Patents by Inventor Frederik H. M. Wittkampf

Frederik H. M. Wittkampf 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).

  • Publication number: 20230329772
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides electroporation systems, methods of controlling electroporation systems to limit electroporation arcs through intracardiac catheters, and catheters for electroporation systems. One method of controlling an electroporation system including a direct current (DC) energy source, a return electrode connected to the DC energy source, and a catheter connected to the DC energy source is disclosed. The catheter has a at least one catheter electrode. The method includes positioning the return electrode near a target location within a body and positioning the catheter electrode adjacent the target location within the body. A system impedance is determined with the return electrode positioned near the target location and the catheter electrode positioned within the body. The system impedance is adjusted to a target impedance to limit arcing from the catheter electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Israel Byrd, Jeffrey M. Fish, Jeffrey A. Schweitzer, Daniel J. Potter, Gregory K. Olson, Frederik H. M. Wittkampf, Rene Van Es
  • Patent number: 11717337
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides electroporation systems, methods of controlling electroporation systems to limit electroporation arcs through intracardiac catheters, and catheters for electroporation systems. One method of controlling an electroporation system including a direct current (DC) energy source, a return electrode connected to the DC energy source, and a catheter connected to the DC energy source is disclosed. The catheter has a at least one catheter electrode. The method includes positioning the return electrode near a target location within a body and positioning the catheter electrode adjacent the target location within the body. A system impedance is determined with the return electrode positioned near the target location and the catheter electrode positioned within the body. The system impedance is adjusted to a target impedance to arcing from the catheter electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Cardiology Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Israel Byrd, Jeffrey M. Fish, Jeffrey A. Schweitzer, Daniel J. Potter, Gregory K. Olson, Frederik H. M. Wittkampf, Rene Van Es
  • Publication number: 20200179046
    Abstract: Devices and techniques that enable multiple electrodes to be positioned proximate organic tissue, such as human tissue. In one embodiment, a catheter is provided that includes a shaft and a distal segment. The distal segment includes a plurality of electrodes configured in a plane that is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Frederik H.M. Wittkampf, Brian M. Monahan
  • Publication number: 20190307500
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides electroporation systems, methods of controlling electroporation systems to limit electroporation arcs through intracardiac catheters, and catheters for electroporation systems. One method of controlling an electroporation system including a direct current (DC) energy source, a return electrode connected to the DC energy source, and a catheter connected to the DC energy source is disclosed. The catheter has a at least one catheter electrode. The method includes positioning the return electrode near a target location within a body and positioning the catheter electrode adjacent the target location within the body. A system impedance is determined with the return electrode positioned near the target location and the catheter electrode positioned within the body. The system impedance is adjusted to a target impedance to arcing from the catheter electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Israel Byrd, Jeffrey M. Fish, Jeffrey A. Schweitzer, Daniel J. Potter, Gregory K. Olson, Frederik H. M. Wittkampf, Rene Van Es
  • Publication number: 20170172654
    Abstract: Devices and techniques that enable multiple electrodes to be positioned proximate organic tissue, such as human tissue. In one embodiment, a catheter is provided that includes a shaft and a distal segment. The distal segment includes a plurality of electrodes configured in a plane that is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Frederik H.M. Wittkampf, Brian M. Monahan
  • Patent number: 6063078
    Abstract: The present invention is a system for ablating tissue within a body, the system having: an energy source providing a level of energy which is non damaging to the cellular structures of the body tissue, a catheter coupled to the energy source, the catheter having an electrode; and means for sensing the temperature of the electrode while also sensing the amount of energy which is non damaging to the cellular structures of the body tissue is delivered to the electrode, the sensing means coupled to the catheter and coupled to the energy source wherein the degree to which the electrode contacts the heart tissue (e.g. no contact, moderate contact, good contact or excellent contact) may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederik H. M. Wittkampf
  • Patent number: 5983126
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for catheter location mapping, and related procedures. Three substantially orthogonal alternating signals are applied through the patient, directed substantially toward the area of interest to be mapped, such as patient's heart. The currents are preferably constant current pulses, of a frequency and magnitude to avoid disruption with ECG recordings. A catheter is equipped with at least a measuring electrode, which for cardiac procedures is positioned at various locations either against the patient's heart wall, or within a coronary vein or artery. A voltage is sensed between the catheter tip and a reference electrode, preferably a surface electrode on the patient, which voltage signal has components corresponding to the three orthogonal applied current signals. Three processing channels are used to separate out the three components as x, y and z signals, from which calculations are made for determination of the three-dimensional location of the catheter tip within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederik H. M. Wittkampf
  • Patent number: 5741310
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a 1:2 pacing therapy in response to a sensed ventricular tachycardia, which results in an improved hemodynamic response while limiting the potential for interrupting the tachycardia in a way that can cause a more dangerous tachycardia, or even VF. The pacing therapy involves obtaining a measure of the time interval between ventricular beats, and using this information to time out and deliver alternate stimulus pulses which occur just a short time interval (.DELTA.) before the next expected natural ventricular beat. By delivering the alternate cycle stimulus at a predetermined time interval before the expected ventricular beat, the advantage of increased arterial pressure on alternate spontaneous beats is obtained, while avoiding the danger of evoking a more dangerous arrhythmia. The system further monitors change in rate while therapy is being applied, and either adjusts the timing or exits the routine whenever significant rate change is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederik H. M. Wittkampf
  • Patent number: 5697377
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for catheter location mapping, and related procedures. Three substantially orthogonal alternating signals are applied through the patient, directed substantially toward the area of interest to be mapped, such as patient's heart. The currents are preferably constant current pulses, of a frequency and magnitude to avoid disruption with ECG recordings. A catheter is equipped with at least a measuring electrode, which for cardiac procedures is positioned at various locations either against the patient's heart wall, or within a coronary vein or artery. A voltage is sensed between the catheter tip and a reference electrode, preferably a surface electrode on the patient, which voltage signal has components corresponding to the three orthogonal applied current signals. Three processing channels are used to separate out the three components as x, y and z signals, from which calculations are made for determination of the three-dimensional location of the catheter tip within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederik H. M. Wittkampf
  • Patent number: 5238007
    Abstract: A pacing lead is disclosed having folded tine elements in a first normal state, the tine elements being adapted to be unfolded by insertion of a stylet. In the second unfolded state, the tine elements are stretched to conform closely to the outer diameter of the lead casing, providing a reduced cross-section that facilitates introduction of the lead, and repositioning of the lead tip. A telescoping arrangement of inner and outer tubing elements is used to enable the stretching of the tine elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Vitatron Medical B.V.
    Inventors: Vincent Giele, Frits M. van Krieken, Frederik H. M. Wittkampf
  • Patent number: 4644954
    Abstract: A pacemaker and method of cardiac pacing employing the Tx mode of rate control, having means for automatically terminating the refractory period after sensing of an evoked T wave following a delivered stimulus. The pacemaker also is capable of overriding a natural rate and delivering one or more stimulus pulses so as to obtain a Tx rate determination during what would otherwise be inhibited pacer operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1987
    Assignee: Vitafin N.V.
    Inventors: Frederik H. M. Wittkampf, Anthony F. Rickards
  • Patent number: 4593695
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for treatment of tachycardia, wherein when tachycardia is determined a portion of a patient T-wave is sensed and utilized as indicating the end of the cardiac refractory interval. One or more anti-tachycardia stimuli are delivered in timed relation to the sensed T-wave. The initial T-wave from which the first A-T stimulus is timed may be evoked by delivery of an early stimulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: Vitafin N.V.
    Inventor: Frederik H. M. Wittkampf
  • Patent number: 4554921
    Abstract: A programmable dual chamber cardiac pacemaker is provided which provides improved means for responding to sensed high atrial rates. The pacemaker monitors the sensed high atrial rates and determines whether they are physiological or not, and automatically controls the operative atrial refractory period as a function of whether or not the atrial rate is physiological. The pacemaker is permitted to go into a Wenckebach mode of operation only when it is determined that a sensed high atrial rate is physiological, and that under other conditions will automatically go into a block mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1985
    Assignee: Vitafin N.V.
    Inventors: Wim Boute, Frederik H. M. Wittkampf, Gerrit W. van Arragon
  • Patent number: 4549548
    Abstract: A pacemaker system incorporates an implantable pacemaker and a plurality of electrodes, electrodes preferably being on a pacing lead for a single chamber pacemaker, or a pair of such leads for a dual chamber pacemaker. Programmable connection means are provided for connecting the pacemaker output to a selected combination of lead electrodes, the selection being changed during each pacer cycle to optimize the choice of unipolar and bipolar operation for given pacemaker events. In one mode, the system employs bipolar QRS sensing and unipolar pacing and T-wave sensing. In another mode, the system employs bipolar QRS sensing and pacing, and unipolar T-wave sensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Assignee: Vitafin N.V.
    Inventors: Frederik H. M. Wittkampf, Willem Boute
  • Patent number: 4539991
    Abstract: An improved cardiac pacemaker adapted to be programmed into one of a plurality of given modes of operation, including dual chamber modes, and in particular synchronous operation for pacing the patient's ventricle following detection of natural atrial heartbeats. The pacemaker has means for monitoring the time relationship between delivered ventricular stimulus pulses and next succeeding atrial heartbeats, for determining the occurrence of pacemaker induced retrograde P waves, or pacemaker caused tachycardia. The timing, and thus the rate of sensed P signals is processed to determine the desirability of establishing a special P sense window for looking for the occurrence of P signals at rates above a normal maximum operating rate, in which event the stability of the V-A timing is monitored in accordance with predetermined criteria to determine the existence of pacemaker mediated tachycardia, which may be broken up by skipping a ventricular stimulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1985
    Assignee: Vitafin N.V.
    Inventors: Wim Boute, Frederik H. M. Wittkampf, Gerrit W. van Arragon
  • Patent number: 4515161
    Abstract: A dual chamber pacemaker having means for operating in different pacing modes, including dual chamber modes, contains the capability of switching into a fixed rate ventricular pacing mode and of sensing early atrial signals without affecting the ventricular pacing timing. The timing of a plurality of such sensed early atrial signals is analyzed to determine if they represent retrograde P waves and, if so, the indicated V-A conduction time. The pacemaker atrial refractory time is adjusted so that, during dual chamber operation, the atrial refractory time extends past the time of anticipated retrograde P waves, thereby optimizing the setting of the atrial refractory period for avoidance of pacemaker mediated tachycardia. Other pacing conditions may also be adjusted in response to the determined patient V-A time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Assignee: Vitafin N.V.
    Inventors: Frederik H. M. Wittkampf, Willem Boute
  • Patent number: 4513743
    Abstract: A physiological device adapted for implantation in a human patient, e.g. a cardiac pacemaker or muscle stimulator, characterized by having programmable means for generating data and assembling same for presentation of one or more histograms. The implanted device has circuitry for registering the occurrence of sensed or evoked events, as well as device operating events such as cycles of operation, and means, preferably software control of a microprocessor, for classifying registered events into respective classes of one or more parameters associated with the events and for accumulating counts of events for each such class. The system also includes external apparatus for communicating programmed instructions to the device, whereby histogram selection and histogram classes are programmed, and for receiving the histogram data transmitted from the implanted device and displaying it in a convenient histogram form. Time based histograms are also generated, utilizing a software clock for continuously tracking time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1985
    Assignee: Vitatron Medical B.V.
    Inventors: Gerrit W. van Arragon, Kornelis A. Mensink, Frederik H. M. Wittkampf
  • Patent number: 4503857
    Abstract: A programmable pacemaker apparatus having a microprocessor and means for receiving program information from an external source, means for generating and delivering stimulus signals and means for sensing the occurrence of natural heartbeats in a patient, and having a battery source powering the apparatus, said microprocessor being combined with program instructions stored in memory for controlling the operation of said pacemaker, comprising controller circuit means external to said microprocessor and interconnected therewith for controlling the operating state of said microprocessor, said controller means having occurrence means for determining the occurrence of given events. The controller means further comprises means for stopping operation of the microprocessor on command from the microprocessor and for starting operation of the microprocessor upon determination of one of said events, whereby the microprocessor normally is on less than about 25% of the time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1985
    Assignee: Vitatron Medical B.V.
    Inventors: Willem Boute, Frederik H. M. Wittkampf, Gerrit W. van Arragon, Kornelis A. Mensink
  • Patent number: 4388929
    Abstract: A pacing system and method of programming the rate of said system is disclosed, wherein the pacemaker comprises circuitry for receiving a first group of simple on-off magnetic pulses which are accumulated and translated into the decades portion of the desired heartbeat rate (in bpm), and also for receiving a second group of pulses which are translated into the units count of the desired pacing rate in bpm. The circuitry provides that an initial portion of the programming signal is inspected relative to predetermined criteria, so that such initial portion acts also as an enabling key for accepting the overall programming signal. The doctor simply applies a simple hand held magnet t times according to the desired tens component of the programmed rate in bpm, maintains the magnet applied for at least a predetermined number of pacer intervals, and then applies the magnet u times corresponding to the units component of the desired heart rate, thereby programming the pacer to operate at tu bpm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Assignee: Vitafin N.V.
    Inventors: Alexis C. M. Renirie, Kornelis A. Mensink, Frederik H. M. Wittkampf
  • Patent number: 4373531
    Abstract: A physiological stimulating system includes improved means for minimizing the polarization that results at the stimulus site, thereby enabling enhanced detection of evoked responses. In the pacemaker embodiment, the stimulus signal comprises positive recharge pulses immediately before and immediately after the negative stimulus signal, the recharge pulses being adapted in a time duration and amplitude such that the total current delivered to the stimulus site, (e.g., a patient's heart) by the stimulus signal is substantially zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Assignee: Vitafin N.V.
    Inventors: Frederik H. M. Wittkampf, Kornelis A. Mensink, Hendrik L. Brouwer