Patents by Inventor Linnea R. Lentz

Linnea R. Lentz 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: 11865341
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving one or more physiological signals; detecting an apnea event based on the one or more physiological signals; determining that the apnea event cannot be characterized as one of a normal, OSA (obstructive sleep apnea), CSA (central sleep apnea), or combination OSA/CSA event; and outputting an electrical stimulation as a default based on determining that the apnea event cannot be characterized as a normal event, an OSA event, a CSA event, or combination OSA/CSA events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Randal C. Schulhauser, Avram Scheiner, Linnea R. Lentz
  • Patent number: 11819233
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are described for creating pockets in tissue for accepting implantable medical devices. For example, a surgical tool includes a shaft defining a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis, a handle coupled to the proximal end of the shaft, and one or more blades configured to move between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the one or more blades extend, in the deployed configuration, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the distal end of the shaft. The one or more blades may be configured to separate tissue in the deployed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Linnea R. Lentz, Michael A. Schugt
  • Publication number: 20230218899
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving one or more physiological signals; detecting an apnea event based on the one or more physiological signals; determining that the apnea event cannot be characterized as one of a normal, OSA (obstructive sleep apnea), CSA (central sleep apnea), or combination OSA/CSA event; and outputting an electrical stimulation as a default based on determining that the apnea event cannot be characterized as a normal event, an OSA event, a CSA event, or combination OSA/CSA events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Randal C. Schulhauser, Avram Scheiner, Linnea R. Lentz
  • Patent number: 11666751
    Abstract: In an example, the disclosure describes a system with a lead having a proximal end and a distal end and an elongated lead body. The lead has one or more electrodes. A fixation member is located on the elongated lead body and is configured to secure the lead to tissue within a patient. The fixation member is located on the lead so the fixation member is closer to the proximal end than the one or more electrodes of the lead. A trialing adaptor receives the proximal end of the lead and is removable when a trialing period is completed. A sheath encloses at least a portion of the lead and covers the fixation member. The sheath is configured to remain in place over the lead during the trialing period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Schugt, Linnea R. Lentz
  • Patent number: 11642173
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a system for guiding an instrument through a region of a patient are disclosed. The system includes an instrument and a controller that is adapted to receive ultrasound image data from an ultrasound sensor, receive EM tracking data from an EM tracking system, and identify a physiological landmark of the region of the patient based on the ultrasound image data. The controller is further adapted to determine at least one of a position, orientation, or trajectory of the instrument based on the EM tracking data and generate a graphical user interface showing at least one of the position, orientation, or trajectory of the instrument in relation to a plane of the ultrasound image data, and a target zone that is registered with the physiological landmark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Elizabeth A. Schotzko, Linnea R. Lentz, Sarah E. Ahlberg, Syed Omar Ishrak
  • Patent number: 11623089
    Abstract: Apnea events may be detected based on a primary biomarker, e.g., respiration, in the one or more physiological signals. The apnea events may be characterized as one of an obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) event, a central sleep apnea (CSA) event, or a combination OSA/CSA event based on a secondary biomarker, e.g., a frequency spectrum or a morphology of the respirations in the one or more physiological signals. A first electrical stimulation may be provided to treat OSA in response to a first one or more of the apnea events being characterized as OSA events. A second electrical stimulation may be provided to treat CSA in response to a second one or more of apnea events being characterized as CSA events. A third electrical stimulation may be provided to treat combination OSA/CSA in response to a third one or more of the apnea events being characterized as combination OSA/CSA events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Randal C. Schulhauser, Avram Scheiner, Linnea R. Lentz
  • Publication number: 20230001200
    Abstract: Apnea events may be detected based on a primary biomarker, e.g., respiration, in the one or more physiological signals. The apnea events may be characterized as one of an obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) event, a central sleep apnea (CSA) event, or a combination OSA/CSA event based on a secondary biomarker, e.g., a frequency spectrum or a morphology of the respirations in the one or more physiological signals. A first electrical stimulation may be provided to treat OSA in response to a first one or more of the apnea events being characterized as OSA events. A second electrical stimulation may be provided to treat CSA in response to a second one or more of apnea events being characterized as CSA events. A third electrical stimulation may be provided to treat combination OSA/CSA in response to a third one or more of the apnea events being characterized as combination OSA/CSA events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: Randal C. Schulhauser, Avram Scheiner, Linnea R. Lentz
  • Patent number: 11464977
    Abstract: Apnea events may be detected based on a primary biomarker, e.g., respiration, in the one or more physiological signals. The apnea events may be characterized as one of an obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) event, a central sleep apnea (CSA) event, or a combination OSA/CSA event based on a secondary biomarker, e.g., a frequency spectrum or a morphology of the respirations in the one or more physiological signals. A first electrical stimulation may be provided to treat OSA in response to a first one or more of the apnea events being characterized as OSA events. A second electrical stimulation may be provided to treat CSA in response to a second one or more of apnea events being characterized as CSA events. A third electrical stimulation may be provided to treat combination OSA/CSA in response to a third one or more of the apnea events being characterized as combination OSA/CSA events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Randal C. Schulhauser, Avram Scheiner, Linnea R. Lentz
  • Publication number: 20220280217
    Abstract: A method for performing bronchial denervation, the method comprising an electromyography system having a cryoablation device with at least two recording electrodes. The electromyography system being configured to calculate a difference between a first electromyogram signal received from the first recording electrode and a second electromyogram signal received from the second recording electrode to generate a recorded electromyogram and compare the recorded electromyogram to a reference electromyogram.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Zhongping YANG, Linnea R. LENTZ, Rick D. MCVENES, Dan WITTENBERGER
  • Publication number: 20220168007
    Abstract: In some examples, a tool for, e.g., creating a sub-sternal tunnel in a patient or other use, is described. The tool may include a handle and a tunneling shaft coupled to the handle. The tunneling shaft extends from a proximal end to a distal end, and at least a portion of the tunneling shaft extends in a curved orientation between the first end to the distal end. The distal end of the tunneling shaft includes a cutting tool having a sharp edge. The cutting tool is moveable from a recessed position in which the sharp edge of the cutting tool is recessed into the distal end of the tunneling shaft to a deployed position in which the sharp edge of the cutting tool extends beyond the distal end of the tunneling shaft in the deployed position, e.g., to cut pericardium, scar tissue, and/or connective tissue with the sharp edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Garrett P. Ebersole, Kyle R. Marquard, Krishnakumar Somasundaram, Stanislaw Z. Marczyk, Linnea R. Lentz, Olesea Diaz-Chiosa, Christopher Switalski
  • Patent number: 11344356
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for treating pulmonary conditions, such as COPD and asthma, by denervating bronchial tissue using cryoablation. In one embodiment, a device for bronchial denervation comprises: an elongate body having a distal portion and a proximal portion opposite the distal portion; a treatment element at the distal portion of the elongate body; and a first recording electrode located distal to the treatment element and a second recording electrode located proximal to the treatment element, the first and second recording electrodes being configured to record electromyograms. In one embodiment, the device includes a fluid delivery element that is within the treatment element and that has a plurality of orifices aligned with an equatorial portion of the treatment element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventors: Zhongping Yang, Linnea R. Lentz, Rick D. McVenes, Dan Wittenberger
  • Publication number: 20220015800
    Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a medical device comprising an elongate body configured to advance through layers of tissue of a patient, a lumen extending through the elongate body, a fluid line configured to supply fluid to the lumen, and a pressure sensor positioned within the lumen or the fluid line. The system may further include processing circuitry configured to receive, from the pressure sensor, a signal corresponding to the pressure of the fluid at each of a plurality of time points, determine, for each time point: a corresponding amplitude value of the signal, a difference between two amplitude values of the signal, an amplitude oscillation status of the signal, a position of the elongate body based on the difference and the amplitude oscillation status; and provide an indication of the position of the elongate body relative to the layers of tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Inventors: Vladimir P. Nikolski, Linnea R. Lentz, Amy E. Thompson-Nauman, Teresa A. Whitman, Mark T. Marshall
  • Patent number: 11197687
    Abstract: In some examples, a tool for, e.g., creating a sub-sternal tunnel in a patient or other use, is described. The tool may include a handle and a tunneling shaft coupled to the handle. The tunneling shaft extends from a proximal end to a distal end, and at least a portion of the tunneling shaft extends in a curved orientation between the first end to the distal end. The distal end of the tunneling shaft includes a cutting tool having a sharp edge. The cutting tool is moveable from a recessed position in which the sharp edge of the cutting tool is recessed into the distal end of the tunneling shaft to a deployed position in which the sharp edge of the cutting tool extends beyond the distal end of the tunneling shaft in the deployed position, e.g., to cut pericardium, scar tissue, and/or connective tissue with the sharp edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett P. Ebersole, Kyle R. Marquard, Krishnakumar Somasundaram, Stanislaw Z. Marczyk, Linnea R. Lentz, Olesea Diaz-Chiosa, Christopher Switalski
  • Patent number: 11134984
    Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a medical device comprising an elongate body configured to advance through layers of tissue of a patient, a lumen extending through the elongate body, a fluid line configured to supply fluid to the lumen, and a pressure sensor positioned within the lumen or the fluid line. The system may further include processing circuitry configured to receive, from the pressure sensor, a signal corresponding to the pressure of the fluid at each of a plurality of time points, determine, for each time point: a corresponding amplitude value of the signal, a difference between two amplitude values of the signal, an amplitude oscillation status of the signal, a position of the elongate body based on the difference and the amplitude oscillation status; and provide an indication of the position of the elongate body relative to the layers of tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir P. Nikolski, Linnea R. Lentz, Amy E. Thompson-Nauman, Teresa A. Whitman, Mark T. Marshall
  • Publication number: 20210290957
    Abstract: Apnea events may be detected based on a primary biomarker, e.g., respiration, in the one or more physiological signals. The apnea events may be characterized as one of an obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) event, a central sleep apnea (CSA) event, or a combination OSA/CSA event based on a secondary biomarker, e.g., a frequency spectrum or a morphology of the respirations in the one or more physiological signals. A first electrical stimulation may be provided to treat OSA in response to a first one or more of the apnea events being characterized as OSA events. A second electrical stimulation may be provided to treat CSA in response to a second one or more of apnea events being characterized as CSA events. A third electrical stimulation may be provided to treat combination OSA/CSA in response to a third one or more of the apnea events being characterized as combination OSA/CSA events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Randal C. Schulhauser, Avram Scheiner, Linnea R. Lentz
  • Publication number: 20210228226
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are described for creating pockets in tissue for accepting implantable medical devices. For example, a surgical tool includes a shaft defining a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis, a handle coupled to the proximal end of the shaft, and one or more blades configured to move between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the one or more blades extend, in the deployed configuration, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis at the distal end of the shaft. The one or more blades may be configured to separate tissue in the deployed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Linnea R. Lentz, Michael A. Schugt
  • Publication number: 20210228865
    Abstract: In an example, the disclosure describes a system with a lead having a proximal end and a distal end and an elongated lead body. The lead has one or more electrodes. A fixation member is located on the elongated lead body and is configured to secure the lead to tissue within a patient. The fixation member is located on the lead so the fixation member is closer to the proximal end than the one or more electrodes of the lead. A trialing adaptor receives the proximal end of the lead and is removable when a trialing period is completed. A sheath encloses at least a portion of the lead and covers the fixation member. The sheath is configured to remain in place over the lead during the trialing period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Michael A. Schugt, Linnea R. Lentz
  • Publication number: 20200305974
    Abstract: A microwave ablation device including a catheter having an inner tube defining an inflow lumen therethrough and an outflow lumen between the inner tube and an inner surface of the catheter, a balloon in fluid communication with the inflow and outflow lumens, a microwave ablation antenna insertable into one of the inflow or outflow lumens, and a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of at least one of a fluid circulating in the catheter or an airway wall against which a portion of the catheter is positioned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: JOSEPH D. BRANNAN, LINNEA R. LENTZ, CASEY M. LADTKOW, ZHONGPING YANG
  • Publication number: 20200038048
    Abstract: In some examples, a tool for, e.g., creating a sub-sternal tunnel in a patient or other use, is described. The tool may include a handle and a tunneling shaft coupled to the handle. The tunneling shaft extends from a proximal end to a distal end, and at least a portion of the tunneling shaft extends in a curved orientation between the first end to the distal end. The distal end of the tunneling shaft includes a cutting tool having a sharp edge. The cutting tool is moveable from a recessed position in which the sharp edge of the cutting tool is recessed into the distal end of the tunneling shaft to a deployed position in which the sharp edge of the cutting tool extends beyond the distal end of the tunneling shaft in the deployed position, e.g., to cut pericardium, scar tissue, and/or connective tissue with the sharp edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Garrett P. Ebersole, Kyle R. Marquard, Krishnakumar Somasundaram, Stanislaw Z. Marczyk, Linnea R. Lentz, Olesea Diaz-Chiosa, Christopher Switalski
  • Publication number: 20200038060
    Abstract: In some examples, a system includes a medical device comprising an elongate body configured to advance through layers of tissue of a patient, a lumen extending through the elongate body, a fluid line configured to supply fluid to the lumen, and a pressure sensor positioned within the lumen or the fluid line. The system may further include processing circuitry configured to receive, from the pressure sensor, a signal corresponding to the pressure of the fluid at each of a plurality of time points, determine, for each time point: a corresponding amplitude value of the signal, a difference between two amplitude values of the signal, an amplitude oscillation status of the signal, a position of the elongate body based on the difference and the amplitude oscillation status; and provide an indication of the position of the elongate body relative to the layers of tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Vladimir P. Nikolski, Linnea R. Lentz, Amy E. Thompson-Nauman, Teresa A. Whitman, Mark T. Marshall