Patents by Inventor Eric J. Panken

Eric J. Panken 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: 9259177
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing data records associated with a medical monitoring event in a data structure. These include initiating loop recording in an implantable medical device upon determination of a neurological event, wherein loop recording comprises storing a data record of a plurality of data records in a data structure, the plurality of data records representing information about determined neurological events. Methods and apparatus can further include determining a priority index for the plurality of data records based on severity levels of the determined neurological events and replacing older data records of the plurality of data records on the data structure with new data records according to the priority index, wherein the new data records selectively replace those data records in the data structure having the lowest associated priority index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Touby A. Drew, Jonathon E. Giftakis, David L. Carlson, Eric J. Panken, Jonathan C. Werder, Nina M. Graves
  • Patent number: 9248288
    Abstract: A patient controls the delivery of therapy through volitional inputs that are detected by a biosignal within the brain. The volitional patient input may be directed towards performing a specific physical or mental activity, such as moving a muscle or performing a mathematical calculation. In one embodiment, a biosignal detection module monitors an electroencephalogram (EEG) signal from within the brain of the patient and determines whether the EEG signal includes the biosignal. In one embodiment, the biosignal detection module analyzes one or more frequency components of the EEG signal. In this manner, the patient may adjust therapy delivery by providing a volitional input that is detected by brain signals, wherein the volitional input may not require the interaction with another device, thereby eliminating the need for an external programmer to adjust therapy delivery. Example therapies include electrical stimulation, drug delivery, and delivery of sensory cues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Panken, Timothy J. Denison, Gregory F. Molnar
  • Patent number: 9149210
    Abstract: Techniques relate to operating a medical device by classifying a detected posture state of a patient. This classification may be performed by comparing the detected posture state to posture state definitions available within the system. Each definition may be described in terms of a parameter (e.g., vector) indicative of a direction in three-dimensional space. The posture state definitions may be calibrated by automatically estimating values for these parameters, thereby eliminating the need for the patient to assume each posture state during the calibration process to capture actual parameter values. According to another aspect, the estimated parameter values may be updated as the patient assumes various postures during a daily routine. For instance, estimated vectors initially used to calibrate the posture state definitions may be changed over time to more closely represent posture states the patient actually assumes, and to further adapt to changes in a patient's condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Rajeev M. Sahasrabudhe, Lynn Davenport, Jon P. Davis, Wende L. Dewing, Elizabeth A. Fehrmann, Steven Goetz, Shyam Gokaldas, Eric J. Panken
  • Patent number: 9014804
    Abstract: An implantable medical device such as an implantable pulse generator that includes EEG sensing for monitoring and treating neurological conditions, and leadless ECG sensing for monitoring cardiac signals. The device includes a connector block with provisions for cardiac leads which may be used/enabled when needed. If significant co-morbid cardiac events are observed in patients via the leadless ECG monitoring, then cardiac leads may be subsequently connected for therapeutic use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon E. Giftakis, Nina M. Graves, Jonathan C. Werder, Eric J. Panken
  • Publication number: 20150080674
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing data records associated with a medical monitoring event in a data structure. These include initiating loop recording in an implantable medical device upon determination of a neurological event, wherein loop recording comprises storing a data record of a plurality of data records in a data structure, the plurality of data records representing information about determined neurological events. Methods and apparatus can further include determining a priority index for the plurality of data records based on severity levels of the determined neurological events and replacing older data records of the plurality of data records on the data structure with new data records according to the priority index, wherein the new data records selectively replace those data records in the data structure having the lowest associated priority index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Touby A. Drew, Jonathon E. Giftakis, David L. Carlson, Eric J. Panken, Jonathan C. Werder, Nina M. Graves
  • Patent number: 8958885
    Abstract: One embodiment relates to a medical device including a sensor to provide signals indicative of a detected posture state of a patient. A memory stores one or more defined vectors, each defined vector being associated with a tolerance describing a relationship with the defined vector. A processor determines a respective similarity between the detected vector and each of one or more of the defined vectors and classifies a posture state of the patient based on whether any similarity has a relationship to the respective defined vector that is described by the associated tolerance. In one embodiment, the similarity is determined without regard to a coordinate system of the patient. Another embodiment relates to determining the similarity based on at least one of an inner product, a length of the defined posture vector and a length of the detected vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Panken, Dennis M. Skelton
  • Patent number: 8834392
    Abstract: Techniques relate to operating a medical device in response to a detected posture state of a patient. A trigger event such as a request to modify how therapy is being delivered to the patient may cause a determination to be made as to whether the patient's posture state is stable. If the posture state is stable, an association is created between the posture state and one or more therapy parameter values. Over time, a library of such associations is created that may reflect any posture state in three dimensional space, wherein a posture state comprises at least one of a posture and an activity component. The library of associations may be used to automatically control therapy delivery. Similar ones of the associations may automatically be grouped into posture state regions to facilitate more efficient classification of the patient's posture state to control therapy delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Panken, Amanda D. Gaudreau
  • Patent number: 8798728
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing data records associated with a medical monitoring event in a data structure. These include initiating loop recording in an implantable medical device upon determination of a neurological event, wherein loop recording comprises storing a data record of a plurality of data records in a data structure, the plurality of data records representing information about determined neurological events. Methods and apparatus can further include determining a priority index for the plurality of data records based on severity levels of the determined neurological events and replacing older data records of the plurality of data records on the data structure with new data records according to the priority index, wherein the new data records selectively replace those data records in the data structure having the lowest associated priority index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Touby A. Drew, Jonathon E. Giftakis, David L. Carlson, Eric J. Panken, Jonathan C. Werder, Nina M. Graves
  • Patent number: 8768446
    Abstract: Methods of generating an extended cluster are disclosed. A first cluster including data representative of a first signal indicative of an abnormal physiological symptom is generated. A second signal is detected as representing a second abnormal physiological symptom and the second abnormal physiological symptom continues after the first abnormal physiological symptom ends. An extended cluster including the data from the first signal and the second signal is generated that extends from the time when the first abnormal physiological symptom occurs to the time when the second abnormal physiological symptom ends. The first and the extended cluster may include data of both the first and second signals the entire period of the clusters. If desired, the first signal or the second signal may be provided from a sensor implanted in a patient's brain tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Touby A. Drew, Jonathan C. Werder, Jonathon E. Giftakis, Eric J. Panken
  • Patent number: 8758274
    Abstract: Techniques relate to operating a medical device by classifying a detected posture state of a patient. This classification may be performed by comparing the detected posture state of the patient to posture state definitions available within the system. Each definition may be described in terms of a parameter (e.g., vector) indicative of a direction in three-dimensional space. The posture state definitions may be calibrated by automatically estimating values for these parameters, thereby eliminating the need for the patient to assume each posture state during the calibration process to capture actual parameter values. According to another aspect, the estimated parameter values may be updated as the patient assumes various postures during a daily routine. For instance, estimated vectors initially used to calibrate the posture state definitions may be changed over time to more closely represent posture states the patient actually assumes, and to further adapt to changes in a patient's condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajeev M. Sahasrabudhe, Lynn Davenport, Jon P. Davis, Wende L. Dewing, Elizabeth A. Fehrmann, Steven Goetz, Shyam Gokaldas, Eric J. Panken
  • Patent number: 8688225
    Abstract: Techniques for detecting and classifying a posture state of a patient are disclosed, wherein a posture state includes at least one of a posture and/or an activity state related to motion. In one embodiment, one or more signals indicative of at least one of posture and activity state of the patient may be sensed by a sensor. Control logic may be provided to process the one or more sensed signals in a selectable manner. This selectable manner may be based on current posture state data describing a posture state in which the patient has previously been classified. Alternatively or additionally, this current posture state data may describe a posture state transition previously undergone by the patient. The one or more signals that are so processed may then be used to classify a posture state of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Panken, Dennis M. Skelton
  • Publication number: 20140032512
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing data records associated with a medical monitoring event in a data structure. These include initiating loop recording in an implantable medical device upon determination of a neurological event, wherein loop recording comprises storing a data record of a plurality of data records in a data structure, the plurality of data records representing information about determined neurological events. Methods and apparatus can further include determining a priority index for the plurality of data records based on severity levels of the determined neurological events and replacing older data records of the plurality of data records on the data structure with new data records according to the priority index, wherein the new data records selectively replace those data records in the data structure having the lowest associated priority index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Touby A. Drew, Jonathon E. Giftakis, David L. Carlson, Eric J. Panken, Jonathan C. Werder, Nina M. Graves
  • Publication number: 20130289652
    Abstract: A medical device provides stimulation therapy to a patient based on a set of therapy parameters. One or more therapy parameters may be automatically adjusted based on acceleration forces detected by a sensor, the acceleration forces being applied to the patient. In some examples, adjustments to one or more therapy parameter may be made based on an algorithm. The algorithm may be defined by acceleration and therapy parameter value pairs associated with opposite patient positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Skelton, Christopher Poletto, Eric J. Panken
  • Patent number: 8565864
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing data records associated with a medical monitoring event in a data structure. These include initiating loop recording in an implantable medical device upon determination of a neurological event, wherein loop recording comprises storing a data record of a plurality of data records in a data structure, the plurality of data records representing information about determined neurological events. Methods and apparatus can further include determining a priority index for the plurality of data records based on severity levels of the determined neurological events and replacing older data records of the plurality of data records on the data structure with new data records according to the priority index, wherein the new data records selectively replace those data records in the data structure having the lowest associated priority index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Touby A. Drew, Jonathon E. Giftakis, David L. Carlson, Eric J. Panken, Jonathan C. Werder, Nina M. Graves
  • Patent number: 8554325
    Abstract: A movement state of a patient is detected based on brain signals, such as an electroencephalogram (EEG) signal. In some examples, a brain signal within a dorsal-lateral prefrontal cortex of a brain of the patient indicative of prospective movement of the patient may be sensed in order to detect the movement state. The movement state may include the brain state that indicates the patient is intending on initiating movement, initiating movement, attempting to initiate movement or is actually moving. In some examples, upon detecting the movement state, a movement disorder therapy is delivered to the patient. In some examples, the therapy delivery is deactivated upon detecting the patient is no longer in a movement state or that the patient has successfully initiated movement. In addition, in some examples, the movement state detected based on the brain signals may be confirmed based on a signal from a motion sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory F. Molnar, Steven S. Gill, Keith A. Miesel, Mark S. Lent, Timothy J. Denison, Eric J. Panken, Carl D. Wahlstrand, Jonathan C. Werder
  • Patent number: 8527039
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and/or treating nervous system disorders, such as seizures. Certain embodiments of the invention relate generally to implantable medical devices (IMDs) adapted to detect and treat nervous system disorders in patients with an IMD. Certain embodiments of the invention include detection of seizures based upon comparisons of long-term and short-term representations of physiological signals. Further embodiments of the invention include preparing for the delivery of therapy by warming up therapy delivery components prior to the expected delivery of therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Carlson, Eric J. Panken, Touby A. Drew, Jonathan C. Werder
  • Patent number: 8515549
    Abstract: The disclosure described techniques for associating therapy adjustments with intended patient posture states. The techniques may include receiving a patient therapy adjustment to a parameter of a therapy program that defines electrical stimulation therapy delivered to the patient, identifying a posture state of the patient, and associating the patient therapy adjustment with the posture state when the patient therapy adjustment is within a range determined based on stored adjustment information for the identified posture state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Panken, Dennis M. Skelton
  • Patent number: 8388555
    Abstract: Techniques relate to operating a medical device in response to a detected posture state of a patient. A trigger event such as a request to modify how therapy is being delivered to the patient may cause a determination to be made as to whether the patient's posture state is stable. If the posture state is stable, an association is created between the posture state and one or more therapy parameter values. Over time, a library of such associations is created that may reflect any posture state in three dimensional space, wherein a posture state comprises at least one of a posture and an activity component. The library of associations may be used to automatically control therapy delivery. Similar ones of the associations may automatically be grouped into posture state regions to facilitate more efficient classification of the patient's posture state to control therapy delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Panken, Amanda Gaudreau
  • Patent number: 8380314
    Abstract: A patient controls the delivery of therapy through volitional inputs that are detected by a biosignal within the brain. The volitional patient input may be directed towards performing a specific physical or mental activity, such as moving a muscle or performing a mathematical calculation. In one embodiment, a biosignal detection module monitors an electroencephalogram (EEG) signal from within the brain of the patient and determines whether the EEG signal includes the biosignal. In one embodiment, the biosignal detection module analyzes one or more frequency components of the EEG signal. In this manner, the patient may adjust therapy delivery by providing a volitional input that is detected by brain signals, wherein the volitional input may not require the interaction with another device, thereby eliminating the need for an external programmer to adjust therapy delivery. Example therapies include electrical stimulation, drug delivery, and delivery of sensory cues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Panken, Timothy J. Denison, Gregory F. Molnar
  • Patent number: 8317770
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining whether a catheter malfunction is present in a catheter by analyzing changes in the pressure of fluids being pumped through the delivery lumen of the catheter. The pressure changes that may be monitored may include, e.g., the peak pressure within the catheter and/or the pressure decay profile. The catheter malfunctions that may be determined using the methods and systems of the invention may include, e.g., leaks, blockages, the presence of gas bubbles, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Miesel, Eric J. Panken