Patents by Inventor Norbert Kaula

Norbert Kaula 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: 9180302
    Abstract: A method of visualizing a user interaction with a clinician programmer is disclosed. A user engagement with respect to a screen of the clinician programmer is detected via one or more sensors associated with the screen of the clinician programmer. One or more locations on the screen of the clinician programmer corresponding to the user engagement is determined. An external monitor is communicatively coupled to the clinician programmer. The external monitor displays one or more cursors that graphically represent the one or more locations on the screen of the clinician programmer corresponding to the user engagement, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott Drees, Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu, Scott G. Leyh, Richard J. Polefko, Stephen C. Trier, Raymond L. Yoder
  • Publication number: 20150273216
    Abstract: A stimulation system, such as a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, having a programmer for establishing a program to treat a patient. The programmer uses a discretized, interrupted, and safe spatial electrode migration process for establishing the stimulation program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Paul Landers, Yohannes Iyassu
  • Patent number: 9144680
    Abstract: A stimulation system, such as a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, having a programmer and a patient feedback device for establishing a protocol to treat a patient. The programmer uses a computer assisted stimulation programming procedure for establishing the protocol. Also described are methods of treating a patient with a spinal cord stimulation system including the programmer and the patient feedback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu
  • Patent number: 9126043
    Abstract: A patient feedback device for communicating with a programming device of an electrical stimulation system. The device includes a housing, a sensor, a controller, and a communication port. The sensor is supported by the housing and generates a sensor signal in response to an action from the patient. The controller is supported by the housing and is in operative communication with the sensor. The controller receives the sensor signal and sends information to the communication port based on the sensor signal. The communication port is connected to the housing and is in operative communication with the controller. The communication port receives information from the controller and wirelessly transmits a communication signal to the programming device of the electrical stimulation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu
  • Publication number: 20150216478
    Abstract: The present invention involves systems and methods for determining nerve proximity, nerve direction, and pathology relative to a surgical instrument based on an identified relationship between neuromuscular responses and the stimulation signal that caused the neuromuscular responses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett, James E. Gharib, Allen Farquhar
  • Patent number: 9072903
    Abstract: A stimulation system, such as a spinal cord stimulation (SCS) system, having a programmer and a patient feedback device for establishing a protocol to treat a patient. The programmer uses a computer assisted stimulation programming procedure for establishing the protocol. Also described are methods of treating a patient with a spinal cord stimulation system including the programmer and the patient feedback device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu, Richard J. Polefko, Steven E. Wilder, Scott G. Leyh
  • Patent number: 9037250
    Abstract: The present invention involves systems and methods for determining nerve proximity, nerve direction, and pathology relative to a surgical instrument based on an identified relationship between neuromuscular responses and the stimulation signal that caused the neuromuscular responses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: NuVasive, Inc.
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Jeffrey J. Blewett, James Gharib, Allen Farquhar
  • Publication number: 20150134027
    Abstract: The present disclosure involves a method of measuring a physiological feedback from a patient in response to electrical stimulation. A stimulation parameter of a sacral nerve stimulation therapy is ramped up. The sacral nerve stimulation therapy includes electrical pulses generated by a pulse generator based on programming instructions received from an electronic programmer. The electrical pulses are delivered to a patient via a stimulation lead that is implanted in the patient. Via an anal electrode device that is at least partially inserted inside an anal canal of the patient, a compound motor action potential (CMAP) is measured from an anal sphincter of the patient while the stimulation parameter of the sacral nerve stimulation therapy is being ramped up. A stimulation threshold is determined based on the measured CMAP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu, Steven Siegel, Michele Spinelli
  • Publication number: 20150134026
    Abstract: In response to input from a patient who is being treated by a sacral nerve stimulation therapy, an electronic diary is generated that includes a plurality of voiding responses of the patient over a period of time. The sacral nerve stimulation therapy includes electrical pulses delivered to the patient according to a first stimulation program and via a first subset of electrode contacts on a lead that is implanted in the patient. The lead has a plurality of electrode contacts that include the first subset. Based on the voiding responses in the electronic diary, a loss of efficacy of the sacral nerve stimulation therapy is detected. The sacral nerve stimulation therapy is automatically adjusted in response to the detected loss of efficacy. The automatically adjustment of the sacral nerve stimulation therapy may include either a program-based sweep or a contact-based sweep.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu
  • Publication number: 20150134028
    Abstract: The present disclosure involves a method of generating different stimulation waveforms as a part of sacral nerve stimulation therapy. A first stimulation waveform having a first stimulation waveform characteristic is generated. The first stimulation waveform is delivered to a first body part of a patient at least in part via a first channel. A second stimulation waveform having a second stimulation waveform characteristic is generated. The second stimulation waveform characteristic is different from the first stimulation waveform characteristic. The second stimulation waveform is delivered to a second body part of the patient at least in part via a second channel that is separate and independent from the first channel. The first body part and second body part correspond to different organs or different types of nerves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu, Michael Labbe
  • Publication number: 20150080983
    Abstract: In a method for programming an implantable device, an input is received at a user interface on a tablet-style clinician programmer. A first display signal is generated on the clinician programmer that updates content on a first display based on the received user input. The first display has a first size. A second display signal is generated for transmission to a secondary unit having a second display separate from the clinician programmer. The second display has a second size larger than the first size. The generating of the second display signal includes enhancing the content of the second display signal to provide a clear image on the second size display. The second display signal is transmitted from the clinician programmer to the second display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Scott Drees, Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu, Scott G. Leyh, Richard J. Polefko, Stephen C. Trier, Raymond L. Yoder
  • Patent number: 8983616
    Abstract: The present disclosure involves a medical system. The medical system includes a medical device configured to deliver a medical therapy to a patient and store an electronic patient record that includes visual identification information of the patient. The medical system includes a clinician programmer configured to program the medical device. The clinician programmer includes a display screen. The clinician programmer includes a transceiver configured to conduct electronic communication with external devices. The clinician programmer includes a memory storage configured to store machine-readable code. The clinician programmer includes a computer processor configured to execute the machine-readable code to: establish an electronic communication with the medical device via the transceiver; and display the electronic patient record, including the visual identification information of the patient, on the display screen after the electronic communication has been established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu, Scott Drees
  • Patent number: 8903496
    Abstract: A clinician programming system operable to control an implantable medical device includes a clinician programmer and a secondary unit. The clinician programmer has a housing, and includes a first display configured to display information indicative of the inputs by the clinician or display information indicative of status of an implantable pulse generator, the first display having a first display size. The secondary unit is separate from the housing of the clinician programmer and includes a secondary display. The secondary display is configured to communicate with the clinician programmer via the secondary display communication interface and configured to display information received via the secondary display communication interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Scott Drees, Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu, Scott G. Leyh, Richard J. Polefko, Stephen C. Trier, Raymond L. Yoder
  • Publication number: 20140343629
    Abstract: A method of displaying impedance information of an implantable medical device is provided. One or more impedance values are received over a period of time for a plurality of channels. The channels may each include an electrode contact on an implantable lead. A graph is displayed that illustrates a variation of the impedance values over at least a portion of the period of time for one or more of the channels. A visual landscape that is representative of the impedance values for the plurality of channels is also displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu
  • Publication number: 20140343628
    Abstract: A method of programming electrodes includes automatic current balancing and lock control. A virtual representation of a lead is displayed. The lead includes a plurality of electrodes. A subset of the electrodes is selected for programming. Each of the electrodes in the subset has one of two polarities. The two polarities are anode and cathode. A first percentage of a total stimulation current is assigned to a first one of the electrodes in the subset. In response to a user input, the first percentage is fixed to the first electrode. A plurality of second electrodes in the subset that have the same polarity as the first electrode is identified. Thereafter, a respective second percentage of the total stimulation current is automatically assigned to each of the second electrodes. A sum of the first percentage and the respective second percentages is equal to 100%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu
  • Publication number: 20140344733
    Abstract: A method of visualizing a sensation experienced by a patient is disclosed. A graphical user interface is provided. The graphical user interface is configured to receive an input from a user and display a visual output to the user. A virtual control mechanism is displayed on the graphical user interface. One or more engagements of the virtual control mechanism are detected through the graphical user interface. In response to the engagement of the virtual control mechanism, a sensation map history is displayed on the graphical user interface. The sensation map history graphically depicts a migration of a sensation map over time on a virtual human body model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu
  • Publication number: 20140343633
    Abstract: An electrically identifiable medical electrode lead. The lead includes a flexible lead body having a distal end and a connector end. The lead also includes a plurality of electrodes disposed near the distal end of the flexible lead body. The lead further includes a connector disposed at the connector end of the flexible lead body, the connector including a plurality of contacts. The lead additionally includes a plurality of conductors supported by and passing through the flexible lead body, the plurality of conductors including electrical conductors that provide paths for electrical current from the connector to the plurality of electrodes. Finally, the lead includes a memory circuit supported by the flexible lead body and being in electrical communication with a contact of the plurality of contacts in the connector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Jeff A. Weisgarber, Yohannes Iyassu
  • Publication number: 20140344740
    Abstract: A method of displaying pain or stimulation experienced by a patient includes providing a graphical user interface configured to receive an input from a user and display a visual output to the user. A first map and a second map are concurrently displayed via the graphical user interface. The first map and the second map are each a pain map or a stimulation map. The pain map represents a body area of the patient experiencing pain. The stimulation map represents a body area of the patient experiencing electrical stimulation. A virtual control mechanism is displayed via the graphical user interface. Through the graphical user interface, an engagement of the virtual control mechanism is detected. In response to the engagement of the virtual control mechanism, respective visual emphases of the first map and the second map are simultaneously adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu
  • Patent number: 8868199
    Abstract: The present disclosure involves a method of data-reducing and storing a sensation map. A sensation map associated with a patient is provided. The sensation map includes a graphical depiction of a sensation experienced by the patient. The sensation may be pain or paresthesia experienced by the patient in response to an electrical stimulation therapy. A data file is generated. The data file has a data size less than a data size of the sensation map. The data file contains digital information allowing a reconstruction of the sensation map. Electronic communication is then established with an implanted medical device located inside the patient's body. Thereafter, the data file is sent to the implanted medical device for storage. The stored data files are retrievable by another clinician programmer later to reconstruct the sensation map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu, Carl Mosley, Scott Drees
  • Publication number: 20140304773
    Abstract: The present disclosure involves a method of communicating with an implantable medical device. An authentication process is performed to verify an identity of a user of a mobile computing device. A request is received from the user to access an implantable medical device via the mobile computing device. Based on the identity of the user, a first user interface suitable for the user is selected from a plurality of user interfaces that are each configured to control an implantable medical device. The plurality of user interfaces have different visual characteristics and different levels of access to the implantable medical device. The first user interface is displayed on the mobile computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Thomas F. Woods, Norbert Kaula, Yohannes Iyassu