Patents by Inventor Mark B. Knudson
Mark B. Knudson 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).
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Patent number: 8768469Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired blood pressure and/or heart rate in a subject comprising applying an electrical treatment signal, wherein the electrical treatment signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses, or in some embodiments, to augment nerve impulses.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2009Date of Patent: July 1, 2014Assignee: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Katherine S. Tweden, Richard R. Wilson, Mark B. Knudson, Dennis Dong-Won Kim, Deepak Bhole
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Publication number: 20140172039Abstract: A method for treating at least one of a plurality of disorders characterized at least in part by vagal activity includes positioning an electrode around a body organ innervated by the vagus. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity. The electrical signal is applied at a frequency selected for the signal to create a neural conduction block to the vagus with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve impulses on the vagus. The application of the electrical signal is discontinued. The application of the signal and the discontinuing of the signal are repeated with durations of the discontinuing and the application selected to treat the disorder.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Publication number: 20140172052Abstract: At least one of a plurality of gastrointestinal disorders is treated by stimulating an enteric nervous system of a patient to enhance a functional tone of the enteric nervous system. A treatment includes electrically stimulating a vagus nerve of the patient at a stimulation site proximal to at least one site of vagal innervation of a gastrointestinal organ. The electrical stimulation includes applying a stimulation signal at the stimulation site. An optional proximal electrical blocking signal is applied to the vagus nerve at a proximal blocking site proximal to the stimulation site. The proximal blocking signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses at the proximal blocking site.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Publication number: 20140046419Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating a variety of conditions include treating a disorder associated with neural activity near a region of a brain. In such condition, the method includes placing an electrode to create a field near said region, creating said field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said field. For treating a tissue sensation, the method includes identifying a target area of tissue to be treated and placing an electrode to create a field near the target area, and creating the field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within the target area. For treating a condition associated with neural activity of a spinal cord, the method includes placing an electrode to create a field near a nerve associated with the spinal cord, and creating the field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within the nerve.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: VENTURI GROUP, LLCInventors: Mark B. Knudson, Adrianus P. Donders, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 8617095Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a patient's health condition by diverting pancreatic exocrine secretions include a flow diverter of material compatible with chronic residence within a small intestine of the patient. The flow diverter has a cover end and a discharge end. The flow diverter is sized to be placed within the small intestine with the discharge end placed distally from said cover end and with said flow diverter further sized so permit passage of chyme through the small intestine and past the flow diverter. The cover end is sized to cover a discharge papilla of the pancreatic duct. The diverter is adapted to divert at least a portion of pancreatic exocrine secretion from the papilla to the distal discharge end.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 8538542Abstract: Systems and methods of using a system for treating a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by dysmotility of a gastrointestinal organ.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 8538533Abstract: Systems and methods for treating at least one of a plurality of disorders characterized at least in part by vagal activity.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Publication number: 20130237948Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired blood pressure and/or heart rate in a subject comprising applying an electrical treatment signal, wherein the electrical treatment signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses, or in some embodiments, to augment nerve impulses. In embodiments, the apparatus provides a first therapy program to provide a downregulating signal to one or more nerves including renal artery, renal nerve, vagus nerve, celiac plexus, a splanchnic nerve, cardiac sympathetic nerves, spinal nerves originating between T10 to L5. In embodiments, the apparatus provides a third therapy program to provide an upregulating signal to one or more nerves including a glossopharyngeal nerve and/or a tissue containing baroreceptors.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Inventors: Adrianus P. Donders, Katherine S. Tweden, Mark B. Knudson, Arnold W. Thornton
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Patent number: 8483830Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for treating a condition associated with impaired glucose regulation in a subject comprising in one embodiment, applying a neural conduction block to a target nerve at a blocking site with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve pulses. In another embodiment, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to treat impaired glucose regulation. In other embodiments, up-regulation or down-regulation of various nerves, such as the vagus and its branches, and the splanchnic is used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, thereby controlling glucose levels. In yet further embodiments, combinations of down-regulating and or up-regulating with or without pharmaceutical agents are used to modify the production of GLP-1 and GIP, to treat impaired glucose regulation.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2009Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Katherine S. Tweden, Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Arnold W. Thornton, Dennis Dong-won Kim
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Patent number: 8430900Abstract: A patient's pharyngeal wall is treated by inserting an expander member into the airway and positioning an active portion of the expander member in opposition to portions of the pharyngeal wall to be treated. The expander member is activated to urge the wall portions outwardly to an outwardly displaced position. The expander member is then deactivated while leaving the wall portions in the outwardly placed position and the expander member is removed from said airway. A further aspect of the treatment includes stabilization of at least a portion of the pharyngeal wall after compression of portions of the wall.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2010Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 8424531Abstract: A patient's pharyngeal wall is treated by inserting an expander member into the airway and positioning an active portion of the expander member in opposition to portions of the pharyngeal wall to be treated. The expander member is activated to urge the wall portions outwardly to an outwardly displaced position. The expander member is then deactivated while leaving the wall portions in the outwardly placed position and the expander member is removed from said airway. A further aspect of the treatment includes stabilization of at least a portion of the pharyngeal wall after compression of portions of the wall.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 8413662Abstract: A pharyngeal airway having a pharyngeal wall of a patient at least partially surrounding and defining the airway is treated by selecting an implant dimensioned so as to be implanted at or beneath a mucosal layer of the pharyngeal wall and extending transverse to said wall. The implant has mechanical characteristics for the implant, at least in combination with a fibrotic tissue response induced by the implant, to stiffen said pharyngeal wall to resist radial collapse. The implant is implanted into the pharyngeal wall transverse to a longitudinal axis of the airway.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2011Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Anja K. Metzger, Brian J. Erickson, John P. Sopp, Mark B. Knudson, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 8369952Abstract: At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient is treated by a method that includes positioning an electrode on a vagus nerve. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. In some embodiments, the disorder is gastroparesis. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal. In some embodiments, the signal is selected to a) at least in part, upregulate neural activity on the vagus nerve without triggering muscular contractility, and, b) increase pancreobilliary output.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2011Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: EnteroMedics, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Publication number: 20130012938Abstract: A method and device for modulating the autonomic nervous system adjacent a pericardial space to treat cardiac arrhythmia includes a treatment source arranged to supply a treatment medium, a catheter having an end sized for insertion into the pericardial space, a medium delivery assembly having a distal end arranged to be positioned by the catheter into the pericardium, with the distal end of the delivery assembly comprising a delivery tip arranged to extend away from the distal end of the catheter into the pericardial space. A connector operatively couples the delivery tip of the medium delivery assembly to the treatment source, and the delivery tip of the medium delivery assembly including a plurality of delivery points for delivering the treatment medium at a plurality of treatment areas within the pericardial space. The device performs modulation or ablation of the autonomic nervous system at selected treatment areas within the pericardium.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2010Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: MAYO FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCHInventors: Samuel J. Asirvatham, Mark B. Knudson
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Publication number: 20120041509Abstract: A method for treating at least one of a plurality of disorders characterized at least in part by vagal activity includes positioning an electrode around a body organ innervated by the vagus. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity. The electrical signal is applied at a frequency selected for the signal to create a neural conduction block to the vagus with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve impulses on the vagus. The application of the electrical signal is discontinued. The application of the signal and the discontinuing of the signal are repeated with durations of the discontinuing and the application selected to treat the disorder.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Publication number: 20120031412Abstract: A pharyngeal airway having a pharyngeal wall of a patient at least partially surrounding and defining the airway is treated by selecting an implant dimensioned so as to be implanted at or beneath a mucosal layer of the pharyngeal wall and extending transverse to said wall. The implant has mechanical characteristics for the implant, at least in combination with a fibrotic tissue response induced by the implant, to stiffen said pharyngeal wall to resist radial collapse. The implant is implanted into the pharyngeal wall transverse to a longitudinal axis of the airway.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: MEDTRONIC XOMED, INC.Inventors: Anja K. Metzger, Brian J. Erickson, John P. Sopp, Mark B. Knudson, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 8103349Abstract: An apparatus for applying a signal to a nerve for the treatment of a disorder includes a first electrode and a second electrode. Each of the electrodes is adapted to be secured to a nerve of a patient. A signal generator is electrically connected to each of the first and second electrodes. The signal generator is adapted to create a signal having a first waveform at the first electrode and a second waveform at the second electrode. The waveforms have parameters selected to block propagation of neural action potentials. The waveforms have a repeating pattern of cycles of pulses with a delay period between at least selected ones of said pulses. In one embodiment, the first and second waveforms are out of phase for a cycle of one of the waveforms to occur during a delay period of the other of the waveforms.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2009Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Adrianus P. Donders, Koen J. Weijand, Mark B. Knudson
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Publication number: 20110307023Abstract: A system for designing a therapy or for treating a gastrointestinal disorder or a condition associated with excess weight in a subject comprising at least one electrode configured to be implanted within a body of the patient and placed at a vagus nerve, the electrode also configured to apply therapy to the vagus nerve upon application of a therapy cycle to the electrode; an implantable neuroregulator for placement in the body of the patient beneath the skin layer, the implantable neuroregulator being configured to generate a therapy cycle, wherein the therapy cycle comprises an on time during which an electrical signal is delivered, the electrical signal comprising: a) a set of pulses applied at a first selected frequency of about 150-10,000 Hz, wherein each pulse of the set of pulses has a pulse width of at least 0.01 milliseconds and less than the period of the first selected frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2011Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Katherine S. Tweden, Jonathan J. Waataja, Adrianus P. Donders, Mark B. Knudson
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Publication number: 20110282411Abstract: At least one of a plurality of gastrointestinal disorders is treated by stimulating an enteric nervous system of a patient to enhance a functional tone of the enteric nervous system. A treatment includes electrically stimulating a vagus nerve of the patient at a stimulation site proximal to at least one site of vagal innervation of a gastrointestinal organ. The electrical stimulation includes applying a stimulation signal at the stimulation site. An optional proximal electrical blocking signal is applied to the vagus nerve at a proximal blocking site proximal to the stimulation site. The proximal blocking signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses at the proximal blocking site.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: EnteroMedics IncInventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Publication number: 20110270344Abstract: At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient is treated by a method that includes positioning an electrode on a vagus nerve. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. In some embodiments, the disorder is bulimia. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal. In some embodiments, the signal is selected to, at least in part, downregulate neural activity on the vagus nerve.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2011Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad