Alfred Mann

US Patent:

6411854, Jun 25, 2002

Filed:

Jul 14, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/353237

Inventors:

George Tziviskos - Woodland Hills CA
Tom J. Law - Tempe AZ
Alfred E. Mann - Beverly Hills CA

Assignee:

Advanced Bionics Corporation - Sylmar CA

International Classification:

A61N 1375

US Classification:

607 57, 607 2

Abstract:

An implantable medical device is made from an electronic subassembly hermetically sealed in a ceramic case filled with a potting material. Use of the potting material enhances the capacity of the device to withstand mechanical shock without failure. The device includes a hollow ceramic or other case having an open end to which a metal ring is hermetically bonded. The inside surface of the ceramic case is treated (cleansed and activated) to assure the potting material adheres to it. The potting material, while in a non-cured fluid or quasi-fluid state, is inserted inside of the ceramic case. The electronic circuitry is next inserted into the open end of the ceramic case while the potting material is still in a non-cured, soft or fluid state. The electronic circuitry displaces some of the potting material and the potting material fills the voids between the electronic circuitry and the ceramic case. The potting material is then slowly cured, and once cured, supports the walls of the ceramic case and protects the electronic circuitry embedded therein.

US Patent:

6458102, Oct 1, 2002

Filed:

May 25, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/578566

Inventors:

Alfred E. Mann - Beverly Hills CA
H. Lee Renger - Calabasas CA
Clyde Nason - Valencia CA
Hiwa Nezhadian - Simi Valley CA

Assignee:

Medtronic MiniMed, Inc. - Northridge CA

International Classification:

A61M 3700

US Classification:

604131, 604140, 604141, 604145, 222399

Abstract:

An external infusion device system for infusing a fluid into a patient, the system including a reusable infusion device housing, a gas power source and disposable reservoir. The disposable reservoir is insertable into the reusable infusion device housing to infuse the fluid into the patient. The gas power source is for generating a gas to expel the fluid from the fluid reservoir. The disposable reservoir includes a reservoir housing, a fluid reservoir, an outlet, a gas power source, an expansion chamber and a regulating valve assembly. The fluid reservoir is within the reservoir housing for containing the fluid to be infused into the patient. The outlet is in the reservoir housing and provides a path through which the fluid is expelled to be infused into the patient. The expansion chamber is disposed between the gas power source and the fluid reservoir to receive the gas from the gas power source. The expansion member expands into the fluid reservoir to expel the fluid from the fluid reservoir.

US Patent:

6520936, Feb 18, 2003

Filed:

Jun 8, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/590482

Inventors:

Alfred E. Mann - Northridge CA

Assignee:

Medtronic Minimed, Inc. - Northridge CA

International Classification:

A61M 3700

US Classification:

604141, 6048911

Abstract:

Embodiments of implantable infusion pumps are provided that use a process of converting a first substance to a second gaseous substance (e. g. by electrolysis) to provide a motivating force to expel a desired fluid (e. g. drug or medication) from the pump into the body of a patient. An expandable sack may be provided around a gas producing electrolytic cell, such that as the gas expands it displaces a portion of the volume originally allocated to the desired fluid, and thereby forces the fluid from the pump. Pumps may be provided with a double septum to allow refilling of the desired fluid while simultaneously allowing removal of the generated gas from the system while using a single needle. Recharging of pump batteries may occur by direct electrical conduction through one or more needles and/or by r. f. energy transfer.

US Patent:

6551276, Apr 22, 2003

Filed:

Dec 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/466006

Inventors:

Alfred E. Mann - Beverly Hills CA
Alan Haubach - Carlsbad CA
Luis J. Malave - Valencia CA
John Livingston - Newport Beach CA
Cliff Hague - Sherman Oaks CA
Chad Srisathapat - Sun Valley CA
Jay Yonemoto - Diamond Bar CA
Deborah Ruppert - Los Angeles CA
Dennis P. Bishop - Van Nuys CA
Adrian Gut - Los Angeles CA
Bob Murtfeldt - La Canada CA

Assignee:

Medtronic MiniMed, Inc. - Northridge CA

International Classification:

A61M 3700

US Classification:

604131

Abstract:

An infusion system for infusing a liquid into a body includes an external infusion device and a remote commander. The external infusion device includes a housing, a receiver, a processor and an indication device. The receiver is coupled to the housing and for receiving remotely generated commands. The processor is coupled to the housing and the receiver to receive remotely generated commands and to control the external infusion device in accordance with the commands. The indication device indicates when a command has been received and indicates when the command is being utilized to control the external infusion device so that the external infusion device is capable of being concealed from view when being remotely commanded. The remote commander includes a commander housing, a keypad for transmitting commands, and a transmitter for transmitting commands to the receiver of the external infusion device.

US Patent:

6554798, Apr 29, 2003

Filed:

Jun 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/334858

Inventors:

Alfred E. Mann - Beverly Hills CA
Causey D. James - Simi Valley CA
Alan Haubach - Moorpark CA
Luis J. Malave - Valencia CA
John H. Livingston - Newport Beach CA
Clifford W. Hague - Sherman Oaks CA
Jay Yonemoto - Diamond Bar CA
Deborah Ruppert - Los Angeles CA
Dennis P. Bishop - Van Nuys CA

Assignee:

Medtronic MiniMed, Inc. - Northridge CA

International Classification:

A61M 3700

US Classification:

604131, 604 67

Abstract:

An infusion system for infusing a liquid into a body includes an external infusion device and a remote commander. The external infusion device includes a housing, a receiver, a processor and an indication device. The receiver is coupled to the housing and for receiving remotely generated commands. The processor is coupled to the housing and the receiver to receive remotely generated commands and to control the external infusion device in accordance with the commands. The indication device indicates when a command has been received and indicates when the command is being utilized to control the external infusion device so that the external infusion device is capable of being concealed from view when being remotely commanded. The remote commander includes a commander housing, a keypad for transmitting commands, and a transmitter for transmitting commands to the receiver of the external infusion device.

US Patent:

6754537, Jun 22, 2004

Filed:

Nov 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/979804

Inventors:

William Vanbrooks Harrison - Valencia CA
Janusz A. Kuzma - Parker CO
Alfred E. Mann - Beverly Hills CA
Thomas J. Balkany - Coral Gables FL

Assignee:

Advanced Bionics Corporation - Sylmar CA

International Classification:

A61N 118

US Classification:

607 57

Abstract:

A hybrid cochlear implant hearing aid sytem ( ) provides low frequency acoustic energy boost, if needed, and high frequency direct neural stimulation. Tinnitus suppression may also be provided. The neurons responsible for sensing high frequency sounds are located at the basal end of the cochlea. A short basal electrode ( ) that extends into the cochlea only at the basal region allows direct stimulation of these neurons by an appropriately-controlled cochlear stimulator ( ). The basal electrode array typically has from four to eight electrode contacts ( ). The design of the electrode array allows the surgeon to place the array using minimally invasive surgical techniques and requires no cochleostomy. The electrode array is thin, and can typically be inserted directly through the round window membrane to make contact with, or to be positioned in close proximity to, the modiolus wall in the basal region of the cochlea. The hybrid implantable cochlear stimulator and hearing aid system relies primarily on the cochlear stimulator portion of the system for being able to sense high frequency sounds, and relies primarily on normal hearing processes, or other acoustic boosting devices and systems, for being able to sense lower frequency sounds.

US Patent:

6786860, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

Oct 3, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/264962

Inventors:

Albert A. Maltan - Stevenson Ranch CA
Alfred E. Mann - Beverly Hills CA
James P. McGivern - Stevenson Ranch CA
Philip H. Lee - Santa Clarita CA

Assignee:

Advanced Bionics Corporation - Valencia CA

International Classification:

H04R 2500

US Classification:

600 25

Abstract:

A hearing aid module ( ) is shaped for insertion into a tunnel ( ) made through the soft tissue that connects the retro-auricular space ( ) with the ear canal ( ). A hollow tube ( ) may first be chronically or acutely implanted in such tunnel, and the hearing aid module inserted into the tube. The tube or hearing aid module may have a coating ( ) containing a steroid or drug adapted to minimize infection and/or inflammation. The hearing aid module contains a speaker ( ), a battery or other power source ( ) powering the module, signal processing circuitry ( ), and a microphone ( ). Telemetry circuitry ( ) within the module allows the signal processing circuitry to be programmed with a desired frequency response or signal processing strategy using an external programming unit ( ). A remote control unit ( ) permits the user to make simple adjustments, such as volume and/or tone control.

US Patent:

6809653, Oct 26, 2004

Filed:

Dec 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/465715

Inventors:

Alfred E. Mann - Beverly Hills CA
Richard E. Purvis - Pasadena CA
John J. Mastrototaro - Los Angeles CA
James D. Causey - Simi Valley CA
James Henke - Simi Valley CA
Peter Hong - Santa Clarita CA
John H. Livingston - Newport Beach CA
Clifford W. Hague - Sherman Oaks CA
Brad T. Hite - Valencia CA

Assignee:

Medtronic MiniMed, Inc. - Northridge CA

International Classification:

A61M 500

US Classification:

34087028, 604 31, 604506

Abstract:

A telemetered characteristic monitor system includes a remotely located data receiving device, a sensor for producing signal indicative of a characteristic of a user, and a transmitter device. The transmitter device includes a housing, a sensor connector, a processor, and a transmitter. The transmitter receives the signals from the sensor and wirelessly transmits the processed signals to the remotely located data receiving device. The processor coupled to the sensor processes the signals from the sensor for transmission to the remotely located data receiving device. The data receiving device may be a characteristic monitor, a data receiver that provides data to another device, an RF programmer for a medical device, a medication delivery device (such as an infusion pump), or the like.