Patents Examined by Robert N Wieland
  • Patent number: 9662178
    Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a system and a method for identifying the arrhythmogenic circuit of a patient or subject. In one embodiment, the method comprises obtaining data for electrograms recorded at various locations of the heart while programmed ventricular pacing with extra stimuli was performed, obtaining decrement values for at least two different locations of the heart using the recorded electrograms, generating at least a portion of a decrement map using the decrement values, and identifying the arrhythmogenic circuit based on electrograms having significant decremental properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY HEALTH NETWORK
    Inventors: Kumaraswamy Nanthakumar, Eugene Downar, Stephane Masse
  • Patent number: 9662240
    Abstract: Feedback systems and methods enhance obstructive and other obesity treatments by presenting feedback regarding patients' actual eating. An ingestion restricting implant body can be deployed along the gastrointestinal tract. In some embodiments, ingestion alters the implant body, which, in turn, generates signals. The generated signals can be used to inhibit unhealthy ingestion by the patient. In other embodiments, the implant body can be altered by signals so as to selectable change the restriction imposed on the gastrointestinal tract, optionally in response to ingestion events, an eating schedule, or the like. The implant body may comprise a gastric band. Sensor signals may be processed to identify ingestion and/or characterize ingestion material, and the results may be displayed on a screen for a patient or coach to view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: IntraPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Wong, John C. Potosky, Rose Province, Charles R. Brynelsen, Mir Imran
  • Patent number: 9656073
    Abstract: An external electronic ear device includes a housing, an external magnet, a microphone, a processing circuit and a wireless signal transmitter circuit. The external magnet is disposed in the housing and attracts a receiver magnet disposed under a scalp of a user. The microphone is disposed in the housing and receives an external sound and generates a sound signal corresponding to the external sound. The processing circuit is disposed in the housing and converts the sound signal into an electrode driving signal. The wireless signal transmitter circuit is disposed in the housing and transmits the electrode driving signal to a cochlear implant device in the cochlear system. The cochlear implant device converts the electrode driving signal into a plurality of electrode currents, and a plurality of electrical pulses are generated in a cochlear nerve of the user through a plurality of electrodes according to the electrode currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignees: KUANG-CHAO CHEN, SILICON MOTION, INC.
    Inventors: Kuang-Chao Chen, Kuo-Liang Yeh
  • Patent number: 9656074
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for treating at least one of a condition or a symptom of a patient by positioning a stimulation device at a target site adjacent to or near a nerve within a patient. The stimulation device comprising an antenna and one or more electrodes. Transmitting electrical energy to the antenna and generating electrical impulses within the stimulation device with the electrical energy and applying the series of electrical impulses to the nerve via the electrode. The electrical impulses sufficient to modulate the nerve and treat the condition or symptom of the patient; and which have on periods where the electrical impulses are generated and applied to the nerve and off periods between the electrical impulses, where the electrical energy is transmitted to the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Electrocore, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, Steven Mendez
  • Patent number: 9649040
    Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using medical devices are disclosed. An example system for mapping the electrical activity of the heart includes a catheter shaft. The catheter shaft includes a plurality of electrodes including a first electrode and a second electrode. The system also includes a processor. The processor is capable of collecting a first signal corresponding to the first electrode and a second signal corresponding to the second electrode. Collecting the first and second signals occurs over a time period. The processor is also capable of generating a first time-frequency distribution corresponding to the first signal, identifying a first dominant frequency value occurring at a first dominant frequency and a first time point, generating a second time-frequency distribution corresponding to the second signal, identifying a second dominant frequency value occurring at a second dominant frequency and a second time point and determining an attraction point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: BOSTON SCIENTIFIC SCIMED, INC.
    Inventors: Jacob I. Laughner, Carlos Alberto Ricci, Vladimir V. Kovtun, Shibaji Shome, Pramodsingh H. Thakur, Allan C. Shuros, Kevin J. Stalsberg
  • Patent number: 9653893
    Abstract: One aspect is an implantable medical device with a feedthrough assembly having an insulator and a plurality of conducting elements extending therethrough. The feedthrough assembly is placed in a case with an opening defining a narrow space therebetween. A braze material fills the narrow space, thereby hermetically sealing the feedthrough assembly to the case. One of the feedthrough assembly and the case include a feature configured to securely hold the braze and in that the implantable medical device does not include a ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Heraeus Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jacob Markham, Ulrich Hausch, Goran Pavlovic
  • Patent number: 9649039
    Abstract: A mobile plethysmographic device for detecting a Peripheral Artery Disease (“PAD”) event or other arrhythmia event is disclosed herein. The mobile plethysmographic device generates a pleth waveform, which is automatically screened by algorithms that measure the waveform to correlate, detect and store aberrations related to heart anomalies. A peripheral artery disease event for a patient is determined based on a quantative measure of blood flow in the extremities based on the differential in amplitude in the pleth signal between the arm and the two lower extremities. The changes in amplitude from the arm and one or both lower extremities can indicate PAD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Impact Sports Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Brady, Nikolai Rulkov, Mark Hunt
  • Patent number: 9649503
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Circuit Therapeutic, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Delp, Karl Deisseroth, Dan Andersen
  • Patent number: 9649466
    Abstract: Systems and methods for delivery of gas mixtures to humans inside an MRI scanner, including while monitoring and recording physiological parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Hanzhang Lu, Peiying Liu
  • Patent number: 9643003
    Abstract: Electrical neurostimulation leads for use in craniofacial peripheral nerve neurostimulation (e.g. occipital neurostimulation). Paddle leads, lead wires, lead wire anchors, tools, or other hardware can be designed for implantation in the craniofacial region. This can address problems of electrical neurostimulation in the craniofacial region such as lead migration, hardware breakage, patient discomfort, or other problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Steven Sounyoung Yu
  • Patent number: 9636063
    Abstract: A system and method relate to receiving, by a processing device, at least one stream of data captured by at least one sensor monitoring a human subject, wherein the at least one stream of data comprises sensor measurements, comparing the sensor measurements to at least one model of a mental state to estimate the mental state of the human subject, determining whether to trigger an alarm based on the estimated mental state, and in response to determining to trigger the alarm, generating an instruction to trigger the alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Inventor: J. Kimo Arbas
  • Patent number: 9636503
    Abstract: An example of a method embodiment may place a set of stimulation electrodes on tissue containing the baroreceptor region, and may test bipolar configurations of the electrodes. Each of the bipolar configurations of the electrodes includes at least one of the electrodes configured to function as an anode and at least one other of the electrodes configured to function as a cathode. Testing the bipolar configurations may include stimulating the tissue using each of the bipolar configurations. For each of the tested bipolar configurations at least one physiological parameter may be monitored for a baroreflex response to stimulation of the tissue, and the baroreflex response may be recorded for each of the tested bipolar configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Mokelke, Eric Falbe Hammill
  • Patent number: 9636091
    Abstract: A hand-held electromechanical surgical device is configured to selectively connect with a surgical accessory. The surgical device includes a power-pack, an outer shell housing, and a gasket. The power-pack is configured to selectively control a surgical accessory. The outer shell housing includes a distal half-section and a proximal half-section, the distal half-section and the proximal half-section together defining a cavity configured to selectively encase substantially the entire power-pack therein. The gasket is located between the distal half-section and the proximal half-section of the outer shell housing. The gasket is configured to create a seal between the distal half-section and the proximal half-section and to provide a sterile barrier between the power-pack and an outside environment outside the outer shell housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Covidien LP
    Inventors: John Beardsley, Matthew Chowaniec, Russell Pribanic, Paul Rinaldi
  • Patent number: 9636504
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for treating an arrhythmia in a patient using an electrotherapy device such as a subcutaneous pacing device. The device applies a series of electrotherapy pulses in response to the presence of the arrhythmia. Various provisions are disclosed for mitigating pain or discomfort as a result of the electrotherapy pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Galvani, Ltd.
    Inventors: Byron L. Gilman, Mark W. Kroll
  • Patent number: 9629676
    Abstract: A surgical tool includes first and second arms including a finger ring on the back section of each arm. A spring is positioned between the back sections of the arms, with the spring urging the back sections of the arms away from each other. First and second jaws are located on the front section of the first and second arms, with first and second electrodes on the first and second jaws. An irrigation port is located on the first arm connected to an irrigation line leading to one or more irrigation fluid outlets in or adjacent to the first or second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: City of Hope
    Inventor: Gagandeep Singh
  • Patent number: 9629568
    Abstract: A method and system provides for electrophysiological data analysis in a networked processing environment. The method and system includes receiving, via a networked connection, electrophysiological data of a patient and electronically performing, via at least one network processing device, a data analysis on the electrophysiological data. The method and system includes generating at least one report based on the data analysis, wherein the at least one report includes determination of one or more intervention options for the patient and therein transmitting the report to a recipient device across the network connection for utilization with the patient. The results of the report direct the user to apply from within the same system non-invasive brain stimulation, neurofeedback, and biofeedback modalities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: EVOKE NEUROSCIENCE, INC.
    Inventors: David W Hagedorn, James W. G. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9623162
    Abstract: A blood pump having a rotor and a stator, in which the rotor has a filled core channel and a plurality of filled radial channels configured to maximize the communication of magnetic flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: RELIANTHEART INC.
    Inventors: William C. Graham, Frederick D. Swain, Anthony Williams, Bryan E. Lynch, Rodger G. Ford, Sailesh Saxena
  • Patent number: 9623161
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting and mitigating a suction condition are disclosed. The method may include estimating a flow waveform of the pump, identifying pulses in the flow waveform, determining a negative flow based on a valid identification of a pulse, and evaluating a characteristic of the pulse for an existence of a suction condition. In various embodiments, a suction marker is located based on a minimum in a diastolic phase, and the suction marker location is used to identify a probability of a suction condition. A speed of the pump may be adjusted to mitigate the suction condition. A system and method for estimating flow is further disclosed. The method may include interpolating data sets defining pump power to flow for various pump speed values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: TC1 LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Medvedev, J. Bradford Rainier, Muhammad K. Sami
  • Patent number: 9623253
    Abstract: Some implementations provide a method for treating urological disorders in a patient, the method including: placing an introducer into a patient's body through an incision site on the patient's body, the patient suffering from an urological disorder; placing an implantable wireless device into an inner lumen of the introducer, the implantable wireless device suitable to fit into the inner lumen and configured to receive electromagnetic energy non-inductively from a source located outside the patient's body; through the inner lumen of the introducer, positioning the implantable wireless device adjacent to or near one or more excitable tissue in the patient, the one or more excitable tissue regulating a nerve activity associated with the urological disorder; and causing neural modulation of the one or more excitable tissue through one or more electrodes on the implantable wireless device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Devices, LLC
    Inventors: Laura Tyler Perryman, Chad Andresen
  • Patent number: 9616226
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a therapy delivery device for treating an obstetric or gynecological disorder other than urinary incontinence in a subject. The therapy delivery device can include a housing, at least one electrode, and a power source. The housing can be configured for implantation in a reproductive system of the subject. The at least one electrode can be connected to the housing and be configured to delivery an electrical signal to an autonomic nervous system nerve target. The power source can be in electrical communication with the at least one electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ohio State Innovation Foundation
    Inventors: Charles Lockwood, Edmund Funai, Ali R. Rezai