Patents by Inventor Paul R. Solheim

Paul R. Solheim 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: 10096350
    Abstract: Memory array, system and method for storing data. The memory array has a flash memory array, a random access memory array coupled to the flash memory and configured to receive the data, a memory management module and a data bus. The memory management module is coupled to the random access memory array and to the flash memory array, the memory management module being configured to transfer at least a portion of the data stored in the random access memory array to the flash memory array. The data bus is coupled to the flash memory array and configured to output at least a portion of the data originally stored in the random access memory array from the flash memory array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin K. Walsh, Charles R. Gordon, Paul R. Solheim, Jerry D. Reiland, Robert D. Musto, Duane R. Bigelow
  • Publication number: 20180207437
    Abstract: An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) starts a timer set to a time interval in response to a cardiac electrical signal crossing a noise threshold amplitude and resets the timer to the time interval in response to each crossing of the noise threshold amplitude by the cardiac electrical signal that occurs prior to the time interval expiring. A control circuit of the ICD determines a parameter of the behavior of the timer and identifies a sensed cardiac event as an electromagnetic interference (EMI) event based on the parameter. The ICD may detect EMI in response to the EMI event and withhold a tachyarrhythmia detection or therapy in response to EMI detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Xusheng ZHANG, Saul E. GREENHUT, Michael W. HEINKS, Paul R. SOLHEIM
  • Publication number: 20170354824
    Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an activity sensor, a pulse generator, and a control module. The control module is configured to determine activity metrics from the activity signal and determine an activity metric value at a predetermined percentile of the activity metrics. The control module sets a lower pacing rate set point based on the activity metric value at the predetermined percentile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Todd J. SHELDON, Wade M. DEMMER, Karen J. KLECKNER, Douglas A. PETERSON, Paul R. SOLHEIM
  • Publication number: 20170312534
    Abstract: An implantable medical device system capable of sensing cardiac electrical signals includes a sensing circuit, a therapy delivery circuit and a control circuit. The sensing circuit is configured to receive a cardiac electrical signal and sense a cardiac event in response to the signal crossing a cardiac event sensing threshold. The therapy delivery circuit is configured to deliver an electrical stimulation therapy to a patient's heart via the electrodes coupled to the implantable medical device. The control circuit is configured to control the sensing circuit to set a starting value of the cardiac event sensing threshold and hold the starting value constant for a sense delay interval. The control circuit is further configured to detect an arrhythmia based on cardiac events sensed by the sensing circuit and control the therapy delivery circuit to deliver the electrical stimulation therapy in response to detecting the arrhythmia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Jian CAO, Timothy A. EBELING, Saul E. GREENHUT, Michael W. HEINKS, Irving J. SANCHEZ, Paul R. SOLHEIM, Xusheng ZHANG, Gerald P. ARNE
  • Publication number: 20170312533
    Abstract: An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) receives a cardiac electrical signal by a sensing circuit while operating in a sensing without pacing mode and detects asystole based on the cardiac electrical signal. The ICD determines, in response to detecting the asystole, if asystole backup pacing is enabled, and automatically switches to a temporary pacing mode in response to the asystole backup pacing being enabled. Other examples of detecting asystole and providing a response to detecting asystole by the ICD are described herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Yanina GRINBERG, Robert T. SAWCHUK, Amy E. THOMPSON-NAUMAN, Douglas A. PETERSON, Paul R. SOLHEIM, Joel R. LAUER
  • Publication number: 20170312502
    Abstract: Implantable medical devices automatically switch from a normal mode of operation to an exposure mode of operation and back to the normal mode of operation. The implantable medical devices may utilize hysteresis timers in order to determine if entry and/or exit criteria for the exposure mode are met. The implantable medical devices may utilize additional considerations for entry to the exposure mode such as a confirmation counter or a moving buffer of sensor values. The implantable medical devices may utilize additional considerations for exiting the exposure mode of operation and returning to the normal mode, such as total time in the exposure mode, patient position, and high voltage source charge time in the case of devices with defibrillation capabilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Hyun J. Yoon, Michael L. Ellingson, Wade M. Demmer, Jonathan D. Edmonson, Matthew J. Hoffman, Ben W. Herberg, James D. Reinke, Todd J. Sheldon, Paul R. Solheim, Alison M. Seacord
  • Publication number: 20170296827
    Abstract: Implantable medical systems enter an exposure mode of operation, either manually via a down linked programming instruction or by automatic detection by the implantable system of exposure to a magnetic disturbance. A controller then determines the appropriate exposure mode by considering various pieces of information including the device type including whether the device has defibrillation capability, pre-exposure mode of therapy including which chambers have been paced, and pre-exposure cardiac activity that is either intrinsic or paced rates. Additional considerations may include determining whether a sensed rate during the exposure mode is physiologic or artificially produced by the magnetic disturbance. When the sensed rate is physiologic, then the controller uses the sensed rate to trigger pacing and otherwise uses asynchronous pacing at a fixed rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Hyun J. Yoon, Wade M. Demmer, Matthew J. Hoffman, Robert A. Betzold, Jonathan D. Edmonson, Michael L. Ellingson, Ben W. Herberg, Juliana E. Pronovici, James D. Reinke, Todd J. Sheldon, Paul R. Solheim
  • Publication number: 20170296835
    Abstract: Implantable medical systems enter an exposure mode of operation, either manually via a down linked programming instruction or by automatic detection by the implantable system of exposure to a magnetic disturbance. A controller then determines the appropriate exposure mode by considering various pieces of information including the device type including whether the device has defibrillation capability, pre-exposure mode of therapy including which chambers have been paced, and pre-exposure cardiac activity that is either intrinsic or paced rates. Additional considerations may include determining whether a sensed rate during the exposure mode is physiologic or artificially produced by the magnetic disturbance. When the sensed rate is physiologic, then the controller uses the sensed rate to trigger pacing and otherwise uses asynchronous pacing at a fixed rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 19, 2017
    Inventors: Hyun J. Yoon, Wade M. Demmer, Matthew J. Hoffman, Robert A. Betzold, Jonathan D. Edmonson, Michael L. Ellingson, Mark K. Erickson, Ben E. Herberg, Juliana E. Pronovici, James D. Reinke, Todd J. Sheldon, Paul R. Solheim
  • Patent number: 9724518
    Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an activity sensor, a pulse generator, and a control module. The control module is configured to determine activity metrics from the activity signal and determine an activity metric value at a predetermined percentile of the activity metrics. The control module sets a lower pacing rate set point based on the activity metric value at the predetermined percentile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd J Sheldon, Wade M Demmer, Karen J Kleckner, Douglas A Peterson, Paul R Solheim
  • Patent number: 9522276
    Abstract: A medical device and associated method determine a signal amplitude of a sensor signal produced by a MEMS sensor, compare the signal amplitude to a stiction detection condition, detect stiction of the MEMS sensor in response to the signal amplitude meeting the stiction detection condition, and automatically provide a corrective action in response to detecting the stiction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaonan Shen, Nathan A Grenz, Robert D Musto, David L Palkert, Jonathan P Roberts, James D Reinke, Paul R Solheim
  • Publication number: 20160213934
    Abstract: A medical device and associated method determine a signal amplitude of a sensor signal produced by a MEMS sensor, compare the signal amplitude to a stiction detection condition, detect stiction of the MEMS sensor in response to the signal amplitude meeting the stiction detection condition, and automatically provide a corrective action in response to detecting the stiction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Inventors: Xiaonan Shen, Nathan A. Grenz, Robert D. Musto, David L. Palkert, Jonathan P. Roberts, James D. Reinke, Paul R. Solheim
  • Publication number: 20160144191
    Abstract: An implantable medical device includes an activity sensor, a pulse generator, and a control module. The control module is configured to determine activity metrics from the activity signal and determine an activity metric value at a predetermined percentile of the activity metrics. The control module sets a lower pacing rate set point based on the activity metric value at the predetermined percentile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Todd J. Sheldon, Wade M. Demmer, Karen J. Kleckner, Douglas A. Peterson, Paul R. Solheim
  • Patent number: 8855780
    Abstract: In the present disclosure, conservation of an implantable medical device power supply of is facilitated by controlling the power consumption of the device's processing component. The power supplied to the processing component is controlled to enable processing of received events as a function of predetermined criteria rather than the actual occurrence of the events which is frequent, but irregular. Accordingly, the need for the processing component to start and stop (and thereby be fully powered on each start) with receipt of each event is obviated thereby maintaining the power consumption of the processing component and increasing longevity of the device. Event data associated with received events is stored in an event queue and subsequently retrieved and transmitted for processing based on predetermined criteria. The power supplied during an idle state of the processing component may be reduced in relation to the power supplied during a wake up state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Hansen, Robert M. Ecker, Paul R. Solheim
  • Publication number: 20140100634
    Abstract: In the present disclosure, conservation of an implantable medical device power supply of is facilitated by controlling the power consumption of the device's processing component. The power supplied to the processing component is controlled to enable processing of received events as a function of predetermined criteria rather than the actual occurrence of the events which is frequent, but irregular. Accordingly, the need for the processing component to start and stop (and thereby be fully powered on each start) with receipt of each event is obviated thereby maintaining the power consumption of the processing component and increasing longevity of the device. Event data associated with received events is stored in an event queue and subsequently retrieved and transmitted for processing based on predetermined criteria. The power supplied during an idle state of the processing component may be reduced in relation to the power supplied during a wake up state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Hansen, Robert M. Ecker, Paul R. Solheim
  • Patent number: 8634914
    Abstract: In the present disclosure, conservation of an implantable medical device power supply of is facilitated by controlling the power consumption of the device's processing component. The power supplied to the processing component is controlled to enable processing of received events as a function of predetermined criteria rather than the actual occurrence of the events which is frequent, but irregular. Accordingly, the need for the processing component to start and stop (and thereby be fully powered on each start) with receipt of each event is obviated thereby maintaining the power consumption of the processing component and increasing longevity of the device. Event data associated with received events is stored in an event queue and subsequently retrieved and transmitted for processing based on predetermined criteria. The power supplied during an idle state of the processing component may be reduced in relation to the power supplied during a wake up state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Hansen, Robert M. Ecker, Paul R. Solheim
  • Publication number: 20130238840
    Abstract: Memory array, system and method for storing data. The memory array has a flash memory array, a random access memory array coupled to the flash memory and configured to receive the data, a memory management module and a data bus. The memory management module is coupled to the random access memory array and to the flash memory array, the memory management module being configured to transfer at least a portion of the data stored in the random access memory array to the flash memory array. The data bus is coupled to the flash memory array and configured to output at least a portion of the data originally stored in the random access memory array from the flash memory array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventors: Kevin K. Walsh, Charles R. Gordon, Paul R. Solheim, Jerry D. Reiland, Robert D. Musto, Duane R. Bigelow
  • Publication number: 20130198531
    Abstract: In the present disclosure, conservation of an implantable medical device power supply of is facilitated by controlling the power consumption of the device's processing component. The power supplied to the processing component is controlled to enable processing of received events as a function of predetermined criteria rather than the actual occurrence of the events which is frequent, but irregular. Accordingly, the need for the processing component to start and stop (and thereby be fully powered on each start) with receipt of each event is obviated thereby maintaining the power consumption of the processing component and increasing longevity of the device. Event data associated with received events is stored in an event queue and subsequently retrieved and transmitted for processing based on predetermined criteria. The power supplied during an idle state of the processing component may be reduced in relation to the power supplied during a wake up state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel L. Hansen, Robert M. Ecker, Paul R. Solheim