Patents by Inventor Cormac A. O'Donovan

Cormac A. O'Donovan 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).

  • Automatic activation of a neurostimulator device using a detection algorithm based on cardiac activity
    Patent number: 5928272
    Abstract: A device and method of controlling seizures in an epileptic patient, in which the device is implanted in the patient for selective activation to generate an electrical waveform constituting a pre-programmed therapy regimen for application to the patient's vagus nerve to modulate the electrical activity thereof in a manner to inhibit, abort, or reduce the severity and duration of the seizure. The device is activated to generate the waveform upon detecting a time rate of change in the patient's heart rate relative to a predetermined threshold time rate of change which is sufficiently abrupt and of sufficient magnitude to be inconsistent with normal physical activity, as being indicative of an imminent epileptic seizure. Sustained cardiac activity at the highest heart rate detected in the change in heart rate is used as a confirmation of imminent seizure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Adkins, Cormac A. O'Donovan, Reese S. Terry, Jr.