Patents by Inventor Paul J. Huelskamp

Paul J. Huelskamp 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: 8934987
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for delivering and positioning an implantable medical device and for evaluating an acoustic communication link are disclosed. An illustrative system includes a catheter adapted to contain an implantable device with a biosensor and an acoustic transducer configured to transmit an acoustic signal, and an implant assist device in acoustic communication with the implantable device via an acoustic communication link. The implant assist device includes an acoustic transducer adapted to receive the acoustic signal transmitted by the implantable medical device, and control/processing circuitry configured to evaluate a performance of the acoustic link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Paul J. Huelskamp, Binh C. Tran, Krishna Sridharan, Jamie S. Collier, Marshall S. Comisar, Keith R. Maile
  • Patent number: 8594802
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adapting the performance of a wireless communication link with an implantable medical device (IMD) are disclosed. An illustrative method includes initiating a wireless link with the IMD, measuring an initial performance of the wireless link, determining whether the initial performance of the wireless link is adequate, adjusting an operating parameter related to the wireless link in the event the initial performance of the wireless link is inadequate, measuring a performance of the wireless link in response to the adjusted operating parameter, and setting the operating parameter to a prior setting if the measured performance of the wireless link does not improve in response to the adjusted operating parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Keith R. Maile, Paul J. Huelskamp
  • Patent number: 8593107
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for recharging medical devices implanted within the body are disclosed. An illustrative method of recharging an implanted medical device includes delivering a charging device to a location adjacent to the implanted medical device, activating a charging element coupled to the charging device and transmitting charging energy to a receiver of the implanted medical device, and charging the implanted medical device using the transmitted charging energy from the charging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Avi Penner, Eyal Doron, Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Keith R. Maile, Binh C. Tran, Wangcai Liao, Bin Mi, Paul J. Huelskamp
  • Patent number: 8401662
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adapting the performance of an acoustic communication link with an implantable medical device (IMD) are disclosed. An illustrative method includes initiating an acoustic link with the IMD, measuring an initial performance of the acoustic link, determining whether the initial performance of the acoustic link is adequate, adjusting an operating parameter related to the acoustic link in the event the initial performance of the acoustic link is inadequate, measuring a performance of the acoustic link in response to the adjusted operating parameter, and setting the operating parameter to a prior setting if the measured performance of the acoustic link does not improve in response to the adjusted operating parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Keith R. Maile, Paul J. Huelskamp
  • Publication number: 20120116474
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adapting the performance of an acoustic communication link with an implantable medical device (IMD) are disclosed. An illustrative method includes initiating an acoustic link with the IMD, measuring an initial performance of the acoustic link, determining whether the initial performance of the acoustic link is adequate, adjusting an operating parameter related to the acoustic link in the event the initial performance of the acoustic link is inadequate, measuring a performance of the acoustic link in response to the adjusted operating parameter, and setting the operating parameter to a prior setting if the measured performance of the acoustic link does not improve in response to the adjusted operating parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Keith R. Maile, Paul J. Huelskamp
  • Patent number: 8126566
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adapting the performance of an acoustic communication link with an implantable medical device (IMD) are disclosed. An illustrative method includes initiating an acoustic link with the IMD, measuring an initial performance of the acoustic link, determining whether the initial performance of the acoustic link is adequate, adjusting an operating parameter related to the acoustic link in the event the initial performance of the acoustic link is inadequate, measuring a performance of the acoustic link in response to the adjusted operating parameter, and setting the operating parameter to a prior setting if the measured performance of the acoustic link does not improve in response to the adjusted operating parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Keith R. Maile, Paul J. Huelskamp
  • Patent number: 7955268
    Abstract: A method of measuring pressure within the human body including implanting a pressure sensing assembly having a flexible structure and first and second sensor elements having self-contained power supplies coupled to the flexible structure. Periodic data collection events are performed to collect data from the sensor elements. A data collection event includes a request for data from a remote communication device, a transfer of sensor data to the remote communication device and a processing of the sensor data. The invention also includes a sensor assembly for implantation into a human body. The sensor assembly includes a first sensor having a self-contained power supply, a sensing element and an integral communication device capable of communicating with a remote communication device. The sensor assembly also includes a second sensor and a flexible structure to which the first and second sensor are attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Huelskamp
  • Publication number: 20110082376
    Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for processing blood pressure measurements are disclosed. An illustrative method includes transmitting a command to an implantable medical device including a blood pressure sensor. The method includes receiving a response from the implantable medical device, the response indicating that the device initiated the sensing of blood pressure measurements. The method includes receiving one or more data packets from the implantable medical device. The one or more data packets can include a base pressure measurement that is representative of a starting point of a blood pressure waveform. The one or more data packets further include a delta value measurement representative of a difference between another blood pressure measurement and the base pressure measurement, or a difference between a current measurement and one or more previous measurements. Additionally, the method includes generating a pressure waveform from the one or more data packets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Paul J. Huelskamp, Joseph E. Bange, Jon N. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7913015
    Abstract: A bus system is provided for implantable medical devices. The bus system provides for flexible and reliable communication between subsystems in an implantable medical device. The bus system facilitates a wide variety of communications between various subsystems. These various subsystems can include one or more sensing devices, processors, data storage devices, patient alert devices, power management devices, signal processing and other devices implemented to perform a variety of different functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Kallmyer, Kevin K. Walsh, Javaid Masoud, Xander Evers, John C. Stroebel, James Ericksen, Mark A. Stockburger, Paul J. Huelskamp
  • Patent number: 7908334
    Abstract: A system includes multiple slave devices implanted in a human body, wherein each slave device includes a communication module operable to receive transmitted communications and is associated with a permanent device identifier. The system further includes a master device including a communications module operable to address a first communication to a selected slave device using the permanent device identifier associated with the selected slave device, wherein the first communication includes a local identifier assigned to the selected slave device, the assigned local identifier does not match any other local identifier assigned to any other slave device implanted in the human body, and subsequent communications are addressed to the selected slave device using the assigned local identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Huelskamp, Michael J. Timmons
  • Publication number: 20100106028
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for recharging medical devices implanted within the body are disclosed. An illustrative method of recharging an implanted medical device includes delivering a charging device to a location adjacent to the implanted medical device, activating a charging element coupled to the charging device and transmitting charging energy to a receiver of the implanted medical device, and charging the implanted medical device using the transmitted charging energy from the charging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Avi Penner, Eyal Doron, Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Keith R. Maile, Binh C. Tran, Wangcai Liao, Bin Mi, Paul J. Huelskamp
  • Publication number: 20100042177
    Abstract: Systems and methods for adapting the performance of an acoustic communication link with an implantable medical device (IMD) are disclosed. An illustrative method includes initiating an acoustic link with the IMD, measuring an initial performance of the acoustic link, determining whether the initial performance of the acoustic link is adequate, adjusting an operating parameter related to the acoustic link in the event the initial performance of the acoustic link is inadequate, measuring a performance of the acoustic link in response to the adjusted operating parameter, and setting the operating parameter to a prior setting if the measured performance of the acoustic link does not improve in response to the adjusted operating parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Keith R. Maile, Paul J. Huelskamp
  • Publication number: 20100023091
    Abstract: An operational status of an implantable medical device is monitored. The implantable medical device includes a biosensor and an acoustic transducer adapted to transmit and receive acoustic signals. An acoustic link is established with the implantable medical device via a remote acoustic transducer adapted to receive acoustic signals from the implantable medical device and to transmit acoustic signals. Data related to the operational status of the implantable medical device is received from the implantable medical device via the acoustic link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Keith R. Maile, Paul J. Huelskamp
  • Publication number: 20100016840
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for delivering and positioning an implantable medical device and for evaluating an acoustic communication link are disclosed. An illustrative system includes a catheter adapted to contain an implantable device with a biosensor and an acoustic transducer configured to transmit an acoustic signal, and an implant assist device in acoustic communication with the implantable device via an acoustic communication link. The implant assist device includes an acoustic transducer adapted to receive the acoustic signal transmitted by the implantable medical device, and control/processing circuitry configured to evaluate a performance of the acoustic link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Paul J. Huelskamp, Binh C. Tran, Krishna Sridharan, Jamie S. Collier, Marshall S. Comisar, Keith R. Maile
  • Publication number: 20090312650
    Abstract: Methods for activating implantable medical devices within a patient's body are disclosed. An illustrative method includes activating an implantable medical device from a low-power state to an awake state in response to a scheduled time event, sensing one or more pressure measurements within the body, computing an average pressure measurement based on the sensed pressure measurements, storing the average pressure measurement within a memory of the implantable medical device, and then returning the device to the low-power state. A triggering event such as the detection of patient activity or motion can also be used to activate the implantable medical device between the low-power state and an active state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC.
    Inventors: Keith R. Maile, Abhijeet V. Chavan, Paul J. Huelskamp
  • Publication number: 20090204168
    Abstract: A bus system is provided for implantable medical devices. The bus system provides for flexible and reliable communication between subsystems in an implantable medical device. The bus system facilitates a wide variety of communications between various subsystems. These various subsystems can include one or more sensing devices, processors, data storage devices, patient alert devices, power management devices, signal processing and other devices implemented to perform a variety of different functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Kallmyer, Kevin K. Walsh, Javaid Masoud, Xander Evers, John C. Stroebel, James H. Ericksen, Mark A. Stockburger, Paul J. Huelskamp
  • Patent number: 7471098
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for testing integrated circuits. An integrated circuit arrangement is provided having first and second dice. Each die has circuitry for diagnostic testing in response to a diagnostic test signal. The circuitry further defines an input for receiving the diagnostic test signal and an output for transmitting results of the diagnostic testing for each of the dice. Interconnecting circuitry between the dice transmits the diagnostic test signal transmitted to the first die to the second die before the diagnostic testing is completed in the first die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Robert W. Warren, Jr., Paul J. Huelskamp
  • Publication number: 20080171941
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing power consumption in implantable medical devices (IMDs) in which an IMD implantable in an artery monitors blood pressure. A master device monitors a physiological signal, such as respiratory cycle, and instructs the IMD to take blood pressure measurements over a sampling interval, the duration of which is determined by the master device based on the monitored physiological signal. The master device may determine an end-expiration point of the respiratory cycle and send synchronization information to the IMD to further shorten the sampling interval by coinciding the sampling interval with the end expiration point of the respiratory cycle. The IMD may further conserve power by including processing abilities to collect and/or transmit only a subset of data representing the blood pressure signal, for example, systolic, diastolic, and/or mean blood pressure signal values. The blood pressure readings, once taken, may be transferred to the master device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2008
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Paul J. Huelskamp, Wangcai Liao, Keith R. Maile, Binh C. Tran
  • Publication number: 20080021333
    Abstract: A method of measuring pressure within the human body including implanting a pressure sensing assembly having a flexible structure and first and second sensor elements having self-contained power supplies coupled to the flexible structure. Periodic data collection events are performed to collect data from the sensor elements. A data collection event includes a request for data from a remote communication device, a transfer of sensor data to the remote communication device and a processing of the sensor data. The invention also includes a sensor assembly for implantation into a human body. The sensor assembly includes a first sensor having a self-contained power supply, a sensing element and an integral communication device capable of communicating with a remote communication device. The sensor assembly also includes a second sensor and a flexible structure to which the first and second sensor are attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC.
    Inventor: Paul J. Huelskamp
  • Patent number: 7313443
    Abstract: The operation of an implantable medical device executing at least one set of firmware code is modified using a hardware/firmware trap at a point of execution of the set of firmware code. A patch code for directing the implantable medical device to perform a particular task is provided for execution when the trap generates an interrupt. The operation thereafter returns to the point of execution of the set of firmware code where the interrupt was generated and execution of the set of firmware code continues in a normal manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent E. Splett, Carl A. Schu, Mark Haerle, Paul J. Huelskamp