Patents by Inventor Robert A. Neumann

Robert A. Neumann 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: 6721592
    Abstract: Techniques for monitoring the magnitudes of representative filtered EGM signals over time. In a typical implementation, a group of digital peak values is generated in a time period and a representative digital peak value is selected for the time period. By comparing representative peak values for several time periods, changes in signal efficacy can be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: David Peichel, Tho Huynh, Forrest C. M. Pape, Robert A. Neumann, John C. Stroebel, Robert A. Gabler, James E. Willenbring
  • Publication number: 20030050564
    Abstract: The invention presents techniques for monitoring the magnitudes of representative filtered EGM signals over time. In a typical implementation, a group of digital peak values is generated in a time period and a representative digital peak value is selected for the time period. By comparing representative peak values for several time periods, changes in signal efficacy can be identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: David Peichel, Tho Huynh, Forrest C.M. Pape, Robert A. Neumann, John C. Stroebel, Robert A. Gabler, James E. Willenbring
  • Patent number: 5752977
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting information-encoded, telemetry signals percutaneously between an implanted medical device and an external device as telemetry RF pulses which are modulated in pulse position and/or in pulse width within a telemetry frame comprising at least a telemetry frame boundary RF pulse and a telemetry frame data RF pulse. Data to be transmitted in a given telemetry frame is encoded into a PPM code for positioning at least certain telemetry RF pulses at pulse positions of the telemetry frame and a PWM code for establishing the pulse widths of at least certain telemetry RF pulses of the telemetry frame. The telemetry frame is formatted from the PPM code, and the telemetry RF pulses are generated at the formatted pulse positions within the telemetry frame. The pulse widths of the telemetry RF pulses are controlled in accordance with the PWM code for the certain telemetry RF pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Grevious, Robert A. Neumann, Koen J. Weijand
  • Patent number: 5464435
    Abstract: A multi-function implantable medical device having a plurality of microprocessors therein. The device, which may be capable of functioning as a pacemaker, cardioverter, and defibrillator, is equipped with two or more processors, which may be configured in a master/slave, peer, or other type of relationship. In one embodiment, primary device functions to be performed continuously are allocated to a dedicated, master processor, while advanced functions that may be only periodically required, are allocated among one or more slave processors. In this way, processing in the device is not limited to the relatively short refractory periods as in prior devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Neumann
  • Patent number: 5344430
    Abstract: An implantable defibrillator provided with a plurality of defibrillation electrodes, which may be reconfigured to define a plurality of defibrillation pathways. The device is capable of measuring the impedance along a selected defibrillation pathway, during delivery of an impedance pulse, and monitoring the success or failure of the pulse to accomplish defibrillation or cardioversion. In response to a detected failure to accomplish cardioversion in conjunction with a measured change of impedance of greater than a predetermined amount, a new defibrillation pathway is selected, which may employ some or all of the electrodes employed to define the original impedance pathway. The device also includes apparatus for varying the relative amplitude of defibrillation pulses applied to individual electrodes used in sequential or simultaneous, multiple electrode pulse regimens, in order to equalize current distribution, in response to measured pathway impedances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Berg, Martin A. Rossing, David K. Peterson, Robert A. Neumann
  • Patent number: 5224475
    Abstract: An implantable defibrillator provided with a plurality of defibrillation electrodes, which may be reconfigured to define a plurality of defibrillation pathways. The device is capable of measuring the impedance along a selected defibrillation pathway, during delivery of an impedance pulse, and monitoring the success or failure of the pulse to accomplish defibrillation or cardioversion. In response to a detected failure to accomplish cardioversion in conjunction with a measured change of impedance of greater than a predetermined amount, a new defibrillation pathway is selected, which may employ some or all of the electrodes employed to define the original impedance pathway. The device also includes apparatus for varying the relative amplitude of defibrillation pulses applied to individual electrodes used in sequential or simultaneous, multiple electrode pulse regimens, in order to equalize current distribution, in response to measured pathway impedances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary L. Berg, Martin A. Rossing, David K. Peterson, Robert A. Neumann
  • Patent number: 4751726
    Abstract: A telemetry base station for use in a system also including a patient worn EKG monitor and transmitter, and a physician monitoring station. The base station is microprocessor controlled, and includes a receiver for receiving FM EKG transmissions from the patient transmitter, an A to D converter, a conventional telephone set, used as an intercom to communicate with the physician, and a data modem which is used for digitized transmissions of the EKG signals. Base station functions including selection of data or voice transmission are controlled by a physician monitoring station. The base station includes simulated telephone ringing functions which assist in its use by patients without specialized training.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1988
    Assignee: Futurecare Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis G. Hepp, Paul J. Beckmann, Thomas C. Evans, Robert A. Neumann, Maynard J. Hoffman, Thomas L. Jirak
  • Patent number: 4187854
    Abstract: Cardiac monitoring and pacing apparatus comprising a first external unit for transmitting electromagnetic energy within the patient's body to be received by a second, surgically implanted unit within the patient's body and adapted to be solely powered by the transmitted electromagnetic energy. The first external unit transmits electromagnetic energy within the patient's body which is sensed and used to power the implanted unit, which stimulates, via pacing electrodes, the patient's heart. The internal unit also includes a monitoring circuit connected to the same pacing electrodes coupled to the patient's heart, for providing atrial and ventrical signals to be pulse-width modulated for transmission to the external unit. The external unit decodes the transmitted signals to provide diagnostic quality signals indicative of the patient's EKG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1980
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis G. Hepp, Robert A. Neumann, Paul Citron
  • Patent number: 4166470
    Abstract: Cardiac stimulating apparatus comprising a first external unit for transmitting electromagnetic energy within the patient's body to be received by a second, surgically implanted unit within the patient's body and adapted to be solely powered by the transmitted electromagnetic energy. The first external unit transmits a power signal and a control signal, the power signal comprising a first pulse for energizing the second internal unit, and the control signal for controlling the internal unit to pace the patient's heart in a variety of modes, e.g., atrial, ventricular and atrial/ventricular sequential pacing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1979
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Neumann