Patents Examined by William Levicky
  • Patent number: 10245431
    Abstract: Provided is an implantable medical device for predicting and treating electrical disturbances in tissue. The medical device includes an implantable telemetry unit (ITU), and an implantable leads assembly including a first and a second electrode implanted in the tissue. A processor of the ITU is configured to perform training by receiving electrical signals input to the electrode circuit, parsing the electrical signals into dynamic event states using Bayesian Non-Parametric Markov Switching, and modeling each event state as a multi-dimensional probability distribution. The processor of the ITU is further configured to perform analysis of the electrical signals and therapy to the tissue by applying other electrical signals to the multi-dimensional distribution to predict future electrical disturbances in the tissue, and controlling the electrode circuit to apply an electrical therapy signal to the first and second electrodes to mitigate effects of the future electrical disturbances in the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignees: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Washington
    Inventors: Steven N. Baldassano, Brian Litt, Drausin Wulsin, Emily Fox
  • Patent number: 10183168
    Abstract: Electrical stimulation of a target (e.g., nervous tissue) is performed, wherein balance phases are automatically determined, and at least one of the electrodes is indirectly monitored during therapy delivery. The stimulation system is further configured to generate correction currents when a voltage accumulated at associated double layer capacitances crosses pre-defined thresholds so as to reduce or cancel the accumulated voltages without therapy interruption. A finer automatic determination of balance phases permits minimizing the stimulus artifact for evoked response sensing. Closed-loop neurostimulation may be performed based on such evoked responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Marcelo Baru, Ramprasad Vijayagopal
  • Patent number: 10179018
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of ablation. The method includes the steps of inserting a probe having an ablation electrode into a body of a living subject and urging the ablation electrode into a contacting relationship with a target tissue. A measurement of at least one electroanatomic parameter is made between the ablation electrode and the target tissue, and the measurement is haptically communicated to an operator. Responsively to the communicated measurement, ablating the target tissue using the ablation electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Biosense Webster (Israel) Ltd.
    Inventors: Yevgeny Bonyak, Dror Shlomo Levy, Meir Bar-Tal, Ronen Krupnik, Natan Sharon Katz
  • Patent number: 10172530
    Abstract: A biological information processing system includes a pulse wave information acquisition unit which acquires pulse wave information of a user, and a processing unit which determines the sleep state of the user based on the pulse wave information. The processing unit obtains index information relating to an arousal state during sleep based on the pulse wave information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Eizo Takahashi
  • Patent number: 10172531
    Abstract: A heartbeat detection device includes a difference value calculation unit (3) for calculating, from a sampling data sequence of an electrocardiographic waveform of a living body, one of an amount of change and a degree of change of sampling data for each sampling time, a multiplication unit (4) for calculating, for each sampling time, a product by multiplying one of an amount of change and a degree of change of the sampling data at a time K by one of the sampling data at the time K and sampling data at a time before the time K by a predetermined time t, a peak detection unit (5) for detecting a peak of the product, and a heartbeat time determination unit (6) for setting time of the peak of the product as a heartbeat time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: NIPPON TELEGRAPH AND TELEPHONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuaki Matsuura, Kei Kuwabara, Kazuhiko Takagahara, Ryusuke Kawano, Hiroshi Koizumi
  • Patent number: 10159417
    Abstract: There are provided an apparatus and a method for measuring pulse waves. The pulse wave measuring apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive pulse wave signals sensed at at least two points of an object; an analog signal processor configured to amplify a voltage difference between two pulse wave signals from among the received pulse wave signals and integrate the amplified voltage difference; and a digital signal processor configured to analog to digital convert a value of the integrated amplified voltage difference and obtain, from the converted value, a pulse transit time between the two points corresponding to the two pulse wave signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sangyun Park, Jaemin Kang, Younho Kim, Yongjoo Kwon, Sunkwon Kim
  • Patent number: 10159440
    Abstract: Described herein are apparatuses (e.g., garments, including but not limited to shirts, pants, and the like) for detecting and monitoring physiological parameters, such as respiration, cardiac parameters, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: L.I.F.E. Corporation S.A.
    Inventors: Gianluigi Longinotti-Buitoni, Andrea Aliverti
  • Patent number: 10143835
    Abstract: Provided is a biological electrode and a biological electrode-equipped wearing tool, in which a contact surface having a certain surface area is suitably brought into intimate contact with a living body, and a suitable electrical distribution is obtained. A biological electrode includes: an electrode sheet having a plurality of electrode bodies spaced apart from each other; and a conductive cloth portion superimposed on the electrode sheet. The electrode sheet includes stretching wires that link the neighboring electrode bodies, has a shape of a stretchable and flexible mesh sheet, and can follow a living body to be suitably deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventors: Koichiro Ejiri, Haruhiko Kondo
  • Patent number: 10130413
    Abstract: An end-effector assembly includes opposing jaw members movably mounted with respect to one another. At least one of the jaw members includes a temperature-sensing electrically-conductive tissue-contacting plate having a tissue-contacting surface and a bottom surface. A first layer is disposed on one or more portions of the bottom surface of the temperature-sensing electrically-conductive tissue-contacting plate. The first layer includes an electrically-insulative material. One or more openings are formed in the first layer. One or more electrically-conductive traces are formed over the electrically-insulative material and associated with the one or more openings. One or more temperature sensors are coupled to the bottom surface of the temperature-sensing electrically-conductive tissue-contacting plate and associated with the one or more openings. The one or more openings are each configured to receive at least a portion of the one or more temperature sensors therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: COVIDIEN LP
    Inventors: Kim V. Brandt, Allan G. Aquino
  • Patent number: 10130824
    Abstract: An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) receives a cardiac electrical signal by a sensing circuit while operating in a sensing without pacing mode and detects asystole based on the cardiac electrical signal. The ICD determines, in response to detecting the asystole, if asystole backup pacing is enabled, and automatically switches to a temporary pacing mode in response to the asystole backup pacing being enabled. Other examples of detecting asystole and providing a response to detecting asystole by the ICD are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Yanina Grinberg, Robert T. Sawchuk, Amy E. Thompson-Nauman, Douglas A. Peterson, Paul R. Solheim, Joel R. Lauer
  • Patent number: 10124183
    Abstract: An automated external defibrillator (AED) is described which spends an increased proportion of a rescue in a CPR mode. This is accomplished by use of a single shock protocol which causes the AED to spend less time in shock analysis and delivery activities as compared with the typical multiple shock protocol. An AED of the present invention preferably is configured at the factory with a single shock protocol as the default rescue protocol. The rescue protocol can be modified or changed easily without the need to remove the battery or use specialized hardware or software. Preferably the shock waveform of the single shock is a biphasic waveform delivering at least 175 Joules of energy and more preferably at least 200 Joules of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: David Snyder
  • Patent number: 10124167
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for installing a magnet into a cochlear implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Advanced Bionics AG
    Inventors: Steve Hazard, Sarah Elizabeth Clabeaux, Charles C. Finley, Lee F. Hartley
  • Patent number: 10118037
    Abstract: Feedback regarding electrical stimulation is provided to a patient. Electrical stimulation is applied to the patient. The electrical stimulation is applied by varying an electrical stimulation parameter. A signal is communicated to the patient via an electronic device. The signal is correlated with the electrical stimulation parameter such that the signal varies in association with the varying of the electrical stimulation parameter. The communicating is performed while the electrical stimulation is applied. Feedback is received from the patient in response to the electrical stimulation. Based on the received feedback from the patient, the electrical stimulation is adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Nuvectra Corporation
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu
  • Patent number: 10111598
    Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a system, method, and device for identifying focal source locations of electrophysiological activity in an organ. The system, method and device may also be used to guide catheter ablation of the organ. An electrogram signal can be obtained from a location in the organ, and it can be determined if the electrogram is periodic and, if so, the corresponding periodicity cycle length. A plurality of peaks associated with the cycle length can be identified. The location can be identified as a focal source location when the periodicity cycle length and the plurality of peaks have focal source characteristics. Methods are also described for identifying a direction of wave propagation and identifying multiple periodicities within an electrogram signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: University Health Network
    Inventors: Vijay Singh Chauhan, Sigfus Gizurarson, Rupin Haily Dalvi
  • Patent number: 10092765
    Abstract: In general, techniques are described for labeling an implantable medical device (IMD). In one example, an IMD can include a housing including electronic circuitry. The IMD can include a header coupled to the housing and includes a core. The core can define a bore and include a first metal label positioned adjacent to the at least one bore. The IMD includes a lead assembly including at least one lead having a distal end and a proximal end, the at least one lead including a second metal label, the distal end including at least one electrode and the proximal end received within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Kane, Michael Keane, John O'Rourke
  • Patent number: 10092447
    Abstract: Ultra-short pulsed laser radiation is applied to a patient's eye to create a row of bubbles oriented perpendicular to the axis of vision. The row of bubbles leads to a region of the eye to be ablated. In a second step, a femtosecond laser beam guided through the row of bubbles converts it to a channel perpendicular to the axis of vision. In a third step, a femtosecond laser beam is guided through the channel to ablate a portion of the eye. Using a femtosecond laser with intensity in the range of 1011-1015 W/cm2 for the second and third steps facilitates multi-photon ablation that is practically devoid of eye tissue heating. Creating bubbles in the first step increases the speed of channel creation and channel diameter uniformity, thereby increasing the precision of the subsequent multi-photon ablation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Inventors: Nicholas S. Siegele, Li Deng, Szymon Suckewer
  • Patent number: 10080905
    Abstract: An extra-cardiovascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) having a low voltage therapy module and a high voltage therapy module is configured to select, by a control module of the ICD, a pacing output configuration from at least a low-voltage pacing output configuration of the low voltage therapy module and a high-voltage pacing output configuration of the high voltage therapy module. The high voltage therapy module includes a high voltage capacitor having a first capacitance and the low voltage therapy module includes a plurality of low voltage capacitors each having up to a second capacitance that is less than the first capacitance. The ICD control module controls a respective one of the low voltage therapy module or the high voltage therapy module to deliver extra-cardiovascular pacing pulses in the selected pacing output configuration via extra-cardiovascular electrodes coupled to the ICD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Anderson, Mark T. Marshall, Vladimir P. Nikolski, Robert T. Sawchuk, Amy E. Thompson-Nauman, John D. Wahlstrand, Gregory A. Younker
  • Patent number: 10076253
    Abstract: A monitoring device includes a sensor band configured to be secured around an appendage of a subject, and a sensing element movably secured to the sensor band via a biasing element. The sensor band has a first mass, and the sensing element has a second mass that is less than the first mass. The biasing element is configured to urge the sensing element into contact with a portion of the appendage, and the biasing element decouples motion of the band from the sensing element. A monitoring device includes a band that is configured to be secured around an appendage of a subject. One or more biasing elements extend outwardly from the band inner surface and are configured to contact the appendage. A sensing element is secured to the band inner surface. The one or more biasing elements decouples motion of the band from the sensing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Valencell, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Matthew Just, Jesse Berkley Tucker, Robert Splinter, Steven Francis LeBoeuf
  • Patent number: 10076659
    Abstract: Implantable medical leads include a shield that is guarded at a termination by having a first portion and a second portion of the shield, where the first portion is between a termination of the shield at the second portion and an inner insulation layer that surrounds the filars. The first portion may reduce the coupling of RF energy from the termination of the shield at the second portion to the filars. The first and second portions may be part of a continuous shield, where the first and second portions are separated by an inversion of the shield. The first and second portions may instead be separate pieces. The first portion may be noninverted and reside between the termination at the second portion and the inner layers, or the first portion may be inverted to create first and second sub-portions. The shield termination at the second portion is between the first and second sub-portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: MEDTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard T. Stone, Mark J. Conroy, Wanzhan Liu, Gary W. Salminen
  • Patent number: 10046168
    Abstract: An extra-cardiovascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is configured to induce a tachyarrhythmia by charging a high voltage capacitor to a voltage amplitude and delivering a series of pulses to a patient's heart by discharging the capacitor via an extra-cardiovascular electrode vector. Delivering the series of pulses includes recharging the high-voltage capacitor during an inter-pulse interval between consecutive pulses of the series of pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir P. Nikolski, David A. Anderson, Mark T. Marshall, Robert T. Sawchuk, Amy E. Thompson-Nauman, John D. Wahlstrand, Gregory A. Younker