Patents Assigned to VisCardia, Inc.
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Patent number: 11957914Abstract: Transcardiac diaphragmatic stimulation includes detecting a cardiac event based on signals sensed through a cardiac event sensor located in or on a region of a heart in proximity to a diaphragm, and delivering an ADS therapy through an ADS therapy mechanism that is located in proximity with the region of the heart, to induce a contraction of the diaphragm without inducing a contraction of the heart. The cardiac event sensor may be located a) on an interior surface of a cardiac wall that abuts the diaphragm, or 2) on an exterior surface of the heart, between a cardiac wall and the diaphragm. The ADS therapy mechanism may be located: a) on an interior surface of a cardiac wall that abuts the diaphragm, 2) on a superior surface of the diaphragm that abuts a cardiac wall, or 3) on an inferior surface of the diaphragm at a region of the diaphragm that abuts the heart.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: VisCardia, Inc.Inventors: Peter T. Bauer, Gregg Harris
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Patent number: 11925803Abstract: Devices, systems and methods provide forms of asymptomatic diaphragmatic stimulation (ADS) therapy that affect pressures within the intrathoracic cavity, including: 1) dual-pulse ADS therapy, during which a first ADS pulse is delivered during a diastolic phase of a cardiac cycle and a second ADS pulse is delivered during a systolic phase, 2) paired-pulse ADS therapy, during which a first ADS pulse is delivered, closely followed by a second ADS pulse, with the second ADS pulse functioning to extend or enhance a phase of a transient, partial contraction of the diaphragm, and 3) multiple-pulse ADS therapy, during which a stream of ADS pulses is delivered, wherein the time between pulses is based on heart rate. Devices, systems and methods also monitor electromyography (EMG) activity of the diaphragm relative to baseline activity to assess the health of a diaphragm subject to ADS therapy and to adjust ADS therapy parameters or sensing parameters.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2020Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: VisCardia, Inc.Inventors: Peter T. Bauer, Timothy Wheeler
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Patent number: 11911616Abstract: Devices, systems and methods provide forms of asymptomatic diaphragmatic stimulation (ADS) therapy that affect pressures within the intrathoracic cavity, including: 1) dual-pulse ADS therapy, during which a first ADS pulse is delivered during a diastolic phase of a cardiac cycle and a second ADS pulse is delivered during a systolic phase, 2) paired-pulse ADS therapy, during which a first ADS pulse is delivered, closely followed by a second ADS pulse, with the second ADS pulse functioning to extend or enhance a phase of a transient, partial contraction of the diaphragm, and 3) multiple-pulse ADS therapy, during which a stream of ADS pulses is delivered, wherein the time between pulses is based on heart rate. Devices, systems and methods also monitor electromyography (EMG) activity of the diaphragm relative to baseline activity to assess the health of a diaphragm subject to ADS therapy and to adjust ADS therapy parameters or sensing parameters.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2022Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: VisCardia, Inc.Inventors: Peter T. Bauer, Timothy Wheeler
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Patent number: 11684783Abstract: An implantable system, and methodology, for improving a heart's hemodynamic performance featuring (a) bimodal electrodes placeable on the diaphragm, out of contact with the heart, possessing one mode for sensing cardiac electrical activity, and another for applying cardiac-cycle-synchronized, asymptomatic electrical stimulation to the diaphragm to trigger biphasic, diaphragmatic motion, (b) an accelerometer adjacent the electrodes for sensing both heart sounds, and stimulation-induced diaphragmatic motion, and (c) circuit structure, connected both to the electrodes and the accelerometer, operable, in predetermined timed relationships to the presences of valid V-events noted in one of sensed electrical and sensed mechanical, cardiac activity, to deliver diaphragmatic stimulation.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: VisCardia, Inc.Inventor: Peter T. Bauer
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Patent number: 11666757Abstract: Hemodynamic performance of a heart may be improved by determining, from a location associated with a diaphragm, an occurrence of a valid cardiac event; and then delivering asymptomatic electrical stimulation therapy directly to the diaphragm at termination of a diaphragmatic stimulation delay period that is timed relative to the occurrence of the valid cardiac event. The diaphragmatic stimulation delay period may be automatically established by sensing a plurality of cardiac events directly from a diaphragm; and for each of the sensed cardia events, determining whether the sensed cardiac event represents a valid cardiac event or a non-valid cardiac event. The diaphragmatic stimulation delay period is then calculated based on a plurality of sensed cardia events that are determined to be valid.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: VisCardia, Inc.Inventors: Peter T. Bauer, Edward Chinchoy, Jay Snell
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Patent number: 11524158Abstract: Devices, systems and methods provide forms of asymptomatic diaphragmatic stimulation (ADS) therapy that affect pressures within the intrathoracic cavity, including: 1) dual-pulse ADS therapy, during which a first ADS pulse is delivered during a diastolic phase of a cardiac cycle and a second ADS pulse is delivered during a systolic phase, 2) paired-pulse ADS therapy, during which a first ADS pulse is delivered, closely followed by a second ADS pulse, with the second ADS pulse functioning to extend or enhance a phase of a transient, partial contraction of the diaphragm, and 3) multiple-pulse ADS therapy, during which a stream of ADS pulses is delivered, wherein the time between pulses is based on heart rate. Devices, systems and methods also monitor electromyography (EMG) activity of the diaphragm relative to baseline activity to assess the health of a diaphragm subject to ADS therapy and to adjust ADS therapy parameters or sensing parameters.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2020Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: VisCardia, Inc.Inventors: Peter T. Bauer, Timothy Wheeler
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Patent number: 11458312Abstract: Devices, systems and methods provide forms of asymptomatic diaphragmatic stimulation (ADS) therapy that affect pressures within the intrathoracic cavity, including: 1) dual-pulse ADS therapy, during which a first ADS pulse is delivered during a diastolic phase of a cardiac cycle and a second ADS pulse is delivered during a systolic phase, 2) paired-pulse ADS therapy, during which a first ADS pulse is delivered, closely followed by a second ADS pulse, with the second ADS pulse functioning to extend or enhance a phase of a transient, partial contraction of the diaphragm, and 3) multiple-pulse ADS therapy, during which a stream of ADS pulses is delivered, wherein the time between pulses is based on heart rate. Devices, systems and methods also monitor electromyography (EMG) activity of the diaphragm relative to baseline activity to assess the health of a diaphragm subject to ADS therapy and to adjust ADS therapy parameters or sensing parameters.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: VisCardia, Inc.Inventors: Peter T. Bauer, Timothy Wheeler
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Patent number: 11400286Abstract: A controller delivers electrical stimulation therapy to a diaphragm through the one or more electrodes, and obtains a signal indicative of a pressure within an intrathoracic cavity from a pressure measurement source. The electrical stimulation therapy is defined by stimulation parameters. The controller obtains at least one additional signal indicative of a pressure within an intrathoracic cavity by changing at least one of the stimulation parameters, and delivering an electrical stimulation therapy to the diaphragm in accordance with the changed one of the plurality of stimulation parameters. The controller repeats the process of obtaining additional signals indicative of pressure based on a changing stimulation parameter by scanning through a range of values for the changing stimulation parameter.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2019Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: VisCardia, Inc.Inventors: Peter T. Bauer, Edward Chinchoy, Jay Snell, Patricia A. Arand
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Patent number: 11147968Abstract: Hemodynamic performance of a heart may be improved by determining, from a location associated with a diaphragm, an occurrence of a valid cardiac event; and then delivering asymptomatic electrical stimulation therapy directly to the diaphragm at termination of a diaphragmatic stimulation delay period that is timed relative to the occurrence of the valid cardiac event. The diaphragmatic stimulation delay period may be automatically established by sensing a plurality of cardiac events directly from a diaphragm; and for each of the sensed cardia events, determining whether the sensed cardiac event represents a valid cardiac event or a non-valid cardiac event. The diaphragmatic stimulation delay period is then calculated based on a plurality of sensed cardia events that are determined to be valid.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: VisCardia, Inc.Inventors: Peter T. Bauer, Edward Chinchoy, Jay Snell
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Patent number: 11020596Abstract: An implantable system, and methodology, for improving a heart's hemodynamic performance featuring (a) bimodal electrodes placeable on the diaphragm, out of contact with the heart, possessing one mode for sensing cardiac electrical activity, and another for applying cardiac-cycle-synchronized, asymptomatic electrical stimulation to the diaphragm to trigger biphasic, diaphragmatic motion, (b) an accelerometer adjacent the electrodes for sensing both heart sounds, and stimulation-induced diaphragmatic motion, and (c) circuit structure, connected both to the electrodes and the accelerometer, operable, in predetermined timed relationships to the presences of valid V-events noted in one of sensed electrical and sensed mechanical, cardiac activity, to deliver diaphragmatic stimulation.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2019Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: VisCardia, Inc.Inventor: Peter T. Bauer
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Patent number: 10537735Abstract: A controller detects a cyclic cardiac event of the patient based on a signal obtained from one or more electrodes configured for placement on or near a diaphragm, and delivers an electrical stimulation therapy to a diaphragm of the patient through the one or more electrodes. The delivery of electrical stimulation therapy is timed to the detection of the cyclic cardiac event, and the electrical stimulation therapy is defined by stimulation parameters. The controller monitors a pressure associated with the intrathoracic cavity of the patient based on a signal provided by a pressure measurement source configured to provide a signal indicative of a pressure within an intrathoracic cavity, to determine whether an adjustment of one or more of the stimulation parameters is warranted.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2017Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: VisCardia, Inc.Inventors: Peter T. Bauer, Edward Chinchoy, Jay Snell
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Patent number: 10493271Abstract: A controller delivers electrical stimulation therapy to a diaphragm through the one or more electrodes, and obtains a signal indicative of a pressure within an intrathoracic cavity from a pressure measurement source. The electrical stimulation therapy is defined by stimulation parameters. The controller obtains at least one additional signal indicative of a pressure within an intrathoracic cavity by changing at least one of the stimulation parameters, and delivering an electrical stimulation therapy to the diaphragm in accordance with the changed one of the plurality of stimulation parameters. The controller repeats the process of obtaining additional signals indicative of pressure based on a changing stimulation parameter by scanning through a range of values for the changing stimulation parameter.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: VisCardia, Inc.Inventors: Peter T. Bauer, Edward Chinchoy, Jay Snell, Patricia A. Arand
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Patent number: 10369361Abstract: A lead for placement on a diaphragm includes a sensor assembly, a connector, and a lead body. The sensor assembly includes a housing having a first end surface and a second end surface opposite the first end surface. The first end surface is intended to contact the diaphragm. The sensor assembly includes at least one fixation structure also associated with the first end surface. The fixation structure is configured to preserve the hermetic integrity of the intrathoracic cavity. The fixation structure may extend through the diaphragm and transition to a state that forms a seal between itself and tissue of the diaphragm. Alternatively, the fixation structure may surround the sensor assembly and form a seal between itself and the surface of the diaphragm.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: VisCardia, Inc.Inventors: Peter T. Bauer, Edward Chinchoy, Jay Snell
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Patent number: 10335592Abstract: Hemodynamic performance of a heart may be improved by determining, from a location associated with a diaphragm, an occurrence of a valid cardiac event; and then delivering asymptomatic electrical stimulation therapy directly to the diaphragm at termination of a diaphragmatic stimulation delay period that is timed relative to the occurrence of the valid cardiac event. The diaphragmatic stimulation delay period may be automatically established by sensing a plurality of cardiac events directly from a diaphragm; and for each of the sensed cardia events, determining whether the sensed cardiac event represents a valid cardiac event or a non-valid cardiac event. The diaphragmatic stimulation delay period is then calculated based on a plurality of sensed cardia events that are determined to be valid.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: VisCardia, Inc.Inventors: Peter T. Bauer, Edward Chinchoy, Jay Snell
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Patent number: 10315035Abstract: An implantable system, and methodology, for improving a heart's hemodynamic performance featuring (a) bimodal electrodes placeable on the diaphragm, out of contact with the heart, possessing one mode for sensing cardiac electrical activity, and another for applying cardiac-cycle-synchronized, asymptomatic electrical stimulation to the diaphragm to trigger biphasic, diaphragmatic motion, (b) an accelerometer adjacent the electrodes for sensing both heart sounds, and stimulation-induced diaphragmatic motion, and (c) circuit structure, connected both to the electrodes and the accelerometer, operable, in predetermined timed relationships to the presences of valid V-events noted in one of sensed electrical and sensed mechanical, cardiac activity, to deliver diaphragmatic stimulation.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2018Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: VisCardia, Inc.Inventor: Peter T. Bauer
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Patent number: 9968786Abstract: An implantable system, and methodology, for improving a heart's hemodynamic performance featuring (a) bimodal electrodes placeable on the diaphragm, out of contact with the heart, possessing one mode for sensing cardiac electrical activity, and another for applying cardiac-cycle-synchronized, asymptomatic electrical stimulation to the diaphragm to trigger biphasic, diaphragmatic motion, (b) an accelerometer adjacent the electrodes for sensing both heart sounds, and stimulation-induced diaphragmatic motion, and (c) circuit structure, connected both to the electrodes and the accelerometer, operable, in predetermined timed relationships to the presences of valid V-events noted in one of sensed electrical and sensed mechanical, cardiac activity, to deliver diaphragmatic stimulation.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2017Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: VisCardia, Inc.Inventor: Peter T. Bauer
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Patent number: 9694185Abstract: An implantable system, and methodology, for improving a heart's hemodynamic performance featuring (a) bimodal electrodes placeable on the diaphragm, out of contact with the heart, possessing one mode for sensing cardiac electrical activity, and another for applying cardiac-cycle-synchronized, asymptomatic electrical stimulation to the diaphragm to trigger biphasic, diaphragmatic motion, (b) an accelerometer adjacent the electrodes for sensing both heart sounds, and stimulation-induced diaphragmatic motion, and (c) circuit structure, connected both to the electrodes and the accelerometer, operable, in predetermined timed relationships to the presences of valid V-events noted in one of sensed electrical and sensed mechanical, cardiac activity, to deliver diaphragmatic stimulation.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2016Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: VisCardia, Inc.Inventor: Peter T. Bauer
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Patent number: 9498625Abstract: An implantable system, and methodology, for improving a heart's hemodynamic performance featuring (a) bimodal electrodes placeable on the diaphragm, out of contact with the heart, possessing one mode for sensing cardiac electrical activity, and another for applying cardiac-cycle-synchronized, asymptomatic electrical stimulation to the diaphragm to trigger biphasic, diaphragmatic motion, (b) an accelerometer adjacent the electrodes for sensing both heart sounds, and stimulation-induced diaphragmatic motion, and (c) circuit structure, connected both to the electrodes and the accelerometer, operable, in predetermined timed relationships to the presences of valid V-events noted in one of sensed electrical and sensed mechanical, cardiac activity, to deliver diaphragmatic stimulation.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2013Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: VisCardia, Inc.Inventor: Peter T. Bauer