Patents by Inventor Thomas K. Hickman
Thomas K. Hickman 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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Patent number: 8838243Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of programming an IPG comprises providing one or several GUI screens on the programmer device, the GUI screens comprising a master amplitude GUI control for controlling amplitudes for stimsets of a stimulation program and one or several balancing GUI controls for controlling amplitudes of each stimset of the stimulation program; communicating one or several commands from the programmer device to the IPG to change the amplitude of all stimsets of the stimulation program in response to manipulation of the master amplitude GUI control, wherein the amplitude of each stimulation set is automatically calculated by a level selected through the master amplitude GUI control and one or several calibration parameters for the respective stimulation set; and automatically recalculating the one or several calibration parameters for a respective stimulation set in response to manipulation of one of the balancing GUI controls and storing the recalculated calibration parameters.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas K. Hickman, Erik D. Engstrom, Matthew J. Brock, John H. Erickson
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Patent number: 8463401Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting an electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the electrical stimulation lead and may be inserted into a human body near the nerve tissue. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2012Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.Inventors: Timothy S. Jones, Terry Daglow, Peter B. Hegi, Thomas K. Hickman
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Publication number: 20130131758Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of programming an IPG comprises providing one or several GUI screens on the programmer device, the GUI screens comprising a master amplitude GUI control for controlling amplitudes for stimsets of a stimulation program and one or several balancing GUI controls for controlling amplitudes of each stimset of the stimulation program; communicating one or several commands from the programmer device to the IPG to change the amplitude of all stimsets of the stimulation program in response to manipulation of the master amplitude GUI control, wherein the amplitude of each stimulation set is automatically calculated by a level selected through the master amplitude GUI control and one or several calibration parameters for the respective stimulation set; and automatically recalculating the one or several calibration parameters for a respective stimulation set in response to manipulation of one of the balancing GUI controls and storing the recalculated calibration parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2012Publication date: May 23, 2013Inventors: Thomas K. Hickman, Erik D. Engstrom, Matthew J. Brock, John H. Erickson
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Publication number: 20120245594Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting an electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the electrical stimulation lead and may be inserted into a human body near the nerve tissue. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2012Publication date: September 27, 2012Inventors: Timothy S. Jones, Terry Daglow, Peter B. Hegi, Thomas K. Hickman
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Patent number: 8180451Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of programming an IPG comprises providing one or several GUI screens on the programmer device, the GUI screens comprising a master amplitude GUI control for controlling amplitudes for stimsets of a stimulation program and one or several balancing GUI controls for controlling amplitudes of each stimset of the stimulation program; communicating one or several commands from the programmer device to the IPG to change the amplitude of all stimsets of the stimulation program in response to manipulation of the master amplitude GUI control, wherein the amplitude of each stimulation set is automatically calculated by a level selected through the master amplitude GUI control and one or several calibration parameters for the respective stimulation set; and automatically recalculating the one or several calibration parameters for a respective stimulation set in response to manipulation of one of the balancing GUI controls and storing the recalculated calibration parameters.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas K. Hickman, Erik D. Engstrom, Matthew J. Brock, John H. Erickson
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Publication number: 20110257660Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting an electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the electrical stimulation lead and may be inserted into a human body near the nerve tissue. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2011Publication date: October 20, 2011Inventors: Timothy S. Jones, Terry Daglow, Peter B. Hegi, Thomas K. Hickman
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Patent number: 8014873Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting an electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the electrical stimulation lead and may be inserted into a human body near the nerve tissue. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2008Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.Inventors: Timothy S. Jones, Terry Daglow, Peter B. Hegi, Thomas K. Hickman
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Publication number: 20110208265Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide trial stimulators suited for use interoperatively and during patient trial. Trial stimulator embodiments provide a patient interface and/or clinician interface which appears and functions substantially the same as an interface of a pulse generator controller which will be used after a trial period. A compliance monitor feature may be provided to facilitate verifying the proper use of the trial stimulator during a trial period. A diagnostic feature may be provided to facilitate verifying proper operation of various aspects of a trial stimulator, such as electrode impedance analysis. Trial stimulators of embodiments provide stimulation to a plurality of tissues and/or areas of the body, such as spinal cord stimulation, deep brain stimulation, etcetera. Embodiments provide for multi-electrode stimulation and multi-stimulation programs.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: ADVANCED NEUROMODULATION SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: John H. Erickson, George Van Campen, Patrick M. Cullen, Thomas K. Hickman
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Publication number: 20110144721Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of programming an IPG comprises providing one or several GUI screens on the programmer device, the GUI screens comprising a master amplitude GUI control for controlling amplitudes for stimsets of a stimulation program and one or several balancing GUI controls for controlling amplitudes of each stimset of the stimulation program; communicating one or several commands from the programmer device to the IPG to change the amplitude of all stimsets of the stimulation program in response to manipulation of the master amplitude GUI control, wherein the amplitude of each stimulation set is automatically calculated by a level selected through the master amplitude GUI control and one or several calibration parameters for the respective stimulation set; and automatically recalculating the one or several calibration parameters for a respective stimulation set in response to manipulation of one of the balancing GUI controls and storing the recalculated calibration parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2010Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: Thomas K Hickman, Erick D. Engstrom, Matthew J. Brock, John H. Erickson
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Patent number: 7937158Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide trial stimulators suited for use interoperatively and during patient trial. Trial stimulator embodiments provide a patient interface and/or clinician interface which appears and functions substantially the same as an interface of a pulse generator controller which will be used after a trial period. A compliance monitor feature may be provided to facilitate verifying the proper use of the trial stimulator during a trial period. A diagnostic feature may be provided to facilitate verifying proper operation of various aspects of a trial stimulator, such as electrode impedance analysis. Trial stimulators of embodiments provide stimulation to a plurality of tissues and/or areas of the body, such as spinal cord stimulation, deep brain stimulation, etcetera. Embodiments provide for multi-electrode stimulation and multi-stimulation programs.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2008Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.Inventors: John H Erickson, George Van Campen, Patrick M Cullen, Thomas K Hickman
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Patent number: 7738963Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of programming an IPG comprises providing one or several GUI screens on the programmer device, the GUI screens comprising a master amplitude GUI control for controlling amplitudes for stimsets of a stimulation program and one or several balancing GUI controls for controlling amplitudes of each stimset of the stimulation program; communicating one or several commands from the programmer device to the IPG to change the amplitude of all stimsets of the stimulation program in response to manipulation of the master amplitude GUI control, wherein the amplitude of each stimulation set is automatically calculated by a level selected through the master amplitude GUI control and one or several calibration parameters for the respective stimulation set; and automatically recalculating the one or several calibration parameters for a respective stimulation set in response to manipulation of one of the balancing GUI controls and storing the recalculated calibration parameters.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2006Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.Inventors: Thomas K. Hickman, Erik D. Engstrom, Matthew J. Brock, John H. Erickson
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Publication number: 20090024187Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide trial stimulators suited for use interoperatively and during patient trial. Trial stimulator embodiments provide a patient interface and/or clinician interface which appears and functions substantially the same as an interface of a pulse generator controller which will be used after a trial period. A compliance monitor feature may be provided to facilitate verifying the proper use of the trial stimulator during a trial period. A diagnostic feature may be provided to facilitate verifying proper operation of various aspects of a trial stimulator, such as electrode impedance analysis. Trial stimulators of embodiments provide stimulation to a plurality of tissues and/or areas of the body, such as spinal cord stimulation, deep brain stimulation, etcetera. Embodiments provide for multi-electrode stimulation and multi-stimulation programs.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2008Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: ADVANCED NEUROMODULATION SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: John H. Erickson, George Van Campen, Patrick M. Cullen, Thomas K. Hickman
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Publication number: 20080188916Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting an electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the electrical stimulation lead and may be inserted into a human body near the nerve tissue. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2008Publication date: August 7, 2008Inventors: Timothy S. Jones, Terry Daglow, Peter B. Hegi, Thomas K. Hickman
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Patent number: 7359755Abstract: In one embodiment, an introducer is provided for implanting a paddle style electrical stimulation lead to enable electrical stimulation of nerve tissue. The introducer includes an outer sheath and an inner penetrator. The outer sheath may accommodate insertion of the paddle style electrical stimulation lead. The inner penetrator is removably housed within the outer sheath and includes an inner channel configured to accommodate a guide wire, a tip end having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the guide wire, a body region having a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the outer sheath, and one or more transition regions substantially connecting the tip end with the body region. At least a portion of the transition regions of the inner penetrator may flex to substantially follow flexures in the guide wire during advancement of the inner penetrator.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2005Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.Inventors: Timothy S. Jones, Terry Daglow, Peter B. Hegi, Thomas K. Hickman
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Patent number: 7359751Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide an external clinician interface, such as through the use of a laptop computer or a personal digital assistant (PDA). The foregoing clinician interface may be used with trial stimulators well suited for use interoperatively and during patient trial. Stimulators of embodiments are adapted for use in providing stimulation to a plurality of tissues and/or areas of the body, such as spinal cord stimulation, deep brain stimulation, etcetera.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2005Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.Inventors: John H. Erickson, George Van Campen, Patrick M. Cullen, Thomas K. Hickman
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Patent number: 7254446Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for calibrating a stimulation device such as an implantable pulse generator (IPG). An IPG, whether it is a self-contained implantable pulse generator (SCIPG) or externally-powered implantable pulse generator (EPIPG), communicates with an external programmer to determine the characteristics of the stimuli delivered to the lead electrodes. An external programmer is used with patient feedback to determine initial threshold levels, and using the initial threshold levels, to determine threshold levels for combined electrode arrays.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.Inventors: John H. Erickson, Thomas K. Hickman, Erik D. Engstrom