Patents Examined by Robert N Wieland
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Patent number: 9693834Abstract: The invention could be a system and a method for attaching a dental implant surgical guide to one or more dental implants, the system comprising an abutment capable of connecting to at least one of the one or more dental implants and to an implant mount; the implant mount having an implant mount body with a first mount end that connects accepts a portion of the abutment and a second mount end that has a rim that cannot pass through the dental implant surgical guide; and a cap that is comprised of a hollow cylinder with an enclosed cap end and an open cap end, the cap being capable of engaging a dental implant surgical guide so to sandwich the rim between the cap and the dental implant surgical guide.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: NATIONAL DENTEX, LLCInventor: Daniel R. Llop
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Patent number: 9693726Abstract: An alertness device includes a heart rate sensor configured to obtain an electrocardiographic signal of a person, a calculation unit configured to calculate the electrocardiographic signal obtained from the heart rate sensor, a waveform generation unit configured to generate an RRI waveform from an electrocardiographic waveform of the electrocardiographic signal, and a determination unit configured to determine the alertness of the person based on the electrocardiographic signal. The calculation unit replicates a same number of RRI waveforms as that of anchors, each anchor being a point where a certain RRI is shorter than an adjacent preceding RRI, moves the time axes of the replicated RRI waveforms such that the anchors of the replicated RRI waveforms are in phase with each other, and calculates a PRSA signal defined as an RRI average for each time axis. The determination unit determines the alertness based on the RRIs and the PRSA signals.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignees: TS Tech Co., Ltd., Public University Corporation Nagoya City UniversityInventors: Shinji Sugiyama, Takayoshi Ito, Kiyoko Yokoyama, Issey Takahashi
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Patent number: 9687650Abstract: An exemplary system 1) presents, during a first time period, a tone in isolation to a patient by way of a receiver in communication with an ear of the patient, the tone having a predetermined frequency included in a frequency band, 2) presents, during a second time period, the tone together with a masking signal to the patient by way of the receiver, 3) uses an electrode located within an intracochlear region of the patient that is associated with the frequency band to record, during the first time period, a first evoked response that occurs in response to the presentation of the tone, and record, during the second time period, a second evoked response that occurs in response to the presentation of the tone together with the masking signal, and 4) determines, based on the first and second evoked responses, whether the intracochlear region is dead.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2014Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Advanced Bionics AGInventors: Leonid M. Litvak, Smita S. Agrawal
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Patent number: 9687648Abstract: An exemplary system may include an intracochlear electrode array configured to be inserted into a cochlea of a patient, an intraneural probe comprising an intraneural electrode contact and configured to be inserted into an auditory nerve of the patient, and a computing system. The computing system may be configured to identify an optimal insertion path for an intraneural electrode array into the auditory nerve of the patient by 1) repeatedly stimulating the intraneural electrode contact of the intraneural probe while the intraneural probe is advanced into the auditory nerve along a probe insertion path, 2) using the intracochlear electrode array to record a plurality of evoked responses that occur in response to the repeated stimulation of the intraneural electrode contact, and 3) determining, based on the plurality of evoked responses, whether the probe insertion path is the optimal insertion path for the intraneural electrode array.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Advanced Bionics AGInventors: Abhijit Kulkarni, Leonid M. Litvak, Mark B. Downing
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Patent number: 9687654Abstract: An implantable medical device system including an atrial pacemaker and a ventricular pacemaker is configured to deliver dual chamber pacing in the presence of atrioventricular block. In response to detecting the AV block, the atrial pacemaker may establish a limited number of selectable pacing rates. The atrial pacemaker selects a rate from the limited number of selectable pacing rates and adjusts the atrial pacing rate to the selected rate. The ventricular pacemaker is configured to establish a ventricular pacing rate that is equivalent to the selected rate in response to detecting the AV block. Other examples are described herein.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Todd J Sheldon, James K Carney, Saul E Greenhut
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Patent number: 9681921Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a robot system (1) for minimally invasive surgery, which comprises at least two robots (2, 3). According to the invention a port (7), which serves to provide access into the body of a patient (5), is operated by means of a first robot (2), and a surgical instrument (10), which is designed to be introduced into the body of the patient (5) through the port (7), is operated by means of a second robot (3). The separate operation of the port (7) and the surgical instrument (10) makes it possible to guide the port (7) synchronously to a movement of the surgical instrument (10), to damp the movement of the surgical instrument (10) or to block the movement by fixing the port (7).Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2014Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: ABB gomtec GmbHInventors: Bernd Gombert, Patrick Rothfuβ, Leopold Krausen
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Patent number: 9681929Abstract: A dental treating apparatus according to the present invention includes: a hand piece; a head unit; a driving unit; a resistor for load detection; a load comparing unit; and a control unit. The hand piece drivably holds a cutting tool on the head unit. The driving unit drives the cutting tool in a normal rotation direction or in a reverse rotation direction. The resistor for load detection detects a load applied to the cutting tool. The load comparing unit compares the detected load and a reference load each time driving for rotating the cutting tool in the reverse rotation direction by a predetermined rotation angle is performed. The control unit controls the driving unit based on a result of comparison by the load comparing unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2014Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: J. Morita Manufacturing CorporationInventors: Naoki Katsuda, Seiichiro Yamashita, Tomoaki Ueda, Hideo Hijikata
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Patent number: 9681919Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for assisting or performing guided interventional procedures using custom templates. The system uses pre-procedure scans of a patient's anatomy to identify targets and critical structures. A template is then manufactured containing guide elements. During a procedure, the template may be aligned to the patient and instruments passed though the guide elements and into various targets. The template may be aligned using one or more of, for example, a position sensing system or a live imaging modality to register the patient to the template. The system makes optional use of devices designed to immobilize or track an organ during therapy.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Inventor: Neil Glossop
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Patent number: 9682239Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) may include a housing having a proximal end and a distal end and a set of one or more electrodes connected to but spaced apart from the housing. The IMD may further include a controller disposed within the housing, wherein the controller is configured to sense cardiac electrical signals, and deliver electrical stimulation pulses via the first set of one or more electrodes. In some embodiments, a first portion of the housing is configured to be disposed at least partly within a coronary sinus of a patient's heart and a second portion of the housing is configured to be disposed at least partly within a right atrium of the patient's heart.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2016Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventor: Brendan E. Koop
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Patent number: 9682234Abstract: A device for electrically stimulating one or more anatomical target sites in a patient and for use in the treatment of a plurality of biological conditions of the patient. The device has a pulse generator providing electrical stimulation to the anatomical target sites; a power source for powering the pulse generator; stimulator electrodes connected to the pulse generator for stimulating the anatomical target sites; one or more optional sensing electrodes for monitoring physiological parameters with reference to the anatomical target sites; and a microprocessor programmed to vary a plurality of therapy protocol parameters governing the electrical stimulation to thereby modify operational life parameters of the power source.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: EndoStim, Inc.Inventors: Bevil Hogg, Virender K. Sharma, Shai Policker, Paul V. Goode, Kaila Raby
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Patent number: 9675739Abstract: A catheter pump is disclosed. The catheter pump can include an impeller and a catheter body having a lumen therethrough. The catheter pump can also include a drive shaft disposed inside the catheter body. A motor assembly can include a chamber. The motor assembly can include a rotor disposed in the at least a portion of the chamber, the rotor mechanically coupled with a proximal portion of the drive shaft such that rotation of the rotor causes the drive shaft to rotate. The motor assembly can also comprise a stator assembly disposed about the rotor. The motor assembly can also include a heat exchanger disposed about the stator assembly, the heat exchanger may be configured to direct heat radially outward away from the stator assembly, the rotor, and the chamber.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2016Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: TC1 LLCInventors: Adam R. Tanner, Michael R. Butler, Todd Jenkins
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Patent number: 9675804Abstract: A non-invasive bodily-attached ambulatory medical monitoring and treatment device with pacing is provided. The device includes at least one therapy electrode; a memory storing information indicative of a patient's cardiac activity; circuitry for implementing a plurality of pacing routines, each pacing routine of the plurality of pacing routines corresponding to at least one cardiac condition of a plurality of cardiac conditions; and at least one processor coupled to the circuitry and configured to identify, within the information, at least one cardiac condition of the plurality of cardiac conditions; and respond to the identified cardiac condition in part by causing execution of at least one pacing routine corresponding to the identified cardiac condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2016Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: ZOLL MEDICAL CORPORATIONInventors: Jason T. Whiting, Thomas E. Kaib, Rachel H. Carlson, Gregory R. Frank
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Patent number: 9675738Abstract: A catheter pump includes an impeller and a drive shaft coupled with the impeller. The catheter pump includes a motor assembly coupled with the drive shaft. The motor assembly includes a motor housing having an opening through a wall of the motor housing and a flexible member disposed about the opening, the flexible member configured to engage a connection portion of a platform.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2016Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: TC1 LLCInventors: Adam R. Tanner, Michael R. Butler
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Patent number: 9675261Abstract: A method and medical device for detecting a cardiac event that includes sensing a cardiac signal, identifying R-waves in the cardiac signal attendant ventricular depolarizations, determining RR-intervals between successive R-waves in response to the sensed cardiac signal, detecting an atrial tachyarrhythmia based on an analysis of the RR-intervals, iteratively sensing groups of a predetermined number of P-waves attendant atrial depolarizations in response to detecting the atrial tachyarrhythmia, and confirming the atrial tachyarrhythmia based on an analysis of the iteratively sensed groups of P-waves.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2016Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Jian Cao, Paul J. Degroot
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Patent number: 9675740Abstract: An impeller for a pump is disclosed herein. The impeller can include a hub having a fixed end and a free end. The impeller can also have a plurality of blades supported by the hub. Each blade can have a fixed end coupled to the hub and a free end. The impeller can have a stored configuration and a deployed configuration, the blades in the deployed configuration extending away from the hub, and the blades in the stored configuration being compressed against the hub.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2016Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: TC1 LLCInventors: Zijing Zeng, Phyllis Yuen, Michael R. Butler
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Patent number: 9669222Abstract: A therapeutic neurostimulation system configured for providing therapy to a patient. The neurostimulation system comprises a neurostimulation lead having an array of electrodes arranged along a longitudinal axis configured for being implanted along a spinal cord of a patient, a neurostimulation device configured for delivering electrical stimulation energy to active ones of the electrode array, and control/processing circuitry for instructing the neurostimulation device to configure an active electrode as a cathode, and two active electrodes longitudinally flanking and laterally offset from the cathode as anodes, selecting a ratio of stimulation amplitude values for the two anodes based on a known longitudinal location of the implanted neurostimulation lead relative to the spinal cord, and instructing the neurostimulation device to distribute the electrical stimulation energy between the two anodes in accordance with the selected stimulation amplitude value ratio.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2016Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation CorporationInventor: Emarit A. S. Ranu
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Patent number: 9669227Abstract: Electrical stimulation therapy is provided for a patient. A user is informed that a user-supplied electrical stimulation waveform can be entered into an electronic programmer. At least in part via a user interface of the electronic programmer, it is detected that the user-supplied electrical stimulation waveform has been received by the electronic programmer. A determination is made to whether the user-supplied electrical stimulation waveform is compliant with a set of predetermined restrictions. In response to a determination that the user-supplied electrical stimulation waveform is compliant with the set of predetermined restrictions, a pulse generator is instructed to generate electrical stimulation pulses based on the user-supplied electrical stimulation waveform.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2015Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: NUVECTRA CORPORATIONInventors: Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu
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Patent number: 9669221Abstract: An external control system for use with a neurostimulation device and at least one neurostimulation lead implanted within the tissue of a patient is provided. The external control system comprises a user interface configured for receiving input from a user, output circuitry configured for communicating with the neurostimulation device, and control/processing circuitry configured for receiving a medical image of the neurostimulation lead(s) relative to an anatomical structure, processing the medical image to detect the location of the neurostimulation lead(s) relative to the anatomical structure, generating a set of stimulation parameters based on the user input and the detected location of the neurostimulation lead(s) relative to the anatomical structure, and directing the output circuitry to transmit instructions to the neurostimulation device to convey electrical stimulation energy in accordance with the stimulation parameter set.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2016Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation CorporationInventors: Yue Li, Dennis Zottola
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Patent number: 9662508Abstract: Configurations are described for utilizing light-activated proteins within cell membranes and subcellular regions to assist with medical treatment paradigms, such as hypertension treatment via anatomically specific and temporally precise modulation of renal plexus activity. The invention provides for proteins, nucleic acids, vectors and methods for genetically targeted expression of light-sensitive proteins to specific cells or defined cell populations. In particular the invention provides systems, devices, and methods for millisecond-timescale temporal control of certain cell activities using moderate light intensities, such as the generation or inhibition of electrical spikes in nerve cells and other excitable cells.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: Circuit Therapeutics, Inc.Inventors: Scott Delp, Karl Deisseroth, Dan Andersen
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Patent number: 9662496Abstract: A method for controlling a position of a patient's tongue includes attaching at least one electrode to the patient's hypoglossal nerve, applying an electric signal through the electrode to the hypoglossal nerve to stimulate at least one muscle of the tongue at least until the number of obstructive sleep apnea occurrences are reduced from an initial level to a treatment level, and reducing the application of the electric signal while the number of obstructive sleep apnea occurrences remain generally at or below the treatment level.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2016Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: IMTHERA MEDICAL, INCInventors: Marcelo G. Lima, Paul M. Meadows, Jasper Benke