Patents by Inventor Joseph L. Sullivan

Joseph L. Sullivan 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).

  • REDUCING ELECTROCARDIOGRAM ARTIFACTS DURING AND POST CPR
    Publication number: 20170172441
    Abstract: A portable medical device having improved ECG trace display and reporting. Embodiments implement features to ameliorate artifacts created by virtue of attempting to eliminate compression artifacts due to mechanical compression devices. Other embodiments additionally implement features to seek to detect the occurrence of ROSC while chest compressions are ongoing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventor: Joseph L. Sullivan
  • EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATION WITH AUTOMATIC POST-SHOCK ANTI-TACHYCARDIA (APSAT) PACING BASED ON PRE-SHOCK ECG
    Publication number: 20170151441
    Abstract: A medical device such as an external defibrillator delivers electrical therapy using a special pulse sequence. The special pulse sequence includes a defibrillation shock that is automatically followed by a quick succession of automatic post-shock anti-tachycardia (APSAT) pacing pulses. Because of the pacing pulses, the defibrillation shock can be of lesser energy than an equivalent defibrillation shock of a larger energy. Accordingly, the external defibrillator can be made physically smaller and weigh less, without sacrificing the therapeutic effect of a larger external defibrillator that would deliver a defibrillation shock of higher energy. As such, the defibrillator is easier to configure for transporting, handling, and even wearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2017
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph L. Sullivan, David Thomas Brown, David Peter Finch
  • DECIDING ON PATIENT ELECTRIC SHOCK THERAPY
    Publication number: 20170136249
    Abstract: Systems, devices, software and methods are provided, for making a decision as to whether to administer an electric shock to a patient. The decision can be made differently, depending on whether the patient has already been shocked or not.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Joseph L. Sullivan
  • WEARABLE CARDIOVERTER DEFIBRILLATOR (WCD) SYSTEM MAKING SHOCK/NO SHOCK DETERMINATIONS BY AGGREGATING ASPECTS OF MULTIPLE PATIENT PARAMETERS
    Publication number: 20170136251
    Abstract: In embodiments, a WCD system includes one or more transducers that may sense patient parameters from different parts of the patient's body, and thus render physiological inputs from those parameters. First aspects and second aspects may be detected from the physiological inputs. An aggregated first aspect may be generated from the detected first aspects, and an aggregated second aspect may be generated from the detected second aspects. An aggregate analysis score may be determined from the aggregated first aspect and the aggregated second aspect. A shock/no shock determination may be made depending on whether or not the aggregate analysis score meets an aggregate shock criterion. Accordingly, such a WCD system can make shock/no shock determinations by aggregating aspects of multiple patient parameters. Accordingly, multiple inputs are considered in making the shock/no shock determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventor: Joseph L. Sullivan
  • FILTERING PATIENT SIGNAL ALSO FOR VENTILATION ARTIFACTS
    Publication number: 20170135642
    Abstract: In embodiments, an external medical device is intended to care for a patient. If it receives an input that signifies that ventilation artifact is present in a signal of the patient, it transmits a corrective signal responsive to the received input. In further embodiments, a patient signal is received, which is generated from a patient while the patient is or was receiving chest compressions at a frequency Fc, and also receiving ventilations at frequency Fv. At least one filter mechanism may be applied to the patient signal to substantially remove artifacts at a) frequency Fc, b) a higher harmonic of frequency Fc, and c) a third frequency substantially equaling frequency Fc plus or minus frequency Fv, while substantially passing other frequencies between them. As a result, the patient signal can be cleaner, for diagnosing the patient's state more accurately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph L. Sullivan, Robert G. Walker
  • WEARABLE CARDIOVERTER DEFIBRILLATOR (WCD) CAUSING PATIENT'S QRS WIDTH TO BE PLOTTED AGAINST THE HEART RATE
    Publication number: 20170128735
    Abstract: A wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) system includes a support structure that the patient may wear, and one or more sensors that may acquire patient physiological signals, such as ECG and others. A processor of the WCD system may determine diagnostics from the patient physiological signals. These diagnostics include a six-second ECG portion, heart rates as histograms, heart rates against QRS width, heart rate trends, clinical event counters, diagnostics relating to heart rate variability and about the atrial arrhythmia burden of the patient. In some embodiments, the WCD system includes a user interface with a screen that displays these diagnostics. In some embodiments, the WCD system exports these diagnostics for viewing by a different screen. When viewed, these diagnostics permit more detailed analysis of the state of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Laura M. Gustavson, David P. Finch, Joseph L. Sullivan
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ELECTROCARDIOGRAM ANALYSIS AND OPTIMIZATION OF CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION AND THERAPY DELIVERY
    Publication number: 20170105644
    Abstract: The system and method provide for electrocardiogram analysis and optimization of patient-customized cardiopulmonary resuscitation and therapy delivery. An external medical device includes a housing and a processor within the housing. The processor can be configured to receive an input signal for a patient receiving chest compressions and to select at least one filter mechanism and to apply the filter mechanism to the signal to at least substantially remove chest compression artifacts from the signal. A real time dynamic analysis of a cardiac rhythm is applied to adjust and integrate CPR prompting of a medical device. Real-time cardiac rhythm quality is facilitated using a rhythm assessment meter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph L. Sullivan, Ronald Eugene Stickney, Robert G. Walker, Daniel Piraino, Isabelle Banville, Fred Chapman
  • External defibrillation with automatic post-shock anti-tachycardia (APSAT) pacing
    Patent number: 9604070
    Abstract: A medical device such as an external defibrillator delivers electrical therapy using a special pulse sequence. The special pulse sequence includes a defibrillation shock that is automatically followed by a quick succession of automatic post-shock anti-tachycardia (APSAT) pacing pulses. Because of the pacing pulses, the defibrillation shock can be of lesser energy than an equivalent defibrillation shock of a larger energy. Accordingly, the external defibrillator can be made physically smaller and weigh less, without sacrificing the therapeutic effect of a larger external defibrillator that would deliver a defibrillation shock of higher energy. As such, the defibrillator is easier to configure for transporting, handling, and even wearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: WEST AFFUM HOLDINGS CORP.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Sullivan, David Thomas Brown, David Peter Finch
  • WEARABLE CARDIAC DEFIBRILLATOR SYSTEM DELIVERING SHOCK UPON HEARING PRESET READY WORD FROM BYSTANDER
    Publication number: 20170072208
    Abstract: A wearable cardiac defibrillator (“WCD”) system may include a support structure that a patient can wear, an energy storage module that can store an electrical charge, and a discharge circuit that can discharge the electrical charge through the patient so as to shock him or her, while the patient is wearing the support structure. Embodiments may actively take into account bystanders, both to protect them from an inadvertent shock, and also to enlist their help. In some embodiments the WCD system includes a microphone. The WCD system might be ready to deliver a shock, but may first wait before doing so until it hears from a bystander a preset ready word, such as: “CLEAR”.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph L. Sullivan, David Peter Finch, Phillip Dewey Foshee, JR., Isabelle Banville, Richard C. Nova, Krystyna Szul, Daniel Finney, Laura Marie Gustavson, Gregory T. Kavounas
  • Filtering patient signal also for ventilation artifacts
    Patent number: 9592012
    Abstract: In embodiments, an external medical device is intended to care for a patient. If it receives an input that signifies that ventilation artifact is present in a signal of the patient, it transmits a corrective signal responsive to the received input. In further embodiments, a patient signal is received, which is generated from a patient while the patient is or was receiving chest compressions at a frequency Fc, and also receiving ventilations at frequency Fv. At least one filter mechanism may be applied to the patient signal to substantially remove artifacts at a) frequency Fc, b) a higher harmonic of frequency Fc, and c) a third frequency substantially equaling frequency Fc plus or minus frequency Fv, while substantially passing other frequencies between them. As a result, the patient signal can be cleaner, for diagnosing the patient's state more accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Physio-Control, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Sullivan, Robert G. Walker
  • Wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) system making shock/no shock determinations from multiple patient parameters
    Patent number: 9592403
    Abstract: In embodiments, a WCD system includes one or more transducers that may sense patient parameters from different parts of the patient's body, and thus render physiological inputs from those parameters. Individual analysis scores may be determined from the physiological inputs, and an aggregate analysis score may be determined from the individual analysis scores. A shock/no shock determination may be made depending on whether or not the aggregate analysis score meets an aggregate shock criterion. Accordingly, multiple inputs are considered in making the shock/no shock determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: WEST AFFUM HOLDINGS CORP.
    Inventor: Joseph L. Sullivan
  • Balanced charge waveform for transcutaneous pacing
    Patent number: 9566440
    Abstract: External pacemaker systems and methods deliver pacing waveforms that minimize hydrolysis of the electrode gel. Compensating pulses are interleaved with the pacing pulses, with a polarity and duration that balance the net charge at the electrode locations. The compensating pulses are preferably rectangular for continuous pacing, and decay individually for on-demand pacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Physio-Control, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph L. Sullivan
  • System and method for electrocardiogram analysis and optimization of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and therapy delivery
    Patent number: 9545211
    Abstract: The system and method provide for electrocardiogram analysis and optimization of patient-customized cardiopulmonary resuscitation and therapy delivery. An external medical device includes a housing and a processor within the housing. The processor can be configured to receive an input signal for a patient receiving chest compressions and to select at least one filter mechanism and to apply the filter mechanism to the signal to at least substantially remove chest compression artifacts from the signal. A real time dynamic analysis of a cardiac rhythm is applied to adjust and integrate CPR prompting of a medical device. Real-time cardiac rhythm quality is facilitated using a rhythm assessment meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Sullivan, Ronald Eugene Stickney, Robert G. Walker, Daniel Piraino, Isabelle Banville, Fred Chapman
  • Wearable cardiac defibrillator system sensing being touched by bystander
    Patent number: 9539437
    Abstract: A wearable cardiac defibrillator (“WCD”) system may include a support structure that a patient can wear, an energy storage module that can store an electrical charge, and a discharge circuit that can discharge the electrical charge through the patient so as to shock him or her, while the patient is wearing the support structure. Embodiments may actively take into account bystanders, both to protect them from an inadvertent shock, and also to enlist their help. In some embodiments, the WCD system may detect whether it is being touched by a bystander and, if so, prevent the discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: WEST AFFUM HOLDINGS CORP.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Sullivan, David Peter Finch, Phillip Dewey Foshee, Jr., Isabelle Banville, Richard C. Nova, Krystyna Szul, Daniel Finney, Laura Marie Gustavson, Gregory T. Kavounas
  • Wearable cardiac defibrillator system not delivering shock upon hearing preset delaying word from bystander
    Patent number: 9539436
    Abstract: A wearable cardiac defibrillator (“WCD”) system may include a support structure that a patient can wear, an energy storage module that can store an electrical charge, and a discharge circuit that can discharge the electrical charge through the patient so as to shock him or her, while the patient is wearing the support structure. Embodiments may actively take into account bystanders, both to protect them from an inadvertent shock, and also to enlist their help. In some embodiments the WCD system includes a microphone that can sense when a bystander speaks a preset delaying word like “WAIT” or “NO”, and prevent the discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: WEST AFFUM HOLDINGS CORP.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Sullivan, David Peter Finch, Phillip Dewey Foshee, Jr., Isabelle Banville, Richard C. Nova, Krystyna Szul, Daniel Finney, Laura Marie Gustavson, Gregory T. Kavounas
  • Deciding on patient electric shock therapy
    Patent number: 9539434
    Abstract: Systems, devices, software and methods are provided, for making a decision as to whether to administer an electric shock to a patient. The decision can be made differently, depending on whether the patient has already been shocked or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROl, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph L. Sullivan
  • Reducing electrocardiogram artifacts during and post CPR
    Patent number: 9538931
    Abstract: A portable medical device having improved ECG trace display and reporting. Embodiments implement features to ameliorate artifacts created by virtue of attempting to eliminate compression artifacts due to mechanical compression devices. Other embodiments additionally implement features to seek to detect the occurrence of ROSC while chest compressions are ongoing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: PHYSIO-CONTROL, INC.
    Inventor: Joseph L Sullivan
  • WEARABLE CARDIAC DEFIBRILLATOR SYSTEM NOT DELIVERING SHOCK UPON HEARING PRESET DELAYING WORD FROM BYSTANDER
    Publication number: 20160256699
    Abstract: A wearable cardiac defibrillator (“WCD”) system may include a support structure that a patient can wear, an energy storage module that can store an electrical charge, and a discharge circuit that can discharge the electrical charge through the patient so as to shock him or her, while the patient is wearing the support structure. Embodiments may actively take into account bystanders, both to protect them from an inadvertent shock, and also to enlist their help. In some embodiments the WCD system includes a microphone that can sense when a bystander speaks a preset delaying word like “WAIT” or “NO”, and prevent the discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph L. Sullivan, David Peter Finch, Phillip Dewey Foshee, JR., Isabelle Banville, Richard C. Nova, Krystyna Szul, Daniel Finney, Laura Marie Gustavson, Gregory T. Kavounas
  • WEARABLE CARDIAC DEFIBRILLATOR SYSTEM SENSING BEING TOUCHED BY BYSTANDER
    Publication number: 20160243371
    Abstract: A wearable cardiac defibrillator (“WCD”) system may include a support structure that a patient can wear, an energy storage module that can store an electrical charge, and a discharge circuit that can discharge the electrical charge through the patient so as to shock him or her, while the patient is wearing the support structure. Embodiments may actively take into account bystanders, both to protect them from an inadvertent shock, and also to enlist their help. In some embodiments, the WCD system may detect whether it is being touched by a bystander and, if so, prevent the discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph L.. Sullivan, David Peter Finch, Phillip Dewey Foshee, JR., Isabelle Banville, Richard C. Nova, Krystyna Szul, Daniel Finney, Laura Marie Gustavson, Gregory T. Kavounas
  • WEARABLE CARDIOVERTER DEFIBRILLATOR COMPONENTS MAKING AGGREGATE SHOCK/NO SHOCK DETERMINATION FROM TWO OR MORE ECG SIGNALS
    Publication number: 20160243374
    Abstract: Components of wearable cardiac defibrillator (WCD) systems, software, and methods are provided. A WCD system includes a support structure that a patient can wear and electrodes that can capture at least two of the patient's ECG signals. A component includes an energy storage module that can store an electrical charge, a discharge circuit, and a processor that can make a shock/no shock determination, and cause the discharge circuit to discharge the stored charge, if the determination is to shock. In some embodiments, the processor discards at least one of the ECG signals prior to making the shock/no shock determination. The determination can be made from the remaining one or more ECG signals. In some embodiments, the processor makes an aggregate shock/no shock determination from two or more of the ECG signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph L. Sullivan, Robert P. Marx, JR., David P. Finch