Patents by Inventor Wondimeneh Tesfayesus
Wondimeneh Tesfayesus 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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Patent number: 10052484Abstract: Devices and methods for improving the coupling between the soft palate and the genioglossus. This may be accomplished, for example, but shortening or stiffening the palatoglossal arch. Improved coupling between the soft palate and the genioglossus may be beneficial to a patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as a stand-alone procedure, or in combination procedures and devices that cause anterior displacement of the tongue such as hypoglossal nerve stimulation, genioglossus advancement surgery, mandibular advancement surgery, mandibular advancement (oral) appliances, etc.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2017Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Bolea, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, John Beck, Thomas Hoegh, Robert Atkinson, Sidney Hauschild
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Publication number: 20180200512Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea. The system is adapted to send an electrical signal from an implanted neurostimulator through a stimulation lead to a patient's nerve at an appropriate phase of the respiratory cycle based on input from a respiration sensing lead. External components are adapted for wireless communication with the neurostimulator. The neurostimulator is adapted to deliver therapeutic stimulation based on inputs.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Applicant: Cyberonics, Inc.Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Brian D. Kuhnley, Dale G. Suilmann, Bruce J. Persson, John P. Beck, Sidney F. Hauschild, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Jason J. Skubitz, Mark R. Bosshard, Daniel A. Parrish, Robert E. Atkinson
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Patent number: 9913982Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea. The system is adapted to send an electrical signal from an implanted neurostimulator through a stimulation lead to a patient's nerve at an appropriate phase of the respiratory cycle based on input from a respiration sensing lead. External components are adapted for wireless communication with the neurostimulator. The neurostimulator is adapted to deliver therapeutic stimulation based on inputs.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2011Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Brian D. Kuhnley, Dale G. Suilmann, Bruce J. Persson, John P. Beck, Sidney F. Hauschild, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Jason J. Skubitz, Mark R. Bosshard, Daniel A. Parrish, Robert E. Atkinson
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Publication number: 20180008824Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Applicant: Cyberonics, Inc.Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Brian D. Kuhnley, Dale G. Suilmann, Bruce J. Persson, John P. Beck, Sidney Hauschild, Paula M. Kaplan, Adam K. Hoyhtya, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Robert E. Atkinson, Peter R. Eastwood, David R. Hillman
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Publication number: 20170368341Abstract: Devices and methods for improving the coupling between the soft palate and the genioglossus. This may be accomplished, for example, but shortening or stiffening the palatoglossal arch. Improved coupling between the soft palate and the genioglossus may be beneficial to a patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as a stand-alone procedure, or in combination procedures and devices that cause anterior displacement of the tongue such as hypoglossal nerve stimulation, genioglossus advancement surgery, mandibular advancement surgery, mandibular advancement (oral) appliances, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2017Publication date: December 28, 2017Applicant: Cyberonics, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Bolea, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, John Beck, Thomas Hoegh, Robert Atkinson, Sidney Hauschild
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Patent number: 9757564Abstract: Devices and methods for improving the coupling between the soft palate and the genioglossus. This may be accomplished, for example, but shortening or stiffening the palatoglossal arch. Improved coupling between the soft palate and the genioglossus may be beneficial to a patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as a stand-alone procedure, or in combination procedures and devices that cause anterior displacement of the tongue such as hypoglossal nerve stimulation, genioglossus advancement surgery, mandibular advancement surgery, mandibular advancement (oral) appliances, etc.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2015Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.Inventors: Stephen Bolea, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, John Beck, Thomas Hoegh, Robert Atkinson, Sidney Hauschild
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Patent number: 9744354Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2009Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Brian D. Kuhnley, Dale G. Suilmann, Bruce J. Persson, John P. Beck, Sidney F. Hauschild, Paula M. Kaplan, Adam K. Hoyhtya, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Robert E. Atkinson, Peter R. Eastwood, David R. Hillman
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Publication number: 20170202482Abstract: Devices and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea by first performing an assessment of the patient that involves observing the patient's upper airway during a tongue protrusion maneuver. The assessment may, for example, be done using endoscopy to observe the upper airway while the patient is awake in the supine position. An adequate response of the upper airway during the tongue protrusion maneuver is indicative of likely therapeutic success with hypoglossal nerve stimulation, and may be used for making clinical decisions. The principles of the present invention may be applied to other therapeutic interventions for OSA involving the upper airway.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2017Publication date: July 20, 2017Applicant: Cyberonics, Inc.Inventors: Wondimeneh TESFAYESUS, Stephen L. BOLEA, Peter R. EASTWOOD, David R. HILLMAN
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Patent number: 9555247Abstract: Devices and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea by first performing an assessment of the patient that involves observing the patient's upper airway during a tongue protrusion maneuver. The assessment may, for example, be done using endoscopy to observe the upper airway while the patient is awake in the supine position. An adequate response of the upper airway during the tongue protrusion maneuver is indicative of likely therapeutic success with hypoglossal nerve stimulation, and may be used for making clinical decisions. The principles of the present invention may be applied to other therapeutic interventions for OSA involving the upper airway.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.Inventors: Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Stephen L. Bolea, Peter R. Eastwood, David R. Hillman
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Publication number: 20160059011Abstract: Devices and methods for improving the coupling between the soft palate and the genioglossus. This may be accomplished, for example, but shortening or stiffening the palatoglossal arch. Improved coupling between the soft palate and the genioglossus may be beneficial to a patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as a stand-alone procedure, or in combination procedures and devices that cause anterior displacement of the tongue such as hypoglossal nerve stimulation, genioglossus advancement surgery, mandibular advancement surgery, mandibular advancement (oral) appliances, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Stephen BOLEA, Wondimeneh TESFAYESUS, John BECK, Thomas HOEGH, Robert Atkinson, Sidney HAUSCHILD
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Patent number: 9205262Abstract: Devices and methods for improving the coupling between the soft palate and the genioglossus. This may be accomplished, for example, but shortening or stiffening the palatoglossal arch. Improved coupling between the soft palate and the genioglossus may be beneficial to a patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as a stand-alone procedure, or in combination procedures and devices that cause anterior displacement of the tongue such as hypoglossal nerve stimulation, genioglossus advancement surgery, mandibular advancement surgery, mandibular advancement (oral) appliances, etc.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2012Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.Inventors: Stephen Bolea, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, John Beck, Thomas Hoegh, Robert Atkinson, Sidney Hauschild
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Publication number: 20150321008Abstract: Devices and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea by first performing an assessment of the patient that involves observing the patient's upper airway during a tongue protrusion maneuver. The assessment may, for example, be done using endoscopy to observe the upper airway while the patient is awake in the supine position. An adequate response of the upper airway during the tongue protrusion maneuver is indicative of likely therapeutic success with hypoglossal nerve stimulation, and may be used for making clinical decisions. The principles of the present invention may be applied to other therapeutic interventions for OSA involving the upper airway.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Wondimeneh TESFAYESUS, Stephen L. BOLEA, Peter R. EASTWOOD, David R. HILLMAN
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Patent number: 9113838Abstract: Devices and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea by first performing an assessment of the patient that involves observing the patient's upper airway during a tongue protrusion maneuver. The assessment may, for example, be done using endoscopy to observe the upper airway while the patient is awake in the supine position. An adequate response of the upper airway during the tongue protrusion maneuver is indicative of likely therapeutic success with hypoglossal nerve stimulation, and may be used for making clinical decisions. The principles of the present invention may be applied to other therapeutic interventions for OSA involving the upper airway.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2014Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.Inventors: Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Stephen L. Bolea, Peter R. Eastwood, David R. Hillman
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Publication number: 20150005642Abstract: Devices and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea by first performing an assessment of the patient that involves observing the patient's upper airway during a tongue protrusion maneuver. The assessment may, for example, be done using endoscopy to observe the upper airway while the patient is awake in the supine position. An adequate response of the upper airway during the tongue protrusion maneuver is indicative of likely therapeutic success with hypoglossal nerve stimulation, and may be used for making clinical decisions. The principles of the present invention may be applied to other therapeutic interventions for OSA involving the upper airway.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2014Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Wondimeneh TESFAYESUS, Stephen L. BOLEA, Peter R. EASTWOOD, David R. HILLMAN
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Patent number: 8855771Abstract: Devices and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea by first performing an assessment of the patient that involves observing the patient's upper airway during a tongue protrusion maneuver. The assessment may, for example, be done using endoscopy to observe the upper airway while the patient is awake in the supine position. An adequate response of the upper airway during the tongue protrusion maneuver is indicative of likely therapeutic success with hypoglossal nerve stimulation, and may be used for making clinical decisions. The principles of the present invention may be applied to other therapeutic interventions for OSA involving the upper airway.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2011Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.Inventors: Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Stephen L. Bolea, Peter R. Eastwood, David R. Hillman
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Publication number: 20140188185Abstract: Devices and methods for treating obstructive sleep apnea by first performing an assessment of the patient that involves observing the patient's upper airway during a tongue protrusion maneuver. The assessment may, for example, be done using endoscopy to observe the upper airway while the patient is awake in the supine position. An adequate response of the upper airway during the tongue protrusion maneuver is indicative of likely therapeutic success with hypoglossal nerve stimulation, and may be used for making clinical decisions. The principles of the present invention may be applied to other therapeutic interventions for OSA involving the upper airway.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2011Publication date: July 3, 2014Inventors: Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Stephen L. Bolea, Peter R. Eastwood, David R. Hillman
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Patent number: 8630716Abstract: A method embodiment comprises generating a neural stimulation signal for a neural stimulation therapy. The signal is generated during a duty cycle of a stimulation period to provide the neural stimulation therapy with an intensity at a therapy level for a portion of the duty cycle. In various embodiments, a ramp up protocol is implemented to begin the duty cycle, a ramp down protocol is implemented to end the duty cycle, or both the ramp up protocol and the ramp down protocol are implemented. The ramp up protocol includes ramping up the intensity from a non-zero first subthreshold level for the neural stimulation therapy at the beginning of the duty cycle to the therapy level. The ramp down protocol includes ramping down the intensity from the therapy intensity level to a non-zero second subthreshold level for the neural stimulation therapy at the end of the duty cycle.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2012Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.Inventors: Marina V. Brockway, Paul A. Haefner, Anthony V. Caparso, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus
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Patent number: 8428727Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for maintaining patency of an upper airway of a patient to treat obstructive sleep apnea may include delivering an electrical stimulation to a portion of a superior laryngeal nerve via a nerve cuff when the nerve cuff is adjacent an external surface of the superior laryngeal nerve, the nerve cuff having a plurality of electrodes, wherein the nerve cuff is configured to be connected to an electrical stimulator via a stimulation lead.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2011Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Apnex Medical, Inc.Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Sidney F. Hauschild, Paula M. Kaplan, Brian D. Kuhnley, Keith E. Jasperson, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Christopher K. Thorp
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Patent number: 8417343Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for nerve stimulation for OSA therapy.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2007Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Apnex Medical, Inc.Inventors: Stephen L. Bolea, Thomas B. Hoegh, Bruce J. Persson, Robert E. Atkinson, Sidney F. Hauschild, Paula M. Kaplan, Brian D. Kuhnley, Keith E. Jasperson, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Christopher K. Thorp
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Publication number: 20130085546Abstract: Devices and methods for improving the coupling between the soft palate and the genioglossus. This may be accomplished, for example, but shortening or stiffening the palatoglossal arch. Improved coupling between the soft palate and the genioglossus may be beneficial to a patient suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as a stand-alone procedure, or in combination procedures and devices that cause anterior displacement of the tongue such as hypoglossal nerve stimulation, genioglossus advancement surgery, mandibular advancement surgery, mandibular advancement (oral) appliances, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Inventors: Stephen Bolea, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, John Beck, Thomas Hoegh, Robert Atkinson, Sidney Hauschild