Patents by Inventor J. Simons

J. Simons 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: 9427581
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for treating medical disorders, such as migraine or other primary headaches, or fibromyalgia, by noninvasive electrical stimulation of a vagus nerve, used in conjunction with the measurement of evoked potentials (EPs). The system comprises a stimulator that is applied to the surface of the patient's neck to apply electrical impulses sufficient to stimulate a cervical vagus nerve, scalp electrodes that are used to measure EPs that are evoked by that stimulation, feedback or biofeedback circuits to vary the stimulation based upon EP characteristics, and other sensory stimulation modalities that produce EPs. The system is preferably used to optimize the placement of the stimulator, to test whether a patient is a suitable candidate for treatment using vagus nerve stimulation, and to select the stimulation parameters that optimized acute or chronic treatment, e.g., by correcting an EP habituation deficit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Electrocore, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico
  • Publication number: 20160243375
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating bronchial constriction related to asthma, anaphylaxis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The treatment comprises transmitting impulses of energy non-invasively to selected nerve fibers that are responsible for smooth muscle dilation. The transmitted energy impulses, comprising magnetic and/or electrical, mechanical and/or acoustic, and optical and/or thermal energy, stimulate the selected nerve fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle, Steven Mendez
  • Publication number: 20160244716
    Abstract: Described herein is a storage medium for transport of NK-92 cells comprising human serum, about 200 IU/mL and a density of non-irradiated NK-92 cells sufficient to provide a therapeutic amount of NK-92 cells at the time of delivery to a treatment facility, wherein the temperature of the medium is maintained within +/?5° C. of a selected temperature between 20° C. and 40° C., such that the NK-92 cells remain viable for administration to a patient for up to a period of at least 24 hours after placement into the storage medium. Also described are methods of transporting NK-92 cells such that the NK-92 cells remain viable for administration to a patient for up to a period of at least 24 hours after placement into the storage medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Hans G. Klingemann, Barry J. Simon
  • Patent number: 9424394
    Abstract: An approach for providing personalized information regarding one or more physiological conditions associated with a user is described. A personal health platform calculates a minimum value, a maximum value, or a combination thereof for a physiological condition of a user. The personal health platform senses a measured value for the physiological condition from the user. The personal health platform further presents a user interface depicting the measured value relative to the minimum value, the maximum value, a historical measured value for the user, or a combination thereof, wherein the user interface depicts the measured value, the minimum value, the maximum value, or a combination thereof on one or more ring-based graphical elements, and wherein the one or more ring-based graphical elements correspond to a measurement range for the physiological condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
    Inventor: Adam J. Simon
  • Publication number: 20160237145
    Abstract: Binding agents able to disrupt bacterial biofilms of diverse origin are described, including monoclonal antibodies suitable for administration to a selected species, and antibody mimics including aptamer nucleic acids. Methods to prevent formation of or to dissolve biofilms with these binding agents are also described. Immunogens for eliciting antibodies to disrupt biofilms are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: Trellis Bioscience, LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence M. KAUVAR, Stefan RYSER, Angeles ESTELLES, Reyna J. SIMON
  • Patent number: 9415219
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating a variety of diseases and disorders that are primarily or at least partially driven by an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain, such as asthma, COPD, depression, anxiety, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, and the like. The invention involves the use of an energy source comprising magnetic and/or electrical energy that is transmitted non-invasively to, or in close proximity to, a selected nerve to temporarily stimulate, block and/or modulate the signals in the selected nerve such that neural pathways are activated to release inhibitory neurotransmitters in the patient's brain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Electrocore, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Patent number: 9403001
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating or preventing gastroparesis, functional dyspepsia, and other functional gastrointestinal disorders. The methods comprise transmitting impulses of energy non-invasively to selected nerve fibers, particularly those in a vagus nerve. The methods provide damaged interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) with trophic factors via vagal afferent nerve fibers, thereby reversing ICC damage, and as a consequence improving gastric motility. The methods also increase levels of inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain so as to decrease neural activity within the area postrema, or they deactivate a resting state neural network containing parts of the anterior insula and anterior cingulate cortex, which will thereby reduce abnormal interoception and visceral hypersensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Electrocore, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Patent number: 9399134
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating a variety of diseases and disorders that are primarily or at least partially driven by an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain, such as asthma, COPD, depression, anxiety, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, and the like. The technology involves the use of an energy source comprising magnetic and/or electrical energy that is transmitted non-invasively to, or in close proximity to, a selected nerve to temporarily stimulate, block and/or modulate the signals in the selected nerve such that neural pathways are activated to release inhibitory neurotransmitters in the patient's brain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Electrocore, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Publication number: 20160212626
    Abstract: A method for operating an extensible mode of communication in an intelligent heterogeneous network includes the step of using an extensibility tool to provide an extensible framing structure. The method further includes the step of combining a centralized radio access network topology with an intelligent IP core network to enable sharing of spectrum resources. The method further includes the step of providing a supplemental return channel to facilitate paging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: July 21, 2016
    Inventors: Michael J. SIMON, Mark A. AITKEN
  • Publication number: 20160205081
    Abstract: A computing system comprises, in one example, a user interface component configured to generate a data security configuration interface that displays user input mechanisms and receives user configuration inputs, and a data security component configured to control user data access. The data security component comprises a plurality of configurable security objects arranged in a security hierarchy. The configuration inputs associate at least one user with each security object in the security hierarchy to define a data access relationship between the users associated with the security objects. The data security component comprises a data access component configured to receive a data access request from a given user, identify a set of users that are associated with security objects in the security hierarchy relative to a security object to which the given user is associated, and provide the given user with access to data objects that are associated with the set of users.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Brandon J. Simons, Mahesh Hariharan, Elliot S. Lewis, Devendra Kumar, Atul Shenoy
  • Publication number: 20160187337
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and reagents for analyzing samples for the presence of JC virus antibodies. Disclosed is a method that includes obtaining a biological sample from a subject (e.g., plasma, serum, blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid), contacting the sample with highly purified viral-like particles HPVLPs) under conditions suitable for binding of a JCV antibody in the sample to an HPVLP, and detecting the level of JCV antibody binding in the sample to HPVLP In one embodiment, determining the level of anti-JCV antibodies in the subject sample provides a method of identifying PML risk in a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Leonid Gorelik, Kenneth J. Simon, Meena Subramanyam, Mia Marie Rushe
  • Patent number: 9376707
    Abstract: An assay kit for determination of thymidine kinase (TK) activity in a biological sample, such as blood, serum, plasma, Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF), pleural fluid, ascites, tissues, cells and extracts thereof, is described. The assay kit can used in a method that comprises contacting, in a buffer, a Basic Reaction Mixture comprising: solid surface-attached primer and/or template, a modified deoxy nucleoside, such as BromodeoxyUridine, IododeoxyUridine, FluorodeoxyUridine or VinyldexoyThymidine as a kinase enzyme substrate, a phosphate donor, a nucleotide polymerizing enzyme, and a kinase enzyme source devoid of TK activity, such as a yeast extract, with the biological sample. After incubation the amount of modified deoxy nucleoside that has been incorporated into the solid surface-attached primer and/or template, is determined and the TK activity present in the biological sample is directly proportional to the amount of incorporated modified deoxy nucleoside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: BIOVICA INTERNATIONAL AB
    Inventor: J. Simon Gronowitz
  • Patent number: 9375571
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat a medical condition, such as migraine headache, by electrical noninvasive stimulation of a vagus nerve. The system comprises a handheld stimulator that is applied to the surface of the patient's neck, wherein the stimulator comprises or is joined to a smartphone. A camera of the smartphone may be used to position and reposition the stimulator to a particular location on the patient's neck. The system may also comprise a base station that is used to meter the charging of a rechargeable battery within the stimulator. The base station and stimulator transmit data to one another regarding the status of a stimulation session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Electrocore, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph P. Errico, Steven Mendez, Bruce J. Simon
  • Patent number: 9358381
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed for treating a variety of diseases and disorders that are primarily or at least partially driven by an imbalance in neurotransmitters in the brain, such as asthma, COPD, depression, anxiety, epilepsy, fibromyalgia, and the like. The invention involves the use of an energy source comprising magnetic and/or electrical energy that is transmitted non-invasively to, or in close proximity to, a selected nerve to temporarily stimulate, block and/or modulate the signals in the selected nerve such that neural pathways are activated to release inhibitory neurotransmitters in the patient's brain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Electrocore, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Publication number: 20160151628
    Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed that treat a medical condition, such as migraine headache, by electrically stimulating a nerve noninvasively, which may be a vagus nerve situated within a patient's neck. Preferred embodiments allow a patient to self-treat his or her condition. Disclosed methods assure that the device is being positioned correctly on the neck and that the amplitude and other parameters of the stimulation actually stimulate the vagus nerve with a therapeutic waveform. Those methods comprise measuring properties of the patient's larynx, pupil diameters, blood flow within an eye, electrodermal activity and/or heart rate variability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico
  • Publication number: 20160144175
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are disclosed that allow a patient to self-treat a medical condition, such as migraine headache, by electrical noninvasive stimulation of a vagus nerve. The system comprises a stimulator that is applied to the surface of the patient's neck. The device housing transmits data to a patient interface device such as a mobile phone or computer relating to the status of a stimulation session. The interface device in turn may communicate with a database contained within other computers, via a network or the internet. The system is designed to address problems that arise particularly during self-treatment, when a medical professional is not present.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Publication number: 20160144180
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for treating at least one of a condition or a symptom of a patient by positioning a stimulation device at a target site adjacent to or near a nerve within a patient. The stimulation device comprising an antenna and one or more electrodes. Transmitting electrical energy to the antenna and generating electrical impulses within the stimulation device with the electrical energy and applying the series of electrical impulses to the nerve via the electrode. The electrical impulses sufficient to modulate the nerve and treat the condition or symptom of the patient; and which have on periods where the electrical impulses are generated and applied to the nerve and off periods between the electrical impulses, where the electrical energy is transmitted to the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, Steven Mendez
  • Publication number: 20160136423
    Abstract: A non-invasive electrical stimulator shapes an elongated electric field of effect that can be oriented parallel to a long nerve, such as a vagus nerve in a patient's neck, producing a desired physiological response in the patient. The stimulator comprises a source of electrical power, at least one electrode and a continuous electrically conducting medium in contact with the electrodes. The conducting medium is also in contact with an interface element that may conform to the contour of a target body surface of the patient when the interface element is applied to that surface. When the interface element is made of insulating (dielectric) material, and disclosed stimulation waveforms are used, the power source need not supply high voltage, in order to capacitively stimulate the target nerve. The stimulator produces a peak pulse that is sufficient to produce a physiologically effective electric field in the vicinity of a target nerve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Patent number: 9339653
    Abstract: The present invention includes methods and devices for treating hypotension, such as in cases of shock, including septic shock, anaphylactic shock and hypovolemia. The method includes the step of applying at least one electrical impulse to at least one selected region of a parasympathetic nervous system of the patient. The electrical impulse is sufficient to modulate one or more nerves of the parasympathetic nervous system to increase the ratio of blood pressure to heart rate and relieve the condition and/or extend the patient's life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Electrocore, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, Steven Mendez
  • Patent number: 9333347
    Abstract: A non-invasive electrical stimulation device shapes an elongated electric field of effect that can be oriented parallel to a long nerve, such as a vagus nerve in a patient's neck, producing a desired physiological response in the patient. The stimulator comprises a source of electrical power, at least one electrode and a continuous electrically conducting medium in which the electrode(s) are in contact. The stimulation device is configured to produce a peak pulse voltage that is sufficient to produce a physiologically effective electric field in the vicinity of a target nerve, but not to substantially stimulate other nerves and muscles that lie between the vicinity of the target nerve and patient's skin. Current is passed through the electrodes in bursts of preferably five sinusoidal pulses, wherein each pulse within a burst has a duration of preferably 200 microseconds, and bursts repeat at preferably at 15-50 bursts per second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Electrocore, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce J. Simon, Joseph P. Errico, John T. Raffle