Patents by Inventor Paul A. Belk
Paul A. Belk 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).
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Publication number: 20240148305Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a pacing lead to the His bundle of a patient's heart includes an elongated sheath having a distal end, and a plurality of mapping electrodes positioned at the distal end. The distal end of the sheath may have a distal tip, and the mapping electrodes may include two electrodes that diametrically oppose one another at a position spaced from the distal tip of the sheath. The sheath includes a plurality of flexible sections spaced apart from one another, and a pull wire that causes the sheath to deflect from a straight configuration to a dual hinged curved configuration that positions the electrodes in the vicinity of the bundle of His.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2024Publication date: May 9, 2024Applicant: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Kramer, Erich W. Stoermer, Joshua C. Conway, Gene A. Bornzin, Zoltan Somogyi, Amy L. Hanenburg, Emily Weiss, Paul A. Belk, Patrick P. Senarith
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Patent number: 11890100Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a pacing lead to the His bundle of a patient's heart includes an elongated sheath having a distal end, and a plurality of mapping electrodes positioned at the distal end. The distal end of the sheath may have a distal tip, and the mapping electrodes may include two electrodes that diametrically oppose one another at a position spaced from the distal tip of the sheath. The sheath includes a plurality of flexible sections spaced apart from one another, and a pull wire that causes the sheath to deflect from a straight configuration to a dual hinged curved configuration that positions the electrodes in the vicinity of the bundle of His.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2022Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Kramer, Erich W. Stoermer, Joshua C. Conway, Gene A. Bornzin, Zoltan Somogyi, Amy L. Hanenburg, Emily Weiss, Paul A. Belk, Patrick P. Senarith
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Patent number: 11864901Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a pacing lead to the His bundle of a patient's heart includes an elongated sheath having a distal end, and a plurality of mapping electrodes positioned at the distal end. The distal end of the sheath may have a distal tip, and the mapping electrodes may include two electrodes that diametrically oppose one another at a position spaced from the distal tip of the sheath. The sheath includes a plurality of flexible sections spaced apart from one another, and a pull wire that causes the sheath to deflect from a straight configuration to a dual hinged curved configuration that positions the electrodes in the vicinity of the bundle of His.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Kramer, Erich W. Stoermer, Joshua C. Conway, Gene A. Bornzin, Zoltan Somogyi, Amy L. Hanenburg, Emily Weiss, Paul A. Belk, Patrick P. Senarith
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Patent number: 11547492Abstract: Systems and methods are described for implementing a catheter model to estimate shape of a deformable catheter in a three-dimensional space. The catheter model includes two or more model segments that correspond to two or more segments of the deformable catheter. Each model segment includes a length and location of model electrode(s) and/or model magnetic sensor(s) corresponding electrodes and/or magnetic sensors of the deformable catheter. Variable shape parameter define a curvature of the segment. Varying the shape parameters generates a plurality of potential catheter shapes. In conjunction with generating the potential catheter shapes, impedance and/or magnetic responses (e.g., measured responses) are obtained for the physical electrodes and/or physical magnetic sensors of the deformable catheter. Using a selected one (e.g., most likely) of the potential catheter shapes and the measured responses, the shape parameters are updated and a catheter shape is generated and displayed.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2019Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: ST JUDE MEDICAL INTERNATIONAL HOLDING, SA.R.L.Inventors: Anthony D. Hill, Cable Thompson, Yuriy Malinin, Paul Belk, Eric Lundquist, Maxim Yoresh
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Publication number: 20220361796Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a pacing lead to the His bundle of a patient's heart includes an elongated sheath having a distal end, and a plurality of mapping electrodes positioned at the distal end. The distal end of the sheath may have a distal tip, and the mapping electrodes may include two electrodes that diametrically oppose one another at a position spaced from the distal tip of the sheath. The sheath includes a plurality of flexible sections spaced apart from one another, and a pull wire that causes the sheath to deflect from a straight configuration to a dual hinged curved configuration that positions the electrodes in the vicinity of the bundle of His.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Applicant: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Kramer, Erich W. Stoermer, Joshua C. Conway, Gene A. Bornzin, Zoltan Somogyi, Amy L. Hanenberg, Emily Weiss, Paul A. Belk, Patrick P. Senarith
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Patent number: 11433247Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved leadless pacemakers. In one embodiment, the leadless pacemaker includes an implantable pulse generator releasably coupled to a collapsible anchoring device. The collapsible anchoring device includes at least one pacing electrode configured to contact tissue at a target site.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2017Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.Inventors: Theodore Dale, Daniel Coyle, Paul A. Belk
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Patent number: 11295634Abstract: An electro-anatomical model of the mammalian His/Purkinje system includes a shell simulating the anatomy of at least a portion of a mammalian heart. The shell has a hollow interior and a first port providing an aperture to the interior of the shell. A plug is inserted in the first port so that a surface of the plug is exposed to the interior of the shell. An electrical circuit provides signals to electrodes in the plug which simulate the electrical signals generated by the bundle of His/Purkinje system in vivo. A second port provides access to the interior of the shell for an introducer catheter to locate the simulated bundle of His and to insert a pacing lead therein. The model is useful for developing tools for His pacing and for training users in techniques for implanting His pacing leads.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2018Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Kramer, Paul A. Belk, Juan Carlos Tantalean, II, Gavin P. Seeker, Patrick P. Senarith, Erich W. Stoermer, David J. Broman
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Publication number: 20210045644Abstract: A delivery device for delivering a pacing lead to the His bundle of a patient's heart includes an elongated sheath having a distal end, and a plurality of mapping electrodes positioned at the distal end. The distal end of the sheath may have a distal tip, and the mapping electrodes may include two electrodes that diametrically oppose one another at a position spaced from the distal tip of the sheath. The sheath includes a plurality of flexible sections spaced apart from one another, and a pull wire that causes the sheath to deflect from a straight configuration to a dual hinged curved configuration that positions the electrodes in the vicinity of the bundle of His.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2019Publication date: February 18, 2021Applicant: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Kramer, Erich W. Stoermer, Joshua C. Conway, Gene A. Bornzin, Zoltan Somogyi, Amy L. Hanenberg, Emily Weiss, Paul A. Belk, Patrick P. Senarith
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Publication number: 20200138525Abstract: Systems and methods are described for implementing a catheter model to estimate shape of a deformable catheter in a three-dimensional space. The catheter model includes two or more model segments that correspond to two or more segments of the deformable catheter. Each model segment includes a length and location of model electrode(s) and/or model magnetic sensor(s) corresponding electrodes and/or magnetic sensors of the deformable catheter. Variable shape parameter define a curvature of the segment. Varying the shape parameters generates a plurality of potential catheter shapes. In conjunction with generating the potential catheter shapes, impedance and/or magnetic responses (e.g., measured responses) are obtained for the physical electrodes and/or physical magnetic sensors of the deformable catheter. Using a selected one (e.g., most likely) of the potential catheter shapes and the measured responses, the shape parameters are updated and a catheter shape is generated and displayed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: ANTHONY D. HILL, CABLE THOMPSON, YURIY MALININ, PAUL BELK, ERIC LUNDQUIST, MAXIM YORESH
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Publication number: 20200054882Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved leadless pacemakers. In one embodiment, the leadless pacemaker includes an implantable pulse generator releasably coupled to a collapsible anchoring device. The collapsible anchoring device includes at least one pacing electrode configured to contact tissue at a target site.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2017Publication date: February 20, 2020Inventors: Theodore Dale, Daniel Coyle, Paul A. Belk
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Publication number: 20190172372Abstract: An electro-anatomical model of the mammalian His/Purkinje system includes a shell simulating the anatomy of at least a portion of a mammalian heart. The shell has a hollow interior and a first port providing an aperture to the interior of the shell. A plug is inserted in the first port so that a surface of the plug is exposed to the interior of the shell. An electrical circuit provides signals to electrodes in the plug which simulate the electrical signals generated by the bundle of His/Purkinje system in vivo. A second port provides access to the interior of the shell for an introducer catheter to locate the simulated bundle of His and to insert a pacing lead therein. The model is useful for developing tools for His pacing and for training users in techniques for implanting His pacing leads.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2018Publication date: June 6, 2019Inventors: Scott A. Kramer, Paul A. Belk, Juan Carlos Tantalean, II, Gavin P. Seeker, Patrick P. Senarith, Erich W. Stoermer, David J. Broman
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Patent number: 9895544Abstract: A medical device performs a method for computing an estimate of a physiological variable. The method includes sensing a physiological signal and measuring an event of the physiological signal. The device initializes a value of a long-term metric of the event measurement, wherein the long-term metric corresponds to a time interval correlated to a response time of the physiological variable to changes in the event. The estimate of the long-term metric is updated in a memory of the medical device using a previous long-term metric and a current measurement of the event. The device detects a need for computing the physiological variable and computes an estimate of the physiological variable using the updated long-term metric.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Wade M. Demmer, Troy E. Jackson, Paul A. Belk
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Patent number: 9872728Abstract: A catheter includes an inflation balloon and at least one electrode. The inflation balloon is inflatable within a vessel. The at least one electrode extends around at least a portion of a periphery of the inflation balloon. The at least one electrode is expandable as the inflation balloon is inflated, and contracts as the inflation balloon is deflated. The at least one electrode is held in place along a length of the inflation balloon with a tether member, which is secured at opposing distal and proximal ends of the inflation balloon.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2014Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: ST. JUDE MEDICAL, CARDIOLOGY DIVISION, INC.Inventors: Paul A. Belk, Jennifer M. Heisel
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Publication number: 20170095665Abstract: A medical device performs a method for computing an estimate of a physiological variable. The method includes sensing a physiological signal and measuring an event of the physiological signal. The device initializes a value of a long-term metric of the event measurement, wherein the long-term metric corresponds to a time interval correlated to a response time of the physiological variable to changes in the event. The estimate of the long-term metric is updated in a memory of the medical device using a previous long-term metric and a current measurement of the event. The device detects a need for computing the physiological variable and computes an estimate of the physiological variable using the updated long-term metric.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Wade M. DEMMER, Troy E. JACKSON, Paul A. BELK
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Patent number: 9533156Abstract: A medical device performs a method for computing an estimate of a physiological variable. The method includes sensing a physiological signal and measuring an event of the physiological signal. The device initializes a value of a long-term metric of the event measurement, wherein the long-term metric corresponds to a time interval correlated to a response time of the physiological variable to changes in the event. The estimate of the long-term metric is updated in a memory of the medical device using a previous long-term metric and a current measurement of the event. The device detects a need for computing the physiological variable and computes an estimate of the physiological variable using the updated long-term metric.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2012Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Wade M. Demmer, Troy E. Jackson, Paul A. Belk
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Patent number: 9440081Abstract: Cardiac pacing methods for an implantable single chamber pacing system, establish an offset rate for pacing at a predetermined decrement from either a baseline rate (i.e. dictated by a rate response sensor), or an intrinsic rate. Pacing maintains the offset rate until x of y successive events are paced events, at which time the offset rate is switched to the baseline rate for pacing over a predetermined period of time. Following the period, if an intrinsic event is not immediately detected, within the interval of the offset rate, the rate is switched back to baseline for pacing over an increased period of time. Some methods establish a preference rate, between the offset and baseline rates, wherein an additional criterion, for switching from the offset rate to the baseline rate, is established with respect to the preference rate.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2015Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Wade M Demmer, Karen J Kleckner, Paul A Belk
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Patent number: 9375579Abstract: A preferred atrial-based pacing method and apparatus is provided using an intelligent cardiac pacing system to having the ability to continue atrial-based pacing as long as relatively reliable AV conduction is present. In the event that such relatively reliable AV conduction is not present, mode switching to a DDD/R or a DDI/R pacing mode while continually biased to mode switch back to atrial-based pacing. The standard or relatively reliable AV conduction may be changed either automatically or manually. This increases pacing that utilizes natural AV conduction however possible so as to gain all the benefits of cardiac contractile properties resulting therefrom, while tolerating the occasional missed ventricular depolarization (i.e., non-conducted P-wave). In the event where relatively reliable AV conduction is not present, the pacing mode is switched to a DDD/R mode while detecting a return of the relatively reliable AV conduction (and resulting mode switch to preferred atrial based pacing).Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2011Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: David A. Casavant, Paul Belk, Thomas J. Mullen, John C. Stroebel
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Publication number: 20150360034Abstract: Cardiac pacing methods for an implantable single chamber pacing system, establish an offset rate for pacing at a predetermined decrement from either a baseline rate (i.e. dictated by a rate response sensor), or an intrinsic rate. Pacing maintains the offset rate until x of y successive events are paced events, at which time the offset rate is switched to the baseline rate for pacing over a predetermined period of time. Following the period, if an intrinsic event is not immediately detected, within the interval of the offset rate, the rate is switched back to baseline for pacing over an increased period of time. Some methods establish a preference rate, between the offset and baseline rates, wherein an additional criterion, for switching from the offset rate to the baseline rate, is established with respect to the preference rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2015Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: Wade M. Demmer, Karen J. Kleckner, Paul A. Belk
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Patent number: 9042984Abstract: Cardiac pacing methods for an implantable single chamber pacing system, establish an offset rate for pacing at a predetermined decrement from either a baseline rate (i.e. dictated by a rate response sensor), or an intrinsic rate. Pacing maintains the offset rate until x of y successive events are paced events, at which time the offset rate is switched to the baseline rate for pacing over a predetermined period of time. Following the period, if an intrinsic event is not immediately detected, within the interval of the offset rate, the rate is switched back to baseline for pacing over an increased period of time. Some methods establish a preference rate, between the offset and baseline rates, wherein an additional criterion, for switching from the offset rate to the baseline rate, is established with respect to the preference rate.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Wade M Demmer, Karen J Kleckner, Paul A Belk
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Patent number: 9037237Abstract: An implantable medical device and associated method provide atrial pacing and measure an atrial ventricular (AV) delay. An autonomic function index is computed using the AV delay. The autonomic function index may be compiled in a medical report. In some embodiments, the autonomic function index is used to adjust atrial pacing control parameters.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2010Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Trent M. Fischer, Douglas A. Hettrick, Todd J. Sheldon, Paul A. Belk, Thomas J. Mullen, John C. Rueter, Daniel R. Kaiser