Patents Examined by Scott Getzow
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Patent number: 8880192Abstract: An electrode assembly includes electrodes and a cuff, shaped so as to define a tubular housing that defines a longitudinal axis therealong, two edges, and a slit between the two edges. When the housing is closed, respective contact surfaces of the two edges touch each other, and the housing defines an inner surface that faces and surrounds the axis, to which inner surface the electrodes are fixed. The cuff further defines three or more annular insulating elements that extend toward the axis from the inner surface of the housing at respective longitudinal positions along the housing, such that the inner surface of the housing and pairs of the insulating elements define, at respective longitudinal positions along the housing, respective chambers open toward the axis. The housing is shaped such that the contact surfaces of the two edges extend toward the axis and protrude into the chambers.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2012Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Bio Control Medical (B.C.M.) Ltd.Inventors: Tamir Ben-David, Noam Gavish, Tsachi Czaczkes
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Patent number: 8862231Abstract: An implantable medical device includes a multi-axial acceleration sensor and an evaluation unit connected thereto. The evaluation unit is configured to (1) split the accelerometer output signal into at least two signal components, one of which is associated with a right-ventricular contraction and another of which is associated with a left-ventricular contraction; (2) detect events in the signal components, and/or determine signal features therein; and (3) determine at least one characteristic value K by evaluating the signal components, and/or the events and/or signal features therein.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2012Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Biotronik SE & Co. KGInventors: Jens Kirchner, Michael Vollkron, Olaf Skerl
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Patent number: 8849395Abstract: A guide catheter system includes a guide catheter having a proximal end, a distal end, an outer wall and a first, second and third electrode wherein the first, second and third electrodes are spaced longitudinally apart from each other on the outer wall of the catheter, and an electrical impulse generator connected to the guide catheter wherein the electrical impulse generator includes a circuit for selecting an adjacent pair of electrodes to use as a bipolar electrode system to send an electrical impulse and a method of use thereof to treat vasospasm.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.Inventors: Eric A. Mokelke, Robert Shipley
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Patent number: 8849401Abstract: An implantable device (10) is used to emit electrical stimulation signals to surrounding tissue by means of at least one stimulation electrode (17). The device (10) has an input stage which is connected to a supply unit (12) by a cable, by means of which the input stage is supplied with at least one substantially square electrical AC voltage which is, averaged over time, at least virtually free of a DC voltage with respect to an external ground (29), which can be connected to the tissue (64) (FIG. 1).Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2009Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Retina Implant AGInventor: Albrecht Rothermel
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Patent number: 8849417Abstract: A medical lead is configured to be implanted into a patient's body and comprises a lead body, and an electrode coupled to the lead body. The electrode comprises a first section configured to contact the patient's body, and a second section capacitively coupled to the first section and configured to be electrically coupled to the patient's body.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: James M. Olsen, Gregory A. Hrdlicka, Carl D. Wahlstrand, Thomas Barry Hoegh
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Patent number: 8838230Abstract: A system for altering a user's motional response to music is generally described. The system includes a current source and a music source including at least one musical piece. The system also includes an information source including information associated with at least one characteristic of the at least one musical piece. Further, the system includes a sound delivering device configured with a sound producing structure and in communication with the music source. A feedback sensor device is configured to detect motions associated with the user. A control unit is configured to receive signals from the feedback sensor and receive the information, the control unit generating control signals based on the signals and the information. Further, electrical contacts are configured to contact flesh of the user and deliver current from the current source to the vestibular system of the user in response to the control signals.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: The Invention Science Fund I, LLCInventors: Alistair K. Chan, Roderick A. Hyde, Jordin T. Kare, Lowell L. Wood, Jr.
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Patent number: 8838254Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for configuring an IMD into the exposure operating mode. Prior to a medical procedure that generates a disruptive energy field, such as an MRI scan, an electronic prescription is configured to indicate that the IMD is authorized for the medical procedure that includes a disruptive energy field. The electronic prescription includes one or more designated bits within a storage element of the IMD. When the patient in which the IMD is implanted arrives for the medical procedure, a user (such as an MRI operator) interacts with a telemetry device to determine whether the electronic prescription is configured. Upon determining that the electronic prescription is configured, the IMD transitions into the exposure operating mode designed for operation in the disruptive energy field. In this manner, the electronic prescription confirms to the user that that the IMD has been checked for suitability for operation during the medical procedure.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Lawrence C. McClure, Sandy K. Wixon, Sean S. Josephson, Michael L. Ellingson, Hyun J. Yoon
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Patent number: 8825160Abstract: A complex connector and component within an implantable medical device in which the complex connector is positioned within the spacing footprint of the component to optimize packaging within the device.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Angela Rodgers, Andrew J Ries, Kurt J Casby, John D Norton, Mark D Breyen, Dan D Erklouts, Brian J Ross, Timothy T Bomstad, Wayne L Appleseth, Michael E Clarke, Jeffrey L Kehn, Scott J Robinson
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Patent number: 8825157Abstract: The implantable cardiac treatment system of the present invention is capable of choosing the most appropriate electrode vector to sense within a particular patient. In certain embodiments, the implantable cardiac treatment system determines the most appropriate electrode vector for continuous sensing based on which electrode vector results in the greatest signal amplitude, or some other useful metric such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The electrode vector possessing the highest quality as measured using the metric is then set as the default electrode vector for sensing. Additionally, in certain embodiments of the present invention, a next alternative electrode vector is selected based on being generally orthogonal to the default electrode vector. In yet other embodiments of the present invention, the next alternative electrode vector is selected based on possessing the next highest quality metric after the default electrode vector.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2008Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Cameron Health, Inc.Inventors: Jay A. Warren, Gust H. Bardy
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Patent number: 8812133Abstract: A burr hole plug comprises a plug base configured for being mounted around a burr hole. The plug base includes an aperture through which an elongated medical device exiting the burr hole may pass. The plug base is configured to accommodate a variety of cranium forms without requiring deformation of the plug base. A plug base holding tool is used to secure the plug base to the cranium, wherein the tool aligns fasteners with the plug base for insertion through the plug base and into the cranium. The burr hole plug further comprises a retainer configured for being mounted within the aperture of the plug base to secure the medical device. The retainer includes a clamping mechanism that secures the elongated medical device in the burr hole plug, wherein the movement of the clamping mechanism is controlled to prevent skewing of the clamping mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation CorporationInventor: Jeffery V. Funderburk
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Patent number: 8812100Abstract: Self-positioning of at least a portion of a transdermal electrical stimulation patch within a target area (e.g., supraclavicular fossa region) of a human body to activate a depot of brown adipose tissue therein. An electric field is generated using the electrical stimulation patch to activate the brown adipose tissue within the supraclavicular fossa region of the body. The patch is self-positioned using one or more anatomical points (e.g., anatomical landmarks and/or anatomical features) or markings on the body. Brown adipose tissue may also be activated by applying an electrical signal to a body piercing partially implanted proximate a target area in which the tissue is disposed.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.Inventors: James W. Voegele, Thomas E. Albrecht, Tamara C. Baynham, David Cagle, Anthony R. DiUbaldi, Jason L. Harris, Michael A. Murray, Mark S. Zeiner, Jacob Crabtree
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Patent number: 8812122Abstract: Apparatus and method for at least partially fitting a medical implant system to a patient is described. These apparatuses and methods comprise executing a genetic algorithm to select a set of parameter values for the medical implant system. This genetic algorithm may comprise executing a tabu search wherein value sets that are determined to be bad are added to a tabu list that may be consulted to exclude tabu value sets from successive generations of the genetic algorithm.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Sean Lineaweaver, Gregory H. Wakefield
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Patent number: 8805530Abstract: An implantable, rechargeable medical system comprised of an implanted device, a power storage device connected to the implantable device, and a charging device operatively connected to the electrical storage device. The charging device can be thermoelectric and have components for transferring thermal energy from an intracranial heat accumulator to an extra-cranial heat sink, for generating an electrical current from the thermal energy transfer, for charging the electrical storage device using the electrical current, for measuring power generation, usage and reserve levels, for measuring temperatures of the intracranial and extra-cranial components, for physically disrupting heat transfer and charging operations, and for generating signals relevant to the status of temperature and electricity transfer in relation to energy generation criteria. The system may also have long-range and short range wireless power harvesting capability as well as movement, and photovoltaic charging capability.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2008Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: WiTricity CorporationInventor: Michael Sasha John
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Patent number: 8805514Abstract: An interactive implantable medical device system includes an implantable medical device and a network-enabled external device capable of bi-directional communication and interaction with the implantable medical device. The external device is programmed to interact with other similarly-enabled devices. The system facilitates improved patient care by eliminating unnecessary geographic limitations on implantable medical device interrogation and programming, and by allowing patients, physicians, and other users to access medical records, history, and information and to receive status and care-related alerts and messages anywhere there is access to a communications network.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.Inventors: Benjamin D. Pless, David R. Fischell, Barbara Gibb, Lisa Guzzo, Adrian R. M. Upton
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Patent number: 8795329Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for occluding or closing a patent foramen ovale of a patient (PFO). The invention includes a catheter carrying an energy delivery element. The catheter introduces the energy delivery element into the patent foramen ovale of a patient's heart. Once appropriately positioned, the energy delivery element applies energy, such as radiofrequency energy, to the tissues surrounding the patent foramen ovale. The application of energy causes the tissues to join together, occluding the patent foramen ovale. The energy delivery element may be removable or permanently implanted in the patent foramen ovale.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2010Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc.Inventors: Sean Forde, James Scutti, David J. Callaghan, Erik Glaser, Carol A. Devellian, Steve W Opolski
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Patent number: 8788050Abstract: There is disclosed a hearing prosthesis comprising a first housing (11) containing a primary signal processor that receives signals output by a microphone; and a second housing (13) removably connectable to the first housing (11); wherein a user interface (14) is provided on the second housing (13) that provides control of one or more features of the operation of the primary signal processor.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2004Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Cochlear LimitedInventors: Gunther Van Der Borght, Jan Janssen
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Patent number: 8788034Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for applying extremely low duty-cycle stimulation sufficient to treat chronic inflammation. In particular, described herein are single supra-threshold pulses of electrical stimulation sufficient to result in a long-lasting (e.g., >4 hours, greater than 12 hours, greater than 24 hours, greater than 48 hours) inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and/or effects of chronic inflammation. These methods and devices are particularly of interest in treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2012Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: SetPoint Medical CorporationInventors: Jacob A. Levine, Michael A. Faltys
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Patent number: 8781597Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for modulating a patient's neurological disease state. In one embodiment, the system comprises one or more sensors that sense at least one signal that comprise a characteristic that is indicative of a neurological disease state. A signal processing assembly is in communication with the one or more sensors and processes the at least one signal to estimate the neurological disease state and to generate a therapy to the patient that is based at least in part on the estimated neurological disease state. A treatment assembly is in communication with the signal processing assembly and delivers the therapy to a nervous system component of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2010Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.Inventor: Daniel John DiLorenzo
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Patent number: 8777833Abstract: The present invention relates to providing counter-pulsation heart assist by deforming the aorta. In a preferred embodiment, the deformation pressure is applied by cyclically, preferably in synchrony with the diastolic period of the heart. The deformation pressure may be applied to the outer wall of the aorta or to a patch covering a resected opening in the wall of the aorta.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2008Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Sunshine Heart Company Pty. Ltd.Inventors: William Suttle Peters, Scott Hugh Miller, Peter Andrew Watterson
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Patent number: 8781606Abstract: As described herein vascular anchoring systems are used to position an implant in a vascular area such as a bifurcated vasculature with relatively high fluid flow, for instance, in an area of a pulmonary artery with associated left and right pulmonary arteries. Implementations include an anchoring trunk member having a first anchoring trunk section and a second anchoring trunk section. Further implementations include a first anchoring branch member extending from the anchoring trunk member. Still further implementations include a second anchoring branch member extending from the anchoring trunk member.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2008Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.Inventors: George W. Keilman, Timothy Johnson