Patents by Inventor Manfred Frank

Manfred Frank 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: 12285601
    Abstract: An injectable wire structure electrode can assimilate with surrounding tissues after injection, inducing in-growth of blood vessels, collagen and other tissue. Assimilation secures the electrode to the tissue without sutures and prevents relative motion which can lead to inflammation and scarring. Associated methods of manufacturing and injection are disclosed, as well as systems including a dermal multiplexer for power delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Neuronoff, Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred Franke, Shaher Ahmad, Stephan Nieuwoudt, Amelia Howe, Aniruddha Upadhye, Emily Szabo, Derrick Liu, Sean Zuckermann, Craig Watson
  • Patent number: 12274882
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system that can prevent unintended signal components (noise) in an electric waveform that can be used for at least one of neural stimulation, block, and/or sensing. The system can include a signal generator to generate a waveform that includes an intended electric waveform and unintended noise. The system can also include a signal transformer device (e.g., a very long wire) comprising a first coil and a second coil. The first coil can be coupled to the signal generator to receive the waveform and remove the unintended noise from the electric waveform. The second coil can pass the electric waveform to an electrode. The second coil can be coupled to a capacitor that can prevent the waveform from developing noise at an electrode/electrolyte interface between an electrode and a nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Manfred Franke
  • Patent number: 12161861
    Abstract: Devices and methods for blocking signal transmission through neural tissue. One step of a method includes placing a therapy delivery device into electrical communication with the neural tissue. The therapy delivery device includes an electrode contact having a high charge capacity material. A multi-phase direct current (DC) can be applied to the neural tissue without damaging the neural tissue. The multi-phase DC includes a cathodic DC phase and anodic DC phase that collectively produce a neural block and reduce the charge delivered by the therapy delivery device. The DC delivery can be combined with high frequency alternating current (HFAC) block to produce a system that provides effective, safe, long term block without inducing an onset response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Niloy Bhadra, Kevin L. Kilgore, Narendra Bhadra, Jesse Wainright, Tina Vrabec, Manfred Franke
  • Publication number: 20240299736
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for the treatment of pain using electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB). Contrary to other methods of pain treatment, the ENCB can establish a direct block of neural activity, thereby eliminating the pain. Additionally, the ENCB can be administered without causing electrochemical damage. An example method can include: placing at least one electrode contact in electrical communication with a region of a subject's spinal cord; applying an electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB) to a nerve in the region through the at least one electrode contact; and blocking neural activity with the ENCB to reduce the pain or other unwanted sensation in the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventors: Niloy Bhadra, Narendra Bhadra, Kevin L. Kilgore, Scott Lempka, Jesse Wainright, Tina Vrabec, Manfred Franke
  • Publication number: 20240252814
    Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating one or more conditions, such as allergic rhinitis, non-allergic rhinitis, nasal congestion, ocular allergy, and/or symptoms associated with these conditions, by providing stimulation to nasal or sinus tissue. In some variations, the handheld devices may have a stimulator body and a stimulator probe having one or more nasal insertion prongs, and the nasal insertion prongs may be configured to deliver an electrical stimulus to the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2023
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: James Donald Loudin, Daniel N. Hamilton, Manfred Franke, Douglas Michael Ackermann
  • Patent number: 11950931
    Abstract: A cured electrode comprising a mixture comprising conductive elements and a carrier which, upon injection into a body, cures from a liquid phase at a first time to a biocompatible solid phase at a second time at or on a target tissue within the body. The cured electrode is capable of being molded around contours of the target tissue so that, after curing, the cured electrode retains the contours of the target tissue. The cured electrode is capable of conducting electricity at a resistance of less than 10 ohm meters in the liquid or the solid phases. Carrier materials include hydgrogel, silicone, bone cement, cyanoacrylate, dental resin and a fibrin mix. The carrier material may also be used to anchor the cured electrode and provide great stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: NEURONOFF, INC.
    Inventors: Manfred Franke, Andrew Shoffstall, John W. Sheets, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20240100330
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an electrically assisted muscle pumping (EAMP) system and a method. The system includes sensors to measure an acceleration of a user. The system includes a processor operatively coupled with the sensors, to register an orientation of the user. Electrodes may be operatively connected to stimulation signal generators to generate electrical stimulation signals. Implanted helical wire structure electrodes are placed inside the user and operatively connected to the electrodes to receive the electrical stimulation signals from the electrodes and transmit the electrical stimulation signals to nerves inside the body of the user. The stimulation signal generators are operatively connected to the processor and adapted to apply electric currents to the electrodes. A recorder is connected to the sensors and the stimulation signal generators to capture the acceleration of the user and the electric currents applied to the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Manfred Franke, Stephan Nieuwoudt
  • Patent number: 11931580
    Abstract: An example of a method embodiment may include receiving a user programmable neural stimulation (NS) dose for an intermittent neural stimulation (INS) therapy, and delivering the INS therapy with the user programmable NS dose to an autonomic neural target of a patient. Delivering the INS therapy may include delivering NS bursts, and delivering the NS bursts may include delivering a number of NS pulses per cardiac cycle during a portion of the cardiac cycles and not delivering NS pulses during a remaining portion of the cardiac cycles. The method may further include sensing cardiac events within the cardiac cycles, and controlling delivery of the user programmable NS dose of INS therapy using the sensed cardiac events to time delivery of the number of NS pulses per cardiac cycle to provide the user programmable NS dose. The user programmable NS dose may determine the number of NS pulses per cardiac cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Ternes, Jason J. Hamann, Stephen B. Ruble, Juan Gabriel Hincapie Ordonez, Manfred Franke
  • Publication number: 20240033514
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure is a system including a waveform generator, a controller, and an electrical contact. The waveform generator is for generating an electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB). The controller is coupled with the waveform generator. The controller is configured to receive an input comprising at least one parameter to adjust the ENCB. The electrical contact is coupled with the waveform generator. The electrical contact is configured to be placed into contact with a nerve. The electrical contact comprises a high charge capacity material that prevents formation of damaging electro-chemical products at a charge delivered by the ENCB. The electrical contact is configured to deliver the ENCB to the nerve to block transmission of a signal related to a pain through the nerve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Niloy Bhadra, Narendra Bhadra, Kevin L. Kilgore, Scott Lempka, Jesse Wainright, Tina Vrabec, Manfred Franke
  • Publication number: 20240033518
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system that can prevent unintended signal components (noise) in an electric waveform that can be used for at least one of neural stimulation, block, and/or sensing. The system can include a signal generator to generate a waveform that includes an intended electric waveform and unintended noise. The system can also include a signal transformer device (e.g., a very long wire) comprising a first coil and a second coil. The first coil can be coupled to the signal generator to receive the waveform and remove the unintended noise from the electric waveform. The second coil can pass the electric waveform to an electrode. The second coil can be coupled to a capacitor that can prevent the waveform from developing noise at an electrode/electrolyte interface between an electrode and a nerve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventor: Manfred Franke
  • Patent number: 11872394
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for the treatment of pain using electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB). Contrary to other methods of pain treatment, the ENCB can establish a direct block of neural activity, thereby eliminating the pain. Additionally, the ENCB can be administered without causing electrochemical damage. An example method can include: placing at least one electrode contact in electrical communication with a region of a subject's spinal cord; applying an electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB) to a nerve in the region through the at least one electrode contact; and blocking neural activity with the ENCB to reduce the pain or other unwanted sensation in the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignees: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERAITY, NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH), U.S. DEPT. OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS), U.S. GOVERNMENT
    Inventors: Niloy Bhadra, Narendra Bhadra, Kevin L Kilgore, Scott Lempka, Jesse Wainright, Tina Vrabec, Manfred Franke
  • Patent number: 11786733
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system that can prevent unintended signal components (noise) in an electric waveform that can be used for at least one of neural stimulation, block, and/or sensing. The system can include a signal generator to generate a waveform that includes an intended electric waveform and unintended noise. The system can also include a signal transformer device (e.g., a very long wire) comprising a first coil and a second coil. The first coil can be coupled to the signal generator to receive the waveform and remove the unintended noise from the electric waveform. The second coil can pass the electric waveform to an electrode. The second coil can be coupled to a capacitor that can prevent the waveform from developing noise at an electrode/electrolyte interface between an electrode and a nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Manfred Franke
  • Patent number: 11779762
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure is a system including a waveform generator, a controller, and an electrical contact. The waveform generator is for generating an electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB). The controller is coupled with the waveform generator. The controller is configured to receive an input comprising at least one parameter to adjust the ENCB. The electrical contact is coupled with the waveform generator. The electrical contact is configured to be placed into contact with a nerve. The electrical contact comprises a high charge capacity material that prevents formation of damaging electro-chemical products at a charge delivered by the ENCB. The electrical contact is configured to deliver the ENCB to the nerve to block transmission of a signal related to a pain through the nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Niloy Bhadra, Narendra Bhadra, Kevin L. Kilgore, Scott Lempka, Jesse Wainright, Tina Vrabec, Manfred Franke
  • Publication number: 20230086695
    Abstract: Devices and methods for blocking signal transmission through neural tissue. One step of a method includes placing a therapy delivery device into electrical communication with the neural tissue. The therapy delivery device includes an electrode contact having a high charge capacity material. A multi-phase direct current (DC) can be applied to the neural tissue without damaging the neural tissue. The multi-phase DC includes a cathodic DC phase and anodic DC phase that collectively produce a neural block and reduce the charge delivered by the therapy delivery device. The DC delivery can be combined with high frequency alternating current (HFAC) block to produce a system that provides effective, safe, long term block without inducing an onset response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Niloy Bhadra, Kevin L. Kilgore, Narendra Bhadra, Jesse Wainright, Tina Vrabec, Manfred Franke
  • Patent number: 11504527
    Abstract: Devices and methods for blocking signal transmission through neural tissue. One step of a method includes placing a therapy delivery device into electrical communication with the neural tissue. The therapy delivery device includes an electrode contact having a high charge capacity material. A multi-phase direct current (DC) can be applied to the neural tissue without damaging the neural tissue. The multi-phase DC includes a cathodic DC phase and anodic DC phase that collectively produce a neural block and reduce the charge delivered by the therapy delivery device. The DC delivery can be combined with high frequency alternating current (HFAC) block to produce a system that provides effective, safe, long term block without inducing an onset response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Niloy Bhadra, Kevin L. Kilgore, Narendra Bhadra, Jesse Wainright, Tina Vrabec, Manfred Franke
  • Publication number: 20220347481
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system that can prevent unintended signal components (noise) in an electric waveform that can be used for at least one of neural stimulation, block, and/or sensing. The system can include a signal generator to generate a waveform that includes an intended electric waveform and unintended noise. The system can also include a signal transformer device (e.g., a very long wire) comprising a first coil and a second coil. The first coil can be coupled to the signal generator to receive the waveform and remove the unintended noise from the electric waveform. The second coil can pass the electric waveform to an electrode. The second coil can be coupled to a capacitor that can prevent the waveform from developing noise at an electrode/electrolyte interface between an electrode and a nerve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventor: Manfred Franke
  • Patent number: 11376436
    Abstract: One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system that can prevent unintended signal components (noise) in an electric waveform that can be used for at least one of neural stimulation, block, and/or sensing. The system can include a signal generator to generate a waveform that includes an intended electric waveform and unintended noise. The system can also include a signal transformer device (e.g., a very long wire) comprising a first coil and a second coil. The first coil can be coupled to the signal generator to receive the waveform and remove the unintended noise from the electric waveform. The second coil can pass the electric waveform to an electrode. The second coil can be coupled to a capacitor that can prevent the waveform from developing noise at an electrode/electrolyte interface between an electrode and a nerve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Manfred Franke
  • Patent number: 11318300
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for the treatment of pain using electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB). Contrary to other methods of pain treatment, the ENCB can establish a direct block of neural activity, thereby eliminating the pain. Additionally, the ENCB can be administered without causing electrochemical damage. An example method can include: placing at least one electrode contact in electrical communication with a region of a subject's spinal cord; applying an electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB) to a nerve in the region through the at least one electrode contact; and blocking neural activity with the ENCB to reduce the pain or other unwanted sensation in the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Niloy Bhadra, Narendra Bhadra, Kevin L. Kilgore, Scott Lempka, Tina Vrabec, Manfred Franke
  • Publication number: 20210370051
    Abstract: Described here are devices, systems, and methods for treating one or more conditions, such as allergic rhinitis, non-allergic rhinitis, nasal congestion, ocular allergy, and/or symptoms associated with these conditions, by providing stimulation to nasal or sinus tissue. In some variations, the handheld devices may have a stimulator body and a stimulator probe having one or more nasal insertion prongs, and the nasal insertion prongs may be configured to deliver an electrical stimulus to the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: James Donald Loudin, Daniel N. Hamilton, Manfred Franke, Douglas Michael Ackermann
  • Publication number: 20210275802
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for the treatment of pain using electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB). Contrary to other methods of pain treatment, the ENCB can establish a direct block of neural activity, thereby eliminating the pain. Additionally, the ENCB can be administered without causing electrochemical damage. An example method can include: placing at least one electrode contact in electrical communication with a region of a subject's spinal cord; applying an electrical nerve conduction block (ENCB) to a nerve in the region through the at least one electrode contact; and blocking neural activity with the ENCB to reduce the pain or other unwanted sensation in the subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Niloy Bhadra, Narendra Bhadra, Kevin L. Kilgore, Scott Lempka, Jesse Wainright, Tina Vrabec, Manfred Franke