Patents by Inventor James R. Thacker

James R. Thacker 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: 11883663
    Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region from an epidural, cervical location to address at least one of high back pain, mid-back pain, low back pain, and leg pain without creating paresthesia in the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Nevro Corp.
    Inventors: James R. Thacker, Konstantinos Alataris, Bradford Evan Gliner
  • Patent number: 11786731
    Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal chord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side affects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal chord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side affects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Nevro Corp.
    Inventors: Konstantinos Alataris, Andre B. Walker, Jon Parker, Yougandh Chitre, Sangsoo Wesley Park, James R. Thacker
  • Publication number: 20230271016
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating congestive heart failure with high frequency stimulation are disclosed. A representative method for treating a patient includes applying an electrical signal having a frequency of from about 1 kHz to about 100 kHz to the patient via a treatment system that includes a signal delivery element in electrical communication with the patient's vagus nerve at a portion of the vagus nerve located at or proximate to the anterior interventricular junction of the patient's heart. The method can further include automatically detecting at least one physiological parameter of the patient, automatically determining at least one of an ejection fraction of the patient's heart and a correlate of the ejection fraction based on the detected parameter, and automatically adjusting the applied signal based on the determined ejection fraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: James R. Thacker, Kerry Bradley
  • Publication number: 20230181904
    Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal chord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side affects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal chord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side affects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Konstantinos Alataris, Andre B. Walker, Jon Parker, Yougandh Chitre, Sangsoo Wesley Park, James R. Thacker
  • Patent number: 11596798
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating congestive heart failure with high frequency stimulation are disclosed. A representative method for treating a patient includes applying an electrical signal having a frequency of from about 1 kHz to about 100 kHz to the patient via a treatment system that includes a signal delivery element in electrical communication with the patient's vagus nerve at a portion of the vagus nerve located at or proximate to the anterior interventricular junction of the patient's heart. The method can further include automatically detecting at least one physiological parameter of the patient, automatically determining at least one of an ejection fraction of the patient's heart and a correlate of the ejection fraction based on the detected parameter, and automatically adjusting the applied signal based on the determined ejection fraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Nevro Corp
    Inventors: James R. Thacker, Kerry Bradley
  • Publication number: 20230023824
    Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region from an epidural, cervical location to address at least one of high back pain, mid-back pain, low back pain, and leg pain without creating paresthesia in the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: James R. Thacker, Konstantinos Alataris, Bradford Evan Gliner
  • Publication number: 20220362565
    Abstract: Tissue stimulation systems generally include a pulse generating device for generating electrical stimulation pulses, at least one implanted electrode for delivering the electrical stimulation pulses generated by the pulse generating device, and a programmer capable of communicating with the pulse generating device. Stimulation pulses may be defined by several parameters, such as pulse width and amplitude. In methods of stimulating the tissue with the stimulation system, a user may adjust one of the parameters such as pulse width. The programmer may automatically adjust the pulse amplitude in response to the change in pulse width in order to maintain a substantially constant effect of the stimulation pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: James R. Thacker, Harold Haut, Robert Nathan, David K.L. Peterson, Kerry Bradley
  • Publication number: 20220305266
    Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side effects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Konstantinos Alataris, Andre B. Walker, Jon Parker, Yougandh Chitre, Sangsoo Wesley Park, James R. Thacker
  • Patent number: 11439831
    Abstract: Tissue stimulation systems generally include a pulse generating device for generating electrical stimulation pulses, at least one implanted electrode for delivering the electrical stimulation pulses generated by the pulse generating device, and a programmer capable of communicating with the pulse generating device. Stimulation pulses may be defined by several parameters, such as pulse width and amplitude. In methods of stimulating the tissue with the stimulation system, a user may adjust one of the parameters such as pulse width. The programmer may automatically adjust the pulse amplitude in response to the change in pulse width in order to maintain a substantially constant effect of the stimulation pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Thacker, Harold Haut, Robert Nathan, David K. L. Peterson, Kerry Bradley
  • Publication number: 20220273950
    Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal chord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side affects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal chord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side affects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Konstantinos Alataris, Andre B. Walker, Jon Parker, Yougandh Chitre, Sangsoo Wesley Park, James R. Thacker
  • Patent number: 11382531
    Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning implanted devices in a patient are disclosed. A method in accordance with a particular embodiment includes, for each of a plurality of patients, receiving a target location from which to deliver a modulation signal to the patient's spinal cord. The method further includes implanting a signal delivery device within a vertebral foramen of each patient, and positioning an electrical contact carried by the signal delivery device to be within ±5 mm. of the target location, without the use of fluoroscopy. The method can still further include, for each of the plurality of patients, activating the electrical contact to modulate neural activity at the spinal cord. In further particular embodiments, RF signals, ultrasound, magnetic fields, and/or other techniques are used to locate the signal delivery device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Nevro Corp.
    Inventors: James R. Thacker, Jon Parker, Yougandh Chitre
  • Patent number: 11298539
    Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region from an epidural, cervical location to address at least one of high back pain, mid-back pain, low back pain, and leg pain without creating paresthesia in the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Nevro Corp.
    Inventors: James R. Thacker, Konstantinos Alataris, Bradford Evan Gliner
  • Patent number: 11229793
    Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal chord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side affects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal chord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side affects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Nevro Corp.
    Inventors: Konstantinos Alataris, Andre B. Walker, Jon Parker, Yougandh Chitre, Sangsoo Wesley Park, James R. Thacker
  • Patent number: 11198001
    Abstract: Methods for automatically programming a signal generator in a patient therapy system and associated systems are disclosed. A representative method comprises retrieving data including therapy program parameters, level of efficacy, and medication use corresponding to a plurality of time periods; identifying from the data a target time period having a corresponding level of efficacy; determining from the data if medication was used during the target time period; determining from the data if medication was used during a prior time period immediately before the target time period; calculating a lead position confidence factor; and programming the signal generator to repeat therapy with the therapy program parameters corresponding to the target time period if the confidence factor is greater than a threshold value and medication was used during the prior time period and not during the target time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Nevro Corp.
    Inventors: James R. Thacker, Jon Parker
  • Patent number: 11123565
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating neurodegenerative disorders with high frequency stimulation are disclosed. A representative method for treating a patient includes applying an electrical signal to the patient via a treatment system that includes a signal delivery element positioned at or within a white matter of the patient's brain, spinal cord, or both, the electrical signal having a frequency of from about 1.5 kHz to about 100 kHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Nevro Corp.
    Inventors: James R. Thacker, Kerry Bradley, Dongchul Lee
  • Publication number: 20210247425
    Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal chord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side affects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal chord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side affects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Konstantinos Alataris, Andre B. Walker, Jon Parker, Yougandh Chitre, Sangsoo Wesley Park, James R. Thacker
  • Publication number: 20210205613
    Abstract: A method for determining whether the relative position of electrodes used by a neurostimulation system has changed within a patient comprises determining the amplitude of a field potential at each of at least one of the electrodes, determining if a change in each of the determined electric field amplitudes has occurred, and analyzing the change in each of the determined electric field amplitudes to determine whether a change in the relative position of the electrodes has occurred. Another method comprises measuring a first monopolar impedance between a first electrode and a reference electrode, measuring a second monopolar impedance between second electrode and the reference electrode, measuring a bipolar impedance between the first and second electrodes, and estimating an amplitude of a field potential at the second electrode based on the first and second monopolar impedances and the bipolar impedance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Kerry Bradley, James R. Thacker, Michael A. Moffitt
  • Publication number: 20210060338
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating congestive heart failure with high frequency stimulation are disclosed. A representative method for treating a patient includes applying an electrical signal having a frequency of from about 1 kHz to about 100 kHz to the patient via a treatment system that includes a signal delivery element in electrical communication with the patient's vagus nerve at a portion of the vagus nerve located at or proximate to the anterior interventricular junction of the patient's heart. The method can further include automatically detecting at least one physiological parameter of the patient, automatically determining at least one of an ejection fraction of the patient's heart and a correlate of the ejection fraction based on the detected parameter, and automatically adjusting the applied signal based on the determined ejection fraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: James R. Thacker, Kerry Bradley
  • Publication number: 20200269050
    Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal cord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side effects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal cord region from an epidural, cervical location to address at least one of high back pain, mid-back pain, low back pain, and leg pain without creating paresthesia in the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: James R. Thacker, Konstantinos Alataris, Bradford Evan Gliner
  • Publication number: 20200222698
    Abstract: Selective high-frequency spinal chord modulation for inhibiting pain with reduced side affects and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In particular embodiments, high-frequency modulation in the range of from about 1.5 KHz to about 50 KHz may be applied to the patient's spinal chord region to address low back pain without creating unwanted sensory and/or motor side affects. In other embodiments, modulation in accordance with similar parameters can be applied to other spinal or peripheral locations to address other indications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Konstantinos Alataris, Andre B. Walker, Jon Parker, Yougandh Chitre, Sangsoo Wesley Park, James R. Thacker