Patents by Inventor Eric Falkenberg

Eric Falkenberg 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: 7630767
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for delivering cardiac pacing therapy to the heart of a patient using an epicardial left ventricular satellite pacing device in conjunction with primary pacemaker having at least a right ventricular pacing lead. In one embodiment described herein, right ventricular pulses generated by the primary pacemaker are detected by the satellite pacer and analyzed to determine the timing pattern employed by the primary pacemaker. The timing pattern is then used to specify the delivery times of epicardial left ventricular pulses so as to be synchronized with right ventricular pulses. In another embodiment described herein, the primary pacemaker modulates the right ventricular pulses to encode timing information, which is then detected and decoded by the satellite pacemaker. In this manner, biventricular pacing therapy, such as cardiac resynchronization therapy, may be conveniently delivered using a non-biventricular pacemaker in combination with an epicardial satellite pacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Poore, Gene A. Bornzin, Eric Falkenberg
  • Publication number: 20090281440
    Abstract: Implantable systems, and methods for use therein, perform at least one of a cardiac assessment and an autonomic assessment. Premature atrial contractions (PACs) are induced to thereby cause corresponding premature contractions in the ventricles. Short-term fluctuations in cardiac intervals, that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles caused by the induced PACs, are monitored. At least one of a cardiac assessment and an autonomic assessment is performed based on the monitored fluctuations in cardiac intervals that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles caused by the induced PACs. This can include assessing a patient's risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), assessing a patient's autonomic tone and/or detecting myocardial ischemic events based on the monitored fluctuations in cardiac intervals that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles caused by the induced PACs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Taraneh Ghaffari Farazi, Eric Falkenberg
  • Patent number: 7580747
    Abstract: Implantable systems, and methods for use therein, perform at least one of a cardiac assessment and an autonomic assessment. Premature atrial contractions (PACs) are induced to thereby cause corresponding premature contractions in the ventricles. Short-term fluctuations in cardiac intervals, that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles caused by the induced PACs, are monitored. At least one of a cardiac assessment and an autonomic assessment is performed based on the monitored fluctuations in cardiac intervals that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles caused by the induced PACs. This can include assessing a patient's risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD), assessing a patient's autonomic tone and/or detecting myocardial ischemic events based on the monitored fluctuations in cardiac intervals that follow the premature contractions in the ventricles caused by the induced PACs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Taraneh Ghaffari Farazi, Eric Falkenberg
  • Patent number: 7565195
    Abstract: In one implementation, a failsafe method for implantable satellite pacemaker pacing is provided, which includes pacing with a satellite pacemaker and monitoring for a local pacing pulse with an other satellite pacemaker. This implementation further includes, pacing with a surrogate satellite pacemaker if the local pacing pulse is not detected by the other satellite pacemaker. Certain implementations may include transmitting a wireless signal from the other satellite pacemaker to a master pacemaker if the local pacing pulse is not detected by the other satellite pacemaker and using the master pacemaker to select the surrogate satellite pacemaker. Certain implementations may include monitoring for the local pacing pulse with a plurality of satellite and causing the plurality of satellite pacemakers to select the surrogate satellite pacemaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Kroll, Eric S. Fain, Eric Falkenberg
  • Patent number: 7519425
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes delivering a maintenance therapy that aims to prevent occurrence of apnea, sensing information, based at least in part on the information, determining if apnea exists and, if apnea exists, delivering a termination therapy that aims to terminate the apnea. An exemplary implantable device includes an input for information pertaining to respiration and control logic to call for overdrive pacing at a first rate that aims to minimize occurrence of a respiratory condition, to analyze the information for occurrence of the respiratory condition and, upon occurrence of the respiratory condition, to call for overdrive pacing at a higher rate. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Benser, Eric Falkenberg
  • Publication number: 20080234769
    Abstract: An implantable subcutaneous cardiac device includes at least two subcutaneous electrodes adapted for placement external to a heart beneath the skin of a patient. The device further includes an arrhythmia detector that detects a sustained tachyarrhythmia of the heart and a pulse generator that delivers anti-tachycardia pacing pulses to the subcutaneous electrodes in response to detection of a sustained tachyarrhythmia. The pacing pulses preferably have waveforms devoid of any exponential voltage decay and include rounded or substantially constant portions to minimize pain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Applicant: PACESETTER, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Falkenberg, Mark W. Kroll, Gene A. Bornzin
  • Patent number: 7403819
    Abstract: Exemplary methods for affecting conduction and/or operation of the AV node and/or AV bundle. Various exemplary methods include delivery of one or more stimulation pulses to affect conduction and/or operation of an AV node and/or AV bundle. Such delivery optionally stimulates nerves and/or tissue. Nerve stimulation optionally includes parasympathetic nerve stimulation to decrease conduction of the AV node and/or AV bundle. Tissue stimulation optionally causes tissue to enter a refractory period. Various exemplary methods include delivering one or more stimulation pulses during postinspiration. Other exemplary methods and/or devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Anne M. Shelchuk, Gene A. Bornzin, Eric Falkenberg
  • Patent number: 7386342
    Abstract: An implantable subcutaneous cardiac device includes at least two subcutaneous electrodes adapted for placement external to a heart beneath the skin of a patient. The device further includes an arrhythmia detector that detects a sustained tachyarrhythmia of the heart and a pulse generator that delivers anti-tachycardia pacing pulses to the subcutaneous electrodes in response to detection of a sustained tachyarrhythmia. The pacing pulses preferably have waveforms devoid of any exponential voltage decay and include rounded or substantially constant portions to minimize pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Falkenberg, Mark W. Kroll, Gene A. Bornzin
  • Patent number: 7363085
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes sensing respiratory information related to tidal volume, based at least in part on the respiratory information, determining if the tidal volume is less than a limit and, if the tidal volume is less than the limit, calling for diaphragm activation at a stimulation power based on a nonincreasing monotonic relationship with respect to decreasing difference between the tidal volume and the limit. Various other technologies are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Pacesetters, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Benser, Ruth Lyons, Eric Falkenberg
  • Patent number: 7363081
    Abstract: Techniques for enabling both preventive overdrive pacing and antitachycardia pacing (ATP) within an implantable device are provided. The device gains the benefits of overdrive pacing for preventing the onset of a tachycardia and, if one nevertheless occurs, ATP is employed to terminate the tachycardia. In particular, a technique is provided for promptly detecting the onset of atrial tachycardia during preventive overdrive pacing based on loss of capture of atrial pacing pulses. A technique is also provided for using detection of loss of capture of atrial or ventricular pacing pulses to trigger automatic switching from overdrive pacing to ATP. A setup technique determines whether to enable the automatic switching from overdrive pacing to ATP within a particular patient. Also, techniques are provided for verifying loss of capture of atrial or ventricular backup pacing pulses and for detecting low amplitude ventricular fibrillation based on loss of capture of ventricular backup pacing pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Kroll, Eric Falkenberg, Paul A. Levine
  • Patent number: 7340302
    Abstract: An exemplary implantable cardiac device is programmed to administer pacing therapy that treats both congestive heart failure (CHF) and sleep apnea. To treat CHF, the exemplary device delivers pacing pulses of a first voltage level via a lead in the left-sided veins of the heart. During periods of apnea, the device occasionally increases the pulse voltage and delivers one or more phrenic nerve stimulation pulses via the same lead to stimulate the phrenic nerve. This awakens the respiratory system to minimize or prevent episodes of sleep apnea. In an exemplary method, one or more phrenic nerve stimulation pulses are applied in synchronization with the pacing frequency so that the sleep apnea therapy does not disturb the normal cardiac rhythm. Other exemplary devices and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Falkenberg, Mark W. Kroll
  • Patent number: 7308306
    Abstract: Techniques are provided for overdrive pacing the ventricles using a pacemaker wherein an increase in an overdrive pacing rate is performed primarily to achieve a high degree of rate smoothing. The ventricles are paced at an overdrive pacing rate selected to permit the detection of the least some intrinsic ventricular pulses and then the overdrive pacing rate is dynamically adjusted based on the detected intrinsic ventricular pulses. In one example, an increase in the ventricular overdrive rate is performed only in response to detection of at least two intrinsic ventricular beats within a predetermined search period. If at least two intrinsic ventricular beats are not detected within the search period, the overdrive pacing rate is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Euljoon Park, Peter Boileau, Joseph J. Florio, Gene A. Bornzin, Eric Falkenberg
  • Patent number: 7277755
    Abstract: An implantable subcutaneous cardiac device includes at least two subcutaneous electrodes adapted for placement external to a heart beneath the skin of a patient. The device further includes an arrhythmia detector that detects a sustained tachyarrhythmia of the heart and a pulse generator that delivers anti-tachycardia pacing pulses to the subcutaneous electrodes in response to detection of a sustained tachyarrhythmia. The pacing pulses preferably have waveforms devoid of any exponential voltage decay and include rounded or substantially constant portions to minimize pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Falkenberg, Mark W. Kroll, Gene A. Bornzin
  • Patent number: 7260433
    Abstract: An implantable subcutaneous cardiac device includes at least two subcutaneous electrodes adapted for placement external to a heart beneath the skin of a patient. The device further includes an arrhythmia detector that detects a sustained tachyarrhythmia of the heart and a pulse generator that delivers anti-tachycardia pacing pulses to the subcutaneous electrodes in response to detection of a sustained tachyarrhythmia. The pacing pulses preferably have waveforms devoid of any exponential voltage decay and include rounded or substantially constant portions to minimize pain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Falkenberg, Mark W. Kroll, Gene A. Bornzin
  • Patent number: 7236829
    Abstract: A technique for performing sensing operations in the body subcutaneously employs, in combination, the housing of an electrical stimulator such as a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator and an integral flap member of flexible insulative sheet material which has at least one arm projecting away therefrom to an extreme tip end. Each arm is rolled about itself from the tip end on a lateral axis transverse of the longitudinal axis of the arm into a compact unit adjacent the housing. An incision is made through the skin and a region beneath the skin enlarged to form a cavity. The compact unit is then inserted into the cavity and unrolled about the lateral axis of each arm so as to be laid flat under the skin. When positioned into a desired orientation, each flap member is sutured to the skin to maintain the desired orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2007
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Taraneh Ghaffari Farazi, Eric Falkenberg
  • Patent number: 7225020
    Abstract: Techniques for enabling both preventive overdrive pacing and antitachycardia pacing (ATP) within an implantable device are provided. The device gains the benefits of overdrive pacing for preventing the onset of a tachycardia and, if one nevertheless occurs, ATP is employed to terminate the tachycardia. In particular, a technique is provided for promptly detecting the onset of atrial tachycardia during preventive overdrive pacing based on loss of capture of atrial pacing pulses. A technique is also provided for using detection of loss of capture of atrial or ventricular pacing pulses to trigger automatic switching from overdrive pacing to ATP. A setup technique determines whether to enable the automatic switching from overdrive pacing to ATP within a particular patient. Also, techniques are provided for verifying loss of capture of atrial or ventricular backup pacing pulses and for detecting low amplitude ventricular fibrillation based on loss of capture of ventricular backup pacing pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Kroll, Eric Falkenberg, Paul A. Levine
  • Patent number: 7212855
    Abstract: Techniques for enabling both preventive overdrive pacing and antitachycardia pacing (ATP) within an implantable device are provided. The device gains the benefits of overdrive pacing for preventing the onset of a tachycardia and, if one nevertheless occurs, ATP is employed to terminate the tachycardia. In particular, a technique is provided for promptly detecting the onset of atrial tachycardia during preventive overdrive pacing based on loss of capture of atrial pacing pulses. A technique is also provided for using detection of loss of capture of atrial or ventricular pacing pulses to trigger automatic switching from overdrive pacing to ATP. A setup technique determines whether to enable the automatic switching from overdrive pacing to ATP within a particular patient. Also, techniques are provided for verifying loss of capture of atrial or ventricular backup pacing pulses and for detecting low amplitude ventricular fibrillation based on loss of capture of ventricular backup pacing pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Kroll, Eric Falkenberg, Paul A. Levine
  • Patent number: 7195628
    Abstract: A system and method for treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation by destruction of conductive pathways between the pulmonary veins and the left atrium. A stent is delivered by catheter to the left atrium and to the ostium of a pulmonary vein to be treated. The stent is positioned in the pulmonary vein and is deployed to engage and support the pulmonary vein. The stent prevents stenosis of the pulmonary vein as a result of ablation of tissue. The ablation is produced by a coating of a biologically active material on the stent which destroys tissue or slows electrophyisiologic conduction through the tissue. Alternatively, ablation is performed using RF energy, cryoablation, laser energy, or other ablation techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Falkenberg
  • Patent number: 7194304
    Abstract: An implantable cardiac defibrillation assembly includes at least one implantable lead having a defibrillation electrode adapted for placement in a chamber of the heart. The lead includes a connector. The assembly further includes an implantable defibrillation device having a pulse generator that provides defibrillation pulses and that is configured to receive the connector to couple the defibrillation electrode to the pulse generator. The device further includes a system that evaluates and conditions the assembly to provide defibrillation therapy to the heart without requiring arrhythmia induction of the heart. The system may condition the device for defibrillation therapy by reforming the defibrillation output capacitor and evaluate defibrillation lead DC resistance, and R wave sensing and detection. In addition, the system may estimate defibrillation thresholds and electrical fields and condition the device by setting the device to provide an output voltage above the estimated threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Gene A. Bornzin, Eric Falkenberg, Mark W. Kroll, Gabriel A. Mouchawar
  • Patent number: 7164944
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes delivering a therapy selected from tiered therapies that include cardioversion and/or defibrillation therapies wherein the delivered therapy aims to treat a cardiac condition, delivering analgesic stimulation, determining whether the delivered therapy successfully treated the cardiac condition, and responsive to the determining, changing one or more analgesic stimulation parameters. Various other exemplary methods and/or devices capable of performing such methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Pacesetter, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Kroll, Eric Falkenberg, Paul A. Levine