Patents Examined by Pamela M Bays
  • Patent number: 10004634
    Abstract: A device for inducing production of tears may include a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end. The body may be configured for insertion through a puncta of a subject. The device also may include a stimulus delivery mechanism positioned between the proximal end and the distal end and an induction coil operably coupled to the stimulus delivery mechanism. Further, the device may include an external controller wirelessly coupled to the induction coil for inductively transferring energy to the induction coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
    Inventor: Malik Y. Kahook
  • Patent number: 9999360
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coupling and method in a heart-rate measuring apparatus. The coupling in the heart-rate measuring apparatus (10) comprises means (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) for measuring heart rate and means for wireless data transmission (7). According to the invention, the heart-rate measuring device (10) comprises means (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) implemented by analog electronics for defining the maximum value of the heart-rate signal, or a parameter proportional to it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: SUUNTO OY
    Inventors: Mikko Martikka, Erik Lindman, Jari Akkila
  • Patent number: 9999393
    Abstract: An electrode assembly includes a first surface to be placed adjacent a person's skin and a second surface including a plurality of reservoirs of conductive gel. The plurality of reservoirs of conductive gel are disposed on sections of the electrode assembly that are at least partially physically separated and may move at least partially independently of one another to conform to contours of a body of a patient. The electrode assembly is configured to dispense an amount of the electrically conductive gel onto the first surface in response to an activation signal and to provide for a defibrillating shock to be applied to the patient through the amount of the electrically conductive gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: ZOLL Medical Corporation
    Inventors: Gary A. Freeman, Ulrich Herken
  • Patent number: 9999764
    Abstract: An implantable medical assist device includes a medical device. The medical device has a housing and electronics contained therein. A lead provides an electrical path to or from the electronics within the medical device. A resonance tuning module is located in the housing and is connected to the lead. The resonance tuning module includes a control circuit for determining a resonant frequency of the implantable medical assist device and an adjustable impedance circuit to change the combined resonant frequency of the medical device and lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Gray, Stuart G. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 9987488
    Abstract: Detection and treatment of disordered breathing, with treatment being primarily delivered using electrical stimulation of the diaphragm, either directly or by stimulating appropriate nerves. In some embodiments, the stimulus is applied to still at least one lung upon detection of an apnea-hypopnea of some length or upon the detection of hyperpnea. The stimulation may be initiated during the apnea-hypopnea period or upon detection of a breath of a predetermined intensity near the end of apnea-hypopnea. The stimulation may be initiated in phase with respiration or irrespective of the phase of respiration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Respicardia, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Gelfand, Howard Levin, Andrew Halpert, Antonis Panteleon
  • Patent number: 9974953
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the stimulation of neural tissue which includes a neural stimulator, an input device for providing input to the neural stimulator for neural stimulation, at least one electrode electrically connected to and driven by the neural stimulator and suitable to stimulate neural tissue, a device capable of determining a charge per phase by calculating a discrete integral of the wave form of the input for the at least one electrode, a calculating device for comparing the charge per phase to a predetermined maximum and determining a reduced stimulation for the at least one electrode by the amount necessary not to exceed the predetermined maximum for the at least one electrode, and a current pulse generator for stimulating the neural tissue according to the reduced stimulation level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Jay Greenberg, Kelly Hobart McClure, James Singleton Little, Rongqing Dai, Arup Roy, Richard Agustin Castro, John Reinhold, Kea-Tiong Tang, Sumit Yadav, Chunhong Zhou, Dao Min Zhou, Pishoy Maksy
  • Patent number: 9968797
    Abstract: A portable, non-invasive device for providing therapeutic treatment to a joint to promote healing of the joint includes a cuff positionable around the joint. The cuff includes an electromagnetic stimulator configured to provide an electromagnetic field within the joint and at least one thermal therapy component including an activation circuit configured to activate the electromagnetic stimulator circuit, the thermal therapy component coupleable to the cuff, the thermal therapy component comprising at least two substances in separate compartments separated by a breakable barrier, wherein the at least two substances are configured to react upon mixing to produce thermal energy exchangeable with the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: OrthoCor Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Kin-Joe Sham, Jared J. Savela, Kristopher M. Siverhus, John F. Dinusson
  • Patent number: 9943368
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an IPL apparatus that is used as a hair removing machine or cures skin ailments by periodically irradiating Xenon lamp light on the user's skin, the IPL apparatus comprises: a double-voltage unit which has a double-voltage capacitor, and outputs a high voltage by superposing an inputted supply voltage with a voltage charged in the double-voltage capacitor; a charging capacitor which charges energy for turning on a Xenon lamp by accumulating electric charges supplied from the double-voltage unit; a reference voltage generator which sets a charging voltage level charged in the charging capacitor; and a switch unit which is positioned between the double-voltage unit and the charging capacitor, and switches on and off the movement of the electric charges to the charging capacitor from the double-voltage unit by setting an output of the reference voltage generator to a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Inventor: YoungSan Ko
  • Patent number: 9895192
    Abstract: An intrauterine device includes an articulating array. The intrauterine device can be operated by articulating the articulating array into an installed position or geometry within the uterus of a patient. Further, the articulating array can be constructed to include an insertion geometry have a smaller cross section than an installation geometry. The articulating array can also be constructed to be housed within a sheath in the intrauterine device. Once the sheath has been inserted into a patient, for example through the patient's cervix, the articulating array can be deployed in its insertion geometry and then articulated into an installed position. The articulating array can include a plurality of expansion chambers. The expansion chambers can be constructed and arranged to take on the installed geometry when expanded. In one embodiment, the purpose of the articulating array is to position a conductive array within the patient's uterus enabling ablation of the uterine lining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Hologic, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Model
  • Patent number: 9878087
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pump-inflow-cannula (1) providing a blood conduit from a heart (2) and/or from an associated vessel to an external blood handling system. The pump-inflow-cannula comprises a body (3), encompassing an essentially axially extending inflow-lumen (4), having a distal-end (5) for an attachment of the inflow-lumen (4) to the blood handling system, and having a proximal-end (6) for an introduction of blood from the heart (2) and/or from the associated vessel into the inflow-lumen (4), wherein at least one projection (7) is provided at the proximal-end (6) to deflect a heart muscle from intruding into the inflow-lumen (4), wherein the body (3) of the pump-inflow-cannula comprises a reinforcement-means (8). The invention is also related to a pump-outflow-cannula (19) and to a blood managing system comprising a pump-inflow-cannula and a pump-outflow-cannula in accordance with the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: TC1 LLC
    Inventors: J. Scott Richardson, Barry N. Gellman, Andrew Koert, Kurt Dasse
  • Patent number: 9867660
    Abstract: A medical system, comprising an ablation catheter is disclosed. The ablation catheter includes an elongate shaft with a proximal end, a distal end and a lumen disposed between the proximal end and the distal end. The ablation catheter also includes an expandable element in fluid communication with the lumen, a first temperature sensor operable to measure a first temperature; and a second temperature sensor operable to measure a second temperature. The first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor are longitudinally separated from each other by at least a portion of the expandable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic CryoCath LP
    Inventors: Dan Wittenberger, Rachid Mahrouche
  • Patent number: 9833141
    Abstract: A system for processing heart rate measurement data measured during a physical exercise of a user. The system includes a server computer configured to: associate, during a registration procedure for a measurement device of a user, a device identifier of the measurement device with a user account of the user stored in the server computer; receive a device identifier and real-time heart rate measurement data over a network connection; identify the user's measurement device from the received device identifier; and store the received heart rate measurement data to the user account of the user on the basis of the association between the received device identifier and the corresponding user account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: POLAR ELECTRO OY
    Inventors: Ville Kampman, Tuomas Jomppanen
  • Patent number: 9814515
    Abstract: A laparoscopic instrument assembly with a handle member and a removable tip. The handle member and removable tip are mated using a double threaded design which provides a secure connection with low electrical resistance. Electrical energy is provided through an inner shaft to the removable tip, and a return energy path is formed using an outer tubing of the instrument assembly. The removal tip includes a cutting and sealing device with a resistive member that is provided with the electrical energy, thereby enabling the tip to cut and seal tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: MICROLINE SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Haynes McGaffigan, Sharad H. Joshi
  • Patent number: 9814885
    Abstract: One or more stimulation electrodes may be selected based on a bioelectrical signal sensed in a brain of a patient with a sense electrode combination that comprises at least one electrode and a physiological model that indicates one or more anatomical structures of the brain of the patient that are proximate the implanted at least one electrode. In some examples, the bioelectrical brain signal indicates which electrodes are located closest to a target tissue site. The physiological model can be generated based on a location of implanted at least one electrode within a patient and patient anatomy data, which can, for example, indicate one or more characteristics of patient tissue proximate to the implanted at least one electrode. In some example, the physiological model includes a therapy field model that represents a region of the tissue of the patient to which therapy is delivered via a selected set of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriela C. Molnar, Steven M. Goetz, Andrew N. Csavoy
  • Patent number: 9808633
    Abstract: A device includes a signal generator module, a processing module, and a housing. The signal generator module is configured to deliver pacing pulses to an atrium. The processing module is configured to detect a ventricular activation event and determine a length of an interval between the ventricular activation event and a previous atrial event that preceded the ventricular activation event. The processing module is further configured to schedule a time at which to deliver a pacing pulse to the atrium based on the length of the interval and control the signal generator module to deliver the pacing pulse at the scheduled time. The housing is configured for implantation within the atrium. The housing encloses the stimulation generator and the processing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew D. Bonner, Saul E. Greenhut, Todd J. Sheldon, Wade M. Demmer
  • Patent number: 9801678
    Abstract: Controlling conductive fluid flow during an electrosurgical procedure. At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: flowing conductive fluid from a source lumen to a suction lumen of an electrosurgical wand, the flowing with the electrosurgical wand in a first orientation; sensing a change in orientation of the electrosurgical wand to a second orientation different than the first orientation; and changing a control parameter associated with the conductive fluid flow, the changing responsive to the change in orientation of the electrosurgical wand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: ArthroCare Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Cox
  • Patent number: 9802056
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for signal analysis in an implanted cardiac monitoring and treatment device such as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. In some illustrative examples, detected events are analyzed to identify changes in detected event amplitudes. When detected event amplitudes are dissimilar from one another, a first set of detection parameters may be invoked, and, when detected event amplitudes are similar to one another, a second set of detection parameters may be invoked. Additional methods determine whether the calculated heart rate is “high” or “low,” and then may select a third set of detection parameters for use when the calculated heart rate is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron Health, Inc.
    Inventors: Venugopal Allavatam, Surekha Palreddy, Rick Sanghera, Jay A. Warren
  • Patent number: 9802054
    Abstract: A leadless cardiac pacemaker is provided which can include any number of features. In one embodiment, the pacemaker can include a tip electrode, pacing electronics disposed on a p-type substrate in an electronics housing, the pacing electronics being electrically connected to the tip electrode, an energy source disposed in a cell housing, the energy source comprising a negative terminal electrically connected to the cell housing and a positive terminal electrically connected to the pacing electronics, wherein the pacing electronics are configured to drive the tip electrode negative with respect to the cell housing during a stimulation pulse. The pacemaker advantageously allows p-type pacing electronics to drive a tip electrode negative with respect to the can electrode when the can electrode is directly connected to a negative terminal of the cell. Methods of use are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Carroll, Alan Ostroff, Peter M. Jacobson
  • Patent number: 9801758
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlled healing of ocular erosions is described. The apparatus comprising; an optical surface comprising an energizable controller capable of being programmed to transmit energy from an energy source onto/into an ocular surface, through the use of a current generator in electrical connection with energy emitting contacts capable of transmitting an electric field. The controller, current generator and energy emitting contacts are biocompatible or encapsulated by a conductive biocompatible layer to allow positioning of said apparatus in an ocular surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Pugh, Annabelle Gallois-Bernos, Adam Toner, Andres Arrubla
  • Patent number: 9789302
    Abstract: A physiological signal of a patient is sensed with sense electrodes symmetrically arranged relative to a stimulation electrode. In some examples, a member includes a plurality of relatively small electrodes that are configured to function as both sense and stimulation electrodes. One or more of the electrodes may be selected as stimulation electrodes and two or more different electrodes of the member may be selected as sense electrodes that are symmetrically arranged relative to the one or more selected stimulation electrodes. In some examples, a member includes a plurality of levels of segmented sense electrodes and a plurality of levels of stimulation electrodes. The levels of sense electrodes are arranged such that each level of stimulation electrodes is adjacent at least two levels of sense electrodes symmetrically arranged relative to the level of stimulation electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriela C. Molnar, Scott R. Stanslaski