Patents by Inventor John C. Stroebel
John C. Stroebel 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: 7254441Abstract: A pacing mode is provided, in one embodiment, that permits missed or skipped ventricular beats. The mode monitors a full cardiac cycle (A-A interval) for the presence of intrinsic ventricular activity. If ventricular activity is present, a flag is set that is valid for the next cardiac cycle. At the beginning of the next cardiac cycle, the device determines if the flag is present. So long as the flag is present, the device will not deliver a ventricular pacing pulse in that cycle, even if there is no intrinsic ventricular activity. If there is no flag present at the start of a given cardiac cycle, a ventricular pacing pulse is delivered and this ventricular activity sets a flag for the subsequent cardiac cycle.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventor: John C. Stroebel
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Patent number: 7245966Abstract: Pacing parameters are provided to address cross talk and intrinsic ventricular events occurring within a predefined blanking period following an atrial event. The parameters are used in conjunction with protocol for minimizing or reducing ventricular pacing, wherein ignoring intrinsic ventricular events during the blanking period might otherwise affect the performance of the protocol.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Robert A. Betzold, David A Casavant, Paul A. Belk, Thomas J. Mullen, John C. Stroebel, Steven R. Hornberger, Todd J. Sheldon, Douglas A. Peterson
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Patent number: 7218965Abstract: An ADI/R mode is implemented using an intelligent pacing system to continually monitor ventricular response. This ensures AV conduction whenever possible so as to gain all the benefits of cardiac contractile properties resulting from native R-waves. In the event where AV conduction is blocked, the pacing mode is switched to a DDD/R mode to ensure a paced R-wave. Thereafter, subsequent to a completed interval of a P-wave, ADI/R pacing resumes to monitor ventricular response.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2004Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: David Casavant, Paul Belk, Thomas J. Mullen, John C. Stroebel
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Patent number: 7130683Abstract: A preferred atrial-based pacing method and apparatus is provided using an intelligent cardiac pacing system to having the ability to continue atrial-based pacing as long as relatively reliable AV conduction is present. In the event that such relatively reliable AV conduction is not present, mode switching to a DDD/R or a DDI/R pacing mode while continually biased to mode switch back to atrial-based pacing. The standard or relatively reliable AV conduction may be changed either automatically or manually. This increases pacing that utilizes natural AV conduction whenever possible so as to gain all the benefits of cardiac contractile properties resulting therefrom, while tolerating the occasional missed ventricular depolarization (i.e., non-conducted P-wave). In the event where relatively reliable AV conduction is not present, the pacing mode is switched to a DDD/R mode while detecting a return of the relatively reliable AV conduction (and resulting mode switch to preferred atrial-based pacing).Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2002Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: David A. Casavant, Paul Belk, Thomas J. Mullen, John C. Stroebel
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Patent number: 7050851Abstract: An implantable cardioverter/defibrillator includes an active can electrode and a high-voltage lead that can be electrically isolated from one another by opening a switch between them. The performance of the high-voltage lead and the can electrode can then be independently monitored, thus indicating which lead is inoperable, should one become inoperable. If a lead becomes inoperable, the implantable device can then reconfigure an electrical pathway such as a cardioversion and/or a defibrillation pathway by excluding the inoperable lead. By separating the high-voltage lead from the can electrode, pseudo ECG measurements can also be taken and utilized by the implantable device.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: William J. Plombon, John C. Stroebel
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Publication number: 20040260349Abstract: A pacing mode is provided, in one embodiment, that permits missed or skipped ventricular beats. The mode monitors a full cardiac cycle (A-A interval) for the presence of intrinsic ventricular activity. If ventricular activity is present, a flag is set that is valid for the next cardiac cycle. At the beginning of the next cardiac cycle, the device determines if the flag is present. So long as the flag is present, the device will not deliver a ventricular pacing pulse in that cycle, even if there is no intrinsic ventricular activity. If there is no flag present at the start of a given cardiac cycle, a ventricular pacing pulse is delivered and this ventricular activity sets a flag for the subsequent cardiac cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2004Publication date: December 23, 2004Applicant: Medtronic, IncInventor: John C. Stroebel
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Patent number: 6772005Abstract: An ADI/R mode is implemented using an intelligent pacing system to continually monitor ventricular response. This ensures AV conduction whenever possible so as to gain all the benefits of cardiac contractile properties resulting from native R-waves. In the event where AV conduction is blocked, the pacing mode is switched to a DDD/R mode to ensure a paced R-wave. Thereafter, subsequent to a completed interval of a p-wave, ADI/R pacing resumes to monitor ventricular response.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2000Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: David Casavant, Paul A. Belk, Thomas J. Mullen, John C. Stroebel
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Publication number: 20040143299Abstract: An ADI/R mode is implemented using an intelligent pacing system to continually monitor ventricular response. This ensures AV conduction whenever possible so as to gain all the benefits of cardiac contractile properties resulting from native R-waves. In the event where AV conduction is blocked, the pacing mode is switched to a DDD/R mode to ensure a paced R-wave. Thereafter, subsequent to a completed interval of a p-wave, ADI/R pacing resumes to monitor ventricular response.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2004Publication date: July 22, 2004Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: David Casavant, Paul A. Belk, Thomas J. Mullen, John C. Stroebel
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Patent number: 6754527Abstract: A system and method for reducing the amount of noise causes by inductive elements within an implantable medical device. In particular, the invention provides a system for gradually initiating and terminating the current flow within inductive elements such as transformers that are used to charge energy storage devices such as high-voltage capacitors of an implantable cardio/defibrillator. This more gradual change in the rate of current flow prevents ground shifts and subsequent noise spikes within the device. This, in turn, allows cardiac signals to be sensed more accurately by sensing circuits, preventing oversensing, and minimizing the occurrence of inappropriate shock delivery.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2001Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: John C. Stroebel, Forrest C. M. Pape, Paul J. Huelskamp
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Patent number: 6731983Abstract: A device-implemented software system operates a detection window and adjusts PAV as needed after confirming the presence or detection of evidence of an arrhythmia. The detection window is monitored based on a preferred length. If the detection window is shorter than required, intervals are adjusted for a specific pacing rate. Further, the software system provides means for selecting detection over pacing based on an analysis of a preferred length in the presence of evidence of an arrhythmia.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: James H. Ericksen, Robert A. Betzold, Catherine R. Condie, Jeffrey M. Gillberg, Robert W. Stadler, John C. Stroebel, Troy E. Jackson
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Patent number: 6721592Abstract: Techniques for monitoring the magnitudes of representative filtered EGM signals over time. In a typical implementation, a group of digital peak values is generated in a time period and a representative digital peak value is selected for the time period. By comparing representative peak values for several time periods, changes in signal efficacy can be identified.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2001Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: David Peichel, Tho Huynh, Forrest C. M. Pape, Robert A. Neumann, John C. Stroebel, Robert A. Gabler, James E. Willenbring
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Patent number: 6701188Abstract: The invention presents techniques for reducing the interference to telemetry from an implanted medical device caused by a source of controllable noise. In the context of an implanted system that includes a defibrillator system and a telemetry system, for example, the invention reduces the interference by suspending energy storage during telemetry. The invention further provides for suspending energy storage operation gradually rather than abruptly, by gradually reducing the duty cycle of a clock that controls the energy storage.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: John C. Stroebel, Forrest C. M. Pape, Paul J. Huelskamp, David J. Peichel, Chris T. House, James H. Ericksen
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Publication number: 20030083705Abstract: A device-implemented software system operates a detection window and adjusts PAV as needed after confirming the presence or detection of evidence of an arrhythmia. The detection window is monitored based on a preferred length. If the detection window is shorter than required, intervals are adjusted for a specific pacing rate. Further, the software system provides means for selecting detection over pacing based on an analysis of a preferred length in the presence of evidence of an arrhythmia.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2002Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: James H. Ericksen, Robert A. Betzold, Catherine R. Condie, Jeffrey M. Gillberg, Robert W. Stadler, John C. Stroebel, Troy E. Jackson
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Publication number: 20030078627Abstract: A preferred atrial-based pacing method and apparatus is provided using an intelligent cardiac pacing system to having the ability to continue atrial-based pacing as long as relatively reliable AV conduction is present. In the event that such relatively reliable AV conduction is not present, mode switching to a DDD/R or a DDI/R pacing mode while continually biased to mode switch back to atrial-based pacing. The standard or relatively reliable AV conduction may be changed either automatically or manually. This increases pacing that utilizes natural AV conduction whenever possible so as to gain all the benefits of cardiac contractile properties resulting therefrom, while tolerating the occasional missed ventricular depolarization (i.e., non-conducted P-wave). In the event where relatively reliable AV conduction is not present, the pacing mode is switched to a DDD/R mode while detecting a return of the relatively reliable AV conduction (and resulting mode switch to preferred atrial-based pacing).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2002Publication date: April 24, 2003Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: David A. Casavant, Paul Belk, Thomas J. Mullen, John C. Stroebel
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Publication number: 20030050564Abstract: The invention presents techniques for monitoring the magnitudes of representative filtered EGM signals over time. In a typical implementation, a group of digital peak values is generated in a time period and a representative digital peak value is selected for the time period. By comparing representative peak values for several time periods, changes in signal efficacy can be identified.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2001Publication date: March 13, 2003Inventors: David Peichel, Tho Huynh, Forrest C.M. Pape, Robert A. Neumann, John C. Stroebel, Robert A. Gabler, James E. Willenbring
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Publication number: 20030045913Abstract: The invention presents techniques for reducing the interference to telemetry from an implanted medical device caused by a source of controllable noise. In the context of an implanted system that includes a defibrillator system and a telemetry system, for example, the invention reduces the interference by suspending energy storage during telemetry. The invention further provides for suspending energy storage operation gradually rather than abruptly, by gradually reducing the duty cycle of a clock that controls the energy storage.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2001Publication date: March 6, 2003Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: John C .Stroebel, Forrest C.M. Pape, Paul J. Huelskamp, David J. Peichel, Chris T. House, James H. Ericksen
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Publication number: 20030045906Abstract: A system and method for reducing the amount of noise causes by inductive elements within an implantable medical device. In particular, the invention provides a system for gradually initiating and terminating the current flow within inductive elements such as transformers that are used to charge energy storage devices such as high-voltage capacitors of an implantable cardio/defibrillator. This more gradual change in the rate of current flow prevents ground shifts and subsequent noise spikes within the device. This, in turn, allows cardiac signals to be sensed more accurately by sensing circuits, preventing oversensing, and minimizing the occurrence of inappropriate shock delivery.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2001Publication date: March 6, 2003Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: John C. Stroebel, Forrest C.M. Pape, Paul J. Huelskamp
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Publication number: 20030004552Abstract: An implantable cardioverter/defibrillator includes an active can electrode and a high-voltage lead that can be electrically isolated from one another by opening a switch between them. The performance of the high-voltage lead and the can electrode can then be independently monitored, thus indicating which lead is inoperable, should one become inoperable. If a lead becomes inoperable, the implantable device can then reconfigure an electrical pathway such as a cardioversion and/or a defibrillation pathway by excluding the inoperable lead. By separating the high-voltage lead from the can electrode, pseudo ECG measurements can also be taken and utilized by the implantable device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2001Publication date: January 2, 2003Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: William J. Plombon, John C. Stroebel
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Publication number: 20020082646Abstract: An ADI/R mode is implemented using an intelligent pacing system to continually monitor ventricular response. This ensures AV conduction whenever possible so as to gain all the benefits of cardiac contractile properties resulting from native R-waves. In the event where AV conduction is blocked, the pacing mode is switched to a DDD/R mode to ensure a paced R-wave. Thereafter, subsequent to a completed interval of a p-wave, ADI/R pacing resumes to monitor ventricular response.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2000Publication date: June 27, 2002Inventors: David Casavant, Paul A. Belk, Thomas J. Mullen, John C. Stroebel
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Patent number: 6016447Abstract: An automatic, body-implantable medical device having at least two modes of operation is disclosed. The device is provided with circuitry for automatically detecting when the device has been implanted in a patient, so that the device can automatically switch from a first mode to a second mode of operation upon implantation. In one embodiment, the first mode is a power conserving mode in which one or more non-essential sub-systems of the device are disabled. Prior to detection of implant, at least two conditions of the device known to reflect whether the device has been implanted are monitored. After implant has been detected, situations in which power to the device is disrupted and then restored will cause the device to enter a predefined "power-on-reset" mode of operation. Prior to detection of implant, however, such conditions do not result in the device entering the power-on-reset mode, or this mode is reset.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1998Date of Patent: January 18, 2000Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Carleen J. Juran, Kristin Yakimow, Michael B. Shelton, John C. Stroebel, H. Toby Markowitz, Pierce Vatterott, Harry A. Strandquist