Patents by Inventor Kristen Jaax

Kristen Jaax 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: 20090082835
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for charging an implanted medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Kristen Jaax, Rafael Carbunaru, Mun Pook Lui, Todd K. Whitehurst, Andrew DiGiore, Brett Daniel Schleicher, Gregory Baldwin, Michael A. Moffitt, Jeffery Van Funderburk, Jim Makous
  • Publication number: 20070239243
    Abstract: A stimulation system is disclosed that may include a stimulator unit coupled to electrode contacts on a cuff. In one embodiment, the cuff may be placed at least partially around a nerve. The stimulation system may include at least two electrode contacts disposed on the cuff such that a distance between the at least two electrode contacts various along a length of the electrode contacts. In another embodiment, a plurality of electrode contacts are disposed on the cuff such that distances between at least one electrode contact within the plurality of electrode contacts and each electrode contact immediately adjacent to the at least one electrode contact are different. The stimulator unit may also be implantable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Applicant: Advanced Bionics Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Moffitt, Rafael Carbunaru, Kristen Jaax, Todd Whitehurst
  • Publication number: 20070156180
    Abstract: Methods of treating osteoarthritis include applying at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a patient with an implanted system control unit in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. Systems for treating osteoarthritis include a system control unit configured to apply at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Inventors: Kristen Jaax, Rafael Carbunaru, Todd Whitehurst
  • Publication number: 20070100389
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for applying electrical stimulation and/or introducing one or more stimulating drugs to the brain to treat or prevent aphasia, including through use of at least one system control unit (SCU) for controlling electrical pulses delivered via electrodes implanted in the brain and/or for producing drug infusion pulses to targeted areas in the brain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Publication date: May 3, 2007
    Applicant: Advanced Bionics Corporation
    Inventors: Kristen Jaax, Rafael Carbunaru, Todd Whitehurst
  • Publication number: 20070049988
    Abstract: Systems for treating a patient with a medical condition include a lead having an array of electrode contacts each being programmable to have either a first polarity or a second polarity and a programming device configured to test a multiplicity of different electrode contact polarity configurations in which a programmed polarity of one or more of the electrode contacts is varied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Publication date: March 1, 2007
    Inventors: Rafael Carbunaru, Kristen Jaax, Todd Whitehurst, James Makous
  • Publication number: 20070038264
    Abstract: Methods of treating autism include applying at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within the brain of a patient with an implanted stimulator in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. Systems for treating autism include a stimulator configured to apply at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within the brain of a patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Inventors: Kristen Jaax, Todd Whitehurst, Rafael Carbunaru, Allison Foster
  • Publication number: 20060235484
    Abstract: Methods of applying a stimulus to a stimulation site within the neck or head of a patient include implanting a distal portion of one or more leads adjacent to the stimulation site, forming a loop with a proximal portion of the one or more leads, and securing the distal and proximal portions of the one or more leads to one or more securing sites with one or more securing devices. The distal portion of the one or more leads includes a number of electrodes disposed thereon that are configured to deliver the stimulus to the stimulation site. Systems for applying a stimulus to a stimulation site within the neck or head of a patient include one or more leads having a number of electrodes disposed on a distal portion thereof and one or more securing devices configured to secure the one or more leads to one or more securing sites. The distal portion of the one or more leads is implanted adjacent to the stimulation site and the electrodes are configured to deliver the stimulus to the stimulation site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Publication date: October 19, 2006
    Inventors: Kristen Jaax, Todd Whitehurst
  • Publication number: 20060206165
    Abstract: A method of treating headaches includes stimulating a nerve in a patient's head with an electrode implanted over the skull on a posterior or superior portion of the patient's head to alleviate headache pain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Kristen Jaax, Todd Whitehurst, Rafael Carbunaru, James Makous
  • Publication number: 20060195154
    Abstract: Methods of treating a medical condition include applying at least one stimulus to a motor cortex within a brain of a patient with an implanted system control unit in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. Systems for treating a medical condition include a system control unit implanted within the patient that is configured to apply at least one stimulus to a motor cortex within a brain of a patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Inventors: Kristen Jaax, Todd Whitehurst, Rafael Carbunaru
  • Publication number: 20060194724
    Abstract: An exemplary method of regenerating a nerve within a patient includes implanting a system control unit within the patient and applying a stimulus to the nerve with the system control unit in accordance with one or more control parameters. The stimulus is configured to promote regeneration of the nerve. An exemplary system for regenerating a nerve within a patient includes a system control unit configured to apply a stimulus to the nerve in accordance with one or more control parameters. The system control unit is implanted within the patient and the stimulus promotes the regeneration of the nerve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Inventors: Todd Whitehurst, James McGivern, Rafael Carbunaru, Kelly McClure, Kristen Jaax
  • Publication number: 20060178709
    Abstract: Methods of treating a medical condition include applying at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within the brain of a patient with an implanted stimulator in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. The at least one stimulus is configured to promote neural remodeling within the brain of the patient. Systems for treating a medical condition include an implantable stimulator configured to apply at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within the brain of a patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. The at least one stimulus is configured to promote neural remodeling within the brain of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Publication date: August 10, 2006
    Inventors: Allison Foster, Rafael Carbunaru, Kristen Jaax, Todd Whitehurst
  • Publication number: 20060161217
    Abstract: Methods of treating obesity include applying at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a patient with an implanted stimulator in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. Systems for treating obesity include a stimulator configured to apply at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Publication date: July 20, 2006
    Inventors: Kristen Jaax, Todd Whitehurst, Rafael Carbunaru
  • Publication number: 20060064140
    Abstract: Methods of treating a patient with a psychiatric disorder include applying at least one stimulus to a trigeminal nerve within the patient with an implanted system control unit in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. Systems for treating a patient with a psychiatric disorder include a system control unit that is implanted within the patient and that is configured to apply at least one stimulus to a trigeminal nerve within the patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Publication date: March 23, 2006
    Inventors: Todd Whitehurst, Kristen Jaax, Rafael Carbunaru
  • Publication number: 20050267555
    Abstract: Systems for adjusting a position of an implanted medical device within a patient include an engagement tool configured to couple to the implanted medical device. The engagement tool adjusts the position of the medical device when coupled to the implanted medical device. Methods of adjusting a position of an implanted medical device within a patient include locating the implanted medical device, coupling an engagement tool to the medical device, and adjusting a position of the engagement tool to adjust the position of the medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Goran Marnfeldt, Rafael Carbunaru, Kelly McClure, Matthew Haller, Tom He, Todd Whitehurst, Meredith Anderson, James Makous, Kristen Jaax, Peter Johnson
  • Publication number: 20050240229
    Abstract: Systems and methods for stimulating tissue affecting the penis to treat erectile dysfunction may include stimulation using at least one implantable system control unit (SCU).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventors: Tood Whitehurst, James McGivern, Kristen Jaax, James Makous
  • Publication number: 20050228451
    Abstract: Methods of treating chronic pelvic pain include applying at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a patient with an implanted system control unit in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. Systems for treating chronic pelvic pain include a system control unit configured to apply at least one stimulus to a stimulation site within a patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Inventors: Kristen Jaax, Rafael Carbunaru, Todd Whitehurst, Carla Woods
  • Publication number: 20050154419
    Abstract: Methods of treating a medical condition of a patient include applying at least one stimulus to a target nerve within the patient with an implanted system control unit in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. The target nerve may include any nerve originating in an upper cervical spine area of the patient or a branch of any nerve originating in the upper cervical spine area of the patient. Systems for treating a medical condition of a patient include a system control unit that is implanted within the patient and that is configured to apply at least one stimulus to the target nerve within the patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Publication date: July 14, 2005
    Inventors: Todd Whitehurst, Kristen Jaax, Rafael Carbunaru
  • Publication number: 20050143789
    Abstract: Methods of treating chronic pain within a patient include applying at least one stimulus to a peripheral nerve within the patient with an implanted system control unit in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. The stimulus is configured to treat the chronic pain. Systems for treating chronic pain within a patient include a system control unit configured to apply a stimulus to a peripheral nerve within the patient in accordance with one or more stimulation parameters. The system control unit is implanted within the patient and the stimulus is configured to treat the chronic pain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2005
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Todd Whitehurst, Kristen Jaax
  • Publication number: 20050049651
    Abstract: A system and method for introducing one or more stimulating drugs and/or applying electrical stimulation to the brain to treat mood and/or anxiety disorders uses an implantable system control unit (SCU), specifically an implantable signal/pulse generator (IPG) or microstimulator with one or more electrodes in the case of electrical stimulation, and an implantable pump with one or more catheters in the case of drug infusion. In cases requiring both electrical and drug stimulation, one or more SCUs are used. Alternatively and preferably, when needed, an SCU provides both electrical stimulation and one or more stimulating drugs. In a preferred embodiment, the system is capable of open- and closed-loop operation. In closed-loop operation, at least one SCU includes a sensor, and the sensed condition is used to adjust stimulation parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Publication date: March 3, 2005
    Inventors: Todd Whitehurst, Kristen Jaax