Larry L Hum

US Patent:

6360129, Mar 19, 2002

Filed:

Dec 13, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/459782

Inventors:

Gregory R. Ley - New Brighton MN
Larry L. Hum - Cottage Grove MN

Assignee:

Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61N 100

US Classification:

607127, 607120, 600375, 604 57

Abstract:

A helical element for insertion into tissue comprises a helical element having an insertion end, a protruding end and an open central area within the wire, rods, filaments, cables or the like that form the helix. The helical element has at least its insertion end covered by a cap of a water-soluble or water-dispersible composition. The composition of the cap comprises a water-soluble or water dispersible component having a hydrogel mixed therein. In one embodiment, there is either a hollow area within the composition within the open central area or the material is more porous than the remaining material. The helical element preferably comprises an electrical lead, such as a positive endocardial lead, with an electrode at the protruding or distal end of the lead. The helical element may comprise any biocompatable material with sufficient structural integrity to provide a secure attachment to tissue in a patient. Where the helical element is also to provide an active (electrically active) function, the composition of the helical element should also be electrically conductive.

US Patent:

6463334, Oct 8, 2002

Filed:

Jul 22, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/359580

Inventors:

David M. Flynn - Lino Lakes MN
Michael Brenzel - St. Paul MN
Jason Skubitz - Minneapolis MN
Larry L. Hum - Cottage Grove MN
Carol Werlein - Ham Lake MN
Christopher Paul Knapp - Oakdale MN
Gregory R. Ley - New Brighton MN
Jason Alan Shiroff - Las Vegas NV
Brian David Soltis - St. Paul MN

Assignee:

Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61N 105

US Classification:

607127, 607122

Abstract:

A lead having an extendable and retractable fixation mechanism has a rotating terminal pin at the terminal end which rotates the fixation mechanism at the distal end. As the terminal pin is rotated, the fixation mechanism is extended or retracted from the distal end of the lead. A threaded collar allows for the fixation mechanism to smoothly extend and retract from the lead, and allows for a 1:1 turn ratio between the terminal pin and the fixation mechanism. A fluoroscopic ring disposed at the distal end of the lead provides information during the implantation process.

US Patent:

6473633, Oct 29, 2002

Filed:

Jul 29, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/363477

Inventors:

Gregory R. Ley - New Brighton MN
Dwight Skinner - Roseville MN
Larry L. Hum - Cottage Grove MN

Assignee:

Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61B 5042

US Classification:

600375, 607127

Abstract:

A helical element for insertion into tissue comprises a helical element having an insertion end, a protruding end and an open central area within the wire, rods, filaments, cables or the like that form the helix. The helical element has at least its insertion end covered by a cap of a water-soluble or water-dispersible composition. The cap is provided with a surface shape in a cross-section in which surface variations are present in the cross-section which create a surface orientation where a line from the center of the cross-section can intersect the surface, and a line perpendicular to said radius at a point of intersection with said surface forms four quadrants, three of said quadrants containing water-soluble or water-dispersible cap material. There is either a hollow area within the composition within the open central area or the material is more porous than the remaining material. The helical element preferably comprises an electrical lead, such as a positive endocardial lead, with an electrode at the protruding or distal end of the lead.

US Patent:

6501990, Dec 31, 2002

Filed:

Dec 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/472098

Inventors:

Gregory L. Sundberg - Stillwater MN
David M. Flynn - Lino Lakes MN
Michael Brenzel - St. Paul MN
Jason Skubitz - Minneapolis MN
Larry L. Hum - Cottage Grove MN
Carol Werlein - Ham Lake MN
Christopher Paul Knapp - Oakdale MN
Gregory R. Ley - New Brighton MN
Jason Alan Shiroff - Shoreview MN
Brian David Soltis - St. Paul MN

Assignee:

Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61N 105

US Classification:

607122

Abstract:

A lead having an extendable and retractable fixation mechanism has a rotating terminal pin at the terminal end which rotates the fixation mechanism at the distal end. As the terminal pin is rotated, the fixation mechanism is extended or retracted from the distal end of the lead. A threaded collar allows for the fixation mechanism to smoothly extend and retract from the lead, and allows for a 1:1 turn ratio between the terminal pin and the fixation mechanism. A fluoroscopic ring disposed at the distal end of the lead provides information during the implantation process. The lead includes a terminal assembly having an outer terminal ring, a terminal pin, and an insulative sleeve disposed between the outer terminal ring and the terminal pin. The insulative sleeve is coupled with the outer terminal ring with a snap-fit connection.

US Patent:

6506457, Jan 14, 2003

Filed:

Mar 30, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/822946

Inventors:

Larry L. Hum - Cottage Grove MN

Assignee:

Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

C08J 718

US Classification:

427490, 4272553, 42725539, 427255394, 427294, 427322, 427534, 427536, 427569, 427591

Abstract:

The present methods provide an amorphous, conformal, protective, abrasion-resistant, lubricious fluoropolymer coating on to a polymer substrate via a gas plasma deposition method. The coating method, according to one embodiment of the method, involves generating a gas plasma by introducing a mixture of a fluorinated gas monomer and a hydrocarbon gas into an energetic ion field, such as an ion beam or the field produced by a radio-frequency source. The fluorinated gas monomer is selected from the group consisting of CF. sub. 4, C. sub. 2 F. sub. 4, C. sub. 2 F. sub. 6, CF. sub. 3. sub. 2CO, CH. sub. 2 CF. sub. 2 and mixtures of the foregoing. The hydrocarbon gas is selected from the group consisting of C. sub. 2 H. sub. 2, C. sub. 2 H. sub. 4, C. sub. 2 H. sub. 6, and H. sub. 2 and mixtures of the foregoing. The polymer substrate is exposed to the foregoing gas plasma for sufficient time to achieve the desired coating thickness.

US Patent:

6901288, May 31, 2005

Filed:

Oct 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/970195

Inventors:

Aaron W. Janke - St. Paul MN, US
Larry L. Hum - Cottage Grove MN, US
Randy Westlund - Minneapolis MN, US
Bruce Tockman - Scandia MN, US

Assignee:

Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61N001/05
A61N001/362

US Classification:

607 9, 607122, 600374

Abstract:

A seal adapted for use with medical devices is provided with a lead having a distal tip electrode. The distal tip of the lead is adapted for implantation on or about the heart and for connection to a system for monitoring or stimulating cardiac activity. The lead can include a fixation helix for securing the electrode to cardiac tissue. The lead assembly can alternatively include an open lumen lead tip. A seal is provided within the lead tip assembly such that the seal is expanded to prevent or limit further entry of fluids through the lead tip. The seal includes an expandable matrix, such as a hydrogel. The seal is formed on or within the lead when the lead and the seal comes into contact with a fluid and expands. The seal is also formed as a plug which is deployed through the medical device, and expands as the plug absorbs fluid. A housing incorporating the seal can also be attached to a portion of the medical device to provide the seal.

US Patent:

6915169, Jul 5, 2005

Filed:

Oct 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/264494

Inventors:

David M. Flynn - Lino Lakes MN, US
Michael Brenzel - St. Paul MN, US
Jason Skubitz - Minneapolis MN, US
Larry L. Hum - Cottage Grove MN, US
Carol Werlein - Ham Lake MN, US
Christopher Paul Knapp - Oakdale MN, US
Gregory R. Ley - New Brighton MN, US
Jason Alan Shiroff - Las Vegas NV, US
Brian David Soltis - St. Paul MN, US

Assignee:

Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. - St. Paul MN

International Classification:

A61N001/05

US Classification:

607122, 607116, 607119, 607127, 439909

Abstract:

A lead having an extendable and retractable fixation mechanism has a rotating terminal pin at the terminal end which rotates the fixation mechanism at the distal end. As the terminal pin is rotated, the fixation mechanism is extended or retracted from the distal end of the lead. A threaded collar allows for the fixation mechanism to smoothly extend and retract from the lead, and allows for a 1:1 turn ratio between the terminal pin and the fixation mechanism. A fluoroscopic ring disposed at the distal end of the lead provides information during the implantation process.

US Patent:

7089046, Aug 8, 2006

Filed:

Jul 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/187514

Inventors:

Gregory R. Ley - New Brighton MN, US
Dwight Skinner - Roseville MN, US
Larry L. Hum - Cottage Grove MN, US

Assignee:

Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc. - Saint Paul MN

International Classification:

A61B 5/04

US Classification:

600375, 607127

Abstract:

A helical element for insertion into tissue comprises a helical element having an insertion end, a protruding end and an open central area within the wire, rods, filaments, cables or the like that form the helix. The helical element has at least its insertion end covered by a cap of a water-soluble or water-dispersible composition. The cap is provided with a surface shape in a cross-section in which surface variations are present in the cross-section which create a surface orientation where a line from the center of the cross-section can intersect the surface, and a line perpendicular to said radius at a point of intersection with said surface forms four quadrants, three of said quadrants containing water-soluble or water-dispersible cap material. There is either a hollow area within the composition within the open central area or the material is more porous than the remaining material. The helical element preferably comprises an electrical lead, such as a positive endocardial lead, with an electrode at the protruding or distal end of the lead.