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:
Mar. 02, 2010
Filed:
Sep. 08, 2006
Martin J. Vogel, Valencia, CA (US);
Adam Vogel, Legal Representative, Valencia, CA (US);
Richard J. Nelson, Canyon Country, CA (US);
Robert A. Firth, Fraizer Park, CA (US);
Anthony D. Falco, San Dimas, CA (US);
Joseph H. Schulman, Santa Clarita, CA (US);
Lung-hsi Chu, Newhall, CA (US);
Lee J. Mandell, West Hills, CA (US);
Martin J. Vogel, Valencia, CA (US);
Adam Vogel, legal representative, Valencia, CA (US);
Richard J. Nelson, Canyon Country, CA (US);
Robert A. Firth, Fraizer Park, CA (US);
Anthony D. Falco, San Dimas, CA (US);
Joseph H. Schulman, Santa Clarita, CA (US);
Lung-Hsi Chu, Newhall, CA (US);
Lee J. Mandell, West Hills, CA (US);
Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research, Santa Clarita, 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 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.