Patents by Inventor Dennis Zottola

Dennis Zottola 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: 11925810
    Abstract: A filtering algorithm implemented by a filtering module in an implantable medical device (IMD), or in an external device for communicating with an IMD, is disclosed which reviews blocks based on a number of rules. The filtering module preferably comprises both firewall and instruction analysis modules. The instruction analysis module analyzes the instructions and associated data (if present) in each block to determine whether such blocks would compromise operation of the IPG or injure a patient if executed. Instruction rules corresponding to an instruction identified in the block are retrieved by the instruction analysis module. The instruction analysis module reviews the block per the retrieved rules, and possibly also in light of current and historical IPG therapy setting or mode data, or other received but un-executed blocks. If a block is compliant, it is executed by the IMD or transmitted to the IMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Sridhar Kothandaraman, Dennis Zottola
  • Patent number: 11801389
    Abstract: A neuromodulation customization system includes a field definition user interface, a neuromodulation signaling engine, and a supervisor engine. The field definition user interface is to facilitate entry of a customized electrotherapy field definition, with the field definition user interface including a set of input controls for defining field shape, field intensity, and field steering parameters of the customized electrotherapy field. The neuromodulation signaling engine is to produce commands for neuromodulation output circuitry to control generation of a customized electrotherapy field via a set of electrodes based on the customized electrotherapy field definition. The supervisor engine is to assess compliance of the customized electrotherapy field to be generated with applicable predefined criteria, and to modify generation of the customized electrotherapy field in response to an assessed non-compliance with the criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Dheerendra Raghavendra Kashyap, Sarvani Grandhe, Natalie A. Brill, Bradley Lawrence Hershey, Changfang Zhu, Sridhar Kothandaraman, Dennis Zottola, Michael A. Moffitt
  • Publication number: 20230121855
    Abstract: A virtual or augmented reality system is disclosed which is capable of both (i) evaluating prospective implantable neurostimulator patient candidates, and (ii) determining optimal stimulation settings for already-implanted neurostimulation patients. Physiological sensors are included with the system to provide objective measurements relevant to a patient's symptoms, such as pain in a Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system. Such objective measurements are determined during the presentation of various virtual or augmented environments, and can be useful to determining which patients are suitable candidates to consider for implantation. Stimulation settings for already-implanted patients may be adjusted while presenting a virtual or augmented environment to the patient, with objective measurements being determined for each stimulation setting. Such objective measurements can then be used to determine optimal stimulation settings for the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Elizabeth M. Annoni, Bryan A. Clark, Dennis Zottola, Kyle H. Srivastava, Jonathan B. Shute
  • Patent number: 11559355
    Abstract: A virtual or augmented reality system is disclosed which is capable of both (i) evaluating prospective implantable neurostimulator patient candidates, and (ii) determining optimal stimulation settings for already-implanted neurostimulation patients. Physiological sensors are included with the system to provide objective measurements relevant to a patient's symptoms, such as pain in a Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system. Such objective measurements are determined during the presentation of various virtual or augmented environments, and can be useful to determining which patients are suitable candidates to consider for implantation. Stimulation settings for already-implanted patients may be adjusted while presenting a virtual or augmented environment to the patient, with objective measurements being determined for each stimulation setting. Such objective measurements can then be used to determine optimal stimulation settings for the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Elizabeth M. Annoni, Bryan A. Clark, Dennis Zottola, Kyle H. Srivastava, Jonathan B. Shute
  • Patent number: 11400294
    Abstract: An example of a neurostimulation system may include one or more sensing devices and a patient assistance device. The sensing device(s) may be configured to sense one or more signals from a patient and may include one or more non-invasive sensing devices. The patient assistance device may be configured to assist the patient in use of a stimulation device and may include a communication circuit configured to receive the sensed signal(s), a user interface configured to allow for interactions with the patient, and a processing circuit which may be configured to receive patient-specific information including the sensed signal(s), to analyze the patient-specific information with neurostimulation algorithm information representative of available therapeutic options, to produce one or more recommendations related to use of the stimulation device for treating the patient based on the analysis, and to present at least one recommendation using the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Lee McDonald, Bradley Lawrence Hershey, Dennis Zottola, Dat Thanh Huynh, Natalie Bloom Lyons, Juan Gabriel Hincapie Ordonez
  • Publication number: 20220079501
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods to map an electrical waveform to a user-perceivable input. Some system examples include at least one electrode configured to sense neural activity in a patient, a mapping controller configured to receive an electrical waveform from the at least one electrode and map the sensed neural activity to a user-perceivable output based on the sensed neural activity, and a user interface operably connected to the mapping controller and configured to provide the user-perceivable output to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventor: Dennis Zottola
  • Patent number: 11207018
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods to map an electrical waveform to a user-perceivable input. Some system examples include at least one electrode configured to sense neural activity in a patient, a mapping controller configured to receive an electrical waveform from the at least one electrode and map the sensed neural activity to a user-perceivable output based on the sensed neural activity, and a user interface operably connected to the mapping controller and configured to provide the user-perceivable output to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis Zottola
  • Publication number: 20210106834
    Abstract: A filtering algorithm implemented by a filtering module in an implantable medical device (IMD), or in an external device for communicating with an IMD, is disclosed which reviews blocks based on a number of rules. The filtering module preferably comprises both firewall and instruction analysis modules. The instruction analysis module analyzes the instructions and associated data (if present) in each block to determine whether such blocks would compromise operation of the IPG or injure a patient if executed. Instruction rules corresponding to an instruction identified in the block are retrieved by the instruction analysis module. The instruction analysis module reviews the block per the retrieved rules, and possibly also in light of current and historical IPG therapy setting or mode data, or other received but un-executed blocks. If a block is compliant, it is executed by the IMD or transmitted to the IMD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Sridhar Kothandaraman, Dennis Zottola
  • Patent number: 10888704
    Abstract: A filtering algorithm implemented by a filtering module in an implantable medical device (IMD), or in an external device for communicating with an IMD, is disclosed which reviews blocks based on a number of rules. The filtering module preferably comprises both firewall and instruction analysis modules. The instruction analysis module analyzes the instructions and associated data (if present) in each block to determine whether such blocks would compromise operation of the IPG or injure a patient if executed. Instruction rules corresponding to an instruction identified in the block are retrieved by the instruction analysis module. The instruction analysis module reviews the block per the retrieved rules, and possibly also in light of current and historical IPG therapy setting or mode data, or other received but un-executed blocks. If a block is compliant, it is executed by the IMD or transmitted to the IMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Sridhar Kothandaraman, Dennis Zottola
  • Publication number: 20200391040
    Abstract: A neuromodulation customization system includes a field definition user interface, a neuromodulation signaling engine, and a supervisor engine. The field definition user interface is to facilitate entry of a customized electrotherapy field definition, with the field definition user interface including a set of input controls for defining field shape, field intensity, and field steering parameters of the customized electrotherapy field. The neuromodulation signaling engine is to produce commands for neuromodulation output circuitry to control generation of a customized electrotherapy field via a set of electrodes based on the customized electrotherapy field definition. The supervisor engine is to assess compliance of the customized electrotherapy field to be generated with applicable predefined criteria, and to modify generation of the customized electrotherapy field in response to an assessed non-compliance with the criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Dheerendra Raghavendra Kashyap, Sarvari Grandhe, Natalie A. Brill, Bradley Lawrence Hershey, Changfang Zhu, Sridhar Kothandaraman, Dennis Zottola, Michael A. Moffitt
  • Patent number: 10806934
    Abstract: A neuromodulation customization system includes a field definition user interface, a neuromodulation signaling engine, and a supervisor engine. The field definition user interface is to facilitate entry of a customized electrotherapy field definition, with the field definition user interface including a set of input controls for defining field shape, field intensity, and field steering parameters of the customized electrotherapy field. The neuromodulation signaling engine is to produce commands for neuromodulation output circuitry to control generation of a customized electrotherapy field via a set of electrodes based on the customized electrotherapy field definition. The supervisor engine is to assess compliance of the customized electrotherapy field to be generated with applicable predefined criteria, and to modify generation of the customized electrotherapy field in response to an assessed non-compliance with the criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Dheerendra Raghavendra Kashyap, Sarvani Grandhe, Natalie A. Brill, Bradley Lawrence Hershey, Changfang Zhu, Sridhar Kothandaraman, Dennis Zottola, Michael A. Moffitt
  • Patent number: 10729911
    Abstract: A method for programming a neurostimulator includes automatically performing a series of steps. One or more control elements may be actuated to select the series of steps from a plurality of series of steps stored in a memory of an external control device. One or more control elements may be actuated during the performance of the series of steps in order to cause one of the steps to pause, stop, restart, skip, or repeat. The series of steps may be a series of pre-programming steps, and the method may further include programming the neurostimulator after the series of pre-programming steps is performed. An external device for programming the neurostimulator includes control circuitry configured for automatically performing the series of steps, and a user interface including the one or more control elements configured for being actuated. The control device also includes the memory for storing the plurality of series of steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Anita Yip, Prakash Rao, Dennis Zottola
  • Publication number: 20200085334
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods to map an electrical waveform to a user-perceivable input. Some system examples include at least one electrode configured to sense neural activity in a patient, a mapping controller configured to receive an electrical waveform from the at least one electrode and map the sensed neural activity to a user-perceivable output based on the sensed neural activity, and a user interface operably connected to the mapping controller and configured to provide the user-perceivable output to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventor: Dennis Zottola
  • Publication number: 20200030035
    Abstract: A virtual or augmented reality system is disclosed which is capable of both (i) evaluating prospective implantable neurostimulator patient candidates, and (ii) determining optimal stimulation settings for already-implanted neurostimulation patients. Physiological sensors are included with the system to provide objective measurements relevant to a patient's symptoms, such as pain in a Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system. Such objective measurements are determined during the presentation of various virtual or augmented environments, and can be useful to determining which patients are suitable candidates to consider for implantation. Stimulation settings for already-implanted patients may be adjusted while presenting a virtual or augmented environment to the patient, with objective measurements being determined for each stimulation setting. Such objective measurements can then be used to determine optimal stimulation settings for the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Elizabeth M. Annoni, Bryan A. Clark, Dennis Zottola, Kyle H. Srivastava, Jonathan B. Shute
  • Patent number: 10506940
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods to map an electrical waveform to a user-perceivable input. Some system examples include at least one electrode configured to sense neural activity in a patient, a mapping controller configured to receive an electrical waveform from the at least one electrode and map the sensed neural activity to a user-perceivable output based on the sensed neural activity, and a user interface operably connected to the mapping controller and configured to provide the user-perceivable output to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis Zottola
  • Publication number: 20190344080
    Abstract: An example of a neurostimulation system may include one or more sensing devices and a patient assistance device. The sensing device(s) may be configured to sense one or more signals from a patient and may include one or more non-invasive sensing devices. The patient assistance device may be configured to assist the patient in use of a stimulation device and may include a communication circuit configured to receive the sensed signal(s), a user interface configured to allow for interactions with the patient, and a processing circuit which may be configured to receive patient-specific information including the sensed signal(s), to analyze the patient-specific information with neurostimulation algorithm information representative of available therapeutic options, to produce one or more recommendations related to use of the stimulation device for treating the patient based on the analysis, and to present at least one recommendation using the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew Lee McDonald, Bradley Lawrence Hershey, Dennis Zottola, Dat Thanh Huynh, Natalie Bloom Lyons, Juan Gabriel Hincapie Ordonez
  • Publication number: 20190209851
    Abstract: A filtering algorithm implemented by a filtering module in an implantable medical device (IMD), or in an external device for communicating with an IMD, is disclosed which reviews blocks based on a number of rules. The filtering module preferably comprises both firewall and instruction analysis modules. The instruction analysis module analyzes the instructions and associated data (if present) in each block to determine whether such blocks would compromise operation of the IPG or injure a patient if executed. Instruction rules corresponding to an instruction identified in the block are retrieved by the instruction analysis module. The instruction analysis module reviews the block per the retrieved rules, and possibly also in light of current and historical IPG therapy setting or mode data, or other received but un-executed blocks. If a block is compliant, it is executed by the IMD or transmitted to the IMD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Sridhar Kothandaraman, Dennis Zottola
  • Patent number: 10335599
    Abstract: An example of a neurostimulation system may include a storage device to store a stimulation waveform, a programming control circuit to generate a plurality of stimulation parameters controlling delivery of neurostimulation pulses according to the stimulation waveform, and waveform definition circuit configured to create and adjust the stimulation waveform. The waveform definition circuit includes a charge recovery module that may include a stimulation to receive the stimulation waveform including charge injection phases, a charge recovery scheme input to receive a charge recovery scheme, and a waveform adjuster configured to identify a need for recovering charges injected during the charge injection phases and adjust the received stimulation waveform by automatically inserting charge recovery phases into the received stimulation waveform based on the identified need for recovering the injected charges and the received charge recovery scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis Zottola
  • Patent number: 10272251
    Abstract: A filtering algorithm implemented by a filtering module in an implantable medical device (IMD), or in an external device for communicating with an IMD, is disclosed which reviews blocks based on a number of rules. The filtering module preferably comprises both firewall and instruction analysis modules. The instruction analysis module analyzes the instructions and associated data (if present) in each block to determine whether such blocks would compromise operation of the IPG or injure a patient if executed. Instruction rules corresponding to an instruction identified in the block are retrieved by the instruction analysis module. The instruction analysis module reviews the block per the retrieved rules, and possibly also in light of current and historical IPG therapy setting or mode data, or other received but un-executed blocks. If a block is compliant, it is executed by the IMD or transmitted to the IMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Sridhar Kothandaraman, Dennis Zottola
  • Patent number: 10071249
    Abstract: A method includes displaying, on a display coupled to a computer processor, a two-dimensional representation of an arrangement of electrodes of a lead having one or more segmented electrodes; displaying, by the computer processor and on the display, a three-dimensional clinical effects map with two of the dimensions of the clinical effects map corresponding to the two-dimensional representation of the arrangement of the electrode and a third dimension corresponding to a stimulation parameter; and displaying, by the computer processor and on the display, at least one marking on the clinical effects map. Each marking represents a stimulation instance and is displayed at a position corresponding to the electrode used for stimulation in the stimulation instance and a value of the stimulation parameter used for stimulation in the stimulation instance. Each marking has a graphical characteristic representing a therapeutic effect or a side-effect resulting from the stimulation instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis Zottola