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).

  • Reduction of interaction with tachyarrhythmia detection by negative offset pacing
    Patent number: 7483741
    Abstract: A device and method is disclosed for improving tachyarrhythmia detection when the ventricles are resynchronized by delivering paces to both ventricles separated by a specified negative offset interval. Timing of escape intervals and tachyarrhythmia detection is based upon senses from one of the ventricles designated as a rate ventricle. Techniques are presented for preventing tachyarrhythmia detection from being compromised when the rate ventricle is paced after the other ventricle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Andrew P. Kramer, Julio C. Spinelli
  • Method and apparatus for minimizing post-infarct ventricular remodeling
    Patent number: 7450988
    Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management device is configured to deliver pre-excitation pacing to one or more sites in proximity to an infarcted region of the ventricular myocardium. The pre-excitation pacing in conjunction with counterpulsation therapy serves to either prevent or minimize post-infarct remodeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Ross, Julio C. Spinelli, Rodney W. Salo
  • Closed loop impedance-based cardiac resynchronization therapy systems, devices, and methods
    Patent number: 7440803
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems, devices, and methods measure an impedance and, in response, adjust an atrioventricular (AV) delay or other cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) parameter that synchronizes left and right ventricular contractions. A first example uses parameterizes a first ventricular volume against a second ventricular volume during a cardiac cycle, using a loop area to create a synchronization fraction (SF). The CRT parameter is adjusted in closed-loop fashion to increase the SF. A second example measures a septal-freewall phase difference (PD), and adjusts a CRT parameter to decrease the PD. A third example measures a peak-to-peak volume or maximum rate of change in ventricular volume, and adjusts a CRT parameter to increase the peak-to-peak volume or maximum rate of change in the ventricular volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Quan Ni, Jiang Ding, Yinghong Yu, Douglas R. Daum, Julio C. Spinelli, Jeffrey E. Stahmann
  • Intermittent stress augmentation pacing for cardioprotective effect
    Patent number: 7437191
    Abstract: A device and method for delivering electrical stimulation to the heart in a manner which provides a protective effect is disclosed. The protective effect is produced by configuring a cardiac pacing device to intermittently switch from a normal operating mode to a stress augmentation mode in which the spatial pattern of depolarization is varied to thereby subject a particular region or regions of the ventricular myocardium to increased mechanical stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Pastore, Julio C. Spinelli, Frits W. Prinzen, Richard N. Cornelussen, Ward Y. R. Vanagt
  • IMPLANTABLE CARDIAC RHYTHM MANAGEMENT SYSTEM HAVING MULTIPLE THERAPY MODALITIES
    Publication number: 20080221635
    Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system for providing a plurality of therapy modalities. For example, the system may include a cardiac resynchronization therapy module for providing cardiac resynchronization therapy and a pacemaker module for providing bradycardia therapy, as well as a selector module coupled to the cardiac resynchronization therapy module and the bradycardia module. The selector module may select an operating mode from among a plurality of operating modes including the cardiac resynchronization therapy module and the pacemaker module. Various manual and automatic methods may be used to select the operating mode. In addition, a reversion management system may be included to assist the cardiac rhythm management system to recover in case of a disruption to the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Julio C. Spinelli, Qingsheng Zhu, Bruce H. Kenknight, Yinghong Yu, Jiang Ding
  • Cardiac rhythm management system for edema
    Publication number: 20080215108
    Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system detects edema. In response to an episode of detected edema, it initiates or adjusts a cardiac resynchronization therapy and/or a cardiac contractility modulation (CCM) therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Qingsheng Zhu, Julio C. Spinelli
  • CONTROLLED DELIVERY OF INTERMITTENT STRESS AUGMENTATION PACING FOR CARDIOPROTECTIVE EFFECT
    Publication number: 20080215105
    Abstract: A device and method for delivering electrical stimulation to the heart in a manner which provides a protective effect against subsequent ischemia is disclosed. The protective effect is produced by configuring a cardiac pacing device to intermittently switch from a normal operating mode to a stress augmentation mode in which the spatial pattern of depolarization is varied to thereby subject a particular region or regions of the ventricular myocardium to increased mechanical stress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph M. Pastore, Julio C. Spinelli
  • DEVICE FOR MONITORING FLUID STATUS
    Publication number: 20080188730
    Abstract: A technique for determining a patient's hematocrit by an electrical impedance measurement is described. An implantable device may be configured to utilize the technique in order to assess a cardiac patient's fluid status. In order to determine the hematocrit, the electrical impedance of the blood is measured and mapped by a mapping function to a corresponding hematocrit value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Robert J. Sweeney, Julio C. Spinelli, Rodney W. Salo
  • Centralized management system for programmable medical devices
    Patent number: 7383088
    Abstract: A centralized management system for medical devices includes a network, a central server coupled to the network, and a medical device programmer coupled to the network. The central server includes at least one prescription system for prescribing at least one programmable parameter of a medical device based on at least one characteristic of a patient. The medical device programmer communicates at least one characteristic of a patient to the central server via the network, receives at least one parameter from the central server via the network, and programs the medical device using the at least one parameter. In one embodiment, the central server hosts expert prescription systems defined by multiple experts, and a user selects one of the expert prescription systems. In another embodiment, the central server hosts a custom prescription system defined by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Julio C. Spinelli, Qingsheng Zhu
  • METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SIMULATED EXERCISE
    Publication number: 20080114408
    Abstract: A device and method for delivering pacing therapy to the heart in order to improve cardiac function in heart failure and post-MI patients. The pacing therapy is delivered in a manner that mimics the effects of exercise and improves symptoms even in patients who are exercise intolerant. The simulated exercise pacing may be delivered on an intermittent basis in accordance with a defined schedule and/or in response to detected conditions or events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: Allan C. Shuros, Joseph M. Pastore, Jeffrey A. Von Arx, Julio C. Spinelli, William J. Linder
  • REDUCTION OF AV DELAY FOR TREATMENT OF CARDIAC DISEASE
    Publication number: 20080114407
    Abstract: An implantable pacing device for delivering ventricular pacing may be configured to intermittently reduce the AVD interval for beneficial effect in patients with compromised ventricular function (e.g., HF patients and post-MI patients). The AVD interval may be reduced in an AVD reduction mode, by shortening the AVD in an atrial triggered ventricular pacing mode or by switching to a non-atrial triggered ventricular pacing mode (e.g., VVI) and delivering paces at a rate above the intrinsic rate. The physiological effects of AVD reduction may be either positive or negative on cardiac output, depending upon the individual patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Pastore, Rodney W. Salo, Julio C. Spinelli, Allan C. Shuros, Andres Belalcazar
  • Controlled delivery of intermittent stress augmentation pacing for cardioprotective effect
    Patent number: 7366568
    Abstract: A device and method for delivering electrical stimulation to the heart in a manner which provides a protective effect against subsequent ischemia is disclosed. The protective effect is produced by configuring a cardiac pacing device to intermittently switch from a normal operating mode to a stress augmentation mode in which the spatial pattern of depolarization is varied to thereby subject a particular region or regions of the ventricular myocardium to increased mechanical stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Pastore, Julio C. Spinelli
  • Device for monitoring fluid status
    Patent number: 7356366
    Abstract: A technique for determining a patient's hematocrit by an electrical impedance measurement is described. An implantable device may be configured to utilize the technique in order to assess a cardiac patient's fluid status. In order to determine the hematocrit, the electrical impedance of the blood is measured and mapped by a mapping function to a corresponding hematocrit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Sweeney, Julio C. Spinelli, Rodney W. Salo
  • SYSTEM FOR ABATING NEURAL STIMULATION SIDE EFFECTS
    Publication number: 20080051839
    Abstract: Various system embodiments comprise a neural stimulation delivery system adapted to deliver a neural stimulation signal for use in delivering a neural stimulation therapy, a side effect detector, and a controller. The controller is adapted to control the neural stimulation delivery system, receive a signal indicative of detected side effect, determine whether the detected side effect is attributable to delivered neural stimulation therapy, and automatically titrate the neural stimulation therapy to abate the side effect. In various embodiments, the side effect detector includes a cough detector. In various embodiments, the controller is adapted to independently adjusting at least one stimulation parameter for at least one phase in the biphasic waveform as part of a process to titrate the neural stimulation therapy. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Julio C. Spinelli
  • INTERMITTENT HIGH-ENERGY CARDIAC STIMULATION FOR THERAPEUTIC EFFECT
    Publication number: 20080051842
    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: August 23, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Pastore, Imad Libbus, Andrew P. Kramer, Julio C. Spinelli
  • Method and apparatus for modulating cellular metabolism during post-ischemia or heart failure
    Patent number: 7320675
    Abstract: A drug delivery system detects a cardiac condition indicative of a need for increasing a cardiac metabolic level and, in response, releases a drug into tissue or blood to shift a source of metabolically synthesized energy fueling cardiac contraction from fatty acid to glucose. One example of such a system includes an implantable device detecting an ischemia and a transdermal drug delivery device delivering a drug when an ischemic condition is detected. Another example of such a system includes one or more implantable devices detecting a predefined change in cardiac metabolic level and delivering a drug when the change is detected. Such systems are applied to treat, for example, patients suffering ischemia and/or heart failure and patients having suffered myocardial infarction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Pastore, Julio C. Spinelli, Helen L. Reeve, Jeffrey Ross, Rodney W. Salo, Allan Shuros
  • PHYSICAL CONDITIONING SYSTEM, DEVICE AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20070288070
    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: June 9, 2006
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Inventors: Imad Libbus, Julio C, Spinelli, Joseph M. Pastore, Andrew P. Kramer
  • Method and apparatus for avoidance of phrenic nerve stimulation during cardiac pacing
    Patent number: 7299093
    Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management device in which an accelerometer is used to detect diaphragmatic or other skeletal muscle contraction associated with the output of a pacing pulse. Upon detection of diaphragmatic contraction, the device may be configured to automatically adjust the pacing pulse energy and/or pacing configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Qingsheng Zhu, Julio C. Spinelli
  • Intermittent stress augmentation pacing for cardioprotective effect
    Patent number: 7295874
    Abstract: A device and method for delivering electrical stimulation to the heart in a manner which provides a protective effect against subsequent ischemia is disclosed. The protective effect is produced by configuring a cardiac pacing device to intermittently switch from a normal operating mode to a stress augmentation mode in which the spatial pattern of depolarization is varied to thereby subject a particular region or regions of the ventricular myocardium to increased mechanical stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Frits Prinzen, Richard Cornelussen, Ward Vanagt, Joseph M. Pastore, Julio C. Spinelli
  • Apparatus and method for spatially and temporally distributing cardiac electrical stimulation
    Patent number: 7292887
    Abstract: A cardiac electro-stimulatory device and method for operating same in which stimulation pulses are distributed among a plurality of electrodes fixed at different sites of the myocardium in order to reduce myocardial hypertrophy brought about by repeated pacing at a single site and/or increase myocardial contractility. In order to spatially and temporally distribute the stimulation, the pulses are delivered through a switchable pulse output configuration during a single cardiac cycle, with each configuration comprising one or more electrodes fixed to different sites in the myocardium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney W. Salo, Julio C. Spinelli, Bruce H. KenKnight