Patents Examined by George Evanisko
  • Patent number: 10231673
    Abstract: A method for determining a stress level of a user based on a sympathovagal balance (SVB) value calculated based on a set of measurement data may include determining a heart-rate variability (HRV) characteristic as a ratio involving a number of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity markers within a first portion of the set of measurement data and the number of ANS activity markers within a second portion of the set of measurement data, and then determining the stress level of the user based on the HRV characteristic. The first and second portions of the set of measurement data may be selected based on a user-specific baseline SVB value that divides a histogram representation of the set of measurement data into the first and second portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jawahar Jain, James Young, Cody Wortham, Sajid Sadi, Pranav Mistry
  • Patent number: 10195437
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator-implemented method for managing tachyarrhythmias through vagus nerve stimulation is provided. An implantable neurostimulator, including a pulse generator, is configured to deliver electrical therapeutic stimulation in a manner that results in creation and propagation (in both afferent and efferent directions) of action potentials within neuronal fibers of a patient's cervical vagus nerve. Operating modes of the pulse generator are stored. A maintenance dose of the electrical therapeutic stimulation is delivered to the vagus nerve via the pulse generator to restore cardiac autonomic balance through continuously-cycling, intermittent and periodic electrical pulses. A restorative dose of the electrical therapeutic stimulation is delivered to prevent initiation of or disrupt tachyarrhythmia through periodic electrical pulses delivered at higher intensity than the maintenance dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Badri Amurthur, Bruce H. KenKnight
  • Patent number: 10188859
    Abstract: A portable one-piece therapeutical apparatus with dual heating and low-frequency treatment functions includes a main unit having an accommodating space and a patch portion; a control means installed in the accommodating space and including a printed circuit board assembly with an operating component for controlling low-frequency pulses and a heating operation, an electrical connector installed at the front of the printed circuit board assembly for charging a battery and reading, writing and transmitting data; at least one heating means installed at the main unit and electrically coupled to the printed circuit board assembly for producing a heating effect; at least one low-frequency electrode layer disposed under the patch portion and electrically coupled to the printed circuit board assembly for transmitting low-frequency pulses; and a battery installed in the accommodating space and directly and electrically coupled to the printed circuit board assembly for supplying power to the patch therapeutical apparatu
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: HIVOX BIOTEK INC.
    Inventor: Wei Tuan
  • Patent number: 10188863
    Abstract: In some examples, a processor of a system evaluates a therapy program based on a score determined based on a volume of tissue expected to be activated (“VTA”) by therapy delivery according to the therapy program. The score may be determined using a three-dimensional (3D) grid comprising a plurality of voxels that are each assigned a value. The processor may register the VTA with the 3D grid and determine the score for the therapy program based on the values assigned to voxels with which the VTA overlaps. One or more therapy programs for electrical stimulation therapy (e.g., deep brain stimulation) may be selected based on the scores determined based on the 3D grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Kaemmerer, Maciej T. Lazarewicz, Gabriela C. Molnar, Ashutosh Chaturvedi
  • Patent number: 10166318
    Abstract: A rotary machine is provided which may include a rotor and a stator within a housing. The stator may be for generating a rotating magnetic field for applying a torque to the rotor. A commutator circuit may provide a plurality of phase voltages to the stator, and a controller may adjust the plurality of phase voltages provided by the commutator circuit to modify an attractive force of the stator on the rotor to move the rotor in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: TC1 LLC
    Inventors: Shunzhou Yu, Alexander Medvedev, Ren You
  • Patent number: 10159840
    Abstract: An active implantable medical device for neurostimulation therapy is disclosed. The device produces stimulation pulse sequences generated continuously in succession during activity periods separated by intermediate inactivity periods during which no stimulation is issued. An input signal, provided by a physiological sensor, representative of cardiac activity and/or of the patient's hemodynamic status is received by circuitry. The circuitry further provides for dynamic control of the neurostimulation therapy, wherein the length of activity periods is modulated based on the current value level of the control parameter compared to a threshold. The duration of the next period of inactivity is calculated by the circuitry at the end of each activity period to maintain a constant duty cycle ratio between periods of activity and periods of inactivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignees: SORIN CRM SAS, UNIVERSITÉ DE RENNES 1, INSERM-INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA SANTE ET DE LA RECHERCHE MEDICALE
    Inventors: Jean-Luc Bonnet, Alfredo Hernandez, Guy Carrault, Hector Romero
  • Patent number: 10137296
    Abstract: An active bipolar cardiac electrical lead includes a distal electrode (108), an intermediate connection mount (109), a ring electrode (103), and a tip housing (110). The intermediate connection mount (109) defines a proximal fitting (370) and a distal fitting (374). The ring electrode (103) has an exposed section (356) that sleeves over and engages the proximal fitting (370) of the intermediate connection mount (109) with a snap-fit connection. The intermediate connection mount (109) may connect the ring electrode (103) to the tip housing (110) and provide electrical insulation between the ring electrode (103) and the distal electrode (108).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: SHANGHAI MICROPORT MEDICAL (GROUP) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Grace Ying Yang Jang, Zhijun Cheng
  • Patent number: 10130814
    Abstract: A method of treating a movement disorder using deep brain stimulation, the method comprising the step of inserting a lead having at least one electrode into the brain of a subject, the lead being inserted along a trajectory from the occipito-temporal or occipito-parietal regions, passing laterally to the posterior horn of the lateral ventricle to contact the subthalamic nucleus, the zona incerta or the globus pallidus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: RENISHAW PLC
    Inventor: Steven Gill
  • Patent number: 10130806
    Abstract: A trial electrical stimulation lead includes a lead body having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a longitudinal length; electrodes disposed along the distal end portion of the lead body; terminals disposed along the proximal end portion of the lead body; conductors electrically coupling the terminals to the electrodes; and a preventer extending proximally from the proximal end portion of the lead body. The preventer has a diameter smaller than a diameter of the lead body. The preventer prevents coupling of the trial electrical stimulation lead to an implantable control module, but permits coupling to an external trial stimulation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Jacob B. Leven, John M. Barker, Anne Margaret Pianca
  • Patent number: 10123745
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an input configured to receive electrocardiogram (ECG) data detected by a patient monitoring device, the ECG data containing a physiologic signal and one or more segments of noise within the ECG data. A scrubber comprises a plurality of scrubbing modules each configured to process the ECG data and noise in a manner differing from other scrubbing modules. The scrubber is configured to filter the one or more noise segments that overlap with the physiologic signal, and consolidate the ECG data to eliminate the one or more noise segments that are non-overlapping with the physiologic signal. An output is configured to output scrubbed ECG data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Rodolphe Katra, Tyler Stigen, Niranjan Chakravarthy
  • Patent number: 10124171
    Abstract: Via a user interface of an electronic device, virtual representations of an implantable pulse generator (IPG), an external pulse generator (EPG), and an implantable lead are displayed. A detection is made that the EPG has been selected. In response to the selection of the EPG, a first workflow is made automatically available. The first workflow is associated with using a Percutaneous Nerve Evaluation (PNE) needle to investigate an optimum location for implanting the implantable lead. A detection is made that the implantable lead has been coupled to the IPG or the EPG. In response to the coupling of the implantable lead to the IPG or the EPG, a second workflow is made automatically available. The second workflow is associated with evaluating a patient physiological response at least in part by using the implantable lead to deliver electrical stimulation to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Nuvectra Corporation
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu
  • Patent number: 10118043
    Abstract: A cochlear implant or other auditory prosthesis utilizes an external portion worn on a recipient's head and an internal portion implanted therein. Both portions include an associated coil that transmits a signal between the two portions. The external coil has a form factor substantially similar to the implantable coil. This form factor allows the external portion to be manufactured with a smaller footprint, since components that may otherwise interfere with signal transmission (e.g., batteries) may be installed closer to the external coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: COCHLEAR LIMITED
    Inventors: Oliver John Ridler, Adam Mujaj
  • Patent number: 10117982
    Abstract: A system for improving heart muscle response during a pre-ejection phase in the heart muscle pumping cycle requires a catheter having a pressure transducer and a fluid device mounted at its distal end. Also included is a pump connected to the proximal end of the catheter in fluid communication with the fluid device. A computer will activate the pump in response to a predetermined signal from the pressure transducer to inject and maintain an increased fluid volume in the pumping chamber of the heart for a predetermined time interval ?t during the pre-ejection phase. This supplements the isometric pressure in the heart's pumping chamber in preparation for a subsequent ejection of blood from the pumping chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Guy P. Curtis and Frances L. Curtis Trust
    Inventor: Guy P. Curtis
  • Patent number: 10105540
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided, comprising: (a) an implantable excitation unit, configured to induce action potentials in a nerve of a subject by applying an excitatory current; (b) an implantable blocking unit, configured to block the induced action potentials from propagating along the nerve by applying a blocking current; and (c) an extracorporeal controller, comprising circuitry configured: (i) to wirelessly drive the excitation unit to apply the excitatory current, (ii) in a first mode, to wirelessly drive the blocking unit to apply the blocking current while not driving the excitation unit to apply the excitatory current, (iii) in a second mode, to wirelessly drive the blocking unit to apply the blocking current while driving the excitation unit to apply the excitatory current, and (iv) to wirelessly alter a parameter of the blocking current, based on sensing performed while the extracorporeal controller is in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: BLUEWIND MEDICAL LTD.
    Inventors: Gur Oron, Bar Eytan, Eran Benjamin, Anton Plotkin, Yossi Gross
  • Patent number: 10105542
    Abstract: A neurostimulation system having an external or an implantable pulse generator programmed to innervate a specific nerve or group of nerves in a patient through an electrode as a mode of treatment, having a patient remote that wirelessly communicates with the pulse generator to increase stimulation, decrease stimulation, and provide indications to a patient regarding the status of the neurostimulation system. The patient remote can allow for adjustment of stimulation power within a clinically effective range and for turning on and turning off the pulse generator. The patient remote and neurostimulation system can also store a stimulation level when the pulse generator is turned off and automatically restore the pulse generator to the stored stimulation level when the pulse generator is turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: AXONICS MODULATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Guangqiang Jiang, John Woock, Dennis Schroeder, Eric Schmid
  • Patent number: 10092743
    Abstract: Anchors for use with implantable medical leads include an elastic body containing one or more rigid bodies that have longitudinal free edges. The longitudinal free edges run from end to end to define full length slots. Partial length slots may also be included within the one or more rigid bodies. The full length and partial length slots allow for deflection of the rigid bodies against the body of an implantable medical lead to hold the anchor in place on the lead. The full length slots allow a blade to pass through and cut a slit in the elastic body which allows the anchor to be removed from the lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Olson, Thomas C. Bischoff, Michael J. Kern
  • Patent number: 10080828
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heart pump (6) with a delivery channel and with a delivery device (6b, 6c, 34) for blood, which is arranged in this delivery channel, wherein the delivery channel at least partly runs in a pump tube (6a, 105a). A first sensor device (100, 101, 102) for measuring the oxygen saturation of the blood, is provided on the heart pump, in particular on a wall of the delivery channel, in particular on the pump tube. A control device can also be integrated into the pump. Thereby, additional monitoring and control possibilities result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: BERLIN HEART GMBH
    Inventors: Constantin Wiesener, Dominik Karch
  • Patent number: 10080891
    Abstract: An extra-cardiovascular medical device is configured to select a capacitor configuration from a capacitor array and deliver a low voltage, pacing pulse by discharging the selected capacitor configuration across an extra-cardiovascular pacing electrode vector. In some examples, the medical device is configured to determine the capacitor configuration based on a measured impedance of the extra-cardiovascular pacing electrode vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Amy E. Thompson-Nauman, Melissa G. T. Christie, Mark T. Marshall, Thomas H. Spear
  • Patent number: 10076260
    Abstract: A method can include analyzing non-invasive electrical data for a region of interest (ROI) of a patient's anatomical structure to identify one or more zones within the ROI that contain at least one mechanism of distinct arrhythmogenic electrical activity. The method also includes analyzing invasive electrical data for a plurality of signals of interest at different spatial sites within each of the identified zones to determine intracardiac signal characteristics for the plurality of sites within each respective zone. The method also includes generating an output that integrates the at least one mechanism of distinct arrhythmogenic electrical activity for the one or more zones with intracardiac signal characteristics for the plurality of sites within each respective zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Cardioinsight Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Bokan, Charulatha Ramanathan, Ping Jia, Maria Strom, Qingguo Zeng
  • Patent number: 10076667
    Abstract: A non-zero starting value for ramping up a stimulation parameter for an electrical stimulation to be delivered to a patient is determined. The non-zero starting value is customized to the patient. A pulse generator is caused to generate the electrical stimulation, which is delivered to the patient via an implanted lead. The pulse generator is caused to ramp up, from the determined non-zero starting value and toward a predefined maximum limit value, the stimulation parameter for a plurality of electrode contacts on the lead. Feedback is received from the patient in response to the ramping up. The feedback is received via an electronic patient feedback device. Based on the ramping up and the received feedback from the patient, a perception threshold is determined for each of the plurality of electrode contacts. The perception threshold is a value of the stimulation parameter that corresponds to the patient feeling the electrical stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Nuvectra Corporation
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu