Patents by Inventor Nina M. Graves

Nina M. Graves 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: 8112153
    Abstract: A method of comparing cardiac and neurological event detection signals to indicate whether the cardiac event detection signal may facilitate detection of neurological events. The method includes obtaining a signal indicating detected neurological events, obtaining a signal indicating detected cardiac events, analyzing the timing relationships between the detected neurological and cardiac events to identify matched events, and using the matched events to indicate whether the cardiac event detection signal facilitates detection of neurological events.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon E. Giftakis, Nina M. Graves
  • Patent number: 8108038
    Abstract: A medical device system that includes a brain monitoring element, cardiac monitoring element and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a brain signal from the brain monitoring element and a cardiac signal from the cardiac monitoring element. The processor is further configured to determine at least one reference point for a brain event time period by evaluation of the brain signal. The processor further identifies a first portion of the cardiac signal based on the at least one reference point of the brain event time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon E. Giftakis, Jonathan C. Werder, Nina M. Graves, Eric J. Panken, David L. Carlson
  • Patent number: 8108033
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for storing data records associated with a medical monitoring event in a data structure. Upon detection of a possible occurrence of a physiological event by one group of monitoring elements, an implanted device records data received from another group of monitoring elements. The implanted device obtains and stores the data in the data record in a first data structure that is age-based. Before an oldest data record is lost, the oldest data record may be stored in a second data structure that is priority index-based. The priority index may be determined by a severity level and may be further determined by associated factors. The implanted device may organize, off-load, report, and/or display a plurality of data records based on an associated priority index. Additionally, the implanted device may select a subset or composite of physiologic channels from the available physiologic channels based on a selection criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Touby A. Drew, Jonathon E. Giftakis, David L. Carlson, Eric J. Panken, Jonathan C. Werder, Nina M. Graves
  • Patent number: 8108046
    Abstract: A method of treating a neurological disorder in a patient. In some embodiments, the method includes obtaining a neurological event detection signal, obtaining a cardiac event detection signal, analyzing the timing relationships between the detected neurological and cardiac events to identify matched events, using the matched events to determine whether the cardiac event detection signal facilitates detection of neurological events, delivering a therapy to the patient in response to a cardiac event if the cardiac event detection signal is determined to facilitate detection of neurological events, and changing the therapy delivered based on sensed brain signals from the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon E. Giftakis, Nina M. Graves
  • Publication number: 20120022340
    Abstract: A system includes one or more sensors and a processor. Each of the sensors generates a signal as a function of at least one physiological parameter of a patient that may discernibly change when the patient is asleep. The processor monitors the physiological parameters, and determines whether the patient is asleep based on the parameters. In some embodiments, the processor determines plurality of sleep metric values, each of which indicates a probability of the patient being asleep, based on each of a plurality of physiological parameters. The processor may average or otherwise combine the plurality of sleep metric values to provide an overall sleep metric value that is compared to a threshold value in order to determine whether the patient is asleep. In addition, an electroencephalogram signal may be used to identify sleep states of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth T. Heruth, Keith A. Miesel, Jonathan C. Werder, Steve R. LaPorte, Nina M. Graves
  • Patent number: 8068911
    Abstract: A medical device system includes a housing, the housing at least partially supporting a therapy module and a processor, and a respiratory monitoring element coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to activate the therapy module upon detection of a respiratory event in a respiratory signal. In some embodiments, the system may further comprise a brain monitoring element, and the processor may be configured to monitor a brain signal and change the therapeutic output based upon the brain signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon E Giftakis, Nina M. Graves, David L Thompson
  • Patent number: 8055348
    Abstract: A system includes one or more sensors and a processor. Each of the sensors generates a signal as a function of at least one physiological parameter of a patient that may discernibly change when the patient is asleep. The processor monitors the physiological parameters, and determines whether the patient is asleep based on the parameters. In some embodiments, the processor determines plurality of sleep metric values, each of which indicates a probability of the patient being asleep, based on each of a plurality of physiological parameters. The processor may average or otherwise combine the plurality of sleep metric values to provide an overall sleep metric value that is compared to a threshold value in order to determine whether the patient is asleep. In addition, an electroencephalogram signal may be used to identify sleep states of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth T. Heruth, Keith A. Miesel, Jonathan C. Werder, Steve R. LaPorte, Nina M. Graves
  • Patent number: 8041419
    Abstract: A medical device system that includes a brain monitoring element, cardiac monitoring element and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a brain signal from the brain monitoring element and a cardiac signal from the cardiac monitoring element. The processor is further configured to compare the brain signal to the cardiac signal. A method of comparing a brain signal to a cardiac signal is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon E. Giftakis, Nina M. Graves
  • Patent number: 8041418
    Abstract: A medical device system includes a brain monitoring element, cardiac monitoring element, therapy module and a processor. The processor is configured to activate the therapy module upon detection of a cardiac event in the cardiac signal. The processor is further configured to monitor the brain signal and communicate to the therapy module to change the cardiac triggered therapeutic output to the brain based upon the brain monitoring. A method of treating a person with a neurological disorder is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon E. Giftakis, Nina M. Graves
  • Patent number: 8032224
    Abstract: Techniques for controlling delivery of a therapy to a patient by a medical device, such as an implantable medical device (IMD), involve a sensitivity analysis of a performance metric. The performance metric may relate to efficacy or side effects of the therapy. For example, the performance metric may comprise a sleep quality metric, an activity level metric, a movement disorder metric for patients with Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, or the like. The sensitivity analysis identifies values of therapy parameters that defines a substantially maximum or minimum value of the performance metric. The identified therapy parameters are a baseline therapy parameter set, and a medical device may control delivery of the therapy based on the baseline therapy parameter set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith A. Miesel, Kenneth T. Heruth, Jonathan C. Werder, Steve R. LaPorte, Nina M. Graves
  • Patent number: 8024029
    Abstract: Apparatus for storing data records associated with a medical monitoring event in a data structure. Upon indication by a patient of a possible manifestation of a neurological event, the implanted device obtains and stores data in the data record in a first data structure that is age-based. Before an oldest data record is lost, the oldest data record may be stored in a second data structure that is priority index-based. The priority index may be determined by a severity level and may be further determined by associated factors. The implanted device may organize, off-load, report, and/or display a plurality of data records based on an associated priority index. Additionally, the implanted device may select a subset or composite of physiologic channels from the available physiologic channels based on a selection criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Touby A. Drew, Jonathon E. Giftakis, Nina M. Graves, Jonathan C. Werder, David L. Carlson
  • Patent number: 8000788
    Abstract: An implantable medical device such as an implantable pulse generator that includes EEG sensing for monitoring and treating neurological conditions, and leadless ECG sensing for monitoring cardiac signals. The device includes a connector block with provisions for cardiac leads which may be used/enabled when needed. If significant co-morbid cardiac events are observed in patients via the leadless ECG monitoring, then cardiac leads may be subsequently connected for therapeutic use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon E. Giftakis, Nina M. Graves, Jonathan C. Werder, Eric J. Panken
  • Publication number: 20110166471
    Abstract: Methods for receiving a patient mark in an implanted device. A patient may experience symptoms that indicative of a neurological event or are common precursors to more severe clinical symptoms. The patient may activate a patient activator. Activation of the patient activator can cause the patient activator to transmit the patient mark to an implanted device. The implanted device may adjust physiological data being stored in response to the patient mark, including data before and after the patient mark. The patient mark may be used to time tune the detection algorithms and otherwise tune the detection capability of the implanted device and may also be used as an aid in statistical analysis of the stored physiological data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Touby A. Drew, Jonathon E. Giftakis, Nina M. Graves
  • Patent number: 7949391
    Abstract: A medical device system includes a brain monitoring element, cardiac monitoring element, therapy module and a processor. The processor is configured to activate the therapy module upon detection of a cardiac event in the cardiac signal. The processor is further configured to monitor the brain signal and communicate to the therapy module to change the cardiac triggered therapeutic output to the brain based upon the brain monitoring. A method of treating a person with a neurological disorder is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon E. Giftakis, Nina M. Graves
  • Patent number: 7949392
    Abstract: A medical device system that includes a brain monitoring element, cardiac monitoring element and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a brain signal from the brain monitoring element and a cardiac signal from the cardiac monitoring element. The processor is further configured to compare the brain signal to the cardiac signal. A method of comparing a brain signal to a cardiac signal is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon E. Giftakis, Nina M. Graves
  • Patent number: 7945316
    Abstract: A medical device system for comparing a cardiopulmonary signal to a brain signal. In one embodiment of the invention, a medical device system is provided that includes a brain monitoring element, respiratory monitoring element and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a brain signal from the brain monitoring element and a respiratory signal from the respiratory monitoring element. The processor is further configured to compare the brain signal to the respiratory signal. Methods of comparing a brain signal to a cardiopulmonary signal are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathon E. Giftakis, Nina M. Graves
  • Publication number: 20110105913
    Abstract: A medical device system that includes a brain monitoring element, cardiac monitoring element and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a brain signal from the brain monitoring element and a cardiac signal from the cardiac monitoring element. The processor is further configured to compare the brain signal to the cardiac signal. A method of comparing a brain signal to a cardiac signal is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathon E. Giftakis, Nina M. Graves
  • Patent number: 7933646
    Abstract: Apparatus and method detect a detection cluster that is associated with a neurological event, such as a seizure, of a nervous system disorder and update therapy parameters that are associated with a treatment therapy. The occurrence of the detection cluster is detected when the maximal ratio exceeds an intensity threshold. If the maximal ratio drops below the intensity threshold for a time interval that is less than a time threshold and subsequently rises above the intensity threshold, the subsequent time duration is considered as being associated with the detection cluster rather than being associated with a different detection cluster. Consequently, treatment of the nervous system disorder during the corresponding time period is in accordance with one detection cluster. Treatment therapy may be provided by providing electrical stimulation, drug infusion or a combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark G. Frei, Ivan Osorio, Nina M. Graves, Scott F. Schaffner, Mark T. Rise, Jonathon E. Giftakis, David L. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20110087082
    Abstract: A medical device system for comparing a cardiopulmonary signal to a brain signal. In one embodiment of the invention, a medical device system is provided that includes a brain monitoring element, respiratory monitoring element and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a brain signal from the brain monitoring element and a respiratory signal from the respiratory monitoring element. The processor is further configured to compare the brain signal to the respiratory signal. Methods of comparing a brain signal to a cardiopulmonary signal are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathon E. Giftakis, Nina M. Graves
  • Patent number: 7917199
    Abstract: Methods for receiving a patient mark in an implanted device. A patient may experience symptoms that indicative of a neurological event or are common precursors to more severe clinical symptoms. The patient may activate a patient activator. Activation of the patient activator can cause the patient activator to transmit the patient mark to an implanted device. The implanted device may adjust physiological data being stored in response to the patient mark, including data before and after the patient mark. The patient mark may be used to fine tune the detection algorithms and otherwise tune the detection capability of the implanted device and may also be used as an aid in statistical analysis of the stored physiological data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Touby A. Drew, Jonathon E. Giftakis, Nina M. Graves