Patents by Inventor Doug M. Birkholz

Doug M. Birkholz 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: 20210008378
    Abstract: Various implantable device embodiments may comprise a neural stimulator configured to deliver a neurostimulation therapy with stimulation ON times and stimulation OFF times where a dose of the neurostimulation therapy is provided by a number of neurostimulation pulses over a period of time. The neural stimulator may be configured to monitor the dose of the delivered neurostimulation therapy against dosing parameters. The neural stimulator may be configured to declare a fault if the monitored dose does not favorably compare to a desired dose for the neurostimulation therapy, or may be configured to record data for the monitored dose of the delivered neurostimulation therapy, or may be configured to both record data for the monitored dose of the delivered neurostimulation therapy and declare a fault if the monitored dose does not favorably compare to a desired dose for the neurostimulation therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Doug M. Birkholz, Douglas J. Brandner, Douglas J. Gifford, David J. Ternes, William J. Linder
  • Patent number: 10814135
    Abstract: Various implantable device embodiments may comprise a neural stimulator configured to deliver a neurostimulation therapy to stimulate tissue. A prescribed dose of the neurostimulation therapy relates to a therapeutically-effective and safe amount of charge delivered to the stimulated tissue over a period of time. The neural stimulator may include a power supply used to deliver the neurostimulation therapy, and a charge/current monitor configured to monitor a delivered dose of the neurostimulation therapy with respect to the prescribed dose to determine whether the delivered dose is delivering the therapeutically-effective and safe amount of charge to the stimulated tissue over the period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug M. Birkholz, Douglas J. Brandner, Douglas J. Gifford, David J. Ternes, William J. Linder
  • Publication number: 20170014634
    Abstract: Various implantable device embodiments may comprise a neural stimulator configured to deliver a neurostimulation therapy with stimulation ON times and stimulation OFF times where a dose of the neurostimulation therapy is provided by a number of neurostimulation pulses over a period of time. The neural stimulator may be configured to monitor the dose of the delivered neurostimulation therapy against dosing parameters. The neural stimulator may be configured to declare a fault if the monitored dose does not favorably compare to a desired dose for the neurostimulation therapy, or may be configured to record data for the monitored dose of the delivered neurostimulation therapy, or may be configured to both record data for the monitored dose of the delivered neurostimulation therapy and declare a fault if the monitored dose does not favorably compare to a desired dose for the neurostimulation therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Inventors: Doug M. Birkholz, Douglas J. Brandner, Douglas J. Gifford, David J. Ternes, William J. Linder
  • Patent number: 9457192
    Abstract: Various implantable device embodiments may comprise a neural stimulator configured to deliver a neurostimulation therapy with stimulation ON times and stimulation OFF times where a dose of the neurostimulation therapy is provided by a number of neurostimulation pulses over a period of time. The neural stimulator may be configured to monitor the dose of the delivered neurostimulation therapy against dosing parameters. The neural stimulator may be configured to declare a fault if the monitored dose does not favorably compare to a desired dose for the neurostimulation therapy, or may be configured to record data for the monitored dose of the delivered neurostimulation therapy, or may be configured to both record data fir the monitored dose of the delivered neurostimulation therapy and declare a fault if the monitored dose does not favorably compare to a desired dose for the neurostimulation therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug M. Birkholz, Douglas J. Brandner, Douglas J. Gifford, David J. Ternes, William J. Linder
  • Publication number: 20150148867
    Abstract: Various implantable device embodiments may comprise a neural stimulator configured to deliver a neurostimulation therapy with stimulation ON times and stimulation OFF times where a dose of the neurostimulation therapy is provided by a number of neurostimulation pulses over a period of time. The neural stimulator may be configured to monitor the dose of the delivered neurostimulation therapy against dosing parameters. The neural stimulator may be configured to declare a fault if the monitored dose does not favorably compare to a desired dose for the neurostimulation therapy, or may be configured to record data for the monitored dose of the delivered neurostimulation therapy, or may be configured to both record data fir the monitored dose of the delivered neurostimulation therapy and declare a fault if the monitored dose does riot favorably compare to a desired dose for the neurostimulation therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Doug M. Birkholz, Douglas J. Brandner, Douglas J. Gifford, David J. Ternes, William J. Linder
  • Patent number: 8965521
    Abstract: Various implantable device embodiments may comprise a neural stimulator configured to deliver a neurostimulation therapy with stimulation ON times and stimulation OFF times where a dose of the neurostimulation therapy is provided by a number of neurostimulation pulses over a period of time. The neural stimulator may be configured to monitor the dose of the delivered neurostimulation therapy against dosing parameters. The neural stimulator may be configured to declare a fault if the monitored dose does not favorably compare to a desired dose for the neurostimulation therapy, or may be configured to record data for the monitored dose of the delivered neurostimulation therapy, or may be configured to both record data for the monitored dose of the delivered neurostimulation therapy and declare a fault if the monitored dose does not favorably compare to a desired dose for the neurostimulation therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug M. Birkholz, Douglas J. Brandner, Douglas J. Gifford, David J. Ternes, William J. Linder
  • Publication number: 20130245718
    Abstract: Various implantable device embodiments may comprise a neural stimulator configured to deliver a neurostimulation therapy with stimulation ON times and stimulation OFF times where a dose of the neurostimulation therapy is provided by a number of neurostimulation pulses over a period of time. The neural stimulator may be configured to monitor the dose of the delivered neurostimulation therapy against dosing parameters. The neural stimulator may be configured to declare a fault if the monitored dose does not favorably compare to a desired dose for the neurostimulation therapy, or may be configured to record data for the monitored dose of the delivered neurostimulation therapy, or may be configured to both record data for the monitored dose of the delivered neurostimulation therapy and declare a fault if the monitored dose does not favorably compare to a desired dose for the neurostimulation therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Doug M. Birkholz, Douglas J. Brandner, Douglas J. Gifford, David J. Ternes, William J. Linder
  • Patent number: 8352029
    Abstract: A method for implementing a neural stimulation therapy mode in an implantable medical device (IMD) comprising the acts of mapping respective device states, defined by one or more timer states that include at least one neural event timer or one or more indications of one or more sensed physiologic events, to associated device actions in a stored neural table, storing an event represented as a device status word and a time stamp in a queue in response to an action input, and comparing one or more current timer states or one or more indications of one or more sensed physiologic events to a device state contained in the neural table and, if found to match, causing performance of one or more associated device actions, wherein the device actions include one or more of a neural stimulation energy delivery or a change in one or more timer states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Ternes, Doug M. Birkholz, David W. Yost, James A. Esler
  • Patent number: 8214037
    Abstract: An implantable pulse generator senses a cardiac signal, identifies cardiac events in the cardiac signal, and starts a blanking interval including a repeatable noise window blanking interval in response to each cardiac event. When noise is detected during the repeatable noise window blanking interval, the noise window blanking interval is repeated. In one embodiment, the duration of repeated repeatable noise window blanking intervals is summed and compared to a pacing escape interval. When the sum is greater than the pacing escape interval, asynchronous pacing pulses are delivered until the noise ceases. Alternatively, when the sum is greater than the pacing escape interval, the pace escape interval is repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: James O. Gilkerson, Doug M. Birkholz, David L. Perschbacher
  • Publication number: 20110257699
    Abstract: An implantable pulse generator senses a cardiac signal, identifies cardiac events in the cardiac signal, and starts a blanking interval including a repeatable noise window blanking interval in response to each cardiac event. When noise is detected during the repeatable noise window blanking interval, the noise window blanking interval is repeated. In one embodiment, the duration of repeated repeatable noise window blanking intervals is summed and compared to a pacing escape interval. When the sum is greater than the pacing escape interval, asynchronous pacing pulses are delivered until the noise ceases. Alternatively, when the sum is greater than the pacing escape interval, the pace escape interval is repeated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: James O. Gilkerson, Doug M. Birkholz, David L. Perschbacher
  • Patent number: 7974692
    Abstract: An implantable pulse generator senses a cardiac signal, identifies cardiac events in the cardiac signal, and starts a blanking interval including a repeatable noise window blanking interval in response to each cardiac event. When noise is detected during the repeatable noise window blanking interval, the noise window blanking interval is repeated. In one embodiment, the duration of repeated repeatable noise window blanking intervals is summed and compared to a pacing escape interval. When the sum is greater than the pacing escape interval, asynchronous pacing pulses are delivered until the noise ceases. Alternatively, when the sum is greater than the pacing escape interval, the pace escape interval is repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: James O. Gilkerson, Doug M. Birkholz, David L. Perschbacher
  • Publication number: 20100324622
    Abstract: An implantable pulse generator senses a cardiac signal, identifies cardiac events in the cardiac signal, and starts a blanking interval including a repeatable noise window blanking interval in response to each cardiac event. When noise is detected during the repeatable noise window blanking interval, the noise window blanking interval is repeated. In one embodiment, the duration of repeated repeatable noise window blanking intervals is summed and compared to a pacing escape interval. When the sum is greater than the pacing escape interval, asynchronous pacing pulses are delivered until the noise ceases. Alternatively, when the sum is greater than the pacing escape interval, the pace escape interval is repeated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: James O. Gilkerson, Doug M. Birkholz, David L. Perschbacher
  • Publication number: 20100298900
    Abstract: A device and method for implementing a bradycardia pacing mode are disclosed which is mostly hardware-based but still allows the flexibility for making major changes in brady behavior normally found only in firmware-based implementations. The brady behavior of the device is encapsulated by a table in an area of RAM referred to as brady RAM, and the brady behavior can be changed by re-loading the brady RAM with a different table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Inventors: David W. Yost, Doug M. Birkholz, James A. Esler
  • Patent number: 7801606
    Abstract: An implantable pulse generator senses a cardiac signal, identifies cardiac events in the cardiac signal, and starts a blanking interval including a repeatable noise window blanking interval in response to each cardiac event. When noise is detected during the repeatable noise window blanking interval, the noise window blanking interval is repeated. In one embodiment, the duration of repeated repeatable noise window blanking intervals is summed and compared to a pacing escape interval. When the sum is greater than the pacing escape interval, asynchronous pacing pulses are delivered until the noise ceases. Alternatively, when the sum is greater than the pacing escape interval, the pace escape interval is repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: James O. Gilkerson, Doug M. Birkholz, David L. Perschbacher
  • Publication number: 20100234912
    Abstract: A method for implementing a neural stimulation therapy mode in an implantable medical device (IMD) comprising the acts of mapping respective device states, defined by one or more timer states that include at least one neural event timer or one or more indications of one or more sensed physiologic events, to associated device actions in a stored neural table, storing an event represented as a device status word and a time stamp in a queue in response to an action input, and comparing one or more current timer states or one or more indications of one or more sensed physiologic events to a device state contained in the neural table and, if found to match, causing performance of one or more associated device actions, wherein the device actions include one or more of a neural stimulation energy delivery or a change in one or more timer states.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventors: David J. Ternes, Doug M. Birkholz, David W. Yost, James A. Esler
  • Patent number: 7769447
    Abstract: A device and method for implementing a bradycardia pacing mode are disclosed which is mostly hardware-based but still allows the flexibility for making major changes in brady behavior normally found only in firmware-based implementations. The brady behavior of the device is encapsulated by a table in an area of RAM referred to as brady RAM, and the brady behavior can be changed by re-loading the brady RAM with a different table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Yost, Doug M. Birkholz, James A. Esler
  • Patent number: 7751884
    Abstract: An implantable medical device comprising stimulation circuitry adapted to provide neural stimulation energy to a neural stimulation electrode, one or more timers, including at least one neural event timer, a device behavior memory including a neural table, and a comparison circuit. The neural table maps a particular device state defined at least in part by a neural event timer to one or more associated device actions that include at least one of a neural stimulation energy delivery, a change in state of at least one neural event timer, and both a neural stimulation energy delivery and a change in state of one or more timers. The comparison circuit is adapted to compare a current state of one or more timers to a device state in the neural table and, if found to match, causing performance of one or more associated device actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: David Ternes, Doug M. Birkholz, David W. Yost, James A. Esler
  • Patent number: 7200436
    Abstract: An implantable pulse generator senses a cardiac signal, identifies cardiac events in the cardiac signal, and starts a blanking interval including a repeatable noise window blanking interval in response to each cardiac event. When noise is detected during the repeatable noise window blanking interval, the noise window blanking interval is repeated. In one embodiment, the duration of repeated repeatable noise window blanking intervals is summed and compared to a pacing escape interval. When the sum is greater than the pacing escape interval, asynchronous pacing pulses are delivered until the noise ceases. Alternatively, when the sum is greater than the pacing escape interval, the pace escape interval is repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: James O. Gilkerson, Doug M. Birkholz, David L. Perschbacher
  • Patent number: 6920355
    Abstract: A hybrid cardiac pacemaker in which the operation of the device is controlled by hardware-based controller as supervised by a microprocessor-based controller. The hardware-based controller comprises a plurality of timers that expire when they reach timer limit values stored in registers updatable by the microprocessor, and a combinational logic array for causing the device to generate pace outputs in accordance with timer expirations and sense signals. The combinational logic array may operate the pacemaker in a number of programmed modes in accordance with a mode value stored in a mode control register by the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Baker, Doug M. Birkholz, David L. Perschbacher, Andrew P. Kramer, Gary T. Seim
  • Patent number: 6873875
    Abstract: An implantable pulse generator and a method of operation, where the pulse generator is adapted to sense at least a first cardiac signal. Cardiac events are identified in the first cardiac signal, in response to which a blanking interval is started. The blanking interval includes a repeatable noise window blanking interval. When noise is detected during the repeatable noise window blanking interval, the noise window blanking interval is repeated. Depending upon the type of sensed cardiac event (paced or intrinsic) the blanking interval is adjusted to either to a first overall duration or a second overall duration. The second overall duration includes a first timed interval that has a programmable value. The repeatable noise window blanking interval starts after the first timed interval of the second overall duration. The duration of repeated repeatable noise window blanking intervals is summed and compared to a pacing escape interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: James O. Gilkerson, Doug M. Birkholz, David L. Perschbacher