Patents by Inventor Lance E. Juffer

Lance E. Juffer 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: 11224751
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating arrhythmias are disclosed. In one embodiment an LCP comprises a housing, a plurality of electrodes for sensing electrical signals emanating from outside of the housing, an energy storage module disposed within the housing, and a control module disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the plurality of electrodes. The control module may be configured to receive electrical signals via two or more of the plurality of electrodes and determine if the received electrical signals are indicative of a command for the LCP to deliver ATP therapy. If the received electrical signals are indicative of a command for the LCP to deliver ATP therapy, the control module may additionally determine whether a triggered ATP therapy mode of the LCP is enabled. If the triggered ATP therapy mode is enabled, the control module may cause the LCP to deliver ATP therapy via the plurality of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Huelskamp, Jacob M. Ludwig, Lance E. Juffer, Keith R. Maile
  • Patent number: 10946202
    Abstract: Methods and devices for testing and configuring implantable medical device systems. A first medical device and a second medical device communicate with one another using test signals configured to provide data related to the quality of the communication signal to facilitate optimization of the communication approach. Some methods may be performed during surgery to implant one of the medical devices to ensure adequate communication availability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC.
    Inventors: Keith R. Maile, Brendan E. Koop, Brian L. Schmidt, Michael J. Kane, Jacob M. Ludwig, Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Lance E. Juffer
  • Publication number: 20190160285
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating arrhythmias are disclosed. In one embodiment an LCP comprises a housing, a plurality of electrodes for sensing electrical signals emanating from outside of the housing, an energy storage module disposed within the housing, and a control module disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the plurality of electrodes. The control module may be configured to receive electrical signals via two or more of the plurality of electrodes and determine if the received electrical signals are indicative of a command for the LCP to deliver ATP therapy. If the received electrical signals are indicative of a command for the LCP to deliver ATP therapy, the control module may additionally determine whether a triggered ATP therapy mode of the LCP is enabled. If the triggered ATP therapy mode is enabled, the control module may cause the LCP to deliver ATP therapy via the plurality of electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Huelskamp, Jacob M. Ludwig, Lance E. Juffer, Keith R. Maile
  • Publication number: 20190143130
    Abstract: Methods and devices for testing and configuring implantable medical device systems. A first medical device and a second medical device communicate with one another using test signals configured to provide data related to the quality of the communication signal to facilitate optimization of the communication approach. Some methods may be performed during surgery to implant one of the medical devices to ensure adequate communication availability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC.
    Inventors: Keith R. Maile, Brendan E. Koop, Brian L. Schmidt, Michael J. Kane, Jacob M. Ludwig, Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Lance E. Juffer
  • Patent number: 10220213
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating arrhythmias are disclosed. In one embodiment an LCP comprises a housing, a plurality of electrodes for sensing electrical signals emanating from outside of the housing, an energy storage module disposed within the housing, and a control module disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the plurality of electrodes. The control module may be configured to receive electrical signals via two or more of the plurality of electrodes and determine if the received electrical signals are indicative of a command for the LCP to deliver ATP therapy. If the received electrical signals are indicative of a command for the LCP to deliver ATP therapy, the control module may additionally determine whether a triggered ATP therapy mode of the LCP is enabled. If the triggered ATP therapy mode is enabled, the control module may cause the LCP to deliver ATP therapy via the plurality of electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Huelskamp, Jacob M. Ludwig, Lance E. Juffer, Keith R. Maile
  • Patent number: 10213610
    Abstract: Methods and devices for testing and configuring implantable medical device systems. A first medical device and a second medical device communicate with one another using test signals configured to provide data related to the quality of the communication signal to facilitate optimization of the communication approach. Some methods may be performed during surgery to implant one of the medical devices to ensure adequate communication availability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC.
    Inventors: Keith R. Maile, Brendan E. Koop, Brian L. Schmidt, Michael J. Kane, Jacob M. Ludwig, Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Lance E. Juffer
  • Patent number: 9808631
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating between medical devices. In one example, an implantable medical device comprising may comprise one or more electrodes and a controller coupled to the electrodes. The controller may be configured to receive a first communication pulse at a first communication pulse time and a second communication pulse at a second communication pulse time via the one or more electrodes. The controller may further be configured to identify one of three or more symbols based at least in part on the time difference between the first communication pulse time and the second communication pulse time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith R. Maile, Michael J. Kane, Paul Huelskamp, Lance E. Juffer, Jeffrey E. Stahmann
  • Patent number: 9757570
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating between medical devices. In on example, a medical device comprises a communication module for communicating with an implantable leadless cardiac pacemaker through body tissue and a controller operatively coupled to the communications module. The controller may be configured to: identify intrinsic heartbeats; provide a blanking period after each occurrence of an intrinsic heartbeat; and communicate with the implantable leadless cardiac pacemaker via the communication module only during times between the blanking periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith R. Maile, Michael J. Kane, Paul Huelskamp, Lance E. Juffer, Jeffrey E. Stahmann
  • Patent number: 9694189
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating between medical devices. In one example, a method for communicating between a plurality of medical devices in a medical device system comprises, with a first medical device, communicating a first message to a second medical device. The method further comprises, with the second medical device, receiving the first message, wherein the first message comprises a plurality of communication pulses. A first set of the plurality of communication pulses represent a synchronization portion of the first message. A second set of the plurality of communication pulses represent a relative device address portion of the first message. A third set of the plurality of communication pulses represent a command portion of the first message. A fourth set of the plurality of communication pulses represent a payload portion of the first message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith R. Maile, Michael J. Kane, Paul Huelskamp, Lance E. Juffer, Jeffrey E. Stahmann
  • Publication number: 20160271406
    Abstract: Methods and devices for testing and configuring implantable medical device systems. A first medical device and a second medical device communicate with one another using test signals configured to provide data related to the quality of the communication signal to facilitate optimization of the communication approach. Some methods may be performed during surgery to implant one of the medical devices to ensure adequate communication availability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Applicant: CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC.
    Inventors: Keith R. Maile, Brendan E. Koop, Brian L. Schmidt, Michael J. Kane, Jacob M. Ludwig, Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Lance E. Juffer
  • Publication number: 20160228701
    Abstract: Systems and methods for treating arrhythmias are disclosed. In one embodiment an LCP comprises a housing, a plurality of electrodes for sensing electrical signals emanating from outside of the housing, an energy storage module disposed within the housing, and a control module disposed within the housing and operatively coupled to the plurality of electrodes. The control module may be configured to receive electrical signals via two or more of the plurality of electrodes and determine if the received electrical signals are indicative of a command for the LCP to deliver ATP therapy. If the received electrical signals are indicative of a command for the LCP to deliver ATP therapy, the control module may additionally determine whether a triggered ATP therapy mode of the LCP is enabled. If the triggered ATP therapy mode is enabled, the control module may cause the LCP to deliver ATP therapy via the plurality of electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: CARDIAC PACEMAKERS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Huelskamp, Jacob M. Ludwig, Lance E. Juffer, Keith R. Maile
  • Publication number: 20160038746
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating between medical devices. In one example, an implantable medical device comprising may comprise one or more electrodes and a controller coupled to the electrodes. The controller may be configured to receive a first communication pulse at a first communication pulse time and a second communication pulse at a second communication pulse time via the one or more electrodes. The controller may further be configured to identify one of three or more symbols based at least in part on the time difference between the first communication pulse time and the second communication pulse time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Keith R. Maile, Michael J. Kane, Paul Huelskamp, Lance E. Juffer, Jeffrey E. Stahmann
  • Publication number: 20160038748
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating between medical devices. In one example, a method for communicating between a plurality of medical devices in a medical device system comprises, with a first medical device, communicating a first message to a second medical device. The method further comprises, with the second medical device, receiving the first message, wherein the first message comprises a plurality of communication pulses. A first set of the plurality of communication pulses represent a synchronization portion of the first message. A second set of the plurality of communication pulses represent a relative device address portion of the first message. A third set of the plurality of communication pulses represent a command portion of the first message. A fourth set of the plurality of communication pulses represent a payload portion of the first message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Keith R. Maile, Michael J. Kane, Paul Huelskamp, Lance E. Juffer, Jeffrey E. Stahmann
  • Publication number: 20160038747
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating between medical devices. In on example, a medical device comprises a communication module for communicating with an implantable leadless cardiac pacemaker through body tissue and a controller operatively coupled to the communications module. The controller may be configured to: identify intrinsic heartbeats; provide a blanking period after each occurrence of an intrinsic heartbeat; and communicate with the implantable leadless cardiac pacemaker via the communication module only during times between the blanking periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Keith R. Maile, Michael J. Kane, Paul Huelskamp, Lance E. Juffer, Jeffrey E. Stahmann
  • Publication number: 20160038749
    Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating between medical devices. In one example, an implantable medical device comprises a communication module configured to receive commands from other medical devices, wherein the commands include a relative address and a command payload; a memory unit that stores a relative address and a unique identifier of the implantable medical device; a processing module coupled to the communication module and the memory unit, the processing module configured to: determine whether the relative address of a received command matches the relative address stored in the memory unit of the implantable medical device; if the relative address of the received command matches the relative address stored in the memory unit of the implantable medical device, execute the received command; and if the relative address of the received command does not match the relative address stored in the memory unit of the implantable medical device, ignore the received command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Keith R. Maile, Michael J. Kane, Paul Huelskamp, Lance E. Juffer, Jeffrey E. Stahmann
  • Patent number: 9214799
    Abstract: An implantable medical device can include an integrated circuit comprising an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit. The ESD protection circuit can include an active circuit, a first passive circuit, and a second passive circuit. For example, at least one of the first or second passive circuits can include an array of capacitors in a series configuration, a parallel configuration, or a combination of series and parallel configurations. The first and second passive circuits can be configured to establish a specified time constant, and, in response to an applied ESD, the first and second passive circuits can provide a control signal to active circuit to switch the active circuit from a substantially non-conductive mode to a substantially conductive mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith R. Maile, Lance E. Juffer, William J. Linder, Ron A. Balczewski, Nicholas J. Stessman, Mark Duane Jansen
  • Patent number: 8929041
    Abstract: An integrated circuit for an implantable medical device can include a substrate, a first capacitor, and an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit. The first capacitor can include an electrically conductive lower polysilicon terminal and an electrically conductive upper polysilicon terminal that can be separated from the lower polysilicon terminal by a first capacitor dielectric material. The ESD protection circuit can include an ESD shunt transistor and a second capacitor. The ESD shunt transistor can be configured to be normally off, but can be configured to turn on and conduct between first and second power supply rails in response to an ESD event exceeding a specified ESD event threshold value. The second capacitor can includes a first substrate terminal and an electrically conductive second polysilicon terminal that can be separated from the first substrate terminal by a second capacitor dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith R. Maile, William J. Linder, Lance E. Juffer, Nicholas J. Stessman, Ron A. Balczewski
  • Patent number: 8777863
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for powering and/or recharging medical devices implanted within the body are described. An illustrative power generation module disposable within the interior space of an implantable medical device includes a module body that defines an interior cavity as well as a flexible diaphragm that spans the interior cavity. The flexible diaphragm includes a first electrical conductor, a piezoelectric layer disposed adjacent to the first electrical conductor, and a second electrical conductor disposed adjacent to the piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer is configured to displace within the interior cavity and generate a voltage differential between the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Piaget, Bin Mi, Lance E. Juffer, Keith R. Maile, Abhijeet V. Chavan, Cheng Zhang
  • Publication number: 20140022678
    Abstract: An implantable medical device can include an integrated circuit comprising an electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit. The ESD protection circuit can include an active circuit, a first passive circuit, and a second passive circuit. For example, at least one of the first or second passive circuits can include an array of capacitors in a series configuration, a parallel configuration, or a combination of series and parallel configurations. The first and second passive circuits can be configured to establish a specified time constant, and, in response to an applied ESD, the first and second passive circuits can provide a control signal to active circuit to switch the active circuit from a substantially non-conductive mode to a substantially conductive mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventors: Keith R. Maile, Lance E. Juffer, William J. Linder, Ron A. Balczewski, Nicholas J. Stessman, Mark Duane Jansen
  • Patent number: 8506495
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for powering and/or recharging medical devices implanted within the body are described. An illustrative implantable medical device includes a housing having an internal cavity and a flexible anchor assembly that is coupled to the housing. The flexible anchor assembly includes a first electrical conductor, a second electrical conductor, and a piezoelectric layer that is disposed between the first and second electrical conductors and that is configured to displace in response to a physiologic force applied to the flexible anchor assembly and generate a voltage differential between the first and second electrical conductors. The implantable medical device includes power circuitry that converts the voltage differential between the first and second electrical conductors into an operating current for powering one or more components within the implantable medical device and/or for recharging a rechargeable power supply within the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Bin Mi, Lance E. Juffer, Keith R. Maile, Abhijeet V. Chavan, Thomas W. Piaget