Patents by Inventor Debra S. Echt

Debra S. Echt 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: 20120059433
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enhance bone growth by stimulating bone sites for bone regrowth, fusion, or grafts. The invention uses electrical stimulation of the bone site, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the bone site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be located either externally or implanted. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-transmitter, which could be incorporated into an orthopedic device, such as pin, cage, plate or prosthetic joint used for bone healing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
  • Patent number: 8078283
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enhance bone growth by stimulating bone sites for bone regrowth, fusion, or grafts. The invention uses electrical stimulation of the bone site, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the bone site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be located either externally or implanted. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-transmitter, which could be incorporated into an orthopedic device, such as pin, cage, plate or prosthetic joint used for bone healing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
  • Patent number: 7996087
    Abstract: Systems including an implantable receiver-stimulator and an implantable controller-transmitter are used for leadless electrical stimulation of body tissues. Cardiac pacing and arrhythmia control is accomplished with one or more implantable receiver-stimulators and an external or implantable controller-transmitter. Systems are implanted by testing external or implantable devices at different tissue sites, observing physiologic and device responses, and selecting sites with preferred performance for implanting the systems. In these systems, a controller-transmitter is activated at a remote tissue location to transmit/deliver acoustic energy through the body to a receiver-stimulator at a target tissue location. The receiver-stimulator converts the acoustic energy to electrical energy for electrical stimulation of the body tissue. The tissue locations(s) can be optimized by moving either or both of the controller-transmitter and the receiver-stimulator to determine the best patient and device responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Debra S. Echt, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken
  • Publication number: 20110166620
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to stimulate brain tissue to treat medical conditions such as movement disorders, pain and epilepsy. The disclosed invention uses electrical stimulation of the brain tissue, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the pre-determined brain site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be either implanted or located externally. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which could be located under the skull, within the brain, on the dura, or in the cranial space close to the brain. As a therapeutic treatment, the implantable receiver-stimulator stimulates the brain sites that are effective in altering brain activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
  • Publication number: 20110166621
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to stimulate spine tissue to treat medical conditions such as pain and spinal injury. The invention uses electrical stimulation of the spine, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the pre-determined brain site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be located either externally or implanted. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which could be located in the various regions on around the spine. The implantable receiver-stimulator stimulates different locations in the spine region to provide therapeutic benefit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
  • Publication number: 20110144720
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enable hearing in the deaf by stimulating sites in the cochlea. The invention uses electrical stimulation in the cochlea, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the cochlear nerve. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be located either externally or implanted. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which contains multiple electrodes to stimulate along selected sites in the cochlea.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
  • Patent number: 7953493
    Abstract: A wireless cardiac stimulation device comprising an implantable transmitter module housing a transmitter and a separately implantable battery module housing a battery for powering the transmitter and other device electronics via a subcutaneously routable electrical cable connecting the module is disclosed. The transmitter module contains a transmitter enclosure which comprises one or more ultrasound transducers. Having separate transmitter and battery modules allows implantation of the transmitter module closer to the target receiver implanted in tissue. A discrete battery module also enables easy replacement of the battery without disturbing the transmitter, which is highly desirable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Fowler, Mark W. Cowan, N. Parker Willis, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
  • Publication number: 20110118810
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to stimulate nerves to treat medical conditions such as pain, and other conditions, such as, CHF, obesity, incontinence, etc., that could be controlled by the stimulation of the vagal nerves. The invention uses electrical stimulation of the nerve, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the pre-determined nerve site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be implanted or located externally. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which could be located in the various regions on or around the nerve that needs to be stimulated. The implantable receiver-stimulator stimulates different nerves and regions of a nerve to provide therapeutic benefit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
  • Publication number: 20110112600
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to stimulate gastrointestinal tissue to treat medical conditions such as eating disorders, gastroparesis, and gastric reflux. The invention uses electrical stimulation of the nerve, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the pre-determined gastrointestinal tissue site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be implanted or located externally. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which could be located in the various regions on or around the gastrointestinal tissue that needs to be stimulated. The implantable receiver-stimulator stimulates different gastrointestinal tissue to provide the desired therapeutic benefit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
  • Patent number: 7899541
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to stimulate gastrointestinal tissue to treat medical conditions such as eating disorders, gastroparesis, and gastric reflux. The invention uses electrical stimulation of the nerve, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the pre-determined gastrointestinal tissue site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be implanted or located externally. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which could be located in the various regions on or around the gastrointestinal tissue that needs to be stimulated. The implantable receiver-stimulator stimulates different gastrointestinal tissue to provide the desired therapeutic benefit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
  • Patent number: 7899542
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to stimulate spine tissue to treat medical conditions such as pain and spinal injury. The invention uses electrical stimulation of the spine, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the pre-determined brain site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be located either externally or implanted. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which could be located in the various regions on around the spine. The implantable receiver-stimulator stimulates different locations in the spine region to provide therapeutic benefit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
  • Patent number: 7894907
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to stimulate nerves to treat medical conditions such as pain, and other conditions, such as, CHF, obesity, incontinence, etc., that could be controlled by the stimulation of the vagal nerves. The invention uses electrical stimulation of the nerve, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the pre-determined nerve site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be implanted or located externally. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which could be located in the various regions on or around the nerve that needs to be stimulated. The implantable receiver-stimulator stimulates different nerves and regions of a nerve to provide therapeutic benefit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
  • Patent number: 7894910
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enable hearing in the deaf by stimulating sites in the cochlea. The invention uses electrical stimulation in the cochlea, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the cochlear nerve. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be located either externally or implanted. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which contains multiple electrodes to stimulate along selected sites in the cochlea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
  • Patent number: 7894904
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to stimulate brain tissue to treat medical conditions such as movement disorders, pain and epilepsy. The disclosed invention uses electrical stimulation of the brain tissue, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the pre-determined brain site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be either implanted or located externally. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which could be located under the skull, within the brain, on the dura, or in the cranial space close to the brain. As a therapeutic treatment, the implantable receiver-stimulator stimulates the brain sites that are effective in altering brain activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
  • Patent number: 7890173
    Abstract: Receiver-stimulators comprise a nearly isotropic transducer assembly, demodulator circuitry, and at least two tissue contacting electrodes. Use of near isotropic transducers allows the devices to be implanted with less concern regarding the orientation relative to an acoustic energy source. Transducers or transducer elements having relatively small sizes, typically less than ½ the wavelength of the acoustic source, enhance isotropy. The use of single crystal piezoelectric materials enhance sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Axel F. Brisken, Mark W. Cowan, Debra S. Echt, Richard E. Riley
  • Patent number: 7848815
    Abstract: Receiver-stimulators comprise a nearly isotropic transducer assembly, demodulator circuitry, and at least two tissue contacting electrodes. Use of near isotropic transducers allows the devices to be implanted with less concern regarding the orientation relative to an acoustic energy source. Transducers or transducer elements having relatively small sizes, typically less than ½ the wavelength of the acoustic source, enhance isotropy. The use of single crystal piezoelectric materials enhance sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Axel F. Brisken, Mark W. Cowan, Debra S. Echt, Richard E. Riley
  • Publication number: 20100286744
    Abstract: The present invention relies on a controller-transmitter device to deliver ultrasound energy into cardiac tissue in order to directly improve cardiac function and/or to energize one or more implanted receiver-stimulator devices that transduce the ultrasound energy to electrical energy to perform excitatory and/or non-excitatory treatments for heart failure. The acoustic energy can be applied as a single burst or as multiple bursts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Debra S Echt, Richard E. Riley, Mark W. Cowan, Axel F. Brisken
  • Patent number: 7809438
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cardiac pacing, cardioversion and defibrillation rely on delivering ultrasonic or other vibrational energy in combination with electrical energy to the heart, usually after the onset of an arrhythmia. A vibrational transducer and suitable electrical contacts may be combined in a single housing or distributed among various housings, and will usually be implantable so that the vibrational transducer can be directed at a target portion of the heart. Alternatively, external systems comprising the vibrational transducer and electrical contacts are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Debra S. Echt, Axel F. Brisken, Richard E. Riley
  • Publication number: 20100228308
    Abstract: Systems including an implantable receiver-stimulator and an implantable controller-transmitter are used for leadless electrical stimulation of body tissues. Cardiac pacing and arrhythmia control is accomplished with one or more implantable receiver-stimulators and an external or implantable controller-transmitter. Systems are implanted by testing external or implantable devices at different tissue sites, observing physiologic and device responses, and selecting sites with preferred performance for implanting the systems. In these systems, a controller-transmitter is activated at a remote tissue location to transmit/deliver acoustic energy through the body to a receiver-stimulator at a target tissue location. The receiver-stimulator converts the acoustic energy to electrical energy for electrical stimulation of the body tissue. The tissue locations(s) can be optimized by moving either or both of the controller-transmitter and the receiver-stimulator to determine the best patient and device responses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Debra S. Echt, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken
  • Patent number: 7765001
    Abstract: The present invention relies on a controller-transmitter device to deliver ultrasound energy into cardiac tissue in order to directly improve cardiac function and/or to energize one or more implanted receiver-stimulator devices that transduce the ultrasound energy to electrical energy to perform excitatory and/or non-excitatory treatments for heart failure. The acoustic energy can be applied as a single burst or as multiple bursts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Debra S. Echt, Richard E. Riley, Mark W. Cowan, Axel F. Brisken