Patents by Inventor Julio C. Spinelli

Julio C. Spinelli 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).

  • Method and apparatus for initiating and delivering cardiac protection pacing
    Patent number: 7894896
    Abstract: A pacing system delivers cardiac protection pacing to protect the heart from injuries associated with ischemic events. The pacing system detects an ischemic event and, in response, initiates one or more cardiac protection pacing sequences each including alternative pacing and non-pacing periods. In one embodiment, the pacing system initiates a cardiac protection pacing sequence in response to the detection of the onset of an ischemic event, such that a pacing concurrent conditioning therapy is applied during the detected ischemic event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Tamara Colette Baynham, Julio C. Spinelli, Frits W. Prinzen, Richard N. Cornelussen, Ward Y. R. Vanagt
  • INTEGRATED LEAD FOR APPLYING CARDIAC RESYNCHRONIZATION THERAPY AND NEURAL STIMULATION THERAPY
    Publication number: 20110040347
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a main lead assembly having a proximal portion adapted for connection to a device and a distal portion adapted for placement in a coronary sinus, the distal portion terminating in a distal end for placement proximal a left ventricle. Additionally, the main lead assembly includes a left ventricular electrode located at its distal end which is adapted to deliver cardiac resynchronization therapy to reduce ventricular wall stress. The main lead assembly also includes a fat pad electrode disposed along the main lead assembly a distance from the distal end to position the fat pad electrode proximal to at least one parasympathetic ganglia located in a fat pad bounded by an inferior vena cava and a left atrium. The fat pad electrode is adapted to stimulate the parasympathetic ganglia to reduce ventricular wall stress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Julio C. Spinelli, Randy Westlund, Julia Moffitt, Tong Wang
  • Cardiac rhythm management system selecting between multiple same-chamber electrodes for delivering cardiac therapy
    Patent number: 7890169
    Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system selects one of multiple electrodes associated with a particular heart chamber based on a relative timing between detection of a depolarization fiducial point at the multiple electrodes, or based on a delay between detection of a depolarization fiducial point at the multiple electrodes and detection of a reference depolarization fiducial point at another electrode associated with the same or a different heart chamber. Subsequent contraction-evoking stimulation therapy is delivered from the selected electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiang Ding, Julio C. Spinelli, Andrew P. Kramer
  • APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TESTING AND ADJUSTING A BIPOLAR STIMULATION CONFIGURATION
    Publication number: 20100305644
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring the capture threshold of a bipolar lead in order to determine an appropriate value for the stimulus pulse energy to be used with the lead by a cardiac rhythm management device. An appropriate bipolar stimulating configuration can also be determined. The method is particularly useful in testing bipolar leads used to excite the left ventricle such as when delivering cardiac resynchronization therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Julio C. Spinelli, Qingsheng Zhu
  • Integrated lead for applying cardiac resynchronization therapy and neural stimulation therapy
    Patent number: 7840266
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a main lead assembly having a proximal portion adapted for connection to a device and a distal portion adapted for placement in a coronary sinus, the distal portion terminating in a distal end for placement proximal a left ventricle. Additionally, the main lead assembly includes a left ventricular electrode located at its distal end which is adapted to deliver cardiac resynchronization therapy to reduce ventricular wall stress. The main lead assembly also includes a fat pad electrode disposed along the main lead assembly a distance from the distal end to position the fat pad electrode proximal to at least one parasympathetic ganglia located in a fat pad bounded by an inferior vena cava and a left atrium. The fat pad electrode is adapted to stimulate the parasympathetic ganglia to reduce ventricular wall stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Julio C. Spinelli, Randy Westlund, Julia Moffitt, Sophia H. Wang
  • INTERMITTENT HIGH-ENERGY CARDIAC STIMULATION FOR THERAPEUTIC EFFECT
    Publication number: 20100286738
    Abstract: A device and method for delivering high-energy electrical stimulation to the heart in order to improve cardiac function in heart failure patients. The high-energy stimulation mimics the effects of exercise and improves symptoms even in patients who are exercise intolerant. The high-energy stimulation may be delivered on an intermittent basis either as pacing pulses in accordance with a programmed pacing mode and with a higher pacing pulse energy than used for conventional pacing or as low energy shock pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph M. Pastore, Imad Libbus, Andrew P. Kramer, Julio C. Spinelli
  • Method and apparatus for modulating cellular growth and regeneration using ventricular assist device
    Patent number: 7828711
    Abstract: A system delivers combined ventricular assist device (VAD) therapy and chemical and/or biological therapy to modulate myocardial tissue growth in a heart after myocardial infarction (MI). The system includes an agent delivery device to release one or more agents to an MI region to modulate myocardial tissue growth in that region, and a VAD to enhance the effects of the one or more agents by reducing myocardial wall stress and the overall cardiac workload. In one embodiment, the system is an implantable system including an implantable agent delivery device and an implantable VAD for long-term use in a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ross, Julio C. Spinelli
  • METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DEVICE CONTROLLED GENE EXPRESSION FOR CARDIAC PROTECTION
    Publication number: 20100274306
    Abstract: A gene regulatory system detects ischemia events and is capable of delivering a biologic therapy in response to the detection of an ischemic event or the reception of a command. The biologic therapy protects the heart from ischemic damage by regulating the expression of an exogenously introduced gene product. In one embodiment, the gene regulatory system includes an implantable system that emits at least one gene regulatory signal in response to the detection of the ischemic event or the reception of the command. The gene regulatory signal directly or indirectly regulates gene expression of the gene product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph M. Pastore, Jeffrey Ross, Tamara Colette Baynham, Rodney W. Salo, Andrew P. Kramer, Julio C. Spinelli
  • Cardiac Rhythm Management System with Arrhythmia Classification and Electrode Selection
    Publication number: 20100222835
    Abstract: A system, method, or device classifies an arrhythmia according to the temporal order in which a depolarization wave associated with a particular heart contraction is received at a plurality of electrodes. One or more antiarrhythmia therapies is mapped to each arrhythmia classification. When a particularly classified arrhythmia is detected, the correspondingly mapped therapy list is selected and an appropriate antiarrhythmia therapy delivered. In one example, the particular therapy delivered in response to an arrhythmia depends at least in part on its historical success in treating arrhythmias of that classification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventors: Julio C. Spinelli, Qingsheng Zhu, Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Andrew P. Kramer
  • Method and apparatus for device controlled gene expression for cardiac protection
    Patent number: 7774057
    Abstract: A gene regulatory system detects ischemia events and is capable of delivering a biologic therapy in response to the detection of an ischemic event or the reception of a command. The biologic therapy protects the heart from ischemic damage by regulating the expression of an exogenously introduced gene product. In one embodiment, the gene regulatory system includes an implantable system that emits at least one gene regulatory signal in response to the detection of the ischemic event or the reception of the command. The gene regulatory signal directly or indirectly regulates gene expression of the gene product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Pastore, Jeffrey Ross, Tamara Colette Baynham, Rodney W. Salo, Andrew P. Kramer, Julio C. Spinelli
  • Apparatus and method for testing and adjusting a bipolar stimulation configuration
    Patent number: 7774065
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring the capture threshold of a bipolar lead in order to determine an appropriate value for the stimulus pulse energy to be used with the lead by a cardiac rhythm management device. An appropriate bipolar stimulating configuration can also be determined. The method is particularly useful in testing bipolar leads used to excite the left ventricle such as when delivering cardiac resynchronization therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Julio C. Spinelli, Qingsheng Zhu
  • Method and apparatus for determining changes in heart failure status
    Patent number: 7769437
    Abstract: A method for operating a cardiac rhythm management device in which a clinical state vector is computed as a combination of a plurality of parameters related to a patient's heart failure status and compared to a previously computed clinical state vector to determine a clinical trajectory indicative of changes in the patient's heart failure status. Such detected changes in status can be used both as a clinical tool to evaluate treatment and to automatically adjust the operation of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Qingsheng Zhu, Julio C. Spinelli, Bruce H. KenKnight, Jay A. Warren
  • Intermittent high-energy cardiac stimulation for therapeutic effect
    Patent number: 7761151
    Abstract: A device and method for delivering high-energy electrical stimulation to the heart in order to improve cardiac function in heart failure patients. The high-energy stimulation mimics the effects of exercise and improves symptoms even in patients who are exercise intolerant. The high-energy stimulation may be delivered on an intermittent basis either as pacing pulses in accordance with a programmed pacing mode and with a higher pacing pulse energy than used for conventional pacing or as low energy shock pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Pastore, Imad Libbus, Andrew P. Kramer, Julio C. Spinelli
  • Method and device for preventing plaque formation in coronary arteries
    Patent number: 7738953
    Abstract: A method and device for preventing plaque build-up in a coronary artery includes providing an electrical field generating device, and generating an electrical field in the coronary artery to prevent plaque build-up in the coronary artery. The method further includes sensing the heart rhythm and generating the electrical field after a depolarization wave in the heart. The electrical field is generated by circuitry, in one embodiment implanted circuitry, connected to leads which are epicardially or intracardially positioned on the heart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Qingsheng Zhu, Avram Scheiner, Julio C. Spinelli
  • Tachyarrhythmia therapy device with ranked therapy selection
    Patent number: 7738957
    Abstract: A system, method, or device classifies an arrhythmia according to the temporal order in which a depolarization wave associated with a particular heart contraction is received at a plurality of electrodes. One or more antiarrhythmia therapies is mapped to each arrhythmia classification. When a particularly classified arrhythmia is detected, the correspondingly mapped therapy list is selected and an appropriate antiarrhythmia therapy delivered. In one example, the particular therapy delivered in response to an arrhythmia depends at least in part on its historical success in treating arrhythmias of that classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Julio C. Spinelli, Qingsheng Zhu, Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Andrew P. Kramer
  • MYOCARDIUM CONDITIONING USING MYOCARDIAL AND PARASYMPATHETIC STIMULATION
    Publication number: 20100145401
    Abstract: Various system embodiments comprise a neural stimulator, a pulse generator, and a controller. The neural stimulator is adapted to generate a neural stimulation signal. The pulse generator is adapted to generate a pacing signal to provide myocardium pacing. The controller is adapted to control the neural stimulator and the pulse generator to provide a cardioprotective conditioning therapy. The conditioning therapy includes neural stimulation to elicit a parasympathetic response and myocardium pacing. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph M. Pastore, Tamara Colette Baynham, Andrew P. Kramer, Julio C. Spinelli, Jeffrey Ross, Rodney W. Salo
  • MULTI-SITE VENTRICULAR PACING THERAPY WITH PARASYMPATHETIC STIMULATION
    Publication number: 20100125307
    Abstract: A method and device for delivering multi-site ventricular pacing therapy in conjunction with parasympathetic stimulation for reducing ventricular wall stress. Such reduction in ventricular wall stress is useful in reversing or preventing the ventricular remodeling which can occur in heart failure patients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph M. Pastore, Zoe Harris-Hajenga, Julio C. Spinelli
  • Myocardium conditioning using myocardial and parasympathetic stimulation
    Patent number: 7689286
    Abstract: Various system embodiments comprise a neural stimulator, a pulse generator, and a controller. The neural stimulator is adapted to generate a neural stimulation signal. The pulse generator is adapted to generate a pacing signal to provide myocardium pacing. The controller is adapted to control the neural stimulator and the pulse generator to provide a cardioprotective conditioning therapy. The conditioning therapy includes neural stimulation to elicit a parasympathetic response and myocardium pacing. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Pastore, Tamara Colette Baynham, Andrew P. Kramer, Julio C. Spinelli, Jeffrey Ross, Rodney W. Salo
  • PHYSICAL CONDITIONING SYSTEM, DEVICE AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20100063564
    Abstract: Various system embodiments comprise a neural stimulator and a controller. The neural stimulator is adapted to generate a stimulation signal adapted to elicit sympathetic activity at a neural target. The controller is adapted to control the neural stimulator to provide a physical conditioning therapy. The controller is adapted to control the neural stimulator to intermittently elicit sympathetic activity at the neural target. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Julio C. Spinelli, Joseph M. Pastore, Andrew P. Kramer
  • Dynamically optimized multisite cardiac resynchronization device
    Patent number: 7676259
    Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management device in which amplitudes of electrograms from one or more cardiac sites are measured in order to ascertain the extent of hypertrophy. The device may then pace the heart by delivering pacing therapy in a manner that unloads the hypertrophied myocardium to effect reversal of undesirable remodeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Angelo Auricchio, Julio C. Spinelli, Andrew P. Kramer