Patents Assigned to Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7489971
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electrode for use in electrostimulation is provided, where the electrode comprises a notch that operates to substantially eliminate gaseous material from being trapped about the electrode during a molding process of an electrostimulation lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Franz
  • Patent number: 7486995
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a neurological stimulation system includes an electrical stimulation lead suited for implantation into the epidural space overlying the medulla for stimulation of nerve tissue in the brain stem. The lead includes a plurality of electrodes suited to be positioned in the epidural space overlying the medulla and to deliver stimulation energy to the nerve tissue. The system also includes a stimulation source suited for implantation into the person's body and operable to generate signals for transmission to the electrodes of the lead positioned in the epidural space overlying the medulla to cause the electrodes to deliver stimulation energy to the nerve tissue. In a particular embodiment, the lead may be suited for implantation posteriorly on, in, or near the brain stem overlying the medulla. In a particular embodiment, the lead may be inserted through an open craniotomy or a burr hole located approximately over the junction of the occiput and the first or second cervical vertebrae.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles H. Tadlock
  • Patent number: 7484129
    Abstract: Categories are established for use in physiological monitoring devices and these categories are prioritized such that data indicative of a critical event self-triggers a communication to an external receiver for the purpose of re-transmitting the critical data for use by a clinician. The categories can be established by the clinician and, if desired, the precise monitored data parameters can be assigned to specific categories. Far-field transmission can be used to send certain stored data to an external receiver, provision is made for externally charging the device batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony J. Varrichio
  • Patent number: 7450991
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed which provide a substantially constant battery reserve capacity with respect to therapeutic medical devices. Accordingly, a battery control system may be operable to maintain a substantially constant reserve capacity throughout the life of the battery. The battery reserve capacity activation threshold may be set and continuously or periodically updated so that a battery's remaining capacity equals the predetermined reserve capacity when the measured parameter reaches the activation threshold, thereby allowing a maximum amount of a battery's total capacity to be employed for therapeutic use and reserve only that portion of that capacity determined to provide for a desired level and/or period of device function after reaching the reserve threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Galen L. Smith, John H. Erickson
  • Patent number: 7450992
    Abstract: A stimulation system includes a stimulation source, an implantable stimulation lead, an implantable sensing device, and a controller. The stimulation source generates and transmits stimulation pulses to stimulation electrodes on the stimulation lead. The stimulation electrodes deliver the stimulation pulses to target nerve tissue in a nerve pathway to cause paresthesia in a portion of the person's body. Each stimulation pulse induces an action potential in a number of nerve fibers in the nerve pathway. The sensing device includes sensing electrodes positioned proximate the nerve pathway that detect compound action potentials of nerve fibers stimulated by the stimulation pulses. The controller modifies the stimulation pulses generated by the stimulation source and delivered to the target nerve tissue by the stimulation electrodes based on the detected compound action potentials to maintain a substantially constant level of paresthesia in the portion of the person's body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Tracy L. Cameron
  • Patent number: 7450987
    Abstract: A low power (and lower cost) implementation for amplifier used in delivering a stimulation pulse is provided according to embodiments through use of a pre-charge period for each pulse. For example, a voltage at a variable output terminal of a digital-to-analog converter is increased on the leading edge of PULSE and INVERTCLK signals to result in an output of an operational amplifier increasing to a predetermined voltage prior to output of a stimulation pulse, according to an embodiment. A shunt path may be implemented to shunt current away from a load during the pre-charge period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Varrichio, Benjamin A. Tranchina
  • Patent number: 7395118
    Abstract: An implantable lead, and method of manufacturing same, and a system and method for stimulation. The lead has proximal and distal ends having, respectively, a connector portion with a terminal and an electrode. An optically switched device is electrically connected to the electrode and to the terminal. An optical fiber is optically coupled to the connector portion at one end and to the optically switched device at another end. The optically switched device conducts a stimulus from the terminal to the electrode in response to an optical signal transmitted over the optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Erickson
  • Patent number: 7392093
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a device is provided for partially shielding electrical energy emitted from an electrical stimulation lead implanted in a human's body to enable stimulation of the human's nerve tissue, the lead including one or more electrodes operable to stimulate the nerve tissue. The device includes an anterior concave surface adapted to contact and at least partially surround a posterior side of the lead such that the lead is positioned between the anterior concave surface and the nerve tissue when the device and the lead are implanted in the body. The device includes a posterior convex surface coupled to the anterior concave surface and adapted to contact the body tissue opposite the nerve tissue. The device is adapted to partially shield electrical energy emitted from one or more electrodes on a posterior side of the lead when the device and the lead are implanted in the body to reduce a quantity of electrical energy reaching the body tissue opposite the nerve tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Yasin N Khan
  • Patent number: 7362334
    Abstract: A database methodology that concerns the mapping of any arbitrary object into a plurality of regions, enabling the assignment of multiple region-specific attributes thereto and facilitating the concurrent, graphical presentation of any assigned attributes. Attribute storage, manipulation, and presentation are driven by the individual regions and characteristics of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Daignault, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7359755
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Jones, Terry Daglow, Peter B. Hegi, Thomas K. Hickman
  • Patent number: 7359751
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Erickson, George Van Campen, Patrick M. Cullen, Thomas K. Hickman
  • Patent number: 7349743
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a neurological stimulation lead is adapted for implantation proximate target nerve tissue in a person for neurological stimulation of the target nerve tissue. A resilient lead body has a generally spiral natural configuration. A plurality of electrodes are located along the resilient lead body and adapted to be positioned proximate the target nerve tissue and to deliver electrical stimulation pulses to the target nerve tissue. The plurality of electrodes are located along the resilient lead body such that the electrodes are arranged in a predetermined array when the resilient lead body is in its generally spiral natural configuration. An inner channel formed through the resilient lead body is adapted to receive a straightening element. When inserted into the inner channel, the straightening element is adapted to place the resilient body in a generally linear configuration for insertion of the lead into the person and positioning of the electrodes proximate the target nerve tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles H. Tadlock
  • Patent number: 7346395
    Abstract: The present invention involves a method and a system for using electrical stimulation and/or chemical stimulation to treat depression. More particularly, the method comprises surgically implanting an electrical stimulation lead and/or catheter that is in communication with a predetermined site which is coupled to a signal generator and/or infusion pump that release either an electrical signal and/or a pharmaceutical resulting in stimulation of the predetermined site thereby treating the mood and/or anxiety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Andres M. Lozano, Helen S. Mayberg
  • Patent number: 7338464
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable infusion pump having a refillable infusate reservoir in fluid communication with a delivery site via a flow path. This flow path includes a flow resistance. The infusion pump includes a sensing device(s), positioned relative to the flow path, to provide data regarding a flow rate along the flow path. The infusion pump effects a division of a total flow period into at least a plurality of unit dose periods, each unit dose period effecting delivery of a unit dose of infusate. The cumulative effect of delivering the total number of unit dose periods is the delivery of a desired dose over the total flow period. The present invention permits a reservoir pressure to vary over any portion of total flow period but effects a constant-pressure state over each unit dose cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Blischak, John H. Erickson, Terry Daglow, Sandra M. Hooper, Bruce D. Wigness
  • Patent number: 7330763
    Abstract: A method includes disabling a synchronization mechanism of a handheld device and disabling one or more hardware buttons on the handheld device. The method also includes removing user access to one or more settings on the handheld device. In addition, the method includes removing one or more system functions on the handheld device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Cullen, Yan Wei Shi
  • Patent number: 7315761
    Abstract: According to one aspect, an electrical stimulation system for treating tinnitus is provided. The system includes an electrical stimulation lead adapted for implantation into the person's skull for electrical stimulation of target brain tissue located in the person's temporal lobe. The lead includes one or more electrodes adapted to be positioned near the target brain tissue and to deliver electrical stimulation energy to the target brain tissue. The system also includes a stimulation source operable to generate signals for transmission to the electrodes of the lead to cause the electrodes to deliver electrical stimulation energy to the target brain tissue located in the person's temporal lobe to reduce tinnitus effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Dirk De Ridder
  • Patent number: 7313442
    Abstract: The present invention involves a method and a system for using electrical stimulation and/or chemical stimulation to treat depression. More particularly, the method comprises surgically implanting an electrical stimulation lead and/or catheter that is in communication with a predetermined site which is coupled to a signal generator and/or infusion pump that release either an electrical signal and/or a pharmaceutical resulting in stimulation of the predetermined site thereby treating the mood and/or anxiety disorder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Francisco Velasco, Fiacro Jimenez, Marcos Velasco, Andres M. Lozano
  • Patent number: 7295876
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for interactively defining and calibrating a treatment protocol program for 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 patient programmer (EPP) to receive treatment protocol programs. Using the EPP, treatment protocol programs are developed, executed, and tested while the patient provides real-time feedback, providing efficient and effective programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John H. Erickson
  • Patent number: 7287366
    Abstract: A wire wrapping device that includes a turntable assembly that is made up of a turntable and a driver adapted to rotate the turntable. Also, a set of payout carriers are mounted on the turntable, each payout carrier adapted to let out wire to be wrapped. A driver is adapted to turn each payout carrier relative to the turn table, the driver being user adjustable to turn each payout carrier by a selectable amount, per each complete rotation of the turntable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Don L. Dye, John W. Swanson, Jerome J. Boogaard, Dave Locke
  • Patent number: D558337
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Jones, Peter B. Hegi