Patents by Inventor Michael A. Moffitt

Michael A. Moffitt 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).

  • Publication number: 20180050205
    Abstract: An electrical stimulation system includes an implantable control module configured and arranged for implantation in a body of a patient. The implantable control module includes a processor that generates and delivers electrical stimulation pulses or pulse bursts at a pathological frequency or with a temporal separation between pulses or pulse bursts individually selected based on a pre-determined distribution function based on a pre-selected pathological frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Michael A. Moffitt, Stephen Carcieri, Hemant Bokil, Rafael Carbunaru
  • Publication number: 20180028826
    Abstract: A system and method for selecting leadwire stimulation parameters includes a processor iteratively performing, for each of a plurality of values for a particular stimulation parameter, each value corresponding to a respective current field: (a) shifting the current field longitudinally and/or rotationally to a respective plurality of locations about the leadwire; and (b) for each of the respective plurality of locations, obtaining clinical effect information regarding a respective stimulation of the patient tissue produced by the respective current field at the respective location; and displaying a graph plotting the clinical effect information against values for the particular stimulation parameter and locations about the leadwire, and/or based on the obtained clinical effect information, identifying an optimal combination of a selected value for the particular stimulation parameter and selected location about the leadwire at which to perform a stimulation using the selected value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Stephen Carcieri, Dean Chen, Michael A. Moffitt
  • Publication number: 20180028815
    Abstract: An example of a system may include an electrode arrangement, a neural modulation generator configured to use electrodes in the electrode arrangement to generate a modulation field, a communication module configured to receive commands, a memory configured to store modulation field parameter data, and a controller configured to control the neural modulation generator to generate the modulation field. The controller may be configured to implement a trolling routine to troll the modulation field through neural tissue positions, and implement a marking routine multiple times as the modulation field is trolled through the neural tissue positions to identify when the modulation field provides patient-perceived modulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Michael A. Moffitt, Bradley Lawrence Hershey, Changfang Zhu, Jordi Parramon, Sridhar Kothandaraman
  • Patent number: 9878149
    Abstract: A neurostimulation paddle lead, method of neurostimulation, and neurostimulation system are provided. The neurostimulation paddle lead carries a plurality of electrodes comprising at least four columns of electrodes having a spacing between two inner electrode columns less than a spacing between the inner electrode columns and adjacent outer electrode columns. The inner electrode columns may also be longitudinally offset from the outer electrode columns. The methods and neurostimulation systems steer current between the electrodes to modify a medial-lateral electrical field created adjacent spinal cord tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Moffitt, Dongchul Lee, Kerry Bradley, David K. L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9878166
    Abstract: A method, computer medium, and system for programming a controller is provided. The controller controls electrical stimulation energy output to electrodes, and stores a set of programmed stimulation parameters associated with the electrodes. The programmed stimulation parameter set is compared with sets of reference stimulation parameters, each of the reference sets of stimulation parameters being associated with the electrodes. If an identical match is determined between the programmed stimulation parameter set and any one of the reference stimulation parameter sets exists based on the comparison, the identically matched stimulation parameter set is selected as an initial stimulation parameter set. If an identical match does not exist, a best between the programmed stimulation parameter set and the reference stimulation parameter sets is determined and selected as the initial stimulation parameter set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Thacker, Michael A. Moffitt, Kerry Bradley, David K. L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9855432
    Abstract: A system for a tissue stimulator coupled to an array of electrodes. The system comprises a user-controlled input device configured for generating control signals, and at least one processor configured for generating a plurality of stimulation parameter sets in response to the control signals that, when applied to the electrodes, will shift electrical current between electrodes to modify a region of tissue activation. The processor(s) is further configured for computing an estimate of the region of tissue activation, and for generating display signals capable of prompting a monitor to display an animated graphical representation of the computed estimate of the region of tissue activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Peter J. Yoo, Michael A. Moffitt, Kerry Bradley
  • Publication number: 20170372039
    Abstract: A system for visualizing clinical effects can perform the following actions: obtain, for each of multiple stimulation instances, an estimation of a region stimulated during the stimulation instance and at least one assessment for at least one stimulation effect or stimulation side effect; assign, for each of the stimulation instances, a tag, selected from multiple tags, to each one of multiple voxels within the region stimulated during the stimulation instance, where the tag is selected based on the at least one assessment for the stimulation instance; and assign a voxel type, selected from multiple voxel types, to each of multiple voxels based on the tags assigned to the voxels. Optionally, the actions can also include display, on a display, a representation of multiple voxels with each of the displayed voxels having a graphical feature associated with the voxel type assigned to that voxel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Richard Mustakos, Michael A. Moffitt
  • Patent number: 9849287
    Abstract: An system may include an electrode arrangement configured for implantation in an epidural space, a neural modulation generator configured to use electrodes in the electrode arrangement to generate modulation fields, at least one storage and a controller operably connected to the neural modulation generator. The storage(s) may be configured to store supra-perception threshold dorsal root modulation field parameter data and therapeutic modulation field parameter data, where the therapeutic modulation field parameter data may be different than the supra-perception threshold dorsal root modulation field parameter data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley Lawrence Hershey, Michael A. Moffitt
  • Patent number: 9849285
    Abstract: A method, electrical tissue stimulation system, and programmer for providing therapy to a patient are provided. Electrodes are placed adjacent tissue (e.g., spinal cord tissue) of the patient, electrical stimulation energy is delivered from the electrodes to the tissue in accordance with a defined waveform, and a pulse shape of the defined waveform is modified, thereby changing the characteristics of the electrical stimulation energy delivered from the electrode(s) to the tissue. The pulse shape may be modified by selecting one of a plurality of different pulse shape types or by adjusting a time constant of the pulse shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Dongchul Lee, Michael A. Moffitt, Christopher Ewan Gillespie, Kerry Bradley
  • Publication number: 20170361104
    Abstract: An example of a system for delivering neurostimulation pulses to a patient using a plurality of electrodes and controlling the delivery of the neurostimulation pulses by a user may include a programming control circuit and a user interface. The programming control circuit may be configured to generate a plurality of stimulation parameters controlling delivery of neurostimulation pulses according to one or more stimulation waveforms. The interface may include a display screen and an interface control circuit. The interface control circuit may be configured to define the one or more stimulation waveforms, and may include an impedance presentation module. The impedance presentation module may be configured to determine values of impedances each between two electrodes of the plurality of electrodes for all of combinations of two electrodes available from the plurality of electrodes and display the determined values of impedances on the display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen Carcieri, Michael A. Moffitt, Peter J. Yoo, Dennis Allen Vansickle, Sridhar Kothandaraman, Michael Andrew Caruso, Dean Chen
  • Patent number: 9839780
    Abstract: A system for a neurostimulator coupled to electrodes, and a method of providing therapy to a patient using the electrodes implanted within the patient. A target multipole relative to the electrodes is defined. The target multipole is emulated by defining an initial electrical current distribution for the electrodes, such that a first set of active electrodes respectively has electrical current values of a first polarity. Each of the electrical current values of the first polarity is compared to a first threshold value, and at least one of the electrodes in the first active electrode set is zeroed-out based on the comparison. The electrical current value of each of the zeroed-out electrode(s) is redistributed to remaining ones of the electrodes to define a new electrical current distribution for the electrodes. Electrical current is conveyed to the electrodes in accordance with the new electrical current distribution, thereby providing the therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Moffitt, Sridhar Kothandaraman, Prakash Rao
  • Publication number: 20170348532
    Abstract: An example of a system may include electrodes on at least one lead configured to be operationally positioned for use in modulating neural tissue where the neural tissue including dorsal horn tissue or nerve root tissue, a neural modulation generator, and a controller. The neural modulation generator may be configured to use at least some electrodes to generate a modulation field. The neural modulation generator maybe configured to use a programmed modulation parameter set to promote uniformity of the modulation field in the dorsal horn tissue. The controller may be configured to control the neural modulation generator to generate the modulation field in pulse trains of at least two pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: Michael A. Moffitt, Changfang Zhu
  • Patent number: 9833622
    Abstract: An electrical stimulation system includes an implantable control module configured and arranged for implantation in a body of a patient. The implantable control module includes a processor that generates and delivers electrical stimulation pulses or pulse bursts at a pathological frequency or with a temporal separation between pulses or pulse bursts individually selected based on a pre-determined distribution function based on a pre-selected pathological frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Moffitt, Stephen Carcieri, Hemant Bokil
  • Publication number: 20170333718
    Abstract: An example of a neurostimulation system may include a storage device, a programming control circuit, and a graphical user interface (GUI). The storage device may be configured to store individually definable waveforms. The programming control circuit may be configured to generate stimulation parameters controlling the delivery of the neurostimulation pulses according to a pattern. The GUI may be configured to define the pattern using one or more waveforms selected from the individually definable waveforms. The GUI may display waveform tags each selectable for access to a waveform of the individually definable waveforms, and display a waveform builder in response to selection of one of the waveform tags. The waveform builder may present a graphical representation of the accessed waveform and allow for the accessed waveform to be adjusted by editing the graphical representation of the accessed waveform on the GUI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Michael A. Moffitt, Sridhar Kothandaraman
  • Patent number: 9821167
    Abstract: A system and method for selecting leadwire stimulation parameters includes a processor iteratively performing, for each of a plurality of values for a particular stimulation parameter, each value corresponding to a respective current field: (a) shifting the current field longitudinally and/or rotationally to a respective plurality of locations about the leadwire; and (b) for each of the respective plurality of locations, obtaining clinical effect information regarding a respective stimulation of the patient tissue produced by the respective current field at the respective location; and displaying a graph plotting the clinical effect information against values for the particular stimulation parameter and locations about the leadwire, and/or based on the obtained clinical effect information, identifying an optimal combination of a selected value for the particular stimulation parameter and selected location about the leadwire at which to perform a stimulation using the selected value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen Carcieri, Dean Chen, Michael A. Moffitt
  • Publication number: 20170326365
    Abstract: A method and neurostimulation system for treating a patient are provided. A plurality of pulsed electrical waveforms are respectively delivered within a plurality of timing channels of the neurostimulation system, thereby treating the patient. Sets of stimulation pulses within the pulsed electrical waveforms that will potentially overlap temporally are predicted. Stimulation pulses in the respective pulsed electrical waveforms are temporally shifted in a manner that prevents overlap of the potentially overlapping pulse sets while preventing frequency locking between the timing channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Courtney C. Lane, Rafael Carbunaru, Kerry Bradley, David K.L. Peterson, Andrew DiGiore, Michael A. Moffitt
  • Publication number: 20170326367
    Abstract: A neurostimulation paddle lead, method of neurostimulation, and neurostimulation system are provided. The neurostimulation paddle lead carries a plurality of electrodes comprising at least four columns of electrodes having a spacing between two inner electrode columns less than a spacing between the inner electrode columns and adjacent outer electrode columns. The inner electrode columns may also be longitudinally offset from the outer electrode columns. The methods and neurostimulation systems steer current between the electrodes to modify a medial-lateral electrical field created adjacent spinal cord tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Michael A. Moffitt, Dongchul Lee, Kerry Bradley, David K.L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 9814881
    Abstract: An electrical stimulation system includes an implantable control module having a processor. The control module provides electrical stimulation signals to one or more leads coupled to the control module for stimulation of patient tissue to treat pain. A first electrode is disposed on the one or more leads in the patient's spinal cord and communicates with the processor to generate a first effective electric field suitable for stimulating patient tissue using the electrical stimulation signals provided from the control module. A second electrode is disposed on the one or more leads and communicates with the processor to generate a second effective electric field suitable for stimulating patient tissue using the electrical stimulation signals provided from the control module. The second effective electric field is time-delayed from the first effective electric field such that the second effective electric field is out of phase with the first effective electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Moffitt
  • Patent number: 9814880
    Abstract: A system example may include electrodes operationally positioned for use in delivering sub-perception neural modulation, a neural modulator configured to use at least some electrodes to generate a modulation field, and a feedback system configured to receive a feedback signal that a generated modulation field provides a perceived or measurable response. A control system may implement a calibration process including controlling the neural modulator to generate the modulation field using a first and second stimulus pulse with a first and second pulse width, respectively, and using the feedback system to determine a first and second reference point that represents an intensity of the modulation field generated using the first and second pulse widths, respectively, that provides the response, and deriving sub-perception calibration data specific to sub-perception modulation delivered using a sub-perception pulse with a sub-perception pulse width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Bradley Lawrence Hershey, Michael A. Moffitt
  • Publication number: 20170319856
    Abstract: An example of a system may include an arrangement of electrodes configured to be operationally positioned for use in modulating targeted neural tissue, a neural modulator, a communication module, and a controller. The neural modulator may be configured to use at least some electrodes within the arrangement of electrodes to generate a modulation field. The communication module may be configured to receive user-provided selections. The controller may be configured to use the communication module to receive a user-provided selection of a desired electrode list where the electrode list identifies electrodes within the arrangement of electrodes that are available for use in modulating the targeted neural tissue, control the neural stimulation modulator to generate the modulation field, and use the electrodes identified in the electrode list to modulate the targeted neural tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2017
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Michael A. Moffitt, Bradley Lawrence Hershey, Changfang Zhu, Jordi Parramon, Sridhar Kothandaraman