Patents by Inventor JoAnn Leahy

JoAnn Leahy 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).

  • Method for preventing postsurgical deep vein thrombosis by electrical stimulation
    Patent number: 5556422
    Abstract: A method of neuro-muscular electrical stimulation for treatment and prevention of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism employs electrodes attached to an anterior portion of a patient's knee, immediately proximal the common peroneal nerve. Electrical stimulation is comprised of trains of pulse modulated sinusoids where each pulse has a rise time of about 1 second, a fall time of about 0.5 seconds, and a plateau (on time) of about 1 to 10 seconds. Peroneal nerve stimulation is achieved thereby causing passive stretching of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles (major posterior calf muscles) rather than a contraction for creating a blood pumping action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack H. Powell, III, Joseph J. Seaman, Russell A. Foley, JoAnn Leahy
  • Parameter selection and electrode placement of neuromuscular electrical stimulation apparatus
    Patent number: 5358513
    Abstract: A method of neuro-muscular electrical stimulation for treatment and prevention of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism employs electrodes attached to an anterior portion of a patient's knee, immediately proximal the common peroneal nerve. Electrical stimulation is comprised of trains of pulse modulated sinusoids where each pulse has a rise time of about 1 second, a fall time of about 0.5 seconds, and a plateau (on time) of about 1 to 10 seconds. Peroneal nerve stimulation is achieved thereby causing passive stretching of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles (major posterior calf muscles) rather than a contraction for creating a blood pumping action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack H. Powell, III, Joseph J. Seaman, Russell A. Foley, JoAnn Leahy