Patents by Inventor David C. Hacker

David C. Hacker 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).

  • Publication number: 20210007671
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.
    Inventors: David C. Hacker, Maria Charles Vijay Stanislaus, Wenjeng Li, Dwayne S. Yamasaki, William C. Brunnett, Kevin L. McFarlin, James Britton Hissong, Robert K. Vaccaro, John M. Murphy, Carla A. Pagotto, Tino Schuler
  • Publication number: 20200390397
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface and a first location configured to be positioned at the patient's vocal folds. A first electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially below the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from below the vocal folds. A second electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially above the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from above the vocal folds. The first and second electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Hacker
  • Patent number: 10842437
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.
    Inventors: David C. Hacker, Maria Charles Vijay Stanislaus, Wenjeng Li, Dwayne S. Yamasaki, William C. Brunnett, Kevin L. McFarlin, James Britton Hissong, Robert K. Vaccaro, John M. Murphy, Carla A. Pagotto, Tino Schuler
  • Publication number: 20200345256
    Abstract: Stimulation and recording electrode assemblies that are particularly useful for Automatic Period Stimulation (APS). Such embodiments are compatible with nerve monitoring systems to provide continuous stimulation of a nerve during surgery. Certain embodiments include an electrode assembly having cuff including a body and two ears extending from the body. Within the body, at least one electrode is supported and connected to a lead wire assembly. The ears can be brought together to enlarge a gap in the body so that the electrode assembly can be fixated around a nerve. Other embodiments include an electrode assembly including first and second needle electrodes that each have a tip. A body is provided to interconnect the needle electrodes and can be manipulated to move the tips either toward or away from one another. Disclosed embodiments provide nerve monitoring and stimulation in cases where the nerve is only partially dissected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Cantwell, David C. Hacker, John R. Prisco
  • Publication number: 20200345257
    Abstract: Stimulation and recording electrode assemblies that are particularly useful for Automatic Period Stimulation (APS). Such embodiments are compatible with nerve monitoring systems to provide continuous stimulation of a nerve during surgery. Certain embodiments include an electrode assembly having cuff including a body and two ears extending from the body. Within the body, at least one electrode is supported and connected to a lead wire assembly. The ears can be brought together to enlarge a gap in the body so that the electrode assembly can be fixated around a nerve. Other embodiments include an electrode assembly including first and second needle electrodes that each have a tip. A body is provided to interconnect the needle electrodes and can be manipulated to move the tips either toward or away from one another. Disclosed embodiments provide nerve monitoring and stimulation in cases where the nerve is only partially dissected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Cantwell, David C. Hacker, John R. Prisco
  • Publication number: 20200345258
    Abstract: A stimulation electrode assembly configured to be positioned relative to a patient for an operative procedure is disclosed. The stimulation electrode may be a connection or self-contained component to contact a portion of a nerve. The stimulation electrode may provide or receive a signal to and/or from the nerve to assist in testing integrity of the nerve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew L. Cantwell, Bryan L. Courtney, David C. Hacker, Kevin L. McFarlin
  • Patent number: 10751000
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface and a first location configured to be positioned at the patient's vocal folds. A first electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially below the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from below the vocal folds. A second electrode is formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube substantially above the first location to receive EMG signals primarily from above the vocal folds. The first and second electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Hacker
  • Patent number: 10743817
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Hacker, Maria Charles Vijay Stanislaus, Wenjeng Li, Dwayne S. Yamasaki, William C. Brunnett, Kevin L. McFarlin, James Britton Hissong, Robert K. Vaccaro, John M. Murphy, Carla A. Pagotto, Tino Schuler
  • Patent number: 10729343
    Abstract: A stimulation electrode assembly configured to be positioned relative to a patient for an operative procedure is disclosed. The stimulation electrode may be a connection or self-contained component to contact a portion of a nerve. The stimulation electrode may provide or receive a signal to and/or from the nerve to assist in testing integrity of the nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Cantwell, Bryan L. Courtney, David C. Hacker, Kevin L. McFarlin
  • Patent number: 10729342
    Abstract: Stimulation and recording electrode assemblies that are particularly useful for Automatic Period Stimulation (APS). Such embodiments are compatible with nerve monitoring systems to provide continuous stimulation of a nerve during surgery. Certain embodiments include an electrode assembly having cuff including a body and two ears extending from the body. Within the body, at least one electrode is supported and connected to a lead wire assembly. The ears can be brought together to enlarge a gap in the body so that the electrode assembly can be fixated around a nerve. Other embodiments include an electrode assembly including first and second needle electrodes that each have a tip. A body is provided to interconnect the needle electrodes and can be manipulated to move the tips either toward or away from one another. Disclosed embodiments provide nerve monitoring and stimulation in cases where the nerve is only partially dissected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Cantwell, David C. Hacker, John R. Prisco
  • Patent number: 10631912
    Abstract: Concepts presented herein relate to an interface module that can be electrically coupled to an electrical stimulation generator, a radio frequency generator and an instrument. A selection module is coupled to the interface module and operates in a first mode to deliver electrical stimulation signals from the electrical stimulation generator to the instrument and in a second mode to deliver radio frequency signals from the radio frequency generator to the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Lee McFarlin, John C. Bruce, David C. Hacker, Robert Allen Tucker
  • Publication number: 20200121916
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include a bio-electric stimulation probe assembly including a patch including a first aperture and also a guide socket including a grommet and a second aperture. The guide socket is positioned on the patch such that the first and second apertures are aligned. The assembly further includes a guide including a tip that is positioned within and rotatable within the grommet. A probe of the assembly having at least one electrode is interconnected with the guide and extends through the first and second apertures. The guide and guide socket are collectively arranged and configured so that the guide has three degrees of rotational freedom with respect to the grommet thus meaning the probe correspondingly has three degrees of rotational freedom with respect to the grommet. Methods of using stimulation probe assemblies are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.
    Inventors: Anirudhan Narasimhan, David C. Hacker, Kevin L. McFarlin, Gabriela A. Guillen
  • Publication number: 20190350485
    Abstract: An evoked potential monitoring system including a control unit having stimulator circuitry and a probe assembly coupled to the control unit. The probe assembly includes a stimulus probe and a stimulator handpiece selectively coupled to the stimulus probe. The handpiece includes a handle, control circuitry, and a switch. The control circuitry is electrically coupled to the stimulator circuitry. The switch is electrically coupled to the control circuitry and extends to an exterior portion of the handle. In this regard, movement of the switch remotely controls the stimulator circuitry to continuously increment or decrement a stimulation energy level delivered to the stimulus probe over a series of discrete, incremental steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.
    Inventors: Peter P. Sterrantino, David C. Hacker, Bret M. Berry
  • Publication number: 20190261875
    Abstract: Stimulation and recording electrode assemblies that are particularly useful for Automatic Period Stimulation (APS). Such embodiments are compatible with nerve monitoring systems to provide continuous stimulation of a nerve during surgery. Certain embodiments include an electrode assembly having cuff including a body and two ears extending from the body. Within the body, at least one electrode is supported and connected to a lead wire assembly. The ears can be brought together to enlarge a gap in the body so that the electrode assembly can be fixated around a nerve. Other embodiments include an electrode assembly including first and second needle electrodes that each have a tip. A body is provided to interconnect the needle electrodes and can be manipulated to move the tips either toward or away from one another. Disclosed embodiments provide nerve monitoring and stimulation in cases where the nerve is only partially dissected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Cantwell, David C. Hacker, John R. Prisco
  • Patent number: 10349862
    Abstract: An evoked potential monitoring system including a control unit having stimulator circuitry and a probe assembly coupled to the control unit. The probe assembly includes a stimulus probe and a stimulator handpiece selectively coupled to the stimulus probe. The handpiece includes a handle, control circuitry, and a switch. The control circuitry is electrically coupled to the stimulator circuitry. The switch is electrically coupled to the control circuitry and extends to an exterior portion of the handle. In this regard, movement of the switch remotely controls the stimulator circuitry to continuously increment or decrement a stimulation energy level delivered to the stimulus probe over a series of discrete, incremental steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC XIOMED, INC.
    Inventors: Peter P. Sterrantino, David C. Hacker, Bret M. Berry
  • Patent number: 10342452
    Abstract: An evoked potential monitoring system including a control unit having stimulator circuitry and a probe assembly coupled to the control unit. The probe assembly includes a stimulus probe and a stimulator handpiece selectively coupled to the stimulus probe. The handpiece includes a handle, control circuitry, and a switch. The control circuitry is electrically coupled to the stimulator circuitry. The switch is electrically coupled to the control circuitry and extends to an exterior portion of the handle. In this regard, movement of the switch remotely controls the stimulator circuitry to continuously increment or decrement a stimulation energy level delivered to the stimulus probe over a series of discrete, incremental steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.
    Inventors: Peter P. Sterrantino, David C. Hacker, Bret M. Berry
  • Publication number: 20190183424
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.
    Inventors: David C. Hacker, Maria Charles Vijay Stanislaus, Wenjeng Li, Dwayne S. Yamasaki, William C. Brunnett, Kevin L. McFarlin, James Britton Hissong, Robert K. Vaccaro, John M. Murphy, Carla A. Pagotto, Tino Schuler
  • Publication number: 20190104956
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods of conducting an intraoperative procedure including providing an electrode assembly having a pledget substrate having a surface that is hydrophilic, at least one electrode supported by and positioned within the pledget substrate, and a lead wire assembly interconnected to the at least one electrode. Methods can further include creating an incision to access bioelectric tissue of a patient and applying the pledget substrate to the tissue, such as a nerve, for example. The pledget substrate conforms and fixates to the tissue to secure the electrode assembly in position. The electrode is then activated to record bioelectric responses of or stimulate the tissue. In some embodiments, the pledget substrate includes two bodies, each including at least one electrode, the two bodies being selectively separable so that the bodies can be repositioned with respect to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Cantwell, David C. Hacker, John R. Prisco, Anirudhan Narasimhan
  • Publication number: 20190104995
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to pledget stimulation/recording electrode assemblies that are particularly useful for automatic periodic stimulation. Embodiments are compatible with nerve monitoring systems to provide continuous stimulation of a nerve during surgery. Disclosed embodiments include an electrode assembly having one or more electrodes rotatably supported by and positioned within a pledget substrate. The flexible pledget substrate conforms and fixates to bioelectric tissue to secure the electrode assembly in position, wrapped around the target tissue. In some embodiments, the pledget substrate includes two bodies, each including at least one electrode, the two bodies being selectively separable so that the bodies can be repositioned with respect to one another. The electrode assembly further includes a lead wire assembly including at least one insulating jacket positioned around a wire core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Cantwell, David C. Hacker, John R. Prisco, Anirudhan Narasimhan
  • Publication number: 20190070375
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface, and a tube coating applied to the exterior surface via spraying of a homogeneous solution onto the endotracheal tube or immersion of the endotracheal tube in the homogeneous solution. A conductive electrode is formed on the tube coating. The conductive electrode is configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Hacker, Wenjeng Li, Matthew L. Cantwell