Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Beth L. McMahon
  • Patent number: 8340759
    Abstract: Techniques related to coils for medical device are disclosed. One example coil may comprise multiple filars, each being formed of a biocompatible beta titanium alloy having an elastic modulus ranging from 30 GigaPascals (GPa) to 90 GPa and comprising at least two elements from a group consisting of titanium, molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, zirconium, chromium, iron and tin. At least one of the multiple filars may be electrically insulated one from another. A structural body, such as a lead body, may carry the coil. One or more filars may carry a low-resistance core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter B. McIntyre, Bernard Q. Li, Ling Wang, Shangqian P. Zhang
  • Patent number: 8280517
    Abstract: Techniques for validating operation of a medical device are disclosed. A data collection phase utilizes a first sensor carried by a patient to record patient parameter values indicative of conditions experienced by the patient (e.g, posture states.) Therapy parameter values describing therapy adjustments requested by the patient in response to the conditions are also recorded. Associations formed between the therapy parameter values and the patient parameter values are used to develop a closed-loop algorithm for control of an IMD having a sensor similar to the first sensor. An automated device such as a robotic arm uses the recorded patient parameter values to automatically reproduce, and to subject the IMD to, conditions present during the data collection phase. Therapy delivered by the IMD while under control of the closed-loop algorithm and while being subjected to the conditions is compared to the recorded therapy parameter values e to validate IMD operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Skelton, Emmanuel R. Darne, Justin Kemp, Nicholas S. Mairs, Brian Sorenson
  • Patent number: 8278871
    Abstract: Techniques for recharging a rechargeable power source coupled to a secondary coil implanted within a living body are described. In one embodiment, a recharging device external to the living body induces a sequence of pulses in a primary coil that is coupled to the secondary coil. The sequence includes high-amplitude pulses alternating with low-amplitude pulses, each high-amplitude pulse having an amplitude selected to transfer charge to the rechargeable power source during times of poor coupling between the primary coil and the secondary coil, each low-amplitude pulse having an amplitude selected to transfer charge to the rechargeable power source during times of good coupling between the primary coil and the secondary coil, and wherein the sequence of pulses is selected to prevent a violation of a limiting condition such as heating that is associated with recharging the rechargeable power source when recharging occurs in an open-loop manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd A. Kallmyer
  • Patent number: 8271089
    Abstract: A charging system is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a charging unit having a primary coil, and an implantable medical device comprising a secondary coil to receive charge from the primary coil. The implantable medical device further includes a half-wave voltage-doubling rectifier coupled to the secondary coil, a full-wave rectifier coupled to the secondary coil, and a rechargeable power source. Control logic is provided to periodically configure the rechargeable power source to receive charge from a selected one of the voltage-doubling circuit and the full-wave rectifier in a manner that increases rate at which charge is transferred from the secondary coil to the rechargeable power source. The control logic may configure the rechargeable power source to receive charge based on one or more monitored conditions which may include, for example, an indication of a current, a voltage, a coupling coefficient, back-scatter, and temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Dinsmoor, Todd A. Kallmyer, Joel A. Anderson, Timothy J. Denison
  • Patent number: 8244367
    Abstract: A charging system for an implantable medical device having a secondary coil. The charging system includes an external power source having at least one primary coil, a modulation, circuit operatively coupled to the primary coil and capable of driving it in a manner characterized by a charging parameter, and a sensor in communication with the modulation circuit and capable of sensing a condition indicating a need to adjust the charging parameter during a charging process. The parameter may be varied so that data sensed by the sensor meets a threshold requirement, which may be based on a patient preference, a government regulation, a recommendation promulgated by a health authority and/or a requirement associated with another device carried by the patient. In one embodiment, the regulation dictates maximum magnetic field exposure, and a field limiting circuit is employed to adjust the charging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl D. Wahlstrand, John E. Kast, Timothy J. Denison, John J. Grevious, Todd A. Kallmyer
  • Patent number: 8204602
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for recharging an Implantable Medical Device (IMD). In one embodiment, a first external coil is positioned on one side of a patient's body, such as on a front side of the torso in proximity to the IMD. A second external coil is positioned on an opposite side of the patient's body, such as on the back of the torso. A recharging device generates a current in each of the coils, inductively coupling the first and the second coils to the secondary recharge coil of the IMD. According to another aspect, each of the two external coils may wrap around a portion of the patient's body, such as the torso or head, and are positioned such that the IMD lies between the coils. According to this aspect, current generated in the coils inductively couples to a second recharge coil that is angled within the patient's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd A. Kallmyer
  • Patent number: 8192406
    Abstract: An anchor for securing a therapy delivery element in a desired location within a living body is disclosed. The anchor includes an anchor body having a space, which may be a main channel, to receive the therapy delivery element. A fill port is provided in the anchor body to introduce an adhesive into the space when the therapy delivery element is positioned within the space. In one embodiment, the fill port is coupled to a fill port extension that transfers the adhesive from a dispenser located a distance from the fill port into the space. Multiple fill ports, any of which may be coupled to a respective fill port extension, may be provided to introduce the adhesive at various locations of the space. One or more of the fill ports may extend into multiple side channels to introduce the adhesive at various locations of the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc
    Inventors: Patrick D. Wells, Michael D. Baudino
  • Patent number: 7925357
    Abstract: A holster that may be donned in a first configuration for charging a pectorally implanted medical device on the patient's right side, a second configuration for charging a pectorally implanted medical device on the patient's left side, or a third configuration for use as a waist belt for charging a pectorally implanted medical device on either side of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Phillips, Charles R. Lewis, Jr., Rajeev M. Sahasrabudhe
  • Patent number: 7738965
    Abstract: A holster that may be donned in a first configuration for charging a pectorally implanted medical device on the patient's right side, a second configuration for charging a pectorally implanted medical device on the patient's left side, or a third configuration for use as a waist belt for charging a pectorally implanted medical device on either side of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Phillips, Charles R. Lewis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7632225
    Abstract: Stuttering-treatment techniques using neural stimulation and/or drug delivery. One or more electrodes and/or a catheter are implanted adjacent to sites in the brain. A signal generator and the electrode deliver stimulation to a first site. A pump and the catheter deliver one or more therapeutic drugs to a second site. The first and second sites could be: the supplementary motor area, the centromedian circuit, the dorsomedial nuclei, the lateral prefrontal circuit, or other paramedian thalamic and midbrain nuclei. The stuttering treatment could be performed via periodic transcranial magnetic stimulation. A sensor, located near the patient's vocal folds, can be used for generating a signal responsive to activity of the patient's speech-producing muscles. A controller adjusts one or more stimulation parameters in response to the signal from the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul H. Stypulkowski
  • Patent number: 7287099
    Abstract: Numerous shortcomings exist in prior generation adapter cards for supporting remote consoles for multipartition computer systems. Emulation using memory in the adapter card supports some remote functions so that they appear to be resident on the host computer system to each partition. Additionally, the host computer system memory can be used in one mode to support the emulation of extended mode video console support functions. Scoreboarding and hardware compression are used to limit the volume of data required to be updated to support the emulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Terrence V. Powderly, Joseph H. End, III, Timothy C. Sell
  • Patent number: 7277825
    Abstract: An improved system and method for completing performance analysis for a target system is disclosed. According to the current invention, different types of configurations files are created, each to describe one or more respective aspects and/or portions of the target system. Each of these file types may include a combination of parameter values and equations that represent the respective portion of the system. After the configuration files are defined, scenarios are created. Each scenario includes a set of configuration files, with some or all of the files being of different file types. The files included within a scenario provide all parameter values and equations needed to calculate performance data for a particular revision of the target system. Next, a performance study is defined to include one or more of the scenarios. Finally, performance data is derived for each of the scenarios in the performance study.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Marwan A. Orfali, Mitchell A. Bauman, Myoungran Kim
  • Patent number: 7260677
    Abstract: A memory control system and method is disclosed. In one embodiment, a first memory is coupled to one or more additional memories. The first memory receives requests for data that are completed by retrieving the data from the first memory and/or the one or more additional memories. The manner in which this data is retrieved is determined by the state of programmable control indicators. In one mode of operation, a reference is made to the first memory to retrieve the data. If it is later determined from tag information stored by the first memory that the one or more additional memories must be accessed to fulfill the request, the necessary additional memory references are initiated. In another mode of operation, references to the one or more additional memories are initiated irrespective of whether these references are required. The operating mode may be selected to optimize system efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Kelvin S. Vartti, Ross M. Weber, Mitchell A. Bauman
  • Patent number: 7260640
    Abstract: Streaming media servers are used to provide data streams of streaming media data to network devices across a communications network. In order to allow the servers to scale its processing as the number of data streams increases, these servers use a delay timer determination module for determining when a given CPU is to transfer its streaming media data corresponding to its group of data streams, a CPU wake up module for initiating an acceleration process for each CPU upon receipt of a signal from the delay timer determination module, and a plurality of CPU processing modules for transferring streaming media data corresponding to its group of data streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Unisys Corproation
    Inventors: James P. Kramer, James R. McBreen, Laura M. Nissen, Thomas P. Sherren, Chen Qingyan, Michael R. Burch
  • Patent number: 7222222
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for tracking memory requests within a data processing system. The system includes a request tracking circuit that is coupled to receive requests for data from multiple processors. Multiple pending requests to the same memory address are tracked using a linked list. Only the oldest pending one of these multiple requests is issued to the memory. When data is returned from the memory, the requests are processed in an order determined by the linked list. That is, the data is provided to a processor associated with the oldest request. Thereafter, the data is retrieved and provided to the processor associated with the next request, and so on. A request issued by the memory soliciting the return of the data to the memory may also be added to the linked list to be processed in the foregoing manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Kelvin S. Vartti, Ross M. Weber
  • Patent number: 7219199
    Abstract: A system and method for increasing the throughput of a directory-based storage system is provided. The storage system includes a data storage system to store data signals, and a directory to store state information for the data signals. Requests issued to the storage system are grouped into sets. The requests within a same set are issued in succession to the data storage system to initiate read and/or write memory operations. At the same time, directory entries are read from the directory for each request in the set. Each directory entry is updated as it is retrieved to reflect the requested memory operation. After all directory entries are retrieved, the updated entries are stored back to the directory in succession so that the bi-directional interface to the directory undergoes only a single direction change during the processing of the set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Eugene A. Rodi, Aaron C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7219234
    Abstract: An improved system and method is provided for managing system-level privileges and for granting access rights to system resources within a data processing system. System-level privileges are assigned directly to individual users. In contrast, access rights are assigned to individual users and/or to groups of users using data constructs known as Access Control Records (ACRs). Each ACR associates one or more user groups and/or one or more individual users with a set of access rights. A system resource is then associated with an ACR. The users identified within the associated ACR are thereby granted access to the object using the access rights specified by the ACR. An ACR may define multiple sets of access rights, with each set of access rights being associated with one or more user groups and/or one or more individual users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Richard E. Ashland, Roland G. Clouse
  • Patent number: 7184944
    Abstract: A main memory simulation system includes storage files, a cache buffer, and an interface. The storage files includes both a fast look-up table and a slow look-up table. The fast look-up table is operable to directly obtain a page address that has been allocated to a main memory address while the slow look-up table is operable to first determine if a page address has been allocated to a main memory address and then to obtain the allocated page address. The interface operates to receive a request for transfer of main memory, in the form of a main memory address, from a storage file to the buffer of the cache. The interface responds by performing a page transfer between the storage file and buffer according to the page address that has been allocated to the requested main memory address, as found in the fast or slow look-up table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Rieschl, Qingyan Chen, Kurt N. Johnson, Dave Q. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7167916
    Abstract: Driving task dispatching by an operating system in a multiprocessor computer system is accomplished with a virtual switching queue which accepts highest priority tasks from multiple switching queues which in turn are accessed by instruction processors seeking tasks. Overload, plucking and stealing of tasks may be used to effectively balance load within the computer system. Dynamic reconfiguration used where regular queues lose underlying instruction processors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Willen, Hans Christian Mikkelsen, John Carter, Peter John Hancock, Michael F. Stanton, Robert Morris
  • Patent number: 7159221
    Abstract: Regardless of the switching queue organization, enhanced multiprocessor factor performance for software application group is accomplished via allocation of cache neighborhoods to software application groups that share memory space as identified by a user. Certain user requirements may be refused as unavailable to protect overall performance. Exclusivity and priority requirements of a user can also be honored by the operating system. Load balancing and dynamic reconfiguration features respect software application group dedications to the extent feasible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Willen, Hans Christian Mikkelsen, John Carter, Peter John Hancock, Michael F. Stanton, Robert Morris