrode electrically connected to another electrode circumferentially and diagonally spaced apart along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John L Sommer, William J Clemens, Linda L Franke
  • Publication number: 20160339235
    Abstract: A medical electrical lead and a method of its use. The lead has an elongated lead body having an outer circumference and provided with an electrode. A push tube is mounted circumferentially around the lead body and the lead body is longitudinally movable with respect thereto. A fixation helix is mounted to the push tube, extending along a generally helical axis around the outer circumference of the lead body. The lead may be employed by advancing the lead to a desired location for the fixation helix and then rotating the push tube to secure the helix to tissue. The lead body may then be moved longitudinally with respect to the push tube to place the electrode in a desirable location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: John L. Sommer, Linda L. Franke
  • Publication number: 20160114155
    Abstract: The present invention may comprise an improvement to the prior art leads as disclosed above. In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises an medical electrical lead that includes an elongated lead body. The elongated lead body comprises a length between a proximal end and a curved distal end, the lead body defining a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the distal end. The lead body having an outer circumference and provided with a set of electrodes circumferentially spaced apart. Each electrode includes an electrically active portion and an insulated portion at an outer circumference of the electrode along a first longitudinal plane and along a second longitudinal plane diametrically opposed to the first longitudinal plane are insulated electrodes. Each electrode is configured to include a guide aid to engage with a non-conductive housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: John L. Sommer, William J. Clemens, Linda L. Franke
  • Publication number: 20160114152
    Abstract: The present disclosure may comprise an improvement to the prior art leads as disclosed above. One embodiment is directed to an intravenous medical electrical lead that includes an elongated lead body. The elongated lead body comprises a length between proximal and distal ends with a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The distal end of the lead body includes a plurality of electrodes forming first and second pairs of electrodes. The first pair of electrodes comprises one electrode electrically connected to another electrode circumferentially and diagonally spaced apart along the longitudinal axis. The second pair of electrodes comprising one electrode electrically connected to another electrode circumferentially and diagonally spaced apart along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: John L Sommer, William J Clemens, Linda L Franke
  • Publication number: 20160114153
    Abstract: The present invention may comprise an improvement to the prior art leads as disclosed above. In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises an intravenous medical electrical lead that includes an elongated lead body. The elongated lead body comprises a length between a proximal end and a curved distal end, the lead body defining a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal end and the curved distal end. The lead body having an outer circumference and provided with a set of electrodes circumferentially spaced apart. Each electrode includes an electrically active portion and an insulated portion at an outer circumference of the electrode. The lead body is further configured to move through a coronary vein while substantially retaining its curved distal end. The lead body may freely move longitudinally within a delivery catheter that guides the lead to myocardial tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: John L. Sommer, William J. Clemens, Linda L. Franke
  • Publication number: 20160114151
    Abstract: The present disclosure may comprise an improvement to the prior art leads as disclosed above. One embodiment is directed to an intravenous medical electrical lead that includes an elongated lead body. The elongated lead body comprises a length between proximal and distal ends with a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The distal end of the lead body includes a plurality of electrodes forming first and second pairs of electrodes. The first pair of electrodes comprises one electrode electrically connected to another electrode circumferentially and diagonally spaced apart along the longitudinal axis. The second pair of electrodes comprising one electrode electrically connected to another electrode circumferentially and diagonally spaced apart along the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: John L. Sommer, William J. Clemens, Linda L. Franke
  • Publication number: 20150306380
    Abstract: A medical electrical lead and a method of its use. The lead has an elongated lead body having an outer circumference and provided with an electrode. A push tube is mounted circumferentially around the lead body and the lead body is longitudinally movable with respect thereto. A fixation helix is mounted to the push tube, extending along a generally helical axis around the outer circumference of the lead body. The lead may be employed by advancing the lead to a desired location for the fixation helix and then rotating the push tube to secure the helix to tissue. The lead body may then be moved longitudinally with respect to the push tube to place the electrode in a desirable location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Sommer, Linda L. Franke