Patents by Inventor N. Parker Willis
N. Parker Willis 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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Publication number: 20180280704Abstract: 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: January 23, 2018Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: David F. Moore, Mark W. Cowan, N. Parker Willis
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Patent number: 10080903Abstract: Method and systems for optimizing acoustic energy transmission in implantable devices are disclosed. Transducer elements transmit acoustic locator signals towards a receiver assembly, and the receiver responds with a location signal. The location signal can reveal information related to the location of the receiver and the efficiency of the transmitted acoustic beam received by the receiver. This information enables the transmitter to target the receiver and optimize the acoustic energy transfer between the transmitter and the receiver. The energy can be used for therapeutic purposes, for example, stimulating tissue or for diagnostic purposes.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2014Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: EBR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: N. Parker Willis, Axel F. Brisken, Mark W. Cowan, Michael Pare, Robert Fowler, James Brennan
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Patent number: 10052493Abstract: Receiver-stimulator with folded or rolled up assembly of piezoelectric components, causing the receiver-stimulator to operate with a high degree of isotropy are disclosed. The receiver-stimulator comprises piezoelectric components, rectifier circuitry, and at least two stimulation electrodes. Isotropy allows the receiver-stimulator to be implanted with less concern regarding the orientation relative the transmitted acoustic field from an acoustic energy source.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: David F. Moore, Paul Mohr, N. Parker Willis, Axel F. Brisken
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Patent number: 9981138Abstract: A controller-transmitter transmits acoustic energy through the body to an implanted acoustic receiver-stimulator. The receiver-stimulator converts the acoustic energy into electrical energy and delivers the electrical energy to tissue using an electrode assembly. The receiver-stimulator limits the output voltage delivered to the tissue to a predetermined maximum output voltage. In the presence of interfering acoustic energy sources output voltages are thereby limited prior to being delivered to the tissue. Furthermore, the controller-transmitter estimates the output voltage that is delivered to the tissue by the implanted receiver-stimulator. The controller-transmitter measures a query spike voltage resulting from the electrical energy delivered to the tissue by the receiver-stimulator, and computes a ratio of the predetermined maximum output voltage and a maximum query spike voltage. The maximum query spike voltage is computed by detecting a query spike voltage plateau.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2012Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventor: N. Parker Willis
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Patent number: 9907968Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: David F. Moore, Mark W. Cowan, N. Parker Willis
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Patent number: 9616237Abstract: Method and systems for determining the location or identify of implantable devices are disclosed. An implantable device generates an electrical output and then modifies the output at a pre-configured interval for a pre-configured period. A sensor detects the modified output and locates or identifies the implantable device based on the modified output.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2013Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: EBR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Mike Pare, David Moore, N. Parker Willis
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Publication number: 20160310749Abstract: Receiver-stimulator with folded or rolled up assembly of piezoelectric components, causing the receiver-stimulator to operate with a high degree of isotropy are disclosed. The receiver-stimulator comprises piezoelectric components, rectifier circuitry, and at least two stimulation electrodes. Isotropy allows the receiver-stimulator to be implanted with less concern regarding the orientation relative the transmitted acoustic field from an acoustic energy source.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2016Publication date: October 27, 2016Inventors: David F. Moore, Paul Mohr, N. Parker Willis, Axel F. Brisken
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Publication number: 20160158560Abstract: 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: February 12, 2016Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: David F. Moore, Mark W. Cowan, N. Parker Willis
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Patent number: 9343654Abstract: Receiver-stimulator with folded or rolled up assembly of piezoelectric components, causing the receiver-stimulator to operate with a high degree of isotropy are disclosed. The receiver-stimulator comprises piezoelectric components, rectifier circuitry, and at least two stimulation electrodes. Isotropy allows the receiver-stimulator to be implanted with less concern regarding the orientation relative the transmitted acoustic field from an acoustic energy source.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: David F. Moore, Paul Mohr, N. Parker Willis, Axel F. Brisken
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Patent number: 9283392Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 24, 2010Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: David F. Moore, Mark W. Cowan, N. Parker Willis
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Publication number: 20160035967Abstract: Receiver-stimulator with folded or rolled up assembly of piezoelectric components, causing the receiver-stimulator to operate with a high degree of isotropy are disclosed. The receiver-stimulator comprises piezoelectric components, rectifier circuitry, and at least two stimulation electrodes. Isotropy allows the receiver-stimulator to be implanted with less concern regarding the orientation relative the transmitted acoustic field from an acoustic energy source.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: David F. Moore, Paul Mohr, N. Parker Willis, Axel F. Brisken
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Patent number: 9180285Abstract: Receiver-stimulator with folded or rolled up assembly of piezoelectric components, causing the receiver-stimulator to operate with a high degree of isotropy are disclosed. The receiver-stimulator comprises piezoelectric components, rectifier circuitry, and at least two stimulation electrodes. Isotropy allows the receiver-stimulator to be implanted with less concern regarding the orientation relative the transmitted acoustic field from an acoustic energy source.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: EBR SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: David F. Moore, Paul Mohr, N. Parker Willis, Axel F. Brisken
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Patent number: 9155587Abstract: Visual electrode ablation systems are described herein which include a deployment catheter and an attached imaging hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to a region of tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is normally filled with an opaque bodily fluid such as blood. A translucent or transparent fluid, such as saline, can be pumped into the imaging hood until the fluid displaces any blood, thereby leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element in the deployment catheter. An electric current may be passed through the fluid such that it passes directly to the tissue region being imaged and the electrical energy is conducted through the fluid without the need for a separate ablation probe or instrument to ablate the tissue being viewed.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2009Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: INTUITIVE SURGICAL OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: N. Parker Willis, Zachary J. Malchano, Chris A. Rothe, Vahid Saadat, Ruey-Feng Peh, David Miller, Edmund Tam
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Publication number: 20140316406Abstract: A method of ablating a tissue region within a blood-filled environment comprises restraining a fluid within a visualization field in a portion of the blood-filled environment and visualizing the tissue region through the fluid within the visualization field. The method also includes transmitting ablating electrical energy from the fluid into the visualized tissue region.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2014Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: N. Parker WILLIS, Zachary J. Malchano, Chris A. Rothe, Vahid Saadat, Ruey-Feng Peh, David Miller, Edmond Tam
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Publication number: 20140207210Abstract: Method and systems for optimizing acoustic energy transmission in implantable devices are disclosed. Transducer elements transmit acoustic locator signals towards a receiver assembly, and the receiver responds with a location signal. The location signal can reveal information related to the location of the receiver and the efficiency of the transmitted acoustic beam received by the receiver. This information enables the transmitter to target the receiver and optimize the acoustic energy transfer between the transmitter and the receiver. The energy can be used for therapeutic purposes, for example, stimulating tissue or for diagnostic purposes.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: N. Parker Willis, Axel F. Brisken, Mark W. Cowan, Mike Pare, Robert Fowler, James Brennan
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Patent number: 8718773Abstract: Method and systems for optimizing acoustic energy transmission in implantable devices are disclosed. Transducer elements transmit acoustic locator signals towards a receiver assembly, and the receiver responds with a location signal. The location signal can reveal information related to the location of the receiver and the efficiency of the transmitted acoustic beam received by the receiver. This information enables the transmitter to target the receiver and optimize the acoustic energy transfer between the transmitter and the receiver. The energy can be used for therapeutic purposes, for example, stimulating tissue or for diagnostic purposes.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2007Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: N. Parker Willis, Axel F. Brisken, Mark W. Cowan, Michael Pare, Robert Fowler, James Brennan
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Patent number: 8709008Abstract: Visual electrode ablation systems are described herein which include a deployment catheter and an attached imaging hood deployable into an expanded configuration. In use, the imaging hood is placed against or adjacent to a region of tissue to be imaged in a body lumen that is normally filled with an opaque bodily fluid such as blood. A translucent or transparent fluid, such as saline, can be pumped into the imaging hood until the fluid displaces any blood, thereby leaving a clear region of tissue to be imaged via an imaging element in the deployment catheter. An electric current may be passed through the fluid such that it passes directly to the tissue region being imaged and the electrical energy is conducted through the fluid without the need for a separate ablation probe or instrument to ablate the tissue being viewed.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2008Date of Patent: April 29, 2014Assignee: Intuitive Surgical Operations, Inc.Inventors: N. Parker Willis, Zachary J. Malchano, Chris A. Rothe, Vahid Saadat, Ruey-Feng Peh, David Miller, Edmund Tam
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Publication number: 20140094891Abstract: Method and systems for determining the location or identify of implantable devices are disclosed. An implantable device generates an electrical output and then modifies the output at a pre-configured interval for a pre-configured period. A sensor detects the modified output and locates or identifies the implantable device based on the modified output.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2013Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: Mike Pare, David Moore, N. Parker Willis
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Publication number: 20140046420Abstract: Receiver-stimulator with folded or rolled up assembly of piezoelectric components, causing the receiver-stimulator to operate with a high degree of isotropy are disclosed. The receiver-stimulator comprises piezoelectric components, rectifier circuitry, and at least two stimulation electrodes. Isotropy allows the receiver-stimulator to be implanted with less concern regarding the orientation relative the transmitted acoustic field from an acoustic energy source.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: David F. Moore, Paul Mohr, N. Parker Willis, Axel F. Brisken
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Patent number: 8588926Abstract: Receiver-stimulator with folded or rolled up assembly of piezoelectric components, causing the receiver-stimulator to operate with a high degree of isotropy are disclosed. The receiver-stimulator comprises piezoelectric components, rectifier circuitry, and at least two stimulation electrodes. Isotropy allows the receiver-stimulator to be implanted with less concern regarding the orientation relative the transmitted acoustic field from an acoustic energy source.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2013Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.Inventors: David F. Moore, Paul Mohr, N. Parker Willis, Axel F. Brisken