Patents by Inventor Brian Mech
Brian Mech 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).
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Publication number: 20240131341Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods for treating sleep-disordered breathing (e.g., obstructive sleep apnea) using a system comprising an inertial measurement unit (IMU) which includes an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope, wherein the IMU is configured to detect movement by a human subject and to generate data based on the detected movement. Positional and/or movement data generated by the IMU is used by a stimulation system to detect gross movement by the subject, and to deliver electrical stimulation to a nerve which innervates an upper airway muscle (e.g., a hypoglossal nerve) in response to the detection of gross movement, in order to treat the subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Brian MECH, Brian M. Shelton, Neil H. Talbot
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Publication number: 20240033524Abstract: A stimulation system configured to be implanted in a patient includes an implantable pulse generator (IPG) and an implantable lead system. The IPG includes a processor, a memory device, a power supply, and an inertial sensing unit configured to measure one or more physiological indicators of the patient. The implantable lead system includes at least one electrical lead coupled to the power supply and at least one electrode at a distal end of the electrical lead. The memory device includes instructions that cause the IPG to receive the physiological indicators within an initial range; increase the initial range to an enlarged range in response to the physiological indicators crossing a threshold maximum value or a threshold minimum value of the initial range; receive the physiological signals within the enlarged range, analyze the physiological indicators, and deliver stimulation to the patient through the electrode in response to the physiological indicators.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2023Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Brian Shelton, Brian Mech, Sahar Elyahoodayan
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Publication number: 20230405327Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for a stimulation system. Various aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to the treatment of epilepsy, depression and/or other conditions in a subject using a nerve stimulator and, more particularly, to an effective and quicker titration method for selection of stimulation parameters of the nerve stimulator using biological markers that indicate potential therapeutic effects. Some aspects of the present disclosure may utilize a pupillometry sensor synchronized with the VNS stimulation system to compare pupil size of a subject with stimulation on and off and for obtaining filtered pupil response measurements after stimulating each electrode while modulating the stimulation parameters. Thus, aspects of the present disclosure allow for quicker titration of programmable stimulation parameters (e.g.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Inventors: Brian Michael SHELTON, Brian MECH, Valma KLEIN, Neil TALBOT, Robert GREENBERG
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Publication number: 20230321444Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods for automatically titrating an electrical pulse amplitude for a patient-implanted VNS stimulator. One or more external sensors (e.g., EEG, EKG, EMG, auditory sensors, inertial motion sensors, etc.) can be applied to the patient to generate data relevant to an acceptable amplitude of the electrical pulse for a given cathode in a multi-cathode cuff. In one embodiment, the device may include a controller on the implanted VNS stimulator that receives data, e.g., using a wireless connection, from the external sensors and titrates upward the amplitude until an acceptable amplitude is determine that provides efficacy with minimal, if any, side effects.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Brian Michael Shelton, Brian Mech, Valma Klein, Neil Talbot, Hitesh Hotlani
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Publication number: 20220355097Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods for neuromodulation using a housing that at least partially contains a stimulator assembly, wherein the stimulator assembly is configured to generate vibration by mechanical oscillation and/or using a sound wave; and wherein the vibration generated by the stimulator assembly is configured to therapeutically treat the subject by stimulating one or more nerves when the housing is placed in proximity to or on a skin surface of a subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Inventors: Brian MECH, Robert GREENBERG
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Publication number: 20220288398Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods for detecting, monitoring, and/or treating obstructive sleep apnea, as well as other conditions, using vital sign and/or biometric data collected and/or imputed from one or more photoplethysmography sensors in conjunction with vital sign and/or biometric data from one or more additional sensors such as activity, body position, ECG, HR, or SpO2 levels, e.g., as feedback to control therapy and/or to titrate therapy on a periodic basis.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Inventors: Brian MECH, Robert GREENBERG
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Patent number: 10667404Abstract: Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow. Common flexible circuit fabrication techniques generally require that a flexible circuit electrode array be made flat. Since neural tissue is almost never flat, a flat array will necessarily apply uneven pressure. Further, the edges of a flexible circuit polymer array may be sharp and cut the delicate neural tissue. By applying the right amount of heat to a completed array, a curve can be induced.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2007Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignees: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc., Doheny Eye InstituteInventors: Robert Greenberg, Neil Talbot, Jordan Neysmith, Dilek Guven, James Little, Brian Mech, Mark Humayun
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Patent number: 10220202Abstract: A flexible circuit electrode array with more than one layer of metal traces comprising: a polymer base layer; more than one layer of metal traces, separated by polymer layers, deposited on the polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; and a polymer top layer deposited on the polymer base layer and the metal traces. Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.Inventors: Jordan Neysmith, Robert Greenberg, James Little, Brian Mech, Neil Talbot, Qingfang Yao, David Zhou
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Publication number: 20170232251Abstract: A flexible circuit electrode array with more than one layer of metal traces comprising: a polymer base layer; more than one layer of metal traces, separated by polymer layers, deposited on the polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; and a polymer top layer deposited on the polymer base layer and the metal traces. Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2017Publication date: August 17, 2017Applicant: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.Inventors: Jordan Neysmith, Robert Greenberg, James Little, Brian Mech, Neil Talbot, Qingfang Yao, David Zhou
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Patent number: 9669209Abstract: A flexible circuit electrode array with more than one layer of metal traces comprising: a polymer base layer; more than one layer of metal traces, separated by polymer layers, deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; and a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces. Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2016Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.Inventors: Jordan Neysmith, Robert Greenberg, James Little, Brian Mech, Neil Talbot, Qingfang Yao, Dao Min Zhou
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Publication number: 20170043171Abstract: An implantable micro-miniature device is disclosed. The device comprises a thin hermetic insulating coating and at least one thin metal secondary coating over the hermetic insulating layer in order to protect the insulating layer from the erosive action of body fluids or the like. In one embodiment the insulating layer is ion beam assisted deposited (IBAD) alumina and the secondary coating is titanium. The device may be a small electronic device such as a silicon integrated circuit chip. The thickness of the insulating layer may be ten microns or less and the thickness of the secondary layer may be between about 0.1 and about 15 microns.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2016Publication date: February 16, 2017Applicant: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.Inventors: Brian Mech, Robert J. Greenberg, Honggang Jiang
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Patent number: 9492670Abstract: An implantable micro-miniature device is disclosed. The device comprises a thin hermetic insulating coating and at least one thin polymer or metal secondary coating over the hermetic insulating layer in order to protect the insulating layer from the erosive action of body fluids or the like. In one embodiment the insulating layer is ion beam assisted deposited (IBAD) alumina and the secondary coating is a parylene polymer. The device may be a small electronic device such as a silicon integrated circuit chip. The thickness of the insulating layer may be ten microns or less and the thickness of the secondary layer may be between about 0.1 and about 15 microns.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.Inventors: Brian Mech, Robert J. Greenberg, Honggang Jiang
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Publication number: 20160228695Abstract: A flexible circuit electrode array with more than one layer of metal traces comprising: a polymer base layer; more than one layer of metal traces, separated by polymer layers, deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; and a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces. Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2016Publication date: August 11, 2016Applicant: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.Inventors: Jordan Neysmith, Robert Greenberg, James Little, Brian Mech, Neil Talbot, Qingfang Yao, Dao Min Zhou
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Patent number: 9095722Abstract: An implantable micro-miniature device is disclosed. The device comprises a thin hermetic insulating coating and at least one thin polymer or metal secondary coating over the hermetic insulating layer in order to protect the insulating layer from the erosive action of body fluids or the like. In one embodiment the insulating layer is ion beam assisted deposited (IBAD) alumina and the secondary coating is a parylene polymer. The device may be a small electronic device such as a silicon integrated circuit chip. The thickness of the insulating layer may be ten microns or less and the thickness of the secondary layer may be between about 0.1 and about 15 microns.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2006Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.Inventors: Brian Mech, Robert J. Greenberg, Honggang Jiang
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Patent number: 8014878Abstract: Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow. Common flexible circuit fabrication techniques generally require that a flexible circuit electrode array be made flat. Since neural tissue is almost never flat, a flat array will necessarily apply uneven pressure. Further, the edges of a flexible circuit polymer array may be sharp and cut the delicate neural tissue. By applying the right amount of heat to a completed array, a curve can be induced.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2005Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Second Sight Medical Products, Inc.Inventors: Robert Greenberg, Neil Talbot, Jordan Neysmith, Dilek Guven, James Little, Brian Mech, Mark Humayun
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Publication number: 20080090322Abstract: The invention is directed to a hermetically packaged and implantable integrated circuit for electronics that is made my producing streets in silicon-on-insulator chips that are subsequently coated with a selected electrically insulating thin film prior to completing the dicing process to yield an individual chip. A thin-layered circuit may transmit light, allowing a photodetector to respond to transmitted light to stimulate a retina, for example. Discrete electronic components may be placed in the three-dimensional street area of the integrated circuit package, yielding a completely integrated hermetic package that is implantable in living tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2007Publication date: April 17, 2008Inventors: Brian Mech, Robert Greenberg, Gregory Delmain
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Publication number: 20080064946Abstract: Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow. Common flexible circuit fabrication techniques generally require that a flexible circuit electrode array be made flat. Since neural tissue is almost never flat, a flat array will necessarily apply uneven pressure. Further, the edges of a flexible circuit polymer array may be sharp and cut the delicate neural tissue. By applying the right amount of heat to a completed array, a curve can be induced.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: March 13, 2008Inventors: Robert Greenberg, Neil Talbot, Jordan Neysmith, James Little, Brian Mech, Mark Humayun, Dilek Guven, Anne-Marie De Merlier Ripley
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Publication number: 20080058875Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible circuit electrode array adapted for neural stimulation, comprising: a polymer base layer; metal traces deposited on said polymer base layer, including electrodes suitable to stimulate neural tissue; a polymer top layer deposited on said polymer base layer and said metal traces at least one tack opening; wherein said polymer base layer, said metal traces and said polymer top layer are thermoformed in a three dimensional shape. The present invention provides further a method of making a flexible circuit electrode array comprising depositing a polymer base layer; depositing metal on said polymer base layer; patterning said metal to form metal traces; depositing a polymer top layer on said polymer base layer and said metal traces; preparing at least one tack opening; and heating said flexible circuit electrode array in a mold to form a three dimensional shape in said flexible circuit electrode array.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Inventors: Robert Greenberg, Neil Talbot, Jordan Neysmith, James Little, Brian Mech
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Publication number: 20080058898Abstract: This invention is a retinal electrode array assembly and methods of using the same that facilitate surgical implant procedures by providing the operating surgeon with visual references and grasping means and with innovations that reduce actual and potential damage to the retina and the surrounding tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Inventors: Robert Greenberg, Alfred Mann, James Little, Karl-Heinz Ihrig, Brian Mech, Neil Talbot, DaoMin Zhou
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Publication number: 20080057179Abstract: Polymer materials are useful as electrode array bodies for neural stimulation. They are particularly useful for retinal stimulation to create artificial vision, cochlear stimulation to create artificial hearing, or cortical stimulation many purposes. The pressure applied against the retina, or other neural tissue, by an electrode array is critical. Too little pressure causes increased electrical resistance, along with electric field dispersion. Too much pressure may block blood flow. Common flexible circuit fabrication techniques generally require that a flexible circuit electrode array be made flat. Since neural tissue is almost never flat, a flat array will necessarily apply uneven pressure. Further, the edges of a flexible circuit polymer array may be sharp and cut the delicate neural tissue. By applying the right amount of heat to a completed array, a curve can be induced.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2007Publication date: March 6, 2008Inventors: Robert Greenberg, Neil Talbot, Jordan Neysmith, Dilek Guven, James Little, Brian Mech, Mark Humayun