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).

  • Patent number: 10052484
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Bolea, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, John Beck, Thomas Hoegh, Robert Atkinson, Sidney Hauschild
  • Publication number: 20180200512
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: 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
  • Patent number: 9913982
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20180008824
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20170368341
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Bolea, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, John Beck, Thomas Hoegh, Robert Atkinson, Sidney Hauschild
  • Patent number: 9757564
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Bolea, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, John Beck, Thomas Hoegh, Robert Atkinson, Sidney Hauschild
  • Patent number: 9744354
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods of neurostimulation for treating obstructive sleep apnea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20170202482
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Wondimeneh TESFAYESUS, Stephen L. BOLEA, Peter R. EASTWOOD, David R. HILLMAN
  • Patent number: 9555247
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Stephen L. Bolea, Peter R. Eastwood, David R. Hillman
  • Publication number: 20160059011
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Inventors: Stephen BOLEA, Wondimeneh TESFAYESUS, John BECK, Thomas HOEGH, Robert Atkinson, Sidney HAUSCHILD
  • Patent number: 9205262
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Bolea, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, John Beck, Thomas Hoegh, Robert Atkinson, Sidney Hauschild
  • Publication number: 20150321008
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Inventors: Wondimeneh TESFAYESUS, Stephen L. BOLEA, Peter R. EASTWOOD, David R. HILLMAN
  • Patent number: 9113838
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: CYBERONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Stephen L. Bolea, Peter R. Eastwood, David R. Hillman
  • Publication number: 20150005642
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Wondimeneh TESFAYESUS, Stephen L. BOLEA, Peter R. EASTWOOD, David R. HILLMAN
  • Patent number: 8855771
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Cyberonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Stephen L. Bolea, Peter R. Eastwood, David R. Hillman
  • Publication number: 20140188185
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventors: Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, Stephen L. Bolea, Peter R. Eastwood, David R. Hillman
  • Patent number: 8630716
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Cardiac Pacemakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Marina V. Brockway, Paul A. Haefner, Anthony V. Caparso, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus
  • Patent number: 8428727
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: 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
  • Patent number: 8417343
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for nerve stimulation for OSA therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20130085546
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Stephen Bolea, Wondimeneh Tesfayesus, John Beck, Thomas Hoegh, Robert Atkinson, Sidney Hauschild