Patents by Inventor John C. Colborn

John C. Colborn 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: 9421355
    Abstract: A method comprises applying a first open-loop electrical signal to a neural structure at a first rate. The method also comprises applying a closed-loop electrical signal to the neural structure in response to an event detection, thus causing an overall rate at which electrical stimulation is applied to the neural structure to exceed the first rate. The method further comprises applying a second open-loop electrical signal to a neural structure at a second rate that is lower than the first rate, thus causing the overall rate to be reduced to the first rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: John C. Colborn
  • Patent number: 9402550
    Abstract: A method may include sensing a time of beat sequence of a patient's heart and processing said time of beat sequence with a medical device to identify a change in heart rate of a patient from a first heart rate to a second heart rate. The method may continue by determining with the medical device at least one of a) a ratio of the second heart rate to the first heart rate and b) a difference between the second heart rate and the first heart rate. The method may include determining with the medical device at least one of a) a dynamic ratio threshold for the ratio and b) a dynamic difference threshold for the difference, wherein the at least one threshold is based upon the first heart rate. The ratio and/or the difference may be compared to the threshold(s) to detect a neurological event, for example, an epileptic seizure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: John C Colborn
  • Patent number: 9242110
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating the longevity of an implantable medical device (IMD). In one embodiment of a method for estimating a life of a power source of an implantable medical device, a first life estimate of the power source is determined based on a first open-loop value corresponding to an open-loop parameter for open-loop therapy delivery, a first closed loop value corresponding to a closed-loop parameter for closed-loop therapy delivery, and prior usage data corresponding to prior therapy delivery. The first life estimate of the power source is displayed. The first life estimate displayed includes a first open-loop portion associated with open-loop therapy delivery and a first closed-loop portion associated with closed-loop therapy delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: John C. Colborn
  • Patent number: 9220910
    Abstract: A seizure detection device includes a coordinate data interface configured to receive coordinate data for a human, a memory to store coordinate data for a defined location of the human, and a seizure detector configured to identify a seizure event responsive to the coordinate data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: John C. Colborn
  • Publication number: 20150335899
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating the longevity of an implantable medical device (IMD). In one embodiment of a method for estimating a life of a power source of an implantable medical device, a first life estimate of the power source is determined based on a first open-loop value corresponding to an open-loop parameter for open-loop therapy delivery, a first closed loop value corresponding to a closed-loop parameter for closed-loop therapy delivery, and prior usage data corresponding to prior therapy delivery. The first life estimate of the power source is displayed. The first life estimate displayed includes a first open-loop portion associated with open-loop therapy delivery and a first closed-loop portion associated with closed-loop therapy delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: John C. COLBORN
  • Patent number: 9126054
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating the longevity of an implantable medical device (IMD). In one embodiment of a method for estimating a life of a power source of an implantable medical device, a first life estimate of the power source is determined based on a first open-loop value corresponding to an open-loop parameter for open-loop therapy delivery, a first closed loop value corresponding to a closed-loop parameter for closed-loop therapy delivery, and prior usage data corresponding to prior therapy delivery. The first life estimate of the power source is displayed. The first life estimate displayed includes a first open-loop portion associated with open-loop therapy delivery and a first closed-loop portion associated with closed-loop therapy delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: John C. Colborn
  • Publication number: 20150032189
    Abstract: A method comprises applying a first open-loop electrical signal to a neural structure at a first rate. The method also comprises applying a closed-loop electrical signal to the neural structure in response to an event detection, thus causing an overall rate at which electrical stimulation is applied to the neural structure to exceed the first rate. The method further comprises applying a second open-loop electrical signal to a neural structure at a second rate that is lower than the first rate, thus causing the overall rate to be reduced to the first rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: John C. COLBORN
  • Patent number: 8874229
    Abstract: A method comprises applying a first open-loop electrical signal to a neural structure at a first rate. The method also comprises applying a closed-loop electrical signal to the neural structure in response to an event detection, thus causing an overall rate at which electrical stimulation is applied to the neural structure to exceed the first rate. The method further comprises applying a second open-loop electrical signal to a neural structure at a second rate that is lower than the first rate, thus causing the overall rate to be reduced to the first rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Colborn
  • Patent number: 8849409
    Abstract: A method of treating a medical condition in a patient using an implantable medical device, comprising providing an electrical signal generator; providing at least a first electrode operatively coupled to the electrical signal generator and to a vagus nerve of the patient; sensing cardiac data of the patient; determining at least a first cardiac parameter based upon said cardiac data; setting at least a first value; declaring an unstable brain state of a patient from said at least a first cardiac parameter and said at least a first value; and adjusting the at least a first value. Also, a computer readable program storage device encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, performs the method. In addition, the implantable medical device used in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignees: Cyberonics, Inc., Flint Hills Scientific, LLC
    Inventors: John C. Colborn, Mark G. Frei, Ivan Osorio
  • Publication number: 20140249602
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating the longevity of an implantable medical device (IMD). In one embodiment of a method for estimating a life of a power source of an implantable medical device, a first life estimate of the power source is determined based on a first open-loop value corresponding to an open-loop parameter for open-loop therapy delivery, a first closed loop value corresponding to a closed-loop parameter for closed-loop therapy delivery, and prior usage data corresponding to prior therapy delivery. The first life estimate of the power source is displayed. The first life estimate displayed includes a first open-loop portion associated with open-loop therapy delivery and a first closed-loop portion associated with closed-loop therapy delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: John C. COLBORN
  • Patent number: 8768471
    Abstract: A method of treating a medical condition in a patient using an implantable medical device, comprising providing an electrical signal generator; providing at least a first electrode operatively coupled to the electrical signal generator and to a vagus nerve of the patient; sensing cardiac data of the patient; determining at least a first cardiac parameter based upon said cardiac data; setting at least a first value; declaring an unstable brain state of a patient from said at least a first cardiac parameter and said at least a first value; and adjusting the at least a first value. Also, a computer readable program storage device encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, performs the method. In addition, the implantable medical device used in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignees: Cyberonics, Inc., Flint Hills Scientific, LLC
    Inventors: John C. Colborn, Mark G. Frei, Ivan Osorio
  • Patent number: 8761884
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating the longevity of an implantable medical device (IMD). In one embodiment of a method for estimating a life of a power source of an implantable medical device, a first life estimate of the power source is determined based on a first open-loop value corresponding to an open-loop parameter for open-loop therapy delivery, a first closed loop value corresponding to a closed-loop parameter for closed-loop therapy delivery, and prior usage data corresponding to prior therapy delivery. The first life estimate of the power source is displayed. The first life estimate displayed includes a first open-loop portion associated with open-loop therapy delivery and a first closed-loop portion associated with closed-loop therapy delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Colborn
  • Publication number: 20140121723
    Abstract: A seizure detection device includes a coordinate data interface configured to receive coordinate data for a human, a memory to store coordinate data for a defined location of the human, and a seizure detector configured to identify a seizure event responsive to the coordinate data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: John C. COLBORN
  • Patent number: 8641646
    Abstract: A seizure detection device includes a coordinate data interface configured to receive coordinate data for a human, a memory to store coordinate data for a defined location of the human, and a seizure detector configured to identify a seizure event responsive to the coordinate data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventor: John C. Colborn
  • Publication number: 20130245464
    Abstract: A method of treating a medical condition in a patient using an implantable medical device, comprising providing an electrical signal generator; providing at least a first electrode operatively coupled to the electrical signal generator and to a vagus nerve of the patient; sensing cardiac data of the patient; determining at least a first cardiac parameter based upon said cardiac data; setting at least a first value; declaring an unstable brain state of a patient from said at least a first cardiac parameter and said at least a first value; and adjusting the at least a first value. Also, a computer readable program storage device encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, performs the method. In addition, the implantable medical device used in the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicants: FLINT HILLS SCIENTIFIC, LLC, CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: John C. COLBORN, Mark G. Frei, Ivan Osorio
  • Patent number: 8417344
    Abstract: A method of treating a medical condition in a patient using an implantable medical device, comprising providing an electrical signal generator; providing at least a first electrode operatively coupled to the electrical signal generator and to a vagus nerve of the patient; sensing cardiac data of the patient; determining at least a first cardiac parameter based upon said cardiac data; setting at least a first value; declaring an unstable brain state of a patient from said at least a first cardiac parameter and said at least a first value; and adjusting the at least a first value. Also, a computer readable program storage device encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computer, performs the method. In addition, the implantable medical device used in the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignees: Cyberonics, Inc., Flint Hills Scientific, LLC
    Inventors: John C. Colborn, Mark G. Frei, Ivan Osorio
  • Publication number: 20120277605
    Abstract: A method may include sensing a time of beat sequence of a patient's heart and processing said time of beat sequence with a medical device to identify a change in heart rate of a patient from a first heart rate to a second heart rate. The method may continue by determining with the medical device at least one of a) a ratio of the second heart rate to the first heart rate and b) a difference between the second heart rate and the first heart rate. The method may include determining with the medical device at least one of a) a dynamic ratio threshold for the ratio and b) a dynamic difference threshold for the difference, wherein the at least one threshold is based upon the first heart rate. The ratio and/or the difference may be compared to the threshold(s) to detect a neurological event, for example, an epileptic seizure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: John C. Colborn
  • Publication number: 20120265266
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating the longevity of an implantable medical device (IMD). In one embodiment of a method for estimating a life of a power source of an implantable medical device, a first life estimate of the power source is determined based on a first open-loop value corresponding to an open-loop parameter for open-loop therapy delivery, a first closed loop value corresponding to a closed-loop parameter for closed-loop therapy delivery, and prior usage data corresponding to prior therapy delivery. The first life estimate of the power source is displayed. The first life estimate displayed includes a first open-loop portion associated with open-loop therapy delivery and a first closed-loop portion associated with closed-loop therapy delivery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: John C. COLBORN
  • Publication number: 20110270359
    Abstract: A method comprises applying a first open-loop electrical signal to a neural structure at a first rate. The method also comprises applying a closed-loop electrical signal to the neural structure in response to an event detection, thus causing an overall rate at which electrical stimulation is applied to the neural structure to exceed the first rate. The method further comprises applying a second open-loop electrical signal to a neural structure at a second rate that is lower than the first rate, thus causing the overall rate to be reduced to the first rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventor: John C. COLBORN
  • Patent number: 7818069
    Abstract: We disclose an electrode assembly comprising a ribbon electrode having a first surface and a second surface; a plurality of bosses disposed on the second surface of the ribbon electrode, wherein each boss has a third surface substantially not in contact with the second surface of the ribbon electrode and at least one boss is electrically conducting; and an insulator contacting substantially the entire second surface of the ribbon electrode and substantially the entire third surface of each boss; wherein the insulator is substantially not in contact with the first surface of the ribbon electrode. We also disclose an implantable medical device system comprising an implantable medical device for generating an electrical signal; an electrode assembly as described; and a lead wire electrically coupled to both the implantable medical device and at least one electrically conducting boss of the electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Colborn, J. Nick Marsh-Chetter, Shawn D. Kollatschny, Bryan Byerman