Patents by Inventor Daniel M. Merfeld

Daniel M. Merfeld 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).

  • MECHANICAL ACTUATOR FOR A VESTIBULAR STIMULATOR
    Publication number: 20130046214
    Abstract: An apparatus to stimulate a vestibular system. The apparatus comprises an actuator configured to mechanically stimulate the vestibular system, and a control module coupled to the actuator, the control module being configured to provide a control signal that causes the actuator to stimulate the generation of a stationary nerve signal by the vestibular system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary
    Inventor: Daniel M. Merfeld
  • Optical vestibular stimulator
    Patent number: 8372127
    Abstract: An apparatus to stimulate the vestibular system of an individual. The apparatus comprises an optical stimulator configured to optically stimulate a nerve area affecting a person's balance, and a control module coupled to the optical stimulator, the control module being configured to control the optical stimulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary
    Inventor: Daniel M. Merfeld
  • VESTIBULAR STIMULATOR
    Publication number: 20120123383
    Abstract: A method for providing relief from Meniere's disease, includes reversibly disabling vestibular function following detection of an attack of Meniere's disease following detection of an attack of Meniere's disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary
    Inventors: Daniel M. Merfeld, Wangsong Gong, Steven D. Rauch, Conrad Wall, III
  • VESTIBULAR CANAL PLUG
    Publication number: 20120000474
    Abstract: An apparatus to reduce the sensitivity of the vestibular system to stimulation. The apparatus comprises a plugging device configured to constrain the movement of endolymph fluid within a semicircular canal, and a control module coupled to the plugging device that causes the plugging device to maintain a set actuated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary
    Inventors: Daniel M. Merfeld, Wangsong Gong, Steven D. Rauch, Richard Terry
  • Vestibular stimulator
    Patent number: 7962217
    Abstract: A method for providing relief from Meniere's disease, includes reversibly disabling vestibular function following detection of an attack of Meniere's disease following detection of an attack of Meniere's disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary
    Inventors: Daniel M. Merfeld, Wangsong Gong, Steven D. Rauch, Conrad Wall, III
  • Vestibular stimulator
    Patent number: 7933654
    Abstract: An apparatus for stimulating the vestibular system includes an actuator disposed to interact with the vestibular nerve and a controller for causing the actuator to interact with the vestibular nerve. The result of the interaction is that the brain receives a stationary signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary
    Inventors: Daniel M. Merfeld, Wangsong Gong, Steven D. Rauch, Conrad Wall, III
  • Mechanical vestibular stimulator
    Patent number: 7730892
    Abstract: An apparatus to stimulate the vestibular system of an individual. The apparatus comprises an actuator configured to mechanically stimulate a semicircular canal, and a control module coupled to the actuator that controls the actuator in response to motion information associated with the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary
    Inventors: Daniel M. Merfeld, Wangsong Gong, Steven D. Rauch, Richard Terry, Conrad Wall, III
  • OPTICAL VESTIBULAR STIMULATOR
    Publication number: 20090177255
    Abstract: An apparatus to stimulate the vestibular system of an individual. The apparatus comprises an optical stimulator configured to optically stimulate a nerve area affecting a person's balance, and a control module coupled to the optical stimulator, the control module being configured to control the optical stimulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: DANIEL M. MERFELD
  • Method for optical stimulation of the vestibular system
    Patent number: 7488341
    Abstract: An apparatus to stimulate the vestibular system of an individual. The apparatus comprises an optical stimulator configured to optically stimulate a nerve area affecting a person's balance, and a control module coupled to the optical stimulator, the control module being configured to control the optical stimulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary
    Inventor: Daniel M. Merfeld
  • Vestibular stimulator
    Publication number: 20040199214
    Abstract: An apparatus for stimulating the vestibular system includes an actuator disposed to interact with the vestibular nerve and a controller for causing the actuator to interact with the vestibular nerve. The result of the interaction is that the brain receives a stationary signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Daniel M. Merfeld, Wangsong Gong, Steven D. Rauch, Conrad Wall
  • Balance prosthesis
    Patent number: 6546291
    Abstract: A wearable balance prosthesis provides a information indicative of a wearer's spatial orientation. The balance prosthesis includes an motion sensing system to be worn by the wearer and a signal processor in communication with the motion sensing system. The signal processor provides an orientation signal to an encoder. The encoder generates a feedback signal on the basis of the estimate of the spatial orientation provides that signal to a stimulator coupled to the wearer's nervous system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignees: Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary, Charles Stark Draper Laboratory
    Inventors: Daniel M. Merfeld, Steven D. Rauch, Conrad Wall, III, Marc Weinberg
  • Balance prosthesis
    Publication number: 20020010497
    Abstract: A wearable balance prosthesis provides a information indicative of a wearer's spatial orientation. The balance prosthesis includes an motion sensing system to be worn by the wearer and a signal processor in communication with the motion sensing system. The signal processor provides an orientation signal to an encoder. The encoder generates a feedback signal on the basis of the estimate of the spatial orientation provides that signal to a stimulator coupled to the wearer's nervous system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Daniel M. Merfeld, Steven D. Rauch, Conrad Wall, Marc Weinberg