Patents by Inventor Kenneth S. Wu

Kenneth S. Wu 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: 12268865
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for electrically modulating tissue. Systems can include a current generator; at least one implantable working electrode, the at least one implantable working electrode configured to be in electrical communication with the current generator; at least one indifferent electrode; and a controller configured to signal the current generator to: generate a set of currents with a set of initial polarities to be delivered to the working electrodes; and wherein the at least one indifferent electrode absorbs a bias current which is equal in magnitude and opposite in polarity to a summation of the set of currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Presidio Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Michael Ackermann, Michael A. Faltys, James Harris, Kenneth S. Wu
  • Publication number: 20240299747
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for electrically modulating tissue. Systems can include a current generator; at least one implantable working electrode, the at least one implantable working electrode configured to be in electrical communication with the current generator; at least one indifferent electrode; and a controller configured to signal the current generator to: generate a set of currents with a set of initial polarities to be delivered to the working electrodes; and wherein the at least one indifferent electrode absorbs a bias current which is equal in magnitude and opposite in polarity to a summation of the set of currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Douglas Michael Ackermann, Michael A. Faltys, James Harris, Thomas Flores, Kenneth S. Wu
  • Publication number: 20240226572
    Abstract: A neuromodulation device configured to operate in a plurality of waveform generation modes includes a power source, a control unit in communication with the power source, a bipolar current generator in communication with the control unit and an input of a switching unit, and a plurality of electrodes. Each electrode is in communication with a unique output of the switching unit. The switching unit can provide electrical communication between the bipolar current generator and a selected one of the plurality of electrodes in response to a control signal from the control unit. The current generator can deliver alternating current to the at least one working electrode during a first waveform generation mode and direct current to the working electrode during a second waveform generation mode. An indifferent electrode provides a return path for the alternating current, the direct current, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Michael A. Faltys, Aaron Hardinger, James Harris, Thomas Flores, Douglas Michael Ackermann, Kenneth S. Wu
  • Publication number: 20240216694
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for nerve conduction block that can involve the delivery of relatively high amounts of charge safely to tissue. Such systems and methods can include control systems for safely monitoring a direct current electrode system, including delivering direct current via an electrode lead to a target tissue of a patient; measuring the driving voltage across the electrode; comparing the driving voltage across the electrode to predetermined threshold range values; measuring the body impedance; determining a voltage drop across the lead from the body impedance measurement; and adjusting the driving voltage to maintain the voltage drop across the lead within a predetermined voltage range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Wu, Douglas Michael Ackermann, Aaron Hardinger
  • Publication number: 20240181261
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods that can involve a neuromodulation device configured to perform in multiple electrical modulation modes with a single architecture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2023
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Michael A. Faltys, Aaron Hardinger, James Harris, Douglas Michael Ackermann, Kenneth S. Wu
  • Patent number: 11730964
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods that can involve a neuromodulation device configured to perform in multiple electrical modulation modes with a single architecture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Presidio Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Faltys, Aaron Hardinger, James Harris, Douglas Michael Ackermann, Kenneth S. Wu
  • Publication number: 20230008440
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for electrically modulating tissue. Systems can include a current generator; at least one implantable working electrode, the at least one implantable working electrode configured to be in electrical communication with the current generator; at least one indifferent electrode; and a controller configured to signal the current generator to: generate a set of currents with a set of initial polarities to be delivered to the working electrodes; and wherein the at least one indifferent electrode absorbs a bias current which is equal in magnitude and opposite in polarity to a summation of the set of currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Douglas Michael Ackermann, Michael A. Faltys, James Harris, Kenneth S. Wu
  • Publication number: 20220409905
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods that can involve a neuromodulation device configured to perform in multiple electrical modulation modes with a single architecture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Michael A. Faltys, Aaron Hardinger, James Harris, Douglas Michael Ackermann, Kenneth S. Wu
  • Publication number: 20210038101
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to electrophysiology cardiac ablation devices, methods, and systems. In particular, this disclosure relates to devices, methods, and systems that create a reversible non-ablative blockade of cardiac tissue, test the cardiac tissue, and ablate the cardiac tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Wu, Douglas Michael Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20110218518
    Abstract: An apparatus for accessing the epidural space in a mammal has a cutting sheath with a distal end adapted to transition from a closed cutting configuration to an open configuration. A tissue engagement device is in a hollow portion of the sheath. The tissue engagement device has a blunt distal end and an engagement feature. A method of accessing an epidural space includes the step of forming an opening to a position at or near the ligamentum flavum using the cutting sheath. Another step of the method is positioning a tissue engagement device within the hollow portion of the cutting sheath. Another step of the method is transitioning the cutting sheath from the closed cutting configuration to the open configuration. Another step of the method is manipulating the tissue engagement device to controllably advance the tissue engagement device at least partially through the ligamentum flavum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Stephen E. EICHMANN, Zachary J. MALCHANO, James K. WALL, Kenneth S. WU
  • Patent number: 7922738
    Abstract: An apparatus for accessing the epidural space in a mammal has a cutting sheath with a distal end adapted to transition from a closed cutting configuration to an open configuration. A tissue engagement device is in a hollow portion of the sheath. The tissue engagement device has a blunt distal end and an engagement feature. A method of accessing an epidural space includes the step of forming an opening to a position at or near the ligamentum flavum using the cutting sheath. Another step of the method is positioning a tissue engagement device within the hollow portion of the cutting sheath. Another step of the method is transitioning the cutting sheath from the closed cutting configuration to the open configuration. Another step of the method is manipulating the tissue engagement device to controllably advance the tissue engagement device at least partially through the ligamentum flavum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Insite Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen E. Eichmann, Zachary J. Malchano, James K. Wall, Kenneth S. Wu
  • Publication number: 20080132926
    Abstract: An apparatus for accessing the epidural space in a mammal has a cutting sheath with a distal end adapted to transition from a closed cutting configuration to an open configuration. A tissue engagement device is in a hollow portion of the sheath. The tissue engagement device has a blunt distal end and an engagement feature. A method of accessing an epidural space includes the step of forming an opening to a position at or near the ligamentum flavum using the cutting sheath. Another step of the method is positioning a tissue engagement device within the hollow portion of the cutting sheath. Another step of the method is transitioning the cutting sheath from the closed cutting configuration to the open configuration. Another step of the method is manipulating the tissue engagement device to controllably advance the tissue engagement device at least partially through the ligamentum flavum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen E. EICHMANN, Zachary J. Malchano, James K. Wall, Kenneth S. Wu