Patents Assigned to Cyberonics, Inc.
  • Patent number: 9289595
    Abstract: A wire and electrode combination suitable for use with implanted medical devices, and a method for coupling the wire and electrode to achieve a robust electrical connection suitable for use with such medical devices are disclosed. The apparatus employs a wire that is optimized for strength, an electrode optimized for biocompatibility, and a termination sleeve with a closed distal end for coupling the wire to the electrode, while eliminating the potential for galvanic corrosion, enhancing weld quality, and facilitating manufacture of the apparatus. The method involves compressing the sleeve to engage the wire at two locations, where contact between the sleeve and wire at the first location seals the interior of the sleeve, and contact between the sleeve and wire at the second location electrically couples the wire to the sleeve. The sleeve, which is easier to manipulate than the wire, is then spot welded to the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Jared Floyd, Christopher Genau, Kent W. Leyde
  • Patent number: 9272143
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignees: CYBERONICS, INC., East Tennessee State University
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Badri Amurthur, Bruce H. KenKnight, Jeffrey L. Ardell
  • Patent number: 9265958
    Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a case having a conductive housing defining an opening. A dielectric material is coupled to the conductive housing to hermetically seal the opening. An antenna is within the case under the dielectric material. A header block is coupled to the case over the dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Himanshu Joshi, Eric Y. Chow, Clint Warren
  • Patent number: 9270011
    Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a housing. An opening is present in the housing. The implantable medical device includes communication circuitry in the housing. The implantable medical device includes a cover coupled to edges of the housing defining the opening to substantially close the opening. The implantable medical device also includes an antenna coupled to the cover. The antenna is electrically coupled to the communication circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Himanshu Joshi
  • Patent number: 9259591
    Abstract: An implantable medical device having a concave ceramic housing component; a concave metal housing component attached to the ceramic housing component to form a hermetically sealed enclosure; and an electronic trans-housing magnetic flux component disposed within the enclosure. Another aspect of the invention provides an implantable medical device having a ceramic housing component; a metal housing component; a circumferential sealing member attached to a periphery of the ceramic housing component and to a periphery of the metal housing component to form a hermetically sealed enclosure; and an electronic trans-housing magnetic flux component disposed within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: David Brown, Christopher Genau, Kent W. Leyde, Shan Gaw, Jeffrey Stewart
  • Patent number: 9259582
    Abstract: An implantable medical device may include a case which houses components of the implantable medical device. The implantable medical device may include an inductive coil coupled to a rechargeable battery. The inductive coil may be operative to inductively couple to an external coil and to transfer energy from the external coil to the rechargeable battery to recharge the rechargeable battery. The implantable medical device may include a cutout formed in the case of the implantable medical device and filled with a dielectric material. The cutout may be operative to reduce eddy currents in the case during recharge of the rechargeable battery. The implantable medical device may include a slot antenna disposed within the case. The slot antenna may be operative to communicate with an external device through the cutout in the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Himanshu Joshi, David L. Thompson, Jared Brandon Floyd, Eric Y. Chow, Jonathan D. Rowell
  • Patent number: 9241673
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for validating locational data for a monitoring device. The external monitoring device located on a patient may include one or more processors, one or more memory devices, one or more power devices, one or more heart rate detection devices, and one or more heart sound detection devices. Further, the method may include determining a plurality of status of an external monitoring device located on a patient via one or more processors based on obtained heart rate data and obtained heart sound data. The external monitoring device state may be generated via a validation module based on the heart rate data and the heart sound data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Shivkumar Sabesan, Gerrard M. Carlson
  • Patent number: 9242110
    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: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: John C. Colborn
  • Patent number: 9241647
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting the seizure in a patient using a medical device. The determination is performed by collecting cardiac data determining valid heart beats suitable for seizure detection from the cardiac data; calculating heart rate data of interest from the valid heart beats; and identifying a seizure event from the heart rate data. The medical device may then take a responsive action, such as warning, logging the time of the seizure, computing and storing one or more seizure severity indices, and/or treating the seizure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Ivan Osorio, Mark G. Frei
  • Patent number: 9240630
    Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a housing. An opening is present in the housing. The implantable medical device includes an antenna in the housing, where the antenna is located below the opening. The implantable medical device includes a cover coupled to edges of the housing defining the opening to close the opening. The cover enables passage of radio frequency signals at one or more communication frequencies to and from the antenna. The implantable medical device also includes an antenna shield positioned above the cover. The antenna shield reduces passage of radio frequency signals to and from at least a portion of the antenna during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Himanshu Joshi
  • Patent number: 9225194
    Abstract: An implantable medical device charging apparatus includes a charging circuit. The charging circuit includes a series resonator responsive to a signal applied to the charging circuit. During operation, the series resonator inductively couples to a secondary coil within an implantable medical device to transfer energy to the secondary coil. The charging circuit also includes a parallel resonator coupled to the series resonator. The parallel resonator filters a first component of the signal from propagating to the series resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Himanshu Joshi
  • Patent number: 9220910
    Abstract: A seizure detection device includes a coordinate data interface configured to receive coordinate data for a human, a memory to store coordinate data for a defined location of the human, and a seizure detector configured to identify a seizure event responsive to the coordinate data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: John C. Colborn
  • Patent number: 9205262
    Abstract: Devices and methods for improving the coupling between the soft palate and the genioglossus. This may be accomplished, for example, but shortening or stiffening the palatoglossal arch. Improved coupling between the soft palate and the genioglossus may be beneficial to a patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as a stand-alone procedure, or in combination procedures and devices that cause anterior displacement of the tongue such as hypoglossal nerve stimulation, genioglossus advancement surgery, mandibular advancement surgery, mandibular advancement (oral) appliances, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Bolea, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, John Beck, Thomas Hoegh, Robert Atkinson, Sidney Hauschild
  • Publication number: 20150335899
    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: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: John C. COLBORN
  • Patent number: 9186511
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Stephen L. Bolea
  • Publication number: 20150306392
    Abstract: A method includes determining sleep cycle information related to a sleep cycle of a patient based on body parameter data. The method also includes adjusting a cranial nerve stimulation parameter based on the sleep cycle information. The method further includes applying a cranial nerve stimulation therapy to treat depression based on the adjusted cranial nerve stimulation parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Shivkumar SABESAN
  • Publication number: 20150305666
    Abstract: A method includes receiving heartbeat data of a patient and receiving activity data of the patient. The activity data includes one or more activity values that are related to an activity level of the patient and that are measured independently of the heartbeat data. The method further includes determining a value of a weighting factor based on the activity data. The method also includes determining modified heartbeat data by applying the weighting factor to at least a portion of the heartbeat data. The method also includes detecting a seizure event based on the modified heartbeat data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Shivkumar SABESAN
  • Patent number: 9126054
    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: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: John C. Colborn
  • Publication number: 20150238761
    Abstract: A method includes determining sleep cycle information related to a sleep cycle of a patient based on body parameter data. The method also includes adjusting a cranial nerve stimulation parameter based on the sleep cycle information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Shivkumar SABESAN
  • Patent number: 9113801
    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 to control neurological state and prevent neurological signs and symptoms. 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: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel John DiLorenzo