Patents by Inventor Gabriela C. Molnar

Gabriela C. Molnar 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: 20160375257
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to programming implantable stimulators to deliver stimulation energy via one or more implantable leads having complex electrode array geometries. The disclosure also contemplates guided programming to select electrode combinations and parameter values to support efficacy. The techniques may be applied to a programming interface associated with a clinician programmer, a patient programmer, or both. A user interface permits a user to view electrodes from different perspectives relative to the lead. For example, the user interface provides a side view of a lead and a cross-sectional view of the lead. The user interface may include an axial control medium to select and/or view electrodes at different axial positions along the length of a lead, and a rotational control medium to select and/or view electrodes at different angular positions around a circumference of the lead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Steven M. Goetz, Richard T. Stone, Warren W. Ball, Carl D. Wahlstrand, Michael T. Hegland, Gabriela C. Molnar, James M. Olsen
  • Patent number: 9511217
    Abstract: An introducer for a medical lead, the introducer having an arcuate component for creating an arcuate path in a patient. When used to percutaneously implant a medical device such as a medical lead with electrodes, the implanted lead has an arcuate configuration. The implanted lead can be used to at least partially encircle or bracket a region of chronic pain and provide therapeutic electrical signals to the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl D. Wahlstrand, John E. Kast, Gabriela C. Molnar, Glenna L. Case, Lisa M. Johanek, Phillip C. Falkner
  • Publication number: 20160296759
    Abstract: In some examples, one or more processors determine characteristics of frequency components of a sensed bioelectrical signal. In response to determining the characteristics, the one or more processors determine therapy parameters for frequency components of a stimulation signal. The one or more processors may determine the therapy parameters based on the characteristics of the frequency components of the sensed bioelectrical signal. As another example, the one or more processors may determine the therapy parameters based on received information after the characteristics of the frequency components of the sensed bioelectrical signal are displayed to a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Peng Cong, Timothy J. Denison, Gabriela C. Molnar, Forrest C.M. Pape, Scott R. Stanslaski, Wesley A. Santa
  • Publication number: 20160250476
    Abstract: In some examples, a processor of a system evaluates a therapy program based on a score determined based on a volume of tissue expected to be activated (“VTA”) by therapy delivery according to the therapy program. The score may be determined using a three-dimensional (3D) grid comprising a plurality of voxels that are each assigned a value. The processor may register the VTA with the 3D grid and determine the score for the therapy program based on the values assigned to voxels with which the VTA overlaps. One or more therapy programs for electrical stimulation therapy (e.g., deep brain stimulation) may be selected based on the scores determined based on the 3D grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: William F. Kaemmerer, Maciej T. Lazarewicz, Gabriela C. Molnar, Ashutosh Chaturvedi
  • Patent number: 9420960
    Abstract: Various embodiments concern sensing bioelectrical signals using electrodes along a lead, the electrodes having a spatial configuration along the lead, generating signal data sets, one signal data set being generated for each bioelectrical signal, and graphically representing the electrodes and data representations of the signal data sets on a display. In various embodiments, each data representation indicates a parameter of a respective one of the data sets, the electrodes are graphically represented on the display in a spatial configuration representative of the spatial configuration of the electrodes along the lead, and each data representation is graphically represented on the display in spatial association with at least one electrode through which the bioelectrical signal on which the signal data set is based was sensed. The parameter can be indicative of the relative presence of a biomarker in the bioelectrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Maciej T. Lazarewicz, Gabriela C. Molnar, Jeffrey R. Dixon, Deborah A. McConnell
  • Patent number: 9259181
    Abstract: A visualization of an area or volume of tissue activated during stimulation according to a set of stimulation parameters is generated. The area or volume of activation is modeled based on a non-uniform grid of model neurons. Select portions of the grid have the model neurons more closely spaced, resulting in finer resolution graphical representation, while less closely spaced model neurons in other portions of the grid may avoid additional computation time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriela C. Molnar, Maciej T. Lazarewicz
  • Patent number: 9149635
    Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for generating stimulation current pulses that have differing pulse shapes in a medical device. A circuit architecture is described that is configured to charge a capacitor to an initial amount of charge, modulate the amount of charge stored in the capacitor based on a control signal, and generate a stimulation current pulse that has an amplitude based on the amount charge stored in the capacitor. The circuit architecture may be configured to generate complex pulse shapes, such as, e.g., steps, ramps, bursts, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Denison, Robert W. Hocken, Jr., Gabriela C. Molnar, Wesley A. Santa, Jalpa S. Shah, Larry E. Tyler
  • Publication number: 20150265207
    Abstract: Therapy delivery to a patient may be controlled based on a determined sleep stage of the patient. In examples, the sleep stage may be determined based on a frequency characteristic of a biosignal indicative of brain activity of the patient. A frequency characteristic may include, for example, a power level within one or more frequency bands of the biosignal, a ratio of the power level in two or more frequency bands, or a pattern in the power level of one or more frequency bands over time. A therapy program may be selected or modified based on the sleep stage determination. Therapy may be delivered during the sleep stage according to the selected or modified therapy program. In some examples, therapy delivery may be controlled after making separate determinations of a sleep stage based on the biosignal and another physiological parameter, and confirming that the sleep stage determinations are consistent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Jianping Wu, Gregory F. Molnar, Gabriela C. Molnar, Timothy J. Denison
  • Patent number: 9042989
    Abstract: Bioelectrical signals may be sensed within a brain of a patient with a plurality of sense electrode combinations. A stimulation electrode combination for delivering stimulation to the patient to manage a patient condition may be selected based on the frequency band characteristics of the sensed signals. In some examples, a stimulation electrode combination associated with the sense electrode combination that sensed a bioelectrical brain signal having a relatively highest relative beta band power level may be selected to deliver stimulation therapy to the patient. Other frequency bands characteristics may also be used to select the stimulation electrode combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Carlson, Randy M. Jensen, Timothy J. Denison, Jianping Wu, Gabriela C. Molnar, Scott R. Stanslaski, William J. Marks, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9042990
    Abstract: Bioelectrical signals may be sensed within a brain of a patient with a plurality of sense electrode combinations. A stimulation electrode combination for delivering stimulation to the patient to manage a patient condition may be selected based on the frequency band characteristics of the sensed signals. In some examples, a stimulation electrode combination associated with the sense electrode combination that sensed a bioelectrical brain signal having a relatively highest relative beta band power level may be selected to deliver stimulation therapy to the patient. Other frequency bands characteristics may also be used to select the stimulation electrode combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Carlson, Randy M. Jensen, Timothy J. Denison, Jianping Wu, Gabriela C. Molnar, Scott R. Stanslaski, William J. Marks, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8954152
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for potentiating a favorable brain state that is associated with relief in symptoms of a brain condition. Techniques include monitoring one or more brain signals and detecting an episode of a favorable brain state based on the one or more brain signals, the favorable brain state associated with a decrease in one or more symptoms of a brain condition of the patient. Then, in response to the detection of the favorable brain state episode, electrical stimulation that potentiates the favorable brain state is delivered to the brain of the patient, the electrical stimulation delivered within a window of time opened for detection of each favorable brain state episode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul Gupta, Gabriela C. Molnar, Dwight E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8934973
    Abstract: A hub (200) includes a first lead receptacle having a plurality of contacts (280) for electrically coupling a lead to an implantable electrical device. The hub further contains a second lead receptacle having a plurality of contacts for electrically coupling a lead to the implantable electrical device. At least one of the plurality of contacts of the first receptacle is a contact of the second receptacle. Such a configuration may allow for the overall size of the hub to be reduced relative to a hub where each discrete contact of the hub corresponds to a discrete contact or electrical channel of the implantable electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl D. Wahlstrand, Dale F. Seeley, Gabriela C. Molnar, Lisa M. Johanek
  • Patent number: 8886332
    Abstract: A visualization of an area or volume of tissue activated during stimulation according to a set of stimulation parameters is generated. The area or volume of activation is modeled based on a non-uniform grid of model neurons. Select portions of the grid have the model neurons more closely spaced, resulting in finer resolution graphical representation, while less closely spaced model neurons in other portions of the grid may avoid additional computation time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriela C. Molnar, Maciej T. Lazarewicz
  • Patent number: 8798764
    Abstract: A physiological signal of a patient is sensed with sense electrodes symmetrically arranged relative to a stimulation electrode. In some examples, a member includes a plurality of relatively small electrodes that are configured to function as both sense and stimulation electrodes. One or more of the electrodes may be selected as stimulation electrodes and two or more different electrodes of the member may be selected as sense electrodes that are symmetrically arranged relative to the one or more selected stimulation electrodes. In some examples, a member includes a plurality of levels of segmented sense electrodes and a plurality of levels of stimulation electrodes. The levels of sense electrodes are arranged such that each level of stimulation electrodes is adjacent at least two levels of sense electrodes symmetrically arranged relative to the level of stimulation electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriela C. Molnar, Scott R. Stanslaski
  • Patent number: 8761890
    Abstract: In one example, the disclosure relates to a method comprising receiving at least one electrical stimulation parameter value defining electrical stimulation for delivery via one or more electrodes to a tissue site, and determining, via one or more processors, a volume of sub-activation threshold impact for tissue from the delivery of the electrical stimulation to the tissue site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul Gupta, Steven M. Goetz, Maciej T. Lazarewicz, Gabriela C. Molnar, Dwight E. Nelson, Jianping Wu
  • Publication number: 20140163580
    Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad C. Tischendorf, Eric H. Bonde, Phillip C. Falkner, John E. Kast, Randy S. Roles, Erik R. Scott, Todd V. Smith, Xuan K. Wei, Anthony M. Chasensky, Michael J. Ebert, Shawn C. Kelley, Gabriela C. Molnar, Richard T. Stone
  • Publication number: 20140163579
    Abstract: A medical device system for delivering a neuromodulation therapy includes a delivery tool for deploying an implantable medical device at a neuromodulation therapy site. The implantable medical device includes a housing, an electronic circuit within the housing, and an electrical lead comprising a lead body extending between a proximal end coupled to the housing and a distal end extending away from the housing and at least one electrode carried by the lead body. The delivery tool includes a first cavity for receiving the housing and a second cavity for receiving the lead. The first cavity and the second cavity are in direct communication for receiving and deploying the housing and the lead coupled to the housing concomitantly as a single unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad C. Tischendorf, Eric H. Bonde, Phillip C. Falkner, John E. Kast, Randy S. Roles, EriK R. Scott, Todd V. Smith, Xuan K. Wei, Anthony M. Chasensky, Michael J. Ebert, Shawn C. Kelley, Gabriela C. Molnar, Richard T. Stone
  • Publication number: 20140135870
    Abstract: Bioelectrical signals may be sensed within a brain of a patient with a plurality of sense electrode combinations. A stimulation electrode combination for delivering stimulation to the patient to manage a patient condition may be selected based on the frequency band characteristics of the sensed signals. In some examples, a stimulation electrode combination associated with the sense electrode combination that sensed a bioelectrical brain signal having a relatively highest relative beta band power level may be selected to deliver stimulation therapy to the patient. Other frequency bands characteristics may also be used to select the stimulation electrode combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Carlson, Randy M. Jensen, Timothy J. Denison, Jianping Wu, Gabriela C. Molnar, Scott R. Stanslaski, William J. Marks, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140135869
    Abstract: Bioelectrical signals may be sensed within a brain of a patient with a plurality of sense electrode combinations. A stimulation electrode combination for delivering stimulation to the patient to manage a patient condition may be selected based on the frequency band characteristics of the sensed signals. In some examples, a stimulation electrode combination associated with the sense electrode combination that sensed a bioelectrical brain signal having a relatively highest relative beta band power level may be selected to deliver stimulation therapy to the patient. Other frequency bands characteristics may also be used to select the stimulation electrode combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Carlson, Randy M. Jensen, Timothy J. Denison, Jianping Wu, Gabriela C. Molnar, Scott R. Stanslaski, William J. Marks, JR.
  • Patent number: 8694123
    Abstract: A medical lead includes a lead body having a proximal end for electrical connection to an implantable electric signal generator and a distal end portion having a plurality of electrodes extending in a helical manner longitudinally along the distal end portion. Adjacent helical electrodes may be offset, for example, 90 degrees or 180 degrees. The helical electrodes may extend less than, greater than, or 360 degrees. The electrode arrangement provides increased surface area, improving the capability of positioning the lead against the nerve as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl D. Wahlstrand, Dale F. Seeley, Gabriela C. Molnar, Lisa M. Johanek