Patents by Inventor Benjamin D. Pless

Benjamin D. Pless has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20160270817
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a surgical guidance tool configured to facilitate delivery of a neurostimulator to a target craniofacial region of a subject. The surgical guidance tool can include a main body, a securing mechanism, and an adjustable guide mechanism. The main body can have a distal end, a proximal end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the distal and proximal ends. The securing mechanism can be disposed at the distal end and configured to secure a neurostimulator delivery tool to the main body. The guide mechanism can be configured to temporarily mate with a bodily target location of the subject and facilitate positioning of the neurostimulator delivery tool about the target craniofacial region. The guide member can be slidably attached to the distal end and selectively translatable along the longitudinal axis of the main body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Ryan Powell, Benjamin D. Pless
  • Patent number: 9421371
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator system for treating pain includes scheduled and responsive therapy capabilities including responsive stimulation applied to the brain and peripheral sections of the nervous system. Methods for treating chronic nociceptive, neuropathic, and psychogenic pain employ an inventive system to advantageously reduce multiple symptoms and components of pain and to address underlying causes of pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin D Pless, Michael Sasha John
  • Publication number: 20160166199
    Abstract: Described here are implantable devices and methods for monitoring physiological information relating to sleep. The implantable devices are generally designed to include at least one sensor for sensing physiological information, a processor for processing the physiological information using low computational power to detect a sleep stage, and a battery. The detected sleep stage information may then be used to indicate sleep quality, identify or monitor a medical condition, or guide treatment thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: Felice SUN, Benjamin D. PLESS, Barbara GIBB
  • Patent number: 9364671
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for treating a menopause-related condition in a subject. One step of the method can include inserting a therapy delivery device into a vessel of the subject. Next, the therapy delivery device can be advanced to a point substantially adjacent a target site of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) that is associated with the menopause-related condition. The therapy delivery device can then be activated to deliver a therapy signal to the target site of the SNS in an amount and for a time sufficient to effect a change in sympathetic activity in the subject and thereby treat the menopause-related condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Autonomic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Pless, Shannon M. Schuetz
  • Patent number: 9326724
    Abstract: Described here are implantable devices and methods for monitoring physiological information relating to sleep. The implantable devices are generally designed to include at least one sensor for sensing physiological information, a processor for processing the physiological information using low computational power to detect a sleep stage, and a battery. The detected sleep stage information may then be used to indicate sleep quality, identify or monitor a medical condition, or guide treatment thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Felice Sun, Benjamin D Pless, Barbara Gibb
  • Patent number: 9302111
    Abstract: A system includes an implantable neurostimulator device capable of modulating cerebral blood flow to treat epilepsy and other neurological disorders. In one embodiment, the system is capable of modulating cerebral blood flow (also referred to as cerebral perfusion) in response to measurements and other observed conditions. Perfusion may be increased or decreased by systems and methods according to the invention as clinically required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sasha John, Benjamin D. Pless, Brett Wingeier
  • Publication number: 20160066816
    Abstract: An interactive implantable medical device system includes an implantable medical device and a network-enabled external device capable of bi-directional communication and interaction with the implantable medical device. The external device is programmed to interact with other similarly-enabled devices. The system facilitates improved patient care by eliminating unnecessary geographic limitations on implantable medical device interrogation and programming, and by allowing patients, physicians, and other users to access medical records, history, and information and to receive status and care-related alerts and messages anywhere there is access to a communications network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Benjamin D. PLESS, David R. FISCHELL, Barbara GIBB, Lisa GUZZO, Adrian R.M. UPTON
  • Publication number: 20160067491
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of treating a respiratory or pulmonary condition in a patient by transvascular neuromodulation of an adrenal gland or neural structures that innervate the adrenal gland or components thereof. Methods also include implanting a controller in the patient to control delivery of a therapy signal to the patient's adrenal gland. The therapy signal can be an electrical and/or chemical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Ali R. Rezai, Anthony V. Caparso, Benjamin D. Pless
  • Patent number: 9232903
    Abstract: An interactive implantable medical device system includes an implantable medical device and a network-enabled external device capable of bi-directional communication and interaction with the implantable medical device. The external device is programmed to interact with other similarly-enabled devices. The system facilitates improved patient care by eliminating unnecessary geographic limitations on implantable medical device interrogation and programming, and by allowing patients, physicians, and other users to access medical records, history, and information and to receive status and care-related alerts and messages anywhere there is access to a communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin D Pless, David R. Fischell, Barbara Gibb, Lisa Guzzo, Adrian R. M. Upton
  • Patent number: 9186508
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator system for treating movement disorders includes a sensor, a detection subsystem capable of identifying episodes of a movement disorder by analyzing a signal received from the sensor, and a therapy subsystem capable of supplying therapeutic electrical stimulation to treat the movement disorder. The system treats movement disorders by detecting physiological conditions characteristic of an episode of symptoms of the movement disorder and selectively initiating therapy when such conditions are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas K. Tcheng, Robert E. Fischell, Benjamin D. Pless
  • Publication number: 20150321003
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator system for treating pain includes scheduled and responsive therapy capabilities including responsive stimulation applied to the brain and peripheral sections of the nervous system. Methods for treating chronic nociceptive, neuropathic, and psychogenic pain employ an inventive system to advantageously reduce multiple symptoms and components of pain and to address underlying causes of pain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Benjamin D. PLESS, Michael Sasha JOHN
  • Patent number: 9126042
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator system for treating movement disorders includes a sensor, a detection subsystem capable of identifying episodes of a movement disorder by analyzing a signal received from the sensor, and a therapy subsystem capable of supplying therapeutic electrical stimulation to treat the movement disorder. The system treats movement disorders by detecting physiological conditions characteristic of an episode of symptoms of the movement disorder and selectively initiating therapy when such conditions are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas K. Tcheng, Robert E. Fischell, Benjamin D. Pless
  • Patent number: 9114260
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator system for treating pain includes scheduled and responsive therapy capabilities including responsive stimulation applied to the brain and peripheral sections of the nervous system. Methods for treating chronic nociceptive, neuropathic, and psychogenic pain employ an inventive system to advantageously reduce multiple symptoms and components of pain and to address underlying causes of pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin D Pless, Michael Sasha John
  • Publication number: 20150112222
    Abstract: Described here are implantable devices and methods for monitoring physiological information relating to sleep. The implantable devices are generally designed to include at least one sensor for sensing physiological information, a processor for processing the physiological information using low computational power to detect a sleep stage, and a battery. The detected sleep stage information may then be used to indicate sleep quality, identify or monitor a medical condition, or guide treatment thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Felice Sun, Benjamin D. Pless, Barbara Gibb
  • Publication number: 20150087934
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator system adapted to provide therapy for various neurological disorders is capable of varying therapy delivery strategies based on the context, physiological or otherwise, into which the therapy is to be delivered. Responsive and scheduled therapies can be varied depending on various sensor measurements, calculations, inferences, and device states (including elapsed times and times of day) to deliver an appropriate course of therapy under the circumstances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Benjamin D. PLESS, Thomas K. TCHENG
  • Patent number: 8934980
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator system adapted to provide therapy for various neurological disorders is capable of varying therapy delivery strategies based on the context, physiological or otherwise, into which the therapy is to be delivered. Responsive and scheduled therapies can be varied depending on various sensor measurements, calculations, inferences, and device states (including elapsed times and times of day) to deliver an appropriate course of therapy under the circumstances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Pless, Thomas K. Tcheng
  • Publication number: 20140378807
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are disclosed for directing and focusing signals to the brain for neuromodulation and for directing and focusing signals or other energy from the brain for measurement, heat transfer and imaging. An aperture in the skull and/or a channel device implantable in the skull can be used to facilitate direction and focusing. Treatment and diagnosis of multiple neurological conditions may be facilitated with the disclosed systems, methods and devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Benjamin D. PLESS, Stephen T. ARCHER, Craig M. BAYSINGER, Barbara GIBB, Suresh GURUNATHAN, Thomas K. TCHENG
  • Publication number: 20140379046
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator system for treating movement disorders includes a sensor, a detection subsystem capable of identifying episodes of a movement disorder by analyzing a signal received from the sensor, and a therapy subsystem capable of supplying therapeutic electrical stimulation to treat the movement disorder. The system treats movement disorders by detecting physiological conditions characteristic of an episode of symptoms of the movement disorder and selectively initiating therapy when such conditions are detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Thomas K. TCHENG, Robert E. FISCHELL, Benjamin D. PLESS
  • Patent number: 8903483
    Abstract: Described here are implantable devices and methods for monitoring physiological information relating to sleep. The implantable devices are generally designed to include at least one sensor for sensing physiological information, a processor for processing the physiological information using low computational power to detect a sleep stage, and a battery. The detected sleep stage information may then be used to indicate sleep quality, identify or monitor a medical condition, or guide treatment thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Felice Sun, Benjamin D Pless, Barbara Gibb
  • Patent number: 8903499
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for applying stimulation therapy to a patient includes an implantable medical device (20) and a remote controller (50a) for inductively powering the medical device and communicating with the medical device. The remote controller (50a) includes an improved coil configuration to improve communication performance between the remote controller (50a) and an implanted medical device (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Autonomic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Pless, Karen Tsuei