Patents by Inventor Stephen C. Masson

Stephen C. Masson 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: 20240100341
    Abstract: Neuromodulation of cranial nerves can be used to treat sleep or breathing disorders, among other diseases and disorders. A neuromodulation system can include a housing configured for implantation in an anterior Cervical region of a patient, such as at or under a mandible of the patient, such as at least partially in one or mote of a submental triangle, a submandibular triangle, and a carotid triangle. The system can include an electrode lead coupled to the housing, and the electrode lead can include an electrode configured to be disposed at or near a cranial nerve target in the patient. The system can be configured to generate electrical neuromodulation signals for delivery to the cranial nerve target using the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Lynn Elliott, Stephen C. Masson, JR.
  • Publication number: 20240100343
    Abstract: An implantable neuromodulation system can include an electrode configured to be disposed at or near a first branch of a hypoglossal nerve of a patient and configured to provide a first electrostimulation therapy to treat a sleep disorder or breathing disorder of a patient. The system can include a sensor configured to provide a sensor signal that includes information about a patient response to the first electrostimulation therapy. The patient response can include at least one of an acoustic profile of an airway of the patient, a change in a position of a tongue of the patient, and information about an evoked compound action potential (ECAP) of a portion of the hypoglossal nerve. In an example, a processor circuit can use information from the sensor signal to select a subsequent electrostimulation therapy to treat the sleep disorder or breathing disorder of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Inventors: Stephen C. Masson, JR., Lynn Elliott, Paul Richard Mazanec
  • Patent number: 11857792
    Abstract: Neuromodulation of cranial nerves can be used to treat sleep or breathing disorders, among other diseases and disorders. A neuromodulation system can include a housing configured for implantation in an anterior cervical region of a patient, such as at or under a mandible of the patient, such as at least partially in one or more of a submental triangle, a submandibular triangle, and a carotid triangle. The system can include an electrode lead coupled to the housing, and the electrode lead can include an electrode configured to be disposed at or near a cranial nerve target in the patient. The system can be configured to generate electrical neuromodulation signals for delivery to the cranial nerve target using the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: NuXcel2, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Lynn Elliott, Stephen C. Masson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11839767
    Abstract: Neuromodulation of cranial nerves can be used to treat sleep or breathing disorders, among other diseases and disorders. A neuromodulation system can include a housing configured for implantation in an anterior cervical region of a patient, such as at or under a mandible of the patient, such as at least partially in one or more of a submental triangle, a submandibular triangle, and a carotid triangle. The system can include an electrode lead coupled to the housing, and the electrode lead can include an electrode configured to be disposed at or near a cranial nerve target in the patient. The system can be configured to generate electrical neuromodulation signals for delivery to the cranial nerve target using the electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: NuXcel2, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Lynn Elliott, Stephen C. Masson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20230338735
    Abstract: An implantable neuromodulation system can include an electrode configured to be disposed at or near a first branch of a hypoglossal nerve of a patient and configured to provide a first electrostimulation therapy to treat a sleep disorder or breathing disorder of a patient. The system can include a sensor configured to provide a sensor signal that includes information about a patient response to the first electrostimulation therapy. The patient response can include at least one of an acoustic profile of an airway of the patient, a change in a position of a tongue of the patient, and information about an evoked compound action potential (ECAP) of a portion of the hypoglossal nerve. In an example, a processor circuit can use information from the sensor signal to select a subsequent electrostimulation therapy to treat the sleep disorder or breathing disorder of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen C. Masson, JR., Lynn Elliott, Paul Richard Masanec
  • Patent number: 11623093
    Abstract: Neuromodulation is used to enhance left ventricular relaxation and/or left ventricular contractility, during contemporaneous use of a mechanical circulatory support device to increase cardiac output or aid in unloading the heart. An exemplary neuromodulation system includes a therapy element positionable in proximity to at least one nerve fiber, and a stimulator configured to energize the therapy element to delivery therapy to the at least one nerve fiber such that left ventricular relaxation and left ventricular contractility are contemporaneously enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: NuXcel Limited
    Inventors: Michael Cuchiara, Stephen C. Masson
  • Publication number: 20230026728
    Abstract: Neuromodulation of cranial nerves can be used to treat sleep or breathing disorders, among other diseases and disorders. A neuromodulation system can include a housing configured for implantation in an anterior cervical region of a patient, such as at or under a mandible of the patient, such as at least partially in one or more of a submental triangle, a submandibular triangle, and a carotid triangle. The system can include an electrode lead coupled to the housing, and the electrode lead can include an electrode configured to be disposed at or near a cranial nerve target in the patient. The system can be configured to generate electrical neuromodulation signals for delivery to the cranial nerve target using the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Lynn Elliott, Stephen C, Masson, JR.
  • Patent number: 11559688
    Abstract: A method of treating a patient having a blood pressure comprises delivering neuromodulation therapy to sustain or increase the blood pressure. The neuromodulation therapy includes placing a sympathetic therapy electrode in a posterior portion of a blood vessel and stimulating at least one extravascular cardiac sympathetic nerve fiber using said electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: NuXcel2, LLC
    Inventors: Stephen C. Masson, Terrance Ransbury, Richard S Stack, William E Sanders
  • Publication number: 20220346666
    Abstract: Neuromodulation of cranial nerves can be used to treat sleep or breathing disorders, among other diseases and disorders. A neuromodulation system can include a housing configured for implantation in an anterior cervical region of a patient, such as at or under a mandible of the patient, such as at least partially in one or more of a submental triangle, a submandibular triangle, and a carotid triangle. The system can include an electrode lead coupled to the housing, and the electrode lead can include an electrode configured to be disposed at or near a cranial nerve target in the patient. The system can be configured to generate electrical neuromodulation signals for delivery to the cranial nerve target using the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Lynn Elliott, Stephen C. Masson, JR.
  • Publication number: 20220339441
    Abstract: Neuromodulation of cranial nerves can be used to treat sleep or breathing disorders, among other diseases and disorders. A neuromodulation system can include a housing configured for implantation in an anterior cervical region of a patient, such as at or under a mandible of the patient, such as at least partially in one or more of a submental triangle, a submandibular triangle, and a carotid triangle. The system can include an electrode lead coupled to the housing, and the electrode lead can include an electrode configured to be disposed at or near a cranial nerve target in the patient. The system can be configured to generate electrical neuromodulation signals for delivery to the cranial nerve target using the electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Lynn Elliott, Stephen C. Masson, JR.
  • Patent number: 11395921
    Abstract: A neuromodulation catheter is positionable in a blood vessel having a wall for use in delivering therapeutic energy to targets external to the blood vessel. An electrically insulative substrate such as an elongate finger is carried at a distal end of the catheter body. The substrate has a first face carrying a plurality of electrodes, and a second face on an opposite side of the substrate from the first face. The finger is biased such that when expanded within the blood vessel, it forms a spiral configuration with the first face facing outwardly to bias the electrodes in contact with the blood vessel wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: NuXcel2 LLC
    Inventors: Stephen C. Masson, Jeffrey A Smith
  • Patent number: 11202904
    Abstract: A method for positioning an electrode array of a neuromodulation catheter at a target circumferential position along a posterior wall of a blood vessel. The method includes advancing the catheter to a target longitudinal position within the blood vessel and positioning the array within the blood vessel so as to minimize interference by CRM leads or coils in the blood vessel during therapeutic delivery of energy using the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: NuXcel Limited
    Inventor: Stephen C Masson
  • Patent number: 11185699
    Abstract: A neuromodulation system includes neuromodulation electrodes on an electrode support that is positionable within a blood vessel for transvascular stimulation of target nerves. Cathode surface area, cathode-to-anode spacing, and other parameters are selected for capture of specific types of nerves (sympathetic, parasympathetic, and/or mixed nerves), nerves located at larger or shorter distances from the vascular wall, and also for proper nerve capture for the targeted types of nerves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: NuXcel Limited
    Inventors: Stephen C Masson, Michael Cuchiara, Jean Darnieder
  • Publication number: 20210275816
    Abstract: Neuromodulation is used to enhance left ventricular relaxation and/or left ventricular contractility, during contemporaneous use of a mechanical circulatory support device to increase cardiac output or aid in unloading the heart. An exemplary neuromodulation system includes a therapy element positionable in proximity to at least one nerve fiber, and a stimulator configured to energize the therapy element to delivery therapy to the at least one nerve fiber such that left ventricular relaxation and left ventricular contractility are contemporaneously enhanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: NuXcel Limited
    Inventors: Michael Cuchiara, Stephen C. Masson
  • Patent number: 11033741
    Abstract: Neuromodulation is used to enhance left ventricular relaxation. An exemplary neuromodulation system includes a therapy element positionable in proximity to at least one nerve fiber, and a stimulator configured to energize the therapy element to delivery therapy to the at least one nerve fiber such that left ventricular relaxation and left ventricular contractility are contemporaneously enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: NuXcel Limited
    Inventors: Michael Cuchiara, Stephen C Masson
  • Patent number: 10857352
    Abstract: A neuromodulation system includes a first therapy element adapted for positioning within a superior vena cava, and a second therapy element adapted for positioning within a pulmonary artery. The first therapy element is carried on a first elongate flexible shaft, and the second therapy element is carried on a second elongate flexible shaft. One of the first and second shafts is slidably received within a lumen of the other of the first and second shafts—so that the second therapy element may be advanced within the body relative to the first therapy element. A stimulator is configured to energize the first therapy element within the first blood vessel to deliver therapy to a first nerve fiber disposed external to the superior vena cava and to energize the second therapy element within the pulmonary artery to deliver sympathetic therapy to a second nerve fiber disposed external to the pulmonary artery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: NUXCEL Limited
    Inventors: Terrance J Ransbury, Richard S Stack, William E Sanders, Stephen C Masson
  • Publication number: 20200282217
    Abstract: A catheter system configured for delivering a neuromodulation therapy, includes a first therapeutic element positionable in a first target vessel selected from the group of blood vessels consisting of the superior vena cava, left brachiocephalic vein, right brachiocephalic vein, azygos vein or azygos arch, and a second therapeutic element in a second target vessel selected from the group of blood vessels consisting of the superior vena cava, left brachiocephalic vein, right brachiocephalic vein, internal jugular vein, azygos vein or azygos arch. The system and associated method deliver therapeutic energy to at least one parasympathetic nerve fiber external to the first target vessel using the first therapeutic element, and deliver therapeutic energy to at least one sympathetic nerve fiber external to the second target vessel using the second therapeutic element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen C. Masson, Michael Cuchiara, Efrain A. Miranda, Richard A. Glenn, A J. Rogers
  • Publication number: 20200269052
    Abstract: A neuromodulation system includes neuromodulation electrodes on an electrode support that is positionable within a blood vessel for transvascular stimulation of target nerves. Cathode surface area, cathode-to-anode spacing, and other parameters are selected for capture of specific types of nerves (sympathetic, parasympathetic, and/or mixed nerves), nerves located at larger or shorter distances from the vascular wall, and also for proper nerve capture for the targeted types of nerves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen C. Masson, Michael Cuchiara, Jean Darnieder
  • Publication number: 20200206512
    Abstract: A method of treating a patient having a blood pressure comprises delivering neuromodulation therapy to sustain or increase the blood pressure. The neuromodulation therapy includes placing a sympathetic therapy electrode in a posterior portion of a blood vessel and stimulating at least one extravascular cardiac sympathetic nerve fiber using said electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: Interventional Autonomics Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen C. Masson, Terrance Ransbury, Richard S. Stack, William E. Sanders
  • Publication number: 20200164204
    Abstract: Electrode systems for transvascular stimulation of target nerves include electrode arrays, elements promoting blood flow between electrode surfaces and surrounding vascular walls, electrodes shaped to promote more even current density than electrodes having angular edges, features for retaining the electrode systems with blood vessels, and features for using electrode-carrying elements to asymmetrically distend blood vessel walls towards target nerve structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Stephen C. Masson, Scott Purcell, Michael Cuchiara, Richard A. Glenn