Anthony J Falco

US Patent:

7670363, Mar 2, 2010

Filed:

Sep 8, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/518336

Inventors:

Martin J. Vogel - Valencia CA, US
Adam Vogel, legal representative - Valencia CA, US
Richard J. Nelson - Canyon Country CA, US
Robert A. Firth - Fraizer Park CA, US
Anthony D. Falco - San Dimas CA, US
Joseph H. Schulman - Santa Clarita CA, US
Lee J. Mandell - West Hills CA, US

Assignee:

Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research - Santa Clarita CA

International Classification:

A61N 1/08

US Classification:

607 1, 607 27

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for protecting an electronic implantable medical device prior to it being implanted in a patient's body. The apparatus affords protection against electronic component damage due to electrostatic discharge and/or physical damage due to improper handling. The apparatus is comprised of a circuit board having conductive surface means for receiving and releasably grasping the electrodes of the medical device to support the device's housing proximate to the surface of the circuit board. First and second conductive paths are formed on the circuit board extending between the first and second conductive surfaces for shunting electrostatic discharge currents to prevent such currents from passing through the device's electronic circuitry. The respective shunt paths include oppositely oriented diodes, preferably comprising diodes which emit light (i. e. , LEDs) when current passes therethrough.