Patents by Inventor Bozidar Ferek-Petric

Bozidar Ferek-Petric 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: 6873870
    Abstract: Implantable medical devices and methods of tachycardia detection that provide adjustable detection criteria based upon a hemodynamic parameter. In some embodiments, the apparatus and methods provide for detection and delivery of therapy for hemodynamically stable and hemodynamically unstable tachycardias by varying a number of intervals detected (NID) threshold based on hemodynamic measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Bozidar Ferek-Petric
  • Publication number: 20050027321
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) monitors at least one characteristic of P-waves within an electrogram signal. By monitoring changes in the characteristic over time, the IMD detects degradation of the atrial myocardium. In some embodiments, the IMD detects ischemia, an increased probability of the occurrence of angina, or a risk of future atrial fibrillation based on changes in the characteristic over time. The IMD can include a memory to store information relating to the detection and other diagnostic information for retrieval and evaluation by a clinician, and/or an alarm to alert the patient of the detection. In some embodiments, the IMD switches out of an atrial-tracking ventricular pacing mode, decreases the maximum tracking rate for an atrial-tracking ventricular pacing mode, increases the aggressiveness of rate-responsive atrial pacing, and/or initiates or modifies delivery of a therapy, such as a drug or neurostimulation, in response to the identification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: February 3, 2005
    Inventor: Bozidar Ferek-Petric
  • Patent number: 6824512
    Abstract: A closed loop system for monitoring drug dose, intake and effectiveness includes a pill dispenser in data communications with at least one implantable medical device. The system is preferably implemented in a web-enabled environment in which a remote data center communicates with the implantable devices (IMDs) in a patient via a programmer or the pill dispenser. Th data center includes high speed computers and databases relating to patient history and device information. A physician or clinician may access the remote data center to review and monitor the IMDs remotely. More specifically, the IMDs are adapted to chronically monitor the pill dispenser to thereby log and document drug dose, patient compliance with prescriptive regimens and as well to monitor drug efficacy in the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwight H. Warkentin, Bozidar Ferek-Petric
  • Publication number: 20040215262
    Abstract: In general, the invention provides for commencing an atrioventricular (AV) search in response to an indicator of an autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. An implantable medical device (IMD) may be configured to apply this technique, and also to apply rate adaptive ventricular pacing. In response to ANS activity such as an abrupt increase in cardiac sympathetic nervous activity, the IMD performs an AV search to find the intrinsic AV interval of the patient. The invention includes selection of a maximum AV delay so that the AV search will not adversely affect hemodynamic function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Bozidar Ferek-Petric
  • Patent number: 6804558
    Abstract: A medical information communication system and corresponding methods are described. The system permits monitoring the performance of an implantable medical device (IMD) implanted within a body of a patient, monitoring the health of the patient, or remotely delivering a therapy to the patient through the IMD. The IMD is capable of bi-directional communication with a communication module, a mobile telephone and/or a Personal Data Assistant (PDA) located outside the patient's body. The system may comprise the IMD, the communication module and/or a mobile telephone and/or a PDA, a remote computer system, and a communication system capable of bi-directional communication, where the communication module, the mobile telephone and/or the PDA are capable of receiving information from the IMD or relaying information thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Markus Haller, Bozidar Ferek-Petric, Adrianus P. Donders
  • Publication number: 20040172082
    Abstract: In general, the invention is directed to techniques for capture testing of a capture threshold in cooperation with measurement of other cardiac parameters. Physiological or non-physiological parameters may indicate a possible change in the capture threshold, and a significant change in a cardiac parameter may trigger more frequent monitoring of the capture threshold. In addition, measurement of cardiac parameters in relation to measurement of the capture threshold may be useful in diagnosing problems and forecasting possible loss of capture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Bozidar Ferek-Petric
  • Patent number: 6766190
    Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDS) are adapted for developing a vectorcardiograph (VCG) from signals across pairs of electrodes. Sense amplifiers of the IMD are calibrated to correlate the signals to reference sagittal, horizontal and frontal planes of the body. Polar coordinate data is plotted over the time of occurrence of the sensed PQRST electrogram as at least one of an x-axis vector projected into the reference sagittal plane as a sagittal VCG, a y-axis vector projected into the reference horizontal plane as a horizontal VCG, a z-axis vector projected into the reference frontal plane as a frontal VCG, and an xyz-vector in 3-D space. The VCG loops plotted by each of the vectors can also be derived. Thresholding and template matching techniques determine one or more of the maximum vector magnitude and orientation, average axis vector magnitude and orientation, the loop shape, and the loop area representing a particular heart rhythm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Bozidar Ferek-Petric
  • Patent number: 6760615
    Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) are adapted for developing a vectorcardiograph (VCG) from signals across pairs of electrodes. Sense amplifiers of the IMD are calibrated to correlate the signals to reference sagittal, horizontal and frontal planes of the body. Polar coordinate data is plotted over the time of occurrence of the sensed PQRST electrogram as at least one of an x-axis vector projected into the reference sagittal plane as a sagittal VCG, a y-axis vector projected into the reference horizontal plane as a horizontal VCG, a z-axis vector projected into the reference frontal plane as a frontal VCG, and an xyz-vector in 3-D space. The VCG loops plotted by each of the vectors can also be derived. Thresholding and template matching techniques determine one or more of the maximum vector magnitude and orientation, average axis vector magnitude and orientation, the loop shape, and the loop area representing a particular heart rhythm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Bozidar Ferek-Petric
  • Patent number: 6754532
    Abstract: An implantable system having a left ventricular pacing lead for implantation in the great cardiac vein via the coronary sinus of a patient's heart. The pacing lead includes a sensor for measuring the velocity of blood flowing through the coronary sinus. An implantable medical device (IMD) coupled to the pacing lead monitors the blood flow signal from the sensor and delivers pacing pulses to the patient's heart as a function of the blood flow signal. The IMD integrates the blood flow signal to estimate blood flow volume and adjusts a pacing parameter of the pacing pulses to maximize the blood flow. In a multi-chamber pacing system, the IMD continuously adjusts the atrial and ventricular (AV) delay in order to maximize the integral of the velocity signal received from pacing lead. In a multisite pacing system, where the IMD includes a plurality of ventricular pacing leads, the IMD adjusts the interventricular delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Bozidar Ferek-Petric
  • Publication number: 20040077995
    Abstract: A closed loop system for monitoring drug dose, intake and effectiveness includes a drug delivery device in data communications with at least one implantable medical device. The system is preferably implemented in a web-enabled environment in which a remote data center communicates with the implantable devices (IMDs) in a patient via a programmer or the pill dispenser. A physician, clinician, or other user may access the remote data center to review and monitor the IMDs or the drug delivery regime remotely. The system further provides a dynamic drug management system, compatible with a web-enabled interactive data communication environment that accurately monitors dose and specific drug effectiveness in a patient to enhance patient care.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventors: Bozidar Ferek-Petric, Dwight H. Warkentin
  • Patent number: 6650941
    Abstract: Programming wands, systems and methods are provided for programming implantable medical devices (IMDs). The programming wands of the present invention preferably include one or more input devices which may be manipulated to control the programming process. In some embodiments, the input device includes one or more of a trackball, a button, and a scrolling wheel. By providing input devices on the programming wand, a physician or medical technician may control the programming process with the same hand that supports the programming wand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Bozidar Ferek-Petric
  • Publication number: 20030204161
    Abstract: IMDs and methods are provided for electroporation treatment of subcutaneous tumors. In some embodiments, IMDs of the present invention may store and introduce chemotherapy drugs into the body prior to electroporation therapy. High frequency stimulation of tissue in or around the tumor may also be provided to increase tissue temperature prior to electroporation therapy. Still further, delivery of the electroporation therapy may be synchronized with cardiac qRs complex to avoid impeding normal cardiac rhythm. Algorithms to suspend therapy in the event of edema may also be incorporated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Inventor: Bozidar Ferek-Petric
  • Patent number: 6574503
    Abstract: Disruptions and corruptions in displayable data are identified using various color codes and marker schemes. Specifically, clinical data communicated across one or more network connections is continuously monitored and evaluated for disruptions, continuity, integrity and accuracy. A color coding or similar method for highlighting and characterizing discontinuities are used to mark data or communication elements and displays that are suspect of channel disruption, corruption and other discrepancies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Bozidar Ferek-Petric
  • Publication number: 20030083586
    Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDs) are adapted for developing a vectorcardiograph (VCG) from signals across pairs of electrodes. Sense amplifiers of the IMD are calibrated to correlate the signals to reference sagittal, horizontal and frontal planes of the body. Polar coordinate data is plotted over the time of occurrence of the sensed PQRST electrogram as at least one of an x-axis vector projected into the reference sagittal plane as a sagittal VCG, a y-axis vector projected into the reference horizontal plane as a horizontal VCG, a z-axis vector projected into the reference frontal plane as a frontal VCG, and an xyz-vector in 3-D space. The VCG loops plotted by each of the vectors can also be derived. Thresholding and template matching techniques determine one or more of the maximum vector magnitude and orientation, average axis vector magnitude and orientation, the loop shape, and the loop area representing a particular heart rhythm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Bozidar Ferek-Petric
  • Publication number: 20030083587
    Abstract: Implantable medical devices (IMDS) are adapted for developing a vectorcardiograph (VCG) from signals across pairs of electrodes. Sense amplifiers of the IMD are calibrated to correlate the signals to reference sagittal, horizontal and frontal planes of the body. Polar coordinate data is plotted over the time of occurrence of the sensed PQRST electrogram as at least one of an x-axis vector projected into the reference sagittal plane as a sagittal VCG, a y-axis vector projected into the reference horizontal plane as a horizontal VCG, a z-axis vector projected into the reference frontal plane as a frontal VCG, and an xyz-vector in 3-D space. The VCG loops plotted by each of the vectors can also be derived. Thresholding and template matching techniques determine one or more of the maximum vector magnitude and orientation, average axis vector magnitude and orientation, the loop shape, and the loop area representing a particular heart rhythm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventor: Bozidar Ferek-Petric
  • Patent number: 6514195
    Abstract: An implantable medical device system for detecting cardiac conditions such the long-term ischemic heart disease, an occlusion of a coronary artery by a thrombus or an impending as a myocardial infarction. The implantable medical device (IMD) system includes a sensor that outputs a blood flow rate signal representing a rate of blood flow through a coronary sinus of a patient's heart. An implantable medical device (IMD) includes a microcomputer circuit configured to analyze the blood flow rate signal and detect a cardiac condition as a function of the blood flow rate signal. The system can also includes an implantable lead that senses electrical activity from the patient's heart. The microcomputer circuit monitors an ST segment of the electrical activity signal and detects a cardiac condition as a function of blood flow rate signal in conjunction with the electrical activity signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Bozidar Ferek-Petric
  • Publication number: 20020193846
    Abstract: A modular system including hardware and software in combination or separately is used to adopt instruments for remote connectivity and programming of one or more medical devices in one or more patients. The modular system is implemented via an interface and is adaptable to a variety of medical devices, irrespective of origin of manufacture. The modular unit includes communication and other functional hardware in combination with Jini technology and Bluetooth implemented to effect wireless communication between various devices, patients and health providers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Publication date: December 19, 2002
    Inventors: Nancy Perry Pool, Craig M. Housworth, Bozidar Ferek-Petric
  • Publication number: 20020188215
    Abstract: Implantable medical devices and methods of tachycardia detection that provide adjustable detection criteria based upon a hemodynamic parameter. In some embodiments, the apparatus and methods provide for detection and delivery of therapy for hemodynamically stable and hemodynamically unstable tachycardias by varying a number of intervals detected (NID) threshold based on hemodynamic measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: Bozidar Ferek-Petric
  • Patent number: 6480744
    Abstract: Implantable medical device telemetry control systems and methods are used to coordinate medical therapy delivery from an implantable medical device (IMD) to a patient-driver of a vehicle, e.g., automobile. In one embodiment, the control system alerts the patient-driver to stop the vehicle after a medical event is detected by the IMD. Once the vehicle is stopped, the therapy is delivered. In another embodiment, a vehicle control module is provided which actively controls various subsystems of the car in response to a detected medical event. For example, the vehicle control module may control vehicle engine speed or vehicle braking to slow or stop the vehicle or, alternatively, assist the patient-driver in stopping the vehicle, prior to or simultaneously with therapy delivery. In still other embodiments, an emergency communication is automatically transmitted to emergency personnel informing the same of the medical event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Bozidar Ferek-Petric
  • Patent number: 6473638
    Abstract: An interactive graphical user interface (GUI) is implemented to display virtual static and animated cardiac electrophysiology and implanted medical device information. The GUI is structured in a layered format to display a subset of display means relating to further details. The invention also enables access and transfer of the display and associated information via a network system preferably web-enabled to use the Internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Bozidar Ferek-Petric