Patents by Inventor Andrew Kramer

Andrew Kramer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20060259083
    Abstract: Various aspects relate to a method. In various embodiments, a therapy of a first therapy type is delivered, and it is identified whether a therapy of a second therapy type is present to affect the therapy of the first therapy type. Delivery of the therapy is controlled based on the presence of the therapy of the second therapy type. Some embodiments deliver the therapy of the first type using one set of parameters in the presence of a therapy of a second type, and deliver the therapy of the first type using another set of parameters when the therapy of the second type is not present. In various embodiments, one of the therapy types includes a cardiac rhythm management therapy, and the other includes a neural stimulation therapy. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Andrew Kramer, William Linder, Jeffrey Stahmann
  • Publication number: 20060253161
    Abstract: A neural stimulation system senses autonomic activities and applies neural stimulation to sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves to control autonomic balance. The neural stimulation system is capable of delivering neural stimulation pulses for sympathetic excitation, sympathetic inhibition, parasympathetic excitation, and parasympathetic inhibition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Andrew Kramer, Julio Spinelli
  • Publication number: 20060253157
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering therapy to treat ventricular tachyarrhythmias is described. In one embodiment, neural stimulation, anti-tachycardia pacing, and shock therapy are employed in a progressive sequence upon detection of a ventricular tachycardia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Andrew Kramer, William Linder, Jeffrey Stahmann
  • Publication number: 20060241699
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present subject matter relate to a system. Various embodiments of the system comprise at least one port to connect to at least one lead with at least one electrode, at least one stimulator circuit and at least one controller. The at least one stimulator circuit is connected to the at least one port and is adapted to deliver neural stimulation to a neural stimulation target using the at least one electrode. The at least one controller is adapted to determine when another energy discharge other than the neural stimulation to the neural stimulation target is occurring and to prevent delivery of the neural stimulation simultaneously with the other energy discharge. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2005
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Andrew Kramer, William Linder, Jeffrey Stahmann
  • Publication number: 20060241704
    Abstract: Cardiac protection pacing is applied to prevent or reduce cardiac injury and/or occurrences of arrhythmia associated with an ischemic event including the occlusion of a blood vessel during a revascularization procedure. Pacing pulses are generated from a pacemaker and delivered through one or more pacing electrodes incorporated onto a percutaneous transluminal vascular intervention (PTVI) device used in the revascularization procedure. The pacemaker generates the pacing pulses according to a predetermined cardiac protection pacing sequence before, during, and/or after the ischemic event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Allan Shuros, Tamara Baynham, Jihong Qu, Joseph Pastore, Andrew Kramer, Frits Prinzen, Ward Vanagt, Richard Cornelussen
  • Publication number: 20060241697
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present subject matter relate to a method and a device. In various embodiments of the method, a neural activity signal is sensed, a feature from the sensed neural activity signal is extracted, and a neural marker for the extracted feature is created. The neural marker includes information regarding the extracted feature. In various embodiments, the device comprises a port to receive a neural activity signal, and a feature extractor adapted to receive and process the neural activity signal to produce a neural marker that includes information for the neural activity signal. In various embodiments, the device comprises a display, a memory adapted to store a neural marker associated with a sensed neural activity signal, and a controller adapted to communicate with the memory and the display to provide a representation of the neural marker on the display. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Andrew Kramer, William Linder, Jeffrey Stahmann
  • Publication number: 20060241725
    Abstract: A presentation device such as a display screen or a printer provides for simultaneous presentation of temporally aligned cardiac and neural signals. At least one cardiac signal in the form of a cardiac signal trace or cardiac event markers and at least one neural signal in the form of a neural signal trace or neural event markers are simultaneously presented. The cardiac signal indicates sensed cardiac electrical activities and/or cardiac stimulation pulse deliveries. The neural signal indicates sensed neural electrical activities and/or neural stimulation pulse deliveries. In one embodiment, the presentation device is part of an external system communicating with an implantable system that senses cardiac and/or neural signals and delivers cardiac and/or neural stimulation pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Publication date: October 26, 2006
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Andrew Kramer, William Linder, Jeffrey Stahmann
  • Publication number: 20060224202
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present subject matter provide devices and methods to treat AV-conducted ventricular tachyarrhythmia (AVCVT). According to various embodiments of the method, an AVCVT is sensed, an IVC-LA fat pad is stimulated when the AVCVT is sensed to block AV conduction, and bradycardia support pacing is provided while the IVC-LA fat pad is stimulated. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Julia Moffitt, Andrew Kramer, Imad Libbus
  • Publication number: 20060217772
    Abstract: Various aspects provide an implantable device. In various embodiments, the device comprises at least one port, where each port is adapted to connect a lead with an electrode to the device. The device further includes a stimulation platform, including a sensing circuit connected to the at least one port to sense an intrinsic cardiac signal and a stimulation circuit connected to the at least one port via a stimulation channel to deliver a stimulation signal through the stimulation channel to the electrode. The stimulation circuit is adapted to deliver stimulation signals through the stimulation channel for both neural stimulation therapy and CRM therapy. The sensing and stimulation circuits are adapted to perform CRM functions. The device further includes a controller connected to the sensing circuit and the stimulation circuit to control the neural stimulation therapy and the CRM therapy. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Qingsheng Zhu, Scott Vanderlinde, Andrew Kramer, Ankur Garg, Kristofer James
  • Publication number: 20060206156
    Abstract: Safety pacing in multi-site cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices is provided. According to various method embodiments, a first cardiac signal from a first cardiac region and a second cardiac signal from a second cardiac region are sensed. The first cardiac region is paced to maintain at least a minimum cardiac rate, and the second cardiac region is paced to maintain at least the minimum cardiac rate when a pace in the first cardiac region is inhibited. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Jeffrey Stahmann, Andrew Kramer, Hugh Calkins
  • Publication number: 20060189960
    Abstract: A catheter for delivering a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to a branch blond vessel of a major blood vessel comprises an elongated shaft having at least one lumen in fluid communication with an agent delivery port in a distal section of the shaft, an expandable tubular member on the distal section of the shaft, and a radially expandable member on the tubular member. The tubular member is configured to extend within the blood vessel up-stream and down-stream of a branch vessel, and has an interior passageway which is radially expandable within the blood vessel to separate blood flow through the blood vessel into an outer blood flow stream exterior to the tubular member and an inner blood flow stream within the interior passageway of the tubular member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Publication date: August 24, 2006
    Applicant: FlowMedica, Inc.
    Inventors: Randy Kesten, Michael Rosenthal, Sam Payne, Andrew Kramer, Sophia Pesotchinsky
  • Publication number: 20060161210
    Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system modulates the delivery of pacing and/or autonomic neurostimulation pulses based on heart rate variability (HRV). An HRV parameter being a measure of the HRV is produced to indicate a patient's cardiac condition, based on which the delivery of pacing and/or autonomic neurostimulation pulses is started, stopped, adjusted, or optimized. In one embodiment, the HRV parameter is used to adjust a maximum tracking rate in an atrial tracking pacing mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: Joseph Pastore, Rodney Salo, Gerrard Carlson, Andrew Kramer, Jiang Ding, Yinghong Yu
  • Publication number: 20060161208
    Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system modulates the delivery of pacing and/or autonomic neurostimulation pulses based on heart rate variability (HRV). An HRV parameter being a measure of the HRV is produced to indicate a patient's cardiac condition, based on which the delivery of pacing and/or autonomic neurostimulation pulses is started, stopped, adjusted, or optimized. In one embodiment, the HRV parameter is used to evaluate a plurality of parameter values for selecting an approximately optimal parameter value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: Joseph Pastore, Rodney Salo, Gerrard Carlson, Andrew Kramer, Jiang Ding, Yinghong Yu
  • Publication number: 20060161209
    Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system modulates the delivery of pacing and/or autonomic neurostimulation pulses based on heart rate variability (HRV). An HRV parameter being a measure of the HRV is produced to indicate a patient's cardiac condition, based on which the delivery of pacing and/or autonomic neurostimulation pulses is started, stopped, adjusted, or optimized. In one embodiment, the HRV parameter is used as a safety check to stop an electrical therapy when it is believed to be potentially harmful to continue the therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: Joseph Pastore, Rodney Salo, Gerrard Carlson, Andrew Kramer, Jiang Ding, Yinghong Yu
  • Publication number: 20060135998
    Abstract: Various device embodiments comprise a pulse generator, a signal processing module and a controller. The pulse generator is adapted to provide a neural stimulation signal to be applied at a neural simulation site within an autonomic nervous system (ANS). The signal processing module is adapted to receive and process sensed neural traffic at a neural sensing site within the ANS. The controller is connected to the pulse generator and adapted to provide a neural stimulation control signal to the pulse generator to generate the neural stimulation signal, and to the signal processing module to receive a feedback control signal indicative of the sensed neural traffic. The controller is adapted to adjust the neural stimulation control signal to adjust at least one parameter of the neural stimulation signal to converge on desired sensed neural traffic at the neural sensing site. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Andrew Kramer, Julia Moffitt
  • Publication number: 20060116728
    Abstract: A device and method is disclosed for improving tachyarrhythmia detection when the ventricles are resynchronized by delivering paces to both ventricles separated by a specified negative offset interval. Timing of escape intervals and tachyarrhythmia detection is based upon senses from one of the ventricles designated as a rate ventricle. Techniques are presented for preventing tachyarrhythmia detection from being compromised when the rate ventricle is paced after the other ventricle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Jeffrey Stahmann, Andrew Kramer, Julio Spinelli
  • Publication number: 20060116731
    Abstract: A phase analysis technique provides for quantification of regional wall motion asynchrony from endocardial border contours generated from two-dimensional echocardiographic ventricular images. The technique produces results including a degree of radial ventricular asynchrony in heart failure patients with ventricular conduction delay to predict a magnitude of contractile function improvement with pacing therapy. Quantification of change in ventricular regional wall motion asynchrony in response to a therapy provides for a means to identify candidates to receive the therapy and quantitatively predict the benefit of the therapy. Quantification of changes in ventricular regional wall motion asynchrony in response to a sequence of therapies provides for a means to determine an approximately optimal therapy for an intended patient response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Andrew Kramer, Etienne Huvelle
  • Publication number: 20060116727
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for selection of one or more ventricular chambers to stimulate for ventricular resynchronization therapy. Intrinsic intracardia electrograms that include QRS complexes, are recorded from a left and right ventricle. A timing relationship between the intrinsic intracardia electrograms recorded from the left and right ventricle is then determined. In one embodiment, the timing relationship is determined using a delay between a left ventricular and a right ventricular sensed intrinsic ventricular depolarizations and a duration interval of one or more QRS complexes. In one embodiment, the duration of QRS complexes is determined from either intracardiac electrograms or from surface ECG recordings. One or more ventricular chambers in which to provide pacing pulses are then selected based on the timing relationship between intrinsic intracardia electrograms recorded from the right and left ventricle, and the duration of one or more QRS complexes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Jiang Ding, Julio Spinelli, Yinghong Yu, Andrew Kramer
  • Publication number: 20060106428
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present subject matter relate to a device. In various embodiments, the device comprises at least one port adapted to connect at least one lead, a CRM functions module connected to the port and adapted to provide at least one CRM function using the lead, a neural function module, and a controller connected to the CRM functions module and the neural function module. The at least one CRM function includes a function to provide an electrical signal to the lead to capture cardiac tissue. The neural function module includes a signal processing module connected to the port and adapted to receive and process a nerve traffic signal from the lead into a signal indicative of the nerve traffic. The controller is adapted to implement a CRM therapy based on the signal indicative of the nerve traffic. Other aspects are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Andrew Kramer, Julia Moffitt
  • Publication number: 20060106429
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present subject matter provide a device. In various embodiments, the device comprises a port adapted to connect a lead, a pulse generator connected to the port and adapted to provide a neural stimulation signal to the lead, and a signal processing module connected to the port and adapted to receive and process a nerve traffic signal from the lead into a signal indicative of the nerve traffic. The device includes a controller connected to the pulse generator and the signal processing module. The controller is adapted to implement a stimulation protocol to provide the neural stimulation signal with desired neural stimulation parameters based on the signal indicative of the nerve traffic. Other aspects are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Publication date: May 18, 2006
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Andrew Kramer, Julia Moffitt