Patents by Inventor Gary W. King

Gary W. King 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: 20230381520
    Abstract: Peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) may be controlled based on detected physiological effects of the PNFS, which may be an efferent response to the PNFS. In some examples, a closed-loop therapy system may include a sensing module that senses a physiological parameter of the patient, which may be indicative of the patient's response to the PNFS. Based on a signal generated by the sensing module, the PNFS may be activated, deactivated or modified. Example physiological parameters of the patient include heart rate, respiratory rate, electrodermal activity, muscle activity, blood flow rate, sweat gland activity, pilomotor reflex, or thermal activity of the patient's body. In some examples, a patient pain state may be detected based on a signal generated by the sensing module, and therapy may be controlled based on the detection of the pain state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. King, Steven M. Goetz, Andrew H. Houchins, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Jordan J. Greenberg, Kenneth T. Heruth, Mark S. Lent, Paul W. Wacnik
  • Patent number: 11752343
    Abstract: Peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) may be controlled based on detected physiological effects of the PNFS, which may be an efferent response to the PNFS. In some examples, a closed-loop therapy system may include a sensing module that senses a physiological parameter of the patient, which may be indicative of the patient's response to the PNFS. Based on a signal generated by the sensing module, the PNFS may be activated, deactivated or modified. Example physiological parameters of the patient include heart rate, respiratory rate, electrodermal activity, muscle activity, blood flow rate, sweat gland activity, pilomotor reflex, or thermal activity of the patient's body. In some examples, a patient pain state may be detected based on a signal generated by the sensing module, and therapy may be controlled based on the detection of the pain state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. King, Steven M. Goetz, Andrew H. Houchins, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Jordan J. Greenberg, Kenneth T. Heruth, Mark S. Lent, Paul W. Wacnik
  • Patent number: 11154709
    Abstract: Delivery of peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) in combination with one or more other therapies is described. The other therapy delivered in combination with PNFS may be, for example, a different type of neurostimulation, such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS), or a drug. PNFS and the other therapy may be delivered simultaneously, in an alternating fashion, according to a schedule, and/or selectively, e.g., in response to a request received from a patient or clinician. A combination therapy that includes PNFS may be able to more completely address complex or multifocal pain than would be possible through delivery of either PNFS or other therapies alone. Further, the combination of PNFS with one or more other therapies may reduce the likelihood that neural accommodation will impair the perceived effectiveness PNFS or the other therapies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan A. Rooney, Carl D. Wahlstrand, Gary W. King, Thomas E. Cross, Jr., Kenneth T. Heruth, Paul W. Wacnik, Jeffrey S. Evanson
  • Publication number: 20200368532
    Abstract: Peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) may be controlled based on detected physiological effects of the PNFS, which may be an efferent response to the PNFS. In some examples, a closed-loop therapy system may include a sensing module that senses a physiological parameter of the patient, which may be indicative of the patient's response to the PNFS. Based on a signal generated by the sensing module, the PNFS may be activated, deactivated or modified. Example physiological parameters of the patient include heart rate, respiratory rate, electrodermal activity, muscle activity, blood flow rate, sweat gland activity, pilomotor reflex, or thermal activity of the patient's body. In some examples, a patient pain state may be detected based on a signal generated by the sensing module, and therapy may be controlled based on the detection of the pain state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Gary W. King, Steven M. Goetz, Andrew H. Houchins, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Jordan J. Greenberg, Kenneth T. Heruth, Mark S. Lent, Paul W. Wacnik
  • Patent number: 10744326
    Abstract: Peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) may be controlled based on detected physiological effects of the PNFS, which may be an efferent response to the PNFS. In some examples, a closed-loop therapy system may include a sensing module that senses a physiological parameter of the patient, which may be indicative of the patient's response to the PNFS. Based on a signal generated by the sensing module, the PNFS may be activated, deactivated or modified. Example physiological parameters of the patient include heart rate, respiratory rate, electrodermal activity, muscle activity, blood flow rate, sweat gland activity, pilomotor reflex, or thermal activity of the patient's body. In some examples, a patient pain state may be detected based on a signal generated by the sensing module, and therapy may be controlled based on the detection of the pain state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. King, Steven M. Goetz, Andrew H. Houchins, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Jordan J. Greenberg, Kenneth T. Heruth, Mark S. Lent, Paul W. Wacnik
  • Publication number: 20190232058
    Abstract: Delivery of peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) in combination with one or more other therapies is described. The other therapy delivered in combination with PNFS may be, for example, a different type of neurostimulation, such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS), or a drug. PNFS and the other therapy may be delivered simultaneously, in an alternating fashion, according to a schedule, and/or selectively, e.g., in response to a request received from a patient or clinician. A combination therapy that includes PNFS may be able to more completely address complex or multifocal pain than would be possible through delivery of either PNFS or other therapies alone. Further, the combination of PNFS with one or more other therapies may reduce the likelihood that neural accommodation will impair the perceived effectiveness PNFS or the other therapies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Ethan A. Rooney, Carl D. Wahlstrand, Gary W. King, Thomas E. Cross, JR., Kenneth T. Heruth, Paul W. Wacnik, Jeffrey S. Evanson
  • Patent number: 10300273
    Abstract: Delivery of peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) in combination with one or more other therapies is described. The other therapy delivered in combination with PNFS may be, for example, a different type of neurostimulation, such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS), or a drug. PNFS and the other therapy may be delivered simultaneously, in an alternating fashion, according to a schedule, and/or selectively, e.g., in response to a request received from a patient or clinician. A combination therapy that includes PNFS may be able to more completely address complex or multifocal pain than would be possible through delivery of either PNFS or other therapies alone. Further, the combination of PNFS with one or more other therapies may reduce the likelihood that neural accommodation will impair the perceived effectiveness PNFS or the other therapies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan A. Rooney, Carl D. Wahlstrand, Gary W. King, Thomas E. Cross, Jr., Kenneth T. Heruth, Paul W. Wacnik, Jeffrey S. Evanson
  • Patent number: 9656079
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are used to provide therapy to a patient experiencing ventricular dysfunction or heart failure. At least one electrode is located in a region associated with nervous tissue, such as nerve bundles T1-T4, in a patient's body. Electrical stimulation is applied to the at least one electrode to improve the cardiac efficiency of the patient's heart. One or more predetermined physiologic parameters of the patient are monitored, and the electrical stimulation is adjusted based on the one or more predetermined physiologic parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. S. Hill, Gary W. King, Thomas J. Mullen, Xiaohong Zhou
  • Patent number: 9623245
    Abstract: A therapy program for peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) may be selected based on user input indicating a desired therapeutic effect for a user-specified region in which a patient feels pain. In other examples, PNFS may be programmed based on input from a user selecting at least one region from among a plurality of regions in which the patient experiences pain. In addition, the PNFS may be programmed based on user input defining an aspect of PNFS for the selected region, such as a relative intensity of PNFS delivered to at least two selected regions, a balance of PNFS between at least two regions, a desired shift in PNFS from a first region to a second region, or an extent to which a first stimulation field within a first region overlaps with a second stimulation field in a second region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. King, Steven M. Goetz, Andrew H. Houchins, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Jordan J. Greenberg
  • Patent number: 9498622
    Abstract: Peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) delivered by medical device to a patient may be programmed by specifying one or more characteristics of a stimulation field generated by the IMD to provide the PNFS. The characteristics of the stimulation field may include, for example, a direction of stimulation within the field, a breadth of the stimulation field, a focus of stimulation within the stimulation field, a depth of the stimulation field relative to a reference point, such as the epidermis of the patient, or a nerve fiber diameter selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. King, Steven M. Goetz, Andrew H. Houchins, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Jordan J. Greenberg
  • Publication number: 20160279411
    Abstract: Delivery of peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) in combination with one or more other therapies is described. The other therapy delivered in combination with PNFS may be, for example, a different type of neurostimulation, such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS), or a drug. PNFS and the other therapy may be delivered simultaneously, in an alternating fashion, according to a schedule, and/or selectively, e.g., in response to a request received from a patient or clinician. A combination therapy that includes PNFS may be able to more completely address complex or multifocal pain than would be possible through delivery of either PNFS or other therapies alone. Further, the combination of PNFS with one or more other therapies may reduce the likelihood that neural accommodation will impair the perceived effectiveness PNFS or the other therapies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: Ethan A. Rooney, Carl D. Wahlstrand, Gary W. King, Thomas E. Cross, JR., Kenneth T. Heruth, Paul W. Wacnik, Jeffrey S. Evanson
  • Patent number: 9393416
    Abstract: Delivery of peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) in combination with one or more other therapies is described. The other therapy delivered in combination with PNFS may be, for example, a different type of neurostimulation, such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS), or a drug. PNFS and the other therapy may be delivered simultaneously, in an alternating fashion, according to a schedule, and/or selectively, e.g., in response to a request received from a patient or clinician. A combination therapy that includes PNFS may be able to more completely address complex or multifocal pain than would be possible through delivery of either PNFS or other therapies alone. Further, the combination of PNFS with one or more other therapies may reduce the likelihood that neural accommodation will impair the perceived effectiveness PNFS or the other therapies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan A. Rooney, Gary W. King, Carl D. Wahlstrand, Kenneth T. Heruth, Thomas E. Cross, Jr., Paul W. Wacnik, Richard T. Stone
  • Patent number: 9320847
    Abstract: Delivery of peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) in combination with one or more other therapies is described. The other therapy delivered in combination with PNFS may be, for example, a different type of neurostimulation, such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS), or a drug. PNFS and the other therapy may be delivered simultaneously, in an alternating fashion, according to a schedule, and/or selectively, e.g., in response to a request received from a patient or clinician. A combination therapy that includes PNFS may be able to more completely address complex or multifocal pain than would be possible through delivery of either PNFS or other therapies alone. Further, the combination of PNFS with one or more other therapies may reduce the likelihood that neural accommodation will impair the perceived effectiveness PNFS or the other therapies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Ethan A. Rooney, Carl D. Wahlstrand, Gary W. King, Thomas E. Cross, Jr., Kenneth T. Heruth, Paul W. Wacnik, Jeffrey S. Evanson
  • Patent number: 9259587
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for shifting between two electrode combinations. An amplitude of a first electrode combination is incrementally decreased while an amplitude of a second, or subsequent, electrode combination is concurrently incrementally increased. Alternatively, an amplitude of the first electrode combination is maintained at a target amplitude level while the amplitude of the second electrode combination is incrementally increased. The stimulation pulses of the electrode combinations are delivered to the patient interleaved in time. In this manner, the invention provides for a smooth, gradual shift from a first electrode combination to a second electrode combination, allowing the patient to maintain a continual perception of stimulation. The shifting techniques described herein may be used during programming to shift between different electrode combinations to find an efficacious electrode combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven M. Goetz, Andrew H. Houchins, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Gary W. King, Kenneth T. Heruth, Roy L. Testerman, Michael T. Lee, Nathan A. Torgerson, Joseph J. Nolan
  • Publication number: 20150224251
    Abstract: Delivery of peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) in combination with one or more other therapies is described. The other therapy delivered in combination with PNFS may be, for example, a different type of neurostimulation, such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS), or a drug. PNFS and the other therapy may be delivered simultaneously, in an alternating fashion, according to a schedule, and/or selectively, e.g., in response to a request received from a patient or clinician. A combination therapy that includes PNFS may be able to more completely address complex or multifocal pain than would be possible through delivery of either PNFS or other therapies alone. Further, the combination of PNFS with one or more other therapies may reduce the likelihood that neural accommodation will impair the perceived effectiveness PNFS or the other therapies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Ethan A. Rooney, Carl D. Wahlstrand, Gary W. King, Thomas E. Cross, JR., Kenneth T. Heruth, Paul W. Wacnik, Jeffrey S. Evanson
  • Patent number: 9084872
    Abstract: The disclosure describes an introducer for facilitating implantation of therapy elements into a patient. The introducer has an elongated body that defines a lumen for advancement of a therapy element to an implant site, and includes a curved portion medially located between substantially straight proximal and distal portions. As an example, the shape of the introducer may allow a clinician to more easily, and without substantially damaging surrounding tissue, find the correct tissue depth and follow that tissue depth to the implant site. For example, the introducer may facilitate implantation of a therapy element within or between desired layers of tissue of the patient. In some embodiments, fluid may be injected through the introducer to create a space within the tissue to implant the therapy element. Fluid may also be evacuated through the introducer prior to implantation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan A. Rooney, Gary W. King, Thomas E. Cross, Jr., Richard T. Stone
  • Patent number: 9050455
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulation lead kit adapted for tripolar electric simulation and/or field steering using percutaneously implantable electric stimulation leads. The kit includes three electric stimulation leads that are adapted to provide an electrode array defining, for example, a plurality of electrode sets that may be used to provide tripolar stimulation and/or electric field steering. A method of electrically stimulating the spinal cord is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Olsen, Gary W. King
  • Patent number: 9026228
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulation lead, method and system adapted for tripolar electric simulation and/or field steering. The neurostimulation lead is are adapted to provide an electrode array defining, for example, a plurality of electrode sets that may be used to provide tripolar stimulation and/or electric field steering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. King
  • Patent number: 9020599
    Abstract: Delivery of peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) in combination with one or more other therapies is described. The other therapy delivered in combination with PNFS may be, for example, a different type of neurostimulation, such as spinal cord stimulation (SCS), or a drug. PNFS and the other therapy may be delivered simultaneously, in an alternating fashion, according to a schedule, and/or selectively, e.g., in response to a request received from a patient or clinician. A combination therapy that includes PNFS may be able to more completely address complex or multifocal pain than would be possible through delivery of either PNFS or other therapies alone. Further, the combination of PNFS with one or more other therapies may reduce the likelihood that neural accommodation will impair the perceived effectiveness PNFS or the other therapies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan A. Rooney, Carl D. Wahlstrand, Gary W. King, Thomas E. Cross, Jr., Kenneth T. Heruth, Paul W. Wacnik, Jeffrey S. Evanson
  • Publication number: 20140371813
    Abstract: A therapy program for peripheral nerve field stimulation (PNFS) may be selected based on user input indicating a desired therapeutic effect for a user-specified region in which a patient feels pain. In other examples, PNFS may be programmed based on input from a user selecting at least one region from among a plurality of regions in which the patient experiences pain. In addition, the PNFS may be programmed based on user input defining an aspect of PNFS for the selected region, such as a relative intensity of PNFS delivered to at least two selected regions, a balance of PNFS between at least two regions, a desired shift in PNFS from a first region to a second region, or an extent to which a first stimulation field within a first region overlaps with a second stimulation field in a second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Gary W. King, Steven M. Goetz, Andrew H. Houchins, Jeffrey T. Keacher, Jordan J. Greenberg