Patents by Inventor Helen Ruddy

Helen Ruddy 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: 5649970
    Abstract: An electrode array for implantation in volume-conductive media, such as living tissue, includes at least two closely spaced metal contacts, with arbitrary shapes, having large enough surface areas to preclude one or both from acting as a "point source." Through proper control of the shape of the contacts, and the impedance ratio between the metal-electrolyte interface and the intervening volume-conductive media, achieved through use of appropriate materials for the metal contacts in combination with electronic adjustment of the voltage pulse applied between the contacts, desirable "edge-effect" fields are created that better control and manage the distribution of the resulting stimulation current flowing between the contacts. Such control of the stimulation current distribution allows a given electrode array to be electronically tuned to better stimulate specific neurons found within the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventors: Gerald E. Loeb, Helen Ruddy