Patents by Inventor Joel Villalobos

Joel Villalobos 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: 20230018722
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for modulating glycaemia in a patient in which an activating stimulation signal is applied at an activating location at the vagus nerve, the activating stimulation signal configured to evoke a neural response in the vagus nerve; and a blocking stimulation signal is applied at a blocking location at the vagus nerve, the blocking stimulation signal configured to inhibit transmission of the evoked neural response along the vagus nerve past the blocking location; to produce unidirectional vagal nerve stimulation, the unidirectional vagal nerve stimulation being effective to modulate glycaemia in the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventors: Sophie Morgan, Joel Villalobos, James Fallon
  • Publication number: 20220176123
    Abstract: Disclosed is electrical stimulation apparatus and an associated method for delivering therapy to an eye of a patient is disclosed, the apparatus comprising: an implantable device comprising one or more electrodes for delivering therapeutic electrical stimulation to the eye, the implantable device being configured for implanting in a suprachoroidal space between the sclera and choroid layers of the eye. Also disclosed is electroretinography (ERG) apparatus for monitoring an eye of a patient, the apparatus comprising: an implantable device comprising one or more electrodes for monitoring properties of the eye, the implantable device being configured for implanting in a suprachoroidal space between the sclera and choroid layers of the eye. Also disclosed are implantable devices, apparatuses and methods for the eye.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Penelope Jayne Allen, Chi Luu, David Anthony Xeiss Nayagam, Christopher Edward Williams, Owen Burns, Joel Villalobos
  • Publication number: 20220176104
    Abstract: Disclosed is electrical apparatus for stimulating and/or monitoring an eye of a patient, comprising an implantable electrode device and a lead extending outwardly from the implantable device, the lead including a section that locates externally to the eye having at least one pre-formed bend. Also disclosed is a lead connected to an implantable electrode device, the lead having one or more stripes that extend along at least a portion of the lead. Also disclosed is an implantable device having a substrate and at least one electrode, the electrode having at least one aperture through which material of the substrate extends to anchor the electrode to the substrate. Other disclosed features relate to a foldable anchor device, a curved electrode substrate and depth markers, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Penelope Jayne Allen, David Anthony Xeiss Nayagam, Owen Burns, Christopher Edward Williams, Joel Villalobos
  • Publication number: 20210236821
    Abstract: Systems and Methods for Monitoring Neural Activity A method of monitoring neural activity responsive to a stimulus in a brain or a subject under general anaesthetic, the method comprising: applying the stimulus to one or more of at least one electrode implanted in a target neural structure of the brain; detecting a resonant response from the target neural structure evoked by the stimulus at one or more of the at least one electrode in or near the target neural structure of the brain; and determining one or more waveform characteristics of the detected resonant response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Nicholas Sinclair, Hugh McDermott, Kristian Bulluss, Arthur Wesley Thevathasan, Joel Villalobos
  • Patent number: 10933232
    Abstract: An anchor device is described that is adapted to support one or more conductors extending out of an opening in an outer surface of an eye, from a device implanted in the eye to a communications interface. The anchor device comprises a conductor receiving portion including a channel, the conductors being positionable through the channel; and a fixation portion connected to the conductor receiving portion, the fixation portion being adapted to be secured to the outer surface of the eye. The conductor receiving portion is configured to allow movement of the channel and/or conductors relative to the fixation portion. A visual prosthesis comprising the anchor device is also described, along with apparatus and methods for positioning the visual prosthesis or other types of implantable electrical apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: The Bionics Institute of Australia
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Williams, Joel Villalobos Villa, Owen Burns
  • Publication number: 20190308018
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to visual prosthesis apparatus including an implantable device having a substrate and a plurality of electrodes located in or on the substrate, the substrate adapted to be implanted at least partially in an eye of a patient. A first inductor is included in the implantable device, for example by encapsulating an inductor coil in the substrate or on an associated lead or anchor device. In some instances, the electrodes in the substrate may partially provide the first inductor. A second inductor is adapted to locate externally to the eye and inductively couple with the first inductor. A processor is adapted to determine a direction of movement of the eye based on changes in electrical current induced in one of the first and second inductors due to relative movement of the first and second inductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew Alexander Petoe, Christopher Edward Williams, Rodney Millard, Joel Villalobos, Peter Misha Seligman
  • Publication number: 20190134381
    Abstract: An anchor device is described that is adapted to support one or more conductors extending out of an opening in an outer surface of an eye, from a device implanted in the eye to a communications interface. The anchor device comprises a conductor receiving portion including a channel, the conductors being positionable through the channel; and a fixation portion connected to the conductor receiving portion, the fixation portion being adapted to be secured to the outer surface of the eye. The conductor receiving portion is configured to allow movement of the channel and/or conductors relative to the fixation portion. A visual prosthesis comprising the anchor device is also described, along with apparatus and methods for positioning the visual prosthesis or other types of implantable electrical apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Williams, Joel Villalobos Villa, Owen Burns
  • Patent number: 10058700
    Abstract: An anchor device is described that is adapted to support one or more conductors extending out of an opening in an outer surface of an eye, from a device implanted in the eye to a communications interface. The anchor device comprises a conductor receiving portion including a channel, the conductors being positionable through the channel; and a fixation portion connected to the conductor receiving portion, the fixation portion being adapted to be secured to the outer surface of the eye. The conductor receiving portion is configured to allow movement of the channel and/or conductors relative to the fixation portion. A visual prosthesis comprising the anchor device is also described, along with apparatus and methods for positioning the visual prosthesis or other types of implantable electrical apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: The Bionics Institute of Australia
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Williams, Joel Villalobos Villa, Owen Burns
  • Publication number: 20150251002
    Abstract: An anchor device is described that is adapted to support one or more conductors extending out of an opening in an outer surface of an eye, from a device implanted in the eye to a communications interface. The anchor device comprises a conductor receiving portion including a channel, the conductors being positionable through the channel; and a fixation portion connected to the conductor receiving portion, the fixation portion being adapted to be secured to the outer surface of the eye. The conductor receiving portion is configured to allow movement of the channel and/or conductors relative to the fixation portion. A visual prosthesis comprising the anchor device is also described, along with apparatus and methods for positioning the visual prosthesis or other types of implantable electrical apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Williams, Joel Villalobos Villa, Owen Burns
  • Patent number: 8996119
    Abstract: A prosthesis is provided comprising a substrate having a distal end and a proximal end; and a plurality of electrodes located at or adjacent the distal end of the substrate. The distal end of the substrate is configured for insertion, via an incision, between first and second tissue layers, such as the sclera and choroid in the eye. The prosthesis tapers in thickness towards the distal end and has a substantially curved profile at least on one surface so that the prosthesis can be inserted into position without needing a guide and without causing damage to the tissue or the prosthesis. The prosthesis can include an electrode interface unit located at or adjacent the proximal end of the substrate which locates between the tissue layers. An anchor portion can be provided that extends from the substrate into the incision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: The Bionics Institute of Australia
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Williams, Penelope Jayne Allen, Joel Villalobos Villa
  • Publication number: 20140046418
    Abstract: A prosthesis is provided comprising a substrate having a distal end and a proximal end; and a plurality of electrodes located at or adjacent the distal end of the substrate. The distal end of the substrate is configured for insertion, via an incision, between first and second tissue layers, such as the sclera and choroid in the eye. The prosthesis tapers in thickness towards the distal end and has a substantially curved profile at least on one surface so that the prosthesis can be inserted into position without needing a guide and without causing damage to the tissue or the prosthesis. The prosthesis can include an electrode interface unit located at or adjacent the proximal end of the substrate which locates between the tissue layers. An anchor portion can be provided that extends from the substrate into the incision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: The Bionics Institute of Australia
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Williams, Penelope Jayne Allen, Joel Villalobos Villa
  • Patent number: 8583243
    Abstract: A prosthesis is provided comprising a substrate having a distal end and a proximal end; and a plurality of electrodes located at or adjacent the distal end of the substrate. The distal end of the substrate is configured for insertion, via an incision, between first and second tissue layers, such as the sclera and choroid in the eye. The prosthesis tapers in thickness towards the distal end and has a substantially curved provide profile at least on one surface so that the prosthesis can be inserted into position without needing a guide and without causing damage to the tissue or the prosthesis. The prosthesis can include an electrode interface unit located at or adjacent the proximal end of the substrate which locates between the tissue layers. An anchor portion can be provided that extends from the substrate into the incision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: The Bionics Institute of Australia
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Williams, Penelope Jayne Allen, Joel Villalobos Villa
  • Publication number: 20120245449
    Abstract: A prosthesis is provided comprising a substrate having a distal end and a proximal end; and a plurality of electrodes located at or adjacent the distal end of the substrate. The distal end of the substrate is configured for insertion, via an incision, between first and second tissue layers, such as the sclera and choroid in the eye. The prosthesis tapers in thickness towards the distal end and has a substantially curved provide profile at least on one surface so that the prosthesis can be inserted into position without needing a guide and without causing damage to the tissue or the prosthesis. The prosthesis can include an electrode interface unit located at or adjacent the proximal end of the substrate which locates between the tissue layers. An anchor portion can be provided that extends from the substrate into the incision.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: The Bionics Institute of Australia
    Inventors: Christopher Edward Williams, Penelope Jayne Allen, Joel Villalobos Villa