Patents by Inventor Eric Falkenberg

Eric Falkenberg 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).

  • Patent number: 9561106
    Abstract: A chamber or vasculature of a heart may be accessed via the pericardial space of the heart. Initially, the pericardial space may be accessed via a transmyocardial approach or a subxiphoid approach. A lead or other implantable apparatus may thus be routed into the pericardial space, through myocardial tissue and into the chamber or vasculature. The lead or other apparatus may be used to sense activity in or provide therapy to the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: PACESETTER, INC.
    Inventors: Yougandh Chitre, Gene A. Bornzin, John R. Helland, Eric Falkenberg, Kevin L. Morgan, Sheldon Williams, Michael Yang, Andrew W. McGarvey
  • Patent number: 9282895
    Abstract: In an implantable medical device for monitoring glucose concentration in the blood, a blood-glucose concentration analysis is performed using correlations of blood-glucose concentration with measures of metabolic oxygen consumption including oxymetric, and/or temperature. Analysis of electrocardiographic data is used in a parallel method to detect and/or confirm the onset and/or existence and/or extent of hypoglycemia and/or hyperglycemia. Blood-glucose concentration calculation is enhanced by using the combination of the oxygen metabolism analysis and electrocardiographic analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Jeffrey Wenzel, Taraneh Ghaffari Farazi, Euljoon Park, Eric Falkenberg, Michael E. Benser
  • Publication number: 20150324789
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method in which an encrypted request to transfer a requested amount of cryptocurrency from a user address to a destination address is received. The request includes a destination address, a requested amount, a user device encryption key, and biometric data. A partially signed transaction to transfer a requested amount of cryptocurrency from the user address to the destination address is also received. The partially signed transaction is cryptographically signed and a multi-signed transaction is broadcast to a cryptocurrency network to transfer the requested amount of cryptocurrency from the user address to the destination address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: John Dvorak, Melanie Shapiro, Josh Billings, Chester Taylor, Eric Falkenberg, Stephen Schultz
  • Patent number: 9162067
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, for monitoring myocardial electro-mechanical stability, and responding to the same. One or more signal indicative of electrical functioning of a patient's heart is obtained, as is one or more signal indicative of mechanical functioning of the patient's heart. The patient's myocardial electrical stability is monitored based on the one or more signal indicative of electrical functioning of the patient's heart, and the patient's myocardial mechanical stability is monitored based on the one or more signal indicative of mechanical functioning of the patient's heart. Based on both the myocardial electrical stability and myocardial mechanical stability, the patient's risk of an adverse cardiac event is monitored. Further, when the patient is at risk of an adverse cardiac event, a response is triggered that is specific to both the myocardial electrical stability and the myocardial mechanical stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Taraneh Ghaffari Farazi, Eric Falkenberg, Euljoon Park
  • Publication number: 20140221771
    Abstract: In an implantable medical device for monitoring glucose concentration in the blood, a blood-glucose concentration analysis is performed using correlations of blood-glucose concentration with measures of metabolic oxygen consumption including oxymetric, and/or temperature. Analysis of electrocardiographic data is used in a parallel method to detect and/or confirm the onset and/or existence and/or extent of hypoglycemia and/or hyperglycemia. Blood-glucose concentration calculation is enhanced by using the combination of the oxygen metabolism analysis and electrocardiographic analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Pacesetter, Inc
    Inventors: Brian Jeffrey Wenzel, Taraneh Ghaffari Farazi, Euljoon Park, Eric Falkenberg, Michael E. Benser
  • Patent number: 8702616
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes detecting a change in state of a cardiac valve, detecting elongation of the left ventricle substantially along its major axis, determining a time difference between the change in state of the cardiac valve and the elongation of the left ventricle and, based at least in part on the time difference, deciding whether a diastolic abnormality exists. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Gill, Xiaoyi Min, Gene A. Bornzin, Eric Falkenberg
  • Patent number: 8630692
    Abstract: In an implantable medical device for monitoring glucose concentration in the blood, a blood-glucose concentration analysis is performed using correlations of blood-glucose concentration with measures of metabolic oxygen consumption including oxymetric, and/or temperature. Analysis of electrocardiographic data is used in a parallel method to detect and/or confirm the onset and/or existence and/or extent of hypoglycemia and/or hyperglycemia. Blood-glucose concentration calculation is enhanced by using the combination of the oxygen metabolism analysis and electrocardiographic analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Jeffrey Wenzel, Taraneh Ghaffari Farazi, Euljoon Park, Eric Falkenberg, Michael E. Benser
  • Publication number: 20130338704
    Abstract: A chamber or vasculature of a heart may be accessed via the pericardial space of the heart. Initially, the pericardial space may be accessed via a transmyocardial approach or a subxiphoid approach. A lead or other implantable apparatus may thus be routed into the pericardial space, through myocardial tissue and into the chamber or vasculature. The lead or other apparatus may be used to sense activity in or provide therapy to the heart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: PACESETTER, INC.
    Inventors: Yougandh Chitre, Gene A. Bornzin, John R. Helland, Eric Falkenberg, Kevin L. Morgan, Sheldon Williams, Michael Yang, Andrew W. McGarvey
  • Patent number: 8548589
    Abstract: Implantable systems, and methods for use therein, perform at least one of a cardiac assessment and an autonomic assessment. Premature atrial contractions (PACs) are induced to thereby cause corresponding premature contractions in the ventricles. Short-term fluctuations in cardiac intervals, that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles caused by the induced PACs, are monitored. At least one of a cardiac assessment and an autonomic assessment is performed based on the monitored fluctuations in cardiac intervals that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles caused by the induced PACs. This can include assessing a patient's risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), assessing a patient's autonomic tone and/or detecting myocardial ischemic events based on the monitored fluctuations in cardiac intervals that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles caused by the induced PACs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Taraneh Ghaffari Farazi, Eric Falkenberg
  • Patent number: 8538555
    Abstract: A chamber or vasculature of a heart may be accessed via the pericardial space of the heart. Initially, the pericardial space may be accessed via a transmyocardial approach or a subxiphoid approach. A lead or other implantable apparatus may thus be routed into the pericardial space, through myocardial tissue and into the chamber or vasculature. The lead or other apparatus may be used to sense activity in or provide therapy to the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Yougandh Chitre, Gene A. Bornzin, John R. Helland, Eric Falkenberg, Kevin L. Morgan, Sheldon Williams, Michael Yang, Andrew W. McGarvey
  • Patent number: 8311648
    Abstract: A delivery apparatus for accessing the pericardial space of a heart including an elongated body defining a lumen and a piercing member that extends from a distal portion of the elongated body for piercing tissue of the heart. A spring expands from a distal end of the piercing member in response to the distal end of the piercing member passing through the tissue and into the pericardial space. An electrode located on the spring in order to sense signals indicative of a distal end of the spring passing through the tissue and into the pericardial space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Yougandh Chitre, Gene A. Bornzin, John R. Helland, Eric Falkenberg, Kevin L. Morgan, Sheldon Williams, Michael Yang, Andrew W. McGarvey
  • Patent number: 8121680
    Abstract: An implantable subcutaneous cardiac device includes at least two subcutaneous electrodes adapted for placement external to a heart beneath the skin of a patient. The device further includes an arrhythmia detector that detects a sustained tachyarrhythmia of the heart and a pulse generator that delivers anti-tachycardia pacing pulses to the subcutaneous electrodes in response to detection of a sustained tachyarrhythmia. The pacing pulses preferably have waveforms devoid of any exponential voltage decay and include rounded or substantially constant portions to minimize pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Falkenberg, Mark W. Kroll, Gene A. Bornzin
  • Patent number: 8065001
    Abstract: Implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, are provided for using an implantable sensor for detecting body position and/or body movement, and using what is learned therefrom to improve accuracy of an implantable sensor that is sensitive to at least one of body position and/or body movement. Also provided are implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, that detect body position and/or body movement in order to monitor a condition and/or detect specific episodes. Other embodiments are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Yelena Nabutovsky, Eric Falkenberg
  • Patent number: 7925343
    Abstract: A subcutaneous implantable cardiac device system applies defibrillation currents in pathways aligned with the heart's own electrical system to decrease defibrillation thresholds. In one implementation, one or more subcutaneous sensors detect ventricular fibrillation. Positioning of subcutaneous sensors and filtering result in improved sensing with reduced noise. A subcutaneous patch component of the system that is in communication with a subcutaneous pacemaker or cardioverter-defibrillator may perform the sensing and apply the defibrillation. The subcutaneous patch may include one or more electrodes that perform both sensing and defibrillation. Variations of the subcutaneous patch may include battery and capacitor for generating onboard defibrillation current and may also include a microprocessor for advanced programmable operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoyi Min, Scott Salys, Yougandh Chitre, Eric Falkenberg, Gene A. Bornzin
  • Publication number: 20110060230
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes detecting a change in state of a cardiac valve, detecting elongation of the left ventricle substantially along its major axis, determining a time difference between the change in state of the cardiac valve and the elongation of the left ventricle and, based at least in part on the time difference, deciding whether a diastolic abnormality exists. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: PACESETTER, INC.
    Inventors: Jong Gill, Xiaoyi Min, Gene A. Bornzin, Eric Falkenberg
  • Patent number: 7881810
    Abstract: A chamber or vasculature of a heart may be accessed via the pericardial space of the heart. Initially, the pericardial space may be accessed via a transmyocardial approach or a subxiphoid approach. A lead or other implantable apparatus may thus be routed into the pericardial space, through myocardial tissue and into the chamber or vasculature. The lead or other apparatus may be used to sense activity in or provide therapy to the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Yougandh Chitre, Gene A. Bornzin, John R. Helland, Eric Falkenberg, Kevin L. Morgan, Sheldon Williams, Michael Yang, Andrew W. McGarvey
  • Patent number: 7848810
    Abstract: Implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, are provided for using an implantable sensor for detecting body position and/or body movement, and using what is learned therefrom to improve accuracy of an implantable sensor that is sensitive to at least one of body position and/or body movement. Also provided are implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, that detect body position and/or body movement in order to monitor a condition and/or detect specific episodes. Other embodiments are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Yelena Nabutovsky, Eric Falkenberg
  • Patent number: 7844333
    Abstract: Embodiments include methods and devices for detecting ischemia in a patient and treating the ischemia with a pacing therapy that increases cardiac efficiency, output, or both, without substantially increasing myocardial oxygen consumption. Such therapy may also be used to mitigate the adverse effects of decreased blood flow to the ischemic tissue by increasing the blood flow an oxygenation thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Koh, Euljoon Park, Eric Falkenberg
  • Publication number: 20100280348
    Abstract: In an implantable medical device for monitoring glucose concentration in the blood, a blood-glucose concentration analysis is performed using correlations of blood-glucose concentration with measures of metabolic oxygen consumption including oxymetric, and/or temperature. Analysis of electrocardiographic data is used in a parallel method to detect and/or confirm the onset and/or existence and/or extent of hypoglycemia and/or hyperglycemia. Blood-glucose concentration calculation is enhanced by using the combination of the oxygen metabolism analysis and electrocardiographic analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Inventors: Brian Jeffrey Wenzel, Taraneh Ghaffari Farazi, Euljoon Park, Eric Falkenberg, Michael E. Benser
  • Patent number: 7634313
    Abstract: In one implementation, a failsafe method for implantable satellite pacemaker pacing is provided, which includes pacing with a satellite pacemaker and monitoring for a local pacing pulse with an other satellite pacemaker. This implementation further includes, pacing with a surrogate satellite pacemaker if the local pacing pulse is not detected by the other satellite pacemaker. Certain implementations may include transmitting a wireless signal from the other satellite pacemaker to a master pacemaker if the local pacing pulse is not detected by the other satellite pacemaker and using the master pacemaker to select the surrogate satellite pacemaker. Certain implementations may include monitoring for the local pacing pulse with a plurality of satellite and causing the plurality of satellite pacemakers to select the surrogate satellite pacemaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Kroll, Eric S. Fain, Eric Falkenberg