Patents by Inventor William T. Donofrio

William T. Donofrio 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: 20100114203
    Abstract: Electrical crosstalk between two implantable medical devices or two different therapy modules of a common implantable medical device may be evaluated, and, in some examples, mitigated. In some examples, one of the implantable medical devices or therapy modules delivers electrical stimulation to a nonmyocardial tissue site or a nonvascular cardiac tissue site, and the other implantable medical device or therapy module delivers cardiac rhythm management therapy to a heart of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Burnes, Paul G. Krause, William T. Donofrio, Gerald P. Arne, David J. Peichel, Xiaohong Zhou, James D. Reinke
  • Publication number: 20100114195
    Abstract: An implantable medical device may deliver pacing, cardioversion, and/or defibrillation stimulation to a heart of a patient via extravascular electrodes and delivers electrical stimulation to a nonmyocardial tissue site to modulate the autonomic nervous system of the patient. The implantable medical device may include a cardiac therapy module that generates and delivers at least one of pacing, cardioversion, or defibrillation therapy to a patient via an extravascular electrode, and a neurostimulation therapy module that generates and delivers a neurostimulation signal to the patient via a neurostimulation electrode. The cardiac therapy module and neurostimulation therapy module may be disposed in a common housing of the medical device. In some examples, at least one common lead may electrically couple the neurostimulation electrode and the extravascular electrode to the neurostimulation and cardiac therapy modules, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Burnes, Chris Zillmer, Paul G. Krause, Gerald P. Arne, Timothy Davis, David J. Peichel, James D. Reinke, William T. Donofrio, Xiaohong Zhou
  • Publication number: 20100114211
    Abstract: Techniques for minimizing interference between the first and second medical devices or between the different therapy modules of a common medical device are described herein. In some examples, a medical device may include shunt-current mitigation circuitry and/or at least one clamping structure that helps minimize or even eliminate shunt-current that feeds into a first therapy module of the medical device via one or more electrodes electrically connected to the first therapy module. The shunt-current may be generated by the delivery of electrical stimulation by a second therapy module. The second therapy module may be enclosed in a common housing with the first therapy module or may be separate, e.g., a part of a separate medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Donofrio, John E. Burnes, Paul G. Krause, Gerald P. Arne, Xiaohong Zhou
  • Publication number: 20100114201
    Abstract: Electrical crosstalk between two implantable medical devices or two different therapy modules of a common implantable medical device may be evaluated, and, in some examples, mitigated. In some examples, one of the implantable medical devices or therapy modules delivers electrical stimulation to a nonmyocardial tissue site or a nonvascular cardiac tissue site, and the other implantable medical device or therapy module delivers cardiac rhythm management therapy to a heart of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: William T. Donofrio, John E. Burnes, Paul G. Krause, Xiaohong Zhou, Gerald P. Arne, David J. Peichel, James D. Reinke
  • Publication number: 20100114248
    Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques of reducing or eliminating a commonality between two modules within the same implantable medical device. Each module within the implantable medical device provides therapy to a patient. The commonality between the two modules exists due to at least one common component shared by the two modules. The commonality between the two modules may create common-mode interference and a shunt current. In accordance with this disclosure, various isolation circuits located at various locations are disclosed to reduce or eliminate the commonality between the two modules. The reduction or elimination of the commonality between the two modules may reduce or eliminate common-mode interference and the shunt current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: William T. Donofrio, Paul G. Krause, James D. Reinke, David J. Peichel
  • Publication number: 20100114216
    Abstract: A therapy or monitoring system may implement one or more techniques to mitigate interference between operation of a charging device that charges a first implantable medical device (IMD) implanted in a patient and a second IMD implanted in the patient. In some examples, the techniques may include modifying an operating parameter of the charging device in response to receiving an indication that a second IMD is implanted in the patient. The techniques also may include modifying an operating parameter of the second IMD in response to detecting the presence or operation of the charging device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul G. Krause, William T. Donofrio, Gerald P. Arne, James D. Reinke, David J. Peichel, Timothy Davis, John E. Burnes
  • Publication number: 20100114197
    Abstract: Electrical crosstalk between two implantable medical devices or two different therapy modules of a common implantable medical device may be evaluated, and, in some examples, mitigated. In some examples, one of the implantable medical devices or therapy modules delivers electrical stimulation to a nonmyocardial tissue site or a nonvascular cardiac tissue site, and the other implantable medical device or therapy module delivers cardiac rhythm management therapy to a heart of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Burnes, Paul G. Krause, William T. Donofrio, Gerald P. Arne, David J. Peichel, Xiaohong Zhou, James D. Reinke, Timothy Davis
  • Publication number: 20100114209
    Abstract: A first implantable medical device (IMD) implanted within a patient may communicate with a second IMD implanted within the patient by encoding information in an electrical stimulation signal. The delivery of the electrical stimulation signal may provide therapeutic benefits to the patient. The second IMD may sense the electrical stimulation signal, which may be presented as an artifact in a sensed cardiac signal, and process the sensed signal to retrieve the encoded information. The second IMD may modify its operation based on the received therapy information. Crosstalk between the first and second IMDs may be reduced using various techniques described herein. For example, the first IMD may generate the electrical stimulation signal to include a spread spectrum energy distribution or a predetermined signal signature. The second IMD may effectively remove a least some of the signal artifact in a sensed cardiac signal based on the predetermined signal signature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul G. Krause, William T. Donofrio, Gerald P. Arne, John E. Burnes, David J. Peichel, Xiaohong Zhou
  • Publication number: 20100114258
    Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques of reducing or eliminating a commonality between two modules within the same implantable medical device. Each module within the implantable medical device provides therapy to a patient. The commonality between the two modules exists due to at least one common component shared by the two modules. The commonality between the two modules may create common-mode interference and a shunt current. In accordance with this disclosure, various isolation circuits located at various locations are disclosed to reduce or eliminate the commonality between the two modules. The reduction or elimination of the commonality between the two modules may reduce or eliminate common-mode interference and the shunt current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: William T. Donofrio, Paul G. Krause, James D. Reinke, David J. Peichel
  • Publication number: 20100114198
    Abstract: Electrical crosstalk between two implantable medical devices or two different therapy modules of a common implantable medical device may be evaluated, and, in some examples, mitigated. In some examples, one of the implantable medical devices or therapy modules delivers electrical stimulation to a nonmyocardial tissue site or a nonvascular cardiac tissue site, and the other implantable medical device or therapy module delivers cardiac rhythm management therapy to a heart of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: William T. Donofrio, John E. Burnes, Paul G. Krause, Xiaohong Zhou, Gerald P. Arne, David J. Peichel, James D. Reinke
  • Publication number: 20100114224
    Abstract: Electrical crosstalk between two implantable medical devices or two different therapy modules of a common implantable medical device may be evaluated, and, in some examples, mitigated. In some examples, one of the implantable medical devices or therapy modules delivers electrical stimulation to a nonmyocardial tissue site or a nonvascular cardiac tissue site, and the other implantable medical device or therapy module delivers cardiac rhythm management therapy to a heart of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Paul G. Krause, John E. Burnes, William T. Donofrio, David J. Peichel, Gerald P. Arne, Xiaohong Zhou, James D. Reinke
  • Publication number: 20100114202
    Abstract: Electrical crosstalk between two implantable medical devices or two different therapy modules of a common implantable medical device may be evaluated, and, in some examples, mitigated. In some examples, one of the implantable medical devices or therapy modules delivers electrical stimulation to a nonmyocardial tissue site or a nonvascular cardiac tissue site, and the other implantable medical device or therapy module delivers cardiac rhythm management therapy to a heart of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: William T. Donofrio, John E. Burnes, Paul G. Krause, Xiaohong Zhou, Gerald P. Arne, David J. Peichel, James D. Reinke
  • Publication number: 20100114199
    Abstract: Electrical crosstalk between two implantable medical devices or two different therapy modules of a common implantable medical device may be evaluated, and, in some examples, mitigated. In some examples, one of the implantable medical devices or therapy modules delivers electrical stimulation to a nonmyocardial tissue site or a nonvascular cardiac tissue site, and the other implantable medical device or therapy module delivers cardiac rhythm management therapy to a heart of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul G. Krause, John E. Burnes, William T. Donofrio, David J. Peichel, Gerald P. Arne, Xiaohong Zhou, James D. Reinke, Timothy Davis
  • Publication number: 20100114200
    Abstract: Electrical crosstalk between two implantable medical devices or two different therapy modules of a common implantable medical device may be evaluated, and, in some examples, mitigated. In some examples, one of the implantable medical devices or therapy modules delivers electrical stimulation to a nonmyocardial tissue site or a nonvascular cardiac tissue site, and the other implantable medical device or therapy module delivers cardiac rhythm management therapy to a heart of the patient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Inventors: Paul G. Krause, John E. Burnes, William T. Donofrio, David J. Peichel, Gerald P. Arne, Xiaohong Zhou, James D. Reinke
  • Publication number: 20100114215
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) may include a battery dedicated to providing cardiac stimulation therapy and a separate power source that provides power for electrical stimulation therapy. Such a configuration preserves the battery dedicated for providing cardiac stimulation therapy even if the second power source is depleted. As an example, the IMD may comprise a cardiac stimulation module configured to deliver at least one stimulation therapy selected from a group consisting of pacing, cardioversion and defibrillation. The IMD further comprises a electrical stimulation module configured to deliver electrical stimulation therapy, a first power source including a battery, wherein the first power source is configured to supply power to the cardiac stimulation module and not to the electrical stimulation module, and a second power source. The second power source is configured to supply power to at least the electrical stimulation module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Burnes, Paul G. Krause, William T. Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20100022856
    Abstract: An implantable medical device (IMD) includes an optical hemodynamic sensor comprising at least one optical emitter and at least one detector. In some examples, the at least one optical emitter may be optically coupled to at least one light transmission member that extends from a housing of the IMD. In addition, in some examples, the at least one detector may be optically coupled to at least one light transmission member that extends from the housing of the IMD. In other examples, an optical emitter and/or detector of a hemodynamic sensor may be carried by an extension member that extends from a housing of the IMD. The elongated member may electrically couple the optical emitter and/or detector to a controller or other components within the IMD housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Can Cinbis, Richard James O'Brien, James Kevin Carney, William T. Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20090163969
    Abstract: An implantable medical device for monitoring tissue perfusion that includes a light source emitting a light signal and a light detector receiving emitted light scattered by a volume of body tissue. The light detector emits a signal having an alternating current component corresponding to the pulsatility of blood flow in the body tissue volume. A processor receives the current signal and determines a patient condition in response to the alternating component of the current signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: William T. Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20090163968
    Abstract: An implantable medical device for monitoring tissue perfusion that includes a light source emitting light having a light wavelength corresponding to a blue to ultraviolet light spectrum and a light detector receiving light emitted by the light source and scattered by a volume of body tissue. The light detector emits a signal correlated to the received light wavelength, and a processor receives the signal from the light detector and determines a patient condition in response to the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: William T. Donofrio
  • Publication number: 20090118751
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for surgery which includes an ultrasonic hand piece having a end-effector, a console having a digital signal processor (DSP) for controlling the hand piece, and a memory disposed in the end-effector. The generator console sends a drive current to drive the hand piece which imparts ultrasonic longitudinal movement to the blade. As the generator console reads the memory, the hand piece is authenticated for use with the generator console if a copyrighted data string is present in the memory. In a particular embodiment, the data string is an encrypted code, where the hand piece is authenticated for use with the console by decoding a corresponding encryption algorithm resident in the generator console and providing a responding data pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, Robert P. Gill, William T. Donofrio, Richard F. Schwemberger
  • Patent number: 7476233
    Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical system utilizes a digital control system to generate ultrasonic drive current for transducers that are located in a hand piece and are attached to a surgical scalpel or blade so as to vibrate the blade in response to the current. The digital control includes a digital signal processor (DSP) or microprocessor; a direct digital synthesis (DDS) device; a phase detection logic scheme, a control algorithm for seeking and maintaining resonance frequency; and design scheme that allows to regulate current, voltage, and power delivered to an ultrasonic device. The system allows the power versus load output curve to be tailored to a specific hand piece; the components of the digital system are much less sensitive to temperature variations; and the digital system provides increased flexibility in locating the resonance frequency of the blade and running diagnostic tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Eitan T. Wiener, William T. Donofrio