Patents Examined by Eric D. Bertram
  • Patent number: 12214199
    Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, methods, apparatus, and systems useful for ameliorating impulse control disorders known to be extremely disabling and common to many neurological and psychiatric conditions using closed-loop (responsive) neuro stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Casey Halpern, Robert C. Malenka, Hemmings Wu
  • Patent number: 12214208
    Abstract: An intracardiac ventricular pacemaker is configured to detect a ventricular diastolic event from a motion signal received by a pacemaker control circuit from a motion sensor. The control circuit starts an atrial refractory period having an expiration time set based on a time of the detection of the ventricular diastolic event. The control circuit detects an atrial systolic event from the motion signal after expiration of the atrial refractory period and controls a pulse generator of the pacemaker to deliver a pacing pulse to a ventricle of a patient's heart at a first atrioventricular pacing time interval after the atrial systolic event detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent E. Splett, Todd J. Sheldon, Yong K. Cho, Wade M. Demmer, Mark K. Erickson
  • Patent number: 12194291
    Abstract: An electrical stimulation lead includes a cuff having a cuff body having an exterior surface, an interior surface, and a circumference; longitudinally elongated electrodes disposed on the interior surface of the cuff body and helically arranged with each of the longitudinally elongated electrodes longitudinally offset relative to any adjacent longitudinally elongated electrodes; and a longitudinal slit extending through the cuff body and further extending along an entire length of the cuff body, the longitudinal slit operable to receive a portion of a target nerve from a region outside of the cuff to within the cuff body. The lead also includes a lead body coupled to the cuff and conductors extending through the lead body and the cuff with the conductors electrically coupled to the longitudinally elongated electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur J. Foster, Pratap Arangil, Hari Hara Subramanian
  • Patent number: 12186548
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical nerve stimulator configured to deliver an electrical signal to a user to entrain Mu-band neural oscillations and/or Beta-band neural oscillations. The electrical nerve stimulator may be used in the treatment of neurological conditions associated with desynchronization of neural oscillations, such as Tourette's syndrome. The electrical nerve stimulator may be wearable on a wrist of a user, and may be configured to deliver rhythmic stimulation at a frequency falling within the same frequency range of Mu-band or Beta-band neural oscillations. The invention provides a convenient means of treating conditions such as Tourette's syndrome without the need for specialist medical equipment or facilities. Also disclosed is a method of delivering an electrical signal to a user to entrain Mu-band neural oscillations and/or Beta-band neural oscillations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: The University of Nottingham
    Inventors: Stephen Jackson, Georgina Jackson
  • Patent number: 12186569
    Abstract: An intracardiac ventricular pacemaker having a motion sensor is configured to produce a motion signal including an atrial systolic event and a ventricular diastolic event indicating a passive ventricular filling phase, set a detection threshold to a first amplitude during an expected time interval of the ventricular diastolic event and to a second amplitude lower than the first amplitude after an expected time interval of the ventricular diastolic event. The pacemaker is configured to detect the atrial systolic event in response to the motion signal crossing the detection threshold and set an atrioventricular pacing interval in response to detecting the atrial systolic event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent E. Splett, Todd J. Sheldon, Yong K. Cho, Wade M. Demmer, Mark K. Erickson
  • Patent number: 12179032
    Abstract: A wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) comprises a plurality of electrocardiography (ECG) electrodes. An episode is opened responsive to a string of consecutive segments meeting one or more shock criteria, and a shockable rhythm is confirmed for the episode responsive to a subsequent string of consecutive segments meeting one or more confirmation criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: West Affum Holdings DAC
    Inventors: Joseph L. Sullivan, David P. Finch, Douglas K. Medema, Robert R. Buchanan, Garrett M. Kotlarchik, Jaeho Kim, Kenneth F. Cowan
  • Patent number: 12179015
    Abstract: A transport system for delivery or retrieval of a biostimulator, such as a leadless cardiac pacemaker, is described. The biostimulator transport system includes a docking cap supported by a bearing within a bearing housing. The bearing allows relative rotation between a torque shaft connected to the docking cap and an outer catheter connected to the bearing housing. The bearing housing and the docking cap include respective bearing retainers that constrain the bearing within the bearing housing without a weld attachment. The weldless retainers of the biostimulator transport system provide a robust mechanical securement of the bearing that is not vulnerable to corrosion. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: PACESETTER, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Kerns, Daniel Goodman, Adam Weber
  • Patent number: 12179016
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) includes a body, a fixation component, and an interface assembly. The body extends from a proximal portion to a distal portion along a longitudinal axis. The fixation component includes a penetrator tine. The penetrator tine includes an incisive distal end configured to penetrate a tissue to fix the IMD to the tissue. The electrode interface assembly includes a proximal section and a distal section. The proximal section is attached to and extends distally from the distal portion of the body along the longitudinal axis. The distal section extends from the proximal section of the electrode interface assembly and defines a non-incisive distal end. The distal end of the electrode interface assembly is configured to contact the tissue to control a depth of tissue penetration of the penetrator tine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Grubac, Jeffrey S. Voss, Allison E. Winans
  • Patent number: 12168138
    Abstract: An external defibrillator for use in generating a defibrillation waveform is described. The external defibrillator includes a low voltage energy storage module having one or more low voltage ultra-capacitors that store low voltage energy. A pulse transformer converts the low voltage energy to high voltage defibrillation energy and provides the defibrillation energy to a pair of electrodes configured to be applied to a patient. A modulator receives the low voltage energy from the low voltage energy storage module and transfers the low voltage energy to the pulse transformer. The external defibrillator also includes a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Bardy Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gust H. Bardy, Jason Felix, Joshua Djon Green
  • Patent number: 12168136
    Abstract: A portable wearable defibrillator device, a distributed defibrillator system, and a computer-implemented method use at least one node that is connected to a wireless network and communicates with sensors, electronic mobile devices, and/or defibrillator devices to determine when a person is having a cardiac or pulmonary event or other event, identify a person who is able to assist the arresting person, and notify the assisting person and/or any other emergency contacts and/or emergency personnel. The electronic components of the wearable defibrillator are arranged in serial to minimize the size of the defibrillator. The control circuit of the wearable defibrillator is configured to provide fast charging for the capacitor, such that the defibrillator is able to be used at any time and frequently. An application for an electronic mobile device is used to interface with an assisting person and other people, e.g., emergency contacts or emergency personnel, associated with the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Inventors: Vladimir Polic, Martin Alpert
  • Patent number: 12168135
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods for treating medication refractory epilepsy are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of treating epilepsy is disclosed comprising detecting, using a first electrode array coupled to a first endovascular carrier, an electrophysiological signal of a subject. The method further comprises analyzing the electrophysiological signal using a neuromodulation unit electrically coupled to the first electrode array and stimulating an intracorporeal target of the subject using a second electrode array coupled to a second endovascular carrier implanted within a part of a bodily vessel superior to a base of the skull of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignees: Synchron Australia Pty Limited, The University of Melbourne
    Inventors: Nicholas Lachlan Opie, Thomas James Oxley, Gil Simon Rind
  • Patent number: 12168137
    Abstract: A completely de-energizable defibrillator is provided, allowing the electrical components of the defibrillator to be electrically unbiased while the defibrillator is not in use. The de-energizing of the defibrillator can be accomplished by separating the battery from the rest of the defibrillator circuitry with an electromechanical component, such as a power switch like a magnetically-triggered reed switch or a mechanically-triggered switch. The de-energizing of the defibrillator can also be accomplished by including in the defibrillator a removable piece of insulating material between the battery and the circuitry. The de-energizing of the defibrillator can also be accomplished by a change in configuration or position of the moveable components of the AED. The preparation of the defibrillator for use triggers the circuitry to become energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Bardy Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Felix, Gust H. Bardy, Cameron M. D. Bardy
  • Patent number: 12161443
    Abstract: A system for monitoring neural activity of a living subject is provided. The system may comprise a correspondence module configured to be in communication with (1) a neural module and (2) one or more additional modules comprising a sensing module, another neural module, and/or a data storage module. The neural module(s) are configured to collect neural data indicative of perceptions experienced by the living subject. The sensing module may be configured to collect (1) sensor data indicative of real-world information about an environment around the living subject, and/or (2) sensor data indicative of a physical state or physiological state of the living subject. The data storage module may be configured to store prior neural data and/or prior sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Paradromics, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Angle, Edmund Huber, Richard C. Gerkin, Konrad Kording
  • Patent number: 12138452
    Abstract: A noninvasive ergonomic self-use device including a plurality of electrodes and a processor in electrical communication with the electrodes, the processor is configured to switch two or more of the electrodes between at least an ECG mode of operation in which the electrodes receive user body signals and an EPG mode in which the electrodes generate electrical pulses for stimulating the abdominal muscles of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: GerdCare Medical Ltd.
    Inventors: Giora Arbel, Mordechay Esh
  • Patent number: 12137972
    Abstract: An ablation probe comprising an elongate body extending a length along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end, the first end extending into a housing and the second end comprising an ablation probe tip configured for insertion into a biopsy tract in a patient. In example forms, the elongate body of the ablation probe can be inserted into a patient through an existing trocar needle or biopsy access cannula following completion of a biopsy. In other example forms, the elongate body of the ablation probe defines a lumen. In one example form, the lumen contains a wire for heating the ablation probe tip, which may be composed of graphite, a resistive metal, or another electrically-resistive material. In another example form, the lumen additionally contains a thermocouple or other temperature sensor for monitoring the temperature of the ablation probe tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: TRACELESS BIOPSY, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Gilliland, Kirk Charles, Brian Vanhiel
  • Patent number: 12138118
    Abstract: The invention concerns a multi-sensor brain detecting apparatus, the detecting apparatus being adapted to obtain two different physical values of a brain of a subject, the detecting apparatus comprising: a set of sensors comprising an ultrasound transducer adapted to produce ultrasound waves, a frame with a position with relation to the brain known with a stereotaxic precision, the frame being adapted to hold a sensor that can be positioned at a specific location by a user of the detecting apparatus without using a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignees: INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE (INSERM), CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE—CNRS, SORBONNE UNIVERSITÉ, UNIVERSITÉ PARIS CITÉ, ECOLE SUPERIEURE DE PHYSIQUE ET DE CHIMIE INDUSTRIELLES DE LA VILLE DE PARIS
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Gennisson, Mickaël Tanter, Thomas Deffieux, Mathieu Pernot
  • Patent number: 12138445
    Abstract: A wearable cardiac monitoring and treatment device for improved skin interface contact and easy assembly and disassembly includes a garment including an inner surface and an outer surface, ECG sensing electrodes, and at least one stiffener forming a section of the garment in proximity to one or more of the ECG sensing electrodes. The at least one stiffener is configured to resist rotation or pulling away of the one or more of the ECG sensing electrodes from a patient's torso. The device includes therapy electrodes, at least one separate module including a therapy delivery circuit, and a controller. The device includes compartments configured to receive the therapy electrodes and at least one separate module, and retention loops configured to route external wires extending between at least the therapy electrodes and at least one separate module, where the compartments and retention loops are disposed on the outer surface of the garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: ZOLL Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A Freeman, James A Patterson, III, Christopher L Swenglish, Jason T Whiting
  • Patent number: 12130753
    Abstract: An implantable device includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to perform actions, including: receiving electrical signals from tissue of a patient; and in response to each of a plurality of triggers, storing a portion of the received electrical signals, occurring after the trigger and extending for a limited duration, in the memory on a first-in-first-out basis. Another an implantable device includes a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to perform actions, including: receiving electrical signals from tissue of a patient; and in response to each of a plurality of triggers, determining at least one feature of the received electrical signals; and storing the at least one feature in the memory on a first-in-first-out basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Rosana Esteller
  • Patent number: 12121738
    Abstract: Disclosed is a delivery system for a component, for example, a splitting lead. A splitting lead can have a proximal portion to engage a controller and a distal portion to split apart into sub-portions that travel in multiple directions during implantation into a patient. The delivery system can include a handle and a component advancer to advance and removably engage a portion of the component. The component advancer can be coupled to the handle and advance the component into the patient by applying a force to the portion in response to actuation of the handle by the operator. Also, the delivery system can include an insertion tip with first and second ramps to facilitate advancement of first and second sub-portions into the patient in first and second directions. The leads may have various electrode configurations including, for example, wrapped or embedded electrodes, helical or elliptical coils, thin metallic plates, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: AtaCor Medical, Inc
    Inventors: Rick Sanghera, Brent Cadavona, Matthew Rollins, Tim Searfoss, Brian Walguarnery, Michel Gelineau
  • Patent number: 12114983
    Abstract: Apparatus for cardiac signal processing includes an input signal processor for receiving cardiac signals collected in time series by a sensor, and extracting and processing only signals necessary for diagnosis; a signal processor for generating diagnostic data by signal-processing the diagnostic data of the input signal processor to ensure accuracy of bio diagnosis analysis for an actual subject to be measured; and an output signal processor for outputting the diagnostic data to diagnose a condition of the subject to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Industry Academic Cooperation Foundation Of Yeungnam University
    Inventors: Jong Ryul Yang, Ju Yeon Kim