Patents by Inventor Changfang Zhu

Changfang Zhu 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: 9655528
    Abstract: An electrical stimulation lead assembly includes a lead body having a distal end portion, a proximal end portion, and a longitudinal length. Electrodes are disposed along the distal end portion of the lead body; terminals disposed along the proximal end portion of the lead body; and stimulation conductors couple the terminals to the electrodes. A cerebrospinal-fluid-pulsation detection assembly includes a sensor disposed along the distal end portion of the lead body. The sensor detects pulses of cerebrospinal fluid within a subarachnoid space of a patient and transforms the detected cerebrospinal-fluid pulses into sensor signals. A sensor processor receives the sensor signals from the sensor, processes the received sensor signals to cerebrospinal-fluid pulsation data (“CSF-pulsation data”), and estimates a patient blood-flow condition based on the CSF-pulsation data. A sensor control pathway couples the sensor to the sensor processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Changfang Zhu
  • Patent number: 9623232
    Abstract: A method and medical system for operating three electrodes electrically coupled to three proximal contacts carried by three lead bodies is provided. The electrodes are implanted adjacent tissue of a patient and include a middle electrode and a pair of electrodes flanking the middle electrode. Electrical energy is conveyed between three different pairs of the proximal contacts, thereby respectively generating three electrical fields in the tissue between three electrode pairs. A potential of each of the electrical fields is measured at the remaining electrodes via the remaining proximal contacts, respectively. The lead body associated with the middle electrode is identified based on the measured electrical field potentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Changfang Zhu
  • Patent number: 9623250
    Abstract: A neuromodulation system and method of providing sub-threshold therapy to a patient. An anodic perception threshold of super-threshold electrical energy and a cathodic perception threshold of super-threshold electrical energy are determined for a plurality of electrode sets. A ratio between the anodic perception threshold and the cathodic perception threshold is calculated for each of the electrode sets. An effective electrode set is selected based on the ratio between the anodic perception threshold and the cathodic perception threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignees: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Dongchul Lee, Changfang Zhu
  • Publication number: 20170080234
    Abstract: An example of a system may include a processor; and a memory device comprising instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to access at least one of: patient input, clinician input, or automatic input; use the patient input, clinician input, or automatic input in a search method, the search method designed to evaluate a plurality of candidate neuromodulation parameter sets to identify an optimal neuromodulation parameter set; and program a neuromodulator using the optimal neuromodulation parameter set to stimulate a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Christopher Ewan Gillespie, Michael A. Moffitt, Que T. Doan, Changfang Zhu
  • Publication number: 20170056642
    Abstract: An example of a system may include a processor and a memory device comprising instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to: access a patient metric of a subject; use the patient metric as an input to a machine learning algorithm, the machine learning algorithm to search a plurality of neuromodulation parameter sets and to identify a candidate neuromodulation parameter set of the plurality of neuromodulation parameter sets, the candidate neuromodulation parameter set designed to produce a non-regular waveform that varies over a time domain and a space domain; and program a neuromodulator using the candidate neuromodulation parameter set to stimulate the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Michael A. Moffitt, Natalie A. Brill, Jianwen Gu, Juan Gabriel Hincapie Ordonez, Changfang Zhu, Hemant Bokil, Stephen Carcieri
  • Publication number: 20170036030
    Abstract: A neuromodulation system comprises a plurality of electrical terminals configured for being respectively coupled to electrodes, modulation output circuitry configured for respectively outputting a plurality of individual electrical pulse trains in a plurality of timing channels to the electrical terminals, wherein each of the timing channels prevents the respective pulse train from having a specific characteristic, and control circuitry configured for controlling the modulation output circuitry in a manner that outputs the pulse trains to a common set of the electrical terminals, thereby creating a combined electrical pulse train at the common set of electrical terminals that has the specific characteristic. A method of providing therapy to a patient comprises delivering a plurality of electrical pulse trains respectively in a plurality of timing channels to a common set of electrodes implanted within the patient, thereby creating a combined electrical pulse train at the common set of electrical terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Que T. Doan, Changfang Zhu
  • Patent number: 9517346
    Abstract: A system and method using a plurality of electrodes. An immediate electrode configuration is defined, electrical energy is conveyed to the electrodes in accordance with the immediate electrode configuration, a final electrode configuration is defined, a series of intermediate electrode configurations is defined using a heuristic set of rules based on the immediate electrode configuration and the final electrode configuration, electrical energy is conveyed to the electrodes in accordance with the series of intermediate electrode configurations, and electrical energy is conveyed to the electrodes in accordance with the subsequent electrode configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Dongchul Lee, Changfang Zhu, Michael A. Moffitt
  • Publication number: 20160346546
    Abstract: An example of a system may include an electrode arrangement and a neuromodulation device configured to use electrodes in the electrode arrangement to generate a neuromodulation field. The neuromodulation device may include a neuromodulation generator, a neuromodulation control circuit and a storage. The storage may include a stochastically-modulated neuromodulation parameter set and the stochastically-modulated neuromodulation parameter set may include at least one stochastically-modulated parameter. The controller may be configured to control the neuromodulation generator using the stochastically-modulation parameter set to generate the neuromodulation field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventor: Changfang Zhu
  • Publication number: 20160317815
    Abstract: An example a system includes a neuromodulation generator that may be configured to use electrodes to generate a first modulation field over a test region of neural tissue along the electrodes to prime the neural tissue throughout the test region and a second modulation field to test targeted locations within the test region for therapeutic effectiveness. A memory may be configured to store a first modulation field parameter for generating the first modulation field and a second modulation field parameter set for generating the second modulation field to modulate a targeted location within the test region. The second modulation field parameter set is programmable for modulating other targeted locations. The controller may be configured to control the neuromodulation generator to use the first modulation field parameter set to deliver the first modulation field and to use the second modulation field parameter set to deliver the second modulation field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Que T. Doan, Bradley Lawrence Hershey, Changfang Zhu
  • Publication number: 20160310744
    Abstract: A system for an electrical neurostimulator coupled to a plurality of electrodes. The system comprises a user-controlled input device configured for generating directional control signals. The system further comprises control circuitry configured for sequentially defining a plurality of different ideal bipole/tripole configurations relative to the plurality of electrodes in response to the directional control signals, generating a plurality of stimulation parameter sets respectively corresponding to the plurality of ideal bipole/tripole configurations, each stimulation parameter set defining relative amplitude values for the plurality of electrodes that emulate the respective ideal bipole/tripole configuration, and instructing the electrical neurostimulator to convey electrical energy to the plurality of electrodes in accordance with the plurality of stimulation parameter sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Dongchul Lee, Changfang Zhu
  • Patent number: 9474905
    Abstract: A neuromodulation system comprises a plurality of electrical terminals configured for being respectively coupled to electrodes, modulation output circuitry configured for respectively outputting a plurality of individual electrical pulse trains in a plurality of timing channels to the electrical terminals, wherein each of the timing channels prevents the respective pulse train from having a specific characteristic, and control circuitry configured for controlling the modulation output circuitry in a manner that outputs the pulse trains to a common set of the electrical terminals, thereby creating a combined electrical pulse train at the common set of electrical terminals that has the specific characteristic. A method of providing therapy to a patient comprises delivering a plurality of electrical pulse trains respectively in a plurality of timing channels to a common set of electrodes implanted within the patient, thereby creating a combined electrical pulse train at the common set of electrical terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Que T. Doan, Changfang Zhu
  • Publication number: 20160274752
    Abstract: An Optical Head-Mounted Display (OHMD) for use as external controller for an Implantable Medical Device (IMD) is disclosed which includes an IMD communication accessory with a USB connector coupleable to a USB port on the OHMD. The accessory includes a housing with a communication antenna and telemetry transceiver circuitry to allow for direct communications with the IMD. The housing includes a battery for powering the transceiver circuitry and antenna. A cable may be coupled to the housing to allow the housing to be located proximate to patient's IMD when the communication means used in the IMD is relatively short range (e.g., magnetic induction). The housing may be cableless and comprise a dongle coupleable to a port on the OHMD if the communication means provided in the housing and used in the IMD are longer range (e.g., MICS).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventors: Changfang Zhu, Sridhar Kothandaraman, Goran N. Marnfeldt, Yue Li
  • Publication number: 20160243366
    Abstract: A neuromodulation system comprises electrical terminals configured for being respectively coupled to electrodes. The system further comprises modulation output circuitry configured for respectively outputting individual electrical pulse trains in timing channels to the electrical terminals, wherein each of the pulse trains has a modulation pulse, and at least one of the pulse trains has a charge recovery pulse associated with the modulation pulse of the respective pulse train. The neuromodulation system further comprises control circuitry configured for controlling the modulation output circuitry in a manner that sequentially outputs the modulation pulses of the respective pulse trains to a common set of the electrical terminals without an intervening charge recovery pulse, and outputting the charge recovery pulse(s) to the common set of the electrical terminals subsequent to the sequential modulation pulses, thereby creating a combined electrical pulse train at the common set of electrical terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Changfang Zhu, Que T. Doan
  • Patent number: 9421379
    Abstract: A medical system configured for performing a medical function in a patient. The medical system comprises at least one medical lead configured for being implanted adjacent a tissue region of the patient, at least one sensing element, monitoring circuitry configured for acquiring a plurality of physiological measurements from the sensing element(s) during one of a plurality of events respectively corresponding to a plurality of classes, and a processor configured for deriving a set of data from the plurality of physiological measurements, performing a feature extraction technique on the data set to acquire at least one feature, analyzing the feature(s), and classifying the data set into the one class corresponding to the one event. The medical system further comprises a controller configured for performing a function based on the classified data set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Changfang Zhu
  • Patent number: 9387334
    Abstract: A system for an electrical neurostimulator coupled to a plurality of electrodes. The system comprises a user-controlled input device configured for generating directional control signals. The system further comprises control circuitry configured for sequentially defining a plurality of different ideal bipole/tripole configurations relative to the plurality of electrodes in response to the directional control signals, generating a plurality of stimulation parameter sets respectively corresponding to the plurality of ideal bipole/tripole configurations, each stimulation parameter set defining relative amplitude values for the plurality of electrodes that emulate the respective ideal bipole/tripole configuration, and instructing the electrical neurostimulator to convey electrical energy to the plurality of electrodes in accordance with the plurality of stimulation parameter sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignees: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Dongchul Lee, Changfang Zhu
  • Patent number: 9358391
    Abstract: A neuromodulation system comprises electrical terminals configured for being respectively coupled to electrodes. The system further comprises modulation output circuitry configured for respectively outputting individual electrical pulse trains in timing channels to the electrical terminals, wherein each of the pulse trains has a modulation pulse, and at least one of the pulse trains has a charge recovery pulse associated with the modulation pulse of the respective pulse train. The neuromodulation system further comprises control circuitry configured for controlling the modulation output circuitry in a manner that sequentially outputs the modulation pulses of the respective pulse trains to a common set of the electrical terminals without an intervening charge recovery pulse, and outputting the charge recovery pulse(s) to the common set of the electrical terminals subsequent to the sequential modulation pulses, thereby creating a combined electrical pulse train at the common set of electrical terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Changfang Zhu, Que T. Doan
  • Patent number: 9352158
    Abstract: A system and method using a plurality of electrodes. An immediate virtual multipole is defined, an immediate electrode configuration emulating the immediate virtual multipole is defined, electrical energy is conveyed to the electrodes in accordance with the immediate electrode configuration, a new virtual multipole is defined by changing a parameter of the immediate virtual multipole by a step size, a new electrode configuration that emulates the new virtual multipole is defined, a difference value as a function of the immediate virtual multipole and the new virtual multipole is computed, the different value is compared to a limit value, electrical energy is conveyed to the electrodes in accordance with the new electrode configuration if the difference value does not exceed the limit value, and the absolute value of the step size is decreased to create a new step size if the difference value does exceed the limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Dongchul Lee, Changfang Zhu
  • Publication number: 20160106985
    Abstract: A neuromodulation system comprises a plurality of electrical terminals configured for being respectively coupled to a plurality of electrodes, a user interface configured for receiving input from a user that selects one of a plurality of different shapes of a modulating signal and/or selects one of a plurality of different electrical pulse parameters of an electrical pulse train, neuromodulation output circuitry configured for outputting an electrical pulse train to the plurality of electrical terminals, and pulse train modulation circuitry configured for modulating the electrical pulse train in accordance with the selected shape of the modulating signal and/or selected electrical pulse parameter of the electrical pulse train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Inventor: Changfang Zhu
  • Publication number: 20160082265
    Abstract: An example of a system may include an arrangement of electrodes configured to be operationally positioned for use in modulating targeted neural tissue, a neural modulator, a communication module, and a controller. The neural modulator may be configured to use at least some electrodes within the arrangement of electrodes to generate a modulation field. The communication module may be configured to receive user-provided selections. The controller may be configured to use the communication module to receive a user-provided selection of a desired electrode list where the electrode list identifies electrodes within the arrangement of electrodes that are available for use in modulating the targeted neural tissue, control the neural stimulation modulator to generate the modulation field, and use the electrodes identified in the electrode list to modulate the targeted neural tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Michael A. Moffitt, Bradley Lawrence Hershey, Changfang Zhu, Jordi Parramon, Sridhar Kothandaraman
  • Publication number: 20160082269
    Abstract: An example of a system may include electrodes on at least one lead configured to be operationally positioned for use in modulating neural tissue where the neural tissue including dorsal horn tissue or nerve root tissue, a neural modulation generator, and a controller. The neural modulation generator may be configured to use at least some electrodes to generate a modulation field. The neural modulation generator maybe configured to use a programmed modulation parameter set to promote uniformity of the modulation field in the dorsal horn tissue. The controller may be configured to control the neural modulation generator to generate the modulation field in pulse trains of at least two pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Inventors: Michael A. Moffitt, Changfang Zhu