Patents by Inventor Douglas K. Medema
Douglas K. Medema 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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Patent number: 11063378Abstract: Technologies and implementations for a clip to connect coaxial cables onto a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) is disclosed. The technologies and implementations facilitate improved signal integrity from the cable to various components of the PCBA. Additionally, the technologies and implementations help facilitate management of mechanical variations during connection of the coaxial cable.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2020Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: West Affum Holdings Corp.Inventors: Robert R. Buchanan, Douglas K. Medema, Daniel R. Piha, Dallas E. Meeker, Daniel J. Finney
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Publication number: 20210196965Abstract: An external defibrillator system is configured with at least two different algorithms for determining the duration of a shock administered to a patient being treated and selects the algorithm based on one or more patient parameters such as, for example, the patient's TTI. The patient's TTI can be measured prior to or while the shock is being administered to the patient. The shock can be, for example, a multiphasic defibrillation or a multiphasic cardioversion shock. The charge voltage of the system's energy storage device can additionally be varied depending on the one or more patient parameters. For example, the system may charge the energy storage device so that the charge voltage is higher or lower than a nominal charge voltage responsive to the patient's TTI is higher or lower compared to an average TTI, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: West Affum Holdings Corp.Inventors: Tyson G. Taylor, Douglas K. Medema
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Patent number: 10946207Abstract: An external defibrillator system is configured with at least two different algorithms for determining the duration of a shock administered to a patient being treated and selects the algorithm based on one or more patient parameters such as, for example, the patient's TTI. The patient's TTI can be measured prior to or while the shock is being administered to the patient. The shock can be, for example, a multiphasic defibrillation or a multiphasic cardioversion shock. The charge voltage of the system's energy storage device can additionally be varied depending on the one or more patient parameters. For example, the system may charge the energy storage device so that the charge voltage is higher or lower than a nominal charge voltage responsive to the patient's TTI is higher or lower compared to an average TTI, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2017Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: West Affum Holdings Corp.Inventors: Tyson G. Taylor, Douglas K. Medema
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Publication number: 20200406044Abstract: A wearable cardioverter defibrillator (“WCD”) latching connector system includes a receptacle positioned within a WCD monitor, and a connector configured to removably engage the receptacle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Inventors: Daniel R. Piha, Robert R. Buchanan, Dallas E. Meeker, Douglas K. Medema, Quan H. Nguyen
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Publication number: 20200282224Abstract: Embodiments of a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) system are configured to monitor a patient's ECG for shockable arrhythmias and deliver a shock to the patient in response to such a detection. To monitor the patient's ECG with reduced signal noise to improve the system's performance, the system includes a cable assembly having: a signal line; an inner shield and an outer shield; an ECG electrode electrically connected to the signal line of the cable assembly; and an amplifier having first and second input nodes respectively connected to the signal line and the outer shield of the cable assembly. The amplifier's output node is electrically connected to the inner shield of the cable assembly to reduce the reactive load seen by the patient's heart in driving the ECG sensing circuitry, which reduces the noise on the ECG signal outputted by the amplifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Zhong Qun Lu, Douglas K. Medema, Kenneth F. Cowan
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Publication number: 20200287303Abstract: Technologies and implementations for a clip to connect coaxial cables onto a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) is disclosed. The technologies and implementations facilitate improved signal integrity from the cable to various components of the PCBA. Additionally, the technologies and implementations help facilitate management of mechanical variations during connection of the coaxial cable.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: Robert R. Buchanan, Douglas K. Medema, Daniel R. Piha, Dallas E. Meeker, Daniel J. Finney
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Publication number: 20200046962Abstract: A wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) comprises a plurality of electrocardiography (ECG) electrodes, a right-leg drive (RLD) electrode, and a plurality of defibrillator electrodes to contact the patient's skin when the WCD is delivering therapy to the patient, a preamplifier coupled to the ECG electrodes and the RLD electrode to obtain ECG data from the patient as one or more ECG vectors, a high voltage subsystem to provide a defibrillation voltage to the patient through the plurality of defibrillator electrodes, and an impedance measurement circuit to measure an impedance across a first pair of ECG electrodes, wherein the impedance measurement circuit is to apply a balancing impedance across a second pair of ECG electrodes when an impedance of the second pair of ECG electrodes is not being measured.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventors: Zhong Qun Lu, Douglas K. Medema, Kenneth F. Cowan
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Publication number: 20190247671Abstract: A wearable cardioverter defibrillator (“WCD”) latching connector system includes a receptacle positioned within a WCD monitor, and a connector configured to removably engage the receptacle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Inventors: Daniel R. Piha, Robert R. Buchanan, Dallas E. Meeker, Douglas K. Medema, Quan H. Nguyen
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Publication number: 20190159696Abstract: A Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator (WCD) system comprises an electrode assembly with a permeable ECG electrode and a moisture barrier. In some embodiments, the moisture barrier is configured to reduce drying out of the permeable ECG electrode to improve performance of the WCD system. In a further enhancement, some embodiments of the electrode assembly also include a pillow structure positioned on a non-skin-contacting surface of the electrode assembly to comfortably reduce movement artifact or noise in the received ECG signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2018Publication date: May 30, 2019Inventors: Dallas E. Meeker, Kiah Lesher, Douglas K. Medema, Robert R. Buchanan, Zoie R. Engman, Phillip D. Foshee, JR., David P. Finch
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Publication number: 20190076666Abstract: In embodiments, a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) system is configured to be worn by an ambulatory patient. In the event that the WCD system determines that defibrillation is needed, it delivers a defibrillation shock. To diminish the possibility that the patient will be shocked due to a false positive detection, the WCD system alerts a patient that a defibrillation shock is imminent, and invites them to react to avert it. Alerting may be by a very weak shock, or jolt. Alerting by a jolt can be a last resort warning. An advantage can be that the patient has a higher chance of being alerted by the jolt, especially in the event that the patient is not reacting to other human-perceptible alerts, such as when the patient is riding a motorcycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2018Publication date: March 14, 2019Inventor: Douglas K. Medema
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Publication number: 20180339162Abstract: An external defibrillator system is configured with at least two different algorithms for determining the duration of a shock administered to a patient being treated and selects the algorithm based on one or more patient parameters such as, for example, the patient's TTI. The patient's TTI can be measured prior to or while the shock is being administered to the patient. The shock can be, for example, a multiphasic defibrillation or a multiphasic cardioversion shock. The charge voltage of the system's energy storage device can additionally be varied depending on the one or more patient parameters. For example, the system may charge the energy storage device so that the charge voltage is higher or lower than a nominal charge voltage responsive to the patient's TTI is higher or lower compared to an average TTI, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2017Publication date: November 29, 2018Inventors: Tyson G. Taylor, Douglas K. Medema
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Publication number: 20180272145Abstract: A superior wearable cardioverter defibrillator is disclosed. Embodiments provide one or more remote sensors (e.g., ECG electrodes) that are separable from the rest of the WCD system, which holds the defibrillation electrodes on the body and may also hold a preamplifier for the electrodes. This feature enables ECG electrodes (or other physiological sensors) to be more securely affixed to the patient's body without adversely affecting the patient's desire to don the rest of the WCD.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2018Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventors: Douglas K. Medema, Joseph L. Sullivan, David P. Finch
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WEARABLE CARDIAC DEFIBRILLATOR SYSTEMS & METHODS & SOFTWARE FOR CONTACTING NON-WITNESSING RESPONDERS
Publication number: 20180221645Abstract: A WCD system is configured to detect when a therapy administered to a patient by the WCD system is unsuccessful, and in response determine whether to send notifications to remote non-witness responders. The WCD system may be configured to decide to send such notifications after the WCD system determines it has administered a predetermined number of unsuccessful shocks to the patient. The predetermined number of unsuccessful shocks may be the maximum number of unsuccessful shocks the WCD system will administer to a patient, or every Xth shock (e.g., 3rd shock). The WCD system can be configured to periodically resend the notification. The notifications may be in form of SMS, voice messages, emails, app notifications, etc. sent to cell phones, smartphones, computers, laptops, tablets etc. of the responders either directly, via a server, or via a CAD-coupled server.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2017Publication date: August 9, 2018Inventors: Douglas K. Medema, Steven E. Sjoquist -
Patent number: 7289029Abstract: Techniques for initiating direct communication between an emergency medical device, such as an automated external defibrillator (AED) and a safety agency may include detecting an event and contacting the safety agency in response to the detected event and user authorization. For example, the AED may detect an event such as removal of the AED from a mount and alert an operator of the intent to send contact the safety agency. The AED determines whether an override command was received from the operator in a defined amount of time. When the operator does not input an override command, the AED interprets the absence of the override command as user authorization and contacts the safety agency via a communication unit. For instance, the AED may generate an advisory and send the advisory to the safety agency. The initiation of direct communication between the AED and the safety agency by the AED enables the operator to interact with a patient, e.g., perform CPR on the patient.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2002Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: MedTronic Physio-Control Corp.Inventors: Douglas K. Medema, Daniel W. Piraino, Richard E Kunz, Richard C. Nova, Cynthia P. Jayne
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Patent number: 6937150Abstract: The invention provides a wireless automatic location identification (ALI) capable system (10), including a medical device (12) having a wireless data communicator (14), a wireless communication network (16), and a remote locating service (18) for remotely locating and monitoring one or more medical devices over the wireless communication network. When the medical device is linked to the remote locating service over the communication network, the ALI-capable system identifies the location of the medical device and relays the location information to the remote locating service. The system permits reliable determination of the location of the medical device wherever the medical device is situated. The medical device may further be configured to transmit signals indicative of its status, condition, or self-test results, to the remote locating service. This feature allows the remote locating service to centrally monitor the status or condition of a plurality of medical devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Medtronic Physio-Control Manufacturing Corp.Inventors: Douglas K. Medema, William E. Saltzstein, Robert A. Niskanen, Richard C. Nova
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Publication number: 20040155772Abstract: The invention provides a wireless automatic location identification (ALI) capable system (10), including a medical device (12) having a wireless data communicator (14), a wireless communication network (16), and a remote locating service (18) for remotely locating and monitoring one or more medical devices over the wireless communication network. When the medical device is linked to the remote locating service over the communication network, the ALI-capable system identifies the location of the medical device and relays the location information to the remote locating service. The system permits reliable determination of the location of the medical device wherever the medical device is situated. The medical device may further be configured to transmit signals indicative of its status, condition, or self-test results, to the remote locating service. This feature allows the remote locating service to centrally monitor the status or condition of a plurality of medical devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2003Publication date: August 12, 2004Applicant: Medtronic Physio-Control Manufacturing Corp.Inventors: Douglas K. Medema, William E. Saltzstein, Robert A. Niskanen, Richard C. Nova
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Publication number: 20040124979Abstract: Techniques for initiating direct communication between an emergency medical device, such as an automated external defibrillator (AED) and a safety agency may include detecting an event and contacting the safety agency in response to the detected event and user authorization. For example, the AED may detect an event such as removal of the AED from a mount and alert an operator of the intent to send contact the safety agency. The AED determines whether an override command was received from the operator in a defined amount of time. When the operator does not input an override command, the AED interprets the absence of the override command as user authorization and contacts the safety agency via a communication unit. For instance, the AED may generate an advisory and send the advisory to the safety agency. The initiation of direct communication between the AED and the safety agency by the AED enables the operator to interact with a patient, e.g., perform CPR on the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2002Publication date: July 1, 2004Inventors: Douglas K. Medema, Daniel W. Piraino, Richard E. Kunz, Richard C. Nova, Cynthia P. Jayne
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Patent number: 6747556Abstract: The invention provides a wireless automatic location identification (ALI) capable system (10), including a medical device (12) having a wireless data communicator (14), a wireless communication network (16), and a remote locating service (18) for remotely locating and monitoring one or more medical devices over the wireless communication network. When the medical device is linked to the remote locating service over the communication network, the ALI-capable system identifies the location of the medical device and relays the location information to the remote locating service. The system permits reliable determination of the location of the medical device wherever the medical device is situated. The medical device may further be configured to transmit signals indicative of its status, condition, or self-test results, to the remote locating service. This feature allows the remote locating service to centrally monitor the status or condition of a plurality of medical devices.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2001Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Medtronic Physio-Control Corp.Inventors: Douglas K. Medema, William E. Saltzstein, Robert A. Niskanen, Richard C. Nova
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Publication number: 20030025602Abstract: The invention provides a wireless automatic location identification (ALI) capable system (10), including a medical device (12) having a wireless data communicator (14), a wireless communication network (16), and a remote locating service (18) for remotely locating and monitoring one or more medical devices over the wireless communication network. When the medical device is linked to the remote locating service over the communication network, the ALI-capable system identifies the location of the medical device and relays the location information to the remote locating service. The system permits reliable determination of the location of the medical device wherever the medical device is situated. The medical device may further be configured to transmit signals indicative of its status, condition, or self-test results, to the remote locating service. This feature allows the remote locating service to centrally monitor the status or condition of a plurality of medical devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2001Publication date: February 6, 2003Applicant: Medtronic Physio-Control Manufacturing CorpInventors: Douglas K. Medema, William E. Saltzstein, Robert A. Niskanen, Richard C. Nova
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Patent number: D911527Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: West Affum Holdings Corp.Inventors: Daniel R. Piha, Robert R. Buchanan, Dallas E. Meeker, Douglas K. Medema, Quan H. Nguyen