Patents by Inventor James Donald Loudin

James Donald Loudin 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).

  • Publication number: 20230405339
    Abstract: A stimulation system stimulates anatomical targets in a patient for treatment of dry eye. The system may include a controller and a microstimulator. The controller may be implemented externally to or internally within the microstimulator. The components of the controller and microstimulator may be implemented in a single unit or in separate devices. When implemented separately, the controller and microstimulator may communicate wirelessly or via a wired connection. The microstimulator may generate pulses from a controller signal and apply the signal via one or more electrodes to an anatomical target. The microstimulator may not have any intelligence or logic to shape or modify a signal. The microstimulator may be a passive device configured to generate a pulse based on a signal received from the controller. The microstimulator may shape or modify a signal. Waveforms having different frequency, amplitude and period characteristics may stimulate different anatomical targets in a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Douglas Michael Ackermann, Daniel Palanker, James Donald Loudin, Garrett Cale Smith, Victor Wayne McCray, Brandon McNary Felkins
  • Patent number: 11771908
    Abstract: A stimulation system stimulates anatomical targets in a patient for treatment of dry eye. The system may include a controller and a microstimulator. The controller may be implemented externally to or internally within the microstimulator. The components of the controller and microstimulator may be implemented in a single unit or in separate devices. When implemented separately, the controller and microstimulator may communicate wirelessly or via a wired connection. The microstimulator may generate pulses from a controller signal and apply the signal via one or more electrodes to an anatomical target. The microstimulator may not have any intelligence or logic to shape or modify a signal. The microstimulator may be a passive device configured to generate a pulse based on a signal received from the controller. The microstimulator may shape or modify a signal. Waveforms having different frequency, amplitude and period characteristics may stimulate different anatomical targets in a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Douglas Michael Ackermann, Daniel Palanker, James Donald Loudin, Garrett Cale Smith, Victor Wayne McCray, Brandon McNary Felkins
  • Publication number: 20210370051
    Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating one or more conditions, such as allergic rhinitis, non-allergic rhinitis, nasal congestion, ocular allergy, and/or symptoms associated with these conditions, by providing stimulation to nasal or sinus tissue. In some variations, the handheld devices may have a stimulator body and a stimulator probe having one or more nasal insertion prongs, and the nasal insertion prongs may be configured to deliver an electrical stimulus to the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: James Donald Loudin, Daniel N. Hamilton, Manfred Franke, Douglas Michael Ackermann
  • Patent number: 10967173
    Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating one or more conditions (such as dry eye) or improving ocular health by providing stimulation to nasal or sinus tissue. Generally, the devices may be handheld or implantable. In some variations, the handheld devices may have a stimulator body and a stimulator probe having one or more nasal insertion prongs. When the devices and systems are used to treat dry eye, nasal or sinus tissue may be stimulated to increase tear production, reduce the symptoms of dry eye, and/or improve ocular surface health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Douglas Michael Ackermann, James Donald Loudin
  • Publication number: 20210069496
    Abstract: Described herein are polymer formulations for facilitating electrical stimulation of nasal or sinus tissue. The polymer formulations may be hydrogels that are prepared by a UV cross-linking process. The hydrogels may be included as a component of nasal stimulator devices that electrically stimulate the lacrimal gland to improve tear production and treat dry eye. Additionally, devices and methods for manufacturing the nasal stimulators, including shaping of the hydrogel, are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: James Donald Loudin, Amitava Gupta, John L. Wardle, Christopher William Stivers, Anand Doraiswamy, Marie Dvorak Christ, F. Richard Christ
  • Patent number: 10940310
    Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating one or more conditions, such as allergic rhinitis, non-allergic rhinitis, nasal congestion, ocular allergy, and/or symptoms associated with these conditions, by providing stimulation to nasal or sinus tissue. In some variations, the handheld devices may have a stimulator body and a stimulator probe having one or more nasal insertion prongs, and the nasal insertion prongs may be configured to deliver an electrical stimulus to the tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Oculeve, Inc.
    Inventors: James Donald Loudin, Daniel N. Hamilton, Manfred Franke, Douglas Michael Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20210031040
    Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods of use thereof for treating dry eye, tired eye, or other forms of ocular discomfort such as from contact lenses. The methods generally include applying spatially and/or temporally patterned stimulation to one or more anatomical structures located in an ocular or nasal region. The electrical stimulation may elicit a reflex that activates the lacrimal gland or may directly activate the lacrimal gland or nerves innervating the lacrimal gland to produce tears. The devices may be implantable or handheld, and may be configured to deliver the spatially and/or temporally patterned stimulation patterns described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Manfred Franke, James Donald Loudin, John Wardle, Mark Jeffrey Holdbrook
  • Publication number: 20210008379
    Abstract: A stimulation system stimulates anatomical targets in a patient for treatment of dry eye. The system may include a controller and a microstimulator. The controller may be implemented externally to or internally within the microstimulator. The components of the controller and microstimulator may be implemented in a single unit or in separate devices. When implemented separately, the controller and microstimulator may communicate wirelessly or via a wired connection. The microstimulator may generate pulses from a controller signal and apply the signal via one or more electrodes to an anatomical target. The microstimulator may not have any intelligence or logic to shape or modify a signal. The microstimulator may be a passive device configured to generate a pulse based on a signal received from the controller. The microstimulator may shape or modify a signal. Waveforms having different frequency, amplitude and period characteristics may stimulate different anatomical targets in a patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Douglas Michael ACKERMANN, Daniel PALANKER, James Donald LOUDIN, Garrett Cale SMITH, Victor Wayne MCCRAY, Brandon McNary FELKINS
  • Patent number: 10835738
    Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating one or more conditions (such as dry eye) or improving ocular health by providing stimulation to nasal or sinus tissue. Generally, the devices may be handheld or implantable. In some variations, the handheld devices may have a stimulator body and a stimulator probe having one or more nasal insertion prongs. When the devices and systems are used to treat dry eye, nasal or sinus tissue may be stimulated to increase tear production, reduce the symptoms of dry eye, and/or improve ocular surface health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Oculeve, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Michael Ackermann, James Donald Loudin, John Wardle, Janusz Kuzma
  • Patent number: 10835748
    Abstract: Described here are stimulation systems and methods for stimulating one or more anatomical targets in a patient for treatment conditions such as dry eye. The stimulation system may include a controller and a microstimulator. The components of the controller and microstimulator may be implemented in a single unit or in separate devices. When implemented separately, the controller and microstimulator may communicate wirelessly or via a wired connection. The microstimulator may generate pulses from a signal received from the controller and apply the signal via one or more electrodes to an anatomical target. In some variations, the microstimulator may include a passive generation circuit configured to generate a pulse based on a signal received from the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Oculeve, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Michael Ackermann, James Donald Loudin, Janusz Kuzma, Daniel Palanker, Scott Franklin Wetenkamp
  • Patent number: 10799695
    Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating one or more conditions (such as dry eye) or improving ocular health by providing stimulation to nasal or sinus tissue. Generally, the devices may be handheld or implantable. In some variations, the handheld devices may have a stimulator body and a stimulator probe having one or more nasal insertion prongs. When the devices and systems are used to treat dry eye, nasal or sinus tissue may be stimulated to increase tear production, reduce the symptoms of dry eye, and/or improve ocular surface health.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Oculeve, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Michael Ackermann, James Donald Loudin, John Wardle, Janusz Kuzma
  • Patent number: 10799696
    Abstract: Described herein are polymer formulations for facilitating electrical stimulation of nasal or sinus tissue. The polymer formulations may be hydrogels that are prepared by a UV cross-linking process. The hydrogels may be included as a component of nasal stimulator devices that electrically stimulate the lacrimal gland to improve tear production and treat dry eye. Additionally, devices and methods for manufacturing the nasal stimulators, including shaping of the hydrogel, are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Oculeve, Inc.
    Inventors: James Donald Loudin, Amitava Gupta, John Wardle, Christopher William Stivers, Anand Doraiswamy, Marie Dvorak Christ, F. Richard Christ
  • Patent number: 10780273
    Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods of use thereof for treating dry eye, tired eye, or other forms of ocular discomfort such as from contact lenses. The methods generally include applying spatially and/or temporally patterned stimulation to one or more anatomical structures located in an ocular or nasal region. The electrical stimulation may elicit a reflex that activates the lacrimal gland or may directly activate the lacrimal gland or nerves innervating the lacrimal gland to produce tears. The devices may be implantable or handheld, and may be configured to deliver the spatially and/or temporally patterned stimulation patterns described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: OCULEVE, INC.
    Inventors: Manfred Franke, James Donald Loudin, John Wardle, Mark Jeffrey Holdbrook
  • Publication number: 20200238076
    Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating one or more conditions (such as dry eye) or improving ocular health by providing stimulation to nasal or sinus tissue. Generally, the devices may be handheld or implantable. In some variations, the handheld devices may have a stimulator body and a stimulator probe having one or more nasal insertion prongs. When the devices and systems are used to treat dry eye, nasal or sinus tissue may be stimulated to increase tear production, reduce the symptoms of dry eye, and/or improve ocular surface health.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 30, 2020
    Inventors: Douglas Michael Ackermann, James Donald Loudin
  • Patent number: 10722713
    Abstract: Described herein are electrical stimulation patterns and methods of use thereof for treating dry eye disease, tired eye, or other forms of ocular discomfort. The methods generally include applying patterned stimulation to an anatomical structure located in an ocular region or a nasal region to increase tear production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Oculeve, Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred Franke, James Donald Loudin
  • Patent number: 10722718
    Abstract: A stimulation system stimulates anatomical targets in a patient for treatment of dry eye. The system may include a controller and a microstimulator. The controller may be implemented externally to or internally within the microstimulator. The components of the controller and microstimulator may be implemented in a single unit or in separate devices. When implemented separately, the controller and microstimulator may communicate wirelessly or via a wired connection. The microstimulator may generate pulses from a controller signal and apply the signal via one or more electrodes to an anatomical target. The microstimulator may not have any intelligence or logic to shape or modify a signal. The microstimulator may be a passive device configured to generate a pulse based on a signal received from the controller. The microstimulator may shape or modify a signal. Waveforms having different frequency, amplitude and period characteristics may stimulate different anatomical targets in a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Douglas Michael Ackermann, Daniel Palanker, James Donald Loudin, Garrett Cale Smith, Victor Wayne McCray, Brandon McNary Felkins
  • Publication number: 20200121181
    Abstract: Generally, a machine may include a processor and a memory connected to the processor, where the memory stores instructions executed by the processor to determine first and second properties related to dry eye symptoms of a patient. The properties may be used to form a dry eye forecast. A treatment recommendation may be selected based at least in part upon the dry eye forecast. The treatment recommendation may be supplied to a device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Manfred Franke, Chao Liu, Abirami Muralidharan, James Donald Loudin, Douglas Michael Ackermann, Michael G. Rogers
  • Patent number: 10610095
    Abstract: Generally, a machine may include a processor and a memory connected to the processor, where the memory stores instructions executed by the processor to determine first and second properties related to dry eye symptoms of a patient. The properties may be used to form a dry eye forecast. A treatment recommendation may be selected based at least in part upon the dry eye forecast. The treatment recommendation may be supplied to a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Oculeve, Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred Franke, Chao Liu, Abirami Muralidharan, James Donald Loudin, Douglas Michael Ackermann, Michael G. Rogers
  • Patent number: 10610695
    Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for increasing tear production by stimulating the cornea, conjunctiva, and/or subconjunctiva. In some variations, the devices may be in the form of a contact lens. The contact lens may comprise a lens body and a stimulator chip, where the stimulator chip is embedded in the lens body. An external power source wirelessly transmits energy to the stimulator chip, where the stimulator chip may convert the energy to an electric waveform to stimulate the cornea, conjunctiva, and/or subconjunctiva. Stimulation may activate the lacrimal reflex to increase tear production. The devices and systems for increasing tear production may be used in methods of treating dry eye, reducing the symptoms of tired eye, increasing comfort for contact lens wearers, and extending the number of years a contact lens user can wear contacts. Also described are methods of manufacturing a contact lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Oculeve, Inc.
    Inventors: James Donald Loudin, Manfred Franke, Daniel N. Hamilton, Anand Doraiswamy, Douglas Michael Ackermann
  • Patent number: D907791
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Oculeve, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Michael Ackermann, James Donald Loudin, John Wardle, John W. Lai, Natalie Catherine Vanns