Patents by Inventor Rene H. Wentkowski

Rene H. Wentkowski 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: 8369949
    Abstract: A system and method for recording sensing and pacing events in a cardiac rhythm management device. The method may be particularly useful in assessment of pacing parameters for ventricular resynchronization therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Rene H. Wentkowski, Andrew P. Kramer, James Kalgren
  • Publication number: 20130006321
    Abstract: A method and system for managing refractory periods in a cardiac rhythm management device configured for biventricular or biatrial sensing. Refractory periods for each channel of the pacemaker are provided by interval timers that are triggered by sensed or paced events in order to prevent misinterpretation of sensing signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Andrew P. Kramer, James O. Gilkerson, Lorenzo DiCarlo, Rene H. Wentkowski
  • Patent number: 8271083
    Abstract: A method and system for managing refractory periods in a cardiac rhythm management device configured for biventricular or biatrial sensing. Refractory periods for each channel of the pacemaker are provided by interval timers that are triggered by sensed or paced events in order to prevent misinterpretation of sensing signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Andrew P. Kramer, James O. Gilkerson, Lorenzo DiCarlo, Rene H. Wentkowski
  • Patent number: 8214034
    Abstract: A device and method for multi chamber pacing a patient's heart having heart failure and intrinsic conduction, wherein ventricular tracking is used to pace the ventricle when the sinus rate exceeds a preset atrial maximum tracking rate. The ventricular tracking pacemaker increases the range of pacing the ventricle. The ventricular tracking minimizes the loss of ventricular pacing caused by intrinsic conduction when the sinus rate is below an atrial maximum tracking rate, and it induces a new ventricular pacing behavior for sinus rates above the atrial maximum tracking rate without any significant pacing hysteresis as the sinus rate returns towards the lower rate limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew P. Kramer, Albert Maarse, Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Rene H. Wentkowski
  • Publication number: 20120165883
    Abstract: A system and method for correlating health related data for display. The system includes a medical device recording data and a display producing device which correlates the data and simultaneously displays different types of data or displays two sets of the same type of data along with the circumstances at which the two sets of data were recorded. Such displays aid a physician in prescribing and ascertaining the efficacy of cardiac therapies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: James Kalgren, Rene H. Wentkowski, Jeffrey E. Stahmann
  • Publication number: 20120083854
    Abstract: A medical device programmer and a method of operation in which a first data value is received and used in the execution of one or more algorithms. One or more suggested pulse generator settings are calculated from the one or more algorithms based on the first data value, and the one or more suggested pulse generator settings are displayed on an interactive display screen of the medical device programmer. In one embodiment, the first data value is a duration interval of a QRS complex. From the duration interval, suggestions are made as to one or more ventricular chambers in which to provide pacing pulses. Additionally, pacing intervals for an AV delay are suggested based on measured P-R intervals, or pacing intervals for an LV offset are suggested based on a measured duration interval of a V-V-interval between a right ventricular event and a left ventricular event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Par Lindh, James Kalgren, Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Rene H. Wentkowski
  • Patent number: 8131351
    Abstract: A system and method for correlating health related data for display. The system includes a medical device recording data and a display producing device which correlates the data and simultaneously displays different types of data or displays two sets of the same type of data along with the circumstances at which the two sets of data were recorded. Such displays aid a physician in prescribing and ascertaining the efficacy of cardiac therapies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: James Kalgren, Rene H. Wentkowski, Jeffrey E. Stahmann
  • Patent number: 8103334
    Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management system that includes a pacemaker configured for biventricular pacing and an external programmer with an associated display for displaying electrogram data and markers representing ventricular events. Associated with each marker are intraventricular intervals designed to relate information to a user in a manner suited for ventricular resynchronization pacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Vanderlinde, Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Rene H. Wentkowski, David Ternes, James Kalgren
  • Publication number: 20120016250
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for displaying statistical distributions of cardiac events. A device embodiment comprises circuitry adapted to communicate with a medical device that is adapted to acquire data regarding cardiac events occurring at two or more cardiac sites, and display means for displaying a histogram of the data as two or more statistical distributions for the two or more cardiac sites. The histogram includes a number of histogram bins. At least one of the histogram bins includes both a representation for at least a portion of a statistical distribution of a cardiac event for a first cardiac site and a representation for at least a portion of a statistical distribution of a cardiac event for a second cardiac site. Other embodiments are provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Rene H. Wentkowski, James Kalgren, Par Lindh
  • Patent number: 8099165
    Abstract: A medical device programmer and a method of operation in which a first data value is received and used in the execution of one or more algorithms. One or more suggested pulse generator settings are calculated from the one or more algorithms based on the first data value, and the one or more suggested pulse generator settings are displayed on an interactive display screen of the medical device programmer. In one embodiment, the first data value is a duration interval of a QRS complex. From the duration interval, suggestions are made as to one or more ventricular chambers in which to provide pacing pulses. Additionally, pacing intervals for an AV delay are suggested based on measured P-R intervals, or pacing intervals for an LV offset are suggested based on a measured duration interval of a V-V-interval between a right ventricular event and a left ventricular event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Par Lindh, James Kalgren, Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Rene H. Wentkowski
  • Publication number: 20110264157
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for graphically configuring leads for a medical device. According to one aspect, the system generally comprises a medical device and a processing device, such as a programmer or computer, adapted to be in communication with the medical device. The medical device has at least one lead with at least one electrode in a configuration that can be changed using the processing device. The processing device provides a graphical display of the configuration, including a representative image of a proposed electrical signal to be applied by the medical device between the at least one electrode of the medical device and at least one other electrode before the medical device applies the electrical signal between the at least one electrode and the at least one other electrode. In one embodiment, the graphical display graphically represents the lead(s), the electrode(s), a pulse polarity, and a vector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Par Lindh, James Kalgren, Rene H. Wentkowski, John Lockhart
  • Patent number: 8032208
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for displaying statistical distributions of cardiac events. A device embodiment comprises circuitry adapted to communicate with a medical device that is adapted to acquire data regarding cardiac events occurring at two or more cardiac sites, and display means for displaying a histogram of the data as two or more statistical distributions for the two or more cardiac sites. The histogram includes a number of histogram bins. At least one of the histogram bins includes both a representation for at least a portion of a statistical distribution of a cardiac event for a first cardiac site and a representation for at least a portion of a statistical distribution of a cardiac event for a second cardiac site. Other embodiments are provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Rene H. Wentkowski, James Kalgren, Par Lindh
  • Patent number: 7991473
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for graphically configuring leads for a medical device. According to one aspect, the system generally comprises a medical device and a processing device, such as a programmer or computer, adapted to be in communication with the medical device. The medical device has at least one lead with at least one electrode in a configuration that can be changed using the processing device. The processing device provides a graphical display of the configuration, including a representative image of a proposed electrical signal to be applied by the medical device between the at least one electrode of the medical device and at least one other electrode before the medical device applies the electrical signal between the at least one electrode and the at least one other electrode. In one embodiment, the graphical display graphically represents the lead(s), the electrode(s), a pulse polarity, and a vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Par Lindh, James Kalgren, Rene H. Wentkowski, John Lockhart
  • Patent number: 7991468
    Abstract: A method for allowing cardiac signals to be sensed and pacing pulse vectors to be delivered between two or more electrodes. In one embodiment, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between least one of a first left ventricular electrode and a second left ventricular electrode. Alternatively, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrodes and a first supraventricular electrode. In addition, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrode, the first supraventricular electrode and a conductive housing. In an additional embodiment, a first right ventricular electrode is used to sense cardiac signals and provide pacing pulses with different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrodes, the first supraventricular electrode and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Bruce Tockman, Randy Westlund, Rene H. Wentkowski, Russell E. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20110178566
    Abstract: A method for allowing cardiac signals to be sensed and pacing pulse vectors to be delivered between two or more electrodes. In one embodiment, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between at least one of a first left ventricular electrode and a second left ventricular electrode. Alternatively, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrodes and a first supraventricular electrode. In addition, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrode, the first supraventricular electrode and a conductive housing. In an additional embodiment, a first right ventricular electrode is used to sense cardiac signals and provide pacing pulses with different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrodes, the first supraventricular electrode and the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Bruce Tockman, Randy Westlund, Rene H. Wentkowski, Russell E. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20110137368
    Abstract: A medical device programmer and a method of operation in which a first data value is received and used in the execution of one or more algorithms. One or more suggested pulse generator settings are calculated from the one or more algorithms based on the first data value, and the one or more suggested pulse generator settings are displayed on an interactive display screen of the medical device programmer. In one embodiment, the first data value is a duration interval of a QRS complex. From the duration interval, suggestions are made as to one or more ventricular chambers in which to provide pacing pulses. Additionally, pacing intervals for an AV delay are suggested based on measured P-R intervals, or pacing intervals for an LV offset are suggested based on a measured duration interval of a V-V-interval between a right ventricular event and a left ventricular event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Par Lindh, James Kalgren, Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Rene H. Wentkowski
  • Patent number: 7945325
    Abstract: A method for allowing cardiac signals to be sensed and pacing pulse vectors to be delivered between two or more electrodes. In one embodiment, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between at least one of a first left ventricular electrode and a second left ventricular electrode. Alternatively, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrodes and a first supraventricular electrode. In addition, cardiac signals are sensed and pacing pulse vectors are delivered between different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrode, the first supraventricular electrode and a conductive housing. In an additional embodiment, a first right ventricular electrode is used to sense cardiac signals and provide pacing pulses with different combinations of the first and second left ventricular electrodes, the first supraventricular electrode and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Bruce Tockman, Randy Westlund, Rene H. Wentkowski, Russell E. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7899534
    Abstract: A medical device programmer and a method of operation in which a first data value is received and used in the execution of one or more algorithms. One or more suggested pulse generator settings are calculated from the one or more algorithms based on the first data value, and the one or more suggested pulse generator settings are displayed on an interactive display screen of the medical device programmer. In one embodiment, the first data value is a duration interval of a QRS complex. From the duration interval, suggestions are made as to one or more ventricular chambers in which to provide pacing pulses. Additionally, pacing intervals for an AV delay are suggested based on measured P-R intervals, or pacing intervals for an LV offset are suggested based on a measured duration interval of a V-V-interval between a right ventricular event and a left ventricular event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Par Lindh, James Kalgren, Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Rene H. Wentkowski
  • Publication number: 20110046692
    Abstract: A system and method for correlating health related data for display. The system includes a medical device recording data and a display producing device which correlates the data and simultaneously displays different types of data or displays two sets of the same type of data along with the circumstances at which the two sets of data were recorded. Such displays aid a physician in prescribing and ascertaining the efficacy of cardiac therapies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: James Kalgren, Rene H. Wentkowski, Jeffrey E. Stahmann
  • Patent number: RE42933
    Abstract: A cardiac rhythm management device that utilizes blanking or refractory periods to avoid misidentification of artifacts and evoked potentials, wherein the refractory periods are discontinuous and may be dependent upon sensed events, expiration of a predefined timing interval, or stimulation events in the same or other chambers of the heart. The discontinuous refractory periods enhance the ability of the device to sense intrinsic events. The present invention includes separate refractory and floating refractory periods incorporated within the sensing protocol for each selected cycle, thereby increasing the time period for normal sensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhengnian Tang, Julio C. Spinelli, Jeffrey E. Stahmann, Rene H. Wentkowski, Andrew P. Kramer, Paul A. Haefner