Patents by Inventor Erik K. Witt

Erik K. Witt 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: 8794235
    Abstract: A therapy system adapted to treat a patient's ventilatory instability using a ventilatory therapy, a gas modulation therapy, or both. The algorithm implemented by the therapy system monitors the ventilatory instability, such as Cheyne Stokes Respiration (CSR), mixed apneas, CPAP emergent apneas, and complex sleep disordered breathing (CSDB) and treats the ventilatory instability. The algorithm also determine a reference point with respect to the ventilatory instability. The therapy delivery system initiate the treatment based on the reference point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Smita Garde, Stephen D. Pittman, Leonardo A. Baloa, Stefanida Blake, Charles Thomas, Manuel Laura, Erik K. Witt
  • Patent number: 8523758
    Abstract: A system configured to provide breathing cues to a patient to alleviate insomnia or sleeplessness. In one embodiment, the system comprises a pressure support apparatus, a patient monitor, and a processor. The pressure support apparatus is configured to provide a pressurized flow of gas for delivery to an airway of the patient. The patient monitor configured to generate one or more signals that convey information related to one or more physiological functions of the patient. The processor in operative communication with each of the pressure support apparatus and the patient monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Kirby, Erik K. Witt, Smita Garde
  • Patent number: 8024044
    Abstract: A method of treating sleep disordered breathing in a patient includes the steps of monitoring the patient for a pre-inspiratory drive signal indicative of the breathing cycle by sensing electroneurogram activity of a hypoglossal nerve of the patient; and electrically stimulating the hypoglossal nerve of the patient following each detection of the pre-inspiratory drive signal. An implantable apparatus for stimulating a hypoglossal nerve of a patient for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing includes an electrode positioned at least partially around the hypoglossal nerve with a monitoring contact and a stimulation contact and a controller operatively coupled to the monitoring contact and the stimulation contact. The monitoring contact monitors the electroneurogram activity of the hypoglossal nerve for a pre-inspiratory drive signal indicative of the onset of inspiration and sends a signal to the controller which in turn causes the stimulating electrode to electrically stimulate the hypoglossal nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Todd Kirby, Erik K. Witt
  • Publication number: 20110114096
    Abstract: A patient interface device that includes a body portion comprising a pair of arms and a chin support. A first end portion of each arm in the pair of arms is coupled to an opposite end of the chin support. The chin support is adapted to be disposed under the mandible responsive to the patient interface device being donned by a user. At least one headgear attachment element is provided on each arm in the pair of arms. A circuit portion is provided at a second end portion of each arm in the pair of arm. A patient interface portion is coupled to the circuit portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: RIC INVESTMENTS, LLC
    Inventors: JEROME MATULA, JR., DERRICK ANDREWS, EUGENE N. SCARBERRY, CHARLES THOMAS, ERIK K. WITT, PETER CHI FAI HO
  • Patent number: 7810497
    Abstract: A system is provided for delivering a flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient. The system includes a pressurizing flow module that generates a pressurized flow of breathing gas and a patient circuit coupled to the pressurizing flow module configured to communicate the flow of breathing gas to an airway of a patient. The system includes a sensor for monitoring a characteristic of a breathing pattern of the patient a controller that communicates with the sensor configured to increase a fraction of inspired carbon dioxide if the characteristic exceeds an upper threshold value and to provide servo-ventilation if the characteristic is less than a lower threshold value. The upper threshold value and the lower threshold value are changed based on the monitored characteristic of the breathing pattern of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen D. Pittman, Erik K. Witt, Stefanida K. Blake
  • Patent number: 7798146
    Abstract: An oral appliance is provided for installation within the oral cavity of a user. The oral appliance is configured to be connected to a negative pressure supply to create a negative pressure environment within the oral cavity of a user. The device includes apertures adjacent the user's teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Erik K. Witt, Charles Thomas
  • Publication number: 20100100150
    Abstract: A method of treating sleep disordered breathing in a patient includes the steps of monitoring the patient for a pre-inspiratory drive signal indicative of the breathing cycle by sensing electroneurogram activity of a hypoglossal nerve of the patient; and electrically stimulating the hypoglossal nerve of the patient following each detection of the pre-inspiratory drive signal. An implantable apparatus for stimulating a hypoglossal nerve of a patient for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing includes an electrode positioned at least partially around the hypoglossal nerve with a monitoring contact and a stimulation contact and a controller operatively coupled to the monitoring contact and the stimulation contact. The monitoring contact monitors the electroneurogram activity of the hypoglossal nerve for a pre-inspiratory drive signal indicative of the onset of inspiration and sends a signal to the controller which in turn causes the stimulating electrode to electrically stimulate the hypoglossal nerve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: RIC INVESTMENTS, LLC
    Inventors: Todd KIRBY, Erik K. WITT
  • Patent number: 7660632
    Abstract: A method of treating sleep disordered breathing in a patient includes the steps of monitoring the patient for a pre-inspiratory drive signal indicative of the breathing cycle by sensing electroneurogram activity of a hypoglossal nerve of the patient; and electrically stimulating the hypoglossal nerve of the patient following each detection of the pre-inspiratory drive signal. An implantable apparatus for stimulating a hypoglossal nerve of a patient for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing includes an electrode positioned at least partially around the hypoglossal nerve with a monitoring contact and a stimulation contact and a controller operatively coupled to the monitoring contact and the stimulation contact. The monitoring contact monitors the electroneurogram activity of the hypoglossal nerve for a pre-inspiratory drive signal indicative of the onset of inspiration and sends a signal to the controller which in turn causes the stimulating electrode to electrically stimulate the hypoglossal nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Kirby, Erik K. Witt
  • Patent number: 7556038
    Abstract: A method and corresponding system for providing breathing cues includes monitoring respiration of a user and determining a user breathing frequency including an inspiration portion and an expiration portion of the breathing, supplying a high positive air pressure to the user during the inspiration portion and a low positive air pressure during the expiration portion in substantial synchronicity with the user's respiration, comparing the user breathing frequency with a target breathing frequency, and when the user breathing frequency is greater than the target breathing frequency, increasing, in a predetermined manner, a time over which the high positive air pressure is supplied to the user, and adjusting a time over which the low positive pressure air pressure is supplied to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: RIC Investments, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Kirby, Leonardo A. Baloa, Erik K. Witt
  • Publication number: 20090120443
    Abstract: A patient interface device that includes a body portion comprising a pair of arms and a chin support. A first end portion of each arm in the pair of arms is coupled to an opposite end of the chin support. The chin support is adapted to be disposed under the mandible responsive to the patient interface device being donned by a user. At least one headgear attachment element is provided on each arm in the pair of arms. A circuit portion is provided at a second end portion of each arm in the pair of arm. A patient interface portion is coupled to the circuit portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.
    Inventors: JEROME MATULA, JR., Derrick Andrews, Eugene N. Scarberry, Charles Thomas, Erik K. Witt, Peter Chi Fai Ho
  • Publication number: 20090082639
    Abstract: A system that determines one or more sleep phenotyping parameters of a subject. In one embodiment, the system comprises a sleep sensor, a stimulus generator, and a processor. The sleep sensor generates signals that convey information related to the physiological functions that indicate the sleep stage of the subject. The stimulus generator provides a stimulus to the subject that enables information related to the sleep phenotyping parameters to be determined. The processor receives the signals generated by the sleep sensor and is in operative communication with the stimulus generator. The processor (i) determines, based on the signals received from the sleep sensor, whether a trigger condition related to the current sleep stage of the subject is satisfied, (ii) controls the stimulus generator to provide the stimulus to the subject if the trigger condition is satisfied, and (iii) quantifies the response of the subject to the stimulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Stephen D. Pittman, Stefanida K. Blake, Jacobo D. Reif, David P. White, Erik K. Witt
  • Patent number: 7500480
    Abstract: A patient interface device that includes a body portion comprising a pair of arms and a chin support. A first end portion of each arm in the pair of arms is coupled to an opposite end of the chin support. The chin support is adapted to be disposed under the mandible responsive to the patient interface device being donned by a user. At least one headgear attachment element is provided on each arm in the pair of arms. A circuit portion is provided at a second end portion of each arm in the pair of arm. A patient interface portion is coupled to the circuit portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Jerome Matula, Jr., Derrick Andrews, Eugene N. Scarberry, Charles Thomas, Erik K. Witt, Peter Chi Fai Ho
  • Publication number: 20080302364
    Abstract: A therapy system adapted to treat a patient's ventilatory instability using a ventilatory therapy, a gas modulation therapy, or both. The algorithm implemented by the therapy system monitors the ventilatory instability, such as Cheyne Stokes Respiration (CSR), mixed apneas, CPAP emergent apneas, and complex sleep disordered breathing (CSDB) and treats the ventilatory instability. The algorithm also determine a reference point with respect to the ventilatory instability. The therapy delivery system initiate the treatment based on the reference point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Smita Garde, Stephen D. Pittman, Leonardo A. Baloa, Stefanida Blake, Charles Thomas, Manuel Laura, Erik K. Witt
  • Publication number: 20080161877
    Abstract: A method of treating sleep disordered breathing in a patient includes the steps of monitoring the patient for a pre-inspiratory drive signal indicative of the breathing cycle by sensing electroneurogram activity of a hypoglossal nerve of the patient; and electrically stimulating the hypoglossal nerve of the patient following each detection of the pre-inspiratory drive signal. An implantable apparatus for stimulating a hypoglossal nerve of a patient for the treatment of sleep disordered breathing includes an electrode positioned at least partially around the hypoglossal nerve with a monitoring contact and a stimulation contact and a controller operatively coupled to the monitoring contact and the stimulation contact. The monitoring contact monitors the electroneurogram activity of the hypoglossal nerve for a pre-inspiratory drive signal indicative of the onset of inspiration and sends a signal to the controller which in turn causes the stimulating electrode to electrically stimulate the hypoglossal nerve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Todd Kirby, Erik K. Witt
  • Publication number: 20080149105
    Abstract: A patient interface device that includes a body portion comprising a pair of arms and a chin support. A first end portion of each arm in the pair of arms is coupled to an opposite end of the chin support. The chin support is adapted to be disposed under the mandible responsive to the patient interface device being donned by a user. At least one headgear attachment element is provided on each arm in the pair of arms. A circuit portion is provided at a second end portion of each arm in the pair of arm. A patient interface portion is coupled to the circuit portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Jerome Matula, Derrick Andrews, Eugene N. Scarberry, Charles Thomas, Erik K. Witt, Peter Chi Fai Ho
  • Publication number: 20080035147
    Abstract: A method and corresponding system for providing breathing cues includes monitoring respiration of a user and determining a user breathing frequency including an inspiration portion and an expiration portion of the breathing, supplying a high positive air pressure to the user during the inspiration portion and a low positive air pressure during the expiration portion in substantial synchronicity with the user's respiration, comparing the user breathing frequency with a target breathing frequency, and when the user breathing frequency is greater than the target breathing frequency, increasing, in a predetermined manner, a time over which the high positive air pressure is supplied to the user, and adjusting a time over which the low positive pressure air pressure is supplied to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Todd Kirby, Leonardo A. Baloa, Erik K. Witt
  • Patent number: 5434118
    Abstract: A catalytically active gel product is described consisting of a silica matrix which is amorphous to x-rays with uniform porosity, monomodal pore distribution and high surface area, within which one or more metal oxides possessing catalytic activity are dispersed. A process for preparing this catalytic gel is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignees: Eniricerche S.p.A., Snamprogetti SpA
    Inventors: Angela Carati, Enrico Davini, Mario G. Clerici, Giuseppe Bellussi