Patents Examined by George R. Evanisko
  • Therapy program selection for electrical stimulation therapy based on a volume of tissue activation
    Patent number: 11040205
    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: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: William F. Kaemmerer, Maciej T. Lazarewicz, Gabriela C. Molnar, Ashutosh Chaturvedi
  • Auditory prosthesis system including sound processor apparatus with position sensor
    Patent number: 11039257
    Abstract: An exemplary system includes a sound processor apparatus that is configured for external use by a patient and includes 1) a position sensor that detects a positioning of the sound processor apparatus and 2) a control module that is communicatively coupled to the position sensor and performs a predetermined action with respect to the system in accordance with the detected positioning of the sound processor apparatus. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventor: Lakshmi N. Mishra
  • Non-ablative photonic devices and related methods
    Patent number: 11033754
    Abstract: A method of delivering light energy to a pathological tissue includes emitting light energy from a first optical element within a cannula, producing a substantially uniform irradiance profile from the light energy within the cannula, transmitting the light energy emitted from the first optical element through a second optical element in thermal contact with a distal end of the cannula to the pathological tissue without ablating the pathological tissue, and conducting thermal energy from the pathological tissue through the second optical element and to the cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: LITECURE LLC
    Inventors: Luis De Taboada, Brian Pryor
  • Feature point identification method of mechanocardiography
    Patent number: 11013429
    Abstract: A method to identify feature points associated with the heart valve movement, heart contraction or cardiac hemodynamics is revealed. The mechanocardiography (MCG) is a technology that makes use of vibrational waveforms acquired using at least one gravity sensor attached on one of the four heart valve auscultation sites on the body surface. The data of the electrocardiography (ECG) is recorded simultaneously with the MCG The feature points are identified by comparing P, R and T points of synchronized ECG with the MCG spectrum. By the time sequences and amplitudes of the feature points, the method provides additional clinical information of cardiac cycle abnormalities for diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Chang Gung University
    Inventors: Wen-Yen Lin, Ming-Yih Lee, Po-Cheng Chang, Wen-Zheng Zhou
  • Wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) system with isolated patient parameter component
    Patent number: 11000692
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) systems that include patient parameter electrodes, such as ECG electrodes, that are at least substantially electrically isolated from other circuits of the WCD system. In embodiments, the WCD system includes a power source, an energy storage module, and a processor each connected to a first circuit ground. A patient parameter sense port, such as an ECG port, is coupled to the patient. A measurement circuit may render a physiological input from the sensed patient parameter received at the patient parameter sense port, and the measurement circuit includes an isolating circuit that electrically isolates the patient parameter sense port from the first circuit ground. The sensing of physiological inputs of the patient can be improved, resulting in fewer erroneous readings and false alarms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: West Affum Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas Keith Medema, Kenneth Frederick Cowan, Zhong Qun Lu
  • Visualization system for deep brain stimulation
    Patent number: 10987016
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for a visualization system for deep brain stimulation. The visualization system comprises a camera system, a display system, and an information analyzer. The information analyzer is configured to display a group of electrodes for the deep brain stimulation on a head of a patient on the display system such that a visualization of the group of electrodes is displayed overlaid on the head of the patient in real time in a position corresponding to an actual position of the group of electrodes in a brain in the head of the patient. An operation of the group of electrodes sending an electrical signal into the head of the patient is displayed in the visualization, enabling visualizing a physical reaction of the patient to the deep brain stimulation in conjunction with the visualization of the operation of the group of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brian Dale Laughlin, Dane Brian Laughlin, Madison Lauryn Laughlin
  • Paddle leads and delivery tools, and associated systems and methods
    Patent number: 10980999
    Abstract: Paddle leads and delivery tools, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative system is for use with a signal delivery paddle that is elongated along a longitudinal axis, and has a paddle length and a first cross-sectional area distribution that includes a first maxima. The system comprises a delivery tool including a proximal handle and a distal connection portion positioned to removably couple to the signal delivery paddle. The paddle and the delivery tool together have a combined second cross-sectional area distribution along the length of the paddle, with a second maxima that is no greater than the first maxima.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Nevro Corp.
    Inventor: Mark Steven Wong
  • Apparatus for treatment of menière's disease
    Patent number: 10973627
    Abstract: An inner ear fluid circulation system includes an implantable circulation pump that has a pump inlet and a pump outlet both in fluid communication with inner ear fluid of an implanted patient. The circulation pump is configured to drive the inner ear fluid in from the pump inlet and out through the pump outlet. A pump controller is coupled to the circulation pump and one or more sensing elements for measurement of one or more fluid conditions within the inner ear of the implanted patient, and is configured to control operation of the circulation pump as a function of the measured one or more fluid conditions. Also disclosed is a cochlear implant arrangement and a vestibular implant arrangement comprising such a fluid circulation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventor: Marek Polak
  • Devices and methods for reducing inflammation using electrical stimulation
    Patent number: 10967182
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing pulmonary inflammation and/or increasing bronchial compliance in a patient utilize transcutaneous stimulation of neural structures in a region of an ear of a patient delivered by an auricular stimulation device having an in-ear component with a first electrode disposed in a patient's ear and an earpiece component with a second electrode placed around the auricle. A pulse generator may control delivery of therapy by delivering both a first series of stimulation pulses to the first electrode for stimulating a first neural structure(s) and a second series of stimulation pulses to the second electrode for stimulating second neural structure(s). The first and second electrodes are in non-piercing contact with tissue on and/or surrounding the ear. The systems and methods may be used to treat viral or bacteria infections, such as SARS, MERS, or COVID-19.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Spark Biomedical, Inc.
    Inventors: Navid Khodaparast, Alejandro Covalin
  • Systems and methods for controlling a heart pump to minimize myocardial oxygen consumption
    Patent number: 10960118
    Abstract: Various systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein for treating acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients using a heart pump controlled in a manner that maximizes mechanical unloading of the left ventricle in the presence of cardiovascular instability and minimizes myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) and consequentially infarct size to prevent the development of subsequent heart failure. In a closed feedback system, the system can include a sensor configured to generate an output used to measure or calculate a left ventricular systolic pressure (LSVP) within the left ventricle of a heart and a controller coupled to a heart pump. The controller can be configured to measure or calculate the LVSP based on the output of the sensor and to control an operation of the heart pump to maximize mechanical unloading of the left ventricle based on the measured or calculated LVSP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: ABIOMED, INC.
    Inventor: Kenji Sunagawa
  • Systems and methods for controlling electrical stimulation using multiple stimulation fields
    Patent number: 10960214
    Abstract: A system for programming electrical stimulation by a lead includes a processor coupled to a display. The processor presents an interface on the display with user-selectable controls to define stimulation fields and repeating stimulation patterns for delivering the stimulation fields temporally-coordinated with each other. The user-selectable controls include a field control to define the number of stimulation fields, a location control to define locations of the stimulation fields relative to the lead, a repetition control to define a repetition frequency of the stimulation patterns, and a temporal-adjustment control to define temporal adjustments of the stimulation fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: G. Karl Steinke, Stephen Carcieri, Richard Mustakos, Hemant Bokil
  • Wireless cardiac sensor
    Patent number: 10945624
    Abstract: A wireless cardiac sensor is provided. The sensor may be utilized by a patient, on themselves, in an at home or other non-clinical environment. A sensor housing contains ECG electrodes and an audio transducer to simultaneously capture heart sound and ECG data with a single device. The ECG electrodes may be positioned on opposite sides of, and preferably adjacent to, an audio transducer sensor, for placement against a user's chest. The wireless cardiac sensor may include a button on a surface opposite the ECG electrodes and audio sensor, facilitating one-handed operation by a patient. The sensor transmits acquired data to a personal electronic device, such as a smartphone, via a wireless communication link. The personal electronic device may in turn transmit data to a centralized server and/or health care provider devices, via a wide area network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: EKO DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Connor Landgraf, Philip Goolkasian, Tyler Crouch
  • Wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) system using security NFC tag for requests of data from memory
    Patent number: 10946208
    Abstract: A wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) system includes a processor, a memory, a wireless communication module (DWCM), and an NFC tag that stores information for how an accessing device may access the DWCM wirelessly. An accessing device such as a defibrillator configurator with an NFC reader may read the NFC tag of the WCD system, if it has adequate permission to do so. Upon so reading, the accessing device will know how to address the DWCM wirelessly, and thus install or update configuration data, software updates, or request memory downloads from operations. The use of the NFC tag requires close proximity, which hampers both inadvertently programming the wrong WCD system, plus a WCD system being attacked maliciously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: West Affum Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Erik L. Schneider, Erick Michael Roane, Dusan Beblavy
  • Methods of cardiac mapping and directional guidance
    Patent number: 10932863
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide a cardiac mapping method including: generating an activation map of a heart based on electrocardiogram (ECG) data of a heart and a three-dimensional (3D) heart model; performing an electrophysiology (EP) procedure to determine a first pacing location; pacing the heart at the first pacing location using an EP catheter; determining whether the pacing at the first pacing location generates a desired cardiac response; displaying guidance information related to a second pacing location on one or both of the activation map and the internal surface map, when the first pacing location is determined not to generate the desired cardiac response; moving the pacing catheter to the second pacing location, based on the guidance information; and pacing the heart at the second pacing location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Catheter Precision, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Adler
  • Facial skin care device and operation method therefor
    Patent number: 10933229
    Abstract: A facial skin care device and a method of operating the same are disclosed. The facial skin care device comprises an oral insertion module configured to have a structure inserted in an oral cavity and include one or more oral electrodes contacted with a skin in the oral cavity, and a main body configured to include a main electrode connected electrically to at least one of the oral electrode on an outer surface of a facial skin and a current generation unit which is connected to the main electrode and generates current for applying electrical stimulation to the facial skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: MYONGJI UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY AND ACADEMIA COOPERATION FOUNDATION
    Inventor: Jung Kuk Kim
  • Defibrillator display
    Patent number: 10893812
    Abstract: An external defibrillator system is provided. The system includes: a graphical display; one or more sensors for obtaining data regarding chest compressions performed on a patient; and a controller configured to display on the graphical display numeric values for depth and/or rate of the chest compressions based upon the data from the one or more sensors. A method for using an external defibrillator including the steps of: obtaining data regarding chest compressions performed on a patient; and displaying on a graphical display screen of the defibrillator numeric values for depth and/or rate of the chest compressions based upon the data is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: ZOLL Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Qing Tan, Gary A. Freeman, Frederick J. Geheb, Martin E. Bures, Annemarie Silver
  • Heart pump cuff
    Patent number: 10894116
    Abstract: At least some embodiments of the disclosure may advantageously limit bleeding and the occurrence of blood leaks after heart pump implantation. In some embodiments, a base may be provided that includes a flexible layer mechanically coupled with a conduit. The flexible layer may be coupled with the proximal end of the conduit. The conduit may be configured to receive a cannula of the heart pump therethrough. The outer surface of the conduit may be configured to engage a surface of the heart formed after coring the heart. The conduit may be metal and may have a flared and/or beveled distal end. The conduit may be a flexible material. A distal flexible layer may be provided at a distal end of the conduit that is configured to engage with an inner surface of the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: TC1 LLC
    Inventors: John Duc Nguyen, Huy Ngo, Carine Hoarau, Fabian Franco
  • Ventricular assist device and method
    Patent number: 10888646
    Abstract: A method is provided for supporting heart function of a patient. The method comprises the step of securing an intracorporeal device across at least two anatomical walls of the heart, wherein at least one anatomical wall is an intra-cardiac wall and a least one anatomical wall is an extra-cardiac wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: NUHEART AS
    Inventors: Vegard Tuseth, Shawn Patterson, Philip J. Haarstad, Knut Klepsvik
  • System and method for controlling the position of a levitated rotor
    Patent number: 10874782
    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: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventors: Shunzhou Yu, Alexander Medvedev, Ren You
  • Medical tool employing a warning mechanism notifying that a rotational limit has been reached
    Patent number: 10874849
    Abstract: A medical tool includes a rotation mechanism that further includes a warning feature. The warning feature provides an indication when the rotation mechanism has achieved a number of rotations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: PACESETTER, INC.
    Inventors: Bradley Knippel, Daniel Coyle, Jennifer Heisel, Bernhard Arnar, Brett Hillukka, Tracee Eidenschink, Thomas B. Eby, Paul Paspa, Joseph Ramon Callol