Robert Joseph O'Brien

US Patent:

7702398, Apr 20, 2010

Filed:

Mar 6, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/682398

Inventors:

Robert C. O'Brien - Miramar FL, US
Robert Naugler - Eldersburg MD, US
Warren Dabney - Orchard Park NY, US
Christine A Frysz - Orchard Park NY, US
Andrew Fisk - Baltimore MD, US

Assignee:

Greatbatch Ltd. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

A61N 1/04

US Classification:

607116, 607 36, 607 37, 607 38, 607117, 607119, 600373, 600382

Abstract:

High reliability electrical connections between a helical strand and flat electrodes, such as strip electrodes found in implantable neurostimulator system, are described. The connection consists of a crimp joint in which an inside diameter mandrel is used to provide the coil with sufficient radial rigidity to ensure structural integrity of the crimp. The mandrel is made of a relatively soft biocompatible material that deforms rather than damages the fine wires of the helical strand during crimping. The crimp is accomplished by radial deformation of an annular or semi-annular crimping member that receives the helical strand/mandrel assembly.

US Patent:

7715923, May 11, 2010

Filed:

Mar 6, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/682400

Inventors:

Robert C. O'Brien - Miramar FL, US
Robert Naugler - Eldersburg MD, US
Warren Dabney - Orchard Park NY, US
Christine A Frysz - Orchard Park NY, US
Andrew Fisk - Baltimore MD, US

Assignee:

Greatbatch Ltd. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

A61N 1/04

US Classification:

607116, 607 36, 607 37, 607 38, 607117, 607119, 600373, 600382

Abstract:

High reliability electrical connections between a helical strand and flat electrodes, such us strip electrodes found in implantable neurostimulator system, are described. The connection consists of a crimp joint in which an inside diameter mandrel is used to provided the coil with sufficient radial rigidity to ensure structural integrity of the crimp. The mandrel is made of a relatively soft biocompatible material that deforms rather than damages the fine wires of the helical strand during crimping. The crimping is accomplished by radial deformation of an annular or semi-annular crimping member that receives the helical strand/mandrel assembly.

US Patent:

8048151, Nov 1, 2011

Filed:

Oct 22, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/603973

Inventors:

Robert C. O'Brien - Miramar FL, US
Christine A. Frysz - Orchard Park NY, US

Assignee:

Greatbatch Ltd. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

A61F 2/06

US Classification:

623 144, 623 142, 623 115, 623 146

Abstract:

A vascular stent comprising a drug-eluting outer layer of a porous sputtered columnar metal having each column capped with a biocompatible carbon-containing material is described. This is done by placing the stent over a close-fitting mandrel and rotating the assembly in a sputter flux. The result is a coating that is evenly distributed over the outward-facing side of the stent's wire mesh while preventing the sputtered columnar coating from reaching the inward facing side where a smooth hemocompatible surface is required. The stent is then removed from the mandrel, exposing all surfaces, and finally coated with a layer of carbon such as amorphous carbon or diamond-like carbon. The carbonaceous coating enhances biocompatibility without preventing elutriation of a therapeutic drug provided in the porosity formed between the columnar structures. The result is a stent that is adapted to both the hemodynamic and the immune response requirements of its vascular environment.

US Patent:

8066764, Nov 29, 2011

Filed:

Dec 23, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/646096

Inventors:

Robert C. O'Brien - Miramar FL, US
Christine A. Frysz - Orchard Park NY, US

Assignee:

Greatbatch Ltd. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

A61F 2/06

US Classification:

623 146, 427 224, 623 115, 623 144

Abstract:

A vascular stent comprising a drug-eluting outer layer of a porous sputtered columnar metal having each column capped with a biocompatible carbon-containing material is described. This is done by placing the stent over a close-fitting mandrel and rotating the assembly in a sputter flux. The result is a coating that is evenly distributed over the outward-facing side of the stent's wire mesh while preventing the sputtered columnar coating from reaching the inward facing side where a smooth hemocompatible surface is required. The stent is then removed from the mandrel, exposing all surfaces, and finally coated with a layer of carbon such as amorphous carbon or diamond-like carbon. The carbonaceous coating enhances biocompatibility without preventing elutriation of a therapeutic drug provided in the porosity formed between the columnar structures. The result is a stent that is adapted to both the hemodynamic and the immune response requirements of its vascular environment.

US Patent:

8367151, Feb 5, 2013

Filed:

Apr 7, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/755777

Inventors:

Robert C. O'Brien - Miramar FL, US
Christine A. Frysz - Orchard Park NY, US

Assignee:

Greatbatch Ltd. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

A61L 33/00

US Classification:

427 225, 424424, 424426, 623 1, 623 12, 623 111, 623 142, 623 146, 427 23, 514 12, 606153, 606191, 606198

Abstract:

A vascular stent comprising a drug-eluting outer layer of a porous sputtered columnar metal having each column capped with a biocompatible carbon-containing material is described. This is done by placing the stent over a close-fitting mandrel and rotating the assembly in a sputter flux. The result is a coating that is evenly distributed over the outward-facing side of the stent's wire mesh while preventing the sputtered columnar coating from reaching the inward facing side where a smooth hemocompatible surface is required. The stent is then removed from the mandrel, exposing all surfaces, and finally coated with a layer of carbon such as amorphous carbon or diamond-like carbon. The carbonaceous coating enhances biocompatibility without preventing elutriation of a therapeutic drug provided in the porosity formed between the columnar structures. The result is a stent that is adapted to both the hemodynamic and the immune response requirements of its vascular environment.

US Patent:

20100189879, Jul 29, 2010

Filed:

Apr 8, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/756516

Inventors:

Robert C. O'Brien - Miramar FL, US

Assignee:

Greatbatch Ltd. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

B05D 7/00
C23C 14/34
B29C 35/08

US Classification:

427 224, 20419215, 264400

Abstract:

Implantable electrical lead wires, such as cobalt-chromium-molybdenum alloy wires, are coated with a metal, ceramic, or carbon to a thickness of about 100 nm or less to provide a non-reactive interface to polyurethane sheathing materials. Preferred is sputter coating an amorphous carbon intermediate the alloy wire and the polyurethane sheath.