Pmt Corporation

Medtronic, Inc.

Pmt Corporaton

Alfred A Iversen

Benjamin J Osa

William J Eastman

Robert F Spetzler

Joseph Copley

Allen L VanBeek

Eric F Caille

Thomas E Broome

Eric Caillé

Stephen M Trinter

Charles Talbott

Wade Fredrickson

Timothy A Keeter

David M Costello

Deron J Singer

Allen L Van Beek

Matthew W Cree

Reid M Fischer

Andrew Iversen

A form stable expandable stent and tissue expander assembly having a scaled outer shell body forming an internal chamber. A form stability member may be provided within the internal chamber of the shell body. Drainage/irrigation tubing extend through the chamber of the shell body and a fill tube is provided in communication with the internal chamber of the outer shell and extends outwardly therefrom. Manipulation structures with handles and other cooperating fastening and removing elements may be provided for use with the expandable stent and tissue expander assemblies of the invention.

Form stable expandable stent

MR conditional needle and surface electrode assemblies. The surface electrode utilizes a disc or cone-shaped structure with a bore with a concave bottom surface for receiving a conductive gel and an insulated wire with a connector for an EEG. The needle electrode assembly utilizes a cylindrical-shaped structure and is constructed of an MR conditional material having a needle and an insulated lead wire structure with a connector for an EEG.

MR Conditional needle and surface electrodes

MR conditional needle and surface electrodes

Improved electrode assemblies for recording and stimulation. Cortical and depth electrode structures are provided as well as inline interconnection systems. Methods of manufacture are further taught to provide enhanced surfaces for cortical electrodes. The inline interconnection systems include connector assembly embodiments for electrode leads which have structure providing ease of EEG recording as well as stimulation.

Electrode for recording and stimulation

A surgical headlight assembly having a headset structure constructed of lightweight components. The headset structure has adjustable head strap members comprising a generally circular lateral band and a top band. A removable liner is attached to the inside surface of the adjustable headset structure. A lighting assembly which is adjustable with respect to the headset and which uses an adjustable LED is also provided connected to the lateral band. A battery pack is utilized to power the LED.

Surgical headlight assembly

A connector assembly and method for electrically connecting an implantable electrode having an electrical lead array to monitoring equipment. The connector assembly includes a lead holder, an electrical conductor array, and a base holding the electrical conductor array, and a resilient element. The lead holder is moveable with respect to the base from a first position to an operating position. The resilient element is adapted to bias the lead holder from the first position to the operating position.

Connector assembly for electrodes

A hybrid skull pin to adjust and hold a cervical fixation device to the skull of a patient. The hybrid skull pin is constructed of at least two different materials and arranged to permit cervical fixation devices to be used in MRI procedures. The hybrid skull pin has an elongated body with exterior threads and a tip portion for engaging the skull of the patient. A nonconductive coating extends over the tip portion of the skull pin body. The hybrid skull pin further includes an insert secured in the elongated body. The insert is constructed of a second material and secured in a cavity of the pin. The insert reduces the mass of the skull pin thereby reducing or eliminating the radio frequency energy conducted through the pin during MRI procedures. The insert also acts as a heat capacitor which absorbs the radio frequency energy and the magnetic field vibrations generated in the MRI environment. By preventing a 'heat sensation' conducted to the patient's skin, the use of the hybrid skull pin structure reduces or eliminates discomfort to the patient while wearing a cervical fixation device in an MRI procedure.

Hybrid skull pins

An implantable electrode for monitoring tissue electrical activity and for tissue electrical stimulation comprises a flexible electrode body for contacting human body tissue, a connector portion having a plurality of connectors for connection to external monitoring equipment, the connector portion connected to the electrode body, both the electrode body and the connector portion being comprised of a thin, flexible, non-conducting backing material, a printed circuit etched onto the flexible backing material, the printed circuit further comprising a plurality of electrical contact areas of a conductive material for contacting the tissue, and a plurality of electrical leads connecting the electrical contact areas to the connectors, and a flexible, non-conducting covering material covering the printed circuit, the electrical contact areas extending through the covering material. A method of manufacture of the electrode is also disclosed.

Implantable electrode manufactured with flexible printed circuit

An implantable body including an outer membrane forming an enclosure for receiving a filler material. The surface of the outer membrane is characterized by a random distribution of peaks separated by valleys. The peaks and valleys are separated by gradual contoured slopes with a smooth transition between the peaks and valleys which are substantially free from indentation. The enhanced surface provides improved anchoring of the implant, yet reduces host reaction. The enhanced surface is formed by depositing a distribution of cured polymeric particles on an uncured tacky surface. This intermediate surface is then cured, followed by application of a layer of uncured elastomeric material. The entire surface is then cured to form the enhanced surface.

Enhanced surface implant and method of manufacture

An improved mammary prosthesis for implantation in humans comprising: a soft, flexible outer membrane forming an enclosure for receiving a filler material; an enhanced, undulating, random sculptured, irregular, substantially smooth surface of peaks, valleys, slopes and terraces without interstices disposed over at least a portion of said outer membrane; an internal structure within said membrane for supporting said outer membrane and providing an enhanced, life-like look and feel to the prosthesis; and a soft, partially-deformable, elastic filler material received within said outer membrane and cooperating with said internal structure to support said outer membrane.

Internally configured prosthesis

A method of manufacturing a laminated item such as a prosthesis or tissue expander having a flexible, expandable membrane surrounding an interior lumen to enhance the strength and performance of the membrane comprises the steps of applying a first layer of a fluid, resilient, stretchable material to a mandrel; allowing the fluid material to drain off the mandrel in a first flow direction; allowing the fluid material to harden to form a resilient, stretchable first layer on the mandrel; applying a second layer of the fluid material on the first layer; changing the orientation of the mandrel to allow the fluid material to drain off the mandrel in a second flow direction, the second flow direction being at an angle to the first flow direction; and allowing the fluid material to harden to form a resilient, stretchable second layer on the first layer.

Laminated prosthesis and method of manufacture

An improved tissue electrode for monitoring tissue electrical activity and for tissue electrical stimulation and adapted to conform closely to the tissue, thereby optimizing tissue electrical contact. The electrode consists of an elongated electrode body with a polygonal cross-section with a tissue-engaging surface having a pair of tissue-engaging members confronting each other at an obtuse angle and a non-tissue-engaging surface meeting each of the tissue-engaging members at an acute angle. In one embodiment, the non-tissue-engaging surface is substantially flat, and the electrode thus is a half-rhombus in cross-section. In a second embodiment, the non-tissue-engaging surface is also a half-rhombus, so that the electrode is a rhombus in cross-section. An improved electrical connector for connecting lead wires from the electrode to external monitoring equipment is also disclosed. A device for inserting the electrode into body tissue is also disclosed, the device having a stylet pre-curved to conform to the tissue and a sheath surrounding the stylet for receiving the electrode.

Tissue electrode for recording and stimulation

The invention relates to a mechanical tissue expansion device for use in the reconstruction or augmentation of a portion of an individual's body. The invention includes a pair of tissue expansion plates which may be substantially flat or which may include an arcuate curved shape. Each of the tissue expansion plates has a plurality of apertures therethrough in order to facilitate the ingrowth of natural tissue within an enlarged cavity. The tissue expansion plates are mechanically separated by a means for expansion which preferably includes a cylinder having three telescopically expanding rods engaged thereto. The means for expansion is incrementally regulated by an operating means. The operating means preferably includes tubing engaged to the cylinder and to a port having a silicone membrane, for receipt of incremental portions of saline solution or water for telescopic expansion of the rods from the cylinder. In alternative embodiments, the means for expansion may include a rotatable flexible threaded arm for expansion of the rods from the cylinder, a worm gear engaged to a keyed-threaded surface for expansion of the rods from the cylinder, or a hydraulic cylinder engaged to expansible linkages for separation of the tissue expansion plates from each other. In the alternative embodiments, the operating means may include motors, batteries, drive shafts, and various gears for incremental enlargement of the means for expansion.

Growing community of inventors

Wayzata, MN, United States of America

Alfred A Iversen