Patents Assigned to Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7266885
    Abstract: A method of producing an electrode brain probe assembly, using a flexible substrate comprising a polymeric layer bearing a conductive material coating. Photolithography and electroplating are used to form a set of contacts and conductors on the polymeric layer of the flexible substrate. Also, the flexible substrate is shaped to have a distal end and to be at least 5 mm long, but less than 5 mm wide and less than 1 mm thick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Swanson
  • Patent number: 7254446
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Erickson, Thomas K. Hickman, Erik D. Engstrom
  • Patent number: 7254445
    Abstract: An electronic stimulation system is used to control pain over multiple regions of a patient's body. The system has one or more percutaneous leads, each having multiple electrodes, implanted within the patient's epidural space parallel to the axis of the spinal cord. The leads are connected to either a totally implanted system or a radio frequency system. The system is able to treat pain over different regions of a patient's body by “simultaneously” stimulating the patient with at least three different stimulation settings. “Simultaneous” stimulation involves sequentially stimulating the patient with the multiple stimulation settings such that the patient receives the cumulative effect of each stimulation setting, while not perceiving the transition from one stimulation setting to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Law, William Borkan, Lance Ehren, George Van Campen, John Erickson
  • Publication number: 20070156203
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an implantable pulse generator comprises: pulse generating circuitry for generating pulses and delivering the pulses to outputs of the implantable pulse generator; a controller; wherein the pulse generating circuitry comprises a voltage multiplier for multiplying a battery voltage, the voltage multiplier including multiple outputs, wherein a first output of the multiple outputs provides a voltage that is programmably selectable from a plurality of voltages including non-integer multiples of the battery voltage, wherein a second output of the multiple outputs provides a voltage that is a fixed multiple of the battery voltage; wherein the controller controls the pulse generator circuitry to generate a first pulse for stimulation of the patient using a first output of the multiple outputs and controls the pulse generator circuitry to generate a second pulse to discharge output capacitors of residual charge from the first pulse using a second output of the multiple outputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Varrichio, Benjamin Tranchina
  • Patent number: 7239922
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a biological electrical stimulus cable. The method begins with a cable portion having a plurality of first conductive wires set into a length of insulative material. A portion of the insulative material is removed from the surface creating an exposed first wire surface. Then, a second conductive wire is connected to the exposed first wire surface and a preformed conductive ring is threaded onto the cable portion and electrically connected to the second conductive wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome J. Boogaard, Robert W. Lucas, John W. Swanson, Sergey N. Varivoda
  • Patent number: 7228179
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stimulation device for creating complex or multi-purpose tissue stimulation. Many typical stimulation devices suffer from deficiencies in providing complex stimulation patterns. Using a circuitry operable or programmable to repeat and skip stimulation settings, a complex stimulation set may be created. The repeating and skipping functionality may be implemented in hardware or software. In this manner, complex stimulations may be derived from simple circuitries. Furthermore, these stimulations may be used to treat pain, stimulate bone growth, and control motor disorders, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: George Van Campen, John Erickson
  • Patent number: 7212110
    Abstract: A wireless communication method and protocol, and wireless devices and systems for stimulation, are provided for communication between a wireless device and a charging device. During active wireless charging, communications (data transmission) from the wireless device to the charging device occurs via pulse loading the receive antenna of the receiving device. Because switching regulation in the receiving device may interfere with the communications, the switching regulation is disabled during a communications window. To further reduce the likelihood of misinterpretation of signals detected in the charging device resulting from the switching regulation or noise, the data bit rate of the pulse loading communications is maintained higher than the switching regulation frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Martin, Gregg Turi, Marc Shanko, Rami Elghandour, Thomas Palma, William L. Winstrom
  • Patent number: 7191011
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an implantable pump. The implantable pump has a port with light emitters indicating the location of the port. The port can be useful in providing bolus injections or the refilling of reservoirs. The light emitters can be arranged in various forms about the port including linear, triangular, square, or circular, among others. If more than one port is located on a device, these ports can be differentiated by differing colors and arrangements of emitters. In addition, various circuitries can be used to activate the emitters. These circuitries can include a coil and capacitor arrangement that provide a separate power source from that of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt Cantlon
  • Patent number: 7190989
    Abstract: A bio-probe having a base and a tip, and comprising a longitudinal core of substantially rigid material. On the core, there is a first layer of dielectric material, supported by and substantially circumferentially surrounding the core. Also, a set of conductors, each conductor extending longitudinally along the first layer of dielectric material and a second layer of dielectric material, substantially covering each of the set of conductors. For each of the conductors, an aperture is defined through the second layer of dielectric material to the conductor, thereby defining an electrode. In one preferred embodiment of this aspect, the first layer of insulative material is in the form of a tube and wherein the core is removable from the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Swanson, Norman M. Hill, Jerome J. Boogaard
  • Patent number: 7180760
    Abstract: Embodiments provide a capacitive voltage multiplier for efficiently producing multiples, including fractional multiples, of a power supply voltage use high, medium and low voltage field effect transistors for switching terminals of various capacitors into and out of connection with power supply or ground voltages in charge mode and with an output or other capacitor terminals for series connection in pump mode. A single non-overlapping clock is level-shifted up to the maximum voltage level required for switching to produce a desired output, then level shifted back down to lower levels with delay added as necessary according to embodiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Varrichio, Benjamin A. Tranchina
  • Publication number: 20060287686
    Abstract: A system, method, and implantable pulse generator (IPG) device that stores, on the implantable device, two or more treatment-protocol stimulus programs, each preferably having one or more stimsets, preferably as prescribed by a physician. The IPG communicates with an external patient programmer (EPP) to determine which of the stimulus programs should be run at any given time. Programs stored on the IPG are uploaded to the external device, and a selected program retransmitted (either the program itself, or selection information identifying the selected one of the IPG-stored programs) to the IPG for execution. An advanced programmer is used to read and write program instructions to the IPG. In this way, the patient is capable of carrying two or more program options with him, and if the patient uses an EPIPG, he can use any available EPP to power and operate the EPIPG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Applicant: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Cullen, John Erickson, Galen Smith
  • Patent number: 7150741
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a dose control module for manipulating the dosage of one or more pharmaceutical solutions emanating from an implantable drug infusion pump. The dose control module has a processor and other circuitry for manipulating flow valves and other dose manipulators. Effluent catheters from one or more implantable drug infusion pumps may be connected to the dose control module. The dose control module may direct the effluent pharmaceutical solution to one or more catheters. These catheters direct the pharmaceutical solutions to treatment locations. The invention is also directed to induction coil valves for use in or with the dose control module. The use of induction coils permits the dose control module to determine valve position and counteract large directional magnetic fields produced by MRIs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Erickson, Brian Blischak, Terry Daglow
  • Patent number: 7127297
    Abstract: An electronic stimulation system is used to control pain over multiple regions of a patient's body. The system has one or more percutaneous leads, each having multiple electrodes, implanted within the patient's epidural space parallel to the axis of the spinal cord. The leads are connected to either a totally implanted system or a radio frequency system. The system is able to treat pain over different regions of a patient's body by “simultaneously” stimulating the patient with at least three different stimulation settings. “Simultaneous” stimulation involves sequentially stimulating the patient with the multiple stimulation settings such that the patient receives the cumulative effect of each stimulation setting, while not perceiving the transition from one stimulation setting to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Law, William Borkan, Lance Ehren, George Van Campen, John Erickson
  • Patent number: 7107102
    Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy system includes a programmer and a stimulation system. The stimulation system is capable of storing multiple data sets, each data set effecting an independent therapy. The stimulation system includes a display mechanism that can display certain imagery to distinguish visually one therapy from another therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Daignault, Jr., Gerhard Deffner, Rob Egemo, John Erickson, Robert W. Fee
  • Publication number: 20060178718
    Abstract: An implantable stimulation system including epidural lead for spinal cord stimulation that includes a paddle having a curved proximal end and lateral winged tips and an array of electrodes coupled to conductors within a lead body. The conductors couple to a pulse generator or other stimulation device. The curved and winged paddle provides more complete electrical stimulation coverage to targeted human tissue by minimizing the potential gap between electrodes and targeted fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Applicant: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Jordan
  • Patent number: D543627
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Cullen, Robert E. Jones, Terry D. Daglow
  • Patent number: D543628
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Cullen, Robert E. Jones, Terry D. Daglow
  • Patent number: D543629
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Cullen, Robert E. Jones, Terry D. Daglow
  • Patent number: D543630
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Cullen, Robert E. Jones, Terry D. Daglow
  • Patent number: D543631
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick M. Cullen, Robert E. Jones, Terry D. Daglow