Patents by Inventor Patrick J. Combs

Patrick J. Combs 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).

  • Body heat powered implantable medical device
    Patent number: 6470212
    Abstract: A system for and method of providing power to an implanted medical device within a patient is disclosed. The system (250) includes a first (262) and a second heat conduit (264) positioned within the patient. A thermoelectric device (252) is connected to the first and second heat conduits for thermally converting the temperature difference between the conduits to a voltage. A DC-DC converter (254) is connected to the thermoelectric element and increases the voltage. A storage element (256) is connected to the DC-DC converter-for receiving the increased voltage. The storage element is also connected to the implanted medical device (258), thereby providing power to the implanted medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Koen J. Weijand, Patrick J. Combs, Daniel R. Greeninger, Richard P. M. Houben