Patents by Inventor Gregory P. Walcott

Gregory P. Walcott 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: 20150073494
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for cardiac pacing are provided. For pacing using biventricular synchronization in a patient, a first stimulation signal is applied to a first region of a heart of the patient at a first time and a second stimulation signal applied to a second region of the heart of the patient at a second time to provide biventricular synchronization stimulation of the heart. Cardiac function of the patient associated with application of the first and the second stimulation signals is sensed and a timing relationship of the first stimulation signal to the second stimulation signal is adjusted based on the sensed cardiac function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Raymond E. Ideker, Gregory P. Walcott
  • Patent number: 8843195
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products determine and identify a favorable time to deliver cardiac compression to a subject to avoid a vulnerable period of a spontaneous intrinsic cardiac cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Raymond E. Ideker, Gregory P. Walcott
  • Patent number: 8620457
    Abstract: An implantable system for the defibrillation of the atria of a patient's heart comprises (a) a first catheter configured for insertion into the right atrium of the heart, preferably without extending into the right ventricle of the heart; a first atrial defibrillation electrode carried by the first catheter and positioned at the atrial septum of the heart (i.e., an atrial septum electrode); (b) a second atrial defibrillation electrode which together with the first atrial defibrillation electrode provides a pair of atrial defibrillation electrodes that are configured for orientation in or about the patient's heart to effect atrial defibrillation, and (c) a pulse generator operatively associated with the pair of atrial defibrillation electrodes for delivering a first atrial defibrillation pulse to the heart of the patient. The second electrode may be configured for positioning through the coronary sinus ostium and in the coronary sinus or a vein on the surface of the left ventricle, such as the great vein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Xiangsheng Zheng, Michael E. Benser, Raymond E. Ideker, Gregory P. Walcott, Steven D. Girouard
  • Patent number: 8560063
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for cardiac pacing are provided. A defibrillation shock is applied to a heart of the patient and a pacing stimulation signal is automatically applied to the heart of the patient subsequent to termination of the delivery of the defibrillation shock. The pacing stimulation may be applied to the heart of the patient within about two seconds of termination of the defibrillation shock. The pacing stimulation signal may be applied to the heart of the patient subsequent to termination of the defibrillation shock irrespective of a characterization of electrical activity detected in the heart. The pacing stimulation may be single and/or paired pacing stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Raymond E. Ideker, Gregory P. Walcott
  • Patent number: 8116885
    Abstract: An implantable system for the defibrillation of the atria of a patient's heart comprises (a) a first catheter configured for insertion into the right atrium of the heart; a first atrial defibrillation electrode carried by the first catheter and positioned to stimulate Bachmann's bundle, or positioned at the atrial septum of the heart (i.e., an atrial septum electrode); (b) a second atrial defibrillation electrode which together with the first atrial defibrillation electrode provides a pair of atrial defibrillation electrodes that are configured for orientation in or about the patient's heart to effect atrial defibrillation, and (c) a pulse generator operatively associated with the pair of atrial defibrillation electrodes for delivering a first atrial defibrillation pulse to the heart of the patient. The second electrode may be configured for positioning through the coronary sinus ostium and in the coronary sinus or a vein on the surface of the left ventricle, such as the great vein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Inventors: Xiangsheng Zheng, Michael E. Benser, Raymond E. Ideker, Gregory P. Walcott, Steven D. Girouard
  • Publication number: 20100204623
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products determine and identify a favorable time to deliver cardiac compression to a subject to avoid a vulnerable period of a spontaneous intrinsic cardiac cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Raymond E. Ideker, Gregory P. Walcott
  • Patent number: 7734344
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products determine and identify a favorable time to deliver cardiac compression to a subject to avoid a vulnerable period of a spontaneous intrinsic cardiac cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Raymond E. Ideker, Gregory P. Walcott
  • Patent number: 7522958
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for combining atrial defibrillation treatment techniques include techniques for reducing the discomfort associated with defibrillation and/or reducing the defibrillation threshold. Techniques include timing the defibrillation shock to reduce discomfort based on a sensed signal, giving the shock relatively early during atrial fibrillation, therapeutic drugs, administering more than one shock in succession, pacing the heart before, after, or during the defibrillation shock or shocks, and placing the shock electrodes in locations that may reduce discomfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Raymond E. Ideker, Gregory P. Walcott
  • Patent number: 7162298
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods and computer program products for detecting the presence of cardiac activity in a patient. The present invention includes a detector circuit that is configured to detect the influence of a first defibrillation shock on the patient immediately subsequent to termination of a first defibrillation shock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Raymond E. Ideker, Gregory P. Walcott
  • Patent number: 7139608
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for cardiac pacing are provided. For pacing using biventricular synchronization in a patient, a first stimulation signal is applied to a first region of a heart of the patient at a first time and a second stimulation signal applied to a second region of the heart of the patient at a second time to provide biventricular synchronization stimulation of the heart. Cardiac function of the patient associated with application of the first and the second stimulation signals is sensed and a timing relationship of the first stimulation signal to the second stimulation signal is adjusted based on the sensed cardiac function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Raymond E. Ideker, Gregory P. Walcott
  • Patent number: 7020518
    Abstract: An implantable system for the defibrillation of the atria of a patient's heart comprises (a) a first catheter configured for insertion into the right atrium of the heart, preferably without extending into the right ventricle of the heart; a first atrial defibrillation electrode carried by the first catheter and positioned at the atrial septum of the heart (i.e., an atrial septum electrode); (b) a second atrial defibrillation electrode which together with the first atrial defibrillation electrode provides a pair of atrial defibrillation electrodes that are configured for orientation in or about the patient's heart to effect atrial defibrillation, and (c) a pulse generator operatively associated with the pair of atrial defibrillation electrodes for delivering a first atrial defibrillation pulse to the heart of the patient. The second electrode may be configured for positioning through the coronary sinus ostium and in the coronary sinus or a vein on the surface of the left ventricle, such as the great vein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Xiangsheng Zheng, Michael E. Benser, Raymond E. Ideker, Gregory P. Walcott, Steven D. Girouard
  • Patent number: 6893438
    Abstract: A cardiac ablation apparatus for producing a circumferential ablation that electrically isolates a heart chamber wall portion from vessel such as a pulmonary vein extending into said wall portion comprises (a) an elongate centering catheter having a distal end portion; (b) an expandable centering element connected to said centering catheter distal end portion and configured for positioning within said vessel when in a retracted configuration, and for securing said elongate centering catheter in a substantially axially aligned position with respect to said vessel when said centering element is in an expanded configuration; (c) an ablation catheter slidably connected to said centering catheter said ablation element having a distal end portion, and (d) an expandable ablation element connected to said ablation catheter distal end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Hall, Bruce H. KenKnight, G. Neal Kay, Gregory P. Walcott, Wade A. Bowe
  • Patent number: 6804553
    Abstract: An implantable system for the defibrillation of the atria of a patient's heart comprises (a) a first catheter configured for insertion into the right atrium of the heart; a first atrial defibrillation electrode carried by the first catheter and positioned to stimulate Bachmann's bundle, or positioned at the atrial septum of the heart (i.e., an atrial septum electrode); (b) a second atrial defibrillation electrode which together with the first atrial defibrillation electrode provides a pair of atrial defibrillation electrodes that are configured for orientation in or about the patient's heart to effect atrial defibrillation, and (c) a pulse generator operatively associated with the pair of atrial defibrillation electrodes for delivering a first atrial defibrillation pulse to the heart of the patient. The second electrode may be configured for positioning through the coronary sinus ostium and in the coronary sinus or a vein on the surface of the left ventricle, such as the great vein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: The UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Xiangsheng Zheng, Michael E. Benser, Raymond E. Ideker, Gregory P. Walcott, Steven D. Girouard
  • Patent number: 6760621
    Abstract: A method of reducing the likelihood of pulseless electrical activity (PEA) after defibrillation in a subject comprises administering to a subject afflicted with fibrillation a first treatment waveform, the first treatment waveform insufficient to defibrillate the heart; and then administering to the subject a second treatment waveform that defibrillates the heart and restores organized electrical activity in the heart. The first treatment waveform reduces the likelihood of onset of PEA following the second treatment waveform, as compared to that likelihood which would be present in the absence of the first treatment waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Gregory P. Walcott, Fred William Chapman, Raymond E. Ideker
  • Patent number: 6755824
    Abstract: An ablation catheter stores a platelet inhibitor substance within a plurality of pockets or recesses of its shaft. The substance is adapted to elute upon contact with biological fluid. In the pocket configuration, the platelet inhibitor substance is in a capsule positioned within the pocket. In the recess configuration, the platelet inhibitor substance is in a hydrogel or silicone-based porous/semi-porous matrix positioned within the recess. Elution of the platelet inhibitor substance prevents or at least substantially minimizes the adhesion of blood platelets on the catheter surface during ablation. In another configuration, the catheter includes an internal lumen network having apertures terminating at the surface of the shaft. The lumen communicates with a source of platelet inhibitor fluid that is forced through the lumen by a variable pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: UAB Research Foundation
    Inventors: Mudit K. Jain, Milton M. Morris, Jeffrey A. Hall, Gregory P. Walcott, Bruce KenKnight, David S. Wood
  • Publication number: 20040093054
    Abstract: An implantable system for the defibrillation of the atria of a patient's heart comprises (a) a first catheter configured for insertion into the right atrium of the heart, preferably without extending into the right ventricle of the heart; a first atrial defibrillation electrode carried by the first catheter and positioned at the atrial septum of the heart (i.e., an atrial septum electrode); (b) a second atrial defibrillation electrode which together with the first atrial defibrillation electrode provides a pair of atrial defibrillation electrodes that are configured for orientation in or about the patient's heart to effect atrial defibrillation, and (c) a pulse generator operatively associated with the pair of atrial defibrillation electrodes for delivering a first atrial defibrillation pulse to the heart of the patient. The second electrode may be configured for positioning through the coronary sinus ostium and in the coronary sinus or a vein on the surface of the left ventricle, such as the great vein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Xiangsheng Zheng, Michael E. Benser, Raymond E. Ideker, Gregory P. Walcott, Steven D. Girouard
  • Publication number: 20040049117
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems, methods and computer program products for detecting the presence of cardiac activity in a patient. The present invention includes a detector circuit that is configured to detect the influence of a first defibrillation shock on the patient immediately subsequent to termination of a first defibrillation shock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Raymond E. Ideker, Gregory P. Walcott
  • Publication number: 20040049118
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for treating a patient experiencing fibrillation by administering a first defibrillation shock having a first shock value to the patient at a first time and determining if cardiac activity in the patient is influenced by the first defibrillation shock immediately after termination of the first defibrillation shock. An alternate treatment is administered at a second time if the cardiac activity is influenced by the first defibrillation shock immediately after termination of the first defibrillation shock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Raymond E. Ideker, Gregory P. Walcott
  • Publication number: 20040049232
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for cardiac pacing are provided. A defibrillation shock is applied to a heart of the patient and a pacing stimulation signal is automatically applied to the heart of the patient subsequent to termination of the delivery of the defibrillation shock. The pacing stimulation may be applied to the heart of the patient within about two seconds of termination of the defibrillation shock. The pacing stimulation signal may be applied to the heart of the patient subsequent to termination of the defibrillation shock irrespective of a characterization of electrical activity detected in the heart. The pacing stimulation may be single and/or paired pacing stimulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Raymond E. Ideker, Gregory P. Walcott
  • Publication number: 20040024421
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for cardiac pacing are provided. For pacing using biventricular synchronization in a patient, a first stimulation signal is applied to a first region of a heart of the patient at a first time and a second stimulation signal applied to a second region of the heart of the patient at a second time to provide biventricular synchronization stimulation of the heart. Cardiac function of the patient associated with application of the first and the second stimulation signals is sensed and a timing relationship of the first stimulation signal to the second stimulation signal is adjusted based on the sensed cardiac function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Inventors: Raymond E. Ideker, Gregory P. Walcott