The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 22, 2003
Filed:
Apr. 26, 2001
Martin J. Vogel, Palmdale, CA (US);
Richard J. Nelson, Canyon Country, CA (US);
Robert A. Firth, Frazier Park, CA (US);
Anthony D. Falco, Azusa, CA (US);
Joseph H. Schulman, Santa Clarita, CA (US);
Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research, Valencia, CA (US);
Abstract
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.