Patents by Inventor Katherine S. Tweden
Katherine S. Tweden 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).
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Publication number: 20210046313Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired glucose regulation in a subject comprising in one embodiment, applying a neural conduction block to a target nerve at a blocking site with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve pulses. In another embodiment, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to treat impaired glucose regulation. In other embodiments, up-regulation or down-regulation of various nerves, such as the vagus and its branches, and the splanchnic is used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, thereby controlling glucose levels. In yet further embodiments, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, to treat impaired glucose regulation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Inventors: Arnold W. Thornton, Dennis Dong-won Kim, Mark B. Knudson, Katherine S. Tweden, Richard R. Wilson
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Patent number: 10722714Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired glucose regulation in a subject comprising in one embodiment, applying a neural conduction block to a target nerve at a blocking site with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve pulses. In another embodiment, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to treat impaired glucose regulation. In other embodiments, up-regulation or down-regulation of various nerves, such as the vagus and its branches, and the splanchnic is used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, thereby controlling glucose levels. In yet further embodiments, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, to treat impaired glucose regulation.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2018Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: ReShape Lifesciences, Inc.Inventors: Arnold W. Thornton, Dennis Dong-won Kim, Mark B. Knudson, Katherine S. Tweden, Richard R. Wilson
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Publication number: 20190022393Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired glucose regulation in a subject comprising in one embodiment, applying a neural conduction block to a target nerve at a blocking site with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve pulses. In another embodiment, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to treat impaired glucose regulation. In other embodiments, up-regulation or down-regulation of various nerves, such as the vagus and its branches, and the splanchnic is used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, thereby controlling glucose levels. In yet further embodiments, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, to treat impaired glucose regulation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: Arnold W. Thornton, Dennis Dong-won Kim, Mark B. Knudson, Katherine S. Tweden, Richard R. Wilson
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Patent number: 9974955Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired glucose regulation in a subject comprising in one embodiment, applying a neural conduction block to a target nerve at a blocking site with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve pulses. In another embodiment, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to treat impaired glucose regulation. In other embodiments, up-regulation or down-regulation of various nerves, such as the vagus and its branches, and the splanchnic is used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, thereby controlling glucose levels. In yet further embodiments, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, to treat impaired glucose regulation.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2016Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: ReShape Lifesciences Inc.Inventors: Arnold W. Thornton, Dennis Dong-won Kim, Mark B. Knudson, Katherine S. Tweden, Richard R. Wilson
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Patent number: 9968778Abstract: A system for designing a therapy or for treating a gastrointestinal disorder or a condition associated with excess weight in a subject comprising at least one electrode configured to be implanted within a body of the patient and placed at a vagus nerve, the electrode also configured to apply therapy to the vagus nerve upon application of a therapy cycle to the electrode; an implantable neuroregulator for placement in the body of the patient beneath the skin layer, the implantable neuroregulator being configured to generate a therapy cycle, wherein the therapy cycle comprises an on time during which an electrical signal is delivered, the electrical signal comprising: a) a set of pulses applied at a first selected frequency of about 150-10,000 Hz, wherein each pulse of the set of pulses has a pulse width of at least 0.01 milliseconds and less than the period of the first selected frequency.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2016Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: ReShape Lifesciences Inc.Inventors: Katherine S. Tweden, Jonathan J. Waataja, Adrianus P. Donders, Mark B. Knudson
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Publication number: 20170304615Abstract: At least one of a plurality of gastrointestinal disorders is treated by stimulating an enteric nervous system of a patient to enhance a functional tone of the enteric nervous system. A treatment includes electrically stimulating a vagus nerve of the patient at a stimulation site proximal to at least one site of vagal innervation of a gastrointestinal organ. The electrical stimulation includes applying a stimulation signal at the stimulation site. An optional proximal electrical blocking signal is applied to the vagus nerve at a proximal blocking site proximal to the stimulation site. The proximal blocking signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses at the proximal blocking site.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 9682233Abstract: At least one of a plurality of gastrointestinal disorders is treated by stimulating an enteric nervous system of a patient to enhance a functional tone of the enteric nervous system. A treatment includes electrically stimulating a vagus nerve of the patient at a stimulation site proximal to at least one site of vagal innervation of a gastrointestinal organ. The electrical stimulation includes applying a stimulation signal at the stimulation site. An optional proximal electrical blocking signal is applied to the vagus nerve at a proximal blocking site proximal to the stimulation site. The proximal blocking signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses at the proximal blocking site.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 9616231Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired blood pressure and/or heart rate in a subject comprising applying an electrical treatment signal, wherein the electrical treatment signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses, or in some embodiments, to augment nerve impulses.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Enteromedics Inc.Inventors: Katherine S. Tweden, Richard R. Wilson, Mark B. Knudson, Dennis Dong-Won Kim, Deepak Bhole
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Patent number: 9586046Abstract: At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient is treated by a method that includes positioning an electrode on a vagus nerve. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. In some embodiments, the disorder is obesity. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal. In some embodiments, the signal is selected to, at least in part, downregulate neural activity on the vagus nerve.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Enteromedics, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Publication number: 20170021174Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired glucose regulation in a subject comprising in one embodiment, applying a neural conduction block to a target nerve at a blocking site with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve pulses. In another embodiment, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to treat impaired glucose regulation. In other embodiments, up-regulation or down-regulation of various nerves, such as the vagus and its branches, and the splanchnic is used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, thereby controlling glucose levels. In yet further embodiments, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, to treat impaired glucose regulation.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2016Publication date: January 26, 2017Inventors: Arnold W. Thornton, Dennis Dong-won Kim, Mark B. Knudson, Katherine S. Tweden, Richard R. Wilson
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Publication number: 20160317808Abstract: A system for designing a therapy or for treating a gastrointestinal disorder or a condition associated with excess weight in a subject comprising at least one electrode configured to be implanted within a body of the patient and placed at a vagus nerve, the electrode also configured to apply therapy to the vagus nerve upon application of a therapy cycle to the electrode; an implantable neuroregulator for placement in the body of the patient beneath the skin layer, the implantable neuroregulator being configured to generate a therapy cycle, wherein the therapy cycle comprises an on time during which an electrical signal is delivered, the electrical signal comprising: a) a set of pulses applied at a first selected frequency of about 150-10,000 Hz, wherein each pulse of the set of pulses has a pulse width of at least 0.01 milliseconds and less than the period of the first selected frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2016Publication date: November 3, 2016Inventors: Katherine S. Tweden, Jonathan J. Waataja, Adrianus P. Donders, Mark B. Knudson
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Publication number: 20160193465Abstract: At least one of a plurality of gastrointestinal disorders is treated by stimulating an enteric nervous system of a patient to enhance a functional tone of the enteric nervous system. A treatment includes electrically stimulating a vagus nerve of the patient at a stimulation site proximal to at least one site of vagal innervation of a gastrointestinal organ. The electrical stimulation includes applying a stimulation signal at the stimulation site. An optional proximal electrical blocking signal is applied to the vagus nerve at a proximal blocking site proximal to the stimulation site. The proximal blocking signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses at the proximal blocking site.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2015Publication date: July 7, 2016Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 9358395Abstract: A system for designing a therapy or for treating a gastrointestinal disorder or a condition associated with excess weight in a subject comprising at least one electrode configured to be implanted within a body of the patient and placed at a vagus nerve, the electrode also configured to apply therapy to the vagus nerve upon application of a therapy cycle to the electrode; an implantable neuroregulator for placement in the body of the patient beneath the skin layer, the implantable neuroregulator being configured to generate a therapy cycle, wherein the therapy cycle comprises an on time during which an electrical signal is delivered, the electrical signal comprising: a) a set of pulses applied at a first selected frequency of about 150-10,000 Hz, wherein each pulse of the set of pulses has a pulse width of at least 0.01 milliseconds and less than the period of the first selected frequency.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Katherine S. Tweden, Jonathan J. Waataja, Adrianus P. Donders, Mark B. Knudson
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Patent number: 9333340Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired glucose regulation in a subject comprising in one embodiment, applying a neural conduction block to a target nerve at a blocking site with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve pulses. In another embodiment, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to treat impaired glucose regulation. In other embodiments, up-regulation or down-regulation of various nerves, such as the vagus and its branches, and the splanchnic is used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, thereby controlling glucose levels. In yet further embodiments, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, to treat impaired glucose regulation.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2012Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Arnold W. Thornton, Dennis Dong-won Kim, Mark B. Knudson, Katherine S. Tweden, Richard R. Wilson
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Publication number: 20160121120Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired blood pressure and/or heart rate in a subject comprising applying an electrical treatment signal, wherein the electrical treatment signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses, or in some embodiments, to augment nerve impulses.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2015Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: Katherine S. Tweden, Richard R. Wilson, Mark B. Knudson, Dennis Dong-Won Kim, Deepak Bhole
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Patent number: 9174040Abstract: At least one of a plurality of gastrointestinal disorders is treated by stimulating an enteric nervous system of a patient to enhance a functional tone of the enteric nervous system. A treatment includes electrically stimulating a vagus nerve of the patient at a stimulation site proximal to at least one site of vagal innervation of a gastrointestinal organ. The electrical stimulation includes applying a stimulation signal at the stimulation site. An optional proximal electrical blocking signal is applied to the vagus nerve at a proximal blocking site proximal to the stimulation site. The proximal blocking signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses at the proximal blocking site.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 9162062Abstract: A method for treating at least one of a plurality of disorders characterized at least in part by vagal activity includes positioning an electrode around a body organ innervated by the vagus. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity. The electrical signal is applied at a frequency selected for the signal to create a neural conduction block to the vagus with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve impulses on the vagus. The application of the electrical signal is discontinued. The application of the signal and the discontinuing of the signal are repeated with durations of the discontinuing and the application selected to treat the disorder.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2013Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 9095711Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired blood pressure and/or heart rate in a subject comprising applying an electrical treatment signal, wherein the electrical treatment signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses, or in some embodiments, to augment nerve impulses.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2014Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Katherine S. Tweden, Richard R. Wilson, Mark B. Knudson, Dennis Dong-Won Kim, Deepak Bhole
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Publication number: 20150012065Abstract: At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient is treated by a method that includes positioning an electrode on a vagus nerve. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. In some embodiments, the disorder is obesity. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal. In some embodiments, the signal is selected to, at least in part, downregulate neural activity on the vagus nerve.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2014Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Publication number: 20140350632Abstract: A system for designing a therapy or for treating a gastrointestinal disorder or a condition associated with excess weight in a subject comprising at least one electrode configured to be implanted within a body of the patient and placed at a vagus nerve, the electrode also configured to apply therapy to the vagus nerve upon application of a therapy cycle to the electrode; an implantable neuroregulator for placement in the body of the patient beneath the skin layer, the implantable neuroregulator being configured to generate a therapy cycle, wherein the therapy cycle comprises an on time during which an electrical signal is delivered, the electrical signal comprising: a) a set of pulses applied at a first selected frequency of about 150-10,000 Hz, wherein each pulse of the set of pulses has a pulse width of at least 0.01 milliseconds and less than the period of the first selected frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Katherine S. Tweden, Jonathan J. Waataja, Adrianus P. Donders, Mark B. Knudson