Patents by Inventor Joshua D. Howard

Joshua D. Howard 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: 11960707
    Abstract: An electronic device provides, to a display, data to present a user interface that includes a plurality of user interface objects, and a current focus on a first user interface object. While the display is presenting the user interface, the electronic device receives an input that corresponds to a movement of a contact across on a touch-sensitive surface. The electronic device, in response to receiving the input and in accordance with a determination that a first axis is a dominant axis, moves the current focus along the first axis by a first amount and along the second axis by a second amount. The amount of movement of the current focus along the second axis is reduced to a first non-zero amount by a scaling factor that is based on one or more inputs received prior to receiving the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Marcos Alonso Ruiz, Nicole M. Wells, Justin T. Voss, Blake R. Seely, Matthew D. Ricketson, Henrique D. Penha, Grace H. Hwang, Graham R. Clarke, Jeffrey L. Robbin, William M. Bachman, Benjamin W. Keighran, Jennifer L. C. Folse, Jonathan Lochhead, Joe R. Howard, Joshua K. McGlinn
  • Patent number: 10220215
    Abstract: An Implantable Medical Device (IMD) is disclosed having a bi-directional short-range far-field Radio-Frequency (RF) data antenna, operable in accordance with a short-range RF standard such as Bluetooth for example. The antenna is neither located inside the conductive case of the IMD, nor in the non-conductive header of the IMD that includes the lead connectors. Instead, the antenna is outside of the case, proximate to and generally planar with a flat planar side of the case that faces outward of the patient when the IMD is implanted. Dielectric materials keep the antenna from shorting to the case and to the patient's tissue. Because the antenna is not located within the conductive case, data communications to and from the antenna are less subject to attenuation. Not locating the antenna in the header reserves room for the header's lead connectors, thus simplifying IMD design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Joshua D. Howard
  • Publication number: 20190001136
    Abstract: An implantable stimulator device is disclosed preferably having a lead portion and an electronics module integrated and implantable as a single unit, which can enable trial stimulation to occur in a fully implanted solution for a lengthened or unlimited duration. The side of the housing of the electronic module includes a stylet channel which proceeds through the housing at an angle to the implantable stimulator's long axis and bends to proceed through the lead portion along the long axis. The stylet channel can receive a lead stylet to allow the lead portion and the electronics module to be properly positioned within the patient. Because the proximal end of the lead stylet exits the housing of the electronics module at an angle, it provides a handle to steer the lead portion for proper placement within the spinal column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Publication date: January 3, 2019
    Inventors: Joshua D. Howard, Anne M. Pianca, Benjamin P. Hahn
  • Publication number: 20170281957
    Abstract: An Implantable Medical Device (IMD) is disclosed having a bi-directional short-range far-field Radio-Frequency (RF) data antenna, operable in accordance with a short-range RF standard such as Bluetooth for example. The antenna is neither located inside the conductive case of the IMD, nor in the non-conductive header of the IMD that includes the lead connectors. Instead, the antenna is outside of the case, proximate to and generally planar with a flat planar side of the case that faces outward of the patient when the IMD is implanted. Dielectric materials keep the antenna from shorting to the case and to the patient's tissue. Because the antenna is not located within the conductive case, data communications to and from the antenna are less subject to attenuation. Not locating the antenna in the header reserves room for the header's lead connectors, thus simplifying IMD design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventor: Joshua D. Howard
  • Publication number: 20170214268
    Abstract: A physically-configurable external charger device for an implantable medical device is disclosed, which facilitates the generation of different powers of a magnetic field but with reduced heating concerns at higher powers. The charger includes an electronics housing having control circuitry and a battery, and a coil housing having a charging coil. A cable connects these two housings. The two housings can be connected in a first physical configuration, and separated in a second physical configuration. In the first physical configuration, a low-power magnetic field can be produced, as the electronics housing is connected to the coil housing, and thus may heat to some degree. In a second physical configuration, the electronics housing is removed and extended from the coil housing, and thus a higher-power magnetic field can be produced with reduced heating concerns. Thus, in this second configuration, the charging rate of the IMD can be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventor: Joshua D. Howard
  • Publication number: 20170214269
    Abstract: A physically-configurable external charger device for an implantable medical device is disclosed, which facilitates the generation of different powers of a magnetic field with reduced heating concerns. A housing which includes an internal charging coil includes a receptacle for holding an electronics module for energizing the charging coil. A cable coupled to the charging coil spans around the edges of the housing and connects to the electronics module when it is retained by the receptacle. In this first configuration, a low-power magnetic field can be produced, as the electronics module is still relatively near the charging coil, and thus may heat to some degree. In a second configuration, the electronics module is removed from the receptacle and extendable from the housing by the length of the cable, and thus a higher-power magnetic field can be produced with reduced heating concerns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventor: Joshua D. Howard
  • Patent number: 9320891
    Abstract: A lead anchor includes a body with opposing first and second major surfaces and at least one edge surface between the first and second major surfaces. The body defines a first channel, a second channel, and a notch. The first channel extends from the edge surface of the body and is open at the first major surface. The second channel extends from the edge surface of the body and is open at the second major surface. The notch extends from the edge surface of the body, defines an opening from the first major surface through the body to the second major surface, and intersects the first channel and the second channel. The first channel, the second channel, and a portion of the notch define a passage through the body so that a lead can be inserted into the notch and turned to dispose a portion of the lead within the passage. The lead anchor can be part of a kit or system that also includes a lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Meredith L. Anderson, Joshua D. Howard, Matthew J. Phillips
  • Patent number: 8688235
    Abstract: A lead has a first lead section; a second lead section; and a transition member disposed between the first and second lead sections at a transition site. Material of at least one of the first lead section and the second lead section passes through openings in the transition member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Anne M. Pianca, Mathew J. Phillips, Joshua D. Howard
  • Publication number: 20090254151
    Abstract: A lead anchor includes a body with opposing first and second major surfaces and at least one edge surface between the first and second major surfaces. The body defines a first channel, a second channel, and a notch. The first channel extends from the edge surface of the body and is open at the first major surface. The second channel extends from the edge surface of the body and is open at the second major surface. The notch extends from the edge surface of the body, defines an opening from the first major surface through the body to the second major surface, and intersects the first channel and the second channel. The first channel, the second channel, and a portion of the notch define a passage through the body so that a lead can be inserted into the notch and turned to dispose a portion of the lead within the passage. The lead anchor can be part of a kit or system that also includes a lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Applicant: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Meredith L. Anderson, Joshua D. Howard, Matthew J. Phillips
  • Patent number: D859749
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: HOWARD INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua D. Howard
  • Patent number: D883578
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: HOWARD INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua D. Howard
  • Patent number: D898362
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: HOWARD INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Howard, Lydia F. Howard, Samuel Howard