Medtronic, Inc.

Nortronics Company, Inc.

Thomas J Winkler

Robert L Werner

Ray W Gravlin

Raymond W Gravlin

John J Grevious

John M Kruse

Leonard E Kronfeld

Ricky J Madsen

Mark W Sandberg

Charles R Levan

David J Haupert

External medical instruments that are in physical contact with a patient's body to communicate with or test the function of implantable medical devices (IMDs) implanted in the patient's body or to measure a physiologic condition of the patient's body and capable of communicating with other medical instruments or systems located at a distance from the patient, and, particularly, safety systems for protecting the patient from harm due to hazardous electrical signals or potentials. The external medical instrument operates pursuant to an instrument operating system that processes and generates electrical signals. A patient cable is coupled to a patient's body for transmitting electrical signals from the instrument operating system to the patient's body and for receiving electrical signals from the patient's body. A data cable extends to a remote instrument or a network, e.g., through a modem and Internet network connection, for communicating signals between the instrument operating system and the remote instrument or network. A first electrical isolation circuit between the instrument operating system and the data cable blocks conduction of hazardous electrical signals imposed upon the data cable from being conducted through the instrument operating system to the patient cable. A further electrical isolation circuit between the patient cable and the instrument operating system blocks conduction to the patient cable of hazardous signals conducted from the data cable through the instrument operating system.

Interface devices for instruments in communication with implantable medical devices

A portable programming apparatus for use with an implantable medical device is disclosed. The programming apparatus includes a housing, at least one auxiliary component, and a lip. The housing contains computer circuitry and defines a storage compartment. The auxiliary/y component is configured to assist with programming an implantable medical device, perform programming and data transmission functions in cooperation with a remote data center, and interfaces with the computer circuitry via an associated cable. The lip is configured to extend along at least a portion of a perimeter of the storage compartment. With this configuration, the lip selectively maintains the cable within the storage compartment thereby minimizing potential damage to the cable.

Implantable medical device programming apparatus having an auxiliary component storage compartment

A medical lead adaptor that provides a rapid, secure, insulated connection of the lead connector end assembly of a cardiac lead having electrodes adapted to be placed in or on the body with an external medical device. The adaptor connector assembly is configured with an elongated receptacle to accept a bipolar, in-line, or a unipolar lead connector end sharing common dimensions. The elongated receptacle includes connector pin and ring receptacle contacts spaced apart from one another therein. In a preferred embodiment, an elongated slot that extends laterally of the elongated receptacle cooperates with a lock mechanism to allow the lateral insertion of the lead connector end assembly, with a stylet wire inserted into the cardiac lead body lumen, into the elongated receptacle. When inserted therein, the lead connector ring and/or pin are nested into contact with the ring and/or pin receptacle contacts and are held there by the lock mechanism. Several embodiments are disclosed of alternate configurations of the elongated receptacle, receptacle contacts and lock mechanism.

Medical lead adaptor

Programmer for use with implantable medical device

A medical lead adaptor that provides a rapid, secure, insulated connection of the lead connector end assembly of a cardiac lead having electrodes adapted to be placed in or on the body with an external medical device is disclosed. The adaptor connector assembly is configured with an elongated receptacle to accept a bipolar, in-line, or a unipolar lead connector end sharing common dimensions. The elongated receptacle includes connector pin and ring receptacle contacts spaced apart from one another therein. In a preferred embodiment, an elongated slot that extends laterally of the elongated receptacle cooperates with a lock mechanism to allow the lateral insertion of the lead connector end assembly, with a stylet wire inserted into the cardiac lead body lumen, into the elongated receptacle. When inserted therein, the lead connector ring and/or pin are nested into contact with the ring and/or pin receptacle contacts and are held there by the lock mechanism. Several embodiments are disclosed of alternate configurations of the elongated receptacle, receptacle contacts and lock mechanism.

A medical lead adaptor that provides a rapid, secure, insulated connection of the lead connector end assembly of a cardiac lead having electrodes adapted to be placed in or on the body with an external medical device. The adaptor connector assembly is configured with an elongated receptacle to accept a bipolar, in-line, or a unipolar lead connector end sharing common dimensions. The elongated receptacle includes connector pin and ring receptacle contacts spaced apart from one another therein. In a preferred embodiment, an elongated slot that extends laterally of the elongated receptacle cooperates with a lock mechanism to allow the lateral insertion of the lead connector end assembly, with a stylet wire inserted into the cardiac lead body lumen, into the elongated receptacle. When inserted therein, the lead connector ring and/or pin are nested into contact with the a ring and/or pin receptacle contacts and are held there by the lock mechanism. Several embodiments are disclosed of alternate configurations of the elongated receptacle, receptacle contacts and lock mechanism.

A medical lead adaptor that provides a rapid, secure, insulated connection of the lead connector end assembly of a cardiac lead having electrodes adapted to be placed in or on the body with an external medical device. The adaptor connector assembly is configured with an elongated receptacle to accept a bipolar, in-line, or a unipolar lead connector end sharing common dimensions. The elongated receptacle includes connector pin and ring receptacle contacts spaced apart from one another. In a preferred embodiment, an elongated slot extends laterally with respect to the elongated receptacle and cooperates with a lock mechanism to permit lateral insertion of the lead connector end assembly. A stylet wire is then inserted into a cardiac lead body lumen, in the elongated receptacle. When inserted therein, the lead connector ring or pin is nested into contact with the ring or pin receptacle contacts and is held there by the lock mechanism.

Medical lead adaptor having rotatable locking clip mechanism

A method and apparatus for providing electrical field (E-field) shielding for electro-magnetic devices. In one embodiment of the invention, a programming head from an implantable medical device programming system is housed within a nonconductive exoskeleton. The programming head contains an antenna that is preferably shielded from E-fields but not from magnetic fields (H-fields). A pattern of electrically conductive material, such as a nickel-acrylic paint or the like, is applied to interior surfaces of the exoskeleton, such that at least two (preferably four) distinct and discontinuous areas of conductive material are defined thereon. A collar for providing strain relief for a programming head cable entering through an aperture in the exoskeleton is maintained in electrical contact with each area of conductive material in said exoskeleton. The collar is preferably made of conductive material, and is also coupled to at least one conductor in the programming head cable, such that the conductive areas are coupled to ground via the cable. In other embodiments, both E-shielding and H-shielding may be similarly accomplished by coating the entire inner surface of the exoskeleton.

Magnetically permeable E-shield and method of connection thereto

Portable computer with an articulating display panel

A portable computer apparatus having a dual-pivot articulating display screen capable of being adjusted to a plurality of different viewing angles as desired. In the preferred embodiment, the disclosed apparatus is an implantable medical device programming unit. The substantially flat display screen is movable from a closed position in which it is substantially parallel with an upper surface of the apparatus, to any of a plurality of open positions wherein the display can be viewed by an operator. The display screen is coupled to the main housing of the apparatus by means of a pivoting link arm, and the central portion of the bottom edge of the display screen is provided with a support member extending therefrom, which may be located in one of a number of defined locations within a support channel in the upper surface of the main housing of the apparatus. The display is preferably touch sensitive, so that user interaction with the apparatus is accomplished by a stylus or the like. The disclosed apparatus is provided with an internal ECG strip-chart printer. A compartment in the apparatus is provided for storage of a magnetic programming head, the touch-sensitive screen stylus, and patient ECG cables. A separate compartment is provided for storage of an AC power cord.

Portable computer apparatus with articulating display panel

An electromagnetic transducer assembly includes a carriage 30 carrying a first transducer 33 projecting therefrom and a load arm 35 carrying a second transducer 32 arranged for gimballing movement about a pair of mutually perpendicular axes, the arm being connected to the carriage by a leaf hinge assembly 43 for movement to load or unload transducer 32 to the disk recording medium 20. The transducers have planar disk engaging faces surrounded by edge bevels which merge smoothly with each other at conical corner surfaces 144, 157, and which are blended smoothly into the faces. The second transducer 32 is mounted in the arm on a flexure member 65, which also mounts a connector block 75 to which a flex strip 81 is connected, and which includes eyelet pins for facilitating the wiring of the transducer coils. The arm has an aperture 60 near the end which includes transducer 32 which permits access thereto during assembly. Insert cover 120 fits the aperture and includes a lifting tab 122, and an adjustable pivot member 133 for the gimballing of the transducer. The base includes ramps 160, 161 for facilitating the insertion and removal of a diskette 21 into operative position with respect to the transducers. The hinge assembly includes a leaf spring 44 and means 45-47, 52, 53 clamping it to the arm and to the base. A spring 55 urges the arm in a first direction about the hinge, and acts as a cover for passages 82-86 leading a connection cable 80 to the flex strip.

Transducer arm assembly for floppy disk

An electromagnetic transducer assembly includes a carriage 30 carrying a first transducer 33 projecting therefrom and a load arm 35 carrying a second transducer 32 arranged for gimballing movement about a pair of mutually perpendicular axes, the arm being connected to the carriage by a leaf hinge assembly 43 for movement to load or unload transducer 32 to the disk recording medium 20. The transducers have planar disk engaging faces surrounded by edge bevels which merge smoothly with each other at conical corner surfaces 144, 157, and which are blended smoothly into the faces. The second transducer 32 is mounted in the arm on a flexure member 65, which also mounts a connector block 75 to which a flex strip 81 is connected, and which includes eyelet pins for facilitating the wiring of the transducer coils. The arm has an aperture 60 near the end which includes transducer 32 which permits access thereto during assembly. Insert cover 120 fits the aperture and includes a lifting tab 122, and an adjustable pivot member 133 for the gimballing of the transducer. The base includes ramps 160, 161 for facilitating the insertion and removal of a diskette 21 into operative position with respect to the transducers. The hinge assembly includes a leaf spring 44 and means 45-47, 52, 53 clamping it to the arm and to the base. A spring 55 urges the arm in a first direction about the hinge, and acts as a cover for passages 83-86 leading a connection cable 80 to the flex strip.

Growing community of inventors

Isanti, MN, United States of America

Thomas J Winkler