Patents by Inventor Norm G. Ducharme

Norm G. Ducharme 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: 9616227
    Abstract: A method of using an airway treatment system for treating a dorsal displacement disorder in a horse includes generating a treatment signal configured to treat the dorsal displacement disorder, using a pacemaker processor, in order to continuously stimulate one or more muscles involved in displacing a laryngeal anatomical structure relative to an airway of the horse, and using one or more stimulation electrodes, configured to interface with tissue of the horse, to deliver the treatment signal to the tissue of the horse a period of hours every day to maintain an unobstructed airway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignees: MED-EL Elektromedizinishce Geraete GmbH, Cornell University
    Inventors: Werner Lindenthaler, Norm G. Ducharme
  • Patent number: 9352152
    Abstract: Airway disorders in a horse are relieved by electrical stimulation of the airway tissue. Particular disorders and techniques include electrical stimulation to relieve laryngeal hemiplegia. A pacemaker processor generates an electrical treatment signal to be applied to upper airway tissue of the horse for treating the upper airway disorder. One or more stimulation electrodes interfaces with the upper airway tissue for delivering the treatment signal to the upper airway tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignees: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH, Cornell University
    Inventors: Werner Lindenthaler, Ira Sanders, Norm G. Ducharme
  • Publication number: 20160067485
    Abstract: A method of using an airway treatment system for treating a dorsal displacement disorder in a horse includes generating a treatment signal configured to treat the dorsal displacement disorder, using a pacemaker processor, in order to continuously stimulate one or more muscles involved in displacing a laryngeal anatomical structure relative to an airway of the horse, and using one or more stimulation electrodes, configured to interface with tissue of the horse, to deliver the treatment signal to the tissue of the horse a period of hours every day to maintain an unobstructed airway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Werner Lindenthaler, Norm G. Ducharme
  • Patent number: 9186503
    Abstract: A method of using an airway treatment system for treating a dorsal displacement disorder in a horse includes detecting an elevated activity level of the horse using one or more treatment sensors, generating a treatment signal based on the detected elevated activity level, using a pacemaker processor, to strengthen one or more muscles involved in displacing a laryngeal anatomical structure relative to an airway of the horse, and using one or more stimulation electrodes, configured to interface with tissue of the horse, to deliver the treatment signal to the tissue of the horse to maintain an unobstructed airway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignees: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH, Cornell University
    Inventors: Werner Lindenthaler, Norm G. Ducharme
  • Publication number: 20140200623
    Abstract: A method of using an airway treatment system for treating a dorsal displacement disorder in a horse includes detecting an elevated activity level of the horse using one or more treatment sensors, generating a treatment signal based on the detected elevated activity level, using a pacemaker processor, to strengthen one or more muscles involved in displacing a laryngeal anatomical structure relative to an airway of the horse, and using one or more stimulation electrodes, configured to interface with tissue of the horse, to deliver the treatment signal to the tissue of the horse to maintain an unobstructed airway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicants: Cornell University, MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Lindenthaler, Norm G. Ducharme
  • Patent number: 8676325
    Abstract: An adaptive airway treatment system is described for treating a dorsal displacement disorder in a horse. A pacemaker processor generates a dorsal displacement disorder treatment signal as a function of at least one therapy parameter. One or more stimulation electrodes are adapted to interface with tissue of the horse for delivering the treatment signal to continuously or intermittently stimulate soft palate tissue of the horse during an entire period of increased activity of the horse or for training prior to exercise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignees: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH, Cornell University
    Inventors: Werner Lindenthaler, Norm G. Ducharme
  • Publication number: 20120150255
    Abstract: An adaptive airway treatment system is described for treating a dorsal displacement disorder in a horse. A pacemaker processor generates a dorsal displacement disorder treatment signal as a function of at least one therapy parameter. One or more stimulation electrodes are adapted to interface with tissue of the horse for delivering the treatment signal to continuously or intermittently stimulate soft palate tissue of the horse during an entire period of increased activity of the horse or for training prior to exercise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Geraete GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Lindenthaler, Norm G. Ducharme
  • Publication number: 20080208280
    Abstract: Airway disorders in a horse are relieved by electrical stimulation of the airway tissue. Particular disorders and techniques include electrical stimulation to relieve laryngeal hemiplegia. A pacemaker processor generates an electrical treatment signal to be applied to upper airway tissue of the horse for treating the upper airway disorder. One or more stimulation electrodes interfaces with the upper airway tissue for delivering the treatment signal to the upper airway tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: MED-EL ELEKTROMEDIZINISCHE GERAETE GMBH
    Inventors: Werner Lindenthaler, Ira Sanders, Norm G. Ducharme
  • Patent number: 7036460
    Abstract: A throat support device comprising a main throat support section having one or more lifting mechanisms, each with a tip, each tip adapted to fit into a location immediately adjacent to and behind a basihyoid bone, a thyroid cartilage and/or a cricoid cartilage of an animal to control upper airway dysfunction. In one embodiment, the throat support device further comprises a bridle. In one embodiment, the upper airway dysfunction is dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP) and the animal is a horse. Unlike conventional treatments involving surgery, the throat support device provides a non-invasive and convenient means of diagnosing and treating upper airway dysfunctions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Norm G. Ducharme, Richard P. Hackett, J. Brett Woodie