Patents Assigned to Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20060170486
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide voltage conversion in increments less than integer multiples of a power supply (e.g., battery) voltage. A representative embodiment provides power supply voltage multipliers in a binary ladder distribution to provide a desired number of output voltage steps using a relatively uncomplicated circuit design. By using different sources in various combinations and/or by “stacking” different sources in various ways, the voltage multiplier circuit may be used to provide desired voltages. In order to minimize the number of components used in a voltage converter of an embodiment, a capacitive voltage converter circuit uses one or more storage capacitors in place of pump capacitors in a voltage generation cycle. Also, certain embodiments do not operate to generate an output voltage until the time that voltage is needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Applicant: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Tranchina, John Erickson, Anthony Varrichio
  • Patent number: 7073255
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ribbon cable, comprising providing a set of insulated wires and aligning said insulated wires in a predetermined arrangement. The insulated wires are warmed sufficiently for said insulation to be become soft and adhesive, are pressed together so that they adhere to one another and allowed to cool, to form a ribbon cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Swanson, James Pylant, Ky Huynh
  • Patent number: 7069083
    Abstract: A method for electrically stimulating an area in a spinal disc is presented. The method comprises implanting a lead with one or more electrodes in a placement site in or adjacent to one or more discs at any spinal level from cervical through lumbar, connecting the lead to a signal generator, and generating electrical stimulation pulses using the generator to stimulate targeted portions of the disc. Additionally, a system for relieving pain associated with a spinal disc is presented that comprises a lead with one or more electrodes, an introducer for introducing the lead to a placement site in or adjacent to the disc, a removable stylet for guiding the lead to the placement site in the disc, and a generator connected to the lead for generating electrical pulses to the lead for stimulating the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip M. Finch, Scott F. Drees, John Erickson
  • Patent number: 7047627
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method, for fabricating an implantable apparatus for delivering electrical stimulation from a pulse generator, comprises: providing a plurality of conductors, wherein at least one of the plurality of conductors passes through at least one interior passage of a body, wherein the body is formed of a first insulative material having prescribed mechanical properties; coupling at least one terminal to each conductor of the plurality of conductors, the terminals being adapted to receive electrical signals from the pulse generator, wherein adjacent terminals are separated by a second insulative material with prescribed mechanical properties that are consistent with the first insulative material; and over-molding a region of the apparatus containing the terminals with a third insulative material with prescribed mechanical properties that are consistent with the material of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Damon Ray Black, Terry Daglow, John Erickson, Robert Earl Jones, B. Reno Lauro
  • Patent number: 7047079
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stimulation device with power conservation functionality. In implantable devices, power supplies may be limited. Replenishing these power supplies may require costly surgery or periodic recharging depending on the model. A method may be implemented that skips or drops periodic pulses without apparently changing the frequency of the pulses. In this manner, the dropped pulses may be undetected by the patient. On the other hand, the dropped pulse represents power savings. Dropping one in ten pulses may lead to a 10% energy savings. The stimulation device may implement the method with one or more counters implemented in hardware or software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John Erickson
  • Patent number: 7047084
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for making such apparatus for providing controlled and directional stimulation patterns for tissue stimulation. The apparatus may be useful in stimulation nervous tissue in the brain, about the spinal cord, on nerve roots, about peripheral nerves, and in muscles, among others. The apparatus includes a implantable pulse generator connected to a lead. The lead has electrodes placed about a perimeter. In addition, the lead may include electrodes placed longitudinally along the axis of the lead. By applying charge differences between circumferentially distributed electrodes, a smaller stimulation field may be established. In addition, by stimulating between electrodes distributed longitudinally on the same side, a directional flow field may be established. Such leads are especially useful in deep brain stimulation as the region in which a stimulation field is strong enough to produce tissue stimulation is directional and minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Erickson, Terry D. Daglow
  • Patent number: 7028387
    Abstract: A method of producing a miniaturized set of inductive coils set mutually orthogonally inside a tube. In the method a positional template made of a sheet of substantially rigid material that defines a set of guide apertures, each of which is in the shape of one of the set of inductive coils. The guide apertures are disposed so that when an inductive coil is fitted into each one of the guide apertures the coils will be substantially orthogonal to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Ky Huynh, Jerome J. Boogaard
  • Publication number: 20060074456
    Abstract: The present invention involves a method and a system for using electrical stimulation to treat gastrointestinal and/or eating disorders. More particularly, the method comprises surgically implanting an electrical stimulation lead that is in communication with predetermined thoracic vertebral segments to cause spinal nervous tissue stimulation, thus treating a wide variety of gastrointestinal disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2005
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Applicant: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Pyles, Rohan Hoare
  • Publication number: 20060069415
    Abstract: According to one aspect, an electrical stimulation system provides modified neuroplasticity effects in a person's nerve tissue. The system includes an electrical stimulation lead adapted for implantation into the person's body for electrical stimulation of target nerve tissue. The stimulation lead includes one or more electrodes adapted to be positioned proximate the target nerve tissue and to deliver electrical stimulation pulses to the target nerve tissue. The system also includes a stimulation source connectable to the stimulation lead and operable to generate the electrical stimulation pulses for transmission to the one or more electrodes of the stimulation lead to cause the one or more electrodes to deliver the electrical stimulation pulses to the target nerve tissue to modify neuroplasticity effects in the target nerve tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Publication date: March 30, 2006
    Applicant: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Tracy Cameron, Christopher Chavez
  • Patent number: 6999820
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Jordan
  • Publication number: 20060030204
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide a header assembly for interfacing a medical device with a lead, wherein the header assembly includes a strain relief portion integral thereto. The strain relief portion may be adapted to facilitate a user visually verifying when a lead has been fully inserted into the header. Structure, such as a band or ring, may be provided upon the strain relief portion in order to provide a readily identifiable visual aid for determining when a lead is fully inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Applicant: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Jones, Patrick Cullen, Terry Daglow
  • Patent number: 6981314
    Abstract: An implantable, substantially isodiametric, low resistance implantable lead having at least one electrode positioned in a stimulation/sensing portion of the lead as well as a method of manufacturing the same. At least the stimulation/sensing portion is unitized through partially surrounding and supporting insulation and conductive element(s) of the stimulation/sensing portion with a fused matrix of material having mechanical properties consistent with a body of the lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Damon Ray Black, Terry Daglow, John Erickson, Robert Earl Jones, B. Reno Lauro
  • Publication number: 20050283210
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide management of historical information associated with a medical device, such as an implantable neurostimulation pulse generator, drug pump, cardiac device, hearing enhancement device, or vision enhancement device. Such management of historical information includes storage of historical information within an associated medical device. Historical information stored within a medical device may provide a complete summary of the use, configuration, and operation of the medical device, e.g., information spanning the entire in-service life of the medical device. Historical information for which management is provided may include both static data and dynamic data. The historical information may be used in configuring the medical device, analyzing the operation of the medical device, autonomously altering operation of the medical device, etcetera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Applicant: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Blischak, Roger Hill, Robert McCormick
  • Patent number: 6978180
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a neurological stimulation system is adapted for implantation into a person's body for electrical, chemical, or combined electrical and chemical stimulation of target nerve tissue in the person's brain stem. For electrical stimulation, the system includes an electrical stimulation lead adapted for implantation on, in, or near the brain stem, and including electrodes adapted to be positioned on, in, or near target nerve tissue in the brain stem, for delivering electrical stimulation energy to the target nerve tissue. For chemical stimulation, the system includes an infusion catheter adapted for implantation on, in, or near the brain stem, and including openings adapted to be positioned on, in, or near target nerve tissue in the brain stem, for delivering a chemical to the target nerve tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles H. Tadlock
  • Patent number: 6973342
    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: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Swanson
  • Patent number: D523011
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Jones, Patrick Cullen
  • Patent number: D523557
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Jones, Robert E. Jones, John C. Munson, Jr., Damon Black
  • Patent number: D525708
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy S. Jones, Terry Daglow