Patents by Inventor Jeffery L. Bleich
Jeffery L. Bleich 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: 9707466Abstract: Described herein are methods for determining a target musculoskeletal activity cycle (MSKC) to cardiac cycle (CC) timing relationship. The method may include detecting a first characteristic of a signal responsive to a CC timing of a user that repeats at a frequency that corresponds to a heart rate of the user; detecting a second characteristic of a signal responsive to a rhythmic musculoskeletal cycle activity (MSKC) timing of the user that repeats at a frequency that corresponds to the MSKC rate of the user; determining a value representative of an actual timing relationship between the first characteristic and the second characteristic; detecting a third characteristic of a signal corresponding to a physiological metric that varies with the actual timing relationship between the first and second characteristics; and determining a target value representative of a preferred timing relationship between the first and second characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2016Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Pulson, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Paul Mannheimer
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Publication number: 20170095721Abstract: Described herein are methods for determining a target musculoskeletal activity cycle (MSKC) to cardiac cycle (CC) timing relationship. The method may include detecting a first characteristic of a signal responsive to a CC timing of a user that repeats at a frequency that corresponds to a heart rate of the user; detecting a second characteristic of a signal responsive to a rhythmic musculoskeletal cycle activity (MSKC) timing of the user that repeats at a frequency that corresponds to the MSKC rate of the user; determining a value representative of an actual timing relationship between the first characteristic and the second characteristic; detecting a third characteristic of a signal corresponding to a physiological metric that varies with the actual timing relationship between the first and second characteristics; and determining a target value representative of a preferred timing relationship between the first and second characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Paul Mannheimer
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Publication number: 20170014633Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods, systems, and computer program products for coordinating musculoskeletal and cardiovascular hemodynamics. In some embodiments, a heart pacing signal causes heart contractions to occur with an essentially constant time relationship with respect to rhythmic musculoskeletal activity. In other embodiments, prompts (e.g., audio, graphical, etc.) are provided to a user to assist them in timing of their rhythmic musculoskeletal activity relative to timing of their cardiovascular cycle. In further embodiments, accurately indicating a heart condition during a cardiac stress test is increased.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2016Publication date: January 19, 2017Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Paul Mannheimer, Darin Howard Buxbaum
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Publication number: 20170014142Abstract: Described herein are elongate devices for modifying tissue having a plurality of flexibly connected rungs or links, and methods of using them, including methods of using them to decompress stenotic spinal tissue. These devices may be included as part of a system for modifying tissue. In general, these devices include a plurality of blades positioned on (or formed from) rungs that are flexibly connected. The rungs are typically rigid, somewhat flat and wider than they are long (e.g., rectangular). The rungs may be arranged, ladder like, and may be connected by a flexible connector substrate or between two or more cables. Different sized rungs may be used. The blades (on the rungs) may be arranged in a staggered arrangement. A tissue-collection or tissue capture element may be used to collect the cut or modified tissue.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2016Publication date: January 19, 2017Applicant: Amendia, Inc.Inventors: Gregory P. Schmitz, Michael P. Wallace, Ronald Leguidleguid, Nestor C. Cantorna, James Shapiro, Jeffery L. Bleich
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Patent number: 9522317Abstract: Described herein are methods for determining a target musculoskeletal activity cycle (MSKC) to cardiac cycle (CC) timing relationship. The method may include detecting a first characteristic of a signal responsive to a CC timing of a user that repeats at a frequency that corresponds to a heart rate of the user; detecting a second characteristic of a signal responsive to a rhythmic musculoskeletal cycle activity (MSKC) timing of the user that repeats at a frequency that corresponds to the MSKC rate of the user; determining a value representative of an actual timing relationship between the first characteristic and the second characteristic; detecting a third characteristic of a signal corresponding to a physiological metric that varies with the actual timing relationship between the first and second characteristics; and determining a target value representative of a preferred timing relationship between the first and second characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Pulson, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Paul D. Mannheimer
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Patent number: 9492151Abstract: A method of accessing target tissue adjacent to a spinal nerve of a patient includes the steps of accessing a spine location of the patient by entering the patient through the skin at an access location, inserting a flexible tissue modification device through the access location to the spine location, advancing a distal portion of the first flexible tissue modification device from the spine location to a first exit location, passing through the first exit location and out of the patient, advancing the first or a second flexible tissue modification device through the same access location to the spine location and to a second exit location, and passing through the second exit location and out of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2015Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Amendia, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Michael Sheinberg, Michael P. Wallace
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Patent number: 9463041Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for selective surgical removal of tissue, e.g., for enlargement of diseased spinal structures, such as impinged lateral recesses and pathologically narrowed neural foramen. In some embodiments, a surgical tissue removal device includes a flexible elongate body that is adapted to conform with the target anatomy and a guidewire connector at the distal end region of the flexible elongate body configured to removably connect to the end of a guidewire so that the guidewire and flexible elongate body can be pulled distally. The body may have at least one blade edge, and the flexible elongate body may be a thin, flat, ribbon shaped flexible body that comprises a profile having a width that is substantially greater than a height.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2015Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Amendia, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Edwin J. Hlavka, Vahid Saadat, David J. Miller, James R. Yurchenco
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Patent number: 9463029Abstract: Described herein are elongate devices for modifying tissue having a plurality of flexibly connected rungs or links, and methods of using them, including methods of using them to decompress stenotic spinal tissue. These devices may be included as part of a system for modifying tissue. In general, these devices include a plurality of blades positioned on (or formed from) rungs that are flexibly connected. The rungs are typically rigid, somewhat flat and wider than they are long (e.g., rectangular). The rungs may be arranged, ladder like, and may be connected by a flexible connector substrate or between two or more cables. Different sized rungs may be used. The blades (on the rungs) may be arranged in a staggered arrangement. A tissue-collection or tissue capture element may be used to collect the cut or modified tissue.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2014Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Amendia, Inc.Inventors: Gregory P. Schmitz, Michael P. Wallace, Ronald Leguidleguid, Nestor C. Cantorna, James Shapiro, Jeffery L. Bleich
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Patent number: 9456829Abstract: A device for modifying tissue in a spine may include: a shaft having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion having dimensions which allow it to be passed into an epidural space of the spine and between target and non-target tissues; at least one distal force application member extending from the distal portion of the shaft and configured to facilitate application of at least one of anchoring force and tensioning force to the shaft; at least one movable tissue modifying member coupled with the shaft at or near its distal portion; at least one drive member coupled with the at least one tissue modifying member to activate the at least one tissue modifying member; and at least one power transmission member coupled with the at least one drive member to deliver power to the at least one drive member.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2013Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Amendia, Inc.Inventors: Vahid Saadat, Jeffery L. Bleich, Kenneth J. Michlitsch, John E. Ashley
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Patent number: 9457190Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods, systems, and computer program products for coordinating musculoskeletal and cardiovascular hemodynamics. In some embodiments, a heart pacing signal causes heart contractions to occur with an essentially constant time relationship with respect to rhythmic musculoskeletal activity. In other embodiments, prompts (e.g., audio, graphical, etc.) are provided to a user to assist them in timing of their rhythmic musculoskeletal activity relative to timing of their cardiovascular cycle. In further embodiments, accurately indicating a heart condition during a cardiac stress test is increased.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Pulson, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Paul Mannheimer, Darin Howard Buxbaum
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Patent number: 9351741Abstract: A device for removing tissue from a patient may include an elongate flexible body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the elongate body having opposed first and second major surfaces with a lateral orientation across the axis, and a plurality of blades distributed laterally across the first major surface. Each blade may have a first end adjacent the first surface and extending to a cantilevered second end, a first edge between the first and second ends of the blade being oriented toward the distal end of the elongate body, a second edge between the first and second ends of the blade being oriented toward the proximal end of the elongate body, a height of the blade between its first and second ends, and an axial length of the blade between its first and second edges.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: Amendia, Inc.Inventors: Gregory P. Schmitz, Jeffery L. Bleich, Steven A. Spisak, Roy Leguidleguid, Jefferey Bleam
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Publication number: 20160148531Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for favorably coordinating a timing relationship between a musculoskeletal activity cycle and a cardiac cycle of a user. A method may include repetitively detecting a signal that correlates to a blood volume in the user; determining an actual value of the signal that varies with the timing relationship; computing a trend of the actual value of the signal; and adjusting the movement guidance based on the trend of the actual value. A system may include a prompt device configured to provide recurrently a movement guidance to the user for guiding performance of the rhythmic musculoskeletal activity; a sensor configured to provide a signal that correlates to a blood volume in the user; and a processor configured to determine an actual value of the signal that varies with the timing relationship and to adjust the movement guidance based on the trend of the actual value.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2014Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Paul D. Mannheimer
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Patent number: 9345491Abstract: Methods and devices are described for modifying tissue in a spine of a patient to treat or alleviate spinal stenosis. In one embodiment, a method may include: advancing at least a distal portion of an elongate tissue modification device into an epidural space and between target tissue and non-target tissue in the spine; positioning the tissue modification device so that at least one abrasive surface of the device faces target tissue and at least one non-abrasive surface faces non-target tissue; applying tensioning force at or near separate distal and proximal portions of the tissue modification device; and translating the tissue modification device back and forth while maintaining at least some tensioning force to abrade at least a portion of the target tissue with the at least one abrasive surface. Unwanted damage to the non-target tissue may be prevented via the at least one non-abrasive surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Amendia, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Edwin J. Hlavka
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Publication number: 20160135834Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for selective surgical removal of tissue, e.g., for enlargement of diseased spinal structures, such as impinged lateral recesses and pathologically narrowed neural foramen. In some embodiments, a surgical tissue removal device includes a flexible elongate body that is adapted to conform with the target anatomy and a guidewire connector at the distal end region of the flexible elongate body configured to removably connect to the end of a guidewire so that the guidewire and flexible elongate body can be pulled distally. The body may have at least one blade edge, and the flexible elongate body may be a thin, flat, ribbon shaped flexible body that comprises a profile having a width that is substantially greater than a height.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2015Publication date: May 19, 2016Applicant: Amendia, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Edwin J. Hlavka, Vahid Saadat, David J. Miller, James R. Yurchenco
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Patent number: 9320618Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for precisely placing and/or manipulating devices within the body by first positioning a guidewire or pullwire. The device to be positioned within the body is coupled to the proximal end of the guidewire, and the device is pulled into the body by pulling on the distal end of the guidewire that extends from the body. The device may be bimanually manipulated by pulling the guidewire distally, and an attachment to a device that extends proximally, allowing control of both the proximal and the distal ends. In this manner devices (and particularly implants such as innerspinous distracters, stimulating leads, and disc slings) may be positioned and/or manipulated within the body. Guidewire exchange systems, devices and methods are also described. A guidewire may be exchanged between different surgical devices and may be releaseably or permanently coupled.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Amendia, Inc.Inventors: Gregory P. Schmitz, Michael P. Wallace, Winnie Tang, Amie R. Borgstrom, Jeffery L. Bleich, Gregory B. Arcenio, Ronald Leguidleguid, Roy Leguidleguid, Jefferey Bleam
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Patent number: 9247952Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for selective surgical removal of tissue, e.g., for enlargement of diseased spinal structures, such as impinged lateral recesses and pathologically narrowed neural foramen. In some embodiments, a surgical tissue removal device includes a flexible elongate body that is adapted to conform with the target anatomy and a guidewire connector at the distal end region of the flexible elongate body configured to removably connect to the end of a guidewire so that the guidewire and flexible elongate body can be pulled distally. The body may have at least one blade edge, and the flexible elongate body may be a thin, flat, ribbon shaped flexible body that includes a profile having a width that is substantially greater than a height.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2011Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Amendia, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Edwin J. Hlavka, Vahid Saadat, David J. Miller, James R. Yurchenco
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Publication number: 20150342591Abstract: A method of accessing target tissue adjacent to a spinal nerve of a patient includes the steps of accessing a spine location of the patient by entering the patient through the skin at an access location, inserting a flexible tissue modification device through the access location to the spine location, advancing a distal portion of the first flexible tissue modification device from the spine location to a first exit location , passing through the first exit location and out of the patient, advancing the first or a second flexible tissue modification device through the same access location to the spine location and to a second exit location, and passing through the second exit location and out of the patient.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2015Publication date: December 3, 2015Applicant: AMENDIA, INC.Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Michael Sheinberg, Michael P. Wallace
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Publication number: 20150306348Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems and methods for treating target tissue in a patient's spine. In general, the methods include the steps of advancing a wire into the patient from a first location, through a neural foramen, and out of the patient from a second location; connecting a tissue modification device to the wire; positioning the tissue modification device through the neural foramen using the wire; modifying target tissue in the spine by moving the tissue modification device against the target tissue; and delivering an agent to modified target tissue, wherein the agent is configured to inhibit blood flow from the modified target tissue. In some embodiments, the step of modifying target tissue comprises removing target tissue located ventral to the superior articular process while avoiding non-target tissue located lateral to the superior articular process.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2015Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: AMENDIA, INC.Inventors: Michael P. Wallace, Robert Garabedian, Gregory B. Arcenio, Jeffery L. Bleich, Vahid Saadat, Winnie Chung
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Patent number: 9125682Abstract: A method of accessing target tissue adjacent to a spinal nerve of a patient includes the steps of accessing a spine location of the patient by entering the patient through the skin at an access location, inserting a flexible tissue modification device through the access location to the spine location, advancing a distal portion of the first flexible tissue modification device from the spine location to a first exit location, passing through the first exit location and out of the patient, advancing the first or a second flexible tissue modification device through the same access location to the spine location and to a second exit location, and passing through the second exit location and out of the patient.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Amendia, Inc.Inventors: Jeffery L. Bleich, Michael Sheinberg, Michael P. Wallace
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Patent number: 9101386Abstract: Described herein are devices, systems and methods for treating target tissue in a patient's spine. In general, the methods include the steps of advancing a wire into the patient from a first location, through a neural foramen, and out of the patient from a second location; connecting a tissue modification device to the wire; positioning the tissue modification device through the neural foramen using the wire; modifying target tissue in the spine by moving the tissue modification device against the target tissue; and delivering an agent to modified target tissue, wherein the agent is configured to inhibit blood flow from the modified target tissue. In some embodiments, the step of modifying target tissue comprises removing target tissue located ventral to the superior articular process while avoiding non-target tissue located lateral to the superior articular process.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2010Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Amendia, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Wallace, Robert Garabedian, Gregory B. Arcenio, Jeffery L. Bleich, Vahid Saadat, Winnie Chung