Patents by Inventor Kevin L. McFarlin

Kevin L. McFarlin 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).

  • Publication number: 20180160962
    Abstract: A nerve integrity monitoring device includes a control module and a physical layer module. The control module is configured to generate a payload request. The payload request (i) requests a data payload from a sensor in a wireless nerve integrity monitoring network, and (ii) indicates whether a stimulation probe device is to generate a stimulation pulse. The physical layer module is configured to (i) wirelessly transmit the payload request to the sensor and the stimulation probe device, or (ii) transmit the payload request to a console interface module. The physical layer module is also configured to, in response to the payload request, (i) receive the data payload from the sensor, and (ii) receive stimulation pulse information from the stimulation probe device. The data payload includes data corresponding to an evoked response of a patient. The evoked response is generated based on the stimulation pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventors: Richard L. BROWN, John G. Pollock, Kevin L/ McFarlin, Randal C. Schulhauser
  • Patent number: 9955882
    Abstract: A stimulation electrode assembly configured to be positioned relative to a patient for an operative procedure is disclosed. The stimulation electrode may be a connection or self-contained component to contact a portion of a nerve. The stimulation electrode may provide or receive a signal to and/or from the nerve to assist in testing integrity of the nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Cantwell, Bryan L. Courtney, David C. Hacker, Kevin L. McFarlin
  • Publication number: 20180078161
    Abstract: A monitoring system may include a processor and display system for displaying results from the monitoring. A user may be in a sterile field away from the processor and display system and selected input devices. A controller may be physically connected to the monitoring system from the sterile field to allow the user to control the monitoring system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew L. CANTWELL, Wenjeng Li, Kevin L. McFarlin, Anirudhan Narasimhan
  • Patent number: 9918675
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Hacker, Maria Charles Vijay Stanislaus, Wenjeng Li, Dwayne S. Yamasaki, William C. Brunnett, Kevin L. McFarlin, James Britton Hissong, Robert K. Vaccaro, John M. Murphy, Carla A. Pagotto, Tino Schuler
  • Patent number: 9918669
    Abstract: A nerve integrity monitoring device includes a control module and a physical layer module. The control module is configured to generate a payload request. The payload request (i) requests a data payload from a sensor in a wireless nerve integrity monitoring network, and (ii) indicates whether a stimulation probe device is to generate a stimulation pulse. The physical layer module is configured to (i) wirelessly transmit the payload request to the sensor and the stimulation probe device, or (ii) transmit the payload request to a console interface module. The physical layer module is also configured to, in response to the payload request, (i) receive the data payload from the sensor, and (ii) receive stimulation pulse information from the stimulation probe device. The data payload includes data corresponding to an evoked response of a patient. The evoked response is generated based on the stimulation pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.
    Inventors: Richard L. Brown, John G. Pollock, Kevin L. McFarlin, Randal C. Schulhauser
  • Publication number: 20180055393
    Abstract: A stimulation electrode assembly configured to be positioned relative to a patient for an operative procedure is disclosed. The stimulation electrode may be a connection or self-contained component to contact a portion of a nerve. The stimulation electrode may provide or receive a signal to and/or from the nerve to assist in testing integrity of the nerve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Matthew L. CANTWELL, Bryan L. Courtney, David C. Hacker, Kevin L. McFarlin
  • Publication number: 20180042524
    Abstract: A stimulation electrode assembly configured to be positioned relative to a patient for an operative procedure is disclosed. An evoked stimulation response may be sensed by a sensor near a portion of a subject. The evoked response may be sensed by an electrode and determined with a monitoring system. The evoked response may additionally and/or alternatively be sensed with a motion sensor. A position sensor may be provided to measure or determine whether the sensor has moved during a procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Dana Michael Inman, Kevin L. McFarlin, Wenjeng Li
  • Publication number: 20170360371
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.
    Inventors: David C. Hacker, Maria Charles Vijay Stanislaus, Wenjeng Li, Dwayne S. Yamasaki, William C. Brunnett, Kevin L. McFarlin, James Britton Hissong, Robert K. Vaccaro, John M. Murphy, Carla A. Pagotto, Tino Schuler
  • Publication number: 20170347958
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.
    Inventors: David C. Hacker, Maria Charles Vijay Stanislaus, Wenjeng Li, Dwayne S. Yamasaki, William C. Brunnett, Kevin L. McFarlin, James Britton Hissong, Robert K. Vaccaro, John M. Murphy, Carla A. Pagotto, Tino Schuler
  • Publication number: 20160287112
    Abstract: A bipolar stimulation probe including a first electrode, a second electrode, a control module, and switches. The control module is configured to stimulate nerve tissue of a patient by generating (i) a first output signal indicative of a first pulse to be output from the first electrode, and (ii) a second output signal indicative of a second pulse to be output from the second electrode. The first pulse and the second pulse are monophasic. The switches are configured to output from the bipolar stimulation probe (i) the first pulse on the first electrode based on the first output signal, and (ii) the second pulse on the second electrode based on the second output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin L. MCFARLIN, Bryan L. Courtney, David C. Hacker
  • Publication number: 20160287861
    Abstract: A surgical tool including first connecting elements, contacting elements, and conductive elements. The contacting elements are configured to contact nerve tissue of a patient. The conductive elements extend from the connecting elements to the contacting elements. The conductive elements have respective insulative outer layers. The insulative outer layers isolate the conductive elements from each other. The first connecting elements are configured to connect to and receive monophasic stimulation pulses from second connecting elements on a modular stimulation module. The modular stimulation module is configured to connect to the tool and other tools via the second connecting elements. The conductive elements are configured to transfer the monophasic stimulation pulses from the connecting elements to the contacting elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Kevin L. MCFARLIN, Bryan L. COURTNEY, Matthew L. CANTWELL
  • Publication number: 20160038073
    Abstract: A sensor including electrodes, a control module and a physical layer module. The electrodes are configured to (i) attach to a patient, and (ii) receive a first electromyographic signal from the patient. The control module is connected to the electrodes. The control module is configured to (i) detect the first electromyographic signal, and (ii) generate a first voltage signal. The physical layer module is configured to: receive a payload request from a console interface module or a nerve integrity monitoring device; and based on the payload request, (i) upconvert the first voltage signal to a first radio frequency signal, and (ii) wirelessly transmit the first radio frequency signal from the sensor to the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Richard L. BROWN, John G. POLLOCK, Jeff R. JUSTIS, Kevin L. MCFARLIN, Randal C. SCHULHAUSER, Tyler S. STEVENSON
  • Publication number: 20160038074
    Abstract: A stimulation probe device including a first electrode, a stimulation module, a control module and a physical layer module. The stimulation module is configured to (i) wirelessly receive a payload signal from a console interface module or a nerve integrity monitoring device, and (ii) supply a voltage or an amount of current to the first electrode to stimulate a nerve or a muscle in a patient. The control module is configured to generate a parameter signal indicating the voltage or the amount of current supplied to the electrode. The physical layer module is configured to (i) upconvert the parameter signal to a first radio frequency signal, and (ii) wirelessly transmit the first radio frequency signal from the stimulation probe to the console interface module or the nerve integrity monitoring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Richard L. BROWN, John G. Pollock, Kevin L. McFarlin, Randal C. Schulhauser
  • Publication number: 20160038072
    Abstract: A nerve integrity monitoring device includes a control module and a physical layer module. The control module is configured to generate a payload request. The payload request (i) requests a data payload from a sensor in a wireless nerve integrity monitoring network, and (ii) indicates whether a stimulation probe device is to generate a stimulation pulse. The physical layer module is configured to (i) wirelessly transmit the payload request to the sensor and the stimulation probe device, or (ii) transmit the payload request to a console interface module. The physical layer module is also configured to, in response to the payload request, (i) receive the data payload from the sensor, and (ii) receive stimulation pulse information from the stimulation probe device. The data payload includes data corresponding to an evoked response of a patient. The evoked response is generated based on the stimulation pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Richard L. BROWN, John G. Pollock, Kevin L. Mcfarlin, Randal C. Schulhauser
  • Publication number: 20150250423
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive electrodes are formed on the endotracheal tube. The conductive electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least wireless sensor is formed on the endotracheal tube, and is configured to wirelessly transmit information to a processing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: David C. Hacker, Maria Charles Vijay Stanislaus, Wenjeng Li, Dwayne S. Yamasaki, William C. Brunnett, Kevin L. McFarlin, James Britton Hissong, Robert K. Vaccaro, John M. Murphy, Carla A. Pagotto, Tino Schuler
  • Patent number: 9037226
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive ink electrodes are formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube. The conductive ink electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least one conductor is coupled to the conductive ink electrodes and is configured to carry the EMG signals received by the conductive ink electrodes to a processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Hacker, Maria Charles Vijay Stanislaus, Wenjeng Li, Dwayne S. Yamasaki, William C. Brunnett, Kevin L. McFarlin, James Britton Hissong, Robert K. Vaccaro, John M. Murphy, Carla A. Pagotto, Tino Schuler
  • Publication number: 20110190596
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring EMG signals of a patient's laryngeal muscles includes an endotracheal tube having an exterior surface. Conductive ink electrodes are formed on the exterior surface of the endotracheal tube. The conductive ink electrodes are configured to receive the EMG signals from the laryngeal muscles when the endotracheal tube is placed in a trachea of the patient. At least one conductor is coupled to the conductive ink electrodes and is configured to carry the EMG signals received by the conductive ink electrodes to a processing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.
    Inventors: David C. Hacker, Maria Charles Vijay Stanislaus, Wenjeng Li, Dwayne S. Yamasaki, William C. Brunnett, Kevin L. McFarlin, James Britton Hissong, Robert K. Vaccaro, John M. Murphy, Carla A. Pagotto, Tino Schuler
  • Patent number: 7177533
    Abstract: A system and method for powered surgical handpiece capable of powering various micro-cutting instruments is described. The system is comprised of a controller adapted for controlling/interfacing with a powered surgical handpiece based upon user-defined procedural information. A data entry device is used for entering the user-defined procedural information used by the controller for configuring and operating the motor control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. McFarlin, Cecil O. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20020038102
    Abstract: A system and method for powered surgical handpiece capable of powering various micro-cutting instruments is described. The system is comprised of a controller adapted for controlling/interfacing with a powered surgical handpiece based upon user-defined procedural information. A data entry device is used for entering the user-defined procedural information used by the controller for configuring and operating the motor control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: March 28, 2002
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. McFarlin, Cecil O. Lewis