Patents Assigned to The Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research
-
Publication number: 20210052893Abstract: An electrode lead comprises an electrically insulative cuff body and at least three axially aligned electrode contacts circumferentially disposed along the inner surface of the cuff body when in the furled state. The electrode contacts may be circumferentially disposed around a nerve, and an electrical pulse train may be delivered to the electrode contacts thereby stimulating the nerve to treat obstructive sleep apnea. The electrical pulse train may be one that pre-conditions peripherally located nerve fascicles to not be stimulated, while stimulating centrally located nerve fascicles. A feedback mechanism can be used to titrate electrode contacts and electrical pulse train to the patient. A sensor that is affixed to the case of a neurostimulator can be used to measure physiological artifacts of respiration, and a motion detector can be used to sense tapping of the neurostimulator to toggle the neurostimulator between an ON position and an OFF position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2020Publication date: February 25, 2021Applicant: THE ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHInventors: Harshit Suri, Joseph L. Cakleron, Gregory Frederick Moinar, George S. Goding, JR., Alanie Atyabi, Siegmar Schmidt, William Dai, Brian Dearden, Desmond B. Keenan
-
Patent number: 10925489Abstract: A medical system and method of communicating between a telemetry controller and medical devices is provided. Coupling coefficients between a primary coil of the telemetry controller and secondary coils of the medical devices differ from each other. A primary carrier signal is applied to the primary coil, thereby respectively inducing secondary carrier signals on the secondary coils. An amplitude of the secondary carrier signal is measured on each of the secondary coils. The envelope of each secondary carrier signal is modulated in accordance with data, thereby inducing modulation of the envelope of the primary carrier signal for the implanted medical devices. The secondary carrier signal envelopes are modulated based on the measured amplitudes of the respective secondary carrier signals.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: THE ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHInventors: Edward K. F. Lee, Harshit R. Suri
-
Publication number: 20210038889Abstract: An electrode lead comprises an electrically insulative cuff body and at least three axially aligned electrode contacts circumferentially disposed along the inner surface of the cuff body when in the furled state. The electrode contacts may be circumferentially disposed around a nerve, and an electrical pulse train may be delivered to the electrode contacts thereby stimulating the nerve to treat obstructive sleep apnea. The electrical pulse train may be one that pre-conditions peripherally located nerve fascicles to not be stimulated, while stimulating centrally located nerve fascicles. A feedback mechanism can be used to titrate electrode contacts and electrical pulse train to the patient. A sensor that is affixed to the case of a neurostimulator can be used to measure physiological artifacts of respiration, and a motion detector can be used to sense tapping of the neurostimulator to toggle the neurostimulator between an ON position and an OFF position.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2020Publication date: February 11, 2021Applicant: THE ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHInventors: Harshit Suri, Joseph L. Calderon, Gregory Frederick Molnar, George S. Goding, JR., Alanie Atyabi, Siegmar Schmidt, William Dai, Brian Dearden, Desmond B. Keenan
-
Publication number: 20200368526Abstract: An electrode lead comprises an electrically insulative cuff body and at least three axially aligned electrode contacts circumferentially disposed along the inner surface of the cuff body when in the furled state. The electrode contacts may be circumferentially disposed around a nerve, and an electrical pulse train may be delivered to the electrode contacts thereby stimulating the nerve to treat obstructive sleep apnea. The electrical pulse train may be one that pre-conditions peripherally located nerve fascicles to not be stimulated, while stimulating centrally located nerve fascicles. A feedback mechanism can be used to titrate electrode contacts and electrical pulse train to the patient. A sensor that is affixed to the case of a neurostimulator can be used to measure physiological artifacts of respiration, and a motion detector can be used to sense tapping of the neurostimulator to toggle the neurostimulator between an ON position and an OFF position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Applicant: THE ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHInventors: Harshit Suri, Joseph L. Calderon, Gregory Frederick Molnar, George S. Goding, JR., Alanie Atyabi, Siegmar Schmidt, William Dai, Brian Dearden, Desmond B. Keenan
-
Publication number: 20200269054Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, various embodiments of neurostimulators and stimulation systems are disclosed that provide different shapes and patterns of stimulus pulses and trains of pulses with fixed and no fixed frequencies. The neurostimulator can be configured to provide high frequency stimulation and also be implantable in the head or neck regions in order to stimulate nerves and nerve ganglions in the head and neck regions and also stimulate the brain.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2020Publication date: August 27, 2020Applicant: THE ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHInventors: Brian R. Dearden, Harshit Suri, Edward K. F. Lee
-
Publication number: 20200267550Abstract: A medical device of a medical system is configured for communicating with an external programmer over a wireless communications link. The medical device comprises a wireless communications module configured for receiving a first unencrypted version of a random number and a first encrypted version of the random number from the external programmer over the wireless communications link. The medical device further comprises control circuitry configured for performing an authentication procedure on the external programmer based on the first unencrypted version of the random number and the first encrypted version of the random number, and preventing the external programmer from commanding the medical device to perform an action unless the authentication procedure is successful.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Applicant: THE ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHInventors: Saul Rodriguez, Dianna (Dan) Han, Emile lstoc
-
Patent number: 10739218Abstract: Pressure sensors having ring-tensioned membranes are disclosed. A tensioning ring is bonded to a membrane in a manner that results in the tensioning ring applying a tensile force to the membrane, flattening the membrane and reducing or eliminating defects that may have occurred during production. The membrane is bonded to the sensor housing at a point outside the tensioning ring, preventing the process of bonding the membrane to the housing from introducing defects into the tensioned portion of the membrane. A dielectric may be introduced into the gap between the membrane and the counter electrode in a capacitive pressure sensor, resulting in an improved dynamic range.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2017Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: THE ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHInventors: Siegmar Schmidt, William A. Dai, Boon Khai Ng
-
Publication number: 20200206501Abstract: An electrode lead comprises an electrically insulative cuff body and at least three axially aligned electrode contacts circumferentially disposed along the inner surface of the cuff body when in the furled state. The electrode contacts may be circumferentially disposed around a nerve, and an electrical pulse train may be delivered to the electrode contacts thereby stimulating the nerve to treat obstructive sleep apnea. The electrical pulse train may be one that pre-conditions peripherally located nerve fascicles to not be stimulated, while stimulating centrally located nerve fascicles. A feedback mechanism can be used to titrate electrode contacts and electrical pulse train to the patient. A sensor that is affixed to the case of a neurostimulator can be used to measure physiological artifacts of respiration, and a motion detector can be used to sense tapping of the neurostimulator to toggle the neurostimulator between an ON position and an OFF position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2020Publication date: July 2, 2020Applicant: THE ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHInventors: Harshit Suri, Joseph L Calderon, Gregory Frederick Molnar, George S. Goding, JR., Alanie Atyabi, Siegmar Schmidt, William Dai, Brian Dearden, Desmond B. Keenan
-
Patent number: 10687719Abstract: A hermetically sealed biocompatible pressure sensor module configured for implant at a desired site at which a pressure is to be measured. Anodic bonding of the pressure module package components which have similar thermal coefficients of expansion provides low stress bonding and maintains long term reliability, dependability and accuracy. The pressure sensor module includes a pressure sensitive membrane which is in direct contact with the environment at which a pressure is to be measured. The pressure sensor module forms a part of a pressure measuring system which uses a telemetry link between the pressure sensor module and an external controller for data transmission and transfer. Operating power for the pressure sensor module is provided by the external controller and an internal rechargeable energy storage component. Accordingly, the pressure measuring system provides a dual stage power and data transfer capability for use with an implantable system.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: The Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific ResearchInventors: Siegmar Schmidt, Charles L. Byers, Guangqiang Jiang, Brian R. Dearden, John C. Gord, Daniel Rodriguez
-
Publication number: 20200179702Abstract: A multiple output current stimulator circuit with fast turn on time is described. At least one pair of input side and output side transistors is arranged in a current mirror connected to a supply transistor by cascode coupling. The output side transistor supplies stimulation current to an electrode in contact with tissue. An operational amplifier connected to a reference voltage and to the output side transistor drives the supply transistor to maintain the voltage at the output side transistor equal to the reference voltage. The at least one pair of transistors includes multiple pairs of transistors whose output side transistors drive respective electrodes with stimulation currents. The stimulator determines the initiation and duration of stimulation current pulses supplied to each electrode. At circuit activation, large currents are generated which discharge capacitances in the output side transistors causing rapid output side transistor turn on.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2020Publication date: June 11, 2020Applicant: ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHInventor: EDWARD K.F. LEE
-
Patent number: 10652740Abstract: A medical device of a medical system is configured for communicating with an external programmer over a wireless communications link. The medical device comprises a wireless communications module configured for receiving a first unencrypted version of a random number and a first encrypted version of the random number from the external programmer over the wireless communications link. The medical device further comprises control circuitry configured for performing an authentication procedure on the external programmer based on the first unencrypted version of the random number and the first encrypted version of the random number, and preventing the external programmer from commanding the medical device to perform an action unless the authentication procedure is successful.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2017Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: THE ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHInventors: Saul Rodriguez, Dianna (Dan) Han, Emil Istoc
-
Patent number: 10639480Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, various embodiments of neurostimulators and stimulation systems are disclosed that provide different shapes and patterns of stimulus pulses and trains of pulses with fixed and no fixed frequencies. The neurostimulator can be configured to provide high frequency stimulation and also be implantable in the head or neck regions in order to stimulate nerves and nerve ganglions in the head and neck regions and also stimulate the brain.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: THE ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHInventors: Brian R. Dearden, Harshit Suri, Edward K. F. Lee
-
Patent number: 10603495Abstract: A multiple output current stimulator circuit with fast turn on time is described. At least one pair of input side and output side transistors is arranged in a current mirror connected to a supply transistor by cascode coupling. The output side transistor supplies stimulation current to an electrode in contact with tissue. An operational amplifier connected to a reference voltage and to the output side transistor drives the supply transistor to maintain the voltage at the output side transistor equal to the reference voltage. The at least one pair of transistors includes multiple pairs of transistors whose output side transistors drive respective electrodes with stimulation currents. The stimulator determines the initiation and duration of stimulation current pulses supplied to each electrode. At circuit activation, large currents are generated which discharge capacitances in the output side transistors causing rapid output side transistor turn on.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2018Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: THE ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHInventor: Edward K.F. Lee
-
Patent number: 10570439Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a concentrator for concentrating, purifying or otherwise isolating one or more target analytes in a fluid matrix, and related methods, using self-wicking materials, such as monoliths. The present disclosure can be used as a point-of need sample preparation device. The self-contained device can be used for the extraction and concentration of specific target molecules, such as nucleic acids.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2016Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignees: Monolythix, Inc., Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific ResearchInventors: Keith A. Oberg, Anthony Spence, Ivan Rueda, Mark D. Dobbs, Milton Lee
-
Patent number: 10568513Abstract: A medical system and method of communicating between a telemetry controller and a plurality of medical devices implanted within a patient is provided. Communication links are respectively established between the telemetry controller and the implanted medical devices. The communication links are respectively amplitude modulated by the implanted medical devices at modulation levels using load modulation. Received signal strength indicators (RSSIs) of the amplitude modulated communication links for the implanted medical devices are measured. A variation of the RSSIs is decreased by modifying, based on the measured RSSIs, at least one modulation level at which the respective at least one communication link is amplitude modulated by the respective implanted medical device(s).Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2018Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: THE ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHInventors: Edward K. F. Lee, Harshit R. Suri
-
Patent number: 10537246Abstract: A medical system and method of communicating between a telemetry controller and medical devices is provided. Coupling coefficients between a primary coil of the telemetry controller and secondary coils of the medical devices differ from each other. A primary carrier signal is applied to the primary coil, thereby respectively inducing secondary carrier signals on the secondary coils. An amplitude of the secondary carrier signal is measured on each of the secondary coils. The envelope of each secondary carrier signal is modulated in accordance with data, thereby inducing modulation of the envelope of the primary carrier signal for the implanted medical devices. The secondary carrier signal envelopes are modulated based on the measured amplitudes of the respective secondary carrier signals.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2018Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: THE ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHInventors: Edward K. F. Lee, Harshit R. Suri
-
Publication number: 20200015682Abstract: A medical system and method of communicating between a telemetry controller and medical devices is provided. Coupling coefficients between a primary coil of the telemetry controller and secondary coils of the medical devices differ from each other. A primary carrier signal is applied to the primary coil, thereby respectively inducing secondary carrier signals on the secondary coils. An amplitude of the secondary carrier signal is measured on each of the secondary coils. The envelope of each secondary carrier signal is modulated in accordance with data, thereby inducing modulation of the envelope of the primary carrier signal for the implanted medical devices. The secondary carrier signal envelopes are modulated based on the measured amplitudes of the respective secondary carrier signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Applicant: THE ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHInventors: EDWARD K.F. LEE, HARSHIT R. SURI
-
Patent number: 10512553Abstract: An inductive wireless power transfer and communication system includes an electrostatic shield for one of the coils. The electrostatic shield is inductively coupled with the coil and is configured as an open circuit. A signal processing element or elements, especially a modulator or a demodulator, are connected across the electrical discontinuity in the electrostatic shield. Because the electrostatic shield is inductively coupled to the coil, the modulator or demodulator can operate on the signal on the coil. A variable impedance element is connected across the electrical discontinuity in the electrostatic shield. Because the electrostatic shield is inductively coupled to the coil, the variable impedance element can tune the impedance of the system.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2016Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: The Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific ResearchInventor: Glen A. Griffith
-
Publication number: 20190338100Abstract: The present invention relates to a monolith for processing fluid samples, and methods of making and using the monolith. The monolith can contain certain monomers or combinations of monomers that can be polymerized to give a polymeric monolith that can efficiently self-wick fluid. The self-wicking polymeric monolith can be used as a convenient tool for point of care/on site diagnostics and analytics. The monolith is easily stored and transported, comparatively cost-efficient to make, permits good detection of analyte molecules and is readily functionalizable by impregnation of and/or covalently grafting additional chemical moieties to either the whole monolith or in zones.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2019Publication date: November 7, 2019Applicants: Monolythix, Inc., Alfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific ResearchInventors: Keith A. Oberg, Mark D. Dobbs, Ekaterina Tkatchouk, Scott P. Layne, Milton Lee
-
Patent number: 10449377Abstract: Systems and devices for a high-efficiency magnetic link for implantable devices are disclosed herein. These devices can include a charging coil located in the implantable device and a charging coil located in a charge head of a charger. The charging coils can each include an elongate core and wire windings wrapped around a longitudinal axis of the elongate core. The charging coil of the charge head can be attached to a rotatable mount, which can be used to align the longitudinal axis of the charging coil of the charge head with longitudinal axis of the implantable device such that the axes of the charging coils are parallel.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: THE ALFRED E. MANN FOUNDATION FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHInventors: Brian R. Dearden, Glen A. Griffith