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).
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Publication number: 20210008378Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventors: Doug M. Birkholz, Douglas J. Brandner, Douglas J. Gifford, David J. Ternes, William J. Linder
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Patent number: 10814135Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 28, 2016Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Doug M. Birkholz, Douglas J. Brandner, Douglas J. Gifford, David J. Ternes, William J. Linder
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Publication number: 20170014634Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2016Publication date: January 19, 2017Inventors: Doug M. Birkholz, Douglas J. Brandner, Douglas J. Gifford, David J. Ternes, William J. Linder
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Patent number: 9457192Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 3, 2015Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Doug M. Birkholz, Douglas J. Brandner, Douglas J. Gifford, David J. Ternes, William J. Linder
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Publication number: 20150148867Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2015Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Doug M. Birkholz, Douglas J. Brandner, Douglas J. Gifford, David J. Ternes, William J. Linder
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Patent number: 8965521Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Doug M. Birkholz, Douglas J. Brandner, Douglas J. Gifford, David J. Ternes, William J. Linder
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Publication number: 20130245718Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Doug M. Birkholz, Douglas J. Brandner, Douglas J. Gifford, David J. Ternes, William J. Linder
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Patent number: 8352029Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 24, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: David J. Ternes, Doug M. Birkholz, David W. Yost, James A. Esler
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Patent number: 8214037Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: James O. Gilkerson, Doug M. Birkholz, David L. Perschbacher
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Publication number: 20110257699Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: October 20, 2011Inventors: James O. Gilkerson, Doug M. Birkholz, David L. Perschbacher
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Patent number: 7974692Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: James O. Gilkerson, Doug M. Birkholz, David L. Perschbacher
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Publication number: 20100324622Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2010Publication date: December 23, 2010Inventors: James O. Gilkerson, Doug M. Birkholz, David L. Perschbacher
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Publication number: 20100298900Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2010Publication date: November 25, 2010Inventors: David W. Yost, Doug M. Birkholz, James A. Esler
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Patent number: 7801606Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 14, 2007Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: James O. Gilkerson, Doug M. Birkholz, David L. Perschbacher
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Publication number: 20100234912Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Inventors: David J. Ternes, Doug M. Birkholz, David W. Yost, James A. Esler
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Patent number: 7769447Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 3, 2010Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: David W. Yost, Doug M. Birkholz, James A. Esler
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Patent number: 7751884Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 19, 2006Date of Patent: July 6, 2010Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: David Ternes, Doug M. Birkholz, David W. Yost, James A. Esler
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Patent number: 7200436Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 12, 2004Date of Patent: April 3, 2007Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: James O. Gilkerson, Doug M. Birkholz, David L. Perschbacher
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Patent number: 6920355Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 17, 2002Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Baker, Doug M. Birkholz, David L. Perschbacher, Andrew P. Kramer, Gary T. Seim
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Patent number: 6873875Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 29, 2000Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: James O. Gilkerson, Doug M. Birkholz, David L. Perschbacher