Patents by Inventor Eric R. Williams

Eric R. Williams 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: 9937352
    Abstract: An implantable rate responsive pacemaker includes a sensor module configured to produce an activity signal correlated to a metabolic demand of a patient and a posture signal correlated to patient posture. The pacemaker further includes a pulse generator configured to generate and deliver pacing pulses to a patient's heart via a pair of electrodes coupled to the pacemaker. A control module is coupled to the pulse generator and the sensor module and is configured to determine a sensor indicated pacing rate from the activity signal, compare the posture signal to verification criteria for confirming an exercising posture of the patient, and withhold an adjustment of a pacing rate to the sensor indicated pacing rate responsive to the verification criteria not being met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd J Sheldon, Wade M Demmer, Eric R Williams
  • Publication number: 20170113051
    Abstract: An implantable rate responsive pacemaker includes a sensor module configured to produce an activity signal correlated to a metabolic demand of a patient and a posture signal correlated to patient posture. The pacemaker further includes a pulse generator configured to generate and deliver pacing pulses to a patient's heart via a pair of electrodes coupled to the pacemaker. A control module is coupled to the pulse generator and the sensor module and is configured to determine a sensor indicated pacing rate from the activity signal, compare the posture signal to verification criteria for confirming an exercising posture of the patient, and withhold an adjustment of a pacing rate to the sensor indicated pacing rate responsive to the verification criteria not being met.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Todd J. Sheldon, Wade M. Demmer, Eric R. Williams
  • Patent number: 9616238
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining estimated remaining longevity for an implantable stimulator. The device employs pre-calculated numbers of days for various combinations conditions of device usage parameters to determine remaining device longevity based upon identified actual conditions of device usage and employs the determined longevity to change longevity indicator states in the device. While between longevity state changes, the device the identified conditions of device usage and adjusts the determined longevity if the conditions of use change significantly. The indicator states may correspond to one or more of Recommended Replacement Time (RRT), Elective Replacement Indicator (ERI) or End of Service (EOS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Wade M Demmer, James D Reinke, Todd J Sheldon, Eric R Williams
  • Patent number: 9101281
    Abstract: Techniques for determining an attachment stability of leadless pacing device (LPD) implanted within a patient are described. For example, the LPD may detect one or more stability metrics from one or more electrodes of the LPD and/or an activity sensor within the LPD. Based on one or more of these stability metrics, e.g., a mechanical motion of the LPD, a stability module within the LPD may determine the attachment stability of the LPD within the patient. If the attachment stability is insufficient to provide efficacious therapy or indicates at least partial dislodgement of the LPD from tissue, the LPD may wirelessly transmit stability information to an external device. In some examples, the LPD may be implanted within a chamber of the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Reinert, Eric R. Williams, Todd J. Sheldon
  • Publication number: 20150157866
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining estimated remaining longevity for an implantable stimulator. The device employs pre-calculated numbers of days for various combinations conditions of device usage parameters to determine remaining device longevity based upon identified actual conditions of device usage and employs the determined longevity to change longevity indicator states in the device. While between longevity state changes, the device the identified conditions of device usage and adjusts the determined longevity if the conditions of use change significantly. The indicator states may correspond to one or more of Recommended Replacement Time (RRT), Elective Replacement Indicator (ERI) or End of Service (EOS).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Wade M. Demmer, James D. Reinke, Todd J. Sheldon, Eric R. Williams
  • Patent number: 8391973
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering an external shock pulse receive pacing pulses generated by a first device and a shock pulse generated by a second device. An output of the apparatus is coupled to patient electrodes and the apparatus controls delivery of the received pacing pulses to the output and delivery of the received shock pulse to the output. A control module, pacing control and shock control included in the apparatus cooperatively control delivery of the received shock pulse to the output at a predetermined delay after one of the received pacing pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir P. Nikolski, William J. Havel, Joseph L. Sullivan, Daniel W. Piraino, Eric R. Williams
  • Publication number: 20090177242
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for delivering an external shock pulse receive pacing pulses generated by a first device and a shock pulse generated by a second device. An output of the apparatus is coupled to patient electrodes and the apparatus controls delivery of the received pacing pulses to the output and delivery of the received shock pulse to the output. A control module, pacing control and shock control included in the apparatus cooperatively control delivery of the received shock pulse to the output at a predetermined delay after one of the received pacing pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Vladimir P. Nikolski, William J. Havel, Joseph L. Sullivan, Daniel W. Piraino, Eric R. Williams
  • Patent number: 5568307
    Abstract: A reflectance modulator (10) includes a reflective plate (16) with a plurality of slots (18) forming a slot matrix of square portions (20). Side wall plates (22) are each slidingly received within a slot (18) forming a plurality of black body cavities (24) facing incoming radiation. Actuators (28) support the reflective plate (16) with respect to an object surface (12) and are energizable to modify the spacing of plate (16) from the surface (12) changing depth of the cavities (24) and reflectance of radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: McDonnell Douglas Corporation
    Inventor: Eric R. Williams