Patents Examined by Michael Carey
  • Patent number: 9889313
    Abstract: A medical device such as an external defibrillator delivers electrical therapy using a special pulse sequence. The special pulse sequence includes a defibrillation shock that is automatically followed by a quick succession of automatic post-shock anti-tachycardia (APSAT) pacing pulses. Because of the pacing pulses, the defibrillation shock can be of lesser energy than an equivalent defibrillation shock of a larger energy. Accordingly, the external defibrillator can be made physically smaller and weigh less, without sacrificing the therapeutic effect of a larger external defibrillator that would deliver a defibrillation shock of higher energy. As such, the defibrillator is easier to configure for transporting, handling, and even wearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: WEST AFFUM HOLDINGS CORP.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Sullivan, David Thomas Brown, David Peter Finch
  • Patent number: 9889302
    Abstract: A method, comprising detecting, in at least a first brain region of a patient, an electrical activity relating to an epileptic activity; determining a first regularity index of said electrical activity; and applying at least one first electrical stimulation to at least one neural target of said patient for treating said epileptic event, in response to said first regularity index being within a first range. A non-transitive, computer-readable storage device for storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform the method. A medical device system suitable for use in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Flint Hills Scientific, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Ivan Osorio
  • Patent number: 9884194
    Abstract: On a channel of an implantable cardiac generator, a cardiac lead is replaced by a vagus nerve stimulation VNS lead. The control circuit controlling the stimulation circuit of this channel of the generator is configured to generate sequences of VNS neurostimulation bursts according to a specific profile, synchronized or not with the heart rate. The control circuit dynamically controls the initial load voltage of the reservoir capacitor so as to adjust to a constant target value the electrical charge delivered to the nerve by each stimulating pulse, from a pulse to the next one and from a burst to the next one. This improves the consistency of the physiological effects of neurostimulation despite significant variations that may occur in impedance at the electrode/vagus nerve interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: SORIN CRM SAS
    Inventors: Thierry Legay, Hervé Blumstein, Guillaume Chatalic, Christine Henry
  • Patent number: 9883900
    Abstract: A method of operating a medical system, including coupling a medical system to an outlet of a fluid distribution network having a plurality of fluid outlets in a patient treatment center; delivering fluid from the outlet to the medical system; compressing the delivered fluid with the medical system; decreasing the moisture content of the delivered fluid with the medical system; cooling the fluid with the medical system; delivering the fluid from the medical system to a medical device; and removing the fluid from medical device with the medical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP
    Inventor: Jean-Pierre Lalonde
  • Patent number: 9883922
    Abstract: A dental wedge for inserting into the interproximal space between adjacent teeth comprises a first and second sidewall comprised of a shape memory material, including a nickel-titanium alloy, wherein the dental wedge is in a first, resting state when outside of the interproximal space and transforms to a second, operational state when the dental wedge is interested into the interproximal space between adjacent teeth and exposed to a first transformation stimulus, namely exposure to the higher temperature in the interproximal space. The expansion force generated by the dental wedge when in the second, operational stage is sufficient to secure a dental matrix against the tooth being restored and to separate the tooth being restored and adjacent tooth to expand the interproximal space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Dentsply Sirona Inc.
    Inventor: Simon Paul McDonald
  • Patent number: 9884186
    Abstract: The present invention is related to an apparatus for activating electrophysiological mechanism and the method for configuring the same, which are based on diagnostic codes comprising at least more than two codes selected from a group of code classified by hue contrast to temperature differences according to heat distribution of a body. As a prescription for the above diagnostic codes, the activation prescription codes comprising code streams are generated, and then signals corresponding to each code are sequentially extracted and outputted as stimuli, and then finally become to provide activation stimuli to a body. The apparatus according to the present invention measures the distribution of body temperature, sets potential difference within an isolated system according to the distribution, and thus forces vibrations or waves with accelerated motion to be delivered to a whole body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Inventor: Byongwon Park
  • Patent number: 9887470
    Abstract: A lead anchor includes a body defining a lead lumen having a first opening and a second opening through which a lead can pass. The body further defines a transverse lumen that intersects the lead lumen. An exterior member is disposed around at least a portion of the body. The exterior member is formed of a biocompatible material. A fastener anchors the lead to the body through the transverse lumen by deforming a portion of the lead. The transverse lumen is configured and arranged to receive the fastener. At least one suture element is defined by the exterior member and is configured and arranged for receiving a suture to suture the lead anchor to patient tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scienific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Quynh Nguyen-Stella, Kenny Kinyen Chinn, John Michael Barker, Surekha B. Husmann, Roger Chen
  • Patent number: 9877651
    Abstract: Systems and method for utilizing energy harvesting techniques to power a battery-less wireless medical sensor to perform intermittent operations are disclosed. The systems may include one or more sensing components configured to generate data related to one or more physiological parameters by performing intermittent measurements on a patient. The systems and method may include wireless communication circuitry configured to wirelessly transmit the data to a monitor. The monitor may be configured to operate with the battery-less wireless medical sensor or may download required operational algorithms if needed. The intermittent measurement and transmission may be asynchronously executed. The systems and method may include a processing device configured to determine when to perform the intermittent measurement and transmit data based at least upon a power source energy level, a rate at which to perform the intermittent measurement and transmit data, a prioritization, or a triggering event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventors: James N. Watson, Paul S. Addison, James H. Dripps, George Keith Manning
  • Patent number: 9878159
    Abstract: An implant unit according to some embodiments may include a flexible carrier, at least one pair of modulation electrodes on the flexible carrier, and at least one implantable circuit in electrical communication with the at least one pair of modulation electrodes. The at least one pair of modulation electrodes and the at least one circuit may be configured for implantation through derma on an underside of a subject's chin and for location proximate to terminal fibers of the medial branch of the subject's hypoglossal nerve, such that an electric field extending from the at least one pair of modulation electrodes can modulate one or more of the terminal fibers of the medial branch of the hypoglossal nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventor: Adi Mashiach
  • Patent number: 9877816
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the concurrent treatment of multiple oral diseases and defects while promoting general oral hygiene utilizing electricity are provided for non-human animals. Electrodes are used to deliver an electrical current to the gingival tissues of a mouth in order to achieve a number of therapeutic, prophylactic, and regenerative benefits. These benefits include killing oral microbes, increasing oral vasodilation, reducing oral biofilm, improving oral blood circulation, reversing oral bone resorption, promoting oral osteogenesis, treating gum recession, and fostering gingival regeneration. Other benefits include the treatment of gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral malodor, and other systemic diseases correlated with oral pathogens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Bioelectrics LLC
    Inventors: Issam Nemeh, William J. Leimkuehler, Jr., James G. Azlein
  • Patent number: 9872629
    Abstract: A differential voltage measuring system is described. The differential voltage measuring system has a signal measuring circuit for measuring bioelectric signals, and an interference-signal measuring circuit coupled to the potential of the differential voltage measuring system and electrically connected to a fixed reference potential. In this case, the interference-signal measuring circuit is designed for measuring a current flowing from the potential of the differential voltage measuring system to the fixed reference potential. A differential voltage measuring system with an additional path is also described. Furthermore, a differential voltage measuring system with an averaging potential measuring method is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Batzer, Peter Greif, Harald Karl
  • Patent number: 9872987
    Abstract: An approach to treating congestive heart failure includes monitoring pulmonary congestion. Monitoring pulmonary congestion includes sensing a physiologic parameter using a sensor implanted within the patient. The method further comprises delivering a congestive heart failure therapy using a stimulator implanted within the patient. Delivering the congestive heart failure therapy includes delivering electrical stimulation to the patient using the sensed parameter to control the congestive heart failure therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Quan Ni, Kent Lee
  • Patent number: 9872998
    Abstract: A defibrillator system optimizes the timing and manner of applying a defibrillator charge to a patient based upon data provided to the defibrillator from a utility module or one or more external devices. A parameter module on the utility module provides the defibrillator with patient parameter information. Devices external to the utility module may provide the utility module with coaching data that the utility module may pass through to the defibrillator as a proxy to the external devices. The utility module may also provide external devices with patient data that the utility module may pass through to the external devices as a proxy to the defibrillator on a scheduled or other basis. The utility module may additionally provide a reserve of power to enable defibrillators to be used where power is unavailable and to enable defibrillators to deliver multiple charges more readily anywhere, anytime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: David Dean Aoyama, Matthew Lawrence Bielstein, Barry D. Curtin, Kevin C. Drew, Mina Lim, E. Thomas McKay, Randy L. Merry, Ken Peterson
  • Patent number: 9867979
    Abstract: A multi-electrode array with individually isolated electrodes each configurable for a target-containing carrier and a method for fabricating the array are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the array includes a substrate; and a plurality of electrodes disposed on the substrate. Each electrode of the plurality of electrodes has a conductive tip-end and an insulated remainder. A first electrode of the plurality of electrodes has a first configuration selected to bring a conductive tip end of the first electrode in proximity to a first target structure, and a second electrode of the plurality of electrodes has a second configuration selected to bring a conductive tip end of the second electrode in proximity to a second target structure. The first configuration and the second configuration are different. A first contact of the plurality of contacts may be electrically coupled to the first electrode through the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Zyvex Labs, LLC
    Inventors: Rahul Saini, John Neal Randall
  • Patent number: 9861452
    Abstract: Liquid radiation curable resin compositions for additive manufacturing comprising: from about 5 to about 30 wt % of an oxetane; a (meth)acrylate component; a cationic photoinitiator; a free-radical photoinitiator; and from about 50 to about 80 wt % of an epoxy, which further comprises a cycloaliphatic epoxy component, and an epoxy component having an aromatic glycidyl ether group, wherein the majority of the epoxy is the cycloaliphatic epoxy component are described and claimed. Also described and claimed is a process for using the liquid radiation curable resins for additive manufacturing to create molds for dental aligners, and the three-dimensional molds made from the liquid radiation curable resins for additive manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: DSM IP ASSETS B.V.
    Inventor: Beth Rundlett
  • Patent number: 9867286
    Abstract: A circuit board is described. The circuit board comprises an electrically insulating diamond material having a surface. The electrically insulating diamond material has at least one recess extending into only a portion of a thickness of the electrically insulating diamond material from the surface of the electrically insulating diamond material. The circuit board also comprises an electrically conductive material located at least partially within the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignees: National ICT Australia Limited, The University of Melbourne
    Inventors: Samantha Lichter, Nicholas Apollo, David Garrett, Kumaravelu Ganesan, Hamish Meffin, Steven Prawer
  • Patent number: 9861826
    Abstract: An implantable medical device have an associated memory device is disclosed. The implantable medical device utilizes techniques for optimizing one or more embedded operations of the memory device, such operations including programming, reading or erasing data. The techniques for optimizing the embedded operations include controlling the operations as a function of an energy source of the implantable medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles R Gordon, Duane R Bigelow
  • Patent number: 9864843
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying and presenting information regarding performance periods are provided. Fatigue level associated with fatigue experienced in response to a stimulus and recovery from such fatigue may be determined based on heart rate variability (HRV) data and learned user characteristics. One or more cycles of fatigue and recovery can be identified as a fitness cycle(s), each fitness cycle encompassing a period of time beginning with the stimulus associated with the fitness-related activity and progressing through recovery from the fatigue experienced in response to the stimulus associated with the fitness-related activity. A performance period may be predicted based on a pre-determined fatigue/recovery level instance within a fitness cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Ben Wisbey, David Shepherd
  • Patent number: 9861423
    Abstract: A device, system, and method for enhancing cooling uniformity and efficiency of cryogenic fluids and providing a treatment element the shape of which can be adjusted for multiple purposes. The device may include a balloon catheter and fluid dispersion element, the fluid dispersion element directing the flow of coolant from a fluid injection element the interior wall of the balloon. The method of changing the shape of the treatment element may include retracting and extending a shaft to which the distal neck of a balloon is coupled, so that the balloon goes from a first shape to a second shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Lalonde, Scott W. Davie, Dan Wittenberger
  • Patent number: 9855440
    Abstract: A dynamically adjustable multiphasic pulse system and method are provided. The dynamically adjustable multiphasic pulse system may be used as pulse system for a defibrillator or cardioverter. The dynamically adjustable multiphasic pulse system may include a subsystem that generates a first phase of a pulse, a separate subsystem that generates a second phase of the pulse and a switch element that switches between the subsystem and the separate subsystem to generate a therapeutic pulse having at least one positive phase and at least one negative phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: CardioThrive, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas M. Raymond, Peter D. Gray, Walter T. Savage, Shelley J. Savage