Patents Examined by Amanda Patton
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Patent number: 9880148Abstract: A neuroelectric sensor and stimulator system includes a first antenna, a reader coupled to the first antenna for transmitting stimulation controls and power to a second antenna, and for receiving sensor data transmitted from the second antenna via the first antenna, and at least one neuroelectric sensor stimulator array including the second antenna, a rectifier coupled to the second antenna for extracting power transmitted from the first antenna, a controller coupled to the second antenna for decoding controls transmitted from the first antenna to the second antenna for the neuroelectric sensor stimulator array, a plurality of sensors, a multiplexer coupled to the controller and to the plurality of sensors for selecting a single sensor, and a plurality of stimulators coupled to the controller for stimulating neurons, wherein the rectifier, the controller, the plurality of sensors, the multiplexer, and the plurality of stimulators include graphene.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2017Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Kyung-Ah Son, Jeong-Sun Moon, Zhiwei A. Xu, Brian N. Limketkai, Jongchan Kang, Tahir Hussain
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Patent number: 9878161Abstract: The disclosure relates to the delivery of electrical stimulation therapy to the brain of a patient, e.g., to treat or otherwise manage a patient disorder. In one example, the disclosure relates to a method comprising generating electrical stimulation via a medical device; delivering the electrical stimulation at a first frequency to a brain of a patient when the bioelectrical brain signals of the patient oscillate at a second frequency, where the second frequency corresponds to pathological brain signals of the patient, where the electrical stimulation is selected to entrain the bioeiectrical brain signals of the patient; and adjusting the delivered electrical stimulation from the first frequency to a third frequency, where adjusting the delivered electrical stimulation changes the bioelectrical brain signal oscillations to a fourth frequency different from the second frequency. The fourth frequency may correspond to an oscillation frequency of non-pathological brain signals of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2012Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Jianping Wu, Steven L. Jensen, Dwight E. Nelson
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Patent number: 9872673Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an outer housing shell defining a cavity, the outer housing shell defining an upper outer housing half and a lower outer housing half, wherein the upper outer housing half defines a longitudinal axis and an instrument module selectively insertable into the cavity of the outer housing shell. The instrument module includes an inner housing shell, at least one motor disposed within the inner housing shell, a control board being in electrical communication with the at least one motor and an energy source being in electrical communication with the at least one motor and the control board. The instrument module is inserted into the cavity of the outer housing shell in such a manner that the operative axis of the at least one motor is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the upper outer housing half.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2016Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: John Beardsley, Matthew Chowaniec, Russell Pribanic
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Patent number: 9861823Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of determining an inter-chamber delay within a heart of an individual that may include determining a position of a first sensor in a first chamber of the heart, determining a position of a second sensor in a second chamber of the heart, automatically computing a distance between the first and second sensors, and automatically determining the inter-chamber delay based on the automatically computing operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2015Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.Inventors: Yelena Nabutovsky, Hoda Razavi
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Patent number: 9835852Abstract: Provided are a scanner for two-dimensional optical scanning capable of implementing two-dimensional driving by one input signal without an additional structure for modulating a resonance frequency using modulation of the resonance frequency through asymmetry of the scanner itself, and a manufacturing method thereof. In addition, there is provided a manufacturing method of a scanner for two-dimensional optical scanning capable of implementing compact packaging through a micro electro mechanical systems (MEMS) process to miniaturize the scanner, such that it may be used in a micro-miniature system such as an endoscope and capable of increasing precision of the scanner and manufacturing the scanner in various shapes and at a low cost. Further, there is provided a medical imaging apparatus using a scanner for two-dimensional optical scanning capable of providing a medical image having improved quality without crosstalk between axes through separation of resonance frequencies.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2014Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Ki-Hun Jeong, Yeong-Hyeon Seo, Hyeon Cheol Park, Kyung Min Hwang
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Patent number: 9833630Abstract: A novel therapeutic biphasic or multiphasic pulse waveform and method are provided. The novel therapeutic biphasic or multiphasic pulse waveform may be used in a defibrillator, or in another medical device that delivers therapeutic electrical stimulation pulses to a patient.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2015Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: CARDIOTHRIVE, INC.Inventors: Douglas M. Raymond, Peter D. Gray, Walter T. Savage, Shelley J. Savage
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Patent number: 9827433Abstract: A buttstock includes a main body and a protecting member. The main body includes a shell member and an automated external defibrillator disposed in the shell member. The protecting member is movably connecting with the shell member of the main body so as to move relative to the shell member between a first position and a second position, wherein the protecting member shields the automated external defibrillator at the first position and exposes the automated external defibrillator at the second position respectively.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2015Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Inventor: Chun-Hung Wu
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Patent number: 9821159Abstract: Described here are stimulation systems and methods for stimulating one or more anatomical targets in a patient for treatment conditions such as dry eye. The stimulation system may include a controller and a microstimulator. The components of the controller and microstimulator may be implemented in a single unit or in separate devices. When implemented separately, the controller and microstimulator may communicate wirelessly or via a wired connection. The microstimulator may generate pulses from a signal received from the controller and apply the signal via one or more electrodes to an anatomical target. In some variations, the microstimulator may include a passive generation circuit configured to generate a pulse based on a signal received from the controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2012Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignees: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University, Oculeve, Inc.Inventors: Douglas Michael Ackermann, James Donald Loudin, Janusz Kuzma, Daniel Palanker, Scott Franklin Wetenkamp
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Patent number: 9821153Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the punctual stimulation of endings, located in the region of the ears, of nerves leading to brain stem nuclei, and device (1) having a battery-powered therapeutic current generator (3), which is arranged in a housing (2) to be worn in the ear region and is provided with an electronic circuit that forms a low-frequency therapeutic current, and said device also having at least one flexible line (5) proceeding from the therapeutic current generator (3) for connecting to an electrode to be positioned at a nerve ending and having a base electrode (7), which is likewise connected to the therapeutic current generator and by means of which the therapeutic circuit leading across the former electrode is closed, wherein the device (1), at least by means of an external part of said device (1), can be adapted to the shape of the body point of patient intended for the positioning of the device due to a mechanically pliable structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2012Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Inventor: Josef Constantin Szeles
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Patent number: 9820696Abstract: A method and system for determining blood pressure are disclosed. The method comprises determining a plurality of heart sounds using a microphone of a handheld device and determining a pulse wave using a camera of the handheld device, wherein the plurality of heart sounds and the pulse wave are utilized to determine the blood pressure. The system includes a processor, a memory device coupled to the processor, and an application coupled to the memory device. The system further comprises a microphone coupled to the processor, wherein the microphone is utilized to determine a plurality of heart sounds and a camera coupled to the processor, wherein the camera is utilized to determine a pulse wave, further wherein the application, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to determine the blood pressure using the plurality of heart sounds and the pulse wave.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2014Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Inventor: Ravi Narasimhan
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Patent number: 9820662Abstract: Catheter systems and methods for determining blood flow rates based on light reflection measurements. The catheter may include a lumen extending between a proximal end of the catheter and a distal end of the catheter. The catheter may include fluid infusion openings at the distal end region of the catheter that are configured to permit the indicator fluid to exit the catheter from the lumen. The catheter system may include an optical fiber having one or more sensors thereon for sensing light reflected by blood particles in a body vessel lumen. A blood flow rate may be determined based on the sensed light reflected by blood particles in the body vessel lumen.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2014Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.Inventors: Jan Weber, James M. Anderson, Aiden Flanagan, Eric M. Petersen, Steven R. Larsen
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Patent number: 9819135Abstract: Implantable medical devices include elongated conductor bodies and related features including an attachment to the medical device at one end and a connector that receives a medical lead at the other end. The connector may have various features such as a modular design whereby the connector is constructed from a series of stacked contact modules. Other features of the connector include electrical contacts that are relatively thin conductors or the order of 0.040 inches or less and that may include radial protrusions to establish contact with the electrical connectors of the lead. Furthermore, electrical contacts may be mounted within the connector in a floating manner so that radial movement of the electrical contact may occur during lead insertion. Additional features include a feedthrough where conductors exposed beyond a housing of the implantable medical device make direct electrical connection to conductors present within the elongated body.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2016Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.Inventors: Dale F. Seeley, Michael T. Hegland
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Patent number: 9814880Abstract: A system example may include electrodes operationally positioned for use in delivering sub-perception neural modulation, a neural modulator configured to use at least some electrodes to generate a modulation field, and a feedback system configured to receive a feedback signal that a generated modulation field provides a perceived or measurable response. A control system may implement a calibration process including controlling the neural modulator to generate the modulation field using a first and second stimulus pulse with a first and second pulse width, respectively, and using the feedback system to determine a first and second reference point that represents an intensity of the modulation field generated using the first and second pulse widths, respectively, that provides the response, and deriving sub-perception calibration data specific to sub-perception modulation delivered using a sub-perception pulse with a sub-perception pulse width.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2015Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation CorporationInventors: Bradley Lawrence Hershey, Michael A. Moffitt
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Patent number: 9808623Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hearing system. The hearing system comprises an implantable device configured to be implanted under the skin of a wearer and an external device configured to be positioned at an ear of the wearer. The external device comprises a transmit system configured to generate a wireless signal for being transmitted to the implantable device.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2015Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: OTICON MEDICAL A/SInventors: Søren Kamaric Riis, Shahrokh Tahniat
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Patent number: 9808622Abstract: The invention generally relates to systems and methods for stimulating cellular function in biological tissue. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a method for stimulating cellular function within tissue that involves providing a first type of energy to a region of tissue, in which the first type is provided in an amount that inhibits cellular function within the region of tissue, and providing a second type of energy to the region of tissue, in which the second type is provided in an amount that facilitates cellular function within the region of tissue, wherein the combined effect stimulates cellular function within the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2017Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: HIGHLAND INSTRUMENTSInventor: Timothy Andrew Wagner
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Patent number: 9808586Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices can detect a dangerous or adverse condition or anticipated condition that indicates an undesirable amount of electric current in a patient-connected tube providing fluid to a patient. The fluid flow to the patient is stopped responsive to the detection. Stoppage of fluid flow to the patient can reduce or prevent electric current in the fluid from reaching a patient, flowing through the patient to ground, and/or continuing to flow through the patient.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2017Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: NXSTAGE MEDICAL, INC.Inventor: Yakov Kogan
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Patent number: 9795781Abstract: An implantable leadless cardiac pacing device and associated retrieval features. The implantable device includes a docking member extending from the proximal end of the housing of the implantable device including a covering surrounding at least a portion of the docking member configured to facilitate retrieval of the implantable leadless cardiac pacing device.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC.Inventors: Brian L. Schmidt, Benjamin J. Haasl, John M. Edgell, Dana Sachs
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Patent number: 9795784Abstract: Systems and methods for treating a patient with dyspnea are disclosed. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes identifying the patient as suffering from dyspnea, and, based at least in part on identifying the patient as suffering from dyspnea, implanting an electrical signal delivery element within the patient in signal communication with an afferent neural pathway of a carotid body chemoreceptor. The method can further include at least reducing dyspneic sensations in the patient by directing an electrical signal from the electrical signal delivery element to the neural pathway to at least partially block afferent signals from the chemoreceptor.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Cibiem, Inc.Inventors: Edwin J. Hlavka, Lynn S. Elliott
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Patent number: 9788892Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter (20) adapted for open-loop irrigated ablation, such as RF ablation, of a tissue (40). Said catheter has a distal tip (22) with an ablation entity (15) adapted for performing ablation of the tissue, an irrigation hole (21) and an ultrasound transducer (5) adapted for transmitting and/or receiving ultrasonic waves. The ultrasound transducer is disposed behind or in the irrigation hole of the catheter, so as to allow an irrigation fluid to flow out of the irrigation hole, and so as to allow transmitting and/or receiving the ultrasonic waves through the irrigation hole. The invention also relates to an imaging system and to a corresponding method for operating a catheter.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2010Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Koninkljke Philips N.V.Inventors: Johannes Wilhelmus Weekamp, Jan Frederik Suijver, Waltherus Cornelis Jozef Bierhoff, Szabolcs Deladi, Godefridus Antonius Harks
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Patent number: 9788914Abstract: A bilateral hearing implant surgical template arrangement is described. An adjustable headpiece with left and right sides fits over the head of a surgical patient. There are left and right implant stimulator templates, each configured to conform against an underlying side of the patient's head and each connected to a corresponding left and right side of the adjustable headpiece by an adjustable connection. Each adjustable connection is configured to allow adjustment of the position of the implant stimulator template with respect to the adjustable headpiece so as to define stimulator implantation sites at symmetric locations on each side of the patient's head.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2015Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbHInventors: Anandhan Dhanasingh, Claude Jolly, Andreas Harnisch