Patents Assigned to Cyberonics, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20140249602
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating the longevity of an implantable medical device (IMD). In one embodiment of a method for estimating a life of a power source of an implantable medical device, a first life estimate of the power source is determined based on a first open-loop value corresponding to an open-loop parameter for open-loop therapy delivery, a first closed loop value corresponding to a closed-loop parameter for closed-loop therapy delivery, and prior usage data corresponding to prior therapy delivery. The first life estimate of the power source is displayed. The first life estimate displayed includes a first open-loop portion associated with open-loop therapy delivery and a first closed-loop portion associated with closed-loop therapy delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: John C. COLBORN
  • Publication number: 20140228905
    Abstract: A method of treating a patient, comprising: sensing a biological parameter indicative of respiration; analyzing the biological parameter to identify a respiratory cycle; identifying an inspiratory phase of the respiratory cycle; and delivering stimulation to a hypoglossal nerve of the patient, wherein stimulation is delivered if a duration of the inspiratory phase of the respiratory cycle is greater than a predetermined portion of a duration of the entire respiratory cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen L. BOLEA
  • Publication number: 20140214132
    Abstract: A particular method of providing power to an implantable medical device includes providing a first signal to a primary coil that is inductively coupled to a secondary coil of an implantable medical device. The method also include determining a first alignment difference between a voltage corresponding to the first signal and at least one of a current corresponding to the first signal and a component voltage at a component of a primary coil circuit. The method further includes determining a frequency sweep range based on the first alignment difference. The method also includes performing a frequency sweep over the frequency sweep range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Himanshu JOSHI
  • Publication number: 20140206945
    Abstract: A method includes receiving sensor data at a processor from sensors of an external medical device. The sensor data corresponds to at least a first body parameter value for a patient and a second body parameter value for the patient. The method includes determining a first depression-indicative value based on the first body parameter value, a second depression-indicative value based on the second body parameter value, a depression detection value as a function of a first weight applied to the first depression-indicative value and a second weight applied to the second depression-indicative value, and a depression state based at least in part on a comparison of the depression detection value to one or more threshold values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Wangcai LIAO
  • Publication number: 20140203823
    Abstract: A method includes applying a signal to a primary coil of an external charging device. The signal causes the primary coil to inductively couple to a secondary coil of an implantable medical device that is implanted within tissue of a patient. The method also includes measuring a current at the primary coil. The method further includes estimating a depth of the implantable medical device within the tissue of the patient based on the measured current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Himanshu JOSHI
  • Publication number: 20140202905
    Abstract: A system includes a first sterile medical device container. The first sterile medical device container is transparent to radiofrequency (RF) signals in a particular frequency range. The system also includes a sterile medical device within the first sterile medical device container. The sterile medical device is capable of radiofrequency communication through the first sterile medical device container using the particular frequency range. The system further includes a second container fully enclosing the first sterile medical device container and the sterile medical device, the second container including RF shielding material that is substantially opaque to the RF signals in the particular frequency range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Anubhav H. KAMATH
  • Patent number: 8786624
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for improved processing for multi-channel signals. In an exemplary embodiment, an anomaly metric is computed for a multi-channel signal over a time window. The magnitude of the anomaly metric may be used to determine whether an anomaly is present in the multi-channel signal over the time window. In an exemplary embodiment, the anomaly metric may be a condition number associated with the singular values of the multi-channel signal over the time window, as further adjusted by the number of channels to produce a data condition number. Applications of the anomaly metric computation include the scrubbing of signal archives for epileptic seizure detection/prediction/counter-prediction algorithm training, pre-processing of multi-channel signals for real-time monitoring of bio-systems, and boot-up and/or adaptive self-checking of such systems during normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Javier Ramón Echauz, David E. Snyder, Kent W. Leyde
  • Publication number: 20140200638
    Abstract: A particular implantable device includes one or more electrode connectors and multiple circuit elements within a housing. The implantable medical device may also include one or more switches, where each switch of the one or more switches is coupled between one or more of the multiple circuit elements and at least one electrode connector of the one or more electrode connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Y. CHOW, David L. THOMPSON
  • Patent number: 8781597
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for modulating a patient's neurological disease state. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more sensors that sense at least one signal that comprise a characteristic that is indicative of a neurological disease state. A signal processing assembly is in communication with the one or more sensors and processes the at least one signal to estimate the neurological disease state and to generate a therapy to the patient that is based at least in part on the estimated neurological disease state. A treatment assembly is in communication with the signal processing assembly and delivers the therapy to a nervous system component of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel John DiLorenzo
  • Publication number: 20140188191
    Abstract: A system for providing electrical stimulation of cervical vagus nerves for treatment of chronic cardiac dysfunction with bounded titration is provided. The system includes a patient-operable external controller to transmit a plurality of unique signals. The system further includes an implantable neurostimulator, which includes a pulse generator to deliver electrical therapeutic stimulation tuned to restore autonomic balance through continuously-cycling, intermittent and periodic electrical pulses that result in creation and propagation (in both afferent and efferent directions) of action potentials within the cervical vagus nerve of a patient through a pair of helical electrodes via an electrically coupled nerve stimulation therapy lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Badri Amurthur, Bruce H. Kenknight
  • Patent number: 8768471
    Abstract: A method of treating a medical condition in a patient using an implantable medical device, comprising providing an electrical signal generator; providing at least a first electrode operatively coupled to the electrical signal generator and to a vagus nerve of the patient; sensing cardiac data of the patient; determining at least a first cardiac parameter based upon said cardiac data; setting at least a first value; declaring an unstable brain state of a patient from said at least a first cardiac parameter and said at least a first value; and adjusting the at least a first value. Also, a computer readable program storage device encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, performs the method. In addition, the implantable medical device used in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignees: Cyberonics, Inc., Flint Hills Scientific, LLC
    Inventors: John C. Colborn, Mark G. Frei, Ivan Osorio
  • Publication number: 20140180364
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for providing a stimulation signal comprising a variable ramping portion using an implantable medical device (IMD). The first electrical comprises a first ramping portion. The first ramping portion comprises a first parameter and having a first value. The first electrical signal is applied to a target location of the patient's body. A second electrical signal comprising a second ramping portion is generated. The second ramping portion comprises the first parameter having a second value that is different from the first value. The second electrical signal is applied to a target location of the patient's body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Randolph K. ARMSTRONG
  • Patent number: 8761885
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for estimating the remaining life of a battery in an implantable medical device (“IMD”) are disclosed herein. The terminal voltage of the battery is measured and the measurements create a baseline curve of the battery voltage depletion. The points along the baseline curve can be linearly extrapolated to calculate the voltage depletion rate, which can estimate the remaining life of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Saadat Hussain
  • Patent number: 8762065
    Abstract: A neurological control system for modulating activity of any component or structure comprising the entirety or portion of the nervous system, or any structure interfaced thereto, generally referred to herein as a “nervous system component.” The neurological control system generates neural modulation signals delivered to a nervous system component through one or more neuromodulators, comprising intracranial (IC) stimulating electrodes and other actuators, in accordance with treatment parameters. Such treatment parameters may be derived from a neural response to previously delivered neural modulation signals sensed by one or more sensors, each configured to sense a particular characteristic indicative of a neurological or psychiatric condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel John DiLorenzo
  • Patent number: 8761884
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating the longevity of an implantable medical device (IMD). In one embodiment of a method for estimating a life of a power source of an implantable medical device, a first life estimate of the power source is determined based on a first open-loop value corresponding to an open-loop parameter for open-loop therapy delivery, a first closed loop value corresponding to a closed-loop parameter for closed-loop therapy delivery, and prior usage data corresponding to prior therapy delivery. The first life estimate of the power source is displayed. The first life estimate displayed includes a first open-loop portion associated with open-loop therapy delivery and a first closed-loop portion associated with closed-loop therapy delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Colborn
  • Patent number: 8755869
    Abstract: Methods and systems for adjusting neighborhood widths of candidate heart beats, including being provided with a plurality of candidate heart beats, the candidate heart beats being associated with neighborhood widths in the time domain, and scaling the neighborhood widths, an amount of scaling being determined according to one or more previous heart rate statistics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jicong Zhang, Wangcai Liao
  • Publication number: 20140155949
    Abstract: A method for managing bradycardia through vagus nerve stimulation is provided. An implantable neurostimulator configured to deliver electrical therapeutic stimulation in both afferent and efferent directions of a patient's cervical vagus nerve is provided. An operating mode is stored, which includes parametrically defining a maintenance dose of the electrical therapeutic stimulation tuned to restore cardiac autonomic balance through continuously-cycling, intermittent and periodic electrical pulses. The maintenance dose is delivered via a pulse generator through a pair of helical electrodes via an electrically coupled nerve stimulation therapy lead independent of cardiac cycle. The patient's physiology is monitored, and upon sensing a condition indicative of bradycardia, the delivery of the maintenance dose is suspended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Badri Amurthur, Bruce H. KenKnight
  • Patent number: 8744589
    Abstract: A method of stimulating a nerve of a patient. The method may include positioning a first electrode set on a first portion of the nerve, wherein the first portion of the nerve innervates a first upper airway muscle of the patient. The method may include positioning a second electrode set on a second portion of the nerve, wherein the second portion of the nerve innervates a second upper airway muscle of the patient. The method may further include alternatively delivering an electrical stimulation to the first electrode set and to the second electrode set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Scott T. Mazar
  • Publication number: 20140135864
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator-implemented method for managing tachyarrhythmias upon a patient's awakening from sleep through vagus nerve stimulation is provided. An implantable neurostimulator, including a pulse generator, is configured to deliver electrical therapeutic stimulation in a manner that results in creation and propagation (in both afferent and efferent directions) of action potentials within neuronal fibers comprising the cervical vagus nerve of a patient. Operating modes of the pulse generator are stored. An enhanced dose of the electrical therapeutic stimulation is parametrically defined and tuned to prevent initiation of or disrupt tachyarrhythmia upon the patient's awakening from a sleep state through at least one of continuously-cycling, intermittent and periodic ON-OFF cycles of electrical pulses. Other operating modes, including a maintenance dose and a restorative dose are defined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Imad LIBBUS, Badri AMURTHUR, Bruce H. KENKNIGHT
  • Publication number: 20140135863
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator-implemented method for enhancing post-exercise recovery through vagus nerve stimulation is provided. An implantable neurostimulator, including a pulse generator configured to deliver electrical therapeutic stimulation in a manner that results in creation and propagation (in both afferent and efferent directions) of action potentials within neuronal fibers including a patient's cervical vagus nerve. An operating mode is stored in the pulse generator. An enhanced dose of the electrical therapeutic stimulation is parametrically defined and tuned to prevent or disrupt tachyarrhythmia through continuously-cycling, intermittent and periodic electrical pulses. The patient's physiological state is monitored during physical exercise via at least one sensor included in the implantable neurostimulator, and upon sensing a condition indicative of cessation of the physical exercise, the enhanced dose is delivered for a period of time the enhanced dose to the vagus nerve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Imad LIBBUS, Badri AMURTHUR, Bruce H. KENKNIGHT