Patents by Inventor Thaddeus S. Brink

Thaddeus S. Brink 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: 20240050742
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are configured delivering one or more sequences of different pulse trains to a patient. For example, a system includes processing circuitry configured to control stimulation circuitry to deliver a sequence of a plurality of trains of electrical stimulation pulses, wherein each train of the plurality of trains of electrical stimulation pulses comprises respective pulses at least partially defined by a unique parameter variation pattern of a plurality of parameter variation patterns, and control the stimulation circuitry to repeatedly deliver the sequence of the plurality of trains of electrical stimulation pulses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Lisa M. Jungbauer Nikolas, Sarah J. Offutt, Katie C. Bittner, Julia P. Slopsema, Thaddeus S. Brink, Leonid M. Litvak
  • Patent number: 11744499
    Abstract: This disclosure describes methods, systems, and devices configured to determine a timing of a future bladder related event of a patient. For example, a system includes processing circuitry configured to identify a timing of a plurality of bladder related events of a patient, determine, based on the timing of the plurality of bladder related events of the patient, a probability to experience a bladder related event function for the patient, the probability to experience a bladder related event function indicating a probability that the patient will experience a bladder related event at an elapsed time after a previous bladder related event, predict, based on the probability to experience a bladder related event function, a timing of a future bladder related event, and control delivery of a therapy to the patient based on the predicted timing of the future bladder related event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwight E. Nelson, Thaddeus S. Brink, Lance Zirpel, Adam P. Steiner
  • Publication number: 20230069981
    Abstract: An example system includes stimulation generation circuitry configured to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient; sensing circuitry configured to sense one or more biomarker signals; and processing circuitry configured to: cause delivery of electrical stimulation with the patient in a first patient state; receive a first instance of a biomarker signal in presence of the electrical stimulation with the patient in the first patient state; cause delivery of electrical stimulation with the patient in a second patient state; receive a second instance of the biomarker signal in presence of the electrical stimulation with the patient in the second patient state; determine whether a difference between the first instance of the biomarker signal and the second instance of the biomarker signal satisfies a threshold; select a therapy mode based on whether the difference satisfies the threshold; and cause delivery of electrical stimulation in accordance with the selected therapy mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Benjamin P. Isaacson, Scott R. Stanslaski, Abbey Beuning Holt Becker, Rene A. Molina, Caleb C. Zarns, David E. Linde, Nicholas D. Buse, Thaddeus S. Brink
  • Patent number: 11571575
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for autotitrating stimulation parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Xin Su, Thaddeus S. Brink, Dwight E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20220266031
    Abstract: An example method includes determining, by an implantable medical device (IMD), an electrode of a plurality of electrodes of a lead to be used to deliver electrical stimulation to a patient at a particular time; selecting, by the IMD and based on the determined electrode, a set of electrodes of the plurality of electrodes; and sensing, by the IMD and via the selected set of electrodes, electrical signals of the patient at the particular time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2022
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Benjamin P. Isaacson, David E. Linde, Scott R. Stanslaski, Christopher L. Pulliam, Rene A. Molina, Abbey Beuning Holt Becker, David L. Carlson, Nicholas D. Buse, Duane L. Bourget, Thaddeus S. Brink
  • Patent number: 11376438
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods may manage therapy delivery to a patient based on one or more physiological markers. In some examples, a method includes detecting a physiological marker that occurs prior in time to a dysfunctional phase of a physiological cycle, wherein a dysfunctional state of the physiological cycle occurs during the dysfunctional phase without treatment, responsive to detecting the physiological marker, initiating a first phase of the physiological cycle having a duration of time. The method may also include, responsive to the first phase elapsing, controlling a therapy delivery module to deliver neurostimulation therapy during a second phase that begins prior to the dysfunctional phase, wherein the neurostimulation therapy is configured to treat the dysfunctional state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thaddeus S. Brink, Dwight E. Nelson, Xin Su, Lance Zirpel
  • Publication number: 20220105348
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods may manage therapy delivery to a patient based on one or more physiological markers. In some examples, a method includes detecting a physiological marker that occurs prior in time to a dysfunctional phase of a physiological cycle, wherein a dysfunctional state of the physiological cycle occurs during the dysfunctional phase without treatment, responsive to detecting the physiological marker, initiating a first phase of the physiological cycle having a duration of time. The method may also include, responsive to the first phase elapsing, controlling a therapy delivery module to deliver neurostimulation therapy during a second phase that begins prior to the dysfunctional phase, wherein the neurostimulation therapy is configured to treat the dysfunctional state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Thaddeus S. Brink, Dwight E. Nelson, Xin Su, Lance Zirpel
  • Publication number: 20220080206
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for autotitrating stimulation parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Xin Su, Thaddeus S. Brink, Dwight E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 11253314
    Abstract: The disclosure describes devices, systems, and techniques for identifying and treating bladder dysfunction. In one example, a method includes identifying one or more focal points at respective locations of bladder tissue of a bladder of a patient, the one or more focal points initiating coordinated contractions of a detrusor muscle. The method may also, or alternatively, include ablating, for each of the one or more focal points, a respective portion of the bladder tissue at the respective location of the focal point. Ablation of these targeted portions of the bladder tissue may reduce the coordinated contractions of the detrusor muscle and alleviate overactive bladder symptoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thaddeus S. Brink, Blake A. Hedstrom, Dwight E. Nelson, Ashish Singal, Xin Su
  • Patent number: 11241582
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving, by an implantable device and from an external device, an energy signal; transducing, by the implantable device, the energy signal into electrical power; outputting, by the implantable device and to the external device, a feedback signal that represents an absolute level of the electrical power transduced from the energy signal, wherein the feedback signal includes a first portion that represents a relative level of the electrical power transduced from the energy signal and a second portion that represents a reference voltage level; and delivering, by the implantable device, a level of electrical stimulation therapy proportional to the absolute level of the electrical power transduced from the energy signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jamu K. Alford, Thaddeus S. Brink, Douglas S. Cerny, Sarah J. Offutt, Jerel K. Mueller
  • Patent number: 11116980
    Abstract: Techniques for delivering electrical stimulation therapy comprising a complex variation to at least one electrical stimulation parameter are described. In one example, processing circuitry of an implantable medical device (IMD) identifies a plurality of electrical stimulation parameters for at least one pulse train of electrical stimulation. The processing circuitry defines a complex variation to at least one electrical stimulation parameter of the plurality of electrical stimulation parameters. The processing circuitry modifies the at least one pulse train of electrical stimulation by introducing the complex variation to the electrical stimulation parameter function and controls a stimulation generator of the IMD to generate, as modified, the at least one pulse train of electrical stimulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwight E. Nelson, Thaddeus S. Brink, Lance Zirpel
  • Patent number: 11045650
    Abstract: In general, techniques, methods, systems, and devices for delivering high frequency neurostimulation to control one or more pelvic disorders are described. In one example, a method includes identifying, by a medical device configured to be at least partially implanted in a patient, an indication to inhibit bladder activity. The medical device generates, in response to identifying the indication, electrical stimulation therapy comprising first electrical stimulation pulses comprising a first frequency greater than or equal to about 500 Hertz and less than or equal to about 5,000 Hertz. Further, the medical device delivers the electrical stimulation therapy to a target nerve selected from a group consisting of: a sacral nerve, a pelvic nerve, a tibial nerve, and a pudendal nerve of the patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thaddeus S. Brink, Dwight E. Nelson, Lance Zirpel, Xin Su, Blake A. Hedstrom, Erik J. Peterson, David A. Dinsmoor
  • Publication number: 20200397361
    Abstract: This disclosure describes methods, systems, and devices configured to determine a timing of a future bladder related event of a patient. For example, a system includes processing circuitry configured to identify a timing of a plurality of bladder related events of a patient, determine, based on the timing of the plurality of bladder related events of the patient, a probability to experience a bladder related event function for the patient, the probability to experience a bladder related event function indicating a probability that the patient will experience a bladder related event at an elapsed time after a previous bladder related event, predict, based on the probability to experience a bladder related event function, a timing of a future bladder related event, and control delivery of a therapy to the patient based on the predicted timing of the future bladder related event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Inventors: Dwight E. Nelson, Thaddeus S. Brink, Lance Zirpel, Adam P. Steiner
  • Publication number: 20200281649
    Abstract: The disclosure describes devices, systems, and techniques for identifying and treating bladder dysfunction. In one example, a method includes identifying one or more focal points at respective locations of bladder tissue of a bladder of a patient, the one or more focal points initiating coordinated contractions of a detrusor muscle. The method may also, or alternatively, include ablating, for each of the one or more focal points, a respective portion of the bladder tissue at the respective location of the focal point. Ablation of these targeted portions of the bladder tissue may reduce the coordinated contractions of the detrusor muscle and alleviate overactive bladder symptoms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: Thaddeus S. Brink, Blake A. Hedstrom, Dwight E. Nelson, Ashish Singal, Xin Su
  • Patent number: 10765355
    Abstract: This disclosure describes methods, systems, and devices configured to determine a timing of a future bladder related event of a patient. For example, a system includes processing circuitry configured to identify a timing of a plurality of bladder related events of a patient, determine, based on the timing of the plurality of bladder related events of the patient, a probability to experience a bladder related event function for the patient, the probability to experience a bladder related event function indicating a probability that the patient will experience a bladder related event at an elapsed time after a previous bladder related event, predict, based on the probability to experience a bladder related event function, a timing of a future bladder related event, and control delivery of a therapy to the patient based on the predicted timing of the future bladder related event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Dwight E. Nelson, Thaddeus S. Brink, Lance Zirpel, Adam P. Steiner
  • Publication number: 20200230406
    Abstract: A method includes monitoring a sensor signal and classifying a physiological marker of a patient based upon the sensor signal. The method also includes generating a control signal based on the classified physiological marker, the control signal controlling an implantable stimulation device to provide the electrical stimulation at a target site within the patient. The method further includes adapting one or more of a manner in which processor circuitry classifies the physiological markers, generates the control signal, or one or more stimulation parameters of a stimulation program based on the classified physiological markers or patient input so as to automatically adjust one or more of timing or the stimulation parameters of the electrical stimulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Thaddeus S. Brink, Thomas Adamski, Scott R. Stanslaski, Lance Zirpel, Jeffrey Herron
  • Patent number: 10660699
    Abstract: The disclosure describes devices, systems, and techniques for identifying and treating bladder dysfunction. In one example, a method includes identifying one or more focal points at respective locations of bladder tissue of a bladder of a patient, the one or more focal points initiating coordinated contractions of a detrusor muscle. The method may also, or alternatively, include ablating, for each of the one or more focal points, a respective portion of the bladder tissue at the respective location of the focal point. Ablation of these targeted portions of the bladder tissue may reduce the coordinated contractions of the detrusor muscle and alleviate overactive bladder symptoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Thaddeus S. Brink, Blake A. Hedstrom, Dwight E. Nelson, Ashish Singal, Xin Su
  • Publication number: 20200054878
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods may manage therapy delivery to a patient based on one or more physiological markers. In some examples, a method includes detecting a physiological marker that occurs prior in time to a dysfunctional phase of a physiological cycle, wherein a dysfunctional state of the physiological cycle occurs during the dysfunctional phase without treatment, responsive to detecting the physiological marker, initiating a first phase of the physiological cycle having a duration of time. The method may also include, responsive to the first phase elapsing, controlling a therapy delivery module to deliver neurostimulation therapy during a second phase that begins prior to the dysfunctional phase, wherein the neurostimulation therapy is configured to treat the dysfunctional state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Thaddeus S. Brink, Dwight E. Nelson, Xin Su, Lance Zirpel
  • Publication number: 20190358460
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving, by an implantable device and from an external device, an energy signal; transducing, by the implantable device, the energy signal into electrical power; outputting, by the implantable device and to the external device, a feedback signal that represents an absolute level of the electrical power transduced from the energy signal, wherein the feedback signal includes a first portion that represents a relative level of the electrical power transduced from the energy signal and a second portion that represents a reference voltage level; and delivering, by the implantable device, a level of electrical stimulation therapy proportional to the absolute level of the electrical power transduced from the energy signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Jamu K. Alford, Thaddeus S. Brink, Douglas S. Cerny, Sarah J. Offutt, Jerel K. Mueller
  • Publication number: 20190328303
    Abstract: This disclosure describes methods, systems, and devices configured to determine a timing of a future bladder related event of a patient. For example, a system includes processing circuitry configured to identify a timing of a plurality of bladder related events of a patient, determine, based on the timing of the plurality of bladder related events of the patient, a probability to experience a bladder related event function for the patient, the probability to experience a bladder related event function indicating a probability that the patient will experience a bladder related event at an elapsed time after a previous bladder related event, predict, based on the probability to experience a bladder related event function, a timing of a future bladder related event, and control delivery of a therapy to the patient based on the predicted timing of the future bladder related event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Dwight E. Nelson, Thaddeus S. Brink, Lance Zirpel, Adam P. Steiner