Patents by Inventor William L. Zimmer

William L. Zimmer 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).

  • Patent number: 8364266
    Abstract: A method comprising providing a programmable non-volatile memory (PNVM) circuit fabricated together with a processor on an integrated circuit chip (IC) in an implantable medical device (IMD), partitioning the PNVM circuit into a plurality of portions based on how often that the processor accesses a portion, and selectively providing power or selectively restricting power to one or more of the portions according to how often that the processor accesses a portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Maniak, William L. Zimmer, Ron A. Balczewski, William J. Linder
  • Patent number: 8306619
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively treating a ventricular tachycardia based on sensed atrial and ventricular intervals from the patient's heart. A detection window of the ten most recent atrial and ventricular intervals are analyzed for the occurrence of either tachycardia or fibrillation. When a majority of the sensed intervals are satisfied, the apparatus starts a duration time interval. Ventricular intervals and atrial intervals are compare, ventricular interval greater than the atrial interval by a bias factor the system delivers tachycardia therapy to the heart. Alternatively, the method withholds tachycardia therapy to the heart when the atrial rate is classified as atrial fibrillation and the ventricular response is unstable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Krig, James O. Gilkerson, Robert D. Dreher, Jan D. Wald, William J. Linder, William L. Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20120016433
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively treating a ventricular tachycardia based on sensed atrial and ventricular intervals from the patient's heart. A detection window of the ten most recent atrial and ventricular intervals are analyzed for the occurrence of either tachycardia or fibrillation. When a majority of the sensed intervals are satisfied, the apparatus starts a duration time interval. Ventricular intervals and atrial intervals are compare, ventricular interval greater than the atrial interval by a bias factor the system delivers tachycardia therapy to the heart. Alternatively, the method withholds tachycardia therapy to the heart when the atrial rate is classified as atrial fibrillation and the ventricular response is unstable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: David B. Krig, James O. Gilkerson, Robert D. Dreher, Jan D. Wald, William J. Linder, William L. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 8046068
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively treating a ventricular tachycardia based on sensed atrial and ventricular intervals from the patient's heart. A detection window of the ten most recent atrial and ventricular intervals are analyzed for the occurrence of either tachycardia or fibrillation. When a majority of the sensed intervals are satisfied, the apparatus starts a duration time interval. Ventricular intervals and atrial intervals are compare, ventricular interval greater than the atrial interval by a bias factor the system delivers tachycardia therapy to the heart. Alternatively, the method withholds tachycardia therapy to the heart when the atrial rate is classified as atrial fibrillation and the ventricular response is unstable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Krig, James O. Gilkerson, Robert D. Dreher, Jan D. Wald, William J. Linder, William L. Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20110172730
    Abstract: A method comprising providing a programmable non-volatile memory (PNVM) circuit fabricated together with a processor on an integrated circuit chip (IC) in an implantable medical device (IMD), partitioning the PNVM circuit into a plurality of portions based on how often that the processor accesses a portion, and selectively providing power or selectively restricting power to one or more of the portions according to how often that the processor accesses a portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Inventors: Jeremy Maniak, William L. Zimmer, Ron A. Balczewski, William J. Linder
  • Patent number: 7937151
    Abstract: A system comprising an implantable medical device (IMD). The IMD includes a processor fabricated on an integrated circuit chip (IC), a random access memory (RAM) circuit fabricated on the same IC, and a programmable non-volatile memory (PNVM) circuit also fabricated on the same IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Maniak, William L. Zimmer, Ron A. Balczewski, William J. Linder
  • Publication number: 20090234400
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively treating a ventricular tachycardia based on sensed atrial and ventricular intervals from the patient's heart. A detection window of the ten most recent atrial and ventricular intervals are analyzed for the occurrence of either tachycardia or fibrillation. When a majority of the sensed intervals are satisfied, the apparatus starts a duration time interval. Ventricular intervals and atrial intervals are compare, ventricular interval greater than the atrial interval by a bias factor the system delivers tachycardia therapy to the heart. Alternatively, the method withholds tachycardia therapy to the heart when the atrial rate is classified as atrial fibrillation and the ventricular response is unstable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: David B. Krig, James O. Gilkerson, Robert D. Dreher, Jan D. Wald, William J. Linder, William L. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 7522956
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively treating a ventricular tachycardia based on sensed atrial and ventricular intervals from the patient's heart. A detection window of the ten most recent atrial and ventricular intervals are analyzed for the occurrence of either tachycardia or fibrillation. When a majority of the sensed intervals are satisfied, the apparatus starts a duration time interval. Ventricular intervals and atrial intervals are compare, ventricular interval greater than the atrial interval by a bias factor the system delivers tachycardia therapy to the heart. Alternatively, the method withholds tachycardia therapy to the heart when the atrial rate is classified as atrial fibrillation and the ventricular response is unstable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Krig, James O. Gilkerson, Robert D. Dreher, Jan D. Wald, William J. Linder, William L. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 7113824
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively treating a ventricular tachycardia based on sensed atrial and ventricular intervals from the patient's heart. A detection window of the ten most recent atrial and ventricular intervals are analyzed for the occurrence of either tachycardia or fibrillation. When a majority of the sensed intervals are satisfied, the apparatus starts a duration time interval. Ventricular intervals and atrial intervals are compare, ventricular interval greater than the atrial interval by a bias factor the system delivers tachycardia therapy to the heart. Alternatively, the method withholds tachycardia therapy to the heart when the atrial rate is classified as atrial fibrillation and the ventricular response is unstable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Krig, James O. Gilkerson, Robert D. Dreher, Jan D. Wald, William J. Linder, William L. Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20020107552
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively treating a ventricular tachycardia based on sensed atrial and ventricular intervals from the patient's heart. A detection window of the ten most recent atrial and ventricular intervals are analyzed for the occurrence of either tachycardia or fibrillation. When a majority of the sensed intervals are satisfied, the apparatus starts a duration time interval. Ventricular intervals and atrial intervals are compare, ventricular interval greater than the atrial interval by a bias factor the system delivers tachycardia therapy to the heart. Alternatively, the method withholds tachycardia therapy to the heart when the atrial rate is classified as atrial fibrillation and the ventricular response is unstable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Krig, James O. Gilkerson, Robert D. Dreher, Jan D. Wald, William J. Linder, William L. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6317632
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively treating a ventricular tachycardia based on sensed atrial and ventricular intervals from the patient's heart. A detection window of the ten most recent atrial and ventricular intervals are analyzed for the occurrence of either tachycardia or fibrillation. When a majority of the sensed intervals are satisfied, the apparatus starts a duration time interval. Ventricular intervals and atrial intervals are compare, ventricular interval greater than the atrial interval by a bias factor the system delivers tachycardia therapy to the heart. Alternatively, the method withholds tachycardia therapy to the heart when the atrial rate is classified as atrial fibrillation and the ventricular response is unstable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Krig, James O. Gilkerson, Robert D. Dreher, Jan D. Wald, William J. Linder, William L. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6151524
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively treating a ventricular tachycardia based on sensed atrial and ventricular intervals from the patient's heart. A detection window of the ten most recent atrial and ventricular intervals are analyzed for the occurrence of either tachycardia or fibrillation. When a majority of the sensed intervals are satisfied, the apparatus starts a duration time interval. Ventricular intervals and atrial intervals are compare, ventricular interval greater than the atrial interval by a bias factor the system delivers tachycardia therapy to the heart. Alternatively, the method withholds tachycardia therapy to the heart when the atrial rate is classified as atrial fibrillation and the ventricular response is unstable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Krig, James O. Gilkerson, Robert D. Dreher, Jan D. Wald, William J. Linder, William L. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 5978707
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively treating a ventricular tachycardia based on sensed atrial and ventricular intervals from the patient's heart. A detection window of the ten most recent atrial and ventricular intervals are analyzed for the occurrence of either tachycardia or fibrillation. When a majority of the sensed intervals are satisfied, the apparatus starts a duration time interval. Ventricular intervals and atrial intervals are compare, ventricular interval greater than the atrial interval by a bias factor the system delivers tachycardia therapy to the heart. Alternatively, the method withholds tachycardia therapy to the heart when the atrial rate is classified as atrial fibrillation and the ventricular response is unstable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Krig, James O. Gilkerson, Robert D. Dreher, Jan D. Wald, William J. Linder, William L. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 4773401
    Abstract: A multi-pole pacing/sensing lead is used to measure the instantaneous impedance in the right ventricle of a patient's heart. The resulting impedance waveform is signal processed to obtain a measure of the time interval beginning with the occurrence of a paced beat or a spontaneous QRS complex (systole marker) and ending with the point where the impedance versus time signal crosses the zero axis in the positive direction following the paced or spontaneous QRS complex initiating the interval or some other predetermined point along the positive-going waveform. The resulting time interval is inversely proportional to the contractility of the heart and is found to decrease with exercise and the introduction of catecholamines. Thus, it can be used as a control parameter for a demand-type cardiac pacemaker. A means for obviating changes in pacing rate due to long-term drift in the impedance sensing circuitry is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian P. Citak, Michael W. Dooley, Arthur L. Olive, Brian D. Pederson, Renold J. Russie, Rodney W. Salo, William L. Zimmer