Patents Examined by Lindsey G. Wehrheim
  • Patent number: 9901741
    Abstract: A wearable cardioverter defibrillator (“WCD”) system includes a support structure that can be worn by a patient, and a defibrillator coupled to the support structure. An ECG input, rendered from an ECG of the patient, may meet a primary shock criterion. One or more sensor modules are further provided, which are worn by the patient at different times. The sensor modules may monitor different physiological parameters of the patient, and transmit signals about them. The WCD system further has a multi-sensor interface to receive the transmitted signals, and a processor to determine from them whether a secondary shock criterion is met. If both the primary and the secondary shock criteria are met, the decision is to shock. The signals increase specificity of the detection, while the patient can wear different modules depending on context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Fred William Chapman, Gregory T. Kavounas
  • Patent number: 9895075
    Abstract: A system for electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation includes a processor and memory coupled to the processor. A rendering module is stored in the memory and is configured to receive input from an ECG and correlate interpretation statements with ECG measurements responsible for the interpretation statements in the ECG. An interface is configured to permit user selection of at least one interpretation statement in a display, the display being configured to render visual indications of the ECG measurements on digitally rendered waveforms of the ECG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: William Douglas Grube, Richard E. Gregg, Patrick Guiney
  • Patent number: 9897800
    Abstract: A laser scanning system for scanning a laser beam of a hair cutting device includes a laser scanning device for generating a scanning movement of the laser beam and a movable optical device for adjusting and/or focusing the laser beam. The laser scanning device includes an arrangement with at least one movable optical element which is mechanically coupled to the movable optical device, and an optical system fixed to the laser scanning device. The movable optical element is arranged to inter-relate a position of the movable optical device to a mobile access-position where the laser beam enters the optical system. Further, the optical system is arranged to inter-relate said mobile access-position to at least one corresponding position where the laser beam is incident on the movable optical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Rieko Verhagen
  • Patent number: 9884193
    Abstract: The invention relates to an active implantable pacemaker. The device analyzes a ventricular electrogram signal (EGM) and is able to recognize, in a search window, an EA4 component of endocardial acceleration (EA) associated with atrial activity. In the presence of atrioventricular conduction, the search window is determined based on the temporal position of the EA1 and/or EA2 components of the EA signal. In the absence of atrioventricular conduction, a delay is counted from a paced ventricular event and applied to mask the EA1 and/or EA2 components in the EA signal, and the window for research of the EA4 component follows the masking delay. In the presence of a confirmed EA4 component, an atrioventricular delay is applied, counted from the EA4 component, and in the opposite case a predetermined escape interval is applied, counted from the last stimulated ventricular event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignees: SORIN CRM SAS, UNIVERSITÉ DE BRETAGNE OCCIDENTALE, CENTRE HOSPITALIER RÉGIONAL ET UNIVERSITAIRE DE BREST
    Inventors: Amel Amblard, Jérôme Dumont, Fabrizio Renesto, Jacques Mansourati
  • Patent number: 9877782
    Abstract: An end effector for operating on tissue comprises an upper jaw, a lower jaw, a flexible member, and a pair of conductive members. The upper jaw and the lower jaw are configured to receive tissue when in an open position and the upper jaw is movable toward the lower jaw. The flexible member is coupled to either the upper jaw or the lower jaw, and is configured to deform in response to compression of tissue between the jaws. One of the conductive members is associated with the flexible member and is configured to move with the flexible member in response to compression of tissue between the jaws. The end effector may be configured to manipulate the position of muscle within tissue in response to compression of tissue between the jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ethicon LLC
    Inventors: Aaron C. Voegele, Paul T. Franer, Geoffrey S. Strobl, Catherine A. Corbett
  • Patent number: 9872980
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides neurostimulation systems and methods. A neurostimulation system includes at least one anode, at least one cathode, the at least one anode and the at least one cathode configured to apply electrical stimulation to a patient, and a controller electrically coupled to the at least one anode and the at least one cathode, the controller configured to determine when one of the at least one anode and the at least one cathode fails, measure, in response to the determination, a quantity indicative of a charge density of the applied electrical stimulation, compare the measured quantity to a predetermined limit, and perform at least one action when the measured quantity exceeds the predetermined limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: PACESETTER, INC.
    Inventors: Lanitia Ness, Martin Cholette
  • Patent number: 9867570
    Abstract: An apparatus determining an exercise capability of an individual by obtaining heart rate information of the individual, detecting a characteristic point from the heart rate information, and obtaining information to be used to determine the exercise capability of the individual based on the characteristic point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY COOPERATION GROUP OF KYUNG HEE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Sang Kon Bae, Byung Hoon Ko, Choong Hee Lee, Sub Sunoo, Sang-Seok Nam, Hun-Young Park
  • Patent number: 9861431
    Abstract: A device for performing a surgical procedure comprises an elongated shaft extending between a proximal end and a distal end and defines an outer surface and an inner surface. An expandable member is disposed at the distal end and is configured to receive inflation material. At least one electrode is disposed with the inflatable member. A cooling mechanism is configured to cool surrounding tissue that the device comes in contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Kyphon SÀRL
    Inventor: Mojan Goshayeshgar
  • Patent number: 9855431
    Abstract: Various device embodiments may comprise an implantable medical device for implantation in a body and for applying neural stimulation to a neural target in the body. The device may comprise a neural stimulation electrode configured for use in stimulating the neural target, a neural stimulator configured to deliver neural stimulation through the electrode to the neural target, a sensor configured to sense a physiological response to stimulation of motor fibers at the neural target, and a controller operatively connected to the neural stimulator to control the neural stimulation and operatively connected to the sensor to receive a signal indicative of the physiological response. The controller may be configured to detect a potential neural injury and perform an action in response to the detected potential neural injury.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Ternes, Jason J. Hamann, Stephen Ruble
  • Patent number: 9854370
    Abstract: The present application discloses systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for controlling one or more functions of a device utilizing one or more tags. In one example, a method for controlling one or more functions of a medical device includes scanning a data interface of the medical device for signals induced wirelessly by one or more gestures made with one or more tags associated with a recipient of the medical device and controlling one or more functions of the medical device based on the wirelessly induced signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Cochlear Limited
    Inventor: Werner Meskens
  • Patent number: 9849291
    Abstract: Devices and methods for single therapy pulse (STP) therapy for tachyarrythmia are disclosed. The STP therapy can be delivered from a far-field position to allow a “global” capture approach to pacing. Due to the global capture in STP, a series of pulses, which is indicative of conventional anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) delivered by transvenous systems, becomes unnecessary. One to four pulses at most are needed for STP, and after delivery of the one to four pulses, therapy delivery can be interrupted to determine whether the previously delivered therapy has been successful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron Health, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Keefe, Rick Sanghera
  • Patent number: 9839368
    Abstract: Systems and methods of processing raw electrocardiogram (ECG) waveform data of a patient into estimated real-time ECG waveform data. The method includes sensing-at least one physical non-cardiac influence on the raw ECG waveform data, constructing a time domain computer model of the at least one physical, non-cardiac influence on the raw ECG waveform data, and adaptively filtering the raw ECG waveform data in the time domain using the constructed time domain computer model of the at least one physical non-cardiac influence on the raw ECG waveform data to form the estimated real-time ECG waveform data. The system can include an ECG device for collecting raw ECG waveform data, at least two ECG electrodes positioned on the patient and electrically coupled to the ECG device, and a processor coupled to the ECG device and configured to compute a time domain model of an artifact created by chest compressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: ZOLL Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Qing Tan, Frederick J. Geheb, Gary A. Freeman
  • Patent number: 9839786
    Abstract: A programmer is configured to effect communication with, and programming of, an implantable medical device configured to deliver neurostimulation therapy. The programmer comprises a display, such as touch screen display, and a processor comprising memory and coupled to the display. An interface is coupled to the processor and configured to receive therapy settings data indicative of current therapy settings operative in the implantable medical device and any modifications made to the therapy settings by a patient. The processor is configured to determine if one or more therapy settings have been modified since the last interaction with the patient, and coordinate displaying of the current therapy settings, the one or more therapy settings modified by the patient, and a previous state of the one or more therapy settings modified by the patient on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: INSPIRE MEDICAL SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: John Rondoni, Quan Ni
  • Patent number: 9833616
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) can include implantable pulse generator (IPG) devices, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD), cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator devices, neurostimulators or combinations thereof. In one example, the IMD can include a body assembly, which can provide at least one electrical signal corresponding to a therapy. The IMD can also include a cardiac lead assembly, which can have a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the cardiac lead assembly can be in communication with the body assembly to receive the therapy and the distal portion can be adapted to be coupled to an anatomical structure to transmit the at least one electrical signal to the anatomical structure. The proximal portion of the cardiac lead assembly can have a first stiffness and the distal portion can have a second stiffness. The first stiffness can be greater than the second stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Lee Olson
  • Patent number: 9833615
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include medical apparatus, and related methods thereof. The apparatus may include a longitudinally extending lead, at least one electrode, an anchor component, and a control module. The lead may include a distal end and a proximal end. The at least one electrode may be coupled to the lead, wherein the at least one electrode may be disposed on the distal end of the lead. The anchor component may be disposed in the lead proximate of the at least one electrode. The anchor component may include solder. The control module may be operably coupled to the proximal end of the lead and may be configured to deliver energy to the at least one electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter J. Pereira, David Ernest Wechter, John M. Barker, Jonathan Zoll, Mark W. Boden
  • Patent number: 9827432
    Abstract: A headrest structure is provided and includes a body and two supporting rods. The body includes a covering cushion and an automated external defibrillator (AED). The AED is enclosed by the covering cushion. Each of the supporting rods includes a linking end and a combining end opposite to the linking end, and each of the supporting rods is connected to the body with the linking end so as to support the body. Based on this, the AED is assembled in the body to improve the applicability of the AED, so that patients experiencing cardiac arrest can be treated properly and instantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Inventor: Chun-Hung Wu
  • Patent number: 9814886
    Abstract: In some examples, an electromechanical disassociation state (EMD) of a heart of a patient can be treated by delivering electrical stimulation to a tissue site to at least one of modulate afferent nerve activity or inhibit efferent nerve activity upon determining that the heart is in an electromechanical dissociation state, where the tissue site comprises at least one of a nonmyocardial tissue site or a nonvascular cardiac tissue site. The delivery of electrical stimulation may effectively treat the EMD state of the heart, e.g., by enabling effective mechanical contraction of the heart. In another example, an electromechanical disassociation state of a heart of a patient can be treated by determining autonomic nervous system activity associated with a detected EMD state of the heart of a patient, and delivering electrical stimulation therapy to the patient based on the determined autonomic nervous system activity of the patient associated with the EMD state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaohong Zhou, Paul G. Krause, William T. Donofrio
  • Patent number: 9814814
    Abstract: Cannula assemblies and methods of manufacturing cannula assemblies are provided. The cannula assembly includes a cannula and a pigtail extension coupled to the cannula. The pigtail extension includes a proximal section having a first stiffness and a distal section having a second stiffness, the first stiffness greater than the second stiffness. The proximal section of the pigtail extension is positioned between the cannula and at least a portion of the distal section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Abiomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Corbett, Caitlyn Hastie
  • Patent number: 9808630
    Abstract: An external device transfers a key to an implantable medical device over a proximity communication and then establishes a first far field communication session with the implantable medical device where the key is used for the first communication session. This first communication session may occur before implantation while the implantable medical device is positioned outside of the sterile field so that using a proximity communication is easily achieved. Once the implantable medical device is passed into the sterile field for implantation, the external device may then establish a second far field communication session with the implantable medical device where the last key that was used for the first communication session is again used for the second communication session which avoids the need for another proximity communication to occur within the sterile field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Warren W. Ball, Ajinkya M. Joglekar, Nathan A. Torgerson, Matthew L. Plante
  • Patent number: 9808230
    Abstract: A medical device for sealing a defect in a body includes a wire frame that includes a plurality of wires that form a first occluding member and a second occluding member. In some embodiments, a sealing member is in contact with the wire frame. In some embodiments, the sealing member is configured to define one or more openings in the sealing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Tyler J. Brown, Khoa Hua, Devin M. Nelson, Keith O. Rust