Patents Examined by Deborah Malamud
  • Patent number: 10076657
    Abstract: Various embodiments of this disclosure concern a lead end containing a slotted member. A slotted member can have a plurality of slots extending along at least a portion of the length of the slotted member, each of the slots having a respective positioning feature, the plurality of slots having a plurality of positioning features at different longitudinal positions along the length of the slotted member. The lead end can further include a plurality of conductors at least partially within the plurality of slots, each slot of the plurality of slots containing at least a respective one of the plurality of conductors, the plurality of conductors electrically connecting exposed electrical elements of both ends of the lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel C. Oster, Rodney J. Haberte, Jeffrey M. Novotny
  • Patent number: 10076383
    Abstract: An electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator configured to provide electrosurgical energy to an electrosurgical device coupled thereto which, in turn, delivers electrosurgical energy to tissue. The electrosurgical device may include a plurality of sensors configured to detect one or more tissue properties and output a detected tissue property signal relating thereto. One or more multiplexers having a plurality of channels are electrically connected to each of the corresponding plurality of sensors. The multiplexer(s) may be configured to receive the detected tissue property signal from each sensor of the plurality of sensors and output at least one output signal along a signal line. The signal line is configured to connect to the electrosurgical generator to control a power output of the electrosurgical generator. A channel select algorithm is configured to automatically select channels from the plurality of channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventor: Joseph D. Brannan
  • Patent number: 10071249
    Abstract: A method includes displaying, on a display coupled to a computer processor, a two-dimensional representation of an arrangement of electrodes of a lead having one or more segmented electrodes; displaying, by the computer processor and on the display, a three-dimensional clinical effects map with two of the dimensions of the clinical effects map corresponding to the two-dimensional representation of the arrangement of the electrode and a third dimension corresponding to a stimulation parameter; and displaying, by the computer processor and on the display, at least one marking on the clinical effects map. Each marking represents a stimulation instance and is displayed at a position corresponding to the electrode used for stimulation in the stimulation instance and a value of the stimulation parameter used for stimulation in the stimulation instance. Each marking has a graphical characteristic representing a therapeutic effect or a side-effect resulting from the stimulation instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis Zottola
  • Patent number: 10065039
    Abstract: Systems of techniques for controlling charge flow during the electrical stimulation of tissue. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a charge setting describing an amount of charge that is to flow during a stimulation pulse that electrically stimulates a tissue, and generating and delivering the stimulation pulse in a manner such that an amount of charge delivered to the tissue during the stimulation pulse accords with the charge setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Rafael Carbunaru, Kelly H. McClure, Jordi Parramon
  • Patent number: 10052478
    Abstract: The present invention consists of an implantable device with at least one package that houses electronics that receives input data or signals, and optionally, power, from an external system through at least one coil attached to the at least one package, processes the input data and delivers electrical pulses to neural tissue through at least one array of multiple electrodes that is/are attached to the at least one package. The invention, or components thereof, is/are intended to be installed in the head, or on or in the cranium, or on the dura, or on or in the brain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J Greenberg, Brian V Mech, Kelly H McClure
  • Patent number: 10052487
    Abstract: Adaptive methods for initiating charging of the high power capacitors of an implantable medical device for therapy delivery after the patient experiences a non-sustained arrhythmia, and devices that perform such methods. The adaptive methods and devices adjust persistence criteria used to analyze an arrhythmia prior to initiating a charging sequence to deliver therapy. Some embodiments apply a specific sequence of X-out-of-Y criteria, persistence criteria, and last event criteria before starting charging for therapy delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Cameron Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay A. Warren, Gust H. Bardy
  • Patent number: 10039596
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for pulsed electric field neuromodulation via an intra-to-extravascular approach, e.g., to effectuate irreversible electroporation or electrofusion, necrosis and/or inducement of apoptosis, alteration of gene expression, changes in cytokine upregulation and other conditions in target neural fibers. In some embodiments, the ITEV PEF system comprises an intravascular catheter having one or more electrodes configured for intra-to-extravascular placement across a wall of patient's vessel into proximity with target neural fibers. With the electrode(s) passing from an intravascular position to an extravascular position prior to delivery of the PEF, a magnitude of applied voltage or energy delivered via the electrode(s) and necessary to achieve desired neuromodulation may be reduced relative to an intravascular PEF system having one or more electrodes positioned solely intravascularly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic Ardian Luxembourg S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Denise Zarins, Benjamin J. Clark, Nicolas Zadno, Hanson Gifford, III, Erik Thai
  • Patent number: 10034612
    Abstract: A biological state estimating apparatus includes a pair of electrocardiographic electrodes, a photoplethysmographic sensor, and a controller that includes a peak detecting section, a pulse transmission time measuring section, a correlation information storing section, and a biological state estimating section. The electrocardiographic electrodes detect an electrocardiogram signal and the photoplethysmographic sensor, which has light-emitting and light-receiving elements, detects a photoplethysmogram signal. The controller detects peaks of the electrocardiogram and photoplethysmogram signals and determines a pulse transmission time from the time difference between the respective peaks of the photoplethysmogram and the electrocardiogram signal. Memory stores information determined in advance based on the relationship between pulse transmission time and biological state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignees: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., FATIGUE SCIENCE LABORATORY INC.
    Inventors: Toru Shimuta, Hirohiko Kuratsune, Yasuyoshi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 10034613
    Abstract: The invention relates to headphones and a method for listening to music or some other audio signal, which headphones comprise at least one sound source such as a an earphone to be placed in the vicinity of the ear, for producing sound, and a galvanic conductor for feeding an electrical signal from a signal source, such as a music player or similar, to the sound source. In accordance with the invention at least one sound source is equipped with means for measuring heart rate, as well as means for forwarding heart-rate information wirelessly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Suunto Oy
    Inventor: Erik Lindman
  • Patent number: 10029108
    Abstract: An improved self-testing method is described which is incorporated into a defibrillator (20). The method performs a self-testing protocol which operates on a first frequency until a threshold condition is reached. When the threshold condition is reached, the self-testing protocol switches to a second frequency. Such a method enables quicker identification of a failure mode in a population of defibrillators, while maintaining acceptable battery life in the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Powers, Carlton B. Morgan
  • Patent number: 10022052
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and devices for characterizing wounds, and in particular to the use of Raman spectroscopy to characterize the state of healing of a wound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Inventors: Christopher J. Murphy, Nicholas L. Abbott, Jonathan McAnulty, Rishabh Jain
  • Patent number: 10016600
    Abstract: A topical nerve stimulator patch and system are provided comprising a dermal patch; an electrical signal generator associated with the patch; a signal receiver to activate the electrical signal generator; a power source for the electrical signal generator associated with the patch; an electrical signal activation device; and a nerve feedback sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: NEUROSTIM SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Graham H. Creasey, Hoo-Min Toong
  • Patent number: 9987191
    Abstract: A device and method for desynchronizing a patient's neuronal brain activity in which the neuron population is firing in a pathologically synchronized manner. The device includes a stimulation unit that generates an acoustic stimulation signal that includes both a first tone and a second tone. The first tone is provided to shift the phase of the neuronal brain activity of a first subpopulation of the neuron population relative to the phase of the neuronal brain activity of a second subpopulation of the neuron population when the first tone is acoustically received by the patient. Further, the second tone is provided to shift the phase of the neuronal brain activity of the second subpopulation relative to the phase of the neuronal brain activity of the first subpopulation when the second tone is acoustically received by the patient. As a result, the acoustic stimulation signal desynchronizes the stimulated neuron population.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM JUELICH GMBH
    Inventors: Peter A. Tass, Urban Schnell, Jean-Christophe Roulet, Oleksandr Popovych, Joel Niederhauser, Hans-Joachim Freund, Birgit U. Barnikol
  • Patent number: 9986926
    Abstract: A method utilizing computer processing for detecting, within a cardiac cycle, the earliest onset of global, Q-onset, ventricular depolarization in the presence of an operating pacemaker. The method, in general terms, features (a) gathering a plurality of ECG-obtained QRS heart-cycles waveforms, (b) identifying and categorizing of evidences and specific timings therein of intrinsic Q-onset and pacemaker spike events, (c) looking in a single, selected QRS waveform, between specific, defined first and second time marks, for the most significant slope change appearing in that waveform, and (d) designating to be the correct Q-onset that event which immediately precedes that slope change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Inovise Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex T. Nelson, Patricia A. Arand, Marco Dalla Gasperina
  • Patent number: 9968288
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a computer system including at least one server having software stored on a non-transient computer readable medium; where, upon execution of the software, the at least one server is at least configured to: i) receiving physiological data representative of a first physiological measurement of at least one physiological characteristic of an epileptic user; ii) receiving physiological data representative of a second physiological measurement of at least one physiological characteristic of the epileptic user; iii) comparing the first physiological measurement of the epileptic user to the second physiological measurement of the epileptic user; iv) based on the comparing, determining that a difference between the first physiological measurement of the epileptic user and the second physiological measurement is: a) higher than a predetermined threshold value, or b) smaller than the predetermined threshold value; and v) generating at least one alert; vi) transmitting the at least one
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Eco-Fusion
    Inventor: Oren Fuerst
  • Patent number: 9962548
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present subject matter relate to a method. According to various method embodiments, cardiac activity is detected, and neural stimulation is synchronized with a reference event in the detected cardiac activity. Neural stimulation is titrated based on a detected response to the neural stimulation. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron R. McCabe, Imad Libbus, Yi Zhang, Paul A. Haefner, Alok S. Sathaye, Anthony V. Caparso, M. Jason Brooke
  • Patent number: 9949784
    Abstract: A medical system for delivering treatment or therapy to a patient has a kill switch for interrupting the delivery. The kill switch, which can disrupt the delivery directly or can cause an error message to be generated that disrupts the delivery, can be activated by the operator or remotely. In an ablation catheter system, a kill switch mechanism immediately and abruptly terminates delivery of ablation treatment or therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Nexus Control Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Todd J. Cohen
  • Patent number: 9943692
    Abstract: Sensors are applied to the heart and sensor data is supplied to a rules engine. The rules engine applies rules that reflect a CRM pharmaceutical regime of the patient to the sensor data to determine whether an electrical waveform should be applied to the heart. When electrical stimulation is warranted, the drug “awareness” rules are used by the rules engine to instruct a multi-phase cardiac stimulus generator to generate an electrical waveform that improves the performance of the drugs administered to the patient, allow the patient to be administered a lower dose of a particular drug, and/or reduce or eliminate side effects from the drugs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: MR3 MEDICAL, LLC
    Inventors: Morton M. Mower, Ralph Hall
  • Patent number: 9937002
    Abstract: A medical system for delivering treatment or therapy to a patient has a kill switch for interrupting the delivery. The kill switch, which can disrupt the delivery directly or can cause an error message to be generated that disrupts the delivery, can be activated by the operator or remotely. In an ablation catheter system, a kill switch mechanism immediately and abruptly terminates delivery of ablation treatment or therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: NEXUS CONTROL SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: Todd J. Cohen
  • Patent number: 9931074
    Abstract: The presence of disordered breathing is detected using an implantable medical device. A cardiac condition is detected that is indicative of the patient's cardiac status. Based on the presence of disordered breathing and the cardiac condition, the patient is identified as suitable for a cardiac resynchronization therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Quan Ni, Douglas R. Daum, Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Kent Lee, Jesse W. Hartley