Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques for analyzing video information to objectively identify patient behavior are disclosed. A system may analyze obtained video information of patient motion during a period of time to track one or more anatomical regions through a plurality of frames of the video information and calculate one or more movement parameters of the one or more anatomical regions. The system may also compare the one or more movement parameters to respective criteria for each of a plurality of predetermined patient behaviors and identify the patient behaviors that occurred during the period of time. In some examples, a device may control therapy delivery according to the identified patient behaviors and/or sensed parameters previously calibrated based on the identified patient behaviors.
Type:
Application
Filed:
December 12, 2013
Publication date:
December 18, 2014
Applicant:
Medtronic, Inc.
Inventors:
Jianping Wu, Dwight E. Nelson, Chih Lai, Xuan Wei, Steven R. Christenson
Abstract: An implantable medical device and associated methods monitor thoracic fluid status and discriminate thoracic fluid conditions. Intrathoracic impedance is measured along multiple intrathoracic measurement vectors using implanted electrodes. A map of thoracic conductivity is computed using the measured intrathoracic impedances. A thoracic fluid condition is detected in response to the computed map.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 30, 2008
Date of Patent:
December 16, 2014
Assignee:
Medtronic, Inc.
Inventors:
Douglas A. Hettrick, Shantanu Sarkar, Todd M. Zielinksi, Kevin P. Knox
Abstract: Devices and methods provide accurate targeting, placement, and/or stabilization of an electrode or other instrument(s) into the brain or other body organ, such as to treat severe tremor or other neurological disorders. Targeting is performed using any form of image-guidance, including real-time MRI, CT, or frameless surgical navigation systems.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 7, 2010
Date of Patent:
December 16, 2014
Assignees:
Medtronic, Inc., Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Inventors:
James G. Skakoon, Robert Wharen, Matthew S. Solar, Kari Parmer, Rudy A. Mazzocchi, John David, Frank Murdock, David Hatcher, Thomas I. Miller, Timothy Alan Parmer, Charles L. Truwit
Abstract: Bioelectrical brain signals may be monitored at one more regions of the brain of a patient by a medical device. The monitored bioelectrical signals may be used to select one or more therapy cycle parameters, e.g., on cycle duration and/or off cycle duration, for therapy delivered to treat a patient disorder. In one example, the off cycle duration of a therapy may be selected based on the washout period determined from sensed brain signals of the patient following delivery of therapy during an on cycle. In another example, the on cycle duration and/or off cycle duration of a therapy may be selected to maintain the value of one or more characteristics of a brain signal (e.g., cortical activity) of patient within a threshold range of a target value defined for the characteristic that is associated with effective treatment of the patient disorder.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 26, 2010
Date of Patent:
December 16, 2014
Assignee:
Medtronic, Inc.
Inventors:
Jonathon E. Giftakis, Paul H. Stypulkowski
Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ablating a target tissue are discussed. Such methods and apparatus include those that simplify tissue ablation. For example, a tissue ablation device having an actuator, such as a trigger mechanism, coupled to a power source and an electrode is discussed. A single step of engaging the actuator causes the electrode to be introduced into the target tissue and causes energy to be delivered from the power supply to the tissue via the electrode. Devices that include an electrode actuator for causing the electrode to be introduced into the target tissue and a fluid actuator for causing the fluid to flow to the target tissue are also discussed. Methods of causing the electrode to be introduced into the target tissue and fluid to flow to the target tissue with a single step and more than one step are also discussed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 10, 2005
Date of Patent:
December 16, 2014
Assignee:
Medtronic, Inc.
Inventors:
John M. Swoyer, Mark A. Christopherson, Yelena G. Tropsha, Julie M. Woessner
Abstract: A therapeutic agent reservoir comprises a reservoir body comprising a polymer and a therapeutic agent mixed within the polymer, and an outer coating enclosing the reservoir body, wherein at least a portion of the outer coating comprises a rate-controlling membrane configured to provide a predetermined release rate of the therapeutic agent through the rate-controlling membrane.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 28, 2010
Date of Patent:
December 16, 2014
Assignee:
Medtronic, Inc.
Inventors:
Peter M. Seiler, Kenneth E. Cobian, Genevieve L. Gallagher, Zhongping C. Yang
Abstract: A constant current pacing apparatus and method for pacing uses, for example, H-bridge circuitry and a constant current source connected to the H-bridge circuitry. Further, for example, protection is provided from high voltage pulses applied to the patient via one or more other medical devices.
Abstract: A stent graft extends in a flow lumen to span a defective portion of the flow lumen and seal the defective portion from further blood contact. The stent graft includes a pair of apertures, from which extensions project into the renal arteries to seal the passage of blood into the renal arteries from the abnormality. The apertures are larger than the opening of the renal arteries, such that the apertures need not be centered with the renal arteries to enable placement of the extensions. The aperture opening and side branch extensions contain hook and loop structures to provide a variably positionable seal of the aperture opening.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 2, 2005
Date of Patent:
December 16, 2014
Assignee:
Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
Inventors:
Curtis Hanson, Scott Cook, Joseph Lessar
Abstract: A medical device, including an elongate body having a proximal portion and a distal portion; a shaft at least partially disposed within the elongate body; an expandable element at the distal portion of the elongate body; and a fluid delivery conduit defining a deflectable segment movably coupled to the shaft, the deflectable segment being transitionable from a substantially linear configuration to a substantially curvilinear configuration.
Abstract: Various methods and apparatuses are disclosed that concern delivering electrical stimulation to a brain at a plurality of different stimulation frequencies, sensing one or more bioelectrical signals, and identifying a bioelectrical resonance response of the brain to the electrical stimulation. The bioelectrical resonance response may be identified based on a parameter of oscillation of the one or more bioelectrical signals and indicative of resonance of an area of the brain to one stimulation frequency of the plurality of stimulation frequencies. A stimulation frequency parameter for a therapy may be set based on the identified bioelectrical resonance response, wherein the stimulation frequency parameter is set at or near the one stimulation frequency.
Abstract: A medical device and method for detecting and classifying cardiac rhythm episodes that includes a sensing module to sense cardiac events; a therapy delivery module, and a detection module configured to determine intervals between the sensed cardiac events, determine a predetermined cardiac episode is occurring in response to the determined intervals, determine whether a ventricular rate is greater than an atrial rate in response to the determined intervals, determine whether oversensing is occurring in response to the ventricular rate being greater than the atrial rate, adjust the determined intervals in response to oversensing occurring to generate an adjusted ventricular rate, determine whether the cardiac episode is occurring in response to the adjusted ventricular rate, perform a supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) discrimination analysis in response to the cardiac episode occurring in response to the adjusted ventricular rate, and control the therapy delivery module to deliver therapy in response to the S
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 15, 2013
Date of Patent:
December 16, 2014
Assignee:
Medtronic, Inc.
Inventors:
Sandra B. Charlton, Troy E. Jackson, Benjamin P. Rhodes
Abstract: A method includes covering ostai of branch vessels emanating from a main vessel and an aneurysm with an integrated mesh high metal to vessel ratio stent. The integrated mesh high metal to vessel ratio stent includes serpentine rings integrated with an integrated mesh having holes formed therein. A metal to vessel ratio of the integrated mesh high metal to vessel ratio stent is sufficiently high to encourage tissue ingrowth around the integrated mesh high metal to vessel ratio stent yet is sufficiently low to ensure perfusion of the branch vessels through the integrated mesh high metal to vessel ratio stent.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 27, 2012
Date of Patent:
December 16, 2014
Assignee:
Medtronic Vascular, Inc.
Inventors:
Keith Perkins, Samuel Robaina, Jeffery Argentine, Walter Bruszewski, Andrew Kiehl
Abstract: The invention provides an electrosurgical device and methods of use thereof. In one embodiment, the device may comprise a handle, a shaft distal to the handle, a first electrode tip and a second electrode tip adjacent a distal end of the shaft, with the first electrode tip spaced from the second electrode tip and wherein the first electrode tip comprises a first U-shaped electrode and the second electrode tip comprises a second U-shaped electrode, and at least one fluid outlet. In another embodiment, the device may comprise a handle, a shaft distal to the handle, and a first electrode and a second electrode adjacent a distal end of the shaft with the first electrode coplanar with the second electrode and comprising a wire electrode having a U-shape which surrounds a perimeter of the second electrode and is spaced from the second electrode by an aperture.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 30, 2010
Date of Patent:
December 9, 2014
Assignee:
Medtronic Advanced Energy LLC
Inventors:
Brian M. Conley, Jonathan J. Barry, Roger D. Greeley, Chad M. Greenlaw
Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques for generation of proportional posture information over multiple time intervals. The techniques may include obtaining posture state data sensed by a medical device for a patient during delivery of therapy by the medical device, determining durations for which the patient occupied each of a plurality of posture states based on the posture state data, generating proportional posture information for a plurality of different time intervals based on the durations, wherein the proportional posture information for each of the time intervals indicates proportional amounts of the respective time interval in which the patient occupied the posture states, and presenting the proportional posture information to a user via a user interface.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 31, 2012
Date of Patent:
December 9, 2014
Assignee:
Medtronic, Inc.
Inventors:
Jon P. Davis, Dennis M. Skelton, Rajeev M. Sahasrabudhe, Shyam Gokaldas
Abstract: A method for treating a brain tumor includes providing a surgical instrument having an inner member and an outer member. The outer member has a distal region forming a cutting window and an optional distal elevator tip. The inner member is rotatably received within the outer member, and has a cutting tip that is exposed at the window. The cutting tip and the distal region of the outer member combine to define a cutting implement. An opening is created through the patient's skull to provide access to a brain tumor target site. The cutting implement is delivered through the opening to the target site. The elevator tip is inserted partially between the tumor and tissue of the target site, and the cutting tip is placed into contact with the tumor and operated to cut the tumor. The target site is selectively aspirated to remove cut tumor tissue.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 12, 2007
Date of Patent:
December 9, 2014
Assignee:
Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
Inventors:
Dana A. Oliver, Louis M. Shadeck, Roy Galvin, Robert Spetzler
Abstract: Implantable devices and related systems utilize coils or coil portions of a coil for inductive telemetry at one frequency and recharge at another frequency. The coils or coil portions are included in one or more tank circuits that share at least one node between the coils or coil portions. The recharge application may be provided with variations for aspects including power management and rectification. The telemetry application may be provided with variations for aspects including receiver connectivity for the downlink and coil driving for the uplink.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 2, 2011
Date of Patent:
December 9, 2014
Assignee:
Medtronic, Inc.
Inventors:
David A. Dinsmoor, Joel A. Anderson, Timothy Denison, John J. Grevious
Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to a technique for percutaneously introducing a stimulation lead into a target stimulation site via the epidural region proximate the spine of a patient. The process of introducing the stimulation lead may include the use of a hollow stimulation lead introducer, which comprises an elongated sheath and an elongated dilator. The dilator fits within the sheath and serves to widen a path through the epidural region for the introduction of a stimulation lead. At least a portion of the stimulation lead introducer has an oblong cross-section, allowing passage of stimulation leads such as paddle leads. The stimulation lead introducer may enter the epidural region proximate a spine of a patient via a guidewire. The stimulation lead introducer provides a path through the epidural region of a patient to a target stimulation site. A stimulation lead may travel through the path to reach the target stimulation site where it may provide therapy to the patient.
Abstract: A chronically implanted medical device, connected to a medical electrical lead that includes a sensor, is used to detect diastolic dysfunction. A LV accelerometer signal is sensed through the sensor. Based on the LV accelerometer signal, a determination is made as to whether diastolic dysfunction data exists.
Abstract: In some examples, a processor determines a patient state based on activity of a bioelectrical brain signal of a patient in one or more frequency sub-bands of a frequency band of interest.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 31, 2013
Publication date:
December 4, 2014
Applicant:
Medtronic, Inc.
Inventors:
Dwight E. Nelson, Jianping Wu, Rahul Gupta, Yan Zhao
Abstract: Shields within implantable leads increase the torsional stiffness of the leads. The torsional stiffness may be reduced by cutting the shield axially to break the circumferential mechanical continuity of the shield. The circumferential shielding continuity of the shield may be re-established to preserve the shielding effect in various manners. The shield may overlap onto itself to close the slot created by the cut. A shield patch may be placed across the slot created by the cut. The shield may be located between two insulation layers of the lead. The shield may be cut and then the slot closed prior to application of the outer insulation layer. The outer insulation layer may then be added over the shield. The outer insulation layer may be compliant so that once covered, the circumferential mechanical continuity of the shield remains broken.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 28, 2010
Date of Patent:
December 2, 2014
Assignee:
Medtronic Inc.
Inventors:
Michael Hegland, Gary W. Salminen, Richard T. Stone, Spencer M. Bondhus