Patents Assigned to Cyberonics, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20170001012
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. A neural fulcrum zone is identified and ongoing neurostimulation therapy is delivered within the neural fulcrum zone. The implanted stimulation device includes a physiological sensor for monitoring the patient's response to the neurostimulation therapy on an ambulatory basis over extended periods of time and a control system for adjusting stimulation parameters to maintain stimulation in the neural fulcrum zone based on detected changes in the physiological response to stimulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Applicants: CYBERONICS, INC., East Tennessee State University
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Badri Amurthur, Bruce H. KenKnight, Jeffrey L. Ardell
  • Patent number: 9537344
    Abstract: A method and system for management of thermal energy produced during transcutaneous energy transmission to provide power to energize implanted medical devices. A phase changing material (PCM) acts as a heat sink to absorb thermal energy generated during the energy transfer process. The PCM can be thermally coupled to tissue proximate to an implanted medical device, enabling heat generated within the implantable device to be absorbed. The generation of heat during the energy transfer process is primarily caused by eddy currents induced in the implantable device by the magnetic flux produced by the energy transfer system. The PCM can also be used to absorb heat generated by the device producing the magnetic flux that is used to transcutaneously transfer electrical power to recharge a rechargeable power source or energize the implanted medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: David L. Thompson, Jeffrey B. Stewart, Shan E. Gaw, John E. Rodriguez, Charles A. Ritrivi, Rajesh Ramesh, Eric M. Lewis
  • Patent number: 9533153
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. A titration process is used to gradually increase the stimulation intensity to a desired therapeutic level. This titration process can minimize the amount of time required to complete titration so as to begin delivery of the stimulation at therapeutically desirable levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Bruce H. KenKnight, Badri Amurthur
  • Publication number: 20160375245
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for quantifying the quality of a fiducial time marker for a candidate heart beat, quantifying the quality of a candidate heart beat, or determining a time of beat sequence of the patient's heart. A fiducial time marker is obtained for a candidate heart beat. A quality index of said candidate heart beat is set to a first value. The candidate heart beat is tested with at least one beat validity test. At least a second value is added to said quality index of said candidate heart beat if said candidate heart beat passes said at least one beat validity test. The candidate heart beat is tested with at least a second heart beat validity test. At least a third value is added to said quality index of said candidate heart beat if said candidate heart beat passes said at least second heart beat validity test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark G. Frei, Ivan Osorio
  • Patent number: 9526898
    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 recordable memory storing an autotitration operating mode that includes a maximum stimulation intensity and is configured to increase an intensity of the delivered electrical therapeutic stimulation up to a level not exceeding the maximum stimulation intensity upon receipt of one of the unique signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Badri Amurthur, Bruce H. KenKnight
  • Patent number: 9531195
    Abstract: A case for an implantable medical device includes a metal case portion, having an inside and an outside, configured to attach to at least one other case portion to define a biocompatible case for the implantable medical device. The metal case portion has a plurality of grooves disposed on at least one of the inside and the outside, the grooves being oriented substantially perpendicular to an expected direction of eddy currents produced by an inductive recharging coil in proximity thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: David L. Thompson, Jianxiang Shen, Anthony W. Cowley, Saadat Hussain, Eric Y. Chow, Jared B. Floyd, James L. Flesher
  • Patent number: 9522282
    Abstract: A system includes a first implantable medical device configured to receive a first far field radiative signal at a first frequency from an external transmitter to charge a first charge storage device. The first implantable medical device includes a first therapy delivery unit powered by the first charge storage device. The first therapy delivery unit delivers a first therapy to a first target tissue of a patient. The system also includes a second implantable medical device configured to receive a second far field radiative signal at a second frequency from the external transmitter to charge a second charge storage device. The second implantable medical device includes a second therapy delivery unit powered by the second charge storage device. The second therapy delivery unit delivers a second therapy to a second target tissue of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Y. Chow, Jonathan D. Rowell
  • Patent number: 9511228
    Abstract: A method for managing hypertension through renal nerve denervation and vagus nerve stimulation is provided. Renal nerves are disrupted to inhibit a sympathetic nervous system. Thereafter, 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 of a patient's cervical vagus nerve. A maintenance dose of the electrical therapeutic stimulation is delivered to the vagus nerve via the pulse generator to restore cardiac autonomic balance through continuously-cycling, intermittent and periodic electrical pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Badri Amurthur, Imad Libbus, Bruce H. KenKnight
  • Publication number: 20160346549
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. A neural fulcrum zone is identified and ongoing neurostimulation therapy is delivered within the neural fulcrum zone. The implanted stimulation device includes a physiological sensor for recording the patient's response to the neurostimulation therapy on an ambulatory basis over extended periods of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicants: CYBERONICS, INC., EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Badri Amurthur, Bruce H. KenKnight, Jeffrey L. Ardell
  • Patent number: 9504832
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients. A titration process is used to gradually increase the stimulation intensity to a desired therapeutic level. Between titration sessions one or more parameters, such as, for example, an acclimation interval, may be adjusted based on the patient's response to the stimulation. This personalized titration process can minimize the amount of time required to complete titration so as to begin delivery of the stimulation at therapeutically desirable levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Bruce H. KenKnight, Badri Amurthur, Scott R. Stubbs
  • Publication number: 20160339252
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering neurostimulation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. A neural fulcrum zone is identified and ongoing neurostimulation therapy is delivered within the neural fulcrum zone. This neural fulcrum zone corresponds to a combination of stimulation parameters at which autonomic engagement is achieved, while the tachycardia-inducing stimulation effects are offset by the bradycardia-inducing effects, thereby minimizing side effects such as significant heart rate changes while providing a therapeutic level of stimulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicants: CYBERONICS, INC., EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Bruce H. KenKnight, Jeffrey L. Ardell, Imad Libbus, Badri Amurthur
  • Patent number: 9498162
    Abstract: Methods and systems for characterizing a seizure event in a patient, including determining a time of beat sequence of the patient's heart, determining a first HR measure for a first window, determining a second HR measure for a second window, wherein at least a portion of the first window occurs after the second window, determining at least one HR parameter based upon said first HR measure and said second HR measure, identifying an onset of the seizure event in response to determining that at least one HR parameter crosses an onset threshold, identifying an end of the seizure event in response to determining that at least one HR parameter crosses an offset threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Wangcai Liao, Jicong Zhang
  • Publication number: 20160331982
    Abstract: A particular implantable device may include one or more antennas configured to receive a first far field radiative signal and a second far field radiative signal. The one or more antennas may be configured to receive the first far field radiative signal in a first frequency band and to receive the second far field radiative signal in a second frequency band. The implantable device may include a voltage rectifier configured to rectify the received first far field radiative signal and the received second far field radiative signal to provide a rectified voltage signal. The implantable device may further include a charge storage element operative to receive the rectified voltage signal and to store charge responsive to the rectified voltage signal. The implantable device may also include a therapy delivery unit powered by the charge storage element. The therapy delivery unit may be operative to deliver a therapy to a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Y. CHOW, Jonathan D. ROWELL
  • Patent number: 9492678
    Abstract: A particular implantable device may include an antenna configured to receive a far field radiative signal. The implantable device may also include a voltage rectifier configured to rectify the far field radiative signal received by the antenna to provide a rectified voltage signal. The implantable device may further include a charge storage element operative to receive the rectified voltage signal and to store charge responsive to the rectified voltage signal. The implantable device may also include a therapy delivery unit powered by the charge storage element. The therapy delivery unit is operative to deliver a therapy to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Eric Y. Chow
  • Patent number: 9492656
    Abstract: A particular implantable device may include an antenna configured to receive a far field radiative signal. The implantable device may also include a voltage rectifier configured to rectify the far field radiative signal received by the antenna to provide a rectified voltage signal. The implantable device may further include a charge storage element operative to receive the rectified voltage signal and to store charge responsive to the rectified voltage signal. The implantable device may also include a stimulation module powered by the charge storage element. The stimulation module may be operative to generate an electrical stimulation signal to stimulate a target nerve of a patient. The implantable medical device may further include a nerve wrap configured to house the voltage rectifier, the charge storage element, and the stimulation module. The nerve wrap may include one or more electrodes operative to deliver the electrical stimulation signal to the target nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Y. Chow, Milton M. Morris, David L. Thompson
  • Publication number: 20160325099
    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: July 18, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Badri Amurthur, Bruce H. KenKnight
  • Patent number: 9480845
    Abstract: A wearable medical device system having an external, necklace-shaped antenna that is sized and configured for placement about the neck of a subject, and having an implantable device with an implanted antenna that communicates with the external antenna to permit the transfer of energy and data between external and implantable components. The wearable medical device includes a control module that communicates with the implanted device via the external antenna. The implantable device includes an electrode configured to provide stimulation to a nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: John F. Harris, Kent W. Leyde
  • Publication number: 20160310729
    Abstract: According to aspects of the present disclosure, an implantable electrical system may include an implantable pulse generator with a bore sized to receive an electrical lead, with an engagement mechanism that does not require the use of set screws to secure the lead within the bore. The engagement mechanism may include a deformable component that may be moved or deformed to allow entry of the lead into the bore, and then moved or deformed again to engage a surface of the lead to secure the lead within the bore. The engagement mechanism may allow rotation of the lead within the bore while maintaining electrical connections between the generator and the lead. The engagement mechanism may also allow the securing and/or release of the lead relative to the bore without the need to manipulate a set screw or breach a seal of the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Rajesh RAMESH, David L. THOMPSON, Steven W. ALLIS
  • Patent number: 9469437
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Anubhav H. Kamath
  • Patent number: 9468761
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for quantifying the quality of a fiducial time marker for a candidate heart beat, quantifying the quality of a candidate heart beat, or determining a time of beat sequence of the patient's heart. A fiducial time marker is obtained for a candidate heart beat. A quality index of said candidate heart beat is set to a first value. The candidate heart beat is tested with at least one beat validity test. At least a second value is added to said quality index of said candidate heart beat if said candidate heart beat passes said at least one beat validity test. The candidate heart beat is tested with at least a second heart beat validity test. At least a third value is added to said quality index of said candidate heart beat if said candidate heart beat passes said at least second heart beat validity test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Mark G Frei, Ivan Osorio