Patents by Inventor Christopher L Pulliam

Christopher L Pulliam 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: 11944819
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and techniques are described for analyzing evoked compound action potentials (ECAP) signals to assess the effect of a delivered electrical stimulation signal. In one example, a system includes a stimulation generator configured to deliver a stimulation pulse to a patient, sensing circuitry configured to sense an evoked compound action potential (ECAP) signal evoked from the stimulation pulse, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to determine a maximum value of a derivative of the ECAP signal, determine a minimum value of the derivative of the ECAP signal, determine, based on the maximum value of the derivative and the minimum value of the derivative, a characteristic value of the ECAP signal, and determine, based on the characteristic value of the ECAP signal, at least one parameter value at least partially defining electrical stimulation therapy to be delivered to the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Corey, Kristin N. Hageman, David A. Dinsmoor, Hank Bink, Christopher L. Pulliam, Thomas Adamski
  • Patent number: 11931582
    Abstract: Evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs) may be used to determine therapy. For example, a medical device includes stimulation generation circuitry and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to determine if a characteristic of a first ECAP is greater than a threshold ECAP characteristic value. Based on the characteristic of the first ECAP being greater than the threshold ECAP characteristic value, the processing circuitry is configured to decrease a parameter of a first set of pulses delivered by the stimulation generation circuitry after the first ECAP. Additionally, the processing circuitry is configured to determine if a characteristic of a second ECAP is less than the threshold ECAP characteristic value and based on the characteristic of the second ECAP being less than the threshold ECAP characteristic value, increase a parameter of a second set of pulses delivered by the stimulation generation circuitry after the second ECAP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Dinsmoor, Kristin N. Hageman, Hank Bink, Christopher L. Pulliam
  • Publication number: 20240066304
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and techniques for adjusting electrical stimulation based on a posture state of a patient are described. For example, processing circuitry is configured to receive an input from a user adjusting an informed stimulation parameter that at least partially defines a plurality of informed pulses, determine a ratio of a first value of an informed stimulation parameter to a first value of a control stimulation parameter that at least partially defines a plurality of control pulses, change, according to the input, the first value of the informed stimulation parameter to a second value of the informed stimulation parameter, and change, based on the input and the ratio, the first value of the control stimulation parameter to a second value of the control stimulation parameter. The processing circuitry' can then control delivery of the adjusted control pulses and informed pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: David A. Dinsmoor, Kristin N. Hageman, Hank T. Bink, Christopher L. Pulliam
  • Publication number: 20240050753
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and techniques are described for adjusting electrical stimulation based on detected ECAPs. In one example, a medical device includes processing circuitry configured to control stimulation circuitry to deliver a first electrical stimulation pulse and sensing circuitry to detect, after delivery of the first electrical stimulation pulse, an ECAP signal. The processing circuitry may be configured to determine a characteristic value of the ECAP signal, determine an ECAP differential value that indicates whether the characteristic value of the ECAP signal is one of greater than a selected ECAP characteristic value or less than the selected ECAP characteristic value, determine, based on the ECAP differential value, a gain value, determine, based on the gain value, a parameter value that at least partially defines a second electrical stimulation pulse, and control the stimulation circuitry to deliver the second electrical stimulation pulse according to the parameter value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: David A. Dinsmoor, Christopher L. Pulliam, Hank T. Bink, Kristin N. Hageman
  • Publication number: 20240042210
    Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and techniques are described for using evoked compound action potential (ECAP) signals to monitor lead position and/or detect lead migration. An example system includes sensing circuitry configured to sense an ECAP signal, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry controls the sensing circuitry to detect, after delivery of an electrical stimulation pulse, a current ECAP signal, and determines one or more characteristics of the current ECAP signal. The processing circuitry also compares the one or more characteristics of the current ECAP signal to corresponding one or more characteristics of a baseline ECAP signal, and determines, based on the comparison, a migration state of the electrodes delivering the electrical stimulation pulse. Additionally, the processing circuitry outputs, based on the migration state, an alert indicative of migration of the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Jiashu Li, David A. Dinsmoor, Duane L. Bourget, Kristin N. Hageman, Hank Bink, Christopher L. Pulliam
  • Publication number: 20240033519
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are described for selecting an evoked compound action potential (ECAP) growth curve based on a posture of a patient. The ECAP growth curve defines a relationship between a parameter defining delivery of stimulation pulses delivered to the patient and a parameter of an ECAP signal of a nerve of a patient elicited by a stimulation pulse. In one example, a medical device detects a posture of a patient and selects an ECAP growth curve corresponding to the detected posture. The medical device selects, based on the ECAP growth curve corresponding to the detected posture and a characteristic of a detected ECAP signal, a value for a parameter for defining delivery of the stimulation pulses to the patient and controls delivery of the stimulation pulses according to the selected value for the parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: David A. Dinsmoor, Christopher L. Pulliam, Hank T. Bink, Kristin N. Hageman
  • Patent number: 11813457
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and techniques are described for adjusting electrical stimulation based on detected ECAPs. In one example, a medical device includes processing circuitry configured to control stimulation circuitry to deliver a first electrical stimulation pulse and sensing circuitry to detect, after delivery of the first electrical stimulation pulse, an ECAP signal. The processing circuitry may be configured to determine a characteristic value of the ECAP signal, determine an ECAP differential value that indicates whether the characteristic value of the ECAP signal is one of greater than a selected ECAP characteristic value or less than the selected ECAP characteristic value, determine, based on the ECAP differential value, a gain value, determine, based on the gain value, a parameter value that at least partially defines a second electrical stimulation pulse, and control the stimulation circuitry to deliver the second electrical stimulation pulse according to the parameter value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Dinsmoor, Christopher L. Pulliam, Hank Bink, Kristin N. Hageman
  • Patent number: 11786734
    Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and techniques are described for using evoked compound action potential (ECAP) signals to monitor lead position and/or detect lead migration. An example system includes sensing circuitry configured to sense an ECAP signal, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry controls the sensing circuitry to detect, after delivery of an electrical stimulation pulse, a current ECAP signal, and determines one or more characteristics of the current ECAP signal. The processing circuitry also compares the one or more characteristics of the current ECAP signal to corresponding one or more characteristics of a baseline ECAP signal, and determines, based on the comparison, a migration state of the electrodes delivering the electrical stimulation pulse. Additionally, the processing circuitry outputs, based on the migration state, an alert indicative of migration of the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiashu Li, David A. Dinsmoor, Duane L. Bourget, Kristin N. Hageman, Hank Bink, Christopher L. Pulliam
  • Patent number: 11779765
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are described for selecting an evoked compound action potential (ECAP) growth curve based on a posture of a patient. The ECAP growth curve defines a relationship between a parameter defining delivery of stimulation pulses delivered to the patient and a parameter of an ECAP signal of a nerve of a patient elicited by a stimulation pulse. In one example, a medical device detects a posture of a patient and selects an ECAP growth curve corresponding to the detected posture. The medical device selects, based on the ECAP growth curve corresponding to the detected posture and a characteristic of a detected ECAP signal, a value for a parameter for defining delivery of the stimulation pulses to the patient and controls delivery of the stimulation pulses according to the selected value for the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Dinsmoor, Christopher L. Pulliam, Hank Bink, Kristin N. Hageman
  • Publication number: 20230241400
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are described for identifying stimulation parameter values based on electrical stimulation that induces dyskinesia for the patient. For example, a method may include controlling, by processing circuitry, a medical device to deliver electrical stimulation to a portion of a brain of a patient, receiving, by the processing circuitry, information representative of an electrical signal sensed from the brain after delivery of the electrical stimulation, determining, by the processing circuitry and from the information representative of the electrical signal, a peak in a spectral power of the electrical signal at a second frequency lower than a first frequency of the electrical stimulation, and responsive to determining the peak in the spectral power of the electrical signal at the second frequency, performing, by the processing circuitry, an action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Rene A. Molina, Scott R. Stanslaski, Jadin C. Jackson, Christopher L. Pulliam, Eric J. Panken, Michelle A. Case, Abbey Beuning Holt Becker
  • Publication number: 20230142761
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for implementing the use of electrically evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs) to adaptively adjust parameters of high frequency electrical stimulation. In one example, a medical device delivers electrical stimulation therapy comprising a train of electrical stimulation pulses to a patient, wherein the train of electrical stimulation pulses comprises a pulse frequency greater than or equal to 500 Hertz. After delivering the train of electrical stimulation pulses, the medical device ceases delivery of the high frequency electrical stimulation therapy for a predetermined period of time. During the predetermined period of time, the medical device senses an ECAP from the patient and determines, based on the sensed ECAP, a value of a parameter at least partially defining the train of electrical stimulation pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: David A. Dinsmoor, Christopher L. Pulliam, Hank T. Bink, Kristin N. Hageman
  • Patent number: 11623096
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are described for identifying stimulation parameter values based on electrical stimulation that induces dyskinesia for the patient. For example, a method may include controlling, by processing circuitry, a medical device to deliver electrical stimulation to a portion of a brain of a patient, receiving, by the processing circuitry, information representative of an electrical signal sensed from the brain after delivery of the electrical stimulation, determining, by the processing circuitry and from the information representative of the electrical signal, a peak in a spectral power of the electrical signal at a second frequency lower than a first frequency of the electrical stimulation, and responsive to determining the peak in the spectral power of the electrical signal at the second frequency, performing, by the processing circuitry, an action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Rene A. Molina, Scott R. Stanslaski, Jadin C. Jackson, Christopher L. Pulliam, Eric J. Panken, Michelle A. Case, Abbey Beuning Holt Becker
  • Publication number: 20230092658
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are disclosed for managing electrical stimulation therapy and/or sensing of physiological signals such as brain signals. For example, a system is configured to receive information representing a plurality of signals sensed from a tissue of a patient via a plurality of electrode combinations, wherein the plurality of electrode combinations comprises different electrode combinations comprising electrodes disposed at different positions of the lead implanted in the patient, determine one or more features from the information representing the plurality of signals, and compare the one or more features to a plurality of templates, each template of the plurality of templates representing respective locations of a signal source within the tissue. The system may then determine, based on the comparison of the one or more features to the plurality of templates, an estimated location of the signal source with respect to the lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Jadin C. Jackson, Eric J. Panken, Michelle A. Case, Rene A. Molina, Abbey Beuning Holt Becker, Christopher L. Pulliam
  • Patent number: 11571576
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are disclosed for managing electrical stimulation therapy and/or sensing of physiological signals such as brain signals. For example, a system may assist a clinician in identifying one or more electrode combinations for sensing a brain signal. In another example, a user interface may display brain signal information and values of a stimulation parameter at least partially defining electrical stimulation delivered to a patient when the brain signal information was sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Evan D. Schnell, Scott R. Stanslaski, Ilan D. Gordon, Steven M. Goetz, Hijaz M. Haris, Eric J. Panken, Timothy R. Abraham, Thomas L. Chouinard, Susan Heilman Kilbane, Karan Chitkara, Christopher M. Arnett, Alicia W. Thompson, Kevin C. Johnson, Ankush Thakur, Lukas Valine, Christopher L. Pulliam, Brady N. Fetting, Rucha Gokul G. Samant, Andrew H. Houchins, Caleb C. Zarns
  • Patent number: 11547855
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for implementing the use of electrically evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs) to adaptively adjust parameters of high frequency electrical stimulation. In one example, a medical device delivers electrical stimulation therapy comprising a train of electrical stimulation pulses to a patient, wherein the train of electrical stimulation pulses comprises a pulse frequency greater than or equal to 500 Hertz. After delivering the train of electrical stimulation pulses, the medical device ceases delivery of the high frequency electrical stimulation therapy for a predetermined period of time. During the predetermined period of time, the medical device senses an ECAP from the patient and determines, based on the sensed ECAP, a value of a parameter at least partially defining the train of electrical stimulation pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Dinsmoor, Christopher L. Pulliam, Hank Bink, Kristin N. Hageman
  • Publication number: 20230001208
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and techniques are described for determining a posture state of a patient based on detected evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs). In one example, a medical device includes stimulation circuitry configured to deliver electrical stimulation and sensing circuitry configured to sense a plurality of evoked compound action potential (ECAP) signals. The medical device also includes processing circuitry configured to control the stimulation circuitry to deliver a plurality of electrical stimulation pulses having different amplitude values, control the sensing circuitry to detect, after delivery of each electrical stimulation pulse of the plurality of electrical stimulation pulses, a respective ECAP signal of the plurality of ECAP signals, and determine, based on the plurality of ECAP signals, a posture state of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: David A. Dinsmoor, Christopher L. Pulliam, Kristin N. Hageman, Hank Bink, Jiashu Li
  • Publication number: 20220409881
    Abstract: Implantable medical leads include rows of electrode segments where electrode segments within a given row may be a different size and/or adjacent electrode segments of adjacent rows may be of a different size. The arrangement of the electrode segments of different sizes may avoid intersections of the spaces between segments to reduce the size and/or number of blind spots that otherwise occur for delivery of stimulation signals and/or sensing of physiological signals. The electrode segments of different sizes may be of a same shape type but with different proportions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Rene A. Molina, Michelle A. Case, Paula A. Dassbach, Abbey B.H. Becker, Christopher L. Pulliam
  • Patent number: 11439825
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and techniques are described for determining a posture state of a patient based on detected evoked compound action potentials (ECAPs). In one example, a medical device includes stimulation circuitry configured to deliver electrical stimulation and sensing circuitry configured to sense a plurality of evoked compound action potential (ECAP) signals. The medical device also includes processing circuitry configured to control the stimulation circuitry to deliver a plurality of electrical stimulation pulses having different amplitude values, control the sensing circuitry to detect, after delivery of each electrical stimulation pulse of the plurality of electrical stimulation pulses, a respective ECAP signal of the plurality of ECAP signals, and determine, based on the plurality of ECAP signals, a posture state of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Dinsmoor, Christopher L. Pulliam, Kristin N. Hageman, Hank Bink, Jiashu Li
  • Publication number: 20220266023
    Abstract: A method for assessment of brain signals of a patient includes determining, by one or more processors, a cluster of neural data occurring at a brain of the patient and outputting, by the one or more processors, a request for a user to provide patient state information for the cluster of the neural data in response to determining that the cluster of the neural data is occurring at the brain of the patient. The method further includes associating, by the one or more processors, the patient state information with the cluster of the neural data to generate patient assessment information and outputting, by the one or more processors, the patient assessment information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Leonid M. Litvak, Steven M. Goetz, Christopher L. Pulliam, Scott R. Stanslaski
  • Publication number: 20220266033
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are disclosed for managing electrical stimulation therapy and/or sensing of physiological signals such as brain signals. For example, a system is configured to receive, for each electrode combination of a plurality of electrode combinations, information representing a signal sensed in response to first electrical stimulation delivered to a patient via a lead, wherein the plurality of electrode combinations comprise different electrode combinations comprising electrode disposed at different positions around a perimeter of the lead implanted in the patient. The system may also be configured to determine, based on the information for each electrode combination of the plurality of electrode combinations, values for a threshold at different locations around the perimeter of the lead and determine, based on the values for the threshold, one or more stimulation parameter values that at least partially define second electrical stimulation deliverable to the patient via the lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Jadin C. Jackson, Rene A. Molina, Christopher L. Pulliam