Patents by Inventor Greg Hrdlicka

Greg Hrdlicka 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).

  • Technique for Adjusting the Locus of Excitation of Electrically Excitable Tissue
    Publication number: 20100137926
    Abstract: The locus of electrically excitable tissue where action potentials are induced can be controlled using the physiological principle of electrotonus. In one embodiment, first and second pulses are applied to first and second electrodes, respectively, to generate first and second subthreshold potential areas, respectively, within the tissue. The locus within the tissue where action potentials are induced is determined by a superposition of the first and second subthreshold areas according to the physiological principle of electrotonus. In another embodiment, a two-dimensional array of electrodes are formed. The cathode may be positioned near the center of the two-dimensional array or may be left out. The first and second subthreshold areas may thereby be steered. An array of anodal rings may be used to contain the field of excitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. King, Robert Leinders, Greg Hrdlicka, Michael D. Baudino
  • Technique for adjusting the locus of excitation of electrically excitable tissue
    Patent number: 7657318
    Abstract: The locus of electrically excitable tissue where action potentials are induced can be controlled using the physiological principle of electrotonus. In one embodiment, first and second pulses are applied to first and second electrodes, respectively, to generate first and second subthreshold potential areas, respectively, within the tissue. The locus within the tissue where action potentials are induced is determined by a superposition of the first and second subthreshold areas according to the physiological principle of electrotonus. In another embodiment, a two-dimensional array of electrodes are formed. The cathode may be positioned near the center of the two-dimensional array or may be left out. The first and second subthreshold areas may thereby be steered. An array of anodal rings may be used to contain the field of excitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. King, Robert Leinders, Greg Hrdlicka, Michael D. Baudino
  • Technique for adjusting the locus of excitation of electrically excitable tissue
    Publication number: 20060079937
    Abstract: The locus of electrically excitable tissue where action potentials are induced can be controlled using the physiological principle of electrotonus. In one embodiment, first and second pulses are applied to first and second electrodes, respectively, to generate first and second subthreshold potential areas, respectively, within the tissue. The locus within the tissue where action potentials are induced is determined by a superposition of the first and second subthreshold areas according to the physiological principle of electrotonus. In another embodiment, a two-dimensional array of electrodes are formed. The cathode may be positioned near the center of the two-dimensional array or may be left out. The first and second subthreshold areas may thereby be steered. An array of anodal rings may be used to contain the field of excitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary King, Robert Leinders, Greg Hrdlicka, Michael Baudino
  • Technique for adjusting the locus of excitation of electrically excitable tissue
    Patent number: 6988006
    Abstract: The locus of electrically excitable tissue where action potentials are induced can be controlled using the physiological principle of electrotonus. In one embodiment, first and second pulses are applied to first and second electrodes, respectively, to generate first and second subthreshold potential areas, respectively, within the tissue. The locus within the tissue where action potentials are induced is determined by a superposition of the first and second subthreshold areas according to the physiological principle of electrotonus. In another embodiment, a two-dimensional array of electrodes are formed. The cathode may be positioned near the center of the two-dimensional array or may be left out. The first and second subthreshold areas may thereby be steered. An array of anodal rings may be used to contain the field of excitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. King, Rob Leinders, Greg Hrdlicka, Michael D. Baudino
  • Technique for adjusting the locus of excitation of electrically excitable tissue
    Publication number: 20030018370
    Abstract: The locus of electrically excitable tissue where action potentials are induced can be controlled using the physiological principle of electrotonus. In one embodiment, first and second pulses are applied to first and second electrodes, respectively, to generate first and second subthreshold potential areas, respectively, within the tissue. The locus within the tissue where action potentials are induced is determined by a superposition of the first and second subthreshold areas according to the physiological principle of electrotonus. In another embodiment, a two-dimensional array of electrodes are formed. The cathode may be positioned near the center of the two-dimensional array or may be left out. The first and second subthreshold areas may thereby be steered. An array of anodal rings may be used to contain the field of excitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: January 23, 2003
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. King, Robert Leinders, Greg Hrdlicka, Michael D. Baudino
  • Technique for adjusting the locus of excitation of electrically excitable tissue
    Patent number: 6505078
    Abstract: The locus of electrically excitable tissue where action potentials are induced can be controlled using the physiological principle of electrotonus. In one embodiment, first and second pulses are applied to first and second electrodes, respectively, to generate first and second subthreshold potential areas, respectively, within the tissue. The locus within the tissue where action potentials are induced is determined by a superposition of the first and second subthreshold areas according to the physiological principle of electrotonus. In another embodiment, a two-dimensional array of electrodes are formed. The cathode may be positioned near the center of the two-dimensional array or may be left out. The first and second subthreshold areas may thereby be steered. An array of anodal rings may be used to contain the field of excitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. King, Robert Leinders, Greg Hrdlicka, Michael D. Baudino