Patents by Inventor Avram Scheiner

Avram Scheiner 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).

  • Patent number: 7101339
    Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management apparatus and system may include a first sensor to sense an atrial respiration signal, a second sensor to sense a ventricular respiration signal, and a measurement module capable of being communicatively coupled to the first and second sensors to monitor the atrial and ventricular respiration signals and to select a resulting signal as an indication of respiration. An article may cause a machine to implement a method which includes measuring a second signal responsive to a first signal, measuring a third signal responsive to a first signal, determining a respiration-to-cardiac ratio associated with each one of the second and third signals, and providing a resulting signal including a selected portion of a selected one of the second and third signals as an indication of respiration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas R. Daum, Qingsheng Zhu, Avram Scheiner
  • Publication number: 20060195149
    Abstract: Cardiac monitoring and/or stimulation methods and systems employing dyspnea measurement. An implantable cardiac device may sense transthoracic impedance and determine a patient activity level. An index indicative of pulmonary function is implantably computed to detect an episode of dyspnea based on a change, trend, and/or value exceeding a threshold at a determined patient activity level. Trending one or more pulmonary function index values may be done to determine a patient's pulmonary function index profile, which may be used to adapt a cardiac therapy. A physician may be automatically alerted in response to a pulmonary function index value and/or a trend of the patient's pulmonary index being beyond a threshold. Computed pulmonary function index values and their associated patient's activity levels may be stored periodically in a memory and/or transmitted to a patient-external device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Inventors: Donald Hopper, John Voegele, Jesse Hartley, Avram Scheiner
  • Patent number: 7076302
    Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management apparatus and system may include a first contact to provide a connection signal, a second contact to sense a corresponding connection signal using a lead and an electrode coupled to the second contact, a measurement module capable of being communicatively coupled to the first and second contacts to measure a characteristic associated with the connection signal, a comparison module to determine whether the lead is of a preselected type, and an indicator module to indicate the comparison result. An article may cause a machine to implement a method which includes providing a connection signal from one contact, measuring a characteristic associated with a corresponding connection signal at another contact, and comparing the characteristic with a range of values to determine a comparison result. The method may also include indicating and recording the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventor: Avram Scheiner
  • Patent number: 7052466
    Abstract: An apparatus for outputting heart sounds includes an implantable system and an external system. The implantable system includes a sensor for generating sensed signals representing detected heart sounds, an interface circuit and a control circuit for receiving the sensed signals, generating data representing the heart sounds therefrom, and transmitting the data to the external system via the interface circuit. The external system includes an interface circuit for communicating with the implantable system, and a control circuit for receiving the data representing the heart sounds and for generating control signals that cause an output device to generate outputs representing the sounds. The implantable system may also include a sensor(s) for detecting cardiac electrical signals. In this case, outputs representing the cardiac electrical signals are also output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Avram Scheiner, Qingsheng Zhu, Arthur L. Olive, Don Villalta
  • Patent number: 7050852
    Abstract: A cardiac pacemaker is configured to estimate the intrinsic atrial conduction time from sensed signals detected by an atrial sensing channel. Atrial conduction delays have been found to be associated with the onset of atrial tachyarrhythmias. Upon detection of an atrial conduction time above a specified limit value, the pacemaker is programmed to switch from a normal pacing mode to an atrial pacing preference mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Qingsheng Zhu, Avram Scheiner, Julio C. Spinelli, Victor T. Chen
  • Publication number: 20050283197
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods that detect hypotension based on a measurement of thoracic impedance. It also provides an alert, a logging, or a therapy to treat the hypotension. Examples of anti-hypotension therapies include, among other things, pacing therapy, neural stimulation therapy, drug infusion therapy, or gene therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Douglas Daum, Avram Scheiner
  • Publication number: 20050283099
    Abstract: A method and device for preventing plaque build-up in a coronary artery includes providing an electrical field generating device, and generating an electrical field in the coronary artery to prevent plaque build-up in the coronary artery. The method further includes sensing the heart rhythm and generating the electrical field after a depolarization wave in the heart. The electrical field is generated by circuitry, in one embodiment implanted circuitry, connected to leads which are epicardially or intracardially positioned on the heart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Qingsheng Zhu, Avram Scheiner, Julio Spinelli
  • Publication number: 20050267541
    Abstract: An implantable cardiac device with an exertion level sensor is programmed to determine a heart rate appropriate for a given measured exertion level in accordance with a physiological model and/or previously collected physiologic data. The device then compares the model's heart rate with a measured intrinsic heart rate. Based upon this data, the device is able to recognize changes in the patient's heart rate response and predict or recognize a chronotropically incompetent condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Avram Scheiner, Donald Hopper
  • Publication number: 20050267556
    Abstract: Implantable devices are configured to be positioned in or near the heart and to carry and deliver an anti-apoptotic drug to a treatment site in or near the heart. The implantable devices include, but are not limited to, leads, stents, heart valves, atrial septal defect devices, cardiac patches and ventricular restraint devices. Depending on the composition of the device, the drug may be carried by the device through a coating applied to the device, or may be included in the device during the device manufacturing process. The drug may also be included in microparticles, such a microspheres, that are delivered locally through a conduit, such as a catheter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Allan Shuros, Avram Scheiner, Rodney Salo
  • Patent number: 6961621
    Abstract: A method and system for stabilizing an implantable lead system employs a lead having one or more sensing, pacing, or shocking electrodes. A sleeve arrangement of the lead includes one or more first locations comprising a first material that substantially prevents or inhibits tissue in-growth between the first locations and cardiac tissue contacting the first locations. The sleeve arrangement further includes one or more adhesion sites provided at one or more of the first locations. The adhesion sites promote tissue in-growth or attachment between the adhesion sites and cardiac tissue contacting the adhesion sites. The cardiac tissue may represent tissue of a cardiac structure of the heart or coronary vasculature of the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohan Krishnan, Avram Scheiner, Randy Westlund
  • Publication number: 20050197674
    Abstract: An implantable medical device such as an implantable pacemaker or implantable cardioverter/defibrillator includes a programmable sensing circuit providing for sensing of a signal approximating a surface electrocardiogram (ECG) through implanted electrodes. With various electrode configurations, signals approximating various standard surface ECG signals are acquired without the need for attaching electrodes with cables onto the skin. The various electrode configurations include, but are not limited to, various combinations of intracardiac pacing electrodes, portions of the implantable medical device contacting tissue, and electrodes incorporated onto the surface of the implantable medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Aaron McCabe, Avram Scheiner, Geng Zhang, Quan Ni, Douglas Daum
  • Patent number: 6928325
    Abstract: A system and method for cardiac rhythm management, which includes an electrode system having at least one electrode and control circuitry coupled to the electrode system from which a first cardiac signal is sensed. The control circuitry includes a pulse circuit to produce electrical pulses at a first value to be delivered to the electrode system in a first cardiac region. At least one cardiac signal is sensed from a second cardiac region, where the cardiac signal includes indications of cardiac depolarizations from the second cardiac region which occurs in direct reaction to the electrical pulses delivered to the first cardiac region. The first value of the electrical pulses are then modified by a pulse adjustment circuit when a cardiac depolarization which occurs in direct reaction to the electrical pulse delivered to the first cardiac region is detected from the second cardiac region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Qingsheng Zhu, Avram Scheiner
  • Publication number: 20050149128
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present subject matter provide an implantable medical device. In various embodiments, the device comprises a pulse generator, a lead, a sensor, and a controller. The pulse generator generates a baroreflex stimulation signal as part of a baroreflex therapy. The lead is adapted to be electrically connected to the pulse generator and to be intravascularly fed into a heart. The lead includes an electrode to be positioned in or proximate to the heart to deliver the baroreflex signal to a baroreceptor region in or proximate to the heart. The sensor senses a physiological parameter regarding an efficacy of the baroreflex therapy and provides a signal indicative of the efficacy. The controller is connected to the pulse generator to control the baroreflex stimulation signal and to the sensor to receive the signal indicative of the efficacy of the baroreflex therapy. Other aspects are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Ronald Heil, Avram Scheiner, Imad Libbus
  • Publication number: 20050149155
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a flexible lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the distal end having a biased portion having an outer diameter dimensioned to abut a wall of a pulmonary artery, an electrode coupled proximate the distal end, and an implantable pulse generator electrically coupled to the electrode. The implantable pulse generator is adapted to deliver a baroreflex stimulation signal to a baroreceptor in the pulmonary artery via the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Avram Scheiner, Ronald Heil, Peter Kelley
  • Publication number: 20050149156
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a flexible lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, an expandable electrode coupled proximate the distal end, the expandable electrode having an expanded diameter dimensioned to abut a wall of a pulmonary artery, and an implantable pulse generator electrically coupled to the expandable electrode. The implantable pulse generator is adapted to deliver a baroreflex stimulation signal to a baroreceptor in the pulmonary artery via the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Ronald Heil, Avram Scheiner
  • Patent number: 6912420
    Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system detects hypotension based on a measurement of thoracic impedance. It also provides therapy to treat the hypotension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Avram Scheiner, Douglas R. Daum
  • Publication number: 20050137490
    Abstract: An apparatus for outputting heart sounds includes an implantable system and an external system. The implantable system includes a sensor for generating sensed signals representing detected heart sounds, an interface circuit and a control circuit for receiving the sensed signals, generating data representing the heart sounds therefrom, and transmitting the data to the external system via the interface circuit. The external system includes an interface circuit for communicating with the implantable system, and a control circuit for receiving the data representing the heart sounds and for generating control signals that cause an output device to generate outputs representing the sounds. The implantable system may also include a sensor(s) for detecting cardiac electrical signals. In this case, outputs representing the cardiac electrical signals are also output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Avram Scheiner, Qingsheng Zhu, Arthur Olive, Don Villalta
  • Publication number: 20050090719
    Abstract: An implantable device monitors the balance between sympathetic tone and parasympathetic tone as a function of an activity level. Cardio-neurological healthy users exhibit a generally sympathetic tone in conjunction with heavy activity level and a generally parasympathetic tone in conjunction with periods of low activity level. Deviations from expected results are associated with a health problem. Measured conditions are stored and available for subsequent reporting to a remote programmer. Therapy delivered by an implantable device is determined as a function of the relationship between autonomic balance and activity level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Inventors: Avram Scheiner, Donald Hopper, Gerrard Carlson
  • Publication number: 20050065563
    Abstract: An implantable cardiac rhythm management device for treating tachyarrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation which also has the capability of detecting and treating respiratory arrest. The device restores respiratory function by electrically stimulating the diaphragm with pacing electrodes which may be normally used by the device for cardiac pacing. In response to detection of ventricular fibrillation and respiratory arrest, the device delivers shock pulses to terminate the fibrillation and diaphragmatic pacing pulses to restore breathing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 24, 2005
    Inventor: Avram Scheiner
  • Publication number: 20040220642
    Abstract: A system and method for cardiac rhythm management, which includes an electrode system having at least one electrode and control circuitry coupled to the electrode system from which a first cardiac signal is sensed. The control circuitry includes a pulse circuit to produce electrical pulses at a first value to be delivered to the electrode system in a first cardiac region. At least one cardiac signal is sensed from a second cardiac region, where the cardiac signal includes indications of cardiac depolarizations from the second cardiac region which occurs in direct reaction to the electrical pulses delivered to the first cardiac region. The first value of the electrical pulses are then modified by a pulse adjustment circuit when a cardiac depolarization which occurs in direct reaction to the electrical pulse delivered to the first cardiac region is detected from the second cardiac region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Qingsheng Zhu, Avram Scheiner