Robert W 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.