John Edward Swanson

US Patent:

6368147, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Mar 2, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/518006

Inventors:

John W. Swanson - Portland OR

Assignee:

MicroHelix, Inc. - Portland OR

International Classification:

H01R 1224

US Classification:

439496, 600378

Abstract:

A percutaneous connector comprises a female-half that includes a housing that has a pair of side walls, each having an interior surface. An electrical contact assembly is arranged along the interior surface of at least one of the side walls and has a set of first electrical contacts. Insulating material electrically isolates the electrical contacts from one another. In addition, an electrical conductor attached to each electrical contact extends outside of the housing. A male-half includes a sheet of resilient material, bent into a U-shape and having two opposed outer surfaces. A handle assembly is adapted to permit a user to squeeze the two opposed outer surfaces closer to each other. In addition, a set of second contacts is attached to at least one of the outer surfaces and is arranged in matching configuration to the first set of contacts. Insulating material electrically isolates the contacts from one another. With this design, a user can grasp the male-half by the handle assembly, squeeze together the two outer surfaces, place the male-half in the female-half and release the handle assembly so that the male set of contacts touches the female set of contacts.

US Patent:

6495020, Dec 17, 2002

Filed:

Aug 31, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/653489

Inventors:

John W. Swanson - Portland OR

Assignee:

MicroHelix, Inc. - Portland OR

International Classification:

C25D 502

US Classification:

205122, 156150, 205125, 205164, 205220, 205223

Abstract:

The present invention is a method of producing an electrode probe assembly, comprising, providing a flexible polymer substrate bearing a coating of conductive material and using photolithography and electroplating to form a set of contacts and conductors on the flexible polymer substrate. A resilient material substrate is provided and laminated to the flexible polymer substrate. The assembly may be sized and shaped so that it may be driven through brain tissue.

US Patent:

6537471, Mar 25, 2003

Filed:

Dec 14, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/461078

Inventors:

John W. Swanson - Portland OR
Lucien M. Rucker - Beaverton OR

Assignee:

MicroHelix, Inc. - Portland OR

International Classification:

B29C 4790

US Classification:

264 406, 26417114, 26421117, 2642112, 425143, 425461

Abstract:

Apparatus and method for producing extruded polymer products such as hollow extrusions and conductor coatings having wall thicknesses of 0. 002 inches or less. The apparatus may comprise more than one of the following: an external heat source; temperature measurement and heater control; video monitoring equipment to allow magnified observation of the extrudate, thereby providing opportunity to observe any deficiency in the extrudate; and a die holder and die allowing for more expedient die adjustments. A method for producing ultra thin walled extruded polymer products that comprises the following steps: heating the extrudate as it leaves the die, controlling the heat source through either temperature sensing device and heater controller responsive to the temperature sensed, electric current regulation, or electrical voltage regulation; monitoring the extrudate with video equipment to ensure uniformity of the walls of the extrudate; and adjusting the die during extruder operation in response to any observed deficiency in the extrudate.

US Patent:

6560472, May 6, 2003

Filed:

Jun 21, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/886322

Inventors:

Norman M. Hill - Bothell WA
Andreas N. Hadjicostis - West Linn OR
John W. Swanson - Portland OR

Assignee:

MicroHelix, Inc. - Portland OR

International Classification:

A61B 50478

US Classification:

600378, 607116

Abstract:

A bio-probe having a base and a tip, and comprising a core of substantially rigid, high-strength material, said core tapering inwardly from the base to the tip and a set of conductors extending longitudinally about said core. In addition, dielectric material, substantially electrically isolates each conductor from its surroundings. Also, a set of apertures is defined by the dielectric material to the set of conductors, thereby defining a set of electrodes.

US Patent:

6719582, Apr 13, 2004

Filed:

Dec 16, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/320072

Inventors:

John W. Swanson - Portland OR

Assignee:

Micro Helix, Inc. - Portland OR

International Classification:

H01R 1118

US Classification:

439482

Abstract:

A method of producing an electrode brain probe assembly, using a flexible substrate comprising a polymeric layer bearing a conductive material coating. Photolithography and electroplating are used to form a set of contacts and conductors on the polymeric layer of the flexible substrate. Also, the flexible substrate is shaped to have a distal end and to be at least 5 mm long, but less than 5 mm wide and less than 1 mm thick.

US Patent:

6766578, Jul 27, 2004

Filed:

Jan 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/347035

Inventors:

John Swanson - Portland OR
James Pylant - Lake Oswego OR
Ky Huynh - Tigard OR

Assignee:

Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc. - Plano TX

International Classification:

H01R 4300

US Classification:

29868, 29245, 294695, 29825, 29872, 156 52, 156269, 174117 F

Abstract:

A method of manufacturing a ribbon cable, comprising providing a set of insulated wires and aligning said insulated wires in a predetermined arrangement. The insulated wires are warmed sufficiently for said insulation to be become soft and adhesive, are pressed together so that they adhere to one another and allowed to cool, to form a ribbon cable.

US Patent:

6814557, Nov 9, 2004

Filed:

Mar 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/386589

Inventors:

John W. Swanson - Portland OR
Lucien M. Rucker - Beaverton OR

Assignee:

Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc. - Plano TX

International Classification:

B29C 4792

US Classification:

425140, 425171, 425173, 4253781

Abstract:

An extruder, and a method of using the same, that provides instantaneous inspection of the extrudate. The invention incorporates the use of video monitors electrically connected to video cameras, to provide magnification observation of the extrudate, and may use associated mirrors to observe the extrudate along multiple views as it exits the die.

US Patent:

6814803, Nov 9, 2004

Filed:

May 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/437698

Inventors:

John W. Swanson - Portland OR

Assignee:

Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc. - Plano TX

International Classification:

B05C 1102

US Classification:

118125, 118420

Abstract:

A micro-extruder, comprising a funnel shaped tip piece defining a front aperture, through which wire is drawn, and a front rim, around which extrudate flows, and which has an outer diameter of less than 3. 8 mm (150 mils). In addition, a structurally unitary cross-head body has a front aperture and a protruding rim about this front aperture. The funnel shaped tip piece protrudes through the front aperture. Also, a die having a surface that defines an aperture is adapted and positioned to abut the protruding rim and to form a seal against the protruding rim, so that no extrudate may leak out between the surface defining an aperture and the protruding rim.