Patents by Inventor Geoffrey Thrope

Geoffrey Thrope 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: 20070032837
    Abstract: Neuromuscular stimulation assemblies, systems, and methods make possible the providing of short-term therapy or diagnostic testing by providing electrical connections between muscles or nerves inside the body and stimulus generators or recording instruments mounted on the surface of the skin outside the body or worn or carried by the patient. The assemblies, systems, and methods include an electrode sized and configured for implantation in tissue, a percutaneous lead electrically coupled to the electrode, a carrier sized and configured to be carried by the patient and to hold a power source, an electronics pod removably carried on-board the carrier and including circuitry configured to generate a stimulation pulse, and an electrode connection element carried on-board the carrier that is electrically coupled to the electronics pod. Instructions furnished by a clinician or caregiver or physician prescribe the release and replacement of a disposable battery according to a prescribed battery replacement regime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Geoffrey Thrope, Robert Strother, Joseph Mrva
  • Publication number: 20070032836
    Abstract: Percutaneous electrode assemblies, systems, and methods make possible the providing of short-term therapy or diagnostic testing by providing electrical connections between muscles or nerves inside the body and stimulus generators or recording instruments carried outside the body. The percutaneous electrodes include a flexible body having an electrically conductive region, a tissue penetrating region, and a percutaneous lead electrically coupled to the electrically conductive region. An anchoring element is positioned on the flexible body to resist movement of the electrically conductive region within tissue. An introducer is sized and configured to receive the flexible body and shield the anchoring element from contact with tissue while the electrically conductive region is placed to a desired position within tissue, and accommodates advancement of the anchoring element beyond the interior lumen for contact with tissue to resist movement of the electrically conductive region placed in the desired position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Inventors: Geoffrey Thrope, Robert Strother, Joseph Mrva
  • Publication number: 20060200219
    Abstract: Systems and methods make possible the differentiation and identification of tissue regions locally innervated by targeted nerves. The systems and methods make it possible to access the nervous system at these localized regions for therapeutic benefit. For example, the systems and methods can be used to access parasympathetic nerves localized in fat pads on the surface of the heart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Publication date: September 7, 2006
    Inventors: Geoffrey Thrope, Joseph Mrva, Robert Strother, Kenneth Rundle
  • Publication number: 20060200207
    Abstract: Improved assemblies, systems, and methods provide safeguarding against nerve injury during surgical procedures and/or identify nerve damage occurring prior to surgery and/or verify range of motion or attributes of muscle contraction during reconstructive surgery. A stimulation control device may incorporate a range of low and high intensity stimulation to provide a stimulation and evaluation of both nerves and muscles. A stimulation control device is removably coupled to a surgical device or is imbedded within the medical device to provide a stimulation and treatment medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Publication date: September 7, 2006
    Inventors: Geoffrey Thrope, Joseph Mrva, Robert Strother
  • Publication number: 20060173507
    Abstract: Systems provide a stimulation electrode assembly sized and configured for placement in an adipose tissue region to stimulate a nerve in the adipose tissue region comprising an elongated lead sized and configured to be implanted within the adipose tissue region, the lead including at least two electrically conductive portions to apply electrical stimulation to nerve tissue in the adipose tissue region, and at least two expandable anchoring structures deployable from the lead to engage adipose tissue and resist dislodgment and/or migration of the at least two electrically conductive portions within the adipose tissue region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: August 3, 2006
    Inventors: Joseph Mrva, Robert Strother, Geoffrey Thrope, Julie Grill, Maria Bennett
  • Publication number: 20060149345
    Abstract: Systems and methods use an implantable pulse generator system for neuromodulation stimulation to treat sexual dysfunction by the unilateral or bilateral stimulation of the left and/or right branches of the dorsal genital nerves using one or more leads and electrodes implanted in adipose or other tissue in the region at or near the pubic symphysis. A neuromodulation stimulation waveform includes at least a variable frequency component and/or a variable duty cycle component and/or a variable amplitude component and/or a variable pause component to ward off habituation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Inventors: Joseph Boggs, Maria Bennett, Therese Zmina, Geoffrey Thrope
  • Publication number: 20060030919
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for recording, and/or stimulation, and/or blocking of a nerve make use of a molded cuff electrode. An electrically conductive surface is coupled to an inside surface of the cuff's elastic body. The electrically conductive surface and the body assume a coiled configuration in its natural state. An applicator tool having a body and a slider are used to implant the cuff electrode about a nerve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Inventors: Joseph Mrva, James Coburn, Robert Strother, Geoffrey Thrope
  • Publication number: 20060004421
    Abstract: Systems and methods treat urinary incontinence by the bilateral stimulation of the left and/or right branches of the dorsal genital nerves using a single lead implanted in adipose or other tissue in the region at or near the pubic symphysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Maria Bennett, Robert Strother, Julie Grill, Joseph Mrya, Therese Zmina, Geoffrey Thrope
  • Publication number: 20060004429
    Abstract: Systems and methods provide a stimulation electrode assembly comprising an elongated lead sized and configured to be implanted within an adipose tissue region. The lead includes an electrically conductive portion to apply electrical stimulation to nerve or muscle in the adipose tissue region and at least one expandable anchoring structure deployable from the lead to engage adipose tissue and resist dislodgment and/or migration of the electrically conductive portion within the adipose tissue region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Publication date: January 5, 2006
    Inventors: Joseph Mrva, Robert Strother, Geoffrey Thrope, Julie Grill, Maria Bennett
  • Publication number: 20050277999
    Abstract: Improved assemblies, systems, and methods provide an implantable pulse generator for prosthetic or therapeutic stimulation of muscles, nerves, or central nervous system tissue, or any combination. The implantable pulse generator is sized and configured to be implanted subcutaneous a tissue region. The implantable pulse generator includes an electrically conductive case of a laser welded titanium material. Control circuitry is located within the case, the control circuitry including a rechargeable power source, a receive coil for receiving an RF magnetic field to recharge the power source, and a microcontroller for control of the implantable pulse generator. Improved assemblies, systems, and methods also provide a stimulation system for prosthetic or therapeutic stimulation of muscles, nerves, or central nervous system tissue, or any combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Strother, Joseph Mrva, Geoffrey Thrope
  • Publication number: 20050277844
    Abstract: Improved assemblies, systems, and methods provide an MES processor for acquisition and processing of myoelectric signals from muscles, nerves, or central nervous system tissue, or any combination. The MES processor is sized and configured to be implanted subcutaneous a tissue region. The MES processor includes an electrically conductive case of a laser welded titanium material. Control circuitry is located within the case, the control circuitry including a rechargeable power source, a receive coil for receiving an RF magnetic field to recharge the power source, and a microcontroller for control of the MES processor. Improved assemblies, systems, and methods also provide an acquisition and processing system for sensing myoelectric signals from muscles, nerves, or central nervous system tissue, or any combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Strother, Joseph Mrva, Geoffrey Thrope
  • Publication number: 20050278000
    Abstract: Improved assemblies, systems, and methods provide an implantable pulse generator for prosthetic or therapeutic stimulation of muscles, nerves, or central nervous system tissue, or any combination. The implantable pulse generator is sized and configured to be implanted subcutaneously in a tissue region. The implantable pulse generator includes an electrically conductive laser welded titanium case. Control circuitry is located within the case, and includes a primary cell or rechargeable power source, a receive coil for receiving an RF magnetic field to recharge the rechargeable power source, and a microcontroller for control of the implantable pulse generator. Improved assemblies, systems, and methods also provide a stimulation system for prosthetic or therapeutic stimulation of muscles, nerves, or central nervous system tissue, or any combination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Strother, Joseph Mrva, Geoffrey Thrope
  • Publication number: 20050182457
    Abstract: Neuromuscular stimulation assemblies, systems, and methods make possible the providing of short-term therapy or diagnostic testing by providing electrical connections between muscles or nerves inside the body and stimulus generators or recording instruments mounted on the surface of the skin outside the body. Neuromuscular stimulation assemblies, systems, and methods may include a steerable introducer that defines an interior lumen sized and configured to shield a percutaneous electrode from contact with tissue during advancement to a desired position within tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventors: Geoffrey Thrope, Robert Strother, Joseph Mrva
  • Publication number: 20050182455
    Abstract: Neuromuscular stimulation assemblies, systems, and methods make possible the providing of short-term therapy or diagnostic testing by providing electrical connections between muscles or nerves inside the body and stimulus generators or recording instruments mounted on the surface of the skin outside the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventors: Geoffrey Thrope, Robert Strother, Joseph Mrva