Patents by Inventor Robert E. Atkinson

Robert E. Atkinson 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: 8626304
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of treating an upper airway may include delivering a first electrical stimulation to a first portion of a nerve innervating a first upper airway muscle via a plurality of electrodes adjacent the nerve. The method may further include delivering a second electrical stimulation to a second portion of the nerve innervating a second upper airway muscle via the plurality of electrodes, wherein the second muscle is different from the first muscle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Scott T. Mazar
  • Publication number: 20130310868
    Abstract: Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes providing a first intravascular device having a distal portion with a concave side, inserting the first device into the vascular lumen, positioning the distal portion in the vascular wall, and orienting the concave side of the distal portion toward the vascular lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: BridgePoint Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad J. Kugler, Matthew J. Olson, Robert E. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20130310931
    Abstract: A modular IOL system including intraocular primary and secondary components, which, when combined, form an intraocular optical correction device, wherein the secondary component is placed on the primary component within the perimeter of the capsulorhexis, thus avoiding the need to touch or otherwise manipulate the capsular bag. The secondary component may be manipulated, removed, and/or exchanged for a different secondary component for correction or modification of the optical result, on an intra-operative or post-operative basis, without the need to remove the primary component and without the need to manipulate the capsular bag. The primary component may have haptics extending therefrom for centration in the capsular bag, and the secondary component may exclude haptics, relying instead on attachment to the primary lens for stability. Such attachment may reside radially inside the perimeter of the capsulorhexis and radially outside the field of view to avoid interference with light transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Malik Y. Kahook, Naresh Mandava, Paul McLean, Robert E. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 8512310
    Abstract: Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes providing a first intravascular device having a distal portion with a concave side, inserting the first device into the vascular lumen, positioning the distal portion in the vascular wall, and orienting the concave side of the distal portion toward the vascular lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: BridgePoint Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad J. Kugler, Matthew J. Olson, Robert E. Atkinson
  • Patent number: 8498712
    Abstract: A method of treating an upper airway of a patient. The method may include displacing a tongue of the patient while observing a response of the upper airway. The method may further include treating the upper airway based on the observed response, wherein treating the upper airway includes positioning an electrode adjacent a nerve innervating an upper airway muscle and delivering an electrical stimulation to the nerve to activate the upper airway muscle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Apnex Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Scott T. Mazar
  • Publication number: 20130190868
    Abstract: A modular IOL system including intraocular primary and secondary components, which, when combined, form an intraocular optical correction device, wherein the secondary component is placed on the primary component within the perimeter of the capsulorhexis, thus avoiding the need to touch or otherwise manipulate the capsular bag. The secondary component may be manipulated, removed, and/or exchanged for a different secondary component for correction or modification of the optical result, on an intra-operative or post-operative basis, without the need to remove the primary component and without the need to manipulate the capsular bag. The primary component may have haptics extending therefrom for centration in the capsular bag, and the secondary component may exclude haptics, relying instead on attachment to the primary lens for stability. Such attachment may reside radially inside the perimeter of the capsulorhexis and radially outside the field of view to avoid interference with light transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Malik Y. Kahook, Naresh Mandava, Paul McLean, Robert E. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20130174849
    Abstract: Olfactory devices and methods for partially or completely blocking, masking or otherwise reducing olfactory input to mitigate adverse responses thereto. In one embodiment, a method of treating a patient with an olfactory-triggered condition may include diagnosing the patient's olfactory-triggered condition. In response to the diagnosis, the method may further include placing an olfactory device over an olfactory area in a nasal cavity of the patient to mitigate the olfactory-triggered condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: Prospex Medical III
    Inventors: Robert E. Atkinson, Jason Galdonik, Paul McLean
  • Publication number: 20130103070
    Abstract: Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes inserting an intramural crossing device into the vascular lumen, positioning at least the distal tip of the crossing device in the vascular wall, advancing an orienting device over the crossing device such that an orienting element of the orienting device resides in the vascular wall, inserting a re-entry device, and re-entering the true vascular lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Chad J. Kugler, Robert E. Atkinson, Matthew J. Olson
  • Patent number: 8428727
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for maintaining patency of an upper airway of a patient to treat obstructive sleep apnea may include delivering an electrical stimulation to a portion of a superior laryngeal nerve via a nerve cuff when the nerve cuff is adjacent an external surface of the superior laryngeal nerve, the nerve cuff having a plurality of electrodes, wherein the nerve cuff is configured to be connected to an electrical stimulator via a stimulation lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Apnex Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Sidney F. Hauschild, Paula M. Kaplan, Brian D. Kuhnley, Keith E. Jasperson, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Christopher K. Thorp
  • Patent number: 8417343
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for nerve stimulation for OSA therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Apnex Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Sidney F. Hauschild, Paula M. Kaplan, Brian D. Kuhnley, Keith E. Jasperson, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Christopher K. Thorp
  • Patent number: 8323261
    Abstract: Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes inserting an intramural crossing device into the vascular lumen, positioning at least the distal tip of the crossing device in the vascular wall, advancing an orienting device over the crossing device such that an orienting element of the orienting device resides in the vascular wall, inserting a re-entry device, and re-entering the true vascular lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: BridgePoint Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad J. Kugler, Robert E. Atkinson, Matthew J. Olson
  • Patent number: 8311645
    Abstract: A lead system may include a cuff electrode configured to be implanted on a nerve and including a cylindrical cuff body having a plurality of electrode contacts. The cylindrical cuff body may include a first side with a first longitudinal edge and a second side with a second longitudinal edge. The cylindrical cuff body may also have a proximalmost end surface and a distalmost end surface, wherein the first longitudinal edge includes a proximalmost end and a distalmost end, and the second longitudinal edge includes a proximalmost end and a distalmost end. The lead system may also include first and second lead portions having generally serpentine configurations and a first anchor interposed between the first and second lead portions and configured to be secured relative to a non-nerve body structure. The lead system may also include a connector extending proximally from the second lead portion and configured to electrically connect to an implantable pulse generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Apnex Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Scott T. Mazar
  • Publication number: 20120192874
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea. The system is adapted to send an electrical signal from an implanted neurostimulator through a stimulation lead to a patient's nerve at an appropriate phase of the respiratory cycle based on input from a respiration sensing lead. External components are adapted for wireless communication with the neurostimulator. The neurostimulator is adapted to deliver therapeutic stimulation based on inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen L. BOLEA, Thomas B. Hoegh, Brian D. Kuhnley, Dale G. Suilmann, Bruce J. Persson, John P. Beck, Sidney F. Hauschild, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Jason J. Skubitz, Mark R. Bosshard, Daniel A. Parrish, Robert E. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20120089199
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for nerve stimulation for OSA therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Scott T. Mazar
  • Publication number: 20120071854
    Abstract: Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes providing an intravascular device having a distal portion, inserting the device into the vascular lumen, positioning the distal portion in the vascular wall to at least partially surround the occlusion, and removing at least a portion of the surrounded occlusion from the lumen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Chad J. Kugler, Robert E. Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20120022626
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for nerve stimulation for OSA therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Scott T. Mazar
  • Publication number: 20120022609
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for nerve stimulation for OSA therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Scott T. Mazar
  • Publication number: 20120010681
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for nerve stimulation for OSA therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Scott T. Mazar
  • Publication number: 20120010532
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for nerve stimulation for OSA therapy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Scott T. Mazar
  • Patent number: 8083727
    Abstract: Devices and methods for the treatment of chronic total occlusions are provided. One disclosed embodiment comprises a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method includes providing a first intravascular device having a distal portion with a concave side, inserting the first device into the vascular lumen, positioning the distal portion in the vascular wall, and orienting the concave side of the distal portion toward the vascular lumen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: BridgePoint Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad J. Kugler, Matthew J. Olson, Robert E. Atkinson