Patents by Inventor Robert Michael Ecker

Robert Michael Ecker 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: 11522919
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to devices, systems, and techniques for establishing a secure connection between two or more devices. In some examples, a device is configured for wireless communication. The device comprises signal reception circuitry configured to receive communications transmitted according to at least a first communication protocol, communication circuitry configured for wireless communication according to at least a second communication protocol, and processing circuitry electrically coupled to the signal reception circuitry and the communication circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to receive, via the signal reception circuitry, a first signal according to the first communication protocol. In response to receiving the first signal, the processing circuitry is further configured to transmit, via the communication circuitry, a second signal according to the second communication protocol and establish a secure link according to the second communication protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyun J Yoon, Bo Zhang, Robert Michael Ecker, Ryan Wyszynski, Joseph C Green, David J. Peichel, Sudar Shields, Nicholas C. Wine, Drew J. Thwaites
  • Publication number: 20200252436
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to devices, systems, and techniques for establishing a secure connection between two or more devices. In some examples, a device is configured for wireless communication. The device comprises signal reception circuitry configured to receive communications transmitted according to at least a first communication protocol, communication circuitry configured for wireless communication according to at least a second communication protocol, and processing circuitry electrically coupled to the signal reception circuitry and the communication circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to receive, via the signal reception circuitry, a first signal according to the first communication protocol. In response to receiving the first signal, the processing circuitry is further configured to transmit, via the communication circuitry, a second signal according to the second communication protocol and establish a secure link according to the second communication protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Hyun J. Yoon, Bo Zhang, Robert Michael Ecker, Ryan Wyszynski, Joseph C. Green, David J. Peichel, Sudar Shields, Nicholas C. Wine, Drew J. Thwaites
  • Patent number: 9968788
    Abstract: In general, the disclosure is directed toward an implantable medical device that includes a plurality of sensor modules that are implanted within a patient. The sensor modules may cooperate with each other to coordinate the timing for performance of one or more sensor actions across the modules when making a measurement. Example measurements include tissue perfusion measurements, oxygen sensing measurements, sonomicrometry measurements, and pressure measurements. The coordination of the sensor modules may be controlled by a signal that is transmitted from a host controller to the sensor modules via a bus. In some examples, the bus may have two wires that transmit both timing information and data information to the sensor modules. The signal may be a signal that is substantially periodic, such as a pulsed signal. In additional examples, the signal may supply operating power and timing information to the sensor modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Michael Ecker, Kaustubh R. Patil, John Robert Hamilton, James D. Reinke, Timothy Davis
  • Patent number: 9693716
    Abstract: A medical device including an optical sensor is configured to measure an optical signal by integrating a current induced on a light detector of the optical sensor to obtain a voltage signal. The voltage signal is compared to a threshold. Responsive to the voltage signal reaching the threshold, an optical sensor control parameter is adjusted. The optical sensor is operated to produce the voltage signal using the adjusted control parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Michael Ecker, Timothy J. Davis, James D. Reinke
  • Publication number: 20120232354
    Abstract: A medical device including an optical sensor is configured to measure an optical signal by integrating a current induced on a light detector of the optical sensor to obtain a voltage signal. The voltage signal is compared to a threshold. Responsive to the voltage signal reaching the threshold, an optical sensor control parameter is adjusted. The optical sensor is operated to produce the voltage signal using the adjusted control parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Michael Ecker, Timothy J. Davis, James D. Reinke
  • Publication number: 20100106220
    Abstract: In general, the disclosure is directed toward an implantable medical device that includes a plurality of sensor modules that are implanted within a patient. The sensor modules may cooperate with each other to coordinate the timing for performance of one or more sensor actions across the modules when making a measurement. Example measurements include tissue perfusion measurements, oxygen sensing measurements, sonomicrometry measurements, and pressure measurements. The coordination of the sensor modules may be controlled by a signal that is transmitted from a host controller to the sensor modules via a bus. In some examples, the bus may have two wires that transmit both timing information and data information to the sensor modules. The signal may be a signal that is substantially periodic, such as a pulsed signal. In additional examples, the signal may supply operating power and timing information to the sensor modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Robert Michael Ecker, Kaustubh R. Patil, John Robert Hamilton, James D. Reinke, Timothy Davis
  • Publication number: 20100105997
    Abstract: In general, the invention is directed toward an implantable medical device that includes a controller and a plurality of sensor modules. The controller may control the sensor modules to perform one or more sensor actions in order to facilitate a measurement. The sensor modules may store one or more operational parameters that control various aspects of the sensor actions performed by the sensor modules. The controller may automatically adjust one or more of the operational parameters based on results received from previous measurements in order to provide closed loop parameter adjustment of the operational parameters associated with the sensor modules. The controller may communicate with the sensor modules via a common bus. Example measurements include tissue perfusion measurements, blood oxygen sensing measurements, sonomicrometry measurements, and pressure measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Michael Ecker, Kaustubh R. Patil, John Robert Hamilton, James D. Reinke, Timothy Davis