Patents by Inventor Sonja K. Somdahl

Sonja K. Somdahl 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).

  • Publication number: 20150030913
    Abstract: A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing provides a cover and a shallow case a preferably planar, major bottom portion, an open top to receive the cover opposing the bottom portion, and a plurality of sides being radiused at intersections with each other and with the bottom to allow for the close abutting of other components located within the implantable device while also providing for efficient location of the battery within an arcuate edge of the device. The cover and the shallow case being substantially hermetically sealed by a laser weld technique and an insulator member disposed within the case to provide a barrier to incident laser radiation so that during welding radiation does not impinge upon radiation sensitive component(s) disposed within the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Franise D. Bartley, Steven M. Bruesehoff, Kurt J. Casby, David P. Haas, Karl E. Hokanson, Thomas M. Nutzman, Andrew J. Ries, Scott J. Robinson, Randy S. Roles, Sonja K. Somdahl, Walter C. Sunderland, Jason T. Papenfuss, William J. Farrell, Kimberly A. Chaffin
  • Patent number: 8916290
    Abstract: A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing provides a cover and a shallow case a preferably planar, major bottom portion, an open top to receive the cover opposing the bottom portion, and a plurality of sides being radiused at intersections with each other and with the bottom to allow for the close abutting of other components located within the implantable device while also providing for efficient location of the battery within an arcuate edge of the device. The cover and the shallow case being substantially hermetically sealed by a laser weld technique and an insulator member disposed within the case to provide a barrier to incident laser radiation so that during welding radiation does not impinge upon radiation sensitive component(s) disposed within the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Franise D. Bartley, Steve M. Bruesehoff, Kurt J. Casby, David P. Haas, Karl E. Hokanson, Thomas M. Nutzman, Andrew J. Ries, Scott J. Robinson, Randy S. Roles, Sonja K. Somdahl, Walter C. Sunderland, Jason T. Papenfuss, William J. Farrell, Kimberly A. Chaffin
  • Publication number: 20130266844
    Abstract: A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing provides a cover and a shallow case a preferably planar, major bottom portion, an open top to receive the cover opposing the bottom portion, and a plurality of sides being radiused at intersections with each other and with the bottom to allow for the close abutting of other components located within the implantable device while also providing for efficient location of the battery within an arcuate edge of the device. The cover and the shallow case being substantially hermetically sealed by a laser weld technique and an insulator member disposed within the case to provide a barrier to incident laser radiation so that during welding radiation does not impinge upon radiation sensitive component(s) disposed within the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Franise D. Bartley, Steve M. Bruesehoff, Kurt J. Casby, David P. Haas, Karl E. Hokanson, Thomas M. Nutzman, Andrew J. Ries, Scott J. Robinson, Randy S. Roles, Sonja K. Somdahl, Walter C. Sunderland, Jason T. Papenfuss, William J. Farrell, Kimberly A. Chaffin
  • Patent number: 8389155
    Abstract: A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing provides a cover and a shallow case a preferably planar, major bottom portion, an open top to receive the cover opposing the bottom portion, and a plurality of sides being radiused at intersections with each other and with the bottom to allow for the close abutting of other components located within the implantable device while also providing for efficient location of the battery within an arcuate edge of the device. The cover and the shallow case being substantially hermetically sealed by a laser weld technique and an insulator member disposed within the case to provide a barrier to incident laser radiation so that during welding radiation does not impinge upon radiation sensitive component(s) disposed within the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Franise D. Bartley, Steve M. Bruesehoff, Kurt J. Casby, David P. Haas, Karl E. Hokanson, Thomas M. Nutzman, Andrew J. Ries, Scott J. Robinson, Randy S. Roles, Sonja K. Somdahl, Walter C. Sunderland, Jason T. Papenfuss, William J. Farrell, Kimberly A. Chaffin
  • Publication number: 20110318635
    Abstract: A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing provides a cover and a shallow case a preferably planar, major bottom portion, an open top to receive the cover opposing the bottom portion, and a plurality of sides being radiused at intersections with each other and with the bottom to allow for the close abutting of other components located within the implantable device while also providing for efficient location of the battery within an arcuate edge of the device. The cover and the shallow case being substantially hermetically sealed by a laser weld technique and an insulator member disposed within the case to provide a barrier to incident laser radiation so that during welding radiation does not impinge upon radiation sensitive component(s) disposed within the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Frannise D. Bartley, Steve M. Bruesehoff, Kurt J. Casby, David P. Haas, Karl E. Hokanson, Thomas M. Nutzman, Andrew J. Ries, Scott J. Robinson, Randy S. Roles, Sonja K. Somdahl, Walter C. Sunderland, Jason T. Papenfuss, William J. Farrell, Kimberly A. Chaffin
  • Patent number: 7968226
    Abstract: A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing provides a cover and a shallow case a preferably planar, major bottom portion, an open top to receive the cover opposing the bottom portion, and a plurality of sides being radiused at intersections with each other and with the bottom to allow for the close abutting of other components located within the implantable device while also providing for efficient location of the battery within an arcuate edge of the device. The cover and the shallow case being substantially hermetically sealed by a laser weld technique and an insulator member disposed within the case to provide a barrier to incident laser radiation so that during welding radiation does not impinge upon radiation sensitive component(s) disposed within the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Franise D. Bartley, Steve M. Bruesehoff, Kurt J. Casby, David P. Haas, Karl E. Hokanson, Thomas M. Nutzman, Andrew J. Ries, Scott J. Robinson, Randy S. Roles, Sonja K. Somdahl, Walter C. Sunderland, Jason T. Papenfuss, William J. Farrell, Kimberly A. Chaffin
  • Patent number: 7335440
    Abstract: An anode subassembly for use in an implantable electrochemical cell includes a solid anode current collector and an alkali metal anode pressed onto the solid anode current collector such that the solid anode current collector is located on the outer side of the outermost winding of a coiled electrode assembly formed when the anode subassembly is wound with a cathode subassembly. The anode subassembly may further include a spacer formed from a microporous, non-conductive material pressed onto the alkali metal anode on the opposite side from the solid anode current collector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Karl E. Hokanson, Sonja K. Somdahl, Craig L. Schmidt, Joseph J. Viavattine
  • Patent number: 7297443
    Abstract: An anode subassembly is provided for use in an implantable electrochemical cell wherein the anode subassembly includes an anode current collector designed to eliminate perforation edges in the final, outermost turn of a coiled electrode assembly. The anode current collector may be of a reduced size, discontinuous, or formed from alternating perforated and solid areas. The anode subassembly may further include reinforcing elements to support a thin anode layer in the outermost coil of a coiled, anode-limited cell. Reinforcing elements may take the form of a spacer, extensions extending from a reduced-size anode current collector, or strips of alkali metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Karl E. Hokanson, Sonja K. Somdahl, Craig L. Schmidt, Joseph J. Viavattine
  • Patent number: 6881516
    Abstract: A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing provides a cover and a shallow case a planar bottom, an open top to receive the cover, and a plurality of sides being radiused at intersections with each other and with the bottom to allow for the close abutting of other components located within the implantable device while also providing for efficient location of the battery within an arcuate edge of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Franise D. Bartley, Steve M. Bruesehoff, Kurt J. Casby, David P. Haas, Karl E. Hokanson, Thomas M. Nutzman, Andrew J. Ries, Scott J. Robinson, Randy S. Roles, Sonja K. Somdahl, Walter C. Sunderland, Kimberly A. Chaffin
  • Patent number: 6805719
    Abstract: An anode-limited battery and method of assembly are provided in which a lithium anode subassembly is constructed from two pieces of lithium foil. An elongated thicker piece of lithium foil is cohesively bonded at one end to a shorter, thinner piece of lithium foil. An optional current collector stabilizes the area of the cohesive bond. The thicker lithium foil forms the inner windings of a coiled electrode, which face reactive cathode material on both sides. The thinner foil forms the outermost winding, which faces reactive cathode material on only one side. Thus, an appropriate amount of lithium is available for cathode discharge. The method of electrode assembly allows a narrow tolerance of the lithium anode such that the benefits of an anode-limited cell may be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Karl Hokanson, Sonja K. Somdahl
  • Publication number: 20040062986
    Abstract: A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing provides a cover and a shallow case a planar bottom, an open top to receive the cover, and a plurality of sides being radiused at intersections with each other and with the bottom to allow for the close abutting of other components located within the implantable device while also providing for efficient location of the battery within an arcuate edge of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Franise D. Bartley, Steve M. Bruesehoff, Kurt J. Casby, David P. Haas, Karl E. Hokanson, Thomas M. Nutzman, Andrew J. Ries, Scott J. Robinson, Randy S. Roles, Sonja K. Somdahl, Walter C. Sunderland, Kimberly A. Chaffin
  • Publication number: 20040062985
    Abstract: A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing provides a cover and a shallow case a preferably planar, major bottom portion, an open top to receive the cover opposing the bottom portion, and a plurality of sides being radiused at intersections with each other and with the bottom to allow for the close abutting of other components located within the implantable device while also providing for efficient location of the battery within an arcuate edge of the device. The cover and the shallow case being substantially hermetically sealed by a laser weld technique and an insulator member disposed within the case to provide a barrier to incident laser radiation so that during welding radiation does not impinge upon radiation sensitive component(s) disposed within the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Franise D. Bartley, Steve M. Bruesehoff, Kurt J. Casby, David P. Haas, Karl E. Hokanson, Thomas M. Nutzman, Andrew J. Ries, Scott J. Robinson, Randy S. Roles, Sonja K. Somdahl, Walter C. Sunderland, Jason T. Papenfuss, William J. Farrell, Kimberly A. Chaffin
  • Publication number: 20040064163
    Abstract: A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing provides a cover and a shallow case a major bottom portion, an open top to receive the cover; and a plurality of sides being radiused at intersections with each other and with the major bottom portion to allow for the close abutting of other components located within the implantable device while also providing for efficient location of the battery within an arcuate edge of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Franise D. Bartley, Steve M. Bruesehoff, Kurt J. Casby, David P. Haas, Karl E. Hokanson, Thomas M. Nutzman, Andrew J. Ries, Scott J. Robinson, Randy S. Roles, Sonja K. Somdahl, Walter C. Sunderland, Jason T. Papenfuss, William J. Farrell, Kimberly A. Chaffin
  • Publication number: 20030194604
    Abstract: An anode-limited battery and method of assembly are provided in which a lithium anode subassembly is constructed from two pieces of lithium foil. An elongated thicker piece of lithium foil is cohesively bonded at one end to a shorter, thinner piece of lithium foil. An optional current collector stabilizes the area of the cohesive bond. The thicker lithium foil forms the inner windings of a coiled electrode, which face reactive cathode material on both sides. The thinner foil forms the outermost winding, which faces reactive cathode material on only one side. Thus, an appropriate amount of lithium is available for cathode discharge. The method of electrode assembly allows a narrow tolerance of the lithium anode such that the benefits of an anode-limited cell may be realized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul B. Aamodt, Karl Hokanson, Sonja K. Somdahl
  • Patent number: 6445948
    Abstract: An implantable medical device comprising a housing, a capacitor, an electronics module and a substantially flat battery. The capacitor is disposed within the housing. The electronics module is electrically connected to the capacitor and similarly disposed within the housing. The electronics module generally defines opposing front and rear faces, and is positioned such that the rear face is adjacent a wall of the housing. Finally, the battery is electrically connected to the electronics module and is positioned over the electronics module such that the battery is adjacent the front face of the electronics module. With this configuration, an overall shape and size of the implantable medical device is optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Sonja K. Somdahl, Andrew J. Ries, Richard A. Bruchmann, John D. Norton
  • Patent number: 5646816
    Abstract: Icon indicia are provided on input, output and plug-in power processing units to permit proper matching of plug-in units with each other and with the input and output power processing units in a power distribution system. The indicia are in a co-ordinated matrix format with input icons on a designated chroma background to identify input voltages and output icons on a second designated chroma background to identify output voltages. Icons and background chroma on the plug-in power processing units are coordinated with related icons and background chroma at the same matrix position on other plug-in units and/or the input and output units to assure the compatibility of all the units. A craftsman inserting a plug-in unit onto a shelf of the power chassis need merely compare the unit's icon and chroma background indicia with the input, output, or other unit's icons and associated chroma background indicia to be assured of inserting the correct plug-in unit into the particular shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Tor Andrew Alden, Edward Clark Fontana, Sonja K. Somdahl
  • Patent number: RE37592
    Abstract: Icon indicia are provided on input, output and plug-in power processing units to permit proper matching of plug-in units with each other and with the input and output power processing units in a power distribution system. The indicia are in a co-ordinated matrix format with input icons on a designated chroma background to identify input voltages and output icons on a second designated chroma background to identify output voltages. Icons and background chroma on the plug-in power processing units are coordinated with related icons and background chroma at the same matrix position on other plug-in units and/or the input and output units to assure the compatibility of all the units. A craftsman inserting a plug-in unit onto a shelf of the power chassis need merely compare the unit's icon and chroma background indicia with the input, output, or other unit's icons and associated chroma background indicia to be assured of inserting the correct plug-in unit into the particular shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Inventors: Tor Andrew Alden, Edward Clark Fontana, Sonja K. Somdahl