Patents by Inventor Luke J. Christenson

Luke J. Christenson 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: 10032565
    Abstract: One aspect provides a capacitor feedthrough assembly having an electrically conductive member dimensioned to extend at least partially through a feedthrough hole of a case of the capacitor, the conductive member having a passage therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Brian L. Schmidt, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, Richard J. Kavanagh, Rajesh Iyer, Alexander G. Barr, Luke J. Christenson, Brian V. Waytashek, Brian D. Schenk, Gregory J. Sherwood
  • Publication number: 20170076874
    Abstract: One aspect provides a capacitor feedthrough assembly having an electrically conductive member dimensioned to extend at least partially through a feedthrough hole of a case of the capacitor, the conductive member having a passage therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Brian L. Schmidt, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, Richard J. Kavanagh, Rajesh Iyer, Alexander G. Barr, Luke J. Christenson, Brian V. Waytashek, Brian D. Schenk, Gregory J. Sherwood
  • Publication number: 20160372267
    Abstract: One aspect provides a capacitor feedthrough assembly having an electrically conductive member dimensioned to extend at least partially through a feedthrough hole of a case of the capacitor, the conductive member having a passage therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2016
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Brian L. Schmidt, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, Richard J. Kavanagh, Rajesh Iyer, Alexander G. Barr, Luke J. Christenson, Brian V. Waytashek, Brian D. Schenk, Gregory J. Sherwood
  • Patent number: 9443660
    Abstract: One aspect provides a capacitor feedthrough assembly having an electrically conductive member dimensioned to extend at least partially through a feedthrough hole of a case of the capacitor, the conductive member having a passage therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Brian L. Schmidt, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, Richard J. Kavanagh, Rajesh Iyer, Alexander G. Barr, Luke J. Christenson, Brian V. Waytashek, Brian D. Schenk, Gregory J. Sherwood
  • Publication number: 20140268499
    Abstract: One aspect provides a capacitor feedthrough assembly having an electrically conductive member dimensioned to extend at least partially through a feedthrough hole of a case of the capacitor, the conductive member having a passage therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Brian L. Schmidt, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, Richard J. Kavanagh, Rajesh Iyer, Alexander G. Barr, Luke J. Christenson, Brian V. Waytashek, Brian D. Schenk, Gregory J. Sherwood
  • Patent number: 8744575
    Abstract: One aspect provides a capacitor feedthrough assembly having an electrically conductive member dimensioned to extend at least partially through a feedthrough hole of a case of the capacitor, the conductive member having a passage therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Brian L. Schmidt, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, Richard J. Kavanagh, Rajesh Iyer, Alexander Gordon Barr, Luke J. Christenson, Brian V. Waytashek, Brian D. Schenk, Gregory J. Sherwood
  • Publication number: 20090269610
    Abstract: Implantable defibrillators are implanted into the chests of patients prone to suffering ventricular fibrillation, a potentially fatal heart condition. A critical component in these devices is an aluminum electrolytic capacitor, which stores and delivers life-saving bursts of electric charge to a fibrillating heart. To reduce capacitor size, manufacturers have developed special aluminum foils, such as core-etched and tunnel-etched aluminum foils. Unfortunately, core-etched foils don't work well in multiple-anode capacitors, and tunnel-etched foils are brittle and tend to break when making some common types of capacitors. Accordingly, the inventors devised a new foil structure having perforations and cavities. In an exemplary embodiment, each perforation and cavity has a cross-sectional area, with the perforations having a larger, for example, 2 to 100 times larger, average cross-sectional area than the cavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Luke J. Christenson, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong
  • Patent number: 7558051
    Abstract: Implantable defibrillators are implanted into the chests of patients prone to suffering ventricular fibrillation, a potentially fatal heart condition. A critical component in these devices is an aluminum electrolytic capacitor, which stores and delivers life-saving bursts of electric charge to a fibrillating heart. To reduce capacitor size, manufacturers have developed special aluminum foils, such as core-etched and tunnel-etched aluminum foils. Unfortunately, core-etched foils don't work well in multiple-anode capacitors, and tunnel-etched foils are brittle and tend to break when making some common types of capacitors. Accordingly, the inventors devised a new foil structure having perforations and cavities. In an exemplary embodiment, each perforation and cavity has a cross-sectional area, with the perforations having a larger, for example, 2 to 100 times larger, average cross-sectional area than the cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Luke J. Christenson, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong
  • Patent number: 7190569
    Abstract: Implantable heart-monitoring devices, such as defibrillators, pacemakers, and cardioverters, detect abnormal heart rhythms and automatically apply corrective electrical therapy, specifically one or more bursts of electric charge, to abnormally beating hearts. Critical parts in these devices include the capacitors that store and deliver the bursts of electric charge. Some devices use cylindrical aluminum electrolytic capacitors which include terminals that extend from one end of the case, making the capacitor longer and generally necessitating use of larger device housings. Accordingly, the inventors devised capacitor connection structures that allow size reduction. One exemplary capacitor includes two conductive endcaps at opposite ends of its capacitive element, instead of two upright terminals at one end, thereby allowing reduction in the height or volume of the capacitor and/or increases in the dimensions of other components, such as aluminum foils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Robert R. Tong, Luke J. Christenson
  • Patent number: 7157671
    Abstract: One aspect provides a capacitor having a first stack of capacitive elements a second stack of capacitive elements, wherein the first and second stacks are enclosed in separate compartments of a capacitor case that electrically isolate the electrolytes of each stack from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Brian L. Schmidt, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, Richard J. Kavanagh, Rajesh Iyer, Alexander Gordon Barr, Luke J. Christenson, Brian V. Waytashek, Brian D. Schenk, Gregory J. Sherwood
  • Patent number: 7072713
    Abstract: One aspect provides a capacitor feedthrough assembly having an electrically conductive member dimensioned to extend at least partially through a feedthrough hole of a case of the capacitor, the conductive member having a passage therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Brian L. Schmidt, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, Richard J. Kavanagh, Rajesh Iyer, Alexander Gordon Barr, Luke J. Christenson, Brian V. Waytashek, Brian D. Schenk, Gregory J. Sherwood
  • Patent number: 7043300
    Abstract: Implantable defibrillators are implanted into the chests of patients prone to suffering ventricular fibrillation, a potentially fatal heart condition. A critical component in these devices is an aluminum electrolytic capacitors, which stores and delivers one or more life-saving bursts of electric charge to a fibrillating heart. To reduce the size of these devices, capacitor manufacturers have developed special aluminum foils, for example core-etched and tunnel-etched aluminum foils. Unfortunately, core-etched foils don't work well in multiple-anode capacitors, and tunnel-etched foils are quite brittle and tend to break when making some common types of capacitors. Accordingly, the inventors devised a new foil structure having one or more perforations and one or more cavities with a depth less than the foil thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Luke J. Christenson, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong
  • Patent number: 6881232
    Abstract: A multi-anodic aluminum electrolytic capacitor includes an electrical connection to the multiple porous (e.g., tunnel-etched) anodes in an anode stack using a single anode tab that is attached only to a first anode. Other anodes are electrically coupled to the anode tab through the first anode. Anodes in the anode stack are in intimate physical and electrical contact with other such anodes as a result of layering effected by planar stacking or cylindrical winding. The need for separate tabs to different anode layers is eliminated or at least minimized, thereby reducing capacitor volume, increasing capacitor reliability, and reducing the cost and complexity of the capacitor manufacturing process for multi-anodic capacitors. The capacitor is capable of use in implantable defibrillators, camera photoflashes, and other electric circuit applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Robert R. Tong, James M. Poplett, Luke J. Christenson, Alexander Gordon Barr, Brian V. Waytashek
  • Patent number: 6853538
    Abstract: Implantable defibrillators are implanted into the chests of patients prone to suffering ventricular fibrillation, a potentially fatal heart condition. Critical components in these devices are aluminum electrolytic capacitors, which store and deliver one or more life-saving bursts of electric charge to a fibrillating heart. These capacitors make up about one third the total size of the defibrillators. Unfortunately, manufacturers of these capacitors have paid little or no attention to reducing the size of these capacitors through improved capacitor packaging. Accordingly, the inventors devised a unique capacitor lid, or header, assembly that allows size reduction. Specifically, one embodiment of the header assembly includes two recesses, each with a depth that allows the head of a rivet (or other fastener) to be substantially flush, or coplanar, with the underside of the header. Another embodiment includes a single recess to receive two rivet heads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Robert R. Tong, Luke J. Christenson, Steven A. Rubin
  • Publication number: 20040193221
    Abstract: Implantable heart-monitoring devices, such as defibrillators, pacemakers, and cardioverters, detect abnormal heart rhythms and automatically apply corrective electrical therapy, specifically one or more bursts of electric charge, to abnormally beating hearts. Critical parts in these devices include the capacitors that store and deliver the bursts of electric charge. Some devices use cylindrical aluminum electrolytic capacitors which include terminals that extend from one end of the case, making the capacitor longer and generally necessitating use of larger device housings. Accordingly, the inventors devised capacitor connection structures that allow size reduction. One exemplary capacitor includes two conductive endcaps at opposite ends of its capacitive element, instead of two upright terminals at one end, thereby allowing reduction in the height or volume of the capacitor and/or increases in the dimensions of other components, such as aluminum foils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Robert R. Tong, Luke J. Christenson
  • Publication number: 20040147961
    Abstract: One aspect provides a capacitor feedthrough assembly having an electrically conductive member dimensioned to extend at least partially through a feedthrough hole of a case of the capacitor, the conductive member having a passage therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Brian L. Schmidt, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, Richard J. Kavanagh, Rajesh Iyer, Alexander Gordon Barr, Luke J. Christenson, Brian V. Waytashek, Brian D. Schenk, Gregory J. Sherwood
  • Publication number: 20040147960
    Abstract: One aspect provides a capacitor having a first stack of capacitive elements a second stack of capacitive elements, wherein the first and second stacks are enclosed in separate compartments of a capacitor case that electrically isolate the electrolytes of each stack from one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Brian L. Schmidt, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, Richard J. Kavanagh, Rajesh Iyer, Alexander Gordon Barr, Luke J. Christenson, Brian V. Waytashek, Brian D. Schenk, Gregory J. Sherwood
  • Publication number: 20040105212
    Abstract: A multi-anodic aluminum electrolytic capacitor includes an electrical connection to the multiple porous (e.g., tunnel-etched) anodes in an anode stack using a single anode tab that is attached only to a first anode. Other anodes are electrically coupled to the anode tab through the first anode. Anodes in the anode stack are in intimate physical and electrical contact with other such anodes as a result of layering effected by planar stacking or cylindrical winding. The need for separate tabs to different anode layers is eliminated or at least minimized, thereby reducing capacitor volume, increasing capacitor reliability, and reducing the cost and complexity of the capacitor manufacturing process for multi-anodic capacitors. The capacitor is capable of use in implantable defibrillators, camera photoflashes, and other electric circuit applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Robert R. Tong, James M. Poplett, Luke J. Christenson, Alexander Gordon Barr, Brian V. Waytashek
  • Patent number: 6699265
    Abstract: One embodiment includes a capacitor having a first anode stack having a first number of anode foils, a second anode stack having a second number of anode foils, where the first number of anode foils is different than the second number of anode foils. Another aspect provides a capacitor having a case having a curved interior surface, and first, second, and third capacitor modules that confront the curved interior surface of the case. One aspect provides a capacitor having one or more anodes and a cathode structure comprising a plurality of integrally connected cathode plates, the cathode structure having a serpentine shape, interweaving under and over each of the one or more anodes. One aspect provides a feedthrough assembly having an electrically conductive member dimensioned to extend at least partially through a feedthrough hole of a case of the capacitor, the conductive member having a passage therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Brian L. Schmidt, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong, Richard J. Kavanagh, Rajesh Iyer, Alexander Gordon Barr, Luke J. Christenson, Brian V. Waytashek, Brian D. Schenk, Gregory J. Sherwood
  • Publication number: 20040039421
    Abstract: Implantable defibrillators are implanted into the chests of patients prone to suffering ventricular fibrillation, a potentially fatal heart condition. A critical component in these devices is an aluminum electrolytic capacitors, which stores and delivers one or more life-saving bursts of electric charge to a fibrillating heart. To reduce the size of these devices, capacitor manufacturers have developed special aluminum foils, for example core-etched and tunnel-etched aluminum foils. Unfortunately, core-etched foils don't work well in multiple-anode capacitors, and tunnel-etched foils are quite brittle and tend to break when making some common types of capacitors. Accordingly, the inventors devised a new foil structure having one or more perforations and one or more cavities with a depth less than the foil thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. O'Phelan, Luke J. Christenson, James M. Poplett, Robert R. Tong