Patents by Inventor Gregory F. Molnar

Gregory F. 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).

  • Patent number: 10933234
    Abstract: A pain management system includes a spinal stabilization device and a neuromodulation device. The spinal stabilization device includes a rod, a plurality of pedicle screws each having a screw-head defining a screw-head cavity configured to receive a portion of the rod, and a corresponding plurality of inserts configured to engage with the inner wall of the cavity to secure the rod in place in the cavity. The neuromodulation device includes a therapy module comprising electronics packaged within a housing. The housing has a form factor having at least one feature configured to mate with a corresponding feature of the screw-head of one of the plurality of pedicle screws. The respective features mate in a manner that enables the therapy module to mechanically couple to and subsequently decouple from the screw-head of the pedicle screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: SynerFuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory F. Molnar, Harry Puryear, Nazmi Peyman, Justin D. Zenanko
  • Patent number: 10912941
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for neuromodulation with simultaneous stimulation and reception of neuronal response. A closed-loop control system provides the ability to modulate any combination of at least five parameters of stimulation (magnitude, frequency, amplitude, time, and phase) based on any combination of at least five parameters of received signals. The neuromodulation is well-suited for deep brain stimulation (DBS) applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Shalom Michaeli, John T. Vaughan, Silvia Mangia, Lauri Lehto, Matthew Johnson, Julia Slopsema, Olli Gröhn, Gregory F. Molnar
  • Publication number: 20210023361
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single surgical method, procedure and/or system that creates open direct visual and/or physical access to an identified spinal treatment site that comprises both targeted vertebral and spinal levels to be treated, wherein the spinal levels comprise at least one dorsal root ganglion. A spinal treatment procedure may be performed generally in combination with implantation of a neuromodulation system that may comprise placement of electrical lead(s) on the at least one dorsal root ganglion, wherein each lead is in operative connection with a pulse generator that may also be implanted during the surgical method. Electrical stimulation may be generated with the pulse generator through the electrical leads to the at least one dorsal root ganglion during and/or after the closure of the identified spinal treatment site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Gregory F. Molnar, Christopher G. Frank, Justin D. Zenanko, Beth A. Lindborg, Nazmi Peyman, Kyle Grube, Michael Park, Matthew Hunt, Kathy Hill
  • Patent number: 10901053
    Abstract: Systems and method for measuring and mitigating radio frequency (“RF”) induced currents on electrical leads, electrodes, and other electrically conductive objects present in the bore of a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) scanner when the MRI scanner is operated to image an object or subject are described. The methods described in the present disclosure can be implemented as a pre-scan procedure to obtain images from which the current induced on the electrical lead can be estimated. This information can then be used to adjust the RF excitation used in a subsequent pulse sequence to mitigate induced currents and reduce heating in the lead. As such, the methods described in the present disclosure provide for improved patient safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Yigitcan Eryaman, Gregor Adriany, Noam Harel, Gregory F. Molnar
  • Publication number: 20210016082
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single surgical method, procedure and/or system that creates open visual and physical access to an identified spinal treatment site that initially comprises spinal levels to be treated, wherein the spinal levels comprise at least one targeted dorsal root ganglion. A spinal treatment procedure is performed generally in combination with implantation of a neuromodulation system that may comprise placement of electrodes located on leads, the electrodes placed on separate ones of the at least one targeted dorsal root ganglion, wherein each lead is in operative connection with a pulse generator that may also be implanted during the surgical method. Placement of each electrode is facilitated by direct visual and/or direct physical access to the targeted dorsal root ganglion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Inventors: Gregory F. Molnar, Christopher G. Frank, Justin D. Zenanko, Beth A. Lindborg, Nazmi Peyman, Kyle Grube, Michael Park, Matthew Hunt, Kathy Hill
  • Publication number: 20200254237
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single surgical method, procedure and/or system that creates open visual and physical access to an identified spinal treatment site that comprises both targeted vertebral and spinal levels to be treated, wherein the spinal levels comprise at least one dorsal root ganglion. A spinal treatment procedure is performed generally in combination with implantation of a neuromodulation system that may comprise placement of electrical lead(s) on the at least one dorsal root ganglion, wherein each lead is in operative connection with a pulse generator that may also be implanted during the surgical method. Electrical stimulation may be generated with the pulse generator through the electrical leads to the at least one dorsal root ganglion during and/or after the closure of the identified spinal treatment site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Gregory F. Molnar, Christopher G. Frank, Justin D. Zenanko, Beth A. Lindborg, Nazmi Peyman, Kyle Grube, Michael Park, Matthew Hunt, Kathy Hill
  • Publication number: 20200222692
    Abstract: The present invention provides various embodiments of neuromodulation systems, and improvements thereof, capable of being implanted at a spinal treatment site and capable of being implanted at the same time and/or in combination with a spinal procedure being performed at the spinal treatment site. The present invention further includes improvements in the number and types of neuromodulation therapies that can be implanted at the spinal treatment site and improvements to the neuromodulation systems used for delivering such neuromodulation therapies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Gregory F. Molnar, Nazmi Peyman, Beth A. Lindborg, Kathleen W. Hill, Kyle R. Grube, Michael C. Park, Matthew A. Hunt, Justin D. Zenanko, Susan Alpert
  • Patent number: 10675458
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single surgical method, procedure and/or system that creates open visual and physical access to an identified spinal treatment site that comprises both targeted vertebral and spinal levels to be treated, wherein the spinal levels comprise at least one dorsal root ganglion. A spinal treatment procedure is performed generally in combination with implantation of a neuromodulation system that may comprise placement of electrical lead(s) on the at least one dorsal root ganglion, wherein each lead is in operative connection with a pulse generator that may also be implanted during the surgical method. Electrical stimulation may be generated with the pulse generator through the electrical leads to the at least one dorsal root ganglion during and/or after the closure of the identified spinal treatment site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SynerFuse, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory F. Molnar, Christopher G. Frank, Justin D. Zenanko, Beth A. Lindborg, Nazmi Peyman, Kyle Grube, Michael Park, Matthew Hunt, Kathy Hill
  • Publication number: 20200129775
    Abstract: The present invention comprises implantable neuromodulation systems and methods comprising a protective pouch that at least partially encases an implantable pulse generator prior to implanting in a patient and is adapted to be secured within the surgical site. A lead placement tool configured to receive an electrical lead(s) along at least part of the length of the tool within an open channel or groove to assist in placing electrical leads at the desired target. The lead placement tool may have at least one, or two, angles that provide a bend or angle between first and/or second end regions relative to a straight central region and an open channel along at least one of these regions. A harness for receiving and protecting at least a portion of the length of electrical leads in operative communication with an implantable pulse generator is provided. The harness is adapted to be secured within the surgical site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Gregory F. Molnar, Nazmi Peyman, Kari W. Wright, Justin D. Zenanko, Beth A. Lindborg, Kathleen W. Hill, Kyle R. Grube, Michael C. Park, Matthew A. Hunt
  • Publication number: 20200030619
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single surgical method, procedure and/or system that creates open visual and physical access to an identified spinal treatment site that comprises both targeted vertebral and spinal levels to be treated, wherein the spinal levels comprise at least one dorsal root ganglion. A spinal treatment procedure is performed generally in combination with implantation of a neuromodulation system that may comprise placement of electrical lead(s) on the at least one dorsal root ganglion, wherein each lead is in operative connection with a pulse generator that may also be implanted during the surgical method. Electrical stimulation may be generated with the pulse generator through the electrical leads to the at least one dorsal root ganglion during and/or after the closure of the identified spinal treatment site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Gregory F. Molnar, Christopher G. Frank, Justin D. Zenanko, Beth A. Lindborg, Nazmi Peyman, Kyle Grube, Michael Park, Matthew Hunt, Kathy Hill
  • Publication number: 20200030601
    Abstract: The present invention provides a single surgical method, procedure and/or system that creates open visual and physical access to an identified spinal treatment site that initially comprises spinal levels to be treated, wherein the spinal levels comprise at least one dorsal root ganglion. A spinal treatment procedure is performed generally in combination with implantation of a neuromodulation system that may comprise placement of electrical lead(s) on the at least one dorsal root ganglion, wherein each lead is in operative connection with a pulse generator that may also be implanted during the surgical method. Electrical stimulation may be generated with the pulse generator through the electrical leads to the at least one dorsal root ganglion during and/or after the closure of the identified spinal treatment site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Gregory F. Molnar, Christopher G. Frank, Justin D. Zenanko, Beth A. Lindborg, Nazmi Peyman, Kyle Grube, Michael Park, Matthew Hunt, Kathy Hill
  • Publication number: 20190344070
    Abstract: A pain management system includes a spinal stabilization device and a neuromodulation device. The spinal stabilization device includes a rod, a plurality of pedicle screws each having a screw-head defining a screw-head cavity configured to receive a portion of the rod, and a corresponding plurality of inserts configured to engage with the inner wall of the cavity to secure the rod in place in the cavity. The neuromodulation device includes a therapy module comprising electronics packaged within a housing. The housing has a form factor having at least one feature configured to mate with a corresponding feature of the screw-head of one of the plurality of pedicle screws. The respective features mate in a manner that enables the therapy module to mechanically couple to and subsequently decouple from the screw-head of the pedicle screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Gregory F. Molnar, Harry Puryear, Nazmi Peyman, Justin D. Zenanko
  • Publication number: 20190290912
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for delivering stimulation therapy to a patient. In one example, a medical device senses, via one or more electrodes, one or more oscillations of a bioelectrical signal of a brain of a patient. In response to sensing the one or more oscillations, the medical device generates a plurality of bursts of stimulation therapy pulses, the plurality of bursts comprising an inter-burst frequency selected based on a frequency of the one or more oscillations of the bioelectrical signal. Further, the medical device delivers the plurality of bursts of stimulation therapy pulses to the patient to modulate a state of the patient associated with the one or more oscillations of the bioelectrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Robert S. Raike, Timothy J. Denison, Steven M. Goetz, William J. George, Jonathon E. Giftakis, Lothar Krinke, Gregory F. Molnar, Paul H. Stypulkowski, Scott R. Stanslaski
  • Publication number: 20190293737
    Abstract: Systems and method for measuring and mitigating radio frequency (“RF”) induced currents on electrical leads, electrodes, and other electrically conductive objects present in the bore of a magnetic resonance imaging (“MRI”) scanner when the MRI scanner is operated to image an object or subject are described. The methods described in the present disclosure can be implemented as a pre-scan procedure to obtain images from which the current induced on the electrical lead can be estimated. This information can then be used to adjust the RF excitation used in a subsequent pulse sequence to mitigate induced currents and reduce heating in the lead. As such, the methods described in the present disclosure provide for improved patient safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Yigitcan Eryaman, Gregor Adriany, Noam Harel, Gregory F. Molnar
  • Publication number: 20190240491
    Abstract: A patient controls the delivery of therapy through volitional inputs that are detected by a biosignal within the brain. The volitional patient input may be directed towards performing a specific physical or mental activity, such as moving a muscle or performing a mathematical calculation. In one embodiment, a biosignal detection module monitors an electroencephalogram (EEG) signal from within the brain of the patient and determines whether the EEG signal includes the biosignal. In one embodiment, the biosignal detection module analyzes one or more frequency components of the EEG signal. In this manner, the patient may adjust therapy delivery by providing a volitional input that is detected by brain signals, wherein the volitional input may not require the interaction with another device, thereby eliminating the need for an external programmer to adjust therapy delivery. Example therapies include electrical stimulation, drug delivery, and delivery of sensory cues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Eric J. Panken, Timothy J. Denison, Gregory F. Molnar
  • Publication number: 20190232049
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, mechanisms (which can, for example, include systems, methods, and media) for directional coordinated reset deep brain stimulation are provided. In some embodiments, a method is provided, comprising: implanting a lead with segmented electrodes into an anatomical structure; selecting a first subset of the electrodes corresponding to the anatomical structure as active electrodes; causing electrical pulses at a first stimulation level to be applied at the active electrodes in a first sequence; causing electrical pulses at a second stimulation level that is lower than the first stimulation level to be applied at the active electrodes in a second sequence during a second time period; and inhibiting electrical pulses from being applied at inactive electrodes during the second time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Jing Wang, Gregory F. Molnar, Jerrold L. Vitek
  • Patent number: 10258798
    Abstract: A patient controls the delivery of therapy through volitional inputs that are detected by a biosignal within the brain. The volitional patient input may be directed towards performing a specific physical or mental activity, such as moving a muscle or performing a mathematical calculation. In one embodiment, a biosignal detection module monitors an electroencephalogram (EEG) signal from within the brain of the patient and determines whether the EEG signal includes the biosignal. In one embodiment, the biosignal detection module analyzes one or more frequency components of the EEG signal. In this manner, the patient may adjust therapy delivery by providing a volitional input that is detected by brain signals, wherein the volitional input may not require the interaction with another device, thereby eliminating the need for an external programmer to adjust therapy delivery. Example therapies include electrical stimulation, drug delivery, and delivery of sensory cues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Panken, Timothy J. Denison, Gregory F. Molnar
  • Patent number: 10251595
    Abstract: A medical device delivers a therapy to a patient. The medical device or another device may periodically determine an activity level or gait parameter of the patient, and associate each determined level or parameter with a current therapy parameter set. A value of at least one activity metric is determined for each of a plurality of therapy parameter sets based on the activity levels or parameters associated with that therapy parameter set. Whether the patient is currently experiencing or anticipated to experience gait freeze caused by their neurological disorder, such as Parkinson's disease, may also be determined. Gait freeze events may be associated with current therapy parameters and used to determine activity metric values. In some examples, the activity metric associated with certain therapy parameters may be presented to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth T. Heruth, Keith A. Miesel, Gregory F. Molnar
  • Publication number: 20190008386
    Abstract: Radio frequency (RF) energy is transmitted through the application of a RF signal to an external RF energy interface, where the RF signal oscillates at a frequency in an energy transmission band. The transmitted RF energy is received at an implanted medical device, and energy derived from the received RF energy is stored in a direct current (DC) energy storage component of the device. A therapeutic output signal is generated from the stored energy and delivered by the implantable medical device to a patient through one or more electrodes. The therapeutic output signal is configurable to provide either one of RF stimulation therapy and RF ablation therapy, and comprises pulses of an RF signal oscillating at a frequency in a therapy band that is greater than the energy transmission band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Harry Puryear, Timothy J. Cox, Serafin Y. Samson, Nazmi Peyman, Omid Souresrafil, Gregory F. Molnar
  • Patent number: 10165977
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianping Wu, Gregory F. Molnar, Gabriela C. Molnar, Timothy J. Denison