Robert F O'Brien

US Patent:

7079903, Jul 18, 2006

Filed:

Mar 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/792315

Inventors:

Robert C. O'Brien - Sykesville MD, US

Assignee:

Greatbatch-Hittman, Inc. - Columbia MD

International Classification:

A61N 1/05

US Classification:

607122, 607116, 607119, 600374

Abstract:

Coatings for implantable electrodes such as pacing electrodes, neurostimulator electrodes, and electroporating electrodes and sensing electrodes are described. The coatings are highly biocompatible, having low polarization. They consist of a biocompatible, conductive substrate, such as of sintered platinum/10% iridium; a thin film outer layer of biocompatible, conductive carbon; and a biocompatible, conductive intermediate layer having a high surface area. The intermediate layer is preferably of sputtered titanium nitride and increases the surface area of the carbonaceous outer layer.

US Patent:

7162308, Jan 9, 2007

Filed:

Nov 21, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/719632

Inventors:

Robert C. O'Brien - Sykesville MD, US
Christine Frysz - Columbia MD, US

Assignee:

Wilson Greatbatch Technologies, Inc. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

A61N 1/00

US Classification:

607116

Abstract:

Coatings for implantable electrodes consisting of single- or multi-walled nanotubes, nanotube ropes, carbon whiskers, and a combination of these are described. The nanotubes can be carbon or other conductive nanotube-forming materials such as a carbon-doped boron nitride. The nanotube coatings are grown “in situ” on a catalytic substrate surface from thermal decomposition, or they are bonded to the substrate using a metal or conductive metal oxide thin film binder deposited by means of a metal compound precursor in liquid form. In the latter case, the precursor/nanotube coating is then converted to a pure metal or conductive metal oxide, resulting in the desired surface coating with imbedded nanotubes.

US Patent:

7383090, Jun 3, 2008

Filed:

Oct 19, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/968310

Inventors:

Robert C. O'Brien - Sykesville MD, US
Robert Naugler - Eldersburg MD, US
Warren Dabney - Odenton MD, US
Christine Frysz - Columbia MD, 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 systems, 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 crimp is accomplished by radial deformation of an annular or semi-annular crimping member that receives the helical strand/mandrel assembly.

US Patent:

8057543, Nov 15, 2011

Filed:

Jan 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/307226

Inventors:

Robert C. O'Brien - Sykesville MD, US
Christine A. Frysz - Marriottsville MD, US

Assignee:

Greatbatch Ltd. - Clarence NY

International Classification:

A61F 2/02
A61F 2/06

US Classification:

623 1111, 427 224, 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:

20050084672, Apr 21, 2005

Filed:

Oct 20, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/969397

Inventors:

Robert O'Brien - Sykesville MD, US

International Classification:

D02G003/00

US Classification:

428364000

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.

US Patent:

58657215, Feb 2, 1999

Filed:

Jun 5, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/658386

Inventors:

Robert R. Andrews - Norfolk MA
William Edelman - Sharon MA
Joseph A. Levendusky - Groton MA
Robert L. O'Brien - Rindge NH

Assignee:

C. R. Bard, Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

A61N 1362

US Classification:

600 18

Abstract:

An intra-aortic balloon pump catheter includes an inner lumen formed by a thin walled superelastic metal alloy tube, namely of nitinol, with an inside diameter sufficient for a guidewire and a small outside diameter which allows reduction of the outer lumen and related components by at least one size French while providing gas shuttle capacity between the lumens for conventional intra-aortic balloon pump operation. The outer lumen is a tube formed of co-extruded plastics to enhance the size reduction and capacity goals, with an inner nylon portion for strength and a relatively thin polyurethane outer portion for biocompatability, flexibility and compatibility for bonding to a thin polyurethane balloon. The proximal end sleeve of the balloon is stretched and then stress-relieved by heating with an internal heater on a mounting mandrel to effect a desired small diameter sizing. A radiopaque metal marker ring of nitinol also is provided to improve imaging capabilities while being compatible with the lumen materials.

US Patent:

57188610, Feb 17, 1998

Filed:

Jun 7, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/484894

Inventors:

Robert R. Andrews - Norfolk MA
William Edelman - Sharon MA
Joseph A. Levendusky - Groton MA
Peter T. Majeski - Cambridge MA
Robert L. O'Brien - Rindge NH

Assignee:

C. R. Bard, Incorporated - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

B29C 4114
B29C 7102

US Classification:

264235

Abstract:

A method of forming intra-aortic balloons includes forming a balloon blank having a sleeve section at its proximal end. To reduce the diameter of the sleeve section of the balloon, the sleeve section is stretched longitudinally by gripping a first portion of the balloon blank at the distal end of the sleeve section, gripping a second portion of the balloon blank at the opposite end of the sleeve section and moving at least one of the gripped portions away from the other so as to reduce the diameter of the sleeve section. A heating element is positioned within the sleeve section to relieve the stress in the sleeve after stretching, by heating the sleeve section. The sleeve section is then cooled in order to preserve the sleeve section in its reduced diameter state thereby forming an intra-aortic balloon having a balloon blank with a reduced diameter sleeve section.

US Patent:

39760880, Aug 24, 1976

Filed:

Jul 26, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/492073

Inventors:

Arthur J. Karanian - Wethersfield CT
Robert L. O'Brien - Glastonbury CT

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

H01M 420

US Classification:

137 151

Abstract:

A dual, side-mounted inlet for air-launched ramjet missiles that require h angle-of-attack capability. The inlets are located symetrically on both sides of the vehicle pitch plane at an optimum angular displacement around the vehicle's lower surface from windward side meridian, lying in the pitch plane. The inlet pressure recovery and relative weight flow reach maximum values at angular displacements between 45. degree. and 60. degree. at positive angles of attack. The inlet is attached to the vehicle with a conventional boundary layer diverter of minimum height.