Patents by Inventor Timothy R. Conrad
Timothy R. Conrad 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).
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Publication number: 20190184170Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating a variety of conditions include treating a disorder associated with neural activity near a region of a brain. In such condition, the method includes placing an electrode to create a field near said region, creating said field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said field. For treating a tissue sensation, the method includes identifying a target area of tissue to be treated and placing an electrode to create a field near the target area, and creating the field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within the target area. For treating a condition associated with neural activity of a spinal cord, the method includes placing an electrode to create a field near a nerve associated with the spinal cord, and creating the field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within the nerve.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2019Publication date: June 20, 2019Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Adrianus P. Donders, Timothy R. Conrad
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Publication number: 20170304615Abstract: At least one of a plurality of gastrointestinal disorders is treated by stimulating an enteric nervous system of a patient to enhance a functional tone of the enteric nervous system. A treatment includes electrically stimulating a vagus nerve of the patient at a stimulation site proximal to at least one site of vagal innervation of a gastrointestinal organ. The electrical stimulation includes applying a stimulation signal at the stimulation site. An optional proximal electrical blocking signal is applied to the vagus nerve at a proximal blocking site proximal to the stimulation site. The proximal blocking signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses at the proximal blocking site.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2017Publication date: October 26, 2017Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 9682233Abstract: At least one of a plurality of gastrointestinal disorders is treated by stimulating an enteric nervous system of a patient to enhance a functional tone of the enteric nervous system. A treatment includes electrically stimulating a vagus nerve of the patient at a stimulation site proximal to at least one site of vagal innervation of a gastrointestinal organ. The electrical stimulation includes applying a stimulation signal at the stimulation site. An optional proximal electrical blocking signal is applied to the vagus nerve at a proximal blocking site proximal to the stimulation site. The proximal blocking signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses at the proximal blocking site.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 9586046Abstract: At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient is treated by a method that includes positioning an electrode on a vagus nerve. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. In some embodiments, the disorder is obesity. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal. In some embodiments, the signal is selected to, at least in part, downregulate neural activity on the vagus nerve.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Enteromedics, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Publication number: 20160193465Abstract: At least one of a plurality of gastrointestinal disorders is treated by stimulating an enteric nervous system of a patient to enhance a functional tone of the enteric nervous system. A treatment includes electrically stimulating a vagus nerve of the patient at a stimulation site proximal to at least one site of vagal innervation of a gastrointestinal organ. The electrical stimulation includes applying a stimulation signal at the stimulation site. An optional proximal electrical blocking signal is applied to the vagus nerve at a proximal blocking site proximal to the stimulation site. The proximal blocking signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses at the proximal blocking site.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2015Publication date: July 7, 2016Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Publication number: 20160144181Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating a variety of conditions include treating a disorder associated with neural activity near a region of a brain. In such condition, the method includes placing an electrode to create a field near said region, creating said field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said field. For treating a tissue sensation, the method includes identifying a target area of tissue to be treated and placing an electrode to create a field near the target area, and creating the field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within the target area. For treating a condition associated with neural activity of a spinal cord, the method includes placing an electrode to create a field near a nerve associated with the spinal cord, and creating the field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within the nerve.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2015Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Adrianus P. Donders, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 9174040Abstract: At least one of a plurality of gastrointestinal disorders is treated by stimulating an enteric nervous system of a patient to enhance a functional tone of the enteric nervous system. A treatment includes electrically stimulating a vagus nerve of the patient at a stimulation site proximal to at least one site of vagal innervation of a gastrointestinal organ. The electrical stimulation includes applying a stimulation signal at the stimulation site. An optional proximal electrical blocking signal is applied to the vagus nerve at a proximal blocking site proximal to the stimulation site. The proximal blocking signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses at the proximal blocking site.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 9162062Abstract: A method for treating at least one of a plurality of disorders characterized at least in part by vagal activity includes positioning an electrode around a body organ innervated by the vagus. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity. The electrical signal is applied at a frequency selected for the signal to create a neural conduction block to the vagus with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve impulses on the vagus. The application of the electrical signal is discontinued. The application of the signal and the discontinuing of the signal are repeated with durations of the discontinuing and the application selected to treat the disorder.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2013Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Publication number: 20150012065Abstract: At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient is treated by a method that includes positioning an electrode on a vagus nerve. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. In some embodiments, the disorder is obesity. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal. In some embodiments, the signal is selected to, at least in part, downregulate neural activity on the vagus nerve.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2014Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 8864788Abstract: A patient's pharyngeal wall is treated by inserting an expander member into the airway and positioning an active portion of the expander member in opposition to portions of the pharyngeal wall to be treated. The expander member is activated to urge the wall portions outwardly to an outwardly displaced position. The expander member is then deactivated while leaving the wall portions in the outwardly placed position and the expander member is removed from said airway. A further aspect of the treatment includes stabilization of at least a portion of the pharyngeal wall after compression of portions of the wall.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2013Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 8862233Abstract: At least one of a plurality of disorders of a patient characterized at least in part by vagal activity innervating at least one of a plurality of organs of the patient is treated by a method that includes positioning an electrode on a vagus nerve. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity by an amount selected to treat the disorder. In some embodiments, the disorder is obesity. The signal may be a blocking or a stimulation signal. In some embodiments, the signal is selected to, at least in part, downregulate neural activity on the vagus nerve.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2013Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 8798754Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating a variety of conditions include treating a disorder associated with neural activity near a region of a brain. In such condition, the method includes placing an electrode to create a field near said region, creating said field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said field. For treating a tissue sensation, the method includes identifying a target area of tissue to be treated and placing an electrode to create a field near the target area, and creating the field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within the target area. For treating a condition associated with neural activity of a spinal cord, the method includes placing an electrode to create a field near a nerve associated with the spinal cord, and creating the field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within the nerve.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2008Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Venturi Group, LLCInventors: Mark B. Knudson, Adrianus P. Donders, Timothy R. Conrad
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Publication number: 20140172039Abstract: A method for treating at least one of a plurality of disorders characterized at least in part by vagal activity includes positioning an electrode around a body organ innervated by the vagus. An electrical signal is applied to the electrode to modulate vagal activity. The electrical signal is applied at a frequency selected for the signal to create a neural conduction block to the vagus with the neural conduction block selected to at least partially block nerve impulses on the vagus. The application of the electrical signal is discontinued. The application of the signal and the discontinuing of the signal are repeated with durations of the discontinuing and the application selected to treat the disorder.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Publication number: 20140172052Abstract: At least one of a plurality of gastrointestinal disorders is treated by stimulating an enteric nervous system of a patient to enhance a functional tone of the enteric nervous system. A treatment includes electrically stimulating a vagus nerve of the patient at a stimulation site proximal to at least one site of vagal innervation of a gastrointestinal organ. The electrical stimulation includes applying a stimulation signal at the stimulation site. An optional proximal electrical blocking signal is applied to the vagus nerve at a proximal blocking site proximal to the stimulation site. The proximal blocking signal is selected to at least partially block nerve impulses at the proximal blocking site.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2013Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Publication number: 20140046419Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating a variety of conditions include treating a disorder associated with neural activity near a region of a brain. In such condition, the method includes placing an electrode to create a field near said region, creating said field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within said field. For treating a tissue sensation, the method includes identifying a target area of tissue to be treated and placing an electrode to create a field near the target area, and creating the field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within the target area. For treating a condition associated with neural activity of a spinal cord, the method includes placing an electrode to create a field near a nerve associated with the spinal cord, and creating the field with parameters selected to at least partially block neural activity within the nerve.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2013Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: VENTURI GROUP, LLCInventors: Mark B. Knudson, Adrianus P. Donders, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 8617095Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a patient's health condition by diverting pancreatic exocrine secretions include a flow diverter of material compatible with chronic residence within a small intestine of the patient. The flow diverter has a cover end and a discharge end. The flow diverter is sized to be placed within the small intestine with the discharge end placed distally from said cover end and with said flow diverter further sized so permit passage of chyme through the small intestine and past the flow diverter. The cover end is sized to cover a discharge papilla of the pancreatic duct. The diverter is adapted to divert at least a portion of pancreatic exocrine secretion from the papilla to the distal discharge end.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 8538542Abstract: Systems and methods of using a system for treating a gastrointestinal disorder characterized by dysmotility of a gastrointestinal organ.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 8538533Abstract: Systems and methods for treating at least one of a plurality of disorders characterized at least in part by vagal activity.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: EnteroMedics Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Richard R. Wilson, Katherine S. Tweden, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 8430900Abstract: A patient's pharyngeal wall is treated by inserting an expander member into the airway and positioning an active portion of the expander member in opposition to portions of the pharyngeal wall to be treated. The expander member is activated to urge the wall portions outwardly to an outwardly displaced position. The expander member is then deactivated while leaving the wall portions in the outwardly placed position and the expander member is removed from said airway. A further aspect of the treatment includes stabilization of at least a portion of the pharyngeal wall after compression of portions of the wall.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2010Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Timothy R. Conrad
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Patent number: 8424531Abstract: A patient's pharyngeal wall is treated by inserting an expander member into the airway and positioning an active portion of the expander member in opposition to portions of the pharyngeal wall to be treated. The expander member is activated to urge the wall portions outwardly to an outwardly displaced position. The expander member is then deactivated while leaving the wall portions in the outwardly placed position and the expander member is removed from said airway. A further aspect of the treatment includes stabilization of at least a portion of the pharyngeal wall after compression of portions of the wall.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2010Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Medtronic Xomed, Inc.Inventors: Mark B. Knudson, Timothy R. Conrad