Patents by Inventor Ronald J. Lebel

Ronald J. Lebel 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).

  • Publication number: 20110270045
    Abstract: An implantable infusion pump possesses operational functionality that is, at least in part, controlled by software operating in two processor ICs which are configured to perform some different and some duplicate functions. The pump exchanges messages with an external device via telemetry. Each processor controls a different part of the drug infusion mechanism such that both processors must agree on the appropriateness of drug delivery for infusion to occur. Delivery accumulators are incremented and decremented with delivery requests and with deliveries made. When accumulated amounts reach or exceed, quantized deliverable amounts, infusion is made to occur. The accumulators are capable of being incremented by two or more independent types of delivery requests. Operational modes of the infusion device are changed automatically in view of various system errors that are trapped, various system alarm conditions that are detected, and when excess periods of time lapse between pump and external device interactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Ronald J. Lebel, Timothy J. Starkweather, Philip T. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20110203923
    Abstract: A sensing apparatus with a connector, a sensor lead and a sensor module with a spacer placed over electrodes that have been deposited on a substrate. The spacer may have a space for receiving an enzyme. End portions of the sensor module may be encapsulated, such as with molded beads. A sensor lead may attach to the sensor module and may have an outer tubing that passes over the module and attaches to the beads at the end of the sensor module. The sensor lead may also attach to the connector such that the sensing apparatus may be electrically coupled to a pump, electronics or other devices. The sensing apparatus may be implanted into a vein or artery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Ronald J. Lebel, Rajiv Shah, Yanan Zhang, Edward Chernoff, Rudolph A. Montalvo
  • Publication number: 20110184380
    Abstract: A system and method for providing closed loop infusion formulation delivery which accurately calculates a delivery amount based on a sensed biological state by adjusting an algorithm's programmable control parameters. The algorithm calculates a delivery amount having proportional, derivative, and basal rate components. The control parameters may be adjusted in real time to compensate for changes in a sensed biological state that may result from daily events. Safety limits on the delivery amount may be included in the algorithm. The algorithm may be executed by a computing element within a process controller for controlling closed loop infusion formulation delivery. The biological state is sensed by a sensing device which provides a signal to the controller. The controller calculates an infusion formulation delivery amount based on the signal and sends commands to an infusion formulation delivery device which delivers an amount of infusion formulation determined by the commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Inventors: TIMOTHY J. STARKWEATHER, Ronald J. Lebel, Rajiv Shah, Michael E. Miller
  • Publication number: 20110178381
    Abstract: A sensing apparatus with a connector, a sensor lead and a sensor module with a spacer placed over electrodes that have been deposited on a substrate. The spacer may have a space for receiving an enzyme. End portions of the sensor module may be encapsulated, such as with molded beads. A sensor lead may attach to the sensor module and may have an outer tubing that passes over the module and attaches to the beads at the end of the sensor module. The sensor lead may also attach to the connector such that the sensing apparatus may be electrically coupled to a pump, electronics or other devices. The sensing apparatus may be implanted into a vein or artery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Ronald J. Lebel, Rajiv Shah, Yanan Zhang, Edward Chernoff, Rudolph A. Montalvo
  • Publication number: 20110125095
    Abstract: An implantable infusion pump possesses operational functionality that is, at least in part, controlled by software operating in two processor ICs which are configured to perform some different and some duplicate functions. The pump exchanges messages with an external device via telemetry. Each processor controls a different part of the drug infusion mechanism such that both processors must agree on the appropriateness of drug delivery for infusion to occur. Delivery accumulators are incremented and decremented with delivery requests and with deliveries made. When accumulated amounts reach or exceed, quantized deliverable amounts, infusion is made to occur. The accumulators are capable of being incremented by two or more independent types of delivery requests. Operational modes of the infusion device are changed automatically in view of various system errors that are trapped, various system alarm conditions that are detected, and when excess periods of time lapse between pump and external device interactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: RONALD J. LEBEL, Timothy J. Starkweather, Philip T. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20110112505
    Abstract: A system and method for providing closed loop infusion formulation delivery which accurately calculates a delivery amount based on a sensed biological state by adjusting an algorithm's programmable control parameters. The algorithm calculates a delivery amount having proportional, derivative, and basal rate components. The control parameters may be adjusted in real time to compensate for changes in a sensed biological state that may result from daily events. Safety limits on the delivery amount may be included in the algorithm. The algorithm may be executed by a computing element within a process controller for controlling closed loop infusion formulation delivery. The biological state is sensed by a sensing device which provides a signal to the controller. The controller calculates an infusion formulation delivery amount based on the signal and sends commands to an infusion formulation delivery device which delivers an amount of infusion formulation determined by the commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: TIMOTHY J. STARKWEATHER, Ronald J. Lebel, Rajiv Shah, Michael E. Miller
  • Publication number: 20110112506
    Abstract: A system and method for providing closed loop infusion formulation delivery which accurately calculates a delivery amount based on a sensed biological state by adjusting an algorithm's programmable control parameters. The algorithm calculates a delivery amount having proportional, derivative, and basal rate components. The control parameters may be adjusted in real time to compensate for changes in a sensed biological state that may result from daily events. Safety limits on the delivery amount may be included in the algorithm. The algorithm may be executed by a computing element within a process controller for controlling closed loop infusion formulation delivery. The biological state is sensed by a sensing device which provides a signal to the controller. The controller calculates an infusion formulation delivery amount based on the signal and sends commands to an infusion formulation delivery device which delivers an amount of infusion formulation determined by the commands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventors: Timothy J. Starkweather, Ronald J. Lebel, Rajiv Shah, Michael E. Miller
  • Publication number: 20110034909
    Abstract: A system and process for providing safety limits on the delivery of an infusion formulation by an infusion pump system in response to a sensed biological state. The safety limits may comprise user-initiated event signals corresponding to events that may significantly affect the biological state. The safety limits may further comprise user-initiated event ranking signals for respective events which specify a degree, quantity, or measure for the respective event. The user-initiated event and event ranking signals may be communicated to a computing element associated with the infusion pump by an associated communication device having a user interface which comprises a plurality of user-selectable operators for entering information about the events and event rankings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: RONALD J. LEBEL, Timothy Starkweather
  • Patent number: 7850641
    Abstract: A system and process for providing safety limits on the delivery of an infusion formulation by an infusion pump system in response to a sensed biological state. The safety limits may comprise user-initiated event signals corresponding to events that may significantly affect the biological state. The safety limits may further comprise user-initiated event ranking signals for respective events which specify a degree, quantity, or measure for the respective event. The user-initiated event and event ranking signals may be communicated to a computing element associated with the infusion pump by an associated communication device having a user interface which comprises a plurality of user-selectable operators for entering information about the events and event rankings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Lebel, Timothy Starkweather
  • Patent number: 7831310
    Abstract: An implantable infusion pump possesses operational functionality that is, at least in part, controlled by software operating in two processor ICs which are configured to perform some different and some duplicate functions. The pump exchanges messages with an external device via telemetry. Each processor controls a different part of the drug infusion mechanism such that both processors must agree on the appropriateness of drug delivery for infusion to occur. Delivery accumulators are incremented and decremented with delivery requests and with deliveries made. When accumulated amounts reach or exceed, quantized deliverable amounts, infusion is made to occur. The accumulators are capable of being incremented by two or more independent types of delivery requests. Operational modes of the infusion device are changed automatically in view of various system errors that are trapped, various system alarm conditions that are detected, and when excess periods of time lapse between pump and external device interactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Lebel, Timothy J. Starkweather, Philip T. Weiss
  • Patent number: 7678071
    Abstract: An implantable infusion pump possesses operational functionality that is, at least in part, controlled by software operating in two processor ICs which are configured to perform some different and some duplicate functions. The pump exchanges messages with an external device via telemetry. Each processor controls a different part of the drug infusion mechanism such that both processors must agree on the appropriateness of drug delivery for infusion to occur. Delivery accumulators are incremented and decremented with delivery requests and with deliveries made. When accumulated amounts reach or exceed, quantized deliverable amounts, infusion is made to occur. The accumulators are capable of being incremented by two or more independent types of delivery requests. Operational modes of the infusion device are changed automatically in view of various system errors that are trapped, various system alarm conditions that are detected, and when excess periods of time lapse between pump and external device interactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Lebel, Timothy J. Starkweather, Philip T. Weiss
  • Publication number: 20090264856
    Abstract: A system and process for providing safety limits on the delivery of an infusion formulation by an infusion pump system in response to a sensed biological state. The safety limits may comprise user-initiated event signals corresponding to events that may significantly affect the biological state. The safety limits may further comprise user-initiated event ranking signals for respective events which specify a degree, quantity, or measure for the respective event. The user-initiated event and event ranking signals may be communicated to a computing element associated with the infusion pump by an associated communication device having a user interface which comprises a plurality of user-selectable operators for entering information about the events and event rankings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Inventors: Ronald J. Lebel, Timothy Starkweather
  • Patent number: 7569030
    Abstract: A system and process for providing safety limits on the delivery of an infusion formulation by an infusion pump system in response to a sensed biological state. The safety limits may comprise user-initiated event signals corresponding to events that may significantly affect the biological state. The safety limits may further comprise user-initiated event ranking signals for respective events which specify a degree, quantity, or measure for the respective event. The user-initiated event and event ranking signals may be communicated to a computing element associated with the infusion pump by an associated communication device having a user interface which comprises a plurality of user-selectable operators for entering information about the events and event rankings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Medtronic MiniMed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Lebel, Timothy Starkweather
  • Patent number: 7510552
    Abstract: An implantable medication delivery apparatus including a flow path coupling a medication reservoir to a device outlet port where the flow path includes a regulator means for limiting the magnitude of pressure transferred downstream from the medication reservoir. The regulator means is configured to respond to the reservoir pressure exceeding a certain threshold for closing a valve located downstream from the reservoir. The valve closure functions to isolate the device outlet port from further reservoir pressure increases which otherwise could induce unintended medication flow from the device outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Infusion Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald J. Lebel, Stephen D. Das
  • Publication number: 20080177254
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable drug delivery device which includes a fluid drug reservoir, a catheter, a controllable fluid transfer device, e.g., a pump or valve, and a drug delivery control means. The control means in accordance with the invention is configured to initially clear a first, or old, drug from the device based on the content of the Current Profile data containing a first, or old, delivery profile. After the old drug is cleared, then the control means automatically modifies the Current Profile data to match a second, or new, delivery profile for controlling delivery of a second, or new, drug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: Brian M. Shelton, Ronald J. Lebel, Daniel H. Villegas
  • Patent number: 7347819
    Abstract: An implanted medical device (e.g. infusion pump) and external device communicate with one another via telemetry wherein messages are transmitted under a robust communication protocol. The communication protocol gives enhanced assurance concerning the integrity of messages that impact medical operations of the implantable device. Messages are transmitted using a multipart format that includes a preamble, a frame sync, a telemetry ID, data, and a validation code. The data portion of the message includes an op-code that dictates various other elements that form part of the message. The data portion may also include additional elements such as sequence numbers, bolus numbers, and duplicate data elements. A telemetry ID for the transmitting device may be implicitly embedded in the message as part of the validation code that is sent with the message and that must be pre-known by the receiver to confirm the integrity of the received message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Lebel, Varaz Shahmirian, Sam W. Bowman, IV, Timothy J. Starkweather, Philip T. Weiss, Robert C. Dennard, John T. Armstrong, John D. Richert
  • Patent number: 7347854
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an implantable drug delivery device which includes a fluid drug reservoir, a catheter, a controllable fluid transfer device, e.g., a pump or valve, and a drug delivery control means. The control means in accordance with the invention is configured to initially clear a first, or old, drug from the device based on the content of the Current Profile data containing a first, or old, delivery profile. After the old drug is cleared, then the control means automatically modifies the Current Profile data to match a second, or new, delivery profile for controlling delivery of a second, or new, drug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Infusion Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Brian M. Shelton, Ronald J. Lebel, Danial H. Villegas
  • Patent number: 7171274
    Abstract: An implanted medical device (e.g. infusion pump) and handheld communication device communicate with one another via telemetry wherein transmitted messages have enhanced numbers of and/or regularity of bit transitions to minimize the risk of synchronization loss between transmitted bits of data and received bits of data. Bit transitions for portions of messages may be enhanced by applying a pseudo-randomization scheme to those portions of messages that are transmitted in a way that allows the receiver to extract the original data from the received randomized data. Preferred randomization techniques modify (i.e. randomize) the data using a CRC value that is being accumulated while simultaneously causing the modified data to modify subsequent accumulation of the CRC itself. Upon reception, the reversal of data randomization occurs so that the intended message is appropriately received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Starkweather, Ronald J. Lebel, Daniel H. Villegas, Philip T. Weiss, John T. Armstrong, John D. Richert
  • Patent number: 7127078
    Abstract: A hearing aid system including an implant (60) configured for insertion into a recess (40) formed under the skin of the retro-auricular space (50), which implant does not occlude the ear canal (30). The implant includes electronic circuitry (72), a transducer (65, e.g., speaker), antenna (64), and power source (66). The hearing aid also includes an external module (70), which module includes a microphone (163), electronics (172), antenna (164), and power source (166). A telemetry link (76) between the external module antenna and the implant antenna allows transmissions between the microphone module and the implant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignees: Advanced Bionics Corporation, Medical Research Products-B
    Inventors: Alfred E. Mann, Albert S. Maltan, Yitzhak Zilberman, Byron L. Moran, Ronald J. Lebel
  • Patent number: 7024245
    Abstract: An implanted medical device (e.g. infusion pump) and external device communicate with one another via telemetry wherein messages are transmitted under a robust communication protocol. The communication protocol gives enhanced assurance concerning the integrity of messages that impact medical operations of the implantable device. Messages are transmitted using a multipart format that includes a preamble, a frame sync, a telemetry ID, data, and a validation code. The data portion of the message includes an op-code that dictates various other elements that form part of the message. The data portion may also include additional elements such as sequence numbers, bolus numbers, and duplicate data elements. A telemetry ID for the transmitting device may be implicitly embedded in the message as part of the validation code that is sent with the message and that must be pre-known by the receiver to confirm the integrity of the received message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Medtronic Minimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Lebel, Varaz Shahmirian, Sam W. Bowman, IV, Robert C. Dennard, John T. Armstrong, John D. Richert