Patents by Inventor Conrad L. Sowder

Conrad L. Sowder 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: 8718772
    Abstract: A system and method for temporary programming of an implantable medical device. The system and method include a repeater uploading temporary programming and instructions to a temporary memory of the device and then instructing the device to operate according to the temporary instructions. If during a first time period, the device is not in continuous periodic communication with the repeater, the device automatically reverts to operation under the normal operating instructions. At the end of the first time period, the caregiver or the patient may decide to revert to the normal programming. During a second time period, the device operates according to the temporary programming unless the caregiver or the patient instructs the device to revert to the normal programming, or the device fails to receive a periodic continuation signal from the repeater. Adverse health effects to the patient may also trigger the device to revert to the normal programming during either the first or second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Hoyme, Alan H. Smythe, Howard D. Simms, Jr., Conrad L. Sowder, David Ternes, Sylvia Quiles
  • Patent number: 8509910
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, an implantable device comprising a communication circuit configured to communicate with an external device, a logic circuit communicatively coupled to the communication circuit, and a processor, communicatively coupled to the logic circuit and the communication circuit. The processor is configured to communicate information with the external device, via the communication circuit and the logic circuit, using a set of communication messages. While in a device safety mode, the processor is held in an inactive state and the logic circuit is configured to communicate with the external device using a subset of the set of communication messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Conrad L. Sowder, Thomas J. Harris, Douglas J. Gifford, William J. Linder, Hiten J. Doshi, Scott R. Stubbs, Kenneth P. Hoyme
  • Patent number: 8364261
    Abstract: A pacing monitoring system is described for incorporation in an implantable pacemaker that monitors the pacing rate and/or cumulative pace count in order to protect a patient from excessive pacing. The system includes monitoring circuitry that is configured to operate in multiple monitoring zones, where each zone is adapted to prevent excessively high-rate pacing during a particular mode of device operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Stubbs, Conrad L. Sowder, William J. Linder, Lynn S. Elliott, Kenneth P. Hoyme, Hiten J. Doshi
  • Patent number: 8347149
    Abstract: Embodiments herein generally relate to implantable medical devices and, specifically, to a system and method for providing fault tolerant processing in an implantable medical device. In an embodiment a system for providing fault tolerant processing in an implantable medical device is provided. The system can include an implantable medical device comprising a processor and memory store configured to execute a plurality of threads, temporal and spatial constraints assigned to one or more of the threads, and a kernel. The kernel can include a scheduler and a thread monitor configured to monitor execution of threads against the temporal and spatial constraints, and further configured to issue a response upon violation of either of the constraints by one of the plurality of threads. In an embodiment a method for providing fault tolerant processing in an implantable medical device is provided. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Stubbs, Conrad L. Sowder, Kenneth P. Hoyme, William J. Linder, Hiten J. Doshi, Lynn S. Elliott
  • Patent number: 8170670
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for system fault recovery by an implantable medical device which employs a global fault response. The system enables the device to consistently recover from transient faults while maintaining a history of the reason for the device fault. Upon detection of a fault, the primary controller of the device signals a reset controller which then issues a reset command. All sub-systems of the primary device controller are then reset together rather than resetting individual sub-systems independently to ensure deterministic behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Stubbs, Conrad L. Sowder, William J. Linder, Lynn S. Elliott, Kenneth P. Hoyme, Hiten J. Doshi
  • Patent number: 7826897
    Abstract: A pacing monitoring system is described for incorporation in an implantable pacemaker that monitors the pacing rate and/or cumulative pace count in order to protect a patient from excessive pacing. The system includes monitoring circuitry that is configured to operate in multiple monitoring zones, where each zone is adapted to prevent excessively high-rate pacing during a particular mode of device operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Stubbs, Conrad L. Sowder, William J. Linder, Lynn S. Elliott, Kenneth P. Hoyme, Hiten J. Doshi
  • Publication number: 20100088539
    Abstract: Embodiments herein generally relate to implantable medical devices and, specifically, to a system and method for providing fault tolerant processing in an implantable medical device. In an embodiment a system for providing fault tolerant processing in an implantable medical device is provided. The system can include an implantable medical device comprising a processor and memory store configured to execute a plurality of threads, temporal and spatial constraints assigned to one or more of the threads, and a kernel. The kernel can include a scheduler and a thread monitor configured to monitor execution of threads against the temporal and spatial constraints, and further configured to issue a response upon violation of either of the constraints by one of the plurality of threads. In an embodiment a method for providing fault tolerant processing in an implantable medical device is provided. Other embodiments are also included herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC
    Inventors: Scott R. Stubbs, Conrad L. Sowder, Kenneth P. Hoyme, William J. Linder, Hiten J. Doshi, Lynn S. Elliott
  • Publication number: 20090157127
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, n implantable device comprising a communication circuit configured to communicate with an external device, a logic circuit communicatively coupled to the communication circuit, and a processor, communicatively coupled to the logic circuit and the communication circuit. The processor is configured to communicate information with the external device, via the communication circuit and the logic circuit, using a set of communication messages. While in a device safety mode, the processor is held in an inactive state and the logic circuit is configured to communicate with the external device using a subset of the set of communication messages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Conrad L. Sowder, Thomas J. Harris, Douglas J. Gifford, William J. Linder, Hiten J. Doshi, Scott R. Stubbs, Kenneth P. Hoyme
  • Publication number: 20090132061
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for system fault recovery by an implantable medical device which employs a global fault response. The system enables the device to consistently recover from transient faults while maintaining a history of the reason for the device fault. Upon detection of a fault, the primary controller of the device signals a reset controller which then issues a reset command. All sub-systems of the primary device controller are then reset together rather than resetting individual sub-systems independently to ensure deterministic behavior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2009
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Stubbs, Conrad L. Sowder, William J. Linder, Lynn S. Elliott, Kenneth P. Hoyme, Hiten J. Doshi
  • Publication number: 20090076570
    Abstract: A system and method for temporary programming of an implantable medical device. The system and method include a repeater uploading temporary programming and instructions to a temporary memory of the device and then instructing the device to operate according to the temporary instructions. If during a first time period, the device is not in continuous periodic communication with the repeater, the device automatically reverts to operation under the normal operating instructions. At the end of the first time period, the caregiver or the patient may decide to revert to the normal programming. During a second time period, the device operates according to the temporary programming unless the caregiver or the patient instructs the device to revert to the normal programming, or the device fails to receive a periodic continuation signal from the repeater. Adverse health affects to the patient may also trigger the device to revert to the normal programming during either the first or second time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Hoyme, Alan H. Smythe, Howard D. Simms, JR., Conrad L. Sowder, David Ternes, Sylvia Quiles
  • Patent number: 7483744
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for system fault recovery by an implantable medical device which employs a global fault response. The system enables the device to consistently recover from transient faults while maintaining a history of the reason for the device fault. Upon detection of a fault, the primary controller of the device signals a reset controller which then issues a reset command. All sub-systems of the primary device controller are then reset together rather than resetting individual sub-systems independently to ensure deterministic behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Stubbs, Conrad L. Sowder, William J. Linder, Lynn S. Elliott, Kenneth P. Hoyme, Hiten J. Doshi
  • Patent number: 7460912
    Abstract: A system and method for temporary programming of an implantable medical device. The system and method include a repeater uploading temporary programming and instructions to a temporary memory of the device and then instructing the device to operate according to the temporary instructions. If during a first time period, the device is not in continuous periodic communication with the repeater, the device automatically reverts to operation under the normal operating instructions. At the end of the first time period, the caregiver or the patient may decide to revert to the normal programming. During a second time period, the device operates according to the temporary programming unless the caregiver or the patient instructs the device to revert to the normal programming, or the device fails to receive a periodic continuation signal from the repeater. Adverse health affects to the patient may also trigger the device to revert to the normal programming during either the first or second time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Hoyme, Alan H. Smythe, Howard D. Simms, Jr., Conrad L. Sowder, David Ternes, Sylvia Quiles
  • Patent number: 7373200
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed by which an implantable cardiac device may deliver tachyarrhythmia therapy in the event of a system fault. A hardware-based safety core provides the logic circuitry for detecting tachyarrhythmias and delivering shock therapy in the event of a fault which disables operation of the device's primary control circuitry. The safety core defibrillator eliminates common mode failure of the primary control circuits used in the primary defibrillator system. Failures in the primary controller memory or execution will activate the safety core defibrillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Stubbs, Conrad L. Sowder, William J. Linder, Lynn S. Elliott, Kenneth P. Hoyme, Hiten J. Doshi
  • Patent number: 7363080
    Abstract: A system and method is disclosed by which an implantable cardiac device may deliver bradycardia therapy in the event of a system fault. A hardware-based safety core provides the logic circuitry for delivering bradycardia therapy in the form of synchronous pacing in the event of a fault which disables operation of the device's primary control circuitry. The safety core pacemaker eliminates common mode failure of the primary control circuits used in the primary pacing system. Failures in the primary controller memory or execution will activate the safety core pacemaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Stubbs, Conrad L. Sowder, William J. Linder, Lynn S. Elliott, Kenneth P. Hoyme, Hiten J. Doshi
  • Patent number: 5824018
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a multiphasic defibrillation/cardioversion waveform as well as a multiphasic fibrillation inducing pulse train. The multiphasic fibrillation inducing waveform being applied to the same electrodes as the defibrillation/cardioversion waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Dreher, Brian Kuhnley, Conrad L. Sowder