Patents Examined by Michael Carey
  • Patent number: 9814397
    Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a body-weight sensing scale includes cardio-based physiological sensing circuitry to detect heart characteristics of a user, and provide outputs indicative of the detected heart characteristics. A processor circuit is arranged with the cardio-based physiological sensing circuitry to process data to provide a noise-reduced cardiogram signal which characterizes functionality/health of the user's heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Omer T. Inan, Mozziyar Etemadi, Laurent B. Giovangrandi, Gregory T. Kovacs, Richard M. Wiard
  • Patent number: 9814885
    Abstract: One or more stimulation electrodes may be selected based on a bioelectrical signal sensed in a brain of a patient with a sense electrode combination that comprises at least one electrode and a physiological model that indicates one or more anatomical structures of the brain of the patient that are proximate the implanted at least one electrode. In some examples, the bioelectrical brain signal indicates which electrodes are located closest to a target tissue site. The physiological model can be generated based on a location of implanted at least one electrode within a patient and patient anatomy data, which can, for example, indicate one or more characteristics of patient tissue proximate to the implanted at least one electrode. In some example, the physiological model includes a therapy field model that represents a region of the tissue of the patient to which therapy is delivered via a selected set of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriela C. Molnar, Steven M. Goetz, Andrew N. Csavoy
  • Patent number: 9814899
    Abstract: Systems and methods for illumination of a vascular space and its contents using an electromagnetic energy source that supplies a plurality of wavelengths ranging from ultraviolet to infrared are shown. Illumination can be performed using multiple wavelengths, simultaneously or sequentially, and can be performed in accordance with a protocol where an initial illumination produces an effect that is at least partially reversed by a subsequent illumination. Illumination protocols can be stored on a database and accessed via a user interface displayed on the electromagnetic energy source. The database can be used to store data related to performance of system components, and such data can be used to override or modify an illumination protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: UVLrx Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Scot Johnson, Michael Harter
  • Patent number: 9814888
    Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing the stimulation of a heart of a patient are disclosed herein. The method comprises delivering pacing therapy to the patient according to a pacing therapy setting schedule, using specific pacing intervals via specific electrode configurations. Further, sinus rate values are recorded over at least one cardiac cycle at each pacing therapy setting and it is determined whether a sinus rate value satisfies predetermined measurement conditions, wherein sinus rate values are used for trending the sinus rate over time if the measurement conditions are satisfied. The accepted sinus rate values, i.e. values that satisfy the measurement conditions, are trended over time, wherein each trended sinus rate value is created based on recordings from at least one cardiac cycle. A preferred pacing therapy setting is determined to be the pacing therapy setting that provides a lowest sinus rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, AB
    Inventors: Nils Holmstrom, Andreas Karlsson
  • Patent number: 9814889
    Abstract: Injectable subcutaneous heart device (ISHD) for regulating arrhythmias in a heart of a patient, including a plurality of linked structures, each one of the linked structures being hollow, an interconnecting bus, a biocompatible coating, at least two electrodes and a plurality of sensors, the interconnecting bus for electrically coupling the linked structures and the biocompatible coating for hermetically sealing and electrically insulating the linked structures, one of the linked structures encapsulating a power source, another one of the linked structures encapsulating at least one capacitor and a third one of the linked structures encapsulating electronics, the electrodes and the sensors being respectively placed on an outer surface of the linked structures located at opposite ends of the ISH D, for detecting arrhythmias and providing electrical shocks to the heart, the electrodes and the sensors being electrically coupled with the interconnecting bus and the ISHD being positioned subcutaneously around the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Newpace Ltd.
    Inventors: Gera M. Strommer, Robert S. Fishel, Avi Broder
  • Patent number: 9808640
    Abstract: A method and medical device for detecting a cardiac event that includes sensing cardiac signals from a plurality of electrodes forming a first sensing vector sensing a first interval of the cardiac signal during a predetermined time period and a second sensing vector simultaneously sensing a second interval of the cardiac signal during the predetermined time period, identifying each of the first interval and the second interval as being one of shockable and not shockable in response to first processing of the first interval and the second interval and in response to second processing of one or both of the first interval and the second interval, the second processing being different from the first processing, and determining whether to deliver therapy for the cardiac event in response to identifying each of the first interval and the second interval as being one of shockable and not shockable in response to both the first processing and the second processing of the first interval and the second interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Xusheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 9808615
    Abstract: Medical leads include a lumen body at an end of the lead, and the lumen body includes multiple filar lumens. The lumen body is joined to a lead body, and electrical connectors are longitudinally spaced along the lumen body. Filars within the filar lumens are directed through filar passageways within the lumen body to attach to the electrical connectors on the lumen body. The filar passageways may be aligned with the filar lumens, and slots within the electrical connectors may be aligned with the filar passageways to facilitate assembly. The lumen body may provide additional stiffness to the end of the lead where the lumen body is located to facilitate lead insertion into the medical device. The filar lumens of the lumen body may have a longitudinally straight configuration so that the portions of filars within the filar lumens are held in a longitudinally straight configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Klardie, Michael J. Kern, Brian T. Stolz, Marty D. Martens
  • Patent number: 9808631
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating between medical devices. In one example, an implantable medical device comprising may comprise one or more electrodes and a controller coupled to the electrodes. The controller may be configured to receive a first communication pulse at a first communication pulse time and a second communication pulse at a second communication pulse time via the one or more electrodes. The controller may further be configured to identify one of three or more symbols based at least in part on the time difference between the first communication pulse time and the second communication pulse time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith R. Maile, Michael J. Kane, Paul Huelskamp, Lance E. Juffer, Jeffrey E. Stahmann
  • Patent number: 9808304
    Abstract: An intravascular ablation device, including a flexible elongate body; an expandable element positioned on the elongate body; a radiofrequency or electroporation treatment segment located distally of the expandable element; a cryogenic coolant source in fluid communication with an interior of the expandable element; and a radiofrequency or electroporation energy source in communication with the radiofrequency or electroporation treatment segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Lalonde
  • Patent number: 9808168
    Abstract: A method and system are presented for use in assessment of at least one cardiac parameter of an individual. An electrodes arrangement is applied to an individual's body, for applying an electrical field to the body and providing an electrical output indicative of a systolic impedance change and of a velocity of said change during a cardiac cycle. Also provided is additional data indicative of at least of the following conditions of the individual: a value of total peripheral resistance (TPR), a value of cardiac index (CI), and existence of the AHF condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: New N.I. Medical (2011) LTD.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Goor, Efim Frinerman, Evgeny Granov, Igor Granov
  • Patent number: 9808564
    Abstract: A blood circulation assist system comprising an inflow cannula having a lumen and an insertion device configured to be received therein and to facilitate insertion of a portion of the inflow cannula into a heart chamber. The insertion device includes a shaft having distal and proximal end portions and a plurality of lumens. A first lumen is configured to receive a guidewire and a second lumen is configured to receive a pressurized fluid. A tip connected to the distal end portion of the shaft is configured for insertion into the heart chamber. The tip has a hollow interior communicating with the first shaft lumen. An inflatable member is coupled to the distal end portion of the shaft and includes a hollow interior in fluid communication with the second shaft lumen. The inflatable member is movable between deflated and inflated configurations for releasably securing the insertion device to the inflow cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: CircuLite, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert C. Farnan, Oliver Marseille, Wolfgang Kerkhoffs
  • Patent number: 9808206
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, an interactive vital signs scanning method is disclosed including concurrently scanning for a plurality of vital signs with a portable vital signs scanner; detecting movement of the portable vital signs scanner during the scanning for the plurality of vital signs; and determining a measure of quality of the scanning for the plurality of vital signs with the portable vital signs scanner. In another embodiment, a method of improving the quality of vital signs data is disclosed including concurrently sensing data from a plurality of vital signs sensors over a period of time with a portable vital signs scanner; determining a plurality of vital sign values for a respective plurality of vital signs in response to the sensed data from the plurality of vital signs sensors over the period of time; and fusing at least two vital sign values of the plurality of vital sign values for the respective plurality of vital signs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Scanadu, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenyi Zhao, Brandon Dennis Woolsey, Walter De Brouwer, Eron Anthony Villarreal, Whitney Morgan McGowan, Martin Zizi
  • Patent number: 9808165
    Abstract: A system and method for a multi-function remote ambulatory cardiac monitoring system. The system includes a housing and a microprocessor disposed within the housing. The microprocessor controls the remote ambulatory cardiac monitoring system. The system also includes an electrode for sensing ECG signals and the electrode being in communication with the microprocessor. An integrated cellular module also is included in the system, and the cellular module is connected to the microprocessor and disposed within the housing. The integrated cellular module transmits ECG signals to a remote center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Inventor: Loren A. Manera
  • Patent number: 9808633
    Abstract: A device includes a signal generator module, a processing module, and a housing. The signal generator module is configured to deliver pacing pulses to an atrium. The processing module is configured to detect a ventricular activation event and determine a length of an interval between the ventricular activation event and a previous atrial event that preceded the ventricular activation event. The processing module is further configured to schedule a time at which to deliver a pacing pulse to the atrium based on the length of the interval and control the signal generator module to deliver the pacing pulse at the scheduled time. The housing is configured for implantation within the atrium. The housing encloses the stimulation generator and the processing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Bonner, Saul E. Greenhut, Todd J. Sheldon, Wade M. Demmer
  • Patent number: 9808163
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring heart rate. The method includes receiving a digital heart monitoring signal, determining the integrity of said signal with a “hand detect” signal that confirms electrical connection to the subject, dividing the digital heart monitoring signal into at least one frame, generating a folded correlation value for the center sample in the at least one frame, identify the number of peaks folded correlation values based on amplitude and distance parameters of the digital heart monitoring signal in the at least one frame, removing false peaks and collecting peaks corresponding to a length of time, determining the heart rate based on the identified peaks wherein the identified peaks relate to a minimum distance between valid heart beat peaks based on a heart rate estimate, computing the weighted average of heart rate value based on the number of previous heart rate values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Steven T. Dunbar, Sourabh Ravindran
  • Patent number: 9801646
    Abstract: A surgical device is provided. The surgical device includes: a jaw assembly comprising a first jaw and a second jaw moveable relative to the first jaw and an elongated body removably coupled to a proximal end of the jaw assembly. The elongated body includes an actuation bar movable upon engagement of the jaw assembly with the elongated body to secure the jaw assembly thereto; a release button coupled to the actuation bar such that the release button is movable by the actuation bar upon engagement of the jaw assembly with the elongated body and the release button is configured to move the actuation bar to allow for removal of the jaw assembly from the elongated body; and a lockout button in mechanical cooperation with the release button, the lockout button configured to prevent actuation of the release button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: Earl M. Zergiebel, Russell Pribanic, David Chowaniec, Ryan V. Williams, Jonathan W. Sapienza
  • Patent number: 9802052
    Abstract: An example of a neurostimulation system may include a storage device, a programming control circuit, and a graphical user interface (GUI). The storage device may be configured to store a stimulation waveform representing a pattern of neurostimulation pulses. The programming control circuit may be configured to generate stimulation parameters controlling delivery of the neurostimulation pulses according to the stimulation waveform. The GUI may be configured to define the stimulation waveform as a function of one or more adjustable parameter curves each being a function of time. The one or more adjustable parameter curves each represent a user-programmable parameter. The GUI includes a waveform definition module that may be configured to present the stimulation waveform, present each parameter curve of the one or more adjustable parameter curves, allow for adjustment of the each parameter curve, and update the stimulation waveform in response to the adjustment of the each parameter curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Goran N. Marnfeldt
  • Patent number: 9801682
    Abstract: The devices and method described herein allow for therapeutic damage to increase volume in these hyperdynamic hearts to allow improved physiology and ventricular filling and to reduce diastolic filling pressure by making the ventricle less stiff. For example, improving a diastolic heart function in a heart by creating at least one incision in cardiac muscle forming an interior heart wall of the interior chamber where the at least one incision extends into one or more layers of the interior heart wall without puncturing through the interior heart wall and the incision is sufficient to reduce a stiffness of the interior chamber to increase volume of the chamber and reduce diastolic filing pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventors: Michael D. Laufer, Freddy Abnousi
  • Patent number: 9802046
    Abstract: Systems and methods for stimulation of neurological tissue generate stimulation trains with temporal patterns of stimulation, in which the interval between electrical pulses (the inter-pulse intervals) changes or varies over time. Compared to conventional continuous, high rate pulse trains having regular (i.e., constant) inter-pulse intervals, the non-regular (i.e., not constant) pulse patterns or trains that embody features of the invention provide a lower average frequency. The systems and methods for stimulation of neurological tissue may be used to increase the efficacy of treatment in patients with Parkinson's Disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Warren M. Grill, David T. Brocker, Merrill Birdno
  • Patent number: 9802037
    Abstract: An electrical stimulation device comprises a stimulation lead with a tension section to prevent induction of an electrical current when the electrical stimulation device is in the presence of a magnetic field generated by a device such as an MRI machine. The tension section is shaped to organize excess length of the stimulation lead while providing a variable length between a distal end of the stimulation lead and an electrical source. The shape of the tension section avoids coils and may utilize combinations of straight and curved legs that lie substantially in a common plane to both organize excess length of the stimulation lead and prevent electrical induction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventor: Bradley D. Vilims