Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research

Medtronic Minimed, Inc.

David L Canfield

Charles L Byers

Joseph H Schulman

Carl A Link

Edward C Morrow

Ralph M Weisner

Matthew A Weiner

Gary D Schnittgrund

Kate E Purnell

Richard J Nelson

Kate E Fey

A medication pump test device and method of use including a test device for use with a medication pump and a depth indicator, the test device including: an external body portion defining a depth indicator recess operable to receive the fixed portion of the depth indicator; an internal body portion attached to the external body portion, the internal body portion defining a slide spindle passage operable to allow free axial movement of the slide spindle of the depth indicator. The test device maintains the fixed portion of the depth indicator at a fixed axial position along the central axis relative to the medication pump when the fixed portion of the depth indicator is seated in the depth indicator recess, the external contact portion contacts the medication pump, and the internal body portion is seated in the open end of the reservoir compartment.

Medication pump test device and method of use

A housing for an implantable medical device in the shape of a hollow magnetic field concentrating tube about which an electrically conductive wire coil is wound and within which medical device electronics is housed. The tube, preferably made of ferrite, is encased in a protective sleeve formed of a material that is impervious to body fluids. The coil provides an electrical output as a result of being exposed to a varying magnetic field that is concentrated around the coil by virtue of the field concentrating tube. The output of the coil is utilized as part of a power supply for the medical device electronics. The sleeve has a generally cylindrical cross-section having an outside diameter of about 3.175 mm and an axial length in the range of about 3.2 mm to 8 mm.

Housing for an implantable medical device

A magnetic control system for selectively enabling/disabling an implantable device's operation using externally applied pulsed magnetic means, e.g., a controlled electromagnet or the like. Typically, such implantable devices stimulate a neural pathway or muscle and/or block pain or muscle stimulation according to programmable settings. Preferably, once programmed from an external programmer, such implantable devices can operate 'independently' using the externally provided programmed information. However, in certain circumstances, it may be desired to stop/pause the operation of such selected implanted device while not affecting other such devices. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention include a magnetic sensor, preferably a magnetoresistive, Hall effect, saturated core reactors, or the like, to sense an externally provided magnetic field. By externally applying pulsed magnetic fields in sequences of controlled polarities, durations, intensities, etc., and sensing these identifiable sequences and transitions, the operation of the implantable device may be enabled/disabled.

Pulsed magnetic control system for interlocking functions of battery powered living tissue stimulators

A connector () and method of making electrical connection between an electrical conductor () and a removable electrical device (). The connector () is an elastic material, such as silicone, that is both compatible with the environment and is an electrical insulator. It forces contact between the electrical device () and integral contacts () in the connector () by virtue of its elasticity. The electrodes () and the electrical connections are protected from the environment to avoid electrical leakage or corrosion of the electrodes ().

Electrical device connector and method therefor

An electrically sensing and stimulating outer sheath for ensuring accurate surgical placement of a microsensor or a microstimulator near a nerve in living tissue is disclosed. The electrically sensing outer sheath may also be used to verify the function of the microstimulator or microsensor during surgical placement but before the outer sheath is removed. In the event that the microstimulator is not optimally placed near the nerve, or if the microstimulator is malfunctioning, this can be determined prior to removal of the outer sheath, thus reducing the possibility of nerve or tissue damage that might be incurred during a separate operation to remove the microstimulator.

Electrically sensing and stimulating system for placement of a nerve stimulator or sensor

A connector and method of making electrical connection between an electrical conductor and a removable electrical device. The connector is an elastic material, such as silicone, that is both compatible with the environment and is an electrical insulator. It forces contact between the electrical device and integral contacts in the connector by virtue of its elasticity. The electrodes and the connections are protected from the environment to avoid electrical leakage or corrosion of the electrodes.

Growing community of inventors

Lake Hughes, CA, United States of America

David L Canfield