Patents by Inventor D. Michael Inman
D. Michael Inman 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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Patent number: 8565881Abstract: A method and an apparatus for projecting an end of service (EOS) and/or an elective replacement indication (ERI) of a component in an implantable device is provided. The method comprises measuring the measured voltage of the energy storage device, and determining whether the measured voltage is less than a transition voltage. When the measured voltage is less than the transition voltage, determining a time period remaining until an end of service of the energy storage device is based upon a function of the measured voltage. When the measured voltage is greater than or equal to the transition voltage, determining a time period remaining until an end of service of the energy storage device is based upon a function of the total charge depleted. The transition voltage is a voltage associated with the transition point of non-linearity in the battery voltage depletion curve.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2010Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.Inventors: Randolph K. Armstrong, Scott A. Armstrong, D. Michael Inman, Timothy L. Scott
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Patent number: 8560070Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining a time period remaining in a useful life of an energy storage device in an implantable medical device. The method may include measuring a voltage of the energy storage device to produce a measured voltage, and comparing the measured voltage to a transition voltage. While the measured voltage is greater than or equal to the transition voltage, the time period remaining in the energy storage device's useful life is approximated based upon a function of charge depleted. While the measured voltage is less than the transition voltage, the time period remaining in the energy storage device's useful life is approximated based upon a higher order polynomial function of the measured voltage. The transition voltage corresponds to a predetermined point on a energy storage device voltage depletion curve representing the voltage across the energy storage device over time.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.Inventors: Randolph K. Armstrong, Scott A. Armstrong, D. Michael Inman, Timothy L. Scott
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Patent number: 8295946Abstract: An electrode assembly includes an electrode adapted to at least partially surround a first longitudinal portion of a target nerve or nerve bundle. The electrode includes an inner surface adapted to contact an outer surface of the target nerve or nerve bundle. The electrode also includes a plurality of fiber elements each having a proximal end and a distal end. The fiber elements are coupled at the proximal ends to the inner surface of the electrode and the distal ends of the fiber elements are operative to penetrate the outer surface of the target nerve or nerve bundle.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2011Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.Inventor: D. Michael Inman
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Patent number: 8180462Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are provided for using an electrode for delivering an electrical signal to a first tissue of a patient's body. An electrode system comprises a lead and an electrode coupled to the lead. The electrode includes a stimulation portion that couples to the first tissue to deliver an electrical signal to the first tissue. The electrode also includes a dissipation portion that does not interface with the first tissue. The dissipation portion is adapted to dissipate thermal energy from the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2006Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.Inventors: D. Michael Inman, Jason D. Begnaud
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Publication number: 20110224767Abstract: An electrode assembly includes an electrode adapted to at least partially surround a first longitudinal portion of a target nerve or nerve bundle. The electrode includes an inner surface adapted to contact an outer surface of the target nerve or nerve bundle. The electrode also includes a plurality of fiber elements each having a proximal end and a distal end. The fiber elements are coupled at the proximal ends to the inner surface of the electrode and the distal ends of the fiber elements are operative to penetrate the outer surface of the target nerve or nerve bundle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Applicant: Cyberonics, Inc.Inventor: D. Michael Inman
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Patent number: 7974707Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for employing an electrode for delivering an electrical signal to a portion of a tissue of a patient's body. The electrode includes a first surface to electrically couple to the portion of an outer layer of the tissue. The electrode also includes a plurality of fibers or longitudinal elements coupled to the outer surface. The plurality of fibers or longitudinal elements are adapted to migrate to an interior portion of the tissue.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2007Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.Inventor: D. Michael Inman
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Publication number: 20100268495Abstract: A method and an apparatus for projecting an end of service (EOS) and/or an elective replacement indication (ERI) of a component in an implantable device is provided. The method comprises measuring the measured voltage of the energy storage device, and determining whether the measured voltage is less than a transition voltage. When the measured voltage is less than the transition voltage, determining a time period remaining until an end of service of the energy storage device is based upon a function of the measured voltage. When the measured voltage is greater than or equal to the transition voltage, determining a time period remaining until an end of service of the energy storage device is based upon a function of the total charge depleted. The transition voltage is a voltage associated with the transition point of non-linearity in the battery voltage depletion curve.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2010Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.Inventors: Randolph K. ARMSTRONG, Scott A. ARMSTRONG, D. Michael INMAN, Timothy L. SCOTT
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Publication number: 20100198313Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining a time period remaining in a useful life of an energy storage device in an implantable medical device. The method may include measuring a voltage of the energy storage device to produce a measured voltage, and comparing the measured voltage to a transition voltage. While the measured voltage is greater than or equal to the transition voltage, the time period remaining in the energy storage device's useful life is approximated based upon a function of charge depleted. While the measured voltage is less than the transition voltage, the time period remaining in the energy storage device's useful life is approximated based upon a higher order polynomial function of the measured voltage. The transition voltage corresponds to a predetermined point on a energy storage device voltage depletion curve representing the voltage across the energy storage device over time.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.Inventors: Randolph K. ARMSTRONG, Scott A. ARMSTRONG, D. Michael INMAN, Timothy L. SCOTT
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Patent number: 7711426Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining a time period remaining in a useful life of an energy storage device in an implantable medical device. The method may include measuring a voltage of the energy storage device to produce a measured voltage, and comparing the measured voltage to a transition voltage. While the measured voltage is greater than or equal to the transition voltage, the time period remaining in the energy storage device's useful life is approximated based upon a function of charge depleted. While the measured voltage is less than the transition voltage, the time period remaining in the energy storage device's useful life is approximated based upon a higher order polynomial function of the measured voltage. The transition voltage corresponds to a predetermined point on a energy storage device voltage depletion curve representing the voltage across the energy storage device over time.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2006Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.Inventors: Randolph K. Armstrong, Scott A. Armstrong, D. Michael Inman, Timothy L. Scott
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Publication number: 20080183258Abstract: An apparatus and system are provided for employing an electrode for delivering an electrical signal to a portion of a tissue of a patient's body. The electrode includes a first surface to electrically couple to the portion of an outer layer of the tissue. The electrode also includes a plurality of fibers or longitudinal elements coupled to the outer surface. The plurality of fibers or longitudinal elements are adapted to migrate to an interior portion of the tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2007Publication date: July 31, 2008Inventor: D. Michael Inman
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Publication number: 20080023010Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the heating of an implantable medical device due to RF energy. An RF shield is disclosed which provides localized RF shielding of an implantable medical device while allowing other portions of a patient's body to be exposed. The RF shield described is made from an RF energy absorbing fabric which circumferentially wraps around a portion of a patient's body. The RF energy absorbing fabric can be composed of carbon fibers, conductive metal fibers, or combinations thereof. An advantage of the disclosed RF shield is that it need not be implanted within a patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2006Publication date: January 31, 2008Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.Inventors: D. Michael Inman, Steven E. Maschino
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Publication number: 20070179548Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining a time period remaining in a useful life of an energy storage device in an implantable medical device. The method may include measuring a voltage of the energy storage device to produce a measured voltage, and comparing the measured voltage to a transition voltage. While the measured voltage is greater than or equal to the transition voltage, the time period remaining in the energy storage device's useful life is approximated based upon a function of charge depleted. While the measured voltage is less than the transition voltage, the time period remaining in the energy storage device's useful life is approximated based upon a higher order polynomial function of the measured voltage. The transition voltage corresponds to a predetermined point on a energy storage device voltage depletion curve representing the voltage across the energy storage device over time.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2006Publication date: August 2, 2007Inventors: Randolph K. Armstrong, Scott A. Armstrong, D. Michael Inman, Timothy L. Scott
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Publication number: 20070173909Abstract: An implantable medical device comprises an enclosure containing a gas and a plurality of conductors that couple to tissue. At least two of the conductors define a spark gap formed therebetween and exposed to the gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2006Publication date: July 26, 2007Inventors: D. Michael Inman, Bryan Byerman
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Patent number: 7228576Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatments is disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus according the present invention comprises a mattress, a mattress support, cast shoes, a footboard support, a drive for causing the reciprocating movement, and a box frame to contain and support the reciprocating movement platform. In another aspect, an apparatus according to the present invention comprises a sling device connected to a drive causing the reciprocating movement, and a box frame to contain and support the reciprocating movement platform.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2006Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems, Inc.Inventors: D. Michael Inman, Marvin A. Sackner
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Patent number: 7111346Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatments is disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus according the present invention comprises a mattress, a mattress support, cast shoes, a footboard support, a drive for causing the reciprocating movement, and a box frame to contain and support the reciprocating movement platform. In another aspect, an apparatus according to the present invention comprises a sling device connected to a drive causing the reciprocating movement, and a box frame to contain and support the reciprocating movement platform.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2003Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems, Inc.Inventors: D. Michael Inman, Marvin A. Sackner
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Patent number: 7090648Abstract: Methods of medical treatment and diagnosis using mediators released by endothelial cells stimulated by external addition of pulses to the circulation are disclosed. The external pulses produce circumferential shear stress in body fluid channels that subsequently stimulates the endothelial cells to produce mediators that become available for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. The preferred means of adding external pulses is the mechanical inducement of periodic acceleration of the body or parts of the body by a reciprocating motion platform.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2001Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems, Inc.Inventors: Marvin A. Sackner, D. Michael Inman
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Publication number: 20030236476Abstract: An apparatus for providing medical treatments is disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus according the present invention comprises a mattress, a mattress support, cast shoes, a footboard support, a drive for causing the reciprocating movement, and a box frame to contain and support the reciprocating movement platform. In another aspect, an apparatus according to the present invention comprises a sling device connected to a drive causing the reciprocating movement, and a box frame to contain and support the reciprocating movement platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2003Publication date: December 25, 2003Applicant: Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems, Inc.Inventors: D. Michael Inman, Marvin A. Sackner
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Publication number: 20020103454Abstract: Methods of medical treatment and diagnosis using mediators released by endothelial cells stimulated by external addition of pulses to the circulation are disclosed. The external pulses produce circumferential shear stress in body fluid channels that subsequently stimulates the endothelial cells to produce mediators that become available for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. The preferred means of adding external pulses is the mechanical inducement of periodic acceleration of the body or parts of the body by a reciprocating motion platform.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2001Publication date: August 1, 2002Applicant: Non-Invasive Monitoring Systems, Inc.Inventors: Marvin A. Sackner, D. Michael Inman
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Patent number: 6413225Abstract: A method for calibrating non-invasive breathing monitors with sensors placed on the rib-cage and abdomen of a subject includes determining an initial scaling factor and an optimal multiplicative factor for the readings of the rib-cage and abdomen sensors using one of a least squares, linear regression, or multi-linear regression techniques. A current scaling factor is determined on a periodic basis using qualitative device calibration techniques. The current scaling factor is used to monitor breathing and diagnose obstructive apneas. Furthermore, the optimal multiplicative and the current scaling factor are used to determine the current tidal volume.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2000Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: Vivometrics, Inc.Inventors: Marvin A. Sackner, D. Michael Inman
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Patent number: 6155976Abstract: A reciprocating platform assembly for oscillating a subject supporting platform in a back and forth, headward to footward motion includes a platform mounted on displacement modules that are mounted to a frame. The displacement modules are signally connected to a processor that controls movement of the platform through operation of the displacement modules. The platform may be oscillated to soothe a subject on the platform to hasten a sleeping state of the subject or to minimize or prevent the occurrence of apneas in the subject. The platform may also be oscillated to assist or support ventilation and/or for cardiopulmonary/cardiac support of the subject. The platform is additionally useful in conjunction with a physiological monitor to rapidly shake the subject when an adverse event occurs to wake the subject and terminate the adverse event. The monitor may also be employed as a trigger for assisting or supporting ventilation and cardiac/cardiopulmonary support.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1999Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: Nims, Inc.Inventors: Marvin A. Sackner, D. Michael Inman, William J. Meichner