Patents Examined by Jeremiah Kimball
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Patent number: 8577463Abstract: An electrode assembly includes an interconnect for at least a first connector electrode and a second connector electrode, where the interconnect provides the mechanical and/or electrical connection between the electrodes. In one example, the assembly is an elongate member having material removed therefrom along an intermediate portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Devon N. Arnholt, Michelle Fangmeier, Samir Rajnibhai Gami, Aaron Gebauer, Kyle Hoecke, Weston Pernsteiner, Gregory L. Sundberg
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Patent number: 8571671Abstract: A critical element of a retinal prosthesis is the stimulating electrode array, which is placed in close proximity to the retina. It is via this interface that a retinal prosthesis electrically stimulates nerve cells to produce the perception of light. The impedance load seen by the current driver consists of the tissue resistance and the complex electrode impedance. The results show that the tissue resistance of the retina is significantly greater than that of the vitreous humor in the eye. Circuit models of the electrode-retina interface are used to parameterize the different contributors to the overall impedance.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.Inventors: Samip Shah, Amy Chu Peishuan Hines, Dao Min Zhou, Robert J. Greenberg, Mark S. Humayun, James D. Weiland
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Patent number: 8571672Abstract: An implantable device including a first electrically non-conductive substrate with a plurality of electrically conductive vias. The device also includes a flip-chip multiplexer circuit attached to the first substrate using conductive bumps, the circuit being electrically connected to at least a subset of the of the electrically conductive vias. Another flip-chip driver circuit is attached to the flip-chip multiplexer circuit using conductive bumps while a second electrically non-conductive substrate is attached to the flip-chip driver circuit, also using conductive bumps. Discrete passives are attached to the second electrically non-conductive substrate and a cover is bonded to the first substrate. The cover, the first substrate, and the electrically conductive vias form a hermetic package.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.Inventors: Jerry Ok, Robert J Greenberg, Neil Hamilton Talbot, James S Little, Rongqing Dai, Jordan Matthew Neysmith, Kelly H McClure
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Patent number: 8571659Abstract: In an embodiment, the invention includes an implantable medical device with a pulse generator and a chemical sensor in communication with the pulse generator, the chemical sensor configured to detect an ion concentration in a bodily fluid. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for providing cardiac arrhythmia therapy to a patient including sensing a physiological concentration of an analyte, communicating data regarding the physiological concentration of the analyte to an implanted pulse generator, and delivering therapy to the patient based in part on the physiological concentration of the ion. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for monitoring diuretic therapy. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for controlling delivery of an active agent into a human body. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2012Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Michael John Kane, Jeffrey Allen Von Arx, James Gregory Bentsen
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Patent number: 8571663Abstract: Featured is an apparatus an apparatus including a monitoring and sensing means, an electrode patch and a control device operably coupled to each of the sensing means and the electrodes and outputs signals to the electrodes for purposes of stimulating the phrenic nerve to thereby cause breathing by natural contraction of the diaphragm. The control device is configured and arranged to initially localize the phrenic nerve with respect to a given set of electrodes that is effective, when appropriately energized, for stimulating the phrenic nerve to establish negative pressure induced respiration in the body, based on the output signal(s) from the monitoring and sensing means. After such initially localizing; the control device thereafter repetitively outputs stimulation signals via the given set of electrodes so as to thereby continuously stimulate negative pressure induced respiration. Also featured are methods related thereto.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2009Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: The Johns Hopkins UniversityInventors: Myron Weisfeldt, Soumyadipta Acharya, Courtney C. Haswell, Hargun S. Khanna, Yun Long, Vanessa C. Pau, Girish K. Singhal, Nimra Taqi, Lu Zhao
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Patent number: 8560042Abstract: A system to determine and illustrate a location of position element within a volume is disclosed. The position element can be used to determine the position of a portion of an instrument. The instrument can include one or both of a cannulated member and a lead member passed through the cannula.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2012Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: H. Toby Markowitz, Pooja Mehta, Eduardo N. Warman, Phillip Falkner, Ioana Fleming
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Patent number: 8532777Abstract: An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (“ICD”) comprises a battery, control circuitry and a capacitor assembly. The capacitor assembly includes at least one capacitor, a flex circuit for connection to the control circuitry of the ICD and a first and second support portions. The flex circuit is arranged between the first and second support portions and includes a plurality of tangs for connecting to the anode and cathode of the capacitor(s), as well as to the control circuitry of the ICD.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Douglas James Morelli, William Richard Schildgen, Stephen Hall, Wen Tan
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Patent number: 8532778Abstract: A method of inducing forced expiration in a subject is disclosed. The method can include percutaneously placing an injectable microstimulator adjacent at least one thoracic spinal nerve that innervates an intercostal muscle. For example, the microstimulator is placed within 8 cm externally of a neuroforamen through which the spinal nerve emerges from a thoracic vertebra. The method can also entail applying a stimulating electrical current from the microstimulator to the thoracic spinal nerve at a sufficient intensity and duration to induce a forced contraction of the intercostal muscle innervated by that spinal nerve.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2007Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Veterans AffairsInventor: Vernon Lin
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Patent number: 8532776Abstract: The present invention is an improved hermetic package for implantation in the human body. The implantable device of the present invention includes an eclectically non-conductive bass including electrically conductive vias through the substrate. A circuit is flip-chip bonded to a subset of the vias. A second circuit is wire bonded to another subset of the vias. Finally, a cover is bonded to the substrate such that the cover, substrate and vias form a hermetic package.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2007Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.Inventors: Robert J Greenberg, Jerry Ok, Jordan Matthew Neysmith, Kevin Wilkin, Neil Hamilton Talbot, Da-Yu Chang
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Patent number: 8527057Abstract: The present invention is an improved package and configuration for an implantable retinal prosthesis. The retinal prosthesis of the present invention includes an electrode array suitable to be mounted in close proximity to a retina, an electronics package and inductive receiving coil mounted next to each other on a strap surrounding the sclera so that the height above the sclera of the prosthesis is minimized.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Greenberg, Jerry Ok, Jordan Neysmith, Kevin Wilkins, Neil Hamilton Talbot, Da-Yu Chang
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Patent number: 8489184Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring contact between a medical probe and tissue are provided. A medical probe is introduced into a patient adjacent the tissue. An electrical parameter, e.g., electrical admittance, is measured between a first electrode located on the medical probe and a second electrode remote from the first electrode. The electrical parameter is amplitude modulated in response to a physiological cycle of the patient. Contact between the medical probe and the tissue is detected based on the amplitude modulation of the measured electrical parameter.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2012Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: Hansen Medical, Inc.Inventors: Brian P. Wilfley, Joseph A. Heanue, Stuart L. Friedman
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Patent number: 8473048Abstract: The present invention is an improved hermetic package for implantation in the human body. The implantable device of the present invention includes an eclectically non-conductive bass including electrically conductive vias through the substrate. A circuit is flip-chip bonded to a subset of the vias. A second circuit is wire bonded to another subset of the vias. Finally, a cover is bonded to the substrate such that the cover, substrate and vias form a hermetic package.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2006Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Greenberg, Jerry Ok, Jordan Neysmith, Kevin Wilkin, Neil Hamilton Talbot, Da-Yu Chang
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Patent number: 8473073Abstract: An apparatus and related methods for a deployable deep brain stimulating probe with multiple, extendable tendrils capable of independently deploying from openings within the shaft of the probe into surrounding tissue. An electrode is disposed on at least one of the tendrils for treatment of deep brain tissue.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2010Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Inventor: Arnold B. Vardiman
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Patent number: 8463405Abstract: Handling or removal of a pair of defibrillator electrode pads from their package is detected in order to effectively time the issuance of prompts to guide the user. One plate of a capacitor is embedded in the package, the electrode pads and lead wires serving as the other plate. Impedance across the capacitor in an alternating current circuit is monitored to detect an increase in the distance between the pads and the package. The impedance level is determined, in a low-cost hardware solution, by rectifying and then integrating an output voltage of the capacitor to produce a voltage signal whose magnitude attenuates as the pads are handled or removed. In one embodiment, the above methodology is time-division multiplexed with an alternative process that identifies handling or removal based on pad-to-pad impedance. In a further embodiment, the capacitive configuration is replaced with an inductive one.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2004Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Douglas Roberts, Kim Hansen
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Patent number: 8457750Abstract: The invention is directed to controlling therapy delivery based on a relative motion between a first and second activity sensor. The relative motion between the activity sensors is representative of the relative motion between the locations of the body of the patient at which the respective activity sensors are located. The use of relative motion, however, may substantially remove motion experienced by both the activity sensors, e.g., motion caused by the environment in which patient is located, thus providing a new reference frame from which to analyze the motion measurements. The relative motion may be used to detect a condition of a movement disorder and/or control delivery of the therapy delivered to patient to treat or reduce the condition.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2012Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Martin T. Gerber, John C. Rondoni
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Patent number: 8457765Abstract: An ear clip electrode used to conduct a minute amount of electricity from a stimulator to the ear lobes of a patient. The ear clip electrode is provided with an inner and outer plastic piece onto which separate metallic plates are placed. Both the metallic plate as well as the plastic pieces are provided with a circular end onto which a metallic pole is placed. Electrode pads are placed upon these metallic poles and electricity is conducted from each of the plates to the electrode pad and then to the patient's ear lobe. A plastic shroud is placed over a substantial length of each of the metallic plates. Plastic material also covers the end surface of each of the metallic poles. The ear clip electrode is connected to a source of minute electrical energy.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2012Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Electromedical Products International, Inc.Inventors: Daniel L. Kirsch, Sai Cheyong Chan
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Patent number: 8442652Abstract: In a medical implantable lead of the type adapted to be implanted into a human or animal body for monitoring and/or controlling of an organ inside the body and a method for connecting such a lead to an organ in the human or animal body. The lead has a fixation arrangement at a distal end, and the fixation arrangement is adapted to penetrate into the tissue of the organ to fixate the lead to the organ. An electrode member is provided to receive and/or transmit electrical signals from or to the organ. The electrode member is resiliently pre-strained toward the distal end of the lead and is provided with an electrode surface such that the electrode surface will resiliently abut toward the outer surface of the organ when the fixation arrangement is fixed to the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2008Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: St. Jude Medical ABInventor: Johan Eckerdal
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Patent number: 8417331Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of providing electrical stimulation to a liver of a subject which includes providing one or more stimulatory electrodes to the liver of the subject and providing electrical stimulation to the liver of the subject. The invention further relates to methods of reducing risk factors of metabolic syndrome, treating diabetes, treating a subject having eating disorders and reducing glucose levels of a subject using methods of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2011Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas SystemInventors: Pankaj Jay Pasricha, Jiande Chen
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Patent number: 8412324Abstract: A method and device for treating myocardial ischemia are described in which the stress experienced by a myocardial region identified as vulnerable to becoming ischemic is varied with pre-excitation pacing. In an unloading mode, pacing is applied in proximity to the vulnerable region to reduce stress and the metabolic demand of the region. In a loading mode, pacing is applied to a region remote from the vulnerable region in order to produce a conditioning effect.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Rodney W. Salo, Allan C. Shuros, Tamara Colette Baynham
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Patent number: 8412319Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of providing electrical stimulation to a liver of a subject which includes providing one or more stimulatory electrodes to the liver of the subject and providing electrical stimulation to the liver of the subject. The invention further relates to methods of reducing risk factors of metabolic syndrome, treating diabetes, treating a subject having eating disorders and reducing glucose levels of a subject using methods of the present invention.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas SystemInventors: Pankaj J. Pasricha, Jiande Chen