Robert J Ecker

US Patent:

6788973, Sep 7, 2004

Filed:

Apr 2, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/117550

Inventors:

Timothy J. Davis - Coon Rapids MN
Robert M. Ecker - Lino Lakes MN
James D. Reinke - Maple Grove MN
John D. Wahlstrand - Shoreview MN

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61N 137

US Classification:

607 32

Abstract:

An implanted medical device (IMD) conserves power by discriminating received radio frequency (RF) signals between noise and data based on frequency. Data is processed while noise is attenuated. The IMD operates in a first, relatively low, power mode while not receiving the RF signals, in a second, higher, power mode responsive to receiving RF signals, and operates in still higher power mode when the RF signals average frequency over a selected period is within a predetermined range. A receiver circuit receives RF signals and discriminates a data signal from noise based on average frequency of the RF signals over selected time periods. The receiver circuit operates in a power-conserving mode unless it receives RF signals, or otherwise operates in a relatively higher-power mode. The receiver transfers signals to a telemetry circuit that operates in a power-conserving mode until it receives a valid data signal to operate in higher power mode.

US Patent:

7233825, Jun 19, 2007

Filed:

Feb 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/367299

Inventors:

David J. Jorgenson - Bloomington MN, US
Christopher M. Manrodt - White Bear Lake MN, US
Robert M. Ecker - Lino Lakes MN, US
Lawrence C. McClure - Forest Lake MN, US
Charles H. Malmskog - Maple Grove MN, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61N 1/36

US Classification:

607 28, 607 27, 607 62

Abstract:

In an implantable medical device having an electrical lead coupled to tissue of a user and a circuit for measuring the impedance of the lead, a method and apparatus for responding to impedance variations in the lead which includes measuring the impedance of the lead while monitoring physiologic parameters of the user, detecting the presence or absence of electromagnetic interference, and if the impedance of the lead is out-of-range, determining whether the electromagnetic interference exceeds a predetermined value, and if the electromagnetic interference exceeds a predetermined value, administering a therapy to the tissue of the user.

US Patent:

8170650, May 1, 2012

Filed:

Feb 28, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/039242

Inventors:

Can Cinbis - Shoreview MN, US
James K. Carney - Brooklyn Park MN, US
William T. Donofrio - Andover MN, US
Robert M. Ecker - Lino Lakes MN, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61B 6/00

US Classification:

600476, 600310, 600473, 600477

Abstract:

A medical device for sensing cardiac events that includes a plurality of light sources capable of emitting light at a plurality of wavelengths, and a detector to detect the emitted light. A processor generates an ambient light measurement in response to ambient light detected by the detector, generates a plurality of light measurements in response to the emitted light detected by the detector, and adjusts the plurality of light measurements in response to the ambient light measurement.

US Patent:

8275432, Sep 25, 2012

Filed:

Dec 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/955056

Inventors:

Jonathan L. Kuhn - Ham Lake MN, US
Timothy J. Davis - Coon Rapids MN, US
Can Cinbis - Shoreview MN, US
Robert M. Ecker - Lino Lakes MN, US
Shawn D. Knowles - Princeton NJ, US
Thomas A. Anderson - New Hope MN, US
Jeffrey M. Jelen - New Hope MN, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61B 5/1455

US Classification:

600310, 600316, 600322, 600323

Abstract:

An implantable optical sensor and associated manufacturing method include a sensor housing having an inner surface and an outer surface and a window formed in the housing extending between the housing inner surface and the housing outer surface. An opto-electronic device enclosed within the housing and having a photonic surface is operatively positioned proximate the window for emitting light through the window or detecting light through the window. An optical coupling member is positioned between the opto-electronic device and the window for reducing light reflection at a surface within the implantable optical sensor.

US Patent:

8275435, Sep 25, 2012

Filed:

Jan 21, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/690957

Inventors:

Jonathan L. Kuhn - Ham Lake MN, US
Jonathan P. Roberts - Coon Rapids MN, US
Andrew J. Ries - Lino Lakes MN, US
James D. Reinke - Maple Grove MN, US
Jeffrey M. Jelen - New Hope MN, US
Robert M. Ecker - Lino Lakes MN, US
Timothy J. Davis - Coon Rapids MN, US
Can Cinbis - Shoreview MN, US
Thomas A. Anderson - New Hope MN, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61B 5/00

US Classification:

600323, 600325

Abstract:

An implantable medical device having an optical sensor selects the function of modular opto-electronic assemblies included in the optical sensor. Each assembly is provided with at least one light emitting device and at least one light detecting device. A device controller coupled to the optical sensor controls the function of each the assemblies. The controller executes a sensor performance test and selects at least one of the plurality of assemblies to operate as a light emitting assembly in response to a result of the performance test. The controller selects at least one other of the plurality of optical sensor assemblies to operate as a light detecting assembly in response to a result of the performance test.

US Patent:

8452402, May 28, 2013

Filed:

Apr 23, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/107921

Inventors:

Robert M. Ecker - Lino Lakes MN, US
Jonathan L. Kuhn - Ham Lake MN, US
James D. Reinke - Maple Grove MN, US
Can Cinbis - Shoreview MN, US
Timothy J. Davis - Coon Rapids MN, US
Paul F. Gerrish - Phoenix AZ, US
Jonathan P. Roberts - Coon Rapids MN, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61B 5/1455

US Classification:

607 23, 600317, 600325, 600333

Abstract:

A reflectance-type optical sensor includes one or more photodiodes formed in a semiconductor substrate. A well having sidewalls and a bottom is formed in the top surface of the substrate, and a reflective layer is formed on the sidewalls and bottom. A light-emitting diode (LED) is mounted in the well, so that light emitted laterally and rearwardly from the LED strikes the sidewalls or bottom and is redirected in a direction generally perpendicular to the top surface of the substrate. The optical sensor can be fabricated using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) fabrication techniques.

US Patent:

8504165, Aug 6, 2013

Filed:

Jan 22, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/746818

Inventors:

Robert M. Ecker - Lino Lakes MN, US
Kaustubh R. Patil - Blaine MN, US
Michael B. Terry - Camas WA, US
Jonathan P. Roberts - Coon Rapids MN, US
Robert A. Corey - Arden Hills MN, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61N 1/36
A61N 1/378

US Classification:

607 60, 607 2, 607 32

Abstract:

This disclosure is directed to the synchronization of clocks of a secondary implantable medical device (IMD) to a clock of a primary IMD. The secondary IMD includes a communications clock. The communications clock may be synchronized based on at least one received communications pulse. The secondary IMD further includes a general purpose clock different than the communications clock. The general purpose clock may be synchronized based on at least one received power pulse. The communications clock may also be synchronized based on the at least one received power pulse.

US Patent:

20100105997, Apr 29, 2010

Filed:

Jan 29, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/361990

Inventors:

Robert Michael Ecker - Lino Lakes MN, US
Kaustubh R. Patil - Blaine MN, US
John Robert Hamilton - Centennial CO, US
James D. Reinke - Maple Grove MN, US
Timothy Davis - Coon Rapids MN, US

Assignee:

Medtronic, Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A61N 1/36
A61B 5/1455

US Classification:

600334, 607 62, 600339

Abstract:

In general, the invention is directed toward an implantable medical device that includes a controller and a plurality of sensor modules. The controller may control the sensor modules to perform one or more sensor actions in order to facilitate a measurement. The sensor modules may store one or more operational parameters that control various aspects of the sensor actions performed by the sensor modules. The controller may automatically adjust one or more of the operational parameters based on results received from previous measurements in order to provide closed loop parameter adjustment of the operational parameters associated with the sensor modules. The controller may communicate with the sensor modules via a common bus. Example measurements include tissue perfusion measurements, blood oxygen sensing measurements, sonomicrometry measurements, and pressure measurements.