Patents by Inventor Robert Hocken

Robert Hocken 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: 10339081
    Abstract: A hardware based block moving controller of an active device such as an implantable medical device that provides electrical stimulation reads a parameter data from a block of memory and then writes the parameter data to a designated register set of a component that performs an active function. The block of memory may include data that specifies a size of the block of memory to be moved to the register set. The block of memory may also include data that indicates a number of triggers to skip before moving a next block of memory to the register set. A trigger that causes the block moving controller to move the data from the block of memory to the register set may be generated in various ways such as through operation of the component having the register set or by a separate timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Hocken, Wesley A. Santa, Christopher M. Arnett, Jalpa S. Shah, Joel E. Sivula
  • Publication number: 20180143925
    Abstract: A hardware based block moving controller of an active device such as an implantable medical device that provides electrical stimulation reads a parameter data from a block of memory and then writes the parameter data to a designated register set of a component that performs an active function. The block of memory may include data that specifies a size of the block of memory to be moved to the register set. The block of memory may also include data that indicates a number of triggers to skip before moving a next block of memory to the register set. A trigger that causes the block moving controller to move the data from the block of memory to the register set may be generated in various ways such as through operation of the component having the register set or by a separate timer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Hocken, Wesley A. Santa, Christopher M. Arnett, Jalpa S. Shah, Joel E. Sivula
  • Patent number: 9238141
    Abstract: Devices and methods compensate for perturbations in a stimulation signal caused by external conditions such as a magnetic field of an MRI machine so that stimulation therapy may continue in the presence of the external condition. Compensation for the perturbations during a stimulation pulse of a stimulation phase may be provided by using feedback within a stimulation current source. Perturbations during a recharge phase may be addressed by utilizing an active recharge at least when the external condition is present. Furthermore, compensation for perturbations during a recharge pulse of the active recharge phase may be provided by using feedback within a recharge current source. Passive recharge may be used instead of active recharge when the external condition is not present to preserve battery life of the stimulation device. The stimulation device may include a sensor to detect the external condition so that an appropriate mode of recharge may be chosen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Hocken, Heather Orser, Wesley Santa, Larry E. Tyler
  • Publication number: 20150051670
    Abstract: Devices and methods compensate for perturbations in a stimulation signal caused by external conditions such as a magnetic field of an MRI machine so that stimulation therapy may continue in the presence of the external condition. Compensation for the perturbations during a stimulation pulse of a stimulation phase may be provided by using feedback within a stimulation current source. Perturbations during a recharge phase may be addressed by utilizing an active recharge at least when the external condition is present. Furthermore, compensation for perturbations during a recharge pulse of the active recharge phase may be provided by using feedback within a recharge current source. Passive recharge may be used instead of active recharge when the external condition is not present to preserve battery life of the stimulation device. The stimulation device may include a sensor to detect the external condition so that an appropriate mode of recharge may be chosen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Hocken, Heather Orser, Wesley Santa, Larry E. Tyler
  • Publication number: 20070056362
    Abstract: An oscillating probe of an elongated rod, having a first free end, and a second end that is attached to at least one actuator to apply oscillation cycles to the rod. Oscillation of the elongated rod during at least one complete cycle of oscillation of the actuator causes the free end to move in at least one-dimensional envelope, producing a defined virtual probe tip geometry at the free end. The probe is connected to a system for utilizing information sensed as the free end is placed near a surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Publication date: March 15, 2007
    Inventors: Marcin Bauza, Robert Hocken, Stuart Smith