Patents by Inventor Ray S. McDonald
Ray S. McDonald 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).
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Patent number: 5351696Abstract: A method and apparatus for morphologic analysis of an electrical signal, implementable in an implantable device such as a pacemaker, cardioverter, defibrillator or the like. The morphologic analysis uses a phase plane representation of the signal, where the signal and its first derivative are plotted along orthogonal axes. A magnitude signal corresponding to the magnitude component of the trajectory of the phase plane representation is generated and applied to a comparator. The comparator produces an activation signal when the magnitude signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. In response to the activation signal, a quadrant detector selectively applies the magnitude signal to one of four integrators, the selection of one integrator over the others being based at all times upon which quadrant of the phase plane the trajectory is in.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1993Date of Patent: October 4, 1994Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M. Riff, Ray S. McDonald, Michael J. German
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Patent number: 5171228Abstract: An apparatus for verifying the proper placement of a medical instrument, such as a needle, with respect to an implantable medical device, such as a drug dispensing port or pump. The apparatus includes an internal circuit which is implantable within the body tissue, and an external circuit for communicating with the internal circuit. The internal circuit includes an electrically conductive plate for sensing proper contact between the medical instrument and the medical device. A resonant circuit is coupled between the plate and the body tissue, and has a predetermined resonance frequency, such that an electrical path is established through the resonant circuit, the plate, the body tissue and the medical instrument when the medical instrument is in proper contact with the medical device. The external circuit includes a transmitter circuit for sending signals either pulsed or continuous to the resonant circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 1990Date of Patent: December 15, 1992Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventor: Ray S. McDonald
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Patent number: 5009644Abstract: The present invention includes an implantable medical device with needle sensing means. The sensing means employs the casing of the device, the body of the patient, and the needle in a circuit which activates electrical means for notifying the physician of needle placement. Contact of the hypodermic needle with the desired location in the reservoir completes a circuit which is activated by power means to provide preferably audible feedback.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1989Date of Patent: April 23, 1991Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventor: Ray S. McDonald
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Patent number: 5006115Abstract: An implantable medical device having a main body, and a port in the main body for receiving a medical instrument percutaneously. A resilient dome is mounted in the device for communicating with the medical instrument, and for flexing from a first rest position to a second position after contact with the medical instrument. The dome provides an extra corporeal response signal resulting from the flexion of the dome from the first position to the second position.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 1989Date of Patent: April 9, 1991Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventor: Ray S. McDonald
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Patent number: 4515159Abstract: A programmable cardiac pacemaker pulse generator utilizing digital circuitry for controlling the provision of cardiac stimulating pulses. The pulse generator is capable of having the rate, the pulse width, the pulse amplitude, the refractory period, the sensitivity and the mode of operation programmed. In addition, the pulse generator can have the output inhibited and can respond to programming signals causing a threshold margin test to be performed, effects of closure of the reed switch overridden, a hysteresis function added and a high rate exceeding the normal upper rate limit programmed. Many of the programmable functions of the pulse generator can either be programmed on a permanent or a temporary basis. The pulse generator further includes means for signaling the acceptance of a programming signal, and means to reset the program acceptance circuit if extraneous signals are detected as programming signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 1982Date of Patent: May 7, 1985Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Ray S. McDonald, David L. Thompson, Martin A. Rossing, Jerome T. Hartlaub
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Patent number: 4421114Abstract: Treatment of re-entry tachycardias through the use of a pacemaker which includes sequentially timed oscillators for delivering stimulating pulses to an atrium and ventricle, preferably on a demand basis, and a circuit for detecting a tachycardia condition and switching to an asynchronous mode of operation. The detector does not respond to a single extraneous or premature beat, but after a predetermined number of beats occurring above a predetermined normal beat rate the detector switches the pacemaker to an asynchronous mode. Relative variation in the phase of the asynchronous pacing and the tachycardia beats results within a short time in occurrence of a pulse in the critical time period to stop the tachycardia. The use of sequential stimulation in both chambers overcomes some of the problems in selecting the proper site for stimulation.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 1980Date of Patent: December 20, 1983Inventors: Barouh V. Berkovits, Ray S. McDonald
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Patent number: 4401120Abstract: A programmable cardiac pacemaker pulse generator utilizing digital circuitry for controlling the provision of cardiac stimulating pulses. The pulse generator is capable of having the rate, the pulse width, the pulse amplitude, the refractory period, the sensitivity and the mode of operation programmed. In addition, the pulse generator can have the output inhibited and can respond to programming signals causing a threshold margin test to be performed, effects of closure of the reed switch overridden, a hysteresis function added and a high rate exceeding the normal upper rate limit programmed. Many of the programmable functions of the pulse generator can either be programmed on a permanent or a temporary basis. The pulse generator further includes means for signaling the acceptance of a programming signal, and means to reset the program acceptance circuit if extraneous signals are detected as programming signals.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1981Date of Patent: August 30, 1983Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Jerome T. Hartlaub, Ray S. McDonald
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Patent number: 4340062Abstract: A body implantable stimulator for providing stimulation signals having selectable energy levels. The stimulator provides a series of one of a predetermined plurality of independent output initiate signals and responds to those signals to provide stimulation signals having an amplitude, duration and repetition rate established by the series of output initiate signals that is provided.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1980Date of Patent: July 20, 1982Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: David L. Thompson, Ray S. McDonald, Yan S. Lee, Marc T. Stein
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Patent number: 4337777Abstract: A pacer having an upper and lower rate limit system for preventing pacer malfunction from producing pacer output pulses above or below preset maximum and minimum rates.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 1980Date of Patent: July 6, 1982Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Jerome T. Hartlaub, Ray S. McDonald, Lawrence C. Hudziak
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Patent number: 4324252Abstract: Memory control circuitry for use in a pacemaker or other medical device for setting volatile memory to a known configuration if the battery voltage and/or current drops below the level required for reliable operation of the memory devices.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1980Date of Patent: April 13, 1982Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Martin A. Rossing, Ray S. McDonald
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Patent number: 4276883Abstract: A programmable cardiac pacemaker pulse generator utilizing digital circuitry for controlling the provision of cardiac stimulating pulses. The pulse generator is capable of having the rate, the pulse width, the pulse amplitude, the refractory period, the sensitivity and the mode of operation programmed. In addition, the pulse generator can have the output inhibited and can respond to programming signals causing a threshold margin test to be performed, effects of closure of the reed switch overridden, a hysteresis function added and a high rate exceeding the normal upper rate limit programmed. Many of the programmable functions of the pulse generator can either be programmed on a permanent or a temporary basis. The pulse generator further includes means for signaling the acceptance of a programming signal, and means to reset the program acceptance circuit if extraneous signals are detected as programming signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1979Date of Patent: July 7, 1981Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Ray S. McDonald, David L. Thompson
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Patent number: 4275738Abstract: A programmable cardiac pacemaker pulse generator utilizing digital circuitry for controlling the provision of cardiac stimulating pulses. The pulse generator is capable of having the rate, the pulse width, the pulse amplitude, the refractory period, the sensitivity and the mode of operation programmed. In addition, the pulse generator can have the output inhibited and can respond to programming signals causing a threshold margin test to be performed, effects of closure of the reed switch overridden, a hysteresis function added and a high rate exceeding the normal upper rate limit programmed. Many of the programmable functions of the pulse generator can either be programmed on a permanent or a temporary basis. The pulse generator further includes means for signaling the acceptance of a programming signal, and means to reset the program acceptance circuit if extraneous signals are detected as programming signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1978Date of Patent: June 30, 1981Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Ray S. McDonald, Martin A. Rossing
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Patent number: 4273133Abstract: A programmable cardiac pacemaker pulse generator utilizing digital circuitry for controlling the provision of cardiac stimulating pulses. The pulse generator is capable of having the rate, the pulse width, the pulse amplitude, the refractory period, the sensitivity and the mode of operation programmed. In addition, the pulse generator can have the output inhibited and can respond to programming signals causing a threshold margin test to be performed, effects of closure of the reed switch overridden, a hysteresis function added and a high rate exceeding the normal upper rate limit programmed. Many of the programmable functions of the pulse generator can either be programmed on a permanent or a temporary basis. The pulse generator further includes means for signaling the acceptance of a programming signal, and means to reset the program acceptance circuit if extraneous signals are detected as programming signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1978Date of Patent: June 16, 1981Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Jerome T. Hartlaub, Ray S. McDonald, Martin A. Rossing
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Patent number: 4273132Abstract: There is disclosed herein a programmable cardiac pacemaker pulse generator utilizing digital circuitry for controlling the provision of cardiac stimulating pulses. The pulse generator is capable of having the rate, the pulse width, the pulse amplitude, the refractory period, the sensitivity and the mode of operation programmed. In addition, the pulse generator can have the output inhibited and can respond to programming signals causing a threshold margin test to be performed, accomplished by threshold safety margin means responsive to a programmed test signal for causing a series of stimulating pulses to be provided a rate different than the previously programmed rate with at least one of the stimulating signals having its energy reduced a predetermined amount. Capture at the reduced energy can be monitored by external equipment.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1978Date of Patent: June 16, 1981Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Jerome T. Hartlaub, David L. Thompson, Ray S. McDonald
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Patent number: 4267843Abstract: A programmable cardiac pacemaker pulse generator utilizing digital circuitry for controlling the provision of cardiac stimulating pulses. The pulse generator is capable of having the rate, the pulse width, the pulse amplitude, the refractory period, the sensitivity and the mode of operation programmed. In addition, the pulse generator can have the output inhibited and can respond to programming signals causing a threshold margin test to be performed, effects of closure of the reed switch overridden, a hysteresis function added and a high rate exceeding the normal upper rate limit programmed. Many of the programmable functions of the pulse generator can either be programmed on a permanent or a temporary basis. The pulse generator further includes means for signaling the acceptance of a programming signal, and means to reset the program acceptance circuit if extraneous signals are detected as programming signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1978Date of Patent: May 19, 1981Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Ray S. McDonald, Jerome T. Hartlaub
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Patent number: 4263915Abstract: A programmable cardiac pacemaker pulse generator utilizing digital circuitry for controlling the provision of cardiac stimulating pulses. The pulse generator is capable of having the rate, the pulse width, the pulse amplitude, the refractory period, the sensitivity and the mode of operation programmed. In addition, the pulse generator can have the output inhibited and can respond to programming signals causing a threshold margin test to be performed, effects of closure of the reed switch overridden, a hysteresis function added and a high rate exceeding the normal upper rate limit programmed. Many of the programmable functions of the pulse generator can either be programmed on a permanent or a temporary basis. The pulse generator further includes means for signalling the acceptance of a programming signal, and means to reset the program acceptance circuit if extraneous signals are detected as programming signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1978Date of Patent: April 28, 1981Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Ray S. McDonald, Martin A. Rossing
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Patent number: 4257423Abstract: A programmable cardiac pacemaker pulse generator utilizing digital circuitry for controlling the provision of cardiac stimulating pulses. The pulse generator is capable of having the rate, the pulse width, the pulse amplitude, the refractory period, the sensitivity and the mode of operation programmed. In addition, the pulse generator can have the output inhibited and can respond to programming signals causing a threshold margin test to be performed, effects of closure of the reed switch overridden, a hysteresis function added and a high rate exceeding the normal upper rate limit programmed. Many of the programmable functions of the pulse generator can either be programmed on a permanent or a temporary basis. The pulse generator further includes means for signaling the acceptance of a programming signal, and means to reset the program acceptance circuit if extraneous signals are detected as programming signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1978Date of Patent: March 24, 1981Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Ray S. McDonald, Martin A. Rossing
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Patent number: 4253466Abstract: A programmable cardiac pacemaker pulse generator utilizing digital circuitry for controlling the provision of cardiac stimulating pulses. The pulse generator is capable of having the rate, the pulse width, the pulse amplitude, the refractory period, the sensitivity and the mode of operation programmed. In addition, the pulse generator can have the output inhibited and can respond to programming signals causing a threshold margin test to be performed, effects of closure of the reed switch overridden, a hysteresis function added and a high rate exceeding the normal upper rate limit programmed. Many of the programmable functions of the pulse generator can either be programmed on a permanent or a temporary basis. The pulse generator further includes means for signaling the acceptance of a programming signal, and means to reset the program acceptance circuit if extraneous signals are detected as programming signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 1979Date of Patent: March 3, 1981Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Jerome T. Hartlaub, Ray S. McDonald, Lawrence W. Shearon
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Patent number: 4241736Abstract: A programmable cardiac pacemaker pulse generator utilizing digital circuitry for controlling the provision of cardiac stimulating pulses. The pulse generator is capable of having the rate, the pulse width, the pulse amplitude, the refractory period, the sensitivity and the mode of operation programmed. In addition, the pulse generator can have the output inhibited and can respond to programming signals causing a threshold margin test to be performed, effects of closure of the reed switch overriden, a hysteresis function added and a high rate exceeding the normal upper rate limit programmed. Many of the programmable functions of the pulse generator can either be programmed on a permanent or a temporary basis. The pulse generator further includes means for signaling the acceptance of a programming signal, and means to reset the program acceptance circuit if extraneous signals are detected as programming signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1978Date of Patent: December 30, 1980Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Martin A. Rossing, Ray S. McDonald
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Patent number: 4236522Abstract: A programmable cardiac pacemaker pulse generator utilizing digital circuitry for controlling the provision of cardiac stimulating pulses. The pulse generator is capable of having the rate, the pulse width, the pulse amplitude, the refractory period, the sensitivity and the mode of operation programmed. In addition, the pulse generator can have the output inhibited and can respond to programming signals causing a threshold margin test to be performed, effects of closure of the reed switch overridden, a hysteresis function added and a high rate exceeding the normal upper rate limit programmed. Many of the programmable functions of the pulse generator can either be programmed on a permanent or a temporary basis. The pulse generator further includes means for signaling the acceptance of a programming signal, and means to reset the program acceptance circuit if extraneous signals are detected as programming signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1978Date of Patent: December 2, 1980Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Ray S. McDonald, Martin A. Rossing