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).
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Patent number: 11071672Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITYInventors: Jason D. Harry, James J. Collins, James B. Niemi, Attila A. Priplata, Stephen J. Kleshinski
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Publication number: 20200237615Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2018Publication date: July 30, 2020Applicants: PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTSInventors: James B. NIEMI, David PAYDARFAR
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Publication number: 20180353365Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Inventors: Jason D. Harry, James J. Collins, James B. Niemi, Attila A. Priplata, Stephen J. Kleshinski
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Patent number: 10076460Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 12, 2012Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Trustees of Boston UniversityInventors: Jason D. Harry, James J. Collins, James B. Niemi, Attila A. Priplata, Stephen J. Kleshinski
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Publication number: 20170165486Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2017Publication date: June 15, 2017Inventors: Jason D. Harry, James B. Niemi, Scott Kellogg, Susan D'Andrea
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Patent number: 9616234Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 10, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Trustees of Boston UniversityInventors: Jason D. Harry, James B. Niemi, Scott Kellogg, Susan D'Andrea
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Publication number: 20140364678Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Applicant: TRUSTEES OF BOSTON UNIVERSITYInventors: Jason D. Harry, James B. Niemi, Scott Kellogg, Susan D'Andrea
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Publication number: 20140330159Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2012Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicants: BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER, INC., PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGEInventors: Madalena Damasio Costa, Leia A. Stirling, James B. Niemi, Ary L. Goldberger
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Patent number: 8308665Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 8, 2004Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Trustees of Boston UniversityInventors: Jason D. Harry, James J. Collins, James B. Niemi, Atilla A. Priplata, Stephen J. Kleshinski
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Patent number: 7349739Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 5, 2003Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: Afferent CorporationInventors: Jason D Harry, Stephen J Kleshinski, James B Niemi, Gregg R Draudt, Dirk Ahlgrim, James J. Collins
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Publication number: 20040173220Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2004Publication date: September 9, 2004Inventors: Jason D. Harry, James J. Collins, James B. Niemi, Attila A. Priplata, Stephen J. Kleshinski
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Publication number: 20040073271Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2003Publication date: April 15, 2004Applicant: AFFERENT CORPORATIONInventors: Jason D. Harry, Stephen J. Kleshinski, James B. Niemi, Gregg R. Draudt, Dirk Ahlgrim, James J. Collins