Patents Examined by Paula J Stice
  • Patent number: 11786734
    Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and techniques are described for using evoked compound action potential (ECAP) signals to monitor lead position and/or detect lead migration. An example system includes sensing circuitry configured to sense an ECAP signal, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry controls the sensing circuitry to detect, after delivery of an electrical stimulation pulse, a current ECAP signal, and determines one or more characteristics of the current ECAP signal. The processing circuitry also compares the one or more characteristics of the current ECAP signal to corresponding one or more characteristics of a baseline ECAP signal, and determines, based on the comparison, a migration state of the electrodes delivering the electrical stimulation pulse. Additionally, the processing circuitry outputs, based on the migration state, an alert indicative of migration of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiashu Li, David A. Dinsmoor, Duane L. Bourget, Kristin N. Hageman, Hank Bink, Christopher L. Pulliam
  • Patent number: 11779765
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are described for selecting an evoked compound action potential (ECAP) growth curve based on a posture of a patient. The ECAP growth curve defines a relationship between a parameter defining delivery of stimulation pulses delivered to the patient and a parameter of an ECAP signal of a nerve of a patient elicited by a stimulation pulse. In one example, a medical device detects a posture of a patient and selects an ECAP growth curve corresponding to the detected posture. The medical device selects, based on the ECAP growth curve corresponding to the detected posture and a characteristic of a detected ECAP signal, a value for a parameter for defining delivery of the stimulation pulses to the patient and controls delivery of the stimulation pulses according to the selected value for the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Dinsmoor, Christopher L. Pulliam, Hank Bink, Kristin N. Hageman
  • Patent number: 11779757
    Abstract: One or more antennas are electrically coupled to one or more switches of an implantable medical device (IMD) in which the one or more switches are additionally electrically coupled to one or more lead wires of an IMD lead. The one or more switches also are electrically coupled to one or more electrodes or electrical circuitry of the IMD's implantable pulse generator (IPG). In response to exposure of the IMD to an energetic electromagnetic field, a voltage signal is induced in the one or more antennas and provided, possibly via one more filters, as a control signal to the one or more switches. Receipt of the control signal by the one or more switches automatically configures the one or more switches into a non-conductive state, thereby electrically isolating the one or more lead wires from the one or more electrodes or the IPG electrical circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Lopez
  • Patent number: 11771330
    Abstract: A system and a method are provided for using a mobile computing system comprising that has a communication connection configured to communicate with an electrocardiographic (ECG) apparatus to acquire ECG signals from the subject through a plurality of ECG leads. The system includes a processor configured to receive the ECG signals through the communications connection and process the ECG signals to estimate at least one of a respiratory rate of the subject, a tidal volume of the subject, or an ischemic index or repolarization alternans of the subject, from the ECG signals. The processor is further configured to generate an alert upon determining at least one of the ischemic index or repolarization alternans is above a threshold value or a change in respiratory rate or tidal volume indicative of an abnormal respiratory event. The system also includes a display configured to display the alert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventor: Antonis A. Armoundas
  • Patent number: 11771369
    Abstract: Device and method for determining an efficacy of chronic pain treatment including providing a first set of at least one stimulus to a subject, obtaining first measurements of at least two physiological parameters in response to the first set of at least one stimulus, providing chronic pain treatment to the subject, providing a second set of at least one stimulus to the subject, obtaining second measurements of the at least two physiological parameters in response to the second set of at least one stimulus; and determining an efficacy of the chronic pain treatment by applying a classification algorithm on the first and second measurements of the at least two physiological parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: MEDASENSE BIOMETRICS LTD.
    Inventors: Galit Zuckerman-Stark, Noam Racheli, Nir Ben-Israel
  • Patent number: 11766567
    Abstract: A stimulation device includes an adaptor component. The adaptor component couples a percutaneous lead to the stimulation device. The stimulation device may apply a stimulation signal to target tissue via the adaptor. A surgeon may place the stimulation device in a container and the adaptor component may be disposed outside of the container. Methods describe prolonged stimulation of target tissue via a stimulation device. The prolonged stimulation may be applied during and after a surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: CHECKPOINT SURGICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Scanlan, Eric R. Walker, Leonard M. Cosentino
  • Patent number: 11759622
    Abstract: Blood pump for percutaneous insertion into a heart's ventricle comprising an electrical motor for driving the blood pump, the electrical motor comprising at least tree motor winding units, wherein each motor winding unit is individually connectable to a power supply via two separate phase supply lines connected to the respective motor winding unit terminals. Motor controller for driving and controlling the electrical motor of the blood pump, wherein the motor controller comprises corresponding phase supply line driving units for each motor winding units of the electrical motor of the blood pump which phase supply line driving units are connected via the corresponding two-phase supply lines with the corresponding motor winding unit. Blood pump system comprising the blood pump and the motor controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: ABIOMED EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Thorsten Siess, Christof Malzkorn, Martin Kortyka, Christian Moser
  • Patent number: 11751790
    Abstract: Galvanic corrosion of an external electrode of a physiological signal sensor (e.g., ECG sensor) can be reduced. In some examples, protective circuitry, such as a switching circuit, can be used to reduce galvanic corrosion. In a first mode of operation (e.g., corresponding to measurement by the physiological signal sensor), the switching circuit can provide a low-impedance path (e.g., from an external electrode to ground). In a second mode of operation (e.g., corresponding to non-measurement by the physiological sensing system), the switching circuit can provide a high-impedance path to reduce leakage currents (e.g., between the external electrode and ground), and thereby reduce galvanic corrosion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Priyank Dineshbhai Patel, Nilay D. Jani
  • Patent number: 11737825
    Abstract: One described aspect is an optical fiber comprising: a fiber core that extends along a fiber axis, is configured to transmit a laser energy along the fiber axis, and terminates at a distal end; a first cladding that extends along the fiber axis, is adjacent to the fiber core, and terminates at a distal end; a coating that extends along the fiber axis and terminates at a distal end, wherein the coating is a gold coating; a second cladding that surrounds a portion of the gold coating along the fiber axis, and terminates at a distal end; an outer jacket that extends along the fiber axis and terminates at a distal end; and a fiber tip. Associated laser systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Wen-Jui Ray Chia, Steven Yihlih Peng
  • Patent number: 11738194
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a closed loop computer brain interface device for an individual comprising a receiver module configured to obtain at least one sensor signal indicative of a movement or action of the individual, a processing module operably connected to the receiver module and configured to determine at least one neuronal feedback signal based at least in part on the obtained sensor signal and a transmitter module operably connected to the processing module and configured to transmit the determined neuronal feedback signal to a neurostimulation device of the individual or a neurostimulation module operably connected to the processing module, wherein the neuronal feedback signal is configured to elicit a sensory percept in the cortex of the individual via stimulating afferent sensory axons of the central nervous system targeting sensory neurons of the cortex of the individual and wherein the elicited sensory percept indicates movement support information related to the obtained sensor signal to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: CereGate GmbH
    Inventor: Saman Hagh Gooie
  • Patent number: 11738192
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an implantable lead device that includes an internal support comb. The support comb can include one or more faces that enable the alignment, routing, and holding of the lead device's internal wires. The support comb can enable the interconnection of the wires with to the microelectrode film that includes the lead device's electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Inventors: André Mercanzini, Zbynek Struzka, Jason Jinyu Ruan, Pascal Harbi, Alain Jordan
  • Patent number: 11730376
    Abstract: A non-invasive and convenient method and apparatus for approximation of left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) can be used in both hospital/clinic environments and nursing home or home environments. The method and apparatus use non-invasive sensors and a new “cardiac triangle” computational method to obtain an approximation of LVEDP. The computational method uses hemodynamic and electrocardiogram (ECG) waveforms as input, which can be collected by a portable device or devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Morteza Gharib, Niema M. Pahlevan
  • Patent number: 11730965
    Abstract: A pacemaker system includes a drive-sense circuit (DSC) operably coupled to a pacemaker lead. The DSC generates a pace signal including electrical impulses based on a reference signal. The DSC provides the pace signal via the pacemaker lead to an electrically responsive portion of a cardiac conductive system of a subject to facilitate cardiac operation of a cardiovascular system of the subject. The DSC senses, via the pacemaker lead, cardiac electrical activity of the cardiovascular system of the subject that is generated in response to the pace signal and electrically coupled into the pacemaker lead and generates a digital signal that is representative of the cardiac electrical activity of the cardiovascular system of the subject that is sensed via the pacemaker lead. The DSC provides digital information to one or more processing modules that includes and/or is coupled to memory and that provide the reference signal to the DSC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SIGMASENSE, LLC.
    Inventors: John Christopher Price, Shayne X. Short, Timothy W. Markison
  • Patent number: 11724103
    Abstract: In an apparatus and method for anchoring a lead of a dorsal root ganglion stimulation system, the apparatus comprises: a grommet carrying one or more sutures, wherein the grommet includes a ring with multiple teeth that extend radially inward from the ring; and a deployment device configured to receive and secure the grommet at its distal end. A plunger of the deployment device transitions between a stored position and a deployed position relative to a barrel. When the plunger is transitioned to the deployed position, the plunger contacts and bends the multiple teeth of the grommet relative to the ring, extending the multiple teeth outward into adjacent fascia, thus anchoring the grommet to the fascia, such that the one or more sutures are available for anchoring a selected lead of the dorsal root ganglion stimulation system to the fascia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Inventor: Brandon Sutton
  • Patent number: 11717674
    Abstract: A subcutaneously implantable device includes a clip that is configured to anchor the subcutaneously implantable device to a muscle, a bone, and/or a first tissue, and a first prong with a proximal end secured adjacent to the clip and a distal end extending away from the clip that is configured to contact an organ, a nerve, and/or a second tissue. A first electrode on the first prong is configured to contact the organ, the nerve, and/or the second tissue. A cable is conductively coupled to the first electrode, wherein the cable is configured to be connected to a remote device to electrically couple the subcutaneously implanted device to the remote device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Manicka Institute LLC
    Inventor: Yatheendhar D. Manicka
  • Patent number: 11717691
    Abstract: Cardiac pacing is performed using leadless pacemakers (LPs). An AV delay is determined based on a P-wave duration. When pacing occurs during cardiac cycles starting with intrinsic atrial events, the AV delay is set to the P-wave duration plus a first offset if the P-wave duration is greater than a first threshold duration, and the AV delay is set to the P-wave duration plus a second offset that is greater than the first offset, if the P-wave duration is less than the first threshold duration. When pacing occurs during cardiac cycles starting with paced atrial events, the AV delay is set to the P-wave duration plus a third offset, if the P-wave duration is greater than a second threshold duration, or is set to the P-wave duration plus a fourth offset that is greater than the third offset, if the P-wave duration is less than the second threshold duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventor: Xiaoyi Min
  • Patent number: 11717689
    Abstract: Described herein is an implantable medical device that includes a body having one or more ultrasonic transducers configured to receive ultrasonic waves and convert energy from the ultrasonic waves into an electrical energy, two or more electrodes in electrical communication with the ultrasonic transducer, and a clip attached to the body that is configured to at least partially surround a nerve and/or a filamentous tissue and position the two or more electrodes in electrical communication with the nerve. In certain examples, the implantable medical device includes two ultrasonic transducers with orthogonal polarization axes. Also described herein are methods for treating incontinence in a subject by converting energy from ultrasonic waves into an electrical energy that powers a full implanted medical device, and electrically stimulating a tibial nerve, a pudendal nerve, or a sacral nerve, or a branch thereof, using the fully implanted medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Iota Biosciences, Inc.
    Inventors: Michel M. Maharbiz, Ryan Neely, Joshua Kay, Jose M. Carmena
  • Patent number: 11691016
    Abstract: Patients with spinal cord injuries have benefited from neurostimulation therapy comprising delivery of electrical stimulation to enable or excite neurological responses using an implantable neurostimulator having an electrode array. Dangerous levels of charge are avoided while providing multiple, simultaneous stimulation waveforms by inducing a short in an electrode when a monitored value reaches or exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: University of Louisville Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Susan J. Harkema, Yangsheng Chen, Claudia Angeli, Douglas J. Jackson, Manikandan Ravi, John Naber, Robert S. Keynton, Thomas Roussel, Saliya Kirigeeganage
  • Patent number: 11684780
    Abstract: A method for providing stimulation of living tissue may include generating electrical pulses onto multiple output channels to a plurality of electrodes each corresponding to one of the multiple output channels. The method may also include disconnecting the plurality of electrodes from recording amplifiers during a stimulation. Additionally, the method may include shorting, after each stimulation before recording is resumed, inputs of the recording amplifiers to ground to suppress ringing in the recording system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: Dong Song, Theodore W. Berger, Sahar Elyahoodayan
  • Patent number: 11679264
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for generating burst waveforms. An implantable neurostimulation system includes an implantable stimulation lead including a plurality of contacts, and an implantable pulse generator communicatively coupled to the stimulation lead. The pulse generator is configured to generate a waveform including a burst that includes a leading anodic pulse followed by alternating cathodic pulses and anodic pulses, each cathodic pulse in the burst having a greater amplitude than the previous cathodic pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: ADVANCED NEUROMODULATION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Simeng Zhang, Hyun-Joo Park, Filippo Agnesi, Yagna Pathak, Erika Ross