Patents by Inventor Robert A. Firth
Robert A. Firth 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: 7670363Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting an electronic implantable medical device prior to it being implanted in a patient's body. The apparatus affords protection against electronic component damage due to electrostatic discharge and/or physical damage due to improper handling. The apparatus is comprised of a circuit board having conductive surface means for receiving and releasably grasping the electrodes of the medical device to support the device's housing proximate to the surface of the circuit board. First and second conductive paths are formed on the circuit board extending between the first and second conductive surfaces for shunting electrostatic discharge currents to prevent such currents from passing through the device's electronic circuitry. The respective shunt paths include oppositely oriented diodes, preferably comprising diodes which emit light (i.e., LEDs) when current passes therethrough. Additionally, means are provided to enable functional testing of the medical device.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2006Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific ResearchInventors: Martin J. Vogel, Adam Vogel, legal representative, Richard J. Nelson, Robert A. Firth, Anthony D. Falco, Joseph H. Schulman, Lung-Hsi Chu, Lee J. Mandell
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Publication number: 20090259264Abstract: A surgically implantable wire connecting device that is adaptable to accept various diameter wires by selecting pre-wired mandrels, each having a specific candidate diameter wire and length, and attaching the mandrels together in a metal crimp tube. The final assembly during surgery requires a simple crimp of the crimp tube to the adapter tube by using a standard crimp tool. The delicate lead wires that are being attached are not deformed or crushed by the crimp process and are located remote from the crimp.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2008Publication date: October 15, 2009Applicant: ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHInventor: Robert A. Firth
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Patent number: 7108711Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting an electronic implantable medical device prior to it being implanted in a patient's body. The apparatus affords protection against electronic component damage due to electrostatic discharge and/or physical damage due to improper handling. The apparatus is comprised of a circuit board having a conductive surface for receiving and releasably grasping the electrodes of the medical device to support the device's housing proximate to the surface of the circuit board. Two conductive paths are formed on the circuit board extending between two conductive surfaces for shunting electrostatic discharge currents to prevent such currents from passing through the device's electronic circuitry. The conductive paths include oppositely oriented diodes, preferably comprising diodes which emit light (i.e., LEDs) when current passes therethrough. Additionally, an external monitor/generator is provided to enable functional testing of the medical device.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2003Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific ResearchInventors: Martin J. Vogel, Richard J. Nelson, Robert A. Firth, Anthony D. Falco, Joseph H. Schulman, Lung-Hsi Chu, Lee J. Mandell
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Publication number: 20030204218Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting an electronic implantable medical device prior to it being implanted in a patient's body. The apparatus affords protection against electronic component damage due to electrostatic discharge and/or physical damage due to improper handling. The apparatus is comprised of a circuit board having conductive surface means for receiving and releasably grasping the electrodes of the medical device to support the device's housing proximate to the surface of the circuit board. First and second conductive paths are formed on the circuit board extending between the first and second conductive surfaces for shunting electrostatic discharge currents to prevent such currents from passing through the device's electronic circuitry. The respective shunt paths include oppositely oriented diodes, preferably comprising diodes which emit light (i.e., LEDs) when current passes therethrough. Additionally, means are provided to enable functional testing of the medical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2003Publication date: October 30, 2003Inventors: Martin J. Vogel, Richard J. Nelson, Robert A. Firth, Anthony D. Falco, Joseph H. Schulman, Lung-Hsi Chu, Lee J. Mandell
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Publication number: 20030195566Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting an electronic implantable medical device prior to it being implanted in a patient's body. The apparatus affords protection against electronic component damage due to electrostatic discharge and/or physical damage due to improper handling. The apparatus is comprised of a circuit board having conductive surface means for receiving and releasably grasping the electrodes of the medical device to support the device's housing proximate to the surface of the circuit board. First and second conductive paths are formed on the circuit board extending between the first and second conductive surfaces for shunting electrostatic discharge currents to prevent such currents from passing through the device's electronic circuitry. The respective shunt paths include oppositely oriented diodes, preferably comprising diodes which emit light (i.e., LEDs) when current passes therethrough. Additionally, means are provided to enable functional testing of the medical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventors: Martin J. Vogel, Richard J. Nelson, Robert A. Firth, Anthony D. Falco, Joseph H. Schulman, Lung-Hsi Chu, Lee J. Mandell
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Patent number: 6551345Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting an electronic implantable medical device prior to it being implanted in a patient's body. The apparatus affords protection against electronic component damage due to electrostatic discharge and/or physical damage due to improper handling. The apparatus is comprised of a circuit board having first and second spring clips mounted on the board. The spring clips are configured to receive and releasably grasp the electrodes of a medical device housing to support the housing just above the surface of the circuit board. First and second conductive paths are formed on the circuit board extending between the first and second clips for shunting electrostatic discharge currents to prevent such currents from passing through the device electronic circuitry. The respective shunt paths include oppositely oriented diodes, preferably comprising diodes which emit light (i.e., LEDs) when current passes therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2001Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific ResearchInventors: Martin J. Vogel, Richard J. Nelson, Robert A. Firth, Anthony D. Falco, Joseph H. Schulman
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Publication number: 20020161402Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting an electronic implantable medical device prior to its being implanted in a patient's body. The apparatus affords protection against electronic component damage due to electrostatic discharge and/or physical damage due to improper handling. The apparatus is comprised of a circuit board having first and second spring clips mounted on the board. The spring clips are configured to receive and releasably grasp the electrodes of a medical device housing to support the housing just above the surface of the circuit board. First and second conductive paths are formed on the circuit board extending between the first and second clips for shunting electrostatic discharge currents to prevent such currents from passing through the device electronic circuitry. The respective shunt paths include oppositely oriented diodes, preferably comprising diodes which emit light (i.e., LEDs) when current passes therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2001Publication date: October 31, 2002Inventors: Martin J. Vogel, Richard J. Nelson, Robert A. Firth, Anthony D. Falco, Joseph H. Schulman