Patents by Inventor Howard D. Simms
Howard D. Simms 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).
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Patent number: 9694172Abstract: Devices or methods such as for stimulating excitable tissue or sensing physiologic response or other signals that can use separate fixation mechanism is described. An implantable apparatus can include a modular electrostimulation electrode assembly that can include a first module and a second module that can be end user-attachable to each other and end user-detached from each other. The first module can include an electrostimulation electrode fixation support member that can be laid flat against or otherwise conform to a surface of a heart, and can define a centrally located open portal such as for permitting electrode access to the surface of the heart. The second module can include an electrostimulation electrode that can be inserted through the portal of the fixation support member such as to contact the surface of the heart such as to deliver chronic electrostimulation to the heart.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Arthur J. Foster, Bruce Alan Tockman, Lili Liu, Howard D. Simms, Jr., Anne-Marie Bustillos
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Publication number: 20170119273Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting atrial tachyarrhythmias (AT) such as atrial fibrillation (AF) are disclosed. A medical system can include a cardiac signal sensor circuit to sense a cardiac electrical signal and a heart sound (HS) sensor to sense heart a HS signal. A cardiac electrical signal metric, including a cycle length variability or a detection of atrial electrical activity, can be generated from the cardiac electrical signal. A HS metric can be generated from the HS signal, including a status of detection of S4 heart sound or a S4 heart sound intensity indicator. The system can include an AT detector circuit that can detect an AT event, such as an AF event, using the cardiac electrical signal metric and the HS metric. The system can additionally classify the detected AT event as an AF or an atrial flutter event.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2016Publication date: May 4, 2017Inventors: Pramodsingh Hirasingh Thakur, Bin Mi, Howard D. Simms, JR., Qi An, John D. Hatlestad, Keith R. Maile
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Patent number: 9592391Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating detection and/or treatment of abnormal heart activity using multiple implanted devices within a patient. In one example, cardiac activity may be sensed by two or more medical device, including a leadless cardiac pacemaker. Cardiac activity sensed by one of the implanted devices may be communicated to another one of the implanted devices. Abnormal heart activity may then be determined based on the cardiac activity of both of the medical device.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2015Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Howard D. Simms, Jr., Keith R. Maile, Michael J. Kane, William J. Linder
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Publication number: 20160287115Abstract: An apparatus includes a sensing circuit configured to generate a sensed physiological signal representative of cardiac activity of a subject, and an arrhythmia detection circuit. The arrhythmia detection circuit is configured to monitor information corresponding to ventricular depolarization (V-V) intervals using the sensed physiological signal; determine a V-V interval distribution; determine a heart rate density index (HRDI) as a portion of samples of the V-V interval distribution corresponding to a V-V interval occurring most often in the distribution; and generate an indication of atrial fibrillation (AF) using the HRDI.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Inventors: David L. Perschbacher, Deepa Mahajan, Howard D. Simms, JR.
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Publication number: 20160008615Abstract: Systems and methods for treating cardiac arrhythmias. One example medical device system for delivering electrical stimulation therapy to a heart of a patient may comprise a leadless cardiac pacemaker (LCP) implanted within a heart of a patient and configured to determine occurrences of cardiac arrhythmias, a medical device configured to determine occurrences of cardiac arrhythmias and to deliver defibrillation shock therapy to the patient, wherein the LCP and the medical device are spaced from one another and communicatively coupled, and wherein after the LCP determines an occurrence of a cardiac arrhythmia, the LCP is configured to modify the defibrillation shock therapy of the medical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2015Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Michael J. Kane, William J. Linder, Howard D. Simms, JR., Keith R. Maile
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Publication number: 20150360041Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating treatment of abnormal heart activity using multiple implanted devices within a patient. In one example, a leadless cardiac pacemaker (LCP) may receive signals related to one or more physiological conditions of a patient, wherein the LCP may be configured to deliver ATP therapy to a heart. The LCP may also be configured, based at least in part on the received signals, to detect an arrhythmia. In response to detecting an arrhythmia, the LCP may determine whether to deliver ATP therapy to the heart. If the LCP determines to deliver ATP therapy, the LCP may deliver ATP therapy to the heart.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2015Publication date: December 17, 2015Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Keith R. Maile, Michael J. Kane, William J. Linder, Howard D. Simms, JR.
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Publication number: 20150297902Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating treatment of abnormal heart activity using multiple implanted devices. In one example, a method of operating a medical system may comprise determining, by a first one of a plurality of implantable medical devices, a presence of an arrhythmia, wherein the first one of a plurality of implantable medical devices uses a first discrimination method to determine the presence of an arrhythmia, determining, by a second one of the plurality of implantable medical devices, a presence of an arrhythmia, wherein the second one of a plurality of implantable medical devices uses a second discrimination method to determine the presence of an arrhythmia, and communicating, by the first one of the plurality of implantable medical devices to a second one of the plurality of implantable medical devices, a message that is indicative of a detected arrhythmia by the first one of a plurality of implantable medical devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2015Publication date: October 22, 2015Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Howard D. Simms, Jr., Keith R. Maile, Michael J. Kane, William J. Linder
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Publication number: 20150196757Abstract: Cardiac activity of the heart can be sensed using, for example, one or more leadless cardiac pacemakers (LCPs) that are implanted in a close proximity to the heart. Sensing cardiac activity by the one or more leadless cardiac pacemakers (LCPs) can help the system in determining an occurrence of cardiac arrhythmia. For treatment purposes, electrical stimulation therapy, for example anti-tachyarrhythmia pacing (ATP) therapy, can be delivered by at least one of the devices of the system. Such therapy can help treat the detected cardiac arrhythmia. In some instances, one of the leadless cardiac pacemakers can instruct one or more of the other devices to assist in providing pacing therapy. In some instances, one of the leadless cardiac pacemakers can instruct one or more of the other devices to temporarily stop providing therapy or to simply shut down while another device provides therapy.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, William J. Linder, Howard D. Simms, Jr., Keith R. Maile, Michael J. Kane
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Publication number: 20150196756Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating treatment of abnormal heart activity using multiple implanted devices within a patient. In one example, abnormal heart activity may be sensed by a medical device system. One of the devices of the system may determine to deliver anti-tachycardia pacing therapy to the heart of the patient, and may communicate an instruction to another of the devices of the medical device system to deliver anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) therapy to the heart. The receiving medical device may then deliver ATP therapy to the heart of the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Howard D. Simms, JR., Keith R. Maile, Michael J. Kane, William J. Linder
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Publication number: 20150196758Abstract: Systems and methods for coordinating detection and/or treatment of abnormal heart activity using multiple implanted devices within a patient. In one example, cardiac activity may be sensed by two or more medical device, including a leadless cardiac pacemaker. Cardiac activity sensed by one of the implanted devices may be communicated to another one of the implanted devices. Abnormal heart activity may then be determined based on the cardiac activity of both of the medical device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Howard D. Simms, Jr., Keith R. Maile, Michael J. Kane, William J. Linder
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Patent number: 9067073Abstract: Systems and methods are described for communicating device information and performance information associated with a population of other electrodes to a remote transceiver. The system can include a radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit coupled to an implantable component. The RFID circuit can include a memory circuit configured to store device information associated with at least one implantation-independent attribute of the implantable component. The RFID circuit can communicate the device information and performance parameters associated with the implantable component to at least one programming unit such as a remote transceiver. The programming unit can program the RFID circuit with information associated with the implantable component.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventor: Howard D. Simms, Jr.
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Publication number: 20150161332Abstract: A system and method for displaying patient data is described. Such patient data includes a list of patients with a plurality of clinical variables associated with each patient. The patient data is displayed in a manner that enables a clinical user to quickly and easily identify patients from an entire follow-up cohort based on visual evaluation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2014Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Howard D. Simms, JR., Viktoria A. Averina, Maya Bhat
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Publication number: 20150025404Abstract: Systems and related methods for analyzing data sensed from a device implanted in a patient, such as a cardiac pacing system. The system detects and evaluates electric signals within the patient that share a common event marker. By using algorithms and graphical presentation of the collected signals having common event markers, deviations in signals over time can be identified and evaluated in consideration of taking further action related to the patient and the implanted device. The system can also be used in conjunction with an advanced patient management system that includes a programmer or repeater capable of gathering information from the implanted device and transmitting the data to a host via a communications network for evaluation at a remote location.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2014Publication date: January 22, 2015Inventors: Matthias Woellenstein, Howard D. Simms, JR., Scott T. Mazar, Robert J. Sweeney
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Publication number: 20140330347Abstract: Systems and methods are described for communicating device information and performance information associated with a population of other electrodes to a remote transceiver. The system can include a radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit coupled to an implantable component. The RFID circuit can include a memory circuit configured to store device information associated with at least one implantation-independent attribute of the implantable component. The RFID circuit can communicate the device information and performance parameters associated with the implantable component to at least one programming unit such as a remote transceiver. The programming unit can program the RFID circuit with information associated with the implantable component.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventor: Howard D. Simms, JR.
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Publication number: 20140276929Abstract: Devices or methods such as for stimulating excitable tissue or sensing physiologic response or other signals that can use separate fixation mechanism is described. An implantable apparatus can include a modular electrostimulation electrode assembly that can include a first module and a second module that can be end user-attachable to each other and end user-detached from each other. The first module can include an electrostimulation electrode fixation support member that can be laid flat against or otherwise conform to a surface of a heart, and can define a centrally located open portal such as for permitting electrode access to the surface of the heart. The second module can include an electrostimulation electrode that can be inserted through the portal of the fixation support member such as to contact the surface of the heart such as to deliver chronic electrostimulation to the heart.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Arthur J. Foster, Bruce Alan Tockman, Lili Liu, Howard D. Simms, JR., Anne-Marie Bustillo
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Patent number: 8781847Abstract: A system and method for managing alert notifications in an automated patient management system is presented. One or more settings specifying patient data collection periodicity are defined. One or more patient data sources operating on a remotely managed patient and selected from at least one of a physiological sensor and a therapy delivery device are also defined. One or more triggers associated with a condition occurring in relation to at least one such patient data evaluateable subsequent to collection are defined. Finally, a notification scheme executable upon detection of at least one such trigger is determined to provide an external indicator of the condition occurrence.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2005Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Howard D. Simms, Kenneth P. Hoyme, David C. Johnson, Muralidharan Srivathsa, James R. Kalgren
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Patent number: 8718772Abstract: A system and method for temporary programming of an implantable medical device. The system and method include a repeater uploading temporary programming and instructions to a temporary memory of the device and then instructing the device to operate according to the temporary instructions. If during a first time period, the device is not in continuous periodic communication with the repeater, the device automatically reverts to operation under the normal operating instructions. At the end of the first time period, the caregiver or the patient may decide to revert to the normal programming. During a second time period, the device operates according to the temporary programming unless the caregiver or the patient instructs the device to revert to the normal programming, or the device fails to receive a periodic continuation signal from the repeater. Adverse health effects to the patient may also trigger the device to revert to the normal programming during either the first or second time period.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2008Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth P. Hoyme, Alan H. Smythe, Howard D. Simms, Jr., Conrad L. Sowder, David Ternes, Sylvia Quiles
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Patent number: 8706226Abstract: A system and method for managing locally-initiated medical device interrogation is presented. An interface is provided over which to retrieve patient data recorded and transiently staged by a medical device monitoring physiological measures of a patient. The patient data is periodically retrieved by interfacing to and interrogating the medical device per a pre-defined schedule through the interface. Further retrieval of the patient data is permitted independent of the pre-defined schedule. The system stores remotely-specifiable criteria specified by a caregiver and controls patient-initiated patient data retrieval in accordance with the criteria.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2010Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: David C. Johnson, Howard D. Simms, Kenneth P. Hoyme, Muralidharan Srivathsa, Benjamin L. Somberg
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Publication number: 20130245710Abstract: An apparatus, such as included as a portion of cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system, can include a subcutaneously-implantable medical device. The subcutaneously-implantable medical device can include a header assembly including a stylet access port, and the apparatus can include an intravascularly-deliverable lead assembly permanently attached to the header assembly and including a lumen to receive a stylet via the stylet access port included in the header assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2013Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Arthur Foster, Matthew John Tracy, Howard D. Simms, JR.
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Patent number: 8046060Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products differentiate between arrhythmic events having different origins. An implantable medical device detects the arrhythmic events. At least one method involves receiving electrograms representing arrhythmic events and sorting the arrhythmic events into groups based on similarities between the electrograms and/or differences between the electrograms. The method also involves identifying an exemplary arrhythmic event from each group to represent the group from which the exemplary arrhythmic event is identified and distinguishing each exemplary arrhythmic event via an interface display.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventor: Howard D. Simms, Jr.