Greatbatch Ltd. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150202430 | BRAIDED LEAD WITH IMBEDDED FIXATION STRUCTURES - In some examples, a method of making a therapy delivery element configured for at least partial insertion in a living body includes braiding a plurality of fibers to form an elongated braided structure with a lumen. At least one reinforcing structure is weaved into the fibers of the braided structure. A portion of the reinforcing structure is extended from the braided structure to form at least one fixation structure. At least one of the braided structure or the reinforcing structure can be attached to at least one of an electrode assembly or a connector assembly. | 07-23-2015 |
20150173733 | Retractor Tool For Minimally Invasive Hip Replacement Surgery - A retractor system, kit and method of use includes a plurality of retractors for use in retracting a wound during a minimally-invasive hip replacement surgery to define an access space to a surgical site is discussed. Each of the retractors comprises a handle portion configured to be held by a user, a curved bend portion distal of the handle portion, and a wound contact portion attached to the curved bend portion. The wound contact portion is configured to contact tissue of the wound when at least a portion of the retractor is inserted through a skin incision that defines the wound. Each retractor also has a distal portion disposed distally of the wound contact portion, wherein the wound contact portion has a generally curved cross-sectional profile perpendicular to its length that is configured to prevent necrosis of the tissue during retraction. In addition, the cross-sectional profile provides an improved line of sight during the surgical procedure. Furthermore, the cross-sectional profile prevents the jamming of a cutting device, such as a reamer inserted through the incision, while the retractors retract the wound. | 06-25-2015 |
20150116053 | HEADER EMBEDDED FILTER FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A header block is configured to be attachable to an implantable medical device. The header block includes a header block body and a connection port disposed in the header block body configured to receive an implantable lead. A conductor is disposed in the header block body electrically coupled to the connection port at a first end and connectable at a second end to the implantable medical device. An impeding device is electrically coupled in series along the length of the conductor and disposed within the header block body. The impeding device is configured to raise the high-frequency impedance of the conductor. The impeding device may include a bandstop filter or an L-C tank circuit. | 04-30-2015 |
20150086292 | SET SCREW APPARATUS - In various examples, a set screw apparatus includes a set screw including a set screw body. An abutment extends radially outwardly from the set screw body and longitudinally separated from a threaded set screw area of a first length by an unthreaded set screw area of a second length of the set screw body. A block includes a bore. A threaded block area includes a third length, wherein the abutment inhibits movement of the set screw past the threaded block area and removal of the set screw from the bore. The third length is shorter than the second length so that an entirety of the threaded block area can be disposed within the unthreaded set screw area, such that the set screw is freely rotatable within the bore, but retained within the bore, if turned in a first direction with respect to the block. | 03-26-2015 |
20150018833 | Cup Impactor - An orthopedic cup impactor for use in minimally invasive hip replacement surgical procedures is described. The impactor comprises a handle, residing at a proximal end portion, and a cup engagement sub-assembly located at a distal portion. A shaft resides therebetween. The shaft portion is designed with a large radius of curvature that provides added clearance when inserting the impactor in obese patients. The cup engagement sub-assembly features a drive train that comprises a series of “U” and “H” joints deigned to provide full rotational motion. The drive train may be designed to be removable from the cup impactor to provide more efficient and thorough cleaning. | 01-15-2015 |
20140350655 | LEAD IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM - In some examples, a lead identification system includes a first set of first lead indicators and a second set of second lead indicators. Each of the first lead indicators is configured to removably attach to at least one of a first therapy delivery element, a first epidural needle, or a first connector to uniquely identify at least one of the first therapy delivery element, the first epidural needle, or the first connector during implantation of the first therapy delivery element in the patient. Each of the second lead indicators is configured to removably attach to at least one of a second therapy delivery element, a second epidural needle, or a second connector to uniquely identify at least one of the second therapy delivery element, the second epidural needle, or the second connector during implantation of the second therapy delivery element in the patient. | 11-27-2014 |
20140335394 | INTERNAL INSULATION DESIGN USING POROUS MATERIAL FOR AN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL - The prevention of lithium clusters from bridging between the negative and positive portions of a cell during discharge is described. This is done by providing a glass wool material at an intermediate location between the casing and anode current collector of a negative polarity and the cathode current collector and the terminal pin being of a positive polarity. Typically, a lithium ion concentration gradient sufficient to cause lithium cluster formation is induced by the high rate, intermittent discharge of a lithium/silver vanadium oxide (Li/SVO) cell. However, sufficient free electrolyte necessary for normal cell function is held in the relatively large pore volume throughout the extent of the glass wool material. Moreover, permeability within the glass wool material is tortuous, which effectively increases the distance between the negative and positive surfaces of the anode and cathode. This tortuosity effectively stops “straight line” dendrite growth of lithium clusters between opposite polarity structures inside the casing. | 11-13-2014 |
20140326482 | Iridium Oxide Coating with Cauliflower Morphology for Functional Electrical Stimulation Applications - An iridium oxide coating for application on an external surface of an electrode of a medical lead is described. The iridium coating is applied using pulse DC sputtering. The coating provides the electrode with an increased double layer capacitance and a reduced electrical impedance. The iridium oxide coating is characterized as having a dense structure with a surface morphology having the general appearance of a fractal or cauliflower shape. The pulse DC sputtered iridium oxide coating is achieved through a mixture ratio of oxygen and argon gases, a sputtering power of between 75 to 125 W, a chamber pressure ranging from about 20-30 mTorr, and a frequency ranging from 50 kHz to 150 kHz. The coated electrode may be used to facilitate the injection of electrical charge stimulation and/or monitor biorhythms of cardiac and neurological tissue. | 11-06-2014 |
20140309642 | INSTRUMENT FOR RESHAPING THE HEAD OF A FEMUR - An orthopedic cutting tool for reshaping the end of a femur is described. The cutting tool comprises three separate cutting blades that are positioned within different locations within a housing to reshape the end of the femur to thus receive a femur head prosthetic. The cutting tool forms the reshaped femur end in one cutting motion. | 10-16-2014 |
20140304773 | SYSTEMS, DEVICES, COMPONENTS AND METHODS FOR COMMUNICATING WITH AN IMD USING A PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND A MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE - The present disclosure involves a method of communicating with an implantable medical device. An authentication process is performed to verify an identity of a user of a mobile computing device. A request is received from the user to access an implantable medical device via the mobile computing device. Based on the identity of the user, a first user interface suitable for the user is selected from a plurality of user interfaces that are each configured to control an implantable medical device. The plurality of user interfaces have different visual characteristics and different levels of access to the implantable medical device. The first user interface is displayed on the mobile computing device. | 10-09-2014 |
20140296952 | ELECTROMAGNETIC SHIELD FOR A PASSIVE ELECTRONIC COMPONENT IN AN ACTIVE MEDICAL DEVICE IMPLANTABLE LEAD - A shielded component or network for an active medical device (AMD) implantable lead includes an implantable lead having a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end, all external of an AMD housing, a passive component or network disposed somewhere along the length of the implantable lead, the passive component or network including at least one inductive component having a first inductive value, and an electromagnetic shield substantially surrounding the inductive component or the passive network. The first inductive value of the inductive component is adjusted to account for a shift in its inductance to a second inductive value when shielded. | 10-02-2014 |
20140276154 | CARDIAC SIGNAL RECORDING USING DYNAMICALLY GENERATED DETECTION THRESHOLDS - A medical device includes a housing configured for implantation within a body of a patient, and detection circuitry disposed in the housing and coupled to an electrode arrangement. The detection circuitry is configured to sense cardiac signals from the patient. A processor is coupled to the detection circuitry. The processor is configured to compare the cardiac signals to an initial detection threshold, automatically generate an additional detection threshold in response to a predetermined number of the cardiac signals meeting or exceeding the initial detection threshold or a previously generated detection threshold, count each occurrence of a cardiac signal meeting or exceeding each of the respective detection thresholds, and record cardiac signal data only for a cardiac signal that meets or exceeds the highest of the detection thresholds. | 09-18-2014 |
20140275968 | SURROGATE IMPLANTED MEDICAL DEVICE FOR ENERGY DISSIPATION OF EXISTING IMPLANTED LEADS DURING MRI SCANS - A surrogate implantable medical device includes a thermally conductive and electrically conductive housing. A header connector block includes a header block body, where the header block body is attached to the housing. At least one connector cavity is located within the header block body and configured to be attachable to an implantable lead. At least one conductive leadwire is disposed at least partially within the header block body having a first end and a second end. The at least one conductive leadwire's first end is electrically connected to the at least one connector cavity and the at least one conductive leadwire's second end is electrically connected to the housing. The housing does not contain active electronics. | 09-18-2014 |
20140275919 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC MONITORING - In various examples, an apparatus includes an apparatus configured for implantation within a body of a patient. The apparatus, in some examples, includes a housing. At least one antenna extends from the housing, the antenna being flexible such that the antenna conforms to the body of the patient. In some examples, the apparatus includes at least three electrodes, wherein at least a first electrode is disposed on the antenna and at least a second electrode is disposed on the housing. The at least three electrodes are disposed in a non-linear configuration, allowing for differential processing of signals recorded by the at least three electrodes. | 09-18-2014 |
20140275837 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTION OF SLEEP DISORDERED BREATHING - An apparatus, system, and method directed to detecting a physiological signal during discrete time separated detection windows, deriving one or more respiratory disturbance indices from the physiological signal, detecting a respiratory disturbance state in response to the one or more respiratory disturbance indices deviating from a threshold value, interpolating the one or more respiratory disturbance indices between adjacent time separated detection windows, and declaring a respiratory disturbance episode based on the detected respiratory disturbance state during the detection windows and the interpolation between detection windows. | 09-18-2014 |
20140257115 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PATIENT ACTIVITY ESTIMATION AND CLASSIFICATION - A medical device includes a housing and an electrode arrangement coupled to the housing and configured to sense an electrical physiologic signal from a patient. The device also includes detection circuitry coupled to the electrode arrangement and configured to obtain a cardiac signal component and a non-cardiac signal component from the physiological signal. A processor is coupled to the detection circuitry. The processor is configured to detect patient activity using at least the non-cardiac signal component and discriminate between voluntary and involuntary activity of the patient based on a comparison of temporally aligned cardiac and non-cardiac signal components. | 09-11-2014 |
20140246408 | METHOD OF DIRECT RESISTANCE WELDING - SELF BRAZING OF ALUMINUM TO MOLYBDENUM PIN - A direct welding process for joining a current collector to a terminal pin in the construction of electrochemical cells is described. The resistance welding process utilizes increased current combined with an applied force to bond dissimilar metals with a melting temperature differential of preferably more than 500° C. Preferably, the method is used to bond the terminal pin to the cathode current collector. This method of attachment is suitable for either primary or secondary cells, particularly those powering implantable biomedical devices. | 09-04-2014 |
20140245600 | METHOD OF DIRECT RESISTANCE WELDING - SELF BRAZING OF ALUMINUM TO MOLYBDENUM PIN - A direct welding process for joining a current collector to a terminal pin in the construction of electrochemical cells is described. The resistance welding process utilizes increased current combined with an applied force to bond dissimilar metals with a melting temperature differential of preferably more than 500° C. Preferably, the method is used to bond the terminal pin to the cathode current collector. This method of attachment is suitable for either primary or secondary cells, particularly those powering implantable biomedical devices. | 09-04-2014 |
20140243944 | HEADER BLOCK FOR AN AIMD WITH AN ABANDONED LEAD CONNECTOR CAVITY - A header for an active implantable medical device includes a header block body and at least one active connector cavity configured to be attachable to an active lead. A first conductive leadwire has a first and second end, where the first end of the first conductive leadwire is electrically connected to the at least one active connector cavity and the second end of the first conductive leadwire is connectable to a hermetic terminal of the active implantable medical device. At least one abandoned connector cavity is located within the header block body configured to attachable to an abandoned lead. A second conductive leadwire has a first and second end, where the first end of the second conductive leadwire is electrically connected to the at least one abandoned connector cavity and the second end of the second conductive leadwire is connectable to the active implantable medical device housing. | 08-28-2014 |
20140240060 | EMI FILTER EMPLOYING A SELF-RESONANT INDUCTOR BANDSTOP FILTER HAVING OPTIMUM INDUCTANCE AND CAPACITANCE VALUES - A bandstop filter having optimum component values is provided for a lead of an active implantable medical device (AIMD). The bandstop filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the implantable lead of the AIMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the bandstop filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the bandstop filter to attenuate current flow through the implantable lead along a range of selected frequencies. | 08-28-2014 |
20140237806 | CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR IMPLANTABLE PULSE GENERATOR AND METHOD OF USE - A method of assembling a contact assembly for installation in a medical device, and more specifically, a header contact assembly for installation in an implantable medical device for achieving electrical contact with an in-line IPG lead for implanted electrodes, the assembly utilizing a contact structure such as a “toroidal spring in groove” device. | 08-28-2014 |
20140222112 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR VISUALLY INDICATING THE ALIGNMENT OF A TRANSCUTANEOUS ENERGY TRANSFER DEVICE OVER AN IMPLANTED MEDICAL DEVICE - The present disclosure involves a charging system for charging an implanted medical system. The charging device includes a replenishable power supply. The charging device includes a coil assembly electrically coupled to the power supply. The coil assembly includes a primary coil and a plurality of sense coils positioned proximate to the primary coil. The charging device includes electrical circuitry operable to: measure an electrical parameter of the coil assembly; and determine a position of the coil assembly relative to a position of the implanted medical device based on the measured electrical parameter. The charging device includes a visual communications interface operable to: receive an input from the electrical circuitry; and visually display on a screen the position of the coil assembly relative to the position of the implanted medical device based on the input received from the electrical circuitry. | 08-07-2014 |
20140200593 | ADJUSTABLE WIRE LENGTH STYLET HANDLE - A stylet-lead assembly includes a therapy delivery element and a stylet. The therapy delivery element includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen having a lumen length extending from the proximal end to almost the distal end. The stylet includes a stylet handle including a locking insert having a first channel adapted to receive a proximal end of a stylet wire. A portion of the stylet wire extending beyond a proximal end of the locking insert includes at least one bend. The stylet handle has an opening at a distal end adapted to compressively engage the proximal end of the stylet wire to the locking insert, such that an exposed portion of the stylet wire measured from a distal end of the stylet wire to a distal end of the locking insert generally comprises the lumen length. | 07-17-2014 |
20140194964 | LOW IMPEDANCE OXIDE RESISTANT GROUNDED CAPACITOR FOR AN AIMD - A hermetically sealed filtered feedthrough assembly for an AIMD includes an insulator hermetically sealed to a conductive ferrule or housing. A conductor is hermetically sealed and disposed through the insulator in non-conductive relation to the conductive ferrule or housing between a body fluid side and a device side. A feedthrough capacitor is disposed on the device side. A first low impedance electrical connection is between a first end metallization of the capacitor and the conductor. A second low impedance electrical connection is between a second end metallization of the capacitor and the ferrule or housing. The second low impedance electrical connection includes an oxide-resistant metal addition attached directly to the ferrule or housing and an electrical connection coupling the second end metallization electrically and physically directly to the oxide-resistant metal addition. | 07-10-2014 |
20140172059 | IMPLANTABLE LEAD HAVING A SHIELDED BANDSTOP FILTER COMPRISING A SELF-RESONANT INDUCTOR FOR AN ACTIVE MEDICAL DEVICE - A shielded component or network for an active medical device (AMD) implantable lead includes (1) an implantable lead having a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end, all external of an AMD housing, (2) a passive component or network disposed somewhere along the length of the implantable lead, the passive component or network including at least one inductive component having a first inductive value, and (3) an electromagnetic shield substantially surrounding the inductive component or the passive network. The first inductive value of the inductive component is adjusted to a account for a shift in its inductance to a second inductive value when shielded. | 06-19-2014 |
20140168917 | LOW INDUCTANCE AND LOW RESISTANCE HERMETICALLY SEALED FILTERED FEEDTHROUGH FOR AN AIMD - A hermetically sealed filtered feedthrough includes a chip capacitor disposed on a circuit board on a device side. A first low impedance electrical connection is between a capacitor first end metallization and a conductor which is disposed through an insulator. A second low impedance electrical connection is between the capacitor second end metallization and a ferrule or housing. The second low impedance electrical connection may include an oxide-resistant electrical connection forming the hermetic seal between the insulator and the ferrule or housing and an electrical connection between and to the second end metallization and directly to the oxide-resistant electrical connection. Alternatively, the second low impedance electrical connection may include an oxide-resistant metal addition attached directly to the ferrule or housing and an electrical connection between and to the second end metallization and directly to the oxide-resistant metal addition. | 06-19-2014 |
20140168850 | RF FILTER FOR AN ACTIVE MEDICAL DEVICE (AMD) FOR HANDLING HIGH RF POWER INDUCED IN AN ASSOCIATED IMPLANTED LEAD FROM AN EXTERNAL RF FIELD - An RF filter for an active medical device (AMD), for handling RF power induced in an associated lead from an external RF field at a selected MRI frequency or range frequencies includes a capacitor having a capacitance of between 100 and 10,000 picofarads, and a temperature stable dielectric having a dielectric constant of 200 or less and a temperature coefficient of capacitance (TCC) within the range of plus 400 to minus 7112 parts per million per degree centigrade. The capacitor's dielectric loss tangent in ohms is less than five percent of the capacitor's equivalent series resistance (ESR) at the selected MRI RF frequency or range of frequencies. | 06-19-2014 |
20140161973 | CO-FIRED HERMETICALLY SEALED FEEDTHROUGH WITH ALUMINA SUBSTRATE AND PLATINUM FILLED VIA FOR AN ACTIVE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A co-fired hermetically sealed feedthrough is attachable to an active implantable medical device. The feedthrough comprises an alumina dielectric substrate comprising at least 96 or 99% alumina. A via hole is disposed through the alumina dielectric substrate from a body fluid side to a device side. A substantially closed pore, fritless and substantially pure platinum fill is disposed within the via hole forming a platinum filled via electrically conductive between the body fluid side and the device side. A hermetic seal is between the platinum fill and the alumina dielectric substrate, wherein the hermetic seal comprises a tortuous and mutually conformal interface between the alumina dielectric substrate and the platinum fill. | 06-12-2014 |
20140148851 | MULTI-DUROMETER REINFORCED SUTURE SLEEVE - A suture anchor for securing a therapy delivery element in a desired location within a living body using a suture material. The suture anchor includes an inner sleeve with a primary lumen sized to receive the therapy delivery element. The inner sleeve includes a compliant material having a first durometer. An anchor body extends around at least a portion of the inner sleeve and includes a portion of the primary lumen. The anchor body includes a compliant material having a second durometer less than the first durometer. At least one exterior suture groove is located on the anchor body to receive the suture material. The exterior suture groove extends substantially to the inner sleeve so the suture material engages directly with the inner sleeve. | 05-29-2014 |
20140137403 | TEMPORARY STIMULATION LEAD WITH POLYMER ELECTRODES AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE - A temporary medical lead in which stimulating electrical energy is transmitted to body tissue through the lead electrodes via ionic conduction within the hydrogel material is described. The hydrophilic hydrogel material consists of a porous structure into which conductive salt ions are diffused. In addition the structure of the hydrogel material can be loaded with a single or combination of therapeutic drugs which is elutable from the electrode. | 05-22-2014 |
20140094871 | DIGITAL CONTROL FOR PULSE GENERATORS - A controller for implementing a method, device and/or system for generating arbitrary waveforms of a desired shape that can be used for generating a stimulation pulse for medical purposes such as for spinal cord stimulation therapy, where such arbitrary waveforms can also be used for charge balancing purposes. | 04-03-2014 |
20140081365 | MULTI-DUROMETER REINFORCED SUTURE SLEEVE - Suture anchors for securing therapy delivery elements, such as stimulation leads or catheters, within a living body. The suture anchor includes an inner sleeve constructed with an inner layer of a softer, more pliable material that easily conforms to the therapy delivery element to reduce slippage and an outer layer constructed from a harder, stiffer durometer material that protects the therapy delivery elements from damage due to over-tightening the tie down sutures. A suture material located in the suture groove is tensioned to apply a radial compressive force. The reinforcing structure spreads the radial compressive force along a greater surface area of the therapy delivery element. | 03-20-2014 |
20140074211 | BAND STOP FILTER COMPRISING AN INDUCTIVE COMPONENT DISPOSED IN A LEAD WIRE IN SERIES WITH AN ELECTRODE - A band stop filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The band stop filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the band stop filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the band stop filter to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a preferred form, the band stop filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device. | 03-13-2014 |
20140074185 | METHOD OF MINIMIZING INTERRUPTIONS TO IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE RECHARGING - A system and method of controlling the charging of the battery of a medical device using a remote inductive charger, with the method utilizing both a relatively fast closed-loop charging control based on a proxy for a target power transmission value in conjunction, and a slower closed-loop control based on an actual measured transmission value to control a charging power level for charging the medical device. | 03-13-2014 |
20140070773 | METHOD OF IMPROVING BATTERY RECHARGE EFFICIENCY BY STATISTICAL ANALYSIS - A system and method for using statistical analysis of information obtained during a rechargeable battery charging session, wherein the method is for optimizing one or more parameters that are used for controlling the charging of a rechargeable battery during the charging session. | 03-13-2014 |
20140070761 | IMPLANT CURRENT CONTROLLED BATTERY CHARGING BASED ON TEMPERATURE - A method for wirelessly charging a battery in an implantable medical device including the steps of: providing a receiver in the implantable medical device and providing a temperature sensor in the implantable medical device. The method also includes receiving, via the receiver, a wireless power signal from an external charger and converting the wireless power signal into a battery charge signal including power for recharging the battery. The method yet also includes sensing a temperature of the implantable medical device with the temperature sensor. The method further includes changing a current of the battery charge signal from a first non-zero current to a second non-zero current that is different from the first non-zero current. Changing of the current of the battery charge signal is based on the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor. | 03-13-2014 |
20140068936 | LEAD WITH BRAIDED REINFORCEMENT - A therapy delivery element configured for at least partial insertion in a living body. A braided structure surrounds the conductor assembly. A distal end of the braided structure is attached to an electrode assembly and a free floating proximal end is located near a connector assembly. An outer tubing surrounds the braided structure. The outer tubing includes a proximal end attached to the connector assembly and a distal end attached to the braided structure near the electrode assembly. A proximal tension force applied to the connector assembly acts substantially on the outer tubing and the conductor assembly and a proximal tension force applied to the free floating proximal end acts substantially on the braided structure. | 03-13-2014 |
20140067013 | Touch Screen Safety Controls for Clinician Programmer - The present disclosure involves an electronic apparatus for programming an implantable medical device to provide a stimulation therapy for a patient. The electronic apparatus includes a user interface configured to communicate with a user, a memory storage configured to store executable instructions, and a computer processor configured to execute the instructions to implement a plurality of safety controls. The safety controls include: starting/stopping the stimulation therapy by starting the stimulation therapy after a predefined time delay but stopping the stimulation therapy instantaneously; disabling programming of the electronic apparatus and terminating any existing stimulation therapy in response to a low-battery status of the electronic apparatus; adjusting a value of a stimulation parameter of the stimulation therapy one predetermined step at a time, each adjustment corresponding to a separate user input; and restricting a range in which the user can set an upper limit and a lower limit of the stimulation parameter. | 03-06-2014 |
20140067012 | Clinician Programming System and Method - A clinician programming system operable to control an implantable medical device includes a clinician programmer and a secondary unit. The clinician programmer has a housing, and includes a first display configured to display information indicative of the inputs by the clinician or display information indicative of status of an implantable pulse generator, the first display having a first display size. The secondary unit is separate from the housing of the clinician programmer and includes a secondary display. The secondary display is configured to communicate with the clinician programmer via the secondary display communication interface and configured to display information received via the secondary display communication interface. | 03-06-2014 |
20140067011 | Systems and Methods for the Identification and Association of Medical Devices - A system for operating a medical device, the system comprises a medical device associated with a machine-readable representation of data and a medical programmer. The medical programmer includes a sensor configured to detect the machine-readable representation of data and a display configured to graphically display a digital image of the medical device associated with the machine-readable representation of data. | 03-06-2014 |
20140067005 | Programming and Virtual Reality Representation of Stimulation Parameter Groups - The present disclosure involves a medical system that includes one or more implantable medical devices configured to deliver a medical therapy to a patient. The medical system also includes a portable electronic device on which a touch-sensitive user interface is implemented. The user interface is configured to provide a visual representation of the medical therapy through a hierarchy. The hierarchy includes a lower level representation of the medical therapy that corresponds to a stimulation program that includes a plurality of configurable stimulation parameters. The hierarchy includes a middle level representation of the medical therapy that corresponds to a stimulation program-set that includes a plurality of different stimulation programs. The hierarchy includes an upper level representation of the medical therapy that corresponds to a scrollable collection of stimulation program-sets that are represented by a plurality of digital cards, respectively. | 03-06-2014 |
20140066802 | Cognition and Usability Aptitude Evaluations for Clinician Programmers - The present disclosure involves an electronic device. The electronic device is configured to perform evaluations on a patient user for medical purposes. The electronic device includes a touchscreen display configured to receive input from the user. The electronic device includes a memory storage component configured to store programming code. The electronic device includes a computer processor configured to execute the programming code to perform an evaluation of the user's mental and physical abilities. The evaluation includes prompting the user to perform a plurality of tasks. At least one of the tasks prompts the user to manipulate one or more graphical models shown on the touchscreen display according to predefined instructions. The evaluation includes detecting, via the touchscreen display, responses from the user for the tasks. The evaluation includes determining, based on the detected responses, whether the user is mentally and physically fit to provide reliable feedback to medical personnel. | 03-06-2014 |
20140063017 | Method and System of Model Shading and Reduction of Vertices for 3D Imaging on a Clinician Programmer - The present disclosure involves a method of providing three-dimensional imaging in a medical environment. A first three-dimensional (3D) model is provided. The first 3D model represents a part of human anatomy or an implantable medical device. The first 3D model contains a plurality of vertices. A second 3D model is then generated by performing a vertex-reduction process to the first 3D model. The second 3D model has fewer vertices than the first 3D model. A shading texture is applied to the second 3D model to obtain a texture-shaded second 3D model. The applying the shading texture is performed using the first 3D model as a reference so that the texture-shaded second 3D model resembles the first 3D model. | 03-06-2014 |
20140062900 | Virtual Reality Representation of Medical Devices - The present disclosure involves a method of facilitating visualization in a medical context. The method includes displaying a virtual reality representation of a medical device via a touch-sensitive user interface. The virtual reality representation of the medical device includes a movable and rotatable three-dimensional model of the medical device. The method includes displaying a virtual reality representation of an anatomical environment of a patient via a touch-sensitive user interface. The virtual reality representation of the anatomical environment is zoomable and scalable. The method includes customizing the virtual reality representation of the medical device. The method includes positioning the customized virtual reality representation of the medical device in an appropriate location of the virtual reality representation of the anatomical environment. The customizing and the positioning are performed in response to user input. | 03-06-2014 |
20140046414 | LEAD WITH BRAIDED REINFORCEMENT - A therapy delivery element configured for at least partial insertion in a living body. A braided structure surrounds the conductor assembly. A distal end of the braided structure is attached to an electrode assembly and a free floating proximal end is located near a connector assembly. An outer tubing surrounds the braided structure. The outer tubing includes a proximal end attached to the connector assembly and a distal end attached to the braided structure near the electrode assembly. A proximal tension force applied to the connector assembly acts substantially on the outer tubing and the conductor assembly and a proximal tension force applied to the free floating proximal end acts substantially on the braided structure. | 02-13-2014 |
20140046413 | LEAD POSITIONING AND FIXATION SYSTEM - A therapy assembly configured for at least partial insertion in a living body. A plurality of fixation structures are disposed radially around the therapy delivery element proximate the electrodes. The fixation structures include wires having a diameter in a range between about 0.004 inches and about 0.020 inches. The wires have a first end attached to the therapy delivery element and a second end attached to a sliding member configured to slide along the therapy delivery element. The fixation structures are configured to collapse inward to a collapsed configuration when inserted into a lumen of an introducer and to deploy to a deployed configuration when the introducer is retracted. A fitting is located at proximal end of the introducer that releasably locks the therapy delivery element to the introducer, such that torque applied to the fitting is substantially transmitted to the distal end of the therapy assembly. | 02-13-2014 |
20140046163 | FIBER OPTIC ASSISTED MEDICAL LEAD - A medical device for placing a medical lead in the human body using minimally invasive techniques is described. One lead includes a lead body connected to a lead head having an aperture for providing fiber optic access to the interior of a helical electrode. The fiber optic shaft may be disposed within or along-side a drive shaft releasably coupled to the lead head to rotate the head. The drive shaft and lead body may be delivered using a delivery catheter. The delivery catheter can be advanced though a small incision to the target tissue site, and the site remotely visualized through the fiber optic scope extending through the lead head aperture. The lead head can be rotated, rotating the helical electrode into the tissue, and the catheter, drive shaft, and fiber optic probe removed. | 02-13-2014 |
20140036409 | EMI Filtered Co-Connected Hermetic Feedthrough, Feedthrough Capacitor and Leadwire Assembly for an Active Implantable Medical Device - A co-connected hermetic feedthrough, feedthrough capacitor, and leadwire assembly includes a dielectric substrate with a via hole disposed through the dielectric substrate from a body fluid side to a device side. A conductive fill is disposed within the via forming a hermetic seal and is electrically conductive between the body fluid side and the device side. A feedthrough capacitor is attached to the dielectric substrate and includes a capacitor dielectric substrate, an unfilled capacitor via hole including an inner metallization, a set of capacitor active electrode plates electrically coupled to the inner metallization, an outer metallization disposed and a set of capacitor ground electrode plates electrically coupled to the outer metallization. A conductive leadwire is disposed within the unfilled capacitor via hole. An electrical joint connects the conductive fill, the capacitor inner metallization along with the capacitor active electrode plates and the conductive leadwire. | 02-06-2014 |
20140031909 | MINIMALLY INVASIVE METHODS FOR IMPLANTING A SACRAL STIMULATION LEAD - Methods and apparatus for implanting a neural stimulation lead in a patient's body are described. A lead assembly comprises a pointed-tip stylet, a stimulation lead, and an optional tube to deploy a fixation element attached to the lead. One embodiment of the implant methods starts with inserting the pointed-tip lead assembly directly into tissue. After the desired implant position is determined, the pointed-tip component is separated from the stimulation lead and removed from the tissue, leaving the stimulation lead implanted. After confirmation that the stimulation lead is in the right, tissue location, the pointed-tip component is removed from the body, leaving the stimulation lead in place. The stimulation lead can be connected to a neurostimulator to delivery therapies to treat neural disorders, such as urinary control disorders, fecal control disorders, sexual, dysfunction, and pelvic pain, etc. | 01-30-2014 |
20140025135 | Active Current Control Using the Enclosure of an Implanted Pulse Generator - An electrical stimulation apparatus including a medical device. The medical device includes: a housing component having at least one electrically conductive area. The medical device includes a plurality of conductors configured to be electrically coupled to a distal electrode array. The electrode array are implantable in a human body. The medical device includes a stimulation circuit positioned inside the housing component. The stimulation circuit includes a plurality of controllable stimulation channels. A first subset of the stimulation channels is electrically coupled to the conductors. A second subset of the stimulation channels is electrically coupled to the electrically conductive area of the housing component. The stimulation circuit is operable to simultaneously create a first stimulation path in the electrode array and a second stimulation path that extends from the electrode array to the housing component. | 01-23-2014 |
20140025003 | Introducer Handle Notch Design/Concept - An improved splittable medical device introducer designed to introduce a medical device such as a lead or catheter, into a patient's vasculature without loss of blood or introduction of air is described. The introducer assembly is designed with a notch provided at the proximal end of the introducer housing. The notch, which may comprise a multitude of cross-sectional geometries, is designed to reduce the force required to separate the housing and the introducer sheath, thereby minimizing the possibility of unintentional dislodgement during separation. The notch also increases the repeatability and consistency of the amount of force required to separate the introducer housing and sheath. | 01-23-2014 |
20140018895 | LEAD BODY WITH INNER AND OUTER CO-AXIAL COILS - A biomedical conductor assembly adapted for at least partial insertion in a living body. The conductor assembly includes a plurality of the first electrical conductors each covered with an insulator and helically wound in a first direction to form an inner coil with a lumen. A plurality of second electrical conductors each including a plurality of un-insulated wires twisted in a ropelike configuration around a central axis to form a plurality of cables. Each cable is covered with an insulator and helically wound in a second opposite direction forming an outer coil in direct physical contact with the inner coil. The inner and outer coils are covered by an insulator. A method of making the conductor assembly and implanting a neurostimulation system is also disclosed. | 01-16-2014 |
20140012357 | IMPLANTABLE LEAD WITH BRAIDED CONDUCTORS - In some examples, an extension includes a connector adapted to electrically couple to a proximal end of the therapy delivery element. An elongated extension body is attached to the connector. The elongated extension body includes a stylet coil having a stylet coil lumen. The stylet coil extends within the elongated extension body to the connector. A conductor assembly includes a plurality of insulated electrical conductors braided to extend around the stylet coil and electrically coupled to the connector. The conductor assembly includes an inner lumen with a diameter greater than an outside diameter of the stylet coil, wherein axial elongated of the elongated extension body reduces the inner diameter of the conductor assembly. A low durometer insulator extends around the conductor assembly. A stylet is sized to slide freely within the stylet coil lumen during implantation of the extension in the living body. | 01-09-2014 |
20140005754 | BRAIDED LEAD WITH EMBEDDED FIXATION STRUCTURES | 01-02-2014 |
20140005675 | LEAD POSITIONING AND FINNED FIXATION SYSTEM | 01-02-2014 |
20140005599 | DYNAMIC COIL FOR IMPLANTABLE STIMULATION LEADS | 01-02-2014 |
20130338747 | MULTILAYER HELICAL WAVE FILTER FOR MEDICAL THERAPEUTIC OR DIAGNOSTIC APPLICATIONS - A multilayer helical wave filter having a primary resonance at a selected RF diagnostic or therapeutic frequency or frequency range, includes an elongated conductor forming at least a portion of an implantable medical lead. The elongated conductor includes a first helically wound segment having at least one planar surface, a first end and a second end, which forms a first inductive component, and a second helically wound segment having at least one planar surface, a first end and a second end, which forms a second inductive element. The first and second helically wound segments are wound in the same longitudinal direction and share a common longitudinal axis. Planar surfaces of the helically wound segments face one another, and a dielectric material is disposed between the facing planar surfaces of the helically wound segments and between adjacent coils of the helically wound segments, thereby forming a capacitance. | 12-19-2013 |
20130317584 | HEADER EMBEDDED FILTER FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A header block is configured to be attachable to an implantable medical device. The header block includes a header block body and a connection port disposed in the header block body configured to receive an implantable lead. A conductor is disposed in the header block body electrically coupled to the connection port at a first end and connectable at a second end to the implantable medical device. An impeding device is electrically coupled in series along the length of the conductor and disposed within the header block body. The impeding device is configured to raise the high-frequency impedance of the conductor. The impeding device may include a bandstop filter or an L-C tank circuit. | 11-28-2013 |
20130317345 | IMPLANTABLE CARDIOVERTER DEFIBRILLATOR DESIGNED FOR USE IN A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING ENVIRONMENT - An implantable cardioverter defibrillator includes a communication interface operable to receive a communication signal from an external programmer. The communication signal includes a command to switch the ICD from a first mode to a second mode. A processor is in electrical communication with the communication interface and configured to switch the ICD between the first and second modes. A battery is configured to supply low DC voltage. A converter is configured to convert the low DC voltage to a high DC voltage. An energy storage capacitor is electrically coupled to the converter and configured to store a therapeutic energy or high DC voltage including at least 15 joules. The second mode includes activating the converter to convert the low DC voltage to the high DC voltage and storing the therapeutic energy or at least 15 joules within the energy storage capacitor during a period of time of the second mode. | 11-28-2013 |
20130304051 | TRANSSEPTAL NEEDLE APPARATUS - In various examples, an apparatus includes a needle cannula including a proximal end and a distal end The needle cannula includes a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end. A handle is disposed at the proximal end of the needle cannula. An electrocautery receiver is associated with the handle and electrically coupled to the needle cannula, wherein, with an electrocautery device activated and placed within the electrocautery receiver, electrical energy is conducted from the electrocautery device to the distal end of the needle cannula to selectively electrocauterize tissue in contact with the distal end of the needle cannula. | 11-14-2013 |
20130303997 | TRANSSEPTAL NEEDLE APPARATUS - In various examples, an apparatus includes a gripping member including a body and a gripping portion attached to the body. The body includes a passage configured to accept a needle cannula within the passage. The gripping portion includes an open configuration in which the needle cannula is movable within the passage and a closed configuration in which the gripping portion engages the needle cannula to inhibit movement of the needle cannula within the passage. A coupling member is rotatably attached to the gripping member. The coupling member is configured to selectively couple with a dilator. The coupling member includes a bore fluidly coupled with the passage, the bore being configured to accept the needle cannula within the bore. | 11-14-2013 |
20130268028 | Diversity Antennas for Neurostimulator Programming Devices - The present disclosure involves a programmer configured to program an implanted medical device. The programmer includes a circuit board and first and second wireless communication devices located on the circuit board. The first wireless communication device is configured to operate in a first frequency band. The second wireless communication device is configured to operate in a second frequency band different from the first frequency band. The first and second wireless communication devices are each configured to communicate wirelessly with the implanted medical device. The programmer includes a first group of antennas coupled to the first wireless communication device. The antennas in the first group have first different positions on the circuit board. The programmer includes a second group of antennas coupled to the second wireless communication device. The antennas in the second group have second different positions on the circuit board. | 10-10-2013 |
20130253297 | SWITCHED DIVERTER CIRCUITS FOR MINIMIZING HEATING OF AN IMPLANTED LEAD AND/OR PROVIDING EMI PROTECTION IN A HIGH POWER ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD ENVIRONMENT - An energy management system that facilitates the transfer of high frequency energy induced on an implanted lead or a leadwire includes an energy dissipating surface associated with the implanted lead or the leadwire, a diversion or diverter circuit associated with the energy dissipating surface, and at least one non-linear circuit element switch for diverting energy in the implanted lead or the leadwire through the diversion circuit to the energy dissipating surface. In alternate configurations, the switch may be disposed between the implanted lead or the leadwire and the diversion circuit, or disposed so that it electrically opens the implanted lead or the leadwire when diverting energy through the diversion circuit to the energy dissipating surface. The non-linear circuit element switch is typically a PIN diode. The diversion circuit may be either a high pass filter or a low pass filter. | 09-26-2013 |
20130245413 | ELECTROMAGNETIC SHIELD FOR A PASSIVE ELECTRONIC COMPONENT IN AN ACTIVE MEDICAL DEVICE IMPLANTABLE LEAD - A shielded component or network for an active medical device (AMD) implantable lead includes (1) an implantable lead having a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end, all external of an AMD housing, (2) a passive component or network disposed somewhere along the length of the implantable lead, the passive component or network including at least one inductive component having a first inductive value, and (3) an electromagnetic shield substantially surrounding the inductive component or the passive network. The first inductive value of the inductive component is adjusted to a account for a shift in its inductance to a second inductive value when shielded. | 09-19-2013 |
20130238069 | LOW INSERTION FORCE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - A low-insertion force electrical connector for implantable medical devices includes a housing with a pair of opposing sidewalls each with center openings oriented generally concentrically around a center axis. An inner coil is located in a recess with a coil axis generally co-linear with the center axis of the center openings. The inner coil includes an outer diameter less than a recess diameter, and an inner diameter greater than a center opening diameter. An outer coil is threaded onto the inner coil. The outer coil has an outer diameter less than the recess diameter, and an inner diameter less than the center opening diameter. The outer coil is radially expanded within the recess in response to engagement with contact rings on the implantable medical device, such that the outer diameter of the outer coil is at least equal to the recess diameter. | 09-12-2013 |
20130235550 | INTERNALLY GROUNDED FLAT THROUGH FILTER WITH HERMETICALLY SEALED INSULATIVE BODY WITH INTERNAL GROUND PLATES - A shielded three-terminal flat-through EMI/energy dissipating filter includes an active electrode plate through which a circuit current passes between a first terminal and a second terminal, a first shield plate on a first side of the active electrode plate, and a second shield plate on a second side of the active electrode plate opposite the first shield plate. The first and second shield plates are conductively coupled to a grounded third terminal. In preferred embodiments, the active electrode plate and the shield plates are at least partially disposed with a hybrid flat-through substrate that may include a flex cable section, a rigid cable section, or both. | 09-12-2013 |
20130226273 | SHIELDED TORQUE CARRIER FOR A PASSIVE ELECTRONIC COMPONENT IN AN ACTIVE MEDICAL DEVICE IMPLANTABLE LEAD - A shielded component or network for an active medical device (AMD) implantable lead includes (1) an implantable lead having a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end, all external of an AMD housing, (2) a passive component or network disposed somewhere along the length of the implantable lead, the passive component or network including at least one inductive component having a first inductive value, and (3) an electromagnetic shield substantially surrounding the inductive component or the passive network. The first inductive value of the inductive component is adjusted to a account for a shift in its inductance to a second inductive value when shielded. | 08-29-2013 |
20130226262 | SATELLITE THERAPY DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR BRAIN NEUROMODULATION - Deep brain electrodes are remotely sensed and activated by means of a remote active implantable medical device (AIMD). In a preferred form, a pulse generator is implanted in the pectoral region and includes a hermetic seal through which protrudes a conductive leadwire which provides an external antenna for transmission and reception of radio frequency (RF) pulses. One or more deep brain electrode modules are constructed and placed which can transmit and receive RF energy from the pulse generator. An RF telemetry link is established between the implanted pulse generator and the deep brain electrode assemblies. The satellite modules are configured for generating pacing pulses for a variety of disease conditions, including epileptic seizures, Turrets Syndrome, Parkinson's Tremor, and a variety of other neurological or brain disorders. | 08-29-2013 |
20130204319 | ARBITRARY WAVEFORM GENERATOR & NEURAL STIMULATION APPLICATION WITH SCALABLE WAVEFORM FEATURE AND CHARGE BALANCING - A method, device and/or system for generating arbitrary waveforms of a desired shape that can be used for generating a stimulation pulse for medical purposes such as for spinal cord stimulation therapy, including the option of using such arbitrary waveforms for charge balancing purposes. | 08-08-2013 |
20130201005 | RFID INTERROGATOR CONFIGURED FOR PROTECTION AGAINST ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE OF A REMOTE DEVICE HAVING AN RFID TAG - An RFID tag interrogator is described. The interrogator comprises a time-out circuit and an actuatable RF signal generator for transmitting an electromagnetic signal. Upon first actuation, the RF signal generator transmits a first electromagnetic signal having a first limited total continuous transmit time that is no longer than a predetermined transmit-time. That transmission is followed by an interim period of a defined length where the time-out circuit renders the interrogator incapable of transmitting the electromagnetic signal. The interim period is followed by the RF signal generator transmitting a second electromagnetic signal having a second limited total continuous transmit time that is no longer than the predetermined transmit time. The time-out circuit prevents the first, second and subsequent transmissions of the electromagnetic signal that are each no longer than the predetermined transmit time after a prior electromagnetic signal has been transmitted until the interim period has expired. | 08-08-2013 |
20130197610 | SUPERPLASTIC FORMING FOR TITANIUM IMPLANT ENCLOSURES - A titanium alloy metal sheet is provided and heated to a superplastic forming temperature. A die has a plurality of housing forming areas each corresponding to one of the medical device housing portions. The heated titanium alloy metal sheet is forced onto the die and over each one of the plurality of housing forming areas, thereby superplastically forming a workpiece comprising a plurality of integrally formed implantable medical device housing portions. | 08-01-2013 |
20130197608 | HEAT DISPERSION FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - An implantable medical device that includes electrical circuitry for providing a therapy to a patient. The device also includes a housing forming an inner chamber that is adapted for receiving, at least a portion of the electrical circuitry. The device further includes a thermally conductive material that is configured to disperse heat from a first portion of the implantable medical device that is located in proximity to a heat generating component of the electrical circuitry, to a second portion of the implantable medical device that is not located in proximity to said heat generating component. The thermally conductive material is a discrete component separate from the electrical circuitry and the housing. | 08-01-2013 |
20130197607 | DUAL PATIENT CONTROLLERS - Devices, systems, and methods incorporate the most-used functions of a electrical stimulator's controller into a small, thin pocket controller that is not only comfortable to carry in a pocket, but can also be attached to a key ring, lanyard, or other such carrying device for ease of daily use. A separate patient controller charger is used to charge and control the implanted medical device. | 08-01-2013 |
20130197603 | CONTACT BLOCK USING SPHERICAL ELECTRICAL CONTACTS FOR ELECTRICALLY CONTACTING IMPLANTABLE LEADS - A contact block for electrically connecting a medical device to a conductive pin using improved electrical contact components. More specifically, an electrical contact block for achieving electrical contact with a conductive portion of an in-line IPG pin by utilizing a plurality of spherical conductive contact structures arranged in a ring around the conductive portion of the pin and biased toward the pin and held in place using a compliant o-ring. | 08-01-2013 |
20130184797 | CO-FIRED HERMETICALLY SEALED FEEDTHROUGH WITH ALUMINA SUBSTRATEAND PLATINUM FILLED VIA FOR AN ACTIVE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A co-fired hermetically sealed feedthrough is attachable to an active implantable medical device. The feedthrough comprises an alumina dielectric substrate comprising at least 96 or 99% alumina. A via hole is disposed through the alumina dielectric substrate from a body fluid side to a device side. A substantially closed pore, fritless and substantially pure platinum fill is disposed within the via hole forming a platinum filled via electrically conductive between the body fluid side and the device side. A hermetic seal is between the platinum fill and the alumina dielectric substrate, wherein the hermetic seal comprises a tortuous and mutually conformal interface between the alumina dielectric substrate and the platinum fill. | 07-18-2013 |
20130184796 | Elevated Hermetic Feedthrough Insulator Adapted for Side Attachment of Electrical Conductors on the Body Fluid Side of an Active Implantable Medical Device - An elevated feedthrough is attachable to a top or a side of an active implantable medical device. The feedthrough includes a conductive ferrule and a dielectric substrate. The dielectric substrate is defined as comprising a body fluid side and a device side disposed within the conductive ferrule. The dielectric substrate includes a body fluid side elevated portion generally raised above the conductive ferrule. At least one via hole is disposed through the dielectric substrate from the body fluid side to the device side. A conductive fill is disposed within the at least one via hole forming a hermetic seal and electrically conductive between the body fluid side and the device side. A leadwire connection feature is on the body fluid side electrically coupled to the conductive fill and disposed adjacent to the elevated portion of the dielectric substrate. | 07-18-2013 |
20130144179 | Cross-Band Communications In an Implantable Device - An ambulatory monitoring device includes a sensor to monitor a physiological signal and a battery power source. The device also includes a wireless transceiver adapted to monitor a first frequency band having frequencies below 1 MHz and configured to detect and receive, using less than 10 micro-amps of current from the battery power source when operating, wireless communications within the first frequency band from a remote device at least one meter away. The wireless transceiver is further adapted to transmit—after receipt from the remote device of a first wireless communication within the first frequency band that includes an invitation for further communication—a second wireless communication in a second frequency band having frequencies above 10 MHz, the second wireless communication comprising data indicative of the physiological signal as sensed by the sensor. | 06-06-2013 |
20130110209 | FEED-THROUGH CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR IMPLANTABLE PULSE GENERATOR AND METHOD OF USE | 05-02-2013 |
20130085550 | MEDICAL IMPLANT RANGE EXTENSION BRIDGE APPARATUS AND METHOD - A medical device for use in providing therapy to a patient by bridging or otherwise extending the range of an external device for wirelessly connecting to a medical device, such as an implanted medical device for providing stimulation therapy to a patient | 04-04-2013 |
20130073021 | BAND STOP FILTER EMPLOYING A CAPACITOR AND AN INDUCTOR TANK CIRCUIT TO ENHANCE MRI COMPATIBILITY OF ACTIVE MEDICAL DEVICES - An implantable lead includes a lead conductor having a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end. A self-resonant inductor is connected in series along a portion of the length of the lead conductor. The self-resonant inductor includes a single length of conductive material including a dielectric coating substantially surrounding the single length of conductive material. The self-resonant inductor includes a first coiled or spiral conductor disposed along an inductor section spanning in a first direction from a first location to a second location. A second coiled or spiral conductor is disposed along the inductor section spanning in a second direction from the second location to the first location, where the second direction is opposite the first direction. A third coiled or spiral conductor is disposed along the inductor section spanning in the first direction from the first location to the second location. | 03-21-2013 |
20130072868 | Articulating Handle for a Deflectable Catheter and Method Therefor - A catheter assembly includes a handle assembly, and a catheter body coupled with the handle assembly, where the catheter body extends to a deflectable distal end portion, and the deflectable distal end is controllable by a flexible element. A lever actuator member is operatively coupled with the flexible element, and movement of the actuator member provides for movement of the flexible element. | 03-21-2013 |
20130070387 | DUAL STAGE EMI FILTER AND OFFSET HIGHLY EFFICIENT MULTI-POLAR ACTIVE CAPACITOR ELECTRODES FOR AN ACTIVE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A multipolar feedthrough filter capacitor assembly for an active implantable medical device includes a feedthrough filter capacitor including a first active electrode plate, a second active electrode plate and a plurality of ground electrode plates. The plates are in spaced parallel relation disposed within a monolithic dielectric substrate where the first and second active electrode plates are disposed between the plurality of ground electrode plates. A first conductive terminal pin is disposed through the feedthrough filter capacitor electrically coupled to the first active electrode plate and in non-conductive relation to both the second active electrode plate and ground electrode plate. A second conductive terminal pin may be disposed through the feedthrough filter capacitor electrically coupled to the second active electrode plate and in non-conductive relation to both the first active electrode plate and ground electrode plate. | 03-21-2013 |
20130053864 | LEAD BODY WITH INNER AND OUTER CO-AXIAL COILS - A biomedical conductor assembly adapted for at least partial insertion in a living body. The conductor assembly includes a plurality of the first electrical conductors each covered with an insulator and helically wound in a first direction to form an inner coil with a lumen. A plurality of second electrical conductors each including a plurality of un-insulated wires twisted in a ropelike configuration around a central axis to form a plurality of cables. Each cable is covered with an insulator and helically wound in a second opposite direction forming an outer coil in direct physical contact with the inner coil. The inner and outer coils are covered by an insulator. A method of making the conductor assembly and implanting a neurostimulation system is also disclosed. | 02-28-2013 |
20130046354 | IMPLANTABLE CARDIOVERTER DEFIBRILLATOR DESIGNED FOR USE IN A MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING ENVIRONMENT - An implantable cardioverter defibrillator includes a communication interface operable to receive a communication signal from an external programmer. The communication signal includes a command to switch the ICD from a first mode to a second mode. A processor is in electrical communication with the communication interface and configured to switch the ICD between the first and second modes. A battery is configured to supply low DC voltage. A converter is configured to convert the low DC voltage to a high DC voltage. An energy storage capacitor is electrically coupled to the converter and configured to store a therapeutic energy or high DC voltage including at least 15 joules. The second mode includes activating the converter to convert the low DC voltage to the high DC voltage and storing the therapeutic energy or at least 15 joules within the energy storage capacitor during a period of time of the second mode. | 02-21-2013 |
20130023958 | Devices and Methods for Visually Indicating the Alignment of a Transcutaneous Energy Transfer Device Over an Implanted Medical Device - The present disclosure involves a charging system for charging an implanted medical system. The charging device includes a replenishable power supply. The charging device includes a coil assembly electrically coupled to the power supply. The coil assembly includes a primary coil and a plurality of sense coils positioned proximate to the primary coil. The charging device includes electrical circuitry operable to: measure an electrical parameter of the coil assembly; and determine a position of the coil assembly relative to a position of the implanted medical device based on the measured electrical parameter. The charging device includes a visual communications interface operable to: receive an input from the electrical circuitry; and visually display on a screen the position of the coil assembly relative to the position of the implanted medical device based on the input received from the electrical circuitry. | 01-24-2013 |
20130012800 | Introducer for a Minimally Invasive Physiologic Parameter Recorder - An implantable monitoring device includes a flexible lead body that includes at least one sensing element. The device also includes a rigid main body connected to the flexible lead body at an attachment point. The rigid main body is generally centered about a longitudinal axis defined by the flexible lead body when the lead body is unflexed. The device further includes a measurement circuit, which is housed within the rigid main body and electrically coupled to the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and at least another sensing element on an outside surface of the rigid main body. The measurement circuit is configured to measure a potential difference between the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and the at least another sensing element of the main body. | 01-10-2013 |
20130009786 | Cross-Band Communications in an Implantable Device - An ambulatory monitoring device includes a sensor to monitor a physiological signal and a battery power source. The device also includes a wireless receiver adapted to monitor a first frequency band having frequencies below 1 MHz and configured to detect and receive, using less than 10 micro-amps of current from the battery power source when operating, wireless communications within the first frequency band from a remote device at least one meter away. The device further includes a wireless transmitter adapted to transmit—after receipt from the remote device of a first wireless communication within the first frequency band that includes an invitation for further communication—a second wireless communication in a second frequency band having frequencies above 10 MHz, the second wireless communication comprising data indicative of the physiological signal as sensed by the sensor. | 01-10-2013 |
20130006331 | Active Current Control Using the Enclosure of an Implanted Pulse Generator - An electrical stimulation apparatus including a medical device. The medical device includes: a housing component having at least one electrically conductive area. The medical device includes a plurality of conductors configured to be electrically coupled to a distal electrode array. The electrode array are implantable in a human body. The medical device includes a stimulation circuit positioned inside the housing component. The stimulation circuit includes a plurality of controllable stimulation channels. A first subset of the stimulation channels is electrically coupled to the conductors. A second subset of the stimulation channels is electrically coupled to the electrically conductive area of the housing component. The stimulation circuit is operable to simultaneously create a first stimulation path in the electrode array and a second stimulation path that extends from the electrode array to the housing component. | 01-03-2013 |
20130006330 | DUAL PATIENT CONTROLLERS - Devices, systems, and methods incorporate the most-used functions of a electrical stimulator's controller into a small, thin pocket controller that is not only comfortable to carry in a pocket, but can also be attached to a key ring, lanyard, or other such carrying device for ease of daily use. A separate patient controller charger is used to charge and control the implanted medical device. | 01-03-2013 |
20130004925 | KEY FOB CONTROLLER FOR AN IMPLANTABLE NEUROSTIMULATOR - Devices, systems, and methods incorporate the most-used functions of a electrical stimulator's controller into a small, thin pocket controller that is not only comfortable to carry in a pocket, but can also be attached to a key ring, lanyard, or other such carrying device for ease of daily use. A separate patient controller charger is used to charge and control the implanted medical device. | 01-03-2013 |
20120330355 | MULTI-DUROMETER REINFORCED SUTURE SLEEVE - A suture anchor for securing a therapy delivery element in a desired location within a living body using a suture material. The suture anchor includes an inner sleeve with a primary lumen sized to receive the therapy delivery element. The inner sleeve includes a compliant material having a first durometer. An anchor body extends around at least a portion of the inner sleeve and includes a portion of the primary lumen. The anchor body includes a compliant material having a second durometer less than the first durometer. At least one exterior suture groove is located on the anchor body to receive the suture material. The exterior suture groove extends substantially to the inner sleeve so the suture material engages directly with the inner sleeve. | 12-27-2012 |
20120330354 | MULTI DUROMETER REINFORCED SUTURE SLEEVE - Suture anchors for securing therapy delivery elements, such as stimulation leads or catheters, within a living body. The suture anchor includes an inner sleeve constructed with an inner layer of a softer, more pliable material that easily conforms to the therapy delivery element to reduce slippage and an outer layer constructed from a harder, stiffer durometer material that protects the therapy delivery elements from damage due to over-tightening the tie down sutures. A suture material located in the suture groove is tensioned to apply a radial compressive force. The reinforcing structure spreads the radial compressive force along a greater surface area of the therapy delivery element. | 12-27-2012 |
20120328556 | Peptide Based Antimicrobial Coating - A comb-like surfactant polymer for changing the surface properties of biomaterials is described. The surfactant polymer comprises a polymeric backbone of repeating monomeric units having functional groups for chemically attaching to side chains, a plurality of hydrophobic side chains attached to the backbone via the functional groups and a plurality of hydrophilic side chains chemically attached via functional groups to the polymeric backbone. The hydrophilic side chains providing anti-thrombogenic properties to the surfactant. An antimicrobial agent selectively attached to some hydrophilic side chains thereby providing additional antimicrobial properties to the surfactant. The surfactant polymer may be applied to the surface of medical devices to reduce the surfaces thrombogenicity and decrease the number of microorganisms on the surface. | 12-27-2012 |
20120310167 | Valved Introducer Assembly and Method Therefor - An introducer assembly includes a sheath having a sheath proximal end and distal end, and a passage therethrough. The introducer assembly further includes a valve assembly that is sealingly associated with the passage of the sheath. The valve assembly includes a valve having a first seal and a second seal, where the first and second seal optionally have different sealing properties. For example, the first seal and the second seal have different thicknesses, different sealing durometers, or otherwise different sealing features. In another option, the sheath is removable from the instrument disposed therethrough. In yet another option, the valve of the valve assembly further includes a chamber disposed between the first and second seals. The seals are spaced to accommodate devices with multiple flow holes therein. | 12-06-2012 |
20120309237 | Feedthrough Wire Connector for Use in a Medical Device - A feedthrough filter capacitor assembly comprising a terminal pin connector is described. The terminal pin connector is designed to facilitate an electrical connection between the terminal pin comprising a multitude of compositions to a circuit board of an implantable medical device. The terminal pin connector comprises a clip portion positioned within a connector housing. The connector clip mechanically attaches to the terminal pin of the feedthrough and an exterior surface of the connector housing electrically contacts the circuit board, creating an electrical connection therebetween. The connector housing comprises a material that is conducive to a weld or solder attachment process to the circuit board. The feedthrough filter capacitor assembly is particularly useful for incorporation into implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and the like, to decouple and shield internal electronic components of the medical device from undesirable electromagnetic interference (EMI) signals. | 12-06-2012 |
20120308861 | METHOD OF MAKING ELECTRODES WITH DISTRIBUTED MATERIAL LOADING USED IN ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS - A method of making electrodes with distributed material loadings used in rechargeable electrochemical cells and batteries is described. This method controls electrode material loading (mass per unit area) along the electrode's length while maintaining uniform compaction throughout the electrode. Such prepared electrode maintain sufficient mechanical flexibility for winding and are compact and robust to have high energy density and long cycle life in rechargeable cells and batteries. | 12-06-2012 |
20120296391 | Measuring Load Impedance with Active Stimulation Pulses in an Implanted Pulse Generator - The present disclosure provides a medical stimulation system that includes a plurality of implantable channels each operable to obtain a voltage signal from a designated area of a body tissue. The medical stimulation system includes an impedance measurement device. The impedance measurement device includes a plurality of attenuators each coupled to a respective one of the channels. The attenuators are each operable to attenuate an amplitude of the voltage signal received from its respectively-coupled channel. The impedance measurement device includes a multiplexing component that receives the amplitude-attenuated voltage signals from each of the attenuators. The multiplexing component selectively outputs two of the amplitude-attenuated voltage signals. The impedance measurement device includes a differential amplifier that receives the two amplitude-attenuated voltage signals outputted from the multiplexing component as a differential input signal. The differential amplifier generates an amplifier output signal that includes at least partially an amplified version of the differential input signal. | 11-22-2012 |
20120296190 | MULTILAYER HELICAL WAVE FILTER FOR MEDICAL THERAPEUTIC OR DIAGNOSTIC APPLICATIONS - A multilayer helical wave filter having a primary resonance at a selected RF diagnostic or therapeutic frequency or frequency range, includes an elongated conductor forming at least a portion of an implantable medical lead. The elongated conductor includes a first helically wound segment having at least one planar surface, a first end and a second end, which forms a first inductive component, and a second helically wound segment having at least one planar surface, a first end and a second end, which forms a second inductive element. The first and second helically wound segments are wound in the same longitudinal direction and share a common longitudinal axis. Planar surfaces of the helically wound segments face one another, and a dielectric material is disposed between the facing planar surfaces of the helically wound segments and between adjacent coils of the helically wound segments, thereby forming a capacitance. | 11-22-2012 |
20120288760 | Flat and High-Density Cathodes for Use in Electrochemical Cells - The traditional method of pressing CF | 11-15-2012 |
20120282519 | Dissimilar Material Battery Enclosure for Improved Weld Structure - An electrochemical cell having an enclosure comprised of an enclosure body portion composed of a relatively high electrical resistivity material and an enclosure lid portion composed of a ductile material is discussed. The body portion of the enclosure preferably comprises Grade 5 or 23 titanium and the lid portion preferably comprises Grade 1 or 2 titanium. The enclosure lid is joined to the body of the enclosure through a welding process such as laser welding. The combination of these differing materials provides an enclosure that effectively retards the occurrence of eddy current induced heating as well as provides an enclosure that is more mechanically robust. | 11-08-2012 |
20120277841 | BAND STOP FILTER EMPLOYING A CAPACITOR AND AN INDUCTOR TANK CIRCUIT TO ENHANCE MRI COMPATIBILITY OF ACTIVE MEDICAL DEVICES - A band stop filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The band stop filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the band stop filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the band stop filter to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a preferred form, the band stop filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device. | 11-01-2012 |
20120265045 | PATIENT ATTACHED BONDING STRAP FOR ENERGY DISSIPATION FROM A PROBE OR A CATHETER DURING MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING - A probe or catheter to patient RF coupling for magnetic resonance imaging includes a conductive grounding strap. The strap includes a first end spaced apart from a second end, the first end configured to be permanently or removably connectable to a conductive probe or catheter housing or a conductive probe or catheter interface of a probe or catheter. A conductive patient interface is configured to be removably connectable to a portion of a patient's body and electrically conductive between the conductive grounding strap and the patient's body. The conductive patient interface is attached at the second end of the conductive grounding strap and electrically coupled to the conductive probe or catheter housing or the conductive probe or catheter interface. An electrical circuit is formed between the patient's body, the conductive patient interface, the conductive grounding strap, and the conductive probe or catheter housing or interface. | 10-18-2012 |
20120262250 | SHIELDED THREE-TERMINAL FLAT-THROUGH EMI/ENERGY DISSIPATING FILTER - A shielded three-terminal flat-through EMI/energy dissipating filter includes an active electrode plate through which a circuit current passes between a first terminal and a second terminal, a first shield plate on a first side of the active electrode plate, and a second shield plate on a second side of the active electrode plate opposite the first shield plate. The first and second shield plates are conductively coupled to a grounded third terminal. In preferred embodiments, the active electrode plate and the shield plates are at least partially disposed with a hybrid flat-through substrate that may include a flex cable section, a rigid cable section, or both. | 10-18-2012 |
20120259384 | ARBITRARY WAVEFORM GENERATOR & NEURAL STIMULATION APPLICATION WITH SCALABLE WAVEFORM FEATURE - A method, device and/or system for generating arbitrary scalable waveforms of a desired shape that can be used for generating a stimulation pulse for medical purposes such as for spinal cord stimulation therapy, where scaling function(s) can be used to scale arbitrary waveforms for increased flexibility and which can also be used for charge balancing purposes as well. | 10-11-2012 |
20120259383 | ARBITRARY WAVEFORM GENERATOR & NEURAL STIMULATION APPLICATION - A method, device and/or system for generating arbitrary waveforms of a desired shape that can be used for generating a stimulation pulse for medical purposes such as for spinal cord stimulation therapy. | 10-11-2012 |
20120259382 | CHARGE BALANCING FOR ARBITRARY WAVEFORM GENERATOR & NEURAL STIMULATION APPLICATION - A method, device and/or system for generating arbitrary waveforms of a desired shape that can be used for generating a stimulation pulse for medical purposes such as for spinal cord stimulation therapy, where such arbitrary waveforms can also be used for charge balancing purposes. | 10-11-2012 |
20120259381 | CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR IMPLANTABLE PULSE GENERATOR AND METHOD OF USE - A contact assembly for a medical device and, more specifically, to a header contact assembly for achieving electrical contact with an in-line IPG lead utilizing a contact structure such as a “toroidal spring in groove” device. | 10-11-2012 |
20120256704 | RF FILTER FOR AN ACTIVE MEDICAL DEVICE (AMD) FOR HANDLING HIGH RF POWER INDUCED IN AN ASSOCIATED IMPLANTED LEAD FROM AN EXTERNAL RF FIELD - An RF filter for an active medical device (AMD), for handling RF power induced in an associated lead from an external RF field at a selected MRI frequency or range frequencies includes a capacitor having a capacitance of between 100 and 10,000 picofarads, and a temperature stable dielectric having a dielectric constant of 200 or less and a temperature coefficient of capacitance (TCC) within the range of plus 400 to minus 7112 parts per million per degree centigrade. The capacitor's dielectric loss tangent in ohms is less than five percent of the capacitor's equivalent series resistance (ESR) at the selected MRI RF frequency or range of frequencies. | 10-11-2012 |
20120253424 | FEED-THROUGH CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR IMPLANTABLE PULSE GENERATOR AND METHOD OF USE - A connector assembly for a medical device for connecting an IPG to a connector assembly for connecting the IPG to a relatively large plurality of electrodes that can support 24 or more stimulation channels for stimulating one or more stimulation regions of a patient. Also the IPG and the stimulation system and the stimulation therapy utilizing the connector assembly. | 10-04-2012 |
20120253340 | COMPOSITE RF CURRENT ATTENUATOR FOR A MEDICAL LEAD - A composite RF current attenuator for a medical lead includes a conductor having a distal electrode contactable to biological cells, a bandstop filter in series with the lead conductor for attenuating RF currents flow through the lead conductor at a selected center frequency or across a range of frequencies about the center frequency, and a lowpass filter in series with the bandstop filter and forming a portion of the lead conductor. The bandstop filter has a capacitance in parallel with a first inductance. In a preferred form, the lowpass filter includes a second inductance in series with the bandstop filter, wherein the values of capacitance and inductances for the composite RF current attenuator are selected such that it attenuates MRI-induced RF current flow in an MRI environment. | 10-04-2012 |
20120246921 | FEED-THROUGH CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR IMPLANTABLE PULSE GENERATOR AND METHOD OF USE - A connector assembly, and its method of assembly, for use in a medical device for connecting an IPG to a connector assembly for connecting the IPG to a relatively large plurality of electrodes that can support 24 or more stimulation channels for stimulating one or more stimulation regions of a patient. Also the IPG and the stimulation system and the stimulation therapy utilizing the connector assembly. | 10-04-2012 |
20120245664 | THIN PROFILE STACKED LAYER CONTACT - A connector is described herein that includes a plurality of layers patterned in two dimensions and joined in a stack with a bore there through. At least a subset of the plurality of layers are contact layers that include deflectable members (e.g., springs) that deflect in plane or out of plane upon insertion of a lead into the bore through the connector. The deflectable members form redundant electrical connections with the lead when the lead is inserted into the bore. For example, the connector can be incorporated into an implantable medical device (e.g., IPG). Moreover, methods of manufacturing a connector are set forth herein. | 09-27-2012 |
20120232627 | PRE-SUTURED ANCHOR FOR IMPLANTABLE LEADS - A pre-sutured anchor including a deformable anchor sleeve with a lumen sized to receive the therapy delivery element. An outer surface of the anchor sleeve including one or more annular compression grooves oriented generally co-axial to the lumen. At least one compression member is located in a compression groove in an open configuration. The compression member includes at least one stop. A suture material pre-tied in a self-locking compression knot extends around each compression member. The suture material includes distal ends adapted to receive a tension force that is transmitted as a radial compression force to deform the compression members and substantially engage the stop in a compressed configuration. The anchor sleeve compressively engages the therapy delivery element in the compressed configuration. | 09-13-2012 |
20120232626 | ANCHOR SLEEVE FOR IMPLANTABLE LEAD - An anchor sleeve for securing a therapy delivery element, such as a stimulation lead or catheter, within a living body, that includes an inner sleeve with pre-formed locations of weakness that facilitate localized deformation. The anchor includes a deformable outer sleeve with a primary lumen extending along an axis. The outer surface of the outer sleeve includes a plurality of suture grooves oriented generally concentric to the axis. The inner sleeve includes a plurality of beams connected at deflection regions arranged around a secondary lumen. The inner sleeve is located in the primary lumen adjacent to the suture grooves so that the secondary lumen is generally concentric with the primary lumen. A plurality of locations of weakness are preformed in each of the beams to facilitate localized deformation in response to a radially inward force applied around the suture grooves by a suture material. | 09-13-2012 |
20120232625 | IMPLANTABLE LEAD WITH BRAIDED CONDUCTORS - A therapy delivery element adapted to be implanted into a living body. The therapy delivery element includes an electrode portion with a plurality of electrodes. At least one elongated lead body is attached to the electrode portion. The elongated lead body includes a stylet coil having a stylet coil lumen. The stylet coil extends within the elongated lead body and along at least a portion of the electrode portion. A conductor assembly with a plurality of insulated electrical conductors is braided to extending around the stylet coil and to electrically couple to one or more of the electrodes. The conductor assembly includes an inner lumen with a diameter greater than an outside diameter of the stylet coil. Axial elongation of the elongated lead body reduces the inner diameter of the conductor assembly. A low durometer insulator extends around the conductor assembly. A stylet sized to slide freely within the stylet coil lumen is provided for use during implantation of the therapy delivery element into the living body. | 09-13-2012 |
20120232624 | ANCHOR FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - An anchor for an implantable medical device, anchor delivery tools, kits, and methods, all directed to securing a therapy delivery element at a target location in a patient. An anchor for a therapy delivery element having an outer surface about which the anchor is disposable. The anchor includes a body portion having elastomeric properties, a first opening, a second opening, and a non-linear lumen extending though the body portion from the first opening to the second opening in a relaxed state. The non-linear lumen becomes a linear lumen in a stretched state. The linear lumen of the body portion is adapted to receive the therapy delivery element and the non-linear lumen frictionally engages the outer surface of the therapy delivery element in the relaxed state. | 09-13-2012 |
20120232609 | SECONDARY HEADER FOR AN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE INCORPORATING AN ISO DF4 CONNECTOR AND CONNECTOR CAVITY AND/OR AN IS4 CONNECTOR AND CONNECTOR CAVITY - A secondary header for an active implantable medical device (AIMD) incorporates a secondary header plug configured for mating insertion into an AIMD ISO DF4 or IS4 connector cavity, a secondary header ISO DF4 or IS4 connector cavity, and at least one replacement lead connector cavity. The secondary header plug has four electrical contacts which correspond to four electrical contacts of the AIMD connector cavity. The secondary header connector cavity has less than four electrical contacts conductively coupled to the secondary header plug electrical contacts. The replacement lead connector cavity has at least one electrical contact conductively coupled to at least one electrical contact of the secondary header plug. An intermediate conformal section between the secondary header plug and a housing for the secondary header connector cavity places the secondary header connector cavity housing adjacent to an exterior surface of the AIMD. | 09-13-2012 |
20120232603 | LOW INSERTION FORCE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - A low-insertion force electrical connector for implantable medical devices. The electrical contact includes a housing with a pair of opposing sidewalls each with center openings oriented generally concentrically around a center axis. The housing also includes a recess with a recess diameter. An inner coil is located in the recess with a coil axis generally co-linear with the center axis of the center openings. The inner coil includes an outer diameter less than the recess diameter, and an inner diameter greater than a center opening diameter. An outer coil is threaded onto the inner coil to form a generally toroidal-shape. The outer coil has an outer diameter less than the recess diameter, and an inner diameter less than the center opening diameter. The outer coil is radially expanded within the recess in response to engagement with contact rings on the implantable medical device, such that the outer diameter of the outer coil is at least equal to the recess diameter. | 09-13-2012 |
20120232564 | EPIDURAL NEEDLE FOR SPINAL CORD STIMULATION - An epidural needle for implanting therapy delivery elements in an epidural space. The epidural needle includes at least an outer cannula containing an inner cannula, and a stylet located within the lumen of the inner cannula. The inner cannula substantially extends across the elongated opening at the distal end of the outer cannula to form a seal with the ligament during “loss of resistance” testing. Loss of resistance testing is performed by removing the stylet from the inner cannula. Once the epidural needle is positioned in the epidural space, the inner cannula is removed to facilitate implantation of a therapy delivery element in the epidural space. | 09-13-2012 |
20120230003 | IONIZING RADIATION-PROTECTED ACTIVE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A radiation protected active implantable medical device includes an ionizing radiation shield disposed over at least one major surface of an electronics package, a microprocessor, or both contained within an AIMD housing. The ionizing radiation shield is made from a high atomic number, high atomic weight, high density material such as led, gold, platinum, iridium, tungsten or tantalum and has an atomic weight of at least 180 and a density of at least 11 grams per cubic centimeter. The ionizing radiation shield has a thickness of at least 0.25 millimeters and is preferably no thicker than 1.05 millimeters and has an overall attenuation of ionizing radiation of at least 0.5 HVL. | 09-13-2012 |
20120220849 | Minimally Invasive Physiologic Parameter Recorder and Introducer System - An implantable monitoring device includes a flexible lead body that includes at least one sensing element. The device also includes a rigid main body connected to the flexible lead body at an attachment point. The rigid main body is generally centered about a longitudinal axis defined by the flexible lead body when the lead body is unflexed. The device further includes a measurement circuit, which is housed within the rigid main body and electrically coupled to the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and at least another sensing element on an outside surface of the rigid main body. The measurement circuit is configured to measure a potential difference between the at least one sensing element of the flexible lead body and the at least another sensing element of the main body. | 08-30-2012 |
20120191099 | Disposable Surgical Hemispherical Cutter For Concave Surfaces - A disposable reamer designed to improve bone and tissue removal efficiency is described. The reamer device comprises a reamer body shell, a series of reamer blades and a reamer shaft interface. The reamer body shell has a hemispherical structure having a concave interior surface and a convex outer surface. The series of reamer blades have a cutting portion comprised of a series of discrete cutting edges that is bent at an angle from the planar portion of the blade. The reamer blades are positioned along the curved concave interior surface of the hemispherical shell or along the curved convex outer surface of the shell. The reamer blades are positioned along the hemispherical shell such that their leading edges lie parallel to and tangent a bisecting plane. | 07-26-2012 |
20120191098 | Disposable Surgical Hemispherical Cutter For Convex Surfaces - A disposable reamer designed to improve bone and tissue removal efficiency is described. The reamer device comprises a reamer body shell, a series of reamer blades and a reamer shaft interface. The reamer body shell has a hemispherical structure having a concave interior surface and a convex outer surface. The series of reamer blades have a cutting portion comprised of a series of discrete cutting edges that is bent at an angle from the planar portion of the blade. The reamer blades are positioned along the curved concave interior surface of the hemispherical shell or along the curved convex outer surface of the shell. The reamer blades are positioned along the hemispherical shell such that their leading edges lie parallel to and tangent a bisecting plane. | 07-26-2012 |
20120188027 | Band Stop Filter Employing a Capacitor and an Inductor Tank Circuit to Enhance MRI Compatibility of Active Medical Devices - A band stop filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The band stop filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the band stop filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the band stop filter to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a preferred form, the band stop filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device. | 07-26-2012 |
20120161901 | METHOD OF TUNING BANDSTOP FILTERS FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEADS - A TANK filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The TANK filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the TANK filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the TANK filter to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a preferred form, the TANK filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device. | 06-28-2012 |
20120143031 | Deriving Patient Activity Information from Sensed Body Electrical Information - Electrodes of a subcutaneous monitoring system receive body electrical signals that indicate both cardiac and non-cardiac muscle activity. In general, non-cardiac muscle activity is often correlated with physical activity, and physical activity is typically a strong indicator of patient health. Exemplary systems and methods that detect non-cardiac muscle activity information in sensed body electrical waveforms may provide a diagnostic tool for monitoring physical activity level over time in patients that have subcutaneous monitoring systems. In an illustrative embodiment, systems and methods for presenting patient activity information in a graphical format over intervals of time include processing ECG waveform information to identify and to accumulate non-cardiac muscular activity information during each of the intervals of time. In various implementations, number, intensity, and/or duration of the events that are identified during a time interval may be accumulated and stored for subsequent recall. | 06-07-2012 |
20120139702 | Protection of a Medical Device Against RFID-Associated Electromagnetic Interference Like an Automobile Keyless Entry System Having an RFID Interrogator - A keyless entry system for an automobile is described. The keyless entry system comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that has been programmed to selectively unlock an automobile when the RFID tag is within a predetermined distance and, optionally, to lock the automobile when the RFID is outside the predetermined distance. An interrogator housed on or within the automobile comprises an actuatable RF signal generator for transmitting an electromagnetic signal and a time-out circuit. Regardless whether the programmed RFID tag is detected, or not, the RF signal generator transmits a first electromagnetic signal having a first limited total continuous transmit time, followed by an interim period of a defined length where the time-out circuit renders the interrogator incapable of transmitting the electromagnetic signal, followed by the RF signal generator transmitting a second electromagnetic signal having a second limited total continuous transmit time. | 06-07-2012 |
20120136309 | Introducer Assembly and Method For Forming an Introducer Assembly - An introducer assembly includes a sheath having a sheath proximal end and distal end, and a passage therethrough. The introducer assembly further includes a handle assembly that is mechanically and/or bonded coupled with a tubular sheath. | 05-31-2012 |
20120133341 | Control of Silver Vanadium Oxide Surface Areas as a Means of Controlling Voltage Delay and RDC Growth in an Electrochemical Cell - An electrochemical cell comprising a lithium anode, a cathode comprising a blank cut from a free-standing sheet of a silver vanadium oxide mixture contacted to a current collector. The active material has having a relatively lower surface area and an electrolyte activating the anode and the cathode is described. By optimizing the cathode active material surface area in a SVO-containing cell, the magnitude of the passivating film growth at the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) and its relative impermeability to lithium ion diffusion is reduced. Therefore, by using a cathode of an active material, in a range of from about 0.2 m | 05-31-2012 |
20120127627 | MODULAR EMI FILTERED TERMINAL ASSEMBLY FOR AN ACTIVE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - A modular EMI filtered terminal assembly for an active implantable medical device (AIMD) includes a hermetic terminal subassembly having at least one conductor extending through an insulator in non-conductive relation with the AIMD housing, and a feedthrough capacitor subassembly disposed generally adjacent to the hermetic terminal assembly. The feedthrough capacitor subassembly includes a conductive modular cup conductively coupled to the AIMD housing, and a feedthrough capacitor disposed within the modular cup. A first electrode plate or set of electrode plates is conductively coupled to the conductor, and a second electrode plate or set of electrode plates is conductively coupled to the modular cup. | 05-24-2012 |
20120089125 | Bi-Directional Catheter Steering Handle - A deflectable sheath for use in medical procedures in the vasculature is described. The sheath includes a handle supporting the sheath. Two pull wires run along opposite sides of the sheath to anchors at the deflectable distal end. The handle includes a rotatable member that moves a threaded slider block in a back and forth translational manner. As that translational movement occurs, force is applied to either one or the other of the pull wires to cause deflection of distal end of the sheath in either and upwardly or a downwardly direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sheath. | 04-12-2012 |
20120083864 | MEDICAL LEAD SYSTEM UTILIZING ELECTROMAGNETIC BANDSTOP FILTERS - Medical lead systems utilizing electromagnetic bandstop filters are provide which can be utilized in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment for patients who have implanted medical devices. The medical lead system includes an implanted lead having at least one bandstop filter associated therewith, for attenuating current flow through the lead over a range of frequencies. The bandstop filter has an overall circuit Q wherein the resultant 3 dB bandwidth is at least 10 kHz. The values of capacitance and inductance of the bandstop filter are selected such that the bandstop filter is resonant at a selected center frequency. Preferably, the bandstop filter has an overall circuit Q wherein the resultant 10 dB bandwidth is at least 10 kHz. Such bandstop filters are backwards compatible with known implantable deployment systems and extraction systems. | 04-05-2012 |
20120078333 | MEDICAL LEAD SYSTEM UTILIZING ELECTROMAGNETIC BANDSTOP FILTERS - Medical lead systems utilizing electromagnetic bandstop filters are provide which can be utilized in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment for patients who have implanted medical devices. The medical lead system includes an implanted lead having at least one bandstop filter associated therewith, for attenuating current flow through the lead over a range of frequencies. The bandstop filter has an overall circuit Q wherein the resultant 3 dB bandwidth is at least 10 kHz. The values of capacitance and inductance of the bandstop filter are selected such that the bandstop filter is resonant at a selected center frequency. Preferably, the bandstop filter has an overall circuit Q wherein the resultant 10 dB bandwidth is at least 10 kHz. Such bandstop filters are backwards compatible with known implantable deployment systems and extraction systems. | 03-29-2012 |
20120071956 | IMPLANTABLE LEAD BANDSTOP FILTER EMPLOYING AN INDUCTIVE COIL WITH PARASITIC CAPACITANCE TO ENHANCE MRI COMPATIBILITY OF ACTIVE MEDICAL DEVICES - A medical lead system includes at least one bandstop filter for attenuating current flow through the lead across a range of frequencies. The bandstop filter has an overall circuit Q wherein the resultant 3 dB bandwidth is at least 10 kHz. The values of capacitance and inductance of the bandstop filter are selected such that the bandstop filter is resonant at a selected center frequency or range of frequencies. Preferably, the bandstop filter has an overall circuit Q wherein the resultant 10 dB bandwidth is at least 10 kHz. Such bandstop filters are backwards compatible with known implantable deployment systems and extraction systems. | 03-22-2012 |
20120059445 | IMPLANTABLE LEAD BANDSTOP FILTER EMPLOYING AN INDUCTIVE COIL WITH PARASITIC CAPACITANCE TO ENHANCE MRI COMPATABILITY OF ACTIVE MEDICAL DEVICES - A medical lead system includes at least one bandstop filter for attenuating current flow through the lead across a range of frequencies. The bandstop filter has an overall circuit Q wherein the resultant 3 dB bandwidth is at least 10 kHz. The values of capacitance and inductance of the bandstop filter are selected such that the bandstop filter is resonant at a selected center frequency or range of frequencies. Preferably, the bandstop filter has an overall circuit Q wherein the resultant 10 dB bandwidth is at least 10 kHz. Such bandstop filters are backwards compatible with known implantable deployment systems and extraction systems. | 03-08-2012 |
20120055296 | TORQUE LIMITING MECHANISM WITH LOCK BUSHING - A torque limiting mechanism used for securing fasteners is described. The torque limiting mechanism consists of a shaft, a torque gear having a plurality of ball bearings, a threshold bearing and a variable force applying subassembly. The torque limiting mechanism further consisting of a lock bushing and retaining ring placed circumferentially around the proximal end of the shaft. The lock bushing and retaining ring reduce structural misalignments and increase the accuracy of the device. | 03-08-2012 |
20120046723 | MEDICAL LEAD HAVING A BANDSTOP FILTER EMPLOYING A CAPACITOR AND AN INDUCTOR TANK CIRCUIT TO ENHANCE MRI COMPATIBILITY - A bandstop filter includes a capacitance in parallel with an inductance and is placed in series with the implantable lead of an active implantable medical device, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the bandstop filter attenuates RF current flow at a selected center MRI RF pulsed frequency or across a range of frequencies. The Q | 02-23-2012 |
20120035698 | CAPACITOR AND INDUCTOR ELEMENTS PHYSICALLY DISPOSED IN SERIES WHOSE LUMPED PARAMETERS ARE ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED IN PARALLEL TO FORM A BANDSTOP FILTER - One or more inductors and one or more capacitors are physically disposed relative to one another in series and are electrically connected to one another in parallel to form a bandstop filter. Chip inductors and chip capacitors having spaced apart conductive terminals are physically arranged in end-to-end abutting relation to minimize electrical potential between adjacent conductive terminals. The bandstop filter may be hermetically sealed within a biocompatible container for use with an implantable lead or electrode of a medical device. The values of the inductors and the capacitors are selected such that the bandstop filter is resonant at one or more selected frequencies, such as an MRI pulsed frequency. | 02-09-2012 |
20120029372 | Drug Delivery Methods and Systems - Drug delivery methods and systems that include a determination of whether a cardiac condition is normal or abnormal, so that a drug may be administered in accordance with that determination. In one implementation, a drug delivery device may be controlled to reduce or stop the drug administration when a normal cardiac condition is detected. In another implementation, a patient monitoring device determines the duration that a cardiac condition is normal and provides an output indicative of the determination so that the patient may alter a therapy accordingly. | 02-02-2012 |
20120029342 | MULTILAYER HELICAL WAVE FILTER FOR MEDICAL THERAPEUTIC OR DIAGNOSTIC APPLICATIONS - A multilayer helical wave filter having a primary resonance at a selected RF diagnostic or therapeutic frequency or frequency range, includes an elongated conductor forming at least a portion of an implantable medical lead. The elongated conductor includes a first helically wound segment having at least one planar surface, a first end and a second end, which forms a first inductive component, and a second helically wound segment having at least one planar surface, a first end and a second end, which forms a second inductive element. The first and second helically wound segments are wound in the same longitudinal direction and share a common longitudinal axis. Planar surfaces of the helically wound segments face one another, and a dielectric material is disposed between the facing planar surfaces of the helically wound segments and between adjacent coils of the helically wound segments, thereby forming a capacitance. | 02-02-2012 |
20120016377 | TUNNELING TOOL FOR IMPLANTABLE LEADS - A tunneling tool for creating a pathway for implanting a therapy delivery element in a living body. The tunneling tool includes a malleable elongated shaft having a distal end. A sheath having a lumen is slidably positioned over a portion of the shaft. A primary handle secured to proximal end of the shaft permits a user to advance and manipulate the shaft and the sheath in the living body. A secondary handle with an opening is slidably positioned on the shaft between the primary handle and the sheath. The opening has a diameter less than an outside diameter of a proximal end of the sheath. A locking mechanism releasably engages the secondary handle to the primary handle. The sheath is retained in a desired location within the living body by securing the secondary handle relative to the living body as the primary handle is used to remove the shaft from the sheath. | 01-19-2012 |
20110311854 | Electrochemical Cell Electrode With Sandwich Cathode And Method For Making Same - An electrochemical cell comprising an anode, and a cathode of a first cathode active material contacted to a first side of a current collector and a second cathode active material contacted to a second side of the current collector thereby forming an elongated cathode sheet. The first cathode active material has a first energy density and first rate capability, and the second cathode active material has a second energy density and a second rate capability. The first energy density of the first material is less than the second energy density of the second material, while the first rate capability of the first material is greater than the second rate capability of the second material. The elongated cathode sheet is folded onto itself to form a sandwich cathode having the configuration of: first cathode active material/current collector/second cathode active material/second cathode active material/current collector/first cathode active material. | 12-22-2011 |
20110306980 | Disposable Surgical Cutter For Shaping The Head Of A Femur - A single use bone cutter comprised of a plate with a plurality of insert blade enclosures is described. The insert blade enclosures are arranged in a spiral pattern about the plate and are further positioned at varying height intervals through the thickness of the plate. The bone cutter provides a means whereby the insert blades can be easily positioned within the plurality of blade enclosures to provide a wide array of cutting diameters. | 12-15-2011 |
20110306860 | Band Stop Filter Employing a Capacitor and an Inductor Tank Circuit to Enhance MRI Compatibility of Active Medical Devices - A band stop filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The band stop filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the band stop filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the band stop filter to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a preferred form, the band stop filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device. | 12-15-2011 |
20110303458 | Coating of Non-Solderable Base Metal for Soldering Application in Medical Device Component - Terminal pins comprising a core of a first electrically conductive material selectively coated with a layer of a second electrically conductive material for incorporated into feedthrough filter capacitor assemblies are described. The feedthrough filter capacitor assemblies are particularly useful for incorporation into implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and the like, to decouple and shield internal electronic components of the medical device from undesirable electromagnetic interference (EMI) signals. | 12-15-2011 |
20110297439 | Full Perimeter Laser Beam Button Weld of Dissimilar Materials - Terminal pins comprising a refractory metal forming a full perimeter weld connected to a terminal block comprising a dissimilar metal incorporated into feedthrough filter capacitor assemblies are discussed. The feedthrough filter capacitor assemblies are particularly useful for incorporation into implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and the like, to decouple and shield internal electronic components of the medical device from undesirable electromagnetic interference (EMI) signals. | 12-08-2011 |
20110288554 | Disposable Cylindrical Cutter - A single use bone cutter comprised of two concentric cylinders and a series of insert blades or cutter disc is described. The cutter blades or cutter disc is preferably positioned at the distal end of the cutter. The bone cutter also comprises a guide rod that aids in the line of sight when using the cutter device. | 11-24-2011 |
20110288403 | MULTILAYER HELICAL WAVE FILTER FOR MRI APPLICATIONS - A multilayer helical wave filter having a primary resonance at a selected MRI RF pulsed frequency or frequency range, includes an elongated conductor forming at least a portion of an implantable medical lead. The elongated conductor includes a first helically wound segment having at least one planar surface, a first end and a second end, which forms a first inductive component, and a second helically wound segment having at least one planar surface, a first end and a second end, which forms a second inductive element. The first and second helically wound segments are wound in the same longitudinal direction and share a common longitudinal axis. Planar surfaces of the helically wound segments face one another, and a dielectric material is disposed between the facing planar surfaces of the helically wound segments and between adjacent coils of the helically wound segments, thereby forming a capacitance. | 11-24-2011 |
20110284284 | Laser Beam Button Weld of Dissimilar Materials - Terminal pins comprising a refractory metal partially welded to a terminal block comprising a dissimilar metal incorporated into feedthrough filter capacitor assemblies are discussed. The feedthrough filter capacitor assemblies are particularly useful for incorporation into implantable medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers, cardioverter defibrillators, and the like, to decouple and shield internal electronic components of the medical device from undesirable electromagnetic interference (EMI) signals. | 11-24-2011 |
20110275911 | Cross-Band Communications In An Implantable Device - An ambulatory monitoring device includes a sensor to monitor a physiological signal and a battery power source. The device also includes a wireless receiver adapted to monitor a first frequency band having frequencies below 1 MHz and configured to detect and receive, using less than 10 micro-amps of current from the battery power source when operating, wireless communications within the first frequency band from a remote device at least one meter away. The device further includes a wireless transmitter adapted to transmit—after receipt from the remote device of a first wireless communication within the first frequency band that includes an invitation for further communication—a second wireless communication in a second frequency band having frequencies above 10 MHz, the second wireless communication comprising data indicative of the physiological signal as sensed by the sensor. | 11-10-2011 |
20110264047 | Valved Introducer Assembly and Method Therefor - An introducer assembly includes a sheath having a sheath proximal end and distal end, and a passage therethrough. The introducer assembly further includes a valve assembly that is sealingly associated with the passage of the sheath. The valve assembly includes a valve having a first seal and a second seal, where the first and second seal optionally have different sealing properties. For example, the first seal and the second seal have different thicknesses, different sealing durometers, or otherwise different sealing features. In another option, the sheath is removable from the instrument disposed therethrough. In yet another option, the valve of the valve assembly further includes a chamber disposed between the first and second seals. The seals are spaced to accommodate devices with multiple flow holes therein. | 10-27-2011 |
20110245644 | INTEGRATED TANK FILTER FOR A MEDICAL THERAPEUTIC DEVICE - A TANK filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The TANK filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the TANK filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the TANK filter to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a preferred form, the TANK filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device. | 10-06-2011 |
20110230943 | IMPLANTABLE LEAD FOR AN ACTIVE MEDICAL DEVICE HAVING AN INDUCTOR DESIGN MINIMIZING EDDY CURRENT LOSSES - A shielded component or network for an active medical device (AMD) implantable lead includes an implantable lead having a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end, all external of an AMD housing, and a passive component or network disposed somewhere along the length of the implantable lead. The passive component or network including at least one inductive component having a primary magnetic field line axis. A conductive shield or housing having a primary longitudinal axis substantially surrounds the inductive component or the passive network. The inductive component's magnetic field line axis is oriented substantially orthogonally to the primary longitudinal axis of the conductive shield or housing. | 09-22-2011 |
20110229762 | Method Of Using Cyclic Pressure To Increase The Pressed Density Of Electrodes For Use In Electrochemical Cells - The traditional method of building a CF | 09-22-2011 |
20110213233 | TANK FILTERS PLACED IN SERIES WITH THE LEAD WIRES OR CIRCUITS OF ACTIVE MEDICAL DEVICES TO ENHANCE MRI COMPATIBILITY - A TANK filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The TANK filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the TANK filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the TANK filter to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a preferred form, the TANK filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device. | 09-01-2011 |
20110213232 | TANK FILTERS PLACED IN SERIES WITH THE LEAD WIRES OR CIRCUITS OF ACTIVE MEDICAL DEVICES TO ENHANCE MRI COMPATIBILITY - A TANK filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The TANK filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the TANK filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the TANK filter to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a preferred form, the TANK filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device. | 09-01-2011 |
20110208030 | TANK FILTERS PLACED IN SERIES WITH THE LEAD WIRES OR CIRCUITS OF ACTIVE MEDICAL DEVICES TO ENHANCE MRI COMPATABILITY - A TANK filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The TANK filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the TANK filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the TANK filter to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a preferred form, the TANK filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device. | 08-25-2011 |
20110202060 | Disposable Reamer - A disposable acetabular reamer designed to improve tissue removal efficiency is described. The reamer device comprises a reamer cutting shell and a reamer driver interface. The reamer cutting shell has a hemispherical structure with a plurality of spaced apart rib portions that extend from a central region located about an apex of the shell. A tissue cutting surface further extends along a longitudinal leading edge, trailing edge or both leading and trailing rib portions. The tissue cutting surface further comprises a series of alternating cutting teeth and notches which are bent at a rake angle. | 08-18-2011 |
20110201912 | TANK FILTERS PLACED IN SERIES WITH THE LEAD WIRES OR CIRCUITS OF ACTIVE MEDICAL DEVICES TO ENHANCE MRI COMPATIBILITY - A TANK filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The TANK filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the TANK filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the TANK filter to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a preferred form, the TANK filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device. | 08-18-2011 |
20110196346 | ARTICULATING HANDLE FOR A DEFLECTABLE CATHETER AND METHOD THEREFOR - A catheter assembly includes a handle assembly, and a catheter body coupled with the handle assembly, where the catheter body extends to a deflectable distal end portion, and the deflectable distal end is controllable by a flexible element. A lever actuator member is operatively coupled with the flexible element, and movement of the actuator member provides for movement of the flexible element. | 08-11-2011 |
20110183215 | Layered Electrode For An Electrochemical Cell - A new cathode design is provided comprising a cathode active material mixed with a binder and a conductive diluent in at least two differing formulations. Each of the formulations exists as a distinct cathode layer. After each layer is pressed or sheeted individually, a first one of the layers is contacted to a current collector. The other layer is then contacted to the opposite side of the layer contacting the current collector. Therefore, by using electrodes comprised of layers, where each layer is optimized for a desired characteristic (i.e. high capacity, high power, high stability), the resulting battery will display improved function over a wide range of applications. Such an exemplary cathode is comprised of: SVO (100−x %)/SVO (100−y %)/current collector/SVO (100−y %)/SVO (100−x %), wherein x and y are different and represent percentages of non-active materials. | 07-28-2011 |
20110147062 | FEEDTHROUGH FLAT-THROUGH CAPACITOR - A feedthrough flat-through capacitor includes a capacitor having a first and second set of electrode plates, a first feedthrough passageway through the capacitor, a first lead disposed within the first feedthrough passageway and conductively coupled to the first set of electrode plates, a second feedthrough passageway through the capacitor disposed remote form the first feedthrough passageway, and a second lead disposed within the second feedthrough passageway and conductively coupled to the first set of electrode plates. The second set of electrode plates are typically conductively coupled to a ground. An EMI shield may be provided to electromagnetically isolate the first lead from the second lead. | 06-23-2011 |
20110144734 | MEDICAL LEAD SYSTEM UTILIZING ELECTROMAGNETIC BANDSTOP FILTERS - Medical lead systems utilizing electromagnetic bandstop filters are provide which can be utilized in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment for patients who have implanted medical devices. The medical lead system includes an implanted lead having at least one bandstop filter associated therewith, for attenuating current flow through the lead over a range of frequencies. The bandstop filter has an overall circuit Q wherein the resultant 3 dB bandwidth is at least 10 kHz. The values of capacitance and inductance of the bandstop filter are selected such that the bandstop filter is resonant at a selected center frequency. Preferably, the bandstop filter has an overall circuit Q wherein the resultant 10 dB bandwidth is at least 10 kHz. Such bandstop filters are backwards compatible with known implantable deployment systems and extraction systems. | 06-16-2011 |
20110144649 | Disposable Flex Reamer - A single use intramedullary reamer comprised of a reamer head assembly and a reamer shaft. The reamer head assembly further comprising a series of reamer blades that reside in a series of surface slots that are helically oriented around the cylindrical body. The series of reamer blades are bonded with the cylindrical body through induction bonding. | 06-16-2011 |
20110123856 | Direct Resistance Welding-Self Brazing of Aluminum to Molybdenum Pin - A direct welding process for joining a current collector to a terminal pin in the construction of electrochemical cells is described. The resistance welding process utilizes increased current combined with an applied force to bond dissimilar metals with a melting temperature differential of preferably more than 500° C. Preferably, the method is used to bond the terminal pin to the cathode current collector. This method of attachment is suitable for either primary or secondary cells, particularly those powering implantable biomedical devices. | 05-26-2011 |
20110122543 | Valve Metal Anode Pellets For Capacitors Formed Using Forced Convection Of Liquid Electrolyte During Anodization - A method and apparatus for anodizing a porous valve metal pellet in a flowing liquid electrolyte is described. The apparatus comprises an insulative container comprised of a lower region, a central region including a cavity for holding the pellet, an upper region, and a continuous passageway extending through the lower, central, and upper regions. Lower and upper screens serving as lower and upper electrodes are disposed in the passageway in the lower and upper container regions, respectively. During anodizing, the electrolyte flows through the lower container region including the lower screen, the porous pellet and then the upper container region including the upper screen. The lower and upper screens are at an opposite electrical polarity as the pellet so that a dielectric oxide is formed on the exposed valve metal including interior portions of the pellet that are exposed to the flowing electrolyte. | 05-26-2011 |
20110104542 | SCREEN-LESS ANODE DESIGN CONCEPTS FOR LOW COST LITHIUM ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS FOR USE IN IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE APPLICATIONS - A new cathode design having a first cathode active material of a relatively low energy density but of a relatively high rate capability contacted to one side of a current collector and a second cathode active material having a relatively high energy density but of a relatively low rate capability contacted to the opposite side thereof is described. A preferred cathode is: SVO/current collector/CF | 05-05-2011 |
20110091776 | Sandwich Cathode Electrochemical Cell With Wound Electrode Assembly - A new design for a cathode having a configuration of: SVO/first current collector/CF | 04-21-2011 |
20110071358 | Fiber Optic Assisted Medical Lead - A medical device for placing a medical lead in the human body using minimally invasive techniques is described. One lead includes a lead body connected to a lead head having an aperture for providing fiber optic access to the interior of a helical electrode. The fiber optic shaft may be disposed within or along-side a drive shaft releasably coupled to the head to rotate the head. The drive shaft and lead body may be delivered using a delivery catheter. The delivery catheter can be advanced though a small incision to the target tissue site, and the site remotely visualized through the fiber optic scope extending through the lead head aperture. Some catheters include a distal mapping electrode readable from the catheter proximal portion or handle. The lead head can be rotated, rotating the helical electrode into the tissue, and the catheter, drive shaft, and fiber optic probe removed. In one use, epicardial pacing leads are placed on the posterior surface of the heart, aided by visualization and mapping to obtain optimal electrode placement and patient outcome. | 03-24-2011 |
20110066212 | TANK FILTERS PLACED IN SERIES WITH THE LEAD WIRES OR CIRCUITS OF ACTIVE MEDICAL DEVICES TO ENHANCE MRI COMPATABILITY - A TANK filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The TANK filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the TANK filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the TANK filter to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a preferred form, the TANK filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device. | 03-17-2011 |
20110063088 | RFID DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES - An RFID tag is disposed within a hermetically sealed housing of an IMD. Low frequency RFID interrogators and tags are used, and the housing walls are made of materials, and/or are reduced in thickness, to facilitate RF communication between the RFID tag and an RFID reader/interrogator programmer. An RFID reader/interrogator may be used which has a limited transmit time and time-out period to avoid interference with the operation of the IMD. | 03-17-2011 |
20110057037 | PROCESS FOR TRANSFERRING PRODUCT INFORMATION UTILIZING BARCODE READER INTO PERMANENT MEMORY FOR AN IMPLANTED MEDICAL DEVICE - A barcode having product information is paired with an implantable medical device or component. The barcode is optically read and at least a portion of the product information is stored into a temporary memory. At least a portion of the product information stored in the temporary memory is electronically written to permanent memory of an RFID chip associated with the implanted medical device or component. | 03-10-2011 |
20110054582 | SHIELDED NETWORK FOR AN ACTIVE MEDICAL DEVICE IMPLANTABLE LEAD - A shielded component or network for an active medical device (AMD) implantable lead includes (1) an implantable lead having a length extending from a proximal end to a distal end, all external of an AMD housing, (2) a passive component or network disposed somewhere along the length of the implantable lead, the passive component or network including at least one inductive component having a first inductive value, and (3) an electromagnetic shield substantially surrounding the inductive component or the passive network. The first inductive value of the inductive component is adjusted to a account for a shift in its inductance to a second inductive value when shielded. | 03-03-2011 |
20110043297 | DUAL FUNCTION TUNED L-C INPUT TRAP PASSIVE EMI FILTER COMPONENT NETWORK FOR AN ACTIVE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - Decoupling circuits are provided which transfer energy induced from an MRI pulsed RF field to the housing for an active implantable medical device (AIMD) which serves as an energy dissipating surface. A novel L-C input trap filter is provided which has a dual function. The L-C trap acts as a broadband low pass EMI filter while at the same time also acts as an L-C trap in order to divert induced RF energy from the lead to the housing of the AIMD. | 02-24-2011 |
20110040343 | SWITCHED DIVERTER CIRCUITS FOR MINIMIZING HEATING OF AN IMPLANTED LEAD IN A HIGH POWER ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD ENVIRONMENT - An energy management system that facilitates the transfer of high frequency energy induced on an implanted lead or a leadwire includes an energy dissipating surface associated with the implanted lead or the leadwire, a diversion or diverter circuit associated with the energy dissipating surface, and at least one switch for diverting energy in the implanted lead or the leadwire through the diversion circuit to the energy dissipating surface. In alternate configurations, the switch may be disposed between the implanted lead or the leadwire and the diversion circuit, or disposed so that it electrically opens the implanted lead or the leadwire when diverting energy through the diversion circuit to the energy dissipating surface. The switch may comprise a single or multi-pole double or single throw switch. The diversion circuit may be either a high pass filter or a low pass filter. | 02-17-2011 |
20110029043 | RFID-ENABLED AIMD PROGRAMMER SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING MRI COMPATIBILITY OF IMPLANTED LEADS - An RFID tag is associated with an implantable lead, its sensing or therapy delivery electrode, or a patient, for identifying the MRI compatibility of the implantable lead and/or the presence of a bandstop filter and its attendant characteristics. An RFID-enabled AIMD external telemetry programmer transmits an electromagnetic signal to establish a communication link with the RFID tag. | 02-03-2011 |
20110022140 | METHODOLOGY AND APPARATUS TO TERMINATE ABANDONED ACTIVE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE LEADS - An energy management system facilitates the transfer of high frequency energy coupled into an implanted abandoned lead at a selected RF frequency or frequency band, to an energy dissipating surface. This is accomplished by conductively coupling the implanted abandoned lead to the energy dissipating surface of an abandoned lead cap through an energy diversion circuit including one or more passive electronic network components whose impedance characteristics are at least partially tuned to the implanted abandoned lead's impedance characteristics. | 01-27-2011 |
20110009935 | Reinforced Suture Sleeve - A reinforced suture sleeve designed to cover and protect a medical lead from physical damage resulting from an over tightened suture is described. The reinforced suture sleeve comprises a metallic tubular insert with at least one slot that cut through the surface of the insert in a spiraled pattern. A biocompatible and pliable polymeric body is molded over the insert. The spiraled cut slot in the metallic tubular insert provides flexibility without degrading structural integrity. An alternate embodiment comprises a polymeric body provided with an embedded fiber mesh made of polymeric fibers, metallic fibers or combinations thereof. The fiber mesh which an over tightened suture from cutting through the suture sleeve and damaging the medical lead. | 01-13-2011 |
20110004283 | SHIELDED THREE-TERMINAL FLAT-THROUGH EMI/ENERGY DISSIPATING FILTER - A shielded three-terminal flat-through EMI/energy dissipating filter includes an active electrode plate through which a circuit current passes between a first terminal and a second terminal, a first shield plate on a first side of the active electrode plate, and a second shield plate on a second side of the active electrode plate opposite the first shield plate. The first and second shield plates are conductively coupled to a grounded third terminal. In preferred embodiments, the active electrode plate and the shield plates are at least partially disposed with a hybrid flat-through substrate that may include a flex cable section, a rigid cable section, or both. | 01-06-2011 |
20110001610 | MINIATURE HERMETICALLY SEALED RFID MICROELECTRONIC CHIP CONNECTED TO A BIOCOMPATIBLE RFID ANTENNA FOR USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN AIMD - An implantable radio frequency identification (RFID) tag includes a hermetically sealed biocompatible container, an RFID microelectronics chip is disposed within the container, and a biocompatible antenna extends from the RFID microelectronic chip and exteriorly of the container. In an exemplary embodiment the container comprises a housing for an active implantable medical device (AIMD). In another exemplary embodiment the RFID tag is associated with an AIMD. The AIMD may comprise a lead system. The RFID tag may be disposed within a non-hermetically sealed portion of the AIMD, such a header block, and may include information pertaining to the AIMD. Another exemplary embodiment may include a sensor conductively coupled to the RFID microelectronics chip. The sensor may be disposed exterior of or within the container. The sensor measures properties and activities of the human body and the RFID tag is capable of transmitting said measured properties in real time. | 01-06-2011 |
20100331932 | IMPLANTED LEAD SLEEVE HAVING RFID TAG - An identification device for an implantable lead includes an associated implantable sleeve and a radio frequency identification device (RFID) tag associated with the sleeve. The RFID tag includes information relating to the implantable lead, its associated lead system, or an associated implantable medical device. The RFID tag may be hermetically sealed within the sleeve and the sleeve selectively fixed along a length of the lead. The sleeve may comprise a loop forming an aperture, a crimped clamp device, a clamp device including a ratchet, clip, or rivet mechanism, or a clamp device including two separate clamshells, all of which allow for secure attachment to the lead. Alternatively, the sleeve may integrally be formed as part of the lead between a lead conductor and an insulated lumen. An external interrogator may be used for identifying information contained within the RFID tag. | 12-30-2010 |
20100328049 | AIMD EXTERNAL PROGRAMMER INCORPORATING A MULTIFUNCTION RFID READER HAVING A LIMITED TRANSMIT TIME AND A TIME-OUT PERIOD - A system is provided for identifying implanted medical devices, leads and systems, as well as objects in close proximity to a patient having an implanted medical device (IMD), using a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag having retrievable information relating to the IMD, lead system and/or patient. An RFID tag communicator includes a circuit for limiting the total continuous transmit time of an interrogation signal, and a time-out circuit for delaying a second and any subsequent interrogation of the RFID tag. An external IMD programmer incorporating a multi-functional RFID reader is capable of identifying and communicating with various types of implanted medical devices, even if such devices are made by different manufacturers. | 12-30-2010 |
20100326967 | Laser Weld Process For Seam Welded Electrochemical Devices - A method for making an electrochemical device enclosure is described. The methods comprises the steps of forming first and second casing members; inserting electrochemically active materials within the first casing member; mating the first casing member to the second casing member, thereby forming an interface therebetween; providing a laser welding apparatus comprising a laser; intermittently turning a laser beam on and off while traversing the laser in a first welding pass 360 degrees along the perimeters of the first and second casing members, thereby forming a first intermittent set of welded and unwelded sections at the interface between the casing members; and intermittently turning the laser beam on and off while traversing the laser in a second welding pass 360 degrees along the perimeters of the first and second casing members, thereby forming a second intermittent set of welded sections at the interface between the first and second casing members. The first and second intermitted welded sections combine to provide a complete hermetic seal around and along the circumference of the casing members interface. | 12-30-2010 |
20100324640 | ELECTRICALLY ISOLATING ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN A MEDICAL ELECTRICAL LEAD WITH AN ACTIVE FIXATION ELECTRODE - A lead body adapted for in-vivo implantation in a living subject includes a proximal end configured for electrical and mechanical connection to a therapy or a monitoring device, and a distal end. A collar is disposed at the distal end of the lead body, and a casing is disposed within the collar and is translatable along a central longitudinal axis of the collar. At least one electrical conductor extends substantially the length of the lead body, and an electronic component is disposed within the casing and conductively coupled to the electrical conductor. An electrode is mechanically connected to the casing and conductively coupled to the electronic component. A seal is disposed between the casing assembly and the collar to prevent passage of ionic fluid into the lead body through its distal end. | 12-23-2010 |
20100324639 | METHODOLOGY AND APPARATUS TO TERMINATE ABANDONED ACTIVE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE LEADS - An energy management system facilitates the transfer of high frequency energy coupled into an implanted abandoned lead at a selected RF frequency or frequency band, to an energy dissipating surface. This is accomplished by conductively coupling the implanted abandoned lead to the energy dissipating surface of an abandoned lead cap through an energy diversion circuit including one or more passive electronic network components whose impedance characteristics are at least partially tuned to the implanted abandoned lead's impedance characteristics. | 12-23-2010 |
20100324638 | Temporary Stimulation Lead With Polymer Electrodes And Method Of Manufacture - A temporary medical lead in which stimulating electrical energy is transmitted to body tissue through the lead electrodes via ionic conduction within the hydrogel material. The structure of the hydrophilic hydrogel material consists of a porous structure into which conductive salt ions are diffused. In addition the structure of the hydrogel material can be loaded with a single or combination of therapeutic drugs from which is eluted from the electrode's surface. | 12-23-2010 |
20100321163 | RFID DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL LEAD SYSTEMS - A system for identifying active implantable medical devices (AIMD) and lead systems implanted in a patient using a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag having retrievable information relating to the AIMD, lead system and/or patient. The RFID tag may store information about the AIMD manufacturer, model number, serial number; leadwire system placement information and manufacturer information; MRI compatibility due to the incorporation of bandstop filters; patient information, and physician and/or hospital information and other relevant information. The RFID tag may be affixed or disposed within the AIMD or leadwires of the lead system, or surgically implanted within a patient adjacent to the AIMD or leadwire system. | 12-23-2010 |
20100318160 | MULTIPLEXER FOR SELECTION OF AN MRI COMPATIBLE BANDSTOP FILTER PLACED IN SERIES WITH A PARTICULAR THERAPY ELECTRODE OF AN ACTIVE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - An MRI-compatible electronic medical therapy system includes an active medical device connected to a plurality of electrodes. A multiplexer circuit includes at least one circuit protection device in electrical series with the electrodes and the medical device. The circuit protection device is adapted to permit current flow therethrough during normal medical device related therapy, but substantially prevent current flow therethrough in the presence of an induced electromagnetic field. | 12-16-2010 |
20100316787 | Biomimetic Coating Method - A modified method of preparing and applying a biomimetic coating to a medical device substrate surface is described. The modified biomimetic coating method utilizes a solvent mixture of water and an organic water miscible solvent that results in a more efficient coating process, reducing the time required to apply a sufficiently adherent biomimetic coating. | 12-16-2010 |
20100286766 | SURFACE MODIFICATION FOR COATING - A modified medical device substrate surface designed to improve adhesion of biomimetic surfactants to the medical device surface, thus reducing the risk of thrombosis is described. The surface modification is accomplished through either an application of a tie layer of a hydrophobic material on the substrate surface intermediate the biomimetic coating or through incorporation of a hydrophobic dopant in the polymeric substrate prior to extrusion or molding. Either method creates a hydrophobically modified surface that enhances the biomimetic surfactant bonding strength. | 11-11-2010 |
20100280584 | ACTIVE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL SYSTEM HAVING EMI SHIELDED LEAD - A lead extending exteriorly from an active implantable medical device (AIMD) is at least partially ensheathed within an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield. The AIMD has a conductive equipotential surface to which the EMI shield may be conductively coupled. An impeding circuit may be provided for raising the high frequency impedance of the lead. An energy diversion circuit may also be provided for conductively coupling the lead to the EMI shield. | 11-04-2010 |
20100248017 | Terminal connector for connecting a cell to a medical device - A electrical connector for connection to an electrochemical cell is described. The connector comprises a conductive lid; a ferrule disposed within an opening through the conductive lid; a conductive center pin disposed within the ferrule; and a hermetic seal formed between the pin and an interior surface of the ferrule. A mating terminal connector adapted to be connected to the ferrule and the conductive center pin is further provided. The terminal connector is a device for easily and quickly connecting the cell to a circuit board of the kind found in an implantable medical device, such as a cardiac pacemaker, defibrillator, neuro-stimulator, drug pump, and the like. | 09-30-2010 |
20100241206 | EMI SHIELDED CONDUIT ASSEMBLY FOR AN ACTIVE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICE - An EMI shielded conduit assembly for an active implantable medical device (AIMD) includes an EMI shielded housing for the AIMD, a hermetic feedthrough terminal associated with the AIMD housing, and an electronic circuit board, substrate or network disposed within the AIMD housing remote from the hermetic feedthrough terminal. At least one leadwire extends from the hermetic feedthrough terminal to the remote circuit board, substrate or network. An EMI shield is conductively coupled to the AIMD housing and substantially co-extends about the leadwire in non-conductive relation thereto. | 09-23-2010 |
20100231327 | CAPACITOR AND INDUCTOR ELEMENTS PHYSICALLY DISPOSED IN SERIES WHOSE LUMPED PARAMETERS ARE ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED IN PARALLEL TO FORM A BANDSTOP FILTER - One or more inductors and one or more capacitors are physically disposed relative to one another in series and are electrically connected to one another in parallel to form a bandstop filter. Chip inductors and chip capacitors having spaced apart conductive terminals are physically arranged in end-to-end abutting relation to minimize electrical potential between adjacent conductive terminals. The bandstop filter may be hermetically sealed within a biocompatible container for use with an implantable lead or electrode of a medical device. The values of the inductors and the capacitors are selected such that the bandstop filter is resonant at one or more selected frequencies, such as an MRI pulsed frequency. | 09-16-2010 |
20100222857 | Band stop filter employing a capacitor and an inductor tank circuit to enhance MRI compatibility of active medical devices - A band stop filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The band stop filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the band stop filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the band stop filter to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a preferred form, the band stop filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device. | 09-02-2010 |
20100222856 | Band stop filter employing a capacitor and an inductor tank circuit to enhance MRI compatibility of active medical devices - A band stop filter is provided for a lead wire of an active medical device (AMD). The band stop filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the lead wire of the AMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the band stop filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the band stop filter to attenuate current flow through the lead wire along a range of selected frequencies. In a preferred form, the band stop filter is integrated into a TIP and/or RING electrode for an active implantable medical device. | 09-02-2010 |
20100217262 | FREQUENCY SELECTIVE PASSIVE COMPONENT NETWORKS FOR ACTIVE IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES UTILIZING AN ENERGY DISSIPATING SURFACE - Decoupling circuits are provided which transfer energy induced from an MRI pulsed RF field to the housing for an active implantable medical device (AIMD) which serves as an energy dissipating surface. This is accomplished through broadband filtering or by resonant filtering. In a passive component network for an AIMD, a frequency selective energy diversion circuit is provided for diverting high-frequency energy away from an AIMD lead to the AIMD housing for dissipation of said high-frequency energy. | 08-26-2010 |
20100208397 | SWITCHED SAFETY PROTECTION CIRCUIT FOR AN AIMD SYSTEM DURING EXPOSURE TO HIGH POWER ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS - An energy management system that facilitates the transfer of high frequency energy induced on an implanted lead or a leadwire includes an energy dissipating surface associated with the implanted lead or the leadwire, a diversion or diverter circuit associated with the energy dissipating surface, and at least one switch disposed between the diversion circuit and the AIMD electronics for diverting energy in the implanted lead or the leadwire through the diversion circuit to the energy dissipating surface. The switch may comprise a single or multi-pole double or single throw switch. The diversion circuit may be either a high pass filter or a low pass filter. | 08-19-2010 |
20100198335 | Stent Coating For Eluting Medication - A vascular stent comprising a drug-eluting outer layer of a porous sputtered columnar metal having each column capped with a biocompatible carbon-containing material is described. This is done by placing the stent over a close-fitting mandrel and rotating the assembly in a sputter flux. The result is a coating that is evenly distributed over the outward-facing side of the stent's wire mesh while preventing the sputtered columnar coating from reaching the inward facing side where a smooth hemocompatible surface is required. The stent is then removed from the mandrel, exposing all surfaces, and finally coated with a layer of carbon such as amorphous carbon or diamond-like carbon. The carbonaceous coating enhances biocompatibility without preventing elutriation of a therapeutic drug provided in the porosity formed between the columnar structures. The result is a stent that is adapted to both the hemodynamic and the immune response requirements of its vascular environment. | 08-05-2010 |
20100198312 | EMI FILTER EMPLOYING A CAPACITOR AND AN INDUCTOR TANK CIRCUIT HAVING OPTIMUM COMPONENT VALUES - A bandstop filter having optimum component values is provided for a lead of an active implantable medical device (AIMD). The bandstop filter includes a capacitor in parallel with an inductor. The parallel capacitor and inductor are placed in series with the implantable lead of the AIMD, wherein values of capacitance and inductance are selected such that the bandstop filter is resonant at a selected frequency. The Q of the inductor may be relatively maximized and the Q of the capacitor may be relatively minimized to reduce the overall Q of the bandstop filter to attenuate current flow through the implantable lead along a range of selected frequencies. | 08-05-2010 |