Patents by Inventor Todd Whitehurst

Todd Whitehurst 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: 20180353113
    Abstract: A sensor that may be used to detect the presence, amount, and/or concentration of an analyte in a medium within an animal. The sensor may include a sensor housing, an indicator element embedded within and/or covering at least a portion of the sensor housing, and a membrane over the indicator element. The sensor may include one or more of a first coating on an inner surface of the membrane, a second coating on an outer surface of the membrane, and a layer on the outside of the indicator element. One or more of the first coating, second coating, and layer may reduce deterioration of the indicator element by catalyzing degradation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The one or more coatings on the membrane may increase the light blocking capability of the membrane, which may improve the accuracy of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeremy Emken, Philip Huffstetler, Todd Whitehurst, Masika Hinds, Mark Mortellaro, Abhi Chavan, Bryan Hays
  • Publication number: 20180325376
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting the amount or concentration of an analyte in a medium in living organism. The system may include an analyte sensor module and a transmitter module, which may be separate and distinct components. The analyte sensor module and transmitter module may be at different locations but connected by one or more transmission elements. The analyte sensor may include indicator elements configured to exhibit a detectable property based on the amount or concentration of the analyte in proximity to the indicator elements. The analyte sensor may include sensor elements configured to generate a data signal based on the detectable property exhibited by the indicator elements. The transmission elements may be configured to convey data signals generated by the sensor elements from the analyte sensor module to the transmitter module. The transmitter module may include an antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicant: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Andrew DeHennis, Todd Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 10119911
    Abstract: An analyte indicator may include a porous base and may be included in an analyte sensor. The analyte indicator may retain its physical, chemical, and optical properties in the presence of compression. The porous base may not vary in opacity. The analyte indicator may include (i) a polymer unit attached or polymerized onto or out of the porous base and (ii) an analyte sensing element attached to the polymer unit or copolymerized with the polymer unit. The analyte sensing element may include one or more indicator molecule. The analyte sensing element may include one or more indicator polymer chains. The analyte indicator may include (i) an indicator polymer chain attached or polymerized onto or out of the porous base and (ii) indicator molecules attached to the indicator polymer chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip Huffstetler, Jeremy Emken, Todd Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 10111588
    Abstract: A transceiver for interfacing with an analyte sensor. The transceiver may include an interface device and a notification device. The interface device may be configured to convey a power signal to the analyte sensor and to receive data signals from the analyte sensor. The notification device may be configured to generate one or more of a vibrational, aural, and visual signal based on one or more data signals received from the analyte sensor. The interface device of the transceiver may receive analyte data from the analyte sensor, and the transceiver may comprise a processor configured to calculate an analyte concentration value based on the received analyte data. The notification device may be configured to generate one or more of aural, visual, or vibrational alarm when the calculated analyte concentration value exceeds or falls below a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Szymon Tankiewicz, Jeremy Emken, Andrew DeHennis, Todd Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 10080514
    Abstract: A system including a sensor and a transceiver and configured to determine a concentration of an analyte in a medium of a living animal. The sensor may include first and second signal photodetectors and first and second reference photodetectors, which may each be covered by an associate filter. The first photodetector may receive light emitted from first and second grafts, respectively. The grafts may receive excitation light from one or more light sources. The transceiver may receive signals from the photodetectors of the sensor and may determine the analyte concentration based on the received signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeremy Emken, Philip Huffstetler, Todd Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 10064573
    Abstract: A sensor that may be used to detect the presence, amount, and/or concentration of an analyte in a medium within an animal. The sensor may include a sensor housing, an indicator element embedded within and/or covering at least a portion of the sensor housing, and a membrane over the indicator element. The membrane may reduce indicator element deterioration by preventing immune cells, such as white blood cells, from contacting the indicator element, substantially prevent transmission of light of at least a specified wavelength or range of wavelengths through the membrane, and/or permit the analyte to pass through to the indicator element. The membrane may be an opaque diffusion membrane. The sensor may include a foil. The foil may block light and/or reduce indicator element deterioration. The membrane may reduce oxidation of the indicator element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeremy Emken, Philip Huffstetler, Todd Whitehurst
  • Publication number: 20180220940
    Abstract: A sensor (e.g., an optical sensor) that may be implanted within a living animal (e.g., a human) and may be used to measure an analyte (e.g., glucose or oxygen) in a medium (e.g., interstitial fluid, blood, or intraperitoneal fluid) within the animal. The sensor may include a sensor housing, an analyte indicator covering at least a portion of the sensor housing, and one or more therapeutic agents. The one or more therapeutic agents may reduce deterioration of the analyte indicator. The one or more therapeutic agents may be incorporated within the analyte indicator, a membrane covering at least a portion of the analyte indicator, and/or one or more drug eluting polymer matrices, which may be external to or within the sensor housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip Huffstetler, Jeremy Emken, Todd Whitehurst
  • Publication number: 20180206746
    Abstract: An example of a digital artery blood pressure monitor may include a tactile sensor array disposed on an inner surface of a cuff, the tactile sensor array including a plurality of capacitive sensors to detect pressure changes within a digital artery of a finger due to blood flow, where the pressure changes cause changes to capacitance values of one or more capacitive sensors of the tactile sensor array, and control circuitry coupled to the tactile sensor array to receive the capacitance values from the tactile sensor array, and determine a blood pressure based on the capacitance values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Ravi Narasimhan, Tushar Parlikar, Todd Whitehurst
  • Publication number: 20180193563
    Abstract: One example device includes a housing defining at least a first chamber and a second chamber; an injector disposed within the housing and comprising: a hollow needle coupled to a first piston, the first piston disposed and translatable within the first chamber towards a first end of the first chamber, the first piston defining a void intersecting a hollow portion of the hollow needle; a first propellant disposed within the first chamber and positioned to force the first piston towards the first end of the first chamber in response to activation of the first propellant; a dispenser disposed within the housing and comprising: a second piston disposed and translatable within the second chamber towards a first end of the second chamber; a second propellant disposed within the second chamber and positioned to force the second piston towards the first end of the second chamber in response to activation of the second propellant; and wherein translation of the first piston to the first end of the first chamber expose
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: Verily Life Sciences LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin Krasnow, Todd Whitehurst, Ethan Glassman, Tushar Parlikar, Michael Chen, Clarissa Lui
  • Patent number: 10016133
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting the amount or concentration of an analyte in a medium in living organism. The system may include an analyte sensor module and a transmitter module, which may be separate and distinct components. The analyte sensor module and transmitter module may be at different locations but connected by one or more transmission elements. The analyte sensor may include indicator elements configured to exhibit a detectable property based on the amount or concentration of the analyte in proximity to the indicator elements. The analyte sensor may include sensor elements configured to generate a data signal based on the detectable property exhibited by the indicator elements. The transmission elements may be configured to convey data signals generated by the sensor elements from the analyte sensor module to the transmitter module. The transmitter module may include an antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Andrew DeHennis, Todd Whitehurst
  • Publication number: 20180184953
    Abstract: Sensors and methods for measurement of an analyte in a medium within a living animal are described. The sensor may include an inductive element that may receive power from an external device. The sensor may also include a charge storage device (CSD) and a memory. The sensor may perform analyte measurements initiated by the external device using power received from the external device and convey the analyte measurements to the external device using the inductive element. The sensor also may perform autonomous analyte measurements using the on board charge device's power and store the autonomous analyte measurements in the memory. The sensor may convey one or more stored analyte measurements to the external device using the inductive element using power received from the external device. The sensor may include a CSD-powered clock and a CSD-powered measurement scheduler that initiate the autonomous analyte measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Andrew DeHennis, Szymon Tankiewicz, Todd Whitehurst
  • Publication number: 20180177396
    Abstract: Methods, sensors, and systems that prevent or reduce data loss when more than one external sensor transceiver is used with a sensor. A sensor may receive a transceiver identification (ID) of an external transceiver conveyed from the external transceiver and determine whether the received transceiver ID is a new transceiver ID. If sensor determines the received transceiver ID to be a new transceiver ID, the sensor may store the received transceiver ID in a nonvolatile storage medium of the sensor and convey, using the sensor, measurement information stored in the nonvolatile storage medium to the external transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeremy Emken, Philip Huffstetler, Todd Whitehurst
  • Publication number: 20180160974
    Abstract: A sensor system including an implantable sensor and an external transceiver. Aspects of the sensor system may provide improved implantation and antenna orientation of the implanted sensor. The sensor may include a sensor antenna, the transceiver may include a transceiver antenna. In some embodiments, the sensor antenna and/or transceiver antenna may include a first set of coils oriented in a first plane and a second set of coils oriented in a second plane that is different than the first plane. In some embodiments, the sensor may have a geometry that will prevent or reduce movement and/or rotation of the implanted sensor. For instance, in some embodiments, the sensor may be enclosed in silicon that contains antenna coils and/or include wings, a fluid filled sack, a swelling material, an expansion material, and/or arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Szymon Tankiewicz, Todd Whitehurst
  • Publication number: 20180136128
    Abstract: An analyte indicator may include a porous base and may be included in an analyte sensor. The analyte indicator may retain its physical, chemical, and optical properties in the presence of compression. The porous base may not vary in opacity. The analyte indicator may include (i) a polymer unit attached or polymerized onto or out of the porous base and (ii) an analyte sensing element attached to the polymer unit or copolymerized with the polymer unit. The analyte sensing element may include one or more indicator molecule. The analyte sensing element may include one or more indicator polymer chains. The analyte indicator may include (i) an indicator polymer chain attached or polymerized onto or out of the porous base and (ii) indicator molecules attached to the indicator polymer chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip Huffstetler, Jeremy Emken, Todd Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 9931068
    Abstract: A sensor (e.g., an optical sensor) that may be implanted within a living animal (e.g., a human) and may be used to measure an analyte (e.g., glucose or oxygen) in a medium (e.g., interstitial fluid, blood, or intraperitoneal fluid) within the animal. The sensor may include a sensor housing, an analyte indicator covering at least a portion of the sensor housing, and one or more therapeutic agents. The one or more therapeutic agents may reduce deterioration of the analyte indicator. The one or more therapeutic agents may be incorporated within the analyte indicator, a membrane covering at least a portion of the analyte indicator, and/or one or more drug eluting polymer matrices, which may be external to or within the sensor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip Huffstetler, Jeremy Emken, Todd Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 9901293
    Abstract: Sensors and methods for measurement of an analyte in a medium within a living animal are described. The sensor may include an inductive element that may receive power from an external device. The sensor may also include a charge storage device (CSD) and a memory. The sensor may perform analyte measurements initiated by the external device using power received from the external device and convey the analyte measurements to the external device using the inductive element. The sensor also may perform autonomous analyte measurements using the on board charge device's power and store the autonomous analyte measurements in the memory. The sensor may convey one or more stored analyte measurements to the external device using the inductive element using power received from the external device. The sensor may include a CSD-powered clock and a CSD-powered measurement scheduler that initiate the autonomous analyte measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Andrew DeHennis, Szymon Tankiewicz, Todd Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 9901250
    Abstract: Methods, sensors, and systems that prevent or reduce data loss when more than one external sensor transceiver is used with a sensor. A sensor may receive a transceiver identification (ID) of an external transceiver conveyed from the external transceiver and determine whether the received transceiver ID is a new transceiver ID. If sensor determines the received transceiver ID to be a new transceiver ID, the sensor may store the received transceiver ID in a nonvolatile storage medium of the sensor and convey, using the sensor, measurement information stored in the nonvolatile storage medium to the external transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Jeremy Emken, Philip Huffstetler, Todd Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 9891169
    Abstract: An analyte indicator may include a porous base and may be included in an analyte sensor. The analyte indicator may retain its physical, chemical, and optical properties in the presence of compression. The porous base may not vary in opacity. The analyte indicator may include (i) a polymer unit attached or polymerized onto or out of the porous base and (ii) an analyte sensing element attached to the polymer unit or copolymerized with the polymer unit. The analyte sensing element may include one or more indicator molecule. The analyte sensing element may include one or more indicator polymer chains. The analyte indicator may include (i) an indicator polymer chain attached or polymerized onto or out of the porous base and (ii) indicator molecules attached to the indicator polymer chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip Huffstetler, Jeremy Emken, Todd Whitehurst
  • Patent number: 9867540
    Abstract: An inductive sensor system for remote powering and communication with an analyte sensor (e.g., a fully implantable analyte sensor). The system may include an analyte sensor and transceiver. The system may be ferrite-enhanced. The transceiver may implement a passive telemetry for communicating with the analyte sensor via an inductive magnetic link for both power and data transfer. The link may be a co-planar, near field communication telemetry link. The transceiver may include a reflection plate configured to focus flux lines linking the transceiver and the sensor uniformly beneath the transceiver. The transceiver may include an amplifier configured to amplify battery power and provide radio frequency (RF) power to a transceiver antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Senseonics, Incorporated
    Inventors: Szymon Tankiewicz, Joshua C. Schaefer, Andrew DeHennis, Todd Whitehurst
  • Publication number: 20170281956
    Abstract: Improved external chargers for charging an implantable medical device, and particularly useful in charging a plurality of such devices, are disclosed. Each of the various embodiments include a plurality of field customization coils for customizing the magnetic charging field generated by the external charger such that the magnetic charging field is not radially symmetric. For example, one embodiment includes a primary coil with a plurality of field customization coils distributed radially with respect to the coil. The generated magnetic charging field can be rendered radially asymmetric by selectively activating or disabling the field customization coils in response to data quantifying the coupling between the various implants and the field customization coils in the charger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Rafael Carbunaru, Andrew DiGiore, Todd Whitehurst