Patents by Inventor Brian D. Kuhnley

Brian D. Kuhnley 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: 20230191124
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea. The system is adapted to send an electrical signal from an implanted neurostimulator through a stimulation lead to a patient's nerve at an appropriate phase of the respiratory cycle based on input from a respiration sensing lead. External components are adapted for wireless communication with the neurostimulator. The neurostimulator is adapted to deliver therapeutic stimulation based on inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: LivaNova USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Brian D. Kuhnley, Dale G. Suilmann, Bruce J. Persson, John P. Beck, Sidney F. Hauschild, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Jason J. Skubitz, Mark R. Bosshard, Daniel A. Parrish, Robert E. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20230117943
    Abstract: A system for minimizing misalignment notifications for a TETS having an implantable blood pump, an external controller having a power source and a processing circuitry, a transmission coil in communication with the external controller, a receiving coil configured for transcutaneous inductive communication with the transmission coil, and an implantable controller in communication with the receiving coil and the implantable blood pump. The implantable controller having a power source configured to receive power from the receiving coil. The processing circuitry may be configured to: operate in a first mode where an alert is generated when a power efficiency transfer between the transmission coil and the receiving coil is below a first predetermined threshold; and operate in a second mode where the alert is only generated when the power remaining in the power source for the implantable controller is below a first predetermined power source threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Eric A. Schilling, Brian D. Kuhnley, Erin N. Reisfeld, Stephen M. Nelson, Nathanael O. Mason
  • Publication number: 20230070267
    Abstract: A controller implantable within the body of a patient as part of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) system and a method therefore are provided. According to one aspect, the controller includes processing circuitry configured to receive inputs from at least one of: at least one internal component of the LVAD system, at least one external component of the LVAD system, and at least one clinician's device, and determine a charging rate for charging a battery of the LVAD system internal to the patient based on at least one of the received inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Eric A. Schilling, Erin N. Reisfeld, Thomas W. Radtke, Brian D. Kuhnley, David I. Siegried
  • Patent number: 11547847
    Abstract: A system for minimizing misalignment notifications for a TETS having an implantable blood pump, an external controller having a power source and a processing circuitry, a transmission coil in communication with the external controller, a receiving coil configured for transcutaneous inductive communication with the transmission coil, and an implantable controller in communication with the receiving coil and the implantable blood pump. The implantable controller having a power source configured to receive power from the receiving coil. The processing circuitry may be configured to: operate in a first mode where an alert is generated when a power efficiency transfer between the transmission coil and the receiving coil is below a first predetermined threshold; and operate in a second mode where the alert is only generated when the power remaining in the power source for the implantable controller is below a first predetermined power source threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Eric A. Schilling, Brian D. Kuhnley, Erin N. Reisfeld, Stephen M. Nelson, Nathanael O. Mason
  • Patent number: 11529514
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea. The system is adapted to send an electrical signal from an implanted neurostimulator through a stimulation lead to a patient's nerve at an appropriate phase of the respiratory cycle based on input from a respiration sensing lead. External components are adapted for wireless communication with the neurostimulator. The neurostimulator is adapted to deliver therapeutic stimulation based on inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: LivaNova USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Brian D. Kuhnley, Dale G. Suilmann, Bruce J. Persson, John P. Beck, Sidney F. Hauschild, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Jason J. Skubitz, Mark R. Bosshard, Daniel A. Parrish, Robert E. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 11521739
    Abstract: A method, implantable medical system and an external system for communicating an alert signal via a transcutaneous energy transfer system (TETS), with or without the presence of transmission of the alert signal by an alternative wireless communication system, are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method in an implanted medical system includes obtaining the alert signal based on an occurrence of an event, and transmitting the alert signal from the implanted medical device to the external system via a TETS used to transfer power requests to the external system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Schilling, Brian D. Kuhnley
  • Patent number: 11497905
    Abstract: A controller implantable within the body of a patient as part of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) system and a method therefore are provided. According to one aspect, the controller includes processing circuitry configured to receive inputs from at least one of: at least one internal component of the LVAD system, at least one external component of the LVAD system, and at least one clinician's device, and determine a charging rate for charging a battery of the LVAD system internal to the patient based on at least one of the received inputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Schilling, Erin N. Reisfeld, Thomas W. Radtke, Brian D. Kuhnley, David Siegfried
  • Patent number: 11400287
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulation system comprises a stimulation delivery lead and a neurostimulator. The stimulation delivery lead is coupled to an electrode. The neurostimulator is adapted to deliver a neurostimulation signal to the subject and comprises a microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed to identify a stimulation operating window for the therapy including a first threshold and a second threshold. The second threshold comprises an awake level and an asleep level. Identifying the stimulation operating window comprises titrating a stimulation setting of the neurostimulator while the subject is awake until the first threshold and the awake level of the second threshold are identified. Identifying the stimulation operating window further comprises subsequently repeating the step of titrating the stimulation setting of the neurostimulator while the subject is asleep until the asleep level of the second threshold is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: LivaNova USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Brian D. Kuhnley, Dale G. Suilmann, Bruce J. Persson, John P. Beck, Sidney Hauschild, Paula M. Kaplan, Adam K. Hoyhtya, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Robert E. Atkinson, Peter R. Eastwood, David R. Hillman
  • Publication number: 20210353838
    Abstract: A controller implantable within the body of a patient as part of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) system and a method therefore are provided. According to one aspect, the controller includes processing circuitry configured to receive inputs from at least one of: at least one internal component of the LVAD system, at least one external component of the LVAD system, and at least one clinician's device, and determine a charging rate for charging a battery of the LVAD system internal to the patient based on at least one of the received inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Eric A. Schilling, Erin N. Reisfeld, Thomas W. Radtke, Brian D. Kuhnley, David Siegfried
  • Publication number: 20210322758
    Abstract: An implantable controller for an implantable medical device includes a metallic housing defining an enclosure. Processing circuitry is disposed within the enclosure and configured to control operation of the implantable medical device. A first aluminum encasement is disposed within the enclosure. A first piece of graphite is disposed within the aluminum encasement. A pressure sensitive adhesive is disposed between an internal surface of the metallic housing and the aluminum encasement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas J. FICK, Harold M. DYALSINGH, Brian D. KUHNLEY, Jeffrey A. SWANSON, Ramesh RAGHUPATHY, Amir ZAMIRI, Thomas W. RADTKE, Lisa A. MEYER
  • Publication number: 20210283392
    Abstract: A TETS having an external controller having a power source, a transmission coil in communication with the external controller, a receiving coil configured for transcutaneous inductive communication with the transmission coil, and an implantable controller in communication with the receiving coil and an implantable blood pump. The implantable controller has a battery configured to receive power from the receiving coil and the external controller is configured to categorize power transfer states based on predetermined thresholds of efficiency and power demand, and user display states (associated with optional configurable notifications) based on the power transfer states and predetermined temperature thresholds of the transmission coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Eric A. SCHILLING, John RUDSER, David J. PEICHEL, Brian D. KUHNLEY
  • Publication number: 20210283321
    Abstract: A system for minimizing misalignment notifications for a TETS having an implantable blood pump, an external controller having a power source and a processing circuitry, a transmission coil in communication with the external controller, a receiving coil configured for transcutaneous inductive communication with the transmission coil, and an implantable controller in communication with the receiving coil and the implantable blood pump. The implantable controller having a power source configured to receive power from the receiving coil. The processing circuitry may be configured to: operate in a first mode where an alert is generated when a power efficiency transfer between the transmission coil and the receiving coil is below a first predetermined threshold; and operate in a second mode where the alert is only generated when the power remaining in the power source for the implantable controller is below a first predetermined power source threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Eric A. SCHILLING, Brian D. KUHNLEY, Erin N. REISFELD, Stephen M. NELSON, Nathanael O. MASON
  • Publication number: 20210257090
    Abstract: A method, implantable medical system and an external system for communicating an alert signal via a transcutaneous energy transfer system (TETS), with or without the presence of transmission of the alert signal by an alternative wireless communication system, are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method in an implanted medical system includes obtaining the alert signal based on an occurrence of an event, and transmitting the alert signal from the implanted medical device to the external system via a TETS used to transfer power requests to the external system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Eric A. SCHILLING, Brian D. KUHNLEY
  • Publication number: 20200254245
    Abstract: An implantable neurostimulation system comprises a stimulation delivery lead and a neurostimulator. The stimulation delivery lead is coupled to an electrode. The neurostimulator is adapted to deliver a neurostimulation signal to the subject and comprises a microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed to identify a stimulation operating window for the therapy including a first threshold and a second threshold. The second threshold comprises an awake level and an asleep level. Identifying the stimulation operating window comprises titrating a stimulation setting of the neurostimulator while the subject is awake until the first threshold and the awake level of the second threshold are identified. Identifying the stimulation operating window further comprises subsequently repeating the step of titrating the stimulation setting of the neurostimulator while the subject is asleep until the asleep level of the second threshold is identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: LivaNova USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Brian D. Kuhnley, Dale G. Suilmann, Bruce J. Persson, John P. Beck, Sidney Hauschild, Paula M. Kaplan, Adam K. Hoyhtya, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Robert E. Atkinson, Peter R. Eastwood, David R. Hillman
  • Patent number: 10737094
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: LivaNova USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Brian D. Kuhnley, Dale G. Suilmann, Bruce J. Persson, John P. Beck, Sidney F. Hauschild, Paula M. Kaplan, Adam K. Hoyhtya, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Robert E. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 10632306
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: LivaNova USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Brian D. Kuhnley, Dale G. Suilmann, Bruce J. Persson, John P. Beck, Sidney Hauschild, Paula M. Kaplan, Adam K. Hoyhtya, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Robert E. Atkinson, Peter R. Eastwood, David R. Hillman
  • Publication number: 20190151656
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Brian D. Kuhnley, Dale G. Suilmann, Bruce J. Persson, John P. Beck, Sidney F. Hauschild, Paula M. Kaplan, Adam K. Hoyhtya, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Robert E. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 10105538
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Brian D. Kuhnley, Dale G. Suilmann, Bruce J. Persson, John P. Beck, Sidney F. Hauschild, Paula M. Kaplan, Adam K. Hoyhtya, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Robert E. Atkinson
  • Patent number: RE48024
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for nerve stimulation for OSA therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: LivaNova USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Sidney F. Hauschild, Paula M. Kaplan, Brian D. Kuhnley, Keith E. Jasperson, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Christopher K. Thorp
  • Patent number: RE48025
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for maintaining patency of an upper airway of a patient to treat obstructive sleep apnea may include delivering an electrical stimulation to a portion of a superior laryngeal nerve via a nerve cuff when the nerve cuff is adjacent an external surface of the superior laryngeal nerve, the nerve cuff having a plurality of electrodes, wherein the nerve cuff is configured to be connected to an electrical stimulator via a stimulation lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: LivaNova USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Sidney F. Hauschild, Paula M. Kaplan, Brian D. Kuhnley, Keith E. Jasperson, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Christopher K. Thorp