Patents by Inventor David M. Himes

David M. Himes 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: 9643019
    Abstract: A system for providing alerts of neurological events occurring in a human subject is provided. The system includes: a monitoring module adapted to detect and sample a neurological signal; an event detection module coupled to the monitoring module for detecting one or more types of predetermined reportable events based on the detected neurological signal; and an alert module coupled to the event detection module, wherein upon the detection of a reportable event by the event detection module, said alert module selects a first alert contact from a plurality of contacts contained in a contact list, and generates a first alert communication to the first alert contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Jason A. Higgins, Michael Bland, Kent W. Leyde, W. Douglas Sheffield, John F. Harris, David M. Himes
  • Patent number: 8475481
    Abstract: A surgical cutting accessory that includes inner and outer tubes. A cutting feature is attached to the inner tube. The proximal end of the inner tube is connected to an inner hub. The inner hub has features for engaging a drive shaft integral with a handpiece to which the accessory is attached. The outer hub has features that facilitate the removable coupling of the hub to the handpiece. The outer hub is formed with a bore through which the inner tube extends. The outer hub also has an inlet port that extends from an outer surface of the hub to the main bore. Irrigation fluid can be flowed through this port into the annular space between the inner and outer tubes. A seal is located adjacent the inlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventor: David M. Himes
  • Publication number: 20110219325
    Abstract: A user is enabled to request a visual review of a plurality of subsets of aggregate brain activity data, and the data contained in each subset are transformed into a visual display presented to the user. Significantly, rather than requiring the user to separately request a visual display of each selected subset, a visual display for each different subset is automatically sequentially displayed, based upon a single user request. This sequential display is particularly useful where the data from each subset cannot be readily displayed simultaneously. Thus, if twenty subsets are selected by the user from the aggregate brain activity data, then twenty different visual displays will be selectively generated and sequentially displayed in response to a single user request. Such subsets can be defined by annotations, where such annotations are defined by a patient input, an automated review, or an expert review.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: David M. Himes, Michael A. Katz
  • Publication number: 20110218820
    Abstract: A user is enabled to request a visual review of a plurality of subsets of aggregate brain activity data, and the data contained in each subset are transformed into a visual display presented to the user. Significantly, rather than requiring the user to separately request a visual display of each selected subset, a visual display for each different subset is automatically sequentially displayed, based upon a single user request. This sequential display is particularly useful where the data from each subset cannot be readily displayed simultaneously. Thus, if twenty subsets are selected by the user from the aggregate brain activity data, then twenty different visual displays will be selectively generated and sequentially displayed in response to a single user request. Such subsets can be defined by annotations, where such annotations are defined by a patient input, an automated review, or an expert review.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: David M. Himes, Michael A. Katz
  • Publication number: 20110201944
    Abstract: A system for providing alerts of neurological events occurring in a human subject is provided. The system includes: a monitoring module adapted to detect and sample a neurological signal; an event detection module coupled to the monitoring module for detecting one or more types of predetermined reportable events based on the detected neurological signal; and an alert module coupled to the event detection module, wherein upon the detection of a reportable event by the event detection module, said alert module selects a first alert contact from a plurality of contacts contained in a contact list, and generates a first alert communication to the first alert contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Jason A. Higgins, Michael Bland, Kent W. Leyde, W. Douglas Sheffield, John F. Harris, David M. Himes
  • Publication number: 20100234867
    Abstract: A surgical cutting accessory that includes inner and outer tubes. A cutting feature is attached to the inner tube. The proximal end of the inner tube is connected to an inner hub. The inner hub has features for engaging a drive shaft integral with a handpiece to which the accessory is attached. The outer hub has features that facilitate the removable coupling of the hub to the handpiece. The outer hub is formed with a bore through which the inner tube extends. The outer hub also has an inlet port that extends from an outer surface of the hub to the main bore. Irrigation fluid can be flowed through this port into the annular space between the inner and outer tubes. A seal is located adjacent the inlet port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: David M. Himes
  • Publication number: 20100168603
    Abstract: Systems and methods for developing a brain state analysis system using subject EEG data are provided. The analysis system distinguishes clinical from subclinical electrographic seizures and optionally distinguishes among different seizure onset characteristics. An algorithm trained on only clinical electrographic seizures may predict clinical seizures more accurately with fewer perceived false positives. In addition, algorithms trained on a particular onset condition may distinguish and advise on that onset condition when used by the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: David M. HIMES, Sara M. Rolfe, David E. Snyder
  • Publication number: 20100145176
    Abstract: Methods of monitoring brain activity signals in a patient are described, including the steps of identifying a lobe or lobes of the patient's brain in which the patient's seizures originate; selecting an electrode array from a plurality of predetermined dispersed electrode patterns based on the identified lobe or lobes of the brain; implanting the electrode array within the patient's cranium to place the electrodes in contact with the identified lobe or lobes of the brain; and coupling the electrodes to an seizure advisory system. Also described is a seizure advisory system that includes an electrode array having fewer than 32 electrodes in a predetermined dispersed radial pattern, adapted to be implanted through a single opening in the skull, and to be deployed in the predetermined dispersed radial pattern to detect a brain activity signal. The system also includes a communication assembly and an external assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: David M. Himes
  • Patent number: 7717931
    Abstract: A surgical handpiece having a motor for actuating a cutting accessory. The handpiece has a bore for receiving the cutting accessory. A suction conduit extends through the handpiece from the bore. An irrigation conduit extends through the handpiece to the bore. The irrigation conduit opens into the bore at point where irrigating fluid can be introduced into the cutting accessory. When the cutting accessory is fitted in the bore, a suction is drawn from the handpiece through the suction bore. At the same time, irrigating fluid is introduced into the cutting accessory through the irrigation conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventor: David M. Himes
  • Publication number: 20040138687
    Abstract: A surgical tool system with a handpiece that is directed towards a surgical site. Irrigating fluid from a pump is pumped through a conduit integral with the handpiece for application to the surgical site. A valve regulates fluid flow through the handpiece conduit. A valve state sensor monitors the position of the valve and generates a sensor signal representative of valve state. The sensor signal is applied to a control unit that regulates actuation of the pump. The control unit regulates the actuation of the pump based on the valve state as indicated by the sensor signal. The pump may be a variable flow rate pump; the control unit increases pump output when the sensor signal indicates the valve is in fully opened position. The handpiece may include a suction fitting; the valve can selectively connect the conduit to the pump or the suction fitting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: Stryker Corporation
    Inventor: David M. Himes
  • Patent number: 6689146
    Abstract: A powered surgical handpiece (20) and a complementary cutting accessory (22). The accessory includes a rotating hub (63) in which magnets (124) are seated. An inner tube (79) with a cutting head extends from the rotating hub. A static hub is (46) located over the rotating hub. An outer tube (60) extends from the static hub over the inner tube. The static hub is formed with a inlet bore (54) through which irrigation fluid is introduced into the annular gap between the two tubes. The rotating and static hubs seat in the body of the handpiece. The handpiece has a coupling assembly (32) that engages the static hub to hold the cutting accessory in place. There is a stator (122) in the handpiece that surrounds the rotating hub. Collectively, the stator and the magnets in the rotating hub define a motor (26) that rotates the rotating hub and the inner tube. An irrigation line (36) supplies irrigating fluid to the handpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventor: David M. Himes
  • Patent number: 6332891
    Abstract: A power tool system (24) for use with an image guidance system (28) to perform image guided surgery. The power tool system includes a handpiece (48) to which a powered cutting accessories (26) are selectively attached. A coupling assembly (50) releasbly holds a cutting accessory to the handpiece. A state marker (204) is connected to the coupling assembly. The state marker undergoes a state transition whenever the coupling assembly undergoes a run state/accessory load state transition. A sensing unit (34) integral with the image guidance system is releasbly attached to the handpiece. The sensing unit includes a sensing element (238) that provides an output signals indicative of the position of the sensing unit and handpiece. The sensing unit also includes a handpiece state sensor (240) that provides an indication of the state of the state marker. Once the image guidance system is calibrated for a cutting accessory, the system presents an image of the position of the cutting accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventor: David M. Himes
  • Patent number: 6152941
    Abstract: A surgical handpiece includes a housing having an interior cavity and an exterior surface adapted to be gripped by the hand of a user. A rotary drive mechanism is provided inside of the housing and includes a driven shaft with a passageway extending axially therethrough. A suction connection is provided on the housing as is a suction control mechanism operable between first and second operative positions for preventing suction from being applied to the passageway in the driven shaft when in a first operative position and for connecting suction to the passageway when in a second operative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: David M. Himes, Steven A. Tyler, Erik D. Eli, Michael V. Madsen, Matthew J. Curran, Marshal E. Finley
  • Patent number: 5289119
    Abstract: A test circuit for two level latches on an integrated circuit to be tested includes a test enable driver circuit coupled to a third level switch which is connected in series between the latches to be tested and a low voltage source. The third level switch converts the two level latches to be tested into a buffer such that data applied as an input to the two level latches appears in identical form as data at the output pin of the integrated circuit chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Duane A. Schroeder, David M. Hime