Patents by Inventor Douglas Hettrick

Douglas Hettrick 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: 20190223955
    Abstract: Example systems and techniques for denervation, for example, renal denervation. In some examples, a processor determines one or more tissue characteristics of tissue proximate a target nerve and a blood vessel. The processor may generate, based on the one or more tissue characteristics, an estimated volume of influence of denervation therapy delivered by a therapy delivery device disposed within the blood vessel. The processor may generate a graphical user interface including a graphical representation of the tissue proximate the target nerve and the blood vessel and a graphical representation of the estimated volume of influence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Paul J. Coates, Douglas A. Hettrick
  • Publication number: 20190223754
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing, assessing, and adjusting neuromodulation therapy are disclosed herein. One method for assessing the likely efficacy of neuromodulation therapy includes positioning a neuromodulation catheter at a target site within a renal blood vessel of a human patient and obtaining a measurement related to a diameter of the renal blood vessel via the neuromodulation catheter. The method can further include determining a diameter of the renal blood vessel at or near the target site based on the measurement. In some embodiments, (i) one or more parameters of neuromodulation energy to be delivered to the renal blood vessel can be adjusted based on the determined diameter and/or (ii) the neuromodulation catheter may be repositioned within the renal blood vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Venmathi Gunasekaran, Douglas Hettrick
  • Publication number: 20190223956
    Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing perivascular neuromodulation therapy using computational fluid dynamics. Digital data regarding three-dimensional imaging of a target blood vessel and corresponding hemodynamic data are inputs to generating a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. The CFD model enables identification of one or more regions of the vessel suitable for neuromodulation therapy and/or identifying one or more regions of the vessel to avoid during such therapy. A system of the present technology can include a neuromodulation catheter, a computing device that can generate and analyze the CFD model, and a user interface for displaying the vessel with indicia for target regions and/or avoidance regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Douglas Hettrick, Julie Trudel
  • Patent number: 10299693
    Abstract: Techniques for using multiple physiological parameters to provide an early warning for worsening heart failure are described. A medical device monitors a primary diagnostic parameter that is indicative of worsening heart failure, such as intrathoracic impedance or pressure, and one or more secondary diagnostic parameters. The medical device detects worsening heart failure in the patient based on the primary diagnostic parameter when an index that is changed over time based on the primary diagnostic parameter value is outside a range of values, termed the threshold zone. When the index is within the threshold zone, the medical device detects worsening heart failure in the patient based on the one or more secondary diagnostic parameters. Upon detecting worsening heart failure, the medical device may, for example, provide an alert that enables the patient to seek medical attention before experiencing a heart failure event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Shantanu Sarkar, Douglas A. Hettrick, Robert W. Stadler
  • Publication number: 20190151013
    Abstract: Systems and methods for neuromodulation therapy are disclosed herein. A method in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, positioning a plurality of reference electrodes at the skin of a human patient and intravascularly positioning a plurality of ablation electrodes within a blood vessel lumen at a treatment site. The method can include obtaining impedance measurements between different combinations of the reference electrodes and the ablation electrodes and, based on the impedance measurements, identifying two or more electrode groups for treatment, where at least two of the electrode groups include a different one of the reference electrodes and a different one of the ablation electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Douglas A. Hettrick, Julie Trudel, Paul Coates, Robert J. Melder, Stefan S. Tunev, Martin Rothman, Sean Salmon
  • Patent number: 10231784
    Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing perivascular neuromodulation therapy using computational fluid dynamics. Digital data regarding three-dimensional imaging of a target blood vessel and corresponding hemodynamic data are inputs to generating a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. The CFD model enables identification of one or more regions of the vessel suitable for neuromodulation therapy and/or identifying one or more regions of the vessel to avoid during such therapy. A system of the present technology can include a neuromodulation catheter, a computing device that can generate and analyze the CFD model, and a user interface for displaying the vessel with indicia for target regions and/or avoidance regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic Ardian Luxembourg S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Douglas Hettrick, Julie Trudel
  • Publication number: 20190008583
    Abstract: Methods for treating depression and for reducing a risk associated with developing depression in patients via therapeutic renal neuromodulation and associated systems are disclosed herein. Sympathetic nerve activity can contribute to several cellular and physiological conditions associated with depression as well as an increased risk of developing depression. One aspect of the present technology is directed to methods for improving a patient's calculated risk score corresponding to a depression status in the patient. Other aspects are directed to reducing a likelihood of developing depression in patients presenting one or more depression risk factors. Renal sympathetic nerve activity can be attenuated to improve a patient's depression status or risk of developing depression. The attenuation can be achieved, for example, using an intravascularly positioned catheter carrying a therapeutic assembly configured to use, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Marcia Gallagher, Douglas Hettrick
  • Publication number: 20190009077
    Abstract: Methods for treating anxiety disorders and for reducing a risk associated with developing an anxiety disorder in patients via therapeutic renal neuromodulation and associated systems are disclosed herein. Sympathetic nerve activity can contribute to several cellular and physiological conditions associated with anxiety disorders as well as an increased risk of developing an anxiety disorder. One aspect of the present technology is directed to methods for improving a patient's calculated risk score corresponding to an anxiety disorder status in the patient. Other aspects are directed to reducing a likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder in patients presenting one or more anxiety disorder risk factors. Renal sympathetic nerve activity can be attenuated to improve a patient's anxiety disorder status or risk of developing an anxiety disorder. The attenuation can be achieved, for example, using an intravascularly positioned catheter carrying a therapeutic assembly configured to use, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Gabriel Lazarus, Douglas Hettrick
  • Publication number: 20190009091
    Abstract: Methods for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or for reducing a risk associated with developing PTSD in patients via therapeutic renal neuromodulation and associated systems are disclosed herein. Sympathetic nerve activity can contribute to several cellular and physiological conditions associated with PTSD as well as an increased risk of developing PTSD following a traumatic event. One aspect of the present technology is directed to methods for improving a patient's calculated risk score corresponding to a PTSD status in the patient. Other aspects are directed to reducing a likelihood of developing PTSD in patients presenting one or more PTSD risk factors. Renal sympathetic nerve activity can be attenuated to improve a patient's PTSD status or risk of developing PTSD. The attenuation can be achieved, for example, using an intravascularly positioned catheter carrying a therapeutic assembly configured to use, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Marcia Gallagher, Douglas Hettrick
  • Publication number: 20190008577
    Abstract: Methods for treating sleep disorders and for reducing a risk associated with developing a sleep disorder in patients via therapeutic renal neuromodulation and associated systems are disclosed herein. Sympathetic nerve activity can contribute to several cellular and physiological conditions associated with sleep disorders as well as an increased risk of developing a sleep disorder. One aspect of the present technology is directed to methods for improving a patient's calculated risk score corresponding to a sleep disorder status in the patient. Other aspects are directed to reducing a likelihood of developing a sleep disorder in patients presenting one or more sleep disorder risk factors. Renal sympathetic nerve activity can be attenuated to improve a patient's sleep disorder status or risk of developing a sleep disorder. The attenuation can be achieved, for example, using an intravascularly positioned catheter carrying a therapeutic assembly configured to use, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Gabriel Lazarus, Douglas Hettrick
  • Publication number: 20180236235
    Abstract: Methods for reducing a risk associated with developing cognitive impairment, including dementia, with therapeutic renal neuromodulation and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. Sympathetic nerve activity can contribute to several cellular and physiological conditions associated with an increased risk of developing dementia in later life. One aspect of the present technology is directed to methods for improving a patient's calculated risk score for developing dementia. Other aspects of the present technology are directed to reducing a likelihood of developing dementia in patients presenting one or more dementia risk factors in middle age. Renal sympathetic nerve activity can be attenuated to improve a patient's risk of developing dementia. The attenuation can be achieved, for example, using an intravascularly positioned catheter carrying a therapeutic assembly, e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas Hettrick, Gabriel Lazarus
  • Publication number: 20180126172
    Abstract: Techniques for using multiple physiological parameters to provide an early warning for worsening heart failure are described. A system is provided that monitors a multiple diagnostic parameters indicative of worsening heart failure. The parameters preferably include are least one parameter acquired from an implanted device, such as intrathoracic impedance. The system device derives an index of the likelihood of worsening heart failure based upon the parameters using a Bayesian approach and displays the resultant index for review by a physician.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Inventors: Shantanu Sarkar, Douglas A. Hettrick, Amul Y. Desai, Randolph M. Biallas, Holly S. Vitense, Jodi L. Redemske
  • Publication number: 20180116723
    Abstract: Methods and systems for optimizing perivascular neuromodulation therapy using computational fluid dynamics. Digital data regarding three-dimensional imaging of a target blood vessel and corresponding hemodynamic data are inputs to generating a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. The CFD model enables identification of one or more regions of the vessel suitable for neuromodulation therapy and/or identifying one or more regions of the vessel to avoid during such therapy. A system of the present technology can include a neuromodulation catheter, a computing device that can generate and analyze the CFD model, and a user interface for displaying the vessel with indicia for target regions and/or avoidance regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas Hettrick, Julie Trudel
  • Publication number: 20170360320
    Abstract: Techniques for using multiple physiological parameters to provide an early warning for worsening heart failure are described. A medical device monitors a primary diagnostic parameter that is indicative of worsening heart failure, such as intrathoracic impedance or pressure, and one or more secondary diagnostic parameters. The medical device detects worsening heart failure in the patient based on the primary diagnostic parameter when an index that is changed over time based on the primary diagnostic parameter value is outside a range of values, termed the threshold zone. When the index is within the threshold zone, the medical device detects worsening heart failure in the patient based on the one or more secondary diagnostic parameters. Upon detecting worsening heart failure, the medical device may, for example, provide an alert that enables the patient to seek medical attention before experiencing a heart failure event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Shantanu Sarkar, Douglas A. Hettrick, Robert W. Stadler
  • Publication number: 20170325733
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing sympathetic nervous system (SNS) tone for renal neuromodulation therapy are disclosed herein. A system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a detector attached to or implanted in a patient and a receiver communicatively coupled to the detector. The detector can measure cardiac data and the receiver and/or a device communicatively coupled thereto can analyze the cardiac data to provide one or more SNS tone indicators. The SNS tone indicators can be used to determine whether a patient will be responsive to a neuromodulation therapy and/or whether a neuromodulation therapy was effective.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: DOUGLAS HETTRICK, Shantanu SARKAR
  • Publication number: 20170238838
    Abstract: A system and method is provided to measure intrathoracic complex impedance and to identify and indicate disease conditions based on the impedance measurements. Multiple impedance vectors may be taken into account, and an optimal vector may be selected to provide the most useful impedance measurement for the identification and indication of disease conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: Todd M. Zielinski, Douglas A. Hettrick, Shantanu Sarkar
  • Patent number: 9730601
    Abstract: Techniques for using multiple physiological parameters to provide an early warning for worsening heart failure are described. A medical device monitors a primary diagnostic parameter that is indicative of worsening heart failure, such as intrathoracic impedance or pressure, and one or more secondary diagnostic parameters. The medical device detects worsening heart failure in the patient based on the primary diagnostic parameter when an index that is changed over time based on the primary diagnostic parameter value is outside a range of values, termed the threshold zone. When the index is within the threshold zone, the medical device detects worsening heart failure in the patient based on the one or more secondary diagnostic parameters. Upon detecting worsening heart failure, the medical device may, for example, provide an alert that enables the patient to seek medical attention before experiencing a heart failure event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Shantanu Sarkar, Douglas A Hettrick, Robert W Stadler
  • Publication number: 20170215794
    Abstract: Systems and methods for informing and evaluating neuromodulation therapy are disclosed herein. A system configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can include, for example, a guidewire having a proximal portion, a distal portion configured to be positioned at a target site in a blood vessel of a human patient, and a sensing element positioned along the distal portion. The sensing element can be a pressure sensing element, a flow sensing element, an impedance sensing element, and/or a temperature sensing element. The system can further include a controller configured to obtain one or more measurements related to a physiological parameter of the patient via the sensing element. Based on the measurements, the controller can determine the physiological parameter and compare the parameter to a predetermined threshold. Based on the comparison, the controller and/or the operator can assess the likelihood of the patient benefiting from neuromodulation therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Julie Trudel, Douglas Hettrick
  • Patent number: 9713701
    Abstract: Techniques for using multiple physiological parameters to provide an early warning for worsening heart failure are described. A medical device monitors a primary diagnostic parameter that is indicative of worsening heart failure, such as intrathoracic impedance or pressure, and one or more secondary diagnostic parameters. The medical device detects worsening heart failure in the patient based on the primary diagnostic parameter when an index that is changed over time based on the primary diagnostic parameter value is outside a range of values, termed the threshold zone. When the index is within the threshold zone, the medical device detects worsening heart failure in the patient based on the one or more secondary diagnostic parameters. Upon detecting worsening heart failure, the medical device may, for example, provide an alert that enables the patient to seek medical attention before experiencing a heart failure event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Shantanu Sarkar, Douglas A. Hettrick, Robert W. Stadler
  • Patent number: 9707399
    Abstract: Methods and/or devices used in delivering cardiac resynchronization therapy based on a plurality of device parameters (e.g., A-V delay, V-V delay, etc.) are optimized by setting a device parameter based on selection data. The selection data may be acquired by acquiring temporal fiducial points (e.g., heart sounds) associated with at least a part of a systolic portion of at least one cardiac cycle and/or temporal fiducial points associated with at least a part of a diastolic portion of the at least one cardiac cycle for each of a plurality of electrode vector configurations, and extracting measurements from the intracardiac impedance signal acquired for each of a plurality of electrode vector configurations based on the temporal fiducial points. The acquired selection data may be scored and used to optimize the device parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd M. Zielinski, Yong Kyun Cho, Douglas Hettrick, Xusheng Zhang