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).

  • Patent number: 7670363
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20090259264
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
    Inventor: Robert A. Firth
  • Patent number: 7108711
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research
    Inventors: Martin J. Vogel, Richard J. Nelson, Robert A. Firth, Anthony D. Falco, Joseph H. Schulman, Lung-Hsi Chu, Lee J. Mandell
  • Publication number: 20030204218
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventors: Martin J. Vogel, Richard J. Nelson, Robert A. Firth, Anthony D. Falco, Joseph H. Schulman, Lung-Hsi Chu, Lee J. Mandell
  • Publication number: 20030195566
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Martin J. Vogel, Richard J. Nelson, Robert A. Firth, Anthony D. Falco, Joseph H. Schulman, Lung-Hsi Chu, Lee J. Mandell
  • Patent number: 6551345
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research
    Inventors: Martin J. Vogel, Richard J. Nelson, Robert A. Firth, Anthony D. Falco, Joseph H. Schulman
  • Publication number: 20020161402
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Martin J. Vogel, Richard J. Nelson, Robert A. Firth, Anthony D. Falco, Joseph H. Schulman