Patents by Inventor Benjamin D. Pless

Benjamin D. Pless 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: 7966073
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator system adapted to provide therapy for various neurological disorders is capable of varying therapy delivery strategies based on the context, physiological or otherwise, into which the therapy is to be delivered. Responsive and scheduled therapies can be varied depending on various sensor measurements, calculations, inferences, and device states (including elapsed times and times of day) to deliver an appropriate course of therapy under the circumstances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Pless, Thomas K. Tcheng
  • Publication number: 20110118661
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator system for treating pain includes scheduled and responsive therapy capabilities including responsive stimulation applied to the brain and peripheral sections of the nervous system. Methods for treating chronic nociceptive, neuropathic, and psychogenic pain employ an inventive system to advantageously reduce multiple symptoms and components of pain and to address underlying causes of pain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: NEUROPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Pless, Michael Sasha John
  • Publication number: 20110112381
    Abstract: Described here are implantable devices and methods for monitoring physiological information relating to sleep. The implantable devices are generally designed to include at least one sensor for sensing physiological information, a processor for processing the physiological information using low computational power to detect a sleep stage, and a battery. The detected sleep stage information may then be used to indicate sleep quality, identify or monitor a medical condition, or guide treatment thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: NEUROPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Felice Sun, Benjamin D. Pless, Barbara Gibb
  • Patent number: 7894890
    Abstract: Described here are implantable devices and methods for monitoring physiological information relating to sleep. The implantable devices are generally designed to include at least one sensor for sensing physiological information, a processor for processing the physiological information using low computational power to detect a sleep stage, and a battery. The detected sleep stage information may then be used to indicate sleep quality, identify or monitor a medical condition, or guide treatment thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Neuropace, Inc.
    Inventors: Felice Sun, Benjamin D. Pless, Barbara Gibb
  • Patent number: 7894905
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator system for treating pain includes scheduled and responsive therapy capabilities including responsive stimulation applied to the brain and peripheral sections of the nervous system. Methods for treating chronic nociceptive, neuropathic, and psychogenic pain employ an inventive system to advantageously reduce multiple symptoms and components of pain and to address underlying causes of pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Pless, Michael Sasha John
  • Patent number: 7892182
    Abstract: A system including an implantable neurostimulator device capable of modulating cerebral blood flow to treat epilepsy and other neurological disorders. In one embodiment, the system is capable of modulating cerebral blood flow (also referred to as cerebral perfusion) in response to measurements and other observed conditions. Perfusion may be increased or decreased by systems and methods according to the invention as clinically required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Pless, Brett Wingeier
  • Publication number: 20110004268
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator system for treating movement disorders includes a sensor, a detection subsystem capable of identifying episodes of a movement disorder by analyzing a signal received from the sensor, and a therapy subsystem capable of supplying therapeutic electrical stimulation to treat the movement disorder. The system treats movement disorders by detecting physiological conditions characteristic of an episode of symptoms of the movement disorder and selectively initiating therapy when such conditions are detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas K. Tcheng, Robert E. Fischell, Benjamin D. Pless
  • Publication number: 20110004282
    Abstract: Medical electrical lead systems and related methods are described. The lead systems may be configured to be at least partially implanted in neural tissue of a subject, such as a brain of a subject. Some variations of the lead systems may comprise a lead body, an electrode connected to the lead body, and a bioactive agent. The electrode and/or lead body may comprise a substrate, and the bioactive agent may be supported by the substrate (e.g., by a substantial portion of the area of the substrate). Examples of bioactive agents that may be used in the lead system include bioactive agents that promote neural adhesion and living cells that have been biologically manipulated, engineered cells, and cells of a particular phenotype and/or adapted to induce a desired neural or glial response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: NEUROPACE, INC.
    Inventors: C. Lance Boling, Daniel Chao, Martha J. Morrell, Benjamin D. Pless, Thomas K. Tcheng, Brett M. Wingeier
  • Publication number: 20100328679
    Abstract: Disclosed is a medical device susceptible of identification using interference patterns. A source signal may be directed from an energy source towards the surface of a device for reflection therefrom. An interference pattern may be detected from the surface of the device, such as by a sensor. A determination as to whether a match exists between the representation of the interference pattern and a stored representation of an interference pattern may be performed. If a match exists, the device may be identified based on the stored representation of the interference pattern. Otherwise, a representation of the interference pattern may be stored and a unique identifier may be assigned to the stored representation of the interference pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: NEUROPACE, INC.
    Inventor: Benjamin D. Pless
  • Publication number: 20100331717
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting and predicting neurological events with an implantable device uses a relatively low-power central processing unit in connection with signal processing circuitry to identify features (including half waves) and calculate window-based characteristics (including line lengths and areas under the curve of the waveform) in an electrographic signal received from a patient's brain. The features and window-based characteristics are combinable in various ways according to the invention to detect and predict neurological events in real time, enabling responsive action by the implantable device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: NEUROPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Pless, Stephen T. Archer, Craig M. Baysinger, Barbara Gibb, Suresh Gurunathan, Bruce Kirkpatrick, Thomas K. Tcheng
  • Patent number: 7844345
    Abstract: Medical electrical lead systems and related methods are described. The lead systems may be configured to be at least partially implanted in neural tissue of a subject, such as a brain of a subject. Some variations of the lead systems may comprise a lead body, an electrode connected to the lead body, and a bioactive agent. The electrode and/or lead body may comprise a substrate, and the bioactive agent may be supported by the substrate (e.g., by a substantial portion of the area of the substrate). Examples of bioactive agents that may be used in the lead system include antiproliferative agents, bactericidal agents, bacteriostatic agents, antiepileptic agents, and/or antifungal agents. Methods described herein may comprise coating a lead body and/or an electrode of a medical electrical lead system with at least one bioactive agent, where the lead body and the electrode are connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Lance Boling, Daniel Chao, Martha J. Morrell, Benjamin D. Pless, Thomas K. Tcheng, Brett M. Wingeier
  • Patent number: 7821642
    Abstract: A medical device susceptible to identification using interference patterns for performing device identification is disclosed. A source signal may be directed from an energy source towards the surface of a device for reflection therefrom. An interference pattern may be detected from the surface of the device, such as by a sensor. A determination as to whether a match exists between the representation of the interference pattern and a stored representation of an interference pattern may be performed. If a match exists, the device may be identified based on the stored representation of the interference pattern. Otherwise, a representation of the interference pattern may be stored and a unique identifier may be assigned to the stored representation of the interference pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin D. Pless
  • Patent number: 7819812
    Abstract: A system including an implantable neurostimulator device capable of modulating cerebral blood flow to treat epilepsy and other neurological disorders. In one embodiment, the system is capable of modulating cerebral blood flow (also referred to as cerebral perfusion) in response to measurements and other observed conditions. Perfusion may be increased or decreased by systems and methods according to the invention as clinically required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Sasha John, Benjamin D. Pless, Brett Wingeier
  • Patent number: 7817280
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for performing device identification and a medical device susceptible to identification using interference patterns for performing device identification. A source signal may be directed from an energy source towards the surface of a device for reflection therefrom. An interference pattern may be detected from the surface of the device, such as by a sensor. A determination as to whether a match exists between the representation of the interference pattern and a stored representation of an interference pattern may be performed. If a match exists, the device may be identified based on the stored representation of the interference pattern. Otherwise, a representation of the interference pattern may be stored and a unique identifier may be assigned to the stored representation of the interference pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin D. Pless
  • Patent number: 7813802
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator system for treating movement disorders includes a sensor, a detection subsystem capable of identifying episodes of a movement disorder by analyzing a signal received from the sensor, and a therapy subsystem capable of applying therapeutic electrical stimulation to treat the movement disorder. The system treats movement disorders by detecting physiological conditions characteristic of an episode of symptoms of the movement disorder and selectively initiating therapy when such conditions are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas K. Tcheng, Robert E. Fischell, Benjamin D. Pless
  • Patent number: 7813793
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting and predicting neurological events with an implantable device uses a relatively low-power central processing unit in connection with signal processing circuitry to identify features (including half waves) and calculate window-based characteristics (including line lengths and areas under the curve of the waveform) in an electrographic signal received from a patient's brain. The features and window-based characteristics are combinable in various ways according to the invention to detect and predict neurological events in real time, enabling responsive action by the implantable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Pless, Stephen T. Archer, Craig M. Baysinger, Barbara Gibb, Suresh Gurunathan, Bruce Kirkpatrick, Thomas K. Tcheng
  • Patent number: 7801618
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator for treating disorders such as epilepsy, pain, movement disorders and depression includes a detection subsystem capable of detecting a physiological condition and a therapy subsystem capable of providing a course of therapy in response to the condition. The therapy subsystem includes an auto-adjust module for automatically adjusting one or more parameters of the therapy so that the therapy subsystem can provide an adjusted parameter to the patient and solicit the patient's feedback concerning the adjustment without requiring the presence of, or immediate involvement with, a clinician or physician. The patient feedback can be analyzed by computer, clinician or a combination of both to determine an optimal range of parameters for subsequent courses of therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin D Pless
  • Publication number: 20100217341
    Abstract: Described here are intracranial ferrules, systems, and methods for sensing and stimulating neural tissues. The ferrules are generally designed to include a holding area for retaining an implantable device. In some variations, the ferrule itself may perform the sensing and stimulating functions. In other variations, the ferrule may function to sense data from neural tissues and the implantable device may function to stimulate neural tissues. In yet other variations, the ferrule may function to stimulate, and the implantable device may function to sense data from, the neural tissues. The sensing and stimulating functions may be used to detect and/or treat various neurological conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: NEUROPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael S. John, Brett Wingeier, Thomas K. Tcheng, Benjamin D. Pless
  • Patent number: 7747318
    Abstract: Described here are intracranial ferrules, systems, and methods for sensing and stimulating neural tissues. The ferrules are generally designed to include a holding area for retaining an implantable device. In some variations, the ferrule itself may perform the sensing and stimulating functions. In other variations, the ferrule may function to sense data from neural tissues and the implantable device may function to stimulate neural tissues. In yet other variations, the ferrule may function to stimulate, and the implantable device may function to sense data from, the neural tissues. The sensing and stimulating functions may be used to detect and/or treat various neurological conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: NeuroPace, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. John, Brett Wingeier, Thomas K. Tcheng, Benjamin D. Pless
  • Publication number: 20100137937
    Abstract: A system including an implantable neurostimulator device capable of modulating cerebral blood flow to treat epilepsy and other neurological disorders. In one embodiment, the system is capable of modulating cerebral blood flow (also referred to as cerebral perfusion) in response to measurements and other observed conditions. Perfusion may be increased or decreased by systems and methods according to the invention as clinically required.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: NEUROPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Sasha John, Benjamin D. Pless, Brett Wingeier