Patents by Inventor Joseph Errico

Joseph Errico 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: 9174066
    Abstract: A non-invasive electrical stimulation device shapes an elongated electric field of effect that can be oriented parallel to a long nerve, such as a vagus nerve in a patient's neck, producing a desired physiological response in the patient. The stimulator comprises a source of electrical power, at least one electrode and a continuous electrically conducting medium in which the electrode(s) are in contact. The stimulation device is configured to produce a peak pulse voltage that is sufficient to produce a physiologically effective electric field in the vicinity of a target nerve, but not to substantially stimulate other nerves and muscles that lie between the vicinity of the target nerve and patient's skin. Current is passed through the electrodes in bursts of preferably five sinusoidal pulses, wherein each pulse within a burst has a duration of preferably 200 microseconds, and bursts repeat at preferably at 15-50 bursts per second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Electrocore, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Simon, Joseph Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Patent number: 8914122
    Abstract: A non-invasive electrical stimulation device shapes an elongated electric field of effect that can be oriented parallel to a long nerve, such as a vagus nerve in a patient's neck, producing a desired physiological response in the patient. The stimulator comprises a source of electrical power, at least one electrode and a continuous electrically conducting medium in which the electrode(s) are in contact. The stimulation device is configured to produce a peak pulse voltage that is sufficient to produce a physiologically effective electric field in the vicinity of a target nerve, but not to substantially stimulate other nerves and muscles that lie between the vicinity of the target nerve and patient's skin. Current is passed through the electrodes in bursts of preferably five sinusoidal pulses, wherein each pulse within a burst has a duration of preferably 200 microseconds, and bursts repeat at preferably at 15-50 bursts per second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Electrocore, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Simon, Joseph Errico, John T Raffle
  • Publication number: 20120101326
    Abstract: Transcutaneous electrical and magnetic nerve stimulation devices are disclosed, along with methods of treating lower urinary tract disorders using energy that is delivered noninvasively by the devices. The disorders comprise overactive bladder, urge incontinence, stress, incontinence, urge frequency, non-obstructive urinary retention and interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome. In preferred embodiments of the disclosed methods, a posterior tibial nerve of a patient is stimulated non-invasively. Methods are disclosed for selecting protocol parameters for a nerve stimulation session for treating each individual patient, wherein modules of the bladder of the patient are represented as coupled non-linear oscillators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: ElectroCore, LLC.
    Inventors: Bruce Simon, Joseph Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Publication number: 20120029601
    Abstract: A non-invasive electrical stimulation device shapes an elongated electric field of effect that can be oriented parallel to a long nerve, such as a vagus nerve in a patient's neck, producing a desired physiological response in the patient. The stimulator comprises a source of electrical power, at least one electrode and a continuous electrically conducting medium in which the electrode(s) are in contact. The stimulation device is configured to produce a peak pulse voltage that is sufficient to produce a physiologically effective electric field in the vicinity of a target nerve, but not to substantially stimulate other nerves and muscles that lie between the vicinity of the target nerve and patient's skin. Current is passed through the electrodes in bursts of preferably five sinusoidal pulses, wherein each pulse within a burst has a duration of preferably 200 microseconds, and bursts repeat at preferably at 15-50 bursts per second.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: ElectroCore, LLC.
    Inventors: Bruce Simon, Joseph Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Publication number: 20120029591
    Abstract: A non-invasive electrical stimulation device shapes an elongated electric field of effect that can be oriented parallel to a long nerve, such as a vagus nerve in a patient's neck, producing a desired physiological response in the patient. The stimulator comprises a source of electrical power, at least one electrode and a continuous electrically conducting medium in which the electrode(s) are in contact. The stimulation device is configured to produce a peak pulse voltage that is sufficient to produce a physiologically effective electric field in the vicinity of a target nerve, but not to substantially stimulate other nerves and muscles that lie between the vicinity of the target nerve and patient's skin. Current is passed through the electrodes in bursts of preferably five sinusoidal pulses, wherein each pulse within a burst has a duration of preferably 200 microseconds, and bursts repeat at preferably at 15-50 bursts per second.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: ElectroCore, LLC.
    Inventors: Bruce Simon, Joseph Errico, John T. Raffle
  • Publication number: 20100174371
    Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting an artificial intervertebral disc includes static trials, the static trials including first and second trial baseplates immovably coupled to one another via a trunk extending therebetween, each trial baseplate having an outwardly facing surface approximating a contour of a corresponding outwardly facing surface of an articifial intervertebral disc baseplate, at least one of the trial baseplates having a plurality of engagement holes extending into the at least one of the trial baseplates in a direction substantially perpendicular to each of a plurality of a surgical approach directions used to insert the trial into the intervertebral space, each of the plurality of engagement holes being disposed on the at least one of the trial baseplates to correspond to a respective one of the surgical approach directions such that selection for use of one of the plurality of engagement holes corresponds to selection of the respective surgical approach.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph Errico, Michael Didasik, Rafail Zubok
  • Publication number: 20100042178
    Abstract: Methods and devices for treating bronchial constriction related to asthma and anaphylaxis wherein the treatment includes providing an electrical impulse to a selected region of the vagus nerve and/or the lungs of a patient suffering from bronchial constriction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: ElectroCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Errico, James Pastena, Steven Mendez, Hecheng Hu, Arthur Ross
  • Publication number: 20100036494
    Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting an artificial intervertebral disc includes static trials and a dynamic trial for determining the appropriate size of disc to be implanted, static trial holders for manipulating the static trials, inserter/impactors for inserting and removing the static trials and for inserting the artificial intervertebral discs, repositioners/extractors for repositioning and extracting the static trials or the artificial intervertebral discs, and a leveler for setting the proper position of the artificial intervertebral disc. Methods for using the same are also disclosed. Features for artificial intervertebral discs and intervertebral spacer devices useful for manipulation by the instrumentation are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph Errico, Michael Dudasik, Rafail Zubok
  • Publication number: 20090326542
    Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting an artificial intervertebral disc includes a leveler for setting the proper position of the artificial intervertebral disc, the leveler including at least two tines extending parallel to one another from the leveler shaft distal end, wherein the tines are spaced and sized to be insertable and fittable between baseplates of the disc and to substantially fill at least a height of a separation space volume between the baseplates, and to straddle a central coupling of the baseplates during the insertion and when so fitted, such that when the baseplates are substantially non-parallel to one another in the intervertebral space, insertion of the tines into the intervertebral space between the baseplates and straddling the central coupling forces the baseplates into a substantially parallel orientation relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph Errico, Michael Dudasik, Rafail Zubok
  • Publication number: 20080015194
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for developing one or more drugs for one or more targeted therapies and compositions derived therefrom. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, combinatorial chemistry techniques for use with high throughput screening techniques for identifying small molecule affinity and/or activity interactions are avoided by instead utilizing the natural mechanisms of antigen response to effect a massively parallel screening of naturally occurring molecules against an antigen. Other aspects of the invention provide compositions derived therefrom as well as therapeutic methods of use for the compounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph Errico, Benjamin Mugrage, Ignatius Turchi
  • Publication number: 20080000305
    Abstract: A testing apparatus for a joint includes a support structure for engaging a first part a joint, an adapter for engaging a second part of the joint, a load assembly coupled with the adapter for applying a load onto the adapter and a drive assembly coupled with the adapter. Operation of the drive assembly causes angulation and rotation of the adapter relative to the support structure, which in turn causes angulation and rotation of the first and second parts of the joint relative to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Applicant: SpineCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Rafail Zubok, Joseph Errico, Michael Dudasik
  • Publication number: 20070198092
    Abstract: A system for stabilizing an intervertebral segment includes an intervertebral implant having a first plate, a second plate, and an articulating joint coupling the first and second plates, whereby at least one of the plates has an inner surface having at least one hole. The system includes an instrument for holding the implant, the system having a shaft with a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis extending between the proximal and distal ends, a body attached to the distal end of the shaft, and a pin having a hooked end that is extendable from the body for being inserted into the at least one hole of the implant so as to couple the implant with the distal end of the holding instrument.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Applicant: SpineCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Errico, Michael Dudasik, Rafail Zubok
  • Publication number: 20070184518
    Abstract: Isolated polypeptides or polypeptide chains are modified by di-tyrosine cross-linking such that they retain at least one functional activity. In one embodiment, the isolated polypeptide or polypeptide chains comprise at least one di-tyrosine cross-link, wherein at least one tyrosine of the di-tyrosine cross-link originates from a point mutation to tyrosine, and wherein the di-tyrosine cross-linked protein retains at least one function displayed by the protein in the absence of di-tyrosine cross-linking. In another embodiment, the di-tyrosine cross-linked polypeptide or polypeptide chain has enhanced stability compared to the same polypeptide or polypeptide chain in the absence of di-tyrosine cross-linking. A method for stabilization of a polypeptide or polypeptide complex, by the introduction of intra-polypeptide and/or inter-polypeptide di-tyrosine bonds, which simultaneously maintains the structure and function of the polypeptide or polypeptide complex is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: Avatar Medical LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Marshall, Alexander Hoffman, Joseph Errico, Paul Marshall
  • Publication number: 20070156243
    Abstract: Instrumentation for implanting an artificial intervertebral disc includes static trials and a dynamic trial for determining the appropriate size of disc to be implanted, static trial holders for manipulating the static trials, inserter/impactors for inserting and removing the static trials and for inserting the artificial intervertebral discs, repositioners/extractors for repositioning and extracting the static trials or the artificial intervertebral discs, and a leveler for setting the proper position of the artificial intervertebral disc. Methods for using the same are also disclosed. Features for artificial intervertebral discs and intervertebral spacer devices useful for manipulation by the instrumentation are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: SpineCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Errico, Michael Dudasik, Rafail Zubok
  • Publication number: 20070150062
    Abstract: An intervertebral device includes a first plate having an outer face and an inner face, and a second plate juxtaposed with the first plate, the second plate having an outer face, an inner face that opposes the first plate and a concavity that opposes the first plate. The device includes an elongated member extending from the first plate toward the second plate, the elongated member having a distal end with a spherical surface that is engageable with the concavity of the second plate for providing an articulating joint between the first and second plates. The device also includes a resilient member extending at least partially around and being in contact with the elongated member for counteracting compressive loads on the plates, the resilient member being surrounded by the concavity of the second plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Applicant: SpineCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Rafail Zubok, Michael Dudasik, Joseph Errico
  • Publication number: 20070123906
    Abstract: An instrument is provided for holding, inserting, repositioning, removing, impacting, extracting, and otherwise manipulating an artificial intervertebral disc having features suitable for being manipulated thereby. A spring-loaded holding pin on the instrument can be used to engage a corresponding hole on the disc and confront the angled surfaces of the disc to enable the holding and manipulation of the disc. A forward wedge extension on the instrument has upper and lower surfaces that engage inwardly facing surfaces of the disc to hold the baseplates of the disc at a preferred lordosis angle with respect to one another. The instrument can engage the disc from a variety of surgical approach angles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Applicant: SpineCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Errico, Michael Dudasik, Rafail Zubok
  • Publication number: 20070123985
    Abstract: A method of inserting an intervertebral disc implant into a disc space includes accessing a spinal segment having a first vertebral body, a second vertebral body and a disc space between the first and second vertebral bodies. The method includes securing a first pin to the first vertebral body and a second pin to the second vertebral body, using the first and second pins for distracting the disc space, and providing an inserter holding the intervertebral disc implant. The method also desirably includes engaging the inserter with the first and second pins, and advancing the inserter toward the disc space for inserting the intervertebral disc implant into the disc space, whereby the first and second pins align and guide the inserter toward the disc space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Applicant: SpineCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Errico, Michael Dudasik, Zoya Royt
  • Publication number: 20070106338
    Abstract: Methods for treating various health ailments that arise from dysfunction of smooth muscle associated with organ function caused by neurological malfunction wherein an appropriate signal fails to properly drive the smooth muscle wherein the treatment includes reproducing an appropriate signal and applying same either directly to the smooth muscle exhibiting the failure to respond properly, or by applying the signal to the nerves that innervate the muscles. The various treatments contemplated by this invention include, but are not limited to: acid reflux (lower esophageal sphincter), gallbladder pain, post-cholecystectomy pain, obesity, and high cholesterol (the sphincter of Oddi), pancreatic function and pancreatic pain associated with cancer (sphincter of Oddi), and asthma (the anterior and posterior pulmonary plexuses and the bronchial plexuses).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: ElectroCore, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Errico
  • Publication number: 20070106337
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus proved for: simultaneously monitoring at least one of nerve and muscle electrical activity on respective sides of a target plexus of a patient; identifying desired electrical activity of at least one of nerves and muscles on both sides of the target plexus based on the monitored activity; and modulating the electrical activity of the at least one of nerves and muscles on both sides of the target plexus to achieve a therapeutic result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: ElectroCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Errico, James Pastena, Steven Mendez, Hecheng Hu, Arthur Ross
  • Publication number: 20070106339
    Abstract: Methods and devices for treating bronchial constriction related to asthma and anaphylaxis wherein the treatment includes providing an electrical impulse to a selected region of the vagus nerve and/or the lungs of a patient suffering from bronchial constriction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Publication date: May 10, 2007
    Applicant: ElectroCore, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Errico, James Pastena, Steven Mendez, Hecheng Hu, Arthur Ross