Patents by Inventor Keith A. Miesel

Keith A. Miesel 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).

  • Patent number: 11426514
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a pressure sensor of an implantable medical device. The pressure sensor may utilize detect fluid pressure based on a changing capacitance between two capacitive elements. The pressure sensor may define at least a portion of a fluid enclosure of the IMD. In one example, the pressure sensor has a self-aligning housing shape that occludes an opening in the pump bulkhead of the IMD. An operative surface of the pressure and the portion of the fluid enclosure may be formed of a corrosion resistant and/or biocompatible material. A first capacitive element of the pressure sensor may be a metal alloy diaphragm that deflects in response to external fluid pressure. A second capacitive element of the pressure sensor may be a metal coating on a rigid insulator sealed from the fluid by the diaphragm and a housing of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Miesel, James M. Haase, Chris J. Paidosh, Darren A. Janzig, Timothy J. Denison
  • Patent number: 11096591
    Abstract: A device determines values for one or more metrics that indicate the quality of a patient's sleep based on sensed physiological parameter values. Sleep efficiency, sleep latency, and time spent in deeper sleep states are example sleep quality metrics for which values may be determined. The sleep quality metric values may be used, for example, to evaluate the effectiveness of a therapy delivered to the patient by a medical device. In some embodiments, determined sleep quality metric values are automatically associated with the therapy parameter sets according to which the medical device delivered the therapy when the physiological parameter values were sensed, and used to evaluate the effectiveness of the various therapy parameter sets. The medical device may deliver the therapy to treat a non-respiratory neurological disorder, such as epilepsy, a movement disorder, or a psychological disorder. The therapy may be, for example, deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Miesel, Kenneth T. Heruth, Jonathan C. Werder, Steve R. LaPorte, Nina M. Graves
  • Publication number: 20200001007
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a pressure sensor of an implantable medical device. The pressure sensor may utilize detect fluid pressure based on a changing capacitance between two capacitive elements. The pressure sensor may define at least a portion of a fluid enclosure of the IMD. In one example, the pressure sensor has a self-aligning housing shape that occludes an opening in the pump bulkhead of the IMD. An operative surface of the pressure and the portion of the fluid enclosure may be formed of a corrosion resistant and/or biocompatible material. A first capacitive element of the pressure sensor may be a metal alloy diaphragm that deflects in response to external fluid pressure. A second capacitive element of the pressure sensor may be a metal coating on a rigid insulator sealed from the fluid by the diaphragm and a housing of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Keith A. Miesel, James M. Haase, Chris J. Paidosh, Darren A. Janzig, Timothy J. Denison
  • Patent number: 10512427
    Abstract: A bladder fullness level of a patient may be determined based on a frequency of mechanical oscillations of the bladder of the patient. The bladder may mechanically oscillate in response to the occurrence of non-micturition contractions of the bladder of the patient, which are contractions not associated with urine release. The frequency at which the bladder oscillates, e.g., following a non-micturition contraction, may have a correlation to the bladder fullness level. In some examples, a medical device may be configured to control the delivery of electrical stimulation therapy to the patient based on the oscillation frequency of the bladder. In addition, or instead to controlling therapy based on the oscillation frequency of the bladder, a notification, such as a patient or patient caretaker notification, may be generated (e.g., automatically by a processor of a device) based on the oscillation frequency of the bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard T. Stone, Keith A. Miesel
  • Patent number: 10471264
    Abstract: Techniques for detecting a value of a sensed patient parameter, and automatically delivering therapy to a patient according to therapy information previously associated with the detected value, are described. In exemplary embodiments, a medical device receives a therapy adjustment from the patient. In response to the adjustment, the medical device associates a sensed value of a patient parameter with therapy information determined based on the adjustment. Whenever the parameter value is subsequently detected, the medical device delivers therapy according to the associated therapy information. In this manner, the medical device may “learn” to automatically adjust therapy in the manner desired by the patient as the sensed parameter of the patient changes. Exemplary patient parameters that may be sensed for performance of the described techniques include posture, activity, heart rate, electromyography (EMG), an electroencephalogram (EEG), an electrocardiogram (ECG), temperature, respiration rate, and pH.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Bourget, Keith A. Miesel
  • Patent number: 10406281
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a pressure sensor of an implantable medical device. The pressure sensor may utilize detect fluid pressure based on a changing capacitance between two capacitive elements. The pressure sensor may define at least a portion of a fluid enclosure of the IMD. In one example, the pressure sensor has a self-aligning housing shape that occludes an opening in the pump bulkhead of the IMD. An operative surface of the pressure and the portion of the fluid enclosure may be formed of a corrosion resistant and/or biocompatible material. A first capacitive element of the pressure sensor may be a metal alloy diaphragm that deflects in response to external fluid pressure. A second capacitive element of the pressure sensor may be a metal coating on a rigid insulator sealed from the fluid by the diaphragm and a housing of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Miesel, James M. Haase, Chris J. Paidosh, Darren A. Janzig, Timothy J. Denison
  • Patent number: 10369353
    Abstract: Intracranial pressure of a patient may be monitored in order to evaluate a seizure disorder. In some examples, trends in the intracranial pressure over time may be monitored, e.g., to detect changes to the patient's condition. In addition, in some examples, a seizure metric may be generated for a detected seizure based on sensed intracranial pressures. The seizure metric may indicate, for example, an average, median, or highest relative intracranial pressure value observed during a seizure, a percent change from a baseline value during the seizure, or the time for the intracranial pressure to return to a baseline state after the occurrence of a seizure. In addition to or instead of intracranial pressure, patient motion or posture may be monitored in order to assess the patient's seizure disorder. For example, a seizure type or severity may be determined based on patient motion sensed during a seizure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon E. Giftakis, Nina M. Graves, Jonathan C. Werder, Eric J. Panken, Timothy J. Denison, Keith A. Miesel, Michele H. Herzog
  • Patent number: 10357620
    Abstract: A method for determining the status of a catheter of an implanted infusion system, where the catheter is intended to deliver a fluid composition to CSF of a patient, includes monitoring catheter pressure, developing a pressure modulation profile based on the monitored pressure, and comparing the developed pressure modulation profile to a predetermined pressure profile. The predetermined pressure profile may be a profile of cerebrospinal fluid or a bolus infusion or withdrawal profile for the catheter. A determination of catheter status, such as properly functioning, occluded or leaky, can be made based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Keith A. Miesel
  • Publication number: 20190217098
    Abstract: A device determines values for one or more metrics that indicate the quality of a patient's sleep based on sensed physiological parameter values. Sleep efficiency, sleep latency, and time spent in deeper sleep states are example sleep quality metrics for which values may be determined. The sleep quality metric values may be used, for example, to evaluate the effectiveness of a therapy delivered to the patient by a medical device. In some embodiments, determined sleep quality metric values are automatically associated with the therapy parameter sets according to which the medical device delivered the therapy when the physiological parameter values were sensed, and used to evaluate the effectiveness of the various therapy parameter sets. The medical device may deliver the therapy to treat a non-respiratory neurological disorder, such as epilepsy, a movement disorder, or a psychological disorder. The therapy may be, for example, deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Keith A. Miesel, Kenneth T. Heruth, Jonathan C. Werder, Steve R. LaPorte, Nina M. Graves
  • Patent number: 10300283
    Abstract: A device determines values for one or more metrics that indicate the quality of a patient's sleep based on sensed physiological parameter values. Sleep efficiency, sleep latency, and time spent in deeper sleep states are example sleep quality metrics for which values may be determined. The sleep quality metric values may be used, for example, to evaluate the effectiveness of a therapy delivered to the patient by a medical device. In some embodiments, determined sleep quality metric values are automatically associated with the therapy parameter sets according to which the medical device delivered the therapy when the physiological parameter values were sensed, and used to evaluate the effectiveness of the various therapy parameter sets. The medical device may deliver the therapy to treat a non-respiratory neurological disorder, such as epilepsy, a movement disorder, or a psychological disorder. The therapy may be, for example, deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Miesel, Kenneth T. Heruth, Jonathan C. Werder, Steve R. LaPorte, Nina M. Graves
  • Patent number: 10251595
    Abstract: A medical device delivers a therapy to a patient. The medical device or another device may periodically determine an activity level or gait parameter of the patient, and associate each determined level or parameter with a current therapy parameter set. A value of at least one activity metric is determined for each of a plurality of therapy parameter sets based on the activity levels or parameters associated with that therapy parameter set. Whether the patient is currently experiencing or anticipated to experience gait freeze caused by their neurological disorder, such as Parkinson's disease, may also be determined. Gait freeze events may be associated with current therapy parameters and used to determine activity metric values. In some examples, the activity metric associated with certain therapy parameters may be presented to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth T. Heruth, Keith A. Miesel, Gregory F. Molnar
  • Patent number: 10071197
    Abstract: Posture-responsive therapy is delivered by the medical system based on posture state input from only one of multiple posture sensors at any given time. An example implantable medical system includes a first posture sensor and a second sensor. A processor controls therapy delivery to the patient based on at least one of a patient posture state or a patient activity level determined based on input from only one of the first or second posture sensors. In some examples, one of multiple posture sensors of an implantable posture-responsive medical system is used to automatically reorient another posture sensor (of the system), which has become disoriented. The disoriented posture sensor may be automatically reoriented for one or more posture states at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Skelton, Jon P. Davis, Keith A. Miesel, Timothy J. Denison
  • Patent number: 9919159
    Abstract: A programming session for an implantable medical device that includes a posture responsive therapy mode includes at least two phases. In a first phase, a first set of therapy parameter values are modified while the posture responsive therapy mode is deactivated. In the posture responsive therapy mode, the medical device automatically selects one or more therapy parameter values that define therapy delivered to a patient based on a detected posture state. In a second phase, the posture responsive therapy mode is activated and a second set of therapy parameter values are adjusted after observing a patient response to the posture responsive therapy delivered with the first set of therapy parameter values selected during the first phase. The second set of therapy parameter values may, for example, define the patient posture states or the modification profiles with which the medical device adjusts therapy upon detecting a posture state transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Skelton, Jon P. Davis, Rajeev M. Sahasrabudhe, Shyam Gokaldas, Joseph J. Nolan, Dennis J. Bourget, Duane L. Bourget, Keith A. Miesel, James Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20170340814
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a pressure sensor of an implantable medical device. The pressure sensor may utilize detect fluid pressure based on a changing capacitance between two capacitive elements. The pressure sensor may define at least a portion of a fluid enclosure of the IMD. In one example, the pressure sensor has a self-aligning housing shape that occludes an opening in the pump bulkhead of the IMD. An operative surface of the pressure and the portion of the fluid enclosure may be formed of a corrosion resistant and/or biocompatible material. A first capacitive element of the pressure sensor may be a metal alloy diaphragm that deflects in response to external fluid pressure. A second capacitive element of the pressure sensor may be a metal coating on a rigid insulator sealed from the fluid by the diaphragm and a housing of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Keith A. Miesel, James M. Haase, Chris J. Paidosh, Darren A. Janzig, Timothy J. Denison
  • Publication number: 20170304534
    Abstract: Posture-responsive therapy is delivered by the medical system based on posture state input from only one of multiple posture sensors at any given time. An example implantable medical system includes a first posture sensor and a second sensor. A processor controls therapy delivery to the patient based on at least one of a patient posture state or a patient activity level determined based on input from only one of the first or second posture sensors. In some examples, one of multiple posture sensors of an implantable posture-responsive medical system is used to automatically reorient another posture sensor (of the system), which has become disoriented. The disoriented posture sensor may be automatically reoriented for one or more posture states at a time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Dennis M. Skelton, Jon P. Davis, Keith A. Miesel, Timothy J. Denison
  • Patent number: 9737657
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a pressure sensor of an implantable medical device. The pressure sensor may utilize detect fluid pressure based on a changing capacitance between two capacitive elements. The pressure sensor may define at least a portion of a fluid enclosure of the IMD. In one example, the pressure sensor has a self-aligning housing shape that occludes an opening in the pump bulkhead of the IMD. An operative surface of the pressure and the portion of the fluid enclosure may be formed of a corrosion resistant and/or biocompatible material. A first capacitive element of the pressure sensor may be a metal alloy diaphragm that deflects in response to external fluid pressure. A second capacitive element of the pressure sensor may be a metal coating on a rigid insulator sealed from the fluid by the diaphragm and a housing of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Miesel, James M. Haase, Chris J. Paidosh, Darren A. Janzig, Timothy J. Denison
  • Patent number: 9737660
    Abstract: A therapeutic fluid delivery device that includes at least one controllable valve is generally described. In one example, an implantable therapeutic fluid delivery system includes a first fluid pathway configured to convey a first therapeutic fluid and a second fluid pathway configured to convey a second therapeutic fluid, the second fluid pathway being separate from the first fluid pathway. The therapeutic fluid delivery system includes a valve connected to the first fluid pathway and the second fluid pathway, and a processor configured to control actuation of the valve to open and close the first fluid pathway and to open and close the second fluid pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Reginald D. Robinson, Mary E. Robischon, Bernard Q. Li, Irfan Z. Ali, Steven R. Christenson, Keith A. Miesel
  • Patent number: 9724511
    Abstract: Techniques for managing urinary or fecal incontinence include delivering a first type of therapy to generate a first physiological response and, upon detecting a trigger event, delivering a second type of therapy to generate a second physiological response. The first type of therapy can be delivered on a substantially regular basis, while the second type of therapy is delivered as needed to provide an additional boost of therapy. The trigger event for activating the delivery of the second type of therapy may include input from a sensor that indicates a bladder condition, patient activity level or patient posture, or patient input. In some examples, the therapy is stimulation therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Xuan K. Wei, Eric H. Bonde, Keith A. Miesel, Mark S. Lent, Gregory F. Molnar
  • Patent number: 9717846
    Abstract: Posture-responsive therapy is delivered by the medical system based on posture state input from only one of multiple posture sensors at any given time. An example implantable medical system includes a first posture sensor and a second sensor. A processor controls therapy delivery to the patient based on at least one of a patient posture state or a patient activity level determined based on input from only one of the first or second posture sensors. In some examples, one of multiple posture sensors of an implantable posture-responsive medical system is used to automatically reorient another posture sensor (of the system), which has become disoriented. The disoriented posture sensor may be automatically reoriented for one or more posture states at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis M. Skelton, Jon P. Davis, Keith A. Miesel, Timothy J. Denison
  • Patent number: 9687603
    Abstract: Unexpected changes in the volume of therapeutic fluid in the reservoir of a fluid delivery device are detected based on changes in the pressure of the reservoir measured over a period of time by a pressure sensor. Additionally, an ambulatory reservoir fluid volume gauge is provided to indicate an actual volume of therapeutic fluid in a fluid delivery device reservoir. The actual volume of therapeutic fluid in the reservoir indicated by the ambulatory reservoir fluid volume gauge is determined based on changes in the pressure in the reservoir measured over a period of time by a pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Cynthia R. Nelson Konen, Irfan Z. Ali, Keith A. Miesel, Scott L. Kalpin