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).

  • Patent number: 11063378
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: West Affum Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Robert R. Buchanan, Douglas K. Medema, Daniel R. Piha, Dallas E. Meeker, Daniel J. Finney
  • Publication number: 20210196965
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: West Affum Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Tyson G. Taylor, Douglas K. Medema
  • Patent number: 10946207
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: West Affum Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Tyson G. Taylor, Douglas K. Medema
  • Publication number: 20200406044
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel R. Piha, Robert R. Buchanan, Dallas E. Meeker, Douglas K. Medema, Quan H. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20200282224
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Zhong Qun Lu, Douglas K. Medema, Kenneth F. Cowan
  • Publication number: 20200287303
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Robert R. Buchanan, Douglas K. Medema, Daniel R. Piha, Dallas E. Meeker, Daniel J. Finney
  • Publication number: 20200046962
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Zhong Qun Lu, Douglas K. Medema, Kenneth F. Cowan
  • Publication number: 20190247671
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Daniel R. Piha, Robert R. Buchanan, Dallas E. Meeker, Douglas K. Medema, Quan H. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20190159696
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Dallas E. Meeker, Kiah Lesher, Douglas K. Medema, Robert R. Buchanan, Zoie R. Engman, Phillip D. Foshee, JR., David P. Finch
  • Publication number: 20190076666
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventor: Douglas K. Medema
  • Publication number: 20180339162
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Tyson G. Taylor, Douglas K. Medema
  • Publication number: 20180272145
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas K. Medema, Joseph L. Sullivan, David P. Finch
  • Publication number: 20180221645
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Douglas K. Medema, Steven E. Sjoquist
  • Patent number: 7289029
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: MedTronic Physio-Control Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas K. Medema, Daniel W. Piraino, Richard E Kunz, Richard C. Nova, Cynthia P. Jayne
  • Patent number: 6937150
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Medtronic Physio-Control Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas K. Medema, William E. Saltzstein, Robert A. Niskanen, Richard C. Nova
  • Publication number: 20040155772
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: Medtronic Physio-Control Manufacturing Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas K. Medema, William E. Saltzstein, Robert A. Niskanen, Richard C. Nova
  • Publication number: 20040124979
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Douglas K. Medema, Daniel W. Piraino, Richard E. Kunz, Richard C. Nova, Cynthia P. Jayne
  • Patent number: 6747556
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic Physio-Control Corp.
    Inventors: Douglas K. Medema, William E. Saltzstein, Robert A. Niskanen, Richard C. Nova
  • Publication number: 20030025602
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Medtronic Physio-Control Manufacturing Corp
    Inventors: Douglas K. Medema, William E. Saltzstein, Robert A. Niskanen, Richard C. Nova
  • Patent number: D911527
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: West Affum Holdings Corp.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Piha, Robert R. Buchanan, Dallas E. Meeker, Douglas K. Medema, Quan H. Nguyen