Patents Examined by Kennedy Schaetzle
  • Patent number: 9993647
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an electrical stimulation therapy method. The method includes applying a variable frequency stimulation pulse to target nerve tissue of the patient suffering from dysfunction of a nerve circuit in the brain selected from the group consisting of motor circuit, associative circuit and limbic circuit, wherein the variable frequency stimulation pulse comprises at least two kinds of electrical stimulation pulse trains at different frequencies; and each of the at least two kinds of alternate electrical stimulation pulse trains in each of the plurality of pulse train periods has a duration in a range from about 0.1 seconds to about 60 minutes. The target nerve tissue is a part of the nerve circuit. The different frequencies of the electrical stimulation pulse trains are in a range from about 10 Hz to about 250 Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Tsinghua University
    Inventors: Lu-Ming Li, Fu-Min Jia, Xing Qian, Sen Wan, Hong-Wei Hao
  • Patent number: 9987489
    Abstract: Systems and related methods for controlling an ear stimulation device with a personal computing device, in response to determination of electrical contact of an electrode in a stimulator earpiece with an ear of a user of the personal computing device, are described. If the electrode is not in good electrical contact with the ear of the user, delivery of the stimulus is prevented and the user is notified of the status of the electrode. In various aspects, the user is instructed to reposition the earpiece or replace, clean, moisten, or apply gel to at least a portion of the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Elwha LLC
    Inventors: Eleanor V. Goodall, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Melanie K. Kitzan, Eric C. Leuthardt, Mark A. Malamud, Stephen L. Malaska, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Brittany Scheid, Katherine E. Sharadin, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Charles Whitmer, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
  • Patent number: 9981138
    Abstract: A controller-transmitter transmits acoustic energy through the body to an implanted acoustic receiver-stimulator. The receiver-stimulator converts the acoustic energy into electrical energy and delivers the electrical energy to tissue using an electrode assembly. The receiver-stimulator limits the output voltage delivered to the tissue to a predetermined maximum output voltage. In the presence of interfering acoustic energy sources output voltages are thereby limited prior to being delivered to the tissue. Furthermore, the controller-transmitter estimates the output voltage that is delivered to the tissue by the implanted receiver-stimulator. The controller-transmitter measures a query spike voltage resulting from the electrical energy delivered to the tissue by the receiver-stimulator, and computes a ratio of the predetermined maximum output voltage and a maximum query spike voltage. The maximum query spike voltage is computed by detecting a query spike voltage plateau.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: N. Parker Willis
  • Patent number: 9974957
    Abstract: Sensory information can be delivered to a subject mammal, for example, for restoring a sense of cutaneous touch and limb motion to the subject mammal. A biomimetic electrical signal is generated based on (a) a stimulation reference signal applied to a somatosensory region of a nervous system of a reference mammal, (b) a stimulated-response signal acquired from a sensory cortex of the reference mammal in response to application of the stimulation reference signal to the thalamic nucleus, and (c) a natural-response signal acquired from the sensory cortex in response to peripheral touch stimuli and/or peripheral nerve stimulation of the reference mammal. The biomimetic electrical signal is applied to a somatosensory region of a nervous system of the subject mammal to induce an activation response, in a sensory cortex of the subject mammal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION FOR THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
    Inventors: John S. Choi, Joseph T. Francis
  • Patent number: 9968273
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ECG waveform detecting apparatus includes an input circuit and processing circuitry. The input circuit receives an ECG signal. The processing circuitry performs first detection of a specific waveform included in the ECG signal, performs update processing of a detection parameter for detecting the specific waveform based on a part of the specific waveform or result of the first detection, performs second detection of the specific waveform from the ECG signal by using the detection parameter after the update processing, and generates a synchronization signal based on information on the second detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hidenori Takeshima
  • Patent number: 9956030
    Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a housing that supports an elongated shaft. A selectively movable drive rod extends through the elongated shaft and carries a cam pin in a longitudinal direction. An end effector for surgically treating tissue is supported by the elongated shaft and includes upper and lower jaw members pivotally coupled to one another about a pivot axis. The upper jaw member includes a first pair of laterally spaced flanges, and the lower jaw member includes a second pair of laterally spaced flanges defining a camming slot for engaging the cam pin. The flanges are arranged in an offset configuration where one flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally exterior side of a corresponding flange of the lower jaw member, and the other flange of the upper jaw member is positioned on a laterally interior side of the other flange of the lower jaw member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: James D. Allen, IV, Edward M. Chojin, Joseph D. Bucciaglia
  • Patent number: 9956393
    Abstract: The disclosed wearable device modulates a patient's gastric emptying time and/or gastric retention time. The wearable device includes a microprocessor, electrical stimulator and at least one electrode configured to deliver electrical stimulation to the epidermis, through a range of 0.1 mm to 10 mm or a range of 0.1 mm to 20 mm of the dermis, of a T2 dermatome to a T12 dermatome or meridian of the patient, a C5 to a T1 dermatome across the hand and/or arm, and/or the upper chest regions. The device is adapted to provide electrical stimulation as per stimulation protocols and to communicate wirelessly with a companion control device configured to monitor and record appetite patterns of the patient. The control device is also configured to monitor, record, and modify stimulation parameters of the stimulation protocols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Elira, Inc.
    Inventors: Raul E. Perez, Peter I. Hong, Steven Diianni, Luis Jose Malave, Brad Stengel
  • Patent number: 9950185
    Abstract: A flexible catheter includes two electrical contacts in a distal region of the catheter and a distal aperture of a hose line. The electrical contacts are connected to a high frequency pulse generator for applying pulsed radio frequency energy for nerve stimulation. A temperature sensor is located in the distal region of the catheter. The flexible catheter is inserted into a region in the spinal canal and the pulsed radio frequency generator is operated, thereby applying pulsed radio frequency energy to a localized region to be treated. The temperature at the distal region of the catheter can also be monitored, and the pulsed radio frequency energy is applied in dependence on the monitored temperature. With the catheter, pain and other medical conditions being related to and influenced by a nervous system are treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Omar Omar-Pasha
  • Patent number: 9901666
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating flow rate in a blood circulation assist system employing impeller eccentricity. A method includes magnetically rotating an impeller within a blood flow channel of a blood pump. The impeller is levitated within the blood flow channel transverse to the impeller axis of rotation. A rotational speed for the impeller is determined. At least one impeller transverse position parameter is determined. The at least one impeller transverse position parameter is based on at least one of (1) an amount of a bearing current that is used to levitate the impeller transverse to the impeller axis of rotation, and (2) a position of the impeller within the blood flow channel transverse to the impeller axis of rotation. A flow rate of blood pumped by the blood pump is estimated based on the impeller rotational speed and the at least one impeller transverse position parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: TC1 LLC
    Inventor: Christopher J. Cotter
  • Patent number: 9901261
    Abstract: The invention provides a body-worn monitor that measures a patient's vital signs (e.g. blood pressure, SpO2, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature) while simultaneously characterizing their activity state (e.g. resting, walking, convulsing, falling). The body-worn monitor processes this information to minimize corruption of the vital signs by motion-related artifacts. A software framework generates alarms/alerts based on threshold values that are either preset or determined in real time. The framework additionally includes a series of ‘heuristic’ rules that take the patient's activity state and motion into account, and process the vital signs accordingly. These rules, for example, indicate that a walking patient is likely breathing and has a regular heart rate, even if their motion-corrupted vital signs suggest otherwise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: SOTERA WIRELESS, INC.
    Inventors: Devin McCombie, Matt Banet, Marshal Dhillon, Jim Moon
  • Patent number: 9901735
    Abstract: Provided are an ancillary device for an electrical stimulation device and an electrical stimulation device. The ancillary device is usable for an electrical stimulation device including at least one electrode that contacts the head of a user to apply a current to the head of a user, and includes a reverse current supplier that contacts the at least one electrode of the electrical stimulation device, and a controller that controls the reverse current supplier such that a reverse current is supplied to the at least one electrode to neutralize the at least one electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: y-Brain Inc
    Inventors: Ki Won Lee, Cheon Ju Ko, Jong Min Jang, Byung Gik Kim
  • Patent number: 9895071
    Abstract: Self-correlation enhancements and implementations are described. In particular, certain examples demonstrate the use of a tracking mechanism to identify and/or confirm cardiac rate using data from iterative self-correlation performed at intervals over time. This may enable the interpolation of cardiac rate in an implantable medical device when data is insufficient, and may provide confidence in cardiac rate analyses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: CAMERON HEALTH, INC.
    Inventor: Krzysztof Z. Siejko
  • Patent number: 9878163
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing CRT therapy to a patient with an implanted multi-site pacing medical device. In one example, an intrinsic electrical delay associated with each of two or more left ventricle electrodes may be determined. The intrinsic electrical delay associated with each of the two or more left ventricle electrodes may be compared to an electrical delay threshold. If the electrical delay associated with one or fewer left ventricle electrodes is greater than the electrical delay threshold, a single left ventricle electrode may be selected for use during subsequent CRT therapy. If the electrical delay associated with more than one left ventricle electrode is greater than the electrical delay threshold, two or more of the left ventricle electrodes may be selected for use during subsequent CRT therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Yinghong Yu, Keith L. Herrmann, Holly Rockweiler, Sunipa Saha, Benjamin J Nyquist
  • Patent number: 9877814
    Abstract: Preparation of a dental prosthesis that includes a gingiva part having retention holes for seating of manufactured teeth, with the retention holes being enlarged relative to the manufactured teeth. Wax in the enlarged retention holes permits adjustments in positioning of the manufactured teeth, and a helper structure preserves this positioning when the wax is removed and a curable gingiva material is filled into the retention holes. Aspects described herein include digital and/or automatic design of the dental prosthesis and its constituent pieces, as well as automated fabrication thereof in whole or in part, such as in a dental CAD/CAM system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Sirona Dental Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Paul Schnitzspan, Thorsten Jordan
  • Patent number: 9872753
    Abstract: Provided is an implantable sling for supporting a body organ. The sling may be used, for example, as a urethral sling, a puborectal sling or a surgical mesh for pelvic organ prolapsed repair. The sling of the invention has a first sling element, having a first sling body and two or more slender first projections extending from the first sling body. The sling may further include a second sling element having a second sling body and two or more slender second projections extending from the second sling body, and one or more detachable connections connecting the first sling element and the second sling element. In some embodiments, the connections are configured to tear when the first and second sling elements are pulled apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Innoventions LTD.
    Inventors: Daniel Yachia, Valentin Ponomarenko, Ortal Netanel
  • Patent number: 9872653
    Abstract: The local conduction velocity of a cardiac activation wavefront can be computed by collecting a plurality of electrophysiology (“EP”) data points using a multi-electrode catheter, with each EP data point including both position data and local activation time (“LAT”) data. For any EP data point, a neighborhood of EP data points, including the selected EP data point and at least two additional EP data points, can be defined. Planes of position and LATs can then be defined using the positions and LATs, respectively, of the EP data points within the neighborhood. A conduction velocity can be computed from an intersection of the planes of positions and LATs. The resultant plurality of conduction velocities can be output as a graphical representation (e.g., an electrophysiology map), for example by displaying vector icons arranged in a uniform grid over a three-dimensional cardiac model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenwen Li, Erhan Erdemir, Eric J. Voth, Valtino X. Afonso, Carlo Pappone
  • Patent number: 9861319
    Abstract: The present invention provides for three-dimensional reflectance diffuse optical imaging of deep tissue blood flow distribution that removes the need for probe-tissue contact, thereby allowing for such technology to be applied to sensitive, vulnerable, damaged, or reconstructive tissue. The systems utilize noncontact application and detection of near-infrared light through optical lens and detection through a linear array or two-dimensional array of avalanche photodiodes or a two-dimensional array of detectors provided by charge-coupled-device (CCD). Both further feature a finite-element-method (FEM) based facilitation to provide for three-dimensional flow image reconstruction in deep tissues with arbitrary geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Guoqiang Yu, Yu Lin, Chong Huang
  • Patent number: 9854983
    Abstract: The effect of prolonged skin contact with an electronic apparatus is appropriately suppressed. An electronic apparatus 1 includes a temperature acquisition unit 54, a temperature integration unit 55, and a temperature management unit 56. The temperature acquisition unit 54 acquires the temperature of the apparatus. The temperature integration unit 55 acquires information (limit time) about the effect on the skin which changes depending on the temperature. The temperature management unit 56 executes a preset process, based on the temperature of the apparatus acquired by the temperature acquisition unit 54 and the information about the effect on the skin acquired by the temperature integration unit 55.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Minami, Hiroshi Katsuda
  • Patent number: 9849285
    Abstract: A method, electrical tissue stimulation system, and programmer for providing therapy to a patient are provided. Electrodes are placed adjacent tissue (e.g., spinal cord tissue) of the patient, electrical stimulation energy is delivered from the electrodes to the tissue in accordance with a defined waveform, and a pulse shape of the defined waveform is modified, thereby changing the characteristics of the electrical stimulation energy delivered from the electrode(s) to the tissue. The pulse shape may be modified by selecting one of a plurality of different pulse shape types or by adjusting a time constant of the pulse shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Dongchul Lee, Michael A. Moffitt, Christopher Ewan Gillespie, Kerry Bradley
  • Patent number: 9844676
    Abstract: Techniques for facilitating communication between an implantable device and an external device are provided. In one example, an implantable device includes a data packet component and a communication component. The data packet component can insert information associated with the implantable device in a defined service field of an advertising data packet. The defined service field can be selected from one or more service fields of the advertising data packet based on the information associated with the implantable device. The communication component can transmit the advertising data packet. The external device can include a scanning component that can scan one or more service fields of the advertising data packet via an advertising communication channel, and a communication component that can establish a communication link with the implantable device in response to a determination that a criterion associated with a service field is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Bo Zhang, Matthew R. Yoder