Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research

Robert A Firth

Joseph H Schulman

Richard J Nelson

Martin J Vogel

Anthony D Falco

Lee Jay Mandell

Lung-Hsi Chu

Adam Vogel, Legal Representative

A method and apparatus for protecting an electronic implantable medical device prior to it being implanted in a patient's body. The apparatus affords protection against electronic component damage due to electrostatic discharge and/or physical damage due to improper handling. The apparatus is comprised of a circuit board having conductive surface means for receiving and releasably grasping the electrodes of the medical device to support the device's housing proximate to the surface of the circuit board. First and second conductive paths are formed on the circuit board extending between the first and second conductive surfaces for shunting electrostatic discharge currents to prevent such currents from passing through the device's electronic circuitry. The respective shunt paths include oppositely oriented diodes, preferably comprising diodes which emit light (i.e., LEDs) when current passes therethrough. Additionally, means are provided to enable functional testing of the medical device.

Protection apparatus for implantable medical device

A method and apparatus for protecting an electronic implantable medical device prior to it being implanted in a patient's body. The apparatus affords protection against electronic component damage due to electrostatic discharge and/or physical damage due to improper handling. The apparatus is comprised of a circuit board having a conductive surface for receiving and releasably grasping the electrodes of the medical device to support the device's housing proximate to the surface of the circuit board. Two conductive paths are formed on the circuit board extending between two conductive surfaces for shunting electrostatic discharge currents to prevent such currents from passing through the device's electronic circuitry. The conductive paths include oppositely oriented diodes, preferably comprising diodes which emit light (i.e., LEDs) when current passes therethrough. Additionally, an external monitor/generator is provided to enable functional testing of the medical device.

A method and apparatus for protecting an electronic implantable medical device prior to it being implanted in a patient's body. The apparatus affords protection against electronic component damage due to electrostatic discharge and/or physical damage due to improper handling. The apparatus is comprised of a circuit board having first and second spring clips mounted on the board. The spring clips are configured to receive and releasably grasp the electrodes of a medical device housing to support the housing just above the surface of the circuit board. First and second conductive paths are formed on the circuit board extending between the first and second clips for shunting electrostatic discharge currents to prevent such currents from passing through the device electronic circuitry. The respective shunt paths include oppositely oriented diodes, preferably comprising diodes which emit light (i.e., LEDs) when current passes therethrough.

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Frazier Park, CA, United States of America

Robert A Firth