Patents Examined by Eugene Wu
  • Patent number: 9333338
    Abstract: A method is described to implant a cochlear implant electrode into a cochlea having a single internal cavity defined by an outer cavity wall. An implantable electrode array is made of a resilient electrode carrier material and has an outer surface with one or more stimulation contacts for delivering the electrical stimulation signals to adjacent neural tissue. A distal end of the electrode array is attached to an insertion line made of a line material different from the electrode carrier material. The distal end of the electrode array is inserted through a single cochleostomy opening into the cochlea while an extra-cochlear end of the insertion line is held outside the cochleostomy opening. The remainder of the electrode array is inserted through the cochleostomy opening into the cochlea while continuing to hold the extra-cochlear end outside the cochlea to maneuver all of the stimulation contacts against the outer cavity wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Anandhan Dhanasingh, Claude Jolly, Rocco Calabrese Gac
  • Patent number: 9333358
    Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 100 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side effects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Nevro Corporation
    Inventors: Konstantinos Alataris, Andre B. Walker, Jon Parker, Yougandh Chitre, Sangsoo Wesley Park, James R. Thacker
  • Patent number: 9333359
    Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 100 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side effects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Nevro Corporation
    Inventors: Konstantinos Alataris, Andre B. Walker, Jon Parker, Yougandh Chitre, Sangsoo Wesley Park, James R. Thacker
  • Patent number: 9333357
    Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side effects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Nevro Corporation
    Inventors: Konstantinos Alataris, Andre B. Walker, Jon Parker, Yougandh Chitre, Sangsoo Wesley Park, James R. Thacker
  • Patent number: 9333113
    Abstract: A catheter apparatus for treatment of a human patient is described, the catheter apparatus having a central axis and comprising a shaping structure moveable between a delivery state having a first helical shape, and a deployed state having a second helical shape. The shaping structure is configured to have a reverse taper with a structural diameter that varies over the length of the shaping structure such that the structural diameter of the shaping structure at the proximal end is smaller than the structural diameter of the shaping structure at the distal end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Abunassar, John Stankus, Jesus Magana, David Mackiewicz, Mikael Trollsas, Syed Hossainy, Scott Perrin
  • Patent number: 9327126
    Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side effects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Nevro Corporation
    Inventors: Konstantinos Alataris, Andre B. Walker, Jon Parker, Yougandh Chitre, Sangsoo Wesley Park, James R. Thacker
  • Patent number: 9327127
    Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side effects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Nevro Corporation
    Inventors: Konstantinos Alataris, Andre B. Walker, Jon Parker, Yougandh Chitre, Sangsoo Wesley Park, James R. Thacker
  • Patent number: 9327124
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for stimulating neurons having a pathological synchronous and oscillatory neural activity, the apparatus including a stimulation unit having a plurality of stimulation contacts to stimulate neurons in a patients brain and/or spinal cord with electric stimuli, a measurement unit for recording test signals that represent a neural activity of the stimulated neurons, and a control and analysis unit. Furthermore, the stimulation contacts of the stimulation unit apply stimuli, and the control and analysis unit selects the stimulation contacts, the stimuli of which cause the phase of the pathological synchronous and oscillatory neural activity of the stimulated neurons to be reset. The selected stimulation contacts then apply phase-resetting stimuli with a time delay, and the control and analysis unit verifies whether the pathological synchronous and oscillatory neural activity of the stimulated neurons is suppressed by said time-delayed stimuli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Alexander Tass
  • Patent number: 9327107
    Abstract: A system for a neurostimulation device comprises a user input device configured for receiving an electrode morphology having at least one electrode, memory storing at least one basis electrode model, and at least one processor configured for modeling at least one electrode by recalling the at least one basis electrode model from the memory, and using the recalled at least one basis electrode model multiple times to construct a model of the at least one electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Moffitt
  • Patent number: 9327125
    Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side effects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Nevro Corporation
    Inventors: Konstantinos Alataris, Andre B. Walker, Jon Parker, Yougandh Chitre, Sangsoo Wesley Park, James R. Thacker
  • Patent number: 9282911
    Abstract: An illustrative method and system for displaying ECG data of a patient includes the steps of: receiving an ECG waveform of a patient, determining at least a first attribute of the ECG waveform, and determining at least one data point from the first attribute of the ECG waveform. The first data point and associated first attribute of the ECG waveform are displayed on a linear scale. In an alternative method, the at least one data point is structured in a database of ECG data according to the Cabrera sequence; the display domain of the display is divided into several recurrent display slots; and a sequential one of the several recurrent display slots is associated with the at least one data point, which is displayed on the linear scale in the order in which the at least one data point appears in the Cabrera structured database of ECG data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Physio-Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Eugene Stickney, Blaine Krusor
  • Patent number: 9278189
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising an input connector configured for sterile connection to a fluid source, a first tube, a second, and a third tube. The first tube extends from a proximal end to a distal end, the proximal end comprising an input connector configured for sterile attachment to a fluid source. The input connector provides fluid communication between the first tube and the source. The second and third tubes are each in fluid communication with the first tube. The second and third tubes each extend from a proximal end to a distal end comprising an output connector configured for sterile connection to separate fluid input ports of a catheter based device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: ABIOMED, INC.
    Inventor: Scott C. Corbett
  • Patent number: 9278222
    Abstract: A method, computer medium, and system for programming a controller is provided. The controller controls electrical stimulation energy output to electrodes, and stores a set of programmed stimulation parameters associated with the electrodes. The programmed stimulation parameter set is compared with sets of reference stimulation parameters, each of the reference sets of stimulation parameters being associated with the electrodes. If an identical match is determined between the programmed stimulation parameter set and any one of the reference stimulation parameter sets exists based on the comparison, the identically matched stimulation parameter set is selected as an initial stimulation parameter set. If an identical match does not exist, a best between the programmed stimulation parameter set and the reference stimulation parameter sets is determined and selected as the initial stimulation parameter set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Thacker, Michael Moffitt, Kerry Bradley, David K. L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9241752
    Abstract: Cryotherapeutic systems with features that can facilitate pressure relief in the event of exhaust-passage blockage and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. A cryotherapeutic system configured in accordance with a particular embodiment can include an elongated shaft having a distal portion and a pressure-relief portion proximal to the distal portion. The cryotherapeutic system can further include a supply lumen, an exhaust passage, and a balloon configured to receive refrigerant from the supply lumen and to exhaust refrigerant to the exhaust passage. The pressure-relief portion can be configured to release refrigerant from the exhaust passage when a pressure of refrigerant in the exhaust passage exceeds a threshold pressure less than a pressure rating of the balloon. The pressure-relief portion, for example, can include a rupture element configured to rupture at about the threshold pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic Ardian Luxembourg S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Stephen Nash, Grace Kelly
  • Patent number: 9227001
    Abstract: A high efficiency blood pump includes a pump housing, wherein the pump housing provides an inlet and outlet. The pump includes a motor housing, wherein the motor housing contains a motor. An impeller is housed in the pump housing, wherein the impeller is radially supported by a hydrodynamic bearing providing at least one row of pattern grooves. A diaphragm provided by the pump housing separates the impeller chamber from the motor chamber. A magnetic coupling is provided between the motor and the impeller, wherein the magnetic coupling causes the impeller to rotate when the motor rotates and provides axial restraint of the impeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: EVERHEART SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Neil H. Akkerman, Greg S. Aber
  • Patent number: 9227062
    Abstract: An exemplary system for synchronizing an operation of a middle ear analyzer and a cochlear implant system includes 1) a mapping facility configured to maintain mapping data representative of an association between a plurality of sound levels and a plurality of current levels and between a plurality of frequencies and a plurality of electrodes, 2) a detection facility configured to receive an acoustic signal transmitted by the middle ear analyzer and detect a sound level and a frequency of the acoustic signal, and 3) a processing facility configured to identify, based on the mapping data, a current level associated with the detected sound level and one or more electrodes associated with the detected frequency and direct the cochlear implant system to apply electrical stimulation having the identified current level to one or more stimulation sites within a patient by way of the identified one or more electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: Kinuko Masaki, Abhijit Kulkarni, Aniket Saoji, Leonid M. Litvak
  • Patent number: 9220886
    Abstract: A filar includes an inner conductive core that is formed of a low-resistivity material such as silver having a resistivity of less than 20 ?? per centimeter. A conductive coil is provided around the core to form a filar. This coil is formed of a biocompatible alloy or super alloy having an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of between 150 kilo pounds per square inch (ksi) and 280 ksi at room temperature. Examples of such alloys include CoCrMo, CoFeCrMo, and CoFeNiCrMo. In one specific embodiment, the alloy is MP35N (CoNiCrMo), which may be low-titanium (“low-ti”) MP35N. One or more such filars may be included within a wire. This wire may be carried by an implantable medical apparatus such as a lead, lead extension, or catheter. The wire may electrically couple elements such as connector electrodes to conducting electrodes or sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Ling Wang, Bernard Q. Li
  • Patent number: 9211415
    Abstract: A method and a system of phrenic nerve stimulation detection in conjunction with posture sensing is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method may include receiving a trigger for conducting a pace-induced phrenic nerve stimulation (PS) search using the IMD within the patient. On receiving the trigger, the IMD may be used for conducting the PS search. A procedure of conducting the PS search may include measuring a posture of the patient using an implantable posture sensor, searching for PS while the patient is in the measured posture and obtaining a PS result from the PS search for the measured posture. The method may include recording both the PS result and the measured posture in a memory of the IMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Sunipa Saha, Holly Rockweiler, Aaron R. McCabe, Krzysztof Z. Siejko, John D. Hatlestad
  • Patent number: 9205250
    Abstract: A signal line for an implantable electromedical configuration, having an electric line segment or line end and a mechanoelectric converter for converting an electric AC voltage signal into a mechanical oscillation. The oscillation can in turn be converted back into an electrical signal for delivery to a part of a human or mammal body, e.g., a heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK CRM Patent AG
    Inventors: Ingo Weiss, Stefan Knorr
  • Patent number: 9198706
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cryoablation of a tissue. In at least one embodiment of a cryoablation system of the present disclosure, the cryoablation system comprises an expandable stent comprising a proximal end and a distal end, a sidewall defining a lumen extending between the proximal end and the distal end, and a cryoablation chamber at the distal end, the expandable stent configured to permit blood flow therethrough, and a cryoablation device comprising at least one coolant tube at least partially positioned within the cryoablation chamber, wherein the at least one coolant tube is operable to produce a cryogenic environment sufficient to ablate at least a portion of a tissue engaged within the cryoablation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: CVDevices, LLC
    Inventors: Ghassan S. Kassab, Jose A. Navia, Sr.