Patents Assigned to Biotronik CRM Patent AG
  • Patent number: 8792970
    Abstract: A system which generates a warning signal in the event of looming pulmonary edema and/or looming decompensation. The system has an impedance detection unit for determining impedance values, which represent a transthoracic impedance course, and an impedance analysis unit (78), which is connected to the impedance detection unit. The impedance analysis unit (78) is implemented to determine the degree of modulation for a particular impedance course detected by the impedance detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: Olaf Skerl, Michael Lippert, Gerald Czygan, Stefan Paule
  • Patent number: 8781588
    Abstract: Device and method for detecting electromagnetic fields occurring in imaging magnetic resonance tomography MRT/MRI tests. Relates to an implantable medical device (IMD) comprising a hermetically sealed housing, control unit(s), detection unit(s) for MRT interference fields connected/connectable to control unit(s) and to electrode(s) and/or to antenna(s) and/or coil(s), wherein the MRT interference detection unit contains at least one electro-optical converter which converts induced voltages from the electrode(s) and/or the antenna(s) and/or the coil(s) to optical signals, which are optically transmitted in a potential-free manner within the detection unit for MRT interference fields to an evaluation unit for the detection unit for MRT interference fields, and when a threshold for the optical signal and/or a predetermined periodic occurrence of the optical signals is exceeded, the evaluation unit triggers switching to an MRI-safe state or transmits a corresponding signal to the control unit(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: Thomas Doerr, Ingo Weiss
  • Patent number: 8768430
    Abstract: Allows the specificity of an automatic MRT detection to be increased in a simple manner. This is achieved using an automatically calibrating position sensor, so that the user does not have to perform additional calibration of this sensor. Incorrect sensor calibrations are thus eliminated as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Biotronik CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: Thomas Doerr, Ingo Weiss
  • Patent number: 8731680
    Abstract: Therapeutic system with implantable therapeutic unit (ITU) comprising control unit (CU), memory, telemetry unit connected (in)directly to CU for wireless bidirectional transmission of data to/from external device (ED) and detection unit for detecting physiological patient data or operational data. CU triggers outgoing data transmission (DT) from ITU to ED based on preselected internal events and establishes standby mode for reception on part of telemetry unit for receiving beginning (header) of incoming DT from ED to therapeutic unit exclusively within preselected response time window after DT from ITU to ED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Biotronik CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: Joachim Reinke, Joern Bungartz, Volker Kukla, Tobias Rau
  • Patent number: 8721558
    Abstract: A device for the in vivo determination of the blood flow rate in a patient's blood vessel includes a microelectrode arrangement provided for placement in the blood vessel, an electrical power source which provides excitation energy having physiologically harmless parameters for obtaining a measured signal, a signal detector for detecting an electrical measured signal resulting from the blood flow in the presence of the excitation energy at measuring electrodes of the microelectrode arrangement, and a signal evaluation device, connected to the signal detector, for determining the blood flow rate on the basis of the measured signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: Gernot Kolberg, Klaus Bartels
  • Patent number: 8722248
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an active element for a battery whose material contains copper oxyphosphate and an additive improving the conductivity. The proportion of the additive improving the conductivity in the material is between 3 and 7 wt. %, preferably between approximately 3 wt. % and approximately 5 wt. %, and the proportion of the copper oxyphosphate in the material adds up to 100 wt. %. The invention additionally relates to a battery having an active element of this type as well as a method for producing an active element of this type and a battery of this type. The battery according to the invention is suitable in particular for use in medical implants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Biotronik CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: Juergen Drews, Tim Traulsen, Gerd Fehrmann, Thomas Hucke, Roland Staub
  • Patent number: 8717026
    Abstract: A magnetic field sensor device suitable for use in an implantable medical device (such as a pacemaker, cardioverter/defibrillator, or cardiac resynchronization therapy device) is able to detect magnetic fields, such as the fields generated by a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) device, over a wide measurement range and to discriminate between different field strengths. Multiple sensors provided within the magnetic field sensor device are optimally biased to provide a power saving solution which is accurate enough for medical devices applications. The output of the magnetic field sensor device can be used to switch the implantable medical device to different operational modes, e.g., between programmable and “MRI safe” modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: Ira Shankar, Ashok Nedungadi
  • Patent number: 8718751
    Abstract: A heart monitoring system comprises a ventricular sensing stage sensing excitation or contraction of ventricular myocardium, an activity sensor unit determining a signal reflecting a patient's physical activity, a ventricular impedance or conductance measuring module, said modules comprising a current source unit adapted to provide a sub-threshold excitation current to the myocardium and comprising an impedance or conductance measurement unit for measuring the resulting voltage on said electrode at the myocardium, a signal generator module, a filter module, a memory, a control unit adapted to derive single measures |?Z| of magnitude of impedance or conductance change over a preset sample time interval, determine the variability TARVI in the impedance or conductance change, compare this variability and the activity sensor output signal with a threshold and recent history, determine if sleep disturbed breathing (SDB) is present, and log the SDB episode in the memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: David F. Hastings, Xin Good, Hannes Kraetschmer, Dirk Muessig
  • Patent number: 8694101
    Abstract: An element (1) for mechanical and electrical coupling of a passive and/or active electrical unit (2) to an electrical circuit unit (3). The element (1) comprises at least one electrical contact element (10, 11) for electrical contacting of the passive and/or active electrical unit (2) with electrical circuit unit (3), a first side, which faces toward passive and/or active electrical unit (2), which comprises a second side (13), which faces toward electrical circuit unit (3), and at least one first means (14) for secure mechanical connection to the electrical circuit unit is attached fixed to second side (13). Also discloses an electromedical implant for stimulating human/animal organism and/or sensing human/animal physiological signals. Comprises at least one electrical circuit unit (3), at least one passive and/or active electrical unit (2), and at least one coupling element, to electrically and mechanically couple unit (2) and unit (3) together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Biotronik CRM Patent AG
    Inventor: Eric Austin
  • Patent number: 8682427
    Abstract: A single-chamber heart stimulator has an electrically conductive housing, first and second detection units, and a VT/SVT discrimination unit. The first detection unit is connected to an electrode pair of a ventricular electrode lead for obtaining a first electrocardiogram signal recorded in bipolar fashion, and is designed to sense and classify ventricular heartbeats. The second detection unit is connected on one side to an electrode of the ventricular electrode lead, and on the other side to the electrically conductive housing, for obtaining a second electrocardiogram signal containing signal features characteristic of atrial heartbeats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Biotronik CRM Patent AG
    Inventor: Thomas Doerr
  • Patent number: 8676352
    Abstract: A device for fastening permanently or temporarily implantable medical devices includes a main body (1) having a first end (1a) and a second end (1b), a flexible and extensible body section (2) therebetween, and a first inflexible and inextensible body support (3) which is fixedly attached to the body section (2) at the second end (1b) of the main body (1), whereby the extensible section (2) can be converted from an unextended state to an extended state in which it is lengthened in comparison with the unextended state. At least one first flexible finger-shaped anchor (4) protrudes away from the main body (1) and is attached to the first body support (3) at an anchor mount (4a). At least one first flexible retraction device (5) is provided for retraction of a respective first anchoring means (4), wherein the retraction device (5) is connected to the body section (2) and to the anchor (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Biotronik CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Geistert, Ulrich Franke
  • Patent number: 8676327
    Abstract: Neurostimulator (20) comprising a signal generator (40) for generating stimulation pulses, connected or connectable to at least one electrode (10) implantable in the brain of a patient, comprising a signal generator control unit (36) connected to the signal generator (40) and designed to control the delivery of stimulation pulses and to make adjustments in signal generator settings as needed, comprising a device connected to the signal generator control unit (36) for determination and analysis of the heart rate of a patient (30, 32, 34), characterized in that the signal generator control unit (36) is designed to check on the health status of a patient and/or the success of a treatment using at least one heart-rate-dependent characteristic quantity determined by the device for determination and analysis of the heart rate (30, 32, 34) and to make an adjustment in the signal generator settings if necessary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Biotronik CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: Thomas Doerr, Ingo Weiss, Andreas Neumann
  • Patent number: 8676321
    Abstract: A medical implant includes a hermetically sealed hollow housing having a hermetically sealed feedthrough suitable for conducting electrical signals to and from the hollow housing without impairing the hermetic seal thereof. The hollow housing includes a circuit suitable for measuring signals from the human body, sending signals to the human body, and transmitting signals to a receiver located outside the body. The implant also includes a connection housing having an insulating connection body, an externally accessible cavity for connecting an implantable electrode line, an insulating substrate having at least one electrically conductive strip conductor structure, and contacts that are securely electrically connected to a strip conductor structure present in or on the substrate material. The substrate may be embedded in the connection body in such a way that the contacts are present in the externally accessible cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: Jan Litzke, Joerg John von Freyend
  • Patent number: 8660661
    Abstract: The invention concerns an implantable electrode which includes at least one electrical conductor having a proximal connecting region for a pulse generator and at least one working electrode which can be connected to the pulse generator by way of the conductor. The implantable electrode includes at least one portion which contains elementary magnesium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Biotronik CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Geistert, Marc Kuttler
  • Patent number: 8655447
    Abstract: The invention consists of a system for remote programming of an implantable medical device such as a heart pacemaker, defibrillator or the like, wherein the system includes a programmable personal device (e.g., an implant) and a service center. The service center has a programming monitoring unit which determines a programming time endpoint which depends on the point in time at which a programming order was sent to the implant, and which cancels or deletes the programming order if the service center has not received a programming confirmation confirming successful receipt, execution, and/or forwarding of the programming order by the implant by the programming time endpoint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Biotronik CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: Volker Kukla, Joachim Reinke, Nicole Depping
  • Patent number: 8649867
    Abstract: A patient device (10) having a first interface (20) for the wireless transmission of data from and to an implant and having a second interface (22) for the remote data communication with a central service center and having a third interface (24) different from the first and second interfaces, the third interface (24) being implemented for connecting a programming device to the patient device (10) and the patient device (10) being implemented to relay programming data received via the third interface (24) on the part of a programming device to the first interface (20) and wirelessly transmit it to an implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Biotronik CRM Patent AG
    Inventor: Martin Lang
  • Patent number: 8649864
    Abstract: An implantable medical device that continuously measures the patient's intracardiac ventricular impedance. Extracts cardiac performance information based on the intracardiac impedance, including amplitude, timing and variability of cardiac contraction function. The device records and analysis trends in the performance information. The device identifies changes, which exceed the selected threshold limits. In the event of an incipient crisis, the device transmits an alert message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Biotronik CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: David F. Hastings, Xin Good, Volker Lang
  • Patent number: 8649877
    Abstract: A device and a method for working in the presence of electromagnetic fields, in particular fields occurring in cautery applications. Also relates to a partially implanted medical device (IMD), having a unit for detecting electromagnetic interference fields, at least one control unit, a timer, and a detection unit for electrical measured variables and/or a stimulation unit, at least one electrode line having an electrode at one end which is brought into contact with bodily tissue, and which either extends inside the body and/or is situated on the surface of an implant, wherein when nonphysiological signals and/or electromagnetic interference fields are detected and the unit for electromagnetic interference fields evaluates the detected signals as nonphysiological signals for a first specifiable time period, and/or for a second specified time period the stimulation unit is placed in an asynchronous operating state in which the wearer of the IMD is asynchronously stimulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Biotronik CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: Thomas Doerr, Ingo Weiss
  • Patent number: 8644920
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device and a method for detecting electromagnetic fields, in particular fields occurring in imaging magnetic resonance tomography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Biotronik CRM Patent AG
    Inventor: Thomas Doerr
  • Patent number: 8644956
    Abstract: Implantable shock electrode line having a proximal end for connection to an implantable device which generates shock pulses, and a distal segment which has a shock electrode, wherein an area ratio of the shock electrode area to the surface area of the shock electrode line is not constant over the longitudinal extent of the shock electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Biotronik CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: Gernot Kolberg, Klaus Bartels, Thomas Guenther