Patents by Inventor Mark W. Cowan
Mark W. Cowan 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: 8494644Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enhance bone growth by stimulating bone sites for bone regrowth, fusion, or grafts. The invention uses electrical stimulation of the bone site, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the bone site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be located either externally or implanted. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-transmitter, which could be incorporated into an orthopedic device, such as pin, cage, plate or prosthetic joint used for bone healing.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2011Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
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Patent number: 8494637Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to stimulate gastrointestinal tissue to treat medical conditions such as eating disorders, gastroparesis, and gastric reflux. The invention uses electrical stimulation of the nerve, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the pre-determined gastrointestinal tissue site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be implanted or located externally. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which could be located in the various regions on or around the gastrointestinal tissue that needs to be stimulated. The implantable receiver-stimulator stimulates different gastrointestinal tissue to provide the desired therapeutic benefit.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2011Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
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Patent number: 8315701Abstract: Systems including an implantable receiver-stimulator and an implantable controller-transmitter are used for leadless electrical stimulation of body tissues. Cardiac pacing and arrhythmia control is accomplished with one or more implantable receiver-stimulators and an external or implantable controller-transmitter. Systems are implanted by testing external or implantable devices at different tissue sites, observing physiologic and device responses, and selecting sites with preferred performance for implanting the systems. In these systems, a controller-transmitter is activated at a remote tissue location to transmit/deliver acoustic energy through the body to a receiver-stimulator at a target tissue location. The receiver-stimulator converts the acoustic energy to electrical energy for electrical stimulation of the body tissue. The tissue locations(s) can be optimized by moving either or both of the controller-transmitter and the receiver-stimulator to determine the best patient and device responses.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Debra S. Echt, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken
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Publication number: 20120059433Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enhance bone growth by stimulating bone sites for bone regrowth, fusion, or grafts. The invention uses electrical stimulation of the bone site, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the bone site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be located either externally or implanted. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-transmitter, which could be incorporated into an orthopedic device, such as pin, cage, plate or prosthetic joint used for bone healing.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2011Publication date: March 8, 2012Applicant: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
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Patent number: 8078283Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enhance bone growth by stimulating bone sites for bone regrowth, fusion, or grafts. The invention uses electrical stimulation of the bone site, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the bone site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be located either externally or implanted. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-transmitter, which could be incorporated into an orthopedic device, such as pin, cage, plate or prosthetic joint used for bone healing.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2007Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
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Publication number: 20110237967Abstract: Delivery of an implantable wireless receiver-stimulator (R-S) into the heart using delivery catheter is described. R-S comprises a cathode and an anode and wirelessly receives and converts energy, such as acoustic ultrasound energy, to electrical energy to stimulate the heart. Conductive wires routed through the delivery system temporarily connect R-S electrodes to external monitor and pacing controller. R-S comprises a first temporary electrical connection from the catheter to the cathode, and a second temporary electrical connection from the catheter to the anode. Temporary electrical connections allow external monitoring of heart's electrical activity as sensed by R-S electrodes to determine tissue viability for excitation as well as to assess energy conversion efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2010Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: David F. Moore, Mark W. Cowan, N. Parker Willis
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Patent number: 7996087Abstract: Systems including an implantable receiver-stimulator and an implantable controller-transmitter are used for leadless electrical stimulation of body tissues. Cardiac pacing and arrhythmia control is accomplished with one or more implantable receiver-stimulators and an external or implantable controller-transmitter. Systems are implanted by testing external or implantable devices at different tissue sites, observing physiologic and device responses, and selecting sites with preferred performance for implanting the systems. In these systems, a controller-transmitter is activated at a remote tissue location to transmit/deliver acoustic energy through the body to a receiver-stimulator at a target tissue location. The receiver-stimulator converts the acoustic energy to electrical energy for electrical stimulation of the body tissue. The tissue locations(s) can be optimized by moving either or both of the controller-transmitter and the receiver-stimulator to determine the best patient and device responses.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2009Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Debra S. Echt, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken
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Publication number: 20110166620Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to stimulate brain tissue to treat medical conditions such as movement disorders, pain and epilepsy. The disclosed invention uses electrical stimulation of the brain tissue, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the pre-determined brain site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be either implanted or located externally. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which could be located under the skull, within the brain, on the dura, or in the cranial space close to the brain. As a therapeutic treatment, the implantable receiver-stimulator stimulates the brain sites that are effective in altering brain activity.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2011Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
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Publication number: 20110166621Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to stimulate spine tissue to treat medical conditions such as pain and spinal injury. The invention uses electrical stimulation of the spine, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the pre-determined brain site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be located either externally or implanted. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which could be located in the various regions on around the spine. The implantable receiver-stimulator stimulates different locations in the spine region to provide therapeutic benefit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2011Publication date: July 7, 2011Applicant: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
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Publication number: 20110144720Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enable hearing in the deaf by stimulating sites in the cochlea. The invention uses electrical stimulation in the cochlea, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the cochlear nerve. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be located either externally or implanted. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which contains multiple electrodes to stimulate along selected sites in the cochlea.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2011Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
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Patent number: 7953493Abstract: A wireless cardiac stimulation device comprising an implantable transmitter module housing a transmitter and a separately implantable battery module housing a battery for powering the transmitter and other device electronics via a subcutaneously routable electrical cable connecting the module is disclosed. The transmitter module contains a transmitter enclosure which comprises one or more ultrasound transducers. Having separate transmitter and battery modules allows implantation of the transmitter module closer to the target receiver implanted in tissue. A discrete battery module also enables easy replacement of the battery without disturbing the transmitter, which is highly desirable.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Robert Fowler, Mark W. Cowan, N. Parker Willis, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
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Publication number: 20110118810Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to stimulate nerves to treat medical conditions such as pain, and other conditions, such as, CHF, obesity, incontinence, etc., that could be controlled by the stimulation of the vagal nerves. The invention uses electrical stimulation of the nerve, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the pre-determined nerve site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be implanted or located externally. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which could be located in the various regions on or around the nerve that needs to be stimulated. The implantable receiver-stimulator stimulates different nerves and regions of a nerve to provide therapeutic benefit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2011Publication date: May 19, 2011Applicant: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
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Publication number: 20110112600Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to stimulate gastrointestinal tissue to treat medical conditions such as eating disorders, gastroparesis, and gastric reflux. The invention uses electrical stimulation of the nerve, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the pre-determined gastrointestinal tissue site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be implanted or located externally. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which could be located in the various regions on or around the gastrointestinal tissue that needs to be stimulated. The implantable receiver-stimulator stimulates different gastrointestinal tissue to provide the desired therapeutic benefit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2011Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
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Patent number: 7899542Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to stimulate spine tissue to treat medical conditions such as pain and spinal injury. The invention uses electrical stimulation of the spine, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the pre-determined brain site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be located either externally or implanted. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which could be located in the various regions on around the spine. The implantable receiver-stimulator stimulates different locations in the spine region to provide therapeutic benefit.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
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Patent number: 7899541Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to stimulate gastrointestinal tissue to treat medical conditions such as eating disorders, gastroparesis, and gastric reflux. The invention uses electrical stimulation of the nerve, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the pre-determined gastrointestinal tissue site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be implanted or located externally. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which could be located in the various regions on or around the gastrointestinal tissue that needs to be stimulated. The implantable receiver-stimulator stimulates different gastrointestinal tissue to provide the desired therapeutic benefit.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
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Patent number: 7894904Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to stimulate brain tissue to treat medical conditions such as movement disorders, pain and epilepsy. The disclosed invention uses electrical stimulation of the brain tissue, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the pre-determined brain site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be either implanted or located externally. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which could be located under the skull, within the brain, on the dura, or in the cranial space close to the brain. As a therapeutic treatment, the implantable receiver-stimulator stimulates the brain sites that are effective in altering brain activity.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2007Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
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Patent number: 7894910Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to enable hearing in the deaf by stimulating sites in the cochlea. The invention uses electrical stimulation in the cochlea, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the cochlear nerve. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be located either externally or implanted. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which contains multiple electrodes to stimulate along selected sites in the cochlea.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2007Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
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Patent number: 7894907Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to stimulate nerves to treat medical conditions such as pain, and other conditions, such as, CHF, obesity, incontinence, etc., that could be controlled by the stimulation of the vagal nerves. The invention uses electrical stimulation of the nerve, where vibrational energy from a source is received by an implanted device and converted to electrical energy and the converted electrical energy is used by implanted electrodes to stimulate the pre-determined nerve site. The vibrational energy is generated by a controller-transmitter, which could be implanted or located externally. The vibrational energy is received by a receiver-stimulator, which could be located in the various regions on or around the nerve that needs to be stimulated. The implantable receiver-stimulator stimulates different nerves and regions of a nerve to provide therapeutic benefit.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2007Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mark W. Cowan, Richard E. Riley, Axel F. Brisken, Debra S. Echt
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Patent number: 7890173Abstract: Receiver-stimulators comprise a nearly isotropic transducer assembly, demodulator circuitry, and at least two tissue contacting electrodes. Use of near isotropic transducers allows the devices to be implanted with less concern regarding the orientation relative to an acoustic energy source. Transducers or transducer elements having relatively small sizes, typically less than ½ the wavelength of the acoustic source, enhance isotropy. The use of single crystal piezoelectric materials enhance sensitivity.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2009Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Axel F. Brisken, Mark W. Cowan, Debra S. Echt, Richard E. Riley
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Patent number: 7848815Abstract: Receiver-stimulators comprise a nearly isotropic transducer assembly, demodulator circuitry, and at least two tissue contacting electrodes. Use of near isotropic transducers allows the devices to be implanted with less concern regarding the orientation relative to an acoustic energy source. Transducers or transducer elements having relatively small sizes, typically less than ½ the wavelength of the acoustic source, enhance isotropy. The use of single crystal piezoelectric materials enhance sensitivity.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2009Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Axel F. Brisken, Mark W. Cowan, Debra S. Echt, Richard E. Riley