Patents by Inventor Kara Donovan

Kara Donovan 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).

  • TRANSCUTANEOUS AURICULAR VAGAL NERVE STIMULATION FOR ENHANCED LEARNING
    Publication number: 20260232948
    Abstract: A method of enhanced learning is provided. The method includes stimulating a cutaneous distribution of a subject's vagus nerve within the subject's ear with a nerve stimulating vibrational signal. The method also includes instructing the subject in performing an activity while the subject's vagus nerve is stimulated. The method further includes monitoring one or more statistics of the subject during the activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2024
    Publication date: August 13, 2026
    Inventors: Eric Leuthardt, Kara Donovan, Jenna Gorlewicz, Joshua Adams
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING MOTONEURON EXCITABILITY
    Publication number: 20260115467
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes devices and methods for detecting motoneuron excitability in a subject in need. The method includes stimulating a cutaneous distribution of a patient's vagus nerve within a patient's ear with a nerve stimulating signal; detecting F-wave occurrence with an evoked electromyography paradigm; and adjusting one or more parameters of the nerve stimulating signal to change the F-wave occurrence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2025
    Publication date: April 30, 2026
    Inventors: Eric C. Leuthardt, Peter Brunner, Kara Donovan, Aiko Thompson
  • Systems and methods for detecting motoneuron excitability
    Patent number: 12515046
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes devices and methods for detecting motoneuron excitability in a subject in need. The method includes stimulating a cutaneous distribution of a patient's vagus nerve within a patient's ear with a nerve stimulating signal; detecting F-wave occurrence with an evoked electromyography paradigm; and adjusting one or more parameters of the nerve stimulating signal to change the F-wave occurrence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2026
    Assignees: Washington University, MUSC Foundation for Research Development
    Inventors: Eric C. Leuthardt, Peter Brunner, Kara Donovan, Aiko Thompson
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRANSCUTANEOUS AURICULAR VAGAL NERVE STIMULATION TO ENHANCE MOTOR LEARNING, REHABILITATION, AND BCI APPLICATIONS
    Publication number: 20240261572
    Abstract: A method of enhanced motor learning is provided. The method includes stimulating a cutaneous distribution of a patient's vagus nerve within the patient's ear with a nerve stimulating signal. The method also includes assisting the patient in performing a physical activity while the patient's vagus nerve is stimulated. The method further includes monitoring one or more statistics of the patient during the physical activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Inventors: Eric Leuthardt, Peter Brunner, Kara Donovan
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING MOTONEURON EXCITABILITY
    Publication number: 20230110411
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes devices and methods for detecting motoneuron excitability in a subject in need. The method includes stimulating a cutaneous distribution of a patient’s vagus nerve within a patient’s ear with a nerve stimulating signal; detecting F-wave occurrence with an evoked electromyography paradigm; and adjusting one or more parameters of the nerve stimulating signal to change the F-wave occurrence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Inventors: Eric C. Leuthardt, Peter Brunner, Kara Donovan, Aiko Thompson