Patents by Inventor Kurt R. Linberg

Kurt R. Linberg 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: 7815568
    Abstract: A plurality of co-operative and complementary software programs are implemented in a web-enabled high speed computer system to remotely monitor, manage and modify the operational and functional parameters of a plurality of implanted medical devices (IMDs). The system utilizes virtual electrophysiologist module (VEM), chronic monitoring module (CMM) and prescription program module (PPM) programs to effect specific therapeutic and diagnostic methods for managing the IMDs, remotely on a conditions and real-time basis. The modules enable remote and continuous monitoring, management and maintenance of the IMDs by identifying critical medical events, determining optimal clinical settings and upgrading performance parameters based on prescriptive data. The modules are implemented in a data center having high-speed computers operating in a web-enabled environment. The modules and the IMDs communicate through wireless communications system via a programmer or an interface medical unit (IMD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt R. Linberg, Randy L. Merry, Chester G. Nelson, William J. Plombon
  • Patent number: 7096067
    Abstract: A programmer operating in association with a diverse number of implantable medical devices (IMDs) is in a bi-directional operable data, voice and video communications with a remote web-based expert data center. The programmer is in telemetric wireless communications with the IMDs. The data center is equipped to manage the operational and functional aspects of the programmer remotely thus importing expertise to the patient environment. Specifically the communications scheme is scalable and adaptable to enable high-speed interactions between the programmer and the remote center across various communications media. The remote center is able to remotely assess, monitor, evaluate for failure or conduct other performance checks on the programmer to implement a remote solution to those problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt R. Linberg
  • Patent number: 7076303
    Abstract: A system and method for remote invoicing and inventory control of medical components of an implantable medical device system upon implantation into a patient is described. The system includes at least one medical component implanted in a patient. A programmer is capable of identifying each medical component implanted in the patient. A remote expert data center globally accessible to the programmer is connected to the programmer via an interface. An invoice module positioned on the remote expert data center receives information identifying each medical component implanted in the patient and prepares an invoice including each medical component implanted into the patient. An inventory module updates records regarding inventory of each implanted medical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt R. Linberg
  • Patent number: 6878112
    Abstract: A plurality of co-operative and complementary software programs are implemented in a web-enabled high speed computer system to remotely monitor, manage and modify the operational and functional parameters of a plurality of implanted medical devices (IMDs). The system utilizes virtual electrophysiologist module (VEM), chronic monitoring module (CMM) and prescription program module (PPM) programs to effect specific therapeutic and diagnostic methods for managing the IMDs, remotely on a conditions and real-time basis. The modules enable remote and continuous monitoring, management and maintenance of the IMDs by identifying critical medical events, determining optimal clinical settings and upgrading performance parameters based on prescriptive data. The modules are implemented in a data center having high-speed computers operating in a web-enabled environment. The modules and the IMDs communicate through wireless communications system via a programmer or an interface medical unit (IMD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt R. Linberg, Randy L. Merry, Chester G. Nelson, William J. Plombon
  • Patent number: 6754538
    Abstract: A system and method for providing automated self-identification information of a remote medical component of an implantable medical device system to a centralized computer is disclosed. The system includes a memory component of the remote medical component containing self-identification information. An information network of the centralized expert data center is globally located relative to the programmer. An interface between the programmer and the information network is established for transmitting the self-identification information from the programmer component to the information network. An information identification module located in the information network recognizes the self-identification information of the components of the programmer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt R. Linberg
  • Publication number: 20030055842
    Abstract: A system and method for evaluating and granting educational transfer credits including a web server with an Internet interface, an automated registrar, and a database. The automated registrar is a software component which programmatically evaluates submitted transcript information for rendering an automatic credit transfer decision based on a successful hit ratio between keywords and a programmatically retrieved course description associated with a submitted course.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Applicant: Capella Education Company
    Inventors: Sharon Fields, Kurt R. Linberg
  • Publication number: 20030041866
    Abstract: A plurality of co-operative and complementary software programs are implemented in a web-enabled high speed computer system to remotely monitor, manage and modify the operational and functional parameters of a plurality of implanted medical devices (IMDs). The system utilizes virtual electrophysiologist module (VEM), chronic monitoring module (CMM) and prescription program module (PPM) programs to effect specific therapeutic and diagnostic methods for managing the IMDs, remotely on a conditions and real-time basis. The modules enable remote and continuous monitoring, management and maintenance of the IMDs by identifying critical medical events, determining optimal clinical settings and upgrading performance parameters based on prescriptive data. The modules are implemented in a data center having high-speed computers operating in a web-enabled environment. The modules and the IMDs communicate through wireless communications system via a programmer or an interface medical unit (IMD).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt R. Linberg, Randy L. Merry, Chester G. Nelson, William J. Plombon
  • Patent number: 6497655
    Abstract: A plurality of co-operative and complementary software programs are implemented in a web-enabled high speed computer system to remotely monitor, manage and modify the operational and functional parameters of a plurality of implanted medical devices (IMDs). The system utilizes virtual electrophysiologist module (VEM), chronic monitoring module (CMM) and prescription program module (PPM) programs to effect specific therapeutic and diagnostic methods for managing the IMDs, remotely on a conditions and real-time basis. The modules enable remote and continuous monitoring, management and maintenance of the IMDs by identifying critical medical events, determining optimal clinical settings and upgrading performance parameters based on prescriptive data. The modules are implemented in a data center having high-speed computers operating in a web-enabled environment. The modules and the IMDs communicate through wireless communications system via a programmer or an interface medical unit (IMD).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kurt R. Linberg, Randy L. Merry, Chester G. Nelson, William J. Plombon
  • Patent number: 6480745
    Abstract: A communication system is provided which permits of communication between an deployed implantable medical device (IMD) and a computing resource capable of storing and distributing patient and device data. A deployed IMD may be polled by a network interface external to the host patient, and data may be received by wireless communication. This data may be transmitted to a computer for storage and distribution, and changes to a treatment or instruction regimen, or firmware or software upgrades, may then be transmitted to the network interface for immediate or eventual loading into the IMD via wireless communication. The system is adapted to provide communication service between multiple IMDs deployed in a patient or a number of patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Chester G. Nelson, Charles Stomberg, Jean Ringold, Ronald Alan Stauffer, James David Webb, Michael T. Lee, Kurt R. Linberg
  • Publication number: 20020123778
    Abstract: A system and method for remote invoicing and inventory control of medical components of an implantable medical device system upon implantation into a patient is described. The system includes at least one medical component implanted in a patient. A programmer is capable of identifying each medical component implanted in the patient. A remote expert data center globally accessible to the programmer is connected to the programmer via an interface. An invoice module positioned on the remote expert data center receives information identifying each medical component implanted in the patient and prepares an invoice including each medical component implanted into the patient. An inventory module updates records regarding inventory of each implanted medical component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt R. Linberg
  • Patent number: 6442433
    Abstract: A programmer operating in association with a diverse number of implantable medical devices (IMDs) is in a bi-directional operable data, voice and video communications with a remote web-based expert data center. The programmer is in telemetric wireless communications with the IMDs. The data center is equipped to manage the operational and functional aspects of the programmer remotely thus importing expertise to the patient environment. Specifically the communications scheme is scalable and adaptable to enable high-speed interactions between the programmer and the remote center across various communications media. The remote center is able to remotely assess, monitor, evaluate for failure or conduct other performance checks on the programmer to implement a remote solution to those problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt R. Linberg
  • Publication number: 20020095196
    Abstract: A programmer operating in association with a diverse number of implantable medical devices (IMDs) is in a bi-directional operable data, voice and video communications with a remote web-based expert data center. The programmer is in telemetric wireless communications with the IMDs. The data center is equipped to manage the operational and functional aspects of the programmer remotely thus importing expertise to the patient environment. Specifically the communications scheme is scalable and adaptable to enable high-speed interactions between the programmer and the remote center across various communications media. The remote center is able to remotely assess, monitor, evaluate for failure or conduct other performance checks on the programmer to implement a remote solution to those problems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt R. Linberg
  • Patent number: 6386882
    Abstract: A system and method for remote delivery of software-based simulated training and certification for technicians/operators involved in the management of programmers, programmer-IMD interface and related procedures is disclosed. Preferably a web-based expert data center directs the software-based simulated training and certification which is remotely imported to a programmer. The programmer or equivalent device is coupled to the web-based expert data center via preferably one of many data communication systems. A set of skill-based training activities corresponding to a plurality of software applications on the programmer is accessible from the programmer. The operator issues a training request from the programmer to the expert data center for a specific software application. The expert data center builds a simulated training module based on the operator's request, and returns the training module to the programmer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt R. Linberg
  • Patent number: 6385593
    Abstract: A system and method for remote invoicing and inventory control of medical components of an implantable medical device system upon implantation into a patient is described. The system includes at least one medical component implanted in a patient. A programmer is capable of identifying each medical component implanted in the patient. A remote expert data center globally accessible to the programmer is connected to the programmer via an interface. An invoice module positioned on the remote expert data center receives information identifying each medical component implanted in the patient and prepares an invoice including each medical component implanted into the patient. An inventory module updates records regarding inventory of each implanted medical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt R. Linberg
  • Publication number: 20020040234
    Abstract: A system and method for providing automated self-identification information of a remote medical component of an implantable medical device system to a centralized computer is disclosed. The system includes a memory component of the remote medical component containing self-identification information. An information network of the centralized expert data center is globally located relative to the programmer. An interface between the programmer and the information network is established for transmitting the self-identification information from the programmer component to the information network. An information identification module located in the information network recognizes the self-identification information of the components of the programmer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Kurt R. Linberg
  • Patent number: 6363282
    Abstract: A system and method for providing an automated software update to a programmer or equivalent device used in implantable medical device system is disclosed. The programmer comprises a remote instrument configuration database containing current instrument configuration information. The programmer user interface initiates an interface to a centralized globally accessible remote expert data center located at a distal location relative to the programmer. The remote expert data center includes an instrument configuration database containing configuration data for the programmer. The remote expert data center also includes a released software database containing software applications compatible with the programmer. Further, the remote expert data center contains a rule set database which identifies an approved software application for the programmer. A management component of the remote expert data center enables the transmission of the approved software application to the programmer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Joseph Nichols, Kurt R. Linberg
  • Publication number: 20020032470
    Abstract: A programmer operating in association with a diverse number of implantable medical devices (IMDs) is in a bi-directional operable data, voice and video communications with a remote web-based expert data center. The programmer is in telemetric wireless communications with the IMDs. The data center is equipped to manage the operational and functional aspects of the programmer remotely thus importing expertise to the patient environment. Specifically the communications scheme is scalable and adaptable to enable high-speed interactions between the programmer and the remote center across various communications media. The remote center is able to remotely assess, monitor, evaluate for failure or conduct other performance checks on the programmer to implement a remote solution to those problems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 1999
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: KURT R. LINBERG
  • Publication number: 20010047314
    Abstract: A system and method for remote invoicing and inventory control of medical components of an implantable medical device system upon implantation into a patient is described. The system includes at least one medical component implanted in a patient. A programmer is capable of identifying each medical component implanted in the patient. A remote expert data center globally accessible to the programmer is connected to the programmer via an interface. An invoice module positioned on the remote expert data center receives information identifying each medical component implanted in the patient and prepares an invoice including each medical component implanted into the patient. An inventory module updates records regarding inventory of each implanted medical component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Publication date: November 29, 2001
    Inventor: KURT R. LINBERG
  • Publication number: 20010039504
    Abstract: The present invention provides for a software-based system that may use Internet and World Wide Web technologies to present an individualized and integrated view of information associated with implantable device patients. The invention provides for a data communications portal for a medical professional to assess not only the information supplied by an implantable device, but also integrate data from other data sources, including but not limited to medication records and lab records. The portal may be individualized for each user; each user being enabled to view only the information that they had access privileges to see.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Kurt R. Linberg, James D. Webb, JoAnn Abraham
  • Publication number: 20010037220
    Abstract: A data communication system is provided which permits of communication between a deployed implantable medical device (IMD) and a computing resource capable of storing and distributing patient and device data. A deployed IMD may be polled by a programmer device external to the host patient, and data may be transmitted to the programmer by wireless communication. This data may be transmitted to a central computer for storage and distribution. The data may be distributed to business system computers affiliated or connected to the central computer, for example. The data may also be distributed to third parties for invoicing inventory, and supply consideration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Randy L. Merry, Andrew C. Hodges, Kurt R. Linberg