Patents by Inventor James B Niemi

James B Niemi 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: 11071672
    Abstract: A method and wearable system and for enhancing human balance and gait and preventing foot injury through neurological stimulation of the foot and the ankle. Subthreshold stimulation for neurosensory enhancement is provided via electrodes or vibrational actuators, or combination thereof, disposed in or on a wearable a platform, such as an insole, sock shoe, removable shoe insert, or applied without the support of a platform, to the skin surface of an individual. Suprathreshold stimulation for therapeutic purposes, such as improving blood flow, is also provided by the vibrational actuators. The actuators and electrodes are driven by bias signals generated by a bias signal generator that is coupled to a controller. The signal generator under the control of the controller is adapted to generate a non-deterministic random signal, a repetitive pattern or series of patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jason D. Harry, James J. Collins, James B. Niemi, Attila A. Priplata, Stephen J. Kleshinski
  • Publication number: 20200237615
    Abstract: The inventors have developed systems and methods for providing stochastic stimulus to patients to improve their respiration. For instance, the inventors have discovered that ventilated infants improve their breathing including by reducing the total amount of desaturation during periods of stochastic, mechanical stimulation. It was previously thought that stochastic stimulation only improved breathing by encouraging active pacemaker activity. Accordingly, the inventors have developed systems and methods that improves infant respiration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Applicants: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
    Inventors: James B. NIEMI, David PAYDARFAR
  • Publication number: 20180353365
    Abstract: A method and wearable system and for enhancing human balance and gait and preventing foot injury through neurological stimulation of the foot and the ankle. Subthreshold stimulation for neurosensory enhancement is provided via electrodes or vibrational actuators, or combination thereof, disposed in or on a wearable a platform, such as an insole, sock shoe, removable shoe insert, or applied without the support of a platform, to the skin surface of an individual. Suprathreshold stimulation for therapeutic purposes, such as improving blood flow, is also provided by the vibrational actuators. The actuators and electrodes are driven by bias signals generated by a bias signal generator that is coupled to a controller. The signal generator under the control of the controller is adapted to generate a non-deterministic random signal, a repetitive pattern or series of patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Inventors: Jason D. Harry, James J. Collins, James B. Niemi, Attila A. Priplata, Stephen J. Kleshinski
  • Patent number: 10076460
    Abstract: A method and wearable system and for enhancing human balance and gait and preventing foot injury through neurological stimulation of the foot and the ankle. Subthreshold stimulation for neurosensory enhancement is provided via electrodes or vibrational actuators, or combination thereof, disposed in or on a wearable a platform, such as an insole, sock shoe, removable shoe insert, or applied without the support of a platform, to the skin surface of an individual. Suprathreshold stimulation for therapeutic purposes, such as improving blood flow, is also provided by the vibrational actuators. The actuators and electrodes are driven by bias signals generated by a bias signal generator that is coupled to a controller. The signal generator under the control of the controller is adapted to generate a non-deterministic random signal, a repetitive pattern or series of patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Jason D. Harry, James J. Collins, James B. Niemi, Attila A. Priplata, Stephen J. Kleshinski
  • Publication number: 20170165486
    Abstract: A neuro-stimulation system employs a includes a stimulator which may include electrode devices and/or vibration elements. A controller may be employed to drive the stimulating elements with an electrical signal. In response to the electrical signal, the stimulating elements deliver electrical and/or mechanical stimulation to the body part. The stimulation may be an aperiodic stimulation and/or may be a subthreshold stimulation. In one embodiment, the stimulator is disposable and the processor determines usage of the stimulator and ensures that the stimulator is limited to a certain amount of use. Neuro-stimulation systems may be applied to sensory cells of body parts during movement of the body parts to induce neuroplastic changes. Such movement may involve a variety of therapeutic applications, e.g. in stroke patient therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Jason D. Harry, James B. Niemi, Scott Kellogg, Susan D'Andrea
  • Patent number: 9616234
    Abstract: A neuro-stimulation system employs a includes a stimulator which may include electrode devices and/or vibration elements. A controller may be employed to drive the stimulating elements with an electrical signal. In response to the electrical signal, the stimulating elements deliver electrical and/or mechanical stimulation to the body part. The stimulation may be an aperiodic stimulation and/or may be a subthreshold stimulation. In one embodiment, the stimulator is disposable and the processor determines usage of the stimulator and ensures that the stimulator is limited to a certain amount of use. Neuro-stimulation systems may be applied to sensory cells of body parts during movement of the body parts to induce neuroplastic changes. Such movement may involve a variety of therapeutic applications, e.g. in stroke patient therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Jason D. Harry, James B. Niemi, Scott Kellogg, Susan D'Andrea
  • Publication number: 20140364678
    Abstract: A neuro-stimulation system employs a includes a stimulator which may include electrode devices and/or vibration elements. A controller may be employed to drive the stimulating elements with an electrical signal. In response to the electrical signal, the stimulating elements deliver electrical and/or mechanical stimulation to the body part. The stimulation may be an aperiodic stimulation and/or may be a subthreshold stimulation. In one embodiment, the stimulator is disposable and the processor determines usage of the stimulator and ensures that the stimulator is limited to a certain amount of use. Neuro-stimulation systems may be applied to sensory cells of body parts during movement of the body parts to induce neuroplastic changes. Such movement may involve a variety of therapeutic applications, e.g. in stroke patient therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Jason D. Harry, James B. Niemi, Scott Kellogg, Susan D'Andrea
  • Publication number: 20140330159
    Abstract: Typical neurological examinations focus on qualitative and subjective assessments, including obtaining a patient history, assessing the patient's cognitive status, motor and sensory skills, and cranial nerve functionality. A quantitative assessment of neurological condition includes recording a subject performing a visuomotor task and processing the performance data to determine a level of complexity in the task activity and determine a complexity index. For a sample healthy population, a baseline level of complexity and baseline complexity index can be determined. A patient's complexity index can be compared to this baseline complexity index as an indication of disease or disability. A baseline complexity index can be determined for a patient at part of a health maintenance examination and used as the baseline complexity to detect disease or disability in the future based on lower complexity index values in future examinations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicants: BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER, INC., PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE
    Inventors: Madalena Damasio Costa, Leia A. Stirling, James B. Niemi, Ary L. Goldberger
  • Patent number: 8308665
    Abstract: A method and wearable system and for enhancing human balance and gait and preventing foot injury through neurological stimulation of the foot and the ankle. Subthreshold stimulation for neurosensory enhancement is provided via electrodes or vibrational actuators, or combination thereof, disposed in or on a wearable a platform, such as an insole, sock shoe, removable shoe insert, or applied without the support of a platform, to the skin surface of an individual. Suprathreshold stimulation for therapeutic purposes, such as improving blood flow, is also provided by the vibrational actuators. The actuators and electrodes are driven by bias signals generated by a bias signal generator that is coupled to a controller. The signal generator under the control of the controller is adapted to generate a non-deterministic random signal, a repetitive pattern or series of patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Jason D. Harry, James J. Collins, James B. Niemi, Atilla A. Priplata, Stephen J. Kleshinski
  • Patent number: 7349739
    Abstract: The invention features methods and apparatus for enhancing neurophysiologic performance, such as sensorimotor control and neuroplasticity. A preferred method involves inputting bias signals to sensory cells of a subject, thereby improving sensory cell function, while the subject is performing a predefined physical activity. A system used to practice the method of the invention includes a wearable device to which is secured at least one repositionable signal input device and a signal generator that is communicatively coupled to the signal input devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Afferent Corporation
    Inventors: Jason D Harry, Stephen J Kleshinski, James B Niemi, Gregg R Draudt, Dirk Ahlgrim, James J. Collins
  • Publication number: 20040173220
    Abstract: A method and wearable system and for enhancing human balance and gait and preventing foot injury through neurological stimulation of the foot and the ankle. Subthreshold stimulation for neurosensory enhancement is provided via electrodes or vibrational actuators, or combination thereof, disposed in or on a wearable a platform, such as an insole, sock shoe, removable shoe insert, or applied without the support of a platform, to the skin surface of an individual. Suprathreshold stimulation for therapeutic purposes, such as improving blood flow, is also provided by the vibrational actuators. The actuators and electrodes are driven by bias signals generated by a bias signal generator that is coupled to a controller. The signal generator under the control of the controller is adapted to generate a non-deterministic random signal, a repetitive pattern or series of patterns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Jason D. Harry, James J. Collins, James B. Niemi, Attila A. Priplata, Stephen J. Kleshinski
  • Publication number: 20040073271
    Abstract: The invention features methods and apparatus for enhancing neurophysiologic performance, such as sensorimotor control and neuroplasticity. A preferred method involves inputting bias signals to sensory cells of a subject, thereby improving sensory cell function, while the subject is performing a predefined physical activity. A system used to practice the method of the invention includes a wearable device to which is secured at least one repositionable signal input device and a signal generator that is communicatively coupled to the signal input devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Applicant: AFFERENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason D. Harry, Stephen J. Kleshinski, James B. Niemi, Gregg R. Draudt, Dirk Ahlgrim, James J. Collins