Patents Examined by Scott Getzow
  • Patent number: 9744352
    Abstract: Various examples provide devices, systems, and techniques for dissipating electromagnetic interference (EMI) induced energy in a medical device. In one example, an implantable electronic device includes a housing, at least one connector coupled to the housing and configured to at least one of receive first electrical signals or transmit second electrical signals, and an integrated circuit disposed within the housing, wherein the integrated circuit comprises at least one clamp stage coupled to a supply line of the integrated circuit, and wherein the at least one clamp stage is configured to dissipate magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) induced energy from the supply line in response to at least one of a voltage or a current on the supply line exceeding a respective predetermined voltage threshold value or a current threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic Bakken Research Center B.V.
    Inventors: Jeroen Jacob Arnold Tol, Egbertus Johannes Maria Bakker
  • Patent number: 9737221
    Abstract: A biological information measuring device includes a display and a processor. The processor is adapted to generate heart rate information representing a heart rate of a living body, to specify a heart rate range of a plurality of predetermined heart rate ranges to which the heart rate belongs based on the heart rate information, and to control the display to display that the heart rate belongs to the specified heart rate range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Reiko Sato
  • Patent number: 9731113
    Abstract: A device for extending a lead according to some embodiments includes a body, a coil element coupled to the body, the body configured to cover the coil element during use, the coil element comprising an inner lumen sized to receive an outer surface of a lead, the coil element is movable between a first configuration in which the coil element slides over the lead, and a second configuration in which at least some coils grip the outer surface of the lead; an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the coil element, the actuation mechanism configured to move the coil element between the first and second configurations; and a tether coupled to the lead via the body, the coil element, and/or actuation mechanism, the tether configured to extend further proximally than a proximal-most end of the lead and configured to transfer tension force applied to the tether to the lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: The Spectranetics Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Grace, Thomas Willard, Thomas Kelby Triffo
  • Patent number: 9731135
    Abstract: A neurostimulation system includes a neural stimulation lead having a proximal portion and a distal portion and including a plurality of electrodes along the distal portion. The plurality of electrodes are configured for positioning proximate a portion of the autonomic nervous system. A neural stimulation circuit, coupled to the plurality of electrodes, delivers neural stimulation pulses to the plurality of electrodes. A processor and controller is configured to control the neural stimulation circuit to deliver first neural stimulation pulses to each of a plurality of electrode configurations. Each electrode configuration includes one or more of the plurality of electrodes. The processor and controller is further configured to receive information related to motor fiber activity that is induced in response to delivery of the first neural stimulation pulses to each of the plurality of electrode configurations and to identify the electrode configurations that induce the motor fiber activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Shantha Arcot-Krishnamurthy, David J. Ternes, Jason J. Hamann, Juan Gabriel Hincapie Ordonez, Stephen B. Ruble
  • Patent number: 9724515
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided that includes a parenchymal electrode, configured to be implanted in brain parenchyma of a subject identified as at risk of or suffering from Alzheimer's disease; and a ventricular electrode, configured to be implanted in a ventricular system of a brain of the subject. Control circuitry is configured to drive the parenchymal and the ventricular electrodes to clear a substance from the brain parenchyma into the ventricular system. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: RAINBOW MEDICAL LTD.
    Inventors: Gideon Fostick, Yossi Gross
  • Patent number: 9717563
    Abstract: A medical robotic system includes an entry guide with surgical tools and a camera extending out of its distal end. To supplement the view provided by an image captured by the camera, an auxiliary view including articulatable arms of the surgical tools and/or camera is generated from sensed or otherwise determined information about their positions and orientations are displayed along with indications of range of motion limitations on a display screen from the perspective of a specified viewing point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc E. Tognaccini, Daniel H. Gomez, Nicola Diolaiti, Tabish Mustufa, Probal Mitra, Paul E. Liligan
  • Patent number: 9707404
    Abstract: An external control device, a neurostimulation system, and a method for providing therapy to a patient are provided. A plurality of stimulation parameter sets are defined, electrical stimulation energy is serially conveyed to tissue of the patient in accordance with the plurality of stimulation parameter sets, a historical log file is stored, and the plurality of stimulation parameter sets are logged in the historical log file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Prakash Rao, Anita Yip, Sridhar Kothandaraman
  • Patent number: 9706938
    Abstract: A system and method of monitoring and reporting premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) detected in a patient is described. The method includes monitoring an electro-cardiogram (ECG) signal of the patient with an adherent device that includes a plurality of electrodes. Premature ventricular contraction (PVC) beats are detected based on the monitored ECG signal, and ECG episodes associated with detected PVC beats are stored for subsequent analysis. A morphology signal is calculated by quantifying the stored ECG episodes associated with detected PVC beats, wherein the morphology signal numerically represents the shape of the detected PVC beat. The PVC beats are then numerically clustered based on the calculated morphology signals to group PVC beats having a similar morphology or shape, and a report is generated based on the clustering of the PVC beats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic Monitoring, Inc.
    Inventors: Niranjan Chakravarthy, Abhi Chavan
  • Patent number: 9707400
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and interfaces are described herein for assisting in a user in configuring cardiac therapy. A projection of a phrenic nerve stimulation map may be projected on a graphical depiction of a portion of a patient's heart. The phrenic nerve stimulation map may indicate to a user the regions of the patient's heart that may have a likelihood of stimulating the patient's phrenic nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan A. Grenz, Ryan Lahm, Eric Schilling, Brian Schousek
  • Patent number: 9700228
    Abstract: A system and methods for performing neurophysiology assessments during surgery, such as assessing the health of the spinal cord via at least one of MEP and SSEP monitoring and assessing bone integrity, nerve proximity, neuromuscular pathway, and nerve pathology during spine surgery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Gharib, Allen Farquhar, Doug Layman
  • Patent number: 9693155
    Abstract: Arrangements are described for generating electrode stimulation signals for stimulation contacts in implanted electrode arrays of a bilateral hearing implant system having electrode arrays on both the left- and right-sides. Left-side and right-side audio input signals are processed to generate corresponding left-side and right-side band pass signals, which each represent an associated band of audio frequencies in the audio input signal. Frequency-specific interaural time delays (ITDs) are estimated for the band pass signals, and the estimated ITDs are used to adjust interaural level differences (ILDs) in the band pass signals. The adjusted band pass signals then are used to generate left-side and right-side electrode stimulation signals for the stimulation contacts in the corresponding left-side and right-side electrode arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Meister, Peter Schleich
  • Patent number: 9687189
    Abstract: A system and method for assessing patient movement for Parkinson's disease includes capturing a video of a subject performing a finger tapping sequence comprising a predetermined number of open and close periods. According to an exemplary embodiment, a system and method includes extracting a region of interest for each frame of the video and generating a projection of the region of interest for each frame of the video using perpendicular vector projections in a direction or plurality of directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Faezeh Tafazzoli, Beilei Xu, Hao Wu, Robert P Loce
  • Patent number: 9687649
    Abstract: A spinal cord lead anchor comprising a longitudinally extending sleeve having an aperture sized and positioned to receive a spinal cord lead. A retainer is disposed around the sleeve and is operative to compress at least a portion of the sleeve against a spinal cord lead extending through the sleeve. A cover extends around the retainer and includes at least one opening formed through the cover to facilitate engaging the retainer with a tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Nevro Corp.
    Inventor: James R. Thacker
  • Patent number: 9675270
    Abstract: A method and medical monitoring device for determining the occurrence of a premature ventricular contraction that includes sensing a cardiac signal and determining R-waves in response to the sensed cardiac signal, determining RR intervals between the determined R-waves, determining whether a first interval criteria is satisfied in response to the determined intervals, determining a correlation between the determined R-waves, determining whether a first correlation criteria is satisfied in response to the determined correlation, and determining the premature ventricular contraction is occurring in response to the first interval criteria and the first correlation criteria being satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Shantanu Sarkar
  • Patent number: 9675269
    Abstract: A method and implantable medical device for determining noise in response to a cardiac signal that includes sensing the cardiac signal, determining a sensing window in response to the sensed cardiac signal, the sensing window comprising a first portion and a second portion, determining a first derivative signal in response to the sensed cardiac signal within only one of the first portion and the second portion of the sensing window, determining a second derivative signal in response to the sensed cardiac signal within the one of the first portion and the second portion of the sensing window, determining whether an amplitude of the second derivative signal satisfies an amplitude threshold, and determining noise in response to the amplitude of the second derivative signal satisfying the amplitude threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Shantanu Sarkar, Daniel L Hansen, Grant A Neitzell
  • Patent number: 9675811
    Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system includes a first implantable device such as a defibrillator and a second implantable device such as a leadless cardiac pacemaker. A programmer is configured to receive and display heart data emanating from the implantable defibrillator and from the leadless cardiac pacemaker. The heart data emanating from the leadless cardiac pacemaker is displayed in temporal alignment with the heart data emanating from the implantable defibrillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Michael J. Kane, Paul Huelskamp, Keith R. Maile
  • Patent number: 9669224
    Abstract: A medical device system is configured to sense physiological events by a first device and control a transducer to emit trigger signals in response to the sensed physiological events. A second device detects the trigger signals and delivers therapeutic stimulation pulses in response to the trigger signals. The therapeutic stimulation pulses have a combined total time duration over the sensed physiological events that is greater than the combined total time duration of the trigger signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: James K Carney, Can Cinbis, Jonathan L Kuhn
  • Patent number: 9662019
    Abstract: An apparatus for performing an endoscopic procedure for detecting cancerous tissue includes a detection probe for detecting the cancerous tissue. The detection probe includes a first fiber for emitting an ultraviolet light beam having an orthogonal function applied thereto and a second fiber for receiving emissions from tissues responsive to the ultraviolet light beam emitted for the first fiber. An ultraviolet emission source generates the ultraviolet light beam. Orthogonal function circuitry applies the orthogonal function twist to the ultraviolet light beam. Detection circuitry detects fluorescence and orthogonal function within the emissions from the tissues received over the second fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: NXGEN PARTNERS IP, LLC
    Inventors: Solyman Ashrafi, Roger Linquist, Nima Ashrafi
  • Patent number: 9659679
    Abstract: A composite filar has a conductive core, an outer fatigue-resistant metallic layer and a diffusion barrier between the core and the fatigue-resistant layer to prevent intermetallic diffusion between the core and the fatigue-resistant layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter B. McIntyre, Jacob L. Popp
  • Patent number: 9656087
    Abstract: An implantable medical device and medical device system for delivering a bi-ventricular pacing therapy that includes a plurality of electrodes to sense a cardiac signal, an emitting device to emit a trigger signal to control delivery of the bi-ventricular pacing, and a processor configured to compare the sensed cardiac signal associated with the delivered bi-ventricular pacing to at least one of an intrinsic beat template and an RV template associated with a morphology of RV-only pacing therapy, determine whether an offset interval associated with the bi-ventricular pacing therapy is set to a maximum offset interval level in response to the comparing, adjust the offset interval in response to the offset interval not being set to the maximum offset interval level, and generate the trigger signal to be emitted by the emitting device to subsequently deliver the bi-ventricular pacing therapy having the adjusted offset interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Subham Ghosh