Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering vagus nerve stimulation and cardioversion/defibrillation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. The vagus nerve stimulation and cardioversion/defibrillation therapies may be provided using a single implantable pulse generator, which can coordinate delivery of the therapies to provide an acute vagus nerve stimulation therapy in advance of delivering cardioversion-defibrillation energy.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 25, 2017
Publication date:
January 18, 2018
Applicant:
Cyberonics, Inc.
Inventors:
Imad LIBBUS, Bruce H. KENKNIGHT, Badri AMURTHUR, Scott R. STUBBS
Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 25, 2017
Publication date:
January 11, 2018
Applicant:
Cyberonics, Inc.
Inventors:
Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Brian D. Kuhnley, Dale G. Suilmann, Bruce J. Persson, John P. Beck, Sidney Hauschild, Paula M. Kaplan, Adam K. Hoyhtya, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Robert E. Atkinson, Peter R. Eastwood, David R. Hillman
Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator-implemented method for managing tachyarrhythmias 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 of a patient's cervical vagus nerve. Operating modes of the pulse generator are stored. 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. A restorative dose of the electrical therapeutic stimulation is delivered to prevent initiation of or disrupt tachyarrhythmia through periodic electrical pulses delivered at higher intensity than the maintenance dose.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 18, 2017
Publication date:
January 4, 2018
Applicant:
CYBERONICS, INC.
Inventors:
Imad Libbus, Badri Amurthur, Bruce H. KenKnight
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:
Application
Filed:
September 11, 2017
Publication date:
December 28, 2017
Applicant:
Cyberonics, Inc.
Inventors:
Stephen Bolea, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, John Beck, Thomas Hoegh, Robert Atkinson, Sidney Hauschild
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:
May 19, 2017
Publication date:
November 9, 2017
Applicants:
CYBERONICS, INC., EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
Inventors:
Bruce H. KenKnight, Jeffrey L. Ardell, Imad Libbus, Badri Amurthur
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:
September 16, 2016
Date of Patent:
November 7, 2017
Assignees:
Cyberonics, Inc., East Tennessee State University
Inventors:
Imad Libbus, Badri Amurthur, Bruce H. KenKnight, Jeffrey L. Ardell
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.
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.
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 may be identified by monitoring a patient's response to incrementally increased intensity settings at a first frequency. If the incremental intensity increases do not result in the identification of the neural fulcrum zone, the frequency may be changed to provide finer resolution identification of the neural fulcrum zone.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 3, 2017
Publication date:
October 19, 2017
Applicants:
CYBERONICS, INC., EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
Inventors:
Bruce H. KenKnight, Imad Libbus, Badri Amurthur, Jeffrey L. Ardell
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:
May 3, 2017
Publication date:
October 19, 2017
Applicant:
CYBERONICS, INC.
Inventors:
Imad Libbus, Badri Amurthur, Bruce H. Kenknight
Abstract: A patient suffering from congestive heart failure is at increased risk of cardiac arrhythmogenesis during sleep, particularly if experiencing central sleep apnea as a co-morbidity. Low intensity peripheral neurostimulation therapies that target imbalance of the autonomic nervous system have been shown to improve clinical outcomes. Thus, bi-directional autonomic regulation therapy is delivered to the cervical vagus nerve at an intensity that is insufficient to elicit pathological or acute physiological side effects and without the requirement of an enabling physiological feature or triggering physiological marker. The patient's physiology is monitored to identify periods of sleep. In one embodiment, upon sensing a condition indicative of tachyarrhythmia following a period of bradycardia, as naturally occurs during sleep, an enhanced “boost” dose of bi-directional neural stimulation intended to “break” the tachyarrhythmic condition is delivered.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 3, 2017
Publication date:
October 19, 2017
Applicant:
Cyberonics, Inc.
Inventors:
Imad LIBBUS, Badri AMURTHUR, Bruce H. KENKNIGHT
Abstract: A patient advisory device (“PAD”) and its methods of use. The PAD may be configured to alert the patient about an estimated brain state of the patient. In preferred embodiments, the PAD is adapted to alert the patient of the patient's brain state, which corresponds to the patient's propensity of transitioning into an ictal brain state, e.g., having a seizure. Based on the specific type of alert, the patient will be made aware whether they are highly unlikely to have a seizure for a given period of time, an elevated propensity of having a seizure, a seizure is occurring or imminent, or the patient's brain state is unknown.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 28, 2008
Date of Patent:
October 17, 2017
Assignee:
CYBERONICS, INC.
Inventors:
Michael Bland, Kent W. Leyde, Neil G. McIlvaine, Shan Gaw, Peter Weiss, John F. Harris
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:
Grant
Filed:
August 12, 2016
Date of Patent:
October 17, 2017
Assignees:
CYBERONICS, INC., EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
Inventors:
Imad Libbus, Badri Amurthur, Bruce H. KenKnight, Jeffrey L. Ardell
Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering vagus nerve stimulation and cardioversion/defibrillation therapies to patients for treating chronic heart failure. The vagus nerve stimulation and cardioversion/defibrillation therapies may be provided using a single implantable pulse generator, which can coordinate delivery of the therapies to provide an acute vagus nerve stimulation therapy in advance of delivering cardioversion-defibrillation energy.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 12, 2014
Date of Patent:
September 26, 2017
Assignee:
CYBERONICS, INC.
Inventors:
Imad Libbus, Bruce H. KenKnight, Badri Amurthur, Scott R. Stubbs
Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator-implemented method for managing tachyarrhythmias 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 of a patient's cervical vagus nerve. Operating modes of the pulse generator are stored. 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. A restorative dose of the electrical therapeutic stimulation is delivered to prevent initiation of or disrupt tachyarrhythmia through periodic electrical pulses delivered at higher intensity than the maintenance dose.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 23, 2016
Date of Patent:
September 19, 2017
Assignee:
CYBERONICS, INC.
Inventors:
Imad Libbus, Badri Amurthur, Bruce H. KenKnight
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:
November 10, 2015
Date of Patent:
September 12, 2017
Assignee:
CYBERONICS, INC.
Inventors:
Stephen Bolea, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, John Beck, Thomas Hoegh, Robert Atkinson, Sidney Hauschild
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.
Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 30, 2009
Date of Patent:
August 29, 2017
Assignee:
CYBERONICS, INC.
Inventors:
Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Brian D. Kuhnley, Dale G. Suilmann, Bruce J. Persson, John P. Beck, Sidney F. Hauschild, Paula M. Kaplan, Adam K. Hoyhtya, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Robert E. Atkinson, Peter R. Eastwood, David R. Hillman
Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering vagus nerve stimulation and carotid baroreceptor stimulation to patients for treating chronic heart failure and hypertension. The vagus nerve stimulation and carotid baroreceptor stimulation therapies may be provided using a single implantable pulse generator, which can coordinate delivery of the therapies.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 12, 2014
Date of Patent:
August 22, 2017
Assignee:
CYBERONICS, INC.
Inventors:
Imad Libbus, Bruce H. KenKnight, Badri Amurthur
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 may be identified by monitoring a patient's response to incrementally increased intensity settings at a first frequency. If the incremental intensity increases do not result in the identification of the neural fulcrum zone, the frequency may be changed to provide finer resolution identification of the neural fulcrum zone.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 17, 2014
Date of Patent:
July 25, 2017
Assignees:
CYBERONICS, INC., EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
Inventors:
Bruce H. KenKnight, Imad Libbus, Badri Amurthur, Jeffrey L. Ardell