Patents by Inventor Parker Willis

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).

  • Publication number: 20240390670
    Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to medical implants, such as stimulation assemblies for stimulating the septal wall of the heart of a human patent, and associated methods. In some embodiments, a stimulation assembly includes a body, circuitry positioned at least partially within the body, an electrode, and an anchor coupled to the body. The anchor can be secured to the septal wall such that the body is positioned within the left ventricle of the heart and the electrode engages tissue of the septal wall. The circuitry can be configured to receive acoustic energy and to convert the acoustic energy to electrical energy, and the electrode can deliver the electrical energy to the tissue of the septal wall to stimulate the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Nathaniel Parker Willis, Timothy A. Fayram, Allan Will, Richard Riley, John P. Sam
  • Patent number: 12023488
    Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to medical implants, such as stimulation assemblies for stimulating heart tissue. In some embodiments, a stimulation assembly includes a body, circuitry positioned at least partially within the body, an electrode coupled to the body, and a hook mechanism coupled to the body. The stimulation assembly can be implanted at cardiac tissue of a patient such that the electrode electrically contacts the tissue. The circuitry can be configured to receive acoustic energy and convert the acoustic energy to electrical energy, and the electrode can deliver the electrical energy to the tissue to stimulate the tissue. The hook mechanism can be configured to engage the tissue to pull the tissue and the electrode toward and into engagement with one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: EBR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Nathaniel Parker Willis
  • Publication number: 20240189608
    Abstract: The present technology generally includes devices, systems, and methods for providing electrical stimulation to the left ventricle of a human heart in a patient suffering from Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB). In particular, the present technology includes an implantable receiver-stimulator and an implantable controller-transmitter for leadless electrical stimulation of the heart. The receiver-stimulator can include one or more sensors capable of detecting the electrical conduction of the heart and the receiver-stimulator can be configured to pace the stimulation of the left ventricle based off the sensed electrical conduction to achieve synchronization of the left and right ventricles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Steven Kim, Nathaniel Parker Willis
  • Publication number: 20240139523
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for tracking and determining the motion of a cardiac implant is disclosed. The motion of the implant is determined by transmitting acoustic energy to a tissue location using an acoustic controller-transmitter comprising an array of acoustic transducers; wherein the implant is configured to convert the transmitted acoustic energy to electrical energy; and the tracking is achieved by determining the electrical energy delivered to the tissue throughout one or more cardiac cycles in order to create a motion profile of the cardiac implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Inventor: N. Parker Willis
  • Patent number: 11925812
    Abstract: The present technology generally includes devices, systems, and methods for providing electrical stimulation to the left ventricle of a human heart in a patient suffering from Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB). In particular, the present technology includes an implantable receiver-stimulator and an implantable controller-transmitter for leadless electrical stimulation of the heart. The receiver-stimulator can include one or more sensors capable of detecting the electrical conduction of the heart and the receiver-stimulator can be configured to pace the stimulation of the left ventricle based off the sensed electrical conduction to achieve synchronization of the left and right ventricles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: EBR SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Kim, Nathaniel Parker Willis
  • Publication number: 20240075303
    Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to delivery systems for medical implants, such as stimulation assemblies for stimulating tissue of a human patent, and associated methods. In some embodiments, a delivery system includes (i) an elongate sheath having a distal portion with a distal opening, (ii) an attachment mechanism positioned within the elongate sheath and configured to be releasably coupled to an electrical stimulation implant, and (iii) an elongate optical component movably positioned within the elongate sheath. The optical component is configured to capture image data, and is movable from a first configuration to a second configuration. In the first configuration, the optical component is positioned proximally of the implant. In the second configuration, the optical component is positioned at least partially adjacent to the implant to capture image data proximate the distal opening, thereby facilitating direct visualization of a target location for implantation of the implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventor: Nathaniel Parker Willis
  • Publication number: 20240017079
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: David F. Moore, Paul Mohr, Nathaniel Parker Willis, Axel F. Brisken
  • Publication number: 20230355989
    Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to implantable medical device systems configured to provide cardiac resynchronization therapy. In some embodiments, the implantable medical device system comprises a housing, electrodes carried by the housing, a transducer configured to produce input voltage signals in response to ultrasound energy, and a circuit configured to provide, via an electrical pathway, output voltage signals based on the input voltage signals. The circuit comprises a movable switch, and a slew rate detector configured to detect whether a voltage rate of an individual pulse of the input voltage signals exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage rate. The circuit is configured to move the switch to an open position in response to the detected voltage rate exceeding the predetermined threshold voltage rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventor: Nathaniel Parker Willis
  • Patent number: 11752352
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Moore, Mark W. Cowan, Nathaniel Parker Willis
  • Publication number: 20230248980
    Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to implantable medical device systems for stimulating tissue, such as heart tissue. In some embodiments, an implantable medical device system includes a controller-transmitter and a receiver-stimulator in operable communication with one another. The receiver-stimulator can be implanted at the heart of a patient. The controller-transmitter can be configured to transmit an acoustic signal to the receiver-stimulator, which receives the acoustic signal and converts the acoustic signal to electrical energy for delivery to the heart via one or more stimulation electrodes. The receiver-stimulator can further be configured to transmit a radiofrequency signal to the controller-transmitter including information about sensed physiological parameters of the patient, status information, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Parker Willis, Richard Riley, Timothy A. Fayram
  • Patent number: 11712572
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David F. Moore, Paul Mohr, N. Parker Willis, Axel F. Brisken
  • Publication number: 20220347482
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for tracking and determining the motion of a cardiac implant is disclosed. The motion of the implant is determined by transmitting acoustic energy to a tissue location using an acoustic controller-transmitter comprising an array of acoustic transducers; wherein the implant is configured to convert the transmitted acoustic energy to electrical energy; and the tracking is achieved by determining the electrical energy delivered to the tissue throughout one or more cardiac cycles in order to create a motion profile of the cardiac implant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventor: N. Parker Willis
  • Patent number: 11452879
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: N. Parker Willis, Axel F. Brisken, Mark W. Cowan, Michael Pare, Robert Fowler, James Brennan
  • Patent number: 11433243
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for tracking and determining the motion of a cardiac implant is disclosed. The motion of the implant is determined by transmitting acoustic energy to a tissue location using an acoustic controller-transmitter comprising an array of acoustic transducers; wherein the implant is configured to convert the transmitted acoustic energy to electrical energy; and the tracking is achieved by determining the electrical energy delivered to the tissue throughout one or more cardiac cycles in order to create a motion profile of the cardiac implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: N. Parker Willis
  • Publication number: 20220161036
    Abstract: The present technology generally includes devices, systems, and methods for providing electrical stimulation to the left ventricle of a human heart in a patient suffering from Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB). In particular, the present technology includes an implantable receiver-stimulator and an implantable controller-transmitter for leadless electrical stimulation of the heart. The receiver-stimulator can include one or more sensors capable of detecting the electrical conduction of the heart and the receiver-stimulator can be configured to pace the stimulation of the left ventricle based off the sensed electrical conduction to achieve synchronization of the left and right ventricles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Steven Kim, Parker Willis
  • Publication number: 20220143399
    Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to medical implants, such as stimulation assemblies for stimulating the septal wall of the heart of a human patent, and associated methods. In some embodiments, a stimulation assembly includes a body, circuitry positioned at least partially within the body, an electrode, and an anchor coupled to the body. The anchor can be secured to the septal wall such that the body is positioned within the left ventricle of the heart and the electrode engages tissue of the septal wall. The circuitry can be configured to receive acoustic energy and to convert the acoustic energy to electrical energy, and the electrode can deliver the electrical energy to the tissue of the septal wall to stimulate the tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Parker Willis, Timothy A. Fayram, Allan Will, Richard Riley, John P. Sam
  • Patent number: 11266845
    Abstract: The present technology generally includes devices, systems, and methods for providing electrical stimulation to the left ventricle of a human heart in a patient suffering from Left Bundle Branch Block (LBBB). In particular, the present technology includes an implantable receiver-stimulator and an implantable controller-transmitter for leadless electrical stimulation of the heart. The receiver-stimulator can include one or more sensors capable of detecting the electrical conduction of the heart and the receiver-stimulator can be configured to pace the stimulation of the left ventricle based off the sensed electrical conduction to achieve synchronization of the left and right ventricles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: EBR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Kim, Parker Willis
  • Publication number: 20220047865
    Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to medical implants, such as stimulation assemblies for stimulating heart tissue. In some embodiments, a stimulation assembly includes a body, circuitry positioned at least partially within the body, an electrode coupled to the body, and a hook mechanism coupled to the body. The stimulation assembly can be implanted at cardiac tissue of a patient such that the electrode electrically contacts the tissue. The circuitry can be configured to receive acoustic energy and convert the acoustic energy to electrical energy, and the electrode can deliver the electrical energy to the tissue to stimulate the tissue. The hook mechanism can be configured to engage the tissue to pull the tissue and the electrode toward and into engagement with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventor: N. Parker Willis
  • Publication number: 20220047303
    Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to delivery systems for medical implants, such as electrode assemblies for stimulating heart tissue. In some embodiments, a delivery system for a medical implant includes an elongate sheath having a distal portion and a balloon coupled to the distal portion of the sheath. The delivery system can further include a fluid circuit configured to be in fluid communication with the balloon and having a pressure source and a pressure sensor. The pressure source can move the balloon between an inflated configuration and a deflated configuration, and the pressure sensor can sense a pressure within the balloon. The sensed pressure can be monitored to determine (i) that the balloon is in contact with heart tissue of a heart, (ii), a motion profile of the heart tissue, and/or (iii) blood flow characteristics within the heart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Inventors: N. Parker Willis, Timothy A. Fayram, John Sam
  • Publication number: 20210146143
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: David F. Moore, Paul Mohr, N. Parker Willis, Axel F. Brisken