Patents by Inventor Warren M. Grill

Warren M. Grill 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: 20210322775
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining optimal temporal patterns of neural stimulation are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes selecting a temporal pattern for neural stimulation. The method also includes determining a mutation type for altering a pattern of pulses of the temporal pattern. The method also includes identifying a location within the pattern of pulses of the temporal pattern to alter based on the determined mutation type. The method further includes altering the pattern of pulses of the temporal pattern based on the identified location and mutation type for application of the altered temporal pattern to a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Warren M. Grill, Isaac Cassar, Nathan Titus
  • Patent number: 11116971
    Abstract: It has been discovered that pain felt in a given region of the body can be treated by stimulating a peripheral nerve at a therapeutically effective distance from the region where pain is felt to generate a comfortable sensation (i.e., paresthesia) overlapping the regions of pain. A method has been developed to reduce pain in a painful region following limb joint replacement by stimulating a peripheral nerve innervating the painful region with an electrode inserted into tissue and spaced from the peripheral nerve. This method may be used to help alleviate postoperative pain in patients following total knee arthroplasty surgery or other limb joint replacement surgeries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: SPR THERAPEUTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph W. Boggs, II, Maria E. Bennett, Amorn Wongsarnpigoon, John Chae, Warren M. Grill, Kathryn Stager, Rosemary Zang
  • Publication number: 20210275820
    Abstract: Systems and methods for stimulation of neurological tissue generate stimulation trains with temporal patterns of stimulation, in which the interval between electrical pulses (the inter-pulse intervals) changes or varies over time. Compared to conventional continuous, high rate pulse trains having regular (i.e., constant) inter-pulse intervals, the non-regular (i.e., not constant) pulse patterns or trains that embody features of the invention provide a lower average frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Warren M. Grill, JR., Alan D. Dorval, II, Robert Strother
  • Patent number: 11103708
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining optimal temporal patterns of neural stimulation are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes selecting a temporal pattern for neural stimulation. The method also includes determining a mutation type for altering a pattern of pulses of the temporal pattern. The method also includes identifying a location within the pattern of pulses of the temporal pattern to alter based on the determined mutation type. The method further includes altering the pattern of pulses of the temporal pattern based on the identified location and mutation type for application of the altered temporal pattern to a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Warren M. Grill, Isaac Cassar, Nathan Titus
  • Publication number: 20210252290
    Abstract: A system for delivering electrical pulse stimulation to a subject includes a remote control device configured to at least intermittently transmit temporal pulse pattern programming and a stimulation device comprising a control interface, at least one electrode in electrical communication with the control interface, and an input device in at least intermittent communication with the remote control device to receive the temporal pulse pattern programming. The stimulation device is configured to deliver electrical pulse stimulation to a subject via the at least one electrode according to the temporal pulse pattern programming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Warren M. Grill, Tianhe Zhang
  • Patent number: 11013924
    Abstract: Systems and methods for stimulation of neurological tissue generate stimulation trains with temporal patterns of stimulation, in which the interval between electrical pulses (the inter-pulse intervals) changes or varies over time. Compared to conventional continuous, high rate pulse trains having regular (i.e., constant) inter-pulse intervals, the non-regular (i.e., not constant) pulse patterns or trains that embody features of the invention provide a lower average frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: DUKE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Warren M. Grill, Jr., Alan D. Dorval, II, Robert Strother
  • Patent number: 11013922
    Abstract: A system for delivering electrical pulse stimulation to a subject includes a remote control device configured to at least intermittently transmit temporal pulse pattern programming and a stimulation device comprising a control interface, at least one electrode in electrical communication with the control interface, and an input device in at least intermittent communication with the remote control device to receive the temporal pulse pattern programming. The stimulation device is configured to deliver electrical pulse stimulation to a subject via the at least one electrode according to the temporal pulse pattern programming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Warren M. Grill, Tianhe Zhang
  • Publication number: 20210128920
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods that enable one to design temporal patterns for the optimal stimulation of a nervous system, one or more nerve cells, or nervous tissue. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to methods to design improved stimulation patterns and/or genetic algorithms for the optimal stimulation of a nervous system, one or more nerve cells, or nervous tissue. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes a model-based design to achieve a more optimal stimulation pattern for use in connection with a nervous system, one or more nerve cells, or nervous tissue (e.g., a human nervous system). In another embodiment, the model-based design of the present invention utilizes a systematic search method to identify parameters (e.g., design variables) that minimize a cost function (e.g., optimize the fitness of a particular design).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Warren M. GRILL, David T. BROCKER, Alexander R. KENT
  • Publication number: 20210106829
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for the treatment of pain through activation of select neural fibers. The neural fibers may comprise one or more afferent neural fibers and/or one or more efferent neural fibers. If afferent fibers are stimulated, alone or in combination with efferent fibers, a therapeutically effective amount of electrical stimulation is applied to activate afferent pathways in a manner approximating natural afferent activity. The afferent fibers may be associated with primary receptors of muscle spindles, golgi tendon organs, secondary receptors of muscle spindles, joint receptors, touch receptors, and other types of mechanoreceptors and/or proprioceptors. If efferent fibers are stimulated, alone or in combination with afferent fibers, a therapeutically effective amount of electrical stimulation is applied to activate intrafusal and/or extrafusal muscle fibers, which results in an indirect activation of afferent fibers associated therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Maria E. Bennett, Joseph W. Boggs, II, Warren M. Grill, John Chae
  • Publication number: 20210001127
    Abstract: Systems and methods for stimulation of neurological tissue generate stimulation trains with temporal patterns of stimulation, in which the interval between electrical pulses (the inter-pulse intervals) changes or varies over time. Compared to conventional continuous, high rate pulse trains having regular (i.e., constant) inter-pulse intervals, the non-regular (i.e., not constant) pulse patterns or trains that embody features of the invention provide a lower average frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Warren M. Grill, David T. Brocker
  • Patent number: 10857361
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for the treatment of pain through activation of select neural fibers. The neural fibers may comprise one or more afferent neural fibers and/or one or more efferent neural fibers. If afferent fibers are stimulated, alone or in combination with efferent fibers, a therapeutically effective amount of electrical stimulation is applied to activate afferent pathways in a manner approximating natural afferent activity. The afferent fibers may be associated with primary receptors of muscle spindles, golgi tendon organs, secondary receptors of muscle spindles, joint receptors, touch receptors, and other types of mechanoreceptors and/or proprioceptors. If efferent fibers are stimulated, alone or in combination with afferent fibers, a therapeutically effective amount of electrical stimulation is applied to activate intrafusal and/or extrafusal muscle fibers, which results in an indirect activation of afferent fibers associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: SPR THERAPEUTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Maria E. Bennett, Joseph W. Boggs, II, Warren M. Grill, John Chae
  • Publication number: 20200376278
    Abstract: Systems and methods for stimulation of neurological tissue apply a stimulation waveform that is derived by a developed genetic algorithm (GA), which may be coupled to a computational model of extracellular stimulation of a mammalian myelinated axon. The waveform is optimized for energy efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Warren M. Grill, Amorn Wongsarnpigoon
  • Publication number: 20200353257
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for the treatment of pain through activation of select neural fibers. The neural fibers may comprise one or more afferent neural fibers and/or one or more efferent neural fibers. If afferent fibers are stimulated, alone or in combination with efferent fibers, a therapeutically effective amount of electrical stimulation is applied to activate afferent pathways in a manner approximating natural afferent activity. The afferent fibers may be associated with primary receptors of muscle spindles, golgi tendon organs, secondary receptors of muscle spindles, joint receptors, touch receptors, and other types of mechanoreceptors and/or proprioceptors. If efferent fibers are stimulated, alone or in combination with afferent fibers, a therapeutically effective amount of electrical stimulation is applied to activate intrafusal and/or extrafusal muscle fibers, which results in an indirect activation of afferent fibers associated therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Maria E. Bennett, Joseph W. Boggs, Warren M. Grill, John Chae
  • Publication number: 20200346018
    Abstract: Systems and methods for stimulation of neurological tissue and generation stimulation trains with temporal patterns of stimulation, in which the interval between electrical pulses (the inter-pulse intervals) changes or varies over time. The features of the stimulation trains may be selected and arranged algorithmically to by clinical trial. These stimulation trains are generated to target a specific neurological disorder, by arranging sets of features which reduce symptoms of that neurological disorder into a pattern which is effective at reducing those symptoms while maintaining or reducing power consumption versus regular stimulation signals. Compared to conventional continuous, high rate pulse trains having regular (i.e., constant) inter-pulse intervals, the non-regular (i.e., not constant) pulse patterns or trains that embody features of the invention provide increased efficacy and/or a lower than average frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Warren M. Grill, David T. Brocker, Merrill J. Birdno
  • Publication number: 20200316384
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining optimal temporal patterns of neural stimulation are disclosed. According to an aspect, a method includes selecting a temporal pattern for neural stimulation. The method also includes determining a mutation type for altering a pattern of pulses of the temporal pattern. The method also includes identifying a location within the pattern of pulses of the temporal pattern to alter based on the determined mutation type. The method further includes altering the pattern of pulses of the temporal pattern based on the identified location and mutation type for application of the altered temporal pattern to a subject.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Inventors: Warren M. Grill, Isaac Cassar, Nathan Titus
  • Publication number: 20200306532
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for modulating gut motility. In particular, the present disclosure provides systems and methods for entraining interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) using patterns of electrical stimulation to increase gut motility. The systems and methods of ICC entrainment disclosed herein facilitate the treatment of various functional gastrointestinal disorders characterized by symptoms of dysmotility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Warren M. Grill, Bradley Barth, Craig Henriquez, Xiling Shen
  • Patent number: 10773084
    Abstract: Systems and methods for stimulation of neurological tissue generate stimulation trains with temporal patterns of stimulation, in which the interval between electrical pulses (the inter-pulse intervals) changes or varies over time. Compared to conventional continuous, high rate pulse trains having regular (i.e., constant) inter-pulse intervals, the non-regular (i.e., not constant) pulse patterns or trains that embody features of the invention provide a lower average frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Warren M. Grill, David T. Brocker
  • Patent number: 10744328
    Abstract: Systems and methods for stimulation of neurological tissue apply a stimulation waveform that is derived by a developed genetic algorithm (GA), which may be coupled to a computational model of extracellular stimulation of a mammalian myelinated axon. The waveform is optimized for energy efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Warren M. Grill, Amorn Wongsarnpigoon
  • Patent number: 10722715
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for the treatment of pain through activation of select neural fibers. The neural fibers may comprise one or more afferent neural fibers and/or one or more efferent neural fibers. If afferent fibers are stimulated, alone or in combination with efferent fibers, a therapeutically effective amount of electrical stimulation is applied to activate afferent pathways in a manner approximating natural afferent activity. The afferent fibers may be associated with primary receptors of muscle spindles, golgi tendon organs, secondary receptors of muscle spindles, joint receptors, touch receptors, and other types of mechanoreceptors and/or proprioceptors. If efferent fibers are stimulated, alone or in combination with afferent fibers, a therapeutically effective amount of electrical stimulation is applied to activate intrafusal and/or extrafusal muscle fibers, which results in an indirect activation of afferent fibers associated therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: SPR Therapeutics, Inc.
    Inventors: Maria E. Bennett, Joseph W. Boggs, Warren M. Grill, John Chae
  • Patent number: 10722708
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a neuromodulation apparatus and methods of using the neuromodulation apparatus for treating bladder dysfunction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Duke University
    Inventors: Warren M. Grill, James A. Hokanson, Christopher L. Langdale